Photo: Alexandra Crafton © 2016 Houzz
Inspiration for a farmhouse porch remodel in Louisville

Wendy McEahern
Example of a mid-sized trendy enclosed medium tone wood floor living room design in Albuquerque with beige walls, a music area, no fireplace and no tv

Backsplash Adds Character, Structure & Identity to a Kitchen A backsplash is one of the most underrated design elements in a kitchen. Beyond protecting walls from moisture, grease, and heat, it creates structure, depth, and personality throughout the entire space. A well-designed backsplash helps define the kitchen visually by adding contrast, texture, pattern, and architectural flow. In this project, the custom tile selection transformed the kitchen from a standard cooking area into a statement feature with a clean modern aesthetic and strong visual identity. The right backsplash can: • Add warmth and character • Create a focal point • Tie together surrounding materials and finishes • Make the kitchen feel more custom and intentional • Elevate the overall architectural design At Texan Landscape Group, we believe the small details are what make a project stand out. Call/Text: 832-230-7277 https://landscapedesignhouston.com/contact/ Pro Tip: Patterned backsplash tile can help break up flat surfaces and add movement, depth, and dimension to modern kitchen designs.

Backsplash Adds Character, Structure & Identity to a Kitchen A backsplash is one of the most underrated design elements in a kitchen. Beyond protecting walls from moisture, grease, and heat, it creates structure, depth, and personality throughout the entire space. A well-designed backsplash helps define the kitchen visually by adding contrast, texture, pattern, and architectural flow. In this project, the custom tile selection transformed the kitchen from a standard cooking area into a statement feature with a clean modern aesthetic and strong visual identity. The right backsplash can: • Add warmth and character • Create a focal point • Tie together surrounding materials and finishes • Make the kitchen feel more custom and intentional • Elevate the overall architectural design At Texan Landscape Group, we believe the small details are what make a project stand out. Call/Text: 832-230-7277 https://landscapedesignhouston.com/contact/ Pro Tip: Patterned backsplash tile can help break up flat surfaces and add movement, depth, and dimension to modern kitchen designs.

Uniquely Bold in Ocean Beach, CA | Photo Credit: Jackson Design and Remodeling
Inspiration for a contemporary 3/4 blue floor alcove bathtub remodel in San Diego with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white walls and an undermount sink

A renovation project doesn’t come cheap. Even if you have a lot of money, it is still considered practical that you set a budget when giving your landed house a makeover. The question is, what should you keep and what should you restore when doing a renovation project? If you are keen on giving your landed house interior design an upgrade, planning early is considered crucial. That means you need to figure out the right budget, employ the right team, and identify a timeline for completion ahead of time. During the planning stage, it is also vital that you identify which areas in your house to keep as is and which ones to repair and restore. If you need some beneficial guidance, here’s what some experts have to say: Retain the existing flooring when it doesn’t have major cracks or damage In landed house interior design, floors are not only considered the foundation of every landed home, they are also expected to be the most resilient. While it can be tempting to add floor embellishments like tiles to enhance your home’s aesthetic value, it shouldn’t be a priority if it does not have any massive damage or cracks. This is especially true if you’re trying to keep your spending to a minimum. If anything, there are other options you can look into to keep your flooring attractive. For instance, ensure they are cleaned and polished regularly. You will not only make them look well-maintained, you will also help boost their longevity. Replace plumbing fixtures when needed Plumbing fixtures belong to a list of items in the house that are most exposed to wear and tear. Even when not in use, water passes through the pipes, faucets, and other bathroom and kitchen plumbing accessories. Hard water also passes through plumbing fixtures. When the water has high mineral content, dried up water might create mineral deposits such as limestone, mildew, and rust. These minerals are not only difficult to remove, they can also eventually eat into the metal and steel pipes. That being said, plumbing fixtures need to be replaced on a routine basis. Also, a broken faucet or a leaking pipe will not only cause a possible disruption in the household, they can also cause some damage if not attended to right away. Save yourself from the headache by having them checked regularly and replaced right away when needed. Always check the doors Among the most underrated parts of the house are the doors. We open and close them several times a day. We sometimes bang them shut, leave them ajar, or let the breeze close them with a loud thud. While they are often made to last for years, doors and their fixtures are also prone to warping. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise if one day you’ll discover you cannot close the door anymore because the door itself no longer fits and locks. To avoid a similar scenario, check your doors every now and then. If the door itself doesn’t fit anymore, then ensure you include it in your renovation list. In addition, knobs and handles, including hinges, that are already deformed or no longer functional should be immediately replaced as well. Also, if your doorknob is prone to jamming or if your key no longer fits and turns, consider it your cue to have them replaced.

