Image by 'Ancient Surfaces' Product name: Antique Stone and Marble Bathroom Elements. Contacts: (212) 461-0245 Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com Those antique stone elements used in creating the crème de la crème of award winning bathrooms could be used today in rendering your humble bathroom into a magical indoor dreamscape equivalent to having your own exotic travel destination just a few step away from bed. Allow yourself a full body and mind therapy that will let you unwind and escape from life's constraints and worries for an ephemeral period that will feel like an eternity... From our antique marble and stone sinks, specialty reclaimed shower stones, floors and counter vanities, all our stone creations are guaranteed to give your bathroom a unique composition and arcane feel. Our stone elements are considered by many high profile designers and architects a badge of honor that helps them achieve an overall creative design vision for your house.

Backyard Oasis
Example of a large classic backyard custom-shaped natural hot tub design in Toronto

DAGR Design creates walls that reflect your design style, whether you like off center, creative design or prefer the calming feeling of this symmetrical wall. Warm up a grey space with textures like wood shelves and panel stone. Add a pop of color or pattern to create interest. image credits DAGR Design

Trendy gray two-story flat roof photo in Phoenix

Large transitional guest medium tone wood floor bedroom photo in New York with blue walls

The hidden murphy bed is located in the living room, turning a one bedroom loft into a two bedroom. The secret space has it's own identity with an upholstered gray headboard, a charcoal interior, decorative pillows and original art.

Photos by Jeff Herr Photography
Transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Atlanta with wood countertops, an island, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, green backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

In Seattle's Fremont neighborhood SCJ Studio designed a new landscape to surround and set off a contemporary home by Coates Design Architects. The narrow spaces around the tall home needed structure and organization, and a thoughtful approach to layout and space programming. A concrete patio was installed with a Paloform Bento gas fire feature surrounded by lush, northwest planting. A horizontal board cedar fence provides privacy from the street and creates the cozy feeling of an outdoor room among the trees. LED low-voltage lighting by Kichler Lighting adds night-time warmth . Photography by: Miranda Estes Photography

A view through the garden rooms, a gravel path leads through to the many spaces. The path is lined with cushwa brick outlining the spaces. Terra cotta containers are filled with boxwood and petunia; pachysandra and bugleweed ground cover fill the flanking and center beds. A cast iron bench offers an opportunity to sit and enjoy the space, with the fountain creating a pleasant sound. The wall is graced with two standard form lilacs. Photo Credit: Linda Oyama Bryan

Russell Abraham
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern two-story mixed siding flat roof remodel in San Francisco

Each child has their own vegetable garden which inspires them to eat healthier
Design ideas for a contemporary landscaping in San Diego.

Photo by Marianne Majerus
Example of an urban courtyard gravel patio vertical garden design in London with no cover

This is an example of a traditional backyard brick landscaping in Atlanta.

This is a 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 1 acre water view lot with game room, study, pool, spa and lanai summer kitchen.
Inspiration for a large transitional enclosed dark wood floor living room remodel in Orlando with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a media wall

A properly installed, low maintenance, ecologically balanced work of art for you to enjoy everyday. Unlike many home improvement projects, a pond or pondless waterfall gets better with age - the fish grow, the plants mature and flower, and each passing season brings its own beauty.

Large transitional light wood floor and brown floor kitchen/dining room combo photo in Miami with white walls and no fireplace

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

Custom Overflow Spa
Inspiration for a large timeless backyard custom-shaped natural hot tub remodel in Toronto

Creating your outdoor living space means claiming your own little slice of nature and customizing it to suit your lifestyle and enhance your daily routine. Sometimes there is nothing more relaxing than sitting on your favorite patio chair, feeling the warm sun mixed with a cool breeze, and smelling the fragrant flowers blossoming in your garden. Imagine how much more time you would spend outside if you had your very own cabana, bungalow, pergola, sunroom or pool house to enjoy! Think of all the ways an outdoor room could enhance your Southern California lifestyle and prime your home for entertaining guests year-round. Our knowledgeable and experienced team of landscape design professionals and outdoor living specialists will sit down with you and explain the features and benefits of each structure. Whatever your dreams may be, Western Outdoor Design & Build can turn them into reality. (800) 789-7510! Www.westernoutdoordesign.com