Textural garden art
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional shade backyard stone landscaping in DC Metro.

Wet bar - mid-sized contemporary galley porcelain tile wet bar idea in Orange County with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, marble countertops, black backsplash and stone slab backsplash

You might have heard the expression “strong as Oak” somewhere before. Although this saying might make you think it is talking about the strong physical attributes of the tree; like the storm-resistant trunk or the strong root system, it is actually referring to something deeper than that. Five Star Tree Services is here to dive deep into the ancient history of this magnificent tree! Throughout Greek mythology and time, the Oak tree has continuously been represented as a symbol of wisdom. It has also been the embodiment of time, strength, and wisdom. The Greeks have linked the oldest oak tree, which surpassed 300 years old, as Zeus, the God of Thunder. When we talk about this tree outside of all the symbolism it represents, it also has many other useful uses for us and animals as well. This includes things like having a strong root system that aids against erosion, producing acorns that feed farm animals, very strong wood that we can use for furniture, bringing beauty to any yard, and being a good home for wildlife. This particular tree is easy to spot amongst many others. You can depict an Oak tree by the iconic broad canopy, multi pointed leaves, and strong branches coming from the trunk. At full maturity, these trees stretch out as much as they get tall. Meaning that these trees are perfect for hanging swings, providing plenty of shade, or partake in a lovely family picnic. Oak trees are probably the most well-known and famous trees in the world. This is due to all the people who love the overall look of the tree, history, and symbolism. This tree is depicted throughout history and also has appeared in some of Hollywood’s movies. You may have seen the movie Forrest Gump and might have noticed a big beautiful tree with a couple different scenes. The Oak tree appears in the movie for the scene where Forrest and Jenny are kids and sitting on a low hanging branch. In another scene, you get to see a row of oaks and the iconic scene of “run Forrest, run”. As well as at the end of the movie where Forrest has Jenny buried. Throughout this movie, the Oak tree symbolizes strength and at-home consistency. If you are thinking about planting one of these majestic trees, you are going to need to seriously consider the placement of the permanent location where this tree will stay for its whole life. You need to think about the future growth of this tree and make accommodations for how big and wide it will get. This means thinking hundreds of years into the future and planning accordingly. Maintaining this magnificent tree is a necessity for its longevity, overall aesthetic, and for safety reasons. It will require a full pruning every couple of years and yearly fertilization in order to give the Oak tree the best care possible and to help it last many lifetimes. How Five Star Tree Service Can Help Oak trees are very symbolic, strong, and beautiful trees. When given enough room for growth, they are perfect for any home! This tress will leave a legacy for many generations to see and behold. If you have been contemplating adding this beautiful tree to your property, Five Star Tree Services would love to help you with our Toronto Tree Planting services! Our highly knowledgeable team will be able to assist you in choosing the perfect location for this tree and of course, planting it for you! If you are interested in our services, give us a call today at (416) 990-3355. To learn more, check out our website for more information.

Living room - mid-sized transitional open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room idea in San Francisco with white walls and no fireplace

