Photos by Francis and Francis Photography The Anderson Residence is ‘practically’ a new home in one of Las Vegas midcentury modern neighborhoods McNeil. The house is the current home of Ian Anderson the local Herman Miller dealer and Shanna Anderson of Leeland furniture family. When Ian first introduced CSPA studio to the project it was burned down house. Turns out that the house is a 1960 midcentury modern sister of two homes that was destroyed by arson in a dispute between landlord and tenant. Once inside the burned walls it was quite clear what a wonderful house it once was. Great care was taken to try and restore the house to a similar splendor. The reality is the remodel didn’t involve much of the original house, by the time the fire damage was remediated there wasn’t much left. The renovation includes an additional 1000 SF of office, guest bedroom, laundry, mudroom, guest toilet outdoor shower and a garage. The roof line was raised in order to accommodate a forced air mechanical system, but care was taken to keep the lines long and low (appearing) to match the midcentury modern style. The House is an H-shape. Typically houses of this time period would have small rooms with long narrow hallways. However in this case with the walls burned out one can see from one side of the house to other creating a huge feeling space. It was decided to totally open the East side of the house and make the kitchen which gently spills into the living room and wood burning fireplace the public side. New windows and a huge 16’ sliding door were added all the way around the courtyard so that one can see out and across into the private side. On the west side of the house the long thin hallway is opened up by the windows to the courtyard and the long wall offers an opportunity for a gallery style art display. The long hallway opens to two bedrooms, shared bathroom and master bedroom. The end of the hallway opens to a casual living room and the swimming pool area. The house has no formal dining room but a 15’ custom crafted table by Ian’s sculptor father that is an extension of the kitchen island. The H-shape creates two covered areas, one is the front entry courtyard, fenced in by a Brazilian walnut enclosure and crowned by a steel art installation by Ian’s father. The rear covered courtyard is a breezy spot for chilling out on a hot desert day. The pool was re-finished and a shallow soaking deck added. A new barbeque and covered patio added. Some of the large plant material was salvaged and nursed back to health and a complete new desert landscape was re-installed to bring the exterior to life.

Surrounded by 30 year old trees, the homeowners were looking for an organic, modern, low maintenance finish to their outdoor environment. Utilizing the pre-existing mature apple tree in the backyard VisionScapes developed a tranquil retreat that extended the sq.ft of the home through a series of terraced concrete and wood decks. Pathways and patio systems were locally sourced from a quarry on the edge of the Rocky Mountains. Photo credit: Jamen Rhodes

Inspiration for a large french country full sun backyard stone landscaping in DC Metro.

Photo: Bart Edson Ipe deck opens to view the Sonoma County tree line. Cedar railing borders a green roof. Couch by West Elm
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional deck remodel in San Francisco

Example of a mid-sized transitional backyard stamped concrete patio design in San Francisco with a roof extension

Inspiration for a large contemporary two-story flat roof remodel in Jacksonville

You can hear the echo of the craftsman’s tools in Blu. The same honest lines and rugged texture as our larger, 80mm version, the same opulent colors and modern yet eternal look, Blu 60mm is lighter in weight and has a smaller height, making it a better choice for pedestrian and light-traffic-only areas such as on walkways and patios.

