Take a look at this fantastic transformation recently competed after this family experienced a devastating electrical fire that started in the garage. Between the fire and the water/chemical damage, we had a good challenge.

A fire in the Utility room devastated the front of this property. Extensive heat and smoke damage was apparent to all rooms.
Bathroom - huge traditional master beige tile and ceramic tile vinyl floor, beige floor and single-sink bathroom idea in Hampshire with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, a one-piece toilet, beige walls, a drop-in sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a built-in vanity

After devastating flooding damaged the entire first floor and left the walls stripped to the studs, we had the rare opportunity to completely reimagine the kitchen, dining room, family room, and butler’s pantry. The kitchen received an entirely new footprint—removing the dividing wall opened the space dramatically and improved flow and functionality. The former butler’s pantry was transformed into a dedicated beverage center and coffee bar, creating a hard-working hub for daily routines. In the casual dining area, we added floor-to-ceiling cabinetry that expanded pantry storage and created a hidden “locker” for the kids’ homework, backpacks, and everyday essentials. In the family room, the outdated media niche was replaced with custom built-ins, adding architectural detail and much-needed storage, and the fireplace received a complete facelift to bring the whole room up to date. The result is a cohesive, modernized first floor designed for real family living—open, functional, and beautifully renewed.

Malibu Glass Box House by Klopf Architecture Following the devastating Woolsey Fire of 2018, the site in Malibu offered a unique opportunity to rebuild not just a home, but a new architectural composition that highlighted the property’s potential while navigating strict fire-rebuild codes in the area. Designed by Klopf Architecture, this project embraced a set of limitations and translated them into an architectural asset. The city’s fire-rebuild process required the new structure to remain close to the original footprint, size and bulk, a constraint that ultimately clarified the architectural direction. Perched near the front of a long, narrow lot, the new home frames and overlooks a private, park-like rear expanse, an uncommon luxury especially in this part of Malibu . Without a fixed program, the design process allowed for a different kind of creative focus allowing Klopf Architecture the opportunity to explore how a modernist home could best respond to this site. The team approached the project not with a list of requirements, but with a question: How might a modernist live here? What spatial qualities would inspire calm, connection, and a sense of wonder in this setting? The process became less about problem-solving and more about architectural storytelling—letting the site, the light, and the principles of modern design guide the form and flow of the home. The response emerged in the form of a glass-box pavilion, an open, Mid-Century Modern inspired living, dining, and kitchen space that floats at the edge of the property’s natural descent. Connected to the more enclosed, private areas of the home by a glass-walled hallway, the living pavilion becomes a distinct centerpiece of the design. It opens on all four sides to the landscape with decks and patios on the flanks, an internal garden and water feature to the north, and a dramatic unguarded view of the expansive backyard and ocean horizon to the south. Because of the mandated footprint, careful planning was required to ensure every space could still engage with light, landscape, or both. Strategic voids in the form of atriums and courtyards allow daylight to filter deep into the home’s core, while offering moments of surprise and retreat. These design gestures allow natural light to filter deep into the interior, creating a sense of brightness and openness throughout the day. At the same time, they expand the perceptual boundaries between inside and out, making the home feel more expansive while anchoring its connection to the surrounding landscape. The siting of the house is what gives it its unique character. Rather than receding into the backyard like the neighboring homes, the house holds a slight prominence. From the central living pavilion, stepping down into the landscape feels more like entering a secluded park where a separate existing accessory structure, trail, and recreational areas await. The home’s modest street presence gives way to this unfolding drama of space, view, and nature. Fire-resilient materials and assemblies are integrated seamlessly throughout including triple-pane glazing, under-slab and roof insulation, and locally sourced fire-rated cladding ensure the house not only meets Calfornia’s rigorous wildland-urban interface (WUI) standards, but feels effortlessly aligned with them. While technical decisions like fire-hardening and mechanical systems presented some construction challenges, particularly around the cantilevered glass box, the team found a functional compromise that preserved the integrity of the design. Inside, a restrained palette and exposed post and beam design celebrate the ethos of mid-century modernism. A central circulation spine extends from the entry to the rear glass wall, offering a continuous visual link from street to ocean. Spaces such as the library and office, though more intimate in scale, are never cut off from nature as each opens to its own unique courtyard or garden view. Though born out of a strict regulatory framework and developed without a specific client, the rebuild design unfolded with remarkable clarity. Grounded in site logic, refined by limitations and an emphasis on timeless spatial relationships – light, proportion, and a strong connection to nature, the resulting design feels both effortless and uplifting. The home lives lightly on the land, opens generously to its surroundings, and strikes a careful balance between privacy, openness, and calm. For Klopf Architecture, it stands as a compelling case study in how site, code, and circumstantial constraints can inspire enduring, modernist architecture. With years of experience reimagining mid-century modern design for how people live today, the firm took the project’s limitations as an opportunity. The result is a home shaped by open, flowing spaces, strong indoor-outdoor connections, and a calm, clear sense of structure. It’s a good reminder that even with strict constraints, there’s still room for architecture to breathe—and for modernism to keep moving forward. Klopf Architecture project team: Geoff Campen, John Klopf, AIA, and Sherry Tan Structural Engineer: ZFA Contractor: Maison D’Artiste Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2023

