The mammoth phalanxes of white-brick apartment houses that proliferated in the 1960s occupy an architectural purgatory; generic, with boxy interiors devoid of detail, many aren’t even interesting enough to excite a raised eyebrow. Our solution for this exemplar near Astor Place, which fortunately was blessed with premium skyline views, was to relieve the interior ordinariness by stimulating the senses with tactile variety. Axis Mundi created a complexly layered textural palette that injects visual adrenaline into the architectural envelope: a television set into a waxed steel panel topped by clerestory windows with a built-in planter for grasses; wenge wood walls rising from richly figured walnut floors; white subway tile surrounding a subtly colored penny-tile mosaic tub and wall; in the kitchen, Venetian plaster, steel, stone and wood mix harmoniously as a surprisingly spiced exotic concoction. The interiors exude a confident masculinity that challenges the complacency of bland, white-box living. Project Team: John Beckmann and Esther Sperber | Studio ST Photography: Andrew Garn Contractor: John Marsh © Axis Mundi Design LLC

This Hand Painted Wall Mural creates a enticing walk out beachy feel. This wall mural uses soft, yet rich and clean tones. By the use of these beachy colors, it helps stimulate scense of smell..you may want to put your sunglasses on:)

This property was developed in the 1950’s with a relatively bare landscape. The rear yard was nothing special, but had some privacy. The owners set out to create mini gardens around the entire house. A koi pond was added first. Over time, plants were added that began creating pockets of spaces that gave each area a room-like feel. With each hole dug, rock was removed from it to install the pond or install a plant. The rock in the ground became the same rock used around the pond and used for stone walls. There is sun, shade, privacy, and the sound of water that stimulates the senses. The latest section of the master plan was to develop a more formal area (seen from the living room) with the diagonal blue stone set into the lawn. A picket fence separates it from a vegetable garden. A new fire pit is nestled among a row of hemlocks and rimmed shrubs. Photo by Daniel Contelmo Jr.

Created as a backyard sanctuary for clients who love China, this landscape uses Asian structures and plants to give character and to integrate the natural beauty of the ravine below with the contemporary style home. Smooth, cool, bluestone stepping stones arc across a soft moss lawn, offering subtle, but powerful, stimulation of the sense. Photo by Salsbury-Schweyer, Inc

The peninsula door on the far left opens for convenient storage. The other doors do not open. They all look uniform for a finished look as opposed to just a basic panel. ***We kept it simple and open by placing only four wall cabinets. Also, the cabinets leave space at the top for a more open feel. Using foil wall cabinets with engineered veneer base/tall cabinets was a new combination. The client was willing to experiment. Having tile meet the ceiling was also something new for the client. The different textures of the cabinets, countertop and tile contrast and complement each other. The result was a design that has plenty of open work space and simple yet stimulating materials. Photo/Design by Will Gowdy for Sunday Kitchen & Bath Rockville, MD 240 314-7011

A vertical garden is an ideal natural element to harmonize your environments. For our clientes in Ayama Yoga, we installed two living frames that stimulate tranquility and relaxation.

Brighten up your white bedroom space with tropical fruits theme to have a fun and interesting statement in your chamber. Orange color associated with yellow encourages social interaction in a fun, conversational way. Orange is also the color that stimulates the appetite. With this theme color, it will help you brighten up your morning everyday! Complete your bedroom space with a clean and elegant white furniture pieces providing style and function. The beds have storage space for your collectibles and spacious storage dressers and chests to keep your things organize and clean. It will lessen your worries when you're in a space like this!

This property was developed in the 1950’s with a relatively bare landscape. The rear yard was nothing special, but had some privacy. The owners set out to create mini gardens around the entire house. A koi pond was added first. Over time, plants were added that began creating pockets of spaces that gave each area a room-like feel. With each hole dug, rock was removed from it to install the pond or install a plant. The rock in the ground became the same rock used around the pond and used for stone walls. There is sun, shade, privacy, and the sound of water that stimulates the senses. The latest section of the master plan was to develop a more formal area (seen from the living room) with the diagonal blue stone set into the lawn. A picket fence separates it from a vegetable garden. A new fire pit is nestled among a row of hemlocks and rimmed shrubs. Photo by Daniel Contelmo Jr.

This cozy transitional family room invites relaxation. Its soft color scheme uses light blue, yellow, cream and grey. The light, airy space is very welcoming. Traditional touches, modern lines and industrial elements create a stimulating environment. The shag rug, mixed metals, multiple wood tones, and rope detailing add texture.

