The Timothy Hyde House, c. 1729, dear to the homeowners for its historic details, but long-lacking the family oriented spaces and living areas essential for today’s extended family lifestyle. Unwilling to compromise an ounce of character, this growing family longed for more practical amenities like a visitor’s private retreat with bedroom, living room and bath, garage parking, a proper master bedroom layout with full bath and walk-in closet, in addition to a new kitchen that would function as the heart of the home. Ultimately the total square footage was doubled and the entire flow of the home was reworked keeping all of the character details intact. The kitchen is the hub, serving up its center island topped off with reclaimed white oak once belonging to a barn built in the 1880’s; jet mist leather granite tops off the remainder of the kitchen. Custom cable lighting was the ingenious solution for the complicated preservation of the original exposed beams and posts in the kitchen. The barn door was custom crafted from original timbers. Many cups of coffee will be enjoyed at the cozy, sun-filled dining nook overlooking the family room and new adjacent deck. The rear, separate entry mudroom with step-up laundry was a long awaited luxury over the previous basement facilities. Moving upstairs, a centrally located bathroom was removed to create a wheelhouse style landing/passage hall, now home to a quiet workspace, featuring original wide plank floors and tailor-made sconces. Baths were added and upgraded including soapstone tops, marble, a glorious soaker tub in the generous master bath, all giving the home a taste of luxury. Bathing in sunlight rests the master suite starring the original beams, cathedral ceilings, and well-suited chandelier. Throughout the home strategically designed built-ins provide a plethora of storage and organization. This 280 year-old Colonial shines on brighter than ever. We are proud to have been part of its long history. Photo by Eric Roth

Centered on six full-sized city lots in the heart of Portland’s Irvington neighborhood, this historic estate badly needed a new kitchen and a reconceived connection to the spacious grounds at the rear of the home. The owner’s impeccable design sense was a perfect match for Emerick Architects’ skill and space planning. The craftsmen at Hammer & Hand brought their vision to life with wood, stone, cabinetry, and paint in the sun room, master suite, great room, and kitchen remodels. Extensive casework detailed to exactly match the complicated profiles of the existing house makes the addition a truly seamless remodel.

This project began with the goal of updating both style and function to allow for improved ease of use for a wheelchair. The previous space was overstuffed with an island that didn't really fit, an over-sized fridge in a location that complicated a primary doorway, and a 42" tall high bar that was inaccessible from a wheelchair. Our clients desired a space that would improve wheelchair use for both cooking or just being in the room, yet did not look like an ADA space. It became a story of less is more, and subtle, thoughtful changes from a standard design. After working through options, we designed an open floorplan that provided a galley kitchen function with a full 5 ft walkway by use of a peninsula open to the family den. This peninsula is highlighted by a drop down, table-height countertop wrapping the end and long backside that is now accessible to all members of the family by providing a perfect height for a flexible workstation in a wheelchair or comfortable entertaining on the backside. We then dropped the height for cooking at the new induction cooktop and created knee space below. Further, we specified an apron front sink that brings the sink closer in reach than a traditional undermount sink that would have countertop rimming in front. An articulating faucet with no limitations on reach provides full range of access in the sink. The ovens and microwave were also situated at a height comfortable for use from a wheelchair. Where a refrigerator used to block the doorway, a pull out is now located giving easy access to dry goods for cooks at all heights. Every element within the space was considered for the impact to our homes occupants - wheelchair or not, even the doorswing on the microwave. Now our client has a kitchen that every member of the family can use and be a part of. Simple design, with a well-thought out plan, makes a difference in the lives of another family. Photos by David Cobb Photography

