We recently finished this landscape design and installation project in the Tanglewood neighborhood of Houston, Texas. Our client, a Louisiana native who loves entertaining and wanted to stay connected to her NOLA roots, desired a space that could comfortably accommodate 30+ guests on a regular basis. We deliberately designed the outdoor kitchen without a cover to preserve the view of the magnificent oak trees. Our aim was to create a kitchen that is both durable and visually appealing. The countertop is made of leathered granite, a material that can withstand the unpredictable Texas weather. All the appliances, including the grill, refrigerator, sink, and double side burner, were locally sourced and are made of stainless steel. Additionally, we utilized Austin limestone, which was quarried right here in Texas. To infuse a touch of New Orleans charm into the backyard, we incorporated a fountain. The surrounding black star gravel was designed as a versatile space that can be used for additional dining, seating, or even as a meditation area. To ensure privacy and shade as the plants mature, we strategically planted Eaglestone Holly and Japanese Yew along the fence line. Completing the landscape, we selected Amerishade grass for its excellent shade tolerance.

We recently finished this landscape design and installation project in the Tanglewood neighborhood of Houston, Texas. Our client, a Louisiana native who loves entertaining and wanted to stay connected to her NOLA roots, desired a space that could comfortably accommodate 30+ guests on a regular basis. We deliberately designed the outdoor kitchen without a cover to preserve the view of the magnificent oak trees. Our aim was to create a kitchen that is both durable and visually appealing. The countertop is made of leathered granite, a material that can withstand the unpredictable Texas weather. All the appliances, including the grill, refrigerator, sink, and double side burner, were locally sourced and are made of stainless steel. Additionally, we utilized Austin limestone, which was quarried right here in Texas. To infuse a touch of New Orleans charm into the backyard, we incorporated a fountain. The surrounding black star gravel was designed as a versatile space that can be used for additional dining, seating, or even as a meditation area. To ensure privacy and shade as the plants mature, we strategically planted Eaglestone Holly and Japanese Yew along the fence line. Completing the landscape, we selected Amerishade grass for its excellent shade tolerance.

Dunn-Edwards paint color - Walls: Mission White DET673 Jeremy Samuelson Photography | www.jeremysamuelson.com
Inspiration for a mediterranean l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with an island

My clients asked me to transform their current living and dining room into a music room as their children enjoy playing their Baby Grand piano on a regular basis. The wall and french door was removed that was between the living room and dining room and we installed a linear electric fireplace with storage pullouts for some of their music books along the bottom on either side as well as floating shelves above the pullouts. Their wall to wall carpet was removed and new hardwood was laid down. Ceilings were scraped and pot lights were also placed throughout the space and lighting was installed underneath the floating shelves. My client loves artwork by Toronto based artist Sharon Barr so she commissioned a piece from her and that sits above the fireplace. We also installed the "Frame" TV by Samsung on the other side of the fireplace which looks like another piece of artwork nicely framed. My client already had 2 beautiful occasional chairs that we designed at Gresham House 6 years earlier so we re-purposed them in this room to sit in front of the fireplace. In the cozy sitting area, we grounded it with a beautiful silk and wool area rug, added a comfortable leather ottoman, a small round swivel chair, a beautiful contemporary sectional and a set of nesting end tables. All of this furniture was designed by The Expert Touch Interiors at The Decorating Centre. Final touches with accessories and the floor lamp and pouff were found at Urban Barn. My client's once dated and unused space is now a well-used dual purpose room that the whole family can enjoy!

The old kitchen was outdated, cramped and had inefficient storage. It didn’t flow well with the rest of the home nor serve the needs of the family of four, who like to entertain and host the neighborhood kids on a regular basis. The client desired a large open concept kitchen with multiple zones for cooking, prep and cleanup that complimented the style of her home. She desired large pantry areas with easy access, a table area that could seat 6, as well as separate snack zone for the kids. The new kitchen design is an open concept space that combines the existing kitchen with a rarely used dining area and large walk-in closet. Distinct and separate cook, cleanup and prep zones, appeal to the cook while a separate snack area behind one of the barn doors is geared towards the children. Convenience items such as dual refrigerator drawers at one end of the island and a wine fridge at the other appeal to adults and kids alike. White perimeter cabinetry with a subtle moldings and grey glaze adds softness and sophistication, while stunning black painted islands ground the center of the space. Texture is added in the warm wood floors, gorgeous Super White Quartz countertop and variegated marble backsplash. The icing on the cake is brought in with a little glitz and shine thru the pendant lighting and chrome accents. The rays of the existing half circle window were the inspiration for the X detail which is repeated throughout the space in the glass door mullions, pantry barn doors, and tile feature area over the cooktop.

