Search results for "Commence" in Home Design Ideas

Elegant Oasis: Maximizing Entertaining Space
In reimagining this 14,233 sqft lot, the goal was to create a high-impact, space-efficient outdoor environment, where space meets sophistication for unrivaled outdoor entertaining.
This presentation outlines the thoughtfully designed elements which were meticulously integrated to maximize entertaining space within the constraints of the property.
The project commenced with relocating the pool to the furthest reaches of the property, respecting property line setbacks to amplify the area available for entertainment. Adjacent to the back door, a covered built-in kitchen and intimate seating area offer protection from both bugs and the scorching afternoon sun, thanks to a convenient drop-down screen.
The 18'x36' pool serves as the focal point, backed by an 18" masonry wall adorned with LED lighting accents. Behind this backdrop, a hedge of long-blooming hydrangeas and espalier-shaped European hornbeams complements the formal design, infusing the space with timeless elegance.
The pool deck features a sturdy 5" rebar-reinforced concrete overlay with Valders Dove White and gray stone laid in a herringbone pattern (5'x18" pieces). To address stormwater retention, a large drywell behind the pool was repurposed as the base for a putting green, encircled by permeable gravel and stone coping. Landscape lighting makes it perfect for endless fun, day and night.
To minimize the “fence feeling” and to distinguish the detached garage driveway, a grand outdoor fireplace and wall were constructed. This space also includes an outdoor TV and speaker system. A pergola, built from large steel I-beams and cedar, provides respite from the summer sun.
For continuity and aesthetic impact, the hydrangea hedge extends the entire length of the property, maximizing the use of the narrow 36" side.
The front of the property is equally striking. A heated concrete driveway, saw-cut into 5'x5' squares, provides a grand entrance. The front porch and walkway feature heated, randomly patterned bluestone, expertly set on a concrete sub-base. Two sets of garden walls enclose the front yard, with the closest to the front door boasting three water scuppers and a pondless waterfall system, creating a captivating ambiance for arriving guests.
The property's front and rear areas are adorned with various planting beds and containers, which are seasonally adapted to ensure a vibrant landscape year-round.
Formal, columnar trees, such as slender silhouette sweetgum, columnar tulip trees, sheared European hornbeams, and shaped tricolor beech, were chosen to harmonize with the property's architecture. Crushed blue granite gravel was used to cover all planting beds, maintaining a clean and low-maintenance appearance.
In conclusion, our project has not only met but exceeded our client's expectations by delivering a low-maintenance, high-impact, and space-efficient outdoor haven.

To aid in the kitchen a custom, retractable, mixer stand was installed, allowing for ease of use and access when baking season commences.
Mid-sized galley porcelain tile eat-in kitchen photo in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula
Mid-sized galley porcelain tile eat-in kitchen photo in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

These Slate kitchen floor tiles at a property in Oxford were in good physical condition, but had become dull over time due to heavy usage, and upon close inspection the grout was stained. The customer contacted me as she was keen to get the tiles back to looking their best. This would require a thorough clean and the application of a fresh sealer.
While Slate floor tiles are reputed to be hard wearing and damage resistant – and are therefore a popular choice for high traffic areas like kitchens – this does not exclude them from needing regular maintenance.
To begin, I mixed a strong solution of Tile Doctor Pro Clean and water. Pro-Clean is a versatile cleaner that when used in a weak dilution can be used as a regular cleaner for most types of natural stone floor, including more sensitive stones such as Limestone and Marble.
The cleaning was then spread across the surface area of the floor, and left it to dwell for ten minutes to allow the solution to seep into the pores of the stone and lift the ingrained dirt to the surface. Pro-Clean in a strong dilution also functions as a stripping product, meaning it works to strip away any old and ineffectual sealer.
I then scrubbed the solution into the floor using a stiff scrubbing brush, paying particular attention to the grout in order to break down the visible staining. The tiles and grout lines came up really well during the cleaning process – this became clear once I had rinsed the floor and removed the residue using a wet vacuum.
With the customer eager to have the job completed quickly, I installed portable room dryers and utilised a heat gun to dry the floor, allowing me to seal it on the same day.
Once I had ensured the floor was completely dry, I commenced the sealing process by firstly applying a coat of Tile Doctor Stone Oil, a product which is designed to bring out all of the natural dark shades in the Slate.
When this was dry, I applied a single coat of Tile Doctor Colour Grow. This is an impregnating sealer, meaning that it soaks into pores of the stone to provide durable protection from within against ingrained dirt and stains. Colour Grow also enhances the natural colours in the stone even further.
The customer was amazed by just how big a difference could be made to the tiles in the space of just a day. Although the tiles were generally in very good nick, my main task was to be liven them up – judging by the before and after photos, I think this was achieved. And, now that they have been treated to a fresh seal, the tiles will be prevented from quickly becoming dull again.
Barry Woodward
Oxfordshire Tile Doctor
Find the right local pro for your project

