Kansas City Brick & Masonry is the craft of shaping rough pieces of rock into accurate geometrical shapes, at times simple, but some of considerable complexity, and then arranging the resulting stones, often together with mortar, to form structures. Quarrymen split veins, or sheets of rock, and extract the resulting blocks of stone from the ground. Sawyers cut these rough blocks into cuboids, to required size with diamond-tipped saws. The resulting block if ordered for a specific component is known as sawn six sides (SSS). Banker masons are workshop based, and specialize in working the stones into the shapes required by a building's design, this set out on templets and a bed mould. They can produce anything from stones with simple chamfers to tracery windows, detailed mouldings and the more classical architectural building masonry. When working a stone from a sawn block, the mason ensures that the stone is bedded in the right way, so the finished work sits in the building in the same orientation as it was formed on the ground. Occasionally though some stones need to be orientated correctly for the application; this includes voussoirs, jambs, coping sand cornice. The basic tools, methods and skills of the banker mason have existed as a trade for thousands of years. Carvers cross the line from craft to art, and use their artistic ability to carve stone into foliage, figures, animals or abstract designs. Fixer masons specialize in the fixing of stones onto buildings, using lifting tackle, and traditional lime mortars and grouts. Sometimes modern cements, mastics and epoxy resins are used, usually on specialist applications such as stone cladding. Metal fixings, from simple dowels and cramps to specialised single application fixings, are also used. The precise tolerances necessary make this a highly skilled job. Memorial masons or monumental masons carve gravestones and inscriptions. The modern stonemason undergoes comprehensive training, both in the classroom and in the working environment. Hands-on skill is complemented by intimate knowledge of each stone type, its application and best uses, and how to work and fix each stone in place. The mason may be skilled and competent to carry out one or all of the various branches of stonemasonry. In some areas the trend is towards specialization, in other areas towards adaptability.

Photographer: Genia Barnes - 831.234.5797 Construction by: BNBT Builders, Inc. - 650.227.1957 office
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Bring refined style to a little one's space with charming pinstripes in a pastel color palette
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Chic black and white frames that are both repositionable and removable. Display your favorite memories without damaging walls with these ultra-stylish frame decals, perfect for dorm rooms, apartments and more.

This trendy calendar decal gives your office a boost in pretty shades of aqua, grey, coral and yellow. A cool geometric design helps you stay organized in fashion!

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Photographer: Genia Barnes - 831.234.5797 Construction by: BNBT Builders, Inc. - 650.227.1957 office
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Saffron Russell
This is an example of a craftsman landscaping in West Midlands.

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This Houston kitchen remodel and whole-house redesign was nothing less than a time machine - zooming a 40-year-old living space into 2017! "The kitchen had formica countertops, old wood cabinets, a strange layout and low ceilings," says Lisha Maxey, lead designer for Outdoor Homescapes of Houston and owner of LGH Design Services. "We basically took it down to the studs to create the new space. It even had original terrazzo tile in the foyer! Almost never see that anymore." The new look is all 2017, starting with a pure white maple wood for the new kitchen cabinetry and a 13-foot butcher block island. The china hutch, beam and columns are walnut. The small kitchen countertop (on fridge side) is Corian. The flooring is solid hickory with a natural stain. The backsplash is Moroccan blue glass. On the island, Outdoor Homescapes added a small, stainless steel prep sink and a large porcelain sink. All finishes are brushed stainless steel except for the pot filler, which is copper. "The look is very transitional, with a hearty mix of antiques the client wanted incorporated and the contemporary open concept look of today," says Lisha. "The bar stools are actually reclaimed science class stools that my client picked up at a local fair. It was an awesome find!"

In collaboration with the General A. McCall School and NELSON, we created an outdoor classroom for students and did general improvements around the school. The goal was to enhance opportunities for students to learn about sustainability.

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This brilliant peel and stick poster decal by National Geographic has beautiful depth, depicting the lights of the Earth at night. View the most populated areas around the globe, night fishing locations and where fires rage with this glow and the dark map that makes an intriguing décor piece for you to enjoy.

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A beautiful arrangement of eight aluminum reinforced vinyl pergola kits. Set in varying locations, this pergola design idea complements this elementary schools vision to have an outdoor classroom where students can learn. Each vinyl shade pergola is one of our standard pre-engineered, wind load rated pergola kits, but together they provide a sense of enclosure and an abundance of shade protection. The low maintenance, unpainted white finish makes it easy to keep these outdoor shade structures looking new and lasting a lifetime.Varying heights give this area a unique look and feel at a cost effective price that any student would love to work under. Manufactured for Elliston Elementary School in Elliston, VA.

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Sunflower Mural PreK Classroom
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