Build Your Own Pool
Pool - tropical backyard stone and custom-shaped pool idea in Phoenix

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.

Designed by Terri Sears Photography by Steven Long
Kitchen - large craftsman l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Nashville with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, matchstick tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and multicolored countertops

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.

A charming Airbnb, favorite restaurant, cozy coffee house, or a piece of artwork can all serve as design inspiration for your decor. How wonderful would it be to bring the colors, patterns, shapes, fabrics, or textures of those beloved places or things into your own home? That is exactly what Janet Aurora’s client was hoping to do. Her favorite restaurant, The Ivy Chelsea Garden, is located in London and features tufted leather sofas and benches, hues of salmon and sage, botanical patterns, and artwork surrounded by lush gardens and flowers. Take a look at how Janet used this point of inspiration in the client’s living room, dining room, entryway and study. ~ Dining Room ~ To accommodate space for a dining room table that would seat eight, we eliminated the existing fireplace. Janet custom designed a table with a beautiful wrought iron base and marble top, selected botanical prints for a gallery wall, and floral valances for the windows, all set against a fresh turquoise backdrop. ~ Living Room ~ Nods to The Ivy Chelsea Garden can be seen throughout the living room and entryway. A custom leather tufted sofa anchors the living room and compliments a beloved “Grandma’s chair” with crewel fabric, which was restored to its former beauty. Walls painted with Benjamin Moore’s Dreamcatcher 640 and dark salmon hued draperies create a color palette that is strikingly similar to the al fresco setting in London. In the entryway, floral patterned wallpaper introduces the garden fresh theme seen throughout the home. ~ The Study ~ Janet transformed an existing bedroom into a study by claiming the space from two reach-in closets to create custom built-ins with lighting. Many of the homeowner’s own furnishings were used in this room, but Janet added a much-needed reading chair in turquoise to bring a nice pop of color, window treatments, and an area rug to tie the space together. Benjamin Moore’s Deep Mauve was used on the walls and Ruby Dusk was added to the back of the cabinetry to add depth and interest. We also added French doors that lead out to a small balcony for a place to take a break or have lunch. We love the way these spaces turned out and hope our clients will enjoy their spaces inspired by their favorite restaurant.

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.

Small space living solutions are used throughout this contemporary 596 square foot tiny house. Adjustable height table in the entry area serves as both a coffee table for socializing and as a dining table for eating. Curved banquette is upholstered in outdoor fabric for durability and maximizes space with hidden storage underneath the seat. Kitchen island has a retractable countertop for additional seating while the living area conceals a work desk and media center behind sliding shoji screens. Calming tones of sand and deep ocean blue fill the tiny bedroom downstairs. Glowing bedside sconces utilize wall-mounting and swing arms to conserve bedside space and maximize flexibility.

Sometimes what you’re looking for is right in your own backyard. This is what our Darien Reno Project homeowners decided as we launched into a full house renovation beginning in 2017. The project lasted about one year and took the home from 2700 to 4000 square feet.

The clients bought a new construction house in Bay Head, NJ with an architectural style that was very traditional and quite formal, not beachy. For our design process I created the story that the house was owned by a successful ship captain who had traveled the world and brought back furniture and artifacts for his home. The furniture choices were mainly based on English style pieces and then we incorporated a lot of accessories from Asia and Africa. The only nod we really made to “beachy” style was to do some art with beach scenes and/or bathing beauties (original painting in the study) (vintage series of black and white photos of 1940’s bathing scenes, not shown) ,the pillow fabric in the family room has pictures of fish on it , the wallpaper in the study is actually sand dollars and we did a seagull wallpaper in the downstairs bath (not shown).

The Caaren model home designed and built by John Cannon Homes, located in Sarasota, Florida. This one-story, 3 bedroom, 3 bath home also offers a study, and family room open to the lanai and pool and spa area. Total square footage under roof is 4, 272 sq. ft. Living space under air is 2,895 sq. ft. Elegant and open, luxurious yet relaxed, the Caaren offers a variety of amenities to perfectly suit your lifestyle. From the grand pillar-framed entrance to the sliding glass walls that open to reveal an outdoor entertaining paradise, this is a home sure to be enjoyed by generations of family and friends for years to come. Gene Pollux Photography

This bespoke fitted home study and office is an exquisite multifunctional space with a dedicated workspace, media unit and library. The cabinets were custom-made and installed by us to create a superbly practical and stylish room for working, studying, gaming and watching films or TV. Our art and book-loving client commissioned Bespoke by Acorn to bring their design vision to life and the result is a stunning interior featuring built-in bookcases, a bespoke dual desk and decorative wall panels. The vertical slatted oak wood panelling provides visual interest and texture while also helping to absorb unwanted noise. DARK BLUE PAINTED BOOKCASE UNIT The bookcase cabinetry has a spraypainted finish in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue, a premium quality, eco-friendly paint. This deep blue colour is often used in study or library spaces as it is associated with focus, calm and seriousness. Dark blue is a sophisticated shade for bookcases, creating a strong contrast with the book spines. Integrated LED lighting within the joinery prevents the space from being too dark and adds dimension and richness to the display. Illuminating shelving also makes it easier to find what you’re looking for. MADE TO MEASURE DESK IN OAK FOR TWO The large made to measure desk in oak for two features wide smooth-closing drawers and plenty of cupboard and shelving space. It’s perfectly designed for comfortable side by side working and videogaming. Cabling is neatly concealed behind a back panel under the desk. A simple push to open mechanism provides easy access. While technology is essential for productivity, cables, equipment and sockets can look untidy and impose on a design scheme. With bespoke furniture, as shown here, technology can be elegantly concealed with easy access. CREATE A BESPOKE LUXURY HOME OFFICE STUDY WITH ACORN At Acorn, we specialise in crafting bespoke fitted home study, office and library furniture for clients in Sussex, Surrey, and Kent. With our custom-made furniture you will be able to have the perfect layout and features you need.

Modern Italian Wall Unit / Entertainment Center LX03 by SPAR, Lapis Collection. Lapis wall unit line presents really modern and unique style, providing you an interesting solution for your living room. All the wall unit composition from Lapis collection through a simple structure create incredible visual movement combining symmetries and asymmetries, linearity and curves, making the interior really unique. The shown wall unit composition will be a perfect entertainment center for your living room interior, featuring abundance of storage space, both hidden and exposed. Great combination of style and functionality! Lapis wall unit is everything you need to make your home unique and modern. The Lapis Wall Unit Composition LX03 is shown in the next colors/finishes: Structure - White Ash and Clay Ash finishes; Front - White Ash and Clay Ash finishes PLEASE NOTE: The Lapis is a modular wall unit line offering a wide variety of units in different sizes. You can order this wall unit either as a complete composition, as shown in the main picture, or build your own composition according to your own dimensions and color preferences. Please contact our office about details on the customization of this wall unit. MATERIAL/CONSTRUCTION: Structure: 1.2" thick wood particle board (MDF), covered with E1 melamine pore ash finishes Fronts: Made of 0.75" thick wood particle board (MDF), covered with E1 melamine pore ash finishes Drawers: Made with 0.5" MDF panels in E1-coated finish. Metal runners with soft-closing mechanism The starting price is for the Wall Unit Composition Lapis LX03 as shown in the main picture. Dimensions: As Shown Wall Unit Composition: W135.8" x D15"/17.5"/20" x H79"

Because granite is 100% natural, and no two pieces are alike, (even the sample of granite you saw in making your choice will vary somewhat from what is installed in your home), your installed countertop will not have a uniform look, which appeals to some who like the one of a kind nature of the stone. Photo by Chrissy Racho.

Modern Wall Unit Logika LK14 by Spar Made in Italy Spar Arreda gets into contemporary homes with collections for everyday living. Logika by Spar is an italian modular wall unit line that could be an excellent design solution for any modern or contemporary styled interior, especially if the space is limited. This italian entertainment center will complement your home and the areas of your daily life, not only as an aesthetic, but also as a functional addition, featuring an abundance of storage space, both hidden and exposed. A fine design with a strong innovation creates new furnish solutions where charm of materials and their great choice joins the seduction of the forms: essential, clean and effective in defining modern lifestyles. The Logika Wall Unit Composition LK14 is shown in the next colors/finishes: Structure - White Ash and Tobacco Oak finishes; Front - White Ash finish. PLEASE NOTE: The Logika is a modular wall unit line offering a wide variety of units in different sizes. You can order this wall unit either as a complete composition, as shown in the main picture, or build your own composition according to your own dimensions and preferences. Please contact our office about details on the customization of this wall unit. MATERIAL/CONSTRUCTION: Structure: Made with particle board of wood, covered with E1 melamine finishes or high gloss lacquer Drawers: Made with panels of wood particles in E1-coated finish PVC beech. Metal runners with fine race to fall Glass: 4mm glass The starting price is for the Logika Wall Unit Composition LK14 as shown in the main picture. Dimensions: Wall Unit Composition: W118.1" x D22.8" x H74.6"

Sometimes what you’re looking for is right in your own backyard. This is what our Darien Reno Project homeowners decided as we launched into a full house renovation beginning in 2017. The project lasted about one year and took the home from 2700 to 4000 square feet.

Large trendy master gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and gray floor bathroom photo in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface countertops and an integrated sink

The clients bought a new construction house in Bay Head, NJ with an architectural style that was very traditional and quite formal, not beachy. For our design process I created the story that the house was owned by a successful ship captain who had traveled the world and brought back furniture and artifacts for his home. The furniture choices were mainly based on English style pieces and then we incorporated a lot of accessories from Asia and Africa. The only nod we really made to “beachy” style was to do some art with beach scenes and/or bathing beauties (original painting in the study) (vintage series of black and white photos of 1940’s bathing scenes, not shown) ,the pillow fabric in the family room has pictures of fish on it , the wallpaper in the study is actually sand dollars and we did a seagull wallpaper in the downstairs bath (not shown).

Modern Wall Unit Exential T09 by SPAR. This ultra modern modular wall unit composition, consisting of individual pieces, is a great design solution for those, who are full of creativity and desire to reveal their individuality and arrange the living room by themselves. The individual units allow to organize only those areas you want in the way you need it and prefer, which is impossible to do with the joint wall unit compositions. The entertainment center provides an abundance of storage space, both hidden and exposed, to aid with organization of all your belongings. Large TV area allows to place a huge TV, turning the living room into a functional movie theater. The Wall Unit Composition Exential T09 is shown in the next colors/finishes: Structure - White Ash and Oak finishes, Gray Smoke Matt lacquer Front - White Ash and Stone finishes PLEASE NOTE: The Exential is a modular wall unit line offering a wide variety of units in different sizes. You can order this wall unit either as a complete composition, as shown in the main picture, or build your own composition according to your own dimensions and preferences. Please contact our office about details on the customization of this wall unit. MATERIAL/CONSTRUCTION: Structure: Made with particle board of wood, covered with E1 melamine finishes or high gloss / matt lacquered Glass: 4 mm glass Drawers: Made with panels of wood particles in E1-coated finish PVC beech. Metal runners with fine race to fall The starting price is for the Exential Wall Unit Composition T09 as shown in the main picture. Dimensions: Shown Wall Unit Composition: W141.7" x D15"/17.7"/19.7" x H74.4"

Designed with a nod to the Modern Movement of architectural styles, The Newcastle's exterior elements include horizontal Nichiha vintage wood cedar planks offset by Modera tailored and stacked ledgestone and a welcoming path of deep gray slate pavers. The horizontal grid lines in the home's 10' black iron double doors are mimicked throughout the home and add a classic modern feel to the windows, sliding glass doors, and an all-glass, temperature-controlled wine room. The Newcastle's great room is open to the chef's kitchen that features two separate quartzite islands, one with a beveled waterfall edge that's perfect for either casual dining or entertaining. Just off the kitchen, the wine room with a backlit blue-agate accent wall leads you into the home's bonus room, complete with a beverage refrigerator, humidor, and access to a private courtyard. The great room overlooks the spacious outdoor living areas which feature your own putting green, fire pit, pool and plenty of space for lounging, cooking and dining. The master suite has a volume ceiling, oversized windows overlooking the pool and lake with a private entrance to the rear lanai. The master bath features a recessed tub, a glass-enclosed shower that is centered within the room and surrounded by walls of glass, two separate vanities, water closets, and elegant courtyards, and of course spectacular closets. Additional living spaces inside this 4,806 SF home include a separate Casita, two additional en-suite guest rooms, study, walk-in pantry, laundry room, and 4-car split garage.