A couple relocating to Lisbon found a property in a recently upgraded building with open layouts and modernized features. Our studio was entrusted to bring elegant comfort to the interior with carefully curated, custom-designed furniture and decor. From a blank canvas, the home was enlivened with walnut furnishings by Portuguese producers, warm-hued textiles in botanical motifs, and accents of delicate brass lighting. The entryway leads toward a spacious living room, where hand-woven rugs delineate areas for different activities. The first features a dining collection with upholstered shell chairs that comfortably envelop end-of-evening conversation. Midway, a daybed and display shelving system nestled under the lowered ceiling offer an intimate, yet versatile space. Stepping into the lounge, theatrical curtains reveal the pastel medley of Lisbon’s built landscape, the river, and hills in the distance. The dialogue of the room continues around a multi-tiered center table and featherweight pendant: a Brazilian modernist armchair faces a bespoke tufted-leather sofa, its throw cushions tailored to the palette of the media cabinet. Outside, the balcony’s slate lacquered dining set caters to convivial meals. Private appreciation is found in a pair of leisurely chairs adjacent to the bedroom, with a side table quoting the terracotta background. The main suite is endued with a crafted spindle bed dressed in deep blue linens and a lively made-to-measure embroidered bedspread. White Estremoz marble nightstands were designed to organize reading material and provide cable management. Circular ceramic lamps and bedside tables complement an ample upholstered bed to accommodate guests, and a floating console offers a discreet solution for remote meetings.

A couple relocating to Lisbon found a property in a recently upgraded building with open layouts and modernized features. Our studio was entrusted to bring elegant comfort to the interior with carefully curated, custom-designed furniture and decor. From a blank canvas, the home was enlivened with walnut furnishings by Portuguese producers, warm-hued textiles in botanical motifs, and accents of delicate brass lighting. The entryway leads toward a spacious living room, where hand-woven rugs delineate areas for different activities. The first features a dining collection with upholstered shell chairs that comfortably envelop end-of-evening conversation. Midway, a daybed and display shelving system nestled under the lowered ceiling offer an intimate, yet versatile space. Stepping into the lounge, theatrical curtains reveal the pastel medley of Lisbon’s built landscape, the river, and hills in the distance. The dialogue of the room continues around a multi-tiered center table and featherweight pendant: a Brazilian modernist armchair faces a bespoke tufted-leather sofa, its throw cushions tailored to the palette of the media cabinet. Outside, the balcony’s slate lacquered dining set caters to convivial meals. Private appreciation is found in a pair of leisurely chairs adjacent to the bedroom, with a side table quoting the terracotta background. The main suite is endued with a crafted spindle bed dressed in deep blue linens and a lively made-to-measure embroidered bedspread. White Estremoz marble nightstands were designed to organize reading material and provide cable management. Circular ceramic lamps and bedside tables complement an ample upholstered bed to accommodate guests, and a floating console offers a discreet solution for remote meetings.

A couple relocating to Lisbon found a property in a recently upgraded building with open layouts and modernized features. Our studio was entrusted to bring elegant comfort to the interior with carefully curated, custom-designed furniture and decor. From a blank canvas, the home was enlivened with walnut furnishings by Portuguese producers, warm-hued textiles in botanical motifs, and accents of delicate brass lighting. The entryway leads toward a spacious living room, where hand-woven rugs delineate areas for different activities. The first features a dining collection with upholstered shell chairs that comfortably envelop end-of-evening conversation. Midway, a daybed and display shelving system nestled under the lowered ceiling offer an intimate, yet versatile space. Stepping into the lounge, theatrical curtains reveal the pastel medley of Lisbon’s built landscape, the river, and hills in the distance. The dialogue of the room continues around a multi-tiered center table and featherweight pendant: a Brazilian modernist armchair faces a bespoke tufted-leather sofa, its throw cushions tailored to the palette of the media cabinet. Outside, the balcony’s slate lacquered dining set caters to convivial meals. Private appreciation is found in a pair of leisurely chairs adjacent to the bedroom, with a side table quoting the terracotta background. The main suite is endued with a crafted spindle bed dressed in deep blue linens and a lively made-to-measure embroidered bedspread. White Estremoz marble nightstands were designed to organize reading material and provide cable management. Circular ceramic lamps and bedside tables complement an ample upholstered bed to accommodate guests, and a floating console offers a discreet solution for remote meetings.

