Search results for "Choices virtually" in Home Design Ideas

Provided by 'Ancient Surfaces'
Product name: Antique Thick Limestone Countertops, AKA Foundation Slabs .
Phone: (212) 461-0245
Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com
Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com
Direct: www.AncientSurfaces.com/Foundation-Slabs.html
Those centuries old foundation Slabs were once the thick building blocks of old villas & farmhouses. Those blocks could be found at the bottom support base of many older reclaimed structures. We are passionate about milling them down to 2.5" in thickness so they could be used on counters and pool copings. Yes counters! Those thick & massive chucks of Limestone absorb virtually nothing and can stand up to anything you can throw at them.
Seemingly indestructible, they are ideal for anyone who is a great cook and who doesn’t want to worry about leaving wine rings, lime juice or oil stains on their counters while cooking or entertaining guests.
If you practically live in your kitchen which is true for many of us, you have no choice but to consider incorporating the foundation slabs as your kitchen counter tops.
Make your kitchen fun and enjoy the best counter tops available on earth by securing some of those slab cuts today.
Our thick Foundation Slabs are also ideal for any stepping stone design elements for your outdoors stairs, as stepping or landscaping stones, or as wall and pool copings able to withstand any weather pattern or condition.

The Terrace Collection's 3-Seat Sofa is constructed of hand-welded, wrought aluminum in a dark chocolate powder-coating. Virtually maintenance free. Price may vary depending on cushion and fabric choice.

Omega's proprietary methods of creating cast stone products with the look and texture of natural stone enable Omega to customize dimensions, style and size to accommodate virtually all situations and manufacture unique one of a kind pieces. Expertly constructed with lightweight cast stone, Omega's extensive collection of moulds and finishes provide a variety of design options ranging from clean modern lines to the most intricate and ornate of sculpture. Whether you prefer a more traditional mantel adorned with elaborate curves and details, or the simplistic clean lines of a more contemporary style, each individual piece is hand crafted by true artisans, using time honoured old world techniques. Available in 3 distinct finishes, Open Cast , Diamond or Honed (available with veining, or polished to resemble earth stones such as marble, granite or limestone), with a choice of 19 colours to provide the perfect finish for your new piece.
Find the right local pro for your project

DCS Industries installed two sets of 30-foot security fencing to enclose the perimeter of the property and prevent unauthorized entry. Composed of powerful, black wrought iron, the fencing has an intimidating appearance that is sure to deter intruders. However, if anyone did try to make a forbidden entry onto the property, they would find the security fencing virtually impossible to breach. The gaps between the fence’s pickets are narrow, prohibiting intruders from slipping between them, and the wrought iron is strong and unyielding. Wrought iron is always an excellent choice for security fencing because it is naturally durable and difficult to climb. The fencing also includes pickets that are curved at the top, contributing to the formidable appearance and adding an extra layer of protection against anyone who might try to scale the fence.

The GreenGuard & FloorScore Certified Charleston XPE Collection Rigid Core SPC is defined by Strength and Beauty. The durable Ceramic Bead protected planks come with a rigid core that serves as an ideal choice for any room of your Home or Business. The Charleston Collection is completely 100% Waterproof and the rigid composition, unilin click system and pre-attached 1.5mm XPE Acoustical + Anti-Microbial Pad make installation easier and faster than ever. INSTANTLY visualize this flooring in your home using our Innovative Virtual Room Visualizer at www.eternityflooring.com

