Relationship: Client Project Date: March 2014 Project Price Range: more than $100,000 Having purchased our first house in Valley Glen, North Hollywood, we were aware it was in need of serious remodeling. A 1950s Ranch-style home, it came complete with peeling wallpaper, musty carpeting, and even some dilapidated walls. As first-time homeowners we were prepared to spend more money to improve it, but weary when we began meeting contractors. Buyer’s remorse already set in when we interviewed several contractors who were either aloof or unscrupulous. Then we were fortunate enough to find Mike Ross. He immediately allayed our stress with his professional and forthright demeanor and his integrity was as rock solid from the day we met him through the several months it took to complete our large renovation. While we had some specific things we wanted in our house, Mike and his team took our wish list and far exceeded our expectations to help truly realize the vision of our dream. Originally a three-bedroom, fourteen-hundred square foot home, our remodel brought an addition of a thousand square feet as well as an overhaul of the landscape; this prospect was particularly daunting for uninitiated owners such as us, but Mike’s consummate professionalism shone through and made the task exponentially less stressful for us. As well as a new 850 sf Master Bedroom, including a fireplace, and a steam unit in the bath, we added a cozy home theater room, laundry room, and the once forgotten backyard brought a new deck and patio with a trellis. Furthermore, because we went green and made it a smart home, we’re already more energy efficient. In several rooms, as well as the main hallway, for example, Mike installed solar tubes and the amount of natural light that bathes the house is amazing. Even my mom, when she came to visit, was always looking for a light-switch. As our contractor, Mike Ross took the reins to steer the project and keep it on course and he did so exceptionally. Mike and his team were as attentive to the quality of every nook and corner and he always sought our approval and happiness. Consistently communicative, he always kept us in the loop about progress and was always there to answer any questions and concerns. When an unforeseen contingency did arise, Mike assuaged our concerns by taking action ASAP to rectify the problem. Mike’s team, too, all take pleasure in their efforts. An eclectic group of skilled artisans and craftsmen, they are all polite, punctual, and proud of their work. Thank you, Mike Ross, for your outstanding leadership, your impeccable standards, and your commitment to our happiness. Dale & Helen Keis

Relationship: Client Project Date: March 2014 Project Price Range: more than $100,000 Having purchased our first house in Valley Glen, North Hollywood, we were aware it was in need of serious remodeling. A 1950s Ranch-style home, it came complete with peeling wallpaper, musty carpeting, and even some dilapidated walls. As first-time homeowners we were prepared to spend more money to improve it, but weary when we began meeting contractors. Buyer’s remorse already set in when we interviewed several contractors who were either aloof or unscrupulous. Then we were fortunate enough to find Mike Ross. He immediately allayed our stress with his professional and forthright demeanor and his integrity was as rock solid from the day we met him through the several months it took to complete our large renovation. While we had some specific things we wanted in our house, Mike and his team took our wish list and far exceeded our expectations to help truly realize the vision of our dream. Originally a three-bedroom, fourteen-hundred square foot home, our remodel brought an addition of a thousand square feet as well as an overhaul of the landscape; this prospect was particularly daunting for uninitiated owners such as us, but Mike’s consummate professionalism shone through and made the task exponentially less stressful for us. As well as a new 850 sf Master Bedroom, including a fireplace, and a steam unit in the bath, we added a cozy home theater room, laundry room, and the once forgotten backyard brought a new deck and patio with a trellis. Furthermore, because we went green and made it a smart home, we’re already more energy efficient. In several rooms, as well as the main hallway, for example, Mike installed solar tubes and the amount of natural light that bathes the house is amazing. Even my mom, when she came to visit, was always looking for a light-switch. As our contractor, Mike Ross took the reins to steer the project and keep it on course and he did so exceptionally. Mike and his team were as attentive to the quality of every nook and corner and he always sought our approval and happiness. Consistently communicative, he always kept us in the loop about progress and was always there to answer any questions and concerns. When an unforeseen contingency did arise, Mike assuaged our concerns by taking action ASAP to rectify the problem. Mike’s team, too, all take pleasure in their efforts. An eclectic group of skilled artisans and craftsmen, they are all polite, punctual, and proud of their work. Thank you, Mike Ross, for your outstanding leadership, your impeccable standards, and your commitment to our happiness. Dale & Helen Keis

