When we opened up this old plaster and lathe living room we discovered a less than adequate framing. We brought in a structural engineer. We added new windows, a new sky light, created a curved ceiling to match the original home, and patched in new flooring to the old.

My client wanted to enrich the backyard by adding an all native garden. We planted some toyons and coffeeberrys that will grow large enough to cover the back wall eventually. We also added a California native planting area and reduced the size of the grass. My client wanted to keep a small patch of grass for her growing family to play on, so we installed St. Augustine grass as it is mostly a low water lawn.

The photos on this page are of a Sandstone Kitchen floor at a house in the High Green suburb of Sheffield. The Sandstone tiles looked grubby and needed some love and attention. Our client was getting fed up trying to keep the stone clean, particularly around the kitchen area where cleaning didn’t seem to make much. You can see how dirty it had become on the before picture below, this is stark contrast to the middle of the of the kitchen where the portable kitchen island normally sits. I went to the property to get a better look at the problem floor and carried out a small test clean to see which products and methods would have the best impact. The patch came up really clean without much difficulty, so I was confident on being able to restore its appearance. It was clear to me the original protective sealer had worn off and dirt had become ingrained in the pores of the stone where it was proving difficult to remove. My client was very encouraged by the test clean initial result and agreed to go ahead with the quote. We arranged a suitable time to carry out the work on a day when the family would be out of the way. I started by taping up the area to make sure the skirting and woodwork were protected from splashing. Once done a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean was sprayed onto Sandstone tile and grout. It was left to dwell for approximately ten minutes to help break down all the grime and dirt and was then worked into the stone using a rotary floor machine fitted with a stiff bristled brush. This method totally transformed the dull sandstone, the stunning sandstone colours started to leap out and I could see the stone was well on its way to being transformed. The floor was then rinsed several times with water and the now soiled cleaning solution carefully removed with an industrial wet vacuum. With the floor clean I inspected all the tiles and repeated the process until I was happy the floor was total clean. I should mention It’s not always this easy to clean a stone floor and quite often I find myself having to utilise all sorts of products and methods before I’m totally satisfied it’s as clean as it could possibly be. With the cleaning done I left the floor to dry out overnight aided with heaters and air blowers. I returned to seal the floor the next day checking first that the stone was dry with a damp meter. Leaving the blowers on overnight had helped and the readings I took from the floor confirmed it was now ready for sealing. Earlier I had discussed the different types of sealer available with my clients and they had chosen to have the floor sealed with Tile Doctor Seal & Go. This works really well on Sandstone, enhancing its appearance, improving colour and of course adding protection to the stone to prevent grime and dirt stuck in the pores of the stone. Several coats were applied until I could see if was fully sealed and the right level of finish had been achieved. Sealing a floor can take some time as you need to allow each coat to dry before applying the next. Once done the floor looked meticulously clean and the new sealer had added a lovely subtle sheen to the stone. My client was very please with the transformation and left the following feedback. ‘Very professional approach, friendly, and offered great advice throughout the job. Very pleased with the finish Cheers Matt we will see you again’ One of the problems we find with many homeowners is that for cleaning they use strong bleach-based cleaning product on their sealed tiles, and this actually strips off the sealer leaving the stone vulnerable to ingrained dirt. As a result, Tile Doctor has developed Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner, it is pH neutral and gentle enough for everyday use without affecting the sealer. Matthew Lovett South Yorkshire Tile Doctor

When we opened up this old plaster and lathe living room we discovered a less than adequate framing. We brought in a structural engineer. We added new windows, a new sky light, created a curved ceiling to match the original home, and patched in new flooring to the old.

