These Woodbury clients came to Castle to transform their unfinished basement into a multi-functional living space.They wanted a cozy area with a fireplace, a ¾ bath, a workout room, and plenty of storage space. With kids in college that come home to visit, the basement also needed to act as a living / social space when they’re in town. Aesthetically, these clients requested tones and materials that blended with their house, while adding natural light and architectural interest to the space so it didn’t feel like a stark basement. This was achieved through natural stone materials for the fireplace, recessed niches for shelving accents and custom Castle craftsman-built floating wood shelves that match the mantel for a warm space. A common challenge in basement finishes, and no exception in this project, is to work around all of the ductwork, mechanicals and existing elements. Castle achieved this by creating a two-tiered soffit to hide ducts. This added architectural interest and transformed otherwise awkward spaces into useful and attractive storage nooks. We incorporated frosted glass to allow light into the space while hiding mechanicals, and opened up the stairway wall to make the space seem larger. Adding accent lighting along with allowing natural light in was key in this basement’s transformation. Whether it’s movie night or game day, this basement is the perfect space for this family! Designed by: Amanda Reinert

Matching reclaimed flooring and stairs out of our Orleans collection, commonly known as dirty top pine, which offers original patina and surface markings.

These Woodbury clients came to Castle to transform their unfinished basement into a multi-functional living space.They wanted a cozy area with a fireplace, a ¾ bath, a workout room, and plenty of storage space. With kids in college that come home to visit, the basement also needed to act as a living / social space when they’re in town. Aesthetically, these clients requested tones and materials that blended with their house, while adding natural light and architectural interest to the space so it didn’t feel like a stark basement. This was achieved through natural stone materials for the fireplace, recessed niches for shelving accents and custom Castle craftsman-built floating wood shelves that match the mantel for a warm space. A common challenge in basement finishes, and no exception in this project, is to work around all of the ductwork, mechanicals and existing elements. Castle achieved this by creating a two-tiered soffit to hide ducts. This added architectural interest and transformed otherwise awkward spaces into useful and attractive storage nooks. We incorporated frosted glass to allow light into the space while hiding mechanicals, and opened up the stairway wall to make the space seem larger. Adding accent lighting along with allowing natural light in was key in this basement’s transformation. Whether it’s movie night or game day, this basement is the perfect space for this family! Designed by: Amanda Reinert

This home renovation story begins with John and Barb, a fabulous couple looking to remodel their 15-year old winter home in Bonita Bay, Bonita Springs, Florida. Living in the home only part-time, spending their summers in Oconomowac, Wisconsin, John and Barb had an idea of what they wanted, but didn’t know how to bring it to fruition. They also needed someone who they could trust to renovate their home while they were away in Wisconsin. Their vision for their home started with a new kitchen, family room and wet bar. Enjoying their time outdoors and on their lanai, they also envisioned improving their indoor-outdoor living space. With the help of Progressive Design Build, this couple’s home was designed and completed remodeled while they were away, transforming the common area of their home into a more user friendly, functional space. Emphasis was placed on the kitchen and the open floor plan. New tile flooring was installed throughout the space, with all new painting that matched the homeowner’s style and taste. A new Anderson door was also installed from the kitchen to the outdoor living space, replacing heavy sliding glass doors and making access to the lanai easier and more functional.

“Whole house remodel” is a pale description of this home’s complete re-imagining collectively achieved by architect Marty Buckenmeyer, interior designers at bright designlab, and builder Hammer & Hand. After clearing out the segmented living room walls and design stylings hailing from the 70s and 80s, H&H built a modern dwelling with an addition, open living and kitchen area, and eclectic details throughout. All new double-paned windows running the length of the common area wall brighten the space with treetop-framed views of Portland beyond. Hammer & Hand’s carpenters flexed their skills with many fine carpentry details including a custom metal bomber door produced by our woodshop, wood-panel wall with grain-matched hidden pop-out doors, and a steel and concrete fireplace hearth with built-in cabinets. Photography by Jeff Amram Photography.

