Waiting Area for Cedar Counseling & Wellness in Annapolis, MD. In the early stages of designing Cedar Counseling & Wellness, we knew that we wanted the waiting area to be especially warm and welcoming. Despite it’s expansive scale, the sage/olive green-colored walls almost envelope you when you walk in and the warmth felt through the woven basket pendants and wood, slat dividers help to put you at ease. The soft curves of the modern, white sofas were quite intentional, as we wanted pieces with “curves” to off-set some of the “harder”, more direct elements in the room. All of these “softer” elements help to create a safe and welcoming environment.

This basement remodel transforms a previously unfinished lower level into a fully realized retreat designed for entertaining, wellness, and everyday living. Architectural arches define the main living space, creating a sense of flow while adding visual character. A statement wine display and custom bar serve as the focal point, making the space ideal for hosting. Throughout the basement, thoughtful custom features elevate the experience, including a concealed Murphy door, a built-in bunk room, and a custom playhouse designed for daily enjoyment. The full bathroom features detailed tilework that adds depth and refinement, while a private sauna and dedicated home gym introduce a wellness-focused element to the home. Every detail was intentionally designed to balance functionality, comfort, and craftsmanship, resulting in a lower level that feels both elevated and inviting.

The Plantation Shutter Company is the proud dealer of Weatherwell Aluminum Shutters in North and South Carolina. Call us for a Free Estimate 800.922.9572 WeatherWell Elite Shutters For Privacy Exterior Weatherwell Elite Shutters make multi-unit living very private as well as more beautiful. Weatherwell Elite aluminum shutters were the perfect solution for this Houston family who wanted to enjoy their pool gazebo more by creating privacy and protection form the wind and rain. The shutters have operable louvers that give them the ultimate in flexibility and are finished in a textured wood look powder coat which complements their existing wood structure.

This basement remodel transforms a previously unfinished lower level into a fully realized retreat designed for entertaining, wellness, and everyday living. Architectural arches define the main living space, creating a sense of flow while adding visual character. A statement wine display and custom bar serve as the focal point, making the space ideal for hosting. Throughout the basement, thoughtful custom features elevate the experience, including a concealed Murphy door, a built-in bunk room, and a custom playhouse designed for daily enjoyment. The full bathroom features detailed tilework that adds depth and refinement, while a private sauna and dedicated home gym introduce a wellness-focused element to the home. Every detail was intentionally designed to balance functionality, comfort, and craftsmanship, resulting in a lower level that feels both elevated and inviting.

This basement remodel transforms a previously unfinished lower level into a fully realized retreat designed for entertaining, wellness, and everyday living. Architectural arches define the main living space, creating a sense of flow while adding visual character. A statement wine display and custom bar serve as the focal point, making the space ideal for hosting. Throughout the basement, thoughtful custom features elevate the experience, including a concealed Murphy door, a built-in bunk room, and a custom playhouse designed for daily enjoyment. The full bathroom features detailed tilework that adds depth and refinement, while a private sauna and dedicated home gym introduce a wellness-focused element to the home. Every detail was intentionally designed to balance functionality, comfort, and craftsmanship, resulting in a lower level that feels both elevated and inviting.

These well traveled "empty nesters" have created their own tropical oasis to come home to and do plenty of entertaining! This 1980's ranch was transformed into this modern open-concept home with tropical accents and attention to detail. Stunning painted white all wood inset cabinets with a dramatic engineered quartz counters, center island, built-ins galore with glass inserts, modern lighting and a large sliding picture window to the tropical outdoor space and pool. The Luxury Vinyl floors by are stunning as well as practical for this super fun well lived in home.

These well traveled "empty nesters" have created their own tropical oasis to come home to and do plenty of entertaining! This 1980's ranch was transformed into this modern open-concept home with tropical accents and attention to detail. Stunning painted white all wood inset cabinets with a dramatic engineered quartz counters, center island, built-ins galore with glass inserts, modern lighting and a large sliding picture window to the tropical outdoor space and pool. The Luxury Vinyl floors by are stunning as well as practical for this super fun well lived in home.

