A beautiful Kitchen that combine very light leather granite with natural stone backsplash, custom cabinets and brush stainless hardware
Eat-in kitchen - large transitional slate floor eat-in kitchen idea in Houston with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

When I came to this property not only was the landscape a scrappy mess the property also had some very real grading and drainage issues that were jeopardizing the safety of this house. As recent transplants from New Jerseys to Southern California these clients were in awe of all the plants they were seeing in their neighborhood. Living on the water at the Ventura harbor they wanted to be able to take full advantage or the outdoor lifestyle and cool ocean breeze. Being environmentally conscious citizens, these clients were very concerned that their garden was designed with sustainability as a leading factor. As they said in our initial consultation, “Would want or garden be part of the solution not part of the problem.” This property is the last house on the bottom of a gently sloping street. All the water from the neighbor’s houses drain onto this property. When I came into this project the back yard sloped into the house. When it would rain the water would pool up against the house causing water damage. To address the drainage we employed several tactics. Firstly, we had to invert the slope in the back yard so that water would not pool against the house. We created a very minor slope going away from the house so that water drains away but so the patio area feels flat. The back of the back yard had an existing retaining wall made out of shabby looking slump stone. In front of that retaining wall we created a beautiful natural stone retaining wall. This retain wall severs many purposes. One it works as a place to put some of the soil removed from the grading giving this project a smaller carbon foot print (moving soil of a site burns a lot of fossil fuel). The retaining wall also helps obscure the shabby existing retaining wall and allows for planting space above the footing from the existing retaining wall. The soil behind the ne retaining wall is slightly lower than the top of the wall so that when the run on water on from the neighbor’s property flows it is slowed down and absorbed before it has a chance to get near the house. Finally, the wall is at a height designed to serve as overflow seating as these clients intend to have occasional large parties and gatherings. Other efforts made to help keep the house safe and dry are that we used permeable paving. With the hardscape being comprised of flag stone with gravel in-between water has a chance to soak into the ground so it does not flow into spots where it will pool up. The final element to help keep the house dry is the addition of infiltration swales. Infiltration swales are depressions in the landscape that capture rain water. The down spouts on the sides of the houses are connected to pipe that goes under the ground and conveys the water to the swales. In this project it helps move rain water away from the house. In general, these Infiltration swales are a powerful element in creating sustainable landscapes. These swales capture pollutants that accumulate on the roof and in the landscape. Biology in the soil in the swales can break down these pollutants. When run of watered is not captured by soil on a property the dirty water flows into water ways and then the ocean were the biology that breaks down the pollutants is not as prolific. This is particularly important in this project as it drains directly into the harbor. The water that is absorbed in to the swales can replenish aquafers as well as increasing the water available to the plants planted in that area recusing the amount of water that is needed from irrigation. When it came to the planting we went with a California friendly tropical theme. Using lots of succulents and plants with colorful foliage we created vibrant lush landscape that will have year around color. We planted densely (the images in the picture were taken only a month after installation). Taller drought tolerant plants to help regulate the temperature and loss of water from the plants below them. The dense plantings will help keep the garden, the house and even the neighborhood cooler on hot days, will provide spaces for birds to enjoy and will create an illusion of depth in a somewhat narrow space. Today this garden is a space these homeowners can fully enjoy while having the peace of mind that their house is protected from flooding and they are helping the environment.

Trendy open concept porcelain tile living room photo in Vancouver

Example of a mid-sized mountain style light wood floor hallway design in Boston with white walls

DEBRIERE RESIDENCE Location: Kalamazoo, MI Scope: Design & Installation Features: L-Shaped Pool | Paver Pool Deck with Accent Border | Oversized Steps | Mosaic Glass Tile | Oversized Steps | Diving Board | Pebble Finish | Custom Cedar Fence | Integrated Cedar Outdoor Shower and Changing Room with Barn Door

In this bathroom, a Medallion Cherry – Solare Potter’s Mill Silhouette vanity in French Roast finish with brushed nickel hardware was installed with a matching medicine cabinet. On the countertop is Zodiaq Quartz Venetian Crème Color in polish finish with as eased edge 4” backsplash and attached oval sink. A Moen Eva faucet in brushed nickel with matching towel bars, paper holder, hand held shower and grab bars were installed with a Cardinal semi-frameless clear shower door. On the shower walls is American Olean 12”x24” Crema mosaic tile. And on the floor is Daltile Gaineswood 6”x24” flooring. A 38” x 33” glass block window was installed in the shower.

