Folkers Window Company also builds patios and Florida sun rooms. We can build from the ground up or we take your existing patio/deck and start from there. indoors. Call the fine folks at Folkers.

Warm wood and cold glass don't always work well together, but here they do. This white oak staircase pairs naturally grained treads with a sleek glass balustrade anchored by bold black metal posts, a combination that feels considered rather than contrived. The wrap-around starting steps ease the entry, softening what could have been a hard geometric statement into something more welcoming. Overhead, a statement lighting installation pulls the eye upward, casting a warm glow that works with the oak rather than against it. Clean lines throughout, nothing excessive. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

This project transformed a basic builder-grade deck and unlandscaped yard into a beautifully designed outdoor living space. The renovation included elevating the architectural finish of the deck with low-maintenance fascia, trim, and wrapped columns as well as the addition of a pergola for shade and style. A new fireplace was added to create a cozy seating arrangement, adding both privacy and visual interest. The landscaping was enhanced with a patio and a gas fire pit seating area, perfect for relaxation and gatherings. Additionally, a dining area was incorporated to facilitate hosting and entertaining. To address the yard’s excessive slope, a retaining wall was constructed, leveling the terrain and providing a more functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor space.

This gorgeous, walkable grass alternative is literally watered ONCE A MONTH folks!!! In the summertime! This is true water conservation! Large, historic home from the 1930's overlooking downtown Santa Cruz. My clients are self-described "plantaholics" and tend to buy many plants, only to have them die. They have an extensive gardening area and low water budget. Our main goal was to make the overall design cohesive between various areas of the garden while utilizing interesting and unusual plant selections - a very fun project for me! We removed over 3,000 square feet of traditional grass and replaced it with several lawn alternatives. The first is a walkable groundcover that uses a fraction of the water of regular grass (and can be seen here in several seasons, one of which has tiny flowers); The second is a California native grass that grows long (or can be kept short) and can tolerate some shade. Both of these are excellent choices for clients with children or dogs who want a green patch without using excessive water. My clients love plants from Australia and South Africa so plants from the Proteacea and other Southern Hemisphere beauties are used predominantly throughout the project. Clean, flowing water is so important for wildlife and the beautiful stone fountain is a constant gathering spot for birds and other animals. My clients are beyond thrilled with their gorgeous, nature-filled garden and ever-expanding plant knowledge.

We refinished the floors to be darker throughout the home. Using open shelving, we kept the kitchen open and free from excessive amounts of upper cabinets. Bringing the backsplash all the way up to the ceiling brings verticality to the ordinary 8' high ceilings.

