Transitional bathroom photo in Seattle

This luxury backyard walkway was created with our Blu Grande slabs! Perfect paving slab for modern poolsides and backyard design, Blu Grande Smooth is a large concrete patio stone available in multiple colors. Its smooth texture is sleek to the eye but rougher to the touch which avoids it from getting slippery when wet. The large rectangular shape works as an easy add-on into Blu 60 regular modular patterns but can also work as a stand-alone to create a very linear look. Check out the HD2 Blu Grande Smooth which is all about seamless looks with a tighter/poreless texture and anti-aging technology. Discover our Blu Grande slabs here: https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/slabs/blu-grande-smooth/

Treve Johnson Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman u-shaped light wood floor enclosed kitchen remodel in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Open concept kitchen with fabric island pendants, dark veiny countertops, brown woven leather bar stools, cream tile backsplash, white cabinetry, black matte hardware, and custom built iron hood. An all day nook by the window boats custom cushions, and oversized iron pendant lighting.

ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) created this modern home for a progressive family in the desirable community of Lexington. Thoughtful Land Connection. The residence is carefully sited on the infill lot so as to create privacy from the road and neighbors, while cultivating a side yard that captures the southern sun. The terraced grade rises to meet the house, allowing for it to maintain a structured connection with the ground while also sitting above the high water table. The elevated outdoor living space maintains a strong connection with the indoor living space, while the stepped edge ties it back to the true ground plane. Siting and outdoor connections were completed by ZED in collaboration with landscape designer Soren Deniord Design Studio. Exterior Finishes and Solar. The exterior finish materials include a palette of shiplapped wood siding, through-colored fiber cement panels and stucco. A rooftop parapet hides the solar panels above, while a gutter and site drainage system directs rainwater into an irrigation cistern and dry wells that recharge the groundwater. Cooking, Dining, Living. Inside, the kitchen, fabricated by Henrybuilt, is located between the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The expansive south-facing sliding door opens to seamlessly connect the spaces, using a retractable awning to provide shade during the summer while still admitting the warming winter sun. The indoor living space continues from the dining areas across to the sunken living area, with a view that returns again to the outside through the corner wall of glass. Accessible Guest Suite. The design of the first level guest suite provides for both aging in place and guests who regularly visit for extended stays. The patio off the north side of the house affords guests their own private outdoor space, and privacy from the neighbor. Similarly, the second level master suite opens to an outdoor private roof deck. Light and Access. The wide open interior stair with a glass panel rail leads from the top level down to the well insulated basement. The design of the basement, used as an away/play space, addresses the need for both natural light and easy access. In addition to the open stairwell, light is admitted to the north side of the area with a high performance, Passive House (PHI) certified skylight, covering a six by sixteen foot area. On the south side, a unique roof hatch set flush with the deck opens to reveal a glass door at the base of the stairwell which provides additional light and access from the deck above down to the play space. Energy. Energy consumption is reduced by the high performance building envelope, high efficiency mechanical systems, and then offset with renewable energy. All windows and doors are made of high performance triple paned glass with thermally broken aluminum frames. The exterior wall assembly employs dense pack cellulose in the stud cavity, a continuous air barrier, and four inches exterior rigid foam insulation. The 10kW rooftop solar electric system provides clean energy production. The final air leakage testing yielded 0.6 ACH 50 - an extremely air tight house, a testament to the well-designed details, progress testing and quality construction. When compared to a new house built to code requirements, this home consumes only 19% of the energy. Architecture & Energy Consulting: ZeroEnergy Design Landscape Design: Soren Deniord Design Paintings: Bernd Haussmann Studio Photos: Eric Roth Photography