A complete primary bathroom remodel in Springfield, Virginia, designed around three priorities our clients came in with: a real walk-in shower, a freestanding tub by the windows, and a proper double vanity with storage that actually worked.
The original layout had everything in the wrong place. The tub sat against an interior wall away from the natural light. A small stall shower took up real estate across the room. The vanity was squeezed into whatever space was left over. Three windows on the back wall were doing nothing for the room because the layout was fighting them. Our solution involved knocking down the dividing wall between the old shower and vanity area, relocating plumbing for both the tub and the new vanities, and placing the freestanding tub directly under the bay of windows so morning light became part of the experience.
Design Approach
We anchored the room around contrast: deep navy cabinetry against soft white walls, warm brushed gold against cool marble tile, sharp Shaker lines against the curved silhouette of the freestanding tub. Navy was the design decision the rest of the room was built around — the clients knew they wanted color but didn't want anything that would feel dated in five years. Navy reads bold without being loud, pairs with virtually any metal finish, and has staying power that trendier choices don't.
We used Fabuwood Galaxy Indigo for the vanities — all-plywood construction with solid wood doors and drawer fronts, soft close throughout. Shaker-style flat panels keep the navy from feeling heavy. The brushed gold (Jeffrey Alexander 635-96SBZ in satin bronze) shows up across hardware, faucets, lighting, the tub filler, and the shower trim, creating a quiet continuity throughout the room.
The Shower
Removing the wall between the old shower and old vanity area created room for a proper walk-in. We tiled the entire shower floor to ceiling in Decovita Calacatta Suave 24x48" porcelain — large format installed in a 50% offset horizontal pattern, with cement board and redgard underneath. The marble-look porcelain gives the visual depth of natural marble without the maintenance.
A built-in shower bench, custom-built into the corner, is wrapped in the same wall tile on the front with a quartz top matching the vanity counter. The shower niche is detailed with MSI Arabescato Carrara 2" honed hex mosaic at the back, the same tile used on the shower floor. All tile edges are finished with Schluter in satin bronze to match the room's metal finishes. The shower door is custom frameless 3/8" tempered glass with a satin bronze pull — no metal frame interrupting the sight line.
The Vanities and Countertops
The new double vanity gives both clients their own space for morning routines. Counter tops are MSI Calacatta Miraggio Cielo quartz with pencil edging and a 4" backsplash — a soft white with subtle gray veining that reads like real Calacatta marble without the porosity issues. Two undermount square porcelain sinks finish the surface cleanly.
The Tub
A 60" freestanding soaker tub sits under the bay of three windows. The floor-mounted tub filler is satin bronze with a handheld sprayer. We relocated the drain and supply lines to make the centered placement work. The tub is the room's quietest feature and its strongest — clients tell us they use this bathroom differently than they used the old one.
Flooring
MSI Sande Ivory 12x24" matte porcelain runs throughout the bathroom floor in a 50% offset pattern parallel to the vanity wall. Cement board underneath, 4" white wood baseboard, Whisper Grey grout that handles daily use without showing wear.
Paint and Lighting
Walls are Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace 2121-70 in satin — a true crisp white that doesn't lean cool or warm. The ceiling uses Benjamin Moore Aura Bath and Spa White, which is formulated to resist mildew in high-humidity spaces. Lighting is layered: three new 6" LED recessed lights on a dimmer, two satin bronze vanity sconces above the mirrors, and the existing three windows providing the daytime ambient light.
Project Specs
Location: Springfield, Virginia
Project type: Full primary bathroom remodel
Project duration: Approximately 5 weeks
Style: Modern, Transitional
Color palette: Navy, white, brushed gold, marble
Materials
Cabinetry: Fabuwood Galaxy Indigo, Shaker-style flat panel maple, all-plywood construction
Cabinet hardware: Jeffrey Alexander 635-96SBZ Satin Bronze pulls
Vanity counter and bench top: MSI Calacatta Miraggio Cielo Quartz, pencil edge with 4" backsplash
Sinks: Undermount white porcelain BR-202 square (x2)
Wall tile: Decovita Calacatta Suave 24x48" porcelain
Floor tile: MSI Sande Ivory 12x24" matte porcelain
Shower floor + niche back: MSI Arabescato Carrara 2" honed hex mosaic marble
Edge trim: Schluter satin bronze
Shower door: Custom frameless 3/8" tempered glass
Tub: 60" freestanding acrylic soaker (Ferguson)
Tub filler: Floor-mounted satin bronze (Ferguson)
Vanity faucets, mirrors, sconces, toilet: Satin bronze coordinated finishes (Ferguson)
Wall paint: Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace 2121-70 Satin
Ceiling paint: Benjamin Moore Aura Bath and Spa White
Grout: Whisper Grey (floor), Standard White (walls and shower)
Designed and built by My Kitchen and Bath out of our Alexandria showroom at 5710 General Washington Drive. We've been designing and building kitchens, bathrooms, and full home renovations across Northern Virginia and the DMV since 1994.

