Blau-Thompson Residence This Civil War era, 1680-square-foot three-story row house is located in the Italian Market section of Philadelphia. The BluPath Design principals and their young child were the clients. The project goal was to upgrade a traditional housing type to meet a contemporary lifestyle, applying both sustainable criteria and clean, modern yet sensual aesthetics. The challenge of the property (only 830 square feet in lot size) was to create a design that was small, but smart. The structure formerly housed a luncheonette with two apartments above. The interior was gutted and renovated into a single family home. The construction of a small rear addition added a new kitchen on the first floor and new bathrooms on the second and third levels. The east-west orientation of the home was ideal for the roof-mounted solar collectors, which were installed to provide domestic hot water and supplement the new radiant floor heating system. Exterior sensors improve the efficiency of the heating system's response to fluctuations in outside temperature. A new white-coated, rubber membrane roof reduced the structure's heat gain by 20 percent. A water catch system collects rainwater and air conditioner condensation to water the home's small rear garden. Large windows and skylights bring light deep into the row house and reduce the use of light fixtures. The rear yard garden features ipe decking (a dense, water-repellent hardwood) on permeable compacted gravel to minimize storm water runoff. BluPath Design’s principals used the project to demonstrate how sustainability can be integrated with beauty and function, with sensual materials and colors, well-proportioned and light-filled rooms, economic use of space, and thoughtful details. Cherry flooring and custom stairs complement the Indian slate tile in the kitchen and bathrooms. The kitchen features custom walnut cabinets with blue granite counters and backsplashes. The first floor dining area is illuminated by a BluPath-designed fiber-optic chandelier. Ipe hardwood is also used for the master bath tub-surround and shower floor. Sliding frosted glass panels separating the master bath from other living areas allows light from the corner windows to naturally illuminate the adjacent room. Awards Honorable Mention for Sustainability and Energy Efficiency IIDA Philadelphia City Center Chapter 3rd Annual Interior Design Awards, June 2007 Bronze 2006 Commonwealth Design Award 10,000 Friends of PA, May 2006 Media HGTV ‘What You Get for the Money’ February 2007 Philadelphia Style Magazine March/April 2007 Philadelphia Inquirer June 11, 2006 Philadelphia CityPaper September 25-October 2, 2003 Photography by Barry Halkin