A couple relocating to Lisbon found a property in a recently upgraded building with open layouts and modernized features. Our studio was entrusted to bring elegant comfort to the interior with carefully curated, custom-designed furniture and decor. From a blank canvas, the home was enlivened with walnut furnishings by Portuguese producers, warm-hued textiles in botanical motifs, and accents of delicate brass lighting. The entryway leads toward a spacious living room, where hand-woven rugs delineate areas for different activities. The first features a dining collection with upholstered shell chairs that comfortably envelop end-of-evening conversation. Midway, a daybed and display shelving system nestled under the lowered ceiling offer an intimate, yet versatile space. Stepping into the lounge, theatrical curtains reveal the pastel medley of Lisbon’s built landscape, the river, and hills in the distance. The dialogue of the room continues around a multi-tiered center table and featherweight pendant: a Brazilian modernist armchair faces a bespoke tufted-leather sofa, its throw cushions tailored to the palette of the media cabinet. Outside, the balcony’s slate lacquered dining set caters to convivial meals. Private appreciation is found in a pair of leisurely chairs adjacent to the bedroom, with a side table quoting the terracotta background. The main suite is endued with a crafted spindle bed dressed in deep blue linens and a lively made-to-measure embroidered bedspread. White Estremoz marble nightstands were designed to organize reading material and provide cable management. Circular ceramic lamps and bedside tables complement an ample upholstered bed to accommodate guests, and a floating console offers a discreet solution for remote meetings.

A couple relocating to Lisbon found a property in a recently upgraded building with open layouts and modernized features. Our studio was entrusted to bring elegant comfort to the interior with carefully curated, custom-designed furniture and decor. From a blank canvas, the home was enlivened with walnut furnishings by Portuguese producers, warm-hued textiles in botanical motifs, and accents of delicate brass lighting. The entryway leads toward a spacious living room, where hand-woven rugs delineate areas for different activities. The first features a dining collection with upholstered shell chairs that comfortably envelop end-of-evening conversation. Midway, a daybed and display shelving system nestled under the lowered ceiling offer an intimate, yet versatile space. Stepping into the lounge, theatrical curtains reveal the pastel medley of Lisbon’s built landscape, the river, and hills in the distance. The dialogue of the room continues around a multi-tiered center table and featherweight pendant: a Brazilian modernist armchair faces a bespoke tufted-leather sofa, its throw cushions tailored to the palette of the media cabinet. Outside, the balcony’s slate lacquered dining set caters to convivial meals. Private appreciation is found in a pair of leisurely chairs adjacent to the bedroom, with a side table quoting the terracotta background. The main suite is endued with a crafted spindle bed dressed in deep blue linens and a lively made-to-measure embroidered bedspread. White Estremoz marble nightstands were designed to organize reading material and provide cable management. Circular ceramic lamps and bedside tables complement an ample upholstered bed to accommodate guests, and a floating console offers a discreet solution for remote meetings.

A couple relocating to Lisbon found a property in a recently upgraded building with open layouts and modernized features. Our studio was entrusted to bring elegant comfort to the interior with carefully curated, custom-designed furniture and decor. From a blank canvas, the home was enlivened with walnut furnishings by Portuguese producers, warm-hued textiles in botanical motifs, and accents of delicate brass lighting. The entryway leads toward a spacious living room, where hand-woven rugs delineate areas for different activities. The first features a dining collection with upholstered shell chairs that comfortably envelop end-of-evening conversation. Midway, a daybed and display shelving system nestled under the lowered ceiling offer an intimate, yet versatile space. Stepping into the lounge, theatrical curtains reveal the pastel medley of Lisbon’s built landscape, the river, and hills in the distance. The dialogue of the room continues around a multi-tiered center table and featherweight pendant: a Brazilian modernist armchair faces a bespoke tufted-leather sofa, its throw cushions tailored to the palette of the media cabinet. Outside, the balcony’s slate lacquered dining set caters to convivial meals. Private appreciation is found in a pair of leisurely chairs adjacent to the bedroom, with a side table quoting the terracotta background. The main suite is endued with a crafted spindle bed dressed in deep blue linens and a lively made-to-measure embroidered bedspread. White Estremoz marble nightstands were designed to organize reading material and provide cable management. Circular ceramic lamps and bedside tables complement an ample upholstered bed to accommodate guests, and a floating console offers a discreet solution for remote meetings.

