Search results for "Creating engaging" in Home Design Ideas

The renovation of this classic Muskoka cottage, focused around re-designing the living space to make the most of the incredible lake views. This update completely changed the flow of space, aligning the living areas with a more modern & luxurious living context.
In collaboration with the client, we envisioned a home in which clean lines, neutral tones, a variety of textures and patterns, and small yet luxurious details created a fresh, engaging space while seamlessly blending into the natural environment.
The main floor of this home was completely gutted to reveal the true beauty of the space. Main floor walls were re-engineered with custom windows to expand the client’s majestic view of the lake.
The dining area was highlighted with features including ceilings finished with Shadowline MDF, and enhanced with a custom coffered ceiling bringing dimension to the space.
Unobtrusive details and contrasting textures add richness and intrigue to the space, creating an energizing yet soothing interior with tactile depth.

The Home
The St. Julien features a flex space that is designed as a sitting area for gathering the family. As you walk upstairs, the kitchen features a large eat-in island that looks into the great room. Off the kitchen is a space that functions as an office or homework area. Moving through the great room, the sliding glass door opens to a spacious deck. Upstairs features two secondary bedrooms and a primary suite. The master suite bathroom includes a walk-in shower, walk-in closet and separate water closet.
The Builder
As a local, privately held homebuilder and community developer, Oakwood Homes pioneers new standards for livable luxury. We innovate through purposeful and efficient design, always using local materials, manufacturers and resources. We also provide an engaging yet straightforward homebuying experience that’s unmatched in the industry. Our mission is simple: to create luxury homes that are accessible and personable at every budget – for homebuyers in every stage of life.
The Interior Design
The interior design of this home has a natural feeling to it with earth tones and light woods that brings the outdoors in. To achieve this, a soft, sage green and denim blue were used with a wheat tone to pull in the wood and create a balanced palette. Unique patterns in the rugs and art add points of interest, and natural textures in the linens and softgoods provide contrast. A hint of craftsman design rounds out the space and provides a comforting home in which to gather.

This was and still is a 2,700 s.f. brick rancher yet this project resulted in a complete makeover while still maintaining the original footprint and exterior structure. The house was built in 1954 in a lovely location across the street from the Grove Park Inn Golf Club.
During our initial meeting, my clients, who had recently moved to Asheville, expressed that they enjoyed cooking and engaging with their family and friends while doing so. They wanted the bathrooms updated, a more functional master bedroom and a larger kitchen. The house had a traditional layout with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a small kitchen, separate dining and living rooms with an adjoining 570 s.f. family room. It didn’t take long before we all agreed that the large family room would be converted to their master bedroom suite. In order to expand the kitchen, a wall between the existing kitchen and dining was removed, stairs leading to the basement were relocated, a bump out in the existing kitchen became a pantry and one of the adjacent bedrooms was opened up to the new kitchen as the new dining room. Both baths were redesigned and a powder room was created by rearranging existing closets. An existing curved wall in the hallway prompted the design of large open arches between the newly created spaces. This concept extended to the design on curved counter surfaces in the kitchen along with a reflected curved dropped ceiling over the cooking area.
The exterior of the house was enhanced with bay windows, a new copper-roofed front porch overlooking the Grove Park Inn properties with the Blue Ridge Mountains beyond. A circular drive was designed for the convenience of guests. Exterior double-hung windows were replaced with French patio doors in the new kitchen/dining and living areas. This allows easy access to the new front porch and back deck while enhancing the openness of the home.
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THE SETUP
Our journey began with a familiar face — Alicia had previously transformed the client’s mother’s home, establishing a trusted relationship that naturally led to this personal project. The client desired a kitchen that truly reflected her own style while facilitating seamless entertaining.
Design Vision:
The original kitchen, segregated from the dining area by a wall, hindered the flow of interaction and space. Our client envisioned a unified area where she could engage with guests in both the kitchen and dining room simultaneously. Moreover, the space lacked a central island, relying instead on a floorplan anchored by cabinetry in a u-shaped layout.
Design Objectives:
Open up the space for an airy design conducive to entertaining large gatherings
Modernize the kitchen to be both stylish and functional
Integrate the design with the home’s new black-framed windows and doors
Relocate the cooktop to a central position to enhance usability and interaction
Design Challenges:
Removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room would necessitate the rerouting of existing HVAC ductwork that services the upper floor
Limited pantry space in the existing kitchen
The existing u-shaped layout of the kitchen restricted functionality and storage options
Insufficient space for wine storage
The client desired a raised-furniture look for the island, but without showing a new downdraft vent
THE RENEWED SPACE
Design Solutions:
We added a second HVAC unit to the upper floor and rerouted the existing ductwork in that wall
Created tall pantry pullouts on either side of the fridge to maximize dry goods storage
Designed a long island to facilitate cooking stations and dining moments
Created a stylish open display cabinet for wine
Engineered a dual-design island with a footed floating aesthetic on one side, and a full floor reach on the other to conceal the new downdraft ventilation.
Paired with the newly opened adjacent dining room featuring a wet bar, the kitchen has become a stylish and highly functional space for cooking and entertaining. Following a large baby shower hosted by the client (which seamlessly accommodated an 80-person gathering!), it is clear that the new design not only meets but exceeds the needs for hosting and everyday living. This project was a harmonious blend of the client’s vision and Alicia’s innovative design solutions, resulting in a kitchen that truly embodies personalized elegance and functionality.

