Search results for "Cutting process" in Home Design Ideas

M-S Pro Architects announce the completion of an indoor swimming pool in a state-of-the-art, single storey family home set in a picturesque location on the outskirts of Bratislava - one of Europe’s youngest capital cities. Kebony, a beautiful wood recommended by leading architects, was chosen to craft the ceiling of the swimming pool, which is designed to emulate rippling waves as well as for the terrace deck and structural beams.
Sustainability and a desire to recreate the close proximity often seen between wood and water in the natural environment were primary focuses in the design of this project. This led a requirement for a low maintenance wood, compatible humidity and with advanced durability, for the swimming pool ceiling. In addition, a high level of precision when cutting the wood was required in order to achieve the desired appearance of waves.
Supplied by Leading Market, Kebony was carefully selected for the pool ceiling, which consists of 490 lamellae of timber, due to its versatility, durability and environmental credentials. Kebony was also installed throughout the exterior of this property, both for the spacious outdoor terrace and the exterior and interior beams. One of the reasons to choose Kebony was the unified look of wood in all these different applications.
Developed in Norway, the patented Kebony technology uses an environmentally friendly process, which permanently enhances the properties of sustainable softwood with a bio-based liquid derived from agricultural crop waste. By polymerising the wood’s cell wall with furfuryl alcohol, the wood gains greatly improved durability and dimensional stability, giving it characteristics similar to those of tropical hardwood. In creating a wood with comparable properties to tropical hardwood that can be grown in a FSC certified, sustainably managed forest, the demand for tropical woods is reduced, allowing timber to once again be an important part of sustainable construction.
Tomáš Hubinský, Lead Architect at M-S Pro, commented: “From conception through to completion, the creation of this ceiling has been a real feat. Despite the challenges faced by such an intricate design, Kebony was the perfect material to convey our desired effect of waves rippling along the ceiling. We will continue to incorporate Kebony into our interior and exterior designs, with wood fast becoming the first choice material for all architects.”
Mette Valen, Sales Manager Norway at Kebony, explained: “The distinctive nature of this design cleverly portrays the capability of Kebony, demonstrating both the aesthetic and performance qualities of the product. We would be honoured to work with M-S Pro in the future and look forward to seeing how they utilise Kebony in their future projects.”

A unique West Coast Modern design by Etienne de Villiers located near Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Featuring Douglas Fir glulam timberframe, this home is modern, yet comfortable and warm - signature traits of a West Coast Contemporary design.
Located on a high ridge of Denman Island, the design emulates a bridge with the master suite and living areas on one side, the guest rooms and amenities on the other and a bridge structure housing the main living area and kitchen. This glorious home captures the best elements of West Coast living with 360 views of the forest, ocean and Beaufort Mountain range across Baynes sound.
We built this home on an island with ferry access, so detailed pre-planning was imperative. Our crew pre-cut and test fitted all of the members in our shop for an easy installation on-site, which made for a very smooth construction process.

