Rob Fisher, principal, and builder, has built new homes in the Northern Virginia area for almost 25 years. He has overseen the design, development, construction, and customer satisfaction of some of the most exclusive communities and reputable builders in the area. He began his career with Foley Custom Homes in Vienna, VA before moving on to serve as a supervisor for NVR. In 1986 he joined A&A Partnership in Alexandria, Virginia. As Construction Manager, he was responsible for Harborside, a waterfront community of luxury townhouses in the heart of Old Town. In 1994 Rob joined Pulte Homes to open StoneRidge Builders, a division of Pulte Homes offering high end, semi-custom homes to the Mid Atlantic market. Under StoneRidge Builders, Rob oversaw such notable projects as McLean Hundred (McLean); Ashgrove Plantation & Clarks Crossing (Vienna); and Timberlake and Windsong Estates (Oakton). Rob led Pulte’s efforts in establishing themselves as the undisputed leader in customer satisfaction. During his tenure as Vice President of Customer Relations for the Mid-Atlantic Region, Pulte won an unprecedented five JD Power and Associates New Home Customer Satisfaction Awards. The experiences and lessons learned in building some of the most exclusive projects in Northern Virginia, while creating an industry benchmark in customer satisfaction, helped create the foundation upon which Fisher Custom Homes was established. In 2010, Rob decided to turn his passion for building homes into a personal business, and Fisher Custom Homes was born. Over the course of the last several years, Rob has worked diligently to establish himself as one of the most prestigious and sought-after custom home builders in the Vienna, VA and surrounding areas. Rob’s quality, attention to detail and personal touch has earned him a reputation as the ‘builder of choice’ among his peers, his homeowners, and prospective buyers.

Our challenge was to transform key areas of this home that were somewhat ignored in a previous renovation. Located in the heart of Larkspur, the reveal was a bright and modern home that marries seamlessly with the rest of the updates. This home is a Historical Landmark, so we worked diligently to honor and protect the architecture and history as we design updates to the Entry, Stairs, Living Room and Dining Room. Splashes of color, texture, pattern, and shine were introduced to add charisma and breath new life. Now, the entire home serves all aspects of life for this happy family.

After a decade of being bi-coastal, my clients decided to retire from the east coast to the west. But the task of packing up a whole lifetime in a home was quite daunting so they hired me to comb through their furniture and accessories to see what could fit, what should be left behind, and what should make the move. The job proved difficult since my clients have a wealth of absolutely gorgeous objects and furnishings collected from trips to exotic, far-flung locales like Nepal, or inherited from relatives in England. It was tough to pare down, but after hours of diligent measuring, I mapped out what would migrate west and where it would be placed once here, and I filled in some blank spaces with new pieces. They bought their recent Craftsman-style home from the contractor who had designed and built it for his family. The only architectural work we did was to transform the den at the rear of the house into a television/garden room. My clients did not want the television to be on display, and sticking a TV in an armoire just doesn’t cut it anymore. I recommended installing a hidden, mirror TV with accompanying invisible in-wall speakers. To do this, we removed an unnecessary small door in the corner of the room to free up the entire wall. Now, at the touch of a remote, what looks like a beautiful wall mirror mounted over a Japanese tansu console comes to life, and sound magically floats out from the wall around it! We also replaced a bank of windows with French doors to allow easy access to the garden. While the house is extremely well made, the interiors were bland. The warm woodwork was lost in a sea of beige, so I chose a deep aqua color palette for the front rooms of the house which makes the woodwork sing. And we discovered a wonderful art niche over the fireplace that the previous owners had covered with a framed print. Conversely, a warm color palette in the TV room contrasts nicely with the greenery from the garden seen through the new French doors. Photo by Bernardo Grijalva