In the Tuscany region of central Italy, a region made famous around the world for its history, landscapes, traditions, artistic legacy and fine wine, perhaps nothing is more universally recognized than the old world villa’s that are nestled into the rolling countryside. Standing at approximately 10,500 square feet, this custom residence has all of the elegance, style and craftsmanship of those old world homes, but with all of the modern amenities of a new modern luxury home. This stunning residence was recognized by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) as the best custom built home in the country in 2010, a testament to the skillful designers and craftsmen who brought the homeowners vision into reality. When Chad Haas, Founder of VAULT (www.vaultgarage.com), a company that prides itself in furnishing some of the most beautiful garages in the world, was brought into the project, the home and garage had already been built. The accolades of the gorgeous villa already awarded. But the homeowner felt that the exterior and interior of the garage lacked architectural harmony with the rest of the home and so he flew Mr. Haas out to visit the space directly so that he could assist hands-on with re-designing a new look and to add furnishings to accessories the space. “When I first approached the villa from the street, I knew that I’d have my work cut out for me. Everything looked so perfect exactly the way it was designed and built. I questioned myself ‘how was I going to improve upon perfection?’, since remarkable attention was paid to even the smallest of details in the home” asked Haas. The client’s goal was to engage Haas to design and furnish a garage where he could relax, separate from the home, enjoy his growing car collection and entertain family and friends. After spending a short weekend together with the home owner to gather his ideas, Haas returned back to his Beaverton, Oregon-based company with a clearer vision: create the ultimate gentlemen’s retreat through the look of a turn-of-a-century Tuscan ‘car barn’. Absolutely nothing in the garage was overlooked – and it shows. Every design element in the garage for color, texture and material was meticulously thought out to elicit just the right feeling and emotion in everyone that enters what may be one of the most beautifully elegant garages in America, a space commonly overlooked in the construction of homes today. A main focal point of the exterior of garage is the beautiful view from the courtyard, where all three carriage doors can be seen. While the existing wood doors looked acceptable, it was agreed that something more befitting of the quality and beauty of the home were appropriate. Haas designed luxurious castle-style doors handcrafted from solid Mahogany and bathed in a rich dark brown stain that was complemented by hand-wrought iron grills, clavos and door pull hardware. The double-wide door, in particular, is truly remarkable in both its elegance, as well as its one-of-a-kind operation. “The client was concerned in this area of having mounting hardware and a motor on the ceiling. Because the cars in this area do not get brought out on a regular (daily) basis, the doors open manually by hand and operate accordion style on a track”. The homes main overhead garage doors feature jack-shaft operation which removes the clutter of a motor on the garage ceiling, but offers the convenience of powered operation. These extraordinary, custom-made castle doors look just as beautiful on the inside as the out and their unparalleled design and craftsmanship take the exterior of the home to even greater heights than before. On to the interior, a black and white epoxy coating was stripped and replaced with porcelain tiles that resembled Italian travertine stone. To give the car barn a rustic feeling and a presence that it was older, not modern, Haas worked on the development and concept directly with the home owner to collaborate with a local millwork company that designed and hand-finished substantial wood beams from distressed Doug Fir. All of the walls were hand-plastered by a local artist using straw that was harvested from the immediate area surrounding the home and incorporated into the plaster to give it a rustic antique quality. Haas conceived and designed a bar area and cabinetry for a work area that pulled inspiration from old ice boxes of the 1920’s that utilized heavy nickel-plated hardware, again to give storage spaces a rustic appearance. The warm glow from several custom porcelain neon signs, each one meticulously built entirely by hand by VAULT, are dispersed throughout the space and transform the entire room and bring it to life. The client had never previously owned a neon sign before and along with the carriage doors felt that these items have transformed the space more than any other feature. Several antique gas pumps, restored in the client’s favorite petro bran, and a few additional porcelain signs will eventually furnish the rest of the space to complement the clients amazing car collection. In addition to the countless details that set this showcase garage apart, its ability to seamlessly blend with the rest of the home and the natural, rustic setting of the Colorado Rockies, yet house modern automobiles in a manner in which they feel well placed and belong, is also noteworthy. GARAGE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS To learn more about VAULT visit them at: http://www.vaultgarage.com/ And on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/VaultGarage PHOTOGRAPHY All photographs were used with the permission of photographer John Vanderpool (john.vanderpool5@gmail.com) You can visit John Vanderpool on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/JVanderpoolPhotography ARCHITECTURE Jerry Gloss, Principal, KGA Architects: http://www.kgarch.com/ HOMEBUILDER Thomas Sattler Home: http://thomassattlerhomes.com/ VEHICLES Here is an overview of the cars that were photographed in this article: 1. 2014 Ferrari 458 Italia 2. 2013 Maserati GranTurismo Sport 3. 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997) 4. 2008 Porsche Cayenne GTS 5. 2008 Porsche GT3 RS 6. 2013 Porsche 911 Turbo S (997) 7. 2014 Porsche Panamera GTS 8. 2013 Ford SVT Raptor (6.2L CrewCab)’ Overview of project reprinted with permission of DuPont Registry.

