Seating and storage were incorporated into the new, wider peninsula. Frosted glass door inserts in the cabinetry add interest. Photography by Chrissy Racho

Tucked away in the backwoods of Torch Lake, this home marries “rustic” with the sleek elegance of modern. The combination of wood, stone and metal textures embrace the charm of a classic farmhouse. Although this is not your average farmhouse. The home is outfitted with a high performing system that seamlessly works with the design and architecture. The tall ceilings and windows allow ample natural light into the main room. Spire Integrated Systems installed Lutron QS Wireless motorized shades paired with Hartmann & Forbes windowcovers to offer privacy and block harsh light. The custom 18′ windowcover’s woven natural fabric complements the organic esthetics of the room. The shades are artfully concealed in the millwork when not in use. Spire installed B&W in-ceiling speakers and Sonance invisible in-wall speakers to deliver ambient music that emanates throughout the space with no visual footprint. Spire also installed a Sonance Landscape Audio System so the homeowner can enjoy music outside. Each system is easily controlled using Savant. Spire personalized the settings to the homeowner’s preference making controlling the home efficient and convenient.

When I came to this property not only was the landscape a scrappy mess the property also had some very real grading and drainage issues that were jeopardizing the safety of this house. As recent transplants from New Jerseys to Southern California these clients were in awe of all the plants they were seeing in their neighborhood. Living on the water at the Ventura harbor they wanted to be able to take full advantage or the outdoor lifestyle and cool ocean breeze. Being environmentally conscious citizens, these clients were very concerned that their garden was designed with sustainability as a leading factor. As they said in our initial consultation, “Would want or garden be part of the solution not part of the problem.” This property is the last house on the bottom of a gently sloping street. All the water from the neighbor’s houses drain onto this property. When I came into this project the back yard sloped into the house. When it would rain the water would pool up against the house causing water damage. To address the drainage we employed several tactics. Firstly, we had to invert the slope in the back yard so that water would not pool against the house. We created a very minor slope going away from the house so that water drains away but so the patio area feels flat. The back of the back yard had an existing retaining wall made out of shabby looking slump stone. In front of that retaining wall we created a beautiful natural stone retaining wall. This retain wall severs many purposes. One it works as a place to put some of the soil removed from the grading giving this project a smaller carbon foot print (moving soil of a site burns a lot of fossil fuel). The retaining wall also helps obscure the shabby existing retaining wall and allows for planting space above the footing from the existing retaining wall. The soil behind the ne retaining wall is slightly lower than the top of the wall so that when the run on water on from the neighbor’s property flows it is slowed down and absorbed before it has a chance to get near the house. Finally, the wall is at a height designed to serve as overflow seating as these clients intend to have occasional large parties and gatherings. Other efforts made to help keep the house safe and dry are that we used permeable paving. With the hardscape being comprised of flag stone with gravel in-between water has a chance to soak into the ground so it does not flow into spots where it will pool up. The final element to help keep the house dry is the addition of infiltration swales. Infiltration swales are depressions in the landscape that capture rain water. The down spouts on the sides of the houses are connected to pipe that goes under the ground and conveys the water to the swales. In this project it helps move rain water away from the house. In general, these Infiltration swales are a powerful element in creating sustainable landscapes. These swales capture pollutants that accumulate on the roof and in the landscape. Biology in the soil in the swales can break down these pollutants. When run of watered is not captured by soil on a property the dirty water flows into water ways and then the ocean were the biology that breaks down the pollutants is not as prolific. This is particularly important in this project as it drains directly into the harbor. The water that is absorbed in to the swales can replenish aquafers as well as increasing the water available to the plants planted in that area recusing the amount of water that is needed from irrigation. When it came to the planting we went with a California friendly tropical theme. Using lots of succulents and plants with colorful foliage we created vibrant lush landscape that will have year around color. We planted densely (the images in the picture were taken only a month after installation). Taller drought tolerant plants to help regulate the temperature and loss of water from the plants below them. The dense plantings will help keep the garden, the house and even the neighborhood cooler on hot days, will provide spaces for birds to enjoy and will create an illusion of depth in a somewhat narrow space. Today this garden is a space these homeowners can fully enjoy while having the peace of mind that their house is protected from flooding and they are helping the environment.

