Gabion fence post.
Photo of a rustic landscaping in Minneapolis.

Our poster project for The Three P's, this small midcentury home south of campus has great bones but lacked vibrancy - a je ne sais quoi that the clients were searching to savoir once and for all. SYI worked with them to nail down a design direction and furniture plan, and they decided to invest in the big-impact items first: built-ins and lighting and a fresh paint job that included a beautiful deep blue-green line around the windows. The vintage rug was an Etsy score at an awesome price, but only after the client spent months scouring options and sources online that matched the vision and dimensions of the plan. A good year later, the West Elm sofa went on sale, so the client took advantage; some time after that, they painted the kitchen, created the drop zone / bench area, and rounded out the room with occasional tables and accessories. Their lesson: in patience, and details, there is beauty. Photography by Gina Rogers Photography

http://www.houzz.com/pro/katiekiefer/west-elevation-architects-inc

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional master gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile bathroom remodel in Nashville with a vessel sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, a two-piece toilet and brown walls

Inspiration for a transitional living room remodel in Las Vegas

White full bath with black accents in coastal pattern
Bathroom - contemporary white tile and ceramic tile dark wood floor and brown floor bathroom idea in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored walls, an undermount sink and white countertops

78 x 42 counter height island allows for lots of counter/dining space. Small desk area provides a work space of 46" for computer work. There is now room for several people to work and contribute to cooking. Great for entertaining!

Inspiration for a tropical master drop-in bathtub remodel in Los Angeles with a vessel sink, open cabinets and beige walls

Pool - mid-sized coastal backyard concrete and custom-shaped natural pool idea in New Orleans

Inspiration for a coastal bathroom remodel in Charleston

Small minimalist u-shaped concrete floor and gray floor kitchen pantry photo in Calgary with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, black appliances, a peninsula and white countertops

Inspiration for a small modern u-shaped concrete floor and gray floor kitchen pantry remodel in Calgary with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, black appliances, a peninsula and white countertops

Example of a small trendy single-wall medium tone wood floor and gray floor eat-in kitchen design in Calgary with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, laminate countertops, black appliances, no island and brown countertops

As the temperatures continue to climb, and we finally get a chance to enjoy some warm weather, we start to walk around the neighborhood, or even our own homes, to find that lots of work needs to be done. Whether it be weed picking or changing bulbs in the light fixtures there’s always something that needs to be done. However, there’s one thing that can’t wait for your attention and that’s chimney tuckpointing. Why is it so important? Let’s take a look. Weather and Tuckpointing, Not a Good Match You might have guessed that Chicago and Chicagoland’s weather is brutal on masonry. The city and suburbs average around 35 freeze-thaw cycles every single winter. Every time the cycle occurs, it takes a toll on the chimney's mortar joints. When water gets in and temperatures drop, the water freezes & expands as ice with enough force to crack brick and stone. When Spring comes around, what once was a hairline crack, now gets bigger and allows rain to enter into your home. This is why the yearly chimney inspection is not optional, according to the CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America). A Little Chicago History Most homes in neighborhoods like Beverly, Oak Park, Evanston and across the North Shore were built between the 1890s and 1950s. The mortar used in that era had a lifespan of roughly 25–30 years under normal conditions. Under Chicago and Chicagoland conditions? It is reduced. Homeowners buying older properties frequently inherit chimneys that haven't been maintained in a very long time. When the chimney along with the flashing, bricks, chimney cap and chimney crown are not checked and maintained, loss of structural integrity begins. Water working its way through deteriorated joints reaches the interior of the chimney. This is where it can cause damage to the fire liner while it finds its way into the home. In some situations, compromised masonry near the fireplace can create fire safety concerns. Getting a Chimney Inspection Early Makes All the Difference The good news is that chimney tuckpointing, diagnosed early, is simply a repair. The bad news is that homeowners who wait too long can turn the issue into a partial rebuild, or a full chimney rebuild. By the time mortar is visibly crumbling from the street, the damage has already progressed deeper into the chimney structure. A professional inspection every year is the most cost-effective way to keep the chimney and home heathy. It's often the difference between a few hundred dollars and several thousand. Not All Tuckpointing Is Equal One thing worth understanding is that proper tuckpointing requires removing the old mortar to a depth of approximately three-quarters of an inch before new mortar can be applied. Anything less and the new mortar won't bond with longevity / correctly. DIY or companies that just smear new mortar over old joints are doing what's sometimes called "skim coating," and it's essentially cosmetic work that won't hold up. The type of mortar mix matters too. More modern cement mortars are actually harder than historic brick, which causes the brick itself to absorb, stress and crack rather than the mortar joint. A knowledgeable mason from Superior Chimney will match mortar composition to the brick, only something a real expert can get right. Contact Superior Chimney today to get a chimney inspection which includes inspecting the exterior chimney today at 877-244-6349.

Small minimalist single-wall medium tone wood floor and gray floor eat-in kitchen photo in Calgary with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, laminate countertops, black appliances, no island and brown countertops

Kitchen - modern kitchen idea in Calgary

Small minimalist l-shaped concrete floor and gray floor kitchen pantry photo in Calgary with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, laminate countertops, brown backsplash, mirror backsplash, black appliances, no island and gray countertops

Small minimalist l-shaped concrete floor and gray floor kitchen pantry photo in Calgary with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, laminate countertops, brown backsplash, mirror backsplash, black appliances, no island and gray countertops

Kitchen pantry - small modern u-shaped concrete floor and gray floor kitchen pantry idea in Calgary with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, black appliances, a peninsula and white countertops