Complete Backyard Designed in East Islip NY The family in this East Islip home wanted a pool for entertaining that was built to last. Giuseppe Abbrancati, owner/designer of Smithtown-based Gappsi, Inc. suggested a gunite saltwater pool in a Sports Pool style design where both sides of the pool are shallow and the deep end is in the middle. “Gunite pools make a statement. They are a very customizable pool. That is why you see a sundeck, round steps, and LED lights inside the pool. You can shape the cement any way you want it and apply any finish. They are also highly durable,” says Abbrancati who has been building pools for the last thirty years. “The deepest part of this pool is six feet. It’s built like that so you can play volleyball in the pool and its fair ground,” he adds. Abbrancati designed a classic rectangular-shaped pool that is 16 by 32 foot in size and has that sleek modern look. “Everyone in the Hamptons has the gunite rectangular shape. It is the most elegant,” he says. The pool, he explains, is a cobalt blue diamond bright with quartz finish. Before the installation, the house - that is close to a hundred years old- had a simple concrete patio. in order to keep the character of the home, Abbrancati chose a brick looking veneer that would blend in with the existing bricks to make it look like the pool was always there. “I didn’t want the pool to look like it was an addition. I wanted it to look like it was built with the house 100 years ago,” he says. Travertine pavers were added throughout. Additional features of the property that Abbrancati built was a sunken down natural fire pit made from rocks and lava and an L-shaped bench for seating. 1. One of the corners of the pool features a blue stone counter three feet wide that is designed to enjoy snacks and beverages poolside. 2. Seating inside the pool with stools built inside the pool made from veneer with glass tiles is an ideal spot for socializing. 3. A twelve-foot long natural gas fire pit runs alongside the pool so you can roast marshmallows and eat smores right from the pool. The fire accent is also a beautiful decorative feature that adds ambiance. 4. A sundeck is accessible on the shallow end of the pool and an ideal place to place a lounge chair. 5. To keep the pool pristine an ‘auto-cover’ was installed. With a push of a button - located next to the sliding door- the auto-cover opens and closes. 6. The pool has a gas heater and the temperature can go as high as 104 degrees. The average setting is between 80 to 85. The heater goes on automatically and the technology enables the homeowner to set the temperature that is comfortable for them.

We designed this beautiful cedar shake home with a metal roof and oyster shell embedded tabby fireplace. The pool is the heart of this home! The glass roll up garage door brings the outside in, and allows for entertaining to flow freely. Lots of outdoor space for lounging and soaking up the sun. An extra living space above the 3 car garage, including a kitchen area, enables guests to visit while providing access to some of the creature comforts of home. The crowning touch is the cupolas that allows for a 360 degree view, including spectacular views of the ocean.

AUTOMATED WINE BARREL BAR Make a statement with our Automated Hidden Wine Bar! Imagine showcasing your premium wine with a one of a kind Automated Wine Barrel Bar! With a touch of a button, a hidden bar inside of a reclaimed Okanagan Wine Barrel lifts in front of your eyes... Movable Spaces, located in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, manufactures state-of-the-art lift systems for modern concealment solutions and custom unique products such as our X2-LK Lift Desk kit and our Automated Wine Barrel Bar. Our Automated Wine Barrel Bar is the first and only of its kind. Each of our hand selected barrels tells a story. The Okanagan Valley is BC's premier grape growing region, boasting 185 licensed wineries. Rich in tradition and character, the Okanagan Valley wineries consistently rank among the world's best at international wine competitions, with a range of varietals from sun-ripened reds to fresh, crisp whites. Each barrel selected is meticulously reconditioned (inside and out) to ensure a long-lasting piece of quality furniture with no mold, mildew or residue (no fruit flies here!), then reinforced for strength and stained before the hidden bar and system is installed. The oak staves of the barrels feature beautiful grains and unique markings which we protect in our finishing process to keep their authenticity. Our Lift Systems are second to none, featuring advanced technology with sub-silent operation, smooth motion with soft start/stop, multiple control options (Bluetooth enabled) and anti-collision detection. Have piece of mind that your Wine Barrel Bar will last for years to come, backed by a 5 year lift system replacement warranty and lifetime phone support for any questions or problems. Options available for stain color and also for mobile options. Don't have access to a power outlet? No problem! Make your Wine Barrel Bar mobile by adding our high-performance Sony Lithium-ion battery which will provide 200 lifts per charge. Elevate your wine cellar to new heights!

