Carmichael Ave: Custom Modern Home Build We’re excited to finally share pictures of one of our favourite customer’s project. The Rahimi brothers came into our showroom and consulted with Jodi for their custom home build. At Castle Kitchens, we are able to help all customers including builders with meeting their budget and providing them with great designs for their end customer. We worked closely with the builder duo by looking after their project from design to installation. The final outcome was a design that ensured the best layout, balance, proportion, symmetry, designed to suit the style of the property. Our kitchen design team was a great resource for our customers with regard to mechanical and electrical input, colours, appliance selection, accessory suggestions, etc. We provide overall design services! The project features walnut accents all throughout the house that help add warmth into a modern space allowing it be welcoming. Castle Kitchens was ultimately able to provide great design at great value to allow for a great return on the builders project. We look forward to showcasing another project with Rahimi brothers that we are currently working on soon for 2017, so stay tuned!

Design: Roberto Lazzeroni. A highly emotional collection characterized by the material nature of the woods, by the skillful lacquering , retro style of the mirrors and the metal reflections: ILBagno describes an intimate and refined atmosphere with a return to origins, a project that looks to the past to explore the future. A proposal less rigorous and minimal which allows you to recover the memory of familiar images, the style of a noble past, the suggestions that come from different styles. Not nostalgic but rather current, a reworking of content obtained through the antoniolupi style almost maniacal attention to detail, the excellence of the workmanship and materials used.

We updated this 1907 two-story family home for re-sale. We added modern design elements and amenities while retaining the home’s original charm in the layout and key details. The aim was to optimize the value of the property for a prospective buyer, within a reasonable budget. New French doors from kitchen and a rear bedroom open out to a new bi-level deck that allows good sight lines, functional outdoor living space, and easy access to a garden full of mature fruit trees. French doors from an upstairs bedroom open out to a private high deck overlooking the garden. The garage has been converted to a family room that opens to the garden. The bathrooms and kitchen were remodeled the kitchen with simple, light, classic materials and contemporary lighting fixtures. New windows and skylights flood the spaces with light. Stained wood windows and doors at the kitchen pick up on the original stained wood of the other living spaces. New redwood picture molding was created for the living room where traces in the plaster suggested that picture molding has originally been. A sweet corner window seat at the living room was restored. At a downstairs bedroom we created a new plate rail and other redwood trim matching the original at the dining room. The original dining room hutch and woodwork were restored and a new mantel built for the fireplace. We built deep shelves into space carved out of the attic next to upstairs bedrooms and added other built-ins for character and usefulness. Storage was created in nooks throughout the house. A small room off the kitchen was set up for efficient laundry and pantry space. We provided the future owner of the house with plans showing design possibilities for expanding the house and creating a master suite with upstairs roof dormers and a small addition downstairs. The proposed design would optimize the house for current use while respecting the original integrity of the house. Photography: John Hayes, Open Homes Photography https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/classic-craftsman-update/

