The Little Collins Rechargeable Battery Table Lamp is the table lamp you want to have. It is small, it is slick The Little Collins Rechargeable Battery Table Lamp is the table lamp you want to have. It is small, it is slick with a brushed stainless steel lid and opal acrylic diffuser providing direct down-light and soft ambient side light. This is the kind of ambient light you and your guests appreciate all year long. The Little Collins cordless table lamp has been designed by Peter Ellis and Jackie Chan and has been rewarded with the RedDot design award. Have you ever experienced your candle flicker or even drop onto your favorite table cloth because of an open window or a fan over your dinner table or simply because you had dinner on your patio The Little Collins is the solution. Charge it during daytime and use it for up to 130 hours. Note: At least one single charger is necessary in order to charge the Little If ordering more than one lamp additional base chargers are optional. Please refer to charging options menu. Little Collins Specifications Description: Rechargeable battery table lamp with brushed stainless steel base and top with opal diffuser providing soft ambient light. Light Time Range UNO- up to 140 hours PRO - up to 260 hours ECO - up to 130 hours Dimensions 145mm x 100mm (5" x 4")

This Houston kitchen remodel and whole-house redesign was nothing less than a time machine – zooming a 40-year-old living space into 2017! “The kitchen had formica countertops, old wood cabinets, a strange layout and low ceilings,” says Lisha Maxey, lead designer for Outdoor Homescapes of Houston and owner of LGH Design Services. “We basically took it down to the studs to create the new space. It even had original terrazzo tile in the foyer! Almost never see that anymore.” The new look is all 2017, starting with a pure white maple wood for the new kitchen cabinetry and a 13-foot butcher block island. The china hutch, beam and columns are walnut. The small kitchen countertop (on fridge side) is Corian. The flooring is solid hickory with a natural stain. The backsplash is Moroccan blue glass. In the island, Outdoor Homescapes added a small, stainless steel prep sink and a large porcelain sink. All finishes are brushed stainless steel except for the pot filler, which is copper. “The look is very transitional, with a hearty mix of antiques the client wanted incorporated and the contemporary open concept look of today,” says Lisha. “The bar stools are actually reclaimed science class stools that my client picked up at a local fair. It was an awesome find!” In addition to the kitchen, the home’s first-floor half bath, living room and den also got an update. Outdoor Homescapes also built storage into the space under the stairs and warmed up the entry with custom blue and beige wallpaper. “In the half bath, we used the client’s favorite color, orange,” says Lisha. “We added a vessel bowl that was also found at a fair and an antique chandelier to top it off.” The paint in that room was textured by running a dry brush vertically while the paint was still wet. “It appears to be wallpaper, but not!” explains Lisha. Outdoor Homescapes also used black/white custom tiles in the bath and laundry room to tie it all in. Lisha used antique pieces in the laundry room with a custom black/white porcelain floor. To open up the wall between the old kitchen and living room, we had to install a 26’ steel I-beam to support the second floor. It was an engineering feat! Took six men to get it into place! “The client – an empty nester couple – had already done their upstairs remodel and they knew the first floor would be a gut-out,” continues Lisha. “The home was in very poor condition prior to the remodel, and everything needed to go. Basically, wife told husband, we either do this remodel or we sell the house. And Mr. inherited it from his Mom, so it has sentimental value to him.” Lisha loves how original it turned out, noting the refreshing department from the usual all-white kitchen with black/white flooring, Carrera marble or granite countertops and subway tile. “The clients were open to mixing up styles and working with me to make it come together,” she says. “I think there’s a new excitement in mixing the decades and finding a way to allow clients to hold on to treasured antiques or special pieces while incorporating them in a more modern space. Her favorite area is the large island. “I love that they will spend holidays and regular days around that space,” she says. “It’s just so welcoming!”