DCS Industries installed two sets of 30-foot security fencing to enclose the perimeter of the property and prevent unauthorized entry. Composed of powerful, black wrought iron, the fencing has an intimidating appearance that is sure to deter intruders. However, if anyone did try to make a forbidden entry onto the property, they would find the security fencing virtually impossible to breach. The gaps between the fence’s pickets are narrow, prohibiting intruders from slipping between them, and the wrought iron is strong and unyielding. Wrought iron is always an excellent choice for security fencing because it is naturally durable and difficult to climb. The fencing also includes pickets that are curved at the top, contributing to the formidable appearance and adding an extra layer of protection against anyone who might try to scale the fence.

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Gulf-Front Grandeur
Private Residence / Alys Beach, Florida
Architect: Khoury & Vogt Architects
Builder: Hufham Farris Construction
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This one-of-a-kind Gulf-front residence in the New Urbanism community of Alys Beach, Florida, is truly a stunning piece of architecture matched only by its views. E. F. San Juan worked with the Alys Beach Town Planners at Khoury & Vogt Architects and the building team at Hufham Farris Construction on this challenging and fulfilling project.
We supplied character white oak interior boxed beams and stair parts. We also furnished all of the interior trim and paneling. The exterior products we created include ipe shutters, gates, fascia and soffit, handrails, and newels (balcony), ceilings, and wall paneling, as well as custom columns and arched cased openings on the balconies. In addition, we worked with our trusted partners at Loewen to provide windows and Loewen LiftSlide doors.
Challenges:
This was the homeowners’ third residence in the area for which we supplied products, and it was indeed a unique challenge. The client wanted as much of the exterior as possible to be weathered wood. This included the shutters, gates, fascia, soffit, handrails, balcony newels, massive columns, and arched openings mentioned above. The home’s Gulf-front location makes rot and weather damage genuine threats. Knowing that this home was to be built to last through the ages, we needed to select a wood species that was up for the task. It needed to not only look beautiful but also stand up to those elements over time.
Solution:
The E. F. San Juan team and the talented architects at KVA settled upon ipe (pronounced “eepay”) for this project. It is one of the only woods that will sink when placed in water (you would not want to make a boat out of ipe!). This species is also commonly known as ironwood because it is so dense, making it virtually rot-resistant, and therefore an excellent choice for the substantial pieces of millwork needed for this project.
However, ipe comes with its own challenges; its weight and density make it difficult to put through machines and glue. These factors also come into play for hinging when using ipe for a gate or door, which we did here. We used innovative joining methods to ensure that the gates and shutters had secondary and tertiary means of support with regard to the joinery. We believe the results speak for themselves!
---
Photography by Layne Lillie, courtesy of Khoury & Vogt Architects

