Inspiration for an eclectic enclosed carpeted and gray floor home theater remodel in Charleston with multicolored walls and a projector screen

This prefabricated 1,800 square foot Certified Passive House is designed and built by The Artisans Group, located in the rugged central highlands of Shaw Island, in the San Juan Islands. It is the first Certified Passive House in the San Juans, and the fourth in Washington State. The home was built for $330 per square foot, while construction costs for residential projects in the San Juan market often exceed $600 per square foot. Passive House measures did not increase this projects’ cost of construction. The clients are retired teachers, and desired a low-maintenance, cost-effective, energy-efficient house in which they could age in place; a restful shelter from clutter, stress and over-stimulation. The circular floor plan centers on the prefabricated pod. Radiating from the pod, cabinetry and a minimum of walls defines functions, with a series of sliding and concealable doors providing flexible privacy to the peripheral spaces. The interior palette consists of wind fallen light maple floors, locally made FSC certified cabinets, stainless steel hardware and neutral tiles in black, gray and white. The exterior materials are painted concrete fiberboard lap siding, Ipe wood slats and galvanized metal. The home sits in stunning contrast to its natural environment with no formal landscaping. Photo Credit: Art Gray

This prefabricated 1,800 square foot Certified Passive House is designed and built by The Artisans Group, located in the rugged central highlands of Shaw Island, in the San Juan Islands. It is the first Certified Passive House in the San Juans, and the fourth in Washington State. The home was built for $330 per square foot, while construction costs for residential projects in the San Juan market often exceed $600 per square foot. Passive House measures did not increase this projects’ cost of construction. The clients are retired teachers, and desired a low-maintenance, cost-effective, energy-efficient house in which they could age in place; a restful shelter from clutter, stress and over-stimulation. The circular floor plan centers on the prefabricated pod. Radiating from the pod, cabinetry and a minimum of walls defines functions, with a series of sliding and concealable doors providing flexible privacy to the peripheral spaces. The interior palette consists of wind fallen light maple floors, locally made FSC certified cabinets, stainless steel hardware and neutral tiles in black, gray and white. The exterior materials are painted concrete fiberboard lap siding, Ipe wood slats and galvanized metal. The home sits in stunning contrast to its natural environment with no formal landscaping. Photo Credit: Art Gray

Showerhead: Kohler WaterTile® Wall-mounted Square 22-Nozzle Showerhead with Stimulating Spray (K-8023-SN) Handshower with Hose: Kallista Foundations Soft Modern Dual-Function Handshower in Nickel Silver (P24761-00-AD) Body Spray: Kallista Foundations Modern Square Body Spray in Nickel Silver (P22079-00-AD) Digital interface: Kohler DTV+ (K-99693-NA) Shower Walls: Maximum Premium White Porcelain Slab from TransCeramica Shower Floor: Imola Koshi Porcelain Tile in Dark Grey Dennis Jourdan Photography

This organic modern design is built in an area known for having notable issues with ground movement. After speaking with the developer and reviewing the soil report with our Structural Engineer, we made our recommendations to the client. Since the budget for a full-blown pier and beam structure with void boxes under the pool was well beyond the comfort level of our client, they elected to have us utilize a float shell construction method. For this, we over-excavated the hole and placed a 12" layer of gravel beneath the shell of the pool. Drain lines lead from the deepest point under the pool down into a culvert, placed off to the side of the pool. A sump pump removes any excess water from the culvert as it accumulates. For the shell of the pool, we utilized a double matt of steel and increased the wall thickness to a minimum of 12". This gave added strength to withstand the volatile soil. The elements of fire, water, wood and stone were very important in creating the organic modern feel of this design. The layered effect along the back wall creates a visual stimulation across the length of the yard, without overwhelming the senses. Rather than creating walls only of hard materials, we used Ipe wood to create horizontal screen walls of a more organic nature. At either end, the raised wall and the fire feature are finished in a large-scale porcelain tile, with the look of stained concrete. Custom stainless steel scuppers, made by a local fabricator, create a soothing sound of falling water. The low wall at the center of the project is faced in natural ledgestone, and carries a color palette that set the tone for the entire project. Behind this wall and in front of one of the Ipe screens are three Desert Steel Giant Agave sculptures. The unique fire feature isn't quite a fire place, nor is it a fire pit. It is a linear fire burner, surrounded by a 4" thick cantilevered Leuder limestone hearth, with a backdrop wall of blue glazed clay tile. Although the pool was initially planned as a plaster pool, as the project began to take shape, the client elected to go all the way and finish it in a beautiful blue glass mosaic. Custom fabricated stainless steel cannon jets send a delicate arch of water over this deep blue, and draw attention to the three square wok planters on the far side of the yard. For the decking on this project, we elected to work with Mother Nature rather than against her. Two and a half inch thick concrete pavers, set on a bed of compacted, decomposed granite allow for movement around the pool that is easily fixed. If an area of deck moves around, we can simply lift the affected areas, re-level with DG bed, and re-set the pavers.

Thermo-air massage (air bath) offers a combination of all the therapeutic elements necessary for optimal relaxation. The buoyancy created by water temporarily relieves some of gravity's stress on your body, while the water's heat fosters deep relaxation and makes the body more receptive to the benefits of the massage. The movement of air activates the lymphatic system and blood circulation. The combination of water, heat and air movement create an incomparable therapeutic effect and offer physical relaxation while relieving sore muscles or even pain related to ailments such as arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatism. This Air bath therapy also produces an effect of well-being throughout the whole body. It relaxes the muscles while stimulating the production of our natural analgesic hormones known as endorphins. Because of the stimulating but non-aggressive action of thermo-air massage, the elderly can also enjoy and benefit from it.