THE SETUP When we first encountered this basement for a family with three boys, we saw a space with untapped potential. Though previously remodeled, it lacked a cohesive design strategy. The expansive area housed various entertainment pieces (a shuffleboard table, air hockey, foosball, etc.) scattered haphazardly throughout the space. While the basement included a workout room and a rudimentary kitchen area, it lacked a dedicated game room or proper bar. Excessive storage closets along the back wall consumed valuable real estate that could be repurposed for more engaging uses. In essence, the basement was spacious but disjointed—functional for family use but falling short as an entertainment hub. It didn’t align with the sophistication of the rest of the home. Our clients envisioned a transformation: a fresh, organized space that would not only serve their family’s needs but also shine as an inviting arena for entertaining friends and hosting gatherings – especially sports-focused gatherings! Design Objectives: Reimagine the basement layout, creating distinct zones for varied activities. Expand the workout area to accommodate new equipment, including a Smith machine. Implement a multi-screen setup inspired by high-end sports bars, allowing guests to follow multiple games while socializing. Enhance existing features while developing new areas: Optimize a workout space for all equipment needs Establish a dedicated children’s space with guest room capabilities Create an integrated bar and entertainment area Retain and incorporate the existing projector setup Design Challenges: Navigate layout constraints in the new workout room due to fixed utility areas. Carve out a distinct space for kids within the open plan. Revitalize an underutilized section of the basement. Elevate the existing big screen area with purposeful design elements. Develop a full-fledged bar area while maintaining kitchen functions applicable for hangout snacking. Work around immovable structural elements (soffits, load-bearing support columns) THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: Install a stylish barn door for the utility area of the new workout space, improving aesthetics and accessibility. Repurpose the former workout room into a dedicated game room for kids, utilizing couches with pull-out beds so the area can double as overflow guest accommodations. Transform the unused area into a vibrant pub-style area for card and table games. Enhance the big screen area with elegant wainscoting and ambient theatre-style lighting. Design a multi-functional wet bar area featuring varied seating, prep areas, and a microwave. Base the bar sink area width off the soffit above it. In the big screen area, use the soffit to inform the width of a wainscoting section. For the immovable support columns, dress one up to match the wainscoting of the nearby big screen wall. Hide the other one in a new wall. Final Thoughts: The reimagined basement has exceeded our clients’ expectations, evolving into the ultimate entertainment hub. With seven strategically placed screens, it’s perfect for gatherings focused on major sporting events and casual gatherings, as well. The space strikes a balance between adult sophistication and family-friendly functionality, featuring distinct zones for various activities. The new design not only maximizes functionality for modern, multi-screen entertainment but also elevates the aesthetic appeal. It integrates flawlessly with the rest of the home’s transitional style while allowing each basement section to maintain its unique character. The result is a versatile space that caters to both intimate family time and large-scale entertaining.

This traditional Living Room was a challenge because there is an excessive amount of wall space above the windows. To make it look balanced, we installed custom Flat Roman Shade valances above the window, under the Custom Drapery Side Panels, giving a nice layered effect. The wood drapery poles, finials and rings coordinate with the 2” wooden blinds. The wood blinds offer versatility because of the tilting of the 2” slats, offering as much privacy as needed. The tilting slats also help to direct the sunlight away when it is too bright. The selected textured fabrics and colors make this a cozy, inviting place to come home to.

The #LakesideLeisure Project was a comprehensive redesign of a lakefront property that transformed various challenges into stunning solutions. Initially, the property featured a small, high-maintenance cedar deck with minimal lake views, poorly placed stairs, limited flat yard space due to extensive tiered landscaping and excessive plantings, obstructed lake views, and privacy concerns from a neighboring home. The client’s vision was clear: they wanted a large, flat yard for family activities and hosting, enhanced outdoor living spaces for dining and lounging, increased privacy from neighbors, more shaded hangout areas, improved “curb appeal” from the lake, and reduced maintenance.

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.

Caring for aging parents is both a joy and a challenge. The clients wanted to create a more aging-in-place friendly basement area for their mother. The existing kitchenette was more of a glorified bar and did not give her the option of cooking independently, and definitely not stylishly. We re-configured the area so it was all open, with full kitchen capabilities. All appliances were selected to cater to the mother's limited reach, so all functional storage and product usage can be done without raising arms excessively. Special storage solutions include a peg-system for a dish drawer, tiered silverware trays, a slide-up appliance garage, and pivoting pantry storage. The cabinets also give ample display space for her collection of antique glassware. In lieu of an island, we created a solid-surface top for a standard table so food can be prepped while sitting and without damaging the table top. All items reflect the mother's tastes and existing furniture so she can truly feel like this basement is her space, while still being close to her son and daughter-in-law.