This custom design and built home in Yolo County commenced with a bubble diagram of the spaces the client wished to incorporate into their forever home. The home includes architectural features such as aging in place design, 28 ft tall north facing solarium, an elevator shaft for future build out (if necessary), durable cement fiber board siding, standing seam cool metal roof, optimal window shading with overhangs, a front second level deck overlooking a park, a custom designed and built front cable railing system, polished concrete floors on the first level, and passive heating and cooling elements throughout for maximum comfort. Design, Build, and Enjoy!

South Elevation: 7,000 SF, 4 bed, 4 bath, Guest Suite, 4 car garage, pool
Township’s Victorian styles catalyzed design initiating use of 7 separate materials to comply with style rules: brick, slate, wood, copper, marble, glass and tile. Corner lot’s diagonal axis (north/south) established structures orientation (east/west). Asymmetry commences on axis intersect with formal functions housed in split pyramid shape with monumental steps whose locus, a Palladian Window, accesses Grand Foyer with barrel vault hovering above double curvilinear staircases exiting at South facing window wall balcony which attaches to 2 bedroom suites with private baths. The Master Suite contains platform sleeping area adjoining covered balcony, barrel vaulted seating area with fireplace and French door barrel vaulted seating area with fireplace and French door barrel vaulted sauna. Formal 20 seat dinning area and living area with study and alcove library adjoin grand foyer on ground floor. Den with bar and fireplace adjoin kitchen with walk in pantry. A glass wall spills kitchen onto entertainment plaza. Salt box form completes 2 car garage and second floor guest quarters with private entrance. Ground plane completes design with Grecian shaped perennial/flowering landscaping.
Design includes Multi zoned hydronic heating with booster electrical coil fans, full basement, exterior storage sheds, Jen-air appliances, Waterford chandeliers, security and burglar alarm system complete estate’s appointments.

Custom, southeastern-facing 2 bedroom, 2 bath with panoramic NYC, Hudson River & downtown Jersey City views and parking in Observer Plaza, a steel & concrete elevator building. Expansive, open floorplan with custom built-ins and walls of windows that lead to a large private terrace. Chef’s kitchen with corian counters and stainless steel appliances. Oversized en-suite master bedroom. Other features include; hardwood floors, recessed lighting, automated blinds, tons of custom built-ins with massive amounts of storage. Building has a new, state-of-the-art gym and a great downtown location only minutes to PATH, ferry, waterfront, restaurants, and nightlife. Lobby renovation expected to commence late fall 2017.

As a builder of custom homes primarily on the Northshore of Chicago, Raugstad has been building custom homes, and homes on speculation for three generations. Our commitment is always to the client. From commencement of the project all the way through to completion and the finishing touches, we are right there with you – one hundred percent. As your go-to Northshore Chicago custom home builder, we are proud to put our name on every completed Raugstad home.

As a builder of custom homes primarily on the Northshore of Chicago, Raugstad has been building custom homes, and homes on speculation for three generations. Our commitment is always to the client. From commencement of the project all the way through to completion and the finishing touches, we are right there with you – one hundred percent. As your go-to Northshore Chicago custom home builder, we are proud to put our name on every completed Raugstad home.