Gulf-Front Grandeur
Private Residence / Alys Beach, Florida
Architect: Khoury & Vogt Architects
Builder: Hufham Farris Construction
---
This one-of-a-kind Gulf-front residence in the New Urbanism community of Alys Beach, Florida, is truly a stunning piece of architecture matched only by its views. E. F. San Juan worked with the Alys Beach Town Planners at Khoury & Vogt Architects and the building team at Hufham Farris Construction on this challenging and fulfilling project.
We supplied character white oak interior boxed beams and stair parts. We also furnished all of the interior trim and paneling. The exterior products we created include ipe shutters, gates, fascia and soffit, handrails, and newels (balcony), ceilings, and wall paneling, as well as custom columns and arched cased openings on the balconies. In addition, we worked with our trusted partners at Loewen to provide windows and Loewen LiftSlide doors.
Challenges:
This was the homeowners’ third residence in the area for which we supplied products, and it was indeed a unique challenge. The client wanted as much of the exterior as possible to be weathered wood. This included the shutters, gates, fascia, soffit, handrails, balcony newels, massive columns, and arched openings mentioned above. The home’s Gulf-front location makes rot and weather damage genuine threats. Knowing that this home was to be built to last through the ages, we needed to select a wood species that was up for the task. It needed to not only look beautiful but also stand up to those elements over time.
Solution:
The E. F. San Juan team and the talented architects at KVA settled upon ipe (pronounced “eepay”) for this project. It is one of the only woods that will sink when placed in water (you would not want to make a boat out of ipe!). This species is also commonly known as ironwood because it is so dense, making it virtually rot-resistant, and therefore an excellent choice for the substantial pieces of millwork needed for this project.
However, ipe comes with its own challenges; its weight and density make it difficult to put through machines and glue. These factors also come into play for hinging when using ipe for a gate or door, which we did here. We used innovative joining methods to ensure that the gates and shutters had secondary and tertiary means of support with regard to the joinery. We believe the results speak for themselves!
---
Photography by Layne Lillie, courtesy of Khoury & Vogt Architects

Gulf-Front Grandeur
Private Residence / Alys Beach, Florida
Architect: Khoury & Vogt Architects
Builder: Hufham Farris Construction
---
This one-of-a-kind Gulf-front residence in the New Urbanism community of Alys Beach, Florida, is truly a stunning piece of architecture matched only by its views. E. F. San Juan worked with the Alys Beach Town Planners at Khoury & Vogt Architects and the building team at Hufham Farris Construction on this challenging and fulfilling project.
We supplied character white oak interior boxed beams and stair parts. We also furnished all of the interior trim and paneling. The exterior products we created include ipe shutters, gates, fascia and soffit, handrails, and newels (balcony), ceilings, and wall paneling, as well as custom columns and arched cased openings on the balconies. In addition, we worked with our trusted partners at Loewen to provide windows and Loewen LiftSlide doors.
Challenges:
This was the homeowners’ third residence in the area for which we supplied products, and it was indeed a unique challenge. The client wanted as much of the exterior as possible to be weathered wood. This included the shutters, gates, fascia, soffit, handrails, balcony newels, massive columns, and arched openings mentioned above. The home’s Gulf-front location makes rot and weather damage genuine threats. Knowing that this home was to be built to last through the ages, we needed to select a wood species that was up for the task. It needed to not only look beautiful but also stand up to those elements over time.
Solution:
The E. F. San Juan team and the talented architects at KVA settled upon ipe (pronounced “eepay”) for this project. It is one of the only woods that will sink when placed in water (you would not want to make a boat out of ipe!). This species is also commonly known as ironwood because it is so dense, making it virtually rot-resistant, and therefore an excellent choice for the substantial pieces of millwork needed for this project.
However, ipe comes with its own challenges; its weight and density make it difficult to put through machines and glue. These factors also come into play for hinging when using ipe for a gate or door, which we did here. We used innovative joining methods to ensure that the gates and shutters had secondary and tertiary means of support with regard to the joinery. We believe the results speak for themselves!
---
Photography by Layne Lillie, courtesy of Khoury & Vogt Architects

The Laurel Park Panorama is a relatively well-known home that sits on the edge of a mountain overlooking Hendersonville, NC. It had eccentric wood choices a various challenges to over come with the previous construction.
We leveraged some of these challenges to accentuate the contrast of materials. Virtually every surface was refreshed, restored or updated.
The combination of finishes, material and lighting selections really makes this mountain top home a true gem.

