A combination of modern and classic Mid-Century designs, Milan Bed features frame in black lacquer finish, and wide headboard in white tufted leatherette. Built with plantation grown solid wood (no rainforests are harmed). The unique casegoods with "block" design are also available. from thefurnituretoday.com

POWDER BATHROOM Matrix Photography
Example of a trendy bathroom design in Dallas

Measuring 118” x 59” x 6mm, Calacatta ThinSlab Porcelain marble-look slabs are ideal for residential and commercial installations – kitchen counters, vanity tops, shower surrounds and floor & wall applications. Unlike natural marble, ThinSlab Porcelain does not require sealing and will retain its polished or honed finish under all types of high-use conditions.

Twist Tours
Entryway - large modern ceramic tile and white floor entryway idea in Austin with white walls and a light wood front door

http://www.pickellbuilders.com. Photography by Linda Oyama Bryan. Custom Couture Master Closet with Glass Shoes Display Shelving, tufted leather bench seating and diagonal hardwood flooring.

Paul Despenas: Since 1995 Midwest Construction has been offering insulated vinyl siding, because we believed in the product in many ways. Vinyl siding has come a long way since I (Paul Despenas – VP Marketing) installed the companies 1st job in 1982. The product was Alside D-5 Endura Supreme. I drove by the job 6 years later and it was still on the house, wall lines looked good, but the color had faded from nice Beige to a dirty white. Manufacturers stepped up to the plate and added the right blends of vinyl resins, the addition of color stabilizers, thicker and better material, and the best improvement to vinyl siding was to add laminated foam behind it for strength and energy savings. Well here is some documented proof to what we have been saying for years, Your new American Classic Insulated Siding will save energy and maintenance over fiber cement siding. NYSERDA HOME VINYL SIDING INSTITUTE STUDY NYSERDA Home- In a new study, Insulated Vinyl Siding (Fullback® siding insulation laminated to vinyl siding) proved to outperform fiber cement in multiple categories. The Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI) recently commissioned a study to evaluate the environmental performance of Fullback® Insulated Siding. The Vinyl Siding Institute study was conducted by Newport Ventures, a research and consulting firm with expertise in the housing industry. Two high-performance homes were built to comply with the rigorous goals of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's (NYSERDA) High Performance Residential Development Challenge, one in Saratoga Springs, NY and one in Burnt Hills, NY. The challenge was conceived to educate home builders on construction of cost-effective, high performance homes designed to achieve 50-60% energy savings above that of typical homes built to New York's stringent energy code. In achieving this goal, both builders involved in the challenge showed preferences for systems that offered both energy savings and affordability. Fullback® Insulated Siding was specified by both builders as a system to help them achieve energy conservation and LEED for Homes. Fullback V Siding Comparison BURNT HILLS, NY: Researchers performed a side-by-side field test on the Burnt Hills home to compare Fullback® Insulated Siding against uninsulated fiber cement. This Vinyl Siding Institute study was conducted during the winter on a two story colonial built by Stewart Construction. The thermal imaging clearly indicated that there was less heat loss from the home to the outdoors with the Fullback® Insulated Siding compared to the fiber cement. The exterior surface temperature of the Fullback® Insulated Siding section of the wall was considerably colder, indicating that there was more thermal bridging (heat loss) with the fiber cement product. SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY: In the case of the Saratoga Springs home, the LEED case study found that environmental performance and visual appeal can go hand-in-hand through the use of Fullback® Insulated Siding. This home became the first home in New York's capital region to achieve LEED for Homes' Gold Rating. Sixty eight percent of visitors to the home found the siding to be "very attractive" while 95% agreed that the visual appeal of the Fullback® Insulated Siding was "better than average". Overall, the study provides documentation that insulated vinyl siding can outperform exterior cladding alternatives on environmental issues while at the same time remaining aesthetically pleasing. Midwest Construction Qualified Remodeler Magazine Big 50 inductee and Top 500 remodeler's has won the Better Business Bureau Integrity Award 2 times.(1999 & 2015) Quality Products & Quality Installation is our motto since 1958 and we still live up to that today by delivering the best home improvement products in our industry. Backing those products up with top notch installation crews with all of the certifications and water management techniques to give you the home owner some peace of mind and comfort knowing your products will save you energy and maintenance for years to come. Midwest Construction is also a Progressive Foam Preferred Platinum Contractor which gives you the home owner, extra benefits, Lifetime warranty on the thermal performance of the insulation and a 10 year labor warranty from Progressive foam including our American Classic Insulated Vinyl siding lifetime warranty with lifetime non fade protection.

Inspiration for a modern home design remodel in Los Angeles

Hearthstone Heritage wood stove featured here in Matte Black. Also available in Brown Enamel, Black Enamel and Seafoam Enamel. Soapstone firebox provides an enduring 12 hours of heat life for up to a 1900 sq ft home. Oven-style side door helps keep ashes in the firebox better. Each stove is individually signed by the person who built it. Made in the USA. Cost: $2899

We installed Milgard Ultra Series dual pane fiberglass windows on this custom 1920s vintage home in Chino Hills, CA. They are tempered for a fire hazard severity zone.