Dennis Meyer
Example of a classic home design design in Other

Taking care of plants, trees or shrubs may seem easy, but for many homeowners, the task is riddled with complications. For those who have no previous experience with plant or tree care, mistakes can cause damage or even death to the trees. A lack of proper training or a lack of proper information about tree care can do much more harm than good. We care about your trees and shrubs as much as you care about your property. To help you avoid common mistakes, our team at Five Star Tree Services has created an easy to follow quick start guide for shrubs and tree maintenance. Following this guide will help you take care of your trees and shrubs in-between visits from our trained arborist. Hire Help Professional arborists are qualified and the best to trim, plant, maintain trees and to preform shrub trimming in just about any environment. Not only does a professional arborist have the experience, but they also are specially trained in the care and diagnosis of various plant species and diseases. In addition to taking care of your plant life, they will also offer you instructions on how to care for your plants when they are unavailable. Make sure to take care in who you decide to hire. Instead of choosing the first company you find or the lowest priced plant care service, first you should research their qualifications by asking about how they usually care for trees, what their pruning style is, and how often they plan to visit for seasonal care. If they are not willing to answer your questions or educate you on the proper tree and plant care, keep searching. Proper Tree Care Starts With You Tree care starts with the property owner. The moment you chose a tree and how you care for it once it has been planted, will shape its health for the rest of its life. Proper care in the early years will ensure that it grows into a healthy shape and has a long life ahead of it. Working with a certified arborist will ensure that you choose the right trees for your area and that they are planted and care for properly during the early years. There are many different species and types of plants, shrubs, and trees. Understanding how to care for each one will give you the knowledge needed to help them thrive. Speaking with a skilled professional will allow you to take care of your property effectively and efficiently. Listen Carefully As tedious or as boring as tree care instructions may be, it is important to pay close attention and take notes. Understanding the responsibilities you have as a property owner towards the shrubs and trees on your property is the best way to ensure they are well cared for. In the event that you are unsure about what to do or how to care for your plant life, you can always reach out to one of our certified arborists here at Five Star Tree Services. How We Can Help Whenever you have any Toronto tree care questions, Five Star Tree Services is here to help. We care about your plant life and are dedicated to offering each of our client’s comprehensive care so that your trees and shrubs will thrive. For more information or to get some tips on taking care of the trees on your property, give us a call at (416) 990-3355 to find out more.

Brick patio Kansas City or paver patios Kansas City are the best investment for improving the landscape and outlook of your yard. Careful selection of the brick pattern and color while keeping in mind the matching backgrounds in your surroundings is very important but it may go waste unless the patio is installed carefully. Though not tough and complicated, ignorance of basics in installation can ruin the patterns besides reducing the life of the patio. Building a paver patio or remodeling an existing one is an exciting process for any homeowners. The most fun and important decision is choosing a color and shape that meets not only your aesthetic needs but your lifestyle needs as well. Kansas City Paver Patios and Paver stone installations Kansas City are very popular because of their beauty and ability to enhance any landscape. Paver stones are incredibly versatile and can be designed in any configuration and size to create patios, outdoor kitchens, pool decks, courtyards and walkways to meet client needs and the needs of the landscape. With the wide variety of materials, sizes, colors and patterns available our landscape design experts will help you create the desert oasis of your dreams. In addition to being an affordable and aesthetically beautiful option, they are quite durable and incredibly low maintenance. A wooden deck needs to be maintained seasonally and may need constant repairs due to damage from weather. With paver patios or paver stone installations, there is almost no maintenance and they are very easy to repair as needed. The advantages of paver patios or paver stone installations are numerous and there are really no drawbacks. Paver patios and paver stone installations are beautiful, versatile, affordable, low maintenance, and enhance the value of your home.

This design is a Gulf-side 2nd home in a historically designated area. The simple goals for the home are to create a small interior 3 bedroom 2 bath house, efficient in space and low on maintenance, while maximizing the exterior spaces. The more complicated goals include designing a house that can be open when occupied and closed when not as it is 300’ from the Gulf of Mexico and must be secure from storms. The clients requested that the house could be boarded up as part of the design. They wanted the house to look inviting even when it was closed for a storm. A Grand ARDA for Custom Home Design goes to emerymcclure architecture Designers: Michael McClure and Ursula Emery McClure with Sarah Young From: Lafayette, Louisiana

Beautiful angled view showing the blend of the surround cabinets and the island. Frameless shaker cabinets were created to look like inset but without the complications. Stunning accessories were added by the homeowner to give just the needed touch of sparkle.