Our clients drastically needed to update this master suite from the original forest green floral wallpaper to something more clean and simple. They wanted to open up the dated cultured marble enclosed tub and shower and remove all soffits and plant ledges above the vanities. They wanted to explore the possibilities of opening up the shower with glass and look at installing a freestanding bathtub and they definitely wanted to keep the double sided fireplace but update the look of it. First off, we did some minor changes to the bedroom. We replaced the carpet with a beautiful soft multi-color gray low pile carpet and painted the walls a soft white. The fireplace surround was replaced with Carrara 12×12 polished porcelain tile for a more elegant look. Finally, we tore out a corner built in desk and squared off and textured the wall, making it look as though it were never there. We needed to strip this bathroom down and start from scratch. We demoed the cabinets, counter tops, all plumbing fixtures, ceiling fan, track lighting, tub and tub surround, fireplace surround, shower door, shower walls and ceiling above the shower, all flooring, soffits above vanity areas, saloon doors on the water closet and of course the wallpaper! We changed the walls around the shower to pony walls with glass on the upper half, opening up the shower. The tile was lined with Premium Antasit 12×24 tile installed vertically in a 50/50 brick pattern. The shower floor and the floor below the tub is Solo River Grey Pebble mosaic tile. A contemporary Jaclo Collection shower system was installed including a contemporary handshower and square shower head. The large freestanding tub is a white Hydro Sytsems “Picasso” with “Steelnox” wall mounted tub filler and hardware from Graff. All of the cabinets were replaced with Waypoint maple mocha glazed flat front doors and drawers. Quartzmasters Calacatta Grey countertops were installed with 2 Icera “Muse” undermount sinks for a clean modern look. The cabinet hardware the clients chose is ultra modern ”Sutton” from Hardware Resources and the faucet and other hardware is all from the Phylrich “Mix” collection. Pulling it all together, Premium Antasit 12×14 installed floor tile was installed in a 50/50 brick pattern. The pebble tile that was installed in the shower floor was also installed in an oval shape under the bathtub for a great modern look and to break up the solid gray flooring. Addison Oak Wood planks were installed vertically behind the bathtub, below the fireplace surround and behind the potty for a modern finished look. The fireplace was surrounded with Carrara 12×12 polished porcelain, as well as the wood planks. Finally, to add the finishing touches, Z-Lite brushed nickel vanity lights were installed above each vanity sink. The clients are so pleased to be able to enjoy and relax in their new contemporary bathroom!

Inspiration for a contemporary home design remodel in New York

Our clients drastically needed to update this master suite from the original forest green floral wallpaper to something more clean and simple. They wanted to open up the dated cultured marble enclosed tub and shower and remove all soffits and plant ledges above the vanities. They wanted to explore the possibilities of opening up the shower with glass and look at installing a freestanding bathtub and they definitely wanted to keep the double sided fireplace but update the look of it. First off, we did some minor changes to the bedroom. We replaced the carpet with a beautiful soft multi-color gray low pile carpet and painted the walls a soft white. The fireplace surround was replaced with Carrara 12×12 polished porcelain tile for a more elegant look. Finally, we tore out a corner built in desk and squared off and textured the wall, making it look as though it were never there. We needed to strip this bathroom down and start from scratch. We demoed the cabinets, counter tops, all plumbing fixtures, ceiling fan, track lighting, tub and tub surround, fireplace surround, shower door, shower walls and ceiling above the shower, all flooring, soffits above vanity areas, saloon doors on the water closet and of course the wallpaper! We changed the walls around the shower to pony walls with glass on the upper half, opening up the shower. The tile was lined with Premium Antasit 12×24 tile installed vertically in a 50/50 brick pattern. The shower floor and the floor below the tub is Solo River Grey Pebble mosaic tile. A contemporary Jaclo Collection shower system was installed including a contemporary handshower and square shower head. The large freestanding tub is a white Hydro Sytsems “Picasso” with “Steelnox” wall mounted tub filler and hardware from Graff. All of the cabinets were replaced with Waypoint maple mocha glazed flat front doors and drawers. Quartzmasters Calacatta Grey countertops were installed with 2 Icera “Muse” undermount sinks for a clean modern look. The cabinet hardware the clients chose is ultra modern ”Sutton” from Hardware Resources and the faucet and other hardware is all from the Phylrich “Mix” collection. Pulling it all together, Premium Antasit 12×14 installed floor tile was installed in a 50/50 brick pattern. The pebble tile that was installed in the shower floor was also installed in an oval shape under the bathtub for a great modern look and to break up the solid gray flooring. Addison Oak Wood planks were installed vertically behind the bathtub, below the fireplace surround and behind the potty for a modern finished look. The fireplace was surrounded with Carrara 12×12 polished porcelain, as well as the wood planks. Finally, to add the finishing touches, Z-Lite brushed nickel vanity lights were installed above each vanity sink. The clients are so pleased to be able to enjoy and relax in their new contemporary bathroom!

