This beautiful kitchen has been fabricated by Ancient Art Stone! http://www.ancientartstone.com/ Aurora Blue quartzite is one of a kind in looks. It's soft veining and light contrast in colors really makes it stand out! Understanding Quartzite It’s more durable than granite. The two are both natural stones, both are hard, and both are very beautiful, but you have to look a little deeper to see if one is a better fit for you than the other. Both are formed deep within the earth from heat and pressure, so both stones are hard and sturdy. At a 7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, quartzite is actually harder than granite. It’s harder than all the other popular stones used in countertops. Many people love the look of quartzite because some types can look very much like marble. Another difference between the two stones is the fact that most quartzite is denser and less porous than granite so some people don’t even seal the stone at all. Quartzite and quartz are two very different materials. Quartzite is a natural metamorphic stone formed when sand is heated and compressed within the earth. Quartz contains pieces of ground quartz combined with resin and polymers to create a man-made material that’s pretty and strong. Quartzite may seem expensive. However, it can be less expensive than most marble. When comparing the price to either granite or quartz, you’ll find they fall in a similar range. Generally, the more ‘exotic’ i.e. rare, the higher the price. Quartzites that look like marble can fetch higher prices because of demand. We hope you personally check out our beautiful quartzite selection! Click to see more quartzite or other stone products (you can search for aurora blue): http://www.stoneaction.com

Bathroom - bathroom idea in Kent

1 1 C.H. Burnham Inc., in partnership with Ciaran Rafferty Construction, completed this four car garage in Pacific Heights in early April, 2010. From precision excavation and shotcrete construction to the installation of marble slabs and plaster cast egg and dart trim, this project demanded expertise in every aspect of construction. Completed in both a timely matter and on budget, you will see in the following photos, our crews, with the assistance of Mulholland Electric, West Cork Welding, Hughes Plastering, Fong’s Plumbing & Fire Protection, and VBE Inc., efficiently executed a complex project. pacific-heights-san-francisco-remodel-1 Before we could begin excavation for the garage, we needed to dig three 20′ deep underpinnings by hand beneath the 1906 home’s existing foundation. After we had successfully supported the home and installed the temporary shoring, we brought in expert excavator Billy Vaughn, owner of VBE Inc. Considering we were building up to both the western and eastern property lines, we excavated, formed and erected the walls in stages so as to not place the neighboring structures or the workmen in any unnecessary danger. After the walls and spread footers were complete, we poured a 10″ thick slab roof. While the roof slab cured, we installed the tapered sleeper joists for the deck. We then removed the supports for the roof slab and poured the slab floor. 1 1 C.H. Burnham Inc., in partnership with Ciaran Rafferty Construction, completed this four car garage in Pacific Heights in early April, 2010. From precision excavation and shotcrete construction to the installation of marble slabs and plaster cast egg and dart trim, this project demanded expertise in every aspect of construction. Completed in both a timely matter and on budget, you will see in the following photos, our crews, with the assistance of Mulholland Electric, West Cork Welding, Hughes Plastering, Fong’s Plumbing & Fire Protection, and VBE Inc., efficiently executed a complex project. pacific-heights-san-francisco-remodel-1 Before we could begin excavation for the garage, we needed to dig three 20′ deep underpinnings by hand beneath the 1906 home’s existing foundation. After we had successfully supported the home and installed the temporary shoring, we brought in expert excavator Billy Vaughn, owner of VBE Inc. Considering we were building up to both the western and eastern property lines, we excavated, formed and erected the walls in stages so as to not place the neighboring structures or the workmen in any unnecessary danger. After the walls and spread footers were complete, we poured a 10″ thick slab roof. While the roof slab cured, we installed the tapered sleeper joists for the deck. We then removed the supports for the roof slab and poured the slab floor. pacific-heights-san-francisco-remodel-7 Once we completed the concrete phases of construction, we moved onto the finish stages of the project. This included the installation of an ipe’ deck, a hand rail matching the existing railing on the third floor deck and six piece trim detail. After visiting several marble suppliers, we found a carrera marble that matched the existing steps (installed over 100 years ago) and polished/antiqued the materials accordingly. A few more elements, including a cement tiled entryway and a custom garage door, completed the integration of the new structure with the existing home. After cleaning the property and touching things up, we received the certificate of occupancy.

