Search results for "Effectively understand" in Home Design Ideas

Absolute Stone Design fabricated this kitchen and provided us this photo! http://www.absolutestonedesign.com
This kitchen has Invisible Gray marble with a polished finish.
Understanding Marble:
Marble is a porous, high-maintenance surface.
Be prepared to see some scratches. Marble is a softer stone. However, marble is still so beautiful with the scratches! If you’ve ever gone to Italy, you can see the beautiful marble on floors and many restaurants. It’s a classic lasting look. Even with scratches.
If you don't mind the extra work, they are a beautiful addition. Marble has a multifaceted ability to work with so many different design styles. If you're a homeowner looking for a wipe-and-go countertop, though, you'll probably want to skip this one.
It's cost-effective, depending on the type of marble you buy. Carrara marble (a grayer version with softer veins from Carrara, Italy) is one of the least expensive natural countertop materials on the market, mainly because it's readily available. Calacatta marble, which offers a whiter surface and more dramatic veining, and the price tag goes up.
Marble is heat-resistant — which is great — but you still need to be careful. Marble is heat resistant. Despite its ability to withstand high temps, you never want to place a piping hot pot on for risk of discoloring or burning the surface. We recommend always using a pot holder anyways.
We don’t want to dissuade you from using marble. In fact, I personally have a marble island in my kitchen. Stone Action solely wants you to be informed so that you’re choosing the right material for your project.
We hope you personally come check out our marble or other stone selection!
See more marble or other types of Stone Action’s stone selection:
http://www.stoneaction.com

The indoor air quality of your home is important to us at G & G Heating.We at G&G Heating, offers a full range of professional indoor Air quality solutions. We understand the importance of maintaining air quality and are experts in helping you to keep your home’s air clean and comfortable.

The living room has our Crema Marfil coffee table.
See more crema marfil marble: http://stoneaction.net/website/?s=crema+marfil
Project completed by Jcabido Remodeling! http://jcabidoremodeling.com/
Find the right local pro for your project

Absolute Stone Design fabricated this kitchen and provided us this photo! http://www.absolutestonedesign.com
This kitchen has Invisible Gray marble with a polished finish.
Understanding Marble:
Marble is a porous, high-maintenance surface.
Be prepared to see some scratches. Marble is a softer stone. However, marble is still so beautiful with the scratches! If you’ve ever gone to Italy, you can see the beautiful marble on floors and many restaurants. It’s a classic lasting look. Even with scratches.
If you don't mind the extra work, they are a beautiful addition. Marble has a multifaceted ability to work with so many different design styles. If you're a homeowner looking for a wipe-and-go countertop, though, you'll probably want to skip this one.
It's cost-effective, depending on the type of marble you buy. Carrara marble (a grayer version with softer veins from Carrara, Italy) is one of the least expensive natural countertop materials on the market, mainly because it's readily available. Calacatta marble, which offers a whiter surface and more dramatic veining, and the price tag goes up.
Marble is heat-resistant — which is great — but you still need to be careful. Marble is heat resistant. Despite its ability to withstand high temps, you never want to place a piping hot pot on for risk of discoloring or burning the surface. We recommend always using a pot holder anyways.
We don’t want to dissuade you from using marble. In fact, I personally have a marble island in my kitchen. Stone Action solely wants you to be informed so that you’re choosing the right material for your project.
We hope you personally come check out our marble or other stone selection!
See more marble or other types of Stone Action’s stone selection:
http://www.stoneaction.com

A great way to manage space, functionality and layout is to have an effective home remodeling in San Jose from professional general contractors in San Jose, like Turner Home Remodeling. We are the guys that can help you understand the need for one such act of complete home renovation that can add new space and value.
General Contractors in San Jose for Home Remodeling in San Jose, CA - https://www.turnerhomeremodeling.com/
ZIP Code 95134, ZIP Code 95135, ZIP Code 95136, ZIP Code 95138, ZIP Code 95139, ZIP Code 95140, ZIP Code 95141, ZIP Code 95148, ZIP Code 95150, ZIP Code 95151, ZIP Code 95152, ZIP Code 95153, ZIP Code 95154, ZIP Code 95155, ZIP Code 95156, ZIP Code 95157, ZIP Code 95158, ZIP Code 95159, ZIP Code 95160, ZIP Code 95161, ZIP Code 95164, ZIP Code 95170, ZIP Code 95172, ZIP Code 95173, ZIP Code 95190, ZIP Code 95191, ZIP Code 95192, ZIP Code 95193, ZIP Code 95194, ZIP Code 95196

