The Lakota Residence occupies a spectacular 10-acre site in the hills above northwest Portland, Oregon. The residence consists of a main house of nearly 10,000 sf and a caretakers cottage/guest house of 1,200 sf over a shop/garage. Both have been sited to capture the four mountain Cascade panorama plus views to the city and the Columbia River gorge while maintaining an internal privacy. The buildings are set in a highly manicured and refined immediate site set within a largely forested environment complete with a variety of wildlife. Successful business people, the owners desired an elegant but "edgey" retreat that would accommodate an active social life while still functional as "mission control" for their construction materials business. There are days at a time when business is conducted from Lakota. The three-level main house has been benched into an edge of the site. Entry to the middle or main floor occurs from the south with the entry framing distant views to Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier. Conceived as a ruin upon which a modernist house has been built, the radiused and largely opaque stone wall anchors a transparent steel and glass north elevation that consumes the view. Recreational spaces and garage occupy the lower floor while the upper houses sleeping areas at the west end and office functions to the east. Obsessive with their concern for detail, the owners were involved daily on site during the construction process. Much of the interiors were sketched on site and mocked up at full scale to test formal concepts. Eight years from site selection to move in, the Lakota Residence is a project of the old school process.

Terren Landscapes http://www.terrenlandscapes.com 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Residential $60,000-$120,000 Award Level: Silver Project Description: We were contracted by the family to create a master plan for the property. They were experiencing extreme drainage and erosion problems due to the surrounding properties’ drastic grade changes. Erosion had caused the rear lawn to sink in various areas and the existing rear patio spaces were failing. The client wanted to rebuild their patios and walkways, repave their driveway and give their home more visual appeal. Most importantly, they wanted an environmentally friendly solution. Our design solution was to create a rain garden that would slow storm water runoff, allow for percolation, and promote infiltration, while permitting excess clean water to enter the storm drain at the street with slower velocity. The rain garden acts as a temporary holding space that allows the earth to slowly absorb water, rather than overwhelm the nearby storm drain. Our first objective was to conduct a percolation test to determine the amount of clay soil that needed to be removed before reaching the sandy loam layer. A percolation test and storm water calculations were generated to accommodate a 1” rain event. Based on our calculations and the small size of the property, we determined a depth of 18” was necessary for optimal holding capacity. We removed 18” of clay soil until a layer of sandy loam was encountered. Next, the soil was amended with compost and sand to create a highly porous planting media for the basin of the garden. We piped the three existing rear downspouts to the rain garden area to capture for infiltration and alleviate runoff throughout the rear lawn and patio space. We installed an 18” wide over-flow standpipe at a 24” depth into the ground that outlets to a stone swale that carries the water to the property edge. As an added means of holding the maximum amount of water, we designed the standpipe to sit 14” above grade. The height of this standpipe allows this rain garden to capture 14” of water before reaching the overflow capacity. We placed geotextile fabric to help reduce migration of the stones into the soil and aid in the prevention of weeds and erosion. We heavily planted the rain garden to further aid in absorption and to attract local wildlife. A native plant palette of butterfly weed, Panicum, Joe-Pye weed, and asters form a colorful backdrop while the basin was filled with obligate wetland plants such as royal ferns, irises and cardinal flowers. The upper edges in the foreground are planted with Echinacea, Rudbeckia and Monarda, satisfying the local bird community and adding bright seasonal colors. This garden effectively collects and cleanses rainwater while creating a habitat for birds, frogs, and butterflies. Our next challenge was to redesign the existing patios and walkways without increasing impervious surfaces. According to township regulations this property was currently at its maximum capacity, therefore we designed the front and rear patios with a slightly smaller footprint to decrease their existing impervious surfaces. New planting beds were designed throughout the entire property. Plants were chosen that were tolerant of specific site conditions. For the rear yard, we choose a backdrop of witch hazel and hollies to provide an evergreen screen as well as early spring color. We placed hydrangea throughout to add summer color. We planted ostrich fern under the existing spruce tree to create a lush floor. This area became an additional backdrop for the rain garden as well as a screen for the neighboring property. We choose a combination of ‘Blue Star’ juniper and creeping jenny to soften the existing rear wall with creepers. Around the rear patio areas we choose a combination of Liatris, Rudbeckia and ‘Lo and Behold’ butterfly bush. This combination of plants works in harmony with the rain garden and attracts additional butterflies. For the front of the property we worked with an existing Japanese maple that provided dense shade. We choose a shade-tolerant combination of Heuchera, Astilbe, ferns and hostas for this area. We added more hydrangeas to the front foundation of the house to provide lush layering of plant material and visual interest with additional summer blooms. Overall, we were able to exceed the client’s needs and expectations in transforming their property into a colorful paradise that attracts wildlife from season to season. The plant palette provides seasonal interest and the rain garden has successfully decreased storm water runoff. The new hardscape surfaces were designed and built with a slightly smaller footprint to decrease impervious surfaces. This project is a positive example of how all properties, regardless of size, can make an ecological difference by decreasing impervious surfaces and maintaining proper storm water management. Photo Credit: Terren Landscapes

