As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

The homeowners wanted a sleek, contemporary kitchen that didn't feel cold, and still worked with the style of their classic, red brick colonial home. The design team, consisting of Bilotta senior designer, RitaLuisa Garcés and Billy Ceglia of Billy Ceglia Designs, opted for the warmth of traditional walnut cabinetry done in an exaggerated shaker style with ultra-thin stiles and rails and light textured laminate cabinets with distinct horizontal graining. The cabinetry they selected is Bilotta’s contemporary Artcraft line – European style cabinets manufactured in Canada. This combination of colors and textures helped solve another design issue: a long narrow space that opened directly into the family room. Cabinet colors and finishes helped to create the illusion of width in the space by situating the light cabinetry in an “L” across the rear wall and window wall of the space and “bookending” it with the full height walnut units that read more as paneling than cabinetry when viewed from the adjoining family room. The large simple island outfitted with Donghia counter stools, allows for an uninterrupted work space, storage of tabletop items, and also houses a “snack zone” for the client’s children with cabinetry and roll-outs for snacks, a microwave, and a beverage center all within easy reach, but outside of the main work area. The custom stainless steel exhaust hood and handcrafted tile backsplash also add subtle visual interest to the space, reinforcing the idea that the back walls of the kitchen recede into the background creating the illusion of more space. The centerpiece of the breakfast room is the multi light, hand blown chandelier from Niche Modern hanging above a blue lacquered breakfast table with stainless steel detailing and vintage Saarinen dining chairs. Together the components create a comfortable spot to dine, or just hang out. Designers: RitaLuisa Garcés in collaboration with Billy Ceglia of Billy Ceglia Designs; Photo Credit: Peter Krupenye

Collection: Glass Mosaic Tiles Material: Glass Color: Grey and Blue Surface Finish: Glossy, easy for cleaning. Shape: Square Sheet Size: 300mmx300mm Chip Size: 15mmx15mm Thickness: 8mm Application: Glass mosaic tiles are impervious to the elements, thus it is great for both interior and exterior use so moisture is not an issue. Glass mosaic tiles are great on floors and walls and have been most popular in bathrooms, spas, kitchen backsplash, wall facades and pools as well as a variety of other applications. Characteristics: The glass mosaic tile has a zero water absorption rate, and this tile exceeds ANSI standards for water absorption for mosaic tile. It is strong, durable, contamination free, and only the best quality tiles are selected as our tiles are inspected for blemishes before shipment.

A new-to-me realtor calls Tuesday mid-day asking about my services. The phone call quickly turned into a 'yes' but I mentioned unless I do this 'tomorrow', it couldn't get done until next week Tuesday or Wednesday due to other obligations. It's in Cayucos, which poses another issue - do I make the trip up to preview (it's an hour away, do I have time), or can I get what I need off of the internet? AND we had rain to contend with... it's never easy to stage in the rain. Fortunately I'm a very spatially-minded person and could make my plans based on the existing internet photos. A girl needs her plans! So Wednesday, between the spurts of rain, my sons and I spend all morning packing for this stage, and Wednesday afternoon / into evening my sons and I head out, unload, and stage this beautiful.... no..... GORGEOUS home ON THE WATER in Cayucos. WOW!!! The boys told me upon arrival: 'We should buy this!' I'm thinking the same thing! So, in retrospect, this stage was a vacant, sight-unseen home, and within about 24 hours went from realtor request to stage-done status. Please forgive the darkness of the photos, it was 6:30 at night when we were done, it was dark!

Looking from the exterior, this addition was built to look as though it was always a part of this home. Often times, the roof tie-ins on additions can be tricky, so it is critical to hire a company that understands how these structures should be built to prevent leaking or drainage issues later on. Our clients can rest easy knowing that their room addition was built correctly and to code!