Luxury Laundry Room Wallpaper Installation in Camas, WA
Elevate your laundry space with premium wallpaper installation designed for Camas homes. We specialize in creating Pacific Northwest-inspired laundry rooms that blend Pacific Northwest beauty with high-performance materials to withstand our humid climate.
Why Camas Homeowners Love Our Laundry Wallpaper:
✔ PNW-Proof Materials – Mold/mildew-resistant vinyl wallpapers
✔ Rustic Elegance – Nature-inspired designs perfect for Camas style
✔ Space-Enhancing Magic – Makes small laundry rooms feel open and airy
✔ Durable & Washable – Stands up to kids, pets, and laundry day messes
Popular Camas Laundry Room Styles:
? Evergreen Elegance – Fir tree silhouettes or mountain landscapes
? Modern Farmhouse – Shiplap-effect or linen-look textures
? Pacific Mist – Soft gray-blue ombrés and watercolor washes
? Columbia Gorge – Autumn leaf patterns or river-inspired designs
Our Camas-Specific Services Include:
✅ Humidity-Tested Installation – Special adhesives for our damp climate
✅ Appliance-Fit Precision – Perfect cuts around your washer/dryer
✅ Peel-and-Stick Options – Great for rentals or temporary updates
✅ Complete Wall Prep – Fixing imperfections before installation
The Camas Advantage:
• Local Design Expertise – We understand PNW aesthetics
• Quick 1-Day Service – Minimal disruption to your routine
• Eco-Friendly Options – Low-VOC materials available
Serving: Downtown Camas, Prune Hill, Lacamas Shores & surrounding areas

The living room has our Crema Marfil coffee table.
The kitchen has a Typhoon Bordeaux granite that blends perfectly with the cherry cabinets and wooden floors.
See more crema marfil marble: http://stoneaction.net/website/?s=crema+marfil
See more Typhoon Bordeaux granite:
http://stoneaction.net/website/?s=typhoon+bordeaux
Project completed by Jcabido Remodeling! http://jcabidoremodeling.com/

The idea for Scandinavian Hardwoods came after years of countless conversations with homeowners, designers, architects, and builders. The consistent theme: they wanted more than just a beautiful floor. They wanted insight into manufacturing locations (not just the seller or importer) and what materials are used and why. They wanted to understand the product’s environmental impact and it’s effect on indoor air quality and human health. They wanted a compelling story to tell guests about the beautiful floor they’ve chosen. At Scandinavian Hardwoods, we bring all of these elements together while making luxury more accessible.
Kahrs Oak Jersey, by Scandinavian Hardwoods

