This project has a very interesting backstory. Initially, the homeowners hired another contractor for this project. Unfortunately, the installation was not going well and the homeowner began searching for someone else to get it done right. That’s when we came into the picture and created what is now, the nicest front yard on the block. Project info: Manufacturer: @ackerstone Paving stone: Avianio Color: Catina Blend (Field) / Charcoal (Border)

This project has a very interesting backstory. Initially, the homeowners hired another contractor for this project. Unfortunately, the installation was not going well and the homeowner began searching for someone else to get it done right. That’s when we came into the picture and created what is now, the nicest front yard on the block. Project info: Manufacturer: @ackerstone Paving stone: Avianio Color: Catina Blend (Field) / Charcoal (Border)

greenGoat is looking for someone to give new life to this maple veneer mid-century kitchen.
Example of a mid-sized 1960s l-shaped enclosed kitchen design in Boston with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, wood countertops and black appliances

This beautiful North Vancouver home belongs to a nature-loving and health-conscious couple, Emma and Vince (names changed), their two young children, and their dog, Jasper. When they contacted us about renovating and furnishing their kitchen and family room, we walked in and saw a world of potential waiting to be uncovered. Before: Larkhall Crescent Home: Like many original North Vancouver homes, the interior was definitely dated. We encountered late ‘80s finishes in powder pink and teal green, old carpet, and a kitchen that wasn’t maximized to suit this family’s modern-day lifestyle. However, the size of the rooms offered us a ton of space with which to get creative. Knowing our clients’ love of cooking, need for work spaces (Emma and Vince both work remotely), and growing family, we developed a design concept that would increase usable space, optimize storage, and create intimacy in this large area. As for the style, we were inspired by their European roots, inventing a new and modern take on “Belgian Farmhouse” style. Now, the home is truly one-of-a-kind. After: Warm & Cozy Family Room: Fresh, bright, and comfortable, this living area has been transformed! We started with the fireplace as a focal point, selecting aged brick tiles for added texture and a crisp wood mantle. The taupe-coloured sectional infuses the room with visual warmth and serves the added purpose of separating the family room from the kitchen. Emma and Vince were also keen on using non-toxic materials in their home, and we were happy to oblige. To meet their needs, we sourced natural wood elements and sought out Canadian-made products - that adhere to high health standards - whenever possible. Look closer at the elements of this space, and you will find this stunning, honeycomb-patterned rug in earthy gold, beige, and charcoal tones. It’s plush to the touch and full of visual texture that brings this room’s colour palette together. We sourced these two-tone chairs with caning, petrified wood side table, black sconces, and botanical prints in greyscale from local artist, Heather Johnston. We topped off the space with this dark wood and rattan console that offers storage facing the kitchen and presents an opportunity to display cherished items. The result is a cozy lounging space brimming with comfort and functionality. It’s perfect for enjoying quality family time, or Emma can simply slide the coffee table away to make room for her morning yoga practice. Now, let’s turn around and give some attention to the kitchen. Do you remember what the original kitchen looked like? If not, scroll back up, because the transformation is shocking… Moody & Welcoming Kitchen for Healthy Living: This kitchen looks very different from how it started, right? Though we didn’t touch any walls, the kitchen has almost doubled in usable space! We created a long, extended island with storage, an outlet for small appliances, and seating for comfortable prep, after-school snacking, or mingling among friends. On the other side of the island, the family has even more storage and an integrated dishwasher within easy reach of the sink, perfect for quick clean-up. From this angle, you can also see the expansive custom Shaker cabinetry in white and the integrated double ovens. These facilitate their cooking experience and gave us the opportunity to add an additional surprise… A coffee garage station and more hidden storage! Keeping these items located along the perimeter allows them to be accessed by the family or their guests without someone getting under the cook’s feet. These are the little details that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. Moving deeper into the kitchen, the seamless induction cooktop topped with a freestanding concealed hood fan commands attention in a soft yet prominent way. The natural wood accent mirrors the fireplace mantle, and the choice of off-black wood-grain cabinets not only continues our black-and-white colour palette but adds a sense of depth and contrast. The corner sink is located to the right and perfectly positioned with a view of their thriving backyard. To invite more of this family’s character into the space, we mixed metals for interest — matte black, dark pewter, and warm brass — and created open shelves in white oak for their plants and decor. You can also glimpse the tumbled edge of the backsplash tile, which echoes the rustic brick of the fireplace. It adds that farmhouse charm while still feeling timeless and sophisticated. Last but not least, we designed this dining banquette in the bay window (with integrated bench storage, of course), where the family can share a meal together, the kids can do homework, or Emma and Vince can work and enjoy a change of scenery from their offices. Like the other spaces in the home, it was designed to be beautiful, multi-functional, and long-lasting. Praise from Our Clients: It is clear that we love this home, but what did our clients have to say? “Lori is a visionary and masters execution to the finest detail all at the same time. When she first met us to know more about who we are and how we live, she could right away envision how we could use the space in our kitchen and living room…The results exceeded our expectations. Lori and her team were also a delight to work with — coordination with all the trades, fast problem-solving, regular updates, professional and friendly attitude of her entire team — made it the dream team. Thank you SHD for making our space so beautiful!” In turn, we are so grateful for this family’s trust, their open communication, and for being wonderful people with whom to work. (So, thank you!)