When our Boulder studio was tasked with furnishing this home, we went all out to create a gorgeous space for our clients. We decorated the bedroom with an in-stock bed, nightstand, and beautiful bedding. An original painting by an LA artist elevates the vibe and pulls the color palette together. The fireside sitting area of this home features a lovely lounge chair, and the limestone and blackened steel fireplace create a sophisticated vibe. A thick shag rug pulls the entire space together.
In the dining area, we used a light oak table and custom-designed complements. This light-filled corner engages easily with the greenery outside through large lift-and-slide doors. A stylish powder room with beautiful blue tiles adds a pop of freshness.

Rich is a custom home builder with an emphasis on structural performance and energy efficiency. He is a Certified Master Builder building for over 20 years, in the resort mountain areas of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and now in the Orlando, Florida area for the last decade.
Rich seamlessly blends different architectural details, energy performance, and hardened structures to create high performance luxury homes. He gives personal attention to "Easy Living Design" in order to create a home that can adapt to the aging homeowner making life more convenient, enjoyable, and safe.
Rich works closely with his customers to ensure every detail, need, and expectation is exceeded. He has chosen a team of tradesmen that compliment his work and share the same work ethic and thoughts of delivering a quality product, and who desires to build lasting relationships with the homeowner long after their project is complete.
Rich engages the homeowner throughout the entire building project to ensure that he educates them on products and methods that are compatible with their desired goals. Understanding that the financial goals of a project are of equal importance, Rich provides a detailed job cost budget, so the homeowners are given the opportunity to help guide their project financially.

Dakin has been working with the owners of this site realize their dream of cultivating a rich and meaningful landscape around their home. Because of their deep engagement with their land and garden, the landscape has guided the entire design process, from architecture to civil engineering to landscape design.
All architecture on site is oriented toward the garden, a park-like, multi-use environment that includes a walking labyrinth, restored prairie, a Japanese garden, an orchard, vegetable beds, berry brambles, a croquet lawn and a charred wood outdoor shower. Dakin pays special attention to materials at every turn, selecting an antique sugar bowl for the outdoor fire pit, antique Japanese roof tiles to create blue edging, and stepping stones imported from India. In addition to its diversity of garden types, this permacultural paradise is home to chickens, ducks, and bees. A complex irrigation system was designed to draw alternately from wells and cisterns.
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Dakin has also had the privilege of creating an arboretum of diverse and rare trees that she based on Olmsted’s design for Central Park. Trees were selected to display a variety of seasonally shifting delights: spring blooms, fall berries, winter branch structure. Mature trees onsite were preserved and sometimes moved to new locations.

