This rectangle swimming pool, located in Welcome, MD, features a large suntan ledge at entry with umbrella stand, 2 bench seats in the deep end with an umbrella stand in each, pebble finish in Wet Edge Signature Matrix Coastal Blue, 1x2 glass tile in Lightwaves Aquamarine, brick bullnose coping, and carved flagstone finished concrete decking. Equipment utilized on this swimming pool consists of: cartridge filter, variable speed pump, LED color changing lighting, salt chlorine generator system, automatic pool cleaner, and a winter safety pool cover.

This freeform swimming pool, located in Port Tobacco, MD, features a large suntan ledge at entry, a bench seat in the deep end, raised wall with sheer descent water feature, pebble finish in Wet Edge Signature Matrix Black Magic, 6x6 tile in Granito Dolomite Gray, brick bullnose coping, and carved flagstone finished concrete decking. Equipment utilized on this swimming pool consists of: cartridge filter, variable speed pump, LED color changing lighting, salt chlorine generator system, heater, automatic pool cleaner, and a winter safety pool cover.

This rectangle swimming pool, located in Huntingtown, MD, features steps with bench seat at entry, two bench seats at deep end, pebble finish in Wet Edge Signature Matrix Caribbean, 1x1 tile in Opal Steel Grey, square edge full color flagstone coping, sheer descent waterfall water feature, and smear finished concrete decking with brick paver decking. Equipment utilized on this swimming pool consists of: cartridge filter, variable speed pump, incandescent lighting, and salt chlorine generator.

This freeform swimming pool, located in La Plata, MD, features a suntan ledge with an umbrella stand, bench seat mid pool with an umbrella stand, raised wall with sheer descent water feature, pebble finish in Wet Edge Signature Matrix Coastal Blue, 1x1 glass tile in Allure Peacock, brick bullnose coping, and carved flagstone finished concrete decking. Equipment utilized on this swimming pool consists of: cartridge filter, variable speed pump, LED color changing lighting, salt chlorine generator system, heater, automatic pool cleaner, and a winter safety pool cover.

This rectangle swimming pool, located in Tall Timbers, MD, features a large suntan ledge at entry with 2 umbrella stands, 2 bench seats in the deep end, pebble finish in Wet Edge Signature Matrix Black, 6x6 tile in Catania Sand, and brick paver decking. Equipment utilized on this swimming pool consists of: cartridge filter, variable speed pump, LED color changing lighting, salt chlorine generator system, automatic pool cleaner, and an automatic safety pool cover.

This freeform swimming pool, located in Mechanicsville, MD, features a suntan ledge with umbrella stand at entry, a bench seat with umbrella stand in the deep end, pebble finish in Wet Edge Signature Matrix Coastal Blue, hexagonal glass tile in Starburst Arctic, travertine bullnose coping in Silver, and carved flagstone finished concrete decking. Equipment utilized on this swimming pool consists of: cartridge filter, variable speed pump, LED color changing lighting, salt chlorine generator system, automatic pool cleaner, and a winter safety pool cover.

This rectangle swimming pool, located in Tall Timbers, MD, features a large suntan ledge at entry with 2 umbrella stands, 2 bench seats in the deep end, pebble finish in Wet Edge Signature Matrix Black, 6x6 tile in Catania Sand, and brick paver decking. Equipment utilized on this swimming pool consists of: cartridge filter, variable speed pump, LED color changing lighting, salt chlorine generator system, automatic pool cleaner, and an automatic safety pool cover.

This rectangle swimming pool, located in Welcome, MD, features a large suntan ledge at entry with umbrella stand, 2 bench seats in the deep end with an umbrella stand in each, pebble finish in Wet Edge Signature Matrix Coastal Blue, 1x2 glass tile in Lightwaves Aquamarine, brick bullnose coping, and carved flagstone finished concrete decking. Equipment utilized on this swimming pool consists of: cartridge filter, variable speed pump, LED color changing lighting, salt chlorine generator system, automatic pool cleaner, and a winter safety pool cover.