Our clients drastically needed to update this master suite from the original forest green floral wallpaper to something more clean and simple. They wanted to open up the dated cultured marble enclosed tub and shower and remove all soffits and plant ledges above the vanities. They wanted to explore the possibilities of opening up the shower with glass and look at installing a freestanding bathtub and they definitely wanted to keep the double sided fireplace but update the look of it. First off, we did some minor changes to the bedroom. We replaced the carpet with a beautiful soft multi-color gray low pile carpet and painted the walls a soft white. The fireplace surround was replaced with Carrara 12×12 polished porcelain tile for a more elegant look. Finally, we tore out a corner built in desk and squared off and textured the wall, making it look as though it were never there. We needed to strip this bathroom down and start from scratch. We demoed the cabinets, counter tops, all plumbing fixtures, ceiling fan, track lighting, tub and tub surround, fireplace surround, shower door, shower walls and ceiling above the shower, all flooring, soffits above vanity areas, saloon doors on the water closet and of course the wallpaper! We changed the walls around the shower to pony walls with glass on the upper half, opening up the shower. The tile was lined with Premium Antasit 12×24 tile installed vertically in a 50/50 brick pattern. The shower floor and the floor below the tub is Solo River Grey Pebble mosaic tile. A contemporary Jaclo Collection shower system was installed including a contemporary handshower and square shower head. The large freestanding tub is a white Hydro Sytsems “Picasso” with “Steelnox” wall mounted tub filler and hardware from Graff. All of the cabinets were replaced with Waypoint maple mocha glazed flat front doors and drawers. Quartzmasters Calacatta Grey countertops were installed with 2 Icera “Muse” undermount sinks for a clean modern look. The cabinet hardware the clients chose is ultra modern ”Sutton” from Hardware Resources and the faucet and other hardware is all from the Phylrich “Mix” collection. Pulling it all together, Premium Antasit 12×14 installed floor tile was installed in a 50/50 brick pattern. The pebble tile that was installed in the shower floor was also installed in an oval shape under the bathtub for a great modern look and to break up the solid gray flooring. Addison Oak Wood planks were installed vertically behind the bathtub, below the fireplace surround and behind the potty for a modern finished look. The fireplace was surrounded with Carrara 12×12 polished porcelain, as well as the wood planks. Finally, to add the finishing touches, Z-Lite brushed nickel vanity lights were installed above each vanity sink. The clients are so pleased to be able to enjoy and relax in their new contemporary bathroom!

This Houston kitchen remodel and whole-house redesign was nothing less than a time machine – zooming a 40-year-old living space into 2017! “The kitchen had formica countertops, old wood cabinets, a strange layout and low ceilings,” says Lisha Maxey, lead designer for Outdoor Homescapes of Houston and owner of LGH Design Services. “We basically took it down to the studs to create the new space. It even had original terrazzo tile in the foyer! Almost never see that anymore.” The new look is all 2017, starting with a pure white maple wood for the new kitchen cabinetry and a 13-foot butcher block island. The china hutch, beam and columns are walnut. The small kitchen countertop (on fridge side) is Corian. The flooring is solid hickory with a natural stain. The backsplash is Moroccan blue glass. In the island, Outdoor Homescapes added a small, stainless steel prep sink and a large porcelain sink. All finishes are brushed stainless steel except for the pot filler, which is copper. “The look is very transitional, with a hearty mix of antiques the client wanted incorporated and the contemporary open concept look of today,” says Lisha. “The bar stools are actually reclaimed science class stools that my client picked up at a local fair. It was an awesome find!” In addition to the kitchen, the home’s first-floor half bath, living room and den also got an update. Outdoor Homescapes also built storage into the space under the stairs and warmed up the entry with custom blue and beige wallpaper. “In the half bath, we used the client’s favorite color, orange,” says Lisha. “We added a vessel bowl that was also found at a fair and an antique chandelier to top it off.” The paint in that room was textured by running a dry brush vertically while the paint was still wet. “It appears to be wallpaper, but not!” explains Lisha. Outdoor Homescapes also used black/white custom tiles in the bath and laundry room to tie it all in. Lisha used antique pieces in the laundry room with a custom black/white porcelain floor. To open up the wall between the old kitchen and living room, we had to install a 26’ steel I-beam to support the second floor. It was an engineering feat! Took six men to get it into place! “The client – an empty nester couple – had already done their upstairs remodel and they knew the first floor would be a gut-out,” continues Lisha. “The home was in very poor condition prior to the remodel, and everything needed to go. Basically, wife told husband, we either do this remodel or we sell the house. And Mr. inherited it from his Mom, so it has sentimental value to him.” Lisha loves how original it turned out, noting the refreshing department from the usual all-white kitchen with black/white flooring, Carrera marble or granite countertops and subway tile. “The clients were open to mixing up styles and working with me to make it come together,” she says. “I think there’s a new excitement in mixing the decades and finding a way to allow clients to hold on to treasured antiques or special pieces while incorporating them in a more modern space. Her favorite area is the large island. “I love that they will spend holidays and regular days around that space,” she says. “It’s just so welcoming!”

