"White with subtle hints of gray. This piece invites you to float on a cotton cloud as it gently glides across the horizon. Experience the infinite beauty of the sky from this once in a lifetime vantage point."

Karen and Chad of Tower Lakes, IL were tired of their unfinished basement functioning as nothing more than a storage area and depressing gym. They wanted to increase the livable square footage of their home with a cohesive finished basement design, while incorporating space for the kids and adults to hang out. “We wanted to make sure that upon renovating the basement, that we can have a place where we can spend time and watch movies, but also entertain and showcase the wine collection that we have,” Karen said. After a long search comparing many different remodeling companies, Karen and Chad found Advance Design Studio. They were drawn towards the unique “Common Sense Remodeling” process that simplifies the renovation experience into predictable steps focused on customer satisfaction. “There are so many other design/build companies, who may not have transparency, or a focused process in mind and I think that is what separated Advance Design Studio from the rest,” Karen said. Karen loved how designer Claudia Pop was able to take very high-level concepts, “non-negotiable items” and implement them in the initial 3D drawings. Claudia and Project Manager DJ Yurik kept the couple in constant communication through the project. “Claudia was very receptive to the ideas we had, but she was also very good at infusing her own points and thoughts, she was very responsive, and we had an open line of communication,” Karen said. A very important part of the basement renovation for the couple was the home gym and sauna. The “high-end hotel” look and feel of the openly blended work out area is both highly functional and beautiful to look at. The home sauna gives them a place to relax after a long day of work or a tough workout. “The gym was a very important feature for us,” Karen said. “And I think (Advance Design) did a very great job in not only making the gym a functional area, but also an aesthetic point in our basement”. An extremely unique wow-factor in this basement is the walk in glass wine cellar that elegantly displays Karen and Chad’s extensive wine collection. Immediate access to the stunning wet bar accompanies the wine cellar to make this basement a popular spot for friends and family. The custom-built wine bar brings together two natural elements; Calacatta Vicenza Quartz and thick distressed Black Walnut. Sophisticated yet warm Graphite Dura Supreme cabinetry provides contrast to the soft beige walls and the Calacatta Gold backsplash. An undermount sink across from the bar in a matching Calacatta Vicenza Quartz countertop adds functionality and convenience to the bar, while identical distressed walnut floating shelves add an interesting design element and increased storage. Rich true brown Rustic Oak hardwood floors soften and warm the space drawing all the areas together. Across from the bar is a comfortable living area perfect for the family to sit down at a watch a movie. A full bath completes this finished basement with a spacious walk-in shower, Cocoa Brown Dura Supreme vanity with Calacatta Vicenza Quartz countertop, a crisp white sink and a stainless-steel Voss faucet. Advance Design’s Common Sense process gives clients the opportunity to walk through the basement renovation process one step at a time, in a completely predictable and controlled environment. “Everything was designed and built exactly how we envisioned it, and we are really enjoying it to it’s full potential,” Karen said. Constantly striving for customer satisfaction, Advance Design’s success is heavily reliant upon happy clients referring their friends and family. “We definitely will and have recommended Advance Design Studio to friends who are looking to embark on a remodeling project small or large,” Karen exclaimed at the completion of her project.