Reference: BB513-2EWC-US Model: CARRARA Color: White Gray Carrara Shape: rectangular Finish: polished US Dimensions: 27.5" x 19.7" x 2.40" EU Dimensions: 70x50x6cm US Drain size: standard hole size (1.5") Faucet hole size: 1.38" - 35mm Shipping: CA=$39 - NY=$79 - FL=$73 - IL=$51... Weight: 88 lbs - 40 Kgs Material: Carrara marble grade A Rectangular Natural stone bathroom sink CARRARA - 27.5" x 19.7" x 2.40"- is a genuine interior DECO White marble. The "Exceptional" cut in the block without any comparison with plastic and other chemical resin market often unaffordable. You will definitely not let anyone feel indifferent with this 100% natural stone unique in the US and exclusively available on Living'ROC.net. The outstanding opportunity to make your world unique! Add great value to your home by installing LivingRoc's Creations and tell your stone story through the years of conception. Its Zen-style, pure and sleek lines will give a cool and chic look to your trendy bathroom. Made from a superb block of Carrara White Marble this bathroom vessel sink will delight lovers of beautiful work, looking for rare, products. Add value to your home by transforming your bathroom into an oasis of elegance, calm, and tranquillity. Discover the well-being and the restful feeling our creation can offer you. CARRARA is one of the most fashionable in our bathrooms range. The very popular Carrara marble is dominant in strength of great value and authentic in look and feel. Our creation is delivered without an overflow drain and faucet (not included) - every US drains and faucets models you can find on the market will fit perfectly on Living'ROC vessel sink. This model is ready to use over the countertop. The photos you see online have been taken with extreme care by our Founder CEO - Florent LEPVREAU, because without them we would not be one of the natural stone business key player of the online European continent. Once you have encountered the product in your home you will always have pure happiness for the love of the materials. It will be beyond your expectations because what you see online at livingroc.net is what you will receive. This is why we always guarantee a degree of quality (Grade A) and impeccable finish as can attest with the reviews filed by our customers. We also draw your attention to the fact that veining, misprints and other variations of colors (often on marble and onyx) and various stone particularities make all the charm of the stone and distinguish it from non-natural materials! Simply our living'ROC style.

Example of a classic l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen design in Wichita with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

A view from the back door toward the front door. Next to the refrigerator the tall dark cabinets house a stacked washer and dryer. Between and beyond the pendants you can see the angled wall that opens the living room area. photo by M.B.

Manganese Ironspot

Photo: Kayla Stark © 2016 Houzz
Trendy kitchen photo in New Orleans

Custom Surface Solutions (www.css-tile.com) - Owner Craig Thompson (512) 430-1215. This project shows a remodeled bathroom with 16" x 32" porcelain Crema Marfil wall and 8" x 32" floor tile. Linear mosaic stone and glass accent tile. Multiple shower niches including two in shower and one at lowered height near tub with linear glass and stone accent tile back. Natural color pebble shower floor tile. White Reef granite vanity counters, shower floor curb and seat, ledge at tub and window sill. Kohler free standing cast iron tub. Kohler polished nickel shower, tub and vanity plumbing fixtures with Kohler Ladena rectangular under mount sinks. Factory Builder Store custom 10 ft vanity with center tower cabinet. Metal framed vanity mirrors with nickel plated 3-wall light and matching left / right sconce lighting.

Completely renovated gourmet kitchen and butters pantry in Rancho Santa Fe fit with all custom quarter-sawn white oak cabinetry designed with the lines of antique furniture as the inspiration paired with the modernism of matte black forged iron cabinetry and iron lattice grate features, sexy ribbed finial one-of-a-kind legs for the island, Calacata Michaelangelo marble on all surfaces including backsplashes, sink front and pair of drawer fronts flanking the Wolf cooktop. In addition to the cabinetry, the round custom butcher block cabinet, quilted millwork and hand forged ironworks, the brass cabinetry hardware pulls and knobs, swivel barstools, both iron pendants with black linen fabric lined in gold silk shades over the island and the three iron and wood light sconces placed high above the sink window were also designed and made in my custom work rooms south of the border which allowed for us to create and exceptional one-of-a-kind design AND high-end quality product for our client at a fraction of the cost in comparison as to if this design had been produced in Southern California. Wolf Appliances (cooktop, double ovens and convection steam oven) Miele Appliances (coffee maker & dishwashers) Viking Appliances (hood liner) Subzero (intergrated fridge) Waterstone (faucet suite)