Pool - large transitional backyard rectangular pool idea in Miami

When I came to this property not only was the landscape a scrappy mess the property also had some very real grading and drainage issues that were jeopardizing the safety of this house. As recent transplants from New Jerseys to Southern California these clients were in awe of all the plants they were seeing in their neighborhood. Living on the water at the Ventura harbor they wanted to be able to take full advantage or the outdoor lifestyle and cool ocean breeze. Being environmentally conscious citizens, these clients were very concerned that their garden was designed with sustainability as a leading factor. As they said in our initial consultation, “Would want or garden be part of the solution not part of the problem.” This property is the last house on the bottom of a gently sloping street. All the water from the neighbor’s houses drain onto this property. When I came into this project the back yard sloped into the house. When it would rain the water would pool up against the house causing water damage. To address the drainage we employed several tactics. Firstly, we had to invert the slope in the back yard so that water would not pool against the house. We created a very minor slope going away from the house so that water drains away but so the patio area feels flat. The back of the back yard had an existing retaining wall made out of shabby looking slump stone. In front of that retaining wall we created a beautiful natural stone retaining wall. This retain wall severs many purposes. One it works as a place to put some of the soil removed from the grading giving this project a smaller carbon foot print (moving soil of a site burns a lot of fossil fuel). The retaining wall also helps obscure the shabby existing retaining wall and allows for planting space above the footing from the existing retaining wall. The soil behind the ne retaining wall is slightly lower than the top of the wall so that when the run on water on from the neighbor’s property flows it is slowed down and absorbed before it has a chance to get near the house. Finally, the wall is at a height designed to serve as overflow seating as these clients intend to have occasional large parties and gatherings. Other efforts made to help keep the house safe and dry are that we used permeable paving. With the hardscape being comprised of flag stone with gravel in-between water has a chance to soak into the ground so it does not flow into spots where it will pool up. The final element to help keep the house dry is the addition of infiltration swales. Infiltration swales are depressions in the landscape that capture rain water. The down spouts on the sides of the houses are connected to pipe that goes under the ground and conveys the water to the swales. In this project it helps move rain water away from the house. In general, these Infiltration swales are a powerful element in creating sustainable landscapes. These swales capture pollutants that accumulate on the roof and in the landscape. Biology in the soil in the swales can break down these pollutants. When run of watered is not captured by soil on a property the dirty water flows into water ways and then the ocean were the biology that breaks down the pollutants is not as prolific. This is particularly important in this project as it drains directly into the harbor. The water that is absorbed in to the swales can replenish aquafers as well as increasing the water available to the plants planted in that area recusing the amount of water that is needed from irrigation. When it came to the planting we went with a California friendly tropical theme. Using lots of succulents and plants with colorful foliage we created vibrant lush landscape that will have year around color. We planted densely (the images in the picture were taken only a month after installation). Taller drought tolerant plants to help regulate the temperature and loss of water from the plants below them. The dense plantings will help keep the garden, the house and even the neighborhood cooler on hot days, will provide spaces for birds to enjoy and will create an illusion of depth in a somewhat narrow space. Today this garden is a space these homeowners can fully enjoy while having the peace of mind that their house is protected from flooding and they are helping the environment.

Useful under-the-stairs storage: this broom closet houses swifter mops and stick vacuum (an outlet is inside). Cabinet doors are painted the same color as the wall and are open by a touch latch. Michelle Turner, UDCP

Carolina Craftsman Builders is a Craftsman Style Custom Home Builder in Charlotte, North Carolina. Neighborhoods Chantilly, Elizabeth, Plaza Midwood, Dilworth, and NoDa's Builder, Specializing in New Construction Custom Homes, Remodeling, Renovations, and Design.

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard tile and custom-shaped pool remodel in Orlando

Swimming pool built to mimic an old fashioned water hole - desert style - with large format tile - 2' x 4' - to look like steel to blend with architecture of the home. Pool is an all-tile pool with four kinds of tile - large format to look like steel, river pebbles on floor and walls, wood planking style tile on steps to match IPE wood on deck and jumping platform and glass tile for color. Pool is 10' deep throughout.

Megelaine Images
Example of a small 1960s white tile and ceramic tile marble floor drop-in bathtub design in Indianapolis with a pedestal sink, flat-panel cabinets and white cabinets

A closer look at these unique custom designed corbel beams featured in the gallery/entry hall of this French themed home. Photo Credit- Laurie Fryar Photography

One side of the shower featuring a rainhead shower-head with a handheld as well. A custom shampoo niche with pebble stone accents.
Inspiration for a large timeless master multicolored tile doorless shower remodel in Atlanta

This oversized version of the Standard Audio Credenza is in cherry veneer. The client required two rows of vinyl record storage, to hold over 500 LP's. Photography by Mark Dawursk

This close up image shows off our hand-carved and hand-painted Medieval Floral Tiles in the color combination Helsinki. These tiles are part of a kitchen backsplash and are directly above the stove.

Example of a small trendy 3/4 white tile ceramic tile, multicolored floor and single-sink corner shower design in Los Angeles with white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, a pedestal sink, a hinged shower door and a freestanding vanity