PREPARATION AND PLANNING First, we assessed existing wall conditions and repaired minor imperfections. Next, surfaces were thoroughly cleaned and primed for maximum adhesion. Then, precise measurements ensured perfect pattern alignment throughout the space. INSTALLATION PROCESS Subsequently, we carefully cut each strip accounting for pattern matching. Moreover, professional installation techniques eliminated bubbles and ensured seamless seams. Finally, detailed finishing work created flawless edges and corners. CHICAGO-SPECIFIC CHALLENGES Furthermore, older Chicago buildings present unique challenges including settling walls, vintage plaster surfaces, and lead paint considerations. Therefore, proper preparation becomes crucial for long-lasting results that withstand seasonal temperature fluctuations. RESULTS AND QUALITY Consequently, the finished installation showcases perfect pattern alignment and professional craftsmanship. The wallpaper enhances the entry hall's architectural character while providing durability for high-traffic use. PROFESSION AL TIPS Homeowners should always hire experienced installers for complex patterns. Additionally, investing in quality primer saves money long-term by ensuring proper adhesion and easier future removal. See more work and request free estimate at windypainters.com. Q: How long does wallpaper installation take? / A: Most entry halls require one to two days depending on pattern complexity, surface preparation needs, and room size for professional wallpaper installation. Q: Can you install over existing wallpaper? / A: We recommend removing old wallpaper first for best adhesion, though some situations allow installation over existing wallpaper after proper preparation and assessment. Q: What wallpaper works best in Chicago? / A: Vinyl and fabric-backed wallpapers handle Chicago's climate changes best, providing durability against humidity fluctuations and temperature variations throughout seasons. Q: Do you guarantee installation work? / A: Yes, Windy City Painters provides comprehensive warranties covering wallpaper installation craftsmanship and adhesion for specified warranty periods on all projects. Q: How do you handle pattern matching? / A: We carefully measure walls, calculate pattern repeats, and plan installation sequence to ensure perfect wallpaper installation pattern alignment throughout the space. Q: Can wallpaper work in vintage buildings? / A: Absolutely, we specialize in wallpaper installation for older Chicago homes, understanding unique challenges like settling walls and vintage plaster surfaces. Q: What preparation is required? / A: Proper wallpaper installation requires surface assessment, repairs, thorough cleaning, appropriate priming, and climate control for optimal adhesion and lasting results. Q: Do you remove old wallpaper? / A: Yes, we provide professional wallpaper removal services using safe techniques that protect underlying wall surfaces during the wallpaper installation preparation process. Q: How much does installation cost? / A: Wallpaper installation costs vary based on room size, pattern complexity, surface preparation needs, and wallpaper selection - contact for detailed estimates. Q: What tools do professionals use? / A: Professional wallpaper installation requires specialized smoothing tools, precision cutting equipment, quality brushes, and professional-grade adhesives for optimal results and longevity.

This entry was very nondescript. It was a right angles with a wood rail. We pushed the front door out and created a large porch which enabled us to create a more dynamic stairway. The client loved lattice work and lily's so we combined the two and came up with this design for the artist that created the wrought iron railing.

