Çimstone applies European Standards for its quality control and produces with the Italian BRETON technology. Combining the natural stone textures with the robustness of quartz, Çimstone is reliably used for laboratories in particular due to its anti-bacterial hygienic composition. Further, it may be applied to such different areas of use as internal walls, facade, stairs, window sills, skirting and flooring. Not absorbing liquid due to its compact composition, Çimstone is stain-proof and displays a high resistance to the abrasive effects of acids and bases thanks to this property. It may be produced in different colours compatible with cupboard covers, which suit different expectations, with texture and design alternatives. Capable of being provided with effects with such different materials as mirror, glass, seashells colored with pigments, Çimstone offers such alternatives different from those surface covering materials which have come to be accustomed up to the present time and completes the changing kitchen and bathroom culture and modern designs of the present day.

These clients love to entertain and host large parties, but their existing kitchen was just too small and outdated. They have a large family with two huge dogs, so we knew we had to create a layout to accommodate everyone. We wanted to open the back wall so that the kitchen could expand into a formal dining room that they rarely used. We were able to remove the built-in pantry, open the back wall, and absorb the entire formal dining room, to create a massive, open, chef’s kitchen. We designed a large eat-in central island built around a 36” gas cooktop with a heavy-duty downdraft pop-up vent. We maximized the cabinetry storage and made the most of every cabinet with pull-out organizers, hands-free trash pull-out, roll-out trays, large pantry cabinets, and gorgeous backlit glass front cabinets. We also created a large stone front bar area complete with a bar sink, double beverage centers, and an ice maker. We added built-in bench seating in the breakfast nook, a custom built-in desk area to utilize the space under the stairs, and refaced the fireplace to match the stacked stone in the bar area.

This beautiful kitchen is adjacent to the tile entryway and transitions well with the use of a matching T-molding. The placement of the rug absorbs water that may splash on the floor when it is in use. It is still important to leave no standing water on hardwood surfaces of any kind. Photo by Troy Ocariza

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.

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.

Full view of the kitchen and refrigeration/freezer built in units. As you can see, there are no handles on the cabinets. We used a Blum Tip On mechanical solution with a Legra box design. Walnut has all been vertically grain matched. A super matte white Luxe finish on the back wall absorbs the light, while the glass backsplash reflects it. A custom designed and fabricated stainless steel hood is flush and co-planar with the adjacent white cabinetry. The island is made with custom stained vertical grain walnut. The thicker ends serve to both support the 14' overhang as well as provide aesthetic balance. Dual sinks, dual dishwashers, and Wolf cooking applinaces.

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

Dolce Grey is a beautiful crystalline grey marble look that comes in a bookmatch configuration that would add symmetry and focus to any space. This cool color along with the bookmtach configuration is ideal for focal fireplaces, countertops+backsplash, bathrooms and accent walls. The color comes in two bookmatchable faces that can generate up to 4 different symmetric looks depending on how you choose to align the faces. Unlike natural stone, porcelain does not stain, absorb water, crack due to heat and requires virtually ZERO MAINTENANCE compared to natural stones. You can purchase this product as material only to be delivered as slabs from our local warehouse in Houston, TX or select our professional installation services to ensure top quality workmanship.

The project involved opening the ceiling on the ground floor of a 1930s duplex and replacing the plaster finish with a gypsum ceiling system. Aluminum electrical wiring was also replaced to conform to current standards, and the existing lighting was exchanged for new pot lights in all rooms. Once the ceilings were opened, an acoustic, soundproofing insulation system was installed to absorb interior noise from the second floor of the duplex. The soundproofing system consists of blown wool insulation, padded with a thin layer of air between it and the gypsum ceiling finish, along with the installation of resilient bars. Inspiration for a mid-sized french country dark wood floor and brown floor enclosed dining room remodel in Toronto with beige walls - Houzz

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.

This family wanted to have a space where they could enjoy sports year round. They wanted top rated performance and safe sports flooring that was low cost and low maintenance - they chose SnapSports® #SnapSports The surfacing is the patented Maple Xl with ShockTower® - a full suspension flooring system with built in shock absorbers to cushion impact during play.

