--- title: "Hanson Carlen — Home Builders | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/home-builders/hanson-carlen-pfvwus-pf~1040353324 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1040353324.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Hanson Carlen" category: ["Home Builders"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/9d632f6900c65648_8297-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "1803 West 5th Ave., Spokane, WA, Washington 99201, United States" latitude: 47.6665 longitude: -117.4365 phone: "(509) 838-0424" website: http://www.hansoncarlen.com rating: 5 review_count: 19 best_of_houzz_awards: 9 followers: 153 last_updated: 2026-09-23 --- # Hanson Carlen Original Houzz profile: [Hanson Carlen](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/home-builders/hanson-carlen-pfvwus-pf~1040353324) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Home Builders - **Location:** Spokane, WA, WA - **Serves:** Spokane, Spokane Valley, Fairwood, Airway Heights, Mead, Country Homes, Millwood, Nine Mile Falls, Stevens County, Valleyford - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (19 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 9 awards (2014–2024), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves - Published nationally - High-end - 50+ years in business Hanson Carlen is a residential Architecture and Construction company with a high quality reputation for over fifty years in Spokane Washington. The company focus is on new homes and large scale residential remodels. Our firm combines into one company the thoughtful design of a registered architect bundled with our “old world craftsmen” employees to bring excellence to all your residential projects. ### Services Provided - New Home Construction - Home Remodeling - Home Additions - Home Extensions - House Plans - Home Restoration - Historic Building Conservation - Bathroom Remodeling - Kitchen Remodeling - Custom Fireplaces - Custom Homes - Exterior Remodeling - Music Room Design - Office Design - Patio Construction - Porch Construction - Wine Cellar Remodeling ### Areas Served - Spokane - Spokane Valley - Fairwood - Airway Heights - Mead - Country Homes - Millwood - Nine Mile Falls - Stevens County - Valleyford ### Typical Job Cost $250,000 - 10 million We specialize in upscale and upscale design and building Please inquire for more specific details. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Hanson Carlen | | Address | 1803 West 5th Ave., Spokane, WA, Washington 99201, United States | | Phone | (509) 838-0424 | | Website | http://www.hansoncarlen.com | | License Number | HANSOCC978RT | | Followers on Houzz | 153 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Hanson Carlen](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/home-builders/hanson-carlen-pfvwus-pf~1040353324) - **Website:** http://www.hansoncarlen.com - **Phone:** (509) 838-0424 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - American Institute of Architects, Big 50, 2017 Master Design Award "Bronze" 2015 Master Design Award "Gold",2015 Chrysalis Regional winner 2013 Master Design Award "Silver", 2012 Master Design Award "Gold" , 2012 Chrysalis National winner, 2011 Chrysalis National winner - **Best of Houzz:** 9 awards (2014–2024), for Service. **Affiliations** - [The American Institute of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-american-institute-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1350720471) - [AIA Spokane](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aia-spokane-pfvwus-pf~1830061405) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 19 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 5.0 - Communication: 5.0 - Value: 5.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — David Snowdon, Oct. 2023** > Built in 1913 by a Kentucky Union soldier, this charming Craftsman home had been through one too many kitchen remodels. > > Its kitchen looked like none of the other rooms in the house. The beautiful woodwork, original craftsman windows, ceiling, and flooring in the house, matched nothing in the “modern“ 1960s kitchen. In short, the modern kitchen stuck out like a sore thumb in an otherwise beautiful and historic Craftsman home. > > Working with Dave and Jeannette over several months we came up with a great plan to enlarge the kitchen and bring it back to its turn of the century beauty. > > Their very friendly and professional crew then stripped the old modern kitchen down and built a kitchen that complemented the beauty of the rest of the Craftsman home. From the ceiling to the walls and flooring, the kitchen now reflected and enhanced the beauty of the rest of the house. > > The demolition and construction could not have gone better, and I was honestly sorry to see the crew finish their work and go. Based on the types of old electric wiring, the kitchen seems to have been remodeled about every 30 years. I am certain that this remodel will last over 100 years. > > It’s beautiful, looks historic, and I love it. > > Thanks Hanson Carlen Architecture & Construction! **★★★★★ — Logan Thomas, Aug. 2021** > My wife and I were moving to Spokane and wanted to have a new home built. David and Janette started out by helping us figure out what was important to us in a home, our lifestyle and what type of design we wanted. My wife and I did not plan on moving to Spokane until the house was finished, which in most cases you think would make this process difficult, but it was just the opposite. We received weekly (sometimes daily) updates on the progress, had