This Houston kitchen remodel and whole-house redesign was nothing less than a time machine – zooming a 40-year-old living space into 2017! “The kitchen had formica countertops, old wood cabinets, a strange layout and low ceilings,” says Lisha Maxey, lead designer for Outdoor Homescapes of Houston and owner of LGH Design Services. “We basically took it down to the studs to create the new space. It even had original terrazzo tile in the foyer! Almost never see that anymore.” The new look is all 2017, starting with a pure white maple wood for the new kitchen cabinetry and a 13-foot butcher block island. The china hutch, beam and columns are walnut. The small kitchen countertop (on fridge side) is Corian. The flooring is solid hickory with a natural stain. The backsplash is Moroccan blue glass. In the island, Outdoor Homescapes added a small, stainless steel prep sink and a large porcelain sink. All finishes are brushed stainless steel except for the pot filler, which is copper. “The look is very transitional, with a hearty mix of antiques the client wanted incorporated and the contemporary open concept look of today,” says Lisha. “The bar stools are actually reclaimed science class stools that my client picked up at a local fair. It was an awesome find!” In addition to the kitchen, the home’s first-floor half bath, living room and den also got an update. Outdoor Homescapes also built storage into the space under the stairs and warmed up the entry with custom blue and beige wallpaper. “In the half bath, we used the client’s favorite color, orange,” says Lisha. “We added a vessel bowl that was also found at a fair and an antique chandelier to top it off.” The paint in that room was textured by running a dry brush vertically while the paint was still wet. “It appears to be wallpaper, but not!” explains Lisha. Outdoor Homescapes also used black/white custom tiles in the bath and laundry room to tie it all in. Lisha used antique pieces in the laundry room with a custom black/white porcelain floor. To open up the wall between the old kitchen and living room, we had to install a 26’ steel I-beam to support the second floor. It was an engineering feat! Took six men to get it into place! “The client – an empty nester couple – had already done their upstairs remodel and they knew the first floor would be a gut-out,” continues Lisha. “The home was in very poor condition prior to the remodel, and everything needed to go. Basically, wife told husband, we either do this remodel or we sell the house. And Mr. inherited it from his Mom, so it has sentimental value to him.” Lisha loves how original it turned out, noting the refreshing department from the usual all-white kitchen with black/white flooring, Carrera marble or granite countertops and subway tile. “The clients were open to mixing up styles and working with me to make it come together,” she says. “I think there’s a new excitement in mixing the decades and finding a way to allow clients to hold on to treasured antiques or special pieces while incorporating them in a more modern space. Her favorite area is the large island. “I love that they will spend holidays and regular days around that space,” she says. “It’s just so welcoming!”

This Houston kitchen remodel and whole-house redesign was nothing less than a time machine – zooming a 40-year-old living space into 2017! “The kitchen had formica countertops, old wood cabinets, a strange layout and low ceilings,” says Lisha Maxey, lead designer for Outdoor Homescapes of Houston and owner of LGH Design Services. “We basically took it down to the studs to create the new space. It even had original terrazzo tile in the foyer! Almost never see that anymore.” The new look is all 2017, starting with a pure white maple wood for the new kitchen cabinetry and a 13-foot butcher block island. The china hutch, beam and columns are walnut. The small kitchen countertop (on fridge side) is Corian. The flooring is solid hickory with a natural stain. The backsplash is Moroccan blue glass. In the island, Outdoor Homescapes added a small, stainless steel prep sink and a large porcelain sink. All finishes are brushed stainless steel except for the pot filler, which is copper. “The look is very transitional, with a hearty mix of antiques the client wanted incorporated and the contemporary open concept look of today,” says Lisha. “The bar stools are actually reclaimed science class stools that my client picked up at a local fair. It was an awesome find!” In addition to the kitchen, the home’s first-floor half bath, living room and den also got an update. Outdoor Homescapes also built storage into the space under the stairs and warmed up the entry with custom blue and beige wallpaper. “In the half bath, we used the client’s favorite color, orange,” says Lisha. “We added a vessel bowl that was also found at a fair and an antique chandelier to top it off.” The paint in that room was textured by running a dry brush vertically while the paint was still wet. “It appears to be wallpaper, but not!” explains Lisha. Outdoor Homescapes also used black/white custom tiles in the bath and laundry room to tie it all in. Lisha used antique pieces in the laundry room with a custom black/white porcelain floor. To open up the wall between the old kitchen and living room, we had to install a 26’ steel I-beam to support the second floor. It was an engineering feat! Took six men to get it into place! “The client – an empty nester couple – had already done their upstairs remodel and they knew the first floor would be a gut-out,” continues Lisha. “The home was in very poor condition prior to the remodel, and everything needed to go. Basically, wife told husband, we either do this remodel or we sell the house. And Mr. inherited it from his Mom, so it has sentimental value to him.” Lisha loves how original it turned out, noting the refreshing department from the usual all-white kitchen with black/white flooring, Carrera marble or granite countertops and subway tile. “The clients were open to mixing up styles and working with me to make it come together,” she says. “I think there’s a new excitement in mixing the decades and finding a way to allow clients to hold on to treasured antiques or special pieces while incorporating them in a more modern space. Her favorite area is the large island. “I love that they will spend holidays and regular days around that space,” she says. “It’s just so welcoming!”