Homeowner did a complete overhaul remodel of their home, after the area surrounding it was devastated by a straight-line winds & a tornado. Their contractor custom-made the island top, wood hood and farm sink base out of the downed trees from their property.

Take a look at this fantastic transformation recently competed after this family experienced a devastating electrical fire that started in the garage. Between the fire and the water/chemical damage, we had a good challenge.

After devastating flooding damaged the entire first floor and left the walls stripped to the studs, we had the opportunity to completely reimagine the kitchen, dining room, family room, and butler’s pantry. The kitchen received an entirely new footprint—removing the dividing wall opened the space dramatically and improved flow and functionality. The former butler’s pantry was transformed into a dedicated beverage center and coffee bar, creating a hard-working hub for daily routines. In the casual dining area, we added floor-to-ceiling cabinetry that expanded pantry storage and created a hidden “locker” for the kids’ homework, backpacks, and everyday essentials. In the family room, the outdated media niche was replaced with custom built-ins, adding architectural detail and much-needed storage, and the fireplace received a complete facelift to bring the whole room up to date. The result is a cohesive, modernized first floor designed for real family living—open, functional, and beautifully renewed.

Water damage can be quite devastating, and can extensively damage your property. After a serious natural disaster, such as a flood, you will need to take several steps to curb water damage and restore your property back to its original condition. Here are several of the most important things that you need to do after the flooding is over.

Take a look at this fantastic transformation recently competed after this family experienced a devastating electrical fire that started in the garage. Between the fire and the water/chemical damage, we had a good challenge.

Built-in rollshutter application on a home in Massachusetts in the open position. Rolling Shutters are the ultimate solution when you want to protect what’s behind your windows and doors. With Rolling Shutters, enjoy peace of mind knowing that your home has a sturdy layer of hurricane protection and storm protection. Rolling shutters shield against wind-blown debris, sand blasting and water penetration. Strong, secure, and durable, our Rolling Hurricane Shutters are proven to reduce energy and maintenance costs while making your home more comfortable to live in. Hurricane Shutters Hurricane Shutters are the premier protection against snow and ice storms, driving rain, high winds, and flying debris. We have huge selection of Hurricane Protection products for all types of applications. We specialize in new construction, retrofit projects and custom applications designed around more complex installations. Hurricane Shutters protect your windows and doors from water penetration and breakage during hurricanes and Nor’easters bringing you comfort and protection. Even when you are not physically at the location of the storm, rolling shutters can offer you peace of mind. Homes and businesses not equipped with rolling shutters may experience glass breakage and door failures during high winds. Ultimately, those openings in the structure’s envelope can cause complete devastation to the home or business. Once the air pressure enters a building, no matter the type of construction, the likelihood of other windows and doors failing rises. If the pressure grows beyond a certain point, walls and and roof components begin to fail. Security Shutters Security Shutters are one of the best ways to discourage intruders from attempting to enter your home or business. This deterrent measure is just where rolling shutters start. While in the down position, rolling shutters can be locked in place by a motor, a gear, a keyed switch or by a separate locking device. Rolling Shutters have been used as security shutters all over the world for decades with incredible success. Sometimes labeled as metal shutters and metal security shutters, they all have subtle differences, and the differences can’t be seen with the rolling shutter in the down position. Security Shutters typically have end-retention pins that lock into the guide rails from the top. These pins are located throughout the entire curtain and are protected from manipulation while the curtain is in the close position. Storm Shutters Storm Shutters are the broad category of Storm Protection products. Of course, they come in all types of sizes, features and functionality. We have a full line of rolling shutters, hinged storm shutters and storm panels for you to to explore on our website or we would love for you to swing by one of our showrooms to see live demo models. Storm Shutters are specifically engineered and designed for high hinds, flying debris protection and ultimately given a rating for Hurricane Protection. A little known fact: The most damaging type of wind value is not the force of the wind blowing directly on your home. This force is called positive pressure, and typically, many believe this is the strongest force against their home or business. Believe it or not, the negative pressure, or, the air passing by your windows and doors, has far greater power. Many low-grade storm shutters and hurricane protection products fail under this pressure. Solar Shutters Solar Shutters have a double wall construction and filled with a specialized polyurethane foam designed to increase R-factor and deflect solar penetration. Many rolling shutters can perform this function, but not all are created equal. The energy efficiency of exterior rolling shutters is up to 95% more effective than interior solar shades. Solar Shutters have many unique and positive “side effects” from their dense foam-filled curtain profile. Many homeowners have taken advantage of energy savings by using these types of rolling shutters in both the summer and winter seasons. Reducing heating and air conditioning expenses throughout the entire year is not always our first thought, but many home and business owners have expressed massive savings. Not only do they block up to 90% of heat gain and loss, they also provide incredible noise control opportunities. Privacy Shutters Privacy Shutters are a great way to close of areas of your home or business from others. Some rolling shutters are equipped with perforations allowing ambient light to pass through when needed. Privacy Shutters have many uses and are creatively used throughout the world in homes and businesses for all kinds of reasons. Close off food preparation areas, work shops, stock rooms, gun safes, closets, liquor cabinets and bars. Some business owners use rolling shutters to close off the outside world after working hours, to protect the last few employees as they finish money counts, paperwork, and prepare bank deposits. If you have any questions or need additional information, our Product Specialists are available 800-522-1599

