Snow Creek Consort Through warm craftsman colors, truth of materials and a ground hugging connection to nature, the Pasadena Residence portrays naturalistic simplicity with references to the historical Arts and Craftsman Movement with modern touches. The rich colors emulate the hues found in the natural environment through the style’s history of traditional values of quality and beauty. Materials found in their traditional form set the stage for hard horizontal lines and softly flowing curves throughout the 1914 home. These ideals emanate the Arts and Craft’s ideals while keeping the original historical intentions of the home.

This top-to-bottom renovation in Ramona, California, transformed a once heavy and confused interior into a serene retreat. Our design introduced a warm, inviting atmosphere with a stunning mix of medium and dark wood tones, paired with contrasting textural stone elements and bold black accents. The result is a space that feels balanced, abundant, and deeply connected to nature. Designed for a spiritual client seeking harmony, this home now embodies tranquility and comfort. Every element, from the rich wood tones to the organic textures, works together to create a space that supports mindfulness and relaxation. The careful blend of materials creates a sanctuary-like environment, making it the perfect retreat from the everyday hustle. This transformation highlights our expertise in creating personalized spaces that bring balance and warmth, aligning with our client's lifestyle and values.

Our most popular seating solution with more room to stretch out and more options to dress with your own mix of throw pillows. Its simple lines anchor any room—whether classic, modern or a more eclectic mix—and it's a tremendous value for the quality of construction. Family-friendly fabric cozies in velvety and durable fabrics in any color. Benchmade frame is kiln-dried hardwood. As always, available in ANY SIZE & ANY FABRIC at MONARCHSOFAS.COM

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Pool landscape with Northern-theme of deciduous trees and evergreens, fall color, spring-blooming trees, native blueberries and hydrangeas,
Example of a mid-sized 1960s backyard gravel pool design in Orlando

Ah, what a lucky day to get the call to help a wonderful couple with the landscape adorning their lovely Eichler home nestled next to open space in the warm hills of San Rafael. There was a failing wooden wall that got refreshed into a clean, bright concrete wall. A native plant fan wife Director of San Francisco Environment and her complimentary husband, we were on the same page with plant choices and general values to enhance, rather than contrast, the open space adjacent. Featuring Delta Bluegrass' "Mow Free' blend in the front yard where once there was only stones and a relic fig tree in great need of pruning.

A major aspect of the project included an extensive kitchen remodel, as the previous kitchen was disconnected from the main living area. Our clients wanted a bright and cohesive space to enjoy with their family and friends. New contemporary style, oak cabinets complement the sleek, walnut upper cabinets and island. Teak wood slats found behind a section of floating upper cabinets elegantly hide the staircase leading to the first floor.

Privacy screening for a property atop a hill on a small plot of land.
Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard landscaping in New York.

Table with mirrors and lights Tavolo con specchi e luci
Inspiration for a modern bedroom remodel in Milan

Low-maintenance side yard with gravel pathway and lined by Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata' (Upright Hornbeam).
This is an example of a small modern full sun side yard gravel landscaping.

If you’re looking for hardwood flooring that offers incredible value and timeless style, you’ll love the Blue Ridge Series. This series features a solid hardwood core, which provides great stability. It also has an eco-friendly Perma Finish coating that repels most common household substances, providing one of the most durable finishes on the market. This 3/8-inch engineered hardwood flooring is available in Oak and Maple in five warm colors designed to complement any decor. The Blue Ridge Series is prefinished for ease of installation. With its beauty, value, and lifetime integrity, this product has become an enduring favorite among homeowners. Please note: Brazilian Cherry will darken from exposure to natural sunlight. Maple is a beautiful natural material that can vary from an off-white cream color to reddish or golden hues with dark reddish brown tones. The grain is subdued and generally straight but can be wavy.

During the planning phase we undertook a fairly major Value Engineering of the design to ensure that the project would be completed within the clients budget. The client identified a ‘Fords Garage’ style that they wanted to incorporate. They wanted an open, industrial feel, however, we wanted to ensure that the property felt more like a welcoming, home environment; not a commercial space. A Fords Garage typically has exposed beams, ductwork, lighting, conduits, etc. But this extent of an Industrial style is not ‘homely’. So we incorporated tongue and groove ceilings with beams, concrete colored tiled floors, and industrial style lighting fixtures. During construction the client designed the courtyard, which involved a large permit revision and we went through the full planning process to add that scope of work. The finished project is a gorgeous blend of industrial and contemporary home style.

Certified Florida-friendly landscape renovated by removing all gravel, amending the soil, creating a butterfly and pollinator cottage garden with blueberries, flowers, herbs, natives, shrubs, and native Parsley hawthorn tree.

The quality of oil paint used can make a difference in how the painting looks over the years. As with canvas, it is important that the artist used only high quality, authentically environmental friendly (Formaldehyde-free) paints in the painting process, which ensure the paints durability without fading over years and no harm to human health in the room environment. We guarantee our artists only use high quality, authentically environmental friendly (Formaldehyde-free) paints in their 100% handmade paintings. Our warranty covers no color fading for 5 years although it actually can last for life time. We have the best warranty in the handmade oil painting industry.

Our most popular seating solution with more room to stretch out and more options to dress with your own mix of throw pillows. Its simple lines anchor any room—whether classic, modern or a more eclectic mix—and it's a tremendous value for the quality of construction. Family-friendly fabric cozies in velvety and durable fabrics in any color. Benchmade frame is kiln-dried hardwood. As always, available in ANY SIZE & ANY FABRIC at MONARCHSOFAS.COM

A simple yet elegant quarter circle built-in outdoor BBQ and serving counter that looks good at day or night. The 42" height serving counter is perfect for accommodating any standard bar stool, while the lower 36" height counter and grille are perfectly situated for the nitty-gritty of preparing and serving food to family and friends.

Replaced turf side and back yards with seasonal butterfly garden. Used native and non-natives. Built pathways from existing round paver patio to allow walking through gardens. Designed with garden gate to add whimsy. Design and photography by Teresa Watkins

During the planning phase we undertook a fairly major Value Engineering of the design to ensure that the project would be completed within the clients budget. The client identified a ‘Fords Garage’ style that they wanted to incorporate. They wanted an open, industrial feel, however, we wanted to ensure that the property felt more like a welcoming, home environment; not a commercial space. A Fords Garage typically has exposed beams, ductwork, lighting, conduits, etc. But this extent of an Industrial style is not ‘homely’. So we incorporated tongue and groove ceilings with beams, concrete colored tiled floors, and industrial style lighting fixtures. During construction the client designed the courtyard, which involved a large permit revision and we went through the full planning process to add that scope of work. The finished project is a gorgeous blend of industrial and contemporary home style.

This top-to-bottom renovation in Ramona, California, transformed a once heavy and confused interior into a serene retreat. Our design introduced a warm, inviting atmosphere with a stunning mix of medium and dark wood tones, paired with contrasting textural stone elements and bold black accents. The result is a space that feels balanced, abundant, and deeply connected to nature. Designed for a spiritual client seeking harmony, this home now embodies tranquility and comfort. Every element, from the rich wood tones to the organic textures, works together to create a space that supports mindfulness and relaxation. The careful blend of materials creates a sanctuary-like environment, making it the perfect retreat from the everyday hustle. This transformation highlights our expertise in creating personalized spaces that bring balance and warmth, aligning with our client's lifestyle and values.