My clients asked me to transform their current living and dining room into a music room as their children enjoy playing their Baby Grand piano on a regular basis. The wall and french door was removed that was between the living room and dining room and we installed a linear electric fireplace with storage pullouts for some of their music books along the bottom on either side as well as floating shelves above the pullouts. Their wall to wall carpet was removed and new hardwood was laid down. Ceilings were scraped and pot lights were also placed throughout the space and lighting was installed underneath the floating shelves. My client loves artwork by Toronto based artist Sharon Barr so she commissioned a piece from her and that sits above the fireplace. We also installed the "Frame" TV by Samsung on the other side of the fireplace which looks like another piece of artwork nicely framed. My client already had 2 beautiful occasional chairs that we designed at Gresham House 6 years earlier so we re-purposed them in this room to sit in front of the fireplace. In the cozy sitting area, we grounded it with a beautiful silk and wool area rug, added a comfortable leather ottoman, a small round swivel chair, a beautiful contemporary sectional and a set of nesting end tables. All of this furniture was designed by The Expert Touch Interiors at The Decorating Centre. Final touches with accessories and the floor lamp and pouff were found at Urban Barn. My client's once dated and unused space is now a well-used dual purpose room that the whole family can enjoy!

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   This large open concept kitchen and dining space was created by removing a load bearing wall between the old kitchen and a porch area. The new porch was insulated and incorporated into the overall space. The kitchen remodel was part of a whole house remodel so new quarter sawn oak flooring, a vaulted ceiling, windows and skylights were added. A large calcutta marble topped island takes center stage. It houses a 5’ galley workstation - a sink that provides a convenient spot for prepping, serving, entertaining and clean up. A 36” induction cooktop is located directly across from the island for easy access. Two appliance garages on either side of the cooktop house small appliances that are used on a daily basis. Honeycomb tile by Ann Sacks and open shelving along the cooktop wall add an interesting focal point to the room. Antique mirrored glass faces the storage unit housing dry goods and a beverage center. “I chose details for the space that had a bit of a mid-century vibe that would work well with what was originally a 1950s ranch. Along the way a previous owner added a 2nd floor making it more of a Cape Cod style home, a few eclectic details felt appropriate”, adds Klimala. The wall opposite the cooktop houses a full size fridge, freezer, double oven, coffee machine and microwave. “There is a lot of functionality going on along that wall”, adds Klimala. A small pull out countertop below the coffee machine provides a spot for hot items coming out of the ovens. The rooms creamy cabinetry is accented by quartersawn white oak at the island and wrapped ceiling beam. The golden tones are repeated in the antique brass light fixtures. “This is the second kitchen I’ve had the opportunity to design for myself. My taste has gotten a little less traditional over the years, and although I’m still a traditionalist at heart, I had some fun with this kitchen and took some chances. The kitchen is super functional, easy to keep clean and has lots of storage to tuck things away when I’m done using them. The casual dining room is fabulous and is proving to be a great spot to linger after dinner. We love it!” Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Call Today and begin our process: First, we cover any questions you have over the phone. Usually we can give you a close approximation of what you are likely to spend on your kitchen by simply asking you a few important questions. If you would like to proceed, we charge you a $150 deposit. For this deposit our expert designer will measure your kitchen, transfer the measurements to their computer and create your individual kitchen design. And at a second 2 hour appointment they will go over the detailed 3D designs with you. At our second meeting we display and go over our completed designs and make changes to them on our laptops with you present. Depending on your and our availability, this meeting can take place within the following week. Pricing for the cabinetry you select is just the click of a button and if you are able to provide us preferences in counter tops, fixtures, appliances, flooring, and back splash, we can give you reliable pricing estimates for each area as well as estimates for the construction costs. We are glad to work with a contractor you have selected or with one of the many we regularly refer on the basis of the quality of their work and with no remuneration to Main Line Kitchen Design. Unless you require printouts of our work, everything to this point is included in our initial $150 deposit.

