View of the stream and plantings 1 year after installation. Sunrise Landscape and Design created a recirculating stream in the clients front yard, installed new landscaping, and created a paver drive that tied into the front entrance.stone on the front of the house entrance.

A before shot! This south Denver, Colorado neighborhood has a 1/2 of stream running through it. The old stream was built with concrete and through the years, the concrete split, became broken up, and there were numerous leaks. Within a few months time, the four streams, two running into a large lake, two running out of the lake, were lined with EPDM 20 year liner and transformed into a gorgeous setting. We put in several lily ponds, waterfalls, hundreds of aquatic plants, built islands and a beautiful bog that houses thalia, zebra rush, irises and water lilies! Rocky Mountain WaterScape

Open-concept l-shaped kitchen with center island © Cindy Apple Photography
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized contemporary l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Ecosystem Ponds are the crown jewel of the Water Feature world. They soon become the centerpiece of your landscape. These low-maintenance, natural-looking water gardens work with Mother Nature, not against her, to stay clean and clear without using chemicals or UV sterilizers or anything artificial. The key is the symbiotic relationship between the Pond Fish, the beneficial bacteria, and the Aquatic Plants. There is no sound in nature quite as relaxing as moving, falling water. It soothes away your stress at the end of a long day and you instantly start to feel more relaxed. Watching the Koi and other Pond Fish gracefully swimming around and nibbling from the underwater rocks and gravel can be almost hypnotizing. A variety of birds come to drink and bathe in the stream and colorful dragonflies flit here and there on mosquito patrol. Water lilies bloom in almost every color you can imagine and you'll soon see that frogs really DO sit on lily pads! Having one of these Ponds in your landscape is like coming home every day to a private vacation retreat right in your own backyard! Texas Ponds and Water Features creates some of the most beautiful and natural looking Ecosystem Ponds and Water Gardens in the Austin and Central Texas area. We also work in the Houston, Southeast Texas area and almost anywhere in between. Working with only natural stone, our specialists craft waterfalls and ponds that look as if they had been carved by the hand of nature. Our two main pond guys have over 27 years of experience between them. We are at the Master level of Certified Aquascape Contractors--among the best in the world at what we do. Contact us today to get started on your own backyard paradise.

Nothing naturalizes a stream and gives it character more than adding moss and aquatic plants. This is a water garden, not just a waterfall. Adding aquatic plants each season is a fun thing to do to change up the look year after year. Here, we have impatiens and corkscrew rush submerged in the water and feeding off the nutrients in the water column.

Deck - small contemporary rooftop deck idea in Chicago with a fire pit

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Fairview Builders, LLC
Photo of a rustic backyard landscaping.

We drew inspiration from traditional prairie motifs and updated them for this modern home in the mountains. Throughout the residence, there is a strong theme of horizontal lines integrated with a natural, woodsy palette and a gallery-like aesthetic on the inside. Interiors by Alchemy Design Photography by Todd Crawford Built by Tyner Construction

Inspiration for a rustic exterior home remodel in Denver

Country Garden Residence by Olson Kunding. Photos by: Jeremy Bitterman
Inspiration for a cottage gray one-story wood gable roof remodel in Portland with a metal roof

This small infill lot allowed for a home that builds on the traditions of Mill Valley hillside houses. Floating flat roofs that become roof decks and courtyards are carved out of the hillside. The project is a spacious 1,650 s.f. distributed on 4 levels each with Southern exposure, capturing light and warmth all year round. Photo Credit: David Livingston

A Custom Patio Cover in Katy TX. This project was designed and built to include an outdoor kitchen, outdoor fireplace, and large patio cover addition. The patio cover structure was built to look original to the home. The patio cover was built using all matching materials and the customer decided to upgrade to a stack stone on the outdoor kitchen and outdoor fireplace as well as adding a stained tongue and groove ceiling. The hearth and mantle feature a honed sandstone with chiseled edge. The outdoor kitchen boasts a 42inch gas grill, outdoor refrigerator, sink, storage, and a wrap-around bar-top with a rounded table top at the end of the bar for additional seating. Outdoor TV's were installed on the outdoor fireplace as well as in the outdoor kitchen area. This custom built patio cover addition with outdoor fireplace and outdoor kitchen is truly a first class outdoor living project that is sure to bring many years of entertaining and leisure opportunities. Call Tradition Outdoor Living at (832)829-5829 today for a free consultation and quote! Or visit us at: www.TraditionOutdoorLiving.com

Trendy living room photo in Ottawa

The controls for the tub and shower are located within easy reach at the entry to the tub. The shower head is at the opposite end so you don't have to stand in the stream while temperatures are adjusted. A large custom niche adds shelving that matches the modern design. A high opaque window provides light while guaranteeing privacy. Photo Credit: Nadine Priestley

Georgia Coast Design & Construction - Southern Living Custom Builder Showcase Home at St. Simons Island, GA Built on a one-acre, lakefront lot on the north end of St. Simons Island, the Southern Living Custom Builder Showcase Home is characterized as Old World European featuring exterior finishes of Mosstown brick and Old World stucco, Weathered Wood colored designer shingles, cypress beam accents and a handcrafted Mahogany door. Inside the three-bedroom, 2,400-square-foot showcase home, Old World rustic and modern European style blend with high craftsmanship to create a sense of timeless quality, stability, and tranquility. Behind the scenes, energy efficient technologies combine with low maintenance materials to create a home that is economical to maintain for years to come. The home's open floor plan offers a dining room/kitchen/great room combination with an easy flow for entertaining or family interaction. The interior features arched doorways, textured walls and distressed hickory floors.

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz
Farmhouse kitchen photo in New York

Designing a whole home remodel for a client’s second home was an exciting opportunity to create a space that felt both welcoming and timeless. The clients wanted a space that felt light, bright, and timeless. We focused on an open-concept layout, maximizing natural light and incorporating soft, neutral tones that complemented the desert landscape. The main showstopper of the home was the kitchen, which the family considered the heart of the home. Featuring high-end finishes, the kitchen became a space for both cooking and gathering, designed for both functionality and elegance. Thoughtful touches, such as custom cabinetry, integrated appliances, and custom hood, helped elevate the entire space, making it a true focal point. With a thoughtful blend of modern design and classic touches, the remodel was tailored to ensure the space could grow with the family and become a place they would cherish and enjoy for years to come.