This kitchen was fabricated by Lapptops and the cabinets were done by King's Woodwork!
http://lapptops.net/
This kitchen features Calacatta marble with a polished finish on the island. The surrounding countertops are absolute black granite with a honed finish. This kitchen is so clean and bright!
Search "calacatta" or "black", see variations of this marble & granite, or other stone options: http://www.stoneaction.com
Learn more about granite to see if it’s right for you:
Granite countertops can last a lifetime. It contains no harmful chemicals and do not emit harmful radiation or gasses. Granite is heat resistant and is one of the most heat-resistant countertops on the market. You can place a hot pan out of the oven directly onto the countertop surface. Experts do recommend the use of a trivet when using appliances that emit heat for long periods of time, such as crockpots. Since the material is so dense, there is a small possibility heating one area of the top and not the entire thing, could cause the countertop to crack.
Granite is scratch resistant. You can cut on it, but it will dull your knives! Granite scores a seven on Moh’s hardness scale.
Granite countertops are considered to be a low maintenance countertop surface. The likelihood of needing to be repaired or resurfaced is low. Granite is a porous material. Most fabricators will apply a sealer to granite countertops before they are installed which will protect them from absorbing liquids too quickly. Many sealers last more than 10 years before needing to be reapplied. When they do need to be reapplied, it is something that most homeowners can do on their own as the process is similar to cleaning. Darker granites are very dense and sometimes don’t even require a sealer.
When it comes to pricing, there are a lot of variables such as edge profile, total square footage, backsplash, etc. Don’t be fooled by the stereotype that all granite is expensive. Lower-range granites will cost less than high-range laminate. Though granite countertops are not considered “low range” in pricing, there are a lot of affordable options.
If you are looking for something truly unique, consider an exotic granite. Some quarries are not easily accessible and/or only able to be quarried for short periods of time throughout the year. If these circumstances exist in a quarry with gorgeous stone, the price will be driven upward.
You won’t find a lot of solid patterns or bright colors, but both do exist. Also, watch for a large range of color and pattern within the same color of stone. It’s always a good idea to view the exact slab(s) that will be fabricated for your kitchen to make sure they are what you expected to see from the sample. Another factor is that many exotic types of granite have huge flowing waves, and a small sample will not be an accurate representation of the whole slab.
Granite countertops are very resistant to chemicals. Acids and bases will not harm the material.
Understanding Marble:
Marble is a porous, high-maintenance surface.
Be prepared to see some scratches. Marble is a softer stone. However, marble is still so beautiful with the scratches! If you’ve ever gone to Italy, you can see the beautiful marble on floors and many restaurants. It’s a classic lasting look. Even with scratches.
If you don't mind the extra work, they are a beautiful addition. Marble has a multifaceted ability to work with so many different design styles. If you're a homeowner looking for a wipe-and-go countertop, though, you'll probably want to skip this one.
It's cost-effective, depending on the type of marble you buy. Carrara marble (a grayer version with softer veins from Carrara, Italy) is one of the least expensive natural countertop materials on the market, mainly because it's readily available. Calacatta marble, which offers a whiter surface and more dramatic veining, and the price tag goes up.
Marble is heat-resistant — which is great — but you still need to be careful. Marble is heat resistant. Despite its ability to withstand high temps, you never want to place a piping hot pot on for risk of discoloring or burning the surface. We recommend always using a pot holder anyways.
We don’t want to dissuade you from using marble. In fact, I personally have a marble island in my kitchen. Stone Action solely wants you to be informed so that you’re choosing the right material for your project.
We hope you personally come check out our marble or other stone selection!
See more marble or other types of Stone Action’s stone selection:
http://www.stoneaction.com

A great way to manage space, functionality and layout is to have an effective home remodeling in San Jose from professional general contractors in San Jose, like Turner Home Remodeling. We are the guys that can help you understand the need for one such act of complete home renovation that can add new space and value.
General Contractors in San Jose for Home Remodeling in San Jose, CA - https://www.turnerhomeremodeling.com/

I was contacted about a Georgian property in the Kent village of Leeds , to see if I could do anything to improve a Travertine tiled floor. The use of Travertine was extensive and had been installed throughout the ground floor including the kitchen, dining room, utility and bathroom WC. Travertine is probably my favourite stone, but it is acid sensitive and attracts dirt easily, due to its ‘holey’ composition.
Initially we discussed the floor over the phone where I got to know about the issues they were experiencing, and I detailed the renovation process I normally use to restore it including the products and timelines. Naturally they wanted to me to provide a quote for the work however its tricky to do that accurately without seeing the floor, so I arranged a date to pop over.
Upon arriving I could see the tiles and the wide grout joints had extensive, ingrained dirt indicating the previous sealer had long since worn away. This is a common issue with stone floors, and to re-assure myself and the client it could be resolved I cleaned a small area in the utility room with pleasing results!
This test clean helped me to understand which products and methods would work best on the floor and later that day I emailed over a detailed quote for the renovation. Happy with the quote I received a reply the same day asking when I could start.
My colleague and I arrived on the agreed date and work started with adding protection to all areas that required it. We use a lot of water during the cleaning process and some materials such as MDF can become damaged with water ingress, so it makes sense to do this.
To get the floor clean, a coarse Carbide Brush fitted to a rotary machine was run over the Travertine tiles to scrub in a strong solution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean. This process generates a lot of slurry as the dirt was washed out of the stone and grout which is extracted with a wet vacuum as we progressed.
Next it was on hands and knees with more Tile Doctor Pro-Clean and handheld brushes run over stubborn areas and along the grout lines to take them from 80% up to 100%.
Happy with the results, the next step was to renovate the stone using a series of diamond encrusted burnishing pads. Using only water for lubrication this process starts with the application of a coarse 400-grit burnishing pad attached to the floor buffer. This produces a lot of slurry which again was removed with a wet vacuum.
This left the Travertine clean, but the pores of the stone had been opened giving the floor a matt finish and more absorbent than it was originally. To further refine the appearance of the stone the next two burnishing pads were applied which are 800 and 1500-grit. These pads polish the stone and close the pores, restoring the natural sheen in the process. After each pad was applied the slurry was rinsed off the floor with water and extracted with the wet vacuum. Once complete the floor was left to dry off fully overnight.
I arrived the next day and took several moisture readings from the floor to check that it had dried off sufficiently overnight. The results were good, so work moved onto sealing the Travertine with two coats of Tile Doctor Ultra Seal which is a natural look impregnating sealer. It works by soaking into the stone, occupying the pores and thereby preventing dirt from becoming ingrained there. This ensures dirt remains on the surface where it is easily cleaned away.
The final step in the floor’s renovation was to apply the last of the diamond polishing pads which is a very fine 3000-grit. This pad further improves the polished appearance of the stone resulting in a satisfying sheen.
The work made a massive difference to the floor, and I received an email the next day from one of the owners who was really pleased with the transformation:
”Floors look brilliant. Very pleased.”
For the care and maintenance of polished sealed floors I recommend the use of Tile Doctor’s Stone Soap which is a gentle but effective cleaning product that won’t impact the sealer and contains a patina enhancer. When it comes to sealed floors my mantra is:
“If you look after the sealer, the sealer will look after the floor!”
Graham Davis
North Kent Tile Doctor

