Search results for "Absorbance" in Home Design Ideas

A homeowner in rural Waller County asked us to remove all of the old and breaking vinyl siding on his ranch style house and replace it will all new Hardie materials. And since we love a challenge, we gladly jumped at the chance. This house gave us the opportunity to show off the differences between vinyl and Hardie products, including siding, soffit, fascia, window and door trim, and their extra large ceilings on their large front porch.
As you can see, the old vinyl siding was warping, cracking, and falling off of the walls; the vinyl soffits and ceilings were stretched and sagging. This old vinyl siding was the OLD style with only the flat blue foam sheathing underneath it, which is always a concern because that foam has a very low perm rating, which means it is like wrapping your studs in Saran Wrap so moisture inside your walls cannot get out. In this case, we had to tear off multiple layers of stuff, including the old siding, the blue foam sheathing, the layer of original siding that was still on the wall, and all of the underlayers behind the siding. Often houses that have had vinyl siding for long periods end up discovering that their structural wood has absorbed water and parts of it have begun to rot. So wherever we find rotting or damaged load-bearing wood, we fix it. When all the studs are repaired, only then do we begin to apply to Hardie materials.

Luxury Basement Remodel Featuring Spa, Home Gym, Gun Room, and Full Kitchen
This luxury basement remodel redefines what a lower level can be, transforming unused square footage into a fully immersive lifestyle environment. Designed with intention, precision, and premium materials, this space blends wellness, security, fitness, and entertainment into one cohesive custom basement design that feels elevated, warm, and unmistakably high-end.
From the moment you enter, this luxury basement remodel feels open and expansive. Wide-plank flooring flows seamlessly throughout the space, creating visual continuity while adding warmth rarely seen in traditional basements. Clean architectural lines and thoughtful zoning allow each area to stand on its own while still feeling connected as part of a complete design.
Basement Spa and Sauna Retreat
A standout feature of this luxury basement remodel is the private basement spa, designed to deliver a true retreat experience within the home. The custom glass-enclosed sauna acts as both a functional wellness feature and a striking architectural element. Natural wood surfaces wrap the interior, bringing warmth, texture, and a calming atmosphere that mirrors high-end resort spas.
Integrated LED lighting enhances the natural wood grain while providing soft, ambient illumination. The stone sauna heater anchors the space visually while delivering consistent heat for daily use. Glass walls allow light to flow freely, preventing the space from feeling closed in and reinforcing the open feel of the overall custom basement design.
This basement spa was designed not as an accessory, but as a core component of the luxury basement remodel—supporting health, relaxation, and everyday wellness.
Custom Gun Room and Secure Display Space
Security meets craftsmanship in the custom gun room, a defining element of this luxury basement remodel. Designed to function as both a secure storage solution and a refined display space, the room balances protection with presentation.
Precision-mounted wall panels allow firearms and accessories to be displayed in a clean, organized layout. Integrated LED lighting highlights each piece while adding depth and contrast to the room. Custom wood framing ties the space into the broader custom basement design, ensuring visual consistency throughout the project.
Lower cabinetry provides concealed storage while maintaining a clean, uncluttered appearance. Climate control and security were integrated seamlessly, creating a room that is as practical as it is visually impressive.
Home Gym Basement with Professional Design
This home gym basement was designed to rival commercial fitness facilities while maintaining the comfort and privacy of a residential environment. The layout supports strength training, functional workouts, and cardio without feeling crowded or overwhelming.
Mirrored walls expand the space visually and provide practical training feedback. Heavy-duty flooring absorbs impact and minimizes noise, making the gym ideal for daily use. Overhead, a custom LED grid ceiling delivers even, shadow-free lighting, elevating both functionality and aesthetics.
As part of the overall luxury basement remodel, the gym connects naturally to adjacent spaces, reinforcing the idea that fitness is integrated into everyday living—not isolated or hidden away.
Basement with Full Kitchen and Entertaining Space
Designed for hosting and everyday use, the basement with full kitchen anchors the entertainment zone of this luxury basement remodel. Custom cabinetry offers ample storage while maintaining clean lines and a refined appearance. Premium countertops provide durability and visual impact, serving as both a workspace and gathering point.
Integrated appliances ensure full functionality without disrupting the design. Layered lighting enhances usability and atmosphere, making the kitchen equally suited for casual evenings or large gatherings.
This basement with full kitchen allows the space to function independently from the main level, adding both convenience and long-term value.
Luxury Tile Basement Details
Tile plays a key role throughout this luxury tile basement, serving as a design feature rather than just a finish. Carefully selected tile textures and patterns add depth and visual interest to accent walls and functional areas.
Each tile installation was executed with precision, showcasing clean transitions and expert craftsmanship. The tile selections complement the surrounding wood and stone elements, reinforcing the layered material palette that defines this custom basement design.
Craftsmanship That Defines the Space
What sets this luxury basement remodel apart is the attention to detail in every element. Custom millwork, seamless trim transitions, and intentional lighting design elevate the space beyond typical basement renovations.
Ceilings are treated as design features, walls are crisp and refined, and built-in elements feel integrated rather than added. This level of craftsmanship ensures the basement feels timeless, durable, and thoughtfully designed.
A Custom Basement Design Built for Lifestyle
This project demonstrates how a custom basement design can become one of the most valuable and lived-in areas of a home. By combining a basement spa, secure gun room, home gym basement, basement with full kitchen, and luxury tile finishes, this space delivers unmatched versatility and comfort.
This luxury basement remodel is not simply an upgrade—it is a complete transformation that enhances daily living while adding long-term value.