The flooring that was originally envisioned for this house wasn't Wood Floor of the Year-caliber. When Steve Brattin, president at SVB Wood Floors in Grandview, Mo., got involved in the project, the designers were discussing a simple machine-sanded heart pine or reclaimed wood floor. But once Brattin visited the site—an old world traditional estate set on acreage with its own private lake—he knew it deserved more than a typical floor. "I chatted with the designers and said I would love to meet with the homeowners and have them in our showroom," he recalls. "I said I would really like to do something artistic with it." Brattin's mind was already envisioning the possibilities—something he says usually happens for him within a half hour of walking through a space. "I don't know how certain things come to me," he says, adding that often he draws things out and the designs don't end up being in the clients' budget. That wasn't the case here, however, and the final plans for the flooring called for five designs in various areas, including this Bordeaux parquet in the foyer. With the designs finalized, Brattin turned to Distinctive Floors' (Nashville, Tenn.) Dan Antes to create the walnut flooring, which called for hand-beveling with a circle-sawn and wire-brushed surface; in some areas the flooring was 10-inch plank. The width presented a challenge for Antes, as he had planned to contract out the circle-sawing, but the company he had in mind could handle widths only up to 81⁄2 inches. He decided he would have to do it himself. "We spent maybe $1,500 modifying $20,000 worth of equipment to end up with this awesome distressed product," he says. Due to a tight time frame to complete the job, once the flooring was milled, it was shipped to WD Flooring (Laona, Wis.) to be finished with hardwax oil—a choice Antes says he loves for its maintainability. The actual installation of all 3,000 square feet of flooring was uneventful, Brattin says, crediting his crew, experienced with high-end projects, for a great job. "They had a blast," he says. "They had so much fun out there on the project, and they do it quite frequently; it comes naturally for them at this point." Given the complexity of this job, from scribing around stone to large-scale chevron and mixed media, that's high praise. Antes, himself a Wood Floor of the Year winner and supplier to many more winning projects, sums up the scope of this job: "I think he could have entered any room in this house, really, and won."—K.M.W.

This Houston kitchen remodel and whole-house redesign was nothing less than a time machine – zooming a 40-year-old living space into 2017! “The kitchen had formica countertops, old wood cabinets, a strange layout and low ceilings,” says Lisha Maxey, lead designer for Outdoor Homescapes of Houston and owner of LGH Design Services. “We basically took it down to the studs to create the new space. It even had original terrazzo tile in the foyer! Almost never see that anymore.” The new look is all 2017, starting with a pure white maple wood for the new kitchen cabinetry and a 13-foot butcher block island. The china hutch, beam and columns are walnut. The small kitchen countertop (on fridge side) is Corian. The flooring is solid hickory with a natural stain. The backsplash is Moroccan blue glass. In the island, Outdoor Homescapes added a small, stainless steel prep sink and a large porcelain sink. All finishes are brushed stainless steel except for the pot filler, which is copper. “The look is very transitional, with a hearty mix of antiques the client wanted incorporated and the contemporary open concept look of today,” says Lisha. “The bar stools are actually reclaimed science class stools that my client picked up at a local fair. It was an awesome find!” In addition to the kitchen, the home’s first-floor half bath, living room and den also got an update. Outdoor Homescapes also built storage into the space under the stairs and warmed up the entry with custom blue and beige wallpaper. “In the half bath, we used the client’s favorite color, orange,” says Lisha. “We added a vessel bowl that was also found at a fair and an antique chandelier to top it off.” The paint in that room was textured by running a dry brush vertically while the paint was still wet. “It appears to be wallpaper, but not!” explains Lisha. Outdoor Homescapes also used black/white custom tiles in the bath and laundry room to tie it all in. Lisha used antique pieces in the laundry room with a custom black/white porcelain floor. To open up the wall between the old kitchen and living room, we had to install a 26’ steel I-beam to support the second floor. It was an engineering feat! Took six men to get it into place! “The client – an empty nester couple – had already done their upstairs remodel and they knew the first floor would be a gut-out,” continues Lisha. “The home was in very poor condition prior to the remodel, and everything needed to go. Basically, wife told husband, we either do this remodel or we sell the house. And Mr. inherited it from his Mom, so it has sentimental value to him.” Lisha loves how original it turned out, noting the refreshing department from the usual all-white kitchen with black/white flooring, Carrera marble or granite countertops and subway tile. “The clients were open to mixing up styles and working with me to make it come together,” she says. “I think there’s a new excitement in mixing the decades and finding a way to allow clients to hold on to treasured antiques or special pieces while incorporating them in a more modern space. Her favorite area is the large island. “I love that they will spend holidays and regular days around that space,” she says. “It’s just so welcoming!”