This couple needed their kitchen to function and flow better. Wise Design & Remodel added plenty of cabinets and smart storage, additional counter space with earthy green shaker cabinets. The mixer lift up shelf enables easy storage and access.

Design by Blue Heron in Partnership with Cantoni. Photos By: Stephen Morgan For many, Las Vegas is a destination that transports you away from reality. The same can be said of the thirty-nine modern homes built in The Bluffs Community by luxury design/build firm, Blue Heron. Perched on a hillside in Southern Highlands, The Bluffs is a private gated community overlooking the Las Vegas Valley with unparalleled views of the mountains and the Las Vegas Strip. Indoor-outdoor living concepts, sustainable designs and distinctive floorplans create a modern lifestyle that makes coming home feel like a getaway. To give potential residents a sense for what their custom home could look like at The Bluffs, Blue Heron partnered with Cantoni to furnish a model home and create interiors that would complement the Vegas Modern™ architectural style. “We were really trying to introduce something that hadn’t been seen before in our area. Our homes are so innovative, so personal and unique that it takes truly spectacular furnishings to complete their stories as well as speak to the emotions of everyone who visits our homes,” shares Kathy May, director of interior design at Blue Heron. “Cantoni has been the perfect partner in this endeavor in that, like Blue Heron, Cantoni is innovative and pushes boundaries.” Utilizing Cantoni’s extensive portfolio, the Blue Heron Interior Design team was able to customize nearly every piece in the home to create a thoughtful and curated look for each space. “Having access to so many high-quality and diverse furnishing lines enables us to think outside the box and create unique turnkey designs for our clients with confidence,” says Kathy May, adding that the quality and one-of-a-kind feel of the pieces are unmatched. rom the perfectly situated sectional in the downstairs family room to the unique blue velvet dining chairs, the home breathes modern elegance. “I particularly love the master bed,” says Kathy. “We had created a concept design of what we wanted it to be and worked with one of Cantoni’s longtime partners, to bring it to life. It turned out amazing and really speaks to the character of the room.” The combination of Cantoni’s soft contemporary touch and Blue Heron’s distinctive designs are what made this project a unified experience. “The partnership really showcases Cantoni’s capabilities to manage projects like this from presentation to execution,” shares Luca Mazzolani, vice president of sales at Cantoni. “We work directly with the client to produce custom pieces like you see in this home and ensure a seamless and successful result.” And what a stunning result it is. There was no Las Vegas luck involved in this project, just a sureness of style and service that brought together Blue Heron and Cantoni to create one well-designed home. To learn more about Blue Heron Design Build, visit www.blueheron.com.

2013 NARI CAPITAL COTY, MERIT AWARD WINNER, RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN UNDER $40,000 A young family expecting a child just bought their first home, a 1964 colonial in Annandale, Virginia. There were many areas they wanted to renovate, but with the woman of the house being a professional chef, the kitchen was first and foremost. The existing kitchen was dark and dated. Upon entering the room, all of the appliances were aligned on the far wall, near the doorway to the adjacent dining room. While the original kitchen had a lot of open floor space, it had disconnected workspaces, limited counter space to prepare foods, and was generally dysfunctional. The new owners wished to create a kitchen that would not only serve as a space to efficiently prepare meals, but also as a mini office area where the chef could have access to cookbooks and a desk for recipe writing. Additionally, it needed to be a welcoming, central part of the home where the family could expect to have many informal meals over the years. The chef desired to have more cabinet space while also adding newer, larger and additional appliances to the footprint, such as a second oven. The addition of a large (approximately 4 feet by 7 feet) center island increased both the form and function of the room. The turned-legs and glass-faced curio cabinets that greet visitors offer a strong statement. The island maximized efficiency and was equipped with cabinetry and accessories on every side (e.g., spice cabinet, microwave cabinet, double trash can holder) and would even include an overhang on the side by the windows to serve as a breakfast bar. The large island is covered with a white macauba granite, creating a beautiful and expansive prep space. On the far wall, an airy garden window replaced the flat metal-framed sink window. Below the window sits a large white farm-style sink. The dishwasher and double oven were installed to the right. To the left, a large 29 cubic foot French-door, bottom freezer refrigerator. The selected maple cabinetry is frost white with pewter glazing. Coupled with the island’s espresso black finish, it creates a great yin-yang contrast and balance to the room. The bright cabinetry, garden window, added recess lights, under cabinet lights, embedded lights under the mantle hearth, and inside cabinet lights with dimmer switches enable this room to be as bright as desired. The Zen flare to this classic French Country kitchen is complete with the addition of the Sumatran black standing pebble backsplash. These easy to clean stones add great texture and stunning contrast. The homeowners are extremely satisfied with this new kitchen and are now looking forward to getting the rest of the house renovated.