The added 4' of elevation to the parking allows for easy egress and ingress. All the run off is now collected and run to the beach below to help eliminate erosion issues. photo; Curt and Karen Huber - Wildwood Homes llc

A client with a high-rise apartment in Manchester city centre contacted us in relation to the look of their bathroom tiles. The grout had become grubby and black with mould and it was clear from their message that they were considering have the grout replaced in order to freshen up the bathroom. We discussed the problem over the telephone, and they emailed a picture of the bathroom across so I could get a better idea of what needed doing. It turns out that the apartment had been rented out previously and they needed the bathroom renovating so they could start letting it again. Clearly, they were keen to have the work completed as soon as possible. Fortunately, we are sometimes able to come out on short notice, especially for small jobs like this and so were able to do the work the following week Re-grouting is a lot of work and very time consuming so I explained the benefits of Grout Colouring which is much quicker and results in a more practical finish as I will explain. There was a small issue with parking as one would expect from the city centre, but we were able to use one of the parking spaces of a neighbour in the basement of the building. My first task was to get the grout as clean as possible before applying the colourant and given the amount of mould I decided to apply Tile Doctor Duo-Clean which is a Tile Cleaner/Mould Remover and ideal for use on ceramic tile and grout. The product was sprayed onto the tiles and grout and then scrubbed in by hand to get the grout as clean as possible. I also used a powerful steam cleaner to get the grout as clean as possible before rinsing the soil off with water. This process went well, and the grout looked much cleaner afterwards but was now a little patchy in places due to deep staining. It’s worth noting that mould thrives in damp warm conditions and can easily be controlled by ensuring the bathroom has adequate ventilation. Some modern showers have a function that cool the bathroom down after use by running the shower on a cold setting. Improving cross-ventilation by leaving the bathroom door and a window open can also improve the situation and of course you can always apply Tile Doctor Duo-Clean on a regular basis. Once the grout was dry and as clean as it could be, I applied a White Tile Doctor Grout Colourant along the grout lines with a small brush taking care to wipe off any excess from the tiles as I went. Only one bottle of colourant was needed, and I have found baby wipes work well when wiping off the excess. The last step in the bathroom renovation was to strip out all the old mouldy silicone between the bath and the tiles and replace with new mould resistant silicone. The cleaning and grout colour completely transformed the look of the bathroom leaving it looking fresh. The grout which was previously dark and patchy was now a consistent white colour giving the impression it had only been recently tiled. The colourant also forms an epoxy barrier over the grout that will prevent dirt from becoming ingrained in the grouts surface going forward, it’s also much easier to clean. The customer was most impressed with the result and has informed us since that they will back in touch about renovating the grout in their own home! They left the following comment on the Tile Doctor website. “Kamila made a wonderful job cleaning my grout and silicone. The bathroom looks like new. She was also easy to deal, very friendly and professional. Thank you!” Alex Logozny Greater Manchester Tile Doctor

An old stone mansion built in 1924 had seen a number of renovations over the decades and the time had finally come to address a growing list of issues. All of the home’s bathrooms needed to be fully gutted and completely redone. In the master bathroom, we took this opportunity to rearrange the layout to incorporate a double vanity and relocate the toilet (the former bathroom had only a small single vanity with the toilet awkwardly located directly in front of the door). The bathtub was replaced with a generous walk-in shower complete with frameless glass and digital controls. We located a towel warmer immediately outside the shower to provide toasty towels within easy reach. A beautiful Calacatta and Bardigiglio Gray basketweave tile was used in combination with various sizes of Calacatta marble field tile and trim for a look that is both elegant and timeless.

The homeowners wanted a sleek, contemporary kitchen that didn't feel cold, and still worked with the style of their classic, red brick colonial home. The design team, consisting of Bilotta senior designer, RitaLuisa Garcés and Billy Ceglia of Billy Ceglia Designs, opted for the warmth of traditional walnut cabinetry done in an exaggerated shaker style with ultra-thin stiles and rails and light textured laminate cabinets with distinct horizontal graining. The cabinetry they selected is Bilotta’s contemporary Artcraft line – European style cabinets manufactured in Canada. This combination of colors and textures helped solve another design issue: a long narrow space that opened directly into the family room. Cabinet colors and finishes helped to create the illusion of width in the space by situating the light cabinetry in an “L” across the rear wall and window wall of the space and “bookending” it with the full height walnut units that read more as paneling than cabinetry when viewed from the adjoining family room. The large simple island outfitted with Donghia counter stools, allows for an uninterrupted work space, storage of tabletop items, and also houses a “snack zone” for the client’s children with cabinetry and roll-outs for snacks, a microwave, and a beverage center all within easy reach, but outside of the main work area. The custom stainless steel exhaust hood and handcrafted tile backsplash also add subtle visual interest to the space, reinforcing the idea that the back walls of the kitchen recede into the background creating the illusion of more space. The centerpiece of the breakfast room is the multi light, hand blown chandelier from Niche Modern hanging above a blue lacquered breakfast table with stainless steel detailing and vintage Saarinen dining chairs. Together the components create a comfortable spot to dine, or just hang out. Designers: RitaLuisa Garcés in collaboration with Billy Ceglia of Billy Ceglia Designs; Photo Credit: Peter Krupenye