This luxury backyard walkway was created with our Blu Grande slabs! Perfect paving slab for modern poolsides and backyard design, Blu Grande Smooth is a large concrete patio stone available in multiple colors. Its smooth texture is sleek to the eye but rougher to the touch which avoids it from getting slippery when wet. The large rectangular shape works as an easy add-on into Blu 60 regular modular patterns but can also work as a stand-alone to create a very linear look. Check out the HD2 Blu Grande Smooth which is all about seamless looks with a tighter/poreless texture and anti-aging technology. Discover our Blu Grande slabs here: https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/slabs/blu-grande-smooth/

This was a total transformation, Mom had a houseful of boys, all in university and all bringing home friends, a busy social life that included her entertaining weekly and no storage space. We took 3 rooms, knocked down walls and made one great space! We included tones of storage for cooking with a bake centre, a bar for entertaining and a desk to keep all the household financials in check. Overall this space is worthy of anyone's dream kitchen! - Photos by Randal Tomada.

Staycation! This project was inspired by our Blu Grande collection, a perfect paving slab for modern poolsides and backyard design. Blu Grande is a large concrete patio stone available in multiple colors. Its smooth texture is sleek to the eye but rougher to the touch which avoids it from getting slippery when wet. The large rectangular shape works as an easy add-on into Blu 60 regular modular patterns but can also work as a stand-alone to create a very linear look. Check out the HD2 Blu Grande Smooth which is all about seamless looks with a tighter/poreless texture and anti-aging technology. • Contractor: Alain Carrier Paysagiste • Designer: Alain Carrier

Staycation! This project was inspired by our Blu Grande collection, a perfect paving slab for modern poolsides and backyard design. Blu Grande is a large concrete patio stone available in multiple colors. Its smooth texture is sleek to the eye but rougher to the touch which avoids it from getting slippery when wet. The large rectangular shape works as an easy add-on into Blu 60 regular modular patterns but can also work as a stand-alone to create a very linear look. Check out the HD2 Blu Grande Smooth which is all about seamless looks with a tighter/poreless texture and anti-aging technology. • Contractor: Alain Carrier Paysagiste • Designer: Alain Carrier

This project was inspired by our Blu Grande collection, a perfect paving slab for modern poolsides and backyard design. Blu Grande is a large concrete patio stone available in multiple colors. Its smooth texture is sleek to the eye but rougher to the touch which avoids it from getting slippery when wet. The large rectangular shape works as an easy add-on into Blu 60 regular modular patterns but can also work as a stand-alone to create a very linear look. Check out the HD2 Blu Grande Smooth which is all about seamless looks with a tighter/poreless texture and anti-aging technology. • Project location: Drummondville, Quebec, Canada • Contractor: Alain Carrier Paysagiste • Designer: Alain Carrier

Staycation! This project was inspired by our Blu Grande collection, a perfect paving slab for modern poolsides and backyard design. Blu Grande is a large concrete patio stone available in multiple colors. Its smooth texture is sleek to the eye but rougher to the touch which avoids it from getting slippery when wet. The large rectangular shape works as an easy add-on into Blu 60 regular modular patterns but can also work as a stand-alone to create a very linear look. Check out the HD2 Blu Grande Smooth which is all about seamless looks with a tighter/poreless texture and anti-aging technology. • Contractor: Alain Carrier Paysagiste • Designer: Alain Carrier

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."

This original seating area design was inspired by our Blu Collection! Blu Grande Smooth is a large concrete patio stone available in multiple colors. Its smooth texture is sleek to the eye but rougher to the touch which avoids it from getting slippery when wet. The large rectangular shape works as an easy add-on into Blu 60 regular modular patterns but can also work as a stand-alone to create a very linear look. Check out the HD2 Blu Grande Smooth which is all about seamless looks with a tighter/poreless texture and anti-aging technology.

