A close-up of the materials in the Lebanese American University (LAU) New York seminar room shows how Studio 1820 paired walnut-toned acoustic slats with a black wood-grain finish on the adjacent column. The slats sit on a dark acoustic backing, so the gaps read as deep shadow lines while the backing absorbs sound. A slim horizontal reveal joins the upper and lower panels, a detail that keeps tall installations looking tailored. Next to the warm wood, the matte black surface still shows its natural grain, adding contrast and depth without feeling cold. Combining two wood tones like this is a simple way to bring texture and warmth to a commercial or office interior.

Acoustic slat panels are traditionally used as simple wall coverings to create an accent to a flat wall. This home builder had other ideas. Toasted Walnut Acoustic Slat Panels were used in three unconventional and creative ways. The first is around the fireplace. The wood slats around the fireplace provide a focal point to the space and help anchor the living room. The builder also used our matching trim to cover the edged and make the installation feel complete. The slat panels were then used to tie in the same walnut material on the other side of the room in the kitchen. Most noticeably, the kitchen island features the walnut panels around the base, creating a unique texture and warmth that captures your attention. Then, as a final touch, a uniquely crafted vent hood cover was made using the same panel material. The integration of Toasted Walnut throughout the space makes for a cohesive and balance feel in a massive, open concept room.

No matter what time of day it may be, party time, or unwind time, make the time to design your own in-home bar. Open your imagination and dare to dream, there are so many remodeling possibilities. Just imagine this space in your own home. Add style and flare to inspire your senses. This Penthouse Guest Suite is just through the barn door entry from the Master Suite and leads into this wonderful addition in this Beachfront Condominium. Timeless designs adorn this oceanfront home and beckon the sounds of laughter and music. You don’t need to leave home to enjoy. Sit at the bar, or stroll onto the balcony overlooking the beach, day, or night, you have everything you need to enjoy the simple pleasures.

Acoustic slat panels are traditionally used as simple wall coverings to create an accent to a flat wall. This home builder had other ideas. Toasted Walnut Acoustic Slat Panels were used in three unconventional and creative ways. The first is around the fireplace. The wood slats around the fireplace provide a focal point to the space and help anchor the living room. The builder also used our matching trim to cover the edged and make the installation feel complete. The slat panels were then used to tie in the same walnut material on the other side of the room in the kitchen. Most noticeably, the kitchen island features the walnut panels around the base, creating a unique texture and warmth that captures your attention. Then, as a final touch, a uniquely crafted vent hood cover was made using the same panel material. The integration of Toasted Walnut throughout the space makes for a cohesive and balance feel in a massive, open concept room.

Whisper-quiet cellar cooling unit The compressor-free mechanism makes this wine cooling system whisper-quiet. Generating only 23dBA, the Cube° emits as little noise as an office computer. No moving parts are required since cooling is simply achieved through the movement of electrons, resulting in a soundless wine cellar cooling system. Ultra-silent fans located inside and outside the wine cellar are used for highly efficient thermal exchange. They represent the system’s single source of the noise. With a simple touch of the screen, the velocity of the fan may be modified thus reducing the unit’s sound level. The Cube° now makes it possible to install your wine cellar virtually anywhere, whether in a condo, an apartment or in a space where having a noisy unit is simply out of the question.

Taragano Design & Build completed this living room in Alamo, California. The surround follows the ceiling rather than stopping square. That sounds simple and it is the hardest part of the work. Every tile course along the raked edge is cut to a changing angle, and the substrate behind it has to be framed to that slope before any tile is set. Stopping the tile at a horizontal line would have been faster and would have left the fireplace looking like it was installed in the wrong room. Flanking niches were built in at the same height on both sides and lit from above. They give the wall symmetry the vaulted ceiling does not provide on its own, and they keep the eye from reading the room as lopsided. The mantel is a single steel plate rather than a timber. In a composition this vertical, a heavy wood shelf would divide the surround in half. A thin plate reads as a line across it. Licensed general contractor, CSLB #1143420. Diamond Certified.

Acoustic slat panels are traditionally used as simple wall coverings to create an accent to a flat wall. This home builder had other ideas. Toasted Walnut Acoustic Slat Panels were used in three unconventional and creative ways. The first is around the fireplace. The wood slats around the fireplace provide a focal point to the space and help anchor the living room. The builder also used our matching trim to cover the edged and make the installation feel complete. The slat panels were then used to tie in the same walnut material on the other side of the room in the kitchen. Most noticeably, the kitchen island features the walnut panels around the base, creating a unique texture and warmth that captures your attention. Then, as a final touch, a uniquely crafted vent hood cover was made using the same panel material. The integration of Toasted Walnut throughout the space makes for a cohesive and balance feel in a massive, open concept room.

No matter what time of day it may be, party time, or unwind time, make the time to design your own in-home bar/Livingroom. Open your imagination and dare to dream, there are so many remodeling possibilities. Just imagine this space in your own home. Add style and flare to inspire your senses. This Penthouse Guest Suite is just through the barn door entry from the Master Suite and leads into this wonderful Guest Suite addition in this Beachfront Condominium. Timeless designs adorn this oceanfront home and beckon the sounds of laughter and music. You don’t need to leave home to enjoy. Sit at the bar, or stroll into the Family Room and onto the balcony overlooking the beach. Day, or night, you have everything you need to enjoy the simple pleasures.