Running a small restaurant is a high-wire act - delicious plates on one end, razor-thin margins on the other. With food costs averaging 28-35 percent of revenue and labor at 30 percent, every dollar counts. The good news? Targeted tweaks can shave 10-20 percent off your bottom line without sacrificing quality. From smarter sourcing to streamlined waste handling, these strategies empower independents to thrive. One underrated gem: Efficient waste management via roll-off dumpster rentals, which can slash disposal fees by up to 40 percent. Let's break it down. Optimize Inventory: Waste Less, Save More Overstocked pantries are profit killers - U.S. restaurants toss $25 billion in food yearly. Audit weekly. Track sales data to forecast demand, using apps like Toast or MarketMan for real-time insights. Trim your menu to 12-15 core items, focusing on seasonal, high-margin stars like farm-fresh salads over imported proteins. Portion control is key - pre-weighed scoops cut overuse by 15 percent. Repurpose scraps creatively. Veggie peels into stocks, bread ends for croutons. Donate extras to food banks via apps like Too Good To Go, earning tax deductions up to $5,000 annually. These habits reclaim 5-10 percent of food budgets, freeing cash for upgrades. Additionally, consider using citrus rinds for infused oils or desserts, and coffee grounds for compost to support local gardens. Engaging staff in sustainability efforts also builds morale and can be highlighted in marketing materials to attract eco-conscious diners. Trim Energy and Utilities: Go Green for Greenbacks Utilities gobble 4-10 percent of expenses. Swap to LED bulbs and energy-star appliances - upfront costs pay back in 6-12 months via 20-30 percent bill drops. Install low-flow faucets and programmable thermostats; during off-hours, dial down to 55°F to save $200/month on HVAC. Use induction cooktops for precise heat, reducing gas by 15 percent. Train staff on "last out" protocols - unplugging idle equipment. Solar panels? For rooftops under 1,000 sq ft, incentives cover 30 percent installation, yielding ROI in 5 years.  Master Waste Management: Dumpsters as Cost Commanders Trash isn't just garbage - it's a budget black hole, with disposal eating 2-5 percent of revenues. Small spots generate 1-2 tons monthly from food scraps, packaging, and grease. Ditch overflowing bins and irregular hauls for roll-off dumpster rentals. A 10-15 yard unit centralizes waste, handling bulk like fryer oil drums or produce crates without daily pickups. Efficiency Over Headcount Labor's your biggest line item - cross-train staff for multi-roles, like servers prepping during lulls, trimming overtime 10-15 percent. Shift scheduling software optimizes based on reservations, avoiding idle payroll. Negotiate bulk buys with local suppliers for 5-10 percent discounts; loyalty programs from Sysco yield free deliveries. Go digital - QR menus cut printing costs, speed table turnover, and allow menu updates in real time without waste. Loyalty apps boost repeat visits without increasing your advertising budget, making it easier to track customer preferences and send targeted promotions. Consider bundling purchases with other area restaurants to unlock deeper discounts and leverage supplier relationships for exclusive seasonal specials. These strategies can reduce overhead, improve customer retention, and keep operations flexible as trends shift.

