Full-overlay Rustic Beech cabinets in the "Charleston" door style and "Briarwood" finish. Village Home Stores
Example of a large mountain style kitchen design in Chicago

This kitchen was fabricated by Lapptops and the cabinets were done by King's Woodwork! http://lapptops.net/ This kitchen features Calacatta marble with a polished finish on the island. The surrounding countertops are absolute black granite with a honed finish. This kitchen is so clean and bright! Search "calacatta" or "black", see variations of this marble & granite, or other stone options: http://www.stoneaction.com Learn more about granite to see if it’s right for you: Granite countertops can last a lifetime. It contains no harmful chemicals and do not emit harmful radiation or gasses. Granite is heat resistant and is one of the most heat-resistant countertops on the market. You can place a hot pan out of the oven directly onto the countertop surface. Experts do recommend the use of a trivet when using appliances that emit heat for long periods of time, such as crockpots. Since the material is so dense, there is a small possibility heating one area of the top and not the entire thing, could cause the countertop to crack. Granite is scratch resistant. You can cut on it, but it will dull your knives! Granite scores a seven on Moh’s hardness scale. Granite countertops are considered to be a low maintenance countertop surface. The likelihood of needing to be repaired or resurfaced is low. Granite is a porous material. Most fabricators will apply a sealer to granite countertops before they are installed which will protect them from absorbing liquids too quickly. Many sealers last more than 10 years before needing to be reapplied. When they do need to be reapplied, it is something that most homeowners can do on their own as the process is similar to cleaning. Darker granites are very dense and sometimes don’t even require a sealer. When it comes to pricing, there are a lot of variables such as edge profile, total square footage, backsplash, etc. Don’t be fooled by the stereotype that all granite is expensive. Lower-range granites will cost less than high-range laminate. Though granite countertops are not considered “low range” in pricing, there are a lot of affordable options. If you are looking for something truly unique, consider an exotic granite. Some quarries are not easily accessible and/or only able to be quarried for short periods of time throughout the year. If these circumstances exist in a quarry with gorgeous stone, the price will be driven upward. You won’t find a lot of solid patterns or bright colors, but both do exist. Also, watch for a large range of color and pattern within the same color of stone. It’s always a good idea to view the exact slab(s) that will be fabricated for your kitchen to make sure they are what you expected to see from the sample. Another factor is that many exotic types of granite have huge flowing waves, and a small sample will not be an accurate representation of the whole slab. Granite countertops are very resistant to chemicals. Acids and bases will not harm the material. Understanding Marble: Marble is a porous, high-maintenance surface. Be prepared to see some scratches. Marble is a softer stone. However, marble is still so beautiful with the scratches! If you’ve ever gone to Italy, you can see the beautiful marble on floors and many restaurants. It’s a classic lasting look. Even with scratches. If you don't mind the extra work, they are a beautiful addition. Marble has a multifaceted ability to work with so many different design styles. If you're a homeowner looking for a wipe-and-go countertop, though, you'll probably want to skip this one. It's cost-effective, depending on the type of marble you buy. Carrara marble (a grayer version with softer veins from Carrara, Italy) is one of the least expensive natural countertop materials on the market, mainly because it's readily available. Calacatta marble, which offers a whiter surface and more dramatic veining, and the price tag goes up. Marble is heat-resistant — which is great — but you still need to be careful. Marble is heat resistant. Despite its ability to withstand high temps, you never want to place a piping hot pot on for risk of discoloring or burning the surface. We recommend always using a pot holder anyways. We don’t want to dissuade you from using marble. In fact, I personally have a marble island in my kitchen. Stone Action solely wants you to be informed so that you’re choosing the right material for your project. We hope you personally come check out our marble or other stone selection! See more marble or other types of Stone Action’s stone selection: http://www.stoneaction.com

Mid-sized elegant carpeted straight wood railing home design photo in New York with carpeted risers

Example of a farmhouse staircase design in San Francisco

Beautiful custom runner to match the unique measurements of this staircase.
Small wooden curved staircase photo in Minneapolis with wooden risers

Our clients purchased a condo in the heart of Chicago after deciding it was time to move from their longtime suburban home and embrace their dream of living downtown. Leaving their family home where their children grew up meant that our work needed to do two things for the family: help make the most of their new city life and create a warm and welcoming home for their two college-aged children. We used grays, browns and creams accentuated with pops of orange and yellow to transform the condo into a warm, modern space. We sourced unconventional light fixtures and custom rugs for each room, as well as an assortment of clean-lined furniture including modern classics like a black Eames lounge. Each room features original art—everything from a three-dimensional installation to abstract paintings and photography. Modern amenities, such as power-operated window treatments and an electric fireplace, were seamlessly integrated into the home, ensuring that the client can enjoy their space with a flip of a switch. The personalized, comfortable atmosphere meant that the clients live and entertain with effortlessness and joy. Ted Glasoe Photography

Contemporary exterior home idea in San Diego

The living room has our Crema Marfil coffee table. The kitchen has a Typhoon Bordeaux granite that blends perfectly with the cherry cabinets and wooden floors. See more crema marfil marble: http://stoneaction.net/website/?s=crema+marfil See more Typhoon Bordeaux granite: http://stoneaction.net/website/?s=typhoon+bordeaux Project completed by Jcabido Remodeling! http://jcabidoremodeling.com/

Example of a mid-sized transitional enclosed carpeted and beige floor home theater design in Salt Lake City with gray walls and a wall-mounted tv

Our clients purchased a condo in the heart of Chicago after deciding it was time to move from their longtime suburban home and embrace their dream of living downtown. Leaving their family home where their children grew up meant that our work needed to do two things for the family: help make the most of their new city life and create a warm and welcoming home for their two college-aged children. We used grays, browns and creams accentuated with pops of orange and yellow to transform the condo into a warm, modern space. We sourced unconventional light fixtures and custom rugs for each room, as well as an assortment of clean-lined furniture including modern classics like a black Eames lounge. Each room features original art—everything from a three-dimensional installation to abstract paintings and photography. Modern amenities, such as power-operated window treatments and an electric fireplace, were seamlessly integrated into the home, ensuring that the client can enjoy their space with a flip of a switch. The personalized, comfortable atmosphere meant that the clients live and entertain with effortlessness and joy. Ted Glasoe Photography

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!

This is one our longest running projects, developed in phases over ten years. Cobblestone driveway, old world craftsmanship, one of a kind elements.
Inspiration for a large timeless backyard patio remodel in Baltimore with no cover

Corbin Henry
Example of a tuscan family room design in Sacramento

Joseph Narcisse
Mid-sized mountain style enclosed dark wood floor family room photo in New York with beige walls and a wall-mounted tv

New Installation of Red Oak Wood, 3 1/4 in width. White-washed Bona Stain was used, Bona Finish, as well as Bona Traffic HD. **This photo is of the Red Oak Wood (3 1/4 inch) prior to the application of the white-washed Bona Stain.

Example of a mid-sized transitional dark wood floor and brown floor double front door design in Austin with gray walls and a black front door

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional gray tile and subway tile light wood floor alcove shower remodel in Atlanta with white walls

wa design
Example of a trendy exterior home design in San Francisco

Imbue Design
Small minimalist front door photo in Salt Lake City with a medium wood front door