Just stumbled across this amazing backyard on Design*Sponge. It’s the home of Meredith Kleinman, an interior designer and painter, and she has truly made me covet her home.

The interior is beautiful, but it’s the exterior that really got my attention.

The wood deck is complete with shaded sitting area. The three sided bench is a great use of custom carpentry, and takes the outdoor patio to a whole new level, perfect for family use or social gathering. Of course there needs to be a convered dining area too. And don’t miss the concrete work making the floor. 

Then there is the small sunroom with amazing tiny tile work just behind the sitting area. I love the return of tiny tile installation like this.

Then there’s the Japanese style bathhouse complete with outdoor shower. The sunny California weather is perfect for outdoor showers. And this one, complete with wooden Japanese inspired hot tub creates the perfect space.

If this doesn’t inspire you to start creating your own backyard oasis, I don’t know what will!

(Photo Credits: Design*Sponge, Meredith Kleinman)

If you are considering remodeling your kitchen, or at least just updating your kitchen countertops, you may think your choices are limited to a few options such as marble or granite, but you’d be completely mistaken.

Here are some of my favorite eye-catching, innovative, and of course, beautiful options for countertops that will get your guests talking.

Paperstone: While paperstone countertops look like more traditional materials, they are far from it. These countertops are a composite material made of 100% post-consumer waste, consisting mostly of recycled paper products. They are incredibly durable, stain resistant, and of course, eco-friendly.

Recycled Glass: Going green is all the rage, so hop onto the green bandwagon and choose to use recycled glass for your countertops. Just look at how beautiful these are! You’ll find countertops made from coke bottles to royal blue Skyy Vodka bottles.

(Photo Credit: Vertazza)

Finished Concrete: Using concrete as a design element is becoming more and more common as well. Concrete can be manipulated in a number of ways to create a smooth, inexpensive, and unique countertop. You can add colors or stamp a design into your countertop to create a look that will be just right for your kitchen design

Butcher Block Countertops: These wood countertops give a warm, classic feel but add an interesting element to your home. The minute I saw these countertops I was blown away by how beautiful they were, especially when paired with an interesting color of cabinetry work. You can choose a number of wood options, including bamboo, and choose a variety of wood patterns. While these counters are beautiful, they do require a certain amount of upkeep, including wiping them down with mineral oil and disinfecting them to ensure longer life.

 (Photo Credit: HGTV)