Our clients drastically needed to update this master suite from the original forest green floral wallpaper to something more clean and simple. They wanted to open up the dated cultured marble enclosed tub and shower and remove all soffits and plant ledges above the vanities. They wanted to explore the possibilities of opening up the shower with glass and look at installing a freestanding bathtub and they definitely wanted to keep the double sided fireplace but update the look of it. First off, we did some minor changes to the bedroom. We replaced the carpet with a beautiful soft multi-color gray low pile carpet and painted the walls a soft white. The fireplace surround was replaced with Carrara 12×12 polished porcelain tile for a more elegant look. Finally, we tore out a corner built in desk and squared off and textured the wall, making it look as though it were never there. We needed to strip this bathroom down and start from scratch. We demoed the cabinets, counter tops, all plumbing fixtures, ceiling fan, track lighting, tub and tub surround, fireplace surround, shower door, shower walls and ceiling above the shower, all flooring, soffits above vanity areas, saloon doors on the water closet and of course the wallpaper! We changed the walls around the shower to pony walls with glass on the upper half, opening up the shower. The tile was lined with Premium Antasit 12×24 tile installed vertically in a 50/50 brick pattern. The shower floor and the floor below the tub is Solo River Grey Pebble mosaic tile. A contemporary Jaclo Collection shower system was installed including a contemporary handshower and square shower head. The large freestanding tub is a white Hydro Sytsems “Picasso” with “Steelnox” wall mounted tub filler and hardware from Graff. All of the cabinets were replaced with Waypoint maple mocha glazed flat front doors and drawers. Quartzmasters Calacatta Grey countertops were installed with 2 Icera “Muse” undermount sinks for a clean modern look. The cabinet hardware the clients chose is ultra modern ”Sutton” from Hardware Resources and the faucet and other hardware is all from the Phylrich “Mix” collection. Pulling it all together, Premium Antasit 12×14 installed floor tile was installed in a 50/50 brick pattern. The pebble tile that was installed in the shower floor was also installed in an oval shape under the bathtub for a great modern look and to break up the solid gray flooring. Addison Oak Wood planks were installed vertically behind the bathtub, below the fireplace surround and behind the potty for a modern finished look. The fireplace was surrounded with Carrara 12×12 polished porcelain, as well as the wood planks. Finally, to add the finishing touches, Z-Lite brushed nickel vanity lights were installed above each vanity sink. The clients are so pleased to be able to enjoy and relax in their new contemporary bathroom!

This Houston kitchen remodel and whole-house redesign was nothing less than a time machine – zooming a 40-year-old living space into 2017! “The kitchen had formica countertops, old wood cabinets, a strange layout and low ceilings,” says Lisha Maxey, lead designer for Outdoor Homescapes of Houston and owner of LGH Design Services. “We basically took it down to the studs to create the new space. It even had original terrazzo tile in the foyer! Almost never see that anymore.” The new look is all 2017, starting with a pure white maple wood for the new kitchen cabinetry and a 13-foot butcher block island. The china hutch, beam and columns are walnut. The small kitchen countertop (on fridge side) is Corian. The flooring is solid hickory with a natural stain. The backsplash is Moroccan blue glass. In the island, Outdoor Homescapes added a small, stainless steel prep sink and a large porcelain sink. All finishes are brushed stainless steel except for the pot filler, which is copper. “The look is very transitional, with a hearty mix of antiques the client wanted incorporated and the contemporary open concept look of today,” says Lisha. “The bar stools are actually reclaimed science class stools that my client picked up at a local fair. It was an awesome find!” In addition to the kitchen, the home’s first-floor half bath, living room and den also got an update. Outdoor Homescapes also built storage into the space under the stairs and warmed up the entry with custom blue and beige wallpaper. “In the half bath, we used the client’s favorite color, orange,” says Lisha. “We added a vessel bowl that was also found at a fair and an antique chandelier to top it off.” The paint in that room was textured by running a dry brush vertically while the paint was still wet. “It appears to be wallpaper, but not!” explains Lisha. Outdoor Homescapes also used black/white custom tiles in the bath and laundry room to tie it all in. Lisha used antique pieces in the laundry room with a custom black/white porcelain floor. To open up the wall between the old kitchen and living room, we had to install a 26’ steel I-beam to support the second floor. It was an engineering feat! Took six men to get it into place! “The client – an empty nester couple – had already done their upstairs remodel and they knew the first floor would be a gut-out,” continues Lisha. “The home was in very poor condition prior to the remodel, and everything needed to go. Basically, wife told husband, we either do this remodel or we sell the house. And Mr. inherited it from his Mom, so it has sentimental value to him.” Lisha loves how original it turned out, noting the refreshing department from the usual all-white kitchen with black/white flooring, Carrera marble or granite countertops and subway tile. “The clients were open to mixing up styles and working with me to make it come together,” she says. “I think there’s a new excitement in mixing the decades and finding a way to allow clients to hold on to treasured antiques or special pieces while incorporating them in a more modern space. Her favorite area is the large island. “I love that they will spend holidays and regular days around that space,” she says. “It’s just so welcoming!”

