Jane Beiles
Hallway - contemporary light wood floor hallway idea in New York

m.o.r.e. Cabin The paradigmatic North American cottage is romanticized as a wilderness log cabin. Nonetheless, typical cottages are “woodsy” versions of suburban homes with every modern convenience. These buildings sustain the myth that appearing to be one with the land equates to a reduced impact on the environment. The m.o.r.e. Cabin inverts this idea through a separation from the landscape that is more sustainably constructed than other cottages. This unravelling of eco-fictions is not cynical, but optimistic: while organic environments are being degraded, what remains can be engaged more responsibly. To this end, m.o.r.e. Cabin touches the land lightly through: - Interpreting the law creatively to uphold its principles. - Reducing foundation size through a steel mast. - Low-waste cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure. - Achieving greater tensile strength through a “folded” structure. - Off-grid power and high-efficiency heating. - Creating a home for endangered bats. Interpreting the Law with Finesse Zoning rules required a 100-foot (30-metre) setback from the lake. A cliff face at that 100-foot mark was incorporated into the design, whereas conventional construction approaches would entail blasting. To minimize harm to the hillside and forest, a zoning variance was obtained to allow the front of m.o.r.e. Cabin to hover above, rather than sit on, the 100-foot (30-metre) mark. The Mast The technical solution to the environmental issue involved a single concrete footing and a steel “mast” placed within the required setback. Avoiding a conventional large foundation preserved the watershed and prevented erosion, as did elevating the construction zone. Use of carbon-intensive concrete was also reduced for a lower carbon footprint. m.o.r.e. Than One Way to Skin a Home m.o.r.e. Cabin is built with suitably-sourced CLT panels and glulam beams. The CLT was milled offsite then hoisted into place, avoiding damage to the landscape by the maneuvering of construction machinery. Cabin-as-Beam m.o.r.e. Cabin’s environmental considerations yielded structural innovation. Our challenge became to develop a structural strategy using cantilevered CLT panels as a response to the zoning variance that we obtained; CLT is fundamentally deployed in vertical/compressive sections, not horizontally in tension. Conventional 5-ply CLT is too heavy to support itself over longer spans. The solution used thinner 3-ply CLT, with structural capacity ensured through “folding” (just like paper gains strength when folded). Off-Grid The home is solar-powered. The elevated cottage catches more breezes and has excellent cross-ventilation. Heat is provided by a high-efficiency “green carbon” wood stove. Good R-value and thermal comfort are provided by CLT’s mass, and precise joinery provides air-tightness. Inviting Over the Neighbours One goal of the home was to create extensive lodging for endangered brown bats. Bat pods were integrated into the mast to provide safety from climbing predators and a clear flight path to the lake. *“m.o.r.e.” stands for the clients’ grandmothers’ names; all of whom did more with less — and gracefully so.

Large rustic brown two-story stone gable roof idea in Toronto

Home design - modern home design idea in Miami

Inspiration for an eclectic bathroom remodel in Chicago

A grey-blue painted open floor plan home that incorporates a feminine touch is what makes this space transitional. The large kitchen island provides a space for guests to gather and socialize while cooking. Saddle style barstools sit beneath the island for easy access to a seat.

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Birmingham

A custom home builder in Chicago's western suburbs, Summit Signature Homes, ushers in a new era of residential construction. With an eye on superb design and value, industry-leading practices and superior customer service, Summit stands alone. Custom-built homes in Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Western Springs, and other western suburbs.

This bathroom started out with builder grade materials: laminate flooring, fiberglass shower enclosure and tub, and a wall going all the way to the ceiling, causing the shower to look more like the bat cave than a place where you would want to wash off the worries of the world. The first plan of attack was to knock the full wall down to a halfway w/ glass, allowing more natural light to come into the shower area. The next big change was removing the tub and replacing it with more storage cabinetry to keep the bathroom free of clutter. The space was then finished off with shaker style cabinetry, beautiful Italian tile in the shower, and incredible Cambria countertops with an elegant round over edge to finish things off.

See what our client say about Paul Lopa Designs: I started my search for a contractor about a year before I hired Paul to do a kitchen and bathroom renovation. This was my first time at the bat, and I really had no idea what to expect. I had many contractor proposals that swung wildly in price but for some reason I never felt inclined to hire any of the guys I met with. I happened to be looking at Houzz one day and came across Paul’s company and he had very good reviews. I gave him a call and he came to my apartment quickly. I liked him immediately when we met. I thought it was strange that he asked me for my budget and how much I wanted to spend but in hindsight, providing that information allowed Paul to come back to me with a very detailed proposal based on my budget. I soon realized that the lower proposals I had did not include many of the budget items that would be necessary to complete the job. Paul laid out the pricing and provided a very reasonable “allowance” based on your measurements for tile, toilet, sinks, etc. It is up to you to stay within that allowance.

Photo: Jessie Preza Photography
Example of a large tuscan l-shaped dark wood floor, brown floor and exposed beam kitchen design in Jacksonville with a double-bowl sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, porcelain backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

The Ava Quilt From VHC Brands, features hexagonally tiled triangles in nine alternating patterns of heirloom florals and solid colors. Reverses to green floral print. Hand-quilted, 100% cotton batting.

This bathroom started out with builder grade materials: laminate flooring, fiberglass shower enclosure and tub, and a wall going all the way to the ceiling, causing the shower to look more like the bat cave than a place where you would want to wash off the worries of the world. The first plan of attack was to knock the full wall down to a halfway w/ glass, allowing more natural light to come into the shower area. The next big change was removing the tub and replacing it with more storage cabinetry to keep the bathroom free of clutter. The space was then finished off with shaker style cabinetry, beautiful Italian tile in the shower, and incredible Cambria countertops with an elegant round over edge to finish things off.

Image Sharon Risedorph
Trendy exterior home photo in Los Angeles

The new ADA-compliant level entry shower features non-slip floor and shower pan. The natural light in the Aptos home was a big highlight for the homeowner, so we utlized clear glass paneling for the shower to allow the light to flow into the shower, as it does throughout the rest of the bathroom.

Enclosed kitchen - mid-sized modern l-shaped porcelain tile and gray floor enclosed kitchen idea in Baltimore with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Award winning bathroom with gray paneling to bring back the human scale to this cathedral ceiling space.
Freestanding bathtub - mid-sized traditional master white tile and marble tile mosaic tile floor and white floor freestanding bathtub idea with beaded inset cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops and a hinged shower door

This home is built by Robert Thomas Homes located in Minnesota. Our showcase models are professionally staged. FOR STAGING PRODUCT QUESTIONS please contact Ambiance at Home for information on furniture - 952.440.6757.