A couple relocating to Lisbon found a property in a recently upgraded building with open layouts and modernized features. Our studio was entrusted to bring elegant comfort to the interior with carefully curated, custom-designed furniture and decor. From a blank canvas, the home was enlivened with walnut furnishings by Portuguese producers, warm-hued textiles in botanical motifs, and accents of delicate brass lighting. The entryway leads toward a spacious living room, where hand-woven rugs delineate areas for different activities. The first features a dining collection with upholstered shell chairs that comfortably envelop end-of-evening conversation. Midway, a daybed and display shelving system nestled under the lowered ceiling offer an intimate, yet versatile space. Stepping into the lounge, theatrical curtains reveal the pastel medley of Lisbon’s built landscape, the river, and hills in the distance. The dialogue of the room continues around a multi-tiered center table and featherweight pendant: a Brazilian modernist armchair faces a bespoke tufted-leather sofa, its throw cushions tailored to the palette of the media cabinet. Outside, the balcony’s slate lacquered dining set caters to convivial meals. Private appreciation is found in a pair of leisurely chairs adjacent to the bedroom, with a side table quoting the terracotta background. The main suite is endued with a crafted spindle bed dressed in deep blue linens and a lively made-to-measure embroidered bedspread. White Estremoz marble nightstands were designed to organize reading material and provide cable management. Circular ceramic lamps and bedside tables complement an ample upholstered bed to accommodate guests, and a floating console offers a discreet solution for remote meetings.

A couple relocating to Lisbon found a property in a recently upgraded building with open layouts and modernized features. Our studio was entrusted to bring elegant comfort to the interior with carefully curated, custom-designed furniture and decor. From a blank canvas, the home was enlivened with walnut furnishings by Portuguese producers, warm-hued textiles in botanical motifs, and accents of delicate brass lighting. The entryway leads toward a spacious living room, where hand-woven rugs delineate areas for different activities. The first features a dining collection with upholstered shell chairs that comfortably envelop end-of-evening conversation. Midway, a daybed and display shelving system nestled under the lowered ceiling offer an intimate, yet versatile space. Stepping into the lounge, theatrical curtains reveal the pastel medley of Lisbon’s built landscape, the river, and hills in the distance. The dialogue of the room continues around a multi-tiered center table and featherweight pendant: a Brazilian modernist armchair faces a bespoke tufted-leather sofa, its throw cushions tailored to the palette of the media cabinet. Outside, the balcony’s slate lacquered dining set caters to convivial meals. Private appreciation is found in a pair of leisurely chairs adjacent to the bedroom, with a side table quoting the terracotta background. The main suite is endued with a crafted spindle bed dressed in deep blue linens and a lively made-to-measure embroidered bedspread. White Estremoz marble nightstands were designed to organize reading material and provide cable management. Circular ceramic lamps and bedside tables complement an ample upholstered bed to accommodate guests, and a floating console offers a discreet solution for remote meetings.

Nick Smith
Home design - traditional home design idea in London

This previously unused attic space is now a sauna/yoga room. The left sauna wall follows the attic rafters down diagonally to allow a wider space for leg room on the twin sauna benches.

Travis Mark
Inspiration for a contemporary straight staircase remodel in New York

Design Consultant Jeff Doubét is the author of Creating Spanish Style Homes: Before & After – Techniques – Designs – Insights. The 240 page “Design Consultation in a Book” is now available. Please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com for more info. Jeff Doubét specializes in Santa Barbara style home and landscape designs. To learn more info about the variety of custom design services I offer, please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com Jeff Doubét is the Founder of Santa Barbara Home Design - a design studio based in Santa Barbara, California USA.

Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in New Orleans.

Gorgeous master bath finished with Dal-Tile's Fabrique porcelain tile in the color Noir Linen polished. Tile size is 12"x24" installed in a brick joint pattern. The floor boasts underfloor heating on a timed thermostat.

"Elegant Detail: A close-up view of the pristine white tiled edge of the raised spa, highlighting the meticulous craftsmanship and modern design. The clear, deep blue water enhances the geometric precision and clean lines, creating a visually stunning contrast."