Located in the heart of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the building was erected on a shallow commercial lot between two 120 year old masonry buildings and a new residential rental building. 330 Grand Street is a mix of 725 SF 1BRs and 1050 SF 2BR apartments. It also contains a 1100 SF two story duplex as well as private and public rooftop space, large private balconies for most units and two large private terraces for the ground floor units. 330 Grand Street was originally designed and approved at the NYC DOB as a prefabricated modular building. During the pandemic, as shipping costs skyrocketed putting the project at risk, we suggested redesigning the building as a reinforced cast-in-place concrete structure. Concrete was readily available and prices had not been affected by the demand increase that many other materials suffered in the pandemic. We took this opportunity to raise floor to ceiling heights, enlarge high performance windows and redistribute the buildings MEPFS and Structural Systems to create very open floor plans. The challenge was to create a luxurious sensorial living experience with very limited means. In a city with very high construction costs, low cost residential buildings in the area are usually devoid of good quality, design and character. Our approach was to aim high for the end user, prioritizing natural light, open space with long visual perspectives, high ceilings and as always, rejecting the use of predefined building templates. Our biggest challenge was to ensure that the small spaces feel as clean cut, large and bright as possible. Several unique design decisions were made to ensure low cost and high quality; Floor plans were laid out so that spaces were wide open and free of clutter from mechanical or structural interruptions. Therefore all infrastructure was placed in lateral demising walls, which in turn act as the unit’s storage and kitchen. The apartments feel wide open, are super quiet and have more storage space than any other comparable apartment in the city. To solve the problem of the site’s shallow commercial lot which is typically prone to dark interior spaces we focused our attention on the building’s envelope. Instead of the usual small punched window openings, oversized high performance windows were designed to ensure that light penetrated as far as possible into the units. In the smaller 1BR units, the full 50’ depth of the lot is perceived by partitioning spaces with sliding pocket doors that can be retracted to allow deep visual perspectives, making the sight lines in the space feel longer, larger, more ample than normal. In addition to the full height glazing, each unit above the 2nd floor receives a 7 foot covered balcony, adding 120 to 240 sf to each apartment, something unusual in New York City buildings. The space is large enough for a full size dining table, when the weather permits being outside. We also worked hard to ensure modularity. For example, all kitchen units are all identical throughout the building. The idea of modularity and the economy of the repetitive unit is exercised to the maximum through the building. Hardware, appliances, flooring, wall coverings and material finishes are all carefully selected to feel bespoke, high quality and unique. It was important to KURV that the result of this work manifest into something that would deeply connect with the end user and sustain relationships with the consumers of this space. All images by KURV Architecture ©

Beautiful Armonk Home Masonry and Yearly Landscaping and Urn Project. About us: Tom Williamson Landscaping, Inc. Simple. Elegant. Landscaping. Whether you’re modeling your home into your creative inspiration place, your entertainment haven, or your read-a-book and recharge oasis, a landscaper is the person that you SHOULD pick with your emotions. A robust climbing garden, a mystical natural pathway, or a soothing waterfall-into-the-pool is finished when it feels PERSONAL. Years of training and horticultural education doesn’t teach how to capture, build and own an emotion — it enhances our natural abilities. When comparing landscaping professionals, a few things need to be considered; do they process the ability to design your vision, the muscle to deliver on the plans, and whether they can provide the WOW factor in which great landscaper recognize as standard. The landscaper that will satisfy every client every time is the one with these characteristics. Welcome to Tom Williamson Landscaping. We design ‘an experience’ not only through years of engineering our mixtures and techniques, but as understanding and working in symmetrical balance in eye-catching plant bed diversity, refreshing 3-season-blooming wrap gardens, and aged garden large tree installation — to name a few. Enjoyment of your gardens is really what you’re shopping for. Shop our gallery and see if it pushes your enjoyment button. So, to all garden and home lovers and sharers in this philosophy, we are here, happy to answer questions to provide a reality to your landscaping ideas — Call us today at 914-762-4927 or email. Services provided are everything great gardening: Landscaping and Masonry; Bushes, Plantings, Trees, Seasonal plantings, Urns, Pruning, Fertilization, Lawn care & Maintenance, Mulching, Installation of Large Trees, Holiday Trimming, Snowplowing to keep your home enjoyable even in the winter. Landscape Design and construction Areas cover: 10504, 10506, 10510, 10514, 10546, 10549, 10562, 10570, 10510 Servicing Chappaqua, Briarcliff Manor, Ossining, Scarborough, Pleasantville, Armonk, and Mt. Kisco Chappaqua 10514 Landscaping: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Scarsdale landscaping: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Masonry in Chappaqua: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Masonry in Pleasantville: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Armonk landscaping specialists: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Mt. Kisco landscaping specialists: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Briarcliff Manor 10510 landscaping contractors: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Braircliff masonry 10510 contractors: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Armonk Masonry contractors: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Chappaqua rock wall specialists: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Ossining landscaping: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Ossining Masonry: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Scarborough Landscaper: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Scarborough Stone Wall and Mason: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Pleasantville land design and installation of large trees: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Pleasantville landscaper: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Mt. Kisco masonry contractors: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Armonk stone wall, driveway and pathway designer: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Best Landscaper in Westchester, NY : http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Hottest landscape business in Westchester, NY: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Houzz.com Keywords: Westchester landscaper, Best Landscaping, Masonry, Bushes, Plantings, Trees, Seasonal plantings, Urns, Pruning, Fertilization, Lawn care & Maintenance, Mulching, Installation of Large Trees, Holiday Trimming, Snowplowing, Green grass, Mums, Tulip planting, pond creation, pond aeration, Braircliff pool masonry, briarcliff stone wall around pools, Chappaqua masonry, Chappaqua landscaping, braircliff landscaping, Mt. Kisco masonry, Mt. Kisco Best landscaper, Armonk stone wall installation, Armonk Land Designer, Armonk Landscaper, Armonk customized stone driveways, Pleasantville Landscaper, Scarborough Older home landscaper, Scarborough traditional Landscaper, Scarborough landscaping, Ossining Luxury home landscaping, Ossining Masonry work, Ossining customized stone driveways