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

This home renovation story begins with John and Barb, a fabulous couple looking to remodel their 15-year old winter home in Bonita Bay, Bonita Springs, Florida. Living in the home only part-time, spending their summers in Oconomowac, Wisconsin, John and Barb had an idea of what they wanted, but didn’t know how to bring it to fruition. They also needed someone who they could trust to renovate their home while they were away in Wisconsin. Their vision for their home started with a new kitchen, family room and wet bar. Enjoying their time outdoors and on their lanai, they also envisioned improving their indoor-outdoor living space. With the help of Progressive Design Build, this couple’s home was designed and completed remodeled while they were away, transforming the common area of their home into a more user friendly, functional space. Emphasis was placed on the kitchen and the open floor plan. New tile flooring was installed throughout the space, with all new painting that matched the homeowner’s style and taste. A new Anderson door was also installed from the kitchen to the outdoor living space, replacing heavy sliding glass doors and making access to the lanai easier and more functional.

This project we recently completed in Manhattan Beach had an original floor plan with a dark, closed off kitchen. The homeowners' desire to open up the space by removing the common wall between the dining room and kitchen came with a structural challenge; we had to keep a support beam. Our Great Room feel was successful by removing the wall, but leaving just the post which we wrapped with walnut panels to match their new cabinetry. Our team also removed a section of the mirrored wall, turning it into a beautifully framed mirror piece to finish off the family's new Great Room.

These Woodbury clients came to Castle to transform their unfinished basement into a multi-functional living space.They wanted a cozy area with a fireplace, a ¾ bath, a workout room, and plenty of storage space. With kids in college that come home to visit, the basement also needed to act as a living / social space when they’re in town. Aesthetically, these clients requested tones and materials that blended with their house, while adding natural light and architectural interest to the space so it didn’t feel like a stark basement. This was achieved through natural stone materials for the fireplace, recessed niches for shelving accents and custom Castle craftsman-built floating wood shelves that match the mantel for a warm space. A common challenge in basement finishes, and no exception in this project, is to work around all of the ductwork, mechanicals and existing elements. Castle achieved this by creating a two-tiered soffit to hide ducts. This added architectural interest and transformed otherwise awkward spaces into useful and attractive storage nooks. We incorporated frosted glass to allow light into the space while hiding mechanicals, and opened up the stairway wall to make the space seem larger. Adding accent lighting along with allowing natural light in was key in this basement’s transformation. Whether it’s movie night or game day, this basement is the perfect space for this family! Designed by: Amanda Reinert

Never know what you'll find at the second-hand market One of the most common questions we are asked is 'how do you pronounce the word Brocante and what does it mean?' The correct pronunciation is BROH-CAHNT, with a silent E at the end. It translates to mean 'secondhand goods'

These Woodbury clients came to Castle to transform their unfinished basement into a multi-functional living space.They wanted a cozy area with a fireplace, a ¾ bath, a workout room, and plenty of storage space. With kids in college that come home to visit, the basement also needed to act as a living / social space when they’re in town. Aesthetically, these clients requested tones and materials that blended with their house, while adding natural light and architectural interest to the space so it didn’t feel like a stark basement. This was achieved through natural stone materials for the fireplace, recessed niches for shelving accents and custom Castle craftsman-built floating wood shelves that match the mantel for a warm space. A common challenge in basement finishes, and no exception in this project, is to work around all of the ductwork, mechanicals and existing elements. Castle achieved this by creating a two-tiered soffit to hide ducts. This added architectural interest and transformed otherwise awkward spaces into useful and attractive storage nooks. We incorporated frosted glass to allow light into the space while hiding mechanicals, and opened up the stairway wall to make the space seem larger. Adding accent lighting along with allowing natural light in was key in this basement’s transformation. Whether it’s movie night or game day, this basement is the perfect space for this family! Designed by: Amanda Reinert

The family room addition includes a wood burning stove on a tile base with a brick tile heat shield (rear) next to the arch that accesses the original house dining room and kitchen. Matching oak wood floors ceiling beams give the two spaces a common element.

Drop in tub area. This master bathroom remodel made quite the splash with my clients. We removed a wall between the tub and shower area to give a more open feel to the room. Taking a bit of space from the tub area we were able to make the shower area larger. Adding a recessed tile niche make it handy to reach for shampoo and soaps. A 10x13 size Florida porcelain tile made to resembles white Carrara Marble was laid horizontal subway pattern on the shower walls. The coordinating floor tiles came in a 18x18 size laid in a brick pattern. The shower floor was tiled in a matching 2x2 tile mosaic. The decorative strips we went with a 3x6 Glass Tile called Metallic from Pental, in the shower and tub backsplash. The cabinets are Showplace Wood Products- Fine Cabinetry, in their Pendleton Shaker door style, paint grade with a white painted finish. We removed the toe kick when ordering the cabinets so we could add four stainless steel shaker legs to the bottom. The darker quartz counters add to the contrast and compliments the darker 3x6 Metallic glass tile liners.