One of our luxury homes in Silverleaf located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Check out our Facebook Fan Page at www.Facebook.com/FratantoniLuxuryEstates
Family room photo in Phoenix

Large, historic home from the 1930's overlooking downtown Santa Cruz. My clients are self-described "plantaholics" and tend to buy many plants, only to have them die. They have an extensive gardening area and low water budget. Our main goal was to make the overall design cohesive between various areas of the garden while utilizing interesting and unusual plant selections - a very fun project for me! We removed over 3,000 square feet of traditional grass and replaced it with several lawn alternatives. The first is a walkable groundcover that uses a fraction of the water of regular grass (and can be seen here in several seasons, one of which has tiny flowers); The second is a California native grass that grows long (or can be kept short) and can tolerate some shade. Both of these are excellent choices for clients with children or dogs who want a green patch without using excessive water. My clients love plants from Australia and South Africa so plants from the Proteacea and other Southern Hemisphere beauties are used predominantly throughout the project. Clean, flowing water is so important for wildlife and the beautiful stone fountain is a constant gathering spot for birds and other animals. My clients are beyond thrilled with their gorgeous, nature-filled garden and ever-expanding plant knowledge.

Retail Spaces Winter Tips: Preventing Excessive Moisture Check for Leaks: Inspect the retail space for any potential sources of moisture, such as leaks from the roof, windows, or pipes. Moisture can damage the paint and cause it to peel or bubble. Seal any leaks and address damp spots before painting or during the winter months. Condensation: In cold weather, condensation can form on walls, especially near windows or exterior walls. This can cause issues with paint adhesion and durability. Keep indoor temperatures consistent to minimize condensation. #winter #painter #contractor #commercialpainter #atlantaGA

The Detached Garage has quite a view. Positioned on the lot to take advantage of the view and the street access there is a large workshop below for repairs and excess storage.

Permeable Pine Hall StormPave brick pavers channel water down through granite chips through the clear stone base to either infiltrate or if in excess, be removed by the drainage system within. A small planting cut out in the courtyard provides room for a Katsuratree to shade the patio and was under-planted with Blue Cadet hosta and Variegated Japanese Forest grass.

The stone ending to the newly installed plantings which channels the excess water from the walkway through the stonework to flow back into the gardens to be absorbed into the ground.

Our clients wanted a modern mountain getaway that would combine their gorgeous mountain surroundings with contemporary finishes. To highlight the stunning cathedral ceilings, we decided to take the natural stone on the fireplace from floor to ceiling. The dark wood mantle adds a break for the eye, and ties in the views of surrounding trees. Our clients wanted a complete facelift for their kitchen, and this started with removing the excess of dark wood on the ceiling, walls, and cabinets. Opening a larger picture window helps in bringing the outdoors in, and contrasting white and black cabinets create a fresh and modern feel. --- Project designed by Montecito interior designer Margarita Bravo. She serves Montecito as well as surrounding areas such as Hope Ranch, Summerland, Santa Barbara, Isla Vista, Mission Canyon, Carpinteria, Goleta, Ojai, Los Olivos, and Solvang. For more about MARGARITA BRAVO, click here: https://www.margaritabravo.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.margaritabravo.com/portfolio/colorado-nature-inspired-getaway/

Our clients wanted a modern mountain getaway that would combine their gorgeous mountain surroundings with contemporary finishes. To highlight the stunning cathedral ceilings, we decided to take the natural stone on the fireplace from floor to ceiling. The dark wood mantle adds a break for the eye, and ties in the views of surrounding trees. Our clients wanted a complete facelift for their kitchen, and this started with removing the excess of dark wood on the ceiling, walls, and cabinets. Opening a larger picture window helps in bringing the outdoors in, and contrasting white and black cabinets create a fresh and modern feel. --- Project designed by Montecito interior designer Margarita Bravo. She serves Montecito as well as surrounding areas such as Hope Ranch, Summerland, Santa Barbara, Isla Vista, Mission Canyon, Carpinteria, Goleta, Ojai, Los Olivos, and Solvang. For more about MARGARITA BRAVO, click here: https://www.margaritabravo.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.margaritabravo.com/portfolio/colorado-nature-inspired-getaway/

15th century elements such as the grille over the fireplace, (purchased at a Paris flea market) are coupled with contemporary elements such as the air heating grilles, and fireplace grille, to give a crisp update of a historical space; excessive moldings were replaced w a pared down picture molding and floors were stained espresso to deepen the tactile play of colors