Category: design
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From Concrete to Canopy: Bringing Plants into Design
Cities today are dominated by concrete, steel, and glass, but a growing movement in architecture and construction is bringing nature back into the built environment. Integrating plants into buildings isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a crucial strategy for sustainability, human well-being, and energy efficiency. This approach, known as biophilic design, blends natural elements with urban spaces…
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Built to Last: What Good Design Looks Like Today
In a world dominated by fleeting trends and disposable products, the concept of durability is making a strong comeback. “Built to last” isn’t just a nostalgic nod to the past—it’s a principle guiding some of the most exciting design work happening today. Good design is no longer just about beauty or function; it’s about resilience,…
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Built to Last: What Good Design Looks Like Today
In a world dominated by fleeting trends and disposable products, the concept of durability is making a strong comeback. “Built to last” isn’t just a nostalgic nod to the past—it’s a principle guiding some of the most exciting design work happening today. Good design is no longer just about beauty or function; it’s about resilience,…
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Form Meets Function: The Future of Surface Design
Surface design is evolving to prioritize both visual appeal and functional performance, becoming central to modern architecture and product design. New finishing technologies offer durability, aesthetic range, and environmental advantages across a wide range of industries. Real-world applications in hospitality, transportation, and retail show how advanced surfaces enhance both experience and longevity. Future innovations will…
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Can This Old Leather Sofa Be Brought Back To Life? We Tested Two Products To Find Out
Hello, friends! Gretch here. It’s been a while since I’ve taken you inside my apartment, and admittedly, you won’t see much of it in this post. But we’ve got a new friend in the mix, and just like me, she could probably benefit from a little cosmetic work! This little leather beauty here is what…
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Design Coaching: Peter And Chrissy’s Builder-Grade Kitchen Plan (I’ve Got Thoughts!)
Oh boy, this is fun. I love inserting myself into other people’s problems (usually when asked) so this whole “help someone else design their house” thing is already making my dopamine spike. After sifting through countless submissions (sooo many good ones–thank you to all who applied!), battling weeks of email hacking snafus, and balancing our…
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Basement Home Office Design. Creating the Perfect Remote Work Environment
The dramatic shift toward remote work has transformed our homes into multifunctional spaces, with dedicated home offices becoming essential rather than optional. Basements—often underutilized and overlooked—present unique opportunities for creating ideal work environments separated from the household’s daily activities. While these below-grade spaces come with challenges like limited natural light and potential moisture issues, they…
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Good Looking Reclining Sofas DO EXIST: Here’s What To Know About Them + 24 Of Our Favorites
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You know what’s fantastic in terms of design and furniture? When form meets function. I’m a huge fan of that. So when a friend of mine asked me recently if I could help her find a “not totally ugly” recliner sofa, I suited up and got to work. After all, I used to work for…
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Our First Design Coaching “Client” – With 3 Kids Under 3, A Builder-Grade Kitchen And A Lot Of Ideas
A couple of months ago we put out the call to find a reader (or apparently two, more on that later) to help coach through a remodel. It was extremely hard to choose the right family/project – I wanted to do all of them. Some were a full house “where do I start – it’s…
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Matern Engineering Promotes Dorian Maness to Sr. PM Role
Matern Professional Engineering is pleased to announce the promotion of Austin Podurgiel, EI, to Project Manager within the company’s Commercial Division. This promotion recognizes Podurgiel’s significant contributions to the firm and his extensive experience in mechanical systems design. Podurgiel brings over eight years of experience to his new role, having worked with clients across diverse sectors,…