Exterior Deck
Inspiration for a small timeless backyard deck remodel in Houston with no cover

As innkeepers, Lois and Evan Evans know all about hospitality. So after buying a 1955 Cape Cod cottage whose interiors hadn’t been updated since the 1970s, they set out on a whole-house renovation, a major focus of which was the kitchen. The goal of this renovation was to create a space that would be efficient and inviting for entertaining, as well as compatible with the home’s beach-cottage style. Cape Associates removed the wall separating the kitchen from the dining room to create an open, airy layout. The ceilings were raised and clad in shiplap siding and highlighted with new pine beams, reflective of the cottage style of the home. New windows add a vintage look. The designer used a whitewashed palette and traditional cabinetry to push a casual and beachy vibe, while granite countertops add a touch of elegance. The layout was rearranged to include an island that’s roomy enough for casual meals and for guests to hang around when the owners are prepping party meals. Placing the main sink and dishwasher in the island instead of the usual under-the-window spot was a decision made by Lois early in the planning stages. “If we have guests over, I can face everyone when I’m rinsing vegetables or washing dishes,” she says. “Otherwise, my back would be turned.” The old avocado-hued linoleum flooring had an unexpected bonus: preserving the original oak floors, which were refinished. The new layout includes room for the homeowners’ hutch from their previous residence, as well as an old pot-bellied stove, a family heirloom. A glass-front cabinet allows the homeowners to show off colorful dishes. Bringing the cabinet down to counter level adds more storage. Stacking the microwave, oven and warming drawer adds efficiency.

Circa 1890 3’6" X 6’2" Original conditions with wearer and missing at one end Beautiful rust, ivory, blue, greens, and gold This antique Kazak Karachof rug has classically beautiful tribal and primitive design. It has beautiful vegetable dyes and tribal patterns. with three octagonal medallions and ivory border. Famed for its rich colors, assertive, geometric drawing, and bold, large scale designs. The darker tones of the rug give it depth and a sense of warmth. This intensely graphic, late 19th century kazak rug draws the eye to its rendition of the traditional “Karachof” design of a row of overscale octagonal medallions.This antique tribal design Karachoph rug adds a primitive quality to the interior design while at the same time it adds a sense of mystery through the use of ancient symbols. The Karachof rugs (also spelled Karachoph) are stunning beautiful antique Oriental rugs, which are the most difficult to locate and quite cherished by collectors of antique rugs.

Large open kitchen, access to vegetable garden off side door.
Large farmhouse u-shaped light wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Our introduction to the Tahoe site was in late winter, on a clear sunny day with filtered light and long shadows through snow-laden fir and pine bows. It made a strong impression, stored for future consideration but the impetus for the design came soon after the spring snow melt. A powerful sense of horizontal layering of vegetation and various stages of decomposing downed timber on the two-acre site, juxtaposed with pine and fir trees and the dense canopy of the surrounding forest. The site is located near the historic 1960 Olympic Nordic track, situated on the edge of wetlands and seasonal streams. The homeowners were previous clients and dreamt of having a retreat in the Sierras away from their home base in Berkeley, CA. Among skiers, bike riders, hikers, and boaters, they found the ideal central location for their home base near Lake Tahoe. The home is organized as a series of linked spaces, each providing a unique sensory experience and connection to different parts of the site, both vertically and horizontally. The design includes extensive use of glass to create a true indoor/outdoor connection and maximize natural light. At the center of the site are two large fir trees, which the building respectfully wraps around in an L shape to create a focal point in the landscaped courtyard. A refined, context-driven palette of natural materials including cedar, oak, fir, and steel is used to harmoniously blend in among the surroundings. The construction includes advanced details such as thermally broken steel beams supporting layered roof planes engineered to hold snow rather than shed it. Designed to resist significant load, we exposed the steel structure as a recurring element in the interior spaces. The resulting columns and support beams contribute to the familiar design aspects of each room and provide a better understanding of how the building was constructed. The second floor features cantilevered volumes that reach out into the nearby evergreen limbs, likening the experience to being in a tree house. The house incorporates features such as radiant heating, solar panels, and operable windows for passive cooling. Fire safety measures include the use of naturally fire-resistant materials, a Class A roof construction, sprinklers, and drought-tolerant landscaping beyond the defensible space.