The best kitchen showroom in your area is closer than you think.
Main Line Kitchen Design's five designers are some of the most experienced and award winning kitchen designers in the Delaware Valley. They design with and sell 6 nationally distributed cabinet lines And because our designers work out of small offices and selection centers, the cabinet pricing is very competitive. Cabinet costs are slightly less than at Lowes or The Home Depot for semi-custom cabinet lines, and significantly less than traditional showrooms for custom cabinet lines.
If this kitchen showroom is so close by, why don’t you recall seeing it?
Because it’s in your own home! And in our second floor offices by appointment only!
While most appointments take place at our Bala Cynwyd or Havertown Pennsylvania office, understanding what your kitchen design will look like and how sample kitchen cabinets, doors, and finishes will look in your home is sometimes easier when you are standing in the very room being renovated. At Main Line Kitchen Design we can bring sample doors and finishes to your home and make design changes on our laptops in 20-20 CAD with you, in your own kitchen.
Main Line Kitchen Design is a more modern and cost effective business model. We are a kitchen cabinet dealer and design team that carries the highest quality kitchen cabinetry, is experienced, convenient, and reasonable priced.
Call today! We can estimate your kitchen project from soup to nuts in a 15 minute phone call and you can find out why we get the best reviews on the internest. We look forward to working with you.
As our company tag line says:
"The world of kitchen design is changing..."