In its 34th consecutive year hosting the Street of Dreams, the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland decided to do something different. They went urban – into the Pearl District. Each year designers clamor for the opportunity to design and style a home in the Street of Dreams. Apparently the allure of designing in contemporary penthouses with cascading views was irresistible to many, because the HBA experienced record interest from the design community at large in 2009. It was an honor to be one of seven designers selected. “The Luster of the Pearl” combined the allure of clean lines and redefined traditional silhouettes with texture and opulence. The color palette was fashion-inspired with unexpected color combinations like smoky violet and tiger-eye gold backed with metallic and warm neutrals. Our design included cosmetic reconstruction of the fireplace, mosaic tile improvements to the kitchen, artistic custom wall finishes and introduced new materials to the Portland market. The process was a whirlwind of early mornings, late nights and weekends. “With an extremely short timeline with large demands, this Street of Dreams challenged me in extraordinary ways that made me a better project manager, communicator, designer and partner to my vendors.” This project won the People’s Choice Award for Best Master Suite at the Northwest Natural 2009 Street of Dreams. For more about Angela Todd Studios, click here: https://www.angelatoddstudios.com/

As Brooklyn continues to reach upward, its newest denizens demand an aesthetic which marries the past with the present. For the latest buildings, rooftop spaces are not an after-thought but are carefully engineered and planned early in the design phase, often long before there is a semblance of a space to survey. The primary challenge with common spaces for residential buildings is to provide some level of individual privacy while developing an overall spatial design which will also foster social interaction between users. In order to achieve this balance, smaller conversational spaces which are defined through the rigid face of the wood-clad planters and accented by hearty plantings and provide a diverse mix of seating types from long benches attached to the face of the planters to moveable chairs and tables allowing for maximum flexibility. The smaller conversational spaces take advantage of the views from the outside edges of the roof while the larger common spaces are defined by plant-softened wood fences. The materials of the space borrow from the buildings context, reclaiming many of the materials which permeated Brooklyn’s industrial heritage. Concrete, steel, aluminum and various fabrics are some of the elements which help to unite the past with the present. Transferring the feel of the sidewalk planting bed to the rooftop is achieved through the raw steel-edged green-roof garden areas which help define the spaces.

This main floor remodel in Lenexa, Kansas, was the third phase of a full-home transformation for our longtime clients. After previously renovating their basement and primary bathroom, they invited us back to reimagine the heart of their home with fresh perspective and elevated function. The entryway was completely transformed from a builder-basic pass-through into a bright, welcoming focal point that sets the tone for the entire main floor. In the kitchen, we reworked the layout to improve flow and maximize storage, while introducing timeless finishes and thoughtful details that now carry throughout the home. The family room was redesigned to feel warm, cohesive, and connected—complete with custom built-ins and a refreshed fireplace. We also converted the former laundry room into a fully functional prep kitchen, and redesigned the mudroom to meet the demands of daily life without compromising style. This project reflects a balance of beauty, utility, and personal expression, with every space tailored to support how this family lives and gathers in their home.

