Mid-sized elegant open concept and formal dark wood floor and brown floor living room photo in Toronto with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Inspiration for a rustic kitchen remodel in San Francisco with wood countertops, green cabinets and beige countertops

Inspiration for a mediterranean drop-in bathtub remodel in Chicago

This is an example of a contemporary landscaping in San Francisco.

Landscape by Gardens by Gabriel; Fire Bowl and Water Feature by Wells Concrete Works; Radial bench by TM Lewis Construction
Example of a mid-sized minimalist backyard concrete patio fountain design in San Luis Obispo with no cover

Photography by Francis Augustine
Trendy living room photo in New York with blue walls

Outdoor living area incorporates a custom slide, sun deck, divider wall with water feature and fire pit and multiple sitting areas.
Water slide - mediterranean rectangular water slide idea in Dallas

What are the Health Benefits? Research has proved that water is a natural healer. Soaking in warm water has similar benefits to exercise without over exerting the heart. The temperature increases heart rate but also dilates the blood vessels thus increasing blood flow to the extremities of the body without raising blood pressure. Being in warm water is different from sitting in a sauna or a steam room for one very simple reason, buoyancy. When submerged in water your body can relax easily because it is essentially weightless. The warm temperature releases endorphins which eases tense muscles and stimulates nerves along the spinal cord which clams the endocrine system and internal organs. As a result, soaking can help fight insomnia, back aches, joint pains, and migraines, to name a few. Sitting in warm bath several times a week will relax your body, ease your stress and you will feel more energized as a result. Try a soaking tub, and your body will thank you for it!

Photo Credit: Amy Barkow | Barkow Photo, Lighting Design: LOOP Lighting, Interior Design: Blankenship Design, General Contractor: Constructomics LLC

Brian Vanden Brink The kitchen cabinets were by Classic Kitchens. http://ckdcapecod.com/ The manufacturer was Wood Mode.

Minimalist blue tile and glass sheet alcove shower photo in Los Angeles with an undermount tub

A patterned Lannonstone wall creates a private backdrop for the heated spa, featuring a sheer water weir pouring from between the wall’s mortar joints. Generous planting beds provide seasonal texture and softening between paved areas. The paving is Bluestone.

Transitional l-shaped kitchen photo in Manchester with flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets and an island

"Raw" Copper Shower Pan with Matching Back Rest 153" x 75" x 3" Photo Credit: Copyright Brent Bingham
Example of a trendy white tile beige floor bathroom design in Denver

Photo of a mid-century modern landscaping in San Luis Obispo.

Home of Lighting Designer Marjorie Skouras Photo by Marcia Prentice
Example of a classic kitchen design in Los Angeles with white appliances

photo credit: Tricialee Photography
Living room - transitional living room idea in Chicago with white walls

Relocating to Portland, Oregon from California, this young family immediately hired Amy to redesign their newly purchased home to better fit their needs. The project included updating the kitchen, hall bath, and adding an en suite to their master bedroom. Removing a wall between the kitchen and dining allowed for additional counter space and storage along with improved traffic flow and increased natural light to the heart of the home. This galley style kitchen is focused on efficiency and functionality through custom cabinets with a pantry boasting drawer storage topped with quartz slab for durability, pull-out storage accessories throughout, deep drawers, and a quartz topped coffee bar/ buffet facing the dining area. The master bath and hall bath were born out of a single bath and a closet. While modest in size, the bathrooms are filled with functionality and colorful design elements. Durable hex shaped porcelain tiles compliment the blue vanities topped with white quartz countertops. The shower and tub are both tiled in handmade ceramic tiles, bringing much needed texture and movement of light to the space. The hall bath is outfitted with a toe-kick pull-out step for the family’s youngest member!

This small tract home backyard was transformed into a lively breathable garden. A new outdoor living room was created, with silver-grey brazilian slate flooring, and a smooth integral pewter colored concrete wall defining and retaining earth around it. A water feature is the backdrop to this outdoor room extending the flooring material (slate) into the vertical plane covering a wall that houses three playful stainless steel spouts that spill water into a large basin. Koi Fish, Gold fish and water plants bring a new mini ecosystem of life, and provide a focal point and meditational environment. The integral colored concrete wall begins at the main water feature and weaves to the south west corner of the yard where water once again emerges out of a 4” stainless steel channel; reinforcing the notion that this garden backs up against a natural spring. The stainless steel channel also provides children with an opportunity to safely play with water by floating toy boats down the channel. At the north eastern end of the integral colored concrete wall, a warm western red cedar bench extends perpendicular out from the water feature on the outside of the slate patio maximizing seating space in the limited size garden. Natural rusting Cor-ten steel fencing adds a layer of interest throughout the garden softening the 6’ high surrounding fencing and helping to carry the users eye from the ground plane up past the fence lines into the horizon; the cor-ten steel also acts as a ribbon, tie-ing the multiple spaces together in this garden. The plant palette uses grasses and rushes to further establish in the subconscious that a natural water source does exist. Planting was performed outside of the wire fence to connect the new landscape to the existing open space; this was successfully done by using perennials and grasses whose foliage matches that of the native hillside, blurring the boundary line of the garden and aesthetically extending the backyard up into the adjacent open space.