When it came time to remodel their kitchen, a Napa couple knew exactly who to call. Having previously worked with Castle Rock Construction on a basement renovation, the homeowners chose Castle Rock. Although it had served them well, the homeowners wanted something different for their kitchen—something that exemplified their sense of style and had an open floor plan. Starting with a spark of an idea, they were looking for talented craftsmen to make their French Country dream kitchen a reality. That’s where the artistry and craftsmanship of Tim Metcalfe and Jay Coleman from Castle Rock’s custom cabinet shop came into the picture. “This isn’t your basic Shopsmith kitchen,” Tim said. “With our complete cabinet shop, we were able to meet all the challenges a project like this presents.” Tim and Jay created one-of-a-kind kitchen elements that matched pre-existing furniture pieces. The custom wood stove hood, and wood refrigerator door cover look remarkably like an armoire the homeowners already possessed. “Legs and feet on furniture are fairly common place,” Tim said, “but we managed to round out the homeowners’ look by creating them for the island and the sink areas. We even created top rails with a radius.” Castle Rock credits Napco Finishing for the final, installed look. In the two months it took to complete the project, the kitchen was completely renovated, a pantry was created with cupboards strategically placed to hide a pesky staircase to the basement, and a new entry staircase was constructed to take advantage of the light and lines of the existing foyer. “Having our cabinet shop is definitely an advantage when meeting our clients’ needs. It gives our clients many more options that they are not likely to find elsewhere,” Jim Pitcher, president of Castle Rock, said. “It allows us to finish a remodel with truly unique products that simply aren’t available from big box outlets.” The cabinet shop is just one of the many ways Castle Rock Construction delivers the highest quality of construction to discriminating homeowners. With an entire cadre of trade professionals, there’s little that can be imagined, that can’t be delivered.

A small enclosed kitchen is very common in many homes such as the home that we remodeled here. Opening a wall to allow natural light to penetrate the space is a must. When budget is important the solution can be as you see in this project - the wall was opened and removed but a structural post remained and it was incorporated in the design. The blue modern flat paneled cabinets was a perfect choice to contras the very familiar gray scale color scheme but it’s still compliments it since blue is in the correct cold color spectrum. Notice the great black windows and the fantastic awning window facing the pool. The awning window is great to be able to serve the exterior sitting area near the pool. Opening the wall also allowed us to compliment the kitchen with a nice bar/island sitting area without having an actual island in the space. The best part of this kitchen is the large built-in pantry wall with a tall wine fridge and a lovely coffee area that we built in the sitting area made the kitchen expend into the breakfast nook and doubled the area that is now considered to be the kitchen.

