Pronounced "e-pay," it is a hard and resilient wood, often used in coastal environments. Also known for its resistance to attack by both fungi and insects, Ipê holds a Class A fire rating -- the same rating given to concrete and steel. It's strength can be attributed to the natural oils and highly concentrated density levels contained in the wood. This combination is what will make an Ipê deck stand the test of time.

Self watering earth boxes are a practical solution to growing concentrated amounts of vegetables on a sunny roof top space.
Photo of a full sun rooftop mulch landscaping in Chicago for summer.

This project won in the 2013 Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Award for Best Urban Renewal Renovation Project. The glass bowl was made in the glass studio owned by the owner which is adjacent to the residence. The mirror is a repurposed window. The door is repurposed from a boarding house. George Mendel

Pronounced "e-pay," it is a hard and resilient wood, often used in coastal environments. Also known for its resistance to attack by both fungi and insects, Ipê holds a Class A fire rating -- the same rating given to concrete and steel. It's strength can be attributed to the natural oils and highly concentrated density levels contained in the wood. This combination is what will make an Ipê deck stand the test of time.

Beach chic farmhouse offers sensational ocean views spanning from the tree tops of the Pacific Palisades through Santa Monica
Living room - large coastal open concept brown floor and medium tone wood floor living room idea in Los Angeles with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and white walls

The main requirement for the ideal architectural image is the regularity of its construction for a clear perception of the viewer. Architectural firm in Dubai Luxury Antonovich Design always perfectly fulfills the aesthetic tasks of rhythmic construction of buildings. This harmonization of certain elements of the building brings them to a certain unity. To make the composition of completion is the concentration of a number of elements in the corners of the volume (pilasters, ledges, niches). Calm rhythm of façades, perfect solutions in classic and modern design are continued by a beautiful interior decoration.

Concentrating all the functions in a single row facilitates the work of a single person who can move rapidly back and forth with linear movements.
Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen remodel in Singapore

Deck Brightener is designed to be used after Deck Stripper to neutralize the surface and restore the natural beauty of exterior wood. Deck Brightener removes rust or tannin stains caused by fallen leaves and is recommended for use on all species of wood, including redwood. Deck Brightener is an oxalic acid solution that removes dirt, grime, tannin, rust, and fungi stains from wood surfaces. This liquid concentrate is mixed with water (two parts water to one part concentrate) to brighten and restore the natural beauty of exterior wood. Deck Brightener will not harm wood fibers, grass, or plants when used properly. Deck Brightener is recommended for surface preparation prior to initial application of clear and semi-transparent finishes and stains. It is used as a neutralizer and brightener for all wood species that have been cleaned with Deck Stripper. Even new wood needs to be cleaned in order to remove mill scale so the surface can more easily absorb deck stains. Deck Brightener is not formulated to remove intact paint, stain, or clear finishes and may dull painted and metal surfaces if not quickly rinsed. Order Deck Brightener shipped via UPS Ground at: www.surfacerestoration.com/shop

Southern Beach Getaway in WaterColor Private Residence / WaterColor, Florida Architect: Geoff Chick & Associates Builder: Chris Clark Construction The E. F. San Juan team collaborated closely with architect Geoff Chick, builder Chris Clark, interior designer Allyson Runnels, and the homeowners to bring their design vision to reality. This included custom interior and exterior millwork, pecky cypress ceilings in various rooms of the home, different types of wall and ceiling paneling in each upstairs bedroom, custom pecky cypress barn doors and beams in the master suite, Euro-Wall doors in the living area, Weather Shield windows and doors throughout, Georgia pine porch ceilings, and Ipe porch flooring. Challenges: Allyson and the homeowners wanted each of the children’s upstairs bedrooms to have unique features, and we addressed this from a millwork perspective by producing different types of wall and ceiling paneling for each of these rooms. The homeowners also loved the look of pecky cypress and wanted to see this unique type of wood featured as a highlight throughout the home. Solution: In the main living area and kitchen, the coffered ceiling presents pecky cypress stained gray to accent the tiled wall of the kitchen. In the adjoining hallway, the pecky cypress ceiling is lightly pickled white to make a subtle contrast with the surrounding white paneled walls and trim. The master bedroom has two beautiful large pecky cypress barn doors and several large pecky cypress beams that give it a cozy, rustic yet Southern coastal feel. Off the master bedroom is a sitting/TV room featuring a pecky cypress ceiling in a stunning rectangular, concentric pattern that was expertly installed by Edgar Lara and his skilled team of finish carpenters. We also provided twelve-foot-high floor-to-ceiling Euro-Wall Systems doors in the living area that lend to the bright and airy feel of this space, as do the Weather Shield windows and doors that were used throughout the home. Finally, the porches’ rich, South Georgia pine ceilings and chatoyant Ipe floors create a warm contrast to the bright walls, columns, and railings of these comfortable outdoor spaces. The result is an overall stunning home that exhibits all the best characteristics of the WaterColor community while standing out with countless unique custom features. --- Photography by Jack Gardner