Welcome to this charming Scandinavian-inspired living room, where simplicity meets coziness in a delightful harmony. As you step into the room, you’ll immediately feel a sense of warmth and tranquility, inviting you to unwind and relax. The room is bathed in natural light, thanks to the large windows that allow sunshine to flood in, creating a bright and airy atmosphere. The walls are adorned with a crisp white paint, amplifying the room’s spaciousness and providing a clean canvas for the rest of the decor. The Scandinavian design aesthetic is evident in every detail of the room. The color palette is predominantly neutral, featuring shades of white, soft grays, and warm wooden accents. This combination evokes a sense of serenity and simplicity, setting the stage for a peaceful retreat. The seating area is both comfortable and stylish, with a plush sofa and cozy armchairs arranged to promote conversation and togetherness. Soft cushions and throws are strategically placed, inviting you to sink in and enjoy moments of relaxation or engage in lively conversations with friends and family. A sleek and minimalist coffee table serves as a central point for gathering and enjoying refreshments or displaying tasteful decorative pieces. It’s a practical and elegant addition that complements the room’s design aesthetic. Natural elements play a significant role in this Scandinavian-inspired space. Indoor plants, such as potted greenery and succulents, add a touch of nature, infusing the room with life and freshness. These organic accents contribute to a calm and harmonious atmosphere. To add extra warmth and comfort underfoot, a soft area rug graces the floor. Its texture and pattern blend seamlessly with the overall design, offering a cozy surface for bare feet to sink into. Thoughtfully curated artwork adorns the walls, adding personality and visual interest to the room. Whether it’s a gallery of framed photographs, abstract paintings, or minimalistic prints, the art complements the Scandinavian style and creates a focal point for artistic appreciation. Subtle and ambient lighting fixtures, such as pendant lights or floor lamps, provide a warm and inviting glow in the evenings. They create a cozy atmosphere and allow you to adjust the lighting to suit different moods and occasions. In summary, this Scandinavian living room embraces simplicity, natural elements, and a cozy atmosphere. It offers a haven where you can unwind, enjoy the company of loved ones, or indulge in moments of solitude. With its clean lines, neutral palette, and harmonious design, this room invites you to embrace a lifestyle of comfort and serenity. Limitations: The photo you see above is an interior concept. Each time the project is created individually for your interior. Because your room may have a different size, and different location of walls, windows, and doors, you are aware that the final design may differ from the one shown above. At the same time, the climate and style of the interior as well as furniture and equipment will be preserved to the maximum extent, but it will never be 100% of what you see above. Read the details of the range of individual packages to choose the one that suits your needs.

design: Carrie Preston (Studio TOOP) and Jasper Helmantel (Cruydt Hoeck), 2011 location: Appeltern, NL status: built in 2012 by Appeltern Model Garden Complex photos: Jolanthe Lalkens, October 2012 Designed as assignment from both the Dutch gardening magazine Groei & Bloei and the television and radio nature program Vara's Vroege Vogels, this garden serves as a model of how homeowners can incorporate lots of plant life and wildlife into the design but without sacrificing practicality or aesthetics. The garden is deliberately contemporary in its style to emphasize that nature-rich gardens need not look a certain way - insects and birds don't care if the lines are straight or curved. At the same time the garden makes use of affordable, simple, no-nonsense materials. The 40x60 cm paving stones are one of the most common and affordable paving options in the Netherlands, available en masse for free on the Internet. Conceptually we imagined a garden completely paved with the tiles (as to many gardens are) and what would happen if took out some of these stones, used them to build benches and structure and added plants where the tiles had been. In the construction of the benches we include other materials such as bamboo sticks and insulation bricks that create habitat for insects such as solitary bees. The plant palette is based on a selection of native and host plants in combination with the 26 plants plan set up by Groei & Boei -- a list of plants aimed at making the use of more plants in gardens accessible and less intimidating. The choice for the number 26 corresponds with the number of letters in the alphabet in line with the famous Dutch garden designer Mien Ruy's comment that if we only need 26 letters to create a whole language, we should be able to combine and mix 26 plants to express far more than we think.

Eichler X-100 Family Room: The Social Core of a Modernist Vision The family room in the Eichler X-100 is where the home truly comes alive—a space designed not just for gathering, but for experiencing architecture in motion. Created by A. Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons for Joseph Eichler, it embodies the ideal balance between openness, comfort, and innovation. A Structure That Disappears At first glance, the room feels effortlessly open—but that freedom is the result of the X-100’s steel-frame construction, which eliminates the need for interior support walls. This allows the family room to function as a true uninterrupted volume, seamlessly connected to adjacent spaces. The structure is still present—expressed through subtle steel elements—but it never interrupts the flow. Light-Filled and Ever-Changing The family room is bathed in natural light from every direction: Floor-to-ceiling glass walls bring in expansive views and daylight Overhead skylights soften and diffuse light across the space Reflections from surrounding surfaces create a gentle, dynamic glow From morning to evening, the room shifts in tone and atmosphere, making it feel alive and responsive. Living Without Boundaries One of the defining qualities of the family room is its ability to blur boundaries. Large sliding glass panels open directly to the outdoors, transforming the space into an indoor-outdoor pavilion. Whether open or closed, the connection to nature is constant—air, light, and landscape are always part of the experience. Designed for Everyday Life Unlike more formal living spaces, the family room is grounded in functionality. It’s where: Conversations happen naturally Daily routines unfold Relaxation and connection take center stage The openness allows for flexibility—furniture arrangements, uses, and moods can evolve without constraint. Views That Extend Through the Home From this space, sightlines stretch across the home—often landing on interior gardens or atriums. This creates a layered visual experience where multiple zones are always in dialogue with one another. The effect is subtle but powerful: you are always aware of the entire home, not just the room you’re in. The Essence of Eichler Living The family room captures what made Eichler homes revolutionary—a focus on how people actually live. It’s not about formality or separation, but about connection, openness, and ease. In the X-100, that idea is pushed to its highest level—creating a space that feels as relevant today as it did in 1956. image Sabrina Huang

