The rustic exterior of the French Broad Craftsman home showcases natural stone, rich wood accents, and energy-efficient design, blending seamlessly with the surrounding mountain environment. A perfect balance of luxury and sustainability in this custom-built masterpiece.

This project is a 3,400 square foot custom single-family home, designed and built to passive house standards, which are more stringent than those required to obtain LEED certification. This home is eco-friendly and has incredible energy efficiency. It’s energy-saving features include: double-stud super insulated walls, triple-glazed windows and doors, solar power, and geothermal heating and cooling.

Kim Smith Photo of Buffalo
Mountain style kitchen photo in New York

Intus Windows: Arcade, triple pane windows, STC40/OITC35 The low solar heat gain coefficient of Intus' Eforte glazing, combined with the low U-values, and reduced heating and cooling significantly decrease energy costs for this public charter school. According to the general contractor, MCN Build,, the cost of the Intus system was 30% less than the alternative aluminum double-pane system. Intus' solutions saved the builder on material costs, and more importantly, as much as $300,000.00 dollars and 49,000.00 estimated saving in energy consumption a year for Capital City Public Charter school!

Intus Windows: Arcade, triple pane windows, STC40/OITC35 The low solar heat gain coefficient of Intus' Eforte glazing, combined with the low U-values, and reduced heating and cooling significantly decrease energy costs for this public charter school. According to the general contractor, MCN Build,, the cost of the Intus system was 30% less than the alternative aluminum double-pane system. Intus' solutions saved the builder on material costs, and more importantly, as much as $300,000.00 dollars and 49,000.00 estimated saving in energy consumption a year for Capital City Public Charter school!

Intus Windows: Arcade, triple pane windows, STC40/OITC35 The low solar heat gain coefficient of Intus' Eforte glazing, combined with the low U-values, and reduced heating and cooling significantly decrease energy costs for this public charter school. According to the general contractor, MCN Build,, the cost of the Intus system was 30% less than the alternative aluminum double-pane system. Intus' solutions saved the builder on material costs, and more importantly, as much as $300,000.00 dollars and 49,000.00 estimated saving in energy consumption a year for Capital City Public Charter school!

Intus Windows: Arcade, triple pane windows, STC40/OITC35 The low solar heat gain coefficient of Intus' Eforte glazing, combined with the low U-values, and reduced heating and cooling significantly decrease energy costs for this public charter school. According to the general contractor, MCN Build,, the cost of the Intus system was 30% less than the alternative aluminum double-pane system. Intus' solutions saved the builder on material costs, and more importantly, as much as $300,000.00 dollars and 49,000.00 estimated saving in energy consumption a year for Capital City Public Charter school!

Intus Windows: Arcade, triple pane windows, STC40/OITC35 The low solar heat gain coefficient of Intus' Eforte glazing, combined with the low U-values, and reduced heating and cooling significantly decrease energy costs for this public charter school. According to the general contractor, MCN Build,, the cost of the Intus system was 30% less than the alternative aluminum double-pane system. Intus' solutions saved the builder on material costs, and more importantly, as much as $300,000.00 dollars and 49,000.00 estimated saving in energy consumption a year for Capital City Public Charter school!

Intus Windows: Arcade, triple pane windows, STC40/OITC35 The low solar heat gain coefficient of Intus' Eforte glazing, combined with the low U-values, and reduced heating and cooling significantly decrease energy costs for this public charter school. According to the general contractor, MCN Build,, the cost of the Intus system was 30% less than the alternative aluminum double-pane system. Intus' solutions saved the builder on material costs, and more importantly, as much as $300,000.00 dollars and 49,000.00 estimated saving in energy consumption a year for Capital City Public Charter school!

Intus Windows: Arcade, triple pane windows, STC40/OITC35 The low solar heat gain coefficient of Intus' Eforte glazing, combined with the low U-values, and reduced heating and cooling significantly decrease energy costs for this public charter school. According to the general contractor, MCN Build,, the cost of the Intus system was 30% less than the alternative aluminum double-pane system. Intus' solutions saved the builder on material costs, and more importantly, as much as $300,000.00 dollars and 49,000.00 estimated saving in energy consumption a year for Capital City Public Charter school!

Intus Windows: Arcade, triple pane windows, STC40/OITC35 The low solar heat gain coefficient of Intus' Eforte glazing, combined with the low U-values, and reduced heating and cooling significantly decrease energy costs for this public charter school. According to the general contractor, MCN Build,, the cost of the Intus system was 30% less than the alternative aluminum double-pane system. Intus' solutions saved the builder on material costs, and more importantly, as much as $300,000.00 dollars and 49,000.00 estimated saving in energy consumption a year for Capital City Public Charter school!

Intus Windows: Arcade, triple pane windows, STC40/OITC35 The low solar heat gain coefficient of Intus' Eforte glazing, combined with the low U-values, and reduced heating and cooling significantly decrease energy costs for this public charter school. According to the general contractor, MCN Build,, the cost of the Intus system was 30% less than the alternative aluminum double-pane system. Intus' solutions saved the builder on material costs, and more importantly, as much as $300,000.00 dollars and 49,000.00 estimated saving in energy consumption a year for Capital City Public Charter school!

Intus Windows: Arcade, triple pane windows, STC40/OITC35 The low solar heat gain coefficient of Intus' Eforte glazing, combined with the low U-values, and reduced heating and cooling significantly decrease energy costs for this public charter school. According to the general contractor, MCN Build,, the cost of the Intus system was 30% less than the alternative aluminum double-pane system. Intus' solutions saved the builder on material costs, and more importantly, as much as $300,000.00 dollars and 49,000.00 estimated saving in energy consumption a year for Capital City Public Charter school!

Country kitchen photo

Architect: Thompson Naylor; Landscape: everGREEN Landscape Architects; Photography: Jim Bartsch Photography
1960s one-story gable roof photo in Santa Barbara

Down a private lane and sited on an oak studded lot, this charming Kott home has been transformed with contemporary finishes and clean line design. Vaulted ceilings create light filled spaces that open to outdoor living. Modern choices of Italian tiles combine with hardwood floors and newly installed carpets. Fireplaces in both the living and family room. Dining room with picture window to the garden. Kitchen with ample cabinetry, newer appliances and charming eat-in area. The floor plan includes a gracious upstairs master suite and two well-sized bedrooms and two full bathrooms downstairs. Solar, A/C, steel Future Roof and dual pane windows and doors all contribute to the energy efficiency of this modern design. Quality throughout allows you to move right and enjoy the convenience of a close-in location and the desirable Kentfield school district.

Kim Smith Photo of Buffalo
Living room - rustic living room idea in New York

Ronnie Bruce Photography Bellweather Construction, LLC is a trained and certified remodeling and home improvement general contractor that specializes in period-appropriate renovations and energy efficiency improvements. Bellweather's managing partner, William Giesey, has over 20 years of experience providing construction management and design services for high-quality home renovations in Philadelphia and its Main Line suburbs. Will is a BPI-certified building analyst, NARI-certified kitchen and bath remodeler, and active member of his local NARI chapter. He is the acting chairman of a local historical commission and has participated in award-winning restoration and historic preservation projects. His work has been showcased on home tours and featured in magazines.

Brian Vanden Brink
Inspiration for a cottage medium tone wood floor great room remodel in Portland Maine