Photography by Michael J. Lee
Transitional dining room photo in Boston

Interior Design by Grace Benson Photography by Bethany Nauert
Inspiration for a transitional dark wood floor and brown floor enclosed dining room remodel in Los Angeles with beige walls

Outdoor furniture: EMU from Room & Board. Photography by: Chris Martinez
This is an example of a mediterranean lawn edging in Albuquerque.

A master bedroom with an ocean inspired, upscale hotel atmosphere. The soft blues, creams and dark woods give the impression of luxury and calm. Soft sheers on a rustic iron rod hang over woven grass shades and gently filter light into the room. Rich painted wood panel molding helps to anchor the space. A reading area adorns the bay window and the antique tray table offers a worn nautical motif. Brass fixtures and the rough hewn dresser remind one of the sea. Artwork and accessories also lend a coastal feeling.

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 Credit: Mark Ehlen
Example of a mid-sized classic dark wood floor kitchen/dining room combo design in Minneapolis with beige walls and no fireplace

Irregular bluestone stepper path and woodland shade garden.
Inspiration for a traditional shade stone landscaping in Boston.

Photo Credit: Mark Ehlen
Example of a mid-sized classic formal and enclosed dark wood floor living room design in Minneapolis with beige walls, a standard fireplace, no tv and a wood fireplace surround

Backyard waterfall in Connecticut by Matthew Giampietro of Waterfalls Fountains & Gardens Inc.
This is an example of a large traditional partial sun backyard stone waterfall in Miami for spring.

Photo by: Warren Lieb
Cottage kitchen photo in Charleston with stainless steel countertops, white appliances and recessed-panel cabinets

In the design stages many details were incorporated in this classic kitchen to give it dimension since the surround cabinets, counters and backsplash were white. Polished nickel plumbing, hardware and custom grilles on feature cabinets along with the island pendants add shine, while finer details such as inset doors, furniture kicks on non-working areas and lofty crown details add a layering effect in the millwork. Photo by Pete Maric.

Make a style statement. Accent the room with a burst of color or a pop of pattern - at a fraction of the cost of fabric shades. Easy to measure for and install, the only challenge is choosing just one of our stylish materials. Clean, simple lines work well in any room style.

A quiet space for two, perfect for reading a book under the shade of a large tree. Photo Credit: Mark Pinkerton, vi360
Inspiration for a large mediterranean backyard brick patio fountain remodel in San Francisco

Photo Credit: Mark Ehlen
Bedroom - mid-sized contemporary guest carpeted bedroom idea in Minneapolis with blue walls and no fireplace

A master bedroom with an ocean inspired, upscale hotel atmosphere. The soft blues, creams and dark woods give the impression of luxury and calm. Soft sheers on a rustic iron rod hang over woven grass shades and gently filter light into the room. Rich painted wood panel molding helps to anchor the space. A reading area adorns the bay window and the antique tray table offers a worn nautical motif. Brass fixtures and the rough hewn dresser remind one of the sea. Artwork and accessories also lend a coastal feeling.

This new construction home was a long-awaited dream home with lots of ideas and details curated over many years. It’s a contemporary lake house in the Midwest with a California vibe. The palette is clean and simple, and uses varying shades of gray. The dramatic architectural elements punctuate each space with dramatic details. Photos done by Ryan Hainey Photography, LLC.

This was a unique remodel project of a crowded backyard. The customers requested shade, screening from the uphill neighbors and a usable entertaining space all while working to integrate a suitable habitat for their desert tortoises. Unique elements include extensive shade sails, a waterfall with integrated tortoise beach, tortoise caves, tortoise friendly plantings, and a complete integrated landscape sound system. Roni Ziemba, www.ziembaphoto.com

Bliss Garden Design
Photo of a contemporary shade backyard landscaping in Seattle.

Trendy carpeted family room photo in Chicago with beige walls