The warmer season, upcoming Super Bowl Sunday, and a raging pandemic. These were the problems plaguing the World of Beer Bar in Tampa Bay, FL, when they got in touch with us for an outdoor bar pergola solution. Outdoor Project They wanted to entertain massive crowds of people and watch parties, but the guests could be limited to an outdoor seating space due to the area’s pandemic restrictions. The solution for the restaurant patio cover was the louvered roof system. The World of Beer Bar decided on a modern pergola with an automated louvered roof to create an outside terrace where their customers can enjoy Super Bowl while maintaining the government’s SOPs due to the pandemic. They loved our R-Blade pergola as it offered a covered outdoor space where they could receive and entertain their guests. They wanted the industrial patio cover installed on their outdoor terrace to offer rain protection to their customers. But they also wanted a part of the terrace to be uncovered so that their customers can enjoy the beautiful day outdoors. R-Blade pergola design with the louvered system was the perfect solution for this beer bar’s outdoor space. Product Choice Outdoor Terrace - World Of Beer Bar and Kitchen - covered with a louvered roof Product 4 Pergolas Model R-BLADE louvered roof Type Attached to the wall Size 52’ x 22’ projection – 15’ high Options Screens Color Grey Bronze / White louvers Benefits Stunning 2-story patio The challenges of this outdoor bar pergola project Working on this outdoor bar pergola while keeping the pandemic restriction. 4 louvered roofs opening altogether as well as independently outdoor bar pergola louvered roof with better sealing and less chance of leaks 4 louvered roof that open and close independently - outdoor bar pergola This industrial patio cover for the outdoor terrace consists of 4 louvered roofs mounted to the bar’s wall. Additionally, the client wanted these roofs to open and close independently so that their customers can enjoy a nice beer and enjoy the Super Bowl watch parties outside when the weather’s good. Automated screens for wind and rain protection The R-Blade bioclimatic louvered roof installed at the outdoor terrace comes with outdoor screens, a rain sensor that prompts the pergola to close automatically when it detects rain. Moreover, the outdoor bar pergola has a wind sensor for automatic opening whenever it detects a strong wind force. While offering the perfect ambiance to this convivial sports bar, it shelters the customers from winds during watch parties and gatherings. Moreover, our modern louvered roof system is complemented by Azenco’s well-engineered invisible gutter system to drain the rainwater immediately, ensuring that the space under the pergola remains dry. Grey bronze structure to match the bar’s overall look We installed grey bronze structures that go very well with the sports bar’s overall look and ambiance. They also asked for white louvers to perfectly contrast with the grey bronze structures giving the outdoor bar pergola a more sophisticated yet friendly vibe. The pergolas were designed to perfectly blend with the bar’s exterior, offering the perfect place for beer and sports enthusiasts to connect over their favorite teams in the Super Bowl. Outdoor bar pergola features and Azenco’s solutions As a result, we created an amazing restaurant patio design for the World of Beer Bar to entertain their guests outside even during the pandemic restrictions. The louvered system was designed to blend with the sports bar’s look, so the structures were attached to the outdoor wall and crafted in grey bronze while the louvers were white. Before the renovation, it was just an uncovered terrace on the second story of the patio. But now it’s the perfect outdoor sitting area for customers who come to enjoy the outdoors and watch Super Bowl. The elegant-looking louvers protect the customers from rain or the sun, while the uncovered part gives guests the perfect outdoor experience. Not to mention that Azenco successfully installed the louvered roof before the Super Bowl 2021 started as the client needed to arrange an outdoor terrace to receive the guests. Turnaround time Manufacturing: Custom manufactured adjustable white louvered roof with grey bronze structure. Delivery in 4 weeks. Mounting On Site: 4 days deal with specific timing and scheduling to ensure that the mounting doesn’t interfere with opening hours.

Gulf-Front Grandeur Private Residence / Alys Beach, Florida Architect: Khoury & Vogt Architects Builder: Hufham Farris Construction --- This one-of-a-kind Gulf-front residence in the New Urbanism community of Alys Beach, Florida, is truly a stunning piece of architecture matched only by its views. E. F. San Juan worked with the Alys Beach Town Planners at Khoury & Vogt Architects and the building team at Hufham Farris Construction on this challenging and fulfilling project. We supplied character white oak interior boxed beams and stair parts. We also furnished all of the interior trim and paneling. The exterior products we created include ipe shutters, gates, fascia and soffit, handrails, and newels (balcony), ceilings, and wall paneling, as well as custom columns and arched cased openings on the balconies. In addition, we worked with our trusted partners at Loewen to provide windows and Loewen LiftSlide doors. Challenges: This was the homeowners’ third residence in the area for which we supplied products, and it was indeed a unique challenge. The client wanted as much of the exterior as possible to be weathered wood. This included the shutters, gates, fascia, soffit, handrails, balcony newels, massive columns, and arched openings mentioned above. The home’s Gulf-front location makes rot and weather damage genuine threats. Knowing that this home was to be built to last through the ages, we needed to select a wood species that was up for the task. It needed to not only look beautiful but also stand up to those elements over time. Solution: The E. F. San Juan team and the talented architects at KVA settled upon ipe (pronounced “eepay”) for this project. It is one of the only woods that will sink when placed in water (you would not want to make a boat out of ipe!). This species is also commonly known as ironwood because it is so dense, making it virtually rot-resistant, and therefore an excellent choice for the substantial pieces of millwork needed for this project. However, ipe comes with its own challenges; its weight and density make it difficult to put through machines and glue. These factors also come into play for hinging when using ipe for a gate or door, which we did here. We used innovative joining methods to ensure that the gates and shutters had secondary and tertiary means of support with regard to the joinery. We believe the results speak for themselves! --- Photography by Layne Lillie, courtesy of Khoury & Vogt Architects