This freeform swimming pool, located in Mechanicsville, MD, features a suntan ledge with umbrella stand at entry, a bench seat with umbrella stand in the deep end, pebble finish in Wet Edge Signature Matrix Coastal Blue, hexagonal glass tile in Starburst Arctic, travertine bullnose coping in Silver, and carved flagstone finished concrete decking. Equipment utilized on this swimming pool consists of: cartridge filter, variable speed pump, LED color changing lighting, salt chlorine generator system, automatic pool cleaner, and a winter safety pool cover.

This freeform swimming pool, located in Leonardtown, MD, features a suntan ledge at entry, a bench seat in the deep end, pebble finish in Wet Edge Signature Matrix Brilliant Blue, 1x2 glass tile in Equinox Dark Blue, brick bullnose coping, and carved flagstone finished concrete decking. Equipment utilized on this swimming pool consists of: cartridge filter, variable speed pump, incandescent lighting, salt chlorine generator system, automatic pool cleaner, and a winter safety pool cover.

This rectangle swimming pool, located in Huntingtown, MD, features steps with bench seat at entry, two bench seats at deep end, pebble finish in Wet Edge Signature Matrix Caribbean, 1x1 tile in Opal Steel Grey, square edge full color flagstone coping, sheer descent waterfall water feature, and smear finished concrete decking with brick paver decking. Equipment utilized on this swimming pool consists of: cartridge filter, variable speed pump, incandescent lighting, and salt chlorine generator.

This rectangle swimming pool, located in Tall Timbers, MD, features a large suntan ledge at entry with 2 umbrella stands, 2 bench seats in the deep end, pebble finish in Wet Edge Signature Matrix Black, 6x6 tile in Catania Sand, and brick paver decking. Equipment utilized on this swimming pool consists of: cartridge filter, variable speed pump, LED color changing lighting, salt chlorine generator system, automatic pool cleaner, and an automatic safety pool cover.

This freeform swimming pool, located in Leonardtown, MD, features a suntan ledge at entry, a bench seat in the deep end, pebble finish in Wet Edge Signature Matrix Brilliant Blue, 1x2 glass tile in Equinox Dark Blue, brick bullnose coping, and carved flagstone finished concrete decking. Equipment utilized on this swimming pool consists of: cartridge filter, variable speed pump, incandescent lighting, salt chlorine generator system, automatic pool cleaner, and a winter safety pool cover.

