One of these is concrete, the other is the original piece of wood. The client wanted a live edge slab of maple for their hearth, but combustible material are not allowed in front of fireplaces. The section of wood in front of the fireplace was cut out and used to make a concrete replica. The seam was used as a design element.

The inspiration for selecting these bar stools came from the client's attraction to the classic Eames lounger. Lux Design was able to accomplish that polished veneer look, by using these stylish stools instead, while staying in the client's budget.

The Legendary Rockstar Pool Build — A Backyard Concert Venue and Custom Swimming Pool The Rockstar Pool is one of the most ambitious, imaginative, and large-scale residential pool builds ever completed by Legendary Escapes. Designed and built by Al Curtis, this project was created for a homeowner whose entire life revolves around performance, music, and living boldly. This is far more than a swimming pool. It is a backyard concert venue, a sculpted grotto, a hot tub, a swim-up bar, a VIP lounge, a performance platform, and a fully engineered artistic environment built as a single cohesive experience. A Client With a True Rockstar Life The homeowner’s request was simple in spirit but extraordinary in scale: create a pool environment that matched a life centered on creativity and performance. His background includes jousting at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, on-stage theatrical work, a home rebuilt around music and entertainment, and longstanding connections within the rock world. With a 16-acre horse farm and a passion for bold design, he needed a pool that reflected his personality. His project requirements included a grotto, waterfall, hot tub, swim-up bar, performance area, and multiple lounging zones. Every feature had to feel original, dramatic, and purposeful. The Design Vision Designer and builder Al Curtis immediately recognized that this build needed to be expansive, theatrical, and seamlessly integrated into the landscape. The pool needed to make a statement without obstructing panoramic views of the surrounding farm and open sky. The spark for the design came from an unexpected source: steel grates salvaged from an old carnival tilt-a-whirl ride. This inspired the concept of a floating performance stage built over the pool. What began as a small idea quickly grew into a large-scale platform complete with a concrete stage, integrated lighting, waterfalls, backstage areas, and custom metalwork. As the stage expanded, so did the pool, the patio, and the entire environment—ultimately transforming the backyard into a private amphitheater. Repurposed Materials Used as Art Legendary Escapes is known for incorporating reclaimed materials into artistic, sculptural pool environments. This project includes an extraordinary collection of repurposed components: Tilt-a-whirl steel used as the main stage structure Carnival flooring panels transformed into large fire-feature guitars Trumpet and trombone bells refitted as lighting fixtures Reclaimed street lamps custom-painted for poolside lighting 3D-printed album covers used as illuminated wall panels Concrete replicas of Marshall speakers integrated under the stage Every material was selected to bring character, history, and energy to the space. Artistic Features and Highlights The Rockstar Pool includes numerous custom artistic elements, such as: A ten-foot mosaic “album cover” inset into the pool floor Eight-foot sculpted guitars along the fence line Guitar-shaped fire features Backlit album panels positioned just above the water A “Rockstar” sign paired with sculpted concrete amplifier towers A VIP seating area built from restored tilt-a-whirl ride cars Every corner of the environment contains layered artistic details. Engineering Challenges and Solutions Creating a fully functional concert stage over the deep end of the pool required extensive planning and engineering. Key complexities included: Designing a safe, weight-bearing steel and concrete stage structure Adjusting stage elevation mid-build to achieve optimal height Installing three complete filtration systems concealed beneath the stage Applying ecoFinish throughout the pool, spa, and grotto Rebuilding existing decking and integrating a three-story observation tower Ensuring the massive pool structure preserved the property’s sightlines The technical demands of this project were matched only by the creative vision behind it. The Legendary Team This build was completed by a multi-generational team of craftsmen and artists, including: Al Curtis – Designer and builder Jesse Curtis – Project manager and construction artist Mark Curtis – Filtration systems and plumbing Annie Curtis – Stonework and water features Karen Olson – Tile, stonework, and patio murals Frank DiPiazza – Structural construction and decking Brendan Schafer – On-site support and maintenance dbaker designs – Custom mosaic creation Daren Baker – Custom metal guitars and lighting elements Each contributor played a critical role in shaping the final environment. A Client Who Trusted the Process As with many Legendary Escapes projects, this build evolved organically. The homeowner provided inspiration and trust, allowing the team to respond to the evolving environment. Several features—including the guitar fence, fire elements, and VIP seating area—were conceived and built during the process as the design revealed new opportunities. The Final Result The Rockstar Pool is now a fully functional concert venue, swimming pool, artistic installation, and outdoor living space. It is dramatic, expressive, engineered with care, and truly one-of-a-kind. This project reflects the homeowner’s personality and passion, and stands as one of the most ambitious designs ever produced by Legendary Escapes.

Frank Kuhlmeier Photography
Example of a transitional dining room design in Cincinnati

Clay tile roof from The Roof Tile and Slate Company lend the character of age. We organized the casitas and main house of this hacienda around a colonnade-lined courtyard. Walking from the parking court through the exterior wood doors and stepping into the courtyard has the effect of slowing time. The hand carved stone fountain in the center is a replica of one in Mexico. Viewed from this site on Seco Creek near Utopia, the surrounding tree-covered hills turn a deep blue-green in the distance.