We helped Miki and David successfully execute a bathroom and kitchen remodel for their Co-op in New York City. The primary objective was to enhance the sense of space, functionality, and style while keeping the project on track and on budget. To kickstart the project, Anna, the highly skilled project planner, conducted a thorough walkthrough with Miki and David. During the meeting, she captured their vision, outlined a realistic timeline, and carefully considered their budgetary restrictions. Anna made sure to grasp their aspirations of modernizing the kitchen and bathroom, aiming to elevate both the aesthetics and practicality while incorporating a bespoke design tailored to their desires. The design challenge was to modernize the outdated kitchen and bathroom while maintaining a budget-friendly approach. The clients opted for a Scandinavian style, featuring neutral olive green colors, stone, and natural wood materials. The designers explored various layouts to maximize functionality and accommodate the clients' preferences, providing Miki and David with multiple options. Eventually, the family made their design choices and felt assured as they entered the construction phase. During the building phase, the construction team completed a gut renovation of the kitchen and bathroom, replacing ceilings, walls, floors, and all fixtures. The result was a stunning custom kitchen designed in the Scandinavian style featuring matte grey-green cabinetry, natural wood open shelving, a built-in pantry and appliances, and Vivid White Quartz countertops. The combination of sage base cabinets with grey undertones and modern, natural wood structures created a neutral and earthy impression, while the smooth white wall cabinets and countertops added a sleek and airy touch to the space. The bathroom renovation encompassed a full remodel, with all fixtures being replaced. A custom-ordered vanity in a matching grey-green shade was installed, along with the Maiolica White Polished Ceramic Wall Tile and Kohler and Delta fixtures. Within a few short weeks, Miki and David's new kitchen and bathroom were transformed to align perfectly with their style and vision, while significantly enhancing functionality.

Barding building construction our goal is to exceed your expectations by providing the using quality in materials and quality, by conducting all dealings with openness and honesty, and by building your dream home of enduring beauty and lasting value. We take pride in our luxury homes built with the highest standards specially fit to meet our clients' needs. Our team we also offer building strives to capture a unique touch, while remaining faithful to the distinguished aura which many builders have abandoned. Our homes will be the foundation of your family's memories for years to come and an investment you can count on in the future. Barding Building Construction, Our Services Among the services we offer our clients are the following:- 1. Erection, construction, alteration, or repair any building or other structure, project, development, or other improvement on or to real property, or secondly 2. We Erect, construct, alter, or repair any fixed works such as waterways sewers and sewage disposal plants and systems, waterworks and water distribution systems, pipelines and other systems for the transmission liquid or waste 3. Pave surfaces separately or in connection with any of the above works or projects, or 4. Furnish and install in the property fitting and fixtures enhancing the appeal. Tel: +254 721 648 671 Cellphone: +254 731 090 239 Email: sales@bbconstruction.co.ke Website: http://www.bbconstruction.co.ke

