One of the initial challenges for this project was the fact that I was asked to come in with a concept and design a after a number of other pool professionals. That can be an advantage in some situations where the people that preceded you all had a similar idea and concept and we go drastically in a different direction. Either way, that approach usually opens the eyes of the customer to the fact that there are other ways of seeing things and other ways of tackling a difficult site. In this case there was a more level area in a more remote part of the property which would've been easier to build on. Without question. What we offered was the ability to create something dramatic and unique and in the end became actually breathtaking. This involved doing a raised pool and spa combination built into an existing ledge that needed to be exposed and chopped out not only for the raised spa area but for the entire depth of the pool. A large amount of tree clearing was also going to be necessary as well as a plan to deal with the mountains of rock,ledge and granite that was going to come out of this excavation site. Another large challenge was that the choice of this location also made the proximity of the pool to the home extremely close. We needed to come up with a design that included planters and buffers so that the pool would not look and feel like it was too close to the house. By modifying the existing pressure-treated deck off the back of the house as well as raising what would be the final grade of the pool we were able to eliminate any railings that were present for that deck . What that achieved was a wide-open feel and look to the project . Now ,from anywhere in the back of the house the view of the pool the spa and the ledge rising up and around the entire area is a dramatic one, to say the least. The act of removing the ledge that was necessary to create this oasis closely resembled actually sculpting the ledge. We wanted and needed to preserve certain aspects of the exposed ledge areas as we wanted them to blend into the rest of the masonry that we were going to create. Steps and walkways etc. Besides aesthetics, practical solutions, for storm runoff, pockets for future planting and screening of the neighbors properties was a large part of our design and challenge. We were able to blend some of the larger ledge pieces that were excavated into the hard scape, the retaining walls the stone veneer surrounding the spa as well as unique coping pieces and the diving rock. We even used pieces of the ledge as grab rails for the custom swim out in the deep end. Matching granite was used to veneer all the underwater steps benches and swim outs. The spa was designed and constructed with party mode in mind. From the custom stone veneer entrance steps to the multilevel benches and our exclusive" deep soak" hydrotherapy well, it was all part of a custom concept. We actually measure as a tailor would, the dimensions of our hydrotherapy wells to the specific customer. which sometimes comically means that one spouse might be in over their head. In this case we were lucky as the dimensions seem to fit both spouses correctly. In other projects we have actually done his and hers deep wells so that everyone is happy!

Nice, clean lines help to maximize the space both outside & inside the pool. Mike pushed the pool as far back on the property line as he could to increase the deck space closest to the house. That angled area in the back corner is actually an easement he worked into the design. He then created plenty of hang-out room inside the pool with 2 benches, 1 sun ledge, corner entry steps and a raised, attached overflow spa on the side closest to the house for entertainment purposes. By keeping these features focused to one side you also maintain a more open swim area. The client is still able to swim laps if desired.

This project has three components, which is all built differently. The main house is a waterfront property at the bottom of a steep cliff. All machine and materials are delivered by barge. Concrete is pumped from the top of the cliff down to the bottom with a 400ft line into a boom pump which was delivered by barge. Due to the challenging access to the site, most of the structural backfill is actually Styrofoam (EPS) backfill. The garage is built from the top of the cliff, with a 27ft tall foundation wall. We needed to excavate to solid bedrock in order to adequately anchor the foundation into the hillside. This tall foundation wall are 10″ thick with a double grid of rebar to retain approximately 350 cu yards of fill. Styrofoam backfill was also used. A funicular (tramway) is also being built on this project, which required it’s own building permit. Image by Ema Peter Photography

This bungalow was sitting on the market, vacant. The owners had it virtually staged but never realized the furniture in the staged photos was too big for the space. Many potential buyers had trouble visualizing their furniture in this small home. We came in and brought all the furniture and accessories and it sold immediately. Sometimes when you see a property for sale online and it is virtually staged, the client might not realize it and expects to see the furniture in the home when they visit. When they don't, they start to question the actual size of the property. We want to create a vibe when you walk in the door. It has to start from the moment you walk in and continue throughout at least the first floor. If you are thinking about listing your home, give us a call. We own all the furniture you see and have our own movers.

This bungalow was sitting on the market, vacant. The owners had it virtually staged but never realized the furniture in the staged photos was too big for the space. Many potential buyers had trouble visualizing their furniture in this small home. We came in and brought all the furniture and accessories and it sold immediately. Sometimes when you see a property for sale online and it is virtually staged, the client might not realize it and expects to see the furniture in the home when they visit. When they don't, they start to question the actual size of the property. We want to create a vibe when you walk in the door. It has to start from the moment you walk in and continue throughout at least the first floor. If you are thinking about listing your home, give us a call. We own all the furniture you see and have our own movers.

This bungalow was sitting on the market, vacant. The owners had it virtually staged but never realized the furniture in the staged photos was too big for the space. Many potential buyers had trouble visualizing their furniture in this small home. We came in and brought all the furniture and accessories and it sold immediately. Sometimes when you see a property for sale online and it is virtually staged, the client might not realize it and expects to see the furniture in the home when they visit. When they don't, they start to question the actual size of the property. We want to create a vibe when you walk in the door. It has to start from the moment you walk in and continue throughout at least the first floor. If you are thinking about listing your home, give us a call. We own all the furniture you see and have our own movers.

This bungalow was sitting on the market, vacant. The owners had it virtually staged but never realized the furniture in the staged photos was too big for the space. Many potential buyers had trouble visualizing their furniture in this small home. We came in and brought all the furniture and accessories and it sold immediately. Sometimes when you see a property for sale online and it is virtually staged, the client might not realize it and expects to see the furniture in the home when they visit. When they don't, they start to question the actual size of the property. We want to create a vibe when you walk in the door. It has to start from the moment you walk in and continue throughout at least the first floor. If you are thinking about listing your home, give us a call. We own all the furniture you see and have our own movers.

