Home Improvement NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010

ZEBRA STRIPE

Tavola Zebrano floor tile from Porcelanosa recreates the look of an exotic hardwood with a zebra-striped pattern. Made from porcelain with a matte finish, the tiles come in a wide variety of sizes from typical square tiles to larger formats that approximate the look of floor planks. porcelanosa-usa.com

A METALLIC SHEEN

The Bionic porcelain collection from Nemo Tile combines metallic shine and subtle surface texture. Integral through-body color ensures longevity in high-traffic areas, while a micro-sealed finish enhances cleanliness. Pictured here, the Parallel tile has a glossy linear pattern. nemotile.com

VERY VERSATILE

With the Multimax ceiling fan from Fanimation, consumers choose among a variety of options including their preferred lighting and blade configuration; their choice of cherry or mahogany finish on the reversible blades; and whether they prefer a close-to-ceiling mount. A touch-screen remote controls fan speeds and directions as well as lighting. fanimation.com

WATERY WELCOME

H2O Walls, Inc. designs and installs indoor and outdoor water features. Each is controlled by a touch-screen computer program, which handles everything from water flow to lighting. Pictured here, a custom free-falling water spillover system on a deck that feeds into a 38-foot stainless steel bottom basin lined with river rocks. h2Owalls.com

A SOLID CHOICE

Made from solid birch, these off-the-shelf kitchen cabinets from Norfolk, Virginia-based Cabinets to Go include dovetailed joints, pillow-top doorframes, detailed center panels, mitered frames and soft-close drawer glides. Shown here in dark chocolate brown; a hand-rubbed finish with a UV-coating provides scratch-resistance and color retention. cabinetstogo.com

BOARD & BATTEN

Made from western red cedar, these board-and-batten-style exterior shutters have a curved top and are mounted with operable hinges and  “S” holdbacks. The hardware is stainless steel that’s been powder-coated in black for durability. Also available in maintenance-free fiberglass, the shutters are manufactured and installed by Perfect Fit Shutters in Gaithersburg. perfectfitshutters.com

BLACKSMITH'S TOUCH

Sonoma Forge’s CIXX Collection for the bath is characterized by its heavily distressed surface texture, complete with the blacksmiths’ hammer marks from the forging process. The faucet set pictured here is made of solid brass and stainless steel; the collection includes tub fillers, showerheads and accessories. sonomaforge.com  

**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home design and building/remodeling features.  Wonderful visuals of custom homes and eco-friendly resources are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design and remodeling projects to life.