multiple Zoom meetings, and much to our delight great communication by photos and videos of the employees as they carefully fashioned our new home! We loved working with Hanson Carlen throughout the entire process from start to finish. They went above and beyond to make sure to provide us with our dream home. **★★★★★ — Derek Wats, July 2020** > When we bought our South Hill home in 2016 it was in need of an update. We had some ideas and wanted our master bedroom reconfigured, our kitchen modernized, and a stairway re-done. We met with the team at Hanson Carlen and they explained their process. It appealed to us right off. We especially liked that they have an in-house architect; this helped us put into action exactly what we envisioned for our home. The team who worked on our remodel were fantastic! Good people who cared about our home like it was their own. When we had questions, the same people were there every day to answer. It was a delight to work with Hanson Carlen. The end product is amazing- a beautiful master bedroom with French doors, our kitchen is fully functional with gorgeous cabinets built in their own shop, and our new staircase is the biggest wow factor ever! We highly recommend Hanson Carlen to anyone who wants the best service and the best quality. **★★★★★ — Jennifer and Steve Doolittle, Nov. 2018** > High quality work done on time and on budget. Second big project. A master bath and closet plus some misc. items after a kitchen three years ago. So obviously pleased with their work to hire them again. Highly recommend Hansen Carlen. **Comment from Hanson Carlen:** > Thank you both, we enjoyed this second project as well. You are a delight to work for! **★★★★★ — Stephanie Heller, Jan. 2018** > We hired Hanson-Carlen to both design and build an extensive renovation and expansion of our home, and were thoroughly impressed with their team. During the design phase, we felt our wants and desires were painstakingly taken into account by both the builders and architects. We appreciated the team's mindfulness of our budget and their ability to suggest near-identical, yet more economical alternatives when our own ideas proved too costly. The construction phase of the project took 11 months to complete, so we moved out of the house for it. But, without exception, each time we visited the home, neighbors would greet us with praises for the construction team's professionalism and respectfulness. (In fact, 2 of our neighbors have since hired Hanson-Carlen to do work on their homes!) Possibly the most remarkable thing to us about Hanson-Carlen was the fact that they completed our project on-time and on-budget; 2 qualities almost unheard of in the world of home construction and renovation. They gave us the gorgeous home of our dreams, and there is not one thing we would change. We feel we have truly found a friend in the construction business! **★★★★★ — Kevin Donahoe, Dec. 2017** > The work they did was great! The project lasted 2-3 months and finished on time and at the estimated cost. Everyone working on the project was a professional. Although they worked both floors of our home it was minimally intrusive. I would recommend them to anyone. **Comment from Hanson Carlen:** > Thank you! It's been a pleasure working for you and Amy. We look forward to working with you on the next phase. **★★★★★ — Janet Pommerening, Dec. 2017** > We are delighted with our forever home and the process of bringing it to life! While we have heard all our lives how stressful it is to build a new home, this was not the case. Dave and all his crew ensured it was a very positive experience. Having an architect and builder within the same company helped us come up with a great, workable design while keeping us on budget. Whenever there was an issue they worked to come up with good solutions and never pushed back They always took ownership. They even went above and beyond, bailing us out more than once when we had problems with our previous living quarters. We never had to worry about whether the team was going to show up. Dave’s crew was there every day, and usually early, through all kinds of weather. True professionals and customer focused. **Comment from Hanson Carlen:** > Thank you Janet and Paul for allowing us to build your dream home- it was a pleasure! **★★★★★ — Kelsey Ward, Feb. 2017** > We hired Hanson Carlen for a large renovation which included the kitchen, mud room and enclosing a stairway to accommodate an additional upstairs bedroom en suite. > We began the process by meeting with David and Jeanette who came up with three different options for the renovation with the budget set. We had a lot of planning meetings and we were always happy with the way our thoughts/concerns were taken into consideration and accommodated. > It was incredible to see the different options for the project we could choose from. Everything was of great quality and to our specifications from the two separate surveys (husband and wife) we were given at the beginning of the project. The attention to detail was impeccable. > The project manager was easy going and on time once the project began. Everything was cleaned up after the work day/week. Everyone that came into our home was courteous. > All in all, we were extremely satisfied with our experience and are already thinking about "Phase 2". **Comment from Hanson Carlen:** > Thank you for your review! We have enjoyed working with you on all of the different projects over the years. **★★★★★ — Edward McCarthy, April 2016** > Truly an honor to work with Tom, David, and Janette at