A complete primary bathroom remodel in Springfield, Virginia, designed around three priorities our clients came in with: a real walk-in shower, a freestanding tub by the windows, and a proper double vanity with storage that actually worked.
The original layout had everything in the wrong place. The tub sat against an interior wall away from the natural light. A small stall shower took up real estate across the room. The vanity was squeezed into whatever space was left over. Three windows on the back wall were doing nothing for the room because the layout was fighting them. Our solution involved knocking down the dividing wall between the old shower and vanity area, relocating plumbing for both the tub and the new vanities, and placing the freestanding tub directly under the bay of windows so morning light became part of the experience.
Design Approach
We anchored the room around contrast: deep navy cabinetry against soft white walls, warm brushed gold against cool marble tile, sharp Shaker lines against the curved silhouette of the freestanding tub. Navy was the design decision the rest of the room was built around — the clients knew they wanted color but didn't want anything that would feel dated in five years. Navy reads bold without being loud, pairs with virtually any metal finish, and has staying power that trendier choices don't.
We used Fabuwood Galaxy Indigo for the vanities — all-plywood construction with solid wood doors and drawer fronts, soft close throughout. Shaker-style flat panels keep the navy from feeling heavy. The brushed gold (Jeffrey Alexander 635-96SBZ in satin bronze) shows up across hardware, faucets, lighting, the tub filler, and the shower trim, creating a quiet continuity throughout the room.
The Shower
Removing the wall between the old shower and old vanity area created room for a proper walk-in. We tiled the entire shower floor to ceiling in Decovita Calacatta Suave 24x48" porcelain — large format installed in a 50% offset horizontal pattern, with cement board and redgard underneath. The marble-look porcelain gives the visual depth of natural marble without the maintenance.
A built-in shower bench, custom-built into the corner, is wrapped in the same wall tile on the front with a quartz top matching the vanity counter. The shower niche is detailed with MSI Arabescato Carrara 2" honed hex mosaic at the back, the same tile used on the shower floor. All tile edges are finished with Schluter in satin bronze to match the room's metal finishes. The shower door is custom frameless 3/8" tempered glass with a satin bronze pull — no metal frame interrupting the sight line.
The Vanities and Countertops
The new double vanity gives both clients their own space for morning routines. Counter tops are MSI Calacatta Miraggio Cielo quartz with pencil edging and a 4" backsplash — a soft white with subtle gray veining that reads like real Calacatta marble without the porosity issues. Two undermount square porcelain sinks finish the surface cleanly.
The Tub
A 60" freestanding soaker tub sits under the bay of three windows. The floor-mounted tub filler is satin bronze with a handheld sprayer. We relocated the drain and supply lines to make the centered placement work. The tub is the room's quietest feature and its strongest — clients tell us they use this bathroom differently than they used the old one.
Flooring
MSI Sande Ivory 12x24" matte porcelain runs throughout the bathroom floor in a 50% offset pattern parallel to the vanity wall. Cement board underneath, 4" white wood baseboard, Whisper Grey grout that handles daily use without showing wear.
Paint and Lighting
Walls are Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace 2121-70 in satin — a true crisp white that doesn't lean cool or warm. The ceiling uses Benjamin Moore Aura Bath and Spa White, which is formulated to resist mildew in high-humidity spaces. Lighting is layered: three new 6" LED recessed lights on a dimmer, two satin bronze vanity sconces above the mirrors, and the existing three windows providing the daytime ambient light.
Project Specs
Location: Springfield, Virginia
Project type: Full primary bathroom remodel
Project duration: Approximately 5 weeks
Style: Modern, Transitional
Color palette: Navy, white, brushed gold, marble
Materials
Cabinetry: Fabuwood Galaxy Indigo, Shaker-style flat panel maple, all-plywood construction
Cabinet hardware: Jeffrey Alexander 635-96SBZ Satin Bronze pulls
Vanity counter and bench top: MSI Calacatta Miraggio Cielo Quartz, pencil edge with 4" backsplash
Sinks: Undermount white porcelain BR-202 square (x2)
Wall tile: Decovita Calacatta Suave 24x48" porcelain
Floor tile: MSI Sande Ivory 12x24" matte porcelain
Shower floor + niche back: MSI Arabescato Carrara 2" honed hex mosaic marble
Edge trim: Schluter satin bronze
Shower door: Custom frameless 3/8" tempered glass
Tub: 60" freestanding acrylic soaker (Ferguson)
Tub filler: Floor-mounted satin bronze (Ferguson)
Vanity faucets, mirrors, sconces, toilet: Satin bronze coordinated finishes (Ferguson)
Wall paint: Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace 2121-70 Satin
Ceiling paint: Benjamin Moore Aura Bath and Spa White
Grout: Whisper Grey (floor), Standard White (walls and shower)
Designed and built by My Kitchen and Bath out of our Alexandria showroom at 5710 General Washington Drive. We've been designing and building kitchens, bathrooms, and full home renovations across Northern Virginia and the DMV since 1994.

