Our homeowners need a flex space and an existing cinder block garage was the perfect place. The garage was waterproofed and finished and now is fully functional as an open office space with a wet bar and a full bathroom. It is bright, airy and as private as you need it to be to conduct business on a day to day basis.

Beautiful open kitching, dining room and living room. Tile wall with floating shelves. Jennaire appliances with induction cooktop and Bluestar oven. A mix of white and stained cabinets create a warm and inviting space.

Envelop yourself in luxury! Our freestanding copper bathtubs transform ordinary bathrooms into spa-like sanctuaries. The richness of the copper coupled with its natural heat-conducting elements allow you to luxuriate in the tub longer, elevating bath time bliss and bathroom style to unprecedented levels.

Kowalske Kitchen & Bath was hired as the remodeling contractor for this first floor remodel in the countryside of Oconomowoc, WI. By opening the kitchen up to the living room, the layout is better for hosting family gatherings. The entire family can be together in the kitchen and living room – cooking or spending time together. Highlights of this country kitchen include a window seat, walk-in pantry and space for their treasured piano. Project Goals + Restore the beauty of their family home, that was built by the homeowner’s grandfather + Cooking functionality for their family farm + Add a workstation sink for easy food prep + Pantry storage space for canned items & wine collection + Design that honors the mid-century ranch bones of the house her grandfather built and their own traditional style Challenges & Issues + Needed space to highlight their piano, since the homeowner is an avid pianist + Old layout didn’t have good views of their outdoor space – the lake, gardens and chicken coop + Kitchen was too small and cut off from the rest of the home + The heat and air conditioning did not function well due to several past additions Country Kitchen Features: Cooking Kitchen – We created a larger kitchen by expanding into the old dining room. The homeowners needed more space for canning vegetables, cooking and entertaining. Mid-Century Country Design – The ranch home was built in the 1950s so we kept the mid-century and country kitchen design aesthetic by using hickory wood, tall verticals and long horizontals. Kitchen Window Seat – A custom window seat with a curved backrest creates a gathering spot in the kitchen. This connects the home to the outdoor view of the lake where the family fishes and ice skates in winter. The bench is large enough to be used as a guest bed when they have visitors. The cozy nook has shelving, art lights, and a hidden radiator underneath to keep it warm and toasty. Window Backsplash – Along the range wall, a new window backsplash features the beautiful view of the farm driveway, trees and gardens. Minimalistic Hood – The hood with the wood shelf mimics the new fireplace mantel and ties the country kitchen and living room together. New Pantry – The old kitchen area was converted into the new pantry and a laundry room. The pantry is their working kitchen where they can store food, their wine collection, and have countertop space for small appliances. Butcher block countertops, colorful wallpaper and a new window make the pantry inviting. Adjustable shelves allow for flexible storage options. The pocket door can be closed when they have guests. Recycled Ash Flooring in Kitchen – The homeowners chose an eco-friendly flooring for their country kitchen. The beautiful varied width wood planks are from recycled ash trees from Milwaukee parks. Workstation Sink – This sink has sliding platforms that hold bowls, colanders and cutting boards to multiply the countertop by going deep instead of wide. The sink can be used to chop, rinse, prep, dry dishes, hold hot dishes and clean up after a meal more efficiently. Country House Living Room: New Tile Floor – To better conduct the heat, we replaced the old wood floors with porcelain tile. New radiators, insulation, ductwork, and enclosing the basement staircase improved the function of their HVAC. Fireplace Makeover – To create a new focal point for the living room, we installed a new fire box, new mantle, and floor to ceiling stone. The goal was to draw the eye up to the vaulted beamed ceiling. Open Concept Layout – The wall between the kitchen and living room was removed to connect the two spaces. We added new cabinetry along the wall with a tall bookcase. Since they didn’t use their formal dining room, a small dining table was added to the living room. New Railing & Stairs – The staircase to the kitchen area was tricky because we needed to find a style that would make it feel airy. We did a glass enclosure with a simple metal railing and moved the staircase to the center of the room to allow room for the piano.