transFORM had the honor of designing, manufacturing and installing a crisp new walk-in closet at The Chatsworth - a historic Beaux Art building located in the heart of Manhattan's charming Upper West Side. Built in 1904, The Chatsworth was reintroduced in 2015 with expanded floor plans, incredible amenities and a private club-like atmosphere. transFORM’s Senior Design Manager Rozalia Kiss, worked with the HFZ Capital Group to create a striking bedroom sized walk-in closet, which was recently featured in the New York Times article : Closets as Big as Some Apartments. The article identifies spacious closets as the latest must-have in some of the city’s most expensive condominiums. Quickly becoming an essential part of the modern home, a walk-in closet adds style and convenience to your daily routine. Designed in a clean white finish and tastefully accented with complementing polished chrome hardware, this custom walk-in closet delivers tons of functional and accessible space. All-white cabinetry offers a crisp look that allows your clothing to steal the spotlight. The high-contrast shaker style doors, create an elegant backdrop for your clothing. Light also pours through the big windows, drawing your eye to the iconic views of the Hudson River. It creates a feeling of brightness and positivity that energizes and enlivens. It’s a walk-in closet where you can look and feel your best as you begin your day. For added visual appeal, the unit was accented with crown and base molding. The elegant detailing was inspired by the pre-war era building’s architectural features. The moldings add a retro geometric touch that matches the apartments beamed ceilings and traditional herringbone floors that were all the rage during the period and make a striking comeback in this beautiful renovation. This unit was specifically designed with a variety of open shelves, hanging sections, and shoe storage. Hanging sections provide enough elevation to conveniently organize items based on size. From blazers and blouses to maxi skirts and evening gowns, all of your clothing is easily accessible. By using the same color hangers, your space will appear even more collected and composed. You can also arrange your clothing so that the colors compliment each other and appear as the favorable options they really are. For the shoe enthusiast, we included numerous sets of shoe shelves and cubbies that attractively organize and showcase your finest footwear. This type of system allows you to identify and grab your favorite pair as you mix and match the perfect ensemble. Shelving provides many of the same storage functions as drawers or baskets, but at a more economical price point. Items on open shelves are easier to recognize as a match for an outfit than items inside drawers. Top shelves are best for large, lightweight and seldomly-used items like your favorite floppy beach hat. Middle shelves, which tend to be the units focal point can be personalized with photos and home decor. Bottom shelves provide easy access to your most frequently used items like cozy sweaters and beloved slacks. This custom closet also includes three tilt-out laundry hampers. No more dragging big clunky laundry baskets around the house. Tilt-out hampers are removable, lightweight nylon bags and easy to grab and go. They are stored behind cabinet faces that blend in with your space, removing unsightly and unpleasant-to-be-around dirty laundry from accumulating in piles on the floor. Installing 2 - 3 tilt-outs will make sorting laundry lightning fast. These hampers help keep your closet clean and tidy and increase space without losing functionality. Let's face it, an organized custom closet just looks great. The side benefit is increased awareness and more pride in your clothing and your day-to-day appearance. With an organized system everything has its place and you can find the garments you need in the moment you need them, sans the ‘what to wear’ frustration.

Beautiful wine collections need an equally beautiful display. Our customers located in the Streeterville area had an enormous collection, and we provided them with the added illusion of an enormous wine cellar! One of our favorite elements of this modern wine cellar is the mirrored ceiling. This is a creative trick to provide an infinite appearance that will elude to the idea of having hundreds of shelves! Each corner of this modern wine cellar is complemented by our different racking techniques. Our display shelves allow each bottle to have its own moment of appreciation, to create an artful look that is sure to impress. When our client approached us with an idea of housing their extensive wine collection in their modern high rise residence, we were thrilled! After viewing their incredibly modern home, we realized that we could not provide them with a traditional wine cellar. We were presented with an exciting task of reimagining our traditional displays, to a clean and sleek modern design. As designers, maintaining the flow of a home is very important to us and our mission is to enhance the home’s existing features. From the wine cellar door to the ceiling, we were able to bring our A-game and create a complementary extension to our customer’s home. Our custom wine cellar door is equipped with a matching threshold, that holds all of the cold air in place. When you take a step inside, you are greeted from floor to ceiling with exquisite design. From our customer’s collectible storage boxes to 4 upward facing display shelves, you are immediately aware that this is a work of art. Each display shelf is adorned with its own light strip that further draws attention to the collectible wine bottles. As you glance up further, you see our storage shelves in full force. Playing off of the vast collection, we decided to install a mirrored ceiling. This design element allowed us to have some fun, and to further accentuate the large collection. This modern wine cellar is complete with a clear glass insulated Modern door that creates a temperature-controlled environment, conducive for preserving wine for decades. As designers, we were presented with a wonderful opportunity to showcase several of our strong suits. We were able to provide our client with a modern wine cellar, as well as an engineered, temperature-controlled environment. From traditional to modern, we are able to provide your project with the upmost quality wine expertise and guidance. Unsure of where to start, but you just know that you want to? Give us a call or stop into our showroom and we can help provide you with all the necessary details that you will need to get inspired!