Trees and shrubs are a big part of our local environment. Some are intended to bear fruit, while others are there simply for aesthetics. Of course, some trees are planted to help conserve the environment, and some started to grow on their own. Regardless, there are many facts about trees that you may not know. Five Star Tree Services has put together a list of a few of those facts that you may find surprising! Trees Live Longer Than Anything Else Of all living things, trees can survive the longest on this earth. Some species of trees can survive for several thousands of years. For example, the baobab tree can thrive for thousands of years after it has reached maturity. Trees Have a Godly Connection There are many religions in the world, and in some, it is a common belief that certain trees are homes to the gods. Many of these older traditions and beliefs are currently less prevalent, but there has always been a strong connection between trees and deities. Cottonwood Seeds Stay Airborne for Days Most trees reproduce via seeds. While most tree seeds fall to the ground, or are carried off by animals, the cottonwood tree seed flies through the air for days before landing. Trees Promote Rainfall Mature trees take moisture from the ground and release it into the atmosphere. This then triggers precipitation. The result is more rain in the area where trees are abundant. The best way to prevent or derail desertification is by planting trees in an area. There are Tree Genders This may seem like a sound bite for likes and shares, but some trees have gendered scientific classifications. There are both male and female trees. One great example is the pine tree. The female trees produce seeds in the pine cones, while the male trees shed pollen from their cones to fertilize the female cones. The wind makes the magic happen, which results in a bevy of baby pine cone trees. The Rings Show Its Age Very few methods exist for pinning down the age of a tree. Carbon dating is a complex method of ageing a tree, but you can also count the rings on a cut tree to determine its age. We don’t suggest you cut down a tree just to count the rings, though! Certain Tree Parts Grow Seasonally Unlike people, trees grow in separated sections. The trunk will grow in the summer, while the foliage will thrive in the spring. The roots tend to spread during the fall and winter when the rest of the tree is dormant. Trees Have Their Own Self-Defense Methods If a tree is invaded by insects, it will flood its leaves with phenolics chemicals. This is a compound that discourages insects from eating their foliage. The tree also sends off signals to other trees about the attack so that they can prepare their defenses as well. How We Can Help Here at Five Star Tree Services, we’re passionate about what we do. Our team provides high-quality and affordable tree care and maintenance, including pruning and tree removal services in Toronto. If you require help with the trees on your property or have any questions for our experts, give us a call at (416) 990-3355.

For more photos of this project see: DEMETER Gathering around a fire may be one of our deepest inclinations as a species, and nothing adds more natural ambiance to a modern-day gathering space. Our fire features range from traditional to natural to ultra-modern, fitting beautifully into the landscape by day and really showing off by night. Look forward to your next gathering and take the party outdoors!

We updated this 1907 two-story family home for re-sale. We added modern design elements and amenities while retaining the home’s original charm in the layout and key details. The aim was to optimize the value of the property for a prospective buyer, within a reasonable budget. New French doors from kitchen and a rear bedroom open out to a new bi-level deck that allows good sight lines, functional outdoor living space, and easy access to a garden full of mature fruit trees. French doors from an upstairs bedroom open out to a private high deck overlooking the garden. The garage has been converted to a family room that opens to the garden. The bathrooms and kitchen were remodeled the kitchen with simple, light, classic materials and contemporary lighting fixtures. New windows and skylights flood the spaces with light. Stained wood windows and doors at the kitchen pick up on the original stained wood of the other living spaces. New redwood picture molding was created for the living room where traces in the plaster suggested that picture molding has originally been. A sweet corner window seat at the living room was restored. At a downstairs bedroom we created a new plate rail and other redwood trim matching the original at the dining room. The original dining room hutch and woodwork were restored and a new mantel built for the fireplace. We built deep shelves into space carved out of the attic next to upstairs bedrooms and added other built-ins for character and usefulness. Storage was created in nooks throughout the house. A small room off the kitchen was set up for efficient laundry and pantry space. We provided the future owner of the house with plans showing design possibilities for expanding the house and creating a master suite with upstairs roof dormers and a small addition downstairs. The proposed design would optimize the house for current use while respecting the original integrity of the house. Photography: John Hayes, Open Homes Photography https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/classic-craftsman-update/

