Already partially enclosed by an ipe fence and concrete wall, our client had a vision of an outdoor courtyard for entertaining on warm summer evenings since the space would be shaded by the house in the afternoon. He imagined the space with a water feature, lighting and paving surrounded by plants. With our marching orders in place, we drew up a schematic plan quickly and met to review two options for the space. These options quickly coalesced and combined into a single vision for the space. A thick, 60” tall concrete wall would enclose the opening to the street – creating privacy and security, and making a bold statement. We knew the gate had to be interesting enough to stand up to the large concrete walls on either side, so we designed and had custom fabricated by Dennis Schleder (www.dennisschleder.com) a beautiful, visually dynamic metal gate. Other touches include drought tolerant planting, bluestone paving with pebble accents, crushed granite paving, LED accent lighting, and outdoor furniture. Both existing trees were retained and are thriving with their new soil. Photography by: http://www.coreenschmidt.com/

Interior Designer: Allard & Roberts Interior Design, Inc. Builder: Glennwood Custom Builders Architect: Con Dameron Photographer: Kevin Meechan Doors: Sun Mountain Cabinetry: Advance Custom Cabinetry Countertops & Fireplaces: Mountain Marble & Granite Window Treatments: Blinds & Designs, Fletcher NC

Photos by Sue Wilson
Inspiration for a small freestanding desk light wood floor study room remodel in Jacksonville with gray walls and no fireplace

Mike Schwartz
Inspiration for a large contemporary master brown tile brown floor freestanding bathtub remodel in Chicago with a trough sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white walls and white countertops

Photos by Sue Wilson
Study room - small freestanding desk light wood floor study room idea in Jacksonville with gray walls and no fireplace

Transitional galley eat-in kitchen photo in Orange County with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash and an island

Dual-directional woodgrain colors provide the look of natural wood but with the ease and low-maintenance of steel. Photo: Amarr Heritage Collection Short Panel design in Golden Oak dual-directional woodgrain.

Custom design by Cynthia Soda of Soda Pop Design Inc. in Toronto, Canada. Photography by Stephani Buchman Photography.
Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Toronto with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, beige backsplash, stone tile backsplash, an island, an undermount sink and stainless steel appliances

Inquire About Our Design Services When we first started talking in the spring of 2015, I was impressed. She was witty, realistic, and understood that as much as she loves my shows on HGTV, design does not does not happen in 43 minutes! She told me about her space, and how she felt that her bedroom seemed “blah” to her. She had no retreat. Molly desperately longed for a place that she could spend time in, read in, play in and above all, relax in. What we did: Many people are terrified of hiring a designer. Rightfully so, they are investing a pretty penny in their homes. They want to make sure that everything, down to the last floral arrangement, is to their liking, because they will have to live it (and pay for it). Unfortunately, a client can unintentionally stifle a designer’s creativity through micro-management. This can produce lackluster results and ultimately cause more time (and money) to be spent on a project than is really necessary. With Molly, that was never an issue. Before she even showed me the room in question, she said that I could have full creative license to do what I needed to do to her bedroom. SAY WHAAH!? With Molly giving me complete creative freedom, I planned everything out and got down to business. The result: Bite-your-bottom-lip sexy. I don’t get jealous of too many of my clients’ spaces, but this one still takes my breath away every time I look at the pics! The craziest part was that by adding more furniture, it actually made the space feel larger. Molly and her husband Patrick loved the finished space, and promised me I will be back to finish the rest of the house! Here’s the highlights of the rest of the project: I came up with a space plan with three options. Next, we reviewed mood boards and fabric schemes that would work for both Molly and her hubby Patrick. We started with the bed. My goal was to add edge to its otherwise traditional style. We decided to spice things up by painting the trim work in the room black. We built in layers of lighting with dimmers. In a bedroom everything should be on dimmers, right? Right. We designed and customized bedding, chairs and window treatments. Together with Molly, we selected the most perfect wallpaper. This geometric “grasscloth” adds so much depth and dimension that was just missing before. What I love: That light fixture. I mean it is really, really amazing in person. The porcupine mirror. This thing came packaged like it was the hope diamond, and everyone was terrified to handle it. But it really became a highlight of the room.

Pool - large modern backyard tile and rectangular infinity pool idea in Los Angeles

The 4415 HO gas fireplace brings you the very best in home heating and style with its sleek, linear appearance and impressively high heat output. With a long row of dancing flames and built-in fans, the 4415 gas fireplace is not only an excellent heater but a beautiful focal point in your home. Turn on the under-lighting that shines through the translucent glass floor and you’ve got magic whether the fire is on or off. This sophisticated gas fireplace can accompany any architectural style with a selection of fireback options along with realistic Driftwood and Stone Fyre-Art. The 4415 HO gas fireplace heats up to 2,100 square feet but can heat additional rooms in your home with the optional Power Heat Duct Kit. The gorgeous flame and high heat output of the 4415 are backed up by superior craftsmanship and quality safety features, which are built to extremely high standards. From the heavy steel thickness of the fireplace body to the durable, welded frame surrounding the ceramic glass, you are truly getting the best gas fireplace available. The 2015 ANSI approved low visibility safety barrier comes standard over the glass to increase the safety of this unit for you and your family without detracting from the beautiful fire view.

Roger Wade Studio - This kitchen was done by the Workshops of David T Smith. It features hidden refrigerator & dish washer, soap stone sink, curly maple top & cabinets. The original floor was refinished & made of 2" thick planks of Poplar wood.

Mid-sized transitional gender-neutral carpeted and beige floor playroom photo in New York with beige walls

Raised bluestone patio with granite sitting walls and view of the irregular bluestone stepper path through the woodland shade garden.
Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in Boston.

Transforming this home from a very bad attempt at an arts and crafts look to this naturally modern design style. All cabinetry was removed and replaced with a beautiful walnut cabinet with a delightfully simplistic door style. The island was previously an awkward shape with many angles making it difficult to walk around. We squared it up but kept one angle to play into the angles in the rest of the house. We added a seating area at table height to accommodate all who visit.

The traditional fountain and surroundings are embellished with a variety of drought tolerant grasses, flowering plants and succulents. The removal of the dense and overgrown shrubs provides more outdoor living space for dining and entertaining for the homeowners' enjoyment. And now with site-appropriate plants and no lawn there is less maintenance and a lower water bill. Full color Blue stone and small mexican pebbles replace the lawn and pathways resulting in an updated and contemporary transformation. A variety of low-water plants including succulents offer year-round appeal and interest throughout the seasons to include Sedum rupestre 'Angelina', with chartreuse foliage, other varieties of sedum along with Echeveria succulents, Echinacea and grases. Photos and Design © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Fu-Tung Cheng, CHENG Design • Front Exterior of House 6 concrete and wood home. House 6, is Cheng Design’s sixth custom home project, was redesigned and constructed from top-to-bottom. The project represents a major career milestone thanks to the unique and innovative use of concrete, as this residence is one of Cheng Design’s first-ever ‘hybrid’ structures, constructed as a combination of wood and concrete. Photography: Matthew Millman

Example of a trendy l-shaped kitchen design in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Architect: Murphy & Co. Builder: John Kraemer & Sons. Photographer: Karen Melvin Photography.
Example of a transitional blue floor kids' room design in Minneapolis with white walls