Hanson Carlen Construction. > > Their work (staircase and fireplace surround) exquisite, rich, and a perfect match for my home. **Comment from Hanson Carlen:** > Thank you Edward for your nice comments. We have really enjoyed working with you on all your projects. **★★★★★ — jonv69, Aug. 2015** > I hired Hanson Carlen Construction for our home remodel project after several successful work remodels that they completed. > > Hanson Carlen is a very professional, friendly, creative home construction firm that has integrity, honest and is responsible. > > In a heart beat I would recommend Hanson Carlen to anyone looking for a remodeling contractor/construction firm. **Comment from Hanson Carlen:** > Thank you for the kind words Jon! It was a privilege to work with you both. **★★★★★ — poowers, Feb. 2015** > We used Hanson Carlen for a substantial home improvement project in 2009. We didn't really receive bids from many other contractors (so I don't know how price competitive they are) but they spent a lot of time with us going over different budget options and telling us all the pro's and con's of each style. We also filled out quite a few surveys and had numerous face to face meetings. > > Some of the best things about them are: > 1\. They stand behind their work and make sure it's done right. And, equally important, if something breaks (even a few years later) they will fix it and make it right. > 2\. The quality of their product and construction. Since I can't comment on many of their technical skills (since I don't know codes, or the best way to frame a room, etc) I do know they went to great lengths to make sure everything worked, it looked great, and if I didn't like something, they would make the necessary changes. > 3\. Since they shared our home space (we lived in basement during remodel) we say them daily, and they went to great lengths to remain professional, courteous and timely. > 4\. Even five years past our project; I still appreciate that I can call them up and get their opinion or advice (or even a repair) from them. > 5\. Their company is big enough so that they have an office, an architect, and enough staff to get things done, but the owner (s) are always able to talk to you whenever needed. > 6\. Many times, I wouldn't know what I wanted, or how the space should be used, and they would generally come up with some great ideas. Of course everyone has their own habits and styles and needs, and it's hard to predict how you will use a certain space (or room) but I was thankful for their opinions and solutions (even if I didn't agree 100% of the time). > > 7\. I don't really have anything negative, although I suspect you might find less expensive contractors (but, as I said, I didn't really look at others...) but even if they were a bit more expensive, then certainly have backed up their product and service in the long run. **Comment from Hanson Carlen:** > Thank you! We have always enjoyed working for your family. When you have went through a large remodel like you did we almost become a part of the family! I always enjoy when you stop by the office or call and we can catch up on things. I hope we can work for you again sometime. **★★★★★ — Rachel Oxrieder, Jan. 2015** > We used Hanson Carlen for design of our lake home and were so pleased, we hired them to complete our build as well. They were able to build us a beautiful home exactly within budget and time expected. Using David, Ryan, Tom and Dana was the best decision we could have made! These guys are professional, caring, patient and honest craftsmen. They have a real passion for what they do, outstanding integrity and are dependable! I would use them again and will refer friends and family, neighbors and co-workers. We love our new home and couldn't be happier! ## Selected projects - [New Transitional Ranch Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/new-transitional-ranch-home-pj-vj~6900425) - Location: Spokane, WA - Photos: 8 - Description: This home sits on a desirable site with gorgeous views. This is something that was taken into consideration by Janette, our architect when the home was initially designed. The sunset can be seen from the kitchen, living room and bedroom windows. Along with this, there is an outdoor area that overlooks the spectacular view. This outdoor area is equipped with infrared heaters so you can sit outdoors in the colder weather. It also was outfitted with outdoor fans so you can stay cool in the summer.… - [Hanson Carlen New Office](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hanson-carlen-new-office-pj-vj~6737024) - Location: Spokane, WA - Photos: 12 - Description: After being in the same office location for 12 years it was time for a new office. Parking is a lot easier at the new location, you don’t have to struggling to find a parking spot and pay a meter. It’s also a fenced parking lot which is nice for security. We have more space; a selections room for you, the customer to look at samples and chose what you want in your new home. Since COVID we’ve found that ordering items takes longer. We’ve started ordering things we will need for a job month (somet… - [South Hill Modern Townhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/south-hill-modern-townhouse-pj-vj~6381633) - Location: Spokane, WA - Photos: 8 - Description: When our client purchased this home, it looked like all the other townhouses in the neighborhood- not very unique. The owners wanted this space to have a modern look that was opened up, bright and inviting, as well as specialized. To do so, the house needed