Bilotta Collection Cabinetry is a unique line of American-made custom cabinetry exclusively for Bilotta by their partner factory in PA. Made only with the highest quality materials available, Bilotta Collection Cabinetry is artistically built to satisfy their design team’s demanding specifications, to reflect meticulous attention to detail and to offer unique cutting-edge features that are exclusive to Bilotta. In the spring of 2018, Bilotta launched a brand-new design under their private collection line in their A&D Building showroom in Manhattan. Designed by Goran Savic, the display is a trendsetting mix of contrasting dark and light grainy rift cut white oak. The wall cabinets and hood enclosure are brilliant brass frames with ribbed glass inserts. The brass is then repeated in the open shelves, custom Armac Martin hardware, and as the inlay in the textured Bianco Carrara backsplash by Artistic Tile. Cabinet interiors and drawer boxes are a repeat of the lighter color oak and the countertops are polished Dark Orobico Arabescato marble also by Artistic Tile. The sink and faucet are by The Galley Workstation and The Galley Tap creating the ideal space for any aspiring chef. Appliances are by Dacor’s Modernist collection in the graphite finish with brass burners on the cooktop, tying in the colors of the cabinetry and accents. Bilotta Designer: Goran Savic. Photo Credit: Peter Krupenye

Transforming unfinished garage in to an a usable space. library/working area with epoxy flooring.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary detached two-car garage workshop remodel in Los Angeles

