Recreate the dazzling light displays previously only seen in theme parks. Our innovative Meteor Lights boast 12-channel LEDs that produce six unique lighting effects. Use the built-in push-button control to choose: a steady/constant glow, shimmer, random twinkling, chasing lights, lightning/meteor shower or stacking lights.

The 3 bathrooms in this 1970's house were in serious need of remodeling - as in gut and re-build - so the owners decided to have them all done at once and while at it, refinish the floors, refurnish the living room and furnish the new screen porch addition. As a designer in a seasonal resort area, I am accustomed to working with my customers long distance. Using (and e-mailing) computer drafted renderings, product layout pages very professional builders, suppliers and steady communication, my client and I moved flawlessly through the challenges all remodel projects present. My goal was to find fabrics and furnishings that reflected the home's original architectural Mid Century Modern integrity The house has very strong horizontal lines that I wanted to repeat in the furniture, bathroom fixtures, tile and light fixture selections. Victoria McHugh Photography

This is a one-of-a-kind slab dining table with unique custom base. The top is a single piece of wood milled from a claro walnut tree in the river valley near Sacramento, CA. The base makes a play on the off-center weight of the top, holding steady at the center and reaching out the the light side. Photo credit: Austin Aaron

Photo: Christopher Lee Foto
Design ideas for a drought-tolerant backyard landscaping in Los Angeles.