The photographs below are from a bathroom in Maida Vale W9 which had a lovely Slate tiled wall over a bath with shower. Unfortunately, the Slate tiles had been ruined by the use of harsh cleaning chemicals in an attempt to remove the limescale caused by hard water. The slate had now lost all its natural colour and looked completely washed out. The property had recently changed hands and the new owner was keen to have it renovated. I went over to take a look and work out a solution, this in itself is a lot trickier these days with all the COVID precautions we need to take when working in someone’s house. It was clear that a strong acidic limescale remover had been used on the slate and this had etched the stone, leached all the natural oils away and generally ruined its appearance. Fortunately, we have a solution for this (see below) and after conducting a small test I was able to confirm the problem could be resolved and gave them a quote which included a day’s labour, abrasive pads, stone oil and sealer. Our quote was gratefully accepted, and we booked a time in to carry out the work. I returned to the property and I set about burnishing the slate wall tiles using a very coarse 200-grit six-inch burnishing pad fitted to a handheld buffing machine. This process resurfaces the stone slightly to remove the etching caused by the limescale remover. I used a medium dilution of Tile Doctor Grout Clean-up to lubricate the process and to remove the remaining limescale. Once done the slurry that is generated is rinsed off with more water. In a bathroom, it is easy the slurry can just be drained away. In other areas we would use a wet vacuum. After the 200-grit pad the surface of the Slate was further refined using a 400-grit pad and then an 800-grit pad, this time only using water and giving the stone a thorough rinse after each pad to remove the soil. The slate was then left to dry off over lunch and given more encouragement with a heat gun afterwards so I could move onto the next step. This involved applying a coat of Tile Doctor Stone Oil which puts back the natural oils back into the stone improving its appearance. Once the Stone Oil had fully dried, I moved onto sealing for which I applied two coats of Tile Doctor Ultra-Seal; this is penetrating sealer that soaks into the stone to provide maximum stain protection without changing the colour of the stone. It is also an excellent grout sealer which is a bonus. Before leaving I talked the client about how best to maintain the Slate and left them a complimentary bottle of Tile Doctor Aqua Pro tile cleaner which will help keep the limescale at bay. It is gentle enough to use every day but will help prevent the previous build-up and unlike the previous products used will not damage the newly applied sealer. Jackson Davis Central London Tile Cleaning

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design & Photo Styling | John Kraemer & Sons, Builder | Troy Thies, Photography Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For information about our work, please contact design@oharainteriors.com.

Applications: This type of lighting is ideal to achieve exterior lighting effect. It is generally uses to illuminate signs, they also can be used at DJ booths, Night Clubs, bars, pubs, restaurant, event, wedding, shows, hotels and more. With LED Wall Washer you can also achieve a “curtain of light” effect in a window, wall or ceiling. Technical Data: Working Voltage: DC12V Working Current: 330mA Total electricity consumption: 12W LEDs #: 12 LED Type: 1W High Power each Material: Aluminum Alloy IP Grade: IP67 - For outdoor/indoor Use Size: L24"xW1.5"xH1" weight: 1.6lb Optical Characteristics: Beam Pattern: 30 ° - Each LED has an opening of 140° and comes with positioned lenses of 30" each. Brightness: 980Lm Wavelength: 3000-3500K CRI: 85 Notes: 1- This product operates on low-voltage DC12V power. 2- Attention!: The Operating Voltage of this product is DC; never connect it to AC directly. 3- For optimum performance, do not exceed maximum load. 4- Unplug your power source when cutting string. 5- Do not look directly into the light, it can cause damage to your eye site. 6- Please confirm voltage and size before ordering! 7- 2-YEAR WARRANTY 8- Available Colors: cool white, warm white and RGB. 9- In general, this fixture prove an easy DIY task for most customers, but basic wiring skills such as stripping, splicing, extending, and connecting wires are usually required for custom installations.