Structure: 8,340 lbs, 8.5’ x 24’ custom built steel, two axel trailer, advanced light weight composite wall system, polymerized stucco and composite wood exterior, elastomeric coated roof for water tight seal. 9,000 BTU LG Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump, Twinfresh (ERV). Schlage keyless entry and deadbolt. Appliances: Whirlpool Convection Microwave, two burner induction cooktop with 7 piece cookware set, 18.7 cu ft Summit Ingenious Series refrigerator with ice maker, Kenmore stack 3.9 cu ft washer, 7 cu ft dryer with wrinkle guard, Bathroom amenities: Kohler shower mixer, 3’ x 4’ shower, 4 foot curved glass shower door, IKEA mirrored medicine cabinet (3 cu ft of storage), IKEA vanity with 2 full depth drawers (8.8 cu ft of storage), IKEA linen pantry (8 cu ft of storage), 2 recessed LED ceiling lights bathroom, Additional amenities: Coaxial and Cat 5 connection in loft and living room, 2 recessed LED ceiling lights in loft, TV wall mount brackets in loft and living (1 each), two-way light switches in loft, movable/stow-able custom built ladder, IKEA flip down dining table and bar stools, 104 sq ft of clothes storage, IKEA 3 piece seating sectional (1 sleeper and 2 storage ottomans), 8 foot kitchen counter.

This bedroom was designed to accommodate a teenager boy who will be pursuing in the music industry. We took in consideration the need to have a additional queen size bed for guests. This space can be used for gatherings to listen him playing tracks or just to have friends over to play video game. The use of this space is endless! The rare picture of Basquiat in the desk area and a very interesting table lamp, vintage, and made of clay welcomes everyone who walks in, without forget to mentioned, we incorporated the hall entrance with the rest of the room, adding the ceiling pendant that reflects an abstract interesting pattern in the ceiling, making even more artsy and fun!

Basement Bar Dream Realized! Our clients can entertain guests and family members in this modern space by getting behind the beautiful two-level full bar with shaker style front panels and create any drink recipe - both new and the old favorites - secretly. Guests can climb into the comfortable leather bar-stool-style chairs at the bar's 42" height and clearly see the stone accent wall with mounted cabinets and open thick-glass shelving but not the drinks being prepared by the host. They can relax and lean on the glossy white and gray quartz counter top while casually enjoying the present company. The strategically placed lighting under the bar and in the wall-mounted black painted cabinets, along with the recessed lights and decorative hanging light fixtures, help the space to feel light and cozy. The additional of light neutral paints with dark accents help to stabilize the mood - not to mention the vinyl light wood-styled flooring found throughout the basement.

