Miyake is a critically acclaimed sushi restaurant in Portland Maine that had reached national fame despite operating out of a tiny "hole in the wall" in the West End. he design seeks to create an island of serenity in Portland's busy Old Port - a quiet and serious space where the food is the focus of the attention. In the tradition of the sushi restaurant, the best seats in the house will be at the high bar, where diners can be personally served by the chefs at work in front of them. The restaurant sought to evoke the feeling of a calm vessel moving over water at winter sunset, with high backed deep red banquets sheltering the patrons and quietly back-lit custom textiles glowing at the top of the walls. A custom CNC-milled birch plywood ceiling evokes a forest canopy, concealing the messy reality of a low ceilinged commercial space from the diners. The traditional trappings of the restaurant were to be hidden from view, with no glass sushi case, visible wine bottles or stemware, and the only visible lighting a few glowing pendants over the bar. Photo by Jamie Solomon

This Grand Award winning custom wine cellar cabinet was fabricated in our vancouver shop, crated and shipped as a flat pack in 12 crates. We worked with a local construction company and architecture firm to build out the space, ready for our installation. This cabinet has 2 cooling units, custom led lighting, a key pad security system and features our wine wall and vertical series racking for storage of near 800 bottles of wine.

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in San Francisco with white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and shaker cabinets

The homeowners wanted their basement to be an exciting and varied entertainment space for the whole family. For the children’s favorite activities, the architects designed spaces for a dance studio, craft area, Murphy beds for sleepovers and an indoor sports court. © Bob Narod Photography / BOWA

Terren Landscapes http://www.terrenlandscapes.com 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Residential $60,000-$120,000 Award Level: Silver Project Description: We were contracted by the family to create a master plan for the property. They were experiencing extreme drainage and erosion problems due to the surrounding properties’ drastic grade changes. Erosion had caused the rear lawn to sink in various areas and the existing rear patio spaces were failing. The client wanted to rebuild their patios and walkways, repave their driveway and give their home more visual appeal. Most importantly, they wanted an environmentally friendly solution. Our design solution was to create a rain garden that would slow storm water runoff, allow for percolation, and promote infiltration, while permitting excess clean water to enter the storm drain at the street with slower velocity. The rain garden acts as a temporary holding space that allows the earth to slowly absorb water, rather than overwhelm the nearby storm drain. Our first objective was to conduct a percolation test to determine the amount of clay soil that needed to be removed before reaching the sandy loam layer. A percolation test and storm water calculations were generated to accommodate a 1” rain event. Based on our calculations and the small size of the property, we determined a depth of 18” was necessary for optimal holding capacity. We removed 18” of clay soil until a layer of sandy loam was encountered. Next, the soil was amended with compost and sand to create a highly porous planting media for the basin of the garden. We piped the three existing rear downspouts to the rain garden area to capture for infiltration and alleviate runoff throughout the rear lawn and patio space. We installed an 18” wide over-flow standpipe at a 24” depth into the ground that outlets to a stone swale that carries the water to the property edge. As an added means of holding the maximum amount of water, we designed the standpipe to sit 14” above grade. The height of this standpipe allows this rain garden to capture 14” of water before reaching the overflow capacity. We placed geotextile fabric to help reduce migration of the stones into the soil and aid in the prevention of weeds and erosion. We heavily planted the rain garden to further aid in absorption and to attract local wildlife. A native plant palette of butterfly weed, Panicum, Joe-Pye weed, and asters form a colorful backdrop while the basin was filled with obligate wetland plants such as royal ferns, irises and cardinal flowers. The upper edges in the foreground are planted with Echinacea, Rudbeckia and Monarda, satisfying the local bird community and adding bright seasonal colors. This garden effectively collects and cleanses rainwater while creating a habitat for birds, frogs, and butterflies. Our next challenge was to redesign the existing patios and walkways without increasing impervious surfaces. According to township regulations this property was currently at its maximum capacity, therefore we designed the front and rear patios with a slightly smaller footprint to decrease their existing impervious surfaces. New planting beds were designed throughout the entire property. Plants were chosen that were tolerant of specific site conditions. For the rear yard, we choose a backdrop of witch hazel and hollies to provide an evergreen screen as well as early spring color. We placed hydrangea throughout to add summer color. We planted ostrich fern under the existing spruce tree to create a lush floor. This area became an additional backdrop for the rain garden as well as a screen for the neighboring property. We choose a combination of ‘Blue Star’ juniper and creeping jenny to soften the existing rear wall with creepers. Around the rear patio areas we choose a combination of Liatris, Rudbeckia and ‘Lo and Behold’ butterfly bush. This combination of plants works in harmony with the rain garden and attracts additional butterflies. For the front of the property we worked with an existing Japanese maple that provided dense shade. We choose a shade-tolerant combination of Heuchera, Astilbe, ferns and hostas for this area. We added more hydrangeas to the front foundation of the house to provide lush layering of plant material and visual interest with additional summer blooms. Overall, we were able to exceed the client’s needs and expectations in transforming their property into a colorful paradise that attracts wildlife from season to season. The plant palette provides seasonal interest and the rain garden has successfully decreased storm water runoff. The new hardscape surfaces were designed and built with a slightly smaller footprint to decrease impervious surfaces. This project is a positive example of how all properties, regardless of size, can make an ecological difference by decreasing impervious surfaces and maintaining proper storm water management. Photo Credit: Terren Landscapes