Elegant 4-Foot Black Ornamental Aluminum Fence by Wiler Fence Company – Elite EFF-20 Model Installed for a New Inground Pool in Medina, OhioWiler Fence Company recently completed a stunning 4-foot tall black ornamental aluminum fence installation in Medina, Ohio, perfectly complementing a brand-new inground swimming pool for a growing family. Manufactured by Elite Fence Products (a trusted American-made brand), the EFF-20 model delivers timeless wrought-iron style with modern durability and zero-maintenance appeal—making it an ideal choice for poolside safety, curb appeal, and long-term value.The EFF-20 is one of Elite's most popular residential-grade styles, featuring a clean, flat top rail with a subtle beveled edge for a sleek, contemporary look that mimics traditional wrought iron without the rust or upkeep. Key specifications include:Height: 4 feet (48 inches) – precisely meeting Medina's minimum 4-foot requirement for residential pool enclosures while keeping the yard feeling open and inviting. Construction: Extruded aluminum panels with 1-1/8" x 1" horizontal rails (three rails total for strength and stability), 5/8" x 5/8" vertical pickets spaced approximately 3-13/16" apart (standard residential spacing that allows visibility while preventing small children or pets from slipping through). Finish: Premium powder-coated black – a durable TGIC polyester coating that resists fading, chipping, and corrosion, backed by Elite's limited lifetime warranty. This rich matte-to-semi-gloss black finish enhances any home's exterior and blends beautifully with modern landscaping. Strength: Residential-grade design supports up to 350 lbs of pressure on the top rail, ensuring it stands up to Ohio's weather extremes and everyday use. Panels: Pre-assembled sections (typically 72.5" wide) for efficient, precise installation with minimal visible hardware (screws on one side only for a cleaner appearance from the street). This installation was specifically chosen for the new inground pool to provide essential safety and code compliance. In Medina, Ohio, local regulations require pool fences to be at least 4 feet tall, with no more than 3 inches of ground clearance, self-closing/latching gates, and spacing that prevents a 4-inch sphere from passing through—standards the Elite EFF-20 easily satisfies (and often exceeds for pool applications). The open picket design maintains great sightlines for supervision while creating a secure barrier that deters unsupervised access.Wiler Fence Company's expert crew handled the full process seamlessly:Coordinated with the City of Medina for the required building permit and zoning certificate (including site plans and pool setback compliance—no front-yard placement, minimum distances from structures, etc.). Called 811 for utility locates and prepared post holes to frost-line depth (typically 36-42 inches in Medina's soil) for rock-solid concrete footings. Installed line, corner, and end posts (2" x 2" or 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" aluminum) with matching black powder coat. Set pre-assembled EFF-20 panels level and plumb, then added self-closing, self-latching gates (with child-proof latches at least 54 inches high) for easy pool access. Left the site spotless, with final walkthrough and city inspection passed on the first try. The homeowners now enjoy a safe, elegant pool area that looks upscale and professional—enhancing their backyard oasis without the ongoing painting, rust worries, or sagging common with other materials. The black aluminum provides a sophisticated contrast against the pool's blue water and surrounding greenery, while the 4-foot height keeps the view open to the house and yard.At Wiler Fence Company, we're proud to bring Elite Fence Products' high-quality craftsmanship to Northeast Ohio homes. If you're adding an inground pool, upgrading your perimeter, or seeking low-maintenance elegance, the EFF-20 in black is a top performer for safety, style, and satisfaction.Ready for your own Elite aluminum fence project in Medina, Brunswick, or surrounding areas? Contact us for a free estimate today! (216) 714-3337 www.wiler.org #WilerFenceCompany #EliteFence #OrnamentalAluminumFence #PoolFence #MedinaOhio #IngroundPool #BlackAluminumFence #NortheastOhioFencing

This custom home started out life with an oak kitchen and as time progressed, the look got so outdated that something needed to be done, So we started fresh with custom Benjamin Moore painted cabinetry in the customers chosen colour, with the custom island in a complimentary colour. We also laid New hardwood floors throughout the entire main floor common areas with new basebards to give that finishing touch. Cambria Luxury series quartz countertops with matching quartz backsplash really made this kitchen sing as well as the custom hood above the cooktop. The final look is definitely an amazing way to start 2020!