a complete demolition inside as well as new windows in the living room. The old windows were cheap and boring. Also, the current layout of the home needed some redesigning for better function to make better use of the smaller space. Some of t… - [Modern Pergola](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-pergola-pj-vj~5836255) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - Description: On a hot day discovering a shady spot in which to sit can be very enjoyable. A pergola is a structure that provides a framework for partial shade for just this type of day. Oftentimes, plants or vines are trained to grow up and over the framework. The origin of the word pergola is Latin, referring to a projecting eave. I would guess that the first pergola was built in Abraham or Moses’ day. This past year we were commissioned with making a modern looking pergola. A combination of wood and metal… - [Modern Outdoor Room](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-outdoor-room-pj-vj~6389069) - Location: Spokane, WA - Photos: 8 - Description: In 2018 we created a modern looking pergola. This pergola was created to replace an old existing pergola which as having some design problems. The existing pergola was built at the wrong height. This was causing structural stress on the pergola. This pergola project received two national awards for specialty design on a pergola we created. These awards are extremely difficult to win as we are continually competing against some of the best projects across the nation. This was the first time we ha… - [Hanson Carlen- Meet Our Team](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hanson-carlen-meet-our-team-pj-vj~6696791) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - Description: Hanson-Carlen Architecture & Construction is a family owned business that has built and remodeled homes in the Spokane area for 50 years. Dewey Hanson started the business upon moving here from the Midwest, having spent the previous 25 years in custom home construction. He and his brother, Lyle, started working alongside their father in the 1940s. Dewey passed on the business to his two sons, David and Tom, and his son-in-law, Dana Carlen. Dana retired in 2014, leaving David and Tom to continue… - [Country Living-Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/country-living-farmhouse-pj-vj~921742) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 35 - Description: The Showalter’s wanted a house that looked like a old farmhouse but with all the efficiency of a well build modern home. Many time details are everything- notice the eave and siding that look like a page from yesteryear. The board ceiling indoors looks like it could have been from a amish milk-house in 1870. - [Moran Prairie Modern Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/moran-prairie-modern-home-pj-vj~6176261) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - [Larger Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/larger-kitchen-pj-vj~2450787) - Location: Spokane, WA - Photos: 39 - Description: This large home needed a major remodel to bring it up to date. When the owners first purchased the home, the quality and design of the home was poor, and style of the kitchen was outdated. Along with the kitchen needing updating, the entryway, office, family room, living room, laundry room, bathroom and bedrooms needed a major remodel, as well. The owners desired a kitchen that could be used as a gathering place for their family. A few cool features of this kitchen are the built-in table just of… - [A Grand Welcome](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-grand-welcome-pj-vj~2010630) - Location: Spokane, WA - Photos: 28 - Description: Scope & Objectives: When you have a gorgeous landscaping and a wonderful lot you want a welcoming entry that makes a statement as you approach the house. A small, dark, setback entry just won’t do. We were asked to give this 1981 house a dramatic and welcoming entry. Once inside, the owner also want to open the entry up to the large vaulted living room and create a sensational open stairway to the basement. The owner also wanted to update the two adjacent bathrooms as part of the project. Challe… - [Music Room](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/music-room-pj-vj~133275) - Location: Spokane, WA - Photos: 14 - Description: The owner, Scott bought a world-class grand piano on which to play; however, he had no space in his home for the 9-foot-long instrument . Now a grandfather, Scott wanted to build a room where his piano would be the star and where he could play all of his instruments, including the guitar and bagpipes, as well as invite friends and family to enjoy music and show off their talents. “I like music, and I play by ear, and I just love music, and I’m old enough I want to play more music,” he says. “I w… - [Barn Wood Room](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/barn-wood-room-pj-vj~921912) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - Description: Our client would always say the word, “Outdoor room”. At first this meant to me that this room would be outside- perhaps a deck or screen porch. However, in these people’s mind, the outdoor room was, well... indoor; a space that you could use all winter long and never be cold. I began to understand that this ‘outdoor’ room was more of a rustic space where you could open the windows in the summer and feel the air. As we started working on this space we decided to put rustic boards on the walls an… - [Floating Master