Beautiful wine collections need an equally beautiful display. Our customers located in the Streeterville area had an enormous collection, and we provided them with the added illusion of an enormous wine cellar! One of our favorite elements of this modern wine cellar is the mirrored ceiling. This is a creative trick to provide an infinite appearance that will elude to the idea of having hundreds of shelves! Each corner of this modern wine cellar is complemented by our different racking techniques. Our display shelves allow each bottle to have its own moment of appreciation, to create an artful look that is sure to impress. When our client approached us with an idea of housing their extensive wine collection in their modern high rise residence, we were thrilled! After viewing their incredibly modern home, we realized that we could not provide them with a traditional wine cellar. We were presented with an exciting task of reimagining our traditional displays, to a clean and sleek modern design. As designers, maintaining the flow of a home is very important to us and our mission is to enhance the home’s existing features. From the wine cellar door to the ceiling, we were able to bring our A-game and create a complementary extension to our customer’s home. Our custom wine cellar door is equipped with a matching threshold, that holds all of the cold air in place. When you take a step inside, you are greeted from floor to ceiling with exquisite design. From our customer’s collectible storage boxes to 4 upward facing display shelves, you are immediately aware that this is a work of art. Each display shelf is adorned with its own light strip that further draws attention to the collectible wine bottles. As you glance up further, you see our storage shelves in full force. Playing off of the vast collection, we decided to install a mirrored ceiling. This design element allowed us to have some fun, and to further accentuate the large collection. This modern wine cellar is complete with a clear glass insulated Modern door that creates a temperature-controlled environment, conducive for preserving wine for decades. As designers, we were presented with a wonderful opportunity to showcase several of our strong suits. We were able to provide our client with a modern wine cellar, as well as an engineered, temperature-controlled environment. From traditional to modern, we are able to provide your project with the upmost quality wine expertise and guidance. Unsure of where to start, but you just know that you want to? Give us a call or stop into our showroom and we can help provide you with all the necessary details that you will need to get inspired!

Tucker Design Awards celebrate the innovation and vision that designers bring to their projects through the specification and use of natural stone materials. For members of the Natural Stone Institute, acknowledgment as a contributor to a Tucker Design Awards winning project is a genuine tribute to their traditional values, physicality of work, and dedication to precise specifications required in the realization of such accomplished architectural design. Landscape Architect Design Workshop, Aspen, CO Landscape Contractor/ Installer Landscape Workshop, Carbondale, CO Stone Installer JD Masonry, Arvada, CO Stone Suppliers Coldspring, Cold Spring, MN Gallegos Corporation, Vail, CO Through a collective dialogue between landscape, architecture and interior design, a new vision reimagines the disturbed site into a livable landscape, emblematic of our American West. The residence – an ensemble of structures designed in a modern ranch vernacular – is effortlessly unified through layered, interconnected outdoor gathering spaces and regional materials that elaborates upon the experience of moving between structures, heightening and renewing one’s sense of place. Upon entering the courtyard, one is immediately aware of seamless and unfolding relationships between architecture and landscape through a sophisticated, regional palette of natural stone, water, and plants. Set upon architectural focal points, two perpendicular sandstone paths descend into the space and converge upon a monolithic, hand-carved granite fountain. The design of the fountain is purposefully quiet, both in its detailing and operation. The feature includes a recessed interior, allowing water to become still before it reaches the surface, with lightly cleft sides, allowing the water to delicately bounce as it descends into the geometric lower granite basin. The landscape architect’s selection of various stone material extends the tones of the home’s granite walls and contextual surroundings into the garden, but also be detailed in a manner that balances rural and modern qualities. The majority of the paving is constructed of rectilinear gray sandstone with a natural finish and snapped edges, laid in a staggered running bond organization. Throughout the garden, thoughtful attention was also given to the configuration and layout of terraces, pathways, and steps. In doing so, this ensured that the edges of the terrace and its interface to other elements were designed so that no “leftover” stone paver pieces would be found. Within the central courtyard, split-faced stone stairs descend into a rectilinear plinth of lawn, punctuated by a carved granite fire pit. Leveraging the property’s existing topographic relief, a shallow infinity-edge dipping pool abstracts the transparent and cavity-like pools found throughout the Rocky Mountains. The design purposefully achieves the illusion of a larger water feature with the distant pond and offers a refreshing recreational element. Containing the infinity edge, a designed granite escarpment emerges from the meadow, juxtaposing the geometric water feature and providing informal seating ledges. The site’s prior use required the landscape architect to incorporate a highly technical and complex sub-surface structural system. The initial geotechnical report identified the building envelopes rested on 12 feet of man-placed fill. Assuming a 1 percent settlement, the team faced concerns that the terraces would settle up to 12 inches. In response, a grid of structural micro-piles provides the necessary foundation for the construction of terraces immediately outside of the architecture, under the water features and site walls. The solution enabled the crisp detailing and design resolution of the architectural structures to seamlessly connect with the horizontal stone terraces.