My clients asked me to transform their current living and dining room into a music room as their children enjoy playing their Baby Grand piano on a regular basis. The wall and french door was removed that was between the living room and dining room and we installed a linear electric fireplace with storage pullouts for some of their music books along the bottom on either side as well as floating shelves above the pullouts. Their wall to wall carpet was removed and new hardwood was laid down. Ceilings were scraped and pot lights were also placed throughout the space and lighting was installed underneath the floating shelves. My client loves artwork by Toronto based artist Sharon Barr so she commissioned a piece from her and that sits above the fireplace. We also installed the "Frame" TV by Samsung on the other side of the fireplace which looks like another piece of artwork nicely framed. My client already had 2 beautiful occasional chairs that we designed at Gresham House 6 years earlier so we re-purposed them in this room to sit in front of the fireplace. In the cozy sitting area, we grounded it with a beautiful silk and wool area rug, added a comfortable leather ottoman, a small round swivel chair, a beautiful contemporary sectional and a set of nesting end tables. All of this furniture was designed by The Expert Touch Interiors at The Decorating Centre. Final touches with accessories and the floor lamp and pouff were found at Urban Barn. My client's once dated and unused space is now a well-used dual purpose room that the whole family can enjoy!

The layout of this kitchen accommodates multiple cooks, which is vital for regular large family gatherings. Ovens were placed away from the main work area, allowing for more free movement during the prep stages of cooking. While the kitchen easily suits more than one cook, it also works well for a single person on a daily basis.

The kitchen and Dining areas are a popular gathering spot in most homes. A lot of entertaining is done in this room as family and friends gather in an area close to where meals and appetizers are being prepared. It also is a place where the family may meet at the end of the day to talk about the day’s events. There is no doubt about the fact that these spaces are where memories are made and shared on a regular basis. The colour of the earth beneath your feet, a cup of coffee in the morning, a dollop of honey on toast and a bar of caramel chocolate. The tiles bring warmth and contentment to the space. MIDDLE EARTH TILES’ GOLDEN MANUKA Tile was laid with 33% offset. The tile was chosen as not only for the wonderful tone in colour, but because Middle Earth tiles are a “Cradle to Grave” product. The raw material are extracted close to the manufacturing site, they will last for many years, even centuries and the designs are timeless. Middle Earth tiles can be returned to the environment with no ill effects at the end of their life cycle. The European Oak Rutherglen Engineered Wood Flooring was chosen because of its subtle blue hue. Continuing the theme of the sea from the carpet. The grain of the wood adds texture and interest and works beautifully with all the other materials in the space. The VERDE GUATAMALA Stone BENCHTOP is simply gorgeous. Its intensity of colour and its grain make for a wonderful feature island benchtop. The clients fell in love with this stone, as for them it evoked Pounamu.