Complete Backyard Designed in East Islip NY The family in this East Islip home wanted a pool for entertaining that was built to last. Giuseppe Abbrancati, owner/designer of Smithtown-based Gappsi, Inc. suggested a gunite saltwater pool in a Sports Pool style design where both sides of the pool are shallow and the deep end is in the middle. “Gunite pools make a statement. They are a very customizable pool. That is why you see a sundeck, round steps, and LED lights inside the pool. You can shape the cement any way you want it and apply any finish. They are also highly durable,” says Abbrancati who has been building pools for the last thirty years. “The deepest part of this pool is six feet. It’s built like that so you can play volleyball in the pool and its fair ground,” he adds. Abbrancati designed a classic rectangular-shaped pool that is 16 by 32 foot in size and has that sleek modern look. “Everyone in the Hamptons has the gunite rectangular shape. It is the most elegant,” he says. The pool, he explains, is a cobalt blue diamond bright with quartz finish. Before the installation, the house - that is close to a hundred years old- had a simple concrete patio. in order to keep the character of the home, Abbrancati chose a brick looking veneer that would blend in with the existing bricks to make it look like the pool was always there. “I didn’t want the pool to look like it was an addition. I wanted it to look like it was built with the house 100 years ago,” he says. Travertine pavers were added throughout. Additional features of the property that Abbrancati built was a sunken down natural fire pit made from rocks and lava and an L-shaped bench for seating. 1. One of the corners of the pool features a blue stone counter three feet wide that is designed to enjoy snacks and beverages poolside. 2. Seating inside the pool with stools built inside the pool made from veneer with glass tiles is an ideal spot for socializing. 3. A twelve-foot long natural gas fire pit runs alongside the pool so you can roast marshmallows and eat smores right from the pool. The fire accent is also a beautiful decorative feature that adds ambiance. 4. A sundeck is accessible on the shallow end of the pool and an ideal place to place a lounge chair. 5. To keep the pool pristine an ‘auto-cover’ was installed. With a push of a button - located next to the sliding door- the auto-cover opens and closes. 6. The pool has a gas heater and the temperature can go as high as 104 degrees. The average setting is between 80 to 85. The heater goes on automatically and the technology enables the homeowner to set the temperature that is comfortable for them.

We removed the tub, and relocated the entrance to the walk in closet to the bedroom to enable increasing the size of the shower for 2 people. We added a bench and large wall to wall niche that tied into the accent tiles and quartz slabs on the shower walls. The valves for the shower heads are located on the inside of each ponywall for easy access prior to entering the shower. The door to the water closet was relocated and replaced with a barn door. New cabinets with a storage tower, quartz countertops and new plumbing and light fixtures complete the new design. Added features include radiant heated floors and water purifying system.

We designed this beautiful cedar shake home with a metal roof and oyster shell embedded tabby fireplace. The pool is the heart of this home! The glass roll up garage door brings the outside in, and allows for entertaining to flow freely. Lots of outdoor space for lounging and soaking up the sun. An extra living space above the 3 car garage, including a kitchen area, enables guests to visit while providing access to some of the creature comforts of home. The crowning touch is the cupolas that allows for a 360 degree view, including spectacular views of the ocean.