From the street, it’s an impeccably designed English manor. Once inside, the best of that same storied architecture seamlessly meshes with modernism. This blend of styles was exactly the vibe three-decades-running Houston homebuilder Chris Sims, founder and CEO of Sims Luxury Builders, wanted to convey with the $5.2 million show-home in Houston’s coveted Tanglewood neighborhood. “Our goal was to uniquely combine classic and Old World with clean and modern in both the architectural design as well as the interior finishes,” Chris says. Their aesthetic inspiration is clearly evident in the 8,000-square-foot showcase home’s luxurious gourmet kitchen. It is an exercise in grey and white—and texture. To achieve their vision, the Sims turned to Cantoni. “We had a wonderful experience working with Cantoni several years ago on a client’s home, and were pleased to repeat that success on this project,” Chris says. Cantoni designer Amy McFall, who was tasked with designing the kitchen, promptly took to the home’s beauty. Situated on a half-acre corner lot with majestic oak trees, it boasts simplistic and elegant interiors that allow the detailed architecture to shine. The kitchen opens directly to the family room, which holds a brick wall, beamed ceilings, and a light-and-bright stone fireplace. The generous space overlooks the outdoor pool. With such a large area to work with, “we needed to give the kitchen its own, intimate feel,” Amy says. To that end, Amy integrated dark grey, high-gloss lacquer cabinetry from our Atelier Collection. by Aster Cucine with dark grey oak cabinetry, mixing finishes throughout to add depth and texture. Edginess came by way of custom, heavily veined Calacatta Viola marble on both the countertops and backsplash. The Sims team, meanwhile, insured the layout lent itself to minimalism. “With the inclusion of the scullery and butler’s pantry in the design, we were able to minimize the storage needed in the kitchen itself,” Chris says. “This allowed for the clean, minimalist cabinetry, giving us the creative freedom to go darker with the cabinet color and really make a bold statement in the home.” It was exactly the look they wanted—textural and interesting. “The juxtaposition of ultra-modern kitchen cabinetry and steel windows set against the textures of the wood floors, interior brick, and trim detailing throughout the downstairs provided a fresh take on blending classic and modern,” Chris says. “We’re thrilled with the result—it is showstopping.” They were equally thrilled with the design process. “Amy was incredibly responsive, helpful and knowledgeable,” Chris says. “It was a pleasure working with her and the entire Cantoni team.” Check out the kitchen featured in Modern Luxury Interiors Texas’ annual “Ode to Texas Real Estate” here.

Formal Backyard Garden Showcases the Beauty of Natural Gray Concrete This Pacific Northwest project called for a total backyard transformation that required a significant reduction in lawn space, most of which was saturated and mossy. Emily of Emily Russell Landscape Architecture designed this formal backyard garden which was installed by Northwest Construction & Landscape, LLC. Previously unused space was organized through the creation of a courtyard patio which functions as an extension of the house that the homeowner can use for family gatherings, entertaining, or reflection. Budgetary concerns led her to opt for concrete rather than a mortared flagstone patio. “I always let homeowners know that we can do either for them, but to me, going with concrete is an easy choice to make because of the cost savings,” says Colby Brand, President of Northwest of Construction & Landscape, LLC. Ashlar slate stamped concrete was suggested by Colby to mimic the pattern used in Emily’s conceptual design. The final plan featured natural gray, ashlar slate stamped concrete with antique coloring for texture. Colby and his team poured the steps first. Substantial in size – the rise is 4’ with a run of 5,’ and includes a 4’ landing on top – the steps allow an easy and fluid transition from inside to outside. After the steps were completed, the curved walkway on the side of the house was poured, connecting the backyard to the front yard. Instead of a conventional, rectangular shape for the 647 sf courtyard patio area, the formality of the plan called for sections of the concrete to bump out into the garden beds against the back side of the house, tying the contrasting elements together. Granite urns and curved, concrete benches purchased by the homeowner rest atop the rounded portion of the concrete and provide a space for sitting and an inviting view from the house. Regarding the final product, Emily Russell states, “My client and I are extremely happy with the finished patio. It's such an inviting space that is well loved and used on a regular basis.”