Inspiration for a contemporary entryway remodel in Atlanta

Stuart Wade, Envision Virtual Tours The second-largest and most developed of Georgia's barrier islands, St. Simons is approximately twelve miles long and nearly three miles wide at its widest stretch (roughly the size of Manhattan Island in New York). The island is located in Glynn County on Georgia's coast and lies east of Brunswick (the seat of Glynn County), south of Little St. Simons Island and the Hampton River, and north of Jekyll Island. The resort community of Sea Island is separated from St. Simons on the east by the Black Banks River. Known for its oak tree canopies and historic landmarks, St. Simons is both a tourist destination and, according to the 2010 U.S. census, home to 12,743 residents. Early History The earliest St. Simons Island Village record of human habitation on the island dates to the Late Archaic Period, about 5,000 to 3,000 years ago. Remnants of shell rings left behind by Native Americans from this era survive on many of the barrier islands, including St. Simons. Centuries later, during the period known by historians as the chiefdom era, the Guale Indians established a chiefdom centered on St. Catherines Island and used St. Simons as their hunting and fishing grounds. By 1500 the Guale had established a permanent village of about 200 people on St. Simons, which they called Guadalquini. Beginning in 1568, the Spanish attempted to create missions along the Georgia coast. Catholic missions were the primary means by which Georgia's indigenous Native American chiefdoms were assimilated into the Spanish colonial system along the northern frontier of greater Spanish Florida. In the 1600s St. Simons became home to two Spanish missions: San Buenaventura de Guadalquini, on the southern tip of the island, and Santo Domingo de Asao (or Asajo), on the northern tip. Located on the inland side of the island were the pagan refugee villages of San Simón, the island's namesake, and Ocotonico. In 1684 pirate raids left the missions and villages largely abandoned. Colonial History As Fort Frederica early as 1670, with Great Britain's establishment of the colony of Carolina and its expansion into Georgia territory, Spanish rule was threatened by the English. The Georgia coast was considered "debatable land" by England and Spain, even though Spain had fully retreated from St. Simons by 1702. Thirty-one years later General James Edward Oglethorpe founded the English settlement of Savannah. In 1736 he established Fort Frederica, named after the heir to the British throne, Frederick Louis, prince of Wales, on the west side of St. Simons Island to protect Savannah and the Carolinas from the Spanish threat. Between 1736 and 1749 Fort Frederica was the hub of British military operations along the Georgia frontier. A town of the same name grew up around the fort and was of great importance to the new colony. By 1740 Frederica's population was 1,000. In 1736 the congregation of what would become Christ Church was organized within Fort Frederica as a mission of the Church of England. Charles Wesley led the first services. In 1742 Britain's decisive victory over Spain in the Battle of Bloody Marsh, during the War of Jenkins' Ear, ended the Spanish threat to the Georgia coast. When the British regimen disbanded in 1749, most of the townspeople relocated to the mainland. Fort Frederica went into decline and, except for a short time of prosperity during the 1760s and 1770s under the leadership of merchant James Spalding, never fully recovered. Today the historic citadel's tabby ruins are maintained by the National Park Service. Plantation Era By the start of the American Revolution (1775-83), Fort Frederica was obsolete, and St. Simons was left largely uninhabited as most of its residents joined the patriot army. Besides hosting a small Georgia naval victory on the Fort Frederica River, providing guns from its famous fort for use at Fort Morris in Sunbury, and serving as an arena for pillaging by privateers and British soldiers, the island played almost no role in the war. Following the war, many of the townspeople, their businesses destroyed, turned to agriculture. The island was transformed into fourteen cotton plantations after acres of live oak trees were cleared for farm land and used for building American warships, including the famous USS Constitution, or "Old Ironsides." Although rice was the predominant crop along the neighboring Altamaha River, St. Simons was known for its production of long-staple cotton, which soon came to be known as Sea Island cotton. Between Ebos Landing the 1780s and the outbreak of the Civil War (1861-65), St. Simons's plantation culture flourished. The saline atmosphere and the availability of cheap slave labor proved an ideal combination for the cultivation of Sea Island cotton. In 1803 a group of Ebo slaves who survived the Middle Passage and arrived on the west side of St. Simons staged a rebellion and drowned themselves. The sacred site is known today as Ebos Landing. One of the largest owners of land and slaves on St. Simons was Pierce Butler, master of Hampton Point Plantation, located on the northern end of the island. By 1793 Butler owned more than 500 slaves, who cultivated 800 acres of cotton on St. Simons and 300 acres of rice on Butler's Island in the Altamaha River delta. Butler's grandson, Pierce Mease Butler, who at the age of sixteen inherited a share of his grandfather's estate in 1826, was responsible for the largest sale of human beings in the history of the United States: in 1859, to restore his squandered fortune, he sold 429 slaves in Savannah for more than $300,000. The British actress and writer Fanny Kemble, whose tumultuous marriage to Pierce ended in divorce in 1849, published an eyewitness account of the evils of slavery on St. Simons in her book Journal of a Residence on a Georgian Plantation in 1838-1839 (1863). Another Retreat Plantation large owner of land and slaves on St. Simons was Major William Page, a friend and employee of Pierce Butler Sr. Before purchasing Retreat Plantation on the southwestern tip of the island in 1804, Page managed the Hampton plantation and Butler's Island. Upon Page's death in 1827, Thomas Butler King inherited the land together with his wife, Page's daughter, Anna Matilda Page King. King expanded his father-in-law's planting empire on St. Simons as well as on the mainland, and by 1835 Retreat Plantation alone was home to as many as 355 slaves. The center of life during the island's plantation era was Christ Church, Frederica. Organized in 1807 by a group of island planters, the Episcopal church is the second