Bloomerang® Purple lilac will flower in spring like other varieties, then rebloom again in mid- to late summer. It will continue to flower through fall. At 4-5 feet tall and wide, it may be grown in a large patio container for season-long color and fragrance. This cold-hardy plant (USDA Zones 3-7) can be overwintered in a container in most regions. Best in full sun. Photo by Tim Wood.

This kitchen in Forest Acres came together around a solid granite countertop, and it's the kind of stone that does the quiet work of holding a whole room together. Granite's been the go-to for kitchen counters for decades because it earns it. It's igneous rock, formed under heat and pressure, and that history is why it laughs off the stuff a real kitchen throws at it. Hot pans, knife work, everyday spills, granite takes it and keeps looking good. We went with an eased edge on this one, which is the clean, simple line that a lot of Midlands homeowners want. It's not flashy, but that's the point. An eased edge softens the sharp corner just enough to be comfortable to lean against and easy to wipe down, and it lets the granite itself, the movement, the flecks, the depth in the stone, do the talking instead of a fussy edge profile competing for attention. Getting a countertop like this right starts before the stone ever gets cut. We template the kitchen precisely, accounting for the cabinets, the appliances, and any out-of-square walls that always show up in real houses. Then it's cut, the edges are worked by hand to get that eased profile even and consistent around every corner, and the seams, if there are any, get lined up so the pattern reads as close to continuous as we can get it. Granite doesn't forgive sloppy fabrication. Every joint and cutout has to be tight because the stone's not going anywhere once it's set. Day to day, this is a countertop that's built for actual cooking and actual life, not just for photos. Granite resists scratching, it handles heat better than almost anything else you'd put in a kitchen, and with a good sealer it shrugs off staining from wine, oil, or lemon juice. It's low maintenance once it's in, just a wipe down and, depending on the specific granite, a reseal every year or two to keep it performing at its best. Forest Acres has a good mix of older homes getting updated and newer builds going in, and granite fits both. It's a material that's stood the test of time in kitchens across the Midlands, and this one's a solid, honest example of why. Clean lines, real stone, and a countertop that's going to outlast most everything else in that kitchen.

In this Tschida Construction project we did not one, but TWO two-story additions. The other phase was the butler's pantry, laundry room, mudroom, and massive storage closet. This second addition off of the previous kitchen double the kitchen's footprint, added an extremely large dining area, and a new deck that has an awesome indoor/outdoor window connection. Another cool feature is the double dishwashers anchored by a beautiful farmhouse ceramic sink. A under cabinet beverage fridge, huge windows overlooking the wetlands, and statement backsplash also make this space functional and unique. We also continued the lvp throughout the main level, refinished their fireplace built in wall and got all new furnishings. Talk about a transformation!

Spectrums Indulgence quartz, manufactured right here in Latta South Carolina, went into this kitchen in Columbia, and it's the kind of stone that works quietly hard in a room people actually cook and live in. It's engineered quartz, so what you're looking at is a mix of ground quartz and resin, blended and pressed to give a background that stays consistent slab to slab. That matters more than people think when you're trying to keep a kitchen looking pulled together across a run of cabinets, an island, and a backsplash. The color reads as a soft, workable background with movement in it, enough character to give the room some depth without turning into something that fights with the cabinets or the floor. That's the appeal of a pattern like this one. It's not a plain solid, but it's not so busy that it limits what else goes in the space. Kitchens live a long time with the same countertop, and a stone that holds up visually over the years is worth choosing over something flashier that gets tiring. Quartz like this is also just practical for a working kitchen. It doesn't need sealing the way natural stone does, it resists staining from wine, oil, and citrus, and it shrugs off the daily scratches from knives and pans that would show on a softer stone. Heat is the one thing we tell people to respect, a hot pan straight off the stove can shock the resin, so a trivet is the smart habit to build. Otherwise it's about as low-maintenance a surface as you can put in a kitchen. We set the edge as eased, which is the clean, simple choice that lets the stone itself do the talking instead of the profile. Templating and fabrication on a job like this comes down to getting the seams tight and matching the pattern across the island and the runs so it reads as one continuous piece even where the slabs meet. Jobs like this are what we like doing around Columbia and the rest of the Midlands, where a kitchen remodel means getting the material, the layout, and the fit all right in a space a family's going to use every single day.

