Original power distribution third floor. Rumor has it if the kids survived the night, they got to attend college!
Home theater - victorian home theater idea in Raleigh

Installing pyramidal evergreens that can not only survive but thrive in the shade was the first order of business. Next, planting dwarf variegated shrubs that flower addressed the need for color in addition to the shade loving, quick growing groundcover which provided screening for the concrete window wells, helps suppress weeds, and adds color all summer long. This "low-maintenance" garden is not only attractive, it provides cohesiveness this long narrow garden bed area needed.

Once a warehouse, bustling with activity. Now, the activity comes in the form of its many residences, following a multi-million-dollar renovation that converted the space into luxury penthouse suites and apartments. And though the top floor apartments afford the homeowner a great view the grey air-conditioning unit at the end of each stretch leave a little bit to be desired. Up high, a real wall would no doubt struggle to survive the wind and would certainly be too heavy to mount onto the existing wall.

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Minneapolis

New Smyrna Beach. Virtually seamless Siding application. 190mph wind load rating. Has survived Hurricanes of 2004, 2005, to include Matthew and Irma.

Travelers and seafarers of yore had to be resourceful in order to survive. Desks on board ships had to be cleared and stowed at a moments notice. Things had to be multi-functional. In the case of Navy desk, the two supports could act as steps into the navigator’s bunk, or to mount a camel, whichever came first. The desktop, complete with drawers and brass bound, could act to stop musket bullets when under fire. Leather top, hand rubbed French finish, somewhat beat-up; proof of its many voyages and colorful history.

A complete makeover for a sprawling Tudor style ranch. This Northbrook home, built in the 60s, had survived a number of renovations and additions throughout the 70s and 80s. But the time had come to do it right. This home renovation was both complete and dramatic – inside and out. We were able to breathe new life into the 40+ year old structure by: • Removing the tired brick exterior and wrapped the home in a lighter, warmer exterior of lannon stone and cedar shake siding • Gutting the entire interior • Replacing existing plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems • Moving a number of walls to optimize space and flow • Adding six bathrooms • Installing a new kitchen • Adding new windows and doors • Creating a home theater • Building a brand new pool house • Constructing an attached three-car garage Though the project was a considerably large transformation, we were mindful to infuse the craftsmanship with custom, thoughtful details throughout. Because when it’s all said and done, it’s the little things that truly elevate a space.

shady and serene. photo: lore patterson
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic shade backyard brick formal garden in Seattle for summer.

Photo: Brenda Olde © 2015 Houzz

Want power while you rough it? Our tiny cabins are ready for you to plug in a generator. We also build these small cabins with steel roofs and aluminum soffit. They'll survive hailstorms and snowstorms. They even meet code for northern Michigan's heavy snow load.

MVB.
Living room - large transitional enclosed dark wood floor living room idea in Seattle with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

Our clients, a couple of very well educated musiacians from Park Slope in Brooklyn, wished to replace their front door. After a long conversation and online research of what style of door they were looking for, we finally started the design process. We used red oak solid wood for ths project with a mahogany looking stain. The door has beautiful brass finish hardware and looks outstanding within the area where they live. Please stop by to take a look. This gorgeous custom entry door will serve them for a very long time since oak as a wood, additionally if properly finished can survive any weather conditions.

These fox gloves were incredible. They were the first to bloom and lasted until the fall snow arrived. We planted them early in April, and to my surprise we had a 4-day late frost and snowfall. Needless to say, these stunning plants survived. The pro-tip here was to cover the plants entirely with leftover fabric and sheets for the evenings of the dangerously low temperatures and removing the covers to allow the new plants sunlight and warmth during the day. Repeated this for four days until the temperatures went back to typical spring time weather. At the end of the season, I harvested the seeds of these beauties and currently growing them in my modified crawlspace which is now my indoor greenhouse.

During the selection process, the homeowner would send the designer photos and videos of her twins getting themselves into trouble… “we have these two to contend with – my house has to survive them!” Not a material was selected that longevity and ease of maintenance were first considered. Porcelain tile that looks like wood, glass backsplash, quartz counter tops, more durable paint all came together to create not only a beautiful space, but an easy-living one. The custom built venthood was designed using several inspiration images – culling individual elements from each photo. The wood is stained black while square nailheads accent sturdy lines.

Bedroom - bedroom idea in Los Angeles

Mosquito baiting stations can be hidden around your yard so as not to disrupt the aesthetic look of your garden. While they remain hidden, they are constantly at work, trapping and eliminating mosquitoes. Pollinators such as this butterfly and, more importantly, bees can carry on ensuring the survival of your plants without any harmful effects.

Lavender, although not native to North America, still attracts large numbers of pollinators. In Ottawa, it is important to choose the varieties (cultivars) of lavender which are hardy in zones 4/5; for them to be perennial here, they must be planted in the ground. They will not overwinter in containers, and probably not in raised beds, because they need the protection of the soil mass (which buffers winter temperatures) to survive our harsh winters here. Nevertheless, they are worth growing on lean, gravelly soil which drains well and which is in a very sunny location (6-8 hrs/day). It's worthwhile growing several different cultivars to see which will do best in your garden. Munstead and Hidcote are old reliable varieties, but there are some new introductions which are reputed to also be hardy.

Coneflowers (Echinacea) are native North American plants, forming the basis of health products you can find in any pharmacy. They are beautiful as well as functional, and available in a wide variety of colours. Pro tip: the single coneflowers, illustrated here, are better for the environment than the double coneflowers. The single flowers will have many more pollinators visiting than the double form. These were planted in this garden in the fall of 2024, and are reliably hardy when grown in the ground. (However, they may not overwinter in containers and may not survive in raised beds - check your cultivar's zone rating). Photo here is of coneflowers grown in-ground in Pembroke (zone 4b), actually one full zone colder than Ottawa, where they come back every year, better and better with time!

Once a warehouse, bustling with activity. Now, the activity comes in the form of its many residences, following a multi-million-dollar renovation that converted the space into luxury penthouse suites and apartments. And though the top floor apartments afford the homeowner a great view the grey air-conditioning unit at the end of each stretch leave a little bit to be desired. Up high, a real wall would no doubt struggle to survive the wind and would certainly be too heavy to mount onto the existing wall.