Gorgeous master bedroom with intricate detailing.
Example of a large beach style master medium tone wood floor bedroom design in Miami with blue walls

Nothing evokes the spirit of the ocean more than unobstructed cliff side views of the Pacific and nautical décor. This custom home was built to entertain guests who can’t help but enjoy the pleasures of sunny days and the warmth and light of the unique fire wall into the night.

When it comes to craft supplies, it can be a challenge to keep everything well organized. One thing that Chelsea can't get enough of is the wire basket. " I just can't seem to get rid of [them]', she explains. "I have way more than I need at the moment, but I can't bare to part with them because they can be so handy". In her upstairs craft room, she uses them to contain fabric samples as well as other goods, such as card stock and small boxes. Photo: Adrienne DeRosa Photography © 2014 Houzz

Walkout Basement / Sunken Patio
Basement - basement idea in Denver

When my client had to move from her company office to work at home, she set up in the dining room. Despite her best efforts, this was not the long-term solution she was looking for. My client realized she needed a dedicated space not on the main floor of the home. On one hand, having your office space right next to the kitchen is handy. On the other hand, it made separating work and home life was not that easy. The house was a ranch. In essence, the basement would run entire length of the home. As we came down the steps, we entered a time capsule. The house was built in the 1950’s. The walls were covered with original knotty pine paneling. There was a wood burning fireplace and considering this was a basement, high ceilings. In addition, there was everything her family could not store at their own homes. As we wound though the space, I though “wow this has potential”, Eventually, after walking through the laundry room we came to a small nicely lit room. This would be the office. My client looked at me and asked what I thought. Undoubtedly, I said, this can be a great workspace, but do you really want to walk through this basement and laundry to get here? Without reservation, my client said where do we start? Once the design was in place, we started the renovation. The knotty pine paneling had to go. Specifically, to add some insulation and control the dampness and humidity. The laundry room wall was relocated to create a hallway to the office. At the far end of the room, we designated a workout zone. Weights, mats, exercise bike and television are at the ready for morning or afternoon workouts. The space can be concealed by a folding screen for party time. Doors to an old closet under the stairs were relocated to the workout area for hidden storage. Now we had nice wall for a beautiful console and mirror for storage and serving during parties. In order to add architectural details, we covered the old ugly support columns with simple recessed millwork panels. This detail created a visual division between the bar area and the seating area in front of the fireplace. The old red brick on the fireplace surround was replaced with stack stone. A mantle was made from reclaimed wood. Additional reclaimed wood floating shelves left and right of the fireplace provides decorative display while maintaining a rustic element balancing the copper end table and leather swivel rocker. We found an amazing rug which tied all of the colors together further defining the gathering space. Russet and burnt orange became the accent color unifying each space. With a bit of whimsy, a rather unusual light fixture which looks like roots from a tree growing through the ceiling is a conversation piece. The office space is quite and removed from the main part of the basement. There is a desk large enough for multiple screens, a small bookcase holding office supplies and a comfortable chair for conference calls. Because working from home requires many online meetings, we added a shiplap wall painted in Hale Navy to contrast with the orange fabric on the chair. We finished the décor with a painting from my client’s father. This is the background online visitors will see. The last and best part of the renovation is the beautiful bar. My client is an avid collector of wine. She already had the EuroCave refrigerator, so I incorporated it into the design. The cabinets are painted Temptation Grey from Benjamin Moore. The counter tops are my favorite hard working quartzite Brown Fantasy. The backsplash is a combination of rustic wood and old tin ceiling like porcelain tiles. Together with the textures of the reclaimed wood and hide poofs balanced against the smooth finish of the cabinets, we created a comfortable luxury for relaxing. There is ample storage for bottles, cans, glasses, and anything else you can think of for a great party. In addition to the wine storage, we incorporated a beverage refrigerator, an ice maker, and a sink. Floating shelves with integrated lighting illuminate the back bar. The raised height of the front bar provides the perfect wine tasting and paring spot. I especially love the pendant lights which look like wine glasses. Finally, I selected carpet for the stairs and office. It is perfect for noise reduction. Meanwhile for the overall flooring, I specifically selected a high-performance vinyl plank floor. We often use this product as it is perfect to install on a concrete floor. It is soft to walk on, easy to clean and does not reduce the overall height of the space.