Top Tips for Selling a Home in 2016 Want to sell your house in 2016? It’s a great year to sell your home and if you go about it the right way you’ll get what it’s worth and maybe more. Now I could write this post and do the usual “do this, “do that” type stuff but I wouldn’t be doing you any favors. Because unless you know your numbers and the value of your home, you could wind up leaving money on the table or even losing it. So here you go. If you want tips for selling your house in 2016, listen to me - a guy who has bought and sold hundreds of properties as a full-time professional Real Estate Investor. Before you repair anything or call a real estate agent… ...you have to know your numbers. Tip #1: Know the After Repair Value (ARV) of Your Home If you’re going to get the right amount of money for your house, you have to know the After Repair Value (ARV). Essentially this means that you should know what your home can sell for after it’s is 100% rehabbed. If you have a house that you can sell for $120,000, you need to know that. If it will sell for $350,000, you need to know what you need to do to your house to get it there. At the same time, you don’t want to overdo it. If you have a house that’s currently worth $100,000 as is and it can sell for $115,000 when it’s all fixed up, you may or may not want to put the money into a rehab job. If you put $10,000 in just to make an extra $5,000, it might not be worth the hassle. So whatever you do, know what it’s worth now (as -is) and know what it’ll sell for afterward. If you want to find out how much your house is worth, there are plenty of agents out there who will give you comps (Comps is a term that is short for “Comparisons” that lets you determine an appraisal value for your home by comparing it to recently sold homes in your area that are similar to yours) or advice for free, so ask them. So don’t over do it, but don’t be hesitant to put money into your house if it’ll yield a big payoff when you sell it. TIP #2: Make Your Agent Work For You After you determine your ARV and enlist a good agent to help you sell your home, It might be worthwhile to hop in their Escalade to drive around town and look at some high end houses in your area to see what kind of upgrades they have. And when you see a common theme, you’ll have a good idea as to what kind of upgrades you might want to do to be able to sell your house. Granite? Concrete? Tile? Carpet? Wood floors? It depends. I don’t know your area or market so you have to do the research, ask your agent questions, and exercise wisdom. Every market is different and you don’t want to put money into an upgrade or rehab if it’s not the type of thing people in your area are looking for. So talk to a competent agent, and even offer to pay them a bit more in commissions if they can sell your home for a higher price. This is not a waste of money. A good agent with a proven track record is worth every penny because they know exactly what needs to be done to sell your home for the most money. Tip #3: Interior Improvements So once you have an idea about what your home is worth, have a good agent, and have toured homes in your area to see what kind of upgrades homes in your area typically have, it's time to look at your interior to decide what you should and shouldn’t do to sell your house in 2016. No matter what you do, you need to be wise about it. Maybe you live in non-traditional or funky house. That’s fine. Just go through 2 or 3 times with a notepad, write down the frustrations you have with it, and do what you need to do to make it functional, warm, beautiful, and inviting. Interior must-haves: 1. Make sure your kitchen is functional. 2. Always have (or add) a 2nd bathroom: If you don’t have a second bathroom, build one. Sure it could cost you $5-$6k, but it could net you an additional $20k when you sell. No matter what you do, make sure there is a second bathroom. It’s a must. 1. Open floor plans are huge in 2016: If you don’t have one, first- make sure it’s right for your area, and if it is, create one. This might mean building or breaking down a wall, but it’ll pay off in the end. 2. Stage your house: Just do it. Staging your home means that you hire a home stager and/or an interior design consultant (like the lady on Love It or List It) to set up your home in the most inviting way possible and tell you everything you need to do to make it sell. You’ll pay some cash up front but staged homes are shown to sell for 6% to 10% higher according to realtor.org. Tip #4: Exterior Improvements Just like the interior, you have to make sure the exterior of your house looks appealing if you want to get the most value of your house in 2016. Exterior must haves: 1. Add curb appeal: When people pull up to your house, most won’t even want to go inside or look at it unless it looks good from the curb. So make sure it looks gorgeous. Rake the leaves, plant some flowers, mow the lawn - make it inviting. 2. Make sure the picture on the MLS listing matches what your house currently looks like: People don’t want to look at a picture and pull up to your house, only to be disappointed. 3. Hire a professional photographer: This is crucial. It could mean the difference between someone viewing your house, or someone skipping it because the pictures look like a child took them. Hire a pro - it’s worth it. Ask me how I know. 4. Don’t paint your house diarrhea green or brown: This is just common sense. If you’re going to paint, use a neutral color. You don’t want to make your house unsellable because you chose an odd color or made a bad decision elsewhere. Tip #5: Common Sense, Common Sense, Common Sense No matter what you do or do not do, don’t make any hasty decisions. Ask your agent questions, look around, be observant, and don't do anything extreme. If you need to fix up your house to see a big profit, do it. If you have a modest budget and improvements won’t raise the value or your house (the ARV) anyways, don’t go crazy. 2016 is a great year to sell your house. Do it right and do it wisely. Cheers, Nate --- Nate Pyles is a long term Real Estate Investor who made it through the crash in 2008 and spends his week buying and selling houses for profit in the Boise, ID area. He runs House Flip Mentor, has 4 kids, a gorgeous wife, loves to fly, and even built his own Irish pub on his property.

Cost Comparison of Concrete & Pavers: Basic standard broom finish concrete slab is generally lower in cost per square foot than other alternatives. Typically, you can pay 30%-50% more if you choose a textured stamped concrete over standard concrete. Paving stones will most likely cost you the same or a little less in some cases pending actual stone choices.