Ask a kitchen designer in Chicago which countertop question comes up most and you will hear the same answer: white or off-white quartz, and which shade. Homeowners walk into showrooms with a photo saved on their phone, usually a bright, veined slab from a magazine spread, and leave an hour later realizing there are a dozen versions of that same look. The confusion is not about taste. It is about the fact that "white quartz" covers a huge range of patterns, undertones, and price points, and nobody explains the differences before the sale. Older bungalows and newer builds alike are getting stripped of their dated laminate and butcher block in favor of quartz, and the reasons are practical rather than trendy. Quartz does not need sealing, resists the kind of staining that granite can suffer over decades, and holds up to the freeze-thaw humidity swings that Chicago basements and kitchens go through every year. Once a homeowner commits to quartz, though, the real decision starts: which white, and does the pattern justify the difference in cost. This piece walks through three specific slabs that keep showing up in Chicago renovation projects, why designers reach for them in different rooms, and what actually separates a flat white surface from one with real depth. None of this requires a design background to follow. It is mostly about paying attention to how a slab behaves under kitchen lighting, how busy the vending gets, and how it photographs versus how it looks in person. Why White Quartz Took Over Chicago Kitchens Ten years ago, granite dominated Chicago kitchen remodels almost by default. It was durable, it looked expensive, and every fabricator in the metro area carried a wide range of colors. Quartz has since taken over that position, and the shift happened faster than most contractors expected. Engineered stone gave homeowners a more predictable surface, since natural granite varies slab to slab while quartz is manufactured to a consistent pattern batch after batch. The other driver is light. Chicago winters are long and gray, and a lot of kitchens, especially in older two-flats and courtyard buildings, do not get much direct sun. A dark granite countertop in a dim kitchen can make the whole room feel smaller. White and light-toned quartz reflects what little natural light comes through the windows, and it makes a galley kitchen or a north-facing space feel noticeably brighter without touching the cabinetry or the layout. There is also a resale argument that local real estate agents bring up constantly. White quartz photographs well for listings, reads as updated and low-maintenance to buyers touring in person, and does not compete visually with whatever cabinet color the next owner might prefer. It is a safer bet than a bold veined marble look or a colored quartz that might feel dated in five years. Arctic White and the Cost Question Among the flatter, more uniform whites, arctic white quartz price comes up constantly in budget conversations because the slab sits at a more approachable point than the heavily veined Italian-marble-inspired patterns. It reads as clean and bright without the busy movement that some homeowners find overwhelming in a small kitchen. Fabricators in the Chicago area tend to keep it in stock precisely because demand stays steady across both new construction and remodel projects. Part of what keeps this slab affordable relative to its heavily patterned cousins comes down to manufacturing complexity. A quartz surface with minimal veining and a consistent white base is simpler to produce at scale than one that mimics the irregular, high-contrast movement of natural Calacatta marble. That production difference shows up directly in what a homeowner pays per square foot, and it is worth asking a fabricator to walk through that pricing before assuming every white quartz costs the same. Homeowners planning a full kitchen, including an island, backsplash, and perimeter counters, often use a flatter white like this specifically because it lets other elements carry the visual interest. A patterned tile backsplash or a bold cabinet color reads more clearly against a calm countertop than against one already fighting for attention with heavy veining. Designers frequently pair simpler whites with statement lighting fixtures for exactly this reason. What Makes Calacatta Patterns Different Calacatta refers to a family of marble originally quarried in Italy, known for a bright white background broken up by bold, often gold-toned veining that moves in thick, dramatic streaks rather than thin gray lines. Natural Calacatta marble is soft, porous, and expensive to maintain, which is exactly why quartz manufacturers spent years developing engineered versions that replicate the look without the upkeep headaches. The challenge with any Calacatta-style quartz is getting the veining to look organic instead of printed. Early generations of engineered stone struggled with repetitive patterns that gave away the fact the slab was manufactured rather than cut from actual marble. Modern digital printing and layering techniques have closed that gap considerably, and the better Calacatta-inspired quartz lines now vary the veining across each slab batch so two counters in the same kitchen do not look identical. Chicago designers gravitate toward Calacatta patterns for kitchens that function as the visual centerpiece of an open floor plan, which describes a large share of the gut renovations happening in neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, and the North Shore suburbs. When the kitchen island is visible from the living room and dining area, a dramatic veined surface becomes part of the home's overall design language rather than a purely functional work surface. Calacatta Arno Under Kitchen Lighting One of the more popular options in this category, calacatta arno quartz, balances a warm white base with soft gray and gold veining that avoids looking too stark under the cooler LED lighting common in newer Chicago builds. Homeowners touring showrooms sometimes make the mistake of judging a slab entirely under warm incandescent lighting, then get surprised when the same surface looks slightly different once installed under their kitchen's actual fixtures. What separates this particular pattern from flatter competitors is how the veining clusters rather than spreading evenly across the slab. That clustering mimics the way real quarried marble forms, with denser mineral deposits in some sections and cleaner stretches in others. Fabricators cutting a large island slab from a single piece will often orient the pattern intentionally so the busiest veining lands somewhere visually interesting rather than getting cut off at an edge. Because the background reads warmer than a stark white, this pattern tends to pair well with brass or matte gold hardware, a combination that has been showing up repeatedly in Chicago kitchen remodels over the past few renovation seasons. Cabinet painters report a similar trend, with more clients requesting warm white or greige cabinet colors specifically because they complement this kind of veined quartz better than a cooler, blue-toned white would. Silestone's Version of the Calacatta Look Manufacturers compete directly in this Calacatta-inspired category, and silestone eternal calacatta gold represents one brand's specific take on the pattern, distinguished by richer gold veining set against a brighter white base than some competing slabs in the same family. Silestone has built a reputation around anti-bacterial surface treatments in addition to the standard quartz durability, a detail some homeowners specifically ask about for kitchens used heavily by families with young children. The veining in this particular slab tends to run in longer, more continuous lines compared to the clustered pattern found in some other Calacatta-style options, which gives large island surfaces a sense of visual flow from one end to the other. Fabricators working with bigger islands, the kind increasingly common in open-concept Chicago remodels, often favor patterns like this because there is less need to worry about seams interrupting a busy, disconnected pattern. Price positioning for this slab tends to sit toward the upper end of the engineered quartz category, reflecting both the brand's manufacturing process and the complexity of replicating that continuous gold veining consistently across production batches. Homeowners weighing this option against other Calacatta-style quartz should ask their fabricator directly about batch availability, since premium patterns sometimes have longer lead times than standard stock colors. Living With Quartz Day to Day Beyond how a slab looks in a showroom or a listing photo, the daily experience of owning quartz countertops matters more once the renovation dust settles. Quartz resists scratching far better than laminate and holds up to the acidic spills, hot pans, and general abuse of an active kitchen without the sealing maintenance that natural stone requires every year or two. That low-maintenance reputation is a large part of why quartz overtook granite in the first place. Heat resistance is a detail that gets less attention than it should. While quartz handles moderate heat well, manufacturers generally recommend using a trivet or pad for very hot pots straight off the stove, since sudden temperature shock can occasionally cause stress marks in the resin binder that holds the engineered stone together. This is a minor precaution rather than a major limitation, but it is worth mentioning to anyone assuming quartz is entirely indestructible. Cleaning routines stay simple across almost every pattern in this category. A damp cloth and mild soap handle daily messes, and the nonporous surface means wine, coffee, and tomato-based sauces do not soak in the way they can with unsealed granite or marble. Homeowners moving from an older stone counter often mention how much less they worry about everyday spills once quartz is installed, which is a quality-of-life change that rarely makes it into the initial design conversation. Choosing Between the Three There is no single correct answer among these three slabs, and that is exactly why they keep coming up together in the same design conversations across Chicago renovation projects. A flatter white with minimal veining suits kitchens where other elements need to carry the visual interest, while a bolder Calacatta-inspired pattern makes sense when the countertop itself is meant to be the centerpiece of an open floor plan. Budget matters too, and it is worth having a direct conversation with a fabricator about where each option lands before falling in love with a specific slab in a showroom. Lighting, cabinet color, and how the kitchen connects to the rest of the home all play into which pattern will actually look right once installation is finished rather than just in a photo. Whatever direction a homeowner leans, seeing a full slab in person under actual kitchen lighting remains the single most useful step before signing off. Photos only go so far once the countertop is sitting in the room it will live in for years.