This proposal is for a new two-story home on the vacant heavily wooded lot with an existing 150-foot-long driveway lined by several beautiful oak trees culminating in a behemoth 43-inch oak tree where the driveway meets the main lot. The far end of the driveway terminates in a grove of three 43/40/43-inch redwoods and at the very center of the vacant lot stands a gargantuan V-twin 59-inch redwood tree paired with a “small” 29-inch redwood tree. The owners want to build a beautiful contemporary-styled home for their family that fully enjoys and embraces the mature trees on their cozy 65-foot by 100-foot lot.
As with all small, constrained lots, this project’s site design started first with meeting the relatively large parking and car maneuvering requirements. Menlo Park’s Department of Transportation typically requires side-facing garages to have 24-feet of backup space. So that they could give the largest feature redwood tree on site an added four feet (50%) of clearance outside of its critical root zone, the owners agreed to install a vehicle turntable at the end of their driveway to eliminate the extra four feet of space needed to back up and turnaround. This allowed them to pull their garage forward an additional four feet towards the front property line on the panhandle side, drastically reducing the rest of the home’s impact on the gargantuan V-Twin paired redwood tree at the center of the lot.
One of the owners has mobility issues, and accordingly, they first sought to design a one-story floor plan that incorporated all their family’s needs including plenty of covered patio and deck space to enjoy our fantastic California weather. But that single-story footprint spread too far into the critical root zones of several of the redwood trees on site, even despite the use of the vehicle turntable. During my interview process with the owners, they made it clear to me that one of their primary concerns is ensuring that the largest trees on site would thrive and become features of their new home after construction is complete. The single-story designs that removed the grove of three huge redwood trees were non-starters, as was the skimpy 5x10 master bath I designed when trying to squeeze the whole house program into an overly compromised single-story design. It was therefore deemed necessary to go with a two-story design despite the owner’s mobility issues. This two-story design has a much more compact ground floor footprint and has no bedrooms downstairs, other than the detached ADU. The owners must give up the floor area and incur the costs to install a residential elevator to access their upstairs master suite.
Our ground floor footprint is smaller due to the two-story design decision, and our foundation is pulled away from the trees thanks to the vehicle turntable. Yet, a tiny portion of the home’s ground floor footprint still encroaches into the critical root zones of the largest 59” redwood tree. Therefore, as outlined in the Arborist Report prepared by Aesculus Arboricultural Consulting, the structural engineers are incorporating an array of drilled piers and shallow-grade beams for the main home’s foundation and deck area nearest the redwood’s critical root zone. This drilled piers and grade beam foundation is a type of “bridging” foundation as outlined in Aesculus’ report to preserve the health of these trees that the property was designed around. The rest of the foundation will be constructed as an insulated slab-on-grade foundation to minimize the number of steps and ramps needed for the owners to enjoy their home and patio areas.
Despite the owner’s desire to keep as many trees as possible on site, and despite the smaller ground floor footprint and the advantage of the vehicle turntable, the need for a 20x20-foot garage and 20x20/25-foot guest parking space on our panhandle lot requires the removal of two heritage trees in the required driveway, a 16” coast redwood, and a 17” coast redwood. An alternate design, such as swapping the garage and guest parking locations north-to-south, still requires the removal of these two trees for vehicle maneuvering but has the added disadvantage of cutting off the home’s sightlines to the behemoth 43” oak tree just outside the currently proposed front patio space and living room. Jim Redman of Elements Landscape is proposing 13 new trees be planted on site to replace the lost value of these two heritage coast redwood trees.
This contemporary architectural design features clean lines, and an abundance of full-height windows and large skylights to best take in the immense trees on site. To blend in with the forest-like setting, the home boasts a mix of rich textures and features a color palette of natural wood tones contrasted with dark blue and black. Once through the new steel gate at the street and down the 150-foot tree-lined driveway, a large covered front patio becomes visible past the neighbor’s detached accessory structure. The covered patio is just across the driveway from the beautiful 43” behemoth coast live oak. The single plane of the covered patio roof is delicately supported by a pair of steel posts in a “V-twin” configuration much like the largest redwood trees that tower over the center of the lot and will still be visible above the new two-story home, even from the front yard. The patio is covered in a dark-colored standing seam roof, with steel C-channel fascias, and tongue-and-groove wood ceiling planks on the underside. Generously sized skylights on the patio roof and inside the living area allow for impressive views of the amazing oak canopy as well as precious natural light.
Supporting the sloped covered patio on the other side is the two-car garage with a secondary bedroom suite stacked above the garage. This two-story volume is to be clad in vertical clear-coated redwood siding, to tie in with the grove of three 43-inch redwood trees just beyond. The garage door, and the bank of windows for Bedroom#2 above feature a steel fascia eyebrow header feature to provide shade and overhang protection, as we are not proposing a large overhang at this “redwood trunk”. The garage and bedroom volume are pulled 16 feet away from the side property line, instead of the minimum required setback of 6’-6”, thus leaving plenty of room for the redwood grove and existing mature pear tree to continue to thrive. This existing mature green screen in this 16-foot-wide side yard is a feature worth soaking in, which is why tall windows with low sill heights are proposed for both the stairs and the upstairs hallway. Though it may be infrequent to approve side-facing 2nd floor windows with sill heights as low as what we’re proposing, we are confident that the mature green screen and the over 16-foot-wide side yard are sufficient to provide for the continued privacy of our neighbor’s rear yard space, especially considering theses windows are in walkway zones.
The covered patio at the front entry is also bound by the 10-foot-tall living room. The great room is clad in a dark blue brick veneer, which wraps around all three sides of the living room. Upon entering the home from the covered patio, you are immediately greeted with one of the most impressive features of the home’s design: a 10-foot-tall by 24-foot-wide set of sliding glass doors. From the entry, this huge opening gives merely an initial glimpse of the massive trunks of the gargantuan V-twin redwoods sitting at the center of the lot. All three sliding glass panels open directly out into the smaller partially covered deck in the rear. This roof overhang element matches the design of the front patio with a steel C-channel fascia and a large skylight. But the rear deck’s roof element is set flat at a ten-foot ceiling height so that the living room’s ceiling seems to float above and out beyond the expanse of full-height sliding doors, thus creating an indoor-outdoor living space that will feel much larger than the home’s actual footprint. This rear covered deck is smaller than the patio in the front and also has a mix of solid and open-slatted roofing to allow for more solar access for the relatively small amount of open sky available.
The downstairs living room is open to the dining and kitchen areas, as well as the stair-and-elevator tower beyond. The stair tower is very open and glassy, and the stairs wind up and around the redwood-clad elevator tower. From certain perspectives in the 16-foot-wide side yard, it will almost seem as if the grove of three redwoods has a fourth tree that the house and the stairs were carefully built around. Other than the 3-foot-wide windows, the exterior walls of the stair tower, downstairs utility spaces, and Bedroom#3 above are finished in cement plaster, painted dark blue and black. The sloped roof over the stair-and-elevator tower continues cleanly over the area of upstairs Bedroom#3. This roof level is set by the side daylight plane and only yields an inside wall height of just under 6 feet in height. The owners are satisfied that the rest of this upstairs room has a nice vaulted ceiling to make up for the one short wall under the daylight plane.
The rest of the ground floor adjacent to the stair tower consists of a small utility wing containing a half-bath, laundry, storage area, and an exterior alcove for the electric heat pump HVAC unit. This short wing also gives more accessible access to the rear yard deck, as well as a backdrop for an outdoor kitchen. The bright white stone backsplash for the outdoor kitchen provides contrast to the otherwise consistent use of cement plaster painted dark blue and black for the two-story wing closest to the detached ADU. Though Bedroom#3 is stacked directly above this small wing, it is relatively short to comply with the side daylight plane of this narrow lot. Still, to further help break up the scale of this wall, another steel fascia eyebrow element is set about 8 feet above the rear deck.
The master suite sits centered above the ten-foot-tall great room. The master bedroom and its balcony, as well as the master bathtub area, have a commanding view of the central redwood trees and their impressive canopy, though the balcony is mostly recessed and should pose no privacy concerns to the neighbor’s rear yards. The master balcony parapet is clad in the same brick veneer continuing up from the living room below. A dark-painted metal rail makes up the rest of the open guardrail height. The entire length of the master balcony is comprised of 9-foot-tall sliding glass doors, but the area above the doors, as well as the area below the master bathroom windows, is accented with more redwood siding. The remainder of the master suite bathroom and walk-in closet is finished in cement plaster painted dark blue. The master bathroom has one side yard-facing window but will be frosted glass for both the owner’s and the neighbor’s privacy.
The 2nd floor is capped under a simple gable roof design with one roof ridge and varying eave and rake overhangs depending on the 2nd-floor layout and solar orientation. Since these roof planes are quite difficult to see in the middle of the heavily wooded panhandle lot, we are proposing a white TPO roofing for these two upper roof planes as a more sustainable choice compared to more dark-colored roofing like the covered patios and detached ADU.
The owners also wish to build a detached 292-square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an office and guest suite. For the ADU foundation to be situated outside the central redwood tree’s critical root zone, this relatively tiny structure takes advantage of the narrower 4-foot side and rear setbacks allowed for ADUs smaller than 800 square feet. The small L-shaped detached ADU frames a wonderful quasi-courtyard around the gargantuan V-twin redwoods at the center of the lot. The ADU shares a matching material palette consisting of cement plaster painted blue and black, vertical redwood siding and soffits, and thin brick veneer. The ADU also features large full-height windows. The only difference between the main home and the ADU material palette is that the roofing will be a dark composition shingle roofing since it will be quite visible from the master balcony.