We are delighted to showcase one of our latest projects, a remarkable affordable luxury minimalist home located in a bustling Sydney inner suburb. This project is a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional architectural design and building services, tailored to the unique needs of our clients. Situated along a busy road, we understood the importance of creating a tranquil oasis for our client. Our focus was on providing a high level of acoustic insulation to ensure peace and serenity within the home. To achieve this, we utilized Hebel panel walls, known for their excellent soundproofing properties, and installed double-glazed windows throughout the residence. The result is a home that offers an unparalleled sense of quietude, shielded from the noise of the bustling city streets. This emphasis on acoustic insulation highlights our dedication to creating a peaceful and harmonious living environment for our clients. The design of this affordable luxury home is a beautiful fusion of modernity and minimalism, exuding sophistication and elegance. We believe that luxury can be accessible without compromising on quality or design, and this project exemplifies just that. The open-plan layout maximizes space and natural light, creating an airy and inviting ambiance throughout the home. Every aspect of the architecture was carefully curated to optimize functionality and aesthetics, reflecting the client's vision and lifestyle. ​Our team of skilled architects and builders worked diligently to ensure that every detail of the home was meticulously crafted to perfection. We collaborated closely with our client to understand their unique needs and preferences, allowing us to create a custom-designed home that truly embodies their individuality.

This client asked me to provide them with ample storage in their ski vacation condo's kitchen. I wanted to take advantage of the end wall to maximize the countertop and give them more storage with a cabinet under the new range that is 92" wide. Even though the cabinet is well supported, the cabinet opening has no center divider which would hinder any individual seeking out pots and kettles from below. The other elements fell into logical places including a generous pantry to the right of the refrigerator. In trying to maintain the sleek look of the backsplash, I worked diligently with the electrician to avoid outlets in the backsplash area as much as possible using Task Lighting's angled power strips. I love working with the outlet strips that tuck up under the cabinetry; they are brilliantly discreet. One of the special elements in this kitchen is the log pedestal base under the cantilevered bar top that is a continuation of the cap on the half wall. This log is from my neighbor's tree which they were cutting down in perfect timing with this renovation. Other components from this same tree are incorporated elsewhere in the condo. Surrounding the bar top are great wrought iron bar stools from Charleston Forge Photo by Sandra J. Curtis, ASID

We chose Jess after seeing several homes in the area that we really liked. Right from the start, Jess was easy to work with, a good listener, and able to use our input while guiding the process in a professional manner. He surely helped us to create our dream home and bring our vision to life and we are thrilled with the collaborative outcome. Jess was sensitive to our budgetary guidelines and was flexible, creative, prompt, and very responsive. We were especially focused on situating the house to fully take advantage of extraordinary views and Jess was diligent and helpful in getting it perfect , bringing the outside in as well as adding important energy efficiency. We happily recommend Jess Pedersen for your next project.

The renovation project at Hollywood Avenue in North York took a total of five months from start to finish. Astaneh Construction was hired to undertake the project, which involved a complete transformation of the house. The scope of work included creating an open concept living area, renovating the kitchen and bathrooms, painting the entire house, upgrading the flooring and trim work. The project began with a thorough assessment of the existing space and a detailed plan was developed to ensure that the final outcome would meet the client's expectations. The team at Astaneh Construction worked diligently to ensure that every detail of the project was completed to the highest standard. The end result was a beautiful and modern living space that exceeded the client's expectations. The open concept design allowed for a seamless flow of natural light throughout the space, creating a bright and welcoming environment. The kitchen was completely renovated with modern fixtures and finishes, providing a functional and aesthetically pleasing workspace for the homeowners. The bathrooms were also transformed with new tiling, fixtures and vanities, creating a spa-like atmosphere. The entire house was painted with a fresh coat of paint, creating a clean and modern look. The flooring was upgraded to high-quality materials, providing durability and comfort underfoot. The trim work was also upgraded, adding a touch of elegance to the space. In summary, Astaneh Construction successfully completed a comprehensive renovation of Hollywood Avenue in North York, creating a beautiful and modern living space for the homeowners. The project took five months to complete and involved creating an open concept living area, renovating the kitchen and bathrooms, painting, flooring and upgrading the trim work.