On this major remodel in Santa Cruz we were faced with a dilapidated Victorian built in 1904. We began by creating a complete set of building plans detailing the renovation and remodeling of the building. We added new square footage to the master bedroom, reengineered and rebuilt the back half of the structure and then completely replaced all of the plumbing and electrical services. All of our construction on the exterior was required to match the original in order to comply with the historical status of the building. This project was conducted under the new green building guidelines established by the City of Santa Cruz. We were able to recycle nearly 80% of our demolition and construction refuse. We took care to preserve and renovate the existing redwood window casings and all of the original custom heart redwood doors in the home. These were planed, sanded and refinished to both save cost and maintain the vintage warmth of the original structure. The windows were recycled and new Marvin dual pane wood windows installed in their place. The original upstairs redwood flooring was preserved and the damaged sections replaced with material salvaged from the flooring at the first story. These surfaces were sanded and finished to recreate the look of the former flooring. We were also able to save and reuse the decorative fireplace mantle from the original construction.

Envelop yourself in luxury! Our freestanding copper bathtubs transform ordinary bathrooms into spa-like sanctuaries. The richness of the copper coupled with its natural heat-conducting elements allow you to luxuriate in the tub longer, elevating bath time bliss and bathroom style to unprecedented levels.

While we may normally think of it as a mere, functional necessity, creative use of outdoor patio lights can not only give a great look to your patio but also make your summer evenings more pleasurable. Cool outdoor/patio lighting ideas can help you to get more use as well as enjoyment from your outdoor living spaces. Some of such outdoor and patio lighting ideas are presented below: Star Lit Floors: You can use fiber optic lighting to give your deck the star lit sky effect. In this type of lighting, light would travel through thin flexible cables, ending in points of light which are inserted into small holes drilled in the decking. The cables and lights are safe to use in all weather conditions since there is no electricity or heat conducted. This can also be done as a good DIY project, if you are so inclined. Lighting the Way: This type of deck lighting cannot just add safety but also help extend the deck party time. Post-mounted fixtures can provide ambient lighting and also signal the locations of the railings. You can use low-voltage LED fixtures operating on 12 volts which is much safer than the regular household level of 120 volts. Movable Deck-Standing Lighting: An over-sized floor-standing lamp that is designed for outdoor use can light up the whole deck sitting area using a 250 watts halogen lamp. This fixture can be made waterproof with an aluminum base, galvanized steel frame and a plastic shade. Stability in windy conditions can be ensured with adequate use of lead weights. String Lights: These can go up in any location including patios in order to offer versatility as well as style. String lights are easily available in many styles and sizes and the wiring does not need to be concealed, since it is a part of the fixture itself. Low-voltage (12 volts) or the regular (120 volts) lights can be used, as suitable. Although a bit expensive initially, outdoor solar powered lights can also be used which will save money in the long run, since they don't use the grid electricity. Combination Light and Ceiling Fan: Keep your covered patio cool and stylish at the same time with a combination light and ceiling fan. The fan would need a 120 volts supply so you could use that to power the light as well. The wires can easily be concealed by painting them to match with the woodwork and/or running them along the framing members. Patio Stairway Lights: As you may be aware, many municipality building codes require you to light exterior deck, patio and entrance stairways. This sensible safety measure can be achieved with easy and style using motion-activated lighting. These bright LED lights would automatically turn on when they detect motion a few feet away and then turn off after the delay of a pre-set number of seconds. They can be easily installed anywhere with the help of screws or double-sided tape. Put any of these ideas for outdoor patio lights to good use – wish you all the best.

An intimate understanding of the clients led to the immaculate renovation of this Baltimore County project by Penza Bailey Architects. After conducting a feasibility study to assist the clients in selecting the right home, the firm got to work, removing traditional trim and dated finishes to craft a contemporary retreat. In addition to cosmetic upgrades, the home received a four-foot addition to expand the living and dining rooms, now with expansive windows overlooking the new resort style pool, cabana, and complementing pool house perfect for summer gatherings or solo swims. Inside, a four-foot expansion enhances the open-concept floor plan. Contemporary finishes, like the wide plank flooring, outfit the more casual office located in the pool house and complement the main home’s aesthetic.