As a builder of custom homes primarily on the Northshore of Chicago, Raugstad has been building custom homes, and homes on speculation for three generations. Our commitment is always to the client. From commencement of the project all the way through to completion and the finishing touches, we are right there with you – one hundred percent. As your go-to Northshore Chicago custom home builder, we are proud to put our name on every completed Raugstad home.

Custom, southeastern-facing 2 bedroom, 2 bath with panoramic NYC, Hudson River & downtown Jersey City views and parking in Observer Plaza, a steel & concrete elevator building. Expansive, open floorplan with custom built-ins and walls of windows that lead to a large private terrace. Chef’s kitchen with corian counters and stainless steel appliances. Oversized en-suite master bedroom. Other features include; hardwood floors, recessed lighting, automated blinds, tons of custom built-ins with massive amounts of storage. Building has a new, state-of-the-art gym and a great downtown location only minutes to PATH, ferry, waterfront, restaurants, and nightlife. Lobby renovation expected to commence late fall 2017.

Travertine floor tiles are very appealing and very hardwearing, but without the protection of a sealer to stop dirt becoming ingrained in the pores of the stone their appearance will degrade. Fortunately, this can be remedied as demonstrated in these pictures of a Travertine floor I recently polished at a house in Weston Favell, Northampton.
This owner of the property had called me out as their kitchen floor was looking very sorry for itself and he was concerned that a lot of holes were appearing which was making cleaning the floor difficult as dirt was getting trapped in the holes. I went over and carried out a test clean on two separate tiles in the kitchen and the customer was amazed at how clean they came up and especially the grout.
The kitchen was stunning, but unfortunately the state of the Travertine tiled floor was bringing down its overall appearance. Impressed with the test clean they were keen to get the whole floor renovated so we agreed a price and I scheduled the work in for the following month.
I returned on the agreed data and made a start by protecting the kitchen units by removing the plinths and covering base units and the appliances with a protective film. We then commenced the cleaning process to remove surface dirt by cleaning with Tile Doctor Pro-Clean paying special attention to the grout lines. The holes in the Travertine were filled with a stone resin, mixing it to closely match the colours of the stone.
The resin was allowed to dry before starting to re-polish the Travertine using a set of Tile Doctor Diamond encrusted burnishing pads. These pads are applied individually to each tile in sequence starting with a coarse 400-grit pad before moving onto the 800-grit and finishing with the fine 1500 grit pad. A little water is used to lubricate the process along the way and the floor is rinsed in between each pad with the resulting residue extracted from the floor using a wet vacuum. The process takes some time, but it really brings up the polished appearance of the stone and the results are well worth the effort. After a final rinse the floor was inspected and then left to dry off fully overnight.
When we returned the next day, the floor had dried, and we were able to give the floor a final polish with a very fine 3000-grit burnishing pad applied with a little water sprayed onto the tile. Finally, the floor was then sealed with two coats of Tile Doctor Ultra-Seal which provides excellent protection without changing the colour of the stone to provide a natural look.
The client was over the moon with the outcome and surprised at the improvement. They were left with a floor that would be easy to clean and maintain.
Phil Vissian
Northamptonshire Tile Doctor

This custom design and built home in Yolo County commenced with a bubble diagram of the spaces the client wished to incorporate into their forever home. The home includes architectural features such as aging in place design, 28 ft tall north facing solarium, an elevator shaft for future build out (if necessary), durable cement fiber board siding, standing seam cool metal roof, optimal window shading with overhangs, a front second level deck overlooking a park, a custom designed and built front cable railing system, polished concrete floors on the first level, and passive heating and cooling elements throughout for maximum comfort. Design, Build, and Enjoy!