Sponsored
Delaware, OH
Buckeye Basements, Inc.
Central Ohio's Basement Finishing ExpertsBest Of Houzz '13-'21

Located on a flat, square, corner plot in a dense neighborhood comprised of small homes, this project was a blank canvas to create a landscape that is both an opportunity for community engagement as well as a peaceful space to recreate and entertain, while also expanding the living space on the property. The client is an avid surfer does volunteer work for the Surfrider Foundation, and he was inspire to build a landscape that fulfils Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Garden program. We combined a mix of California natives with edible plants such as herbs and fruit trees. We created curvilinear beds outlined with rock and pebbles of ascending size to mimic the rock outcroppings of the local coastline. The veggie beds are made of rammed earth—a tradition natural building technique that uses, mud, sand and a small amount of cement. With fruits and flowers hanging into the sidewalk, this garden allows for friendly neighborhood interaction as well as a more-intimate area for this client to relax and entertain in. *Images captured at 1-year and 3-years after

This was and still is a 2,700 s.f. brick rancher yet this project resulted in a complete makeover while still maintaining the original footprint and exterior structure. The house was built in 1954 in a lovely location across the street from the Grove Park Inn Golf Club.
During our initial meeting, my clients, who had recently moved to Asheville, expressed that they enjoyed cooking and engaging with their family and friends while doing so. They wanted the bathrooms updated, a more functional master bedroom and a larger kitchen. The house had a traditional layout with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a small kitchen, separate dining and living rooms with an adjoining 570 s.f. family room. It didn’t take long before we all agreed that the large family room would be converted to their master bedroom suite. In order to expand the kitchen, a wall between the existing kitchen and dining was removed, stairs leading to the basement were relocated, a bump out in the existing kitchen became a pantry and one of the adjacent bedrooms was opened up to the new kitchen as the new dining room. Both baths were redesigned and a powder room was created by rearranging existing closets. An existing curved wall in the hallway prompted the design of large open arches between the newly created spaces. This concept extended to the design on curved counter surfaces in the kitchen along with a reflected curved dropped ceiling over the cooking area.
The exterior of the house was enhanced with bay windows, a new copper-roofed front porch overlooking the Grove Park Inn properties with the Blue Ridge Mountains beyond. A circular drive was designed for the convenience of guests. Exterior double-hung windows were replaced with French patio doors in the new kitchen/dining and living areas. This allows easy access to the new front porch and back deck while enhancing the openness of the home.

Rich is a custom home builder with an emphasis on structural performance and energy efficiency. He is a Certified Master Builder building for over 20 years, in the resort mountain areas of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and now in the Orlando, Florida area for the last decade.
Rich seamlessly blends different architectural details, energy performance, and hardened structures to create high performance luxury homes. He gives personal attention to "Easy Living Design" in order to create a home that can adapt to the aging homeowner making life more convenient, enjoyable, and safe.
Rich works closely with his customers to ensure every detail, need, and expectation is exceeded. He has chosen a team of tradesmen that compliment his work and share the same work ethic and thoughts of delivering a quality product, and who desires to build lasting relationships with the homeowner long after their project is complete.
Rich engages the homeowner throughout the entire building project to ensure that he educates them on products and methods that are compatible with their desired goals. Understanding that the financial goals of a project are of equal importance, Rich provides a detailed job cost budget, so the homeowners are given the opportunity to help guide their project financially.

The owners requested a Private Resort that catered to their love for entertaining friends and family, a place where 2 people would feel just as comfortable as 42. Located on the western edge of a Wisconsin lake, the site provides a range of natural ecosystems from forest to prairie to water, allowing the building to have a more complex relationship with the lake - not merely creating large unencumbered views in that direction. The gently sloping site to the lake is atypical in many ways to most lakeside lots - as its main trajectory is not directly to the lake views - allowing for focus to be pushed in other directions such as a courtyard and into a nearby forest.
The biggest challenge was accommodating the large scale gathering spaces, while not overwhelming the natural setting with a single massive structure. Our solution was found in breaking down the scale of the project into digestible pieces and organizing them in a Camp-like collection of elements:
- Main Lodge: Providing the proper entry to the Camp and a Mess Hall
- Bunk House: A communal sleeping area and social space.
- Party Barn: An entertainment facility that opens directly on to a swimming pool & outdoor room.
- Guest Cottages: A series of smaller guest quarters.
- Private Quarters: The owners private space that directly links to the Main Lodge.
These elements are joined by a series green roof connectors, that merge with the landscape and allow the out buildings to retain their own identity. This Camp feel was further magnified through the materiality - specifically the use of Doug Fir, creating a modern Northwoods setting that is warm and inviting. The use of local limestone and poured concrete walls ground the buildings to the sloping site and serve as a cradle for the wood volumes that rest gently on them. The connections between these materials provided an opportunity to add a delicate reading to the spaces and re-enforce the camp aesthetic.
The oscillation between large communal spaces and private, intimate zones is explored on the interior and in the outdoor rooms. From the large courtyard to the private balcony - accommodating a variety of opportunities to engage the landscape was at the heart of the concept.
Overview
Chenequa, WI
Size
Total Finished Area: 9,543 sf
Completion Date
May 2013
Services
Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design