Gray panels on the refrigerator and freezer doors compliment the white cabinetry and metal hardware. Warm tones in the stonewood granite backsplash and island countertop add interest and coordinate with the furnishings in the adjacent living area. Dark hardwood floors ground the space. Ilir Rizaj

BiglarKinyan Design - Toronto
Bedroom - contemporary underground bedroom idea in Toronto

Kathryn J. LeMaster
Example of a mid-sized eclectic built-in desk medium tone wood floor home office design in Little Rock with blue walls and no fireplace

A renovation project doesn’t come cheap. Even if you have a lot of money, it is still considered practical that you set a budget when giving your landed house a makeover. The question is, what should you keep and what should you restore when doing a renovation project? If you are keen on giving your landed house interior design an upgrade, planning early is considered crucial. That means you need to figure out the right budget, employ the right team, and identify a timeline for completion ahead of time. During the planning stage, it is also vital that you identify which areas in your house to keep as is and which ones to repair and restore. If you need some beneficial guidance, here’s what some experts have to say: Retain the existing flooring when it doesn’t have major cracks or damage In landed house interior design, floors are not only considered the foundation of every landed home, they are also expected to be the most resilient. While it can be tempting to add floor embellishments like tiles to enhance your home’s aesthetic value, it shouldn’t be a priority if it does not have any massive damage or cracks. This is especially true if you’re trying to keep your spending to a minimum. If anything, there are other options you can look into to keep your flooring attractive. For instance, ensure they are cleaned and polished regularly. You will not only make them look well-maintained, you will also help boost their longevity. Replace plumbing fixtures when needed Plumbing fixtures belong to a list of items in the house that are most exposed to wear and tear. Even when not in use, water passes through the pipes, faucets, and other bathroom and kitchen plumbing accessories. Hard water also passes through plumbing fixtures. When the water has high mineral content, dried up water might create mineral deposits such as limestone, mildew, and rust. These minerals are not only difficult to remove, they can also eventually eat into the metal and steel pipes. That being said, plumbing fixtures need to be replaced on a routine basis. Also, a broken faucet or a leaking pipe will not only cause a possible disruption in the household, they can also cause some damage if not attended to right away. Save yourself from the headache by having them checked regularly and replaced right away when needed. Always check the doors Among the most underrated parts of the house are the doors. We open and close them several times a day. We sometimes bang them shut, leave them ajar, or let the breeze close them with a loud thud. While they are often made to last for years, doors and their fixtures are also prone to warping. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise if one day you’ll discover you cannot close the door anymore because the door itself no longer fits and locks. To avoid a similar scenario, check your doors every now and then. If the door itself doesn’t fit anymore, then ensure you include it in your renovation list. In addition, knobs and handles, including hinges, that are already deformed or no longer functional should be immediately replaced as well. Also, if your doorknob is prone to jamming or if your key no longer fits and turns, consider it your cue to have them replaced.

The best of past and present architectural styles combine in this welcoming, farmhouse-inspired design. Clad in low-maintenance siding, the distinctive exterior has plenty of street appeal, with its columned porch, multiple gables, shutters and interesting roof lines. Other exterior highlights included trusses over the garage doors, horizontal lap siding and brick and stone accents. The interior is equally impressive, with an open floor plan that accommodates today’s family and modern lifestyles. An eight-foot covered porch leads into a large foyer and a powder room. Beyond, the spacious first floor includes more than 2,000 square feet, with one side dominated by public spaces that include a large open living room, centrally located kitchen with a large island that seats six and a u-shaped counter plan, formal dining area that seats eight for holidays and special occasions and a convenient laundry and mud room. The left side of the floor plan contains the serene master suite, with an oversized master bath, large walk-in closet and 16 by 18-foot master bedroom that includes a large picture window that lets in maximum light and is perfect for capturing nearby views. Relax with a cup of morning coffee or an evening cocktail on the nearby covered patio, which can be accessed from both the living room and the master bedroom. Upstairs, an additional 900 square feet includes two 11 by 14-foot upper bedrooms with bath and closet and a an approximately 700 square foot guest suite over the garage that includes a relaxing sitting area, galley kitchen and bath, perfect for guests or in-laws.