We began this project by having the client meet with our kitchen designer and coming up with the best use of their galley/wall style kitchen and bathroom. We ended on a layout that relocated some of the appliances and installed a new kitchen island and vanity for the bathroom. We also added electrical and gas lines for an oven, cook-top, outlets and hood vent. In addition we also: Demo all heater, cap, patch, and repair wall. Replace 6 cans in small office space- customer to provide cans and lightbulbs. Install new light fixture in the hall. Move hall receptacle down. Remove door, molding hinges between kitchen and front room. (NOT MAIN STUDIO. Enlarge opening/ move light switch and Recep. Remove molding around bath door and main studio door (one side), no patching needed- painters will do. Demo all tile on walls and in shower in the bathroom, hand bars, soap dispenser, medicine cabinet, mirror, 4 light fixtures, paper towel holder, the cabinet on the wall over toilet, shelf over toilet, toilet paper holder, towel holder on door and walls. Enlarge opening of the shower,- Ok to demo shower for all glass enclosure- If the cost is the same- as just enlarging opening with new glass door. Install new tile on walls in bathroom from top to bottom (exclude floor and ceiling). Create a place in the shower for shower niche and install niche. Install tile on shower walls and floor. Install shower door – customer to supply. Install bath hardware- TP holder, towel rod, bath hooks, tower shelf. Replace shower head and knobs (like for like). New hot mop, new wood stud as necessary, replace fan to code install new shower door (customer will supply). Install new toilet, vanity, mirrored medicine cabinet, replace 2 light fixtures. Install in the kitchen faucet and sink. Replace current light with chandelier light (like for like). Replace kitchen track light with new track light. Install 9 LED fluorescent lights in loft space (above small office)- customer to supply. Build and install a 8’x10’ wall, drywall both sides. Reduced size of the wall- Revise Bid (was 12’x12). Move 2 track lights in the main workspace. Replace (4) fluorescents lights in the studio. Install Polycarbonate cover over bath skylight. Replace dimmer switches and timers (4). Install vinyl cove base under kitchen cabinets. Remove black cabinet conversing fire sprinkler pipes- install modify existing bookcase cabinets. Bury electrical flexible conduit and box (next to back door).

My client wanted to enrich the backyard by adding an all native garden. We planted some toyons and coffeeberrys that will grow large enough to cover the back wall eventually. We also added a California native planting area and reduced the size of the grass. My client wanted to keep a small patch of grass for her growing family to play on, so we installed St. Augustine grass as it is mostly a low water lawn.

This beautiful French Provincial home is set on 10 acres, nestled perfectly in the oak trees. The original home was built in 1974 and had two large additions added; a great room in 1990 and a main floor master suite in 2001. This was my dream project: a full gut renovation of the entire 4,300 square foot home! I contracted the project myself, and we finished the interior remodel in just six months. The exterior received complete attention as well. The 1970s mottled brown brick went white to completely transform the look from dated to classic French. Inside, walls were removed and doorways widened to create an open floor plan that functions so well for everyday living as well as entertaining. The white walls and white trim make everything new, fresh and bright. It is so rewarding to see something old transformed into something new, more beautiful and more functional.

Side of house has this great dog run with artificial turf. Take note of the great fire hydrant.
This is an example of a mid-sized farmhouse full sun side yard concrete paver landscaping in Minneapolis.

Tony Colangelo
Bedroom - craftsman bedroom idea in Vancouver

About five years ago, these homeowners saw the potential in a brick-and-oak-heavy, wallpaper-bedecked, 1990s-in-all-the-wrong-ways home tucked in a wooded patch among fields somewhere between Indianapolis and Bloomington. Their first project with SYH was a kitchen remodel, a total overhaul completed by JL Benton Contracting, that added color and function for this family of three (not counting the cats). A couple years later, they were knocking on our door again to strip the ensuite bedroom of its ruffled valences and red carpet—a bold choice that ran right into the bathroom (!)—and make it a serene retreat. Color and function proved the goals yet again, and JL Benton was back to make the design reality. The clients thoughtfully chose to maximize their budget in order to get a whole lot of bells and whistles—details that undeniably change their daily experience of the space. The fantastic zero-entry shower is composed of handmade tile from Heath Ceramics of California. A window where the was none, a handsome teak bench, thoughtful niches, and Kohler fixtures in vibrant brushed nickel finish complete the shower. Custom mirrors and cabinetry by Stoll’s Woodworking, in both the bathroom and closet, elevate the whole design. What you don't see: heated floors, which everybody needs in Indiana. Contractor: JL Benton Contracting Cabinetry: Stoll's Woodworking Photographer: Michiko Owaki