A piece of furniture from one of the most respected and outstanding designers, gives your room the authentic beauty and modern representation. Although Hans Wegner chair was designed almost sixty years ago , it continues to rule many of the sitting rooms in homes where people understand the meaning of originality and elegance. Hans Wegner chair is a representation of a perfectly finished exquisite seat meant to provide comfort and style. It is a piece of furniture from a designer who truly has a deep respect for wood , the softness, soothing warmth and beauty separates it from the rest , placing it in one of the highly designed living room features. Spice up your living room with furniture that brings out the elegance and beauty.

Living room with our Florence Knoll Lounge Chair Reproduction in Charcoal Gray leather, Florence Knoll Small Square Side Table Reproduction and Florence Knoll Bench Reproduction in Premium Beige White leather

The unusual Ficus Triangularis behind the chair fills the corner. The other greenery adds to the beauty of this room
Family room - mid-sized contemporary family room idea in Los Angeles

Living room - industrial living room idea in Los Angeles

AFTER!
Kitchen - mid-sized modern kitchen idea in Portland

Referencing this square footage as an internal courtyard might be a stretch. A more accurate description would perhaps be the awesome things that New Yorkers can do with the tiny spaces we have. The parameters of the project lend to its description. This Tribeca residential building’s shared amenity space and gym on the lower level opens up onto a 350 square foot space of brick walls and concrete pavers. The south wall of this space is made up by the terraces belonging to the residential units above and while the setting allows for minimal ambient light, each balcony looks down onto the shared space below. In order to provide visual interest from the gym and the overhead views, Blondie’s designers Sara Baerwald and Eva Vessio utilized Jay Scott’s rectangle containers lining the north wall as well as surrounding the utilities in the southwest corner. They then created 8 foot faux boxwood hedge on the north wall and the appropriate height to conceal the utilities. From below the hedge creates the feeling of a courtyard and from above it softens the view of the once barren space. Adding color and functionality, the concrete pavers were replaced with rubber tiles in a bright aqua. To play off of this color and add a unique level of visual impact, artist Chris Pearson designed and painted a multi-color prism mural. Primarily on the east wall and then stretching over the hedges to the south, the depth and dimension that this mural provides for the space is incredible. It is a testament to the successful solutions we conjure when thinking outside the box and allowing for unique site specific resolutions.

Designer: Kristie Schneider CKBR, UDCP Photographer: Nathan Lewis Equally, echoing small details like a black toilet seat, black painted window sashes, glass cabinet and door knobs all transformed this bathroom into a near replica of the original space.

Urban living room photo in Los Angeles

Update to bay window in front living room. Removed cushions and pillows and upholstered valance over the window. Added textured tile to the seat surface to coordinate with Spanish tile throughout the rest of the home. Added a real-wood faux beam (custom made, L-shaped beam made with solid pine, mounted over the corner of the bay window opening to mimic traditional, Spanish-style wood header beams to coordinate with the rest of the Spanish-style design elements in the home. Decorated with pet-friendly, custom, faux greenery arrangements in an eclectic array of pottery. High-end replica cacti and succulents were used for maximum realism, while removing any concern over pets getting into them. Hanging macrame cat bed in the center for family pets to lounge and enjoy their new, colorful container garden.

Furniture can make a statement in a space. We love the clean lines and organic vibes this room projects combined with a colorful floral and over scaled artwork.

Ronnette Riley Architect was retained to renovate a landmarked brownstone at 117 W 81st Street into a modern family Pied de Terre. The 6,556 square foot building was originally built in the nineteenth century as a 10 family rooming house next to the famous Hotel Endicott. RRA recreated the original front stoop and façade details based on the historic image from 1921 and the neighboring buildings details. Ronnette Riley Architect’s design proposes to remove the existing ‘L’ shaped rear façade and add a new flush rear addition adding approx. 800 SF. All North facing rooms will be opened up with floor to ceiling and wall to wall 1930’s replica steel factory windows. These double pane steel windows will allow northern light into the building creating a modern, open feel. Additionally, RRA has proposed an extended penthouse and exterior terrace spaces on the roof. The interior of the home will be completely renovated adding a new elevator and sprinklered stair. The interior design of the building reflects the client’s eclectic style, combining many traditional and modern design elements and using luxurious, yet environmentally conscious and easily maintained materials. Millwork has been incorporated to maximize the home’s large living spaces, front parlor and new gourmet kitchen as well as six bedroom suites with baths and four powder rooms. The new design also encompasses a studio apartment on the Garden Level and additional cellar created by excavating the existing floor slab to allow 8 foot tall ceilings, which will house the mechanical areas as well as a wine cellar and additional storage.

Bill Brady
Drop-in bathtub - mid-sized modern master white tile and stone tile marble floor drop-in bathtub idea in New York with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble countertops, a one-piece toilet and white walls

From the light fixtures and push button switch plates, to refurbished plumbing fixtures, the penny tile flooring in the power bath to white and glass subway tiling in the new master, details abound.