Two Birds Photography
Kids' room - transitional kids' room idea in Chicago

Presenting a mid-century modern home in Mill Valley with simple yet dramatic architectural features located at 523 Brookline Avenue Mill Valley CA. Perched above a very quiet spot at the end of a cul de sac, this brand new and visually interesting home boasts panoramic degree views of Tam Valley. With impeccable attention to detail, the contemporary design has an inviting vaulted entry opening up into the living and dining areas with high exposed wood ceilings. Wonderful natural light floods the rooms. Perfectly integrating the wooded surroundings, this comfortable and high tech home features four new outdoor decks off the kitchen, yard, living/dining rooms, and the master bedroom. Wonderful natural light floods the rooms. The living room, dining room and kitchen are all integrated with sleek design finishes including contemporary cable railing, interesting and repeated architectural detailing and matte finished hardwood flooring all with expansive views. This home reflects a refined taste and a sense of style that is noted in the careful orientation of the roof line, the windows and the outdoor living areas. The designer, Charles Stewart Architects, has created an experience, not just a home. Perfectly integrating the wooded surroundings, this comfortable and high tech home features four new outdoor decks off the kitchen, yard, living/dining rooms, and the master bedroom. The master bathroom includes a large shower and a soaking tub. State of the art appliances (Bosch, Samsung, LG) and high tech detecting systems guarantee safety and privacy. The home features Nest operating systems including heating system control and smoke/heat detection systems plus controls for garage doors and all accessible via your smart phone for programming and monitoring. With an award winning school district, an excellent pre-school (Kumara), the Tamalpais Community Center, a new Good Earth grocery store coming soon to the neighborhood and easy access to the recently renovated Eastwood Park as well as to San Francisco, the location can't be beat!

The grey trend has evolved in the last twelve months. Nowadays browns, beige and a touch of grey are in demand. Greige is the new buzzword. Heavier hand scraped or contoured products, the rage that started around 2005 has taken a back seat in most areas, while a softer wire brushed "ceruse effect" seen mostly on White Oak has been remarkably strong showing no effects of becoming “dated” like the others mentioned. Ceruse Color Possibilities There are numerous color combinations to the "cerused" process with the most popular being white or off white. This design trend in hardwood flooring can have darker gray white oak with a mild ceruse off white effect. There are limitless possibilities in either a prefinished hardwood floor or with what we can create for you in a custom on-site finished hardwood floor. If something suits your fancy, contact us and we can work on creating just the look and sense of style you are looking for.

Chris Golden
Inspiration for a transitional carpeted living room remodel in Phoenix with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

TruCedar Steel Siding shown in 10" Board & Batten in Napa Vine.
Beige two-story metal exterior home idea in Grand Rapids

The solid walnut staircase rises up from the elegant, herringbone patterned hardwood floors and pairs beautifully with the figured walnut back-paneled wall. The custom railing serves as an exclamation point to the rich design.

This modern bathroom wall is a very dark grey tile made from recycled stone dust. Its color is PB 3106 Dark Grey and is in the brushed texture.
Example of a mid-sized minimalist master gray tile and stone tile bathroom design in Miami with gray walls

Wavy mother of pearl porcelain tile, wavy white tile for bathroom shower or backsplash. Perfect for fireplace or accent wall
Example of a trendy bathroom design in Los Angeles

Elegant brown tile and porcelain tile corner shower photo in New Orleans with an undermount sink

Home Remodel Pro all rights reserved
Drop-in bathtub - mid-sized transitional master beige tile and stone tile travertine floor drop-in bathtub idea in Dallas with an undermount sink, white cabinets, granite countertops, a two-piece toilet and beige walls

Grouted vinyl tile that looks like traditional tile.
Inspiration for a small eclectic white tile and ceramic tile vinyl floor and multicolored floor alcove bathtub remodel in Sacramento with furniture-like cabinets, gray cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops and gray countertops