2010 NATIONAL NARI REGIONAL AWARD WINNER Project Scope The owners of this 7,000 square foot colonial in Oakton, Virginia, were seeking a multi-level Mediterranean-style indoor/outdoor living space off the back of their home. They turned to Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes for a design solution that would include a stone patio, a second-story deck, a screened-in porch and linking staircases. While the structure was designed primarily for family dining and entertaining, it also had to accommodate periodic social gatherings of one hundred guests or more. To meet these needs, the project would include a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, several serving counters with permanent refrigeration, and well-delineated socializing and dining zones. The existing home’s setting offered several impressive assets the new outdoor living area was designed to exploit. The sprawling acreage features old stand trees, wooded paths and a private lake. Beautifully landscaped, it unfolds as an idyllic panorama that naturally draws people to the outdoors. Challenges Since the rear elevation was situated on a slope that drops away from the house, the Michael Nash team had to raise the grade two feet within in a 2,000 square foot area extending out from the back of the house. Infrastructure plans also called for a sophisticated drainage system that had to accommodate a whole series of water “runoff” considerations to be integrated into the decking itself. Excavation included constructing retaining walls to bolster the elevated grade—which also had to support a concrete slab, the primary foundation for the entire complex. Solutions The ground level decking consists of a 2,000 square foot flagstone patio level with the home’s lower level doors. There is a decorative water fountain mid-patio—an ornate collectible acquired in Florida. Food preparation is concentrated within a specially designed semi-circular wall that creates an “outdoor kitchen” equipped with a 60” Viking barbecue grill, a prep sink, a warming drawer, refrigerator and appropriate storage. There is a granite surfaced dining counter with seating for eight. Wrought iron railing and approximately 20 decorative columns (some encasing steel vertical supports) are incorporated into the design scheme. Many of the columns house accent lights. The top level—supported by horizontal steel beams– is a 2,500 square foot deck constructed entirely of Trex decking. The open air decking is, again, directly accessible from rooms on the second level of the house including the kitchen, sunroom and family room. The platform’s most prominent feature is a U-shaped “kitchenette” with cedar shake shingle roofing. Like its counterpart one level below, the facility is equipped with grill, refrigerator and stainless steel cabinetry. One portion of the deck has been allocated for a 16’ x 16’ octagonal screened-in porch crowned by a pair of 2’ x 4’ skylights. The porch can be accessed from the home’s conservatory via a set of French doors. With its mosaic tile flooring, stained cedar panel ceiling and honed granite counters, the interior is elegant and calming. Hand-painted stenciling and a wall-mounted water feature provide distinctive detailing. Finally, the design introduced elements to highlight and reinforce an awareness of the lovely bucolic setting. Fountains and water features combined with textured surfaces and mosaic tiling and backsplashes to present a villa-like ambiance well-suited to the Virginia countryside.

Deck Brightener DSI is designed to be used after Deck Stripper DSI to neutralize the surface and restore the natural beauty of exterior wood. Deck Brightener DSI removes rust or tannin stains caused by fallen leaves and is recommended for use on all species of wood, including redwood. Deck Brightener DSI is an oxalic acid solution that removes dirt, grime, tannin, rust, and fungi stains from wood surfaces. This liquid concentrate is mixed with water (two parts water to one part concentrate) to brighten and restore the natural beauty of exterior wood. Deck Brightener DSI will not harm wood fibers, grass, or plants when used properly. Deck Brightener DSI is recommended for surface preparation prior to initial application of clear and semi-transparent finishes and stains. It is used as a neutralizer and brightener for all wood species that have been cleaned with Deck Stripper DSI. Even new wood needs to be cleaned in order to remove mill scale so the surface can more easily absorb deck stains. Deck Brightener DSI is not formulated to remove intact paint, stain, or clear finishes and may dull painted and metal surfaces if not quickly rinsed. Order Deck Brightener DSI shipped via UPS Ground to all 48 U.S. States except Alaska & Hawaii at: www.surfacerestoration.com/shop

David Wakely
Small trendy medium tone wood floor bedroom photo in San Francisco with white walls

Trendy light wood floor seated home bar photo in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, multicolored backsplash and mosaic tile backsplash

While the Southern California drought is keeping homeowners water usage to a minimum, there are an abundance of plants that thrive on minimal water. A combination of drip irrigation systems and drought tolerant plants can keep your exterior spaces green and beautiful as well as water efficient. This image features our design a few months down the road. With the addition of a few spring flowers, this front yard is officially ready for the Spring and Summer season.

