When a pandemic threatens to keep you locked down inside, there’s only one thing for you to do: Create a stylish sanctuary in your own backyard! This reasoning spurred the inspiration for the backyard restyle at Project GC, which saw Ariel and Robert furnishing and styling their outdoor space on a budget so they could take advantage of the weather and spend more time outside while WFH during Covid. Our goal was to design with the great outdoors in mind by selecting furnishings that could withstand the weather and could remain outside throughout the seasons. The traditional work desk was swapped for an outdoor table that could easily multitask, and we used an outdoor rug that was both comfy and weather practical. We intentionally chose furniture that was light and easy to carry so we could shuffle the style to suit our lifestyle. The blue ottomans allowed us to convert the space from WFH mode to entertainer mode and we added in some comfort and color with seat and back cushions. Finally, we created mood lighting with strung lights and lanterns of different scales that could remain outside. Voila – an outdoor space we could work, play and stay in!

Entryway - mid-sized coastal dark wood floor and brown floor entryway idea in Milwaukee with blue walls and a blue front door

Elevate your dining experience with our premium wallpaper installation, designed for Athens’ most charming homes. Our expert wallpaper installers specialize in creating elegant, inviting spaces perfect for entertaining friends and family. Dining Room Wallpaper Specialties ✔ Southern-Inspired Textures – Classic damasks, magnolia motifs, and warm neutrals ✔ Light-Enhancing Finishes – Reflects candlelight and chandelier glow beautifully ✔ Formal Pattern Matching – Perfect alignment for traditional and modern designs ✔ Durable Vinyl Options – Family-friendly and easy to clean ✔ Accent Wall Statements – Bold murals or metallic finishes for drama The Athens Advantage ✅ Entertainment-Ready Installation – Completed before your next dinner party ✅ Precision Alignment – Flawless patterns for a polished look ✅ Free Design Consultations – Local expertise for classic Southern style ✅ 1-2 Day Transformations – Minimal disruption to your home ✅ Eco-Friendly Materials – Low-VOC adhesives and sustainable papers Popular Dining Room Styles • Classic Southern Elegance – Timeless florals and scrollwork • Modern Farmhouse – Subtle textures and neutral palettes • University-Inspired – Scholarly prints and vintage book patterns • Rustic Charm – Weathered wood and stone-look finishes Serving Athens’ Finest Homes – From Downtown to the historic districts. Create your perfect dining ambiance—schedule a consultation today!

Linda Oyama Bryan
Inspiration for a large modern backyard concrete paver patio remodel in Chicago with no cover

With Pinterest, Houzz and HGTV, homeowners have more sources for inspiration than ever before. You may have found, however, that replicating what you see online or on TV isn’t always that simple. Mastering proportion and scale can be especially challenging. Let’s say you fall in love with an oversized vase which looks like it will fit with the colors and textures in your living room. But once it’s there, the vase doesn’t look the way you expected and you don’t know now to make it work. Fortunately, designers are experienced not only in dealing with proportion and scale, but in handling multiple elements at once. In the meantime, here are a few tips to help you understand some of the considerations regarding size. Proportion Tips 1. Less is more In the home shown here, the rooms are on the smaller side, where it would seem counterintuitive to use oversized pieces. But using smaller pieces can look busy—and can actually make the rooms feel smaller, especially when you add personal belongings to the space. 2. Keep it simple Several oversized pieces can create clean, simple lines. We put this principle to work using oversized items as anchors on both sides of the fireplace in the living room. On one side, we have two oversized blown-glass vases with amber, silver and purple tones. The irregular shapes in these beautiful pieces create interest and contrast; you can see through them and you can see the room reflected in them. On the other side of the fireplace sit two oversized brass lanterns filled with driftwood and greenery; the contents can be switched out seasonally, as well. The vases on one side and lanterns on the other side establish pattern (two of each, in descending order), balance and simplicity. 3. Embrace the unexpected On the mantle above the fireplace rests another oversized piece—a painting of a barn. Its neutral colors pick up the tones in the stone behind it and again, it works to bring simplicity to the space, rather than overly fussy detail. Nearby, just up the stairs, is an unusually spacious landing. A bench and pillows transform it into a special reading or conversation spot. The pair of hammered nickel vases on the window sill repeats the pattern established on either side of the fireplace. Using oversized vases in lieu of a window treatment is unexpected—as is incorporating sleek, modern-shaped vases like these in a farmhouse-style home. Yet because of the other oversized objects nearby, the vases feel distinctive and delightful. 4. Coordinate pattern and rhythm Another oversized item is the table lamp in the living room. It’s a powerful light; aside from the overhead can lights, it’s the room’s only light source. The ridges on its ceramic base echo the pieces of wicker in the stunning basket behind the sofa. This oversized wicker basket, which we’re a bit in love with, features a very large weave along with elegant leather straps. It’s ideal for storing throws, cushions, board games or anything else you want out of sight. 5. Proximity matters This home’s dining room is just to the right of the entry. An immense floor mirror—double-framed in weathered wood—is placed opposite the front windows. Measuring seven feet high, it’s a bold piece. And it works perfectly in this space to reflect light and make the room feel larger. An oversized ceramic vase, with a porous, matte-stone finish, sits atop a table next to the mirror. Other regular-sized items share the small table, including a bottle of wine and a glass vase. But because of the enormous mirror, it was important to have one oversized item on that table, for balance.