This new luxurious shower panel has just newly arrived to North America and it is one of the best shower panels you can find in the market. It qualifies under the ISO-9001 standard, which can only be acquired by products that went through strict quality control and product inspection. The body of the shower panel is made of high quality stainless steel & tempered glass, and comes with an overhead rainfall shower, a multi-functional handheld showerhead, 8 body massage nozzles, and a tub spout. Two controllers are added to control the functions and water temperature. By buying this unique and lavishing shower panel, you would be able to enjoy a higher level of showering experience after everyday’s hard work! * Item Size: 52"H x 10"W x 3.5”D (132 x 26 x 9cm) * Package Size: 55”H x 13”W x 8”D (138 x 33 x 19cm) * Gross Weight 32lbs * Includes a rainfall showerhead, a multi-functional handheld showerhead, a tub spout, 8 adjustable body nozzles, and temperature display * Shower panel frame is made of high quality stainless steel * 5mm blue color tempered glass surface * Lightweight and durable * Unique design for flat wall installation * Comes with chrome-plated brass hose * Standard 1/2” plumbing connection * Hot/Cold water hose of shower panel will be connected to water pipe fitting directly * Reinforced pipes on back * Temperature display is powered by hydro or AA battery * The minimum pressure required is 28 psi and maximum pressure required 72 psi * Offer 1 year limited parts warranty from the date of purchase * All functions work independently to ensure proper water pressure * Easy installation, come with all standard installation accessories * In stock and ship out in 1-2 business days If there are any questions regarding this item or if you have any issues after purchase, please feel free to contact us and we are more than happy to assist you!

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

6 Winker Lane Another quality new home by Andy Frank, renown local builder who has been building beautiful homes in Westport for over 25 years NEW CONSTRUCTION | $2,995,000 | It does not get better than this…Unbelievable new construction..Exquisite design and finishes. This stunning colonial sited on a deep 1.18 acre property conveniently located in Red Coat on a quiet cul-de-sac near the new YMCA. Three finished floors, 8406SF which includes 2210SF in the lower level, 6 bedrooms and 6 and 2 half baths. Incredible gourmet kitchen with 2 islands, breakfast bar, butler’s pantry, breakfast room all open to the bright family room with fireplace, 1st floor office/study with fireplace… Great 10FT ceilings on 1st floor and beautiful finishes and incredible design throughout every space of this home. Relaxing is easy in the luxurious master suite with French doors to sitting room, fireplace, private balcony and his & hers huge walk-in closets. The fabulous finished lower level features family room/den with fireplace, gym, play room and full bath also potential wine cellar and movie theater. Professionally landscaped leveled lot is private and has plenty of room for pool and before CO is issued potential for guest cottage on the property.

Our client wanted to improve curb appeal at the front of their home and create a few focal points in the backyard. It was also critical that the new landscaping features be easy to maintain, as the homeowner has mobility issues. We added raised flower beds with Navascape wallstone retaining walls that complimented the home’s exterior. We installed an additional flower bed around the backyard shed and created a focal point with a tree and additional small flower bed.