Example of an acacia transitional kitchen design in Charlotte

Call Today and begin our process: First, we cover any questions you have over the phone. Usually we can give you a close approximation of what you are likely to spend on your kitchen by simply asking you a few important questions. If you would like to proceed, we charge you a $150 deposit. For this deposit our expert designer will measure your kitchen, transfer the measurements to their computer and create your individual kitchen design. And at a second 2 hour appointment they will go over the detailed 3D designs with you. At our second meeting we display and go over our completed designs and make changes to them on our laptops with you present. Depending on your and our availability, this meeting can take place within the following week. Pricing for the cabinetry you select is just the click of a button and if you are able to provide us preferences in counter tops, fixtures, appliances, flooring, and back splash, we can give you reliable pricing estimates for each area as well as estimates for the construction costs. We are glad to work with a contractor you have selected or with one of the many we regularly refer on the basis of the quality of their work and with no remuneration to Main Line Kitchen Design. Unless you require printouts of our work, everything to this point is included in our initial $150 deposit.

Call Today and begin our process: First, we cover any questions you have over the phone. Usually we can give you a close approximation of what you are likely to spend on your kitchen by simply asking you a few important questions. If you would like to proceed, we charge you a $150 deposit. For this deposit our expert designer will measure your kitchen, transfer the measurements to their computer and create your individual kitchen design. And at a second 2 hour appointment they will go over the detailed 3D designs with you. At our second meeting we display and go over our completed designs and make changes to them on our laptops with you present. Depending on your and our availability, this meeting can take place within the following week. Pricing for the cabinetry you select is just the click of a button and if you are able to provide us preferences in counter tops, fixtures, appliances, flooring, and back splash, we can give you reliable pricing estimates for each area as well as estimates for the construction costs. We are glad to work with a contractor you have selected or with one of the many we regularly refer on the basis of the quality of their work and with no remuneration to Main Line Kitchen Design. Unless you require printouts of our work, everything to this point is included in our initial $150 deposit.

Call Today and begin our process: First, we cover any questions you have over the phone. Usually we can give you a close approximation of what you are likely to spend on your kitchen by simply asking you a few important questions. If you would like to proceed, we charge you a $150 deposit. For this deposit our expert designer will measure your kitchen, transfer the measurements to their computer and create your individual kitchen design. And at a second 2 hour appointment they will go over the detailed 3D designs with you. At our second meeting we display and go over our completed designs and make changes to them on our laptops with you present. Depending on your and our availability, this meeting can take place within the following week. Pricing for the cabinetry you select is just the click of a button and if you are able to provide us preferences in counter tops, fixtures, appliances, flooring, and back splash, we can give you reliable pricing estimates for each area as well as estimates for the construction costs. We are glad to work with a contractor you have selected or with one of the many we regularly refer on the basis of the quality of their work and with no remuneration to Main Line Kitchen Design. Unless you require printouts of our work, everything to this point is included in our initial $150 deposit.

Call Today and begin our process: First, we cover any questions you have over the phone. Usually we can give you a close approximation of what you are likely to spend on your kitchen by simply asking you a few important questions. If you would like to proceed, we charge you a $150 deposit. For this deposit our expert designer will measure your kitchen, transfer the measurements to their computer and create your individual kitchen design. And at a second 2 hour appointment they will go over the detailed 3D designs with you. At our second meeting we display and go over our completed designs and make changes to them on our laptops with you present. Depending on your and our availability, this meeting can take place within the following week. Pricing for the cabinetry you select is just the click of a button and if you are able to provide us preferences in counter tops, fixtures, appliances, flooring, and back splash, we can give you reliable pricing estimates for each area as well as estimates for the construction costs. We are glad to work with a contractor you have selected or with one of the many we regularly refer on the basis of the quality of their work and with no remuneration to Main Line Kitchen Design. Unless you require printouts of our work, everything to this point is included in our initial $150 deposit.

Edith’s guest bathroom was showing its age and the lack of storage. She started to notice that the shower walls and tub were not allowing her to utilize the bathroom the way she wanted to. The dated fixtures, shower head and sink faucet were not functioning the way they once were. The tub was not allowing for easy entry and wasn’t really being used. Her desires were to create a current, modern, and brighter bathroom with a pop of color. We used a 12x24 shower wall tile called Cemento Rasato Bianco and laid it in a horizontal 3rd offset pattern. We also took the tile to the ceiling to allow the transition around the window to look more natural. The shower pan is a light grey. We increased the storage space in a large niche. That pop of color mosaic is called Coastal Keytones in a sea blue color mix. The niche tile and wall color coordinate with each other to bounce lighting around the room. We updated the vanity to a drawer unit to help Edith organize the products she uses on a regular basis. By having drawers, she will never have the endless cavity where unused product gets lost or forgotten. The plumbing fixtures are in the brushed nickel family. The faucet is the Delta Sandover and the shower head is the Delta In2uition. This shower head features 9 different shower sprays, from a mist to a jet stream to meet the needs of her showering experience. The large mirror and dated lighting fixture were replaced by a stylish large round mirror and LED compatible light fixture.