This young couple in Glendale loved their home and their neighborhood, but with three growing children they felt they were running out of space. They began a list of needs which quickly grew after a couple of years. This list helped them to see how they used their current space, but also helped them identify what was lacking. Their needs list quickly revealed that a two-story addition would be needed to fit all the family’s requirements. With much thought and discussion, a design was created by the Roeser Team in collaboration with Ann Begemann, architect. It was important to the homeowner that the design fit the look of the house. This is always a top priority for Roeser Home Remodeling. We pride ourselves in our finish product appearing as if it had always been there and especially in this remodel, we think we succeeded. On the list of this family’s needs were to have ample storage space for the three children’s school and sporting equipment. A wider entrance hallway from the garage and the backyard provided a unique place to build custom locker spaces, along with a communication station that will close nice and neat when company is expected. Drawer units also give extra storage and allow for a filing system to keep track of all the paper work that comes home. Extra cabinets above the lockers provide much needed additional storage for out of season belongings. A 12 X 24 S140 tile floor laid in a broken joint pattern provides for easy cleaning of this space and keeps dirty shoes or boots from finding its way into the main living quarters. The kitchen was at the top of the priority list for this family as well. The existing kitchen was just too small and narrow and did not allow for an eat-in kitchen, or an adequate workspace for the family. Since the homeowner loves to cook, our Roeser Home Remodeling designer came up with a beautiful design plan that allowed for both. The kitchen was moved to the addition, and the existing kitchen was remodeled with a breakfast nook, housing both a custom bench and a table with chairs, along with a pantry and dry bar. This was the perfect plan and now allows the homeowner to have seating and storage for the family and entertaining. The custom bench was built to match a picture the homeowner had and was custom produced in our own little mill shop. A drawer on both sides of the bench is handy for any extra storage items that the family may need seasonally. The kitchen quickly became a favorite with the Roeser Home Remodeling Team. With the mix of metals and the many extra features in this space, this kitchen is full of interest as well as function. The perimeter cabinets are Wellborn Cabinet’s Premier Line, Charleston maple door style with glacier pewter finish. A Kohler Apron Front smart divide sink adds to the design and function of this beautiful kitchen. A wall mount pot filler hovers above a Wolfe five-burner stove top. The Wellborn hood unit passes the cabinet depth of the upper cabinets and compliments the Wellborn drawer unit underneath. Deeper drawers housed the 36” Wolf, five-burner professional gas stove top and added more storage. The addition of feet to the bottom of the drawer unit along with pushing back the toe kick gives an added detail and look of a furniture piece. Flanking each end of the perimeter of cabinets are high end appliances. The 42” built-in French Door Sub-Zero Refrigerator/Freezer is left of the sink and concealed by Wellborn appliance panels. The Bosch 800 Series Dishwasher next in line is also concealed by a Wellborn appliance panel. However, the 30” Professional Wolf Oven and the 30” M Series Wolf Professional Convection Steam Oven sparkle with their stainless-steel finishes complimenting the Kohler Artifacts pull-down kitchen faucet, the Kohler Artifacts Pot Filler and the Top Knobs Hardware (Normandy Appliance Pulls in Polished Nickel, Button Faced Knob in Polish Nickel and the Tuscany Small D- Pull in Pewter Antique). A 30” Kitchen-Aid electric warming drawer is concealed by a Wellborn Drawer front and Top Knob hardware. The Quartzite counter top in Taj Mahal is always an eye-catching feature for this beautiful kitchen. The large space of the island shows off its remarkable beauty. The island stands on its own with a custom design using Wellborn Cabinets Premier Line, Charleston maple door style in a Pebble Java finish, a darker finish cabinet not only serves as a focal point, but also warms the room against its starker contrast. The island houses a Sharp microwave drawer and its hardware is the same Tuscany small D-Pull as the rest of the kitchen, but in a German Bronze finish to compliment the island’s Hudson Valley Orchard Park light in an Aged Brass Finish. The original half bath was the only bathroom on this floor of the house and the expense to move it was not an option. The location of the bathroom in the middle of the house was problematic. Roeser Home Remodeling solved the problem by creating an opening between the living room and new family room, along with giving the illusion of a small hallway behind the dry bar in the breakfast room. This created a nice space going into the living room and gave the feeling of an open floor plan, providing and a nice private entry to the existing half bath. Updating the bath with wallpaper, a new Barclay- Stanford Pedestal Sink, a new Portsmouth wide-spread faucet in polished nickel, a new Devonshire comfort height toilet, new towel ring, paper holder, lighting and mirror made this cute little powder room a jewel in its own right! The family room was also housed in the addition as a family hang-out place for homework, games and movie watching. Two sets of Sierra Pacific 6’0” X 6’8” aluminum clad wood French Sliding Patio Doors were installed to invite the outdoors in. This allowed for natural lighting and an open spacious feel to the room. A Custom Entertainment Unit built by Roeser Home Remodeling in our mill shop, is the perfect space to house all the family’s television and gaming needs, keeping them neatly stored, but also close at hand. Opposite of the French Doors is the original opening to the backyard. By keeping the opening and installing beautiful glass doors, it opened the flow of the house to the formal living room. By adding the glass doors, it provided a cozy area for quiet adult conversation while keeping an eye on the children as they play or watch TV.