Architect: Andre Tchelistcheff Architects New York. NY Builder: Xhema of Greenwich CT Installer: TRM Enterprises Bridgehampton NY Back story. Northern has worked with both Xhema and TRM many tiles. We have worked with Andre before he branched out on his own. Originally Xhema’s contact was to replace the roof and repair the garage, which as some point had been made into an indoor swimming pool without adequate ventilation. The budget was about $8m and there were 20 drawings. By the time the job was 6 months old the scope of work has expanded to over $30m and over 200 drawings had been produced. Northern was contacted to visit the site and evaluate the existing roof. Although the house had been added to over the years the same tile was used but due to the location of the house the color of the tile varied considerably from the front to the back. Northern identified a large number of custom details which would require us to: 1) Match the existing Field tile in size, thickness (it was actually thicker at the butt and reduced to ½” where the tile is overlapped) , surface texture and the color. 2) Make tiles that are curved in their length to suit the curved rafter on the gabled dormers. 3) Make the curved tiles to suit the low slope octagonal tower. 4) Make the curved tiles and Arris style hips to suit the hipped dormers with the curved rafters. 5) Make the segmented tiles to suit the round turret. 6) Make the custom arris style hip tiles for the octagonal tower. 7) Make the custom Arris style hip to suit the different roof pitches as well as the varying splays at the eaves. 8) Make the custom pieces to suit the swept valleys Simon broke down each section of the roof. He indented all items for each section and agreed the measure etc with the installers. This ‘Project Bible’ became an invaluable tool for the installer, our tile makers and us. We shipped some samples from the original roof to Sahtas who replicated tall the details. I was visiting factory and delayed my return to the Saturday so that the tiles coming out of the kiln late Friday night could be wrapped and packed into newly purchase suit cases. I arrived home late Saturday evening and Simon picked me up Sunday afternoon and drove us down to Greenwich for an 8 am meeting with the clients. When we unpacked the tiles they were still warm and Hilfiger signed off on the color, although his wife suggested we make them a bit darker a ‘as he has a dreadful sense of color!’ We took Vincent Liot, owner of TRM to the factory twice so that he could oversee the prototyping of all the myriad custom pieces. This was an invaluable move as he pre-approved all the pieces before they were shipped. The installation was completed and everyone was very pleased with the final outcome. The Hilfiger’s estate manager told me that a group of friends who were staying the weekend after all the work was completed were heard to ask Mr. Hilfiger ‘I thought you were having a new roof’…to which he responded ‘we did but you can’t tell, which as the plan” …perfect! In refection this is probably the most complicated roof Northern has ever had the pleasure to supply. We learned a lot of very valuable lessons but in future when we are asked how did we do it we will answer ‘that is for us to know and for you to pay for!’

In order to transform this pocket-sized 1920s kitchen into a family gathering space, we had to get creative, using the existing kitchen, dining area and enclosed porch. The process was further complicated as the home required a Historic Review due to its age and location. The new design includes subway tile and reclaimed wood, maintaining the room’s charm without compromising modern conveniences. Custom windows were designed to match the original windows, and the original kitchen area was transformed into a fully-functioning breakfast bar, with a twist. The breakfast bar now stores all the fixings the clients need to prep meals for their kids. When company comes over, they can convert it into a full-service bar. The granite-top island is the heart of the kitchen. It serves as both a prep station and the perfect gathering space with chairs. Underneath, the island offers near limitless storage for appliances. The most functional element of the kitchen is also the most loved by the clients — the dining banquette. This beautiful space features a custom bench with storage, custom period-specific windows and a reclaimed walnut tabletop. It’s the perfect place for the family to eat a cozy meal or host friends for dinner.

SOLD Beautiful Bearspaw Acreage! Very Proud to have reached a FIRM SALE on this Stunning Executive Acreage in Bearspaw! This was a special listing - it belonged to my broker who entrusted me and my colleague with the listing. An honour to say the least (and a huge responsibility)! We had very complicated negotiations (including competitive offers at one point), but finally crossed the finish line! SO HAPPY! Photo Credit To Zoon

This is a perfect example of how we work, and why our clients choose to work with us once they meet us. Kitchen remodel is not only about buying Cabinets. It’s much, much more than that. It’s finding the right people who can think on the fly/outside the box. Who can design/re-design and execute the details even when they have to make delicate and complicated decisions in the field to help keep the project on time. White solid Wood Cabinets, double crown moldings, Drawer microwave, pot filler, and large 30” undermount stainless steel sink with a tall faucet to anchor it. Bold backsplash tiles, elegant 36” professional hood, light rail moldings, pull out Drawers and organizers inside of the cabinets, LED lighting on dimmer switches all combined with new matching wood flooring made this kitchen stand out in this space. Cabinets, Countertop and design were provided by RAJ team, along with other collaborative team work between our recommended General Contractor and our client. The entire team was awesome and the project was beautifully executed!

A beautiful blend of black, gold and white combined with interesting tile patterns and complimented by Cal Faucets Tamalpais plumbing fixtures.
Small beach style gray tile and ceramic tile single-sink bathroom photo in San Diego with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white countertops and a built-in vanity