Haris Kenjar

Southern Beach Getaway in WaterColor Private Residence / WaterColor, Florida Architect: Geoff Chick & Associates Builder: Chris Clark Construction The E. F. San Juan team collaborated closely with architect Geoff Chick, builder Chris Clark, interior designer Allyson Runnels, and the homeowners to bring their design vision to reality. This included custom interior and exterior millwork, pecky cypress ceilings in various rooms of the home, different types of wall and ceiling paneling in each upstairs bedroom, custom pecky cypress barn doors and beams in the master suite, Euro-Wall doors in the living area, Weather Shield windows and doors throughout, Georgia pine porch ceilings, and Ipe porch flooring. Challenges: Allyson and the homeowners wanted each of the children’s upstairs bedrooms to have unique features, and we addressed this from a millwork perspective by producing different types of wall and ceiling paneling for each of these rooms. The homeowners also loved the look of pecky cypress and wanted to see this unique type of wood featured as a highlight throughout the home. Solution: In the main living area and kitchen, the coffered ceiling presents pecky cypress stained gray to accent the tiled wall of the kitchen. In the adjoining hallway, the pecky cypress ceiling is lightly pickled white to make a subtle contrast with the surrounding white paneled walls and trim. The master bedroom has two beautiful large pecky cypress barn doors and several large pecky cypress beams that give it a cozy, rustic yet Southern coastal feel. Off the master bedroom is a sitting/TV room featuring a pecky cypress ceiling in a stunning rectangular, concentric pattern that was expertly installed by Edgar Lara and his skilled team of finish carpenters. We also provided twelve-foot-high floor-to-ceiling Euro-Wall Systems doors in the living area that lend to the bright and airy feel of this space, as do the Weather Shield windows and doors that were used throughout the home. Finally, the porches’ rich, South Georgia pine ceilings and chatoyant Ipe floors create a warm contrast to the bright walls, columns, and railings of these comfortable outdoor spaces. The result is an overall stunning home that exhibits all the best characteristics of the WaterColor community while standing out with countless unique custom features. --- Photography by Jack Gardner

Here is a Limestone table that we stripped, cleaned and sealed in Edinburgh city centre. As you can see from the photographs below the old sealer/wax coating had started to deteriorate and wear off in places leaving the table looking dirty and the client hated the waxy/yellow shine finish it left so asked us to remove the old seal completely and make the Limestone look completely natural. To remove the remaining wax coating the table was smothered in strong solution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean which is an effective cleaning product that will strip off old sealers when used in a concentrated form. The solution was left to dwell for a while before being scrubbed in by hand and then rinsed off with water. To make the job easier the table was cleaned in two sections and the process repeated a number of times in order to remove all the wax. Once complete the table was given a final clean using Tile Doctor Neutral Clean which is a PH neutral cleaning product to remove any trace of Pro-Clean and neutralise the stone before sealing. The table was dried thoroughly before being sealed using three coats of Tile Doctor Colour Grow which is a penetrating sealer that soaks into the pores of the stone improving its natural colours and protecting it against staining from within. The difference was remarkable and my client was delighted with the result. Thomas Wilson Edinburgh Tile Doctor

Step into the office of this transitional-style home, where productivity meets timeless sophistication. The neutral color palette, featuring warm browns and subdued earth tones, establishes a refined backdrop for work and creativity. Clean lines and a mix of traditional and contemporary elements create an environment that seamlessly blends classic elegance with modern functionality. The focal point is an ergonomic desk, combining sleek design with practicality. Comfortable yet stylish seating enhances the workspace, providing an inviting area for focused tasks. Task lighting, featuring a balance of classic and modern design, illuminates the desk, ensuring optimal functionality. Minimalist decor elements contribute to a clutter-free environment, allowing the mind to stay clear and focused. Storage solutions are seamlessly integrated, combining form and function to keep the space organized and visually appealing. Artwork or wall decor adds a personal touch, creating an inspiring atmosphere for creativity and concentration.

Patio - traditional patio idea in Charlotte