Custom wrapping paper storage drawers.
Minimalist light wood floor and beige floor craft room photo in Edmonton with white walls
Minimalist light wood floor and beige floor craft room photo in Edmonton with white walls

Here's a quick glimpse of our boat dock construction process for a home in Palm Coast. Precision contour cuts, Camo hidden deck fasteners, 2"x12" roof banding with stainless steel lags, GR2 control box with remote. We stand behind our quality materials and craftsmanship.

Our most recent modern farmhouse in the west Willamette Valley is what dream homes are made of. Named “Starry Night Ranch” by the homeowners, this 3 level, 4 bedroom custom home boasts of over 9,000 square feet of combined living, garage and outdoor spaces.
Well versed in the custom home building process, the homeowners spent many hours partnering with both Shan Stassens of Winsome Construction and Buck Bailey Design to add in countless unique features, including a cross hatched cable rail system, a second story window that perfectly frames a view of Mt. Hood and an entryway cut-out to keep a specialty piece of furniture tucked out of the way.
From whitewashed shiplap wall coverings to reclaimed wood sliding barn doors to mosaic tile and honed granite, this farmhouse-inspired space achieves a timeless appeal with both classic comfort and modern flair.

Modern Citi Group recently completed this remarkable condo renovation project in Jersey City, tailored to meet the distinct tastes of a homeowner seeking a space that exudes feminine charm and personalized elegance.
This full renovation included a complete overhaul of the look of this home, incorporating the client's very specific desires. Our design team worked closely with the client to ensure the alignment of vision and brought to life the dreams of the client.
Every renovation project starts with the planning phase led by the project planners. At the at-home visit, Anna captured a 360 tour of the apartment to get accurate measurements and fast-track the project. As the project progressed, the client was able to keep track of costs and enjoy simulations on her client dashboard. The planning process went smoothly, and the client was very happy with the results.
To achieve this feminine look, bespoke light fixtures and carefully selected wallpaper were installed to create a refined ambiance. Going above and beyond, the project also incorporated cutting-edge technology, including a smart toilet and bidet. Every inch of space in the home reflects the client's exact desires and taste.
This comprehensive endeavor focused on transforming the residence, encompassing a full-scale renovation of the kitchen, living room, bedrooms, and two bathrooms. The team refinished the floors, ceilings and walls - integrating elements that resonated with the homeowner's vision for a space that harmoniously blends femininity, class, and timeless elegance.
The end result is a meticulously crafted home that not only reflects the homeowner's individual style but also stands as a testament to Modern Citi Group's commitment to delivering sophisticated and personalized living spaces.

