Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Stuart Wade, Envision Virtual Tours Welcome to an extraordinary land. One where nature's bounty is evident at every turn. Where salt marshes, dunes, antebellum oaks and rivers lie in harmony with five glorious miles of private beach. Our commitment to environmental responsibility guides our vision and lives on in a lifestyle that honors the past and protects the future. Ideally located, Sea Island borders the Atlantic coast of Georgia, and is situated midway between Savannah, GA, and Jacksonville, FL. Mild sunny weather is a mainstay, with temperatures averaging 65–89 degrees. Sea Island is located on the Atlantic coast of southern Georgia, and is part of the group of islands known as the Golden Isles. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Black Banks River on the west, Sea Island is easily accessible by bridge.

Stuart Wade, Envision Virtual Tours Welcome to an extraordinary land. One where nature's bounty is evident at every turn. Where salt marshes, dunes, antebellum oaks and rivers lie in harmony with five glorious miles of private beach. Our commitment to environmental responsibility guides our vision and lives on in a lifestyle that honors the past and protects the future. Ideally located, Sea Island borders the Atlantic coast of Georgia, and is situated midway between Savannah, GA, and Jacksonville, FL. Mild sunny weather is a mainstay, with temperatures averaging 65–89 degrees. Sea Island is located on the Atlantic coast of southern Georgia, and is part of the group of islands known as the Golden Isles. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Black Banks River on the west, Sea Island is easily accessible by bridge.

Stuart Wade, Envision Virtual Tours Welcome to an extraordinary land. One where nature's bounty is evident at every turn. Where salt marshes, dunes, antebellum oaks and rivers lie in harmony with five glorious miles of private beach. Our commitment to environmental responsibility guides our vision and lives on in a lifestyle that honors the past and protects the future. Ideally located, Sea Island borders the Atlantic coast of Georgia, and is situated midway between Savannah, GA, and Jacksonville, FL. Mild sunny weather is a mainstay, with temperatures averaging 65–89 degrees. Sea Island is located on the Atlantic coast of southern Georgia, and is part of the group of islands known as the Golden Isles. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Black Banks River on the west, Sea Island is easily accessible by bridge.

Stuart Wade, Envision Virtual Tours Welcome to an extraordinary land. One where nature's bounty is evident at every turn. Where salt marshes, dunes, antebellum oaks and rivers lie in harmony with five glorious miles of private beach. Our commitment to environmental responsibility guides our vision and lives on in a lifestyle that honors the past and protects the future. Ideally located, Sea Island borders the Atlantic coast of Georgia, and is situated midway between Savannah, GA, and Jacksonville, FL. Mild sunny weather is a mainstay, with temperatures averaging 65–89 degrees. Sea Island is located on the Atlantic coast of southern Georgia, and is part of the group of islands known as the Golden Isles. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Black Banks River on the west, Sea Island is easily accessible by bridge.

Stuart Wade, Envision Virtual Tours Welcome to an extraordinary land. One where nature's bounty is evident at every turn. Where salt marshes, dunes, antebellum oaks and rivers lie in harmony with five glorious miles of private beach. Our commitment to environmental responsibility guides our vision and lives on in a lifestyle that honors the past and protects the future. Ideally located, Sea Island borders the Atlantic coast of Georgia, and is situated midway between Savannah, GA, and Jacksonville, FL. Mild sunny weather is a mainstay, with temperatures averaging 65–89 degrees. Sea Island is located on the Atlantic coast of southern Georgia, and is part of the group of islands known as the Golden Isles. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Black Banks River on the west, Sea Island is easily accessible by bridge.

Transitional kitchen photo in Los Angeles

Kitchen/dining room combo - small farmhouse medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in Salt Lake City with white walls and no fireplace

Photo by David Eichler
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, black countertops and subway tile backsplash

Inspiration for a timeless blue two-story mixed siding gable roof remodel in DC Metro with a shingle roof

We don't believe in being average. Our furniture is legendary. The Stressless Legend features unique cushioning that feels sumptious and luxurious as it embraces and supports your body. The specially designed foam and the Stressless glide system means the sofa adjusts to your body smoothly. It simply stretches to that extra degree of comfort you have come to expect. This means that it’s more responsive to the way your body moves. You never have to force it to do anything – simply move, and it moves with you. Your key to it all is the Stressless glide wheel: adjust its grip to how you like it, and leave it that way. And, of course, each sofa seat has its own glide wheel.

Our designer has achieved a stylish look by combining dark cabinets and light-colored marbles.

Photography: Dan Piassick
Transitional dark wood floor hallway photo in Dallas with white walls

Quartzite and Slate Patio with Firepit
Example of a small eclectic backyard stone patio design in Seattle with a fire pit and no cover

Great grids! The simulated divided lite grids (a.k.a. muntins) in these Harvey Tribute double hung windows are done in a 4-over-1 pattern, a great choice for smaller windows like this, or for when you want grids but don't want to obstruct too much of your view.