One frustrating thing about tree infections and diseases is that they are virtually completely unpredictable. It is essential to understand all the different types of risks and causes that can contribute to these issues in an attempt to understand how you can try and prevent and manage these things when they happen. Five Star Tree Services is going to go over the reasons as to how and why your trees can develop these certain issues. Since there are so many different causes behind why a tree’s development might be interrupted, first think of them as two different categories you can split them into; non-living factors or abiotic, and living factors or biotic. We also want to note that it is possible for more than one factor to affect a tree’s health and development at any given time. You can also make a distinction between primary pests and secondary pests. The primary pests exert a serious influence on the tree’s immediate survival. Whereas secondary pests have a less significant influence on the survival of the tree. The only time they will jeopardize a tree’s survival is if the tree has a previous debilitating issue from another risk factor. For an individual tree’s circumstances, this will distinct the chances of an infestation, especially if it has any past debilitating issues. Which can be seen from any compromising management practices or pre-existing issues which affect the tree’s development as well as lower its resistance to infections. Poor management in planting is a very common predisposed factor that compromises a tree’s infection defense. For instance, any saplings that are pot-bound will not get to develop solid root systems which doesn’t allow them to develop properly when they eventually get planted. Another example is when a tree gets stressed, along with other outer factors, will have significant effects on the overall wellbeing of the tree and its condition. Other factors to consider are bad soil quality as well as bad drainage. Abiotic Non-Living Influences The overall health of a tree can be linked to impacts such as bad growing conditions and bad soil quality. These things will put trees at a higher risk for catching a number of different biotic issues. Sickness, infections, and infestation can all be linked to ineffective nutrient absorption when a tree has insufficiently developed its natural resistances and defenses. One of the worst factors for this is fire damage. It is so debilitating that it makes trees hopeless at defending themselves against biotic attacks. To uncover what circumstantial predispositions your tree might have due to poor developmental conditions, arborists can use the growth rings as a means of assessment for the long-term effects, wellbeing, and growth of a tree. There are many outer and non-living variables that will influence the health of a tree and if it will be predisposed to biotic infestations. Such variables can include things like extensive cold winters and long dry spells. Abiotic Common Influences Include: -Water -Chemicals -Soil Conditions -Weather -Mechanical Agents Biotic Living Influences Sometimes, you are able to notice certain infestations easily, while others can be hard to tell. For instance, seeing an insect on a tree is no cause for alarm. A lot of them are harmless to the tree and do not cause harm while they regularly feed. However, some insects are actually harmful to a tree’s survival and knowing the difference between harmless and harmful ones is what you need to notice. You might also see fungi on rotting matter or a dead tree. Fungi are not usually the immediate influence of a negative manifestation found in a tree’s development. There are other growths that can be seen living on trees. These include saprobic and pathogenic organisms. Saprobic growths are mostly found on rotting or dead tissues and pathogenic growths are less common. Some other living infestations include lichens, epiphytes, and mosses. But these don’t usually have any effect on a tree’s wellbeing. They live symbiotically together. Biotic Common Influences Include: -Mites -Deer and Rodents -Fungi -Weeds -Viruses -Parasitic Plants -Bacteria -Phytoplasmas -Insects How Five Star Tree Service Can Help It is important to know the basics to look out for when trying to prevent developmental issues or help a tree that is developing. There are a lot of factors to take into consideration when helping a tree grow, flourish, and live a healthy long life. If you have any questions or concerns about your trees, contact us at Five Star Tree Services today at (416) 990-3355. We will be able to help you with all your tree related needs. Check out our website for a full list of our Tree Services in Toronto!

Luxury Vinyl Planks are a great option for water areas like bathrooms, basements, and kitchens. The technology is advancing so that the product looks and feels like natural products like wood and stone.

This Victorian floor was discovered at a house in Swiss Cottage in the London borough of Camden when the current owner took the old carpet up. It was in need of substantial restoration to bring it back to its former glory however we have had really good results from restoring similar floors so we were confident it could be done. The carpet had literally just been taken away so we had to remove the gripper rods, underlay and deal with the adhesive which we managed to tackle using a strong solution of Tile Doctor Remove and Go which was left to dwell and penetrate the glue for ten minutes before being scrubbed in. Once the glue was removed the tiles were given a thorough clean using Tile Doctor Pro-Clean using the same process of leaving it to soak in and then actively scrubbing it into the floor to get the tile and grout as clean as possible. The floor was then rinsed and stubborn areas re-treated until we were satisfied with the result. The last cleaning step was to use a steam cleaner to pull as much dirt out of the pores of the tiles as possible and a wet vacuum to extract the liquids and get the floor as dry as possible and we also re-grouted where necessary due to the damage caused by the gripper rods. We also gave the Victorian tiles in the entrance lobby a thorough clean using the same process, although they had not been covered in carpet they were still in need of a deep clean. The floor was left to dry and when we returned the whole floor was ready to be sealed and for this we used five coats of Tile Doctor Seal and Go which adds a nice shine to the floor as well as providing a surface seal that will help protect the tiles from stains going forward. For the entrance lobby we used two coats of Colour Grow which doesn’t add the shine but as an impregnating sealer we felt it would perform better with the wear at the front of the house. The owner of the house was very pleased with the outcome and left the following testimonial: Prompt, courteous, hard working and great results !. Nigel Voyce North London Tile Doctor