In Merion Station, PA, we successfully completed a comprehensive home renovation project that revitalized the entire property. Our services included new framing, drywall installation, and insulation upgrades to enhance energy efficiency and comfort. We also conducted interior painting to refresh the home's appearance. The kitchen was fully remodeled with modern cabinets, brand new countertops, and high-quality appliances, creating a functional and stylish culinary space. Bathrooms were renovated with new fixtures and updated vanities. Additional upgrades encompassed new hardwood floors, updated stairs, and improvements to three fireplaces. Exterior enhancements included a new roof, landscaping, and a refreshed driveway. This renovation has significantly improved the home's aesthetic appeal and functionality in Merion Station, PA.

For quality service and trusted local roofers Fayetteville NC, don’t hesitate to reach out to The Roof Mentors! We are your local roofing company, dedicated to providing you with not only outstanding roofing service but also customer service. We are here whenever you need us to conduct a FREE roof estimate and provide you with reliable roof replacements, efficient roofing repairs, gutter installation, and completely hassle-free insurance roofing claims assistance. We believe that providing high-quality work and great customer service every time, without exception, is the key to success. Our roofing company in Fayetteville NC strives to not only build roofs but to build relationships with each homeowner. Call for a FREE estimate at (910) 708-6655!

This home office located in a Baltimore/DC suburb is the perfect place to conduct business. Behind the custom designed cabinetry is pull out drawer space for the printer and other office equipment. Also included are 4 large file drawers and plenty of shelves for books and display. Traditional detailing and rolling library ladder make the built in look like it has been part of the home for years. Photo: Larry Canner

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

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.

Photo courtesy Dan De Los Monteros - http://www.dlmphoto.com/
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional freestanding desk dark wood floor and brown floor study room remodel in Chicago with beige walls

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.

Your front door is your best defender. It protects you, your family, and your most valuable personal belongings from theft and damage. Furthermore, VDom Doors insulate your home from extreme weather conditions, as well as unwanted animals, insects, and dust from entering. This technology makes it possible to protect the front door from condensation and ice formation. A thermal break is a layer of material with low thermal conductivity. For the correct operation of the door, it must be located between the outer and inner sides of the leaf and the frame, thereby excluding the contact of the metal parts with each other. This technology prevents the door from freezing, preserving its properties and impeccable appearance for many years. The two-tone painting ofthe door leaf and the frame makes it possible to select colours separately for interior and exterior decoration, which gives the door a complete look and makes it possible to create a harmonious image in the interior and exterior. All models of this collection are made with a frame made of aluminum. The external framework and internal power framework of the frame do not touch in any way, because they are interconnected by a polyamide insert (thermal break) 18 mm thick, which guarantees maximum thermal insulation performance. The door leaf ofthis series is made of two sheets of metal 1 mm thick. A reliable two-layer design with a thermal insulation layer and expanded polystyrene filling guarantees reliability. durability, and the best indicators of heat and noise insulation of the door. Model - 6777 Cynex Color - Grey Door thickness - 3 1/4" Frame thickness - 4" Metal frame 4" thick - dimensions of the door with frame is 38" x 82". Metal threshold.Plate-type, primary lock for armoured type of steel doors, locked by 3 key turns To maintain the warranty, a canopy is required over the door.

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.

ProMaster craftsmen installed new box gutter liner inside gutters to prevent further water damage and leaks. ProMaster craftsmen also conducted wood rot repair on areas of damage around box gutters.

Designs Daly was commissioned to conduct a comprehensive remodel of the property to transform it into a highly desirable rental space. Our expert team executed a harmonious blend of contemporary, bohemian and aesthetically pleasing accents, which have been thoughtfully integrated throughout the primary residence, as well as the front and backyard patios and detached apartment. Our design approach has been formulated to meet the diverse needs of the potential occupants who are keen to reside in the vibrant environment of Ventura, CA.

