Our clients for this Silicon Valley remodel wanted us to enlarge their existing kitchen by expanding into their adjacent dinette and family room area and address heat and glare issues caused by the afternoon sun at the rear of the residence. Our remodel eventually addressed almost all of the ground floor rooms. In addition we coordinated the addition of new windows throughout the house and “refreshed” the front entry and rear façade. We expanded the kitchen into the dinette area by creating an informal bar area to replace their existing dinette area. We increased indoor-outdoor flow by creating a wall of French doors and windows at the rear which included solar shading integrated into the rear wall by means of a system of interior wall panels defined by carefully laid out reveals. We created a dropped ceiling between the kitchen and the family room to define the bar counter area. A new, minimalist fireplace design replaced the existing brick fireplace. Wenge-colored cabinets and soft putty-colored walls in the dining/family room create a serene overall unity to the space. At the front entry, new doors, hardware and lighting brought this Mid-century rancher into the 21st Century. Photos by Mark Brand.

Charles is from San Francisco and currently lives in Oakland, California. He has been an artist since he was a young child and loves the process of creating art. Charles studied at Sacramento City College, where he learned from inspiring teachers and became very interested in conceptual art and film. As a young man, he was involved in an accident that caused him to lose the majority of his eyesight, keeping only some peripheral vision. Charles continues to be a believer in the phrase, “take your challenges and make them an asset,” as he finds that the loss of his vision has opened him up to an entirely new style, freedom, and way of working as an artist that he may never have known without this experience. He has won numerous service awards for his volunteer work and advocacy for the arts and is the author of three books: Redemption Beyond Blindness; Fiery Responses to Love’s Calling; and Is, the Color of Mississippi Mud. It is his hope to be able to increase his income through the sale of his artwork, obtain stable housing, and continue to inspire as many people as he can by sharing his art. Buy this print here: https://www.artlifting.com/products/recording-session-1

Becky Griffin's Curious Details
Example of a classic kitchen design in Houston

The original structure of this hall bathroom was complicated and narrow, with very little storage. We were able to re-use existing locations for the tub/shower and toilet, but bumped back the wall for the vanity to increase the cabinet depth. The vanity design is notched with custom shallow depth drawers, so that the door can fully open with ease. For finishes, we went for timeless and classic tile selections (white subway with black and white hexagon floor), and bold black on the vanity (featuring a black soapstone top. Crystal cabinet knobs tie in beautifully with the crystal door knobs throughout the home.

Inspiration for a transitional white floor bathroom remodel in Toronto with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink and white countertops

If you haven’t heard the term “aging in place” already, you’re going to hear it more and more in the next ten years. The term as emerged as more and more adults expressed their desire to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. Rather than moving into a community built around increased accessibility needs, home owners are looking to the kitchen and bath remodeling industry to innovate the spaces in their home where they perform the most important tasks. As most long-time home owners realize, the need for accessibility and safety first presents itself in the bathroom. If balance is becoming an issue for a homeowner, the first concern that tends to arise is an exponentially increased fall-risk in the bathroom. Each year, one-third of individuals report a fall, and two thirds of those who fall will fall again in the next six months. Finally, falls are the leading cause of death from injury for people over 65. Individuals coping with injury, recovering from surgery, arthritis and other similar health issues are at an even higher risk of falling. In other words, every day, more and more people are finding the act of bathing or showering difficult, worrisome or even painful! For those seeking to age in place, this is where acrylic tub-to-shower conversions, like Reborn Cabinets Bath Solutions, are incredibly helpful, and can dramatically improve a person’s quality of life. Highly customizable to meet anyone’s daily bathing needs, acrylic tub-to-shower conversions give home owners the option to add benches, safety rails, and even the ability to install a barrier-free design—easy entry for those who require wheelchairs or walkers. But the aging in place-crowd isn’t simply looking for strictly functional solutions to their daily routine. Since these innovations are changing their already-existing bathroom, there is a need to move these accessible spaces beyond function and keep them stylish. Again, aging in place is all about keeping your house a home—not a “facility.” Reborn Bath Solutions is a versatile product, allowing home-owners to choose from a great selection of colors and a wide array of fixtures. Sure, the “bathroom of your dreams” may look a little different these days, but you deserve it! Give us a call, and we’ll help you stay in your home and keep your daily sense of confidence!