The interior design - is not easy thing. Let us take one of the key, the key secret of building interior composition - the harmonious arrangement of the living space, where everything interacts: furniture, crockery, plants, decorative fabrics and so on. All things that are selected and by which life is organized, have some sort of form. For example, the cabinet can be quite simple, in the form of a cube or a prism. Snack bar, usually consists of several parts: top, bottom, interconnecting elements (drawers, doors – this form is much more complicated. Because the buffet, as well as a bedside table, consists of two simple parts, is also similar to the prism. Two different object, but the same shape, made of the same material, the same decoration can be described as the objects of the same type. They go well together, they share a common line. Therefore, in the selection of items it is very important to determine the main form and line, the contours of objects. It is necessary to look in a furniture (bedroom or dining room), and many things will become clear. They have a common shape, they are of the same material: design of furniture is well and carefully considered. Now you have to choose the other items. Here, first should pay attention to line and shape, decor, whether there are panels, inlays, whether the object is decorated with carved or painted. Very often objects may be the same shape, but very differently decorated, whereby they are not combined with each other. You can adhere to the following principles. First option is to select all items of one and the same form with the same decoration, the same color of the same material (set). Second variant is to buy objects of the same shape but of different materials. It should focus on the items of the same decor, not to get involved in a variety of materials. For example, it will be wooden and wicker furniture, ceramic vases and lamps. Third option assumes the preferring objects of different shapes, but the same material. For example, a sofa and armchairs round, coffee table and TV stand - rectangular, lamps and floor vase - a complex shape with a wavy contour, and the material is the same everywhere - wood and glass. The fourth option is to undertake various forms of objects made of different materials - a combination difficult, but possible (it depends on the development of your taste). The main thing in all tips is to adhere to the magic number 3. It means to keep in mind that the room is acceptable not more than three kinds of shapes of objects, such as rectangle, oval, cone. In addition, no more than three decorative materials: ceramic, plaster, marble or wood, leather, brass and so on. About the Author: Vivien Smith is a blogger at custom essay writing service. She writes the articles about the design secrets of the interior.

This is a shaped handrail which serpentines around an elliptical landing and down and elliptical stairway. My head still spins when I recall the math involved getting this just right. The long runs were shaped with machines and routers, but the turnout at the bottom was all done by hand and a keen eye. To further complicate the process, the finish on it is a multi-stepped process which needed to be done in place after all the joinery was completed and faired. We did all that on temporary spindles and then enlisted the help of all the carpenters on site to lift it up in one piece and set it back down on over 150 spindles. The contractor on this project was Birdseye Building Company of Richmond, Vermont.

The roof are elements of the upper part of the structure, but they have characteristic differences. The roof can be called a supporting structure, which includes a rafter system, lathing, vapor barrier, waterproofing, insulation, roofing material, gables. Remember that roofing is complicated, with variables required for both success and longevity. Even though you will be able to identify some roofing problems, contact a professional to verify your suspicions. Goldenline Remodeling can help you determine your roofing requirements. When it comes to proper roofing in SURBITON, our professionals can help address the specific needs and variables of each job. Contact is and you can learn more about roofing services from Goldenline Remodeling.

Complicated design elements all confluence with the stairs, banisters and newel posts. They were planned in proportional relationship and are appropriate to the scale of the stairwell area. With an equal nod to both the aesthetics and function, the stair detail employs finger joints between the stair risers while the larger rectangular pegs along the length of each board contribute solid integrity to the construction design. The edges of all components are softened for touch and visual appeal. Mechanical fasteners are not employed to support the railing or stairs—here, highly engineered wooden mortise, tennons and pegs do the work. On this design point, beauty, function and Japanese influence are brought forward.

For this project, the goals were straight forward - a low energy, low maintenance home that would allow the "60 something couple” time and money to enjoy all their interests. Accessibility was also important since this is likely their last home. In the end the style is minimalist, but the raw, natural materials add texture that give the home a warm, inviting feeling. The home has R-67.5 walls, R-90 in the attic, is extremely air tight (0.4 ACH) and is oriented to work with the sun throughout the year. As a result, operating costs of the home are minimal. The HVAC systems were chosen to work efficiently, but not to be complicated. They were designed to perform to the highest standards, but be simple enough for the owners to understand and manage. The owners spend a lot of time camping and traveling and wanted the home to capture the same feeling of freedom that the outdoors offers. The spaces are practical, easy to keep clean and designed to create a free flowing space that opens up to nature beyond the large triple glazed Passive House windows. Built-in cubbies and shelving help keep everything organized and there is no wasted space in the house - Enough space for yoga, visiting family, relaxing, sculling boats and two home offices. The most frequent comment of visitors is how relaxed they feel. This is a result of the unique connection to nature, the abundance of natural materials, great air quality, and the play of light throughout the house. The exterior of the house is simple, but a striking reflection of the local farming environment. The materials are low maintenance, as is the landscaping. The siting of the home combined with the natural landscaping gives privacy and encourages the residents to feel close to local flora and fauna. Photo Credit: Leon T. Switzer/Front Page Media Group

This is what it looks like AFTER we pour a foundation and build the house. As previously mentioned, this one was complicated but you can see, the end result was dramatic.