Rich is a custom home builder with an emphasis on structural performance and energy efficiency. He is a Certified Master Builder building for over 20 years, in the resort mountain areas of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and now in the Orlando, Florida area for the last decade.
Rich seamlessly blends different architectural details, energy performance, and hardened structures to create high performance luxury homes. He gives personal attention to "Easy Living Design" in order to create a home that can adapt to the aging homeowner making life more convenient, enjoyable, and safe.
Rich works closely with his customers to ensure every detail, need, and expectation is exceeded. He has chosen a team of tradesmen that compliment his work and share the same work ethic and thoughts of delivering a quality product, and who desires to build lasting relationships with the homeowner long after their project is complete.
Rich engages the homeowner throughout the entire building project to ensure that he educates them on products and methods that are compatible with their desired goals. Understanding that the financial goals of a project are of equal importance, Rich provides a detailed job cost budget, so the homeowners are given the opportunity to help guide their project financially.

Step into the captivating open living space of this remarkable home, where the boundaries between the living room, dining room, and kitchen seamlessly dissolve, creating a harmonious and inviting atmosphere for both relaxation and entertainment.
The living room, with its plush and comfortable furnishings, serves as the heart of the space. A large, inviting sofa adorned with soft cushions and elegant accents anchors the room, providing a cozy and welcoming spot for family and guests to gather.
The kitchen stands as a stunning showcase of modern design and functionality. The kitchen's open concept allows for seamless interaction with family and guests, fostering a sense of togetherness and effortless entertaining.
The open living space is bathed in natural light, thanks to the strategically placed windows that overlook the surrounding landscape. The soft rays of sunlight filter in, illuminating every corner of the room and accentuating the beautiful architectural elements and carefully curated decor.
The seamless integration of the living room, and kitchen creates a sense of continuity and fluidity, allowing conversations and laughter to flow effortlessly throughout the space. The open layout also provides an ideal setting for hosting gatherings, as guests can easily move between areas, engaging in lively discussions, and enjoying each other's company.

Sponsored
Delaware, OH
Buckeye Basements, Inc.
Central Ohio's Basement Finishing ExpertsBest Of Houzz '13-'21

When our Boulder studio was tasked with furnishing this home, we went all out to create a gorgeous space for our clients. We decorated the bedroom with an in-stock bed, nightstand, and beautiful bedding. An original painting by an LA artist elevates the vibe and pulls the color palette together. The fireside sitting area of this home features a lovely lounge chair, and the limestone and blackened steel fireplace create a sophisticated vibe. A thick shag rug pulls the entire space together.
In the dining area, we used a light oak table and custom-designed complements. This light-filled corner engages easily with the greenery outside through large lift-and-slide doors. A stylish powder room with beautiful blue tiles adds a pop of freshness.

We recently enjoyed the opportunity to remodel three floors of a nineteenth-century Cambridge home with our project partners, architect Tom Downer and designer Jayme Kennerknecht/LDa Architects.
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• The owners – a family of four that includes both a teenager and a toddler - wanted a house better suited to entertaining but also appropriate for family together time. Specific improvements on their wish list included a playroom that could handle differing family needs, a custom bar for entertaining, a new fireplace, and an inviting kitchen that would remain distinct but be better connected to adjoining rooms.
• Adding a fireplace to the living room involved rebuilding the entire back wall of the home. The fireplace mantel was custom designed to match an existing mantel in the nearby dining room, which is original to the home.
• In the playroom, care was taken to create zones for three members of the family: The mother enjoys crafting and now has a station directly below existing skylights, the teenager has a semi-private nook at the back of the space for relaxing, and the youngest in the family can enjoy toys and games placed along one wall alongside a rug for playing on the floor. On the same level, we created a separate guest bedroom with a new closet and a window designed to match other windows throughout the home.
• The kitchen is fully upgraded and custom designed to accommodate the mother’s cooking habits, with specific elements including a farmer’s sink in the island and a stainless steel counter with an integrated sink for food preparation placed behind it on the counter. To improve storage in the much-used room, corner drawer units were installed instead of lazy Susan cabinets. Also, the homeowners were not interested in an open floor plan, but did want to improve access to the living room and yard beyond. This was achieved by expanding the opening between the two rooms allowing the cook to engage with family and guests and have a clear view when children are playing in the yard.
Photo by Shelly Harrison