Contractor: Prestige Residential Construction; Interior Design: NB Design Group; Photo: Benjamin Benschneider
Inspiration for a 1950s two-story exterior home remodel in Seattle

Photo Credit: Chuck Smith Photography
Trendy kitchen photo in Dallas with mosaic tile backsplash, green backsplash, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and soapstone countertops

Trendy study room photo in New York with white walls

Michael Stadler - Stadler Studio
Mid-sized urban concrete floor and gray floor family room photo in Seattle with no fireplace, beige walls and a music area

JAMES DEWULF’S NEW PING PONG DINING TABLE RECEIVES RAVE REVIEWS Creating “Sleekness” And “Hip” With Industrial Material (Santa Monica, CA) James DeWulf, known for his creativity of design and innovation with raw materials, introduced several stunning new products and designs at ICFF. All were typical of DeWulf’s innovative work - original, chic, and cool, but the product that grabbed everyone’s attention and stole the show was DeWulf’s new Ping Pong Dining Table. Made to regulation size, the Ping Pong table dimensions are 9’ by 5’ by 30”. The new dining table can actually be used for Ping Pong with acid etched lines that will last as long as the table and a smooth surface that provides a great “bounce”. The table is also ideal for outdoor use because the components are impervious to moisture, salt air and freeze thaw cycles. Many still expressed a preference to use the table indoors because of its clean, simple, and beautiful lines. The table is defined by its top which appears to float above the legs. Incredibly thin at one inch, the table top is the culmination of all of DeWulf’s expertise in working with concrete compounds. To put this in perspective, normal concrete would have to be nearly nine inches in thickness to achieve the same strength and durability of the one inch top that DeWulf has developed for this table. Like all DeWulf’s creations, the Ping Pong Dining Table exemplifies his passion for producing finishes that feel both organic and luxurious. The pigment is mixed throughout the concrete assuring color that never fades or wears. While the surface is hand finished several times to create a smooth buttery feel that people cannot resist touching. The Ping Pong Dining Table is a masterpiece of technology and art. “The goal was to make something simple and beautiful”, says DeWulf. “To achieve such large flat slabs and have them be so thin is a first for me. Integrity and proportion lead the design. There is nothing unnecessary.” For more information on DeWulf Concrete, its products and its designs, go to www.jamesdewulf.com.

Inspiration for a modern detached guesthouse remodel in Denver

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Elegant exterior home photo in Charleston

Master bath in a private home in Brooklyn New York, apartment designed by Eric Safyan, Architect, with Green Mountain Construction & Design
Example of a classic walk-in shower design in New York with a pedestal sink

Rikki Snyder
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Small craftsman green two-story wood gable roof idea in DC Metro

Open walnut vanity with brass faucets and a large alcove shower. Photos by Chris Veith
Example of a mid-sized transitional master white tile porcelain tile and black floor alcove shower design in New York with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

The layout of this bathroom was reconfigured by locating the new tub on the rear wall, and putting the toilet on the left of the vanity. The wall on the left of the existing vanity was taken out.

Landscape Design by Gregory Davis & Associates, www.gdalandscape.com Abran Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary drought-tolerant front yard landscaping in Los Angeles.