We are delighted to showcase one of our latest projects, a remarkable affordable luxury minimalist home located in a bustling Sydney inner suburb. This project is a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional architectural design and building services, tailored to the unique needs of our clients. Situated along a busy road, we understood the importance of creating a tranquil oasis for our client. Our focus was on providing a high level of acoustic insulation to ensure peace and serenity within the home. To achieve this, we utilized Hebel panel walls, known for their excellent soundproofing properties, and installed double-glazed windows throughout the residence. The result is a home that offers an unparalleled sense of quietude, shielded from the noise of the bustling city streets. This emphasis on acoustic insulation highlights our dedication to creating a peaceful and harmonious living environment for our clients. The design of this affordable luxury home is a beautiful fusion of modernity and minimalism, exuding sophistication and elegance. We believe that luxury can be accessible without compromising on quality or design, and this project exemplifies just that. The open-plan layout maximizes space and natural light, creating an airy and inviting ambiance throughout the home. Every aspect of the architecture was carefully curated to optimize functionality and aesthetics, reflecting the client's vision and lifestyle. ​Our team of skilled architects and builders worked diligently to ensure that every detail of the home was meticulously crafted to perfection. We collaborated closely with our client to understand their unique needs and preferences, allowing us to create a custom-designed home that truly embodies their individuality.

Living beyond the walls of your home outdoors should look fabulous, entertain fabulously and taste fabulous too. First and foremost on the menu is this WOOD STONE Home Outdoor Pizza Oven. The Wood Stone Chuck a nut Pizza oven is the best there is for Family and Friends to spend endless hours outdoors celebrating life beyond just Grilling. http://outdoorlivingdesignerct.com/2015/07/04/its-the-toppings-on-the-pizza-oven-that-makes-outdoor-living-taste-fabulous/ For more Great Outdoor Kitchen ideas go to www.OutdoorKitchenDesigner.com to visit THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. The installation of this propane fired Outdoor pizza oven requires due diligence from many professional tradesman including the propane fuel connection, electric service, carpentry, stucco, grease exhaust fan, copper flashing and chimney duct work in addition to the stone work and finish details. Outdoor living fabulously designer shares secret success of the trendy niche of Luxury Outdoor living. Michael Gotowala founder of The Outdoor Kitchen Design Store shows us that the recipe for living outdoors fabulously is to understand the lifestyle and comfort level of each family member indoors and portray some of that lifestyle outdoors. It results in endless hours spent outdoors. Watch the start of this Wood Stone pizza oven get craned into the side wall of the pool house. WOODSTONE PIZZA OVEN all part of the living fabulously https://youtube/OOteE10-PRQ

The renovation project at Hollywood Avenue in North York took a total of five months from start to finish. Astaneh Construction was hired to undertake the project, which involved a complete transformation of the house. The scope of work included creating an open concept living area, renovating the kitchen and bathrooms, painting the entire house, upgrading the flooring and trim work. The project began with a thorough assessment of the existing space and a detailed plan was developed to ensure that the final outcome would meet the client's expectations. The team at Astaneh Construction worked diligently to ensure that every detail of the project was completed to the highest standard. The end result was a beautiful and modern living space that exceeded the client's expectations. The open concept design allowed for a seamless flow of natural light throughout the space, creating a bright and welcoming environment. The kitchen was completely renovated with modern fixtures and finishes, providing a functional and aesthetically pleasing workspace for the homeowners. The bathrooms were also transformed with new tiling, fixtures and vanities, creating a spa-like atmosphere. The entire house was painted with a fresh coat of paint, creating a clean and modern look. The flooring was upgraded to high-quality materials, providing durability and comfort underfoot. The trim work was also upgraded, adding a touch of elegance to the space. In summary, Astaneh Construction successfully completed a comprehensive renovation of Hollywood Avenue in North York, creating a beautiful and modern living space for the homeowners. The project took five months to complete and involved creating an open concept living area, renovating the kitchen and bathrooms, painting, flooring and upgrading the trim work.