It’s important to make sure that all trees on your property are healthy and in good condition. This means hiring professional tree trimming services to maintain your trees yearly in order to keep them looking beautiful and healthy. In late winter or early spring is the best time to trim your trees. Doing so will help to improve the new growth that happens later in the spring. But fruit bearing trees and damaged trees can benefit from careful pruning in the summer. It takes an expert to skillfully trim trees during the summer without damaging them or causing harm and our team at Five Star Tree Services is just a call away to help you with your tree trimming needs! Why Trim Your Trees? By trimming your trees annually, this will not only open up your landscaping, which allows more sunlight to get to your property, but there are many other benefits. These can include: -Keep Trees Healthy and Promote Growth When you trim your trees in the spring, before they start producing buds, this helps to stimulate more new growth, which helps to keep trees in excellent condition. This can be especially important for saplings as it encourages them to fill out nicely and in a controlled and structurally sound way. If you are not maintaining your trees properly, they can become too dense, which causes a bunch of problems. One being that it restricts the amount of sunlight getting to all the leaves and it reduces the amount of nutrient circulation needed to support the tree. Professional tree pruning properly aids in tree growth and its overall aesthetic. Cutting off unneeded or unwanted branches allows other parts of the tree to grow easier. Ridding the tree of these extra branches also stimulates more leaf and fruit production. -Increased Safety Your landscape is affected when you neglect to take care of your trees, along with everything else on your property. If you have any dead trees remaining on your property, not only are you putting yourself at risk of injury, but you are putting your family, neighbours, pedestrians, and guests at risk as well. Dead or damaged branches can also be a hazard as they could fall at any time and impact with anyone standing too close to it, or it can fall on your house, which is another issue altogether, if it causes damage. Luckily, you are able to avoid all of this by simply having regular trimmings that will keep your trees healthy. You also need to make sure that all branches close to power lines are cut. This especially, should only be done by a trained professional in order to avoid potential electrocution. -Increase Production of Fruit If you are lucky enough to have a fruit bearing tree, it is especially important to have it professionally trimmed before and after it fruits. Doing so helps to improve its overall health and ability to bear fruit by getting rid of unhealthy branches. New fruit also develops and spurs for bearing fruit for the following year. -Manage Spreading Diseases Tree branches that are damaged tend to be prone to diseases which are able to spread to other plants and trees in your yard. Branches that are dead also have the potential to easily fall with any wind and especially during a storm. Severely damaged branches can even fall without reason. When you get your trees trimmed and pruned regularly, this prevents these things from happening. It also prevents spreading disease to other trees. Any disease branches should especially be trimmed if they are close to where kids play, people walk, or by doors. -Increase the Value of Your Property and Overall Appearance Continuous maintenance and trilling will improve the aesthetic of your property. It controls clutter and opens up the space of the landscaping. Meaning that the curbside appeal to your property increases. This is especially important if you are planning to sell your house, which will actually raise the value of your property. The first step in enhancing the appearance of your property is properly taking care of your trees. The first thing people see when they pull up to or go past your house is the trees. By simply pruning your trees you can make a good impression on potential buyers and your neighbours as well. -Safeguarding Your Property Owning a house is the biggest investment you will probably ever make. Making the effort to maintain and increase its value by keeping it in good condition should be your first priority. By trimming your trees regularly, you will be protecting your investment. Not to mention this also allows you to enjoy a nicely manicured property. Why Professionals Are Essential Professionals help to improve the health and overall condition of your trees. Trying to trim or prune your trees when you don’t know how can be detrimental. This is why hiring a professional, who has the right knowledge and tools, is better than trying to do it yourself. -Cost-Effective Think of it as a short-term expense for a long-term return on your investment. Allowing professional arborists to do your tree maintenance can potentially help to negate the costs of injuries attained from DIY home improvements related to trees, replacements and repairs. -Skilled and Experienced Real tools required for trimming a tree need to be handled properly and by the appropriate people. If a regular person were to try and use these tools, the end result could be injury and property damage. This is especially true for any trimming required around power lines. All professionals will have the right experience and skills required to wield these tools in a safe way. This minimizes the likelihood of hazards, injuries, and life-threatening incidents. -Proper Tools Heavy-duty chainsaws, ladders, and protective gear are all needed to safely and properly trim a tree. When you hire a professional, they have all the required tools and more. Meaning that you won’t have to go out and buy these tools yourself. As a professional, they also make sure that their tools are reliable and well-maintained in order to efficiently get the job done well. -Insured Professionals are also always insured with liability insurance when doing jobs to cover any damages or injuries attained while working. They are able to also provide a guarantee for the safety of your property and belongings while they are doing a job for you. How Five Star Tree Services Can Help Although trimming your tree might seem like an easy job, it’s always best to trust the professionals. Proper execution of the task requires the right skills, experience, and knowledge. Our team at Five Star Tree Services have all of this and more! Give us a call at (416) 990-3355 to enlist us for all your Toronto Tree Trimming needs!