Buy Print on Etsy $19.99 CDN: www.etsy.com/ca/listing/247434782 This adorable brown beaver on a turquoise background is lovingly painted by artist Kathy Lycka. This is a high-resolution scan from an original, handmade painting (not a computer generated image). ** Sizes: 8" w x 10" h ** Printed on archival, white photo paper ** Wrapped in a clear cello sleeve with a sturdy chipboard backing ** Signed on the back by the artist Choose your own set of 3 prints from my shop: 3 - 5" x 7" $ 24 CDN - www.etsy.com/ca/listing/386490398 3 - 8" x 10" $45 CDN - www.etsy.com/ca/listing/252156947 3 - 11" x 14" $75 CDN - www.etsy.com/ca/listing/269555022 We only use Canon Lucia inks to create professional lightfast images, on a nice heavy photo paper stock. The protection of your art is top priority for us. We take a great deal of care in packaging the items when shipping. Smaller prints are placed inside of a cello sleeve with a cardboard backing while larger prints are rolled in a sturdy mailing tube. Both methods ensure the pieces are protected during their journey. Copyright © 2016 Kathy Lycka Studio. All rights reserved.

This article is posted here with the consent of the author. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, view, or opinion of Crestron Electronics, Inc., or of any of its employees. Crestron Electronics is not responsible for, and does not verify the accuracy of, any of the information contained in this article. By Jeff Singer The “smart” revolution began several years ago with smartphones (a.k.a phones) and has extended in recent years to thermostats, doorbells, alarm systems, and kitchen appliances. Smart devices are so ubiquitous that the term “smart” is overused to the point that it is almost meaningless. Companies are eager to jump on the bandwagon and claim their products are “smart,” and consumers proudly claim they have a smart home because they have lighting control. Misconceptions about smart homes are prevalent and create confusion in the marketplace. This can have deleterious effects on businesses and underserve consumers. Here are seven of the most popular misconceptions about smart homes: 1. Apps are smart Apps are convenient and easy to use. Yes, it seems there’s an app for everything. People expect to be able to download an app and do just about anything. App developers and many companies do not disavow consumers of this myth. On the contrary, they promote this idea with carefully worded descriptions. The promise of having the world at your fingertips for $1.99 is very enticing. Although it sounds too good to be true, it is also too good to pass up for many people. This leads to undervaluing home control and disappointment when the apps don’t work, which undermines confidence in our industry. The fact is that apps are not smart. They do not control anything. They must connect to and communicate with a control system or cloud service that processes, prioritizes, and executes commands. That’s the real magic and what most people do not understand. 2. Smart devices work together With so many smart appliances and devices on the market today, it’s understandable that the average consumer might think that they actually communicate and work together. This is simply not the case. Smart devices are not that smart. They are designed and manufactured by different, often competing, companies. There are no national or industry standards governing these products. Even if they all operate using Wi-Fi® communications, that doesn’t mean they work together. Some companies promote a home control platform, which unites different devices from different companies – in theory. The platform is yet another third-party software totally dependent on other companies developing APIs and writing control modules for their hardware to run on that piece of software. The devices are not independently compatible. Also, when updates are made to either the hardware or the software, functionality may be affected for some period. That’s a nice way of saying the device or system won’t work and there’s no way of knowing for how long. 3. It’s a DIY project Which brings us to the next myth, which is that the average person can do it themselves. Unless you are a skilled professional, I would not advise taking on a smart home project. You want to make a light turn on and off with your Alexa® or Google Assistant™ virtual assistant software, go for it. A smart home takes much more planning and expertise. I have no problem changing a light bulb or hanging a light fixture in my dining room; however, I am not going to rewire my house. I may change the flush valve in my toilet, but I’m not going to replace the pipes in my house. You get it. Integrating devices and systems, establishing different zones, creating scenes, designing the UI with a balance between control, feedback, and simplicity – all takes experience and skill. 4. Need a programmer to make changes Early adopters may have experienced the pain of trying to make a simple change or update to their home control system. Years ago, if the cable provider changed the channel line-up, the homeowner would have to call the dealer or programmer to make an appointment for them to come out to the house to reprogram the system. The system wouldn’t work as expected until it was updated, which often took several days and beaucoup bucks. Not anymore. Technology has evolved so now it’s easy for system owners to change favorite channels, create scenes, rename buttons, update images, and more. While a professional is needed for the initial installation and setup, the system is easy to manage once it’s up and running. This makes life so much easier for both dealer and customer. 5. Tech becomes obsolete quickly Similar to updating the UI, updating firmware or hardware used to be a stressful process. A smart home should be intelligent enough to update itself. Apps don’t become obsolete. Updates are constantly pushed out from the cloud, making them better all the time. The same is true for a good smart home system. New features, functions, and device support gets added in the background consistently, so the system you installed (or purchased) yesterday gets better over time. Swapping out decorative elements, such as keypads, dimmers, and touch screens is also seamless. When a new device is added, all the settings are pulled down from the cloud and it just works. No system interruptions. No sunk costs. No imposing house calls. No surprise bills. 6. Lighting control saves energy and money Lighting control is one of the most popular smart systems, but it takes more than just one system to make a home smart. On the surface, it makes sense that if you dim the lights ten percent, then you save ten percent of energy costs. If the shades are raised during the day to take advantage of sunlight so the lights don’t need to be on (or at least not 100%), but that causes the room temperature to rise a few degrees, which triggers the air conditioner to run longer and more often, was energy usage (or cost) reduced? A smart home integrates all the various systems and technology to optimize comfort, convenience, safety, and sometimes energy. 7. Home technology is easy to hack Security is at the forefront of people’s minds these days. Personal identities are stolen; email accounts hacked; private photos publicized; and more. A smart home must outsmart those who don’t respect privacy. Crestron control systems adhere to the strictest security standards. The same Crestron control system that goes into a home is also installed in secure government and military facilities, global banking institutions, hospitals, and other mission critical applications. When installed correctly by a trained professional, a Crestron smart home is the gold standard for security, comfort, and convenience.