Situated above Lake Hollywood, this expansive terrace was part of a masterplan for the property. It is composed of simple, elegantly-balanced elements that link together to offer the clients a range of pastimes to enjoy with friends and family.

Living beyond the walls of your home outdoors should look fabulous, entertain fabulously and taste fabulous too. First and foremost on the menu is this WOOD STONE Home Outdoor Pizza Oven. The Wood Stone Chuck a nut Pizza oven is the best there is for Family and Friends to spend endless hours outdoors celebrating life beyond just Grilling. http://outdoorlivingdesignerct.com/2015/07/04/its-the-toppings-on-the-pizza-oven-that-makes-outdoor-living-taste-fabulous/ For more Great Outdoor Kitchen ideas go to www.OutdoorKitchenDesigner.com to visit THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. The installation of this propane fired Outdoor pizza oven requires due diligence from many professional tradesman including the propane fuel connection, electric service, carpentry, stucco, grease exhaust fan, copper flashing and chimney duct work in addition to the stone work and finish details. Outdoor living fabulously designer shares secret success of the trendy niche of Luxury Outdoor living. Michael Gotowala founder of The Outdoor Kitchen Design Store shows us that the recipe for living outdoors fabulously is to understand the lifestyle and comfort level of each family member indoors and portray some of that lifestyle outdoors. It results in endless hours spent outdoors. Watch the start of this Wood Stone pizza oven get craned into the side wall of the pool house. WOODSTONE PIZZA OVEN all part of the living fabulously https://youtube/OOteE10-PRQ

Nestled along the shores of Lake Michigan, this quintessential beach house artfully blends exemplary lakefront architecture and refined design elements. Spanning over 3,800 square feet with 5 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, this home highlights plentiful windows and outdoor living areas within all three floors. Alongside unobstructed views of Lake Michigan that pull natural illumination into nearly every room, thoughtful interior design by Benchmark Design Studio bring forth sophisticated design details. • Designed to withstand the lakeshore elements, an exterior consisting of durable fiber cement siding is showcased in a restful shade of gray and accented through natural stone columns. • A soaring staircase open to above and below sets the tone for the bathed-in-sunlight main level featuring an open floor plan between the light and airy kitchen with Viking appliances, dining room, living room and beach deck. • A harmonious blend of rustic and refined, a warm palette of natural materials and finishes like European white washed oak floors, sliding barn doors, and classic built-ins, create a relaxed space that never loses its polished sense of style. • Often considered too special for a weekend home, sophisticated design elements including a mix of quartz and onyx countertops in the kitchen, metallic Thibaut ceiling inset in the dining room, and rustic sliding barn doors , makes this home simply special. • Dedicated to private time, the upstairs master suite includes direct access to an open-air deck, two guest bedrooms, and a cozy sleeping loft with nine diligent bunk beds. • Downstairs, generous living area with causal furnishings, additional guest quarters with full beach bath and savvy kitchenette, enhances beach entertaining and all the simple pleasures of living on Lake Michigan. Photography by Chuck Heiney