BEFORE photo. What a difference! This project consisted of spray painting the newly installed hardie board and shingles, along with the garage door, trims, and vinyl siding on the sides and back of the house.
Invest in your high-end hardie board for the long haul. Our coating boosts protection & fade durability to keep your siding looking its best.
Hardie Board is incredibly durable and is one of the most expensive types of siding. While it requires very little maintenance, it is porous and can still absorb water. The best way to maintain your investment and prevent replacement is to waterproof your hardie board with a high-performance paint for siding.
Give us a call to book your free in-home consultaiton!
(604) 260-4525
Find the right local pro for your project

The spray deck absorbs less heat than normal concrete, making it cooler for your feet!
Large trendy backyard rectangular natural pool fountain photo in Dallas with decking
Large trendy backyard rectangular natural pool fountain photo in Dallas with decking

Complementing the Home
This homeowner approached the experts at Braen Supply to help him select materials for his newly constructed home. The style and design of the house was already completed, therefore, the selected materials needed to complement the features of the home.
The homeowner’s one request was to find a patio stone that would emulate a bluestone; however, it would not absorb as much heat as bluestone, allowing swimmers to comfortably move from the pool to the patio without having to worry about shoes.
Working With the Experts
The experts at Braen Supply were able to find the perfect material to meet the homeowner’s needs and then used that to find materials for the façade, fireplace and outdoor kitchen, while still maintaining a concise look throughout the home. The materials that were selected gave the home a unique, yet classic look.