The homes in Heritage Hills in Chapel Hill, NC are representative of the popularity and explosive growth of American Home Ownership that occurred during the economic expansion that followed the end of WW II. They were designed and built to foster the benefits and sense of “community”, where families could come together and share theirs and their children’s lives. They are typically in very desirable locations within their larger communities, and remodeling them with modern amenities, increasing the performance and efficiency of them, and having them Green Certified (independent third-party verified) makes them extremely attractive to buyers, and helps to raise other property values within the neighborhood.
Green Certified Remodeled Homes offer significant value and advantage in the marketplace over similar homes in their area, which is especially important as a new, younger era of home buyers enter the market. Current trends suggest that younger (as well as many “seasoned”) homeowners are interested in smaller, more efficient (and thus affordable) homes situated closer to shopping, their work, entertainment opportunities, and access to the economic and environmental benefits of mass transit.
These older homes also offer an additional value that is continuing to gain visibility and appreciation in the market place. They were built from lumber from slower-growth trees (denser and harder wood), and as such offer superior structural support compared to the same home built using lumber from today’s faster-growing (softer and less-dense wood) trees.
Robin and Kent had lived in their 2-story Gambrel Roof home in Heritage Hills since 1994. The house was structurally sound, due in large part to the old-growth (and denser) yellow pine that was used in its framing. They loved the quiet neighborhood, its sense of community and amenities, and their home. It suited their life-style and needs; and they had decided that they would remain in the home. It was showing its age, and was in need of general repairs and maintenance, and its energy, water, and indoor air quality performance was continuing to increase their ongoing cost of ownership.
Robin loved the screen porch that looked out on their private and nicely landscaped back yard, but she wanted to be able to use it in the colder months of the year. She was unsatisfied with the kitchen and the mud room / laundry room, and the darkness of other living spaces. A previous water leak in the laundry room had resulted in a large patch of mold that had compromised flooring, wall board, and insulation and contributed to the homes reduced indoor air quality.
The home lacked insulation in the crawl, and inadequate insulation in the attic. The single HVAC unit had been replaced a few years earlier with a more efficient unit, but with a single programmable thermostat control on the first floor and aging and un-insulated ducting, the second floor was often over-heated in the summer months.
The original wood windows had begun to deteriorate and were drafty and inefficient, and the original wood-burning fireplace was an open conduit for escaping conditioned air as well as an inlet for wood-smoke smelling air being pulled into the home. The siding had been replaced a few years earlier with a cement-fiber product, but the exterior wood trim was compromised and beginning to look unsightly. Its original architecture had been altered over the years in ways that presented ongoing maintenance and durability issues, as well as disrupting the elegance of the original design.
Kent has worked for over 30 years in the Environmental Sciences field, and is considered to be a national expert in understanding the sources of, and human exposure to pollutants in indoor environments. He had always been very conscious and cautious about the effects on indoor air quality that the construction, furnishings, and products used in home had on him and his family.
Project Goals
Increase the performance of their home by improving energy efficiency by at least 40% and lowering their natural gas and electric utility costs.
Increase the performance of their home by reducing water usage by at least 40% and lowering the water utility costs.
Increase the comfort of their home that was being compromised by an inadequate HVAC design, inadequate insulation, inefficient and compromised wood windows, and copious air intrusions and drafts.
Improve the healthiness of the homes indoor air quality that was being compromised by an open wood-burning fireplace, and prior water intrusion that had allowed colonies of mold to thrive.
Create a new Kitchen, Family Room, Home Office, Mudroom, and Laundry Room that featured some of the latest designs and trends and harmonized with the rest of the homes charm.
Increase the usefulness and aesthetics of the screened porch by creating a warm and inviting semi-conditioned 3-Season Room that extended the times during the year that it was comfortable.
Introduce day-lighting into areas of the home that were dark and uninviting.
Brighten and harmonize all of the interior finishes.
Protect and restore the exterior of the home with superior-performing products and finishes.
Achieve Gold Level Green Home Certification in conformance with the ICC 700-2012 National Green Building Standards (NGBS).

Sponsored
Sunbury, OH
J.Holderby - Renovations
Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!

Secure and Economical: Premium Chain Link Fencing
Transform your Vancouver property with robust and cost-effective chain link fencing from AX Projects. As the Lower Mainland's trusted outdoor construction experts, we specialize in delivering high-quality, customized chain link fencing solutions that prioritize security without compromising on affordability.
Whether you're looking to secure a residential property, fortify a commercial space, or enhance a multi-unit development in Vancouver, our skilled team has the expertise to exceed your expectations. We pride ourselves on crafting durable chain link fences that stand up to the diverse weather conditions of the Pacific Northwest while providing long-lasting protection for your investment.
At AX Projects, we understand that every property has unique needs. That's why we offer tailored chain link fencing solutions, ensuring the perfect balance of functionality, durability, and visual appeal. Our commitment to quality materials and expert installation means your chain link fence will serve as a reliable boundary for years to come.
Choose AX Projects for your Vancouver chain link fencing needs and experience the perfect blend of security, longevity, and value. Contact us today to discover how our chain link fencing solutions can enhance and protect your property in the Lower Mainland.