Part of an extensive home remodel, this kitchen design was born of one man’s love of all things Harley Davidson. Color inspiration came from the client’s own cherished bike which was a stunning combination of matte black and brushed steel. The client’s wish was to have a large open area in which he could “be one with his guests” when hosting large gatherings. Cabinets, hardware and appliances all in black allow the focus to be on the beauty of the larger architectural elements as a whole. Included along the main storage wall is a hidden 42” refrigerator, dual pull-out pantries, and extra wide drawers below a pair of upper cabinets with matte black glass fold-up doors that open & close automatically via servo-drive technology. The new island - which measures just shy of 16 ½ feet! - is a true central point around which all action revolves. Wide walkways on either side provide ease of flow for multiple sous chefs and guests alike. A textured cypress soffit above the island was designed to house the modern hood and also create a feeling of unity as it is the same size as the island below. Textured cypress wood also wraps matte black cabinetry and lines the main wall, changing grain direction to provide visual interest. The 5’ Galley Workstation is a multi-functional marvel, easily transitioning from prep station to serving surface to clean-up with the addition of its built-in accessories. Placing an undercounter wine refrigerator on the back side of the island makes it easy for guests at the bar to help themselves. Close to the bar seating area, a 42” flat screen tv fits perfectly flush in the wall, practically disappearing when not in use. Unique details include a large display cabinet with a metal framed front & side crafted out of steel by a local artisan. The glass is 2-way mirror so when the interior light is off, the treasure is concealed inside. The interior is painted in the trademark Harley orange. Above a modern dining table, a one-of-a-kind chandelier was created from 3 bike helmets, painted in Harley orange by a local automobile detail shop. The interiors are finished in metallic silver for extra glow. Adjacent to the Kitchen, and initially deceiving in its simplicity, the main tv wall was quite complex and challenging to realize. It has a convex curve from left to right and slopes back from floor to ceiling. The interior hollow space created room for a shallow tv niche on top and partially recessed deep media storage cabinets below. The planning and framing involved to create the proper compound miter connections required extra diligence from the designers and builder, but the finished product was worth the effort! Photo credit: Fred Donham of Photographerlink

Stephen F. Austin Hotel - Historic Renovation and Remodel - Jim Nix - AIA - Austin Architect - Nix Group Architects – Residential and Commercial Architecture Firm - Austin Texas – 78701. The remodel and renovation of the historic Stephen F. Austin Hotel in Austin Texas included recreating the original lobby and grand staircase, that were previously demolished during earlier hotel remodeling projects, back to its original 1924 splendor including the marble and granite staircase, custom milled woodwork, cast and wrought iron railings, and plastered wall and ceiling ornamentation. After diligent historic research, many of the historic features were recreated by new artisans utilizing some of the same historic construction techniques rarely used today.

HK Design Studio aims to provide creative, exceptional landscape designs that reflect the clients style and budget. Owner, Heather Koermer, is a licensed landscape architect on who will provide you with a complete and professional set of plans. Our job is to give the client a product that suits their needs, wants, and style. We strive to create comfortable outdoor rooms that are designed to complement each client’s style. Each project is unique and given the personal attention to detail. A person’s garden should be an extension of their home. Working in the industry since 1996, Heather started her own firm with the express intent of sharing her passion and knowledge with her clients. She is diligent and works in all phases of the projects from initial meetings, concepts, working drawings through construction observation. Let us share our passion for landscaping while providing you with a complete package to see your dreams fulfilled!

We are so proud to show you some incredible Before and After photos of a recent renovation we completed at a local church. Our main priority was to make this a more welcoming space for parishioners and also for those who visit the food pantry. It had been decades since the last update, but we breathed new life into it. Our team worked diligently to refinish the flooring near the alter, seamlessly matching them with the new flooring laid throughout the rest of the space. The old alter piece was lovingly replaced with wainscoting, perfectly matching the rest of the wall. It’s a job so well done, you can’t even see where the original meets the new construction. Our commitment to detail shines through. As a finishing touch, we added new modern lighting and adorned the space with fresh coats of paint, one aptly named “Sanctuary” by Sherwin Williams which added a touch of serenity and warmth to the atmosphere. The church looks forward to welcoming everyone with open arms in this renewed space.