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Headline: Stop replacing your kid's closet every few years. ? (Mercer Island Project) Body: A recent client in Mercer Island reached out with a common frustration: their existing custom closet couldn't survive their kids. The shelves were bowing, the standard drawers were breaking from being slammed, and the floor was a constant mountain of clothes. (See the "Before" photo). Kids' rooms require heavy-duty engineering, not just pretty panels. Here is how we rebuilt the space logic: ✔️ Impact-Resistant Hardware: We installed heavy-duty, soft-close glides. When kids slam the drawers, the hardware absorbs the shock, preserving the cabinet frame. ✔️ The Drawer Matrix: We eliminated deep, chaotic shelves. By increasing the number of drawers, we created an intuitive sorting system that actually encourages kids to put things away. ✔️ Structural Integrity: Built with solid materials designed for decades of daily physical stress. A closet isn't just a box; it's a daily operating system for your home. If your current storage is failing, let's redesign the logic of your space. ? Serving Mercer Island, Bellevue, Renton & surrounding areas. ? Send a direct message to book a space consultation. Sai Remodeling LLC | Hybrid Customization Closets _ #SaiRemodeling #MercerIslandWA #BellevueHomes #SeattleContractor #ClosetDesign #HomeOrganization #BuiltToLast

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.”

On a quiet street just steps from San Francisco’s beloved Dolores Park, a formerly modest urban structure has been transformed into a luminous vertical residence that quietly redefines contemporary city living. Through a comprehensive remodel and both vertical and horizontal expansion, the project turns a constrained urban footprint into a sequence of serene, art-forward living spaces that unfold upward toward expansive city views. The architecture balances restraint and warmth: crisp contemporary geometry softened by natural materials, artful lighting, and carefully curated interiors. The result is a home that feels simultaneously grounded and elevated—deeply connected to its neighborhood yet remarkably private. Reimagining the Urban Envelope The original building has been almost entirely reconceived. The facade now reads as a disciplined composition of plaster volumes and precisely detailed window openings framed by subtle projecting bands. The geometry references San Francisco’s classic rhythm of bayed facades while stripping the language down to a refined modern expression. Behind this quiet exterior lies a dramatically expanded interior volume. The redesign adds both additional floor area and new vertical circulation, transforming what was once a conventional city house into a multi-level architectural sequence organized around light, art, and views. At the roofline, planted terraces soften the building’s silhouette and create a green crown visible from surrounding hillsides. Interiors as a Sequence of Galleries Inside, the home unfolds as a series of spatial moments connected by a sculptural stair and gallery-like corridors. Wide plank oak floors run throughout, providing continuity and warmth against a palette of plaster walls, dark steel detailing, and natural stone. The hallways function almost as curated galleries, with layered artworks suspended in front of mesh panels that create depth and subtle shadow. Light filters through carefully placed windows and stair openings, transforming circulation spaces into contemplative transitions rather than mere passageways. A Living Room Anchored by Stone and Light The primary living room occupies one of the home’s central floors, where a quiet interplay of texture and geometry defines the space. A monumental fireplace wrapped in dark stone forms the room’s anchor, its mass contrasting with a recessed ceiling plane that seems to float above the seating area. Integrated perimeter lighting creates a soft architectural glow that washes the ceiling and walls. Furniture is sculptural yet understated—rounded lounge chairs in warm ochre velvet, tailored sofas, and a striking marble cocktail table whose expressive veining becomes a focal artwork in itself. Deep blue carpeting grounds the seating arrangement and subtly absorbs light, enhancing the calm atmosphere. Above the fireplace, a delicate projection artwork introduces a moment of visual poetry—an unexpected cinematic gesture that transforms the wall into a quietly animated canvas. Kitchen as Architectural Furniture The kitchen expresses a different register: crisp, tactile, and materially rich. Custom walnut cabinetry spans the wall in a continuous plane, punctuated only by the sculpted hood and integrated appliances. The wood’s depth and warmth are balanced by expanses of pale marble that flow seamlessly from countertop to backsplash. Three dome pendants hover above the island like industrial sculptures, casting pools of warm light onto the stone surface. A row of vivid red stools introduces a controlled burst of color, a small but confident departure from the otherwise restrained palette. Dining With a Living Backdrop Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining room opens toward a glass wall overlooking a vertical garden of climbing ivy. The greenery becomes a constantly changing backdrop—lush and shadowy during the day, atmospheric and cinematic after sunset. A dark wood table anchors the room, surrounded by pale oak chairs whose understated forms echo Scandinavian design traditions. The simplicity of the furniture allows the view and natural light to become the dominant experience. Intimate Spaces and Material Contrast Throughout the home, smaller rooms offer moments of intimacy and material experimentation. The powder room pairs textured wall coverings with a dramatic black marble vanity whose bold veining feels almost geological. A suspended mirror and slender pendant create a sculptural composition against the tactile backdrop. The primary bedroom, by contrast, feels serene and expansive. Floor-to-ceiling glazing frames sweeping views of the city, while soft textiles and warm wood paneling create a cocooning effect. Slender black columns subtly define a sitting area without interrupting the openness of the space. Bathing Above the City In the primary bathroom, a sculptural freestanding tub sits beside a panoramic window overlooking San Francisco’s hills and rooftops. The room’s palette—light oak, grey stone, and matte metals—reinforces the spa-like atmosphere. Floating cabinetry and integrated lighting maintain a sense of visual lightness despite the richness of the materials. Entertaining Above the Park Higher in the house, a lounge and bar area becomes the social heart of the home. Here, dark stone slabs with dramatic veining wrap the bar wall like a piece of monumental art. Open shelving displays glassware and spirits, while integrated wine storage hints at the home’s entertaining ambitions. A soft leather sectional and low glass table create a relaxed setting for conversation, framed by expansive views of the city skyline. Cinema and Retreat The lower level introduces yet another atmosphere: a dedicated media room designed for immersive viewing. Dark walls, plush seating, and soft lighting create a cinematic environment that contrasts intentionally with the airy upper floors. It’s a retreat within the home—intimate, quiet, and removed from the brightness above. Architecture That Balances Discipline and Warmth What makes the project particularly compelling is its balance between architectural discipline and lived warmth. Every element—from the carefully framed views to the restrained material palette—contributes to a cohesive spatial narrative. Yet the home never feels austere. Natural materials, curated art, and layered lighting create a sense of comfort and depth. The result is a house that feels both architecturally rigorous and deeply human. A Contemporary Interpretation of San Francisco Living In a neighborhood defined by historic homes and iconic park views, this transformation offers a contemporary interpretation of San Francisco living. It respects the city’s urban density while embracing openness, light, and vertical living. The home rises quietly above its surroundings, culminating in panoramic vistas that stretch across rooftops, hills, and sky. What began as a conventional structure has become something far more nuanced: a modern urban sanctuary—part gallery, part retreat, and wholly connected to the vibrant city just beyond its walls.