Furthermore, VDom Doors insulate your home from extreme weather conditions, as well as unwanted animals, insects, and dust from entering.
Our doors have several superior features:
- Single sheet of metal is used in construction. No welded seams are best as these can significantly weaken the structural integrity of the entranceway. Our doors are also more resilient to mechanic damage, such as sledgehammer strikes.
- The advantage of a single, non-welded door is that it reduces interior internal condensation. Over time, condensation can negatively affect the door mechanisms.
- Stiffening Ribs: These non-visible details add to our door's security.
- Quality insulation serves to reduce unwanted external noise, as well as protect against extreme heat, and severe cold.
- 3D Hinges: Hacking are often carried out at the side of a door's hinges. A better feature is utilizing hinges with ball bearings and installed anti-cuts.
Introducing the Deux collection of modern exterior entrance doors in a white enamel color. Expertly crafted from a single sheet of metal with a sturdy Aluminum frame and threshold, these doors offer both style and security for your home.
The exterior design features the horizontal strips of clear glass and frosted glass, creating a striking and contemporary look that will enhance the curb appeal of any home. The white enamel color provides a sophisticated and modern feel, perfect for those who want to make a bold statement with their entrance.
The interior design also boasts the horizontal strips of clear glass and frosted glass, creating a cohesive and stylish look throughout the home.
The Deux collection of modern front doors is ideal for homeowners who want to elevate the look of their home's exterior while also ensuring the safety and security of their property. And with our easy ordering process and user-friendly website, you can have your new door delivered right to your doorstep.
Upgrade your home's curb appeal and make a bold statement with the Deux collection of modern exterior entrance doors in white paint. Order yours today and experience the perfect combination of style and function.
Model - 6500 Deux
Color - White
Door thickness - 3 1/4"
Frame thickness - 4"
Exterior design - Stainless steel inserts, frosted glass. Coating of the door - White enamel.
Interior design - Stainless steel inserts, frosted glass. Coating of the door - White enamel.
Hardware included:
- Aluminum frame 4" thick - Dimensions of the door including frame is 74" x 82".
- Aluminum threshold.
- Plate-type, primary mortise lock for armoured type of aluminum doors, locked by 3 key turns, doors are captured in 3 places. The lock has replaceable core and 5 keys.
- Heavy-duty Cylinder.
- 3D hinges Wala
- Turnknob for lock.
- Armor plate Securemme for the lock.
- 2 Bar Handles.

Introducing the "Ego Collection" with premium natural wood doors featuring a luxurious veneer coating. Clean lines and a discreet design characterize these doors, offering a simple yet elegant aesthetic. The multi-layer finishing process includes enamels followed by matte varnishes, resulting in a smooth and almost velvety surface. The premium decorative films used are based on polypropylene, providing an outstanding imitation effect of a painted surface. These films are free from solvents and formaldehyde, making them environmentally friendly and contributing to a healthier living climate. Additionally, the high-quality material surface ensures easy cleaning and outstanding resistance against mechanical stress and chemicals.
Finish - natural wood with veneer coating.
Door core - solid wood (engineered wood).
Thickness of the door - 1 9/16".
Thickness of the glass - 1/6".
Doors are not pre-cut for the hardware.
Assembly of frames and trims required. Doors work with all swing directions.
Rough opening can be calculated: door width" + 2"; door height" + 1 9/16".
What's included:
- 2 door slabs;
- trims (2.95" wide);
- frames (for wall thickness from 4" to 5");
- 2 passage lever/knob;
- non-mortise hinges;
The "Ego Collection" offers doors that combine premium natural wood with exquisite veneer coating, providing a sophisticated touch to any interior space. These doors are designed to be both durable and visually appealing, ensuring they stand the test of time while enhancing the ambiance of your home or office.
As a trusted supplier of interior doors in New York, we are committed to delivering top-quality products that exceed expectations. The "Ego Collection" is a testament to our dedication to craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. Experience the elegance and durability of our premium natural wood doors from the "Ego Collection" today!

Modern Citi Group recently completed this remarkable condo renovation project in Jersey City, tailored to meet the distinct tastes of a homeowner seeking a space that exudes feminine charm and personalized elegance.
This full renovation included a complete overhaul of the look of this home, incorporating the client's very specific desires. Our design team worked closely with the client to ensure the alignment of vision and brought to life the dreams of the client.
Every renovation project starts with the planning phase led by the project planners. At the at-home visit, Anna captured a 360 tour of the apartment to get accurate measurements and fast-track the project. As the project progressed, the client was able to keep track of costs and enjoy simulations on her client dashboard. The planning process went smoothly, and the client was very happy with the results.
To achieve this feminine look, bespoke light fixtures and carefully selected wallpaper were installed to create a refined ambiance. Going above and beyond, the project also incorporated cutting-edge technology, including a smart toilet and bidet. Every inch of space in the home reflects the client's exact desires and taste.
This comprehensive endeavor focused on transforming the residence, encompassing a full-scale renovation of the kitchen, living room, bedrooms, and two bathrooms. The team refinished the floors, ceilings and walls - integrating elements that resonated with the homeowner's vision for a space that harmoniously blends femininity, class, and timeless elegance.
The end result is a meticulously crafted home that not only reflects the homeowner's individual style but also stands as a testament to Modern Citi Group's commitment to delivering sophisticated and personalized living spaces.

Our most recent modern farmhouse in the west Willamette Valley is what dream homes are made of. Named “Starry Night Ranch” by the homeowners, this 3 level, 4 bedroom custom home boasts of over 9,000 square feet of combined living, garage and outdoor spaces.
Well versed in the custom home building process, the homeowners spent many hours partnering with both Shan Stassens of Winsome Construction and Buck Bailey Design to add in countless unique features, including a cross hatched cable rail system, a second story window that perfectly frames a view of Mt. Hood and an entryway cut-out to keep a specialty piece of furniture tucked out of the way.
From whitewashed shiplap wall coverings to reclaimed wood sliding barn doors to mosaic tile and honed granite, this farmhouse-inspired space achieves a timeless appeal with both classic comfort and modern flair.