Older homes are filled with charm, but often the kitchen has been overlooked. Originally, it was a work area– not made for public view. Today it truly is the center of all that goes on in the family. Today’s active homeowners are no different. Although their children may be grown, cooking and baking are still considered top priorities. Storage and counter space were issues that needed to be addressed and being aware of the aging process of the kitchen, lighting also needed to be considered. Although the kitchen is only a 13’ X 13’ space, it had other challenges. A back staircase, three doorways, and a large window took away from the wall space, however the 9’ ceilings were an unused potential for storage. Choosing Wellborn’s Select Series Cabinets in a Maple with a sandstone slate finish brightened the space immediately. Stacking the cabinets and taking them all the way to the ceiling gave this homeowner more storage than ever imagined for items of occasional use. Under counter LED Tape lighting brightened the task areas of the kitchen without causing additional heat from too many lights. A new table light on a dimmer sets the right mood for dining and provides just enough additional lighting. Installing a Sharp, stainless steel, 24” microwave drawer freed up some counter space for prep work near the cooktop (a GE, stainless steel 30” gas cooktop with four burners) and next to the sink (a new Elkay Gourmet Double Bowl with aqua DVD). Also, adding a new Kohler Sensate kitchen faucet which is hands free, a Kohler contemporary soap/lotion dispenser and a new ISE 3/4 horsepower disposal– helps to make clean-up a breeze. A new GE dishwasher, a new Broan stainless steel 30” hood, and a new GE 30” double oven both standard oven sizes, not only allows our homeowner to cook dinner and dessert, but the stainless steel reflects light while adding a design element tying the cabinet hardware and light fixture into the overall look. The countertop is Caesarstone’s Dreamy Marfil and is always a bold statement for any size Kitchen. Mixing the backsplash tile up without appearing busy came together with the beautiful combination of Sandlewood polished Amafi 30cm from countertops to base cabinets and Jinsen Coffee Bone in a diamond pattern framed in the Sandlewood polish and a Amafi Pencil liner above the cooktop. The soft addition of a new six panel Pine door stained and finished to match the other doors within the home added to the overall beauty of this stunning kitchen.

This residence was a complete gut renovation of a 4-story row house in Park Slope, and included a new rear extension and penthouse addition. The owners wished to create a warm, family home using a modern language that would act as a clean canvas to feature rich textiles and items from their world travels. As with most Brooklyn row houses, the existing house suffered from a lack of natural light and connection to exterior spaces, an issue that Principal Brendan Coburn is acutely aware of from his experience re-imagining historic structures in the New York area. The resulting architecture is designed around moments featuring natural light and views to the exterior, of both the private garden and the sky, throughout the house, and a stripped-down language of detailing and finishes allows for the concept of the modern-natural to shine. Upon entering the home, the kitchen and dining space draw you in with views beyond through the large glazed opening at the rear of the house. An extension was built to allow for a large sunken living room that provides a family gathering space connected to the kitchen and dining room, but remains distinctly separate, with a strong visual connection to the rear garden. The open sculptural stair tower was designed to function like that of a traditional row house stair, but with a smaller footprint. By extending it up past the original roof level into the new penthouse, the stair becomes an atmospheric shaft for the spaces surrounding the core. All types of weather – sunshine, rain, lightning, can be sensed throughout the home through this unifying vertical environment. The stair space also strives to foster family communication, making open living spaces visible between floors. At the upper-most level, a free-form bench sits suspended over the stair, just by the new roof deck, which provides at-ease entertaining. Oak was used throughout the home as a unifying material element. As one travels upwards within the house, the oak finishes are bleached to further degrees as a nod to how light enters the home. The owners worked with CWB to add their own personality to the project. The meter of a white oak and blackened steel stair screen was designed by the family to read “I love you” in Morse Code, and tile was selected throughout to reference places that hold special significance to the family. To support the owners’ comfort, the architectural design engages passive house technologies to reduce energy use, while increasing air quality within the home – a strategy which aims to respect the environment while providing a refuge from the harsh elements of urban living. This project was published by Wendy Goodman as her Space of the Week, part of New York Magazine’s Design Hunting on The Cut. Photography by Kevin Kunstadt