Built for the Bluff, A Sea Ranch Home is Remade from the Inside Out
The house had always been grounded, on an ocean bluff at The Sea Ranch. It sits unencumbered, adjacent to one of the most dramatic stretches of the Sonoma coast with protected commons meadow to the east, uninterrupted Pacific views to the west, and a bluff trail running alongside. What it lacked was the feeling of home, one that could hold up its own against the natural landscape.
The owners are entrepreneurs with deep involvement across tech, real estate, and development and they know how things are built. The Sea Ranch house had been in their lives for years, a second residence and a place for family to gather. Built for a different time, it felt more compromising than comfortable. Sitting in a closed off nook, the kitchen fit one cook at a time and turned its back on the rest of the house. The entry was dim and compressed, divided by a structural column that presented itself at exactly the wrong moment. The primary suite was small relative to the view outside it. A large rear bedroom sat behind a lowered ceiling with a bathroom that had never been added. The house was certainly worth the trouble of doing it right.
What followed was not one project but four, each with its own design challenge, each addressed over a period of time.
Where the House Meets the Ocean
The most complex piece of the project, in both structural and spatial terms, was the kitchen expansion. The existing room was a single-person galley squeezed in as an afterthought with no meaningful connection to the dining room, the living space, or the deck outside. To make it useful for a family that cooks and gathers, it needed to grow outward into an existing patio and flow into the rooms around it.
A big challenge was the roofline. Several planes at different pitches and angles converged directly where additional volume was needed. A new form had to join that geometry without reading as a correction. The solution found the simplest possible connection between the existing angles, a roofline that from outside the structure, appears entirely original. From the bluff trail where the addition is visible, there is no discernible seam.
Inside, the kitchen is now open to the living and dining rooms without interruption. A large sliding glass door connects the space onto the rear deck. The deck itself was expanded and oriented so that the body of the house shields it from the coastal wind which is a common consideration that determines whether outdoor space at The Sea Ranch actually gets used. The result is a room that works for large family gatherings where no one feels cutoff, and one that makes the boundary between being inside and outside easy to ignore.
Welcoming Light
A structural column stood at the convergence of eight distinct roof planes in the entry. It was load-bearing, but it was also the reason the entry had always felt like a hallway rather than a welcoming arrival.
With the structural engineer, a custom steel connector was designed to receive beams from six separate directions, redistributing the load through a single new continuous beam. The column was surgically removed. Three triangular skylights were then cut into the roof above, their shapes drawn from the
existing geometry of the planes around them. The entry is now bright and open. The skylights feel native to the structure because they follow the logic already present in the roof.
Two Suites, Two Views
At opposite ends of the house, the two bedroom suites were each reconfigured, and each found a different way to introduce more of the landscape into the room.
An addition to the primary suite extended the structure outward to create a wraparound plan with a loop from the bedroom through bath and closet that had not been possible before. The expansion opened a slot view from the tub and shower toward the ocean. The view is precise and private. The ocean view is present and deliberate.
The rear bedroom absorbed an adjacent storage room to transform it into a full second suite with a vaulted ceiling, a large bathroom with a tub, a shower, and a sauna. A private fenced garden courtyard sits just beyond the glass bringing the outdoors inside. The tub was placed so that, looking past the courtyard and through the bedroom beyond, the ocean is visible at the far end. It is a long view and it makes the room feel larger and more settled than its footprint would suggest.
Glass on Four Sides, Fire at the Center
The main living and gathering room had always been caught between two competing facts: glass on four sides meant exceptional views but at The Sea Ranch, it also meant a cold room. A 360-degree cylindrical fireplace was added at the center on a raised stone base, providing radiant heat in every direction and giving the room a focal point around which a group naturally orients itself, whether that means two people at the end of the day or the whole family after dinner.
Owners Who Picked Up the Tools
The owner was not a passive client. they came with construction knowledge, specific ideas, and the desire to be an active part of the process, a dynamic that other architects may had found difficult, which Klopf Architecture accepted as an asset. They took it upon themselves to complete some of the work during construction, including the installation of a new radiant heating system beneath the floors.
The radiant system added to the older and less-desirable forced-air setup. At The Sea Ranch, that change matters as the house sits close enough to the ocean and moving air competes with the sound of it, where radiant heat does not. Solar panels were added to the roof as part of the new system. Insulation was upgraded throughout the walls, roof, and crawl space. The house that had always had the right setting now holds warmth the way a house on the bluff should.
They were also deeply involved in the design and selections throughout, and the finished house reflects both of them in ways that are specific rather than generic. The process took longer and moved through more iterations than a more arms-length relationship might have allowed. The result is more defined and personal because of it.
The Landscape Holds Priority
Every exterior decision was shaped by The Sea Ranch Design Standards, which require that buildings defer to the landscape around them rather than compete with it. Because this house sits on the bluff and is visible from the public trail, the additions faced a close review. Existing materials were matched. Geometries were resolved. The additions had to become indistinguishable from the original building.
From the trail, the house reads exactly as it always has — low, cedar-clad, secondary to the meadow and the water. The setting holds priority. Inside, the house has been remade.
Klopf Architecture Project Team: Geoff Campen and Trenton Jewett
Contractor: Shawn Bettega Construction
Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed
Year Completed: 2023
Location: The Sea Ranch, CA

With this project we wanted to highlight our passion for Mid-Century Modern design. We purchased this home, a bland 1950's rambler, and renovated it, showcasing our love for the clean aesthetic of Mid-Century Modern designs. We solicited the help of our friends at Locus Architecture. Together we re-imagined the home. The original home had a tiny, panic inducing kitchen. By taking down a wall, and absorbing a bedroom, we were able to double the size of the kitchen. We also finished a three season porch that allowed space for a generous, sun soaked, dining room which the home desperately needed. We built sleek, custom cabinets with inset slab doors and concrete countertops. We also finished the entire basement, adding a bedroom, family room, laundry room, mudroom and 3/4 bath.