This charming Quebec home features Arriscraft Laurier "Ivory White", "Maple Sugar" and "Canyon Buff" building stone with a cream color mortar.
Large trendy home design photo in Other

It's known as the PISA/TIMSS voyaging convoy. Every time worldwide tests results are discharged with association tables indicating champs and failures a gaggle of scientists, scholastics and grouped kindred explorers plummet on the most astounding performing nation or instruction framework to break down and write about "world's best practice". The objective continues evolving One issue with thusly of deduction is that nobody framework reliably beats the rest. In light of the 1995 and 1999 TIMSS (Trends in International Math and Science Study) results, Asian instruction frameworks in Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan overwhelmed. Accordingly, the emphasis was immovably on recognizing the reasons the Asian tigers were performing so well. In the PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) 2000 results, Finland positioned first in education, fourth in arithmetic and third in science. Finland became the overwhelming focus and specialists and scholastics ran to Helsinki to find the reasons Finnish understudies performed at or close to the highest point of the table. By 2012, at the end of the day, an alternate training framework turned into the focal point of consideration. Finland descended the PISA rankings as another champ, Shanghai, rose as first in arithmetic, science and perusing. Apples aren't being contrasted with apples A second issue when making correlations is that the spots we've recognized as examples of overcoming adversity are distinctive to Australia. City-states like Singapore and instruction frameworks in profoundly performing spots like Hong Kong and Shanghai have remarkable qualities that separate them from nations like Australia, England and the USA. Contrasts in topography, the quantities of understudies and schools, the understudy cosmetics (as far as dialect, society and financial profile) and how schools, including educational modules and appraisal, are organized and oversaw significantly affect results. Singapore, when contrasted with Australia, is little topographically, more homogenous as far as dialect and culture and utilizes instructive practices that have long been out of support in Australia. These incorporate gushing kids in view of their abilities, and high-chance, focused tests and examinations. As noted in a paper titled How not to prevail upon PISA information: an unexpected examination, there are additionally social components clarifying solid execution that are troublesome, if not unimaginable, to exchange starting with one instruction framework then onto the next. Evident cases incorporate the effect of Confucian qualities and morals that stretch appreciation for power (particularly instructors), the conviction that achievement is conceivable with inspiration, fixation and diligent work, and the thought that training is focal if one is to accomplish a superior life. Confounding circumstances and end results Befuddling what has driven these nations to achievement speaks to the third trouble in expecting that what seems to prompt accomplishment in one nation can without much of a stretch be exchanged to another. To expect that everything we need to do in Australia to enhance test outcomes is to lessen the impact of the Australian Education Union, while being appealing to some, is both undemocratic and blameworthy of accepting circumstances and end results. There are a few advantages of abroad correlations PISA and TIMSS tests have been held for a long time. Thus, there is a decent arrangement of examination recognizing the attributes of more grounded performing instruction frameworks from which states and domains can learn. The early ethnographic work recording Japanese and American classes nitty gritty in Harvard distribution The Teaching Gap uncovers how the lessons in Asian classrooms are more unequivocal, obviously organized and sound and there is a desire that all understudies, with the essential offer and applications, some assistance with canning succeed. A later distribution by the Grattan Institute, Catching up: gaining from the best educational systems in East Asia, likewise distinguishes imperative lessons from fruitful Asian instruction frameworks. Positive variables incorporate giving instructors more opportunity to work cooperatively and to tutor each other, guaranteeing that educator training, course readings and the educational modules are commonly steady and concentrate on enhancing classroom rehearse. It ought to additionally be noticed that while Australian understudies don't perform in the top level in PISA and TIMSS tests, there is some reason for festivity. Understudies in the Australian Capital Territory perform well over the Australian normal and frequently coordinate the execution of top-performing abroad instruction frameworks. As far as lifting the execution of understudies from distraught foundations it is additionally critical to take note of that Catholic schools, in light of an investigation of the 2009 PISA results completed by the Australian Council for Educational Research, accomplish a value rating surpassing that of Finland. About the Author: Amy Parker writes too many academic papers for people who have troubles with it. She always gives needed advices, shows the examples of the papers and helps with writing at http://papersnetwork.net