Plumbing issues rarely occur at a convenient  moment. When selecting whom to install plumbing in Melbourne homes, one must find someone who is licensed, readily available and has the right to tell you the costs upfront before work is commenced. This guide includes what to look at prior to hiring a plumber melbourne and common hiring mistakes to avoid.
Explaining how to choose the right plumber Melbourne homeowners
Why choosing the right plumber matters
Poor plumbing repair may be more expensive to repair than the original problem. Experience, licensing, and communication are also all issues that impact on a job being done right the first time round. A few minutes checking credentials will save later on down the line. Difficult hiring choices may result in:
●    Repeat callouts: Incomplete repairs, which fail once again in the matter of weeks, necessitate a visit by another tradesperson, and additional expense. ●    Hidden charges: Unclear price estimates that become unexpected bills after the project has begun. ●                Property damage: Rushing or unlicensed work that causes damage to pipes, fittings and adjacent walls and floors.
Check licensing and qualifications first
All plumbers operating in Victoria have to have the valid licence issued by the Building and Plumbing Commission. Licensing validates the formal training as well as legal responsibility of the work done. This is checked within a few minutes prior to securing any job. Pre-hiring ensure the following before the hiring:
●    Licence number: A registered plumber is able to issue a licence number which is confirmed by the appropriate authority. ●    Insurance coverage: Public liability insurance insures the property in the case of damage at the time of plumbing work. ●    Trade specialization: Gas fitting and hot water work need to be covered by certain qualifications other than, in general, a plumbing licence. ●                Membership bodies: The association with established industry organizations is usually an indication of continued training and accountability benchmarks.
Ask about availability and response time
Plumbing emergencies do not follow business hours. An explosion of a pipe or gas break should be addressed immediately, irrespective of the days or the time of the day. Skill is no more crucial than availability in the matter of picking a plumber. Some useful questions to ask before making a reservation are:
●    Emergency availability: Checking that the callouts are not provided on weekends, evenings or during public holidays with long delays. ●    Response time: Inquiring about the speed at which a plumber can commonly arrive to address an emergency in the house under contact. ●    Call-out fee: An explanation of whether or not a call-out fee is charged and whether or not the fee is waived when the work is carried out. ●                Service area: In this case, it will be necessary to check whether the plumber visits the given suburb of Melbourne on a regular basis.
Understand pricing before work begins
The most frustrating aspect among the plumbing customers is unclear pricing. An honest plumber discusses prices and alternatives with him/her prior to commencing any job. Written quotes insure the homeowner and the tradesperson. Fair pricing practices normally involve:
●    Fixed quotes: An open quote properly quoted and then inspected, not an hourly estimate. ●    Written breakdowns: Detailed expenses showing labour, materials as well as any other expenses prior to beginning of work. ●    No pressure tactics: Time to study the options without requesting a decision to be made immediately on-site. ●                Transparent extras: All other costs including after-hours costs would be explicitly known prior to the job.
Common errors one should not make when employing a plumber
Hasty judgments made in the plumbing crisis tended to come back to bite. The failure to do basic checks may lead to low-quality workmanship or high prices. Most frequent hiring issues are avoided with a brief wait before making a booking. Frequent mistakes include:
●    Skipping licence checks: Recruiting solely on price without first ensuring they are properly licensed and insured. ●    Accepting verbal quotes only: Accepting oral estimates rather than writing down, making itemised price explanations. ●    Ignoring reviews: Finding a plumber without examining customer feedback in the past few reviews on different independent review sites. ●                Overlooking guarantees: Not enquiring of work done, whether it comes with any part or labour warranty.
A look at the frequently asked questions
What is the average price of a Melbourne plumber?
Prices are depending on the type of job hence a written estimate is always advisable.
Is a call-out fee always charged?
Not necessarily; lots of plumbers cancel a charge after the job is done.
Is there a plumber who can do gas fitting?
No, the other licence qualification is a separate gas fitting licence qualification.
Is it necessary to base a hiring decision on reviews?
Yes, there are some patterns in the quality of reliability and workmanship according to recent reviews.
Is emergency plumbing available on weekends?
There are numerous certified plumbers who have emergency services available on weekends and after hours.

Inspiration for a rustic brown one-story wood gable roof remodel in Seattle

AFTER - This is what redesign is all about... creating a better space without changing everything. We kept the costs down by using the existing furnishings, draperies, chandelier and millwork. We changed the wall color, added a more signifcant floral arrangement in the chandelier, repositioned the furnishings, reupholstered the seating (psst.... we didn't need to take them to a professional) and added some accessories.

Master Bedroom with Red Bed Frame and custom drapery and bedding.
Bedroom - traditional master light wood floor bedroom idea in Charlotte