to make this modern style pool and spa pop, we poured rectangular steps leading from the side yard to the back patio and to the firepit and sundecks. we made this a zero water, no maintenance yard and bordered the steps with salt river rock, then added artificial turf (artificial grass) for a softening effect. the patches of green really stand out among the more subdued colors of the rocks and concrete. AHPC

This parkway was transformed from a traditional turf that required traditional maintenance on a regular basis to a low maintenance, habitat friendly planting of native Buffalo Grass with a butterfly garden. The Buffalo Grass was planted with plugs and after established requires mowing only once a year and minimal water.

This extreme kitchen renovation involved removing many walls to create the open floorplan concept. The old laundry room was walled in approximately where the custom table sits now. A 12' custom patio door was added in place of a 6' window! Cabinetry was designed to precisely fit in this space using lots of drawer banks using no fillers. Shallow storage was built in to the right of the frig. and a 1200cfm hood vented through the roof was meticulously integrated above the slide in range. The laundry room is now hidden by a custom sliding barn door with soft close hardware. All this was done reusing the existing hardwood floors, patching in with new where required!

2D Rendering - White quartz gravel is a less expensive patio option for a narrow, yet long, patch of backyard ground. Adding steps, down a slope, opens up additional small spaces below.

Additional guest parking was added by installing a paver pad to the side of the existing circular driveway. To blend the new section of pavers with the existing asphalt, radiating bands of pavers were installed between sections of asphalt. Photography by Linda Oyama Bryan

Wild flower meadow next to the lake and apple orchards showcasing Upstate New York apple production. Some areas mowed for entertaining and tents.
Inspiration for a huge rustic drought-tolerant and partial sun front yard stone vegetable garden landscape in New York for spring.

About five years ago, these homeowners saw the potential in a brick-and-oak-heavy, wallpaper-bedecked, 1990s-in-all-the-wrong-ways home tucked in a wooded patch among fields somewhere between Indianapolis and Bloomington. Their first project with SYH was a kitchen remodel, a total overhaul completed by JL Benton Contracting, that added color and function for this family of three (not counting the cats). A couple years later, they were knocking on our door again to strip the ensuite bedroom of its ruffled valences and red carpet—a bold choice that ran right into the bathroom (!)—and make it a serene retreat. Color and function proved the goals yet again, and JL Benton was back to make the design reality. The clients thoughtfully chose to maximize their budget in order to get a whole lot of bells and whistles—details that undeniably change their daily experience of the space. The fantastic zero-entry shower is composed of handmade tile from Heath Ceramics of California. A window where the was none, a handsome teak bench, thoughtful niches, and Kohler fixtures in vibrant brushed nickel finish complete the shower. Custom mirrors and cabinetry by Stoll’s Woodworking, in both the bathroom and closet, elevate the whole design. What you don't see: heated floors, which everybody needs in Indiana. Contractor: JL Benton Contracting Cabinetry: Stoll's Woodworking Photographer: Michiko Owaki

Turn of the century brownstone classrooms in this Hells Kitchen community center needed serious updating so we replaced all the outdated fluorescent lighting, patched and painted everything, added brightly colored durable classroom furniture and more. All was lovingly executed with a generous grant from The Junior League of New York City.

Turn of the century brownstone classrooms in this Hells Kitchen community center needed serious updating so we replaced all the outdated fluorescent lighting, patched and painted everything, added brightly colored durable classroom furniture and more. All was lovingly executed with a generous grant from The Junior League of New York City.