oldest in the Diocese of Georgia. Embargoes imposed by the War of 1812 (1812-15) prevented the parishioners from building a church structure, so they worshiped in the home of John Beck, which stood on the site of Oglethorpe's only St. Simons residence, Orange Hall. The first Christ Church building, finished on the present site in 1820, was ruined by occupying Union troops during the Civil War. In 1884 the Reverend Anson Dodge Jr. rebuilt the church as a memorial to his first wife, Ellen. The cruciform building with a trussed gothic roof and stained-glass windows remains active today as Christ Church. Civil War and Beyond The St. Simons Island Lighthouse outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 put a sudden end to St. Simons's lucrative plantation era. In January of that year, Confederate troops were stationed at the south end of the island to guard the entrance to Brunswick Harbor. Slaves from Retreat Plantation, owned by Thomas Butler King, built earthworks and batteries. Plantation residents were scattered—the men joined the Confederate army and their families moved to the mainland. Cannon fire was heard on the island in December 1861, and Confederate troops retreated in February 1862, after dynamiting the lighthouse to keep its beacon from aiding Union troops. Soon thereafter, Union troops occupied the island, which was used as a camp for freed slaves. By August 1862 more than 500 former slaves lived on St. Simons, including Susie King Taylor, who organized a school for freed slave children. But in November the ex-slaves were taken to Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Fernandina, Florida, leaving the island abandoned. After the Civil War the island never returned to its status as an agricultural community. The plantations lay dormant because there were no slaves to work the fields. After Union general William T. Sherman's January 1865 Special Field Order No. 15 —a demand that former plantations be divided and distributed to former slaves—was overturned by U.S. president Andrew Johnson less than a year later, freedmen and women were forced to work as sharecroppers on the small farms that dotted the land previously occupied by the sprawling plantations. By St. Simons Lumber Mills 1870 real economic recovery began with the reestablishment of the timber industry. Norman Dodge and Titus G. Meigs of New York set up lumber mill operations at Gascoigne Bluff, formerly Hamilton Plantation. The lumber mills provided welcome employment for both blacks and whites and also provided mail and passenger boats to the mainland. Such water traffic, together with the construction of a new lighthouse in 1872, designed by architect Charles B. Cluskey, marked the beginning of St. Simons's tourism industry. The keeper of the lighthouse created a small amusement park, which drew many visitors, as did the seemingly miraculous light that traveled from the top of the lighthouse tower to the bottom. The island became a summer retreat for families from the mainland, particularly from Baxley, Brunswick, and Waycross. The island's resort industry was thriving by the 1880s. Beachfront structures, such as a new pier and grand hotel, were built on the southeastern end of the island and could be accessed by ferry. Around this time wealthy northerners began vacationing on the island. Twentieth Century The St. Simons Island Pier and Village opening in 1924 of the Brunswick–St. Simons Highway, today known as the Torras Causeway, was a milestone in the development of resorts in the area. St. Simons's beaches were now easily accessible to locals and tourists alike. More than 5,000 automobiles took the short drive from Brunswick to St. Simons via the causeway on its opening day, paving the way for convenient residential and resort development. In 1926 automotive pioneer Howard Coffin of Detroit, Michigan, bought large tracts of land on St. Simons, including the former Retreat Plantation, and constructed a golf course, yacht club, paved roads, and a residential subdivision. Although the causeway had brought large numbers of summer people to the island, St. Simons remained a small community with only a few hundred permanent residents until the 1940s. The St. Simons Island outbreak of World War II (1941-45) brought more visitors and residents to St. Simons. Troops stationed at Jacksonville, Florida; Savannah; and nearby Camp Stewart took weekend vacations on the island, and a new naval air base and radar school became home to even more officers and soldiers. The increased wartime population brought the island its first public school. With a major shipyard for the production of Liberty ships in nearby Brunswick, the waters of St. Simons became active with German U-boats. In April 1942, just off the coast, the Texas Company oil tanker S. S. Oklahoma and the S. S. Esso Baton Rouge were torpedoed by the Germans, bringing the war very close to home for island residents. Due in large part to the military's improvement of the island's infrastructure during the war, development on the island boomed in the 1950s and 1960s. More permanent homes and subdivisions were built, and the island was no longer just a summer resort but also a thriving community. In 1950 the Methodist conference and retreat center Epworth by the Sea opened on Gascoigne Bluff. In 1961 novelist Eugenia Price visited St. Simons and began work on her first works of fiction, known as the St. Simons Trilogy. Inspired by real events on the island, Price's trilogy renewed interest in the history of Georgia's coast, and the novelist herself relocated to the island in 1965 and lived there for thirty-one years. St. Simons is also home to contemporary Georgia writer Tina McElroy Ansa. Since Epworth by the Sea 1980 St. Simons's population has doubled. The island's continued status as a vacation destination and its ongoing development boom have put historic landmarks and natural areas at risk. While such landmarks as the Fort Frederica ruins and the Battle of Bloody Marsh site are preserved and maintained by the National Park Service, and while the historic lighthouse is maintained by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, historic Ebos Landing has been taken over by a sewage treatment plant. Several coastal organizations have formed in recent years to save natural areas on the island. The St. Simons Land Trust, for example, has received donations of large tracts of land and plans to protect property in the island's three traditional African American neighborhoods. Despite its rapid growth and development, St. Simons remains one of the most beautiful and important islands on the Georgia coast.

