Inspiration for a large transitional open concept light wood floor family room remodel in Los Angeles with gray walls and a concealed tv

Wild Geranium / Geranium maculatum
Inspiration for a landscaping in Minneapolis.

Laundry room - rustic laundry room idea in Charlotte

design: Carrie Preston (Studio TOOP) and Jasper Helmantel (Cruydt Hoeck), 2011 location: Appeltern, NL status: built in 2012 by Appeltern Model Garden Complex photos: Jolanthe Lalkens, October 2012 Designed as assignment from both the Dutch gardening magazine Groei & Bloei and the television and radio nature program Vara's Vroege Vogels, this garden serves as a model of how homeowners can incorporate lots of plant life and wildlife into the design but without sacrificing practicality or aesthetics. The garden is deliberately contemporary in its style to emphasize that nature-rich gardens need not look a certain way - insects and birds don't care if the lines are straight or curved. At the same time the garden makes use of affordable, simple, no-nonsense materials. The 40x60 cm paving stones are one of the most common and affordable paving options in the Netherlands, available en masse for free on the Internet. Conceptually we imagined a garden completely paved with the tiles (as to many gardens are) and what would happen if took out some of these stones, used them to build benches and structure and added plants where the tiles had been. In the construction of the benches we include other materials such as bamboo sticks and insulation bricks that create habitat for insects such as solitary bees. The plant palette is based on a selection of native and host plants in combination with the 26 plants plan set up by Groei & Boei -- a list of plants aimed at making the use of more plants in gardens accessible and less intimidating. The choice for the number 26 corresponds with the number of letters in the alphabet in line with the famous Dutch garden designer Mien Ruy's comment that if we only need 26 letters to create a whole language, we should be able to combine and mix 26 plants to express far more than we think.

Family room - mid-sized transitional enclosed light wood floor family room idea in Orange County with gray walls

Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Orange County with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a drop-in sink

This handsome example of a large North American black bear standing firmly upon a rocky precipice captures the majesty of this king of the mountain as he looks downward from his lofty heights. "King of the Mountain" sculpture would surely look stunning placed on a mantle, office desk, coffee table, or wherever you choose to place it.

As a 23 year professional in wildlife control, I see hundreds of situations every month with nuisance animals going into places that they don't belong. Some of those places are more common than others. I recently addressed a skunk infestation for a residence in Glen Ellyn, IL. The challenge involved a family of skunks that had taken residence under the front concrete stoop. Concrete and skunks are never a good mix because concrete is porous, when a skunk sprays the odors penetrate and will permeate for months and months as the weather gets warm or humidity rises. My approach was methodical and focused on humane Glen Ellyn skunk removal. The process began with the strategic placement of live traps near the stoop, ensuring minimal distress to the animals. These traps are industry standard, designed to safely contain the skunks without harm. Regular monitoring of these traps was a critical part of the process, ensuring the skunks were not confined for an extended period. Upon successful capture, the skunks were removed and the animal proofing work was next on the list. Skunk exclusion work, is a critical component in preventing future infestations of skunks, raccoons or opossums. This involved a thorough inspection and sealing of potential entry points with steel mesh buried underground at a specific depth and angle. Skunk-proofing is a vital step in ensuring long-term resolution to wildlife intrusions. Once the skunks were gone and the area was sealed, we performed an ozone treatment to the basement with a special filter to sub the air, destroying the skunk spray's odor molecules from the air. Typically the reason people discover skunks under the stoop to begin with is because the odor from spraying. For residents in and around Glen Ellyn experiencing similar issues, we offer humane, effective, and affordable wildlife control solutions. Expertise in skunk removal and exclusion is just a call away!

Photo of a landscaping in Jacksonville.