New windows, floors, powder room and basement: We gave the home new windows, new hardwood floors, and paint throughout. We created a new main floor powder room and a new finished basement containing a living area, three-piece bathroom and new bedroom with egress (tilt and turn) windows. Flipped around and redesigned kitchen: We created a new kitchen. The footprint of the kitchen stayed the same, but we flipped it around and redesigned it. Now it has a walk-in pantry area and more floorspace going in and out, which optimized the flow of traffic. We replaced the old non-functioning mudroom with a new one. Disappearing balcony and drafty door: To create a new space using a balcony in a bedroom, we extended the second storey out to line up with the first floor, and this increased the square footage. In that room we turned a drafty door into a window. We reinstated the rear deck, using as many of the original pieces as we could: There was a leaking roof problem because the original roof pitches were causing ice damming. We designed a new roof to prevent that in the future. New windows, stucco, and the challenge of asbestos: Another challenge was installing new windows in the original stucco finish, which contained asbestos. We waterproofed those properly, future proofing them from leaks. We solved the situation by installing a 5-inch trim around the perimeter of the window. Specialists cut the asbestos back (we had to set up a containment perimeter around each window), and then we placed windows that are five inches wider than the window frames. We used special flashing tapes and sealed them all up behind the stucco.

New windows, floors, powder room and basement: We gave the home new windows, new hardwood floors, and paint throughout. We created a new main floor powder room and a new finished basement containing a living area, three-piece bathroom and new bedroom with egress (tilt and turn) windows. Flipped around and redesigned kitchen: We created a new kitchen. The footprint of the kitchen stayed the same, but we flipped it around and redesigned it. Now it has a walk-in pantry area and more floorspace going in and out, which optimized the flow of traffic. We replaced the old non-functioning mudroom with a new one. Disappearing balcony and drafty door: To create a new space using a balcony in a bedroom, we extended the second storey out to line up with the first floor, and this increased the square footage. In that room we turned a drafty door into a window. We reinstated the rear deck, using as many of the original pieces as we could: There was a leaking roof problem because the original roof pitches were causing ice damming. We designed a new roof to prevent that in the future. New windows, stucco, and the challenge of asbestos: Another challenge was installing new windows in the original stucco finish, which contained asbestos. We waterproofed those properly, future proofing them from leaks. We solved the situation by installing a 5-inch trim around the perimeter of the window. Specialists cut the asbestos back (we had to set up a containment perimeter around each window), and then we placed windows that are five inches wider than the window frames. We used special flashing tapes and sealed them all up behind the stucco.

New windows, floors, powder room and basement: We gave the home new windows, new hardwood floors, and paint throughout. We created a new main floor powder room and a new finished basement containing a living area, three-piece bathroom and new bedroom with egress (tilt and turn) windows. Flipped around and redesigned kitchen: We created a new kitchen. The footprint of the kitchen stayed the same, but we flipped it around and redesigned it. Now it has a walk-in pantry area and more floorspace going in and out, which optimized the flow of traffic. We replaced the old non-functioning mudroom with a new one. Disappearing balcony and drafty door: To create a new space using a balcony in a bedroom, we extended the second storey out to line up with the first floor, and this increased the square footage. In that room we turned a drafty door into a window. We reinstated the rear deck, using as many of the original pieces as we could: There was a leaking roof problem because the original roof pitches were causing ice damming. We designed a new roof to prevent that in the future. New windows, stucco, and the challenge of asbestos: Another challenge was installing new windows in the original stucco finish, which contained asbestos. We waterproofed those properly, future proofing them from leaks. We solved the situation by installing a 5-inch trim around the perimeter of the window. Specialists cut the asbestos back (we had to set up a containment perimeter around each window), and then we placed windows that are five inches wider than the window frames. We used special flashing tapes and sealed them all up behind the stucco.