The customers desired a secluded environment for retreat at the end of a long workday. The project began with stone selection. We desired an organic stone that would age beautifully over time, and shape the walls and features of the space. Our team faced major logistics challenges throughout the project. The wooded property sloped away from the house dramatically making difficulty bringing in large materials and machinery needed to complete the job. Tree protection and a temporary road were constructed for the duration of the project. Stone placement was key to success for this project. We hand-selected each boulder for the project and assembled the stones by similar grain patterns and colors to create authenticity. The idea was to give the illusion that these natural limestone formations existed on the property before the home and landscaping was created adding a great mystery to the overall feature. The viewer is surrounded by large stone walls with cascades of water that have shaped the stone over time. The viewer is given the illusion that the source of water comes from the distance of the property and cascades into a secluded area. We designed an underground cistern to hold rain water run-off allowing the water feature to naturally filter the water for re-use. The pump system is run on a Variable Frequency Drive for programmable automation, allowing the customer to run the waterfall at different flow rates at different times of day allowing for operation cost savings, and low energy consumption. Linda Oyama Bryan

The options and patterns are endless and make a unique statement in any garden.
Example of a small beach style backyard concrete paver patio design

Wallpaper Installation – Hallway in Dinuba Transform your transitional spaces with professional hallway wallpaper installation in Dinuba. As your local wallpaper specialist, I turn ordinary corridors into stunning galleries with Central Valley charm and durability. ✔ Hallway-Specific Expertise Heavy-duty vinyl wallpaper for high-traffic areas Vertical pattern matching to enhance narrow spaces Scratch-resistant finishes for active households ✔ Dinuba-Adapted Solutions Dust-resistant materials for agricultural areas Fade-proof prints for sunlit passages Easy-clean surfaces for busy families ✔ Complete Hallway Services Runner-style designs that guide the eye Ceiling treatments to elevate low corridors Wallpaper repair for scuffed areas Why Dinuba Homeowners Choose Us: ✔ 1-Day Makeovers – Minimal disruption to your home ✔ Free Design Consultation – Help selecting elongating patterns ✔ Agricultural Family Discounts ✔ Pet-Friendly Materials – Safe for farm dogs Popular Dinuba Hallway Styles: • Sun-Kissed Vintage – Weathered citrus crate labels • Modern Farmhouse – Subtle shiplap textures • Central Valley Harvest – Vine and orchard motifs • Spanish Colonial – Traditional tile patterns Serving All of Dinuba – From downtown to rural ranch homes.

This gorgeous home was in need of a refresh. A cozy sectional was the first order of business. The family of six spends a lot of time watching movies and need a family room that could accommodate everyone comfortably, This 48" deep sectional is done in a scrumptious chocolate chenille which is both pet and kid friendly. Storage was the next thing to tackle. We chose a pair of weathered wood chests to flank the stone fireplace and mounted a pair of custom hand scraped floating shelves above. The clients were thrilled and asked us to move on to the dining room, foyer and master bed room. How could we say no?

Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal backyard patio remodel in Calgary with decking and no cover

