As Sheila Gibson Stoodley writes in an article about this project in Robb Report, “Brian Hemingway is sensitive to light in the best way possible.” “The Vancouver, British Columbia-based architect wanted this 22,000-square-foot home near Boston to glow like a lantern at night, and he attained that goal on behalf of the homeowners.” The wood and stone that Hemingway favored for the home informed the space’s color palette. So critical were these materials that settling on a shade of stain for the Douglas fir and the finishes to be used on the Virginia Mist granite took months of consultation. Walker Zanger, the stone supplier, worked with the owner and with Colin Flavin, a Boston-based architect who partnered with Hemingway, to choose, detail, and fabricate the granite. The stone is used indoors and out, heightening the boundary-blurring effect that the design team desired. Though the owners are ardent art collectors, they did not build their home to showcase specific works; the real artists here are the architects, Hemingway and Flavin. So deft were they at inviting nature into their creation that, from certain angles, it can be hard to tell where the outdoors stops and starts. “There are deliberately no window treatments so that Mother Nature weaves the most beautiful textural backgrounds,” said interior designer Andrew Sheinman, of New York’s Pembrooke & Ives. He oversaw the interiors, working alongside his colleague Michael Lewis. “The seasons change the look and aspect of the house,” said Sheinman, “and we wanted to play on this.” Bleu de Savoie marble, from France, is used in the baths, to contrast with the Virginia Mist granite and soften the palette and give the baths a spa-like serenity. Hand-chiseled Oxford Black granite is used on exterior landscape walls, to tie the Virginia Mist seamlessly to the natural stone outcroppings.

Solar Luminance – Semi-Custom Daylight Light Fixture Model#: DLF-153 Style: Semi-Flush Pendant Finish: Powder Coat Matte Black Shade(s): (1) Large Fabric Drum Shade with Gold Paper Backing and (4) Laura Beige Linen Clip-On Shades *Note: Price does not include Daylight Tube Product and/or Installation Semi-Custom Product Shipment Lead Time: 6-10 Weeks* The Solar Luminance DLF-153, is an Architectural Element Transitional Semi Flush Pendant, designed to assist the home owner, retail location and/or office location, the ability to benefit from Natural Daylight available with Tubular Skylight systems, while also reflecting your custom interior design and décor theme and needs. Natural Daylight provides incredible mental and physical health and wellness benefits that help the human body and mind maintain a sense of time, absorb natural vitamins, and work with the human eye to perceive color and definition in clarity and contrast to increase visual awareness. Our hope is that your friends, colleagues and guests will be “Inspired & Design” in a way that is both elegant and considerate of the impact we have on the earth and its resources. The DLF-153 is a Semi-Custom Fixture. Full Custom Versions and Options are available for price quote. Please feel free to contact a Solar Luminance Design Assistant for Full Custom Options. Product Specification (List Price based on the following) Over All Dimensions: Over All Height: 25” Shade Dims: 10” H. X 24” Dia. – Laura Beige Large Linen Drum Shade with White Styrene Backing Drop Length: 12” Column Sleeve Diameter: 11 3/4” Dia. Center Wireway: (1) 3/8” Dia. Wireway Hangers: (4) Medium Oval Standard Chain (3 and 4 Hanger Options Available) (Chain available in Various Size Options, pricing may vary)

These homeowners love to entertain family, friends and work colleagues but their existing floor plan kept hosts and guests awkwardly separated. By removing the preexisting imposing offending wall entirely, the design team was able to create an appropriate environment for entertaining. Perimeter cabinetry in Alabaster White adds to the sense of light and openness in a once-confined space. The contrasting Pecan finished island serves as a focal point for the room. Cambria Berwyn quartz countertops are highlighted by gorgeous Walker Zanger gray ceramic backsplash tile. Calcutta marble and wood water-jet mosaic add just the right amount of visual interest to this kitchen. 205 Photography

Sited gently on the lower slope of a dramatic sixty foot high coastal bank and surrounded by miles of undeveloped Cape Cod National Seashore beaches and scrub pines is a warm, modern beach house that is more than just a place to enjoy uninterrupted ocean views and sea breezes. Our clients dreamed of a house that would work equally well as both a year-round family “camp” and also as a “thinking retreat” for collaborating with their colleagues. Image Courtesy © Jane Messinger