The idea of this project was to create a special environment that stimulates all senses in the human body, an environment that is vibrant and most importantly interactive for all ages. We began by searching for the right materials to create a specific feeling of time and space. Placement of the water feature was designed by studying how the customer used their home. The waterfalls and streams connect separate outdoor spaces and accommodate for all views outdoors and indoors. A sense of mystery is designed into every detail in this water feature. The layout of the ponds play accordingly with the sun for excellent reflections, and each rock formation has time designed into it. The environment is inviting, and interactive. Each person that walks out to explore the environment has his or her curiosity rewarded by discovering plant life, trickling streams, and several waterfalls only to be discovered by the inquisitive explorer. Photos by: Linda Oyama Bryan

**Featured Baltimore Sun's Dream Home** In need of a place to call home in the States, this Australian family with a primary residence in Hong Kong needed a turn-key residence, complete with kitchen utensils and linens. We carefully designed each room with a color scheme that matches its function. The children's room features stimulating primary colors. The kitchen utilized bold blue to inspire creativity. Warm and relaxing tones are used in the living room and bedroom. Assisted by Jenny Wohl of Turner Design Firm

Tranquil water flows under New England fieldstone masonry bridges. Pennsylvania boulders are set randomly throughout the channel as the stream cascades down to a water fall at the pond stimulating senses of sight and sound as it aerates the pond.

Located in one of the Ritz residential towers in Boston, the project was a complete renovation. The design and scope of work included the entire residence from marble flooring throughout, to movement of walls, new kitchen, bathrooms, all furnishings, lighting, closets, artwork and accessories. Smart home sound and wifi integration throughout including concealed electronic window treatments. The challenge for the final project design was multifaceted. First and foremost to maintain a light, sheer appearance in the main open areas, while having a considerable amount of seating for living, dining and entertaining purposes. All the while giving an inviting peaceful feel, and never interfering with the view which was of course the piece de resistance throughout. Bringing a unique, individual feeling to each of the private rooms to surprise and stimulate the eye while navigating through the residence was also a priority and great pleasure to work on, while incorporating small details within each room to bind the flow from area to area which would not be necessarily obvious to the eye, but palpable in our minds in a very suttle manner. The combination of luxurious textures throughout brought a third dimension into the environments, and one of the many aspects that made the project so exceptionally unique, and a true pleasure to have created. Reach us www.themorsoncollection.com Photography by Elevin Studio.

This homeowner’s outdoor living area was redesigned to add some elegant characteristics. In order to do this, various materials were used. The retaining walls found along the property were made from PA Fieldstone Wallstone. The textures and various colors found throughout this stone easily enhance the outdoor area and offer visual stimulation. Ashler pattern brownstone was used throughout the patio, creating a clean and polished look. This patio surrounded a beautiful swimming pool that was aligned with brownstone caps along the border.The materials that were used in this landscape exterior created a relaxing and enjoyable space, perfect for the family.

In this project, luxury is a question of atmospheres made up of colors, intimacy, finely-worked details, and the ability to transform every kitchen into a masterpiece. The Pantheon project stems from plenty of passion mingled with a dose of sentimentality. Aesthetics and quality are becoming increasingly prominent in interior design; it is stimulating to grasp the different interpretations of the spaces defining the compositions displayed in this catalog. The Royal style, packed full of special characteristics and small details that come together to make a one-of-a-kind product.

Brining a sense of travel and continuity through graphics beginning from the floor creating a diagonal pattern to the inclined reflections on the mirror and till the angled pergola's on the ceiling stimulating a profound space. living -cum-dining area -describes how the space is considered as one single unit. Design Team - Ar. Manish Shah, Schoen D'Lyma. Photography - Tejas Shah

**Featured Baltimore Sun's Dream Home** In need of a place to call home in the States, this Australian family with a primary residence in Hong Kong needed a turn-key residence, complete with kitchen utensils and linens. We carefully designed each room with a color scheme that matches its function. The children's room features stimulating primary colors. The kitchen utilized bold blue to inspire creativity. Warm and relaxing tones are used in the living room and bedroom. Assisted by Jenny Wohl of Turner Design Firm

The white bins on the wall hold paper, coloring books, stickers and activity books - anything that would slide off a shelf. And it's a stimulating place to be!

In 1930, Emily Post wrote, "In its brightest tones, red is the most brilliant, stimulating, and approaching of all the colors." It is no doubt that you can see all those characteristics in this kitchen with its bold red quartz countertop. At one time this kitchen was outdated and in need of some character. In this small home, utilizing the space as effectively as possible was key. The client was a gourmet chef who shopped daily for food so having extra food storage was not necessary but having commercial grade appliances for exceptional food preparation was. The clean lines of the cabinetry, hardware and fixtures paired with the bold contrast in color create a modern design. The brilliant red makes this kitchen interesting and inviting, perfect for a conversation piece over some delicious food at her dinner parties! *For before pictures of this projects and others visit www.CressKitchenBath.com or follow us on Facebook.