Contemporary horizontal redwood fence with drought-tolerant landscaping in Santa Barbara. River rocks line large concrete pavers that lead to a gate.

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.

This wooden wardrobe is simple and elegant, it combines white & Black board with golden handle to create minimalist charm. Adopts natural rattan with handmade weaving technology, the natural rattan not only has the effect of absorbing moisture and heat but also delivering perfect visual effect, add charming to your home.

This three bedroom duplex apartment is uniquely located at the corner of Gramercy Park. The project involved the renovation of one apartment and expansion into the unit above. The one bedroom apartment upstairs was converted into a Master Suite, while the original Master Bedroom was absorbed into the living room, creating a larger entertainment space to accommodate a piano and a custom bar with a cantilevered counter. A new staircase connecting the existing apartment with the Master Suite is tucked away to maximize open social area. The dark wood floors were continued through the stair to suggest that this had always been part of the original design. Upstairs, the new Master Bedroom faces south overlooking the park with integrated millwork on either side of the fireplace. A built-in bed floats off the floor and adjacent wall. Her closet used space flanking the fireplace for built-in shoe storage, providing a functional yet colorful display when lit. Cove lighting, stretched fabric and frosted glass were employed to provide a warm glow for the spaces when not illuminated by the abundant daylight on both levels. Project by Richard Meier & Partners, Architects LLP