Take a look at this fantastic transformation recently competed after this family experienced a devastating electrical fire that started in the garage. Between the fire and the water/chemical damage, we had a good challenge.

Homeowner did a complete overhaul remodel of their home, after the area surrounding it was devastated by a straight-line winds & a tornado. Their contractor custom-made the island top, wood hood and farm sink base out of the downed trees from their property.

We heard about a family that was devastated by the reasonably sudden passing of the husband and father of 3 children. Their new home was complete except for the yard and with many more important things on their mind, but with 3 kids who needed a place to play, we knew we had to jump in and get them a yard asap. With the help of Burnco and Thunderstone Quarry who helped with the cost of some of the materials we had our team and a group of volunteers show up and in one day we transformed the unfinished property into a complete yard!!! The family was of course grateful but we were even more grateful to be able to give something back to the community.

A home on Nantucket, Massachusetts equipped with built-in roll shutters. Rolling Shutters are the ultimate solution when you want to protect what’s behind your windows and doors. With Rolling Shutters, enjoy peace of mind knowing that your home has a sturdy layer of hurricane protection and storm protection. Rolling shutters shield against wind-blown debris, sand blasting and water penetration. Strong, secure, and durable, our Rolling Hurricane Shutters are proven to reduce energy and maintenance costs while making your home more comfortable to live in. Hurricane Shutters Hurricane Shutters are the premier protection against snow and ice storms, driving rain, high winds, and flying debris. We have huge selection of Hurricane Protection products for all types of applications. We specialize in new construction, retrofit projects and custom applications designed around more complex installations. Hurricane Shutters protect your windows and doors from water penetration and breakage during hurricanes and Nor’easters bringing you comfort and protection. Even when you are not physically at the location of the storm, rolling shutters can offer you peace of mind. Homes and businesses not equipped with rolling shutters may experience glass breakage and door failures during high winds. Ultimately, those openings in the structure’s envelope can cause complete devastation to the home or business. Once the air pressure enters a building, no matter the type of construction, the likelihood of other windows and doors failing rises. If the pressure grows beyond a certain point, walls and and roof components begin to fail. Security Shutters Security Shutters are one of the best ways to discourage intruders from attempting to enter your home or business. This deterrent measure is just where rolling shutters start. While in the down position, rolling shutters can be locked in place by a motor, a gear, a keyed switch or by a separate locking device. Rolling Shutters have been used as security shutters all over the world for decades with incredible success. Sometimes labeled as metal shutters and metal security shutters, they all have subtle differences, and the differences can’t be seen with the rolling shutter in the down position. Security Shutters typically have end-retention pins that lock into the guide rails from the top. These pins are located throughout the entire curtain and are protected from manipulation while the curtain is in the close position. Storm Shutters Storm Shutters are the broad category of Storm Protection products. Of course, they come in all types of sizes, features and functionality. We have a full line of rolling shutters, hinged storm shutters and storm panels for you to to explore on our website or we would love for you to swing by one of our showrooms to see live demo models. Storm Shutters are specifically engineered and designed for high hinds, flying debris protection and ultimately given a rating for Hurricane Protection. A little known fact: The most damaging type of wind value is not the force of the wind blowing directly on your home. This force is called positive pressure, and typically, many believe this is the strongest force against their home or business. Believe it or not, the negative pressure, or, the air passing by your windows and doors, has far greater power. Many low-grade storm shutters and hurricane protection products fail under this pressure. Solar Shutters Solar Shutters have a double wall construction and filled with a specialized polyurethane foam designed to increase R-factor and deflect solar penetration. Many rolling shutters can perform this function, but not all are created equal. The energy efficiency of exterior rolling shutters is up to 95% more effective than interior solar shades. Solar Shutters have many unique and positive “side effects” from their dense foam-filled curtain profile. Many homeowners have taken advantage of energy savings by using these types of rolling shutters in both the summer and winter seasons. Reducing heating and air conditioning expenses throughout the entire year is not always our first thought, but many home and business owners have expressed massive savings. Not only do they block up to 90% of heat gain and loss, they also provide incredible noise control opportunities. Privacy Shutters Privacy Shutters are a great way to close of areas of your home or business from others. Some rolling shutters are equipped with perforations allowing ambient light to pass through when needed. Privacy Shutters have many uses and are creatively used throughout the world in homes and businesses for all kinds of reasons. Close off food preparation areas, work shops, stock rooms, gun safes, closets, liquor cabinets and bars. Some business owners use rolling shutters to close off the outside world after working hours, to protect the last few employees as they finish money counts, paperwork, and prepare bank deposits. If you have any questions or need additional information, our Product Specialists are available 800-522-1599