This Houston outdoor kitchen and entertaining area offers a modern take on Mediterranean style. Designed and built by Outdoor Homescapes of Houston, this fully loaded family and entertaining space echoes the stucco, travertine tile patio and Mediterranean style of the existing home while exuding a more modern, transitional style. “This was a high-profile client – both VPs of different oil and gas companies who entertain affluent guests on a regular basis – so they wanted to make sure they had high-end appliances and all the latest amenities they could order,” says Lisha Maxey, senior designer for Outdoor Homescapes and owner of LGH Design Services in Houston. “They also have two kids, ages 7 and 10, and wanted a family gathering space that better accompanied their new, luxurious pool.” What really sets apart this outside kitchen design idea, however, is the way the elements are used throughout the space. “Usually, outdoor kitchen designs for a backyard are grouped into one island or cabinet,” explains Outdoor Homescapes of Houston owner Wayne Franks. “But here, the patio, roof and fireplace were all in place, separated by stucco columns, and the outdoor kitchen elements had to work around them.” A 14-foot-long cooking island houses a built-in Fire Magic grill with a Magic View Window (allows the chef to check on food without lifting the lid and losing valuable heat). The island, the countertop of which is "Carnaval" granite from Lackstone, also features a Fire Magic power burner, warming drawer and trash drawer. On one side of the fireplace, forming an “L” with the cooking island, sits a built-in Primo ceramic grill. On the other side of the fireplace is a 3-foot-long cabinet housing a bar with a wine cooler, ice maker and upper cabinet. And finally, just outside the patio door is a 7-foot-long cabinet with a modern Kohler sink with a high-arc Moen faucet (sink and faucet from Faucets Direct), a trash drawer and another upper cabinet. Outdoor Homescapes of Houston, by the way, outfitted both cabinets with glass inserts, custom pulls and three-way sensor lighting. “At the beginning, this was basically a blank space with a fireplace in the middle,” says Maxey. So Outdoor Homescapes upgraded the fireplace with Austin Stack Stone in white (No. 401) from Colorstonescreenshot vickers mosaic tile rectangle. "The stone added that pop,” notes Maxey. The fireplace’s espresso-colored, distressed wood mantel (from Mantels.com) and upper wood cabinets were both stained with the Minwax color Jacobean. The ceiling fans were also updated with ones featuring similarly espresso-colored, wooden fan blades, to match. The table in the middle - a cast-iron, Mediterranean style gem with hand-forged scrollwork designs from Patio 1 in Houston – seats 10. “We wanted this kind of Mediterranean feel,” says Maxey. “We wanted rustic, but the appliance package was so new, with all its stainless steel, so we kept a the cabinets and the columns stucco instead of stone for a more clean, modern look and then did the custom tile backsplash and mosaic in more of a rustic, Mediterranean look." The backsplash is a 1-inch travertine tile background with 4-inch square metallic insets, both from Floor & Decor. The tile for the 18-by-24-inch rectangle mosaic came from Great Britain Tile Co. and included a Dianno Reale tumbled border and background. The bronze, diamond-shaped insets are tumbled Dark Emperdor tile and the scrolls are tumbled Noce tile. The client, who admits they have high standards, was more than pleased with the project – especially browsing through Outdoor Homescapes’ vast library of patio kitchen design ideas, the 3D virtual video tour that let them preview the project from every angle before construction. They also liked the personalized design consultation. "OH provides a very neat service where one of their designers will either shop/buy for you or shop with you for the more detailed pieces that will finish your home," reads the client's review on Houzz. "This was a very positive, personalized feature ... Lisha helped narrow down an enormous marketplace of materials and finishes to a few we could choose from."