This residence was a complete gut renovation of a 4-story row house in Park Slope, and included a new rear extension and penthouse addition. The owners wished to create a warm, family home using a modern language that would act as a clean canvas to feature rich textiles and items from their world travels. As with most Brooklyn row houses, the existing house suffered from a lack of natural light and connection to exterior spaces, an issue that Principal Brendan Coburn is acutely aware of from his experience re-imagining historic structures in the New York area. The resulting architecture is designed around moments featuring natural light and views to the exterior, of both the private garden and the sky, throughout the house, and a stripped-down language of detailing and finishes allows for the concept of the modern-natural to shine. Upon entering the home, the kitchen and dining space draw you in with views beyond through the large glazed opening at the rear of the house. An extension was built to allow for a large sunken living room that provides a family gathering space connected to the kitchen and dining room, but remains distinctly separate, with a strong visual connection to the rear garden. The open sculptural stair tower was designed to function like that of a traditional row house stair, but with a smaller footprint. By extending it up past the original roof level into the new penthouse, the stair becomes an atmospheric shaft for the spaces surrounding the core. All types of weather – sunshine, rain, lightning, can be sensed throughout the home through this unifying vertical environment. The stair space also strives to foster family communication, making open living spaces visible between floors. At the upper-most level, a free-form bench sits suspended over the stair, just by the new roof deck, which provides at-ease entertaining. Oak was used throughout the home as a unifying material element. As one travels upwards within the house, the oak finishes are bleached to further degrees as a nod to how light enters the home. The owners worked with CWB to add their own personality to the project. The meter of a white oak and blackened steel stair screen was designed by the family to read “I love you” in Morse Code, and tile was selected throughout to reference places that hold special significance to the family. To support the owners’ comfort, the architectural design engages passive house technologies to reduce energy use, while increasing air quality within the home – a strategy which aims to respect the environment while providing a refuge from the harsh elements of urban living. This project was published by Wendy Goodman as her Space of the Week, part of New York Magazine’s Design Hunting on The Cut. Photography by Kevin Kunstadt

Earlier this summer I was called out to this job in the garden of a house in the city of Ely to inspect a freshly laid porcelain tiled patio with grout haze issues. The builder who had installed the patio hadn’t removed all the grout from the textured surface of the tile before it had dried. This was probably due to the hot weather which reduces drying times and has caught many tilers out. Multiple repeat visits by the builder trying followed who spent countless hours trying to remove the grout haze, unfortunately due to the textured surface of the tile he was unable to remove it and the patio was left looking awful. Like the builder we are increasingly finding modern grouts, which although more durable, are very difficult to remove. Fortunately belonging to the Tile Doctor network, I had already been made aware of this problem and was able to offer a solution. I arranged to pay the property a visit to demonstrate a potential solution and quote for resolving the issues. Even though the grout haze was indeed difficult to remove it wasn’t impossible if you know how. The demonstration came out well and relieved that they had finally found a solution to the problem booked me in to get the work carried out. On my return I started with the application of a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Grout Clean-Up. This product is ideal for removing grout haze or smears as they often referred to; however, being acidic we don’t recommend it for use on every surface so if your using it yourself do check the label first. I left it to soak in for ten minutes before being agitated with a black scrubbing pad fitted to a rotary buffer The weather was good, so it wasn’t a problem working outside and once all the grout smears were removed, I finished off by giving the whole patio a high-pressure rinse. I use a van mounted rinse/extraction system for this that applies warm water at high pressure onto the patio to dislodge dirt and then extracts the waste into a separate tank in the vehicle. It was an expensive investment but makes light work of jobs like this. It took around four to five cleans to complete the job, by the late afternoon the grout haze was gone, and the porcelain patio looked completely transformed. It was quite a warm day, so the patio soon dried allowing my client to use it later that day. I should mention that this variety of Porcelain tiles were not the micro porous type and therefore did not need to be sealed. Relieved the problem was finally resolved and happy with the result my client left the following feedback: Amazing service, they were able to provide us with a quote and demo before we agreed to work. We are so happy with the results we have as our patio slabs looked ruined to the eye but the Tile Doctor managed to get them looking brand new. Tom Conlon Cambridge Tile Doctor

Beautiful wine collections need an equally beautiful display. Our customers located in the Streeterville area had an enormous collection, and we provided them with the added illusion of an enormous wine cellar! One of our favorite elements of this modern wine cellar is the mirrored ceiling. This is a creative trick to provide an infinite appearance that will elude to the idea of having hundreds of shelves! Each corner of this modern wine cellar is complemented by our different racking techniques. Our display shelves allow each bottle to have its own moment of appreciation, to create an artful look that is sure to impress. When our client approached us with an idea of housing their extensive wine collection in their modern high rise residence, we were thrilled! After viewing their incredibly modern home, we realized that we could not provide them with a traditional wine cellar. We were presented with an exciting task of reimagining our traditional displays, to a clean and sleek modern design. As designers, maintaining the flow of a home is very important to us and our mission is to enhance the home’s existing features. From the wine cellar door to the ceiling, we were able to bring our A-game and create a complementary extension to our customer’s home. Our custom wine cellar door is equipped with a matching threshold, that holds all of the cold air in place. When you take a step inside, you are greeted from floor to ceiling with exquisite design. From our customer’s collectible storage boxes to 4 upward facing display shelves, you are immediately aware that this is a work of art. Each display shelf is adorned with its own light strip that further draws attention to the collectible wine bottles. As you glance up further, you see our storage shelves in full force. Playing off of the vast collection, we decided to install a mirrored ceiling. This design element allowed us to have some fun, and to further accentuate the large collection. This modern wine cellar is complete with a clear glass insulated Modern door that creates a temperature-controlled environment, conducive for preserving wine for decades. As designers, we were presented with a wonderful opportunity to showcase several of our strong suits. We were able to provide our client with a modern wine cellar, as well as an engineered, temperature-controlled environment. From traditional to modern, we are able to provide your project with the upmost quality wine expertise and guidance. Unsure of where to start, but you just know that you want to? Give us a call or stop into our showroom and we can help provide you with all the necessary details that you will need to get inspired!