Steven Brooke Studios
Example of a minimalist white flat roof design in Tampa

A tree has many parts, all of which contribute to its overall health. Just like the human body, each part of the tree works together to ensure the tree’s survival. There are a few important elements that trees and other plants need to live; these include carbon dioxide, water, sunlight, and food. A tree that has been planted in a nourishing environment and that has quality soil for its roots will grow tall, strong, and healthy. Trees that are planted in an urban environment such as on someone’s personal property need regular maintenance to thrive. The arborists here at Five Star Tree Services are happy to provide residential and commercial tree care services, including pruning and removal. We help trees stay healthy by getting rid of dead branches, trimming overgrown leaves to prevent them from infringing on power lines and much more. Aside from regular care, homeowners should pay particular attention to the roots of the tree, and here’s why. Why Trees Have Roots The roots are what hold the tree in place as well as used to absorb essential nutrients from the surrounding soil. Furthermore, water is also absorbed by the roots, which is critical for the tree’s survival. The majority of the roots of a tree are located between six inches and one foot underground. While they may be shallow going down, they extend very far horizontally, even surpassing the canopy of the tree. If a tree didn’t have roots, then it would not be able to stand or withstand harsh weather. Allow The Roots to Breathe The roots of your tree need to be protected, but they also need plenty of oxygen in order for your tree to thrive. Drying out the soil under your tree will allow oxygen to reach the area. Instead of watering your tree on a daily basis, choose a schedule that keeps the tree hydrated but allows the soil to rest. Packing the soil around the tree too tight will also limit the airflow which may suffocate surface roots. Watering Trees constantly require water regardless of their age. Trees need to be watered on a regular schedule, especially during dry seasons or drought. Ample watering will boost tree growth and maintain tree health. Don’t Cut Them Cutting the roots of a tree not only limits its ability to nourish itself, but it can also leave it open to attacks. Bacteria, insects, and viruses are more prone to strike a tree with a weak root system than one with a sturdy one. Cutting will also place stress on the tree which may stunt its growth for several years. Depending on the severity of the cut, severed roots may even cause the death of your tree. Invest in Mulch Mulch is a material placed around the bottom of a tree. It is fully organic and is intended to give the roots extra protection while also providing nutrients for your tree. Mulch should be placed around the base of a tree in the spring in order to promote new growth. An additional layer should be added in the winter to provide a buffer from the cold. Tree Care by Five Star Tree Services If you are worried about the health of your tree Five Star Tree Services is here to help. We offer Toronto Tree Care Services, storm damage, regular maintenance, affordable tree removal, pruning and planting services all over the metro area. If you are interested in boosting the aesthetic value of your property, or just maintaining your tree’s health, give us a call at (416) 990-3355 today.

Storms are nature’s way of cleaning out the atmosphere and showing off her awesome power. As essential as this process may be, it can also cause tree damage. If your trees suffer damage during a storm, there are a few things you should do to set things back to their proper order, such as hire a tree removal service. Before you start cleaning up the mess, however, take a look at our suggestions to ensure you are doing what’s best for your trees and your property. Check the Damage Before you do anything, you should take the time to check the damage on your property and to the trees themselves. Sometimes broken branches and fallen leaves can hide serious damage that may require special attention. Check to ensure that there is no damage to your property, home, cars, and electrical lines. Next, after you confirm that there is no immediate danger, you can start assessing the tree itself. If you find serious damage to your trees such as splitting, leaning, or even burns from a lightning strike, it is best to call in professionals for help. If the tree is leaning on your home or vehicle, it is also a good idea to have a professional tree care service move forward with the cleanup. Clean Up Minor Damage and Debris After the storm has calmed down, and you have assessed the fallout, you can start your yard cleanup. Stick to cleaning up small branches and twigs in addition to leaves and other debris. Avoid large branches, any trees that may be leaning or heavily damaged. Even if your tree is upright, but showing signs of damage you should steer clear until the professionals can assess the situation. Pay close attention to any branches or trees that may be leaning near overhead power lines and also avoid damaged trees that are planted near underground utilities such as gas or power mains. Call the Professionals at Five Star Tree Services Anytime a storm damages your landscape, plants, or trees, a professional team of arborists can help. Not only are they trained in the proper methods of cleaning up storm debris in a safe manner, but they can also help decide the best course of action to save or remove your damaged trees. As tree care professionals, every team from Five Star Tree Services will arrive with the proper equipment needed to get the job done safely. Five Star is fully certified and will also work with your insurance company to assess the damage and coordinate extended cleanup services if needed. For trees that are damaged but still have a chance of surviving, our experienced arborists will create a customized treatment plant and pruning plant to give your tree the best chance of survival. If other treatments are needed, we will also support your tree during its recovery until it is back to its healthy state. For more information regarding our storm tree services in Richmond Hill or our regular tree care services, give us a call at (416) 990-3355 today.

This was a remodel of the homeowners "florida room" - the roofline used to be much lower, and we had to raise the ceiling line to make it taller so that we could have as much of the door be glass and open space to see the great view. We put in travertine tiles in the Florida Room which was then carried out to the new patio, but the existing pool - previously, was much larger, however they were looking for something more along the lines of a "dipping pool" so we replaced the larger pool with a smaller pool with additional levels. The deck was extended and we planted new palm trees and new landscaping. We also incorporated water features alongside the pool to give the feel of a unique aquatic oasis.