In Merion Station, PA, we successfully completed a comprehensive home renovation project that revitalized the entire property. Our services included new framing, drywall installation, and insulation upgrades to enhance energy efficiency and comfort. We also conducted interior painting to refresh the home's appearance. The kitchen was fully remodeled with modern cabinets, brand new countertops, and high-quality appliances, creating a functional and stylish culinary space. Bathrooms were renovated with new fixtures and updated vanities. Additional upgrades encompassed new hardwood floors, updated stairs, and improvements to three fireplaces. Exterior enhancements included a new roof, landscaping, and a refreshed driveway. This renovation has significantly improved the home's aesthetic appeal and functionality in Merion Station, PA.

The kitchen applies a classic two-color matching scheme: bright white matte upper wall cabinets collocate with gray matte base cabinets, matched with wood-colored countertop panels and recessed under-cabinet warm light strips. The cabinet layout is customized according to the house’s L-shaped kitchen structure, with workers conducting installation calibration based on construction drawings on site to guarantee assembly precision and overall structural stability of the kitchen cabinet system.

Children’s waiting room interior design project at Princeton University. I was beyond thrilled when contacted by a team of scientists ( psychologists and neurologists ) at Princeton University. This group of professors and graduate students from the Turk-Brown Laboratory are conducting research on the infant’s brain by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (or fMRI), to see how they learn, remember and think. My job was to turn a tiny 7’x10′ windowless study room into an inviting but not too “clinical” waiting room for the mothers or fathers and siblings of the babies being studied. We needed to ensure a comfortable place for parents to rock and feed their babies while waiting their turn to go back to the laboratory, as well as a place to change the babies if needed. We wanted to stock some shelves with good books and while the room looks complete, we’re still sourcing something interactive to mount to the wall to help entertain toddlers who want something more active than reading or building blocks. Since there are no windows, I wanted to bring the outdoors inside. Princeton University‘s colors are orange, gray and black and the history behind those colors is very interesting. It seems there are a lot of squirrels on campus and these colors were selected for the three colors of squirrels often seem scampering around the university grounds. The orange squirrels are now extinct, but the gray and black squirrels are abundant, as I found when touring the campus with my son on installation day. Therefore we wanted to reflect this history in the room and decided to paint silhouettes of squirrels in these three colors throughout the room. While the ceilings are 10′ high in this tiny room, they’re very drab and boring. Given that it’s a drop ceiling, we can’t paint it a fun color as I typically do in my nurseries and kids’ rooms. To distract from the ugly ceiling, I contacted My Custom Creation through their Etsy shop and commissioned them to create a custom butterfly mobile to suspend from the ceiling to create a swath of butterflies moving across the room. Their customer service was impeccable and the end product was exactly what we wanted! The flooring in the space was simply coated concrete so I decided to use Flor carpet tiles to give it warmth and a grass-like appeal. These tiles are super easy to install and can easily be removed without any residual on the floor. I’ll be using them more often for sure! See more photos of our commercial interior design job below and contact us if you need a unique space designed for children. We don’t just design nurseries and bedrooms! We’re game for anything!

On the Upper West Side of Manhattan, a transformative renovation project was unfolding as two spacious apartments seamlessly merged into a luxurious, expansive residence. Walls came down, creating an open and flowing layout that embraced the essence of open plan living. The fusion of the two spaces allowed for the creation of a grand living area, adorned with oversized windows that bathed the rooms in natural light. The kitchen which is now a culinary haven, features state of the art appliances and a central island conductive both to cooking and entertaining. Bathrooms were reimagined into private recreates, each with its own charm. This harmonious blending of two large apartments crafted a singular, sophisticated urban dwelling that epitomized the grandeur of New York City living.