The 3M™ Prestige70 was a perfect choice for this home with it's virtually clear films that address both fade and heat concerns!
Beach style living room photo in Bridgeport
Beach style living room photo in Bridgeport

Simple yet stunning! Statuary Classique Quartz is elegant, durable, and requires virtually no maintenance. This marble-look quartz is ideal for busy kitchens and baths in both homes and residential properties. The soothing white background and delicate veins make Statuary Classique the perfect choice for countertops, waterfall islands, accent walls, floors, showers, and other features where the look of marble is desired.
Countertop Estimate in 3 Clicks
Just make drawing (Doesn’t have to professionally Drown take a picture and Upload) in simple 3 steps you can get countertop estimate in 24 Hours, no need for wait around and waste your time.
https://countertopstores.com/get-started-estimate

Omega's proprietary methods of creating cast stone products with the look and texture of natural stone enable Omega to customize dimensions, style and size to accommodate virtually all situations and manufacture unique one of a kind pieces. Expertly constructed with lightweight cast stone, Omega's extensive collection of moulds and finishes provide a variety of design options ranging from clean modern lines to the most intricate and ornate of sculpture. Whether you prefer a more traditional mantel adorned with elaborate curves and details, or the simplistic clean lines of a more contemporary style, each individual piece is hand crafted by true artisans, using time honoured old world techniques. Available in 3 distinct finishes, Open Cast , Diamond or Honed (available with veining, or polished to resemble earth stones such as marble, granite or limestone), with a choice of 19 colours to provide the perfect finish for your new piece.

Provided by 'Ancient Surfaces'
Product name: Antique Thick Limestone Countertops, AKA Foundation Slabs .
Phone: (212) 461-0245
Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com
Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com
Direct: www.AncientSurfaces.com/Foundation-Slabs.html
Those centuries old foundation Slabs were once the thick building blocks of old villas & farmhouses. Those blocks could be found at the bottom support base of many older reclaimed structures. We are passionate about milling them down to 2.5" in thickness so they could be used on counters and pool copings. Yes counters! Those thick & massive chucks of Limestone absorb virtually nothing and can stand up to anything you can throw at them.
Seemingly indestructible, they are ideal for anyone who is a great cook and who doesn’t want to worry about leaving wine rings, lime juice or oil stains on their counters while cooking or entertaining guests.
If you practically live in your kitchen which is true for many of us, you have no choice but to consider incorporating the foundation slabs as your kitchen counter tops.
Make your kitchen fun and enjoy the best counter tops available on earth by securing some of those slab cuts today.
Our thick Foundation Slabs are also ideal for any stepping stone design elements for your outdoors stairs, as stepping or landscaping stones, or as wall and pool copings able to withstand any weather pattern or condition.