Country House Living Room: New Tile Floor – To better conduct the heat, we replaced the old wood floors with porcelain tile. New radiators, insulation, ductwork, and enclosing the basement staircase improved the function of their HVAC. Fireplace Makeover – To create a new focal point for the living room, we installed a new fire box, new mantle, and floor to ceiling stone. The goal was to draw the eye up to the vaulted beamed ceiling. Open Concept Layout – The wall between the kitchen and living room was removed to connect the two spaces. We added new cabinetry along the wall with a tall bookcase. Since they didn’t use their formal dining room, a small dining table was added to the living room. New Railing & Stairs – The staircase to the kitchen area was tricky because we needed to find a style that would make it feel airy. We did a glass enclosure with a simple metal railing and moved the staircase to the center of the room to allow room for the piano.

Terren Landscapes http://www.terrenlandscapes.com Project Entry: Pembrooke Estate Rain Garden 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Sustainable Landscape &60,000-$120,000 Award Level: Silver Project Description: The client contracted our company to solve multiple existing drainage problems. In a heavy rain event the existing French drain system would overflow, causing water to pool in the driveway. After investigating the system we found that the capacity of the French drain was undersized for the amount of storm water from the large rain events received in recent years. As a result of our findings and at the request of the homeowner, we designed a storm water management system to capture all storm water from the structures on the property and regenerate the underground aquifers for the volume of a 5.8” rainstorm. In addition to the new drain system, the homeowners wanted a rain garden to provide a backdrop for an existing formal garden, provide a habitat for wildlife, and provide screening from an adjacent neighbor. Throughout the design process many challenges were presented, including an existing gas line, which ran directly through the area that best suited the bioswale. The existence of the gas line caused us to alter the shape and depth of the bioswale in some areas. We also inspected the existing downspouts to make sure there were no obstructions that would impede the system’s efficiency, and then conducted a test pit dig to make sure we had sufficient percolation rates for disposal of storm water. To effectively capture the storm water runoff, the existing downspouts were piped from the main house and the large detached garage to a large catch basin located at the low point in the driveway. The driveway catch basin contains two outlet pipes at different elevations within the basin allowing water from smaller rain events to enter the bioswale and rain garden area to percolate into the soil before excess water overflows into a sediment trap which filters out any debris and is then piped to an underground StormTech® pit to slowly percolate into the ground. The other outlet pipe in the driveway catch basin is used for larger storm water events, taking the water directly to the StormTech® pit. Accepting and slowing the velocity of the storm water, mitigation of erosion, and filtering out pollutants contained in the “first flush” of rainfall are the primary functions of the bioswale and rain garden. Planting these areas with mostly native plant species helps carry out these functions while attracting and providing shelter for wildlife. The ‘Niobe’ weeping willow is the centerpiece of the rain garden, connecting with the axis of the existing formal garden. To screen the neighboring property we chose Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’ for its graceful evergreen habit and tolerance of wet sites. ‘Ivory Halo’ dogwood and Panicum ‘Cloud Nine’ were used for screening as well as winter interest. To provide deciduous structure to the garden Taxodium distichum and Magnolia virginiana were used in conjunction with witch hazel. Mostly native wetland perennials were used due to their tolerance of wet conditions and occasional drought. The area above the StormTech® pit provides space for the client’s family to relax. The rain garden and bioswale provide screening, storm water management, a habitat for wildlife, and plants that enhance the adjacent formal garden. Photo Credit: Terren Landscapes

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On this major remodel in Santa Cruz we were faced with a dilapidated Victorian built in 1904. We began by creating a complete set of building plans detailing the renovation and remodeling of the building. We added new square footage to the master bedroom, reengineered and rebuilt the back half of the structure and then completely replaced all of the plumbing and electrical services. All of our construction on the exterior was required to match the original in order to comply with the historical status of the building. This project was conducted under the new green building guidelines established by the City of Santa Cruz. We were able to recycle nearly 80% of our demolition and construction refuse. We took care to preserve and renovate the existing redwood window casings and all of the original custom heart redwood doors in the home. These were planed, sanded and refinished to both save cost and maintain the vintage warmth of the original structure. The windows were recycled and new Marvin dual pane wood windows installed in their place. The original upstairs redwood flooring was preserved and the damaged sections replaced with material salvaged from the flooring at the first story. These surfaces were sanded and finished to recreate the look of the former flooring. We were also able to save and reuse the decorative fireplace mantle from the original construction.