Example of a cottage patio design in Baltimore

To create a seamless modern look for this kitchen, the designer specified Pescara doors in Matte Shale with Graphite Glaze finish on Plain Sawn White Oak across the entire kitchen design, along with custom refrigerator panels. For the island, the toasted marble chosen for the countertops and backsplash continues, but a ribbed front panel design along with coordinating oversized chairs, draw the eye and guests to sit and talk. An offset pantry featuring a coffee bar area was created for the homeowner’s extensive coffee grinding and brewing machines wasn’t complete without under cabinet wall lighting above a built-in shelf, making for ample storage, while upper cabinets are fitted with ribbed glass inserts bringing light into the space. Designed by Jay Takach Evolo Design

In this Tschida Construction project we did not one, but TWO two-story additions. The other phase was the butler's pantry, laundry room, mudroom, and massive storage closet. This second addition off of the previous kitchen double the kitchen's footprint, added an extremely large dining area, and a new deck that has an awesome indoor/outdoor window connection. Another cool feature is the double dishwashers anchored by a beautiful farmhouse ceramic sink. A under cabinet beverage fridge, huge windows overlooking the wetlands, and statement backsplash also make this space functional and unique. We also continued the lvp throughout the main level, refinished their fireplace built in wall and got all new furnishings. Talk about a transformation!

North Shore Residence VIII. Should I stay or should I go? This beautiful, loving family moved into their suburban home when their kids were toddlers and forged friendships and a strong connection to their neighborhood. The time came when they were faced with the decision and the question, “Do we invest in and renovate our kitchen and master suite, or do we move?” These clients were my second, and have been with me since day one. They called upon me to redecorate their dining room and family room 7 years ago, and we met and talked several times weighing the pros and cons of investing in their home or investing in a move. Ultimately, they decided to stay, and here is a glimpse into what we created together with their architect and builder. Their home has a traditional lay out with a kitchen that connects to the dining room. We purposely designed the dining room to have an inviting, casual yet elegant aesthetic 7 years ago…..a dining room that could also function as a family kitchen table, a homework space, a cozy and also generously proportioned shabbat dinner invite the neighbors over space, and would eventually welcome an updated kitchen. Our client contemplated replacing their existing kitchen wood floor with tile, but we decided to preserve and refinish the wood floor to add continuity and warmth to the entire first floor. Because the kitchen was adjacent to the dining room, and not to the family room, changing the floor to tile would have created a fragmented feeling, and our goal was to create cohesiveness. Because the kitchen opens to the outdoor living space and swimming pool, wood is not typically ideal with wet slippery feet, but we went for it, and they are happy we did! We are mixed metal fans, and love to play with scale. Behold the voluptuous island pendants, chunky island countertop, satin bras modern hex pulls and knobs, and a combo of cerused white perimeter flat panel cabinets with a gray shaker island. Our client desired to conceal the clutter, so the walk in pantry and appliance garages came into play. The open floating shelves above the “desert bar” add visual interest and a place for family photos. We added a home office/man cave for the hubby and a dreamy walk in closet for the wifey along with an upstairs laundry room and zen spa master bath complete with a steam shower, water closet that allows for TV viewing from the vanity mirror, a soaking tub, and a coffee bar by creating a dormering the ceiling above the garage and converting attic space. Stay tuned for photos of the finished master bathroom. We are currently working on their living room and foyer…….excited to share the progress with you!