A GRAND SLAM OUTDOOR KITCHEN BY THE TENNIS COURT IN EAST HAMPTON, NY When the competition amongst friends and colleagues heat up on the tennis court in the Hamptons we designed the ultimate simple but "Grand" Outdoor Kitchen nearby. A simple straight run outdoor kitchen island perfect for cold beverages, morning breakfast and lunch. The ultimate Grill is signified by the red knobs of the WOLF Grill. Indoor and Outdoor cooking perfection. With all weather cabinetry and sustainable countertop surface the Outdoor Kitchen is truly successful in more ways than one. The Driftwood weathered grain cabinets by NatureKast are the perfect match for the indoor outdoor look and functionality. The Subzero Outdoor Refrigerator is the hardest working player on the court as the unit runs 24/7 all season long.

Sited gently on the lower slope of a dramatic sixty foot high coastal bank and surrounded by miles of undeveloped Cape Cod National Seashore beaches and scrub pines is a warm, modern beach house that is more than just a place to enjoy uninterrupted ocean views and sea breezes. Our clients dreamed of a house that would work equally well as both a year-round family “camp” and also as a “thinking retreat” for collaborating with their colleagues. Image Courtesy © Jane Messinger

A GRAND SLAM OUTDOOR KITCHEN BY THE TENNIS COURT IN EAST HAMPTON, NY When the competition amongst friends and colleagues heat up on the tennis court in the Hamptons we designed the ultimate simple but "Grand" Outdoor Kitchen nearby. A simple straight run outdoor kitchen island perfect for cold beverages, morning breakfast and lunch. The ultimate Grill is signified by the red knobs of the WOLF Grill. Indoor and Outdoor cooking perfection. With all weather cabinetry and sustainable countertop surface the Outdoor Kitchen is truly successful in more ways than one. The Driftwood weathered grain cabinets by NatureKast are the perfect match for the indoor outdoor look and functionality. The Subzero Outdoor Refrigerator is the hardest working player on the court as the unit runs 24/7 all season long.

This Westlake, Ohio client needed to maximize the floor plan of their space. It had to be functional and comfortable enough for this growing family to lounge on the floor and play games, but also a space fit for entertaining, from children to corporate colleagues. ​Photos by Amanda Hemstreet Photography

Designed by Mark Sleith of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Falls Church, VA in collaboration with Atlantic Deck & Home Renovation, this new master bathroom design features Green Forest Cabinetry in the Park Place door style with White finish, a Cambria Whitney vanity countertop and fixtures from Kohler and Moen. Said the client, "We were appreciative of Mark and his colleagues for their guidance, patience and helping us to achieve the concept we wanted. Mark completed everything with efficiency and worked very well with Chris our contractor. The finished project is elegant, yet functional. Added Mark, "The clients chose a white cabinet as a neutral palate for their eclectic collection of accessories. The choice of Cambria Whitney for the vanity top added a touch of sparkle that worked well with the the warmth of polished nickel fixtures from Kohler and Moen." Photos courtesy of BTW Images, LLC.

Creating your dream space in a rental home can sometimes feel limiting, but for this project we focused on unlocking colorful possibilities for our clients. Originally, both office spaces were bare and clean but lacked personality. Our goal was to level everything up while injecting more fun and flavor into the office spaces so they had Zoom-friendly backdrops that made them look forward to going into the office each day. Her space was crafted to be fun, playful and full of texture. A gorgeous wooden bookcase with a unique design accent at the bottom became one of the more practical features of the room while the Zoom-worthy artwork behind her desk gave her colleagues and clients an instant conversation starter.

The 300-acre Jewell Hill farm spans a broad hilltop in Ashby, MA. Under the care, now, of the Trustees of Reservations, it's a key piece of a broader 3,500-acre contiguous area permanently protected for public enjoyment. Our colleagues at Colonial Barn Restoration were asked by The Trustees to find a new home for Jewell Hill's early 19th-century sheep barn, and found a buyer in the hills above Fitchburg just a mile South. On an idyllic hilltop of their own, this buyer's retirement homestead has developed a broad landscape of productive and recreational gardens and fields, all around the remnant foundation of a long-gone larger barn. From the Jewell Hill barn's mortise and tenon bones, and the remnant foundation on the Fitchburg site, Studio InSitu designed a new hybrid barn. The restored foundation anchors the smaller timber frame over its West half, and brackets a pair of ramps to Main floor and undercroft in its East half. The ramp down serves storage, and the ramp up serves the barn's main room - which may periodically host social gatherings. Into this assembly of pedigreed timbers and structural stone, we made one conspicuous intervention. The cupola and observation room penetrate the barn's roof like a periscope. A slender steel stair is suspended and sheathed by a wooden latticework, which provides both a foil for light and a comforting sense of enclosure. The assembly is meant to invite visitors into a tactile and intimate experience of the barn's and the landscape's contrasting volumes and scales, ultimately rewarding climbers with sweeping views of the hillside fields and valley below.