This couple needed their kitchen to function and flow better. Wise Design & Remodel added plenty of cabinets and smart storage, additional counter space with earthy green shaker cabinets. The mixer lift up shelf enables easy storage and access.

Rear of home. At lower level, Family Room and Laundry look out on covered porch. At upper level bedrooms overlook the yard. To the left of the porch is a work room, with doors that face the back yard and the carport as well--enabling back yard access when needed. Stone used at the front porch columns was used again here. Construction by CG&S Design-Build Photo: Tre Dunham, Fine Focus Photography

These wonderful clients returned to us for their newest home remodel adventure. Their newly purchased custom built 1970s modern ranch sits in one of the loveliest neighborhoods south of the city but the current conditions of the home were out-dated and not so lovely. Upon entering the front door through the court you were greeted abruptly by a very boring staircase and an excessive number of doors. Just to the left of the double door entry was a large slider and on your right once inside the home was a soldier line up of doors. This made for an uneasy and uninviting entry that guests would quickly forget and our clients would often avoid. We also had our hands full in the kitchen. The existing space included many elements that felt out of place in a modern ranch including a rustic mountain scene backsplash, cherry cabinets with raised panel and detailed profile, and an island so massive you couldn’t pass a drink across the stone. Our design sought to address the functional pain points of the home and transform the overall aesthetic into something that felt like home for our clients. For the entry, we re-worked the front door configuration by switching from the double door to a large single door with side lights. The sliding door next to the main entry door was replaced with a large window to eliminate entry door confusion. In our re-work of the entry staircase, guesta are now greeted into the foyer which features the Coral Pendant by David Trubridge. Guests are drawn into the home by stunning views of the front range via the large floor-to-ceiling glass wall in the living room. To the left, the staircases leading down to the basement and up to the master bedroom received a massive aesthetic upgrade. The rebuilt 2nd-floor staircase has a center spine with wood rise and run appearing to float upwards towards the master suite. A slatted wall of wood separates the two staircases which brings more light into the basement stairwell. Black metal railings add a stunning contrast to the light wood. Other fabulous upgrades to this home included new wide plank flooring throughout the home, which offers both modernity and warmth. The once too-large kitchen island was downsized to create a functional focal point that is still accessible and intimate. The old dark and heavy kitchen cabinetry was replaced with sleek white cabinets, brightening up the space and elevating the aesthetic of the entire room. The kitchen countertops are marble look quartz with dramatic veining that offers an artistic feature behind the range and across all horizontal surfaces in the kitchen. As a final touch, cascading island pendants were installed which emphasize the gorgeous ceiling vault and provide warm feature lighting over the central point of the kitchen. This transformation reintroduces light and simplicity to this gorgeous home, and we are so happy that our clients can reap the benefits of this elegant and functional design for years to come.

We designed this beautiful cedar shake home with a metal roof and oyster shell embedded tabby fireplace. The pool is the heart of this home! The glass roll up garage door brings the outside in, and allows for entertaining to flow freely. Lots of outdoor space for lounging and soaking up the sun. An extra living space above the 3 car garage, including a kitchen area, enables guests to visit while providing access to some of the creature comforts of home. The crowning touch is the cupolas that allows for a 360 degree view, including spectacular views of the ocean.

Designed by Lisa Lauren of Closet Works While the unit doubles as a workspace, it also provides safekeeping for important files pertaining to this area. The volume of the drawer enables organization for a multitude of folders that are all easily accessible while busy at work.

Our clients bought two adjacent rowhomes as investment properties, and we designed and completed a gut renovation of each property. This project includes a 3rd-floor addition and a rear addition across the back. This gut remodel creates contemporary living on the bustling 13th street corridor in the sought-after Columbia Heights neighborhood. On the first-floor large French doors lead from the kitchen to the private rear wood deck, enabling indoor-outdoor living. Additionally, the main floor has a covered patio at the front entrance. The third floor includes a roof deck for 3-season use with tall trees providing shade for DC summer nights. There is ample natural lighting throughout each property, often a challenge in rowhomes. A new front entryway to the basement created with all new hardscaping and stairs features a patio and space for bike storage.