Storage was also an issue. The homeowners wanted to consolidate and enhance their ability to store common items with easier access. So, we combined 2 closets into 1 with easy access to the kitchen and created a large entry hallway closet. Space was another concern that had to be addressed in the layout of the kitchen and adjoining dining room. By knocking out the wall between the two rooms we were able to dramatically increase, cabinet storage, available light, traffic flow and deliver a larger dining area. With the new connection between the kitchen and the dining/living room, we needed to hand-tooth new hardwood flooring seamlessly into existing oak. Windows/Doors—Richlin fixed light, & patio door w/Lowe DS, Argon Countertops / Backsplash—Vicostone Countertops: Venatino (BQ8660) 3cm Kitchen—backsplash set 3x9" glass tile. Cabinets—Custom Hardwood enameled (Benjamin Moore) White Wisp Wall color—(Benjamin Moore) Chelsea Gray Design/Build Consultant — Jeff Robinson Photography — Alyssa Lee

The client purchased a mature, small, NAPA Valley vineyard to be their home and for personal enjoyment. Once they began converting their new "hobby" grapes into wine, they soon realized they needed a place to "age" their labors and a place to then enjoy them. They decided to design such a place within the confines of their home where they could entertain family and friends. The structure was modified to allow storage of more than 200 individual bottles, cases, and magnum size bottles. A cask room was added as was a well-appointed tasting room. The storage area is separated from the tasting and social area by a tempered glass doors and windows. The space to be converted was a challenge. No surface was plumb or level, therefore, the remodel involved interior walls, new floors and ceilings. Until these issues were addressed, the beautiful cabinet work, and a complete temperature and humidity control system to store, maintain, and enjoy the wine could not be started. The floors had to be floated out and chases with faux finishes provided for HVAC and electrical. Lighting in the tasting room is provided by a series of recessed and puck lights. The bar/counter area is highlighted by a custom, Tiffany style chandelier. Enough space was left in front of the bar to accommodate two serving tables for food and snacks, with plenty of room to move about the space. Discreetly hidden behind the bar is a large capacity cooler that can chill several bottles at once. The bar is capped with eight lineal feet of Calcutta Gold Marble and sports a brass foot rail. The bar has grape panels between Acanthus Corbels and the bottle storage cabinet areas are a unique blend of Acanthus overlays under precisely cut and mitered grape design crown molding over and around a cleverly designed bottle storage system. Traffic flow is achieved through the multiple points of entry through any of three pairs of 6' custom double doors which, when weather permitting, can remain open while entertaining. The host and hostess can attend food and beverage service from behind and around the bar through a separate doorway. The temperature controlled cask storage area is large enough for the clients' current needs, and can accommodate a larger number of casks should the need arise. The floor and walls of the cask room are designed for easy maintenance.. Both rooms are delightfully decorated with earthen tone faux finishes on walls, ceilings and floors reminiscent of a nonspecific European wine making region. This effect is extended to the soffits in the tasting room. A unique wine racking system is easily stored, providing even greater ability to maintain and move about the storage area.

Example of a small minimalist master gray tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile and beige floor bathroom design in Atlanta with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, beige walls, a drop-in sink, granite countertops and white countertops

A new-to-me realtor calls Tuesday mid-day asking about my services. The phone call quickly turned into a 'yes' but I mentioned unless I do this 'tomorrow', it couldn't get done until next week Tuesday or Wednesday due to other obligations. It's in Cayucos, which poses another issue - do I make the trip up to preview (it's an hour away, do I have time), or can I get what I need off of the internet? AND we had rain to contend with... it's never easy to stage in the rain. Fortunately I'm a very spatially-minded person and could make my plans based on the existing internet photos. A girl needs her plans! So Wednesday, between the spurts of rain, my sons and I spend all morning packing for this stage, and Wednesday afternoon / into evening my sons and I head out, unload, and stage this beautiful.... no..... GORGEOUS home ON THE WATER in Cayucos. WOW!!! The boys told me upon arrival: 'We should buy this!' I'm thinking the same thing! So, in retrospect, this stage was a vacant, sight-unseen home, and within about 24 hours went from realtor request to stage-done status. Please forgive the darkness of the photos, it was 6:30 at night when we were done, it was dark!

Our client wanted to improve curb appeal at the front of their home and create a few focal points in the backyard. It was also critical that the new landscaping features be easy to maintain, as the homeowner has mobility issues. We added raised flower beds with Navascape wallstone retaining walls that complimented the home’s exterior. We installed an additional flower bed around the backyard shed and created a focal point with a tree and additional small flower bed.