THE SETUP
“You have to figure out how to rebuild a life worth living,” Basia Kozub’s client says. Her husband passed away suddenly three years ago. Holidays with family became more important, and she found herself struggling with a 37-year old kitchen that was falling apart. “I made a decision to move forward,” she says. “I went, ‘You know what? I’m redoing the kitchen.'”
The big task of getting started was as easy as having a conversation – literally. Basia was on the job, helping the client sort through priorities, wishes and ideas. Basia’s client is 5′ 4″, likes keeping an eye on the kiddoes in the backyard and wanted certain things to have their own place.
THE REMODEL
The objectives were:
Enlarge and open the space
Find a classic look that incorporates blues
Upgrade to easy-to-use appliances
Hide an office space within the space
Ample storage for dishes
Design challenges:
Uneven window alignment on the back wall
Original kitchen smaller than desired, stuctural concerns if walls to be moved
Keep folks close – figure out seating for entertaining
Main sink in corner is ideal, but windows are hard to reach
Lots of storage needed for dishes, glass collection, pantry items, bar bottles and office supplies
Specific storage needs for oft-used spices and utensils
THE RENEWED SPACE
Design solutions:
Replace back wall windows, establish window size continuity
Take out two walls to open up the space, tall shallow cabinet and a tall filler added to conceal a new header
Large island that seats six easily
Custom corner sink cabinet with recessed edge allows vertically challenged homeowner to reach the windows
Mindful storage planning features: plenty of cabinets, pull-out bar bottle storage, file drawers & cubbies with pocket doors for office appliances, magic corner pullouts, and appliance garages with pocket doors
Shelf behind range for easy access to daily-use spices and oils. Also: spice and utensil pullouts on either side of range
The clients says every priority and wish box got checked. The highly functional design absorbed everything that used to be in that area of the house, but now those things are out of the way.
“In the past, we were all spread out when we gathered for the holidays, because we had to spread out. Now, we’re all in here together, including my 92-year old mother. We’re visiting, cooking, laughing… everyone is here. And I’m really learning how to use these appliances. This kitchen has given me a whole new life.”

Teaming with Polly Osborne Architects, Rana Creek created a landscape design that situates a new residential building within the surrounding region of Three Rivers, California. Because of the site’s location adjacent to the river, the concept for the garden design aims to recreate a thriving native riparian habitat while also providing a shady strolling garden connecting the house to the river. A key feature of the design is a living wall adorning the garage’s façade. A series of custom aluminum baskets hold the growing medium and the interconnected, swirling paths of endemic plants. The wall is at once beautiful and functional in its ability to absorb storm water and filter the air. Rain water captured from the garage roof irrigates the living wall for most of the year.

A double layer of drapes with thick felt interlining provides privacy and sound deadening for a guest bedroom that overlooks the main living area.
Home design - eclectic home design idea in Richmond
Home design - eclectic home design idea in Richmond

AFTER photo. This project consisted of lightening the colour of the hardie and brightening the trim! The house was already beautiful to start with, but this update was totally worth it and made for super happy clients!
Invest in your high-end hardie board for the long haul. Our coating boosts protection & fade durability to keep your siding looking its best.
Hardie Board is incredibly durable and is one of the most expensive types of siding. While it requires very little maintenance, it is porous and can still absorb water. The best way to maintain your investment and prevent replacement is to waterproof your hardie board with a high-performance paint for siding.
Give us a call to book your free in-home consultaiton!
(604) 260-4525

Suitable for average domestic use and some light commercial projects becuase of ash is of a medium strength
Ash hardwood flooring are widly used for sports equipment due to its moderate bending strength and shock absorbance .
The ash flooring mix with pop elements never fade -small dark stripes, the visual effect is very harmoious.
Pometia appearance and high stability with it's charm,wear widely used for flooring.