Archway entrances punctuate throughout this home. An arched window opening enables conversation between the great room and kitchen. Built in art niches are tucked throughout this home, including the hallway niche pictured here. Luxury one story home by design build custom home builder Stanton Homes.

This rustic style home on Hartwell Lake was designed and built for the owners to enjoy with family and friends during their active weekend lifestyle. The home was built on a narrow, deep lot that was semi-level on the roadside and steep on the lakeside. The back half of the lot heavily wooded with mature oak and poplar trees reducing the harsh sun’s heat gain on the home. The exterior utilizes fiber cement cedar shake and lap siding complimented by deep brown colors for the windows, soffit, trim and the large square columns. A nice balance of natural earth toned stacked stone rounds out the exterior materials completing the rustic casual lake living. The home 5400 SF is designed and built on thee levels each having a primary focus. The main level creates primary daily living for the owners. This level features an open plan with an entry, stair, dining, kitchen and living areas leading to a large lakeside screened porch. A master suite is privately tucked off its own hallway and allowing it to enjoy the lakeside as well with its own private deck. On the opposite side are two bedrooms, a study and a shared bathroom for each to utilize. An open carport for two vehicles was created with the motor court and connects to the mudroom/utility room giving the owners direct entry into their home. The upper level is for the grand children with an oversized bedroom, bathroom and loft area for play. The lower level is the considered the party level. Its primary feature is an elevated stage for the owner’s band opened to a large seating area, dining and kitchen for viewing and listening with direct access to another screened porch. Flanking each side is a theater and two additional bedrooms and bathrooms. Energy Efficient features include: • The majority of the lower level sunk into the site below grade • 6” thick walls utilizing advanced framing techniques • Foil covered roof sheathing • Extensive use of blown in cellulous • All windows & doors are double paned low E argon filed glass • Tank-less water heaters • Three separate high efficiency HVAC units with programmable thermostats and a fresh air ERV. Lastly the owner requested we make every effort to sound proof the home. Many materials and techniques gave a duel purpose and added to the energy efficiency. These items include: • 2x6 walls with staggered studs • Extensive use if rock wool acoustic batting • Tempered glass in all exterior doors and windows • ¼ thick Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) was installed on the top and bottom of the floor trusses and on all lower level walls. The combination of the design and detailing utilizing these specific materials enabled us to achieve a 5 Star Plus Energy Star Certification with a HERS Index Score of 50. This home received a the 2015 Pinnacle Award from the SC Home Builders Association for the “Best Achievement in Energy Efficiency” sponsored by the SC Department Commerce.

We designed this beautiful cedar shake home with a metal roof and oyster shell embedded tabby fireplace. The pool is the heart of this home! The glass roll up garage door brings the outside in, and allows for entertaining to flow freely. Lots of outdoor space for lounging and soaking up the sun. An extra living space above the 3 car garage, including a kitchen area, enables guests to visit while providing access to some of the creature comforts of home. The crowning touch is the cupolas that allows for a 360 degree view, including spectacular views of the ocean.

Cory Residence Decidedly Scandinavian influence, and minimalist details make this sleek kitchen shine. When the owners purchased this property, it was dramatically different from the new layout. All very closed off – with only small openings between each room, making the space feel dark and small. Walls were removed, and the kitchen was moved from the original dining location to create a better a relationship from room to room. This enabled a large wrap around peninsula that transitions into a bar with wine cooler and use as a dining server. Ample seating for casual eating flanks the living room side of the peninsula, with simple post details. The overall result has dramatically improved the look and function of the space which can accommodate several helpers at one time. The Warm grey cabinetry and walnut accented hood and floating shelves a moody, masculine palate and adds feeling of warmth to the space, while the white upper cabinets provide the needed lightness to balance it all off. Blending the combination of shaker styled upper cabinetry provides just enough detail to the design. The thermofoil dark grey slab door base cabinetry adds the right touch of modern, and ensures ease of clean up of base cabinetry for a busy household. The hexagonal tile backsplash carried up to the ceiling draws the eye upward giving the illusion of more height in the space, and adds texture and added warmth. Accessories such as the spice pull out cabinetry which flank each side of the range providing easy access storage for need at hand items.