Running a small restaurant is a high-wire act - delicious plates on one end, razor-thin margins on the other. With food costs averaging 28-35 percent of revenue and labor at 30 percent, every dollar counts. The good news? Targeted tweaks can shave 10-20 percent off your bottom line without sacrificing quality. From smarter sourcing to streamlined waste handling, these strategies empower independents to thrive. One underrated gem: Efficient waste management via roll-off dumpster rentals, which can slash disposal fees by up to 40 percent. Let's break it down. Optimize Inventory: Waste Less, Save More Overstocked pantries are profit killers - U.S. restaurants toss $25 billion in food yearly. Audit weekly. Track sales data to forecast demand, using apps like Toast or MarketMan for real-time insights. Trim your menu to 12-15 core items, focusing on seasonal, high-margin stars like farm-fresh salads over imported proteins. Portion control is key - pre-weighed scoops cut overuse by 15 percent. Repurpose scraps creatively. Veggie peels into stocks, bread ends for croutons. Donate extras to food banks via apps like Too Good To Go, earning tax deductions up to $5,000 annually. These habits reclaim 5-10 percent of food budgets, freeing cash for upgrades. Additionally, consider using citrus rinds for infused oils or desserts, and coffee grounds for compost to support local gardens. Engaging staff in sustainability efforts also builds morale and can be highlighted in marketing materials to attract eco-conscious diners. Trim Energy and Utilities: Go Green for Greenbacks Utilities gobble 4-10 percent of expenses. Swap to LED bulbs and energy-star appliances - upfront costs pay back in 6-12 months via 20-30 percent bill drops. Install low-flow faucets and programmable thermostats; during off-hours, dial down to 55°F to save $200/month on HVAC. Use induction cooktops for precise heat, reducing gas by 15 percent. Train staff on "last out" protocols - unplugging idle equipment. Solar panels? For rooftops under 1,000 sq ft, incentives cover 30 percent installation, yielding ROI in 5 years.  Master Waste Management: Dumpsters as Cost Commanders Trash isn't just garbage - it's a budget black hole, with disposal eating 2-5 percent of revenues. Small spots generate 1-2 tons monthly from food scraps, packaging, and grease. Ditch overflowing bins and irregular hauls for roll-off dumpster rentals. A 10-15 yard unit centralizes waste, handling bulk like fryer oil drums or produce crates without daily pickups. Efficiency Over Headcount Labor's your biggest line item - cross-train staff for multi-roles, like servers prepping during lulls, trimming overtime 10-15 percent. Shift scheduling software optimizes based on reservations, avoiding idle payroll. Negotiate bulk buys with local suppliers for 5-10 percent discounts; loyalty programs from Sysco yield free deliveries. Go digital - QR menus cut printing costs, speed table turnover, and allow menu updates in real time without waste. Loyalty apps boost repeat visits without increasing your advertising budget, making it easier to track customer preferences and send targeted promotions. Consider bundling purchases with other area restaurants to unlock deeper discounts and leverage supplier relationships for exclusive seasonal specials. These strategies can reduce overhead, improve customer retention, and keep operations flexible as trends shift.

This country house was previously owned by Halle Berry and sits on a private lake north of Montreal. The kitchen was dated and a part of a large two storey extension which included a master bedroom and ensuite, two guest bedrooms, office, and gym. The goal for the kitchen was to create a dramatic and urban space in a rural setting. Photo : Drew Hadley

This freeform swimming pool, located in Mechanicsville, MD, features a suntan ledge with umbrella stand at entry, a bench seat with umbrella stand in the deep end, pebble finish in Wet Edge Signature Matrix Coastal Blue, hexagonal glass tile in Starburst Arctic, travertine bullnose coping in Silver, and carved flagstone finished concrete decking. Equipment utilized on this swimming pool consists of: cartridge filter, variable speed pump, LED color changing lighting, salt chlorine generator system, automatic pool cleaner, and a winter safety pool cover.

This rectangle swimming pool, located in Leonardtown, MD, features sprawling steps with bench seating at each side at entry, a bench seat in the deep end, pebble finish in Wet Edge Signature Matrix Coastal Blue, 1x2 glass tile in blue gray hues, square edge full color flagstone coping, and broom finished concrete decking. Equipment utilized on this swimming pool consists of: DE filter, variable speed pump, LED color changing lighting, salt chlorine generator system, automatic pool cleaner, and an automatic safety pool cover.

This rectangle swimming pool, located in Tall Timbers, MD, features a large suntan ledge at entry with 2 umbrella stands, 2 bench seats in the deep end, pebble finish in Wet Edge Signature Matrix Black, 6x6 tile in Catania Sand, and brick paver decking. Equipment utilized on this swimming pool consists of: cartridge filter, variable speed pump, LED color changing lighting, salt chlorine generator system, automatic pool cleaner, and an automatic safety pool cover.

This freeform swimming pool, located in Port Tobacco, MD, features a large suntan ledge at entry, a bench seat in the deep end, raised wall with sheer descent water feature, pebble finish in Wet Edge Signature Matrix Black Magic, 6x6 tile in Granito Dolomite Gray, brick bullnose coping, and carved flagstone finished concrete decking. Equipment utilized on this swimming pool consists of: cartridge filter, variable speed pump, LED color changing lighting, salt chlorine generator system, heater, automatic pool cleaner, and a winter safety pool cover.