With Pinterest, Houzz and HGTV, homeowners have more sources for inspiration than ever before. You may have found, however, that replicating what you see online or on TV isn’t always that simple. Mastering proportion and scale can be especially challenging. Let’s say you fall in love with an oversized vase which looks like it will fit with the colors and textures in your living room. But once it’s there, the vase doesn’t look the way you expected and you don’t know now to make it work. Fortunately, designers are experienced not only in dealing with proportion and scale, but in handling multiple elements at once. In the meantime, here are a few tips to help you understand some of the considerations regarding size. Proportion Tips 1. Less is more In the home shown here, the rooms are on the smaller side, where it would seem counterintuitive to use oversized pieces. But using smaller pieces can look busy—and can actually make the rooms feel smaller, especially when you add personal belongings to the space. 2. Keep it simple Several oversized pieces can create clean, simple lines. We put this principle to work using oversized items as anchors on both sides of the fireplace in the living room. On one side, we have two oversized blown-glass vases with amber, silver and purple tones. The irregular shapes in these beautiful pieces create interest and contrast; you can see through them and you can see the room reflected in them. On the other side of the fireplace sit two oversized brass lanterns filled with driftwood and greenery; the contents can be switched out seasonally, as well. The vases on one side and lanterns on the other side establish pattern (two of each, in descending order), balance and simplicity. 3. Embrace the unexpected On the mantle above the fireplace rests another oversized piece—a painting of a barn. Its neutral colors pick up the tones in the stone behind it and again, it works to bring simplicity to the space, rather than overly fussy detail. Nearby, just up the stairs, is an unusually spacious landing. A bench and pillows transform it into a special reading or conversation spot. The pair of hammered nickel vases on the window sill repeats the pattern established on either side of the fireplace. Using oversized vases in lieu of a window treatment is unexpected—as is incorporating sleek, modern-shaped vases like these in a farmhouse-style home. Yet because of the other oversized objects nearby, the vases feel distinctive and delightful. 4. Coordinate pattern and rhythm Another oversized item is the table lamp in the living room. It’s a powerful light; aside from the overhead can lights, it’s the room’s only light source. The ridges on its ceramic base echo the pieces of wicker in the stunning basket behind the sofa. This oversized wicker basket, which we’re a bit in love with, features a very large weave along with elegant leather straps. It’s ideal for storing throws, cushions, board games or anything else you want out of sight. 5. Proximity matters This home’s dining room is just to the right of the entry. An immense floor mirror—double-framed in weathered wood—is placed opposite the front windows. Measuring seven feet high, it’s a bold piece. And it works perfectly in this space to reflect light and make the room feel larger. An oversized ceramic vase, with a porous, matte-stone finish, sits atop a table next to the mirror. Other regular-sized items share the small table, including a bottle of wine and a glass vase. But because of the enormous mirror, it was important to have one oversized item on that table, for balance.

The unique cabinets of this kitchen are from Echelon cabinetry, in the Belleview door style with the Storm stained finish. With a stained wood product, you are able to still see the grain patterns, variations of color, and the unique markings produced by nature. A simply elegant counter top by Cambria in Torquay compliments the cabinets. To tie the countertop and cabinets together the homeowners used Viella Café Cream for the main tile and accent tile called Ivory Linear Mosaic. Bringing the space together is a fresh coat of paint, new recessed lights and two pendant lights hung over the island. Keepsake photography and design

Wallpaper Installation – Hallway in Dinuba Transform your transitional spaces with professional hallway wallpaper installation in Dinuba. As your local wallpaper specialist, I turn ordinary corridors into stunning galleries with Central Valley charm and durability. ✔ Hallway-Specific Expertise Heavy-duty vinyl wallpaper for high-traffic areas Vertical pattern matching to enhance narrow spaces Scratch-resistant finishes for active households ✔ Dinuba-Adapted Solutions Dust-resistant materials for agricultural areas Fade-proof prints for sunlit passages Easy-clean surfaces for busy families ✔ Complete Hallway Services Runner-style designs that guide the eye Ceiling treatments to elevate low corridors Wallpaper repair for scuffed areas Why Dinuba Homeowners Choose Us: ✔ 1-Day Makeovers – Minimal disruption to your home ✔ Free Design Consultation – Help selecting elongating patterns ✔ Agricultural Family Discounts ✔ Pet-Friendly Materials – Safe for farm dogs Popular Dinuba Hallway Styles: • Sun-Kissed Vintage – Weathered citrus crate labels • Modern Farmhouse – Subtle shiplap textures • Central Valley Harvest – Vine and orchard motifs • Spanish Colonial – Traditional tile patterns Serving All of Dinuba – From downtown to rural ranch homes.

The customers desired a secluded environment for retreat at the end of a long workday. The project began with stone selection. We desired an organic stone that would age beautifully over time, and shape the walls and features of the space. Our team faced major logistics challenges throughout the project. The wooded property sloped away from the house dramatically making difficulty bringing in large materials and machinery needed to complete the job. Tree protection and a temporary road were constructed for the duration of the project. Stone placement was key to success for this project. We hand-selected each boulder for the project and assembled the stones by similar grain patterns and colors to create authenticity. The idea was to give the illusion that these natural limestone formations existed on the property before the home and landscaping was created adding a great mystery to the overall feature. The viewer is surrounded by large stone walls with cascades of water that have shaped the stone over time. The viewer is given the illusion that the source of water comes from the distance of the property and cascades into a secluded area. We designed an underground cistern to hold rain water run-off allowing the water feature to naturally filter the water for re-use. The pump system is run on a Variable Frequency Drive for programmable automation, allowing the customer to run the waterfall at different flow rates at different times of day allowing for operation cost savings, and low energy consumption. Linda Oyama Bryan