Exquisite Worktops and High-end Kitchen Guide Homeowners The fuel to every person's happiness: food; is stored in a kitchen. We gotta agree that even if life is created in a bedroom, it is certainly lived in a kitchen. Hence, It is undeniable that every homeowner would want to invest mindfully in creating a proper outlook of a place that nourishes the heart of both its family and its guests. While designing a kitchen unlike other spaces of a home one must pay attention to the choice of materials for worktops, floors, sinks, etc that suit the hygiene purposes alongside the aesthetic point of view, which might usually result in a very high budget plan. So this is where practicality hits a common man as no matter what one`s wishlist is, execution ultimately depends on their capability of expenditure. However, with sufficient guidance on kitchen design planning, one can drastically minimise the expenses without necessarily having to purchase cheap worktops. The choice of the right materials is just as important as the ability to financially invest in the same, if not more. This means if a person has enough knowledge of what they are looking for, they can cleverly create an exquisite look under a much lesser budget-friendly scheme. Key Points to Consider When on a Mission to Create a High-end Kitchen Under Restrained Pockets Estimating a Budget Plan: Setting a realistic budget before the investment is a very important aspect which shouldn't be overlooked. According to NKBA, a proper guide to setting one`s kitchen budget while planning a new one should look like- 29% cabinets and hardware, 17% installation, 14% appliances and ventilation, 10% countertops, 7% flooring, 5% walls and ceilings, 5% lighting, 5% faucets and plumbing, 4% doors and windows, 4% design fees and 1% miscellaneous. Pick Your Beautiful Stone for Work-top: As we all know, beauty is not just conventional, so natural stones, as well as engineered stones, are beautiful in their own way. Engineered countertops are still impressively resistant to scratch and stains. They can almost replicate the intrinsic character and sparkle of granite and marbles. The manufacturing technique of engineered stones has made it so that, wherever they are incorporated, they add a sense of style and class. And with minimal maintenance, they can last for a very long time in a household. One can even go for the mix and matching technique where one can use both expensive and inexpensive buys in such a way that the former occupies the areas on display while the latter covers up for other units. Being on a budget, though, must not mean hiring inexperienced fabricators to compromise on cost. The short-term result might be tempting but doing so will only increase the future risk thus being more of a loss than an advantage. However, if one is confident enough in their skills, DIY-ing the fittings will drastically reduce the cost of expenditure. Reusing and Recycling Off Cuts: While extending or renovating one always has the option to think about how some materials from the previous space can be given a second life. Worktops can be altered to fit a new plan, cupboard doors can be fitted to the kitchen and given a fresh look by repainting, and old appliances can be sold on to help contribute towards pitching in some money for purchasing new ones. The stone remnants and offcuts can always be utilised for smaller projects. Check out these Remnants that are available within your region. Flooring: Renovating a floor on a tight budget doesn't necessarily mean that one doesn't care about durability or looks. Ideally, one will still want a decent lifespan and great finish even if it's the most affordable kitchen floor out there. To avail this best possible combination of durability, style, and affordability, consider laminate and vinyl flooring designs. They mimic wood and tile flooring convincingly enough. Work-top Lights: Light fixtures are easy and impactful and one of the easiest ways to upgrade a room's look. Impeccable lighting not only makes the room look stunning but also provides effective task lighting to make the space easier and more enjoyable to use. If the plan is to introduce new lighting to an existing kitchen, one can try using battery-operated LED spotlights and strips that don’t need wiring in. Installing them over worktops, under cabinets and inside open or glass-fronted cupboards can create an expensive appearance. Colour Details: Choosing the right colour of paint has the potential to drastically change the outlook. For example, just visualise a completely white kitchen worktop. Done? Now similarly, a completely black kitchen. You can't deny that both would bring out completely different aesthetic values. Colour is one of the best ways to inject personality into a space but it's important to get the proportions right. For a guaranteed unregretted approach, you can choose neutral tones for the structural elements that are more costly and difficult to replace, including cabinets, floors, worktops, kitchen countertops, and appliances. Then introduce colour with less-expensive updates to the walls, backsplash, window treatments, lighting, and other accents. With this strategy, you can easily and affordably swap out your colour scheme as your tastes and popular trends change. Creating Interest: Worktops One unique way to enhance the design is by introducing an interesting element to catch the eye and provide a focal point. Decorating Walls: Attractive wallpapers add a sense of style to the kitchen. It is a great way to freshen up a room without needing to do a lot of work or spending much money. In a rental property, one can try vinyl wall decals or temporary wallpaper. However, overdoing the work in the hype of excitement will make it worse than doing good. Open Shelf: One can utilize an empty wall for open shelves. It adds more storage and creates a display area. Go for a decorative or contrasting shelf to add character. Keeping the shelves clear of clutter and using them as a design piece to show off styled arrangements of recipe books, beautiful objects and interesting pieces is always recommended. Upgrading Cabinet Doors: Replacing the cabinet doors is a simple way to give the appearance a brand-new look. As long as the units are standard size and the main framework is in good condition, one can just swap the doors without having to worry about the worktop, splashback, plumbing or electrics. Another simple way to upgrade the units is to replace the handles. Vintage cabinets can be given a modification to look contemporary or vice versa with this simple trick. Similarly, cheap, basic-looking handles can be replaced with beautiful handmade ceramic knobs or adding a stylish leather door pull can upgrade the kitchen’s chic factor. With all these points and our collection of stones, you will have an exquisite kitchen right in front of you. Our service charges are minimum to make kitchen renovation an achievable dream for all homeowners. Email info@work-tops.com for free quotes and to know about our special offers.

This custom home started out life with an oak kitchen and as time progressed, the look got so outdated that something needed to be done, So we started fresh with custom Benjamin Moore painted cabinetry in the customers chosen colour, with the custom island in a complimentary colour. We also laid New hardwood floors throughout the entire main floor common areas with new basebards to give that finishing touch. Cambria Luxury series quartz countertops with matching quartz backsplash really made this kitchen sing as well as the custom hood above the cooktop. The final look is definitely an amazing way to start 2020!