THE SETUP Client Background: Our clients, a couple who have transitioned into the empty nest phase, have cherished their home for over three decades without undergoing any significant renovations. With a newfound desire to adapt their living space to better suit their current lifestyle, they’ve embarked on a journey to reimagine their kitchen — the heart of their home. Their aspiration is to cultivate a serene, neutral-toned sanctuary on the first floor that seamlessly merges with their family room, ensuring a harmonious and inviting environment. Design Inspiration: The renovation is inspired by the couple’s penchant for soft, calming neutrals, using their cherished family room and the kitchen’s existing tile flooring as the cornerstone for the color scheme. This approach aims to foster a sense of warmth and tranquility throughout. Design Objectives: Harmonize the kitchen with the family room by adopting a soothing, neutral color scheme, ensuring a seamless flow across the first floor. Enhance kitchen functionality with thoughtfully designed cabinetry, providing a designated place for every item and maximizing storage efficiency. Cultivate an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that reflects the homeowners’ desire for a calm and relaxing space. Design Challenges: The homeowners wish to retain the existing kitchen tile flooring and integrate it into a refreshed, modern design. Accommodating a dining area spacious enough for family visits without compromising the kitchen’s open feel or functional layout. Despite liking the current placement of plumbing and appliances, the homeowners aspire for a more open floor plan to facilitate better movement and interaction. The need to amplify natural light in the kitchen, especially around the sink area, where existing lighting is insufficient. Preserving the half-wall between the kitchen and family room, a feature the homeowners want to keep, while ensuring it complements the new design. THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: By choosing a neutral color palette that complements the existing tile, the design unifies the kitchen with the adjacent spaces. The tile’s grout was cleaned and restored, enhancing the floor’s appearance and integrating it seamlessly with the new kitchen aesthetic. The inclusion of a larger island with seating for two, alongside maintaining a substantial dining table, was achieved by optimizing the spatial layout. This allowed for a sociable yet functional kitchen, accommodating large family gatherings without feeling crowded. Minor adjustments to the kitchen’s layout maintained the preferred locations for plumbing and appliances while introducing an ‘open’ design concept. Strategic modifications, such as angling the pantry wall, improved the flow and accessibility within the space. Replacing the garden window with a broader, standard window significantly increased natural light, transforming the sink area into a bright, welcoming space with enhanced views of the outdoors. The decision to keep the half-wall was ingeniously leveraged to define the dining area while maintaining an open connection to the family room. This feature not only serves as a visual separator but also ties the two spaces together through the shared color scheme and design elements. The homeowners are thrilled with their newly remodeled kitchen, which has become a hub of warmth and hospitality. Hosting a wedding shower and a birthday party, they have shared their renewed space with friends and family, who have been equally enamored. This remodel has not only met their functional and aesthetic desires but has also enriched their home with a fresh sense of serenity and joy. The upstairs part of the home is shaping up nicely. Here’s their newly remodeled primary bathroom.

Waterfalls we added to an existing boulder wall in South Lyon, Michigan.
Inspiration for a tropical landscaping in Detroit.

Craftsman exterior home idea in Orange County

Natural stone retaining wall creating raised garden beds for natural landscape.
Design ideas for a hillside stone raised garden bed in Seattle.

DHD Crosby Street Loft in SOHO, NYC The Crosby Street Loft building is located on a cobblestone block in the Soho Cast Iron Historic District. Built in 1882, it was formerly a department store, and converted in 2001 to a 10-unit loft condominium. Our renovation of a second floor loft retains and celebrates many of the original details, including generous, open spaces, 14 foot plus ceiling heights, Corinthian-style columns, and a continuous 120 foot exposed brick wall with integrated archways. The design was a collaborative process, integrating elements discovered on the client’s world travels. Design features include a 12 foot tall glass lounge, two fireplaces, Control4 smart home system, a stone, cold-rolled steel and custom walnut cabinet kitchen and living room, and a luxurious master suite reminiscent of a 5-star hotel. http://www.dhd.nyc Architect: David Howell, R.A. Project Manager: Jill Diamant Interior Design: Melissa Pinto MEP Engineer: TSF Engineering, PC Structural Engineer: Gilsanz, Murray, Steficek LLP A/V Consultant: Smart Spaces Lighting Designer: Alina Ainza General Contractor: Interior Alterations, Inc Photo by Andrea Brizzi

Neil Kuhlmann
Design ideas for a contemporary landscaping in San Francisco.

Example of a trendy wine cellar design in Las Vegas

CLOSE-UP VIEW This master bath makeover starts with bare walls that have been floated out smooth over the sheetrock. Then we hand applied a beautiful custom tinted, soft grey Venetian plaster. After two coats of plaster, the walls were waxed and buffed. This process seals the plaster, leaving a long-lasting finish. The finished product is subtle and undeniably beautiful! I’ve included a close-up view of the finish below.

Details in this close up picture shows underwater moments...in the "deep ocean" kitchen island glass countertop.
Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen remodel in Boston

Blackened steel railings and stringer covers.
Minimalist wooden metal railing staircase photo in New York with wooden risers

Pam Bell
Inspiration for a timeless living room remodel in Chicago

Inspiration for a mid-century modern home design remodel in Boston

This photograph shows a mortise hole in a reclaimed hand hewn timber. Note the old peg, as well as the IV marriage mark–used to identify the individual timber's location in the timber frame. © Carolina Timberworks

A powder rm featuring Arte Wallcoverings 48103 Masquerade Uni installed by Drop Wallcoverings, Calgary Wallpaper Installer. Interior Design by Cridland Associates. Photography by Lindsay Nichols Photography. Contractor/Build by Triangle Enterprises.