This project presented unique opportunities that are not often found in residential landscaping. The homeowners were not only restoring their 1840's era farmhouse, a piece of their family’s history, but also enlarging and updating the home for modern living. The landscape designers continued this idea by creating a space that is a modern day interpretation of an 1840s era farm rather then a strict recreation. The resulting design combines elements of farm living from that time, as well as acknowledging the property’s history as a horse farm, with staples of 21st century landscapes such as space for outdoor living, lighting, and newer plant varieties. Guests approach from the main driveway which winds through the property and ends at the main barn. There is secondary gated driveway just for the homeowners. Connected to this main driveway is a narrower gravel lane which leads directly to the residence. The lane passes near fruit trees planted in broken rows to give the illusion that they are the remains of an orchard that once existed on the site. The lane widens at the entrance to the gardens where there is a hitching post built into the fence that surrounds the gardens and a watering trough. The widened section is intended as a place to park a golf cart or, in a nod to the home’s past, tie up horses before entering. The gravel lane passes between two stone pillars and then ends at a square gravel court edged in cobblestones. The gravel court transitions into a wide flagstone walk bordered with yew hedges and lavender leading to the front door. Directly to the right, upon entering the gravel court, is located a gravel and cobblestone edged walk leading to a secondary entrance into the residence. The walk is gated where it connects with the gravel court to close it off so as not to confuse visitors and guests to the main residence and to emphasize the primary entrance. An area for a bench is provided along this walk to encourage stopping to view and enjoy the gardens. On either side of the front door, gravel and cobblestone walks branch off into the garden spaces. The one on the right leads to a flagstone with cobblestone border patio space. Since the home has no designated backyard like most modern suburban homes the outdoor living space had to be placed in what would traditionally be thought of as the front of the house. The patio is separated from the entrance walk by the yew hedge and further enclosed by three Amelanchiers and a variety of plantings including modern cultivars of old fashioned plants such as Itea and Hydrangea. A third entrance, the original front door to the 1840’s era section, connects to the patio from the home’s kitchen, making the space ideal for outdoor dining. The gravel and cobblestone walk branching off to the left of the front door leads to the vegetable and perennial gardens. The idea for the vegetable garden was to recreate the tradition of a kitchen garden which would have been planted close to the residence for easy access. The vegetable garden is surrounded by mixed perennial beds along the inside of the wood picket fence which surrounds the entire garden space. Another area designated for a bench is provided here to encourage stopping and viewing. The home’s original smokehouse, completely restored and used as a garden shed, provides a strong architectural focal point to the vegetable garden. Behind the smokehouse is planted lilacs and other plants to give mass and balance to the corner and help screen the garden from the neighboring subdivision. At the rear corner of the garden a wood arbor was constructed to provide a structure on which to grow grapes or other vines should the homeowners choose to. The landscape and gardens for this restored farmhouse and property are a thoughtfully designed and planned recreation of a historic landscape reinterpreted for modern living. The idea was to give a sense of timelessness when walking through the gardens as if they had been there for years but had possibly been updated and rejuvenated as lifestyles changed. The attention to materials and craftsmanship blend seamlessly with the residence and insure the gardens and landscape remain an integral part of the property. The farm has been in the homeowner’s family for many years and they are thrilled at the results and happy to see respect given to the home’s history and to its meticulous restoration.

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Our clients and their three teenage kids had outgrown the footprint of their existing home and felt they needed some space to spread out. They came in with a couple of sets of drawings from different architects that were not quite what they were looking for, so we set out to really listen and try to provide a design that would meet their objectives given what the space could offer. We started by agreeing that a bump out was the best way to go and then decided on the size and the floor plan locations of the mudroom, powder room and butler pantry which were all part of the project. We also planned for an eat-in banquette that is neatly tucked into the corner and surrounded by windows providing a lovely spot for daily meals. The kitchen itself is L-shaped with the refrigerator and range along one wall, and the new sink along the exterior wall with a large window overlooking the backyard. A large island, with seating for five, houses a prep sink and microwave. A new opening space between the kitchen and dining room includes a butler pantry/bar in one section and a large kitchen pantry in the other. Through the door to the left of the main sink is access to the new mudroom and powder room and existing attached garage. White inset cabinets, quartzite countertops, subway tile and nickel accents provide a traditional feel. The gray island is a needed contrast to the dark wood flooring. Last but not least, professional appliances provide the tools of the trade needed to make this one hardworking kitchen. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Mike Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