? Elevate Your Home's Charm with a Front Porch Makeover! ? ✨ Front porch beautifully refinished by the top-notch professionals at Windy City Painters, the best painting company in Chicago! ? Here's a glimpse of the meticulous process : ? Power Wash Magic: Started with a thorough power wash to bid farewell to dirt, grime, and the remnants of old paint. The porch now sparkles! ? Wood Whispering - Sanding Edition: Embraced the art of sanding to create a smooth canvas for the upcoming masterpiece. Goodbye rough edges, hello silky surfaces! ? Stairway to Elegance - Staining the Steps: The step treads and landing got a luxurious makeover with a premium stain, adding warmth and sophistication to the entrance. It's like a red carpet for your doorstep! ⚪ Radiant in White - Railings, Risers, and Sides: The talented hands at Windy City Painters painted the railings, risers, and step sides in a crisp, classic white. The result? A porch that exudes timeless charm and curb appeal. ?‍♂️ About Windy City Painters: ? Expertise Beyond Compare: Windy City Painters specializes not only in front porch refinishing but also in wrought iron fences and metal porches. They work their magic with rust removal, treatment, and restoration, ensuring longevity and beauty. ? Drywall Water Damage Repairs: Water damage? Not a problem! They're your go-to for seamless drywall repairs, leaving no traces of past troubles. ?️ Wallpaper Wizards: Transform your interiors with their impeccable wallpaper installation services. From subtle textures to bold patterns, they bring your vision to life. ? Kitchen Cabinets Revival: Give your kitchen a facelift! Windy City Painters excels in painting kitchen cabinets, turning them from outdated to dazzling. ? Contact Windy City Painters: ? WindyCityPainters.com ? WindyPainters.com ☎️ Phone: 773-818-6331 ? andy@windypainters.com ✅ Experience the Windy City Painters Difference! Transforming homes into masterpieces, one stroke at a time. Schedule your consultation today and let the experts work their magic. Your dream home awaits! #WindyCityPainters #ChicagoPainting #HomeMakeover #FrontPorchRefinishing #PorchPainter #ChicagoWallpaperInstaller #ChicagoCabinetsPainter ✨?️

We welcome our new bedroom collection. This bedroom collection is composed by modern and contemporary designs that are going to make you love your bedroom everyday. Compared to our other collections this one is the most complete to your needs. We offer closest, new make-up vanities, dressers, mirrors, chairs, ottomans and so much more. By combining a variety of new designs and unique designs in order for our customer to have the best experience. Prices may vary. Products can be customized to other colors and finishes. *As a reminder these products have a lead time of 10-15 weeks.

We welcome our new bedroom collection. This bedroom collection is composed by modern and contemporary designs that are going to make you love your bedroom everyday. Compared to our other collections this one is the most complete to your needs. We offer closest, new make-up vanities, dressers, mirrors, chairs, ottomans and so much more. By combining a variety of new designs and unique designs in order for our customer to have the best experience. Prices may vary. Products can be customized to other colors and finishes. *As a reminder these products have a lead time of 10-15 weeks.