New windows, floors, powder room and basement: We gave the home new windows, new hardwood floors, and paint throughout. We created a new main floor powder room and a new finished basement containing a living area, three-piece bathroom and new bedroom with egress (tilt and turn) windows. Flipped around and redesigned kitchen: We created a new kitchen. The footprint of the kitchen stayed the same, but we flipped it around and redesigned it. Now it has a walk-in pantry area and more floorspace going in and out, which optimized the flow of traffic. We replaced the old non-functioning mudroom with a new one. Disappearing balcony and drafty door: To create a new space using a balcony in a bedroom, we extended the second storey out to line up with the first floor, and this increased the square footage. In that room we turned a drafty door into a window. We reinstated the rear deck, using as many of the original pieces as we could: There was a leaking roof problem because the original roof pitches were causing ice damming. We designed a new roof to prevent that in the future. New windows, stucco, and the challenge of asbestos: Another challenge was installing new windows in the original stucco finish, which contained asbestos. We waterproofed those properly, future proofing them from leaks. We solved the situation by installing a 5-inch trim around the perimeter of the window. Specialists cut the asbestos back (we had to set up a containment perimeter around each window), and then we placed windows that are five inches wider than the window frames. We used special flashing tapes and sealed them all up behind the stucco.

New windows, floors, powder room and basement: We gave the home new windows, new hardwood floors, and paint throughout. We created a new main floor powder room and a new finished basement containing a living area, three-piece bathroom and new bedroom with egress (tilt and turn) windows. Flipped around and redesigned kitchen: We created a new kitchen. The footprint of the kitchen stayed the same, but we flipped it around and redesigned it. Now it has a walk-in pantry area and more floorspace going in and out, which optimized the flow of traffic. We replaced the old non-functioning mudroom with a new one. Disappearing balcony and drafty door: To create a new space using a balcony in a bedroom, we extended the second storey out to line up with the first floor, and this increased the square footage. In that room we turned a drafty door into a window. We reinstated the rear deck, using as many of the original pieces as we could: There was a leaking roof problem because the original roof pitches were causing ice damming. We designed a new roof to prevent that in the future. New windows, stucco, and the challenge of asbestos: Another challenge was installing new windows in the original stucco finish, which contained asbestos. We waterproofed those properly, future proofing them from leaks. We solved the situation by installing a 5-inch trim around the perimeter of the window. Specialists cut the asbestos back (we had to set up a containment perimeter around each window), and then we placed windows that are five inches wider than the window frames. We used special flashing tapes and sealed them all up behind the stucco.

New windows, floors, powder room and basement: We gave the home new windows, new hardwood floors, and paint throughout. We created a new main floor powder room and a new finished basement containing a living area, three-piece bathroom and new bedroom with egress (tilt and turn) windows. Flipped around and redesigned kitchen: We created a new kitchen. The footprint of the kitchen stayed the same, but we flipped it around and redesigned it. Now it has a walk-in pantry area and more floorspace going in and out, which optimized the flow of traffic. We replaced the old non-functioning mudroom with a new one. Disappearing balcony and drafty door: To create a new space using a balcony in a bedroom, we extended the second storey out to line up with the first floor, and this increased the square footage. In that room we turned a drafty door into a window. We reinstated the rear deck, using as many of the original pieces as we could: There was a leaking roof problem because the original roof pitches were causing ice damming. We designed a new roof to prevent that in the future. New windows, stucco, and the challenge of asbestos: Another challenge was installing new windows in the original stucco finish, which contained asbestos. We waterproofed those properly, future proofing them from leaks. We solved the situation by installing a 5-inch trim around the perimeter of the window. Specialists cut the asbestos back (we had to set up a containment perimeter around each window), and then we placed windows that are five inches wider than the window frames. We used special flashing tapes and sealed them all up behind the stucco.