The sealer we use is NEYRA FORCE Sealer . NEYRA FORCE Sealer is a Premium Alternative to Coal Tar and Asphalt Emulsion. Neyra Force is a water-based, petroleum resin sealer that outperforms traditional pavement sealers. While providing the benefits of coal tar sealer, it is also environmentally friendly and safe for your employees to apply. Neyra Force is a high performance alternative to both coal tar and asphalt emulsion sealers providing exceptional coverage, durability and color stability. Technical Information Neyra Force Marketing Piece A PREMIUM ALTERNATIVE A high performance alternative to both coal tar and asphalt emulsion sealers providing exceptional coverage, durability and color stability. DURABLE & LONG LASTING Proprietary engineered resin is formulated to create tough and long lasting protection. PROTECT & BEAUTIFIES A tight seal forms an impenetrable barrier to protect against the destructive affects of sun, oxidation, water and chemicals, giving pavement a jet black color. GAS & OIL RESISTANT Resists damage caused by gasoline, oil jet fuel leaks and spills. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY A low VOC, non-flammable coating that contains NO coal tar. COOL WEATHER FORMULA AVAILABLE Neyra Force is also available in Neyra’s cool weather formula, providing exceptional curing in cooler temperatures down to 40°F. To learn more, contact Neyra Industries at customerservice@neyra.com or 1-800-543-7077. Or visits their website @ https://neyra.com/products/sealers/neyra-force/ Pavement Sealers Neyra AE Neyra Force GuardTop Tarconite PaveShield SunShield Jennite Jennite AE Additives Crack Fillers, Primers & Paint Supplies, Tools & Equipment Sports Surfacing Contractor Contractor Property Manager Property Manager Road Maintenance Road Maintenance Architect/Engineer Architect/Engineer Sport Surfacing Sport Surfacing Product Catalog Product Catalog Phone: 1-800-543-7077 Fax: 513-733-3989 customerservice@neyra.com Corporate Headquarters 10700 Evendale Drive Cincinnati, OH 45241 Neyra Logo © 2021 Neyra

Chris Golden
Inspiration for a transitional carpeted living room remodel in Phoenix with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

Kitchen/dining room combo - mid-sized craftsman medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo idea

Inspiration for a large timeless single-wall dark wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, louvered cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble countertops, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Durability and design are the most important components of every entry door. It is our goal to ensure that our clients do not have to compromise on either of these elements. Our Aluminum clad entry door line offers top of the line safety features that will not only perform beautifully but will have a visually pleasing appearance. This project is located along the lake on the North Shore of Chicago. It was important to provide a door that was aesthetically pleasing and complementary to this modern style home, but to also craft a product that can withstand below zero temperatures and direct sunlight. The duality of this product results in a perfectly secure and insulated entrance. Durability of Aluminum Clad Entry Doors Besides the sleek design, our aluminum clad entry door’s have a larger purpose. The durability of our aluminum shield product is unmatched. This shield is attached to our Euro-Tech door slab to ensure for sound insulation, and complete safety. With a thickness of 3-1/2”, our Aluminum Clad entry doors will protect your entryway from harsh elements, as well defend against damage from exposure to direct sunlight. These factors can create wear and tear on solid wood materials and causes aging to the surface. The aluminum shield is a barrier between the exterior elements, and the interior climate. Each aluminum shield has a powder coat finish and is available in any custom color. One feature that is important to note, is that this combination of our Euro-Technology door, paired with the Aluron Shield, creates a very secure and safe entrance. The Beauty of Glenview Haus’ Aluminum Clad Entry Door Ideal for residences in Chicago and the North Shore; this door line is built to last and to create a fully insulated entrance. Our aluminum clad entry doors are incredibly sleek and will appeal to all modern design enthusiasts. Fully customizable, these doors are guaranteed to stand out. The simple and elegant designs are complementary to Modern and Transitional home architecture.