Bath](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/floating-master-bath-pj-vj~139965) - Location: Spokane, WA - Photos: 10 - Description: Modern that looks outdated is a clash that nobody wants in the home. To meet the need of having the toilet areas and bathing areas separate with access through two terminuses, we developed a special entry to the master bath. A floating black oak cabinet with a special art glass panel to provide interest and privacy accentuated this new entry point. A feeling of organization was achieved by placing fixtures on two crossing axes lines. Cabinetry from straight lined rift sawn oak was stained black… - [Girls, Girls, - GIRLS, Bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/girls-girls-girls-bathroom-pj-vj~139883) - Location: Spokane, WA - Photos: 14 - Description: The difference between a “master bedroom” and a “master suite” is most often determined by the design and amenities of the connecting bathroom and closet. The homeowners, who have three young daughters, were looking for a place where all the women of the family could “hang out” each day while getting ready for the day’s activities. The space she was looking for was to have somewhat of a “feminine” feel. The existing space had a large enough footprint, although poor layout and planning had plague… - [New Transitional Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/new-transitional-home-pj-vj~2954814) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 23 - Description: The style of this home fits in perfectly with the location. This new home is located out in the gorgeous peaceful country area near Loon Lake. It has beautiful custom woodwork such as the unique living room celling, barn door to the pantry and fireplace mantle. The exposed beams in the ceiling can often add a nice element to a room. Oftentimes they are structural and sometimes they are faux and for aesthetics only. In this home, the beams that were added not only give a richness to the space, bu… - [Shirzad](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/shirzad-pj-vj~4417856) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 15 - Description: This past year a client came to us; they did not like their living room. The original builder wanted the room to be “special” so he made the room with vaulted ceilings. The problem is, the room would have been bigger if you would have tipped it on its side! With a bit of design and study, we came up with a solution that took the room from 17’ tall with vaults, to a room that is now 14 feet tall with a coffered ceiling. The new appearance is now very appealing and pleasing to the eye but more imp… - [Contemporary Master Bath](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-master-bath-pj-vj~139991) - Location: Spokane, WA - Photos: 14 - Description: The difference between a master bedroom and a master suite is most often determined by the design and amenities of the connecting bathroom and closet.. In this case a Thirty-six square foot bathroom with hardly enough room to turn around; was not what you would expect in a home for a leading member of the community. Our design team was asked to provide a luxurious modern bathroom that would be fitting to the home. The client wanted the space to be unique and clean possibly a look that you would… - [Larger kitchen- within walls of house](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/larger-kitchen-within-walls-of-house-pj-vj~139915) - Location: Spokane, WA - Photos: 10 - Description: The clients originally came to Hanson Carlen believing an addition would be needed to create the kitchen they desired. After meeting with them and visiting the home, Hanson Carlen felt that a significant amount of change could be done without altering the original footprint of the home. The Client's were looking for a major upgrade in the style and efficiency of their kitchen. The existing kitchen was very cramped and closed off, and many of the appliances were original from the time the home wa… - [Wine and Stone](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wine-and-stone-pj-vj~139164) - Location: Spokane, WA - Photos: 14 - Description: The owner wanted a room to take friends for his wine collecting hobby. Rich textures and finishes really make this a wine room bring a wow factor to the turn of century home. - [Wine Rack](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wine-rack-pj-vj~1705311) - Location: Spokane, WA - Photos: 3 - Description: This is a one of the kind wine rack. It has lighting built in so you can see the bottles. It also has a unique glass cabinet below to keep wine glasses and decanters. Upon coming down the hall and seeing this wine rack you are given a wow factor of the woodwork and lighting. [See all 37 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/home-builders/hanson-carlen-pfvwus-pf~1040353324) ## Ideabooks - [Hrycenko Home](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/169513788/list/hrycenko-home) — 1 idea - [Modern](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75592402/list/modern) — 11 ideas - [lights w](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/67191633/list/lights-w) — 1 idea - [Stone Fireplace](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/66527188/list/stone-fireplace) — 1 idea - [David](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/62398848/list/david) — 1 idea - [Red Retaining Walls](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/54700501/list/red-retaining-walls) — 4 ideas - [Kathy H.](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/54668494/list/kathy-h) — 