Furthermore, VDom Doors insulate your home from extreme weather conditions, as well as unwanted animals, insects, and dust from entering.
Our doors have several superior features:
- Single sheet of metal is used in construction. No welded seams are best as these can significantly weaken the structural integrity of the entranceway. Our doors are also more resilient to mechanic damage, such as sledgehammer strikes.
- The advantage of a single, non-welded door is that it reduces interior internal condensation. Over time, condensation can negatively affect the door mechanisms.
- Stiffening Ribs: These non-visible details add to our door's security.
- Quality insulation serves to reduce unwanted external noise, as well as protect against extreme heat, and severe cold.
- 3D Hinges: Hacking are often carried out at the side of a door's hinges. A better feature is utilizing hinges with ball bearings and installed anti-cuts.
Introducing the Deux collection of modern exterior entrance doors in a white enamel color. Expertly crafted from a single sheet of metal with a sturdy Aluminum frame and threshold, these doors offer both style and security for your home.
The exterior design features the horizontal strips of clear glass and frosted glass, creating a striking and contemporary look that will enhance the curb appeal of any home. The white enamel color provides a sophisticated and modern feel, perfect for those who want to make a bold statement with their entrance.
The interior design also boasts the horizontal strips of clear glass and frosted glass, creating a cohesive and stylish look throughout the home.
The Deux collection of modern front doors is ideal for homeowners who want to elevate the look of their home's exterior while also ensuring the safety and security of their property. And with our easy ordering process and user-friendly website, you can have your new door delivered right to your doorstep.
Upgrade your home's curb appeal and make a bold statement with the Deux collection of modern exterior entrance doors in white paint. Order yours today and experience the perfect combination of style and function.
Model - 6500 Deux
Color - White
Door thickness - 3 1/4"
Frame thickness - 4"
Exterior design - Stainless steel inserts, frosted glass. Coating of the door - White enamel.
Interior design - Stainless steel inserts, frosted glass. Coating of the door - White enamel.
Hardware included:
- Aluminum frame 4" thick - Dimensions of the door including frame is 74" x 82".
- Aluminum threshold.
- Plate-type, primary mortise lock for armoured type of aluminum doors, locked by 3 key turns, doors are captured in 3 places. The lock has replaceable core and 5 keys.
- Heavy-duty Cylinder.
- 3D hinges Wala
- Turnknob for lock.
- Armor plate Securemme for the lock.
- 2 Bar Handles.

La Femme sets the standard of excellence for the cut pile texture category. Utilizing Stainmaster Trusoft fiber, its density and finish are second to none. As is the tradition at Fabrica, the product goes through the shearing process multiple times until the clarity of finish is perfection. The statement is made complete with an offering of 60 color choices. One look at La Femme and you will know, it is the best you can buy.