This bungalow was sitting on the market, vacant. The owners had it virtually staged but never realized the furniture in the staged photos was too big for the space. Many potential buyers had trouble visualizing their furniture in this small home. We came in and brought all the furniture and accessories and it sold immediately. Sometimes when you see a property for sale online and it is virtually staged, the client might not realize it and expects to see the furniture in the home when they visit. When they don't, they start to question the actual size of the property. We want to create a vibe when you walk in the door. It has to start from the moment you walk in and continue throughout at least the first floor. If you are thinking about listing your home, give us a call. We own all the furniture you see and have our own movers.

This bungalow was sitting on the market, vacant. The owners had it virtually staged but never realized the furniture in the staged photos was too big for the space. Many potential buyers had trouble visualizing their furniture in this small home. We came in and brought all the furniture and accessories and it sold immediately. Sometimes when you see a property for sale online and it is virtually staged, the client might not realize it and expects to see the furniture in the home when they visit. When they don't, they start to question the actual size of the property. We want to create a vibe when you walk in the door. It has to start from the moment you walk in and continue throughout at least the first floor. If you are thinking about listing your home, give us a call. We own all the furniture you see and have our own movers.

This bungalow was sitting on the market, vacant. The owners had it virtually staged but never realized the furniture in the staged photos was too big for the space. Many potential buyers had trouble visualizing their furniture in this small home. We came in and brought all the furniture and accessories and it sold immediately. Sometimes when you see a property for sale online and it is virtually staged, the client might not realize it and expects to see the furniture in the home when they visit. When they don't, they start to question the actual size of the property. We want to create a vibe when you walk in the door. It has to start from the moment you walk in and continue throughout at least the first floor. If you are thinking about listing your home, give us a call. We own all the furniture you see and have our own movers.

This vintage style bathroom was inspired by it's 1930's art deco roots. The goal was to recreate a space that felt like it was original. With lighting from Rejuvenation, tile from B&W tile and Kohler fixtures, this is a small bathroom that packs a design punch. Interior Designer- Marilynn Taylor Interiors, Contractor- Allison Allain, Plumb Crazy Contracting.

The straw bale walls are expressed by the stacked window pattern and deep-set window openings, The lime plaster finish provides an organic soft finish to the rigid form. The hay bales are both beautiful and functional with excellent insulation and fire resistance properties. Photo by Celia Pearson.

This bungalow was sitting on the market, vacant. The owners had it virtually staged but never realized the furniture in the staged photos was too big for the space. Many potential buyers had trouble visualizing their furniture in this small home. We came in and brought all the furniture and accessories and it sold immediately. Sometimes when you see a property for sale online and it is virtually staged, the client might not realize it and expects to see the furniture in the home when they visit. When they don't, they start to question the actual size of the property. We want to create a vibe when you walk in the door. It has to start from the moment you walk in and continue throughout at least the first floor. If you are thinking about listing your home, give us a call. We own all the furniture you see and have our own movers.

This bungalow was sitting on the market, vacant. The owners had it virtually staged but never realized the furniture in the staged photos was too big for the space. Many potential buyers had trouble visualizing their furniture in this small home. We came in and brought all the furniture and accessories and it sold immediately. Sometimes when you see a property for sale online and it is virtually staged, the client might not realize it and expects to see the furniture in the home when they visit. When they don't, they start to question the actual size of the property. We want to create a vibe when you walk in the door. It has to start from the moment you walk in and continue throughout at least the first floor. If you are thinking about listing your home, give us a call. We own all the furniture you see and have our own movers.

This bungalow was sitting on the market, vacant. The owners had it virtually staged but never realized the furniture in the staged photos was too big for the space. Many potential buyers had trouble visualizing their furniture in this small home. We came in and brought all the furniture and accessories and it sold immediately. Sometimes when you see a property for sale online and it is virtually staged, the client might not realize it and expects to see the furniture in the home when they visit. When they don't, they start to question the actual size of the property. We want to create a vibe when you walk in the door. It has to start from the moment you walk in and continue throughout at least the first floor. If you are thinking about listing your home, give us a call. We own all the furniture you see and have our own movers.

This bungalow was sitting on the market, vacant. The owners had it virtually staged but never realized the furniture in the staged photos was too big for the space. Many potential buyers had trouble visualizing their furniture in this small home. We came in and brought all the furniture and accessories and it sold immediately. Sometimes when you see a property for sale online and it is virtually staged, the client might not realize it and expects to see the furniture in the home when they visit. When they don't, they start to question the actual size of the property. We want to create a vibe when you walk in the door. It has to start from the moment you walk in and continue throughout at least the first floor. If you are thinking about listing your home, give us a call. We own all the furniture you see and have our own movers.

This bungalow was sitting on the market, vacant. The owners had it virtually staged but never realized the furniture in the staged photos was too big for the space. Many potential buyers had trouble visualizing their furniture in this small home. We came in and brought all the furniture and accessories and it sold immediately. Sometimes when you see a property for sale online and it is virtually staged, the client might not realize it and expects to see the furniture in the home when they visit. When they don't, they start to question the actual size of the property. We want to create a vibe when you walk in the door. It has to start from the moment you walk in and continue throughout at least the first floor. If you are thinking about listing your home, give us a call. We own all the furniture you see and have our own movers.

Example of a trendy bathroom design in Portland Maine

Convert the existing deck to a new indoor / outdoor space with retractable EZ Breeze windows for full enclosure, cable railing system for minimal view obstruction and space saving spiral staircase, fireplace for ambiance and cooler nights with LVP floor for worry and bug free entertainment