Large minimalist dark wood floor and gray floor eat-in kitchen photo in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

This project has a very interesting backstory. Initially, the homeowners hired another contractor for this project. Unfortunately, the installation was not going well and the homeowner began searching for someone else to get it done right. That’s when we came into the picture and created what is now, the nicest front yard on the block. Project info: Manufacturer: @ackerstone Paving stone: Avianio Color: Catina Blend (Field) / Charcoal (Border)

Photograph © Ken Gutmaker • Interior Designer: Jennifer Ott Design • Architect: Studio Sarah Willmer Architecture • Builder: Blair Burke General Contractors, Inc.

Kitchen - large contemporary l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Orange County with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, multicolored backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

Elegant medium tone wood floor and brown floor foyer photo in New York with white walls

William Roberts - Aurora Imaging
Mid-sized beach style kids' brown floor alcove bathtub photo in Orange County with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and white countertops

Inspiration for a large contemporary u-shaped porcelain tile and white floor dedicated laundry room remodel in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, gray backsplash, porcelain backsplash, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

Bedroom - scandinavian light wood floor and beige floor bedroom idea in New York with white walls and no fireplace

Elkay Quartz Luxe sinks are exceptionally tough and silky smooth to the touch. They come in striking colors that make a statement. These sinks are constructed through a proprietary manufacturing process that combines natural quartz with high-performance UV-stable acrylic resins. Sink: ELXHU3322RJB0

This remodel was needed in order to take a 1950's style concrete upper slab into the present day, making it a true indoor-outdoor living space, but still utilizing all of the Midcentury design aesthetics. In the 1990's someone tried to update the space by covering the concrete ledge with pavers, as well as a portion of the area that the current deck is over. Once all the pavers were removed, the black tile was placed over the old concrete ledge and then the deck was added on, to create additional usable sq footage. The old landscaping was removed and a more minimalist, midcentury aesthetic was used for the new landscaping installation.

Renowned designer AARON B DUKE, who tastefully remodeled the home’s library into a timeless sanctuary. An homage to the late Gerald "Jerry" Robertson—who was the tastemaker and visionary for the Polo Ralph Lauren flagship store—the library incorporates rust, taupe and buttery cream fabrics set against cream-colored walls that help to make the room a warm, inviting space. Smaller details like a magnifying glass set on top of a collection of books on a coffee table and a pair of rugged black boots near a set of sitting chairs help to bring out the charm and character of the room. “His story is something that impacted many people’s lives and careers, including mine, and the library is a tribute to someone I admired very much,” said Mr. Duke.

Inspiration for a large timeless l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Tampa with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Pondless Waterfall Pondless Waterfalls are simply a re-circulating waterfall and/or stream without the presence of a pond. You can enjoy the sight and sound of running water without the maintenance of a pond. The waterfall is undoubtedly the most beautiful and favored feature in a water garden. If space is lacking in your yard or you have safety concerns with a pond, go Pondless! The name basically explains it all. It’s a waterfall and stream, without the pond. So why would you want a waterfall without a pond? The truth is that a Pondless Waterfall isn’t for everyone, but it can be a great alternative for someone who isn’t quite sure if a pond is right for their family. Safety Because there is no pool of water, a Pondless Waterfall is a great option if you are concerned about safety issues associated with a traditional pond. Cost Cost can be a big factor when considering the type of pond you want to build. In most cases, the price of a Pondless waterfall will be less than a pond, because there is less labor involved, as well as less rock and materials. Operating costs are also less. Because you’re not dealing with an established ecosystem, it’s not necessary to run the pump 24/7. Space The small size of the Pondless Waterfall means you can build and enjoy a beautiful waterfall anywhere in you yard. Maintenance - Taking care of your Pondless Waterfall is easy. Filling the reservoir every few weeks to compensate for water loss because of evaporation is all that’s required. Flexibility Perhaps the best part of the Pondless Waterfall is the possibility for the future. If you change your mind later, wishing you’d build a pond, that’s ok! If you leave enough room around the base of the waterfall, it’s easy to add a pond onto a Pondless Waterfall. Complete System It might be difficult to imagine a waterfall and stream without a pond. Where does the water go? A Pondless Waterfall works much like a regular pond. The hole, deeper than a normal pond, is dug then lined with rock and gravel, and filled with water. The water is then circulated from beneath the rocks and gravel by a pump that sits on the bottom, inside a Snorkel Vault and Centipede Module. A pipe runs from there up to a BioFalls Filter and into an overflowing waterfall, where it falls back into the reservoir. Since the water level never pools above the level of the rock and gravel fill, it give the appearance of a waterfall without a pond, when in fact, the “pond” is there but not visible. The Pondless Waterfall has made many water-lovers who were previously unable to indulge in the sweet sounds of falling water, very happy. It’s a great alternative for those who are trying to get their feet wet, or looking to fit a little bit of paradise into their own backyard. In other words, when all else fails … go Pondless!

How is it that someone can be so together at 24? That’s the case with Leah Atkins, a peach of a designer putting competitors twice her age to shame. This colorful Atlanta home, a two-month $10,000 project, showcases just why she’s so special - from its pops of primary colors to its upscale use of modestly priced fabrics, furniture and accessories. Visit the website to read the full article!