We designed and delivered a perfectly hidden kitchen laundry and, can you believe, it adds tremendous style to this new open space Moorestown, New Jersey kitchen?! Besides figuring out what to do with the washer and dryer, the client asked for a large table island, fun green accenting, and wood details. To truly understand the challenge we had with this project, please look at the befores first — a small space condo kitchen that had a stacked washer & dryer fully exposed. Solutions: knock out a wall to open things up to the dining room, and somehow enclose the washer and dryer. Besides now having a tremendously functional open space kitchen with an electic mix of modern and transitional that is ‘perfectly Theresa’, the laundry space now adds style. It’s amazing how the caning on the doors became a statement element! How fun! We truly managed to hide a washer & dryer in plain sight and add beauty!

Bedroom - mid-sized coastal master medium tone wood floor bedroom idea in Charleston with white walls

Example of a small beach style open concept slate floor living room design in Charleston with beige walls and a media wall

Corner shower - mid-sized coastal 3/4 ceramic tile and beige floor corner shower idea in Charleston with recessed-panel cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls and a hinged shower door

Bedroom - mid-sized coastal guest carpeted and beige floor bedroom idea in Charleston with white walls

We're in the shop here today showing you an alternating-tread staircase that's' going to a job-site in Napa tomorrow. I'm standing on the landing which is at exactly mid-floor level. It's going into one one these 100-year-old houses with a steep roof and lots of attic space. The homeowner called me last month saying he wants to access this large attic area with something better than a ladder. He didn't have room for a conventional stair but this alternating-tread space-saving stair was a perfect fit. It's all Red Oak which matches the hardwood floors throughout the house. Once these are installed at the site we'll put a handrail on top of the stringers on the open side. I'll tell you a little about the alternating-tread staircases. It's built in a way that is nearly as easy to climb as a conventional stair. When we walk up a convectional stairway we normally use half of the stair tread at a time, placing one foot on the right half and the next foot on the left half. The idea of an alternating-tread stair is make half of each tread wide enough for your foot and then alternate the wide end of these paddle-shape treads from left to right. You still have your 10 inch minimum tread depth plus a 1 inch nosing projection. This give you 11" of support for each foot, just like a conventional stair. We normally make the risers a max of 7-3/4", but code allows us to go as high as 9 inches. This one is 7-3/4" which is very comfortable. We installed a metal bar across the middle of each open-riser to limit the open space to less than a 4 inch gap. Anyway, I just wanted to give you a quick shot of this. Tomorrow morning we get to go to the job-site and install this. I'd can't wait to see the look on the customer's face when we have this installed. I'll let him do the bragging :-) Last but not least, I'd like to give glory to God and special recognition to a Jewish carpenter named Jesus. I don't know for sure if He built stairways as a carpenter, but I am happy to say that He is my LORD and I want to live my whole life for Him. God bless you! And please contact me if you want any type of custom stairs. Clyde 520-895-2060 or 916-991-9700

Example of a beach style home design design in Charleston

Besides space constraints, there were budget concerns to consider in this NYC apartment kitchen renovation. Design choices were made throughout the rest of the apartment remodel to come in under budget, and of course, on time! We included absolutely everything to make this a dream kitchen from top of the line appliances from Bertazzoni, Liebherr and Miele to signature space saving touches and custom storage solutions nestled in bespoke contemporary shaker cabinets - - like a sink tilt out, garbage roll outs, and spice cabinets - - which make this space feel and function like a much bigger kitchen. We also know that a small space doesn't need to be short on style! We decided this kitchen deserved a custom crown. This is my signature design to incorporate the plaster cove crowns throughout the apartment, only in the millwork version. This contemporary take on a prewar crown was just what was needed! Finally, we needed some pizzazz and added the Firenzecolor Swahili silver architectural coated wall which is front and center from the outside looking in to the kitchen. We achieved our goal: to create an elegant, eye catching center of attention in this tiny kitchen. This small kitchen is now a contemporary pièce de résistance in a timeless prewar building and it's wonderful to know that in the process of creating a modern, warm urban dream kitchen for this lovely client, we also changed her life! She’s absolutely thrilled... and so are we!! Photo by Mark Boswell

Do you have a small apartment or studio and need space ­saving furniture ideas? Do you have a den or office that needs to double as a guestroom? A Murphy Bed system might be just what you’re looking for! This style looks like a glossy lacquered wall in your room and when closed takes up very little space. When you want to study or work on your computer, just open the cabinet and drop down a desk! There’s plenty of room for office work, study books or even craft projects to fit on this roomy desk. When you’re tired and want to get some sleep, just open it all the way and the desk drops down, instantly giving you a twin bed ready to crawl into! In the morning, it all closes up, giving you an uncluttered, open area for your studio or apartment. If you’re using it in a study, you can keep the desk open and just open the bed for guests when they sleep over. This Murphy Bed system is constructed from the highest quality materials and the mechanism is technologically new gas springs, that open and close with no effort. Having a Murphy Bed System is like having a room in a box.