Elegant Oasis: Maximizing Entertaining Space
In reimagining this 14,233 sqft lot, the goal was to create a high-impact, space-efficient outdoor environment, where space meets sophistication for unrivaled outdoor entertaining.
This presentation outlines the thoughtfully designed elements which were meticulously integrated to maximize entertaining space within the constraints of the property.
The project commenced with relocating the pool to the furthest reaches of the property, respecting property line setbacks to amplify the area available for entertainment. Adjacent to the back door, a covered built-in kitchen and intimate seating area offer protection from both bugs and the scorching afternoon sun, thanks to a convenient drop-down screen.
The 18'x36' pool serves as the focal point, backed by an 18" masonry wall adorned with LED lighting accents. Behind this backdrop, a hedge of long-blooming hydrangeas and espalier-shaped European hornbeams complements the formal design, infusing the space with timeless elegance.
The pool deck features a sturdy 5" rebar-reinforced concrete overlay with Valders Dove White and gray stone laid in a herringbone pattern (5'x18" pieces). To address stormwater retention, a large drywell behind the pool was repurposed as the base for a putting green, encircled by permeable gravel and stone coping. Landscape lighting makes it perfect for endless fun, day and night.
To minimize the “fence feeling” and to distinguish the detached garage driveway, a grand outdoor fireplace and wall were constructed. This space also includes an outdoor TV and speaker system. A pergola, built from large steel I-beams and cedar, provides respite from the summer sun.
For continuity and aesthetic impact, the hydrangea hedge extends the entire length of the property, maximizing the use of the narrow 36" side.
The front of the property is equally striking. A heated concrete driveway, saw-cut into 5'x5' squares, provides a grand entrance. The front porch and walkway feature heated, randomly patterned bluestone, expertly set on a concrete sub-base. Two sets of garden walls enclose the front yard, with the closest to the front door boasting three water scuppers and a pondless waterfall system, creating a captivating ambiance for arriving guests.
The property's front and rear areas are adorned with various planting beds and containers, which are seasonally adapted to ensure a vibrant landscape year-round.
Formal, columnar trees, such as slender silhouette sweetgum, columnar tulip trees, sheared European hornbeams, and shaped tricolor beech, were chosen to harmonize with the property's architecture. Crushed blue granite gravel was used to cover all planting beds, maintaining a clean and low-maintenance appearance.
In conclusion, our project has not only met but exceeded our client's expectations by delivering a low-maintenance, high-impact, and space-efficient outdoor haven.

The redesign of the existing hall bathroom commenced with the strategic removal of a non-structural wall, aimed at optimizing space and enhancing accessibility. By eliminating this barrier, we seamlessly integrated the bathroom into a larger, more functional area, accommodating the evolving needs of the clients as they age in place. This expansion not only facilitates easier movement within the space but also sets the stage for the integration of essential accessibility features.

In this photo, you can see the preparation work that needs to be undertaken before painting commences. The siding is dirty, particularly at the top. Surfaces need a thorough cleaning before painting, otherwise, the new coat of paint won’t adhere properly, and the dirt will show through. You can see how the bottom of the door is also chipped and scuffed and needs carpentry work.

See what our client say about Paul Lopa Designs:
We recently remodeled a studio we purchased for guests who visit us. The project included the demolition of a kitchenettem and a bathroom, and the installation of new cabinets, wood flooring, granite countertops, appliances, wood molding and a custom Murphy bed in the sleeping area.
My husband and I wanted a contractor who specializes in high end kitchens. We hired Paul Lopa (who had previously done two projects for us—a kitchen remodel and a bathroom remodel) as we were extremely impressed with his work, from beginning to end.
For the studio project, Paul brought many samples to our home before the project commenced. It was very easy for us to select the materials, from the wood used for the cabinets and Murphy bed to the granite countertop and wood floor. We were also very pleased with the appliances he helped us select as well, as the kitchen was transformed into a full-fledged kitchen with an eat-at counter. Paul helped us select custom marble for the bathroom which is gorgeous! Every suggestion he made was great. The studio is now worthy of being photographed by Architectural Digest!
Paul and his crew are very professional. His staff is friendly and were always on time. Upon completion of the job, the whole area was clean and ready to use.
Paul was always accessible and available to answer questions whenever we had one. We were impressed that the project finished on time and on budget!
We will definitely use Paul for all future work. He is a consummate professional and very nice to work with.

