A perfect blend of old world charm and modern luxury, this home is sure to be a neighborhood favorite. An open layout with inviting fireplaces make this the perfect place for entertaining and relaxing. Around the home you will find unique stone accents, wood and metal staircases, custom kitchen and bathrooms, and a rec room complete with bar and pool table. This craftsman style residence uses a mix of the Boston Blend Mosaic and Square & Rectangular thin stone veneer. It was used as a kitchen backsplash, interior wall accent, on multiple fireplaces, and stone archways. Great care was taken so the stones could be installed without a mortared joint. Corners were used along archways to create the illusion of full thickness stones and to allow for a more consistent and complete look. Scattered throughout, the mason cut custom large pieces of stone and wood to use as focal points. New England’s finest real stone veneer was the perfect choice to pair with the rustic décor. The variety of colors offered in our popular Boston Blend complement any design setting with an elegant touch. For more photos and video, please visit www.stoneyard.com/973

THE SETUP When we first encountered this basement for a family with three boys, we saw a space with untapped potential. Though previously remodeled, it lacked a cohesive design strategy. The expansive area housed various entertainment pieces (a shuffleboard table, air hockey, foosball, etc.) scattered haphazardly throughout the space. While the basement included a workout room and a rudimentary kitchen area, it lacked a dedicated game room or proper bar. Excessive storage closets along the back wall consumed valuable real estate that could be repurposed for more engaging uses. In essence, the basement was spacious but disjointed—functional for family use but falling short as an entertainment hub. It didn’t align with the sophistication of the rest of the home. Our clients envisioned a transformation: a fresh, organized space that would not only serve their family’s needs but also shine as an inviting arena for entertaining friends and hosting gatherings – especially sports-focused gatherings! Design Objectives: Reimagine the basement layout, creating distinct zones for varied activities. Expand the workout area to accommodate new equipment, including a Smith machine. Implement a multi-screen setup inspired by high-end sports bars, allowing guests to follow multiple games while socializing. Enhance existing features while developing new areas: Optimize a workout space for all equipment needs Establish a dedicated children’s space with guest room capabilities Create an integrated bar and entertainment area Retain and incorporate the existing projector setup Design Challenges: Navigate layout constraints in the new workout room due to fixed utility areas. Carve out a distinct space for kids within the open plan. Revitalize an underutilized section of the basement. Elevate the existing big screen area with purposeful design elements. Develop a full-fledged bar area while maintaining kitchen functions applicable for hangout snacking. Work around immovable structural elements (soffits, load-bearing support columns) THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: Install a stylish barn door for the utility area of the new workout space, improving aesthetics and accessibility. Repurpose the former workout room into a dedicated game room for kids, utilizing couches with pull-out beds so the area can double as overflow guest accommodations. Transform the unused area into a vibrant pub-style area for card and table games. Enhance the big screen area with elegant wainscoting and ambient theatre-style lighting. Design a multi-functional wet bar area featuring varied seating, prep areas, and a microwave. Base the bar sink area width off the soffit above it. In the big screen area, use the soffit to inform the width of a wainscoting section. For the immovable support columns, dress one up to match the wainscoting of the nearby big screen wall. Hide the other one in a new wall. Final Thoughts: The reimagined basement has exceeded our clients’ expectations, evolving into the ultimate entertainment hub. With seven strategically placed screens, it’s perfect for gatherings focused on major sporting events and casual gatherings, as well. The space strikes a balance between adult sophistication and family-friendly functionality, featuring distinct zones for various activities. The new design not only maximizes functionality for modern, multi-screen entertainment but also elevates the aesthetic appeal. It integrates flawlessly with the rest of the home’s transitional style while allowing each basement section to maintain its unique character. The result is a versatile space that caters to both intimate family time and large-scale entertaining.

Asclepias sullivantii / prairie milkweed Photo: Frank Mayfield, via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic

Cathy Rossilli
Powder room - traditional powder room idea in New York

DJK Custom Homes
Huge traditional brown two-story brick exterior home idea in Chicago

The blend of opalescent tiles and a scattering of an earth tone on some tiles complements both the blue of the pool interior and the pale travertine pavers.

This coastal-inspired living room is where soothing lake vibes embrace you the moment you enter. The shiplap framed art on the wall serve as a gentle nod to the lakeside, adding a touch of rustic charm. Dark blue table lamps illuminate the space, casting a soft glow that enhances the coastal ambiance. A touch of greenery breathe life into the room, infusing it with a fresh and natural feel. The round two-toned end tables offer a blend of coastal elegance and functionality, providing the perfect spot to rest your favorite book or beverage. The vibrant array of mixed shape and pattern throw pillows scattered across the comfortable seating beckon you to sink in and relax. This coastal haven is designed to transport you to a place of tranquility, where you can unwind and embrace the coastal lifestyle in style and comfort.

This cozy family room is truly inspired by the sea, although the client lives in the Chicago suburbs. The large artwork defines the mood. The coastal blue is scattered about. The Acacia wood table lamp, white shutters and birds reinforce our seaside theme. The diamond pattern of shag rugs adds just enough interest, without overdoing the calming space.

Victoria McHugh Photography Lakeside Custom Cabinetry,LLC Chris Hummel Construction Vogler Metalwork & Design A huge amount of functional storage space was designed into an otherwise small kitchen through the use of purpose built, custom cabinetry. The homeowner knew exactly how she wanted to organize her kitchen tools. A knife drawer was specially made to fit her collection of knives. The open shelving on the range side serves as easy access to her cookware as well as a garbage pullout. We were able to relocate and center the range and copper range hood made by Vogler Metalworks by removing a center island and replacing it with a honed black granite counter top peninsula. The subway tile backsplash on the sink wall is taken up to the soffit with the exception of dark bull nose used to frame the wall sconce made by Vaughn. The kitchen also serves as an informal entryway from the lake and exterior brick patio so the homeowners were desperate to have a way to keep shoes from being scattered on the floor. We took an awkward corner and fitted it with custom built cabinetry that housed not only the family's shoes but kitty litter, dog leashes, car keys, sun hats and lotions.