The best kitchen showroom in your area is closer than you think.
Main Line Kitchen Design's five designers are some of the most experienced and award winning kitchen designers in the Delaware Valley. They design with and sell 6 nationally distributed cabinet lines And because our designers work out of small offices and selection centers, the cabinet pricing is very competitive. Cabinet costs are slightly less than at Lowes or The Home Depot for semi-custom cabinet lines, and significantly less than traditional showrooms for custom cabinet lines.
If this kitchen showroom is so close by, why don’t you recall seeing it?
Because it’s in your own home! And in our second floor offices by appointment only!
While most appointments take place at our Bala Cynwyd or Havertown Pennsylvania office, understanding what your kitchen design will look like and how sample kitchen cabinets, doors, and finishes will look in your home is sometimes easier when you are standing in the very room being renovated. At Main Line Kitchen Design we can bring sample doors and finishes to your home and make design changes on our laptops in 20-20 CAD with you, in your own kitchen.
Main Line Kitchen Design is a more modern and cost effective business model. We are a kitchen cabinet dealer and design team that carries the highest quality kitchen cabinetry, is experienced, convenient, and reasonable priced.
Call today! We can estimate your kitchen project from soup to nuts in a 15 minute phone call and you can find out why we get the best reviews on the internest. We look forward to working with you.
As our company tag line says:
"The world of kitchen design is changing..."

HS3D INDIA is one of the leading architectural Visualization firm in India. HS3D specializes in creating realistic illustrations for various sectors i.e. Residential, Commercial, Industrial and more.
We work closely with architects and interior designers & Developers around the world to understand their needs to sell/produce their ideas,designs & visions into breathtaking 3D visuals.
We can enrich your marketing promotion for you commercial and residential Properties, Hotel and Retail buildings.
We bring new designs to virtual 3D life, allowing you to see everything in it`s glory as though it was already built or produced.
All our services are a cost-effective solution which adds a great value to all your marketing, Advertising and creative needs.
For more info please visit our website :
www.hs3dindia.com

A great way to manage space, functionality and layout is to have an effective home remodeling in San Jose from professional general contractors in San Jose, like Turner Home Remodeling. We are the guys that can help you understand the need for one such act of complete home renovation that can add new space and value.
General Contractors in San Jose for Home Remodeling in San Jose, CA - https://www.turnerhomeremodeling.com/
ZIP Code 95134, ZIP Code 95135, ZIP Code 95136, ZIP Code 95138, ZIP Code 95139, ZIP Code 95140, ZIP Code 95141, ZIP Code 95148, ZIP Code 95150, ZIP Code 95151, ZIP Code 95152, ZIP Code 95153, ZIP Code 95154, ZIP Code 95155, ZIP Code 95156, ZIP Code 95157, ZIP Code 95158, ZIP Code 95159, ZIP Code 95160, ZIP Code 95161, ZIP Code 95164, ZIP Code 95170, ZIP Code 95172, ZIP Code 95173, ZIP Code 95190, ZIP Code 95191, ZIP Code 95192, ZIP Code 95193, ZIP Code 95194, ZIP Code 95196

Sponsored
Sunbury, OH
J.Holderby - Renovations
Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!

Vertical painting of a lone realistically drawn bird sitting on abstract stylized branches and floral shapes. There is poetry to paintings that reflect artistic harmony rather than photographic clarity. Emerging artist Jennifer Lommers has an innate understanding of the rhythm of art, deftly capturing colors and movements in abstract strokes, producing floral art to brighten any space. Birds, fish and poppies come to life on Lommers' canvasses in a riot of colors layered so subtly the effect is like viewing a picture through gauzy curtains dancing to a light breeze as the afternoon light filters through.