This kitchen was beautifully transformed into a Modern Rustic masterpiece. We were honored to have a part in the design and installation of the cabinets and countertop as well as being the general contractor for the project. The homeowners, Mr. Scott & Ms. Rauhofer are not new to architecture and home design. Their home had previously won an architectural award for its construction and design. Mr. Scott & Ms. Rauhofer utilized the expertise of many different artists and contractors on this project. Our designer, Tracy West, worked with them on the design of their new kitchen. They did have a separate contractor who took care of the rough-in work (wall removal, refinishing the floors, electrical, and plumbing) as well as configuring the installation of the unique 3Form Lightbox above the sink. Julie Gabrielli with Gabrielli Design Studio masterfully designed the above-mentioned lightbox, which was then installed by Baltic Custom Construction (additional contractor). Ken Girardini with Girardini Design artfully designed and constructed many metal artwork pieces to showcase in the space. Ken also beautifully crafted the distinctive cabinet hardware pieces seen throughout. This stunning kitchen was incredibly well thought out and planned, using the many talents of some local artists and craftsmen to truly showcase what is possible to create a beautiful space within the home. New Cabs: DeWils Blanco Supermatte Luxe Countertop: Cambria Warm Britannica with Waterfall island Hardware: Ken Girardini with Girardini Design Backsplash: customer supplied Sink: Kraus KHU32 Stove: Miele 48” Rangetop with Grill Model: KMR 1355 G / KMR 1355 LP Stove Hood: Miele Décor Island Ventilation Hood DA 424V-6 Refrigerator: Subzero Convection Oven: Miele ContourLine 30” H 6780 BP Dishwasher: Miele EcoFlex Series Microwave: Miele PureLine 24” Microwave Oven M 6260 TC Cabinet accessories by Dewils and Fineline accessories in the drawers. Lightbox Info- https://www.3-form.com/collaborate/light_design/ Tracy West Kitchen Designer O’Hanlon Kitchens, Inc. 47 Loveton Circle, Ste. D Sparks, MD 21152 443-285-0558 717-755-5555 www.OKitchens.com Melanie Sammons Project Coordinator O’Hanlon Kitchens, Inc. 47 Loveton Circle, Ste. D Sparks, MD 21152 443-285-0558 717-755-5555 www.OKitchens.com Baltic Custom Construction, Inc. 8 Havenfield Dr, Parkville, MD 21234 410-375-1283 Ken Girardini keng@girardinidesign.com 927 Buckhorn Rd Sykesville, MD. 21784 410-549-3499 Julie E Gabrielli, NCARB, LEED AP Gabrielli Design Studio, LLC 2224 Crest Rd Baltimore, MD 21209 julie@gabriellidesign.com 410-530-0389 www.gabriellidesign.com blog: juliegabrielli com

Gulf-Front Grandeur Private Residence / Alys Beach, Florida Architect: Khoury & Vogt Architects Builder: Hufham Farris Construction --- This one-of-a-kind Gulf-front residence in the New Urbanism community of Alys Beach, Florida, is truly a stunning piece of architecture matched only by its views. E. F. San Juan worked with the Alys Beach Town Planners at Khoury & Vogt Architects and the building team at Hufham Farris Construction on this challenging and fulfilling project. We supplied character white oak interior boxed beams and stair parts. We also furnished all of the interior trim and paneling. The exterior products we created include ipe shutters, gates, fascia and soffit, handrails, and newels (balcony), ceilings, and wall paneling, as well as custom columns and arched cased openings on the balconies. In addition, we worked with our trusted partners at Loewen to provide windows and Loewen LiftSlide doors. Challenges: This was the homeowners’ third residence in the area for which we supplied products, and it was indeed a unique challenge. The client wanted as much of the exterior as possible to be weathered wood. This included the shutters, gates, fascia, soffit, handrails, balcony newels, massive columns, and arched openings mentioned above. The home’s Gulf-front location makes rot and weather damage genuine threats. Knowing that this home was to be built to last through the ages, we needed to select a wood species that was up for the task. It needed to not only look beautiful but also stand up to those elements over time. Solution: The E. F. San Juan team and the talented architects at KVA settled upon ipe (pronounced “eepay”) for this project. It is one of the only woods that will sink when placed in water (you would not want to make a boat out of ipe!). This species is also commonly known as ironwood because it is so dense, making it virtually rot-resistant, and therefore an excellent choice for the substantial pieces of millwork needed for this project. However, ipe comes with its own challenges; its weight and density make it difficult to put through machines and glue. These factors also come into play for hinging when using ipe for a gate or door, which we did here. We used innovative joining methods to ensure that the gates and shutters had secondary and tertiary means of support with regard to the joinery. We believe the results speak for themselves! --- Photography by Layne Lillie, courtesy of Khoury & Vogt Architects