Julia Valenti
Home design - transitional home design idea in New York

Finding a reputable contractor to design and build your kitchen remodel in Maryland with quality results involves several steps. Here are some general guidelines to help you find the right professional for your project: 1. Ask for Recommendations: Start by asking friends, family, neighbors, or colleagues who have recently completed kitchen remodels for recommendations. Personal referrals can be a valuable source of trustworthy contractors. 2. Check Online Reviews: Websites like Yelp, Angie's List, and Google Reviews can provide insights into the experiences of previous clients. Look for contractors with consistently positive feedback. 3. Check Credentials: Verify that the contractor has the necessary licenses and insurance to work in Maryland. You can typically check this information on your state's licensing board website. 4. Ask for References: Request references from the contractor and contact previous clients to inquire about their experiences. Visit some of their completed projects if possible. 5. Review Portfolios: Examine the contractor's portfolio of past kitchen remodels. Look for examples of work that match your style and preferences. 6. Check for Permits: Ensure that the contractor will handle any necessary permits and inspections for your remodel. Avoid contractors who suggest bypassing required permits, as this can lead to legal and safety issues. 7. Discuss Communication: Clear communication is crucial throughout the project. Discuss how the contractor will keep you updated on progress and address any concerns or changes during the remodel. 8. Get Everything in Writing: Never rely solely on verbal agreements. Ensure that all project details, warranties, and expectations are documented in a written contract. 9. Check for Red Flags: Be wary of contractors who pressure you into making quick decisions, lack a physical business address, or have a history of disputes or legal issues. 10. Trust Your Instincts: Choose a contractor you feel comfortable working with. Trust your instincts and select someone who listens to your ideas and concerns. 11. Visit Completed Projects: If possible, visit some of the contractors’ completed kitchen remodels to assess the quality of their work in person. Once you've completed your due diligence and gathered all the necessary information, you'll be better equipped to make an informed decision about which contractor to hire for your kitchen remodel in Maryland. Remember that quality results often come from working with experienced, licensed professionals who prioritize clear communication and transparency throughout the project.

Creating your dream space in a rental home can sometimes feel limiting, but for this project we focused on unlocking colorful possibilities for our clients. Originally, both office spaces were bare and clean but lacked personality. Our goal was to level everything up while injecting more fun and flavor into the office spaces so they had Zoom-friendly backdrops that made them look forward to going into the office each day. Her space was crafted to be fun, playful and full of texture. A gorgeous wooden bookcase with a unique design accent at the bottom became one of the more practical features of the room while the Zoom-worthy artwork behind her desk gave her colleagues and clients an instant conversation starter.

Sited gently on the lower slope of a dramatic sixty foot high coastal bank and surrounded by miles of undeveloped Cape Cod National Seashore beaches and scrub pines is a warm, modern beach house that is more than just a place to enjoy uninterrupted ocean views and sea breezes. Our clients dreamed of a house that would work equally well as both a year-round family “camp” and also as a “thinking retreat” for collaborating with their colleagues. Image Courtesy © Jane Messinger

Designed by Mark Sleith of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Falls Church, VA in collaboration with Atlantic Deck & Home Renovation, this new master bathroom design features Green Forest Cabinetry in the Park Place door style with White finish, a Cambria Whitney vanity countertop and fixtures from Kohler and Moen. Said the client, "We were appreciative of Mark and his colleagues for their guidance, patience and helping us to achieve the concept we wanted. Mark completed everything with efficiency and worked very well with Chris our contractor. The finished project is elegant, yet functional. Added Mark, "The clients chose a white cabinet as a neutral palate for their eclectic collection of accessories. The choice of Cambria Whitney for the vanity top added a touch of sparkle that worked well with the the warmth of polished nickel fixtures from Kohler and Moen." Photos courtesy of BTW Images, LLC.