The home creates a balance between modern architectural design and the incredible scenery surrounding it by preserving much of the natural landscape and taking advantage of natural sunlight and air flow.
Plans were drawn using passive house principles – showing a continuous insulation layer with appropriate thicknesses for the Montana climate around the entire conditioned space to minimize heat loss during winters and heat gain during summers. Overhangs and other shading devices allow the low winter sun into the building and keep the high summer sun out.
Glo European Windows A7 series was carefully selected for the Elk Ridge Passive House because of their High Solar Heat Gain Coefficient which allows the home to absorb free solar heat, and a low U-value to retain this heat once the sun sets.
The A7 windows were an excellent choice for durability and the ability to remain resilient in the harsh winter climate. Glo’s European hardware ensures smooth operation for fresh air and ventilation. The A7 windows from Glo were an easy choice for the Elk Ridge Passive House project.

Elegance and harmony make this natural stone a precious ally for designers. Any environment can absorb and make its own its innate sophistication and allow it to emerge in the lines of the furnishing. Like a very elegant gown, nature skilfully interwove these two "non" colours, black and white, in order to put visual lyrics into sophisticated verses. The appearance becomes the foreground element, the mirror of a soul that preserves unaltered the grace of times past, combining it with the modern taste, which is seen in the cleanness of the lines. A medley that nature, the driving force of the Antolini company, once created with surprising authenticity.

A luxurious en suite bath was created within this classic 1925 Portland bungalow by reconfiguring the second story’s original small bedrooms and tiny half bath. In this welcoming new urban boho space, eclectic finishes mingle harmoniously, integrated through subtle repetition of shapes and materials.
A furniture-style vanity sets the tone for this luxurious space, introducing materials, colors, shapes, and textures that repeat throughout. Individual walnut hexagons join to create distinctive vanity doors, offset beautifully by horizontal-grain drawers. Topping the cabinetry is a simple concrete countertop with integral sinks. An expansive framed mirror above enlarges and brightens the room. Within the mirror, sconces float, their globes a nod to the hexagons below. Champagne bronze fixtures reflect the warm walnut glow. Nestled into the back corner, a stunning shower features waterjet tiles in a double herringbone pattern, each precisely cut and laid to maintain design integrity at every surface transition. Teak floor tiles and a pebbled niche hint at the classic spa experience. Across from the shower, a large hexagonal window provides a treetop view from the free-standing tub below. The gentle oval of the tub and the beaded chandelier above provide a pleasing contrast to the strong lines surrounding it, as do the softly-shaded pebbles in the full-length niche. Shiplap wainscotting wraps the room, creating an illusion of height in the compact space. Subtle flooring and soft green walls create an understated backdrop for the bold mix of materials, unifying them into a serene oasis.
Asking a century-old home to accommodate a modern luxury bath is a tall order. Asbestos-laden plaster and flooring had to be abated. The subfloor had to be leveled and reinforced to increase strength and prevent deflection. Water lines and multiple electrical circuits had to be brought across and up without disturbing a beautifully-paneled ceiling, something we accomplished by firring out stair walls to hide the chases. Our client had visions of a leafy view from her tub, but the new layout eliminated existing windows. Placing a new window was complicated by deep eaves and flat soffits. By pushing the header into the roofline, however, we were able to accommodate a picture window. The flat soffit was replaced by an inverse hip lined with stained tongue and groove cedar, tying it to the bathroom finishes. Bringing materials up a narrow staircase became truly challenging when it was time to install the big items. However, strategic removal of drywall around the landing got the job done. Our attention to detail is showcased in the shower tile, where precise cuts were required at surface transitions to maintain the integrity of a complex double herringbone lay. The project was delivered on time.
Savvy layout choices minimized spending on structural changes. Because we were dealing with dormer space, head height was an issue. Raising the ceiling would have been complex and expensive so our design accommodated the constraints – tub on the low outside wall, shower on the full-height interior wall. The vanity spanned the spread, accommodating our petite client on the exterior side and her taller husband on the interior side. An under-eave closet was closed off to create room for both a freestanding tub and a separate shower. Rather than building replacement storage elsewhere, we simply added a new door into the closet from the primary bedroom. This was made possible by absorbing the short hallway separating the existing bed and bathroom into the primary bedroom. This new layout also created an en suite relationship between the primary bedroom and the new bath. We saved additional dollars by selecting a furniture-style vanity rather than using custom cabinetry, and the countertop with integral sinks provided a cost savings over a more traditional quartz countertop with undermount sinks. Affordable shower tiles allowed us to put more money into a dynamic tile layout. The project was delivered within budget.