Most of our projects are completed in residential areas ranging from rural to suburban, but we occasionally have an opportunity to do work in the heart of a metropolitan space. This project represents one such opportunity. Sunspace Design was tasked with the construction of a gorgeous, private greenhouse in the center of Boston’s historic Beacon Hill neighborhood, and we’re thrilled to show you the results. The project required the introduction of a brick greenhouse foundation and granite cap. The structure was framed on top of this in black, powder-coated aluminum, and eventually outfitted with large glass panes. An additional ridge crest gives the Victorian structure provides an amazing silhouette. A number of great features warrant mentioning. The project includes motorized, thermostatically controlled ridge vents and a full HVAC split system to ensure top thermal performance. The client’s ease of operation was also addressed via the installation of remote controlled shades. Smoked privacy glass in the rear of the structure offers some solitude, and a mirage window wall with accordion doors at the front of the structure blend beauty and functionality.

Kitchen, Sliding Doors & Storage by Komandor. With any good kitchen layout, storage and flow are key. Continuing from last week’s theme…sliding doors can be a great addition to your kitchen or pantry. The main features being the increase in flow and the decrease in clutter in the kitchen. An open cabinet door protruding into your space is always cumbersome. Sliding doors can save valuable space and increase flow in high traffic areas. Not to mention that they are right on trend! Sliding doors can also be used to create a work station with a counter top and extra storage above and below. Food prep and frequently working appliances can be hidden away with the push of a door. Unexpected guests…no problem…with sliding doors a tidy kitchen is always just a slide away!

Gulf-Front Grandeur Private Residence / Alys Beach, Florida Architect: Khoury & Vogt Architects Builder: Hufham Farris Construction --- This one-of-a-kind Gulf-front residence in the New Urbanism community of Alys Beach, Florida, is truly a stunning piece of architecture matched only by its views. E. F. San Juan worked with the Alys Beach Town Planners at Khoury & Vogt Architects and the building team at Hufham Farris Construction on this challenging and fulfilling project. We supplied character white oak interior boxed beams and stair parts. We also furnished all of the interior trim and paneling. The exterior products we created include ipe shutters, gates, fascia and soffit, handrails, and newels (balcony), ceilings, and wall paneling, as well as custom columns and arched cased openings on the balconies. In addition, we worked with our trusted partners at Loewen to provide windows and Loewen LiftSlide doors. Challenges: This was the homeowners’ third residence in the area for which we supplied products, and it was indeed a unique challenge. The client wanted as much of the exterior as possible to be weathered wood. This included the shutters, gates, fascia, soffit, handrails, balcony newels, massive columns, and arched openings mentioned above. The home’s Gulf-front location makes rot and weather damage genuine threats. Knowing that this home was to be built to last through the ages, we needed to select a wood species that was up for the task. It needed to not only look beautiful but also stand up to those elements over time. Solution: The E. F. San Juan team and the talented architects at KVA settled upon ipe (pronounced “eepay”) for this project. It is one of the only woods that will sink when placed in water (you would not want to make a boat out of ipe!). This species is also commonly known as ironwood because it is so dense, making it virtually rot-resistant, and therefore an excellent choice for the substantial pieces of millwork needed for this project. However, ipe comes with its own challenges; its weight and density make it difficult to put through machines and glue. These factors also come into play for hinging when using ipe for a gate or door, which we did here. We used innovative joining methods to ensure that the gates and shutters had secondary and tertiary means of support with regard to the joinery. We believe the results speak for themselves! --- Photography by Layne Lillie, courtesy of Khoury & Vogt Architects