I was contacted about a Georgian property in the Kent village of Leeds , to see if I could do anything to improve a Travertine tiled floor. The use of Travertine was extensive and had been installed throughout the ground floor including the kitchen, dining room, utility and bathroom WC. Travertine is probably my favourite stone, but it is acid sensitive and attracts dirt easily, due to its ‘holey’ composition. Initially we discussed the floor over the phone where I got to know about the issues they were experiencing, and I detailed the renovation process I normally use to restore it including the products and timelines. Naturally they wanted to me to provide a quote for the work however its tricky to do that accurately without seeing the floor, so I arranged a date to pop over. Upon arriving I could see the tiles and the wide grout joints had extensive, ingrained dirt indicating the previous sealer had long since worn away. This is a common issue with stone floors, and to re-assure myself and the client it could be resolved I cleaned a small area in the utility room with pleasing results! This test clean helped me to understand which products and methods would work best on the floor and later that day I emailed over a detailed quote for the renovation. Happy with the quote I received a reply the same day asking when I could start. My colleague and I arrived on the agreed date and work started with adding protection to all areas that required it. We use a lot of water during the cleaning process and some materials such as MDF can become damaged with water ingress, so it makes sense to do this. To get the floor clean, a coarse Carbide Brush fitted to a rotary machine was run over the Travertine tiles to scrub in a strong solution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean. This process generates a lot of slurry as the dirt was washed out of the stone and grout which is extracted with a wet vacuum as we progressed. Next it was on hands and knees with more Tile Doctor Pro-Clean and handheld brushes run over stubborn areas and along the grout lines to take them from 80% up to 100%. Happy with the results, the next step was to renovate the stone using a series of diamond encrusted burnishing pads. Using only water for lubrication this process starts with the application of a coarse 400-grit burnishing pad attached to the floor buffer. This produces a lot of slurry which again was removed with a wet vacuum. This left the Travertine clean, but the pores of the stone had been opened giving the floor a matt finish and more absorbent than it was originally. To further refine the appearance of the stone the next two burnishing pads were applied which are 800 and 1500-grit. These pads polish the stone and close the pores, restoring the natural sheen in the process. After each pad was applied the slurry was rinsed off the floor with water and extracted with the wet vacuum. Once complete the floor was left to dry off fully overnight. I arrived the next day and took several moisture readings from the floor to check that it had dried off sufficiently overnight. The results were good, so work moved onto sealing the Travertine with two coats of Tile Doctor Ultra Seal which is a natural look impregnating sealer. It works by soaking into the stone, occupying the pores and thereby preventing dirt from becoming ingrained there. This ensures dirt remains on the surface where it is easily cleaned away. The final step in the floor’s renovation was to apply the last of the diamond polishing pads which is a very fine 3000-grit. This pad further improves the polished appearance of the stone resulting in a satisfying sheen. The work made a massive difference to the floor, and I received an email the next day from one of the owners who was really pleased with the transformation: ”Floors look brilliant. Very pleased.” For the care and maintenance of polished sealed floors I recommend the use of Tile Doctor’s Stone Soap which is a gentle but effective cleaning product that won’t impact the sealer and contains a patina enhancer. When it comes to sealed floors my mantra is: “If you look after the sealer, the sealer will look after the floor!” Graham Davis North Kent Tile Doctor

Hygge – pronounced "hoo-ga" – is coziness. A way of living that emphasizes the importance of simplicity and unwinding. It's hospitality and warmth. But at DIRTT, it also means a living lab. The home is a giant test subject for the possibilities of prefabricated construction. The home demonstrates what's possible when traditional craftsmanship and modern technology combine. Complex angles and curves become a possibility. Exquisite finishes become reality when labor costs are flipped on their head. The home has become what it was meant to be all along; a place to gather with colleagues, Clients, family and friends to break bread and get to know one another.