New windows, floors, powder room and basement: We gave the home new windows, new hardwood floors, and paint throughout. We created a new main floor powder room and a new finished basement containing a living area, three-piece bathroom and new bedroom with egress (tilt and turn) windows. Flipped around and redesigned kitchen: We created a new kitchen. The footprint of the kitchen stayed the same, but we flipped it around and redesigned it. Now it has a walk-in pantry area and more floorspace going in and out, which optimized the flow of traffic. We replaced the old non-functioning mudroom with a new one. Disappearing balcony and drafty door: To create a new space using a balcony in a bedroom, we extended the second storey out to line up with the first floor, and this increased the square footage. In that room we turned a drafty door into a window. We reinstated the rear deck, using as many of the original pieces as we could: There was a leaking roof problem because the original roof pitches were causing ice damming. We designed a new roof to prevent that in the future. New windows, stucco, and the challenge of asbestos: Another challenge was installing new windows in the original stucco finish, which contained asbestos. We waterproofed those properly, future proofing them from leaks. We solved the situation by installing a 5-inch trim around the perimeter of the window. Specialists cut the asbestos back (we had to set up a containment perimeter around each window), and then we placed windows that are five inches wider than the window frames. We used special flashing tapes and sealed them all up behind the stucco.

New windows, floors, powder room and basement: We gave the home new windows, new hardwood floors, and paint throughout. We created a new main floor powder room and a new finished basement containing a living area, three-piece bathroom and new bedroom with egress (tilt and turn) windows. Flipped around and redesigned kitchen: We created a new kitchen. The footprint of the kitchen stayed the same, but we flipped it around and redesigned it. Now it has a walk-in pantry area and more floorspace going in and out, which optimized the flow of traffic. We replaced the old non-functioning mudroom with a new one. Disappearing balcony and drafty door: To create a new space using a balcony in a bedroom, we extended the second storey out to line up with the first floor, and this increased the square footage. In that room we turned a drafty door into a window. We reinstated the rear deck, using as many of the original pieces as we could: There was a leaking roof problem because the original roof pitches were causing ice damming. We designed a new roof to prevent that in the future. New windows, stucco, and the challenge of asbestos: Another challenge was installing new windows in the original stucco finish, which contained asbestos. We waterproofed those properly, future proofing them from leaks. We solved the situation by installing a 5-inch trim around the perimeter of the window. Specialists cut the asbestos back (we had to set up a containment perimeter around each window), and then we placed windows that are five inches wider than the window frames. We used special flashing tapes and sealed them all up behind the stucco.