Modern Front Porch: covered terrace with hanging swing chairs, handcrafted sculptural furniture, and a floor of Black Locust wood pavers set in gravel.

Property marketed by Hudson Place Realty - Extraordinary property in Hoboken's landmark boutique building. Formerly a coconut warehouse, now an in demand visionary LEED GOLD certified building. One of a kind 2 bedroom 2.5 bath with Skyline & Empire State views from your private 398 sq. ft. ipe’ deck. With 2019 sq ft. of interior living space, this totally customized apartment has all the comforts of a home in a loft environment. Unique high end finishes include; a gas fireplace, floor to ceiling windows, made to order chef’s kitchen with Sub Zero frig, Wolf range with vented hood, Viking wine cooler, Miele DW, garbage disposal, Mountaineer Woodcraft cabinetry Enormous master suite with 10’ x 9’10’ walk-in closet & fabulous master bath with oversized shower, custom tile, towel warmer & granite topped double vanity, Bamboo flooring, LG washer/dryer, recessed & designer lighting, California Closets throughout, residents area featuring fabulous NYC & Hudson River views, filtered fresh air system, private storage & bike room. Concrete sub floors and Quiet Rock insulation for soundproofing. Absolutely ideal location, bordered on the western side by the newly established Garden Street Mews pedestrian area, parks, shopping, waterfront and all transportation. NYC bus at door & only 3 blocks to ferry. LEED certified GOLD building.

Beautiful custom runner to match the unique measurements of this staircase.
Small wooden curved staircase photo in Minneapolis with wooden risers

Property marketed by Hudson Place Realty - Extraordinary property in Hoboken's landmark boutique building. Formerly a coconut warehouse, now an in demand visionary LEED GOLD certified building. One of a kind 2 bedroom 2.5 bath with Skyline & Empire State views from your private 398 sq. ft. ipe’ deck. With 2019 sq ft. of interior living space, this totally customized apartment has all the comforts of a home in a loft environment. Unique high end finishes include; a gas fireplace, floor to ceiling windows, made to order chef’s kitchen with Sub Zero frig, Wolf range with vented hood, Viking wine cooler, Miele DW, garbage disposal, Mountaineer Woodcraft cabinetry Enormous master suite with 10’ x 9’10’ walk-in closet & fabulous master bath with oversized shower, custom tile, towel warmer & granite topped double vanity, Bamboo flooring, LG washer/dryer, recessed & designer lighting, California Closets throughout, residents area featuring fabulous NYC & Hudson River views, filtered fresh air system, private storage & bike room. Concrete sub floors and Quiet Rock insulation for soundproofing. Absolutely ideal location, bordered on the western side by the newly established Garden Street Mews pedestrian area, parks, shopping, waterfront and all transportation. NYC bus at door & only 3 blocks to ferry. LEED certified GOLD building.

In its 34th consecutive year hosting the Street of Dreams, the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland decided to do something different. They went urban – into the Pearl District. Each year designers clamor for the opportunity to design and style a home in the Street of Dreams. Apparently the allure of designing in contemporary penthouses with cascading views was irresistible to many, because the HBA experienced record interest from the design community at large in 2009. It was an honor to be one of seven designers selected. “The Luster of the Pearl” combined the allure of clean lines and redefined traditional silhouettes with texture and opulence. The color palette was fashion-inspired with unexpected color combinations like smoky violet and tiger-eye gold backed with metallic and warm neutrals. Our design included cosmetic reconstruction of the fireplace, mosaic tile improvements to the kitchen, artistic custom wall finishes and introduced new materials to the Portland market. The process was a whirlwind of early mornings, late nights and weekends. “With an extremely short timeline with large demands, this Street of Dreams challenged me in extraordinary ways that made me a better project manager, communicator, designer and partner to my vendors.” This project won the People’s Choice Award for Best Master Suite at the Northwest Natural 2009 Street of Dreams. For more about Angela Todd Studios, click here: https://www.angelatoddstudios.com/