Pressure cookers at http://www.cosori.com/ are just an intense version of your saucepan. Their history extends back to the late 1600s, any time a French physicist created way to use internal steam pressure to speed up water’s boiling point, ultimately causing foods being cooked more rapidly. Pressure canning evolved from this early discovery, and packed food in sealed jars, then cooked all of them boiling water. As the method became widely used, larger “jars” were meant to accommodate both home and industrial cooking, for places like hotels and restaurants. The warm and wet, steamy environment of a pressure cooker produces precisely the same effects that long, slow braising would. Simon Hulstone uses that you cook duck legs in a half-hour while Alyn Williams cooks oxtail with reduced dark wine, beef stock and vegetables within this Beef and asparagus recipe for flavourful, flaky meat in a mere 40 minutes.Pressure cookers aren't just used for meat though; some recipes use pressure cookers for beans, risottos, poaching fruit or steaming puddings. Pressure cookers also come in a array of sizes, based on the number of people you might be wanting to feed, though keep in mind that you should only fill a pressure cooker 2 / 3 full for safety reasons. Most pressure cookers consist of at least 2 different pressure settings but electric varieties have numerous heating and timing systems, ideal for multi-stage cooking. The durability of the pressure cooker comes down towards the material it can be made of. Thick bases and metal are all signs of your good, long-lasting cooker that will aid you well over the years.

Nicklaus Paulo of xeristyle | exterior | design
This is an example of a coastal drought-tolerant and partial sun backyard gravel landscaping in Orange County for spring.

As innkeepers, Lois and Evan Evans know all about hospitality. So after buying a 1955 Cape Cod cottage whose interiors hadn’t been updated since the 1970s, they set out on a whole-house renovation, a major focus of which was the kitchen. The goal of this renovation was to create a space that would be efficient and inviting for entertaining, as well as compatible with the home’s beach-cottage style. Cape Associates removed the wall separating the kitchen from the dining room to create an open, airy layout. The ceilings were raised and clad in shiplap siding and highlighted with new pine beams, reflective of the cottage style of the home. New windows add a vintage look. The designer used a whitewashed palette and traditional cabinetry to push a casual and beachy vibe, while granite countertops add a touch of elegance. The layout was rearranged to include an island that’s roomy enough for casual meals and for guests to hang around when the owners are prepping party meals. Placing the main sink and dishwasher in the island instead of the usual under-the-window spot was a decision made by Lois early in the planning stages. “If we have guests over, I can face everyone when I’m rinsing vegetables or washing dishes,” she says. “Otherwise, my back would be turned.” The old avocado-hued linoleum flooring had an unexpected bonus: preserving the original oak floors, which were refinished. The new layout includes room for the homeowners’ hutch from their previous residence, as well as an old pot-bellied stove, a family heirloom. A glass-front cabinet allows the homeowners to show off colorful dishes. Bringing the cabinet down to counter level adds more storage. Stacking the microwave, oven and warming drawer adds efficiency.

As innkeepers, Lois and Evan Evans know all about hospitality. So after buying a 1955 Cape Cod cottage whose interiors hadn’t been updated since the 1970s, they set out on a whole-house renovation, a major focus of which was the kitchen. The goal of this renovation was to create a space that would be efficient and inviting for entertaining, as well as compatible with the home’s beach-cottage style. Cape Associates removed the wall separating the kitchen from the dining room to create an open, airy layout. The ceilings were raised and clad in shiplap siding and highlighted with new pine beams, reflective of the cottage style of the home. New windows add a vintage look. The designer used a whitewashed palette and traditional cabinetry to push a casual and beachy vibe, while granite countertops add a touch of elegance. The layout was rearranged to include an island that’s roomy enough for casual meals and for guests to hang around when the owners are prepping party meals. Placing the main sink and dishwasher in the island instead of the usual under-the-window spot was a decision made by Lois early in the planning stages. “If we have guests over, I can face everyone when I’m rinsing vegetables or washing dishes,” she says. “Otherwise, my back would be turned.” The old avocado-hued linoleum flooring had an unexpected bonus: preserving the original oak floors, which were refinished. The new layout includes room for the homeowners’ hutch from their previous residence, as well as an old pot-bellied stove, a family heirloom. A glass-front cabinet allows the homeowners to show off colorful dishes. Bringing the cabinet down to counter level adds more storage. Stacking the microwave, oven and warming drawer adds efficiency.

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary full sun backyard concrete paver landscaping in Houston.