Earlier this month I was in the town of Northampton, to see a client who had reported a problem with her Travertine kitchen tiles. Basically the grout between the tiles was badly stained, to the point of appearing almost black. The Travertine tiles were also in need of some maintenance, and so I was commissioned to provide a clean, polish and a fresh seal. Travertine is a popular choice for kitchen flooring due to its relatively high durability and distinct features. My task was to get this floor back to looking its best. My priority was to address the badly stained grout so I cleaned the grout lines by hand using a combination of hand brushes and Tile Doctor Grout Clean-Up. The surface was pre-wet with water, before a solution of Grout-Clean Up and clean water was applied to the surface. The brushes were then used to agitate the solution. Grout Clean-Up contains a mix of concentrated phosphoric acid and cleaner designed to penetrate below the surface of the grout to remove grout stains, smears and mineral deposits. As you can see from the photos, Grout Clean-Up made an immediate difference to the appearance of the tiles. This product is suitable for use on masonry and acid resistant surfaces. After completing the clean, I gave the floor a thorough rinse to neutralise the floor after cleaning and removed as much of the water as possible using a wet vacuum. Following this, I paid attention to the tiles themselves, cleaning them to achieve a polished effect by using a system of burnishing pads. Tile Doctor burnishing pads comprise a set of four pads varying in grit type, from Coarse and Medium to Fine and Very Fine. I applied all four pads in turn to the floor, stopping to rinse the floor in between each. The result was a high quality polished finish. I then left the floor to dry completely overnight, before commencing the seal the next day. My choice of sealing product was Tile Doctor Colour Grow which is a colour intensifying sealer that both enhances the natural appearance of the stone and provides a durable surface seal. My client was very pleased with the finished product, and left the following comment on the Tile Doctor feedback system: “efficiently done”, yielding “good results”. Phil Vissian Northamptonshire Tile Doctor

Our clients drastically needed to update this master suite from the original forest green floral wallpaper to something more clean and simple. They wanted to open up the dated cultured marble enclosed tub and shower and remove all soffits and plant ledges above the vanities. They wanted to explore the possibilities of opening up the shower with glass and look at installing a freestanding bathtub and they definitely wanted to keep the double sided fireplace but update the look of it. First off, we did some minor changes to the bedroom. We replaced the carpet with a beautiful soft multi-color gray low pile carpet and painted the walls a soft white. The fireplace surround was replaced with Carrara 12×12 polished porcelain tile for a more elegant look. Finally, we tore out a corner built in desk and squared off and textured the wall, making it look as though it were never there. We needed to strip this bathroom down and start from scratch. We demoed the cabinets, counter tops, all plumbing fixtures, ceiling fan, track lighting, tub and tub surround, fireplace surround, shower door, shower walls and ceiling above the shower, all flooring, soffits above vanity areas, saloon doors on the water closet and of course the wallpaper! We changed the walls around the shower to pony walls with glass on the upper half, opening up the shower. The tile was lined with Premium Antasit 12×24 tile installed vertically in a 50/50 brick pattern. The shower floor and the floor below the tub is Solo River Grey Pebble mosaic tile. A contemporary Jaclo Collection shower system was installed including a contemporary handshower and square shower head. The large freestanding tub is a white Hydro Sytsems “Picasso” with “Steelnox” wall mounted tub filler and hardware from Graff. All of the cabinets were replaced with Waypoint maple mocha glazed flat front doors and drawers. Quartzmasters Calacatta Grey countertops were installed with 2 Icera “Muse” undermount sinks for a clean modern look. The cabinet hardware the clients chose is ultra modern ”Sutton” from Hardware Resources and the faucet and other hardware is all from the Phylrich “Mix” collection. Pulling it all together, Premium Antasit 12×14 installed floor tile was installed in a 50/50 brick pattern. The pebble tile that was installed in the shower floor was also installed in an oval shape under the bathtub for a great modern look and to break up the solid gray flooring. Addison Oak Wood planks were installed vertically behind the bathtub, below the fireplace surround and behind the potty for a modern finished look. The fireplace was surrounded with Carrara 12×12 polished porcelain, as well as the wood planks. Finally, to add the finishing touches, Z-Lite brushed nickel vanity lights were installed above each vanity sink. The clients are so pleased to be able to enjoy and relax in their new contemporary bathroom!