Adult Bald Eagle and Alaskan Winter Animal Wildlife Nature Photograph Canvas Wall Art Print in Neutral Room Setting. Explore print options: https://pipafineart.com/pages/wall-art-rustic-farmhouse-adult-bald-eagle-and-alaskan-winter-landscape-prints

Along South Boulder Creek near Eldorado Springs, Basecamp is more than a home—it’s the launching point for a couple’s next great adventure in retirement. This 3,500 square foot sanctuary reflects the homeowners’ love of art, wildlife, and quiet beauty. Working with Rodwin Architecture, they envisioned a home that honors the site, celebrates natural light, and supports aging in place—while creating daily moments of connection to the outdoors. The home is a spatially rich design with an open yet composed rhythm, where carefully framed views bring both privacy and panorama. The owners infused it with inspirations from Europe, including its traditional beam-work, a unique tearoom solarium, and an exquisite old-world kitchen. Inside, natural materials and layered finishes create a warm, inviting palette. Creamy Texas limestone wraps the fireplace hearth, while bold art, custom furnishings, and handcrafted details bring joyful character throughout. The great room anchors the home with vaulted ceilings, exposed timber beams, and expansive windows that capture views of the mountains and the creek. Window seats create intimate moments for reading, reflection, and wildlife watching. The home’s L-shaped plan places the great room on a 45-degree angle between wings to capture a perfect view across the meadow to the Flatirons – and carefully nestled between a pair of beloved hundred-year-old Cottonwoods. This gesture opens to a sweeping patio that cascades into the landscape, connecting every main living space to the outdoors. The site terraces down to restored creek banks, supporting safe passage for elk, deer, coyotes, and more through renewed wildlife corridors. Basecamp is also a model of ecological stewardship. After deconstructing the previous home, 89% of materials were diverted from the landfill through Perks Deconstruction. The new home achieved a HERS rating of 22 and includes a 9.6 kW rooftop solar array, a 20 SEER air-source heat pump, ERV, LED lighting, and low-flow fixtures. In partnership with a local biologist and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the team integrated subtle screening to protect the threatened Preble’s meadow jumping mouse by shielding night lighting. The result is a retreat that forms a partnership with its site —rooted in place, open to the wild—and true to its name: a Basecamp you reach after miles on the trail, where the light softens, wildflowers line the meadow, and you feel both held by the landscape and free within it. Built by Skycastle Construction.

design: Studio TOOP, 2013 location: Rotterdam, NL status: built in 2014, Weldam Groenprojecten photo: Hans Clauzing, 2014 Our good friend Gerda is an avid photographer with a special interest in nature photography and butterflies. She also suffers from a lung disease that sometimes leaves her less mobile and able to head out to pursue this passion. A garden to take pictures in, even when you're not up to heading further out into the world. That was the main goal of this garden. With limited means and the use of affordable materials we created a wheel chair friendly garden that offers ample space for both human and wild life.

design: Studio TOOP, 2013 location: Rotterdam, NL status: built in 2014, Weldam Groenprojecten photo: Hans Clauzing, 2014 Our good friend Gerda is an avid photographer with a special interest in nature photography and butterflies. She also suffers from a lung disease that sometimes leaves her less mobile and able to head out to pursue this passion. A garden to take pictures in, even when you're not up to heading further out into the world. That was the main goal of this garden. With limited means and the use of affordable materials we created a wheel chair friendly garden that offers ample space for both human and wild life.

Deck - contemporary deck idea in Vancouver with a fire pit and no cover

Michelle Peek Photography
Example of a large trendy medium tone wood floor and brown floor great room design in Toronto with white walls and no fireplace

Beach style exterior home photo in Vancouver

design: Studio TOOP, 2013 location: Rotterdam, NL status: built in 2014, Weldam Groenprojecten photo: Hans Clauzing, 2014 Our good friend Gerda is an avid photographer with a special interest in nature photography and butterflies. She also suffers from a lung disease that sometimes leaves her less mobile and able to head out to pursue this passion. A garden to take pictures in, even when you're not up to heading further out into the world. That was the main goal of this garden. With limited means and the use of affordable materials we created a wheel chair friendly garden that offers ample space for both human and wild life.