Cramped kitchen be gone! That was the project motto and top priority. The goal was to transform the current layout from multiple smaller spaces into a connected whole that would activate the main level for our clients, a young family of four. The biggest obstacle was the wall dividing the kitchen and the dining room. Removing this wall was central to opening up and integrating the main living spaces, but the existing ductwork that ran right through the center of the wall posed a design challenge, er design opportunity. The resulting design solution features a central pantry that captures the ductwork and provides valuable storage- especially when compared to the original kitchen's 18" wide pantry cabinet. The pantry also anchors the kitchen island and serves as a visual separation of space between the kitchen and homework area. Through our design development process, we learned the formal living room was of no service to their lifestyle and therefore space they rarely spent time in. With that in mind, we proposed to eliminate the unused living room and make it the new dining room. Relocating the dining room to this space inherently felt right given the soaring ceiling and ample room for holiday dinners and celebrations. The new dining room was spacious enough for us to incorporate a conversational seating area in the warm, south-facing window alcove. Now what to do with the old dining room?! To answer that question we took inspiration from our clients' shared profession in education and developed a craft area/homework station for both of their boys. The semi-custom cabinetry of the desk area carries over to the adjacent wall and forms window bench base with storage that we topped with butcher block for a touch of warmth. While the boys are young, the bench drawers are the perfect place for a stash of toys close to the kitchen. The kitchen begins just beyond the window seat with their refrigerator enclosure. Opposite the refrigerator is the new pantry with twenty linear feet of shelving and space for brooms and a stick vacuum. Extending from the backside of the pantry the kitchen island design incorporates counter seating on the family room side and a cabinetry configuration on the kitchen side with drawer storage, a trashcan center, farmhouse sink, and dishwasher. We took careful time in design and execution to align the range and sink because while it might seem like a small detail, it plays an important role in supporting the symmetrical configuration of the back wall of the kitchen. The rear wall design utilizes an appliance garage mirrors the visual impact of the refrigerator enclosure and helps keep the now open kitchen tidy. Between the appliance garage and refrigerator enclosure is the cooking zone with 30" of cabinetry and work surface on either side of the range, a chimney style vent hood, and a bold graphic tile backsplash. The backsplash is just one of many personal touches we added to the space to reflect our client's modern eclectic style and love of color. Swooping lines of the mid-mod style barstools compliment the pendants and backsplash pattern. A pop of vibrant green on the frame of the pantry door adds a fresh wash of color to an otherwise neutral space. The big show stopper is the custom charcoal gray and copper chevron wall installation in the dining room. This was an idea our clients softly suggested, and we excitedly embraced the opportunity. It is also a kickass solution to the head-scratching design dilemma of how to fill a large and lofty wall. We are so grateful to bring this design to life for our clients and now dear friends.

We updated this 1907 two-story family home for re-sale. We added modern design elements and amenities while retaining the home’s original charm in the layout and key details. The aim was to optimize the value of the property for a prospective buyer, within a reasonable budget. New French doors from kitchen and a rear bedroom open out to a new bi-level deck that allows good sight lines, functional outdoor living space, and easy access to a garden full of mature fruit trees. French doors from an upstairs bedroom open out to a private high deck overlooking the garden. The garage has been converted to a family room that opens to the garden. The bathrooms and kitchen were remodeled the kitchen with simple, light, classic materials and contemporary lighting fixtures. New windows and skylights flood the spaces with light. Stained wood windows and doors at the kitchen pick up on the original stained wood of the other living spaces. New redwood picture molding was created for the living room where traces in the plaster suggested that picture molding has originally been. A sweet corner window seat at the living room was restored. At a downstairs bedroom we created a new plate rail and other redwood trim matching the original at the dining room. The original dining room hutch and woodwork were restored and a new mantel built for the fireplace. We built deep shelves into space carved out of the attic next to upstairs bedrooms and added other built-ins for character and usefulness. Storage was created in nooks throughout the house. A small room off the kitchen was set up for efficient laundry and pantry space. We provided the future owner of the house with plans showing design possibilities for expanding the house and creating a master suite with upstairs roof dormers and a small addition downstairs. The proposed design would optimize the house for current use while respecting the original integrity of the house. Photography: John Hayes, Open Homes Photography https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/classic-craftsman-update/

Carmichael Ave: Custom Modern Home Build We’re excited to finally share pictures of one of our favourite customer’s project. The Rahimi brothers came into our showroom and consulted with Jodi for their custom home build. At Castle Kitchens, we are able to help all customers including builders with meeting their budget and providing them with great designs for their end customer. We worked closely with the builder duo by looking after their project from design to installation. The final outcome was a design that ensured the best layout, balance, proportion, symmetry, designed to suit the style of the property. Our kitchen design team was a great resource for our customers with regard to mechanical and electrical input, colours, appliance selection, accessory suggestions, etc. We provide overall design services! The project features walnut accents all throughout the house that help add warmth into a modern space allowing it be welcoming. Castle Kitchens was ultimately able to provide great design at great value to allow for a great return on the builders project. We look forward to showcasing another project with Rahimi brothers that we are currently working on soon for 2017, so stay tuned!