Amazing Kitchen and Bathroom Transformation!
-------------HIGHLIGHTS ----------
*Extreme heat resistance – Perfect for countertops! Don’t worry about melting your porcelain slab if you need to put down a hot pan straight from the stove. It’s a great surface material for performing all of your temperature-based tasks without having to be concerned with wear or tear.
*Stain-free–it’s almost impossible to stain porcelain. Whereas with marble or quartzite, you risk nasty stains every time you spill dark liquids or food items on it. Even just a touch can cause permanent damage. But the same cannot be said for porcelain, which can be cleaned in a jiffy and will not absorb or resorb stainable substances.
*Will, not scratch or wear – It’s super difficult to cause any scratches or chips on a porcelain surface. Unless it were to be rammed by a bulldozer, it can’t be hurt. Anything from dropping a kitchen knife to resting heavy bricks upon it will not cause it to crack or wear down. It’s invincible compared to the caution you must exercise when dealing with a marble surface.
-------REMODEL SPECS:--------
*Cabinet Style: Affinity European Frameless: Already a popular concept in Europe-these extralarge-format porcelain slabs are fairly new to the US market,
*Wood Species- Paint Grade Finish /White Dove,
*Cabinet Box- 3/4" Plywood,
*Hinges-Fully Concealed Cup-Hinge, Six-Way Adjustable, Self-Closing, Integrated Soft-Close,
*Drawer Guides/Full-Extension Under-Mount, Self-Closing, Soft-Close With Under Cabinet Led, *Strip Lighting (under the cabinetry),
*Porcelain Slabs Hyper White (countertop and island),
*Porcelain Slabs Calcatta Hyper White (backsplash)

This recreation space has an actual stardust ceiling that is usually found only in grand theaters. Other lighting fixtures are installed in different areas and surfaces to achieve variety in lighting effects. The vibrantly coloured carpet adds to a feel of a real theater. Aside from being an avid car collector, the owner also loves to collect speakers and they are showcased in this beautiful home theater.
We used painted MDF wallpanel and sound absorbing fabric.

Floating cork flooring is a lovely, resilient and environmentally sound flooring option. When looking for a flooring option that brings more benefits than drawbacks, let cork impress you. It is comparable in price to traditional hardwood and tile and can be as easy if not easier to install. It is highly scratch resistant - more so than other natural flooring options, and is better at absorbing impact and sound. Give floating cork flooring a look over today.

Maximizes Your Laser
TV Experience
AWOL VISION CINEMATIC ALR SCREEN
Overcoming Ceiling Light with Ease
Our Ceiling -Light Rejecting material absorbs 95% of overhead lighting. A micro-cirriform optical structure on the surface filters out ceiling light for superior picture quality.

This project involved the complete transformation of a modern infill home to better align with the clients' tastes, needs, functionality, and style preferences. The renovation aimed to create a more personalized and functional kitchen that reflected the unique lifestyle and aesthetic choices of the homeowners. The previous design included one island which was too large for it to function correctly. Low quality cabinet materials which were de-laminating and with high gloss finishes that were not practical to their lifestyle.
In the original design, unappealing yellow tones evoked a hospital-like feeling absorbing the iconic I-beam ceiling and concrete floors. The new goal and vision was to transform the kitchen into a warm welcoming environment with durable finishes, a countertop that was easy to clean and maintain and re-invent and improve the function and storage of the cabinetry.
Ingredients include: Custom Slim Shaker Walnut cabinets and Self healing, fingerprint free black matte cabinets, Cambria Quartz countertops, brick tile accents to compliment the other existing architectural elements and a colourful chicklet tile which represented the clients love of pop art.
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