The homes in Heritage Hills in Chapel Hill, NC are representative of the popularity and explosive growth of American Home Ownership that occurred during the economic expansion that followed the end of WW II. They were designed and built to foster the benefits and sense of “community”, where families could come together and share theirs and their children’s lives. They are typically in very desirable locations within their larger communities, and remodeling them with modern amenities, increasing the performance and efficiency of them, and having them Green Certified (independent third-party verified) makes them extremely attractive to buyers, and helps to raise other property values within the neighborhood.
Green Certified Remodeled Homes offer significant value and advantage in the marketplace over similar homes in their area, which is especially important as a new, younger era of home buyers enter the market. Current trends suggest that younger (as well as many “seasoned”) homeowners are interested in smaller, more efficient (and thus affordable) homes situated closer to shopping, their work, entertainment opportunities, and access to the economic and environmental benefits of mass transit.
These older homes also offer an additional value that is continuing to gain visibility and appreciation in the market place. They were built from lumber from slower-growth trees (denser and harder wood), and as such offer superior structural support compared to the same home built using lumber from today’s faster-growing (softer and less-dense wood) trees.
Robin and Kent had lived in their 2-story Gambrel Roof home in Heritage Hills since 1994. The house was structurally sound, due in large part to the old-growth (and denser) yellow pine that was used in its framing. They loved the quiet neighborhood, its sense of community and amenities, and their home. It suited their life-style and needs; and they had decided that they would remain in the home. It was showing its age, and was in need of general repairs and maintenance, and its energy, water, and indoor air quality performance was continuing to increase their ongoing cost of ownership.
Robin loved the screen porch that looked out on their private and nicely landscaped back yard, but she wanted to be able to use it in the colder months of the year. She was unsatisfied with the kitchen and the mud room / laundry room, and the darkness of other living spaces. A previous water leak in the laundry room had resulted in a large patch of mold that had compromised flooring, wall board, and insulation and contributed to the homes reduced indoor air quality.
The home lacked insulation in the crawl, and inadequate insulation in the attic. The single HVAC unit had been replaced a few years earlier with a more efficient unit, but with a single programmable thermostat control on the first floor and aging and un-insulated ducting, the second floor was often over-heated in the summer months.
The original wood windows had begun to deteriorate and were drafty and inefficient, and the original wood-burning fireplace was an open conduit for escaping conditioned air as well as an inlet for wood-smoke smelling air being pulled into the home. The siding had been replaced a few years earlier with a cement-fiber product, but the exterior wood trim was compromised and beginning to look unsightly. Its original architecture had been altered over the years in ways that presented ongoing maintenance and durability issues, as well as disrupting the elegance of the original design.
Kent has worked for over 30 years in the Environmental Sciences field, and is considered to be a national expert in understanding the sources of, and human exposure to pollutants in indoor environments. He had always been very conscious and cautious about the effects on indoor air quality that the construction, furnishings, and products used in home had on him and his family.
Project Goals
Increase the performance of their home by improving energy efficiency by at least 40% and lowering their natural gas and electric utility costs.
Increase the performance of their home by reducing water usage by at least 40% and lowering the water utility costs.
Increase the comfort of their home that was being compromised by an inadequate HVAC design, inadequate insulation, inefficient and compromised wood windows, and copious air intrusions and drafts.
Improve the healthiness of the homes indoor air quality that was being compromised by an open wood-burning fireplace, and prior water intrusion that had allowed colonies of mold to thrive.
Create a new Kitchen, Family Room, Home Office, Mudroom, and Laundry Room that featured some of the latest designs and trends and harmonized with the rest of the homes charm.
Increase the usefulness and aesthetics of the screened porch by creating a warm and inviting semi-conditioned 3-Season Room that extended the times during the year that it was comfortable.
Introduce day-lighting into areas of the home that were dark and uninviting.
Brighten and harmonize all of the interior finishes.
Protect and restore the exterior of the home with superior-performing products and finishes.
Achieve Gold Level Green Home Certification in conformance with the ICC 700-2012 National Green Building Standards (NGBS).

Are you considering making your house smart? Good thinking! There are many advantages to having a smart home, but before you dive into buying products, make sure you do your research and have a plan. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what it is you want to achieve. The purpose of a smart home is to make your life simple and easy, but without a plan it can have the opposite effect and become over complicated.
Here is a sample layout:
Tip 1: First, buy a smart hub like SmartThings or Wink, from there you can go onto their website and see which devices they are compatible with.
Tip 2: Brilliant allows SmartThings and Wink to control lights, locks and doors. If you are looking for a smart light switch, this is a great option because you have the option of controlling your devices from your Brilliant app, the switch itself, voice, and for lights there are motion sensors. Added bonus, Alexa is built in!
Tip 3: Now that you have Brilliant, see what other devices Brilliant is compatible with. For example, you can create your sound system with Sonos or Bose. For climate you have options like Nest or Honeywell.
Tip 4: Want a video doorbell? Get Ring! Right now our Ring integration displays a notification on the Brilliant screen if someone presses the button, or it will display the video feed if you prefer. If you have a smart lock connected (via a hub), you will the option to open the door directly from the notification.
Tip 5: Start working room to room. To create a uniform look in the kitchen, why not get all Samsung products? Want an awesome movie room? See how the other devices you already have can integrate with your TV before you start buying new things. DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Then, if there is anything extra you need you can go out and buy it!
Photo Credit: Aubrie Pick (Please contact Aubrie for info on other products)
https://www.houzz.com/user/aubrie-pick
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