Design: Roberto Lazzeroni. A highly emotional collection characterized by the material nature of the woods, by the skillful lacquering , retro style of the mirrors and the metal reflections: ILBagno describes an intimate and refined atmosphere with a return to origins, a project that looks to the past to explore the future. A proposal less rigorous and minimal which allows you to recover the memory of familiar images, the style of a noble past, the suggestions that come from different styles. Not nostalgic but rather current, a reworking of content obtained through the antoniolupi style almost maniacal attention to detail, the excellence of the workmanship and materials used.

To create a semi-private area for the family landing zone, we chose to relocate the garage entry door to the house. Its new space was currently an awkward hall access to the dining room from the kitchen. Our design expert suggested extending the existing garage door entry wall to create a private entrance, then using the new wall space for the refrigerator and coffee bar. We then repeat the arched doorway seen in other areas. This space plan allocation has turned into one of the homeowners’ favorite features of the new area. In that same corner of the open space was a desk with an arched niche. The height and width were perfect to create a new doorway to the dining room. Now the two arched doorways look phenomenal together like they were always meant to be.

We updated this 1907 two-story family home for re-sale. We added modern design elements and amenities while retaining the home’s original charm in the layout and key details. The aim was to optimize the value of the property for a prospective buyer, within a reasonable budget. New French doors from kitchen and a rear bedroom open out to a new bi-level deck that allows good sight lines, functional outdoor living space, and easy access to a garden full of mature fruit trees. French doors from an upstairs bedroom open out to a private high deck overlooking the garden. The garage has been converted to a family room that opens to the garden. The bathrooms and kitchen were remodeled the kitchen with simple, light, classic materials and contemporary lighting fixtures. New windows and skylights flood the spaces with light. Stained wood windows and doors at the kitchen pick up on the original stained wood of the other living spaces. New redwood picture molding was created for the living room where traces in the plaster suggested that picture molding has originally been. A sweet corner window seat at the living room was restored. At a downstairs bedroom we created a new plate rail and other redwood trim matching the original at the dining room. The original dining room hutch and woodwork were restored and a new mantel built for the fireplace. We built deep shelves into space carved out of the attic next to upstairs bedrooms and added other built-ins for character and usefulness. Storage was created in nooks throughout the house. A small room off the kitchen was set up for efficient laundry and pantry space. We provided the future owner of the house with plans showing design possibilities for expanding the house and creating a master suite with upstairs roof dormers and a small addition downstairs. The proposed design would optimize the house for current use while respecting the original integrity of the house. Photography: John Hayes, Open Homes Photography https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/classic-craftsman-update/

We updated this 1907 two-story family home for re-sale. We added modern design elements and amenities while retaining the home’s original charm in the layout and key details. The aim was to optimize the value of the property for a prospective buyer, within a reasonable budget. New French doors from kitchen and a rear bedroom open out to a new bi-level deck that allows good sight lines, functional outdoor living space, and easy access to a garden full of mature fruit trees. French doors from an upstairs bedroom open out to a private high deck overlooking the garden. The garage has been converted to a family room that opens to the garden. The bathrooms and kitchen were remodeled the kitchen with simple, light, classic materials and contemporary lighting fixtures. New windows and skylights flood the spaces with light. Stained wood windows and doors at the kitchen pick up on the original stained wood of the other living spaces. New redwood picture molding was created for the living room where traces in the plaster suggested that picture molding has originally been. A sweet corner window seat at the living room was restored. At a downstairs bedroom we created a new plate rail and other redwood trim matching the original at the dining room. The original dining room hutch and woodwork were restored and a new mantel built for the fireplace. We built deep shelves into space carved out of the attic next to upstairs bedrooms and added other built-ins for character and usefulness. Storage was created in nooks throughout the house. A small room off the kitchen was set up for efficient laundry and pantry space. We provided the future owner of the house with plans showing design possibilities for expanding the house and creating a master suite with upstairs roof dormers and a small addition downstairs. The proposed design would optimize the house for current use while respecting the original integrity of the house. Photography: John Hayes, Open Homes Photography https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/classic-craftsman-update/