This proposal is for a new two-story home on the vacant heavily wooded lot with an existing 150-foot-long driveway lined by several beautiful oak trees culminating in a behemoth 43-inch oak tree where the driveway meets the main lot. The far end of the driveway terminates in a grove of three 43/40/43-inch redwoods and at the very center of the vacant lot stands a gargantuan V-twin 59-inch redwood tree paired with a “small” 29-inch redwood tree. The owners want to build a beautiful contemporary-styled home for their family that fully enjoys and embraces the mature trees on their cozy 65-foot by 100-foot lot.
As with all small, constrained lots, this project’s site design started first with meeting the relatively large parking and car maneuvering requirements. Menlo Park’s Department of Transportation typically requires side-facing garages to have 24-feet of backup space. So that they could give the largest feature redwood tree on site an added four feet (50%) of clearance outside of its critical root zone, the owners agreed to install a vehicle turntable at the end of their driveway to eliminate the extra four feet of space needed to back up and turnaround. This allowed them to pull their garage forward an additional four feet towards the front property line on the panhandle side, drastically reducing the rest of the home’s impact on the gargantuan V-Twin paired redwood tree at the center of the lot.
One of the owners has mobility issues, and accordingly, they first sought to design a one-story floor plan that incorporated all their family’s needs including plenty of covered patio and deck space to enjoy our fantastic California weather. But that single-story footprint spread too far into the critical root zones of several of the redwood trees on site, even despite the use of the vehicle turntable. During my interview process with the owners, they made it clear to me that one of their primary concerns is ensuring that the largest trees on site would thrive and become features of their new home after construction is complete. The single-story designs that removed the grove of three huge redwood trees were non-starters, as was the skimpy 5x10 master bath I designed when trying to squeeze the whole house program into an overly compromised single-story design. It was therefore deemed necessary to go with a two-story design despite the owner’s mobility issues. This two-story design has a much more compact ground floor footprint and has no bedrooms downstairs, other than the detached ADU. The owners must give up the floor area and incur the costs to install a residential elevator to access their upstairs master suite.
Our ground floor footprint is smaller due to the two-story design decision, and our foundation is pulled away from the trees thanks to the vehicle turntable. Yet, a tiny portion of the home’s ground floor footprint still encroaches into the critical root zones of the largest 59” redwood tree. Therefore, as outlined in the Arborist Report prepared by Aesculus Arboricultural Consulting, the structural engineers are incorporating an array of drilled piers and shallow-grade beams for the main home’s foundation and deck area nearest the redwood’s critical root zone. This drilled piers and grade beam foundation is a type of “bridging” foundation as outlined in Aesculus’ report to preserve the health of these trees that the property was designed around. The rest of the foundation will be constructed as an insulated slab-on-grade foundation to minimize the number of steps and ramps needed for the owners to enjoy their home and patio areas.
Despite the owner’s desire to keep as many trees as possible on site, and despite the smaller ground floor footprint and the advantage of the vehicle turntable, the need for a 20x20-foot garage and 20x20/25-foot guest parking space on our panhandle lot requires the removal of two heritage trees in the required driveway, a 16” coast redwood, and a 17” coast redwood. An alternate design, such as swapping the garage and guest parking locations north-to-south, still requires the removal of these two trees for vehicle maneuvering but has the added disadvantage of cutting off the home’s sightlines to the behemoth 43” oak tree just outside the currently proposed front patio space and living room. Jim Redman of Elements Landscape is proposing 13 new trees be planted on site to replace the lost value of these two heritage coast redwood trees.
This contemporary architectural design features clean lines, and an abundance of full-height windows and large skylights to best take in the immense trees on site. To blend in with the forest-like setting, the home boasts a mix of rich textures and features a color palette of natural wood tones contrasted with dark blue and black. Once through the new steel gate at the street and down the 150-foot tree-lined driveway, a large covered front patio becomes visible past the neighbor’s detached accessory structure. The covered patio is just across the driveway from the beautiful 43” behemoth coast live oak. The single plane of the covered patio roof is delicately supported by a pair of steel posts in a “V-twin” configuration much like the largest redwood trees that tower over the center of the lot and will still be visible above the new two-story home, even from the front yard. The patio is covered in a dark-colored standing seam roof, with steel C-channel fascias, and tongue-and-groove wood ceiling planks on the underside. Generously sized skylights on the patio roof and inside the living area allow for impressive views of the amazing oak canopy as well as precious natural light.
Supporting the sloped covered patio on the other side is the two-car garage with a secondary bedroom suite stacked above the garage. This two-story volume is to be clad in vertical clear-coated redwood siding, to tie in with the grove of three 43-inch redwood trees just beyond. The garage door, and the bank of windows for Bedroom#2 above feature a steel fascia eyebrow header feature to provide shade and overhang protection, as we are not proposing a large overhang at this “redwood trunk”. The garage and bedroom volume are pulled 16 feet away from the side property line, instead of the minimum required setback of 6’-6”, thus leaving plenty of room for the redwood grove and existing mature pear tree to continue to thrive. This existing mature green screen in this 16-foot-wide side yard is a feature worth soaking in, which is why tall windows with low sill heights are proposed for both the stairs and the upstairs hallway. Though it may be infrequent to approve side-facing 2nd floor windows with sill heights as low as what we’re proposing, we are confident that the mature green screen and the over 16-foot-wide side yard are sufficient to provide for the continued privacy of our neighbor’s rear yard space, especially considering theses windows are in walkway zones.
The covered patio at the front entry is also bound by the 10-foot-tall living room. The great room is clad in a dark blue brick veneer, which wraps around all three sides of the living room. Upon entering the home from the covered patio, you are immediately greeted with one of the most impressive features of the home’s design: a 10-foot-tall by 24-foot-wide set of sliding glass doors. From the entry, this huge opening gives merely an initial glimpse of the massive trunks of the gargantuan V-twin redwoods sitting at the center of the lot. All three sliding glass panels open directly out into the smaller partially covered deck in the rear. This roof overhang element matches the design of the front patio with a steel C-channel fascia and a large skylight. But the rear deck’s roof element is set flat at a ten-foot ceiling height so that the living room’s ceiling seems to float above and out beyond the expanse of full-height sliding doors, thus creating an indoor-outdoor living space that will feel much larger than the home’s actual footprint. This rear covered deck is smaller than the patio in the front and also has a mix of solid and open-slatted roofing to allow for more solar access for the relatively small amount of open sky available.
The downstairs living room is open to the dining and kitchen areas, as well as the stair-and-elevator tower beyond. The stair tower is very open and glassy, and the stairs wind up and around the redwood-clad elevator tower. From certain perspectives in the 16-foot-wide side yard, it will almost seem as if the grove of three redwoods has a fourth tree that the house and the stairs were carefully built around. Other than the 3-foot-wide windows, the exterior walls of the stair tower, downstairs utility spaces, and Bedroom#3 above are finished in cement plaster, painted dark blue and black. The sloped roof over the stair-and-elevator tower continues cleanly over the area of upstairs Bedroom#3. This roof level is set by the side daylight plane and only yields an inside wall height of just under 6 feet in height. The owners are satisfied that the rest of this upstairs room has a nice vaulted ceiling to make up for the one short wall under the daylight plane.
The rest of the ground floor adjacent to the stair tower consists of a small utility wing containing a half-bath, laundry, storage area, and an exterior alcove for the electric heat pump HVAC unit. This short wing also gives more accessible access to the rear yard deck, as well as a backdrop for an outdoor kitchen. The bright white stone backsplash for the outdoor kitchen provides contrast to the otherwise consistent use of cement plaster painted dark blue and black for the two-story wing closest to the detached ADU. Though Bedroom#3 is stacked directly above this small wing, it is relatively short to comply with the side daylight plane of this narrow lot. Still, to further help break up the scale of this wall, another steel fascia eyebrow element is set about 8 feet above the rear deck.
The master suite sits centered above the ten-foot-tall great room. The master bedroom and its balcony, as well as the master bathtub area, have a commanding view of the central redwood trees and their impressive canopy, though the balcony is mostly recessed and should pose no privacy concerns to the neighbor’s rear yards. The master balcony parapet is clad in the same brick veneer continuing up from the living room below. A dark-painted metal rail makes up the rest of the open guardrail height. The entire length of the master balcony is comprised of 9-foot-tall sliding glass doors, but the area above the doors, as well as the area below the master bathroom windows, is accented with more redwood siding. The remainder of the master suite bathroom and walk-in closet is finished in cement plaster painted dark blue. The master bathroom has one side yard-facing window but will be frosted glass for both the owner’s and the neighbor’s privacy.
The 2nd floor is capped under a simple gable roof design with one roof ridge and varying eave and rake overhangs depending on the 2nd-floor layout and solar orientation. Since these roof planes are quite difficult to see in the middle of the heavily wooded panhandle lot, we are proposing a white TPO roofing for these two upper roof planes as a more sustainable choice compared to more dark-colored roofing like the covered patios and detached ADU.
The owners also wish to build a detached 292-square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an office and guest suite. For the ADU foundation to be situated outside the central redwood tree’s critical root zone, this relatively tiny structure takes advantage of the narrower 4-foot side and rear setbacks allowed for ADUs smaller than 800 square feet. The small L-shaped detached ADU frames a wonderful quasi-courtyard around the gargantuan V-twin redwoods at the center of the lot. The ADU shares a matching material palette consisting of cement plaster painted blue and black, vertical redwood siding and soffits, and thin brick veneer. The ADU also features large full-height windows. The only difference between the main home and the ADU material palette is that the roofing will be a dark composition shingle roofing since it will be quite visible from the master balcony.