“This design originated with the client’s desire to duplicate the warmth of Tuscan Architecture,” says Stolz. “The vision that South Coast Architects set forth was to create the feel of an old Tuscan Village as a private residence at their golf community, ‘The Hideaway’ in La Quinta, California. However, we had to keep in mind that we were still designing for a desert lifestyle, which meant an emphasis on indoor/outdoor living and capturing the spectacular views of the golf course and neighboring mountains,” Stolz adds. “The owners had spent a lot of time in Europe and knew exactly what they wanted when it came to the overall look of the home, especially the stone,” says Muth. “The mason ended up creating a dozen mock-ups of various stone profiles and blends to help the family decide what really worked for them. Ultimately, they selected Eldorado Stone’s Orchard Cypress Ridge profile that offers a beautiful blend of stone sizes and colors.” “The generous use of Eldorado Stone with brick detailing over the majority of the exterior of the home added the authenticity and timelessness that we were striving for in the design,” says Stolz. “Our clients want the very best, but if we can duplicate something and save money, what client would say no? That’s why we use Eldorado Stone whenever we can. It gives us the opportunity to save money and gives clients exactly the look they desire so we can use more of their budget in other areas.” Stolz explained that Eldorado Stone was also brought into the interior to continue that feel of authenticity and historical accuracy. Stone is used floor to ceiling in the kitchen for a pizza oven, as well as on the fireplace in the Great Room and on an entire wall in the master bedroom. “Using a material like Eldorado Stone allows for the seamless continuation of space” says Stolz. “Stone is what made the house so authentic-looking” says Muth. “It’s such an integral part of the house that it either was going to be a make or break scenario if we made the wrong choice. Luckily, Eldorado Stone really made it!” Eldorado Stone Profile Featured: Orchard Cypress Ridge with a khaki grout color (overgrout technique) Eldorado Brick Profile Featured: Cassis ModenaBrick with a khaki grout color (overgrout technique) Architect: South Coast Architects Website: www.southcoastarchitects.com Builder: Andrew Pierce Corporation, Palm Desert, CA Website: www. andrewpiercecorp.com Mason: RAS Masonry, Inc. Bob Serna, Corona, CA Phone: 760-774-0090 Photography: Eric Figge Photography, Inc.

This garage was refinished into a small studio apartment. The very unique space-saving measures include a loft bed built in above the bathroom and a queen size bed that pulls out from underneath the raised kitchen floor.

Embarking on a garage remodeling project is a transformative endeavor that can significantly enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of the space. By investing in tailored storage solutions such as cabinets, wall-mounted organizers, and overhead racks, one can efficiently declutter the area and create a more organized storage system. Flooring upgrades, such as epoxy coatings or durable tiles, not only improve the garage's appearance but also provide a resilient surface. Adding custom workbenches or tool storage solutions contributes to a more efficient and user-friendly workspace. Additionally, incorporating proper lighting and ventilation ensures a well-lit and comfortable environment. A remodeled garage not only increases property value but also opens up possibilities for alternative uses, such as a home gym, workshop, or hobby space, making it a worthwhile investment for both practicality and lifestyle improvement.

This garage was refinished into a small studio apartment. The very unique space-saving measures include a loft bed built in above the bathroom and a queen size bed that pulls out from underneath the raised kitchen floor.

Photography by Studio H Landscape Architecture. Post processing by Isabella Li.
Design ideas for a small contemporary drought-tolerant backyard stone landscaping in Orange County.

I decided to go with DIY drum shade pendant lamps in the bedroom area since there wasn't much space on either side of the bed for table lamps. You can see how I made these lamps in this video here: http://www.engineeryourspace.com/episodes/how-to-make-a-pendant-lamp/

This garage was refinished into a small studio apartment. The very unique space-saving measures include a loft bed built in above the bathroom and a queen size bed that pulls out from underneath the raised kitchen floor.

Trendy home design photo in Calgary