Spectrums Indulgence quartz, manufactured right here in Latta South Carolina, went into this kitchen in Columbia, and it's the kind of stone that works quietly hard in a room people actually cook and live in. It's engineered quartz, so what you're looking at is a mix of ground quartz and resin, blended and pressed to give a background that stays consistent slab to slab. That matters more than people think when you're trying to keep a kitchen looking pulled together across a run of cabinets, an island, and a backsplash. The color reads as a soft, workable background with movement in it, enough character to give the room some depth without turning into something that fights with the cabinets or the floor. That's the appeal of a pattern like this one. It's not a plain solid, but it's not so busy that it limits what else goes in the space. Kitchens live a long time with the same countertop, and a stone that holds up visually over the years is worth choosing over something flashier that gets tiring. Quartz like this is also just practical for a working kitchen. It doesn't need sealing the way natural stone does, it resists staining from wine, oil, and citrus, and it shrugs off the daily scratches from knives and pans that would show on a softer stone. Heat is the one thing we tell people to respect, a hot pan straight off the stove can shock the resin, so a trivet is the smart habit to build. Otherwise it's about as low-maintenance a surface as you can put in a kitchen. We set the edge as eased, which is the clean, simple choice that lets the stone itself do the talking instead of the profile. Templating and fabrication on a job like this comes down to getting the seams tight and matching the pattern across the island and the runs so it reads as one continuous piece even where the slabs meet. Jobs like this are what we like doing around Columbia and the rest of the Midlands, where a kitchen remodel means getting the material, the layout, and the fit all right in a space a family's going to use every single day.

In this Tschida Construction project we did not one, but TWO two-story additions. The other phase was the butler's pantry, laundry room, mudroom, and massive storage closet. This second addition off of the previous kitchen double the kitchen's footprint, added an extremely large dining area, and a new deck that has an awesome indoor/outdoor window connection. Another cool feature is the double dishwashers anchored by a beautiful farmhouse ceramic sink. A under cabinet beverage fridge, huge windows overlooking the wetlands, and statement backsplash also make this space functional and unique. We also continued the lvp throughout the main level, refinished their fireplace built in wall and got all new furnishings. Talk about a transformation!

Now you can see the advantage of removing the wall and opening up the kitchen to the family area. The owner can stand behind his brand new bar, talk to his guest and still have a great view of the 80 inch TV screen on the opposite wall. For continuity, the cabinetry and countertops match what we used in the kitchen.

we wanted to preserve the mid-century modern feel (talk about a real flashback!), and boy, do we love the results! This kitchen is another perfect example of a project where we did the “lipstick and make-up” – another term for replacing the more cosmetic features such as countertops, backsplash, and the door and drawer fronts. Even doing so, the resulting kitchen leaves us with a breath of fresh air! To learn more about this space, continue reading below: Cabinetry To start, we removed the soffit in the kitchen making the space look taller. Next, we did not rip out the cabinetry boxes, because we were inspired by the finish and look of what existed. Maintaining the finish of the cabinets helped preserve the retro feel and is a good example of repurposing what you already have! As a result, we replaced the door and drawer fronts with a new slab style in a matching medium stain. In addition to the cabinetry fronts, we installed floating shelves – a perfect spot to display! Countertops For countertops we wanted something light and bright, and also something that would look good with the other finishes. As a result, we kept it simple with a light and bright surface from Caesarstone in the color “Blizzard” Backsplash Now for a little fun and a pop of color, the tile. The tile we selected is fresh, exciting, and also ties everything together giving that mid-century modern feel. In a brick-lay installation, we have a Glazzio Crystile Series, in a 4×12 size, with a finish of Soft Mint. Fixtures and Fittings Completing the space, we finished the cabinetry with U-Turn knob’s on the doors, and U-turn pulls on the drawers. Then from Blanco, we have a Quatrus stainless steel sink and a Culina mini faucet in satin nickel.

In this Tschida Construction project we did not one, but TWO two-story additions. The other phase was the butler's pantry, laundry room, mudroom, and massive storage closet. This second addition off of the previous kitchen double the kitchen's footprint, added an extremely large dining area, and a new deck that has an awesome indoor/outdoor window connection. Another cool feature is the double dishwashers anchored by a beautiful farmhouse ceramic sink. A under cabinet beverage fridge, huge windows overlooking the wetlands, and statement backsplash also make this space functional and unique. We also continued the lvp throughout the main level, refinished their fireplace built in wall and got all new furnishings. Talk about a transformation!

