ACT Design

09/08/2026

Holding onto summer days with a little fall refresh — extending the life of my petunias by tucking in some fall color. 🍂🌺

How do you transition from summer to fall?

09/07/2026

Continuing our Labor Day morning cruise… 🇺🇸

I’m so excited to see this transformation fully come together.

This lakefront home originally had very little usable outdoor living space from the main level, so we added a large covered deck and created a new sliding-door connection from the living/dining area to open the house up to that incredible lake view.

We also created a new primary suite and replaced a tiny bedroom window with a dramatic 7’ x 4’ lake-view window and built-in bench.

And we’re not finished yet!

Next up outside: German schmear—a masonry technique that applies mortar over the existing brick and partially removes it, softening the busy, dated brick while allowing some of its original character to show through. It’s going to create the perfect backdrop for the new black architectural accents. 🖤

We also have more interior updates planned, and I can’t wait to share the next phase.

Good design isn’t just about making a house prettier. It’s about making it live better.

👇 See the comments for a closer look at the transformation!

ACT Design | Designs Beyond Decor

09/07/2026

09/07/2026

Labor: work, especially when hard or physically demanding.

But when you love what you do, somehow it doesn’t feel quite so much like work. ❤️

My husband and I were out for a Labor Day morning cruise when I snapped this view of one of my favorite transformations from the water. What a difference a vision can make!

Before ➡️ After

Happy Labor Day from ACT Design! 🇺🇸

Stay tuned—I’ll be sharing more from this amazing whole-house transformation, inside and out.

ACT Design | Designs Beyond Decor

09/05/2026

Apparently every good design needs final approval. 😹

KazPurr has officially claimed the new accessory.

Design rule #1: if the cat fits, the cat sits.

ACT Design | Designs Beyond Decor

Full disclosure Ai tweaked the image a tad. Open comments to see original untouched photo.

09/05/2026

More beautiful Fall accessories here at Cascio's Fruit Market and while you’re there grab some local yellow tomatoes 🍅. I hear they’re absolutely amazing!

09/04/2026

🇺🇸 I’m starting this movement because I remember — and I will never forget. If you remember too, please join me in spreading the word.

SOMERSET COUNTY — LET’S WEAR RED, WHITE & BLUE ON 9/11 🇺🇸

This September 11 marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

Here in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, remembrance carries a special meaning. Our community is forever connected to the courage, sacrifice and heroism of Flight 93.

❤️🤍💙 WEAR RED, WHITE & BLUE ON SEPTEMBER 11 ❤️🤍💙

Whether you’re going to the gym, teaching a class, working in an office, serving the many visitors to our area, running a small business, volunteering, attending church, heading to school or simply going about your day — wear the colors of our country.

Businesses, churches, schools, organizations, clubs and community groups: encourage your employees, members, students, customers, congregations, friends and neighbors to join in.

PASS IT ON. SHARE THIS POST.

Tag your friends, local businesses, churches, schools and community organizations, along with the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce and Friends of Flight 93, and help spread the word throughout Somerset County.
Let’s fill our communities with red, white & blue and remind everyone that here in Somerset County, we will NEVER FORGET.

We remember those we lost.

We honor the heroes and their families.

And we honor and welcome all those who come to our community to pay tribute at Flight 93.

🇺🇸 PASS IT ON — SHARE THIS POST.
Wear red, white & blue on 9/11 and help spread the word. 🇺🇸

09/03/2026

Same house. Completely different story.

Check comments for side by side

My client wanted to take a suburban ranch stuck in the ’70s and give it the feeling of a warm, modern rustic lakehouse — without an unlimited renovation budget.

By focusing the investment on the elements that would make the biggest impact — siding, warm wood details, stone and a new timbered entrance — we completely changed the personality of the home.

Good design isn’t always about spending more. It’s about knowing where to spend it.

Designs Beyond Decor.

P.S. No AI or Photoshop tricks here. The landscaping you see in the after photo is the real, existing landscape. The before photo was taken years earlier when the house was for sale. And can we talk about those flowers? They’re spectacular.

Dawn Gomez-Stufft