Barry McCall Photography.
This young successful professional decided to completely transform his home. The work commenced with a total gutting of the property and a sustainable renovation followed. The home was heated by underfloor heating and equipped for all the latest technology. Great consideration was given to his active lifestyle and constant entertaining. His future plans to marry his wonderful fiancee and start a family all contributed to the outcome and great success of the project.

Elegant Oasis: Maximizing Entertaining Space
In reimagining this 14,233 sqft lot, the goal was to create a high-impact, space-efficient outdoor environment, where space meets sophistication for unrivaled outdoor entertaining.
This presentation outlines the thoughtfully designed elements which were meticulously integrated to maximize entertaining space within the constraints of the property.
The project commenced with relocating the pool to the furthest reaches of the property, respecting property line setbacks to amplify the area available for entertainment. Adjacent to the back door, a covered built-in kitchen and intimate seating area offer protection from both bugs and the scorching afternoon sun, thanks to a convenient drop-down screen.
The 18'x36' pool serves as the focal point, backed by an 18" masonry wall adorned with LED lighting accents. Behind this backdrop, a hedge of long-blooming hydrangeas and espalier-shaped European hornbeams complements the formal design, infusing the space with timeless elegance.
The pool deck features a sturdy 5" rebar-reinforced concrete overlay with Valders Dove White and gray stone laid in a herringbone pattern (5'x18" pieces). To address stormwater retention, a large drywell behind the pool was repurposed as the base for a putting green, encircled by permeable gravel and stone coping. Landscape lighting makes it perfect for endless fun, day and night.
To minimize the “fence feeling” and to distinguish the detached garage driveway, a grand outdoor fireplace and wall were constructed. This space also includes an outdoor TV and speaker system. A pergola, built from large steel I-beams and cedar, provides respite from the summer sun.
For continuity and aesthetic impact, the hydrangea hedge extends the entire length of the property, maximizing the use of the narrow 36" side.
The front of the property is equally striking. A heated concrete driveway, saw-cut into 5'x5' squares, provides a grand entrance. The front porch and walkway feature heated, randomly patterned bluestone, expertly set on a concrete sub-base. Two sets of garden walls enclose the front yard, with the closest to the front door boasting three water scuppers and a pondless waterfall system, creating a captivating ambiance for arriving guests.
The property's front and rear areas are adorned with various planting beds and containers, which are seasonally adapted to ensure a vibrant landscape year-round.
Formal, columnar trees, such as slender silhouette sweetgum, columnar tulip trees, sheared European hornbeams, and shaped tricolor beech, were chosen to harmonize with the property's architecture. Crushed blue granite gravel was used to cover all planting beds, maintaining a clean and low-maintenance appearance.
In conclusion, our project has not only met but exceeded our client's expectations by delivering a low-maintenance, high-impact, and space-efficient outdoor haven.

As the design contract came to its completion, the client preferred Valerius for the execution of the project.
Valerius commenced working on the project, demonstrating its architectural and construction prowess by executing and delivering, ahead of schedule, a spectacular swimming pool for an upmarket luxury project in South Mumbai, during the pandemic.
Valerius acknowledges and appreciates the efforts taken by the client for taking all the necessary precautionary measures and creating a secured work environment for the site team to prevent the risk of COVID-19.

Custom, southeastern-facing 2 bedroom, 2 bath with panoramic NYC, Hudson River & downtown Jersey City views and parking in Observer Plaza, a steel & concrete elevator building. Expansive, open floorplan with custom built-ins and walls of windows that lead to a large private terrace. Chef’s kitchen with corian counters and stainless steel appliances. Oversized en-suite master bedroom. Other features include; hardwood floors, recessed lighting, automated blinds, tons of custom built-ins with massive amounts of storage. Building has a new, state-of-the-art gym and a great downtown location only minutes to PATH, ferry, waterfront, restaurants, and nightlife. Lobby renovation expected to commence late fall 2017.
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