Better Homes & Gardens landscaping software is very user-friendly, which means you’ll be creating the moment you load the software onto your computer. You merely tell the software what kind of dimensions you’re working with and then you can play around with the options available by the software program. For instance, with the click of a mouse, you can add a bush here, a rose garden there, or you can even put in a little man-made pond, the choices are all up to you. Playing with the different options available is all part of the fun. Of course, the best part is when your vision is actually realized and when you finally get the yard you’ve always wanted. In choosing a home and garden decor, first, you have to know what you want and what style you are looking for. One way of determining which décor to buy is by setting a theme for your garden. Thin about what you would like your garden to look like — what accessories you would like to see, and what plants and trees you’d like to add. Here are some of the theme ideas that you can incorporate with your home and garden decor: butterfly, temple, sundial, Japanese, water, winter, and jungle. Home furnishing: As any professional interior decorator will tell you, each room within the house has a certain function and a certain character. It is necessary to recognize this innate character before one can go about furnishing the room appropriately. Indoor decor leans heavily on the right use of color, lighting, and furnishing. For instance, the role of curtains, decorative rugs, objects of art and other decorative materials must be complimentary. Every object within the room must contribute seamlessly to the total effect. Garden furnishing: The garden is typically the extension of the home. It is where we seek to establish an instant connect with nature. For many, it is the place dedicated to the pleasure of cultivation and abundant growth. Even homes in urban areas where garden space is limited make the effort to transform the garden into a haven of sorts. The use of unusual, whimsical and colorful furniture and objects of art can transform the garden into something that is out of a fairytale book. For example, whimsically designed benches and tables are available in the most stunning colors. These pieces of furniture greatly add to the appeal of the garden. In addition to this, pieces of art may be strategically scattered around the garden to make it colorful and beautiful. By adding these pieces of art to your garden space, it is possible to achieve the perfect balance between beauty and utility that characterizes great outdoor spaces. When you want to landscape your yard, you typically hire someone to come out and give you a quote. However, what if you could do it all yourself with Better Homes & Gardens landscaping software? You’re probably thinking that you don’t have the artistic ability, or the know how to landscape your yard yourself. However, with Better Homes & Gardens landscaping software, you don’t need to be artistically inclined, nor do you need any knowledge of how to landscape a house or yard. All you need is a computer, a mouse, and a little time and a lot of imagination. With Better Homes & Gardens landscaping software, the sky’s the limit as far as what you can create, not to mention it’s a lot of fun to create the yard you want.

The goal here was a primary bath that reads like a retreat without losing the warmth of the rest of the house. The vanity wall anchors the room: a custom double vanity in a deep olive-gray, with raised-panel doors, a bank of deep drawers, and a countertop tower that separates the two stations and keeps daily clutter off the counter. A white, softly veined stone surface runs the full length, and a pair of arched, molded mirrors , finished to match the cabinetry, sit beneath textured glass sconces that scatter light across the ceiling. Across the room the palette shifts. The corner shower is wrapped floor to ceiling in large-format porcelain with bronze and amber movement, closed in frameless glass and lit by recessed cans overhead. Inside: a rainfall head, a handheld on a slide bar, a built-in bench, a recessed niche, and a hexagon mosaic floor. The freestanding soaking tub sits alongside with a wall-mounted filler and a long tiled ledge for bath products. A skylight keeps the whole room daylit. The result is calm and grounded — spa-quiet without being cold.

Transforming a landscape isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about bringing new life and energy to an outdoor space. This week’s project was a perfect example of what a thoughtful refresh can do for a home. Our client wanted to enhance curb appeal and create a low-maintenance garden that blends natural elements like stone, mulch, and native plants. As you can see in the before photos, the areas were previously overgrown with leaves, scattered rocks, and sparse groundcover that lacked structure and seasonal interest. We started by clearing out debris and reshaping the beds for better flow and visual balance. Smooth river rocks were added to create texture and natural drainage, while mulch helped define the planting areas and keep moisture in the soil. We introduced a selection of grasses and hardy perennials, adding both color and movement to the garden. The result? A Front Yard Makeover in Full Bloom. A clean, welcoming landscape that feels polished and peaceful. The new layout not only enhances the home’s natural charm, but also makes it easier to maintain throughout the seasons. We love how this transformation turned out—and more importantly, so does the homeowner!

Inspiration for a contemporary balcony remodel in Brisbane

Bedroom - contemporary bedroom idea in Perth

The main bedroom at our Waters Edge Project have the most beautiful views of Table Mountain and the ocean. We kept the palette monochromatic but layered with texture to add depth to the space. The large upholstered headboard spans across the custom made bedside pedestals and gives a soft and luxurious backdrop to the bed. Hand blown glass pendants hang once the pedestals adding a warm glow at night. Richly textured fabrics on the scatter cushions form part of the overall feel of luxury in this bedroom. Every item of furniture was designed and custom made to fit the space perfectly.

Transitional bedroom photo in London

With a new paint color and a stone look finish on the fire place, we've given this dining room an open air feeling.The large rug defines the space and separates it from the living room area. Touches of pink are scattered about creating cohesion. The desk serves a dual purpose, primarily as a work area but otherwise as a serving area. The slipcovers on the chairs allow us to update the look easily.

Warrick Shannon
Example of a small classic u-shaped travertine floor eat-in kitchen design with a drop-in sink, white cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island