The new owners were looking forward to living in their new home with an open floor plan, tall vaulted ceilings, and great views. It featured a large Great Room with two big French Doors separating the Dining Room from the Master Bedroom. But after only a few months they identified a major design flaw: Each of the French Doors had ten glass windows with two large windows above each door. (Check out our before and after designs, traffic flow diagrams and photos of this project.) Glass windows and doors allowed sound and light from guests or the TV in the great room to easily sneak into the bedroom. With unique work and sleep schedules (he’s a pilot, she’s a registered nurse) this design wasn’t working. Then there was a traffic flow design flaw: The Master Bedroom had a second entrance from a hallway. To get into the bedroom from the hallway you needed to walk down another claustrophobic hallway. To get from the Master Bedroom to the Master Bath begin at the most remote corner of the bedroom and down a hallway between two closets. Once inside the bath, a huge triangular Jacuzzi dominating the space. So, from a privacy and traffic flow perspective, this home had some major design issues. When Craig Weber first met with the owners, he listened to their ideas and concerns. The owners trusted Craig to come up with the most efficient and most effective solution to this design dilemma. He offered a solution that resolved the bed-bath traffic flow problem, offered some bedroom room privacy, and updated the bath. First, the two French Doors and windows were removed. A new wall was built with sound-absorbing materials, making the Great Room and Dining Room more comfortable spaces for entertaining while creating the bedroom privacy the owners craved. Solving the Bedroom/Bath traffic flow problem began with removing the two existing closets. The bath door was relocated next to the hall entrance, and then a new walk-in closet was added adjacent to the hallway entrance. The solution offered easy access to and from the bath, closet and hallway without a hint of claustrophobia. The Master Bath underwent a major transformation designed for convenience and comfort – especially during long, cold Minnesota winters. Most everything from the former bath was torn out, beginning with the giant Jacuzzi. A new bathtub that is wider and deeper than the standard size was installed with brushed Nickel fixtures. It’s the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine and candles. Warm floors are a Minnesota “must have.” The bath’s new ceramic floor features in-floor electric heat. Getting in and out of the tub is easy and comfortable. The new walk-in shower again features in-floor heating and a place to sit. The most interesting feature of this shower may the custom ceramic tile installed with unique patterns. A new vanity Cambria Bradshaw countertops features two under-hung ceramic sinks with matching brushed Nickel fixtures. Tall ceilings and three glass windows near the ceiling flood the room with natural light. A new energy-efficient window frames an ornamental stained glass window created by the owner’s father – a great personal touch. A quiet place to sleep. A private dining room for entertaining. A Master Bath to die for. And easy traffic flow. The owners couldn’t have been more delighted with the outcome. And Lilly, their cat, loves it too.

Example of a small classic 3/4 white tile and stone tile mosaic tile floor alcove shower design in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartzite countertops, a two-piece toilet and gray walls