6' Ornamental Aluminum Fence – Elite Fence Products EFF-20 (Black)The Elite Fence Products EFF-20 is a popular residential-grade ornamental aluminum fence featuring a clean, modern flat-top design. At 6 feet tall and finished in classic black powder coating, it delivers the elegant look of traditional wrought iron without the maintenance.Key Features:Style: Flat-top three-rail design with a smooth, beveled top rail for a sleek, contemporary appearance
Height: 6 feet
Color: Black (durable powder-coated finish)
Construction: High-quality aluminum extrusions
– Rails: 1-1/8" × 1"
– Pickets: 5/8" × 5/8"
– Standard picket spacing: approximately 3-13/16" (tighter 1-5/8" spacing also available)
Pre-assembled panels for faster, cleaner installation
Corrosion-resistant and will not rust, rot, or require painting or staining
Strong yet lightweight
Excellent for residential boundaries, pool areas (with proper spacing options), and properties seeking curb appeal with low upkeep
The EFF-20 offers long-lasting durability, a refined look, and virtually maintenance-free performance, making it an outstanding choice for homeowners who want both style and reliability.

Loving this fun wallpaper and design choice! We loving working with our clients to bring their visions to life. Call the shop for pricing! 772-213-3923.
We also offer virtual design consultations.

Gulf-Front Grandeur
Private Residence / Alys Beach, Florida
Architect: Khoury & Vogt Architects
Builder: Hufham Farris Construction
---
This one-of-a-kind Gulf-front residence in the New Urbanism community of Alys Beach, Florida, is truly a stunning piece of architecture matched only by its views. E. F. San Juan worked with the Alys Beach Town Planners at Khoury & Vogt Architects and the building team at Hufham Farris Construction on this challenging and fulfilling project.
We supplied character white oak interior boxed beams and stair parts. We also furnished all of the interior trim and paneling. The exterior products we created include ipe shutters, gates, fascia and soffit, handrails, and newels (balcony), ceilings, and wall paneling, as well as custom columns and arched cased openings on the balconies. In addition, we worked with our trusted partners at Loewen to provide windows and Loewen LiftSlide doors.
Challenges:
This was the homeowners’ third residence in the area for which we supplied products, and it was indeed a unique challenge. The client wanted as much of the exterior as possible to be weathered wood. This included the shutters, gates, fascia, soffit, handrails, balcony newels, massive columns, and arched openings mentioned above. The home’s Gulf-front location makes rot and weather damage genuine threats. Knowing that this home was to be built to last through the ages, we needed to select a wood species that was up for the task. It needed to not only look beautiful but also stand up to those elements over time.
Solution:
The E. F. San Juan team and the talented architects at KVA settled upon ipe (pronounced “eepay”) for this project. It is one of the only woods that will sink when placed in water (you would not want to make a boat out of ipe!). This species is also commonly known as ironwood because it is so dense, making it virtually rot-resistant, and therefore an excellent choice for the substantial pieces of millwork needed for this project.
However, ipe comes with its own challenges; its weight and density make it difficult to put through machines and glue. These factors also come into play for hinging when using ipe for a gate or door, which we did here. We used innovative joining methods to ensure that the gates and shutters had secondary and tertiary means of support with regard to the joinery. We believe the results speak for themselves!
---
Photography by Layne Lillie, courtesy of Khoury & Vogt Architects

The flagstone texture of Unilock Richcliff is a timeless classic for this urban driveway project, and a durable choice because unlike natural stone, which can crack, split and fade, Richcliff is virtually indestructible.
In this project, homeowners paired Richcliff with a quadruple row border of Copthorne in a red tone that mirrors the look of their home’s brick façade. They carried this through to a thick band of Copthorne laid in a classic herringbone pattern at the foot of the driveway.
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