In this Tschida Construction project we did not one, but TWO two-story additions. The other phase was the butler's pantry, laundry room, mudroom, and massive storage closet. This second addition off of the previous kitchen double the kitchen's footprint, added an extremely large dining area, and a new deck that has an awesome indoor/outdoor window connection. Another cool feature is the double dishwashers anchored by a beautiful farmhouse ceramic sink. A under cabinet beverage fridge, huge windows overlooking the wetlands, and statement backsplash also make this space functional and unique. We also continued the lvp throughout the main level, refinished their fireplace built in wall and got all new furnishings. Talk about a transformation!

In this Tschida Construction project we did not one, but TWO two-story additions. The other phase was the butler's pantry, laundry room, mudroom, and massive storage closet. This second addition off of the previous kitchen double the kitchen's footprint, added an extremely large dining area, and a new deck that has an awesome indoor/outdoor window connection. Another cool feature is the double dishwashers anchored by a beautiful farmhouse ceramic sink. A under cabinet beverage fridge, huge windows overlooking the wetlands, and statement backsplash also make this space functional and unique. We also continued the lvp throughout the main level, refinished their fireplace built in wall and got all new furnishings. Talk about a transformation!

The dining room!!! Talking about classic style, we continue with this dining area where different woods, different textures, and colors are displayed; all mixed together achieving an aesthetic and elegant space. The furniture helps to maintain the style and makes the most of the space. The window treatment in the back also stands out with its color and textures that enhance the fabrics used. All with an exquisite sense of functionality to achieve perfect harmony with decorative objects. ¡¡¡El comedor!!! Hablando de estilo clásico, continuamos con esta zona de comedor donde se muestran diferentes maderas, diferentes texturas y colores; todo mezclado entre sí logrando un espacio estético y elegante. El mobiliario ayuda a mantener el estilo y aprovecha al máximo el espacio. El tratamiento de las ventanas en la parte trasera también destaca por su color y texturas que realzan los tejidos utilizados. Todo ello con un exquisito sentido de la funcionalidad para conseguir una perfecta armonía con los objetos decorativos.

Spectrums Indulgence quartz, manufactured right here in Latta South Carolina, went into this kitchen in Columbia, and it's the kind of stone that works quietly hard in a room people actually cook and live in. It's engineered quartz, so what you're looking at is a mix of ground quartz and resin, blended and pressed to give a background that stays consistent slab to slab. That matters more than people think when you're trying to keep a kitchen looking pulled together across a run of cabinets, an island, and a backsplash. The color reads as a soft, workable background with movement in it, enough character to give the room some depth without turning into something that fights with the cabinets or the floor. That's the appeal of a pattern like this one. It's not a plain solid, but it's not so busy that it limits what else goes in the space. Kitchens live a long time with the same countertop, and a stone that holds up visually over the years is worth choosing over something flashier that gets tiring. Quartz like this is also just practical for a working kitchen. It doesn't need sealing the way natural stone does, it resists staining from wine, oil, and citrus, and it shrugs off the daily scratches from knives and pans that would show on a softer stone. Heat is the one thing we tell people to respect, a hot pan straight off the stove can shock the resin, so a trivet is the smart habit to build. Otherwise it's about as low-maintenance a surface as you can put in a kitchen. We set the edge as eased, which is the clean, simple choice that lets the stone itself do the talking instead of the profile. Templating and fabrication on a job like this comes down to getting the seams tight and matching the pattern across the island and the runs so it reads as one continuous piece even where the slabs meet. Jobs like this are what we like doing around Columbia and the rest of the Midlands, where a kitchen remodel means getting the material, the layout, and the fit all right in a space a family's going to use every single day.

This bathroom started with all the classic problems: dated tiles, dark grout, and black mold hiding behind the surfaces. Instead of just masking the issues, we stripped everything back, treated the mold, and prepared the space for a seamless microcement finish. Follow our page or visit our website to see how we turn problem bathrooms into clean, modern space. The final result: a fully renewed bathroom with continuous microcement on the walls and floor, no grout lines, and a clean, minimalist shower and sink area. Easy to clean, resistant to moisture, and designed to last in a humid environment. If you’re thinking about a similar makeover, visit our website or message us on Instagram to talk about your own microcement project