7 ideas - [Johnson](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/45801726/list/johnson) — 3 ideas - [marie](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/44166672/list/marie) — 5 ideas - [Bedroom](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/44125256/list/bedroom) — 4 ideas - [Bocci](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/34960225/list/bocci) — 6 ideas - [overgrout technique](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/31282535/list/overgrout-technique) — 7 ideas - [art wall](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/30114576/list/art-wall) — 8 ideas - [under deck](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/23657972/list/under-deck) — 7 ideas - [MW wall](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/25296357/list/mw-wall) — 7 ideas - [Tracy](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/22081015/list/tracy) — 9 ideas - [Nutmeg](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/20309948/list/nutmeg) — 8 ideas - [Granite table top](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/14598802/list/granite-table-top) — 11 ideas - [Translucent stone](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/14227226/list/translucent-stone) — 11 ideas - [hidden bed](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/8622846/list/hidden-bed) — 8 ideas [See all 21 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/hansoncarlen) ## Community Q&A **Q: What is the exterior paint color?** *(in Photo Questions)* What are the exterior paint colors used? A: Hello- The body color on the exterior is Benjamin Moore 2135-30 Nocturnal Gray. The trim and facia is Benjamin Moore 2134-30 Iron Mountain. **Q: Cambria Brittanica** *(in Design Dilemma)* Can this quartz look warm / coastal transitional? these are my floors shown w/ the Brittanica and painted island choices ( also can leave white) I have white cabinets. my other choice is silestone Eternal Calacatta Gold - which seems sort of blah. help !! A: Hello Michelle, Cambria Brittanica looks great with white cabinets. I think it will look good with your flooring choice as well. We used Cambria Brittancia in this home remodel. Here is how it looks with white cabinets. https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/modern-townhouse-modern-kitchen-seattle-phvw-vp~164866491 https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/modern-townhouse-modern-kitchen-seattle-phvw-vp~164870569 **Q: Wood island top? If you have one please advise.** *(in Building a Home)* I am in the planning stage of new build, love the look of the wood top, but I am concerned about the practicality and maintenance vs quartz. I am planning on having my sink in the island. Attached is my inspiration for my dream island A: Hello Stef, Wood is warm to the eye as well as to the touch. It looks great with almost any decor or architecture. However, wood countertops can be softer and it ‘dings and dents’ quite easily. However, for many the dings and dents are a part of the appeal of wood. Having a wood countertop with an island sink may not be the best option with wood. Have you considered having just a wood island with the sink placed elsewhere in the kitchen? Here is a project we did where we are using a wood countertop from Caribou. Caribou is manufactured in Canada, and they have a special process of sealing the wood to make it even more durable. This project has a beautiful walnut island. I think you will be seeing more of this in the future. Here is more photos of the kitchen we did with a walnut island https://www.hansoncarlen.com/p31378104\#hb48e5176 **Q: Super Susan vs Super Susan Pullout - pros, cons, experiences?** *(in Design Dilemma)* Hi everyone, Looking for any pros/cons or experiences comparing a Super Susan Pullout vs a regular Super Susan. Thanks in advance! vs. A: Hello, Something we like to use instead of a Lazy Susan is this corner cabinet solution from Hafele called LeMans II. We use this often and it makes great use of the dead corners of a kitchen cabinet lower unit. We've found these work much better than a Lazy Susan. **Q: Are wood countertops dated?** *(in Remodeling)* Considering using wood countertops on our island. Kitchen cabinets are all off-white, we're thinking counters surrounding will be marble. Thoughts? Most of the inspiration photos I've found are from many years ago. I would love opinions! A: Hello, On one of our projects we did wood countertops for a customer. Wood is warm to the eye as well as to the touch. It looks great with almost any decor or architecture. However, some types of wood is soft and it ‘dings and dents’ quite easily. However, for many the dings and dents are a part of the appeal of wood. On this project, we are using a wood countertop from Caribou. Caribou is manufactured in Canada, and they have a special process of sealing the wood to make it even more durable. This project has a beautiful walnut island. I think you will continue seeing more of this in the future. Below are a few photos of the project we did with the wood countertops. Hope this helps! **Q: Covered patio design ideas** *(in Design Dilemma)* I want to build a covered patio attached to the house.I like the outside views from my living room and sun room and want less distractions to it .Please throw the ideas where to place the covered patio attached to the house.Any layout design inspiration would be great A: https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-outdoor-room-pj-vj~6389069 --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-23.*