Great glass scallop tile detail. This tile is bordered by slabs of white marble.
Bathroom - modern bathroom idea in Miami

Rick McKee
Inspiration for a small timeless 3/4 mosaic tile floor alcove shower remodel with a vessel sink

Durability and design are the most important components of every entry door. It is our goal to ensure that our clients do not have to compromise on either of these elements. Our Aluminum clad entry door line offers top of the line safety features that will not only perform beautifully but will have a visually pleasing appearance. This project is located along the lake on the North Shore of Chicago. It was important to provide a door that was aesthetically pleasing and complementary to this modern style home, but to also craft a product that can withstand below zero temperatures and direct sunlight. The duality of this product results in a perfectly secure and insulated entrance. Durability of Aluminum Clad Entry Doors Besides the sleek design, our aluminum clad entry door’s have a larger purpose. The durability of our aluminum shield product is unmatched. This shield is attached to our Euro-Tech door slab to ensure for sound insulation, and complete safety. With a thickness of 3-1/2”, our Aluminum Clad entry doors will protect your entryway from harsh elements, as well defend against damage from exposure to direct sunlight. These factors can create wear and tear on solid wood materials and causes aging to the surface. The aluminum shield is a barrier between the exterior elements, and the interior climate. Each aluminum shield has a powder coat finish and is available in any custom color. One feature that is important to note, is that this combination of our Euro-Technology door, paired with the Aluron Shield, creates a very secure and safe entrance. The Beauty of Glenview Haus’ Aluminum Clad Entry Door Ideal for residences in Chicago and the North Shore; this door line is built to last and to create a fully insulated entrance. Our aluminum clad entry doors are incredibly sleek and will appeal to all modern design enthusiasts. Fully customizable, these doors are guaranteed to stand out. The simple and elegant designs are complementary to Modern and Transitional home architecture.

This project is one of the most extensive TVL scopes to date! This house sits in a phenomenal site location in Golden and features a number of incredible and original architectural details. However, years of shifting had caused massive structural damage to the home on both the main and basement levels, resulting in shifting door frames, split drywall, and sinking floors. These shifts prompted the clients to seek remodeling assistance in the beginning of their renovation adventure. At first, the scope involved a new paint and lighting scheme with a focus on wall repair and structural improvement. However, the scope eventually evolved into a re-design of the entire home. Few spaces in this house were left untouched, with the remodeling scope eventually including the kitchen, living room, pantry, entryway and staircase, master bedroom, master bathroom, full basement, and basement bedrooms and bathrooms. Expanding the scope in this way allowed for a design that is cohesive space to space, and creates an environment that captures the essence of the family's persona at every turn. There are many stunning elements to this renovation, but a few favorites include the insanely gorgeous custom steel elements at the front entry, Tharp custom cabinetry in the kitchen and pantry, and unique stone in just about every room of the house. Our clients for this project are both geologists. This alone opened an entire world of unique interest in material that we have never explored before. From natural quartzite countertops that mimic mountain ranges to silky metallic accent tiles behind the bathtub, this project does not shy away from unique stone finds and accents. Conceptually, the clients' love for stone and natural elements is present just about everywhere: the dining room chandelier conceptually takes the form of stalactite, the island pendants are formed concrete, stacked stone adorns the large back wall of the shower, and a back-lit onyx art piece sits in a dramatic niche at the home's entry. We love the dramatic result of this renovation and are so thrilled that our clients can enjoy a home that truly reflects their passions for years to come!

Durability and design are the most important components of every entry door. It is our goal to ensure that our clients do not have to compromise on either of these elements. Our Aluminum clad entry door line offers top of the line safety features that will not only perform beautifully but will have a visually pleasing appearance. This project is located along the lake on the North Shore of Chicago. It was important to provide a door that was aesthetically pleasing and complementary to this modern style home, but to also craft a product that can withstand below zero temperatures and direct sunlight. The duality of this product results in a perfectly secure and insulated entrance. Durability of Aluminum Clad Entry Doors Besides the sleek design, our aluminum clad entry door’s have a larger purpose. The durability of our aluminum shield product is unmatched. This shield is attached to our Euro-Tech door slab to ensure for sound insulation, and complete safety. With a thickness of 3-1/2”, our Aluminum Clad entry doors will protect your entryway from harsh elements, as well defend against damage from exposure to direct sunlight. These factors can create wear and tear on solid wood materials and causes aging to the surface. The aluminum shield is a barrier between the exterior elements, and the interior climate. Each aluminum shield has a powder coat finish and is available in any custom color. One feature that is important to note, is that this combination of our Euro-Technology door, paired with the Aluron Shield, creates a very secure and safe entrance. The Beauty of Glenview Haus’ Aluminum Clad Entry Door Ideal for residences in Chicago and the North Shore; this door line is built to last and to create a fully insulated entrance. Our aluminum clad entry doors are incredibly sleek and will appeal to all modern design enthusiasts. Fully customizable, these doors are guaranteed to stand out. The simple and elegant designs are complementary to Modern and Transitional home architecture.