We updated this 1907 two-story family home for re-sale. We added modern design elements and amenities while retaining the home’s original charm in the layout and key details. The aim was to optimize the value of the property for a prospective buyer, within a reasonable budget. New French doors from kitchen and a rear bedroom open out to a new bi-level deck that allows good sight lines, functional outdoor living space, and easy access to a garden full of mature fruit trees. French doors from an upstairs bedroom open out to a private high deck overlooking the garden. The garage has been converted to a family room that opens to the garden. The bathrooms and kitchen were remodeled the kitchen with simple, light, classic materials and contemporary lighting fixtures. New windows and skylights flood the spaces with light. Stained wood windows and doors at the kitchen pick up on the original stained wood of the other living spaces. New redwood picture molding was created for the living room where traces in the plaster suggested that picture molding has originally been. A sweet corner window seat at the living room was restored. At a downstairs bedroom we created a new plate rail and other redwood trim matching the original at the dining room. The original dining room hutch and woodwork were restored and a new mantel built for the fireplace. We built deep shelves into space carved out of the attic next to upstairs bedrooms and added other built-ins for character and usefulness. Storage was created in nooks throughout the house. A small room off the kitchen was set up for efficient laundry and pantry space. We provided the future owner of the house with plans showing design possibilities for expanding the house and creating a master suite with upstairs roof dormers and a small addition downstairs. The proposed design would optimize the house for current use while respecting the original integrity of the house. Photography: John Hayes, Open Homes Photography https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/classic-craftsman-update/

"Kerry Taylor was professional and courteous from our first meeting forwards. We took a long time to decide on our final design but Kerry and his design team were patient and respectful and waited until we were ready to move forward. There was never a sense of being pushed into anything we didn’t like. They listened, carefully considered our requests and delivered an awesome plan for our new bathroom. Kerry also broke down everything so that we could consider several alternatives for features and finishes and was mindful to stay within our budget. He accommodated some on-the-fly changes, after construction was underway and suggested effective solutions for any unforeseen problems that arose. Having construction done in close proximity to our master bedroom was a challenge but the excellent crew TaylorPro had on our job made it relatively painless: courteous and polite, arrived on time daily, worked hard, pretty much nonstop and cleaned up every day before leaving. If there were any delays, Kerry made sure to communicate with us quickly and was always available to talk when we had concerns or questions." This Carlsbad couple yearned for a generous master bath that included a big soaking tub, double vanity, water closet, large walk-in shower, and walk in closet. Unfortunately, their current master bathroom was only 6'x12'. Our design team went to work and came up with a solution to push the back wall into an unused 2nd floor vaulted space in the garage, and further expand the new master bath footprint into two existing closet areas. These inventive expansions made it possible for their luxurious master bath dreams to come true. Just goes to show that, with TaylorPro Design & Remodeling, fitting a square peg in a round hole could be possible! Photos by: Jon Upson

Carmichael Ave: Custom Modern Home Build We’re excited to finally share pictures of one of our favourite customer’s project. The Rahimi brothers came into our showroom and consulted with Jodi for their custom home build. At Castle Kitchens, we are able to help all customers including builders with meeting their budget and providing them with great designs for their end customer. We worked closely with the builder duo by looking after their project from design to installation. The final outcome was a design that ensured the best layout, balance, proportion, symmetry, designed to suit the style of the property. Our kitchen design team was a great resource for our customers with regard to mechanical and electrical input, colours, appliance selection, accessory suggestions, etc. We provide overall design services! The project features walnut accents all throughout the house that help add warmth into a modern space allowing it be welcoming. Castle Kitchens was ultimately able to provide great design at great value to allow for a great return on the builders project. We look forward to showcasing another project with Rahimi brothers that we are currently working on soon for 2017, so stay tuned!