Beautiful wine collections need an equally beautiful display. Our customers located in the Streeterville area had an enormous collection, and we provided them with the added illusion of an enormous wine cellar! One of our favorite elements of this modern wine cellar is the mirrored ceiling. This is a creative trick to provide an infinite appearance that will elude to the idea of having hundreds of shelves! Each corner of this modern wine cellar is complemented by our different racking techniques. Our display shelves allow each bottle to have its own moment of appreciation, to create an artful look that is sure to impress. When our client approached us with an idea of housing their extensive wine collection in their modern high rise residence, we were thrilled! After viewing their incredibly modern home, we realized that we could not provide them with a traditional wine cellar. We were presented with an exciting task of reimagining our traditional displays, to a clean and sleek modern design. As designers, maintaining the flow of a home is very important to us and our mission is to enhance the home’s existing features. From the wine cellar door to the ceiling, we were able to bring our A-game and create a complementary extension to our customer’s home. Our custom wine cellar door is equipped with a matching threshold, that holds all of the cold air in place. When you take a step inside, you are greeted from floor to ceiling with exquisite design. From our customer’s collectible storage boxes to 4 upward facing display shelves, you are immediately aware that this is a work of art. Each display shelf is adorned with its own light strip that further draws attention to the collectible wine bottles. As you glance up further, you see our storage shelves in full force. Playing off of the vast collection, we decided to install a mirrored ceiling. This design element allowed us to have some fun, and to further accentuate the large collection. This modern wine cellar is complete with a clear glass insulated Modern door that creates a temperature-controlled environment, conducive for preserving wine for decades. As designers, we were presented with a wonderful opportunity to showcase several of our strong suits. We were able to provide our client with a modern wine cellar, as well as an engineered, temperature-controlled environment. From traditional to modern, we are able to provide your project with the upmost quality wine expertise and guidance. Unsure of where to start, but you just know that you want to? Give us a call or stop into our showroom and we can help provide you with all the necessary details that you will need to get inspired!

Beautiful wine collections need an equally beautiful display. Our customers located in the Streeterville area had an enormous collection, and we provided them with the added illusion of an enormous wine cellar! One of our favorite elements of this modern wine cellar is the mirrored ceiling. This is a creative trick to provide an infinite appearance that will elude to the idea of having hundreds of shelves! Each corner of this modern wine cellar is complemented by our different racking techniques. Our display shelves allow each bottle to have its own moment of appreciation, to create an artful look that is sure to impress. When our client approached us with an idea of housing their extensive wine collection in their modern high rise residence, we were thrilled! After viewing their incredibly modern home, we realized that we could not provide them with a traditional wine cellar. We were presented with an exciting task of reimagining our traditional displays, to a clean and sleek modern design. As designers, maintaining the flow of a home is very important to us and our mission is to enhance the home’s existing features. From the wine cellar door to the ceiling, we were able to bring our A-game and create a complementary extension to our customer’s home. Our custom wine cellar door is equipped with a matching threshold, that holds all of the cold air in place. When you take a step inside, you are greeted from floor to ceiling with exquisite design. From our customer’s collectible storage boxes to 4 upward facing display shelves, you are immediately aware that this is a work of art. Each display shelf is adorned with its own light strip that further draws attention to the collectible wine bottles. As you glance up further, you see our storage shelves in full force. Playing off of the vast collection, we decided to install a mirrored ceiling. This design element allowed us to have some fun, and to further accentuate the large collection. This modern wine cellar is complete with a clear glass insulated Modern door that creates a temperature-controlled environment, conducive for preserving wine for decades. As designers, we were presented with a wonderful opportunity to showcase several of our strong suits. We were able to provide our client with a modern wine cellar, as well as an engineered, temperature-controlled environment. From traditional to modern, we are able to provide your project with the upmost quality wine expertise and guidance. Unsure of where to start, but you just know that you want to? Give us a call or stop into our showroom and we can help provide you with all the necessary details that you will need to get inspired!

