No expense was spared when it came to the fixtures and finishes for this new build, from bench tops and flooring to light fittings and a Elevator Boutique Elevator. Adding to the grandeur of this four-level formal home, an ElfoLift elegantly completes the fit-out with a classic polished stainless steel cabin that boasts full height mirrors, powdercoated doors with tinted reflective glass and the same parquetry flooring that has been thoughtfully laid throughout the home.

Offered in a variety of colors and textures, solar screen shades help to control heat and reduce glare while providing daytime privacy. Call 352-217-7556 to schedule your FREE in-home estimate.

Custom cabinets by Jim Finseth, Solid Wood Products
Inspiration for a bathroom remodel in Minneapolis with furniture-like cabinets, dark wood cabinets and marble countertops

No expense was spared when it came to the fixtures and finishes for this new build, from bench tops and flooring to light fittings and a Elevator Boutique Elevator. Adding to the grandeur of this four-level formal home, an ElfoLift elegantly completes the fit-out with a classic polished stainless steel cabin that boasts full height mirrors, powdercoated doors with tinted reflective glass and the same parquetry flooring that has been thoughtfully laid throughout the home.

Inspiration for a large country formal and open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Phoenix with beige walls, no fireplace and no tv

artist Mark Kazav
Inspiration for a contemporary home design remodel in Toronto

Artist Mark Kazav
Example of a trendy home design design in Toronto

Artist Mark Kazav
Example of a trendy home design design in Toronto

Example of a trendy home design design in Toronto

A sculptural statement in its own right, this concrete-and-glass “Gallery House” was designed to showcase the owners’ art collection as well as the natural landscape. The architecture is truly one with its site: To the east, a sheltering wall echoes the curve of a crowded cul-de-sac, while to the west, the design follows the sweeping contours of the cliff—ensuring privacy while maximizing views. The architectural details demanded flawless construction: Windows and doors stretch floor-to-ceiling, and minimalist reveals define the walls, which “float” between perfect shadow lines in the long T-shape foyer. Ideal for entertaining, the layout fosters seamless indoor-outdoor living. Amenities include four pocketing glass walls, a lanai with heated floor, and a partially cantilevered multi-level terrace. The front courtyard sequesters a frameless glass entry. From here, sight lines stretch through the house to an infinity pool that hovers between sky and sea.

Artist Mark Kazav
Example of a trendy home design design in Toronto

No expense was spared when it came to the fixtures and finishes for this new build, from bench tops and flooring to light fittings and a Elevator Boutique Elevator. Adding to the grandeur of this four-level formal home, an ElfoLift elegantly completes the fit-out with a classic polished stainless steel cabin that boasts full height mirrors, powdercoated doors with tinted reflective glass and the same parquetry flooring that has been thoughtfully laid throughout the home.

Artist Mark Kazav
Inspiration for a contemporary home design remodel in Toronto

Artist Mark Kazav
Example of a trendy home design design in Toronto

Full Kitchen Remodel
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen remodel in Atlanta with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash and white countertops

Bridgewater Construction
Example of a subway tile tub/shower combo design in Minneapolis with a drop-in sink and granite countertops

Smart Systems' mission is to provide our clients with luxury through technology. We understand that our clients demand the highest quality in audio, video, security, and automation customized to fit their lifestyle. We strive to exceed expectations with the highest level of customer service and professionalism, from design to installation and beyond.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Adding a penthouse perch to this 1899 row house with a harbor view demanded unusual tactics. To circumvent municipal limitations on floor area, a section of floor was removed from one level and “transferred” to the roof as a new studio space. To comply with local height limitations, an innovative structure of solid wood studs was deployed to reduce floor and ceiling thicknesses to the bare minimum. Aside from creating the desired rooftop refuge, these gymnastics also created a dynamic cascade of interior living spaces for an urban designer and his family. Photos by Bruce Buck