One of the biggest investments you can make in your home is in your kitchen. Now with the Revive model, you don’t have to break the bank to get an updated kitchen with new finishes and a whole new look! This powder blue kitchen we are sharing today is a classic example of such a space! The kitchen had a great layout, the cabinets had good bones, and all it needed were some simple updates. To learn more about what we did, continue reading below! Cabinets As previously mentioned, the kitchen cabinetry already had great bones. So, in this case, we were able to refinish them to a painted cream on the perimeter. As for the island, we created a new design where new cabinetry was installed. New cabinets are from WWWoods Shiloh, with a raised panel door style, and a custom painted finish for these powder blue cabinets. Countertops The existing kitchen countertops were able to remain because they were already in great condition. Plus, it matched the new finishes perfectly. This is a classic case of “don’t fix it if it ain’t broke”! Backsplash For the backsplash, we kept it simple with subway tile but played around with different sizes, colors, and patterns. The main backsplash tile is a Daltile Modern Dimensions, in a 4.5×8.5 size, in the color Elemental Tan, and installed in a brick-lay formation. The splash over the cooktop is a Daltile Rittenhouse Square, in a 3×6 size, in the color Arctic White, and installed in a herringbone pattern. Fixtures and Finishes The plumbing fixtures we planned to reuse from the start since they were in great condition. In addition, the oil-rubbed bronze finish went perfectly with the new finishes of the kitchen. We did, however, install new hardware because the original kitchen did not have any. So, from Amerock we selected Muholland pulls which were installed on all the doors and drawers.

As general contractors in San Jose, we understand that designer homes in big cities seek the best in home renovation in San Jose, as performed by experts like Turner Home Remodeling that specializes in custom upgrades & improvements. It can be in the area of kitchen & bath remodels, ADU design & construction, room addition or backyard services, to mention a few. General Contractors in San Jose at Home Remodeling in San Jose, CA - https://www.turnerhomeremodeling.com/ ZIP Code 95002, ZIP Code 95101, ZIP Code 95103, ZIP Code 95106, ZIP Code 95108, ZIP Code 95109 ,ZIP Code 95110, ZIP Code 95111, ZIP Code 95112, ZIP Code 95113, ZIP Code 95115, ZIP Code 95116, ZIP Code 95117, ZIP Code 95118, ZIP Code 95119, ZIP Code 95120, ZIP Code 95121, ZIP Code 95122, ZIP Code 95123, ZIP Code 95124, ZIP Code 95125, ZIP Code 95126, ZIP Code 95127 ,ZIP Code 95128, ZIP Code 95129, ZIP Code 95130, ZIP Code 95131, ZIP Code 95132, ZIP Code 95133

Armando called us for a free estimate, we passed by and shortly got back to him with a quote. We had to remove a very old pre-existing wood fence. We installed a full privacy wood-with frame style fence made with PT wood. We added top crown wood caps to make it look pretty. For no additional cost we converted his double swing doors on the left side of the house into a rolling gate which I recommend since he mentioned buying a boat was next on his todo list (must be nice right haha). You can also see his entrance close to the concrete which is his pedestrian swing door. On the right side we added two 6 foot swing doors with heavy duty hinges. (I always highly recommend for longevity). Overall it was a success and Armando recommended his good friend Gladis which we will be starting next week. Stay posted for her project outcome. We thank you for your vote of confidence Armando.

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY HONORABLE MENTION AWARD WINNER Since moving into their home 10 years ago, the lady of the house has been unhappy with her kitchen, dining room and entryway. The layout wasn’t efficient and the formal dining room was rarely used. With two children and a dog, a mud room made more sense for their lifestyle. To make best use of the space, the design team at Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes removed the dining room altogether. Four feet of that space went to the kitchen to make it more spacious and functional. The rest went to creating a mud room for the kids with locker style storage. The highlight of the renovation is, however, the new kitchen. Featuring a large center island with distressed curved wood countertop, it provides an anchor around which the rest of the room flows. Stark white cabinets run along two walls, providing significant kitchen storage, as well as several display cabinets for the homeowner’s fine china. A white farmer’s sink sits below a large window looking out over the backyard and the counters are topped with complementary stone counter and tile backsplash. Stainless steel appliances include a gas cooktop with custom wood hood that matches the cabinets. Matching crown molding tops the flush-to-the-ceiling cabinets. In addition to natural light from the windows, the kitchen features pendant lights over the island, under-cabinet lighting and LED lights. The added lighting along with the white cabinets make the room look even more spacious. Being a gourmet cook, the homeowner enjoys her time in kitchen while the mud room makes her daily chores a lot simpler.