Sommerhus is a private retreat for two empty-nesters. The clients purchased the previous cabin after falling in love with its location on a private, lakefront peninsula. However, this beautiful site was a challenging site to build on, due to its position sandwiched between the lake and protected wet land. The clients disliked the old cabin because it could only be used in the summer months, due to its lack of both insulation and heat. In addition, it was too small for their needs. They wanted to build a new, larger retreat, but were met with yet another constraint: the new cabin would be limited to the previous cabin’s small footprint. Thus, they decided to approach an architect to design their dream cabin. As the clients described, “We visited Denmark for a family wedding in 2015, and while biking near Gilleleje, a fishing village on the Baltic Sea, we fell in love with the aesthetic of ‘Sommerhus’: dark exteriors, clean, simple lines, and lots of windows.” We set out to design a cabin that fit this aesthetic while also meeting the site’s constraints. The clients were committed to keeping all existing trees on their site. In addition, zoning codes required the new retreat to stay within the previous cabin's small footprint. Thus, to maximize the square footage of the cabin without removing trees or expanding the footprint, the new structure had to grow vertically. At the same time, the clients wanted to be good neighbors. To them, this meant that their cabin should disappear into the woods, especially when viewed from the lake. To accomplish both these requests, the architect selected a dark exterior metal façade that would visually retreat into the trees. The metal siding is a modern, low-maintenance, and cost-effective solution, especially when compared to traditional wood siding. Warm wood on the soffits of the large roof overhang contrast with the metal siding. Sommerhus's resulting exterior is just as the clients’ requested: boldly modern yet respectful of the serene surroundings. The homeowners desired a beach-house-inspired interior, full of light and warmth, in contrast to the dark exterior. As the homeowner explained, “I wanted it to feel like a porch inside.” To achieve this, the living room has two walls of sliding glass doors that connect to the wrap-around porch. This creates a beautiful, indoor-outdoor living space. The crisp and bright kitchen also connects to the porch with the window that opens to an outdoor counter - perfect for passing food and drinks to those lounging on the porch. The kitchen is open to the rest of the first-floor entertaining space, and brings a playful, beach-house feel to the cabin. After the completion of the project, the homeowners remarked, “Working with Christopher and Eric [of CSA] was a wonderful experience. We absolutely love our home, and each season on the lake is more special than the last.”

This intimate lounge area combines modern banco seating, layered textiles, and a sculptural fire pit for the ultimate outdoor living experience.
Example of a minimalist patio design in Phoenix

Diehl Concrete is a local Denver business that prides itself in quality decorative work such as custom stamped concrete patios. The owner, Ryan Diehl, plays a hands-on part throughout the entire process. With over 15 years of experience in creating beautiful outdoor spaces, along with his un-compromised integrity, Diehl Concrete is a wise choice for your project. There are countless examples of his work throughout Colorado, including Denver, Aurora, Brighton, Boulder, and Evergreen. Call today and Ryan Diehl will personally evaluate your project, answer your questions, and provide a free quote. Benefits of Stamped Concrete Patios: Affordability: Stamped concrete patios are much more affordable when compared to brick pavers or natural stone. Fortunately, This lower cost doesn’t lack durability or beauty. Longevity: Concrete typically lasts longer than alternative patio materials. To ensure durability, Diehl Concrete will take the extra steps to reduce cracking. We will take great care in preparing your concrete sub-grade with proper compaction, and road base as well as rebar reinforcement within the concrete. Finally, expansion joints will be strategically placed to minimize and prevent cracking. Color and Pattern Options: The sky is truly the limit on color choices and patterns for stamped concrete patios. Shape: Due to its versatility of the substance, concrete offers homeowners the ability to create any type of shape they would like. Would you like curves, planting beds, or even a fire pit incorporated into your stamped concrete patio? No problem. Low Maintenance: To maintain the look and uphold the durability, a once yearly sealer may be applied. This is something you can do yourself, or we can seal your patio for you. Increased home resale value. Decorative concrete adds curb appeal and aesthetic value to your home, allowing you to maximize the return on your investment.