Smokey Gold real thin stone veneer creates stunning curb appeal on this beautiful modern home. Smokey Gold real stone veneer is a natural low height ledgestone. The stone itself is a natural quartzite and the thin veneer is cut from the edges of the sheets of stone as they are quarried. The process of sawing the raw stone into natural thin veneer turns the diamond blade bright red due to heat that is generated and the density of the natural quartzite. Smokey gold is predominantly gold but also showcases some grey and white pieces giving it a subtle range of color. The textures are mainly smooth with some rippling. Although all of our natural stone veneers are high density, low water absorption, and approved for use in all climates, Smokey Gold is exceptionally hard and sturdy.

M-S Pro Architects announce the completion of an indoor swimming pool in a state-of-the-art, single storey family home set in a picturesque location on the outskirts of Bratislava - one of Europe’s youngest capital cities. Kebony, a beautiful wood recommended by leading architects, was chosen to craft the ceiling of the swimming pool, which is designed to emulate rippling waves as well as for the terrace deck and structural beams.
Sustainability and a desire to recreate the close proximity often seen between wood and water in the natural environment were primary focuses in the design of this project. This led a requirement for a low maintenance wood, compatible humidity and with advanced durability, for the swimming pool ceiling. In addition, a high level of precision when cutting the wood was required in order to achieve the desired appearance of waves.
Supplied by Leading Market, Kebony was carefully selected for the pool ceiling, which consists of 490 lamellae of timber, due to its versatility, durability and environmental credentials. Kebony was also installed throughout the exterior of this property, both for the spacious outdoor terrace and the exterior and interior beams. One of the reasons to choose Kebony was the unified look of wood in all these different applications.
Developed in Norway, the patented Kebony technology uses an environmentally friendly process, which permanently enhances the properties of sustainable softwood with a bio-based liquid derived from agricultural crop waste. By polymerising the wood’s cell wall with furfuryl alcohol, the wood gains greatly improved durability and dimensional stability, giving it characteristics similar to those of tropical hardwood. In creating a wood with comparable properties to tropical hardwood that can be grown in a FSC certified, sustainably managed forest, the demand for tropical woods is reduced, allowing timber to once again be an important part of sustainable construction.
Tomáš Hubinský, Lead Architect at M-S Pro, commented: “From conception through to completion, the creation of this ceiling has been a real feat. Despite the challenges faced by such an intricate design, Kebony was the perfect material to convey our desired effect of waves rippling along the ceiling. We will continue to incorporate Kebony into our interior and exterior designs, with wood fast becoming the first choice material for all architects.”
Mette Valen, Sales Manager Norway at Kebony, explained: “The distinctive nature of this design cleverly portrays the capability of Kebony, demonstrating both the aesthetic and performance qualities of the product. We would be honoured to work with M-S Pro in the future and look forward to seeing how they utilise Kebony in their future projects.”