No matter what time of day it may be, party time, or unwind time, make the time to design your own in-home bar. Open your imagination and dare to dream, there are so many remodeling possibilities. Just imagine this space in your own home. Add style and flare to inspire your senses. This Penthouse Guest Suite is just through the barn door entry from the Master Suite and leads into this wonderful addition in this Beachfront Condominium. Timeless designs adorn this oceanfront home and beckon the sounds of laughter and music. You don’t need to leave home to enjoy. Sit at the bar, or stroll into the living room overlooking the beach, day, or night, you have everything you need to enjoy the simple pleasures.

Garden Fountains, Fountain Designers, Water Features Monroe County Rochester NY. Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls 585-442-6373 Certified Aquascape Contractor since 2004. Check out our website http://www.acornponds.com and give us a call 585.442.6373. Sign up for your personal design consultation here: http://www.acornponds.com/contact-us.html Click here for more information about Garden Fountains: http://www.acornponds.com/fountainscapes.html Water Feature Ideas, Fountains, Monroe County Rochester NY by Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls, contact us now! 585.442.6373 A fountain incorporated with a well thought out landscape plan, some decorative stone, and maybe some lights can make for a very eye appealing creation. Something good for adding a little trickling water sound in a small area of your garden like near your front door or patio. They can be very sustainable by using rainwater to refill and top off the evaporated water. Click here for more information on fountains: https://www.facebook.com/notes/acorn-landscaping-landscape-designlightingbackyard-water-gardens/garden-fountains-fountain-design-fountain-installer-bubbling-urns-boulders-water/468911673145960 Click here for a free Magazine all about Ponds and Water Features: http://flip.it/gsrNN

Doug Petersen Photography
Example of a huge classic home weight room design in Boise with beige walls

Unlock your backyard's true beauty with waterscaping concepts. For over forty years we have designed and installed customized waterfalls, ponds and fountains for thousands of happy customers. Whether you are starting fresh or are in need of a redesign, give us the chance to create your own tropical or Sonoran paradise. Adding a water feature can be as simple as tucking a decorative fountain near the entrance of your home or as elaborate as creating a massive cascading waterfall similar to what you see in the mountains of Hawaii. Our mission is to bring the natural beauty of exotic places like Japan, Hawaii or the Sonoran desert right to your backyard.

Other people call this style Zen gardens because they are meant for contemplation. This garden style originated in Japan at the same time Zen Buddhism started to become more popular around 1300 AC. Japanese gardens tend to be minimalist, monochromatic and well-trimmed. Not straight lines like in Formal gardens, but rather round or smoothly in and out shapes. Since the purpose of creating this garden style is for contemplation, relaxation and meditation, every element brought into the design has to be in alignment with this philosophy. These gardens are meant to connect visually but not physically. Japanese gardens calm your senses. Like English gardens, they are meant to be around your home. This garden style wants to replicate the mountains and rivers seeing in the beautiful natural landscapes in Asia but at a small, intimate scale. Every element brought to Japanese gardens has a meaning. These elements have to be well curated and carefully placed. Boulders represent mountains, raked white sands represent rivers and waves from the ocean, bridges mean connection between the earthly world and the spiritual earth, islands symbolize of longevity and health, water basins are used for ritual cleansing and the round trimmed bushes provide smoothness and calm to your senses. Sound is something not to forget when planning these gardens. You can achieve this by incorporating soft running water or planting bamboo (its leaves produce a soft, crackling sound when wind passes by). Water also represents life-giving force. Other garden elements to consider are stone lanterns, color red (denotes strength, strong emotions, vitality, power). Plants mostly used in Japanese gardens are cherry trees, Japanese maples, pines, Yaupon hollies, bamboo, azaleas, camelias, hydrangeas, water lilies, mosses among others.