GAO Zhiqiang: Exploring the infinite possibilities beyond boundaries - Space Emotion Design Series - Vniau Office The essence of space design is to pay attention to people’s emotional needs, especially in office designs. Vniau office is designed by GAO Zhiqiang, a space emotion designer. He created an extremely comfortable and inclusive office space by modern design tech-niques, combined with technology, history and humanities. / Explore / Infinite possibilities beyond boundaries A humanistic caring, warm and emotional design work, under the continuous changes of social forms, evolves into a space in accordance with the develop-ment of the current era, which is the most solid response from the designer to the space. This open space makes you feel like entering into a movie scene. Large areas of black and white contrast, and smooth lines create a powerful aura. However, soft lights bring back a romantic atmosphere. The space is highlighted by vir-tuality and reality. The development of modern technology diversified people’s cognition and iden-tification of space dimension. The designer tries to break the inherent bound-ary consciousness among technology, humanities and nature by comfortable and efficient spatial perception. Wandering between virtual and real, light and shadow, the space presents a fu-ture sense through symbols. It shows a bold, free, open, lush, and new office format. "Compared with technology, we pay more attention to people's emotions and feelings. We have always been advocating using the most common materials to create different spaces, and the key is depended on design." Said designer GAO Zhiqiang. Therefore, when it came to the selection of materials, pureness presents in-finity, simplicity creates richness. Bright green brings cheerfulness, and the exposed ceiling and cloud-like chandeliers create a natural and agile visual perception. The combination of dynamic and stillness embodies the concentra-tion of the designer. As the previous office was in Chinese style with redwood furniture, in order to have good effect of the overall space, the designer discussed with the own-er repeatedly, strive to change into a modern style, which matches more with their products, clients, competitors, brand culture and temperament of the of-fice, younger staff, etc., in the end, this design shows up. This is a ring-shaped office space with same walls and same core tubes, which make people easily disoriented. By the principle of 5 elements - metal, wood, water, fire and earth, the designer placed the reception and exhibition room in the middle, and painted in yellow, corresponding to central earth. According to this principle, the R & D department on the east side is decorat-ed in green, corresponding to wood, also, the market and finance department on the south side is orange, corresponding to fire. Service department on the west is white color representing metal, CEO and QC office on the north side is given black color, representing water. 5 directions are painted in 5 colors, which make people clearly distinguish departments and directions. The building wall of the void area has a huge sloped beam, which causes poor visual experience. To solve this problem, the designer creates a magnificent X-shaped style by making use of the original beam structure. Its perforated sides and the luminous aluminum plates are very sci-fi, showing a similar vision of X-Men headquarters. The interaction, communication and intersection among people are the key points of designing moving lines. Their optimization brings closer collaboration among departments,shorten the distance that people have to walk in the space, such as in conference rooms, negotiation rooms, recreation area, water bar, reception area. Reasonable moving lines make discussion and communication between people, de-partments, and customers more efficient. At the same time, different spaces create different atmospheres and emotions, relax, or serious, or leisurable, etc., so as to meet needs of different moments. In addition, the designer GAO Zhiqiang said, "We want to create a feeling of flowing clouds. Lights and curves create moving lines, and give a sense of freedom." To remove the shackles of traditional office designs, and give a space infi-nite vitality is not just a change in form, it is more about 'people' them-selves. Here, everyone has a very large degree of freedom, and they can feel the infinite possibilities of future. Initiative and creativity are stimulated at the same time. Once people create the environment, areas interact with each other, and the power of design emerges. Soft curve is a visual expression of tolerance and infinite possibilities. The spatial layout breaks isolation and shortens the distance of human hearts. High efficiency while no boundaries, and everywhere has space for independent thinking and solitude. The space respects each individual and can also unit as a whole. Gaudi, the most famous Spanish architect, once said that straight lines belong to human, and curves belong to the God. It is probably that the curves give birth to too many wonderful changes. In this space, the curves are formed smoothly, either on the ground or ceiling, or a room, a partition. "Spatial emotion design" advocates bringing human attributes to spatial func-tions. By designing and shaping the space, people are able to work in the best state of physiological and psychological emotions. Therefore, AFFD is trying their best to create comfortable working environments for employees, to ensure efficient work, as well as physical and mental health of staff.

We welcome our new bedroom collection. This bedroom collection is composed by modern and contemporary designs that are going to make you love your bedroom everyday. Compared to our other collections this one is the most complete to your needs. We offer closest, new make-up vanities, dressers, mirrors, chairs, ottomans and so much more. By combining a variety of new designs and unique designs in order for our customer to have the best experience. Prices may vary. Products can be customized to other colors and finishes. *As a reminder these products have a lead time of 10-15 weeks.

? Elevate Your Home's Charm with a Front Porch Makeover! ? ✨ Front porch beautifully refinished by the top-notch professionals at Windy City Painters, the best painting company in Chicago! ? Here's a glimpse of the meticulous process : ? Power Wash Magic: Started with a thorough power wash to bid farewell to dirt, grime, and the remnants of old paint. The porch now sparkles! ? Wood Whispering - Sanding Edition: Embraced the art of sanding to create a smooth canvas for the upcoming masterpiece. Goodbye rough edