The client admired this Victorian home from afar for many years before purchasing it. The extensive rehabilitation restored much of the house to its original style and grandeur; interior spaces were transformed in function while respecting the elaborate details of the era. A new kitchen, breakfast area, study and baths make the home fully functional and comfortably livable. Photo Credit: Sam Gray

This shade arbor, located in The Woodlands, TX north of Houston, spans the entire length of the back yard. It combines a number of elements with custom structures that were constructed to emulate specific aspects of a Zen garden. The homeowner wanted a low-maintenance garden whose beauty could withstand the tough seasonal weather that strikes the area at various times of the year. He also desired a mood-altering aesthetic that would relax the senses and calm the mind. Most importantly, he wanted this meditative environment completely shielded from the outside world so he could find serenity in total privacy. The most unique design element in this entire project is the roof of the shade arbor itself. It features a “negative space” leaf pattern that was designed in a software suite and cut out of the metal with a water jet cutter. Each form in the pattern is loosely suggestive of either a leaf, or a cluster of leaves. These small, negative spaces cut from the metal are the source of the structure’ powerful visual and emotional impact. During the day, sunlight shines down and highlights columns, furniture, plantings, and gravel with a blend of dappling and shade that make you feel like you are sitting under the branches of a tree. At night, the effects are even more brilliant. Skillfully concealed lights mounted on the trusses reflect off the steel in places, while in other places they penetrate the negative spaces, cascading brilliant patterns of ambient light down on vegetation, hardscape, and water alike. The shade arbor shelters two gravel patios that are almost identical in space. The patio closest to the living room features a mini outdoor dining room, replete with tables and chairs. The patio is ornamented with a blend of ornamental grass, a small human figurine sculpture, and mid-level impact ground cover. Gravel was chosen as the preferred hardscape material because of its Zen-like connotations. It is also remarkably soft to walk on, helping to set the mood for a relaxed afternoon in the dappled shade of gently filtered sunlight. The second patio, spaced 15 feet away from the first, resides adjacent to the home at the opposite end of the shade arbor. Like its twin, it is also ornamented with ground cover borders, ornamental grasses, and a large urn identical to the first. Seating here is even more private and contemplative. Instead of a table and chairs, there is a large decorative concrete bench cut in the shape of a giant four-leaf clover. Spanning the distance between these two patios, a bluestone walkway connects the two spaces. Along the way, its borders are punctuated in places by low-level ornamental grasses, a large flowering bush, another sculpture in the form of human faces, and foxtail ferns that spring up from a spread of river rock that punctuates the ends of the walkway. The meditative quality of the shade arbor is reinforced by two special features. The first of these is a disappearing fountain that flows from the top of a large vertical stone embedded like a monolith in the other edges of the river rock. The drains and pumps to this fountain are carefully concealed underneath the covering of smooth stones, and the sound of the water is only barely perceptible, as if it is trying to force you to let go of your thoughts to hear it. A large piece of core-10 steel, which is deliberately intended to rust quickly, rises up like an arced wall from behind the fountain stone. The dark color of the metal helps the casual viewer catch just a glimpse of light reflecting off the slow trickle of water that runs down the side of the stone into the river rock bed. To complete the quiet moment that the shade arbor is intended to invoke, a thick wall of cypress trees rises up on all sides of the yard, completely shutting out the disturbances of the world with a comforting wall of living greenery that comforts the thoughts and emotions.

photo by David Dietrich
Example of a mountain style kids' room design in Other

Hand forged Iron Railing and decorative Iron in various geometric patterns gives this Southern California Luxury home a custom crafted look throughout. Iron work in a home has traditionally been used in Spanish or Tuscan style homes. In this home, Interior Designer Rebecca Robeson designed modern, geometric shaped to transition between rooms giving it a new twist on Iron for the home. Custom welders followed Rebeccas plans meticulously in order to keep the lines clean and sophisticated for a seamless design element in this home. For continuity, all staircases and railings share similar geometric and linear lines while none is exactly the same. For more on this home, Watch out YouTube videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsNt46xGavY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj6lv21a7NQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvr4eWXljqM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JShqHBibRWY David Harrison Photography

A paver patio (Anchor Afton, walnut color) to gives the homeowners the entertainment and dining space they wanted. The blended colors of the pavers pull together the colors of the roof shingles (brown) and the New York Bluestone (blue/gray). The smaller pattern of the pavers defines the space, inviting guests to sit. Plus, the plant bed between the wall and the patio gave the homeowners a space to plant seasonal color and an edible garden.

Living room featuring modern steel and wood fireplace wall with upper-level loft and horizontal round bar railings. Floating Stairs and Railings by Keuka Studios www.Keuka-Studios.com

Completed in 2013, this Dallas modern Mediterranean residence features a circular driveway motor court, entry fountain and a private courtyard with a zero edge pool and spa with wrap around golf course views. The house features a wrap around covered porch that overlooks a private putting green and walking paths. The swimming pool features an all tile finish that creates dramatic reflections day and night.

Landscape architecture project by Miami based landscape architect Orlando Comas, member of American Society of Landscape Architects, licensed by State of Florida.

Resawn wood framed cable railings with pvc decking Steve Sherritt--San Diego Cable Railings
Inspiration for a coastal exterior home remodel in San Diego

http://www.facebook.com/GrizzlyIron This beautiful railing is made using a 1 7/8" forged cap rail with a hand forged volute at the newel post. The pickets are 3/4" solid round.

Emily O'Brien
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Beautiful custom metal handrail inspired by tree branches. Photo by Elisha Maria, www.elishamaria.com
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This deck is 12 years old and looking pretty dated, so we gave it a makeover! We used Cumaru decking, mahogany rail caps and posts, and Atlantis Cable-Rail. We added quartzite Deck Stone panels to accent the steps, benches and planters. The decking was installed using the Kreg hidden fastening system and was finished with Wolman EHT-Hardwood sealer. We installed Clear View retractable screen doors to the house and an Otter Creek retractable awning over part of the deck. The sound system includes Bose outdoor speakers and Russound controls. Enjoy!

Balanced shade, dappled sunlight, and tree canopy views are the basis of the 518 Sacramento Drive house design. The entry is on center with the lot’s primary Live Oak tree, and each interior space has a unique relationship to this central element. Composed of crisply-detailed, considered materials, surfaces and finishes, the home is a balance of sophistication and restraint. The two-story massing is designed to allow for a bold yet humble street presence, while each single-story wing extends through the site, forming intimate outdoor and indoor spaces. Photo: Brian Mihealsick

Various Customers
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Modern staircase with stainless steel cable railing and 4" thick reclaimed timber stair treads lend an open feeling to this light and airy home. Photos by Philip Jensen Carter

Modern design steel "wrought iron" staircase railings finished in dark bronze.
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Trendy hallway photo in Miami with white walls

Anice Hoachlander, Hoachlander Davis Photography
Staircase - 1960s wooden straight open staircase idea in DC Metro