Does your iron fence look like Chicago winters have been winning the battle for years? That slow orange spread across pickets and rails is not just an eyesore - it is active corrosion undermining the structural integrity of metalwork that frames some of Chicago's most architecturally significant residential properties. Windy City Painters addresses iron fence rust at the source, using professional-grade rust conversion chemistry and direct-to-metal coatings engineered for the specific abuse Chicago's climate delivers. PROJECT OVERVIEW This project involved a heavily rusted ornamental iron fence on a Chicago North Side residential property. Rust had progressed beyond surface oxidation into moderate pitting on lower rails, a pattern Windy City Painters sees frequently on properties within blocks of treated roadways where salt drift accelerates corrosion. The scope included mechanical descaling, chemical rust conversion, DTM priming, and a durable gloss topcoat matched to the original fence color. MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS Ospho Rust Converter: A phosphoric acid-based treatment that chemically reacts with iron oxide, converting it to iron phosphate - a stable, paintable compound. Corroseal Water-Based Rust Converter is an alternative for situations requiring lower VOC handling. Rust-Oleum Professional DTM Primer and Sherwin-Williams DTM Acrylic Coating serve as the primary coating system, formulated for direct metal adhesion with built-in rust inhibitors. For structurally compromised sections, welding is coordinated before any chemical or coating work begins. THE PROCESS Step 1 - Mechanical Preparation: Wire wheel grinding on an angle grinder removes loose rust scale, mill scale, and flaking paint. For advanced pitting, Windy City Painters deploys a needle gun descaler, which impacts the metal surface thousands of times per minute to drive scale from deep cavities. This step determines whether the fence can be coated or needs welding first. Step 2 - Chemical Rust Conversion: Ospho or Corroseal is brushed onto all remaining rust surface. These products do not simply seal rust - they react with it. The conversion process takes 24 hours to fully cure before topcoating. Skipping this step is the single most common reason iron fence paint jobs fail prematurely. Step 3 - DTM Priming: Sherwin-Williams DTM or Rust-Oleum DTM primer is applied by brush to ensure full penetration around decorative elements, picket tips, and weld joints. Spray application is used on open sections for even film build. DTM formulations bond directly to prepared metal without a separate shop primer. Step 4 - Finish Coating: A DTM topcoat in gloss or semi-gloss provides the final weather barrier. Gloss is preferred for iron fencing because the harder surface sheds water more effectively and resists dirt adhesion between maintenance cycles. Windy City Painters applies two finish coats for maximum film thickness. CHICAGO-SPECIFIC CHALLENGES Chicago's freeze-thaw cycle is the primary enemy of iron fence coatings. Water infiltrates micro-cracks in paint film, freezes, expands, and delaminate coating from beneath. Properties on the North Side and Near West Side also contend with lake-effect humidity that keeps metal surfaces damp for extended periods, slowing cure times and promoting under-film corrosion if preparation is inadequate. Greystones and Victorian brownstones typically feature ornate cast iron or wrought iron fencing with complex geometries that trap moisture and demand hand-brush application to fully coat recesses. WHAT TO EXPECT LONG-TERM A properly prepared and coated iron fence in Chicago should hold 5-8 years before requiring recoating. Annual inspection of weld joints, picket tips, and base rails closest to grade will identify early rust return. Addressing small spots with touch-up converter and primer extends service life significantly between full recoats. PRO TIPS Tip 1: Never pressure wash a rusted iron fence immediately before painting. Water drives moisture into pits and delays the surface drying needed for chemical converter adhesion. Allow 48 hours of dry weather before prep begins. Tip 2: Picket tips and rail ends are the first failure points. These end-grain equivalent areas on metal concentrate corrosion. Ask your painter to apply an extra brush coat to every tip and terminus. Tip 3: Black is the traditional and most durable color choice for iron fencing. Dark pigments absorb UV rather than reflecting it, reducing thermal cycling stress on the paint film at color change boundaries. FAQ Q: What does iron fence painting cost in Chicago? A: Most residential iron fence painting in Chicago ranges from $400 to $1,200 depending on linear footage, rust severity, prep method required, and whether structural welding is needed before Windy City Painters can coat the surface. Q: How do I know if my fence needs a welder before painting? A: If you can press a screwdriver through a rail or picket, the metal wall has failed. Windy City Painters inspects all fencing before quoting and identifies weld-required sections so repairs happen before any coating investment. Q: Is Ospho or Corroseal better for my fence? A: Both convert rust effectively. Ospho is solvent-based and fast-acting, preferred for heavy rust. Corroseal is water-based with lower odor, preferred in enclosed or residential settings where off-gassing is a concern. Windy City Painters selects based on site conditions. Q: Can iron fence painting be done in winter in Chicago? A: Application requires temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit for DTM coatings to cure properly. Most iron fence painting in Chicago runs April through October, with scheduling flexibility based on extended warm stretches. Q: How do I maintain my fence between professional recoats? A: Inspect annually in spring. Sand any rust spots to bare metal with 80-grit paper, apply Ospho, let cure 24 hours, then spot-prime with DTM primer and touch up with finish coat. Windy City Painters offers maintenance inspections. Q: Do you paint courtyard building fences and coach house gates? A: Yes. Multi-unit courtyard buildings and coach houses are common in the North Side neighborhoods Windy City Painters serves. We coordinate with property managers and HOAs for larger perimeter fence projects. Q: How long after painting can I touch the fence? A: DTM coatings are typically dry to touch in 2-4 hours and hard dry in 24 hours. Full cure for maximum hardness takes 7 days. Windy City Painters advises against pressure washing or heavy contact during that cure window. Visit windypainters.com to request your free iron fence assessment and project quote.

Exterior, brick, lime, limewash, painted brick, architectural finish