Newly installed fashionable Gourmet Kitchen in the heart of North Shore of Long Island designed for one of our discerning clients with exquisite taste in contemporary modern esthetics and features. This Kitchen showcases beautiful inset overlay cabinets by Kemper designed and supplied by A Direct Distributors. The Cabinet Naval Blue themes is constructed with Maple interiors and Gordon Door Style accented with Brushed Brass knobs and matching plumbing fixtures. The Cambria Waterfall Quartz countertop provides a very generous high quality usable surfaces for entertaining guests and family members to gather during Holiday events. High Quality Appliances such as French door refrigerator, double oven, free standing 6 Burner Stove and Sleek Hood accompanied by an under cabinet mounted double door wine storage unit with independent temperature setting satisfies the most demanding wine connoisseurs and kicks up this gorgeous kitchen to the highest level of standards usually not experienced in a residential setting.

This gem of a home was designed by homeowner/architect Eric Vollmer. It is nestled in a traditional neighborhood with a deep yard and views to the east and west. Strategic window placement captures light and frames views while providing privacy from the next door neighbors. The second floor maximizes the volumes created by the roofline in vaulted spaces and loft areas. Four skylights illuminate the ‘Nordic Modern’ finishes and bring daylight deep into the house and the stairwell with interior openings that frame connections between the spaces. The skylights are also operable with remote controls and blinds to control heat, light and air supply. Unique details abound! Metal details in the railings and door jambs, a paneled door flush in a paneled wall, flared openings. Floating shelves and flush transitions. The main bathroom has a ‘wet room’ with the tub tucked under a skylight enclosed with the shower. This is a Structural Insulated Panel home with closed cell foam insulation in the roof cavity. The on-demand water heater does double duty providing hot water as well as heat to the home via a high velocity duct and HRV system.

In its 34th consecutive year hosting the Street of Dreams, the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland decided to do something different. They went urban – into the Pearl District. Each year designers clamor for the opportunity to design and style a home in the Street of Dreams. Apparently the allure of designing in contemporary penthouses with cascading views was irresistible to many, because the HBA experienced record interest from the design community at large in 2009. It was an honor to be one of seven designers selected. “The Luster of the Pearl” combined the allure of clean lines and redefined traditional silhouettes with texture and opulence. The color palette was fashion-inspired with unexpected color combinations like smoky violet and tiger-eye gold backed with metallic and warm neutrals. Our design included cosmetic reconstruction of the fireplace, mosaic tile improvements to the kitchen, artistic custom wall finishes and introduced new materials to the Portland market. The process was a whirlwind of early mornings, late nights and weekends. “With an extremely short timeline with large demands, this Street of Dreams challenged me in extraordinary ways that made me a better project manager, communicator, designer and partner to my vendors.” This project won the People’s Choice Award for Best Master Suite at the Northwest Natural 2009 Street of Dreams. For more about Angela Todd Studios, click here: https://www.angelatoddstudios.com/

This gem of a home was designed by homeowner/architect Eric Vollmer. It is nestled in a traditional neighborhood with a deep yard and views to the east and west. Strategic window placement captures light and frames views while providing privacy from the next door neighbors. The second floor maximizes the volumes created by the roofline in vaulted spaces and loft areas. Four skylights illuminate the ‘Nordic Modern’ finishes and bring daylight deep into the house and the stairwell with interior openings that frame connections between the spaces. The skylights are also operable with remote controls and blinds to control heat, light and air supply. Unique details abound! Metal details in the railings and door jambs, a paneled door flush in a paneled wall, flared openings. Floating shelves and flush transitions. The main bathroom has a ‘wet room’ with the tub tucked under a skylight enclosed with the shower. This is a Structural Insulated Panel home with closed cell foam insulation in the roof cavity. The on-demand water heater does double duty providing hot water as well as heat to the home via a high velocity duct and HRV system.