Photo by The H L Turner Group Inc ------ kitchen space located on one side of the multi-purpose room of the lower level.------ Notice (through the window) the use of a Rockwell prefabricated window well unit mounted on the south side ICF foundation wall on the lower level. http://rcmzeroenergy.com/ROSE-Cottage-Project/project-overview.html

Partridge Pond is Acorn Deck House Company’s newest model home. This house is a contemporary take on the classic Deck House. Its open floor plan welcomes guests into the home, while still maintaining a sense of privacy in the master wing and upstairs bedrooms. It features an exposed post and beam structure throughout as well as the signature Deck House ceiling decking in the great room and master suite. The goal for the home was to showcase a mid-century modern and contemporary hybrid that inspires Deck House lovers, old and new.

The center Island is well-proportioned to the space, providing full depth storage in the work zone with ample overhang for seating.
Mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, blue backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

We started with a blank slate on this basement project where our only obstacles were exposed steel support columns, existing plumbing risers from the concrete slab, and dropped soffits concealing ductwork on the ceiling. It had the advantage of tall ceilings, an existing egress window, and a sliding door leading to a newly constructed patio. This family of five loves the beach and frequents summer beach resorts in the Northeast. Bringing that aesthetic home to enjoy all year long was the inspiration for the décor, as well as creating a family-friendly space for entertaining. Wish list items included room for a billiard table, wet bar, game table, family room, guest bedroom, full bathroom, space for a treadmill and closed storage. The existing structural elements helped to define how best to organize the basement. For instance, we knew we wanted to connect the bar area and billiards table with the patio in order to create an indoor/outdoor entertaining space. It made sense to use the egress window for the guest bedroom for both safety and natural light. The bedroom also would be adjacent to the plumbing risers for easy access to the new bathroom. Since the primary focus of the family room would be for TV viewing, natural light did not need to filter into that space. We made sure to hide the columns inside of newly constructed walls and dropped additional soffits where needed to make the ceiling mechanicals feel less random. In addition to the beach vibe, the homeowner has valuable sports memorabilia that was to be prominently displayed including two seats from the original Yankee stadium. For a coastal feel, shiplap is used on two walls of the family room area. In the bathroom shiplap is used again in a more creative way using wood grain white porcelain tile as the horizontal shiplap “wood”. We connected the tile horizontally with vertical white grout joints and mimicked the horizontal shadow line with dark grey grout. At first glance it looks like we wrapped the shower with real wood shiplap. Materials including a blue and white patterned floor, blue penny tiles and a natural wood vanity checked the list for that seaside feel. A large reclaimed wood door on an exposed sliding barn track separates the family room from the game room where reclaimed beams are punctuated with cable lighting. Cabinetry and a beverage refrigerator are tucked behind the rolling bar cabinet (that doubles as a Blackjack table!). A TV and upright video arcade machine round-out the entertainment in the room. Bar stools, two rotating club chairs, and large square poufs along with the Yankee Stadium seats provide fun places to sit while having a drink, watching billiards or a game on the TV. Signed baseballs can be found behind the bar, adjacent to the billiard table, and on specially designed display shelves next to the poker table in the family room. Thoughtful touches like the surfboards, signage, photographs and accessories make a visitor feel like they are on vacation at a well-appointed beach resort without being cliché.

Baker Kavanagh Architects are a firm focused on creating architecture of honesty, imagination and integrity. Their heritage refurbishments have an optimism, are a delight. Wells Street is an exclusive residential development in Redfern on the edge of Sydney's CBD, consisting of a house, three contemporary terraces and the refurbishment of three heritage terraces. No stuffy refurb here. There is almost a sense of joy, a celebration of houses reborn, streetscapes renewed. Tomorrow I'll post an amazing church conversion that Baker Kavanagh Architects have shared.