Iron Fence Painting Wicker Park Homeowners Can Trust: A Windy City Painters Case Study Wicker Park is full of architectural character — ornate 1890s greystone two-flats, vintage brick facades, and wrought iron fencing that has framed these streets for well over a century. However, what iron fence painting Wicker Park properties require is not a simple weekend job. Winters here are brutal on metal, and consequently Windy City Painters has spent years perfecting the restoration process that keeps these fences standing strong. In particular, this case study walks through a recent project completed for a classic Wicker Park property. Project Overview The property featured a full wrought iron perimeter fence that had suffered years of freeze-thaw cycling and road salt exposure. Paint had failed across most of the pickets, and oxidation had progressed into active rust at several base rails. Consequently, the homeowners needed more than a fresh coat of paint. They needed a genuine metal restoration, and that is precisely what Windy City Painters delivered. Materials Used Windy City Painters selected products specifically rated for Chicago's climate extremes: Rust-Oleum Professional Rust Inhibitor Primer Sherwin-Williams DTM Acrylic Enamel (two finish coats) 3M rust converter gel for active oxidation zones Wire brushes, angle grinders, and detail brushes for precision work The Process: How Windy City Painters Restores Rusted Iron Every iron fence painting Wicker Park project follows a disciplined, multi-stage process: Preparation. Wire brushing and angle grinding remove all loose, flaking, and compromised material. Rust converter gel is applied directly to active oxidation zones, chemically stabilizing the metal underneath. Repairs. Pitted sections and structurally weak joints are addressed before any coating touches the surface. Notably, skipping this step is the most common reason fence paint fails prematurely. Priming. A full rust-inhibiting primer coat seals every bare metal surface, preventing moisture from reaching the iron beneath. Application. Two finish coats of direct-to-metal enamel are applied by hand for even coverage across pickets, finials, and rail joints. Finishing. A final inspection confirms full coverage, sharp lines, and a smooth, uniform sheen from every angle. Furthermore, this same process protects the ornate details so common on Wicker Park fencing — decorative finials, scrollwork, and gate hardware — without losing the historic character that makes these properties special. Advice for Wicker Park Homeowners Before starting a similar project, homeowners in this neighborhood should keep a few things in mind: Never paint over active rust. Untreated oxidation will continue spreading beneath the new coating, and the paint will fail within a season or two. Always prime bare metal before applying a finish coat. Skipping primer is the single fastest path to peeling. Choose coatings rated for temperature extremes, since Chicago's freeze-thaw cycles are harder on metal than most climates. Inspect ground-contact areas each spring, as base rails typically rust fastest due to snow melt and road salt runoff. Budget for prep time. In fact, most of the labor in a quality iron fence painting Wicker Park project happens before a single coat of paint is applied. Similarly, ask whether the contractor uses rust converter on active oxidation, since skipping this step often shortens the life of the finish considerably. Moreover, historic greystone properties often have decorative ironwork that requires extra care during grinding and priming so the original detailing is preserved rather than sanded away. What to Expect: Timeline and Investment Homeowners often ask how long an iron fence painting Wicker Park project takes from start to finish. In general, prep work — wire brushing, grinding, rust conversion, and repairs — takes up the largest share of the schedule, while primer and enamel application move relatively quickly once the surface is properly stabilized. Cure time between coats also affects the overall timeline, since rushing this stage undermines durability. Consequently, Windy City Painters builds a realistic schedule around weather conditions rather than forcing the job into a tight window. In addition, investment varies based on fence length, the amount of active rust present, and whether ornate detailing requires extra hand-finishing. Homeowners considering this project should request a full on-site walkthrough rather than a rough phone estimate, since rust severity is difficult to judge accurately without seeing the fence in person. Why Wicker Park Homeowners Choose Windy City Painters Windy City Painters has become the trusted painting contractor for Chicago's North Side and Near West Side, and iron fence painting Wicker Park residents request most often reflects that reputation directly. In contrast to quick-fix contractors who paint straight over rust, Windy City Painters treats every project as a full restoration. As a result, clients get a finish that holds up through multiple Chicago winters rather than one. In addition, for related projects, Windy City Painters also offers interior painting, cabinet painting, drywall and plaster repair, and full metal refinishing services for fences, gates, and porches throughout the neighborhood. Ultimately, that range of services is what makes us a true one-stop contractor for Wicker Park homeowners. See more of our work and request a free estimate at www.windypainters.com. Ready to transform your Wicker Park home? Contact Windy City Painters for a free estimate — visit www.windypainters.com today. Proudly serving Wicker Park, West Town, Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, Lakeview, Ukrainian Village, River North, and all of Chicago.

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A unique bedroom with a barn door accent wall, black bed frame, a dark carpet, and two small side tables. Project designed by Skokie renovation firm, Chi Renovation & Design. They serve the Chicagoland area, and it's surrounding suburbs, with an emphasis on the North Side and North Shore. You'll find their work from the Loop through Lincoln Park, Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, and all of the way up to Lake Forest. For more about Chi Renovation & Design, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/

Amadeus Leitner
Bathroom - contemporary bathroom idea in Albuquerque with an undermount sink and white walls