Example of a transitional kitchen design in Houston

HUNTER DOUGLAS ALUSTRA® VIGNETTE® Designer fabrics that fold perfectly! The dramatic look of Hunter Douglas Alustra® Vignette® Modern Roman Shades make a room. Exclusive fabrics, rich textures and a finished look with no exposed cords make these shades a defining fashion statement. Design Inspiration EXCLUSIVE FABRICS Our handpicked premium fabrics turn ordinary rooms into ones of beauty and distinction. When framed with our fabric-covered hardware, these fabrics create window fashions that can complement your décor and create welcoming, comfortable spaces. Traditional™ fold SOFT YET MODERN A 4-inch contoured fold for that traditional, yet modern, look at the window. Tailored™ fold CRISP AND SOPHISTICATED A 6-inch flat fold that is nicely pressed for a defined finish. Tiered™ STACKED SOFTNESS This option allows shades to stack up, down or anywhere in between. Absorb Sound REDUCE OUTSIDE NOISE Improve your room’s acoustics while reducing the intensity of outside sound. It starts at the windows. Simple. The degree of sound control will depend on the fabric you choose, so if this is an important feature to you, be sure to discuss it with your sales expert. UV Protection SUNSCREEN FOR YOUR VALUABLES Protect your furniture, flooring and artwork from fading with at least 75% protection from harmful UV rays. Top-Down/Bottom-Up PRIVACY WITH A VIEW A more versatile approach to light control. Open from the top, from the bottom, or find somewhere in-between–for the perfect balance of privacy and light. Platinum™ Technology CONTROL FROM YOUR PHONE OR TABLET Controlling your window treatments with a mobile device means you can set your blinds to movie mode, work mode, or 8 a.m. mode with the touch of a button, without leaving your seat. It’s effortless, fun and smart—with perfectly smooth operation. Accents by the Yard™ FABRICS FOR YOUR ROOM DECOR Fabrics are available by the yard, so you can create decorative accents for any room with matching fabric. Lifetime Guarantee FOR LIFE Hunter Douglas products are designed and custom-assembled in the U.S. with the highest level of quality. But just in case, every window treatment from Hunter Douglas is covered by our lifetime limited guarantee. Read the Hunter Douglas Warranty to learn more. Hunter Douglas Alustra® Vignette® Modern Roman Shades with UltraGlide® Hunter Douglas Alustra® Vignette® Modern Roman Shades with UltraGlide® Fabric: Taos Color: Copper Fields Operating Systems: UltraGlide Room: Living Room Room Styles: Eclectic, Rustic. Casual Available from Accent Window Fashions LLC Hunter Douglas Showcase Priority Dealer Hunter Douglas Certified Installer Hunter Douglas Certified Professional Dealer #Hunter_Douglas #Alustra #Vignette #Modern_Roman_Shades #UltraGlide #Roman_Shades #Living_Room #Eclectic #Rustic #Casual #Window_Treatments #HunterDouglas #Accent_Window_Fashions Copyright 2001-2014 Hunter Douglas, Inc. All rights reserved.

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Our clients came to us looking to do some updates to their new condo unit primarily in the kitchen and living room. The couple has a lifelong love of Arts and Crafts and Modernism, and are the co-founders of PrairieMod, an online retailer that offers timeless modern lifestyle through American made, handcrafted, and exclusively designed products. So, having such a design savvy client was super exciting for us, especially since the couple had many unique pieces of pottery and furniture to provide inspiration for the design. The condo is a large, sunny top floor unit, with a large open feel. The existing kitchen was a peninsula which housed the sink, and they wanted to change that out to an island, relocating the new sink there as well. This can sometimes be tricky with all the plumbing for the building potentially running up through one stack. After consulting with our contractor team, it was determined that our plan would likely work and after confirmation at demo, we pushed on. The new kitchen is a simple L-shaped space, featuring several storage devices for trash, trays dividers and roll out shelving. To keep the budget in check, we used semi-custom cabinetry, but added custom details including a shiplap hood with white oak detail that plays off the oak “X” endcaps at the island, as well as some of the couple’s existing white oak furniture. We also mixed metals with gold hardware and plumbing and matte black lighting that plays well with the unique black herringbone backsplash and metal barstools. New weathered oak flooring throughout the unit provides a nice soft backdrop for all the updates. We wanted to take the cabinets to the ceiling to obtain as much storage as possible, but an angled soffit on two of the walls provided a bit of a challenge. We asked our carpenter to field modify a few of the wall cabinets where necessary and now the space is truly custom. Part of the project also included a new fireplace design including a custom mantle that houses a built-in sound bar and a Panasonic Frame TV, that doubles as hanging artwork when not in use. The TV is mounted flush to the wall, and there are different finishes for the frame available. The TV can display works of art or family photos while not in use. We repeated the black herringbone tile for the fireplace surround here and installed bookshelves on either side for storage and media components. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Comfortable seating area set against a backdrop of lined grommet panels in the style of Dupioni silk. The soft interplay of sand, surf and sky outside this oceanfront setting is echoed in the subtlety of neutral flooring and drapes, linen white case goods and soft blue upholstery. The drapes open completely, to enhance rather than detract from gorgeous, panoramic ocean front views. As with any investment rental property, care was taken in the selection of machine washable window coverings. Low maintenance and durable, the flooring is also practical: watertight and cork lined for sound proofing. The casual style of furnishings shown here is The Dunes, a popular choice among ocean front investment property owners at Shell Island Resort. Photo credit: Design Results

Photographer: Angie Seckinger
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional enclosed light wood floor family room library remodel in DC Metro with gray walls, a ribbon fireplace and a media wall

Built in media wall unit done for client in Palm Beach Florida. This beautiful unit is installed on the tenth floor in a condominium. It is installed in the living room with a lot of natural light coming in through the sliding glass doors facing the ocean. The faux finished, steel-brushed veneer paneling is made out of paldao wood. The floating console that is attached to the front of the unit by french-cleats houses the electronics for the unit and features assisted-lift blum aventos hl hinges that lift up parallel to the console.