This stunning kitchen renovation is a testament to our commitment to creating beautiful and functional spaces. The sleek white cabinetry with glass fronts provides ample storage while maintaining a clean and modern aesthetic. The stainless steel appliances, including a professional-grade Viking range and a stylish vent hood, add a touch of luxury and sophistication. The light-colored countertops and backsplash create a bright and airy atmosphere, while the warm gray flooring adds a touch of warmth and sophistication. This project showcases our expertise in creating kitchens that are both stylish and practical. We understand the importance of creating a space that is both functional and inviting, and our attention to detail is evident in every aspect of this renovation. The use of high-quality materials, thoughtful design elements, and expert craftsmanship creates a kitchen that is both beautiful and practical. We are confident that this project will appeal to prospective clients who value quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and a commitment to creating beautiful and functional living spaces. We are excited to bring your vision to life and create a kitchen that you will love for years to come.

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Island color was custom. Countertops are Princess White Quartzite. Light fixtures over island are from Rejuvenation (exact type has been discontinued) Photos by Holly Lepere

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Charles Hilton Architects & Renee Byers LAPC From grand estates, to exquisite country homes, to whole house renovations, the quality and attention to detail of a "Significant Homes" custom home is immediately apparent. Full time on-site supervision, a dedicated office staff and hand picked professional craftsmen are the team that take you from groundbreaking to occupancy. Every "Significant Homes" project represents 45 years of luxury homebuilding experience, and a commitment to quality widely recognized by architects, the press and, most of all....thoroughly satisfied homeowners. Our projects have been published in Architectural Digest 6 times along with many other publications and books. Though the lion share of our work has been in Fairfield and Westchester counties, we have built homes in Palm Beach, Aspen, Maine, Nantucket and Long Island.