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Omaha

Envelop yourself in luxury! Our freestanding copper bath tubs transform ordinary bathrooms into spa-like sanctuaries. The richness of the copper coupled with its natural heat conducting elements allow you to luxuriate in the tub longer, elevating bath time bliss and bathroom style to unprecedented levels.

Envelop yourself in luxury! Our freestanding copper bathtubs transform ordinary bathrooms into spa-like sanctuaries. The richness of the copper coupled with its natural heat-conducting elements allow you to luxuriate in the tub longer, elevating bath time bliss and bathroom style to unprecedented levels.

The built-in StarMark desk with Alder Venice doors in Hazelnut offers plenty of open and closed storage in this office/study and is an inviting area for conducting business, or for kids doing homework.

A master suite was added onto this idyllic farmhouse located in Fountain Inn, SC near Greenville. The addition provided a master suite on the main level of the home with a vaulted master bedroom with clerestory dormer windows, vaulted master bathroom with a central freestanding tub set in a framed alcove in front of a gorgeous picture window and crowned with a shimmering chandelier. An oversized marble tile shower with glass enclosure, tile niches and a bench seat flanks the tub on one side and is opposite and enclosed water closet with transom lites. Separate sink vanities allow for comfort and a seated make-up vanity is perfectly placed at the window for natural lighting. The hall leading to the master bathroom retreat is flanked by separate walk-in closets and has recessed pocket doors with transom lites. The suite has it's own vestibule providing the perfect transition area and access to the new study and half bath. The study was once part of a wrap-around porch and still benefits from the existing stone veneer chimney that was intentionally left exposed. The vaulted, yet intimate space is perfect for relaxing, reading, watching tv and conducting business. A paneled trophy wall adorns the wall opposite the stone chimney and provides a home for hunting trophies and cherished works of art. The powder room has a beautiful rustic barn door with circular saw marks and forged door hardware. A decorative open vanity with vessel sink and beaded chandelier add character and class. Kimberly Kerl, Kustom Home Design

When it comes time to sell your home or retail space, custom millwork will improve the value and attract more buyers. If the cabinets in your kitchen are run down, outdated, or bland, potential customers will view that as a project they will have to conduct after the purchase. Custom Millwork could entice them to choose a house that would not require as much updating and may even cause them to extend an offer below what you are hoping to receive for your home. The kitchen and bathrooms are two key spaces that buyers seek out and directly affect the value of your home. When these areas are visually appealing and customized, it will greatly benefit you when it comes time to sell your home or other space.

[Product name] Rugs Model: ST asphalt bottom Packing: 6㎡ / box Material: PP Weight: 30 kg / box Specifications: 500mm * 500mm Performance: conventional fire retardant, sound absorption, abrasion, laying simple, easy wiring, nice Scope: not only for advanced office buildings, science parks, factories and other places, but also in the airport terminal, restaurant, boat dock waiting halls, railway stations, supermarkets, hospitals, schools, nursing homes, nurseries, theaters, family and other places are commonly used. Construction: using composite materials for asphalt bottom liner, carpet surface for polypropylene, flexible, dimensionally stable, to leave the border, no edges, comfortable, and environmental requirements of the test indicators attached with international standards, and is the interior the ideal product. Advantages: between the box stitching intact, conducted bacteria, pollution treatment, flame retardant, wear, noise insulation, antistatic, flameproof and other high quality, thermal insulation, sound-absorbing effect is good, in heat and cold weather environment no distortion, no cracking; compared with ordinary carpet, carpet tile backing composite water resistance, resistance to moisture, corrosion; and the use of dope dyed ensure lasting bright colors. http://www.hengdecarpet.com/prodinfo.asp?pid=279