The customers desired a secluded environment for retreat at the end of a long workday. The project began with stone selection. We desired an organic stone that would age beautifully over time, and shape the walls and features of the space. Our team faced major logistics challenges throughout the project. The wooded property sloped away from the house dramatically making difficulty bringing in large materials and machinery needed to complete the job. Tree protection and a temporary road were constructed for the duration of the project. Stone placement was key to success for this project. We hand-selected each boulder for the project and assembled the stones by similar grain patterns and colors to create authenticity. The idea was to give the illusion that these natural limestone formations existed on the property before the home and landscaping was created adding a great mystery to the overall feature. The viewer is surrounded by large stone walls with cascades of water that have shaped the stone over time. The viewer is given the illusion that the source of water comes from the distance of the property and cascades into a secluded area. We designed an underground cistern to hold rain water run-off allowing the water feature to naturally filter the water for re-use. The pump system is run on a Variable Frequency Drive for programmable automation, allowing the customer to run the waterfall at different flow rates at different times of day allowing for operation cost savings, and low energy consumption. Linda Oyama Bryan

A masculine space for entertaining with familiar features of a “man cave” is rendered in highly sophisticated materials and details. Bleached walnut and weathered wood furniture add warmth, while blackened steel construction and spill-proof Marmoleum flooring speak to the darkness of the TV’s on the media wall. Cork flooring delineates a bar area from the rest of the room and is a reference to the beverage of choice. A new men’s room is conveniently located nearby. Photo by David Duncan Livingston

The great room was enlarged with a two-story ceiling, a full wall of large-scale sliding doors and windows that overlook the backyard pool. The fireplace surround was revitalized with Arto Brick’s buckle patterned tile in a charcoal hue. A 1700s reclaimed timber is repurposed as the mantel piece, another nod to the old vs. new aesthetic.

Photo: Sarah Seung McFarland © 2017 Houzz Design: Michelle Cage
Inspiration for an eclectic dining room remodel in Philadelphia

With Pinterest, Houzz and HGTV, homeowners have more sources for inspiration than ever before. You may have found, however, that replicating what you see online or on TV isn’t always that simple. Mastering proportion and scale can be especially challenging. Let’s say you fall in love with an oversized vase which looks like it will fit with the colors and textures in your living room. But once it’s there, the vase doesn’t look the way you expected and you don’t know now to make it work. Fortunately, designers are experienced not only in dealing with proportion and scale, but in handling multiple elements at once. In the meantime, here are a few tips to help you understand some of the considerations regarding size. Proportion Tips 1. Less is more In the home shown here, the rooms are on the smaller side, where it would seem counterintuitive to use oversized pieces. But using smaller pieces can look busy—and can actually make the rooms feel smaller, especially when you add personal belongings to the space. 2. Keep it simple Several oversized pieces can create clean, simple lines. We put this principle to work using oversized items as anchors on both sides of the fireplace in the living room. On one side, we have two oversized blown-glass vases with amber, silver and purple tones. The irregular shapes in these beautiful pieces create interest and contrast; you can see through them and you can see the room reflected in them. On the other side of the fireplace sit two oversized brass lanterns filled with driftwood and greenery; the contents can be switched out seasonally, as well. The vases on one side and lanterns on the other side establish pattern (two of each, in descending order), balance and simplicity. 3. Embrace the unexpected On the mantle above the fireplace rests another oversized piece—a painting of a barn. Its neutral colors pick up the tones in the stone behind it and again, it works to bring simplicity to the space, rather than overly fussy detail. Nearby, just up the stairs, is an unusually spacious landing. A bench and pillows transform it into a special reading or conversation spot. The pair of hammered nickel vases on the window sill repeats the pattern established on either side of the fireplace. Using oversized vases in lieu of a window treatment is unexpected—as is incorporating sleek, modern-shaped vases like these in a farmhouse-style home. Yet because of the other oversized objects nearby, the vases feel distinctive and delightful. 4. Coordinate pattern and rhythm Another oversized item is the table lamp in the living room. It’s a powerful light; aside from the overhead can lights, it’s the room’s only light source. The ridges on its ceramic base echo the pieces of wicker in the stunning basket behind the sofa. This oversized wicker basket, which we’re a bit in love with, features a very large weave along with elegant leather straps. It’s ideal for storing throws, cushions, board games or anything else you want out of sight. 5. Proximity matters This home’s dining room is just to the right of the entry. An immense floor mirror—double-framed in weathered wood—is placed opposite the front windows. Measuring seven feet high, it’s a bold piece. And it works perfectly in this space to reflect light and make the room feel larger. An oversized ceramic vase, with a porous, matte-stone finish, sits atop a table next to the mirror. Other regular-sized items share the small table, including a bottle of wine and a glass vase. But because of the enormous mirror, it was important to have one oversized item on that table, for balance.