AirField installed an AirPave grass fire lane for their porous flexible paving at Baptist Trinity Residential Hospice, creating a beautiful, functional, ecological friendly solution to facility access. An installation of an AirField Systems grass fire lane at Baptist Trinity Residential Hospice brings green building benefits and incredible strength to a beautiful new facility. A time lapse photo series highlight the installation process of the 6,747 PSI sand filled 100% recycled geocell technology, providing the strength of asphalt and concrete while relieving some of the burden of costly storm sewers and drainage. This new installation highlights the benefits of paving with grass, as well as the comparative ease of installation. Concrete and asphalt surfaces occupy twice the area of buildings and are the most detrimental to clean water. Concrete and asphalt surfaces dominate the landscape of our urban environments and prevent rainwater from being filtered naturally. They send harmful polluted water straight into our streams, rivers and lakes. In urban America, concrete and asphalt pavements produce two thirds of our excess water runoff. They are responsible for significant hydrocarbon pollutants on our ground and in our water, causing ground water decline, and resulting in local water shortages. These concrete and asphalt surfaces also create huge increases in temperature known as the urban “heat island effect”. The pollution caused by impervious surfaces deteriorate the quality of our storm water runoff and create large overflows that our storm sewer systems cannot handle. It is also important to realize that the urban forest force is drastically diminishing, causing CO2 levels to rise, which in turn causes global warming. With all the negative influences of impervious pavements now is the time to turn our attention to alternatives for the benefit of the environment. From fire lanes, overflow, and event parking, to temporary and stadium parking, reinforced grass parking systems deliver the same strength and durability of asphalt and concrete without the negative affects mentioned above. These incredibly strong geocells reinforce grass parking, prevent rutting from traffic, protect turf roots, and promote beautiful grass. Reinforced grass parking structures, also know as grass pavements, enhance the environment by naturally filtering auto and truck liquids such as oil drippings, antifreeze overflows and many other leaks and spills. They also help with air pollutants after they have been knocked to the ground by rainwater and greatly reduce hot surface temperatures thus fighting global warming and the “heat island effect”. Grass pavements allow our groundwater to be naturally replenished, the roots of trees to breathe, and they help our streams and rivers flow cleanly in dry hot summers. A large part of the solution to urban environmental problems is under our feet. By paying appropriate attention to the everyday materials on which we walk and drive, we can replenish renewable resources, restore the natural regenerative processes, and produce a cleaner, healthier, safer, more sustainable world in which we must live. Porous pavements are potentially the most important development in urban watersheds since the invention of storm sewers. By routing rainwater directly into the earth as nature intended, the need for costly storm water structures can be drastically reduced. Reinforced grass parking has built in permeable spaces through which water and air can pass. Although some porous paving materials are nearly indistinguishable from nonporous materials in construction and superficial appearance, their environmental effects are qualitatively exponential. They allow air, water and heat to dissipate into the environment naturally helping to save the planet. AirField reinforced grass parking provides beauty and comfort, and with the unbeatable price and performance of AirDrain you can’t go wrong. AirDrain is the reinforced grass pave system the industry has trusted for years !!! Airfield Systems, LLC 8028 North May Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405-359-3775 Installer – GREENPRO Landscapes Kevin James 9847 Stewart Rd Arlington, TN 38002

New windows, floors, powder room and basement: We gave the home new windows, new hardwood floors, and paint throughout. We created a new main floor powder room and a new finished basement containing a living area, three-piece bathroom and new bedroom with egress (tilt and turn) windows. Flipped around and redesigned kitchen: We created a new kitchen. The footprint of the kitchen stayed the same, but we flipped it around and redesigned it. Now it has a walk-in pantry area and more floorspace going in and out, which optimized the flow of traffic. We replaced the old non-functioning mudroom with a new one. Disappearing balcony and drafty door: To create a new space using a balcony in a bedroom, we extended the second storey out to line up with the first floor, and this increased the square footage. In that room we turned a drafty door into a window. We reinstated the rear deck, using as many of the original pieces as we could: There was a leaking roof problem because the original roof pitches were causing ice damming. We designed a new roof to prevent that in the future. New windows, stucco, and the challenge of asbestos: Another challenge was installing new windows in the original stucco finish, which contained asbestos. We waterproofed those properly, future proofing them from leaks. We solved the situation by installing a 5-inch trim around the perimeter of the window. Specialists cut the asbestos back (we had to set up a containment perimeter around each window), and then we placed windows that are five inches wider than the window frames. We used special flashing tapes and sealed them all up behind the stucco.

New windows, floors, powder room and basement: We gave the home new windows, new hardwood floors, and paint throughout. We created a new main floor powder room and a new finished basement containing a living area, three-piece bathroom and new bedroom with egress (tilt and turn) windows. Flipped around and redesigned kitchen: We created a new kitchen. The footprint of the kitchen stayed the same, but we flipped it around and redesigned it. Now it has a walk-in pantry area and more floorspace going in and out, which optimized the flow of traffic. We replaced the old non-functioning mudroom with a new one. Disappearing balcony and drafty door: To create a new space using a balcony in a bedroom, we extended the second storey out to line up with the first floor, and this increased the square footage. In that room we turned a drafty door into a window. We reinstated the rear deck, using as many of the original pieces as we could: There was a leaking roof problem because the original roof pitches were causing ice damming. We designed a new roof to prevent that in the future. New windows, stucco, and the challenge of asbestos: Another challenge was installing new windows in the original stucco finish, which contained asbestos. We waterproofed those properly, future proofing them from leaks. We solved the situation by installing a 5-inch trim around the perimeter of the window. Specialists cut the asbestos back (we had to set up a containment perimeter around each window), and then we placed windows that are five inches wider than the window frames. We used special flashing tapes and sealed them all up behind the stucco.