We updated this 1907 two-story family home for re-sale. We added modern design elements and amenities while retaining the home’s original charm in the layout and key details. The aim was to optimize the value of the property for a prospective buyer, within a reasonable budget. New French doors from kitchen and a rear bedroom open out to a new bi-level deck that allows good sight lines, functional outdoor living space, and easy access to a garden full of mature fruit trees. French doors from an upstairs bedroom open out to a private high deck overlooking the garden. The garage has been converted to a family room that opens to the garden. The bathrooms and kitchen were remodeled the kitchen with simple, light, classic materials and contemporary lighting fixtures. New windows and skylights flood the spaces with light. Stained wood windows and doors at the kitchen pick up on the original stained wood of the other living spaces. New redwood picture molding was created for the living room where traces in the plaster suggested that picture molding has originally been. A sweet corner window seat at the living room was restored. At a downstairs bedroom we created a new plate rail and other redwood trim matching the original at the dining room. The original dining room hutch and woodwork were restored and a new mantel built for the fireplace. We built deep shelves into space carved out of the attic next to upstairs bedrooms and added other built-ins for character and usefulness. Storage was created in nooks throughout the house. A small room off the kitchen was set up for efficient laundry and pantry space. We provided the future owner of the house with plans showing design possibilities for expanding the house and creating a master suite with upstairs roof dormers and a small addition downstairs. The proposed design would optimize the house for current use while respecting the original integrity of the house. Photography: John Hayes, Open Homes Photography https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/classic-craftsman-update/

Design: Roberto Lazzeroni. A highly emotional collection characterized by the material nature of the woods, by the skillful lacquering , retro style of the mirrors and the metal reflections: ILBagno describes an intimate and refined atmosphere with a return to origins, a project that looks to the past to explore the future. A proposal less rigorous and minimal which allows you to recover the memory of familiar images, the style of a noble past, the suggestions that come from different styles. Not nostalgic but rather current, a reworking of content obtained through the antoniolupi style almost maniacal attention to detail, the excellence of the workmanship and materials used.

We updated this 1907 two-story family home for re-sale. We added modern design elements and amenities while retaining the home’s original charm in the layout and key details. The aim was to optimize the value of the property for a prospective buyer, within a reasonable budget. New French doors from kitchen and a rear bedroom open out to a new bi-level deck that allows good sight lines, functional outdoor living space, and easy access to a garden full of mature fruit trees. French doors from an upstairs bedroom open out to a private high deck overlooking the garden. The garage has been converted to a family room that opens to the garden. The bathrooms and kitchen were remodeled the kitchen with simple, light, classic materials and contemporary lighting fixtures. New windows and skylights flood the spaces with light. Stained wood windows and doors at the kitchen pick up on the original stained wood of the other living spaces. New redwood picture molding was created for the living room where traces in the plaster suggested that picture molding has originally been. A sweet corner window seat at the living room was restored. At a downstairs bedroom we created a new plate rail and other redwood trim matching the original at the dining room. The original dining room hutch and woodwork were restored and a new mantel built for the fireplace. We built deep shelves into space carved out of the attic next to upstairs bedrooms and added other built-ins for character and usefulness. Storage was created in nooks throughout the house. A small room off the kitchen was set up for efficient laundry and pantry space. We provided the future owner of the house with plans showing design possibilities for expanding the house and creating a master suite with upstairs roof dormers and a small addition downstairs. The proposed design would optimize the house for current use while respecting the original integrity of the house. Photography: John Hayes, Open Homes Photography https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/classic-craftsman-update/