Lazy summer evenings are calling your name. What better way to enjoy them than rocking in your DuroGreen™ Classic Rocker with a tall glass of iced tea? And the good news; you’ll be able to relax in your rockers for years to come. DuroGreen™ rocking chairs are made of premium recycled plastic lumber, stainless steel hardware, and quality craftsmanship. Our chairs can stand up to changing seasons and extreme outdoor elements. You won’t have to worry about warping, rotting, cracking, chipping, or splintering any more. Our recycled material is resistant to the hazards that destroy traditional wood designs. The rocker isn’t just durable and long lasting, it’s got classic charm. It’s been engineered to deliver a steady rocking motion. In a word, perfection.

Cozy up to this fireplace under the mountains—at least a beautiful mountain photo! Warm amber tones of tile, accented with a soft green, surround this fireplace. The hearth is held steady with Amber on red clay in 4"x4" tiles. Large Format Savvy Squares - 65W Amber, 65R Amber, 1028 Grey Spice, 123W Patina, 125R Sahara Sands / Hearth | 4"x4"s - 65R Amber

Bills sister in law originally called me to enquire about helping Bill move out of his large house of 40 plus years and downsize to an assisted retirement facility. Bill had Parkinson's and was now alone. Everything needed to be weighted or fastened down and no accessible glass or sharp edges could be used. Parkinson's, especially when it progresses causes one to grab onto thing to help steady oneself. Obviously minimall Decor and as we get older, lots of light and large print, as in the wall clock become necessities. Working with Bill was a lot of fun actually, I learned he loved modern clean lines, bold pattern, and boats, the ocean and skiing. It was a complete clean slate to start from. Almost nothing from his old House, with the exception of clothes and photos were coming to his knew forever home. Bill and I stay in touch. I learned a lot and gained a friend for life. Interior Design and decor by, B Designs. Photos by, Maria Bortugno

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless porcelain tile and brown floor dedicated laundry room remodel in Portland with an utility sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, quartz backsplash, gray walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and beige countertops

Stucco - 3052 Cardamon FIne with SW6110 Steady Brown Stucco Glaze, Brick - Trinity Cromwell Shutters - SW-6006 Blackbean
Large elegant beige two-story stucco gable roof photo in Oklahoma City

This strong, steady design is brought to you by Designer Diane Ivezaj who partnered with M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan to ensure a functional, sleek and bold design for their spaces.

Water leaks can be frustrating and happen often unexpectedly… especially when the water is coming from your upstairs neighbor! Once the leak occurred, the homeowners decided that it was the perfect opportunity to create their dream kitchen and entryway. The decision was made and the homeowners went shopping to purchase materials for their renovation. One problem; they hadn’t hired a contractor yet. They quickly discovered they would need help building their dream kitchen and entryway which is where we came in. Scope: Create a versatile space that reflects the homeowners’ vibrant personalities where they could cook, work, relax and entertain. Desired features include: Color changing LED tape lighting was essential to help create ambiance. Smaller can lights with updated trim to modernize the lighting. Disguising a “workspace” into the island design. Installing a compost bin that doubles as a wine chiller for entertaining. Separate wine bar. Installing an intricate piece of mirror art and lighting in the entryway. Installing custom waved back splash tile. Challenges: Creating a working set of construction plans from cabinet drawings was a challenge. The process entailed continuous communication with the clients including several walkthroughs before final installation of each aspect throughout the project. Incorporating high-gloss and muted surfaces into the space without creating glare from the natural light coming in from many existing windows. Wavy tile became difficult to install with the desired layout of backsplash outlet style and locations. Solutions: The core design issues were resolved with exceptional communication between our field team and the homeowners. Satin finish countertops and matte paint offset the high gloss cabinetry and backsplash. Because of the size of tiles in the space, the outlets needed to be cut in the center of the tile to look uniform. Time and a steady hand made this possible for the best visual result. Result: Thoughtful execution helped to create a versatile dream kitchen and entry way that also provides an at-home workspace. This now versatile space is useful and aesthetically pleasing, exceeding the homeowners’ vision. The small details ranging from accent lighting to the compost bin turned wine chiller make this a luxurious statement piece.