The entire townhouse was devastatingly flood–damaged by an upper floor washing machine malfunction. The homeowners decided to take advantage of this situation to not only repair the home, but also to make some major space updates. The townhome was completely gutted to the studs throughout all three levels. The main living level was completely reconfigured with walls removed and spaces reimagined. The kitchen and 4 bathrooms were fully renovated. All flooring, trim, tile, fixtures, hardware, countertops, lighting and window treatments were redesigned. All interior elements designed and specified by A.HICKMAN Design.

To fully enjoy the winter holidays, with all the snow and cold, was the basis for our client’s decision to maintain their Chicago home when they were transferred to the warm and sunny west coast. A trusted caretaker was put in place to oversee and maintain their property; however, even excellent planning sometimes runs off-track. In the midst of winter the caretaker left on a well-planned vacation. The homeowner’s were apprised of dates and, without a worry, everyone went on about their daily routines. That is, until the caretaker returned and found the home in such utter devastation, he could not believe what had happened in such a short amount of time. The ill-timed vacation, planned during what became an extremely cold timeframe, was the home’s undoing. With the heat in the home turned slightly lower, to accommodate the emptiness, paired with the below zero temperatures, the hot water pipe in the main floor Sunroom froze and burst. The gushing, steaming water, unchecked, moved in so many directions, it is difficult to comprehend. As the water soaked through the Sunroom flooring to the walk-out Lower Level Area below, ice blocks were freezing before the water reached the ground; Ice blocks so thick only time and warmer temperatures were able to thaw. Since the heating systems were unaffected, the heat, paired with the steaming moisture, raised the humidity levels in the entire home; what wasn’t wet ultimately became mold covered. The humidity in the home was raised to such a level that window and door seals were compromised and condensation clouded most of the interior glass panes. The Kitchen wood flooring, saturated with water, buckled, causing the cabinets to lift and the granite to crack. The ceiling in the lower level Bar Area fell as the water flooded both the Bar and the adjoining Billiards Room, wreaking havoc on cabinetry, carpet, artwork, etc. After the insurance estimation determined the home was salvageable, the design phase began in earnest headed by LaMantia’s James Campbell, CKD and aided by Katie Suva, CKD, CBD as the guides. After a very long march towards recovery, the home is now back to the pristine beauty it once was.

We titled this project Fortitude as a description of the incredible couple to whom it belongs. In August 2016 a large area of the state was devastated by a flood that shattered records not reached in over 30 years. This home was one of the many affected. After having to endure less than professional contractors and a some medical emergencies. the couple completed the project three years later. The beautiful images you see today are a testament to their extreme fortitude and perseverance amid trying circumstances. To those who never give up hope, the results are sweeter than you can imagine.

iTrees.com is proud to support Coal City and Diamond, IL, in their efforts to replant their canopy following devastating tornadoes in the area.
This is an example of a large traditional full sun landscaping in Chicago for summer.

Take a look at this fantastic transformation recently competed after this family experienced a devastating electrical fire that started in the garage. Between the fire and the water/chemical damage, we had a good challenge.