Example of a large farmhouse open concept light wood floor and brown floor living room design in Baltimore with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Trendy dining room photo in New York

A custom bookshelf features lime green shelf backing, creating a bright and stimulating storage solution for the homeowners’ collection of texts.
Transitional home office photo in San Francisco

The Artful Mix appeals to our clients who are not tied to convention and have a playful or adventurous spirit. Here spaces stimulate the senses with sophisticated layering – antiques with modern art; elaborately carved mirrors with rows of crisp white pottery. It can be deceptively simple when you break down the individual elements, but the real success lies in the masterful application of color, geometric patterns and sculptural pieces.

In our busy lives, creating a peaceful and rejuvenating home environment is essential to a healthy lifestyle. Built less than five years ago, this Stinson Beach Modern home is your own private oasis. Surrounded by a butterfly preserve and unparalleled ocean views, the home will lead you to a sense of connection with nature. As you enter an open living room space that encompasses a kitchen, dining area, and living room, the inspiring contemporary interior invokes a sense of relaxation, that stimulates the senses. The open floor plan and modern finishes create a soothing, tranquil, and uplifting atmosphere. The house is approximately 2900 square feet, has three (to possibly five) bedrooms, four bathrooms, an outdoor shower and spa, a full office, and a media room. Its two levels blend into the hillside, creating privacy and quiet spaces within an open floor plan and feature spectacular views from every room. The expansive home, decks and patios presents the most beautiful sunsets as well as the most private and panoramic setting in all of Stinson Beach. One of the home's noteworthy design features is a peaked roof that uses Kalwall's translucent day-lighting system, the most highly insulating, diffuse light-transmitting, structural panel technology. This protected area on the hill provides a dramatic roar from the ocean waves but without any of the threats of oceanfront living. Built on one of the last remaining one-acre coastline lots on the west side of the hill at Stinson Beach, the design of the residence is site friendly, using materials and finishes that meld into the hillside. The landscaping features low-maintenance succulents and butterfly friendly plantings appropriate for the adjacent Monarch Butterfly Preserve. Recalibrate your dreams in this natural environment, and make the choice to live in complete privacy on this one acre retreat. This home includes Miele appliances, Thermadore refrigerator and freezer, an entire home water filtration system, kitchen and bathroom cabinetry by SieMatic, Ceasarstone kitchen counter tops, hardwood and Italian ceramic radiant tile floors using Warmboard technology, Electric blinds, Dornbracht faucets, Kalwall skylights throughout livingroom and garage, Jeldwen windows and sliding doors. Located 5-8 minute walk to the ocean, downtown Stinson and the community center. It is less than a five minute walk away from the trail heads such as Steep Ravine and Willow Camp.

The interplay of light and shadows, natural materials, subtle texture, and a hierarchy of pattern stimulates the senses in the Dining Room and Great Room. // Image : Benjamin Benschneider Photography

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Inspiration for an eclectic bedroom remodel in Houston

This prefabricated 1,800 square foot Certified Passive House is designed and built by The Artisans Group, located in the rugged central highlands of Shaw Island, in the San Juan Islands. It is the first Certified Passive House in the San Juans, and the fourth in Washington State. The home was built for $330 per square foot, while construction costs for residential projects in the San Juan market often exceed $600 per square foot. Passive House measures did not increase this projects’ cost of construction. The clients are retired teachers, and desired a low-maintenance, cost-effective, energy-efficient house in which they could age in place; a restful shelter from clutter, stress and over-stimulation. The circular floor plan centers on the prefabricated pod. Radiating from the pod, cabinetry and a minimum of walls defines functions, with a series of sliding and concealable doors providing flexible privacy to the peripheral spaces. The interior palette consists of wind fallen light maple floors, locally made FSC certified cabinets, stainless steel hardware and neutral tiles in black, gray and white. The exterior materials are painted concrete fiberboard lap siding, Ipe wood slats and galvanized metal. The home sits in stunning contrast to its natural environment with no formal landscaping. Photo Credit: Art Gray

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.

3 things to think about when designing your bedroom: 1. Keep it minimal, but warm. Warm minimalism is achieved through textiles and textures in monochromatic or soothing colors. 2. Stick to a calm color palette. Think minimal contrast or colors that are more toned-down. 3. Symmetry = Less stimulating Your eyes like it when things match because it’s less work to process, so our brain is much less stimulated (thus ready for great sleep!) #bedroomdecor #bedroomideas #bedroomdesign #bedroominspiration

The Artful Mix appeals to our clients who are not tied to convention and have a playful or adventurous spirit. Here spaces stimulate the senses with sophisticated layering – antiques with modern art; elaborately carved mirrors with rows of crisp white pottery. It can be deceptively simple when you break down the individual elements, but the real success lies in the masterful application of color, geometric patterns and sculptural pieces.

Here is a newly completed project I've been working on. My charge was to make functional spaces in a basement that included a bar, TV space, game space, office space and music room. The client was sharing some photos he'd taken in subways in NYC, Chicago and London, among others. These exciting images of his stimulated an idea: What if we used the subway as a motif for the entire basement project? This concept was enthusiastically endorsed. Months later, here are the results of this creative challenge. Norman Sizemore

Contemporary walnut and paint kitchen with terrazzo style countertops. Pocketing doors hide a wonderful "stimulant center" - caffeine in the morning, alcohol in the evening!