The owners requested a Private Resort that catered to their love for entertaining friends and family, a place where 2 people would feel just as comfortable as 42. Located on the western edge of a Wisconsin lake, the site provides a range of natural ecosystems from forest to prairie to water, allowing the building to have a more complex relationship with the lake - not merely creating large unencumbered views in that direction. The gently sloping site to the lake is atypical in many ways to most lakeside lots - as its main trajectory is not directly to the lake views - allowing for focus to be pushed in other directions such as a courtyard and into a nearby forest.
The biggest challenge was accommodating the large scale gathering spaces, while not overwhelming the natural setting with a single massive structure. Our solution was found in breaking down the scale of the project into digestible pieces and organizing them in a Camp-like collection of elements:
- Main Lodge: Providing the proper entry to the Camp and a Mess Hall
- Bunk House: A communal sleeping area and social space.
- Party Barn: An entertainment facility that opens directly on to a swimming pool & outdoor room.
- Guest Cottages: A series of smaller guest quarters.
- Private Quarters: The owners private space that directly links to the Main Lodge.
These elements are joined by a series green roof connectors, that merge with the landscape and allow the out buildings to retain their own identity. This Camp feel was further magnified through the materiality - specifically the use of Doug Fir, creating a modern Northwoods setting that is warm and inviting. The use of local limestone and poured concrete walls ground the buildings to the sloping site and serve as a cradle for the wood volumes that rest gently on them. The connections between these materials provided an opportunity to add a delicate reading to the spaces and re-enforce the camp aesthetic.
The oscillation between large communal spaces and private, intimate zones is explored on the interior and in the outdoor rooms. From the large courtyard to the private balcony - accommodating a variety of opportunities to engage the landscape was at the heart of the concept.
Overview
Chenequa, WI
Size
Total Finished Area: 9,543 sf
Completion Date
May 2013
Services
Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design

The renovation of this classic Muskoka cottage, focused around re-designing the living space to make the most of the incredible lake views. This update completely changed the flow of space, aligning the living areas with a more modern & luxurious living context.
In collaboration with the client, we envisioned a home in which clean lines, neutral tones, a variety of textures and patterns, and small yet luxurious details created a fresh, engaging space while seamlessly blending into the natural environment.
The main floor of this home was completely gutted to reveal the true beauty of the space. Main floor walls were re-engineered with custom windows to expand the client’s majestic view of the lake.
The dining area was highlighted with features including ceilings finished with Shadowline MDF, and enhanced with a custom coffered ceiling bringing dimension to the space.
Unobtrusive details and contrasting textures add richness and intrigue to the space, creating an energizing yet soothing interior with tactile depth.

Sponsored
Delaware, OH
Buckeye Basements, Inc.
Central Ohio's Basement Finishing ExpertsBest Of Houzz '13-'21