Beautiful wine collections need an equally beautiful display. Our customers located in the Streeterville area had an enormous collection, and we provided them with the added illusion of an enormous wine cellar! One of our favorite elements of this modern wine cellar is the mirrored ceiling. This is a creative trick to provide an infinite appearance that will elude to the idea of having hundreds of shelves! Each corner of this modern wine cellar is complemented by our different racking techniques. Our display shelves allow each bottle to have its own moment of appreciation, to create an artful look that is sure to impress. When our client approached us with an idea of housing their extensive wine collection in their modern high rise residence, we were thrilled! After viewing their incredibly modern home, we realized that we could not provide them with a traditional wine cellar. We were presented with an exciting task of reimagining our traditional displays, to a clean and sleek modern design. As designers, maintaining the flow of a home is very important to us and our mission is to enhance the home’s existing features. From the wine cellar door to the ceiling, we were able to bring our A-game and create a complementary extension to our customer’s home. Our custom wine cellar door is equipped with a matching threshold, that holds all of the cold air in place. When you take a step inside, you are greeted from floor to ceiling with exquisite design. From our customer’s collectible storage boxes to 4 upward facing display shelves, you are immediately aware that this is a work of art. Each display shelf is adorned with its own light strip that further draws attention to the collectible wine bottles. As you glance up further, you see our storage shelves in full force. Playing off of the vast collection, we decided to install a mirrored ceiling. This design element allowed us to have some fun, and to further accentuate the large collection. This modern wine cellar is complete with a clear glass insulated Modern door that creates a temperature-controlled environment, conducive for preserving wine for decades. As designers, we were presented with a wonderful opportunity to showcase several of our strong suits. We were able to provide our client with a modern wine cellar, as well as an engineered, temperature-controlled environment. From traditional to modern, we are able to provide your project with the upmost quality wine expertise and guidance. Unsure of where to start, but you just know that you want to? Give us a call or stop into our showroom and we can help provide you with all the necessary details that you will need to get inspired!

Beautiful wine collections need an equally beautiful display. Our customers located in the Streeterville area had an enormous collection, and we provided them with the added illusion of an enormous wine cellar! One of our favorite elements of this modern wine cellar is the mirrored ceiling. This is a creative trick to provide an infinite appearance that will elude to the idea of having hundreds of shelves! Each corner of this modern wine cellar is complemented by our different racking techniques. Our display shelves allow each bottle to have its own moment of appreciation, to create an artful look that is sure to impress. When our client approached us with an idea of housing their extensive wine collection in their modern high rise residence, we were thrilled! After viewing their incredibly modern home, we realized that we could not provide them with a traditional wine cellar. We were presented with an exciting task of reimagining our traditional displays, to a clean and sleek modern design. As designers, maintaining the flow of a home is very important to us and our mission is to enhance the home’s existing features. From the wine cellar door to the ceiling, we were able to bring our A-game and create a complementary extension to our customer’s home. Our custom wine cellar door is equipped with a matching threshold, that holds all of the cold air in place. When you take a step inside, you are greeted from floor to ceiling with exquisite design. From our customer’s collectible storage boxes to 4 upward facing display shelves, you are immediately aware that this is a work of art. Each display shelf is adorned with its own light strip that further draws attention to the collectible wine bottles. As you glance up further, you see our storage shelves in full force. Playing off of the vast collection, we decided to install a mirrored ceiling. This design element allowed us to have some fun, and to further accentuate the large collection. This modern wine cellar is complete with a clear glass insulated Modern door that creates a temperature-controlled environment, conducive for preserving wine for decades. As designers, we were presented with a wonderful opportunity to showcase several of our strong suits. We were able to provide our client with a modern wine cellar, as well as an engineered, temperature-controlled environment. From traditional to modern, we are able to provide your project with the upmost quality wine expertise and guidance. Unsure of where to start, but you just know that you want to? Give us a call or stop into our showroom and we can help provide you with all the necessary details that you will need to get inspired!

Beautiful wine collections need an equally beautiful display. Our customers located in the Streeterville area had an enormous collection, and we provided them with the added illusion of an enormous wine cellar! One of our favorite elements of this modern wine cellar is the mirrored ceiling. This is a creative trick to provide an infinite appearance that will elude to the idea of having hundreds of shelves! Each corner of this modern wine cellar is complemented by our different racking techniques. Our display shelves allow each bottle to have its own moment of appreciation, to create an artful look that is sure to impress. When our client approached us with an idea of housing their extensive wine collection in their modern high rise residence, we were thrilled! After viewing their incredibly modern home, we realized that we could not provide them with a traditional wine cellar. We were presented with an exciting task of reimagining our traditional displays, to a clean and sleek modern design. As designers, maintaining the flow of a home is very important to us and our mission is to enhance the home’s existing features. From the wine cellar door to the ceiling, we were able to bring our A-game and create a complementary extension to our customer’s home. Our custom wine cellar door is equipped with a matching threshold, that holds all of the cold air in place. When you take a step inside, you are greeted from floor to ceiling with exquisite design. From our customer’s collectible storage boxes to 4 upward facing display shelves, you are immediately aware that this is a work of art. Each display shelf is adorned with its own light strip that further draws attention to the collectible wine bottles. As you glance up further, you see our storage shelves in full force. Playing off of the vast collection, we decided to install a mirrored ceiling. This design element allowed us to have some fun, and to further accentuate the large collection. This modern wine cellar is complete with a clear glass insulated Modern door that creates a temperature-controlled environment, conducive for preserving wine for decades. As designers, we were presented with a wonderful opportunity to showcase several of our strong suits. We were able to provide our client with a modern wine cellar, as well as an engineered, temperature-controlled environment. From traditional to modern, we are able to provide your project with the upmost quality wine expertise and guidance. Unsure of where to start, but you just know that you want to? Give us a call or stop into our showroom and we can help provide you with all the necessary details that you will need to get inspired!