Winter has arrived and this means many months of snow and ice are ahead. When trees shed their leaves and go dormant for the winter, this is like how bears hibernate; they are both sleeping through the cold and waiting until the warm spring weather comes back. But unlike hibernating bears, who are safe and snuggled up in a warm cave somewhere, trees are left to withstand the harsh, cold elements throughout the entire winter. This means that they are more impacted than you might believe. It is easier for mature trees to be able to handle the long winter months due to their extensive root system and thick bark. But saplings and other newly planted trees are not yet fully equipped with these natural defenses to handle the cold. No matter if you have new or older trees, following our tips will help them prosper during the cold Canadian winter ahead. Our team at Five Star Tree Services has come up with some winter maintenance essentials for your trees that will give them an extra hand over the winter. One Last Water Getting one last good watering in before the ground freezes is helpful to newly planted and young trees. Always make sure to water your tree slowly and gently. This allows the water to seep down into the root system as opposed to it running off the top and freezing. Apply Mulch When you use mulch, it acts like a barrier between the tree roots and the cold snow, it helps to insulate it. When you are applying mulch, make sure you spread it around the base of the tree so that it is no more than 3 inches deep. You also need to make sure to spread the mulch all the way to the drip line surrounding the tree. Make sure to not exceed 3 inches around your entire tree and keep the mulch away from the trunk of the tree. Wrap Tree Trunks There is a condition called sunscalding that can occur during the winter months. This happens when there is a temperature change that happens quickly. You might notice it when the sun warms the trees, which thaws the bark but during the night, when it gets cold again, it causes the melted water in the bark to rupture, causing cracks in the tree’s trunk. Young trees are especially susceptible to this happening. To help stop this from happening, it is best to wrap your trees with tree wraps or a plastic guard. It is advisable to wrap the trunk from the ground up and stop just below the first branch. Shelter Your Trees Young or newly planted trees are fairly defenseless for the first handful of years. Older and more mature trees have had time to develop a strong root system and hardy bark that help to protect them against things like animals and the freezing cold. If you want to help your little sapling along this winter, you can build a shelter that can handle having snow piled on it. You can also periodically use a broom to brush off the snow that accumulates on a tree’s branches. But try to avoid breaking off any ice that has formed on the branches, as this can actually end up hurting the tree if you accidentally break one of its branches instead. Keep Road Salt Away It’s no big secret that the use of road salt is detrimental to trees. When it gets on them, the end result come springtime is a dead tree, or at least, a severely damaged one. As much as you can, protect your trees and limit their exposure to salt over the winter. Protect Your Trees Winter is not only limiting for trees, but for a lot of other animals as well. This includes rabbits, mice, moles, squirrels, and other furry little creatures, who like to use trees as a food source during the summer months. During the winter, this food is now cut off when the trees go dormant. This only leaves the tree’s bark as an alternative food source for these critters. They seem to especially like young tree bark to chew on over the winter. In order to stop this from happening, you need to protect the bark with things like a fence surrounding your tree, wrapping the trunk with a plastic guard or hardware cloth. Winter Pruning The best time to prune any tree is during the winter months when the tree is dormant. Pruning allows you to rid the tree of any excess branches and control disease. Winter pruning is highly beneficial and lets your tree improve branch development in the spring. Don’t Use Always make sure to avoid products that are known to hurt trees, especially ones containing sodium chloride. Products like that cause negative reactions in trees or any plants, as it hinders their water intake. Instead, look for products that have potassium, calcium, and magnesium chloride. How Five Star Tree Services Can Help For newly planted and young trees, it is especially important to help them through the winter as best you can. We here at Five Star Tree Services are here to help you get your trees through the winter. If you require Toronto Tree Care, make sure to give us a call at (416) 990-3355.

Adrienne Breaux
This is an example of a country tile porch design in Austin with a roof extension.

Tree lined paver & grass lined walk way leading up to the home from the back yard. Beautiful landscaping wrap the modern architecture in soft blanket of green. An infinity pool surrounded by Richard Shultz furnishings is just up the steps. -Reed R. Krueger & Associates

This beautiful kitchen built by Peppertree Kitchen and Bath with cabinets of architectural-grade, rift-sawn white oak veneer. It has a wire-brushed texture with a custom satin and glaze.

Emily Followill
Deck - traditional backyard deck idea in Atlanta with a roof extension

10x12 Studio Shed home office - Lifestyle Interior plus our added height option. The standard height of most models is 8'6" but you can choose to add 1 or even 2 extra feet of ceiling height. Our small kit "Pinyon" sits perpendicular to the office, holding garden tools and other supplies in a 4x8 footprint. The concrete pad, which extends to serve as the interior floor as well, was poured and stained by the home owner once the design phase of his project was complete.

Elegant dark wood floor bedroom photo in Los Angeles with white walls

Karen Swanson of New England Design Works Designed this Pennville Kitchen for her own home, and it won not only the regional Sub-Zero award, but also the National Kitchen & Bath Association's medium kitchen of the year. Karen is located in Manchester, MA and can be reached at nedesignworks@gmail.com or 978.500.1096.