This simple kitchen design is completely transformed by the natural light filling it from the perfectly placed window and patio door. The white marble countertops and Fabuwood's Galaxy Frost cabinets are brought to life by the sunlight, while the glossy offset subway tile backsplash and Galaxy Nickel Island supply just the right amount of subtle contrast. Additionally illuminated by the rectangular pendant light hanging over the island, paired with recessed lights, this space is as bright, open, and welcoming as a kitchen can be. Not to mention our favorite feature yet, the butler’s pantry, a great way to add an abundance of space to the kitchen.

Armando called us for a free estimate, we passed by and shortly got back to him with a quote. We had to remove a very old pre-existing wood fence. We installed a full privacy wood-with frame style fence made with PT wood. We added top crown wood caps to make it look pretty. For no additional cost we converted his double swing doors on the left side of the house into a rolling gate which I recommend since he mentioned buying a boat was next on his todo list (must be nice right haha). You can also see his entrance close to the concrete which is his pedestrian swing door. On the right side we added two 6 foot swing doors with heavy duty hinges. (I always highly recommend for longevity). Overall it was a success and Armando recommended his good friend Gladis which we will be starting next week. Stay posted for her project outcome. We thank you for your vote of confidence Armando.

Our clients came to us with a few pieces they wanted to incorporate in their living room- to mention just a few: Their unique art, photography by their sister, and unique collected pieces that had been passed down from family and found through their travels. We took what they had, and provided them with additional pieces to really make the space come together, down to styling the space, replacing major furniture pieces, and creating a custom built in to house their electronics. This is one of our favorites because of the uniqueness in the eclectic collection of pieces. Photography: Tamara Flanagan Photography

Gulf-Front Grandeur Private Residence / Alys Beach, Florida Architect: Khoury & Vogt Architects Builder: Hufham Farris Construction --- This one-of-a-kind Gulf-front residence in the New Urbanism community of Alys Beach, Florida, is truly a stunning piece of architecture matched only by its views. E. F. San Juan worked with the Alys Beach Town Planners at Khoury & Vogt Architects and the building team at Hufham Farris Construction on this challenging and fulfilling project. We supplied character white oak interior boxed beams and stair parts. We also furnished all of the interior trim and paneling. The exterior products we created include ipe shutters, gates, fascia and soffit, handrails, and newels (balcony), ceilings, and wall paneling, as well as custom columns and arched cased openings on the balconies. In addition, we worked with our trusted partners at Loewen to provide windows and Loewen LiftSlide doors. Challenges: This was the homeowners’ third residence in the area for which we supplied products, and it was indeed a unique challenge. The client wanted as much of the exterior as possible to be weathered wood. This included the shutters, gates, fascia, soffit, handrails, balcony newels, massive columns, and arched openings mentioned above. The home’s Gulf-front location makes rot and weather damage genuine threats. Knowing that this home was to be built to last through the ages, we needed to select a wood species that was up for the task. It needed to not only look beautiful but also stand up to those elements over time. Solution: The E. F. San Juan team and the talented architects at KVA settled upon ipe (pronounced “eepay”) for this project. It is one of the only woods that will sink when placed in water (you would not want to make a boat out of ipe!). This species is also commonly known as ironwood because it is so dense, making it virtually rot-resistant, and therefore an excellent choice for the substantial pieces of millwork needed for this project. However, ipe comes with its own challenges; its weight and density make it difficult to put through machines and glue. These factors also come into play for hinging when using ipe for a gate or door, which we did here. We used innovative joining methods to ensure that the gates and shutters had secondary and tertiary means of support with regard to the joinery. We believe the results speak for themselves! --- Photography by Layne Lillie, courtesy of Khoury & Vogt Architects