"We often rush to divide everything as white and black and store them separately in a separate place. But seemingly opposing things that are inseparable - that is the world - are a mixture of different things." _Matisyahu_ The contrast between black and white is not only a choice but also a way to make it special. When stepping into an all-white or all-black living space, it is easy to feel purity or luxury, but it can also suggest a little skepticism about the monotony or oppressiveness it brings. So using black and white is therefore not difficult but definitely not easy. In the apartment project at Vinhomes Symphony apartment that we implemented this time, white and black are no longer just two opposing colors, but they are combined and mixed, intertwined creatively to create a unity. As an expression of day and night, brilliance and mystery, white and black have adopted tricks and materials, arrays of blocks and light, blending together with the goal of creating living spaces with comfort, convenience and luxury. "This is probably a very special and interesting project for me and my colleagues, right from the first approach, the investor is also a sister, a person with a young, dynamic way of thinking with a very special and very own taste. After each actual project, we keep a diary of the conceptualization, design and execution process. Join us to look back on the process of project formation as well as better understand the philosophy, ideas and functions that have been sent in the project" - Kts. Dang Duong - Founder of D2Architects. The current status of the project is 2 apartments located at location A-20 and A-21 in S6A building of Vinhomes Symphony apartment. With an east-facing façade, the apartment is endowed with the advantage of natural light as well as excellent panoramic views. The highlight of this apartment is the view opening to the Phuc Loi lotus lagoon with a large area, more than 10 hectares and airy landscape by the Duong River. These are not merely apartments, but they are also places to express creativity and make harmonious use of natural light and surrounding nature. Every view from these apartments not only opens up amazing scenery but also a lifestyle full of relaxation and tranquility amidst the noisy city. With the special importance of location and unique views, making perfect use of space and light here is not only an advantage but also a great potential to create a sophisticated and classy living space. The sophistication in design and handling of space has been put on top by us, in order to make the most of these extremely special advantages. In order for a living space to truly become a place called "Home" – a place where we want to return and feel peaceful while there, we have carefully researched the preferences and desires of the owner. Sharing with me about her hobby, Ms. Yen expressed that she loves a modern space with minimalist style and cool tones, creating a sense of tranquility and elegance. This is clearly reflected in the original idea for the apartment. What's even more interesting is his teenage son's hobby of playing Lego. This is not only a personal preference but also a special source of inspiration for the design process. From these data, we built a preliminary idea for the comprehensive living space of the apartment. The combination of the requirement of modern, minimalist space and cool tones along with creative elements from his son's personal hobby of playing Lego has created a unique living space, both reflecting the owner's own personality and meeting the needs of living and personal preferences. This is the foundation for creating a real home, where each member of the family feels content and peaceful every time they return. The project uses the main tone of industrial wood painted in dark gray, white and dark veneer. Versatile combination with other modern materials such as smoke glass and artificial stone,... Create a work of architectural art where everything intersects harmoniously with natural light like a great symphony. The contrast between the bass of the cool tone and the warm, gentle touch of the light creates an impressive picture of a delicate blend of opposing elements. The soft, beautiful touch of this space is hidden in the strength and modernity of the materials used. This is not only a house, but also a mirror that clearly reflects the personality and philosophy of life of the owner. The modern, youthful spirit is clearly shown from the moment you cross the threshold to enter the house. Flexibility, creativity and the harmonious intersection of materials and light have created a colorful and sophisticated living space, while celebrating the beauty of modernity and youthful vitality. LIVING ROOM: The living room is not merely a living area or common living space of the family, but according to feng shui concept, this is the place where the best energy of the house is concentrated. Therefore, creating a special living room space is extremely important. Neutral gray-white tones are made in the background, creating the foundation for sophistication and elegance. Color accents are subtly applied, creating a unique touch for the house, increasing the creativity and style of the owner. Maintaining the spirit of LEGO - unlimited creativity - through every corner, every architectural line has created an interesting space experience right in the living room. It stimulates the imagination of all ages, opening up space for each person to freely create, build and connect with each other through the common language of LEGO. KITCHEN & DINNING ROOM: The kitchen is an indispensable piece in every family, this place is likened to the heart of the whole house. All one needs to create great taste is love and creativity in the kitchen. Because the kitchen with family meals is the emotional bond between members. Therefore, designing a beautiful and functional kitchen requires a delicate combination of colors, shapes and meticulousness in choosing the right materials. Today's kitchen is invested by many people in both form and quality, so a beautiful, luxurious, modern, comfortable kitchen that fully meets the needs of each family is the design criterion D2 Architects aims for. The Lego House project is not just a project anymore but it is really the result of sending all our core values and creative spirit to create a living space that symbolizes the interconnectedness of design, art and soul. D2Architects A : Khuat Duy Tien -Thanh Xuan Bac - Ha Noi – Viet Nam M: d2architects.vn@gmail.com W: d2architects.vn P: 0965551101 - 0965554792