This was and still is a 2,700 s.f. brick rancher yet this project resulted in a complete makeover while still maintaining the original footprint and exterior structure. The house was built in 1954 in a lovely location across the street from the Grove Park Inn Golf Club.
During our initial meeting, my clients, who had recently moved to Asheville, expressed that they enjoyed cooking and engaging with their family and friends while doing so. They wanted the bathrooms updated, a more functional master bedroom and a larger kitchen. The house had a traditional layout with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a small kitchen, separate dining and living rooms with an adjoining 570 s.f. family room. It didn’t take long before we all agreed that the large family room would be converted to their master bedroom suite. In order to expand the kitchen, a wall between the existing kitchen and dining was removed, stairs leading to the basement were relocated, a bump out in the existing kitchen became a pantry and one of the adjacent bedrooms was opened up to the new kitchen as the new dining room. Both baths were redesigned and a powder room was created by rearranging existing closets. An existing curved wall in the hallway prompted the design of large open arches between the newly created spaces. This concept extended to the design on curved counter surfaces in the kitchen along with a reflected curved dropped ceiling over the cooking area.
The exterior of the house was enhanced with bay windows, a new copper-roofed front porch overlooking the Grove Park Inn properties with the Blue Ridge Mountains beyond. A circular drive was designed for the convenience of guests. Exterior double-hung windows were replaced with French patio doors in the new kitchen/dining and living areas. This allows easy access to the new front porch and back deck while enhancing the openness of the home.

Ocean Blue Pools LLC is widely recognized for extravagant swimming pool construction and unmatched customer service.
Our specialties include custom designed swimming pools, spas, beautiful rock and stone water features and astounding outdoor kitchens and living spaces.
The designing process incorporates classic principles, proportioned balance and expert design in accordance with your topography and space. We strive to make your outdoor living space as user friendly as it is beautiful.
With profound focus on our client’s needs, we will design around your unique lifestyle and taste and create a space that is inviting, comfortable, safe, and engages the senses.
Your swimming pool, which becomes the focal point, is just one component of the backyard. The landscape, lighting, water features, fire pit or outdoor kitchen will define your pool and evoke emotion.
Our design team will offer several feature choices to create the most exciting and relaxing outdoor environment using the harmony of these elements.
The design process begins with a consultation to understand your lifestyle and vision for your new outdoor living space. We will inquire about your usage plans and the vision you would like to achieve. We take into consideration, location of views, site conditions and accessibility. We will examine your homes existing architectural design to ensure continuity and flow from your home into to your new outdoor living space.
Our design team and graphic artists will then transform your vision into conceptual drawings and renderings. A visual presentation will also be prepared to convey the look and feel of the proposed project.
Under the design process, materials will be recommended which may include: pavers, travertine, glass tile, stone veneer, precast concrete, landscape and lighting. The final design drawings will provide an accurate representation of your new outdoor living space.
Once the design process is complete, we will construct your project to the exact vision of the original design concept. We will maintain relentless attention to detail with our latest innovations and technology.
All projects are managed from decades of experience by our trained superintendent who will manage timeframes, quality, and most of all, the client’s expectations. Our goal is to exceed your expectations.
Randall Schmidt / Design and Construction

Ocean Blue Pools LLC is widely recognized for extravagant swimming pool construction and unmatched customer service.
Our specialties include custom designed swimming pools, spas, beautiful rock and stone water features and astounding outdoor kitchens and living spaces.
The designing process incorporates classic principles, proportioned balance and expert design in accordance with your topography and space. We strive to make your outdoor living space as user friendly as it is beautiful.
With profound focus on our client’s needs, we will design around your unique lifestyle and taste and create a space that is inviting, comfortable, safe, and engages the senses.
Your swimming pool, which becomes the focal point, is just one component of the backyard. The landscape, lighting, water features, fire pit or outdoor kitchen will define your pool and evoke emotion.
Our design team will offer several feature choices to create the most exciting and relaxing outdoor environment using the harmony of these elements.
The design process begins with a consultation to understand your lifestyle and vision for your new outdoor living space. We will inquire about your usage plans and the vision you would like to achieve. We take into consideration, location of views, site conditions and accessibility. We will examine your homes existing architectural design to ensure continuity and flow from your home into to your new outdoor living space.
Our design team and graphic artists will then transform your vision into conceptual drawings and renderings. A visual presentation will also be prepared to convey the look and feel of the proposed project.
Under the design process, materials will be recommended which may include: pavers, travertine, glass tile, stone veneer, precast concrete, landscape and lighting. The final design drawings will provide an accurate representation of your new outdoor living space.
Once the design process is complete, we will construct your project to the exact vision of the original design concept. We will maintain relentless attention to detail with our latest innovations and technology.
All projects are managed from decades of experience by our trained superintendent who will manage timeframes, quality, and most of all, the client’s expectations. Our goal is to exceed your expectations.
Randall Schmidt / Design and Construction
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