Brown Pearl granite is shown in this project!
Search "Brown Pearl" granite, see more granite or other stone options: http://www.stoneaction.com
Learn more about granite to see if it’s right for you:
Granite countertops can last a lifetime. It contains no harmful chemicals and do not emit harmful radiation or gasses. Granite is heat resistant and is one of the most heat-resistant countertops on the market. You can place a hot pan out of the oven directly onto the countertop surface. Experts do recommend the use of a trivet when using appliances that emit heat for long periods of time, such as crockpots. Since the material is so dense, there is a small possibility heating one area of the top and not the entire thing, could cause the countertop to crack.
Granite is scratch resistant. You can cut on it, but it will dull your knives! Granite scores a seven on Moh’s hardness scale.
Granite countertops are considered to be a low maintenance countertop surface. The likelihood of needing to be repaired or resurfaced is low. Granite is a porous material. Most fabricators will apply a sealer to granite countertops before they are installed which will protect them from absorbing liquids too quickly. Many sealers last more than 10 years before needing to be reapplied. When they do need to be reapplied, it is something that most homeowners can do on their own as the process is similar to cleaning. Darker granites are very dense and sometimes don’t even require a sealer.
When it comes to pricing, there are a lot of variables such as edge profile, total square footage, backsplash, etc. Don’t be fooled by the stereotype that all granite is expensive. Lower-range granites will cost less than high-range laminate. Though granite countertops are not considered “low range” in pricing, there are a lot of affordable options.
If you are looking for something truly unique, consider an exotic granite. Some quarries are not easily accessible and/or only able to be quarried for short periods of time throughout the year. If these circumstances exist in a quarry with gorgeous stone, the price will be driven upward.
You won’t find a lot of solid patterns or bright colors, but both do exist. Also, watch for a large range of color and pattern within the same color of stone. It’s always a good idea to view the exact slab(s) that will be fabricated for your kitchen to make sure they are what you expected to see from the sample. Another factor is that many exotic types of granite have huge flowing waves, and a small sample will not be an accurate representation of the whole slab.
Granite countertops are very resistant to chemicals. Acids and bases will not harm the material.

Custom Carpeting for a Perfect Match
For this project, Kaoud Rugs worked closely with the client to craft custom carpeting that was designed specifically to complement their new furniture and complete the look of their updated space.
Our team provided a bespoke solution, creating a custom-cut carpet that perfectly fit the room’s unique dimensions and design style. We carefully selected the materials, colors, and patterns to coordinate with the client's furnishings, ensuring a seamless blend of comfort, function, and aesthetic appeal.
The result? A one-of-a-kind rug that brings warmth, texture, and style to the space, elevating the room’s overall design while providing durability and comfort for everyday living.
At Kaoud Rugs, we specialize in creating custom rugs and carpets that bring your interior vision to life. Whether you're matching new furniture, working with a specific color palette, or designing a unique focal point, our team is here to guide you through every step of the process.

A shower glass installation typically involves the placement of tempered glass panels in a shower enclosure, replacing traditional shower curtains or other non-glass materials. These glass panels may be frameless or framed, and can feature a variety of finishes and patterns to suit different design preferences.
In terms of installation, a shower glass installation typically involves the custom-cutting of the glass panels to fit the specific dimensions of the shower enclosure. The panels are then mounted using specialized hardware or adhesives designed for glass installation, which may require professional installation. The installation process may involve anchoring the glass panels to the wall or floor to ensure they are secure and level.
Shower glass installations offer several advantages over traditional shower materials. They are easy to clean and maintain, as they do not require frequent replacement like shower curtains or liners. Additionally, they create a sleek and modern look that can enhance the overall aesthetic of a bathroom or shower space.
It's worth noting that shower glass installation requires proper ventilation and drainage to prevent the buildup of moisture and minimize the risk of mold or mildew growth. For this reason, it is important to consult with a professional installer to ensure that the installation is done correctly and that proper ventilation is maintained.
Overall, a shower glass installation is a popular choice for those seeking a modern and stylish look for their bathroom or shower space. With a range of design options available, it's possible to find a shower glass solution that perfectly suits your needs and enhances the overall aesthetic of your space.

Exterior Shutters
Whether you’re building or remodeling, exterior shutters can provide a colorful enhancement to your home. Our exterior shutters are cosmetic accents designed to complement any home design or style. Our heat-reflective paint, available in a vast array of colors, ensures that the color of your shutters will be vibrant for years to come, making your home the one everyone talks about. We offer the finest hardware offered in America. All of our exterior shutters are installed with heavy-duty wrought steel.
For the most discerning homeowners who are looking to enhance or protect their home, you will find that The Plantation Shutter Company has a full selection of top-of-the-line shutter designs that are historically correct and built to withstand the elements. At The Plantation Shutter Company, we think that beauty should last a lifetime, which is why we offer a comprehensive lifetime warranty that is the best in the industry. We offer a full line of custom polymer shutters, aluminum Bahamas and wood shutters
Because the Plantation Shutter Company uses the most advanced technology, cutting edge construction design, and the best materials around, we can offer a Comprehensive Lifetime Warranty on our Polymer Composite shutters, as well as our new “Aluminum Bahamas”. We use a revolutionary process that takes exterior shutters to a new level, unmatched by any traditional shutter in the industry. This patented construction design has proven to be the most durable in the entire exterior shutter industry for over a decade.
The Plantation Shutter Company also features Hurricane rated shutters that meet the large missile and wind load requirements of the ASTM E330, ASTM E1896 and ASTM E1996.
Our beautifully designed hardware is made with 304 Stainless Steel with black powder coating that integrates well with our architecturally designed shutters, creating the complete workable and aesthetic package.
Select from one of the styles in the options gallery below. Color options are endless, as they are custom painted to match any color you desire.
Anyone looking for exterior shutters around the Carolinas cannot find better than the choices offered by The Plantation Shutter Company.
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