Our introduction to the Tahoe site was in late winter, on a clear sunny day with filtered light and long shadows through snow-laden fir and pine bows. It made a strong impression, stored for future consideration but the impetus for the design came soon after the spring snow melt. A powerful sense of horizontal layering of vegetation and various stages of decomposing downed timber on the two-acre site, juxtaposed with pine and fir trees and the dense canopy of the surrounding forest. The site is located near the historic 1960 Olympic Nordic track, situated on the edge of wetlands and seasonal streams. The homeowners were previous clients and dreamt of having a retreat in the Sierras away from their home base in Berkeley, CA. Among skiers, bike riders, hikers, and boaters, they found the ideal central location for their home base near Lake Tahoe. The home is organized as a series of linked spaces, each providing a unique sensory experience and connection to different parts of the site, both vertically and horizontally. The design includes extensive use of glass to create a true indoor/outdoor connection and maximize natural light. At the center of the site are two large fir trees, which the building respectfully wraps around in an L shape to create a focal point in the landscaped courtyard. A refined, context-driven palette of natural materials including cedar, oak, fir, and steel is used to harmoniously blend in among the surroundings. The construction includes advanced details such as thermally broken steel beams supporting layered roof planes engineered to hold snow rather than shed it. Designed to resist significant load, we exposed the steel structure as a recurring element in the interior spaces. The resulting columns and support beams contribute to the familiar design aspects of each room and provide a better understanding of how the building was constructed. The second floor features cantilevered volumes that reach out into the nearby evergreen limbs, likening the experience to being in a tree house. The house incorporates features such as radiant heating, solar panels, and operable windows for passive cooling. Fire safety measures include the use of naturally fire-resistant materials, a Class A roof construction, sprinklers, and drought-tolerant landscaping beyond the defensible space.

Our introduction to the Tahoe site was in late winter, on a clear sunny day with filtered light and long shadows through snow-laden fir and pine bows. It made a strong impression, stored for future consideration but the impetus for the design came soon after the spring snow melt. A powerful sense of horizontal layering of vegetation and various stages of decomposing downed timber on the two-acre site, juxtaposed with pine and fir trees and the dense canopy of the surrounding forest. The site is located near the historic 1960 Olympic Nordic track, situated on the edge of wetlands and seasonal streams. The homeowners were previous clients and dreamt of having a retreat in the Sierras away from their home base in Berkeley, CA. Among skiers, bike riders, hikers, and boaters, they found the ideal central location for their home base near Lake Tahoe. The home is organized as a series of linked spaces, each providing a unique sensory experience and connection to different parts of the site, both vertically and horizontally. The design includes extensive use of glass to create a true indoor/outdoor connection and maximize natural light. At the center of the site are two large fir trees, which the building respectfully wraps around in an L shape to create a focal point in the landscaped courtyard. A refined, context-driven palette of natural materials including cedar, oak, fir, and steel is used to harmoniously blend in among the surroundings. The construction includes advanced details such as thermally broken steel beams supporting layered roof planes engineered to hold snow rather than shed it. Designed to resist significant load, we exposed the steel structure as a recurring element in the interior spaces. The resulting columns and support beams contribute to the familiar design aspects of each room and provide a better understanding of how the building was constructed. The second floor features cantilevered volumes that reach out into the nearby evergreen limbs, likening the experience to being in a tree house. The house incorporates features such as radiant heating, solar panels, and operable windows for passive cooling. Fire safety measures include the use of naturally fire-resistant materials, a Class A roof construction, sprinklers, and drought-tolerant landscaping beyond the defensible space.

The large center island takes center stage. Imagine prepping vegetables at the built-in sink while keeping an eye on something simmering on the stovetop. The stainless steel faucet adds a touch of modern polish. Pendant lights hanging overhead bathe the island in warm light, perfect for evening meals or late-night recipe. Storage and Style Ample storage is provided by the white cabinets adorned with chrome pulls. These cabinets likely house an array of cookware, dishes, and pantry staples, keeping the kitchen organized. The white color offers a clean and bright feel, which complements the stainless steel appliances beautifully. High-End Appliances The JennAir Rise 48” Dual-Fuel Professional Range with Chrome-Infused Griddle is a chef's dream. Imagine searing steaks on the powerful gas burners or using the griddle for perfectly cooked pancakes. The stainless steel finish exudes a professional and modern aesthetic. A closer look might reveal hidden features like a double oven or a warming drawer. Balance and Warmth A stainless steel refrigerator flanks the other side of the image, creating a balanced look with the stove on the opposite side. The dark stained hardwood floors add a touch of warmth to the space, grounding the cooler tones of the stainless steel and white cabinets.

After transplanting the pre-existing vegetation (including three species of palm and ferns) to a more suitable location on the property, MHG Greens&Gardens redesigned and planted the front lawn with two 9 feet tall Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), rimmed with a single low ball of Eugenia myrtifolium; and three Eugenia myrtifolium topiaries (three balls connected by a central bare stem); and an “Ayer, hoy y siempre” shrub (Brunfelsia (Solanaceae)), a small evergreen shrub with colorful blooms ranging from purple to white according to their stage of development.

Take a hop down the bunny trail with Pier 1's Natural Bunny Table Runner. Featuring fringe edging with a bunny silhouette wearing a ribbon bow and an embellished floral bunny tail, this jute topper sets the stage for your seasonal tabletop