Easy to install. No wiring required. No electricity cost. Recharged by solar panel under sunlight, and no battery replacement. Two light modes. Flash light and steady-on light. String light length: 55 ft (6.5ft lead cable included). LED quantity: 100. Spacing of LEDs: 6in Waterproof. IP55. Suitable for outdoor applications. With light sensor. Automatically turns on at dusk, and turns off at dawn Low Voltage. Working voltage is 1.2 volt. It's safe to use in places where you may touch. Illumination time: >12 hrs (if fully charged) Charging time: No less than 8 hours in sunlight. Eco-Friendly. No lead or mercury. No UV or IR Radiation

The drone has plenty of features like ease of use, lightweight, easier to carry, large battery, and three-axis gimbal, making the flight steady. The drone is small in size, and it can be safely flown indoors. The DJI Mavic Mini drone has a battery that can help the drone remain in the air for as long as 30 minutes in one go.

Whether you're creating a dedicated study or making the most of an unused living room corner, this desk gives you the space to tackle your to-do list in style. Featuring one drawer, it offers ample room for your books, pens, stamps, documents, and more. It's founded on two semicircle bases for steady support and an on-trend look. Featuring a glossy lacquer and gold detail, this desk will add a glamorous touch to your workplace or home office.

This kitchen in Lexington came together in BSI Zurich granite, and it's the kind of stone that does a lot of the work in a room just by sitting there. Zurich has a cool gray background with movement that breaks up into darker flecks and softer crystal patches, so it reads calm from across the room but keeps your eye busy up close. That range makes it easy to live with next to most cabinet colors, whether the boxes are painted white, a soft gray, or a warmer wood tone. Granite like this is quarried in big blocks and cut into slabs, and no two slabs come out exactly the same. That's part of why we template each kitchen on site instead of working off a generic plan. We measure the actual cabinets, account for the sink and cooktop cutouts, and lay out the slabs so the veining and pattern flow the way they should across the island and the runs of counter, especially where two pieces meet at a seam. Getting that seam tight and matched so it disappears into the pattern takes a steady hand and slabs picked with the layout in mind from the start. Granite is one of the toughest countertop materials you can put in a kitchen. It shrugs off hot pans, resists scratching from everyday knife work, and holds up to the kind of daily traffic a real kitchen sees, dishes, coffee, kids doing homework at the island, all of it. It does need to be sealed, and staying on top of that keeps it looking like day one for years. We finished this one with an eased edge, clean and simple, which is the right call for a stone with this much going on in the surface. It doesn't need extra shaping to look finished. Lexington's seen a lot of kitchens go through updates like this one, and granite remains a favorite around the Midlands because it holds up to how people actually cook and live. This Zurich kitchen is a good example of why: a stone with real character, installed tight and clean, that's going to keep earning its keep for a long time.

Whether you're creating a dedicated study or making the most of an unused living room corner, this desk gives you the space to tackle your to-do list in style. Featuring two drawers, it offers enough room for your books, pens, stamps, documents, and more. It's founded on two tripod bases for steady support and an on-trend look. Featuring a glossy lacquer and gold detail, this desk will add a glamorous touch to your workplace or home office. - Materials: MDF, Stainless Steel - Finish: Black & Gold - Overall Dimensions: 55.1"W x 23.6"D x 29.5"H (1400mmW x 600mmD x 750mmH) - Drawer Internal Dimensions: 17.7"W x 11"D x 2.4"H (450mmW x 280mmD x 60mmH) - Number of Drawers: 2 - Assembly Required: Yes

Enhance your space with this mesmerizing dressing table. Featuring a lovely petal shape with arc lines, it manifests the modern aesthetic charm while the sleek gold rim adds an exquisite touch. Boasting the ample workspace on the tabletop, you can read or work on the desk, while as a mirrored dressing table, it also features a trendy flip top design with compartments to provide spacious storage to keep all of your jewelry, cosmetics, and accessories. Come with stainless steel structure and manufactured wood, it ensures steady support and will stay strong through daily use. Take this unique and functional makeup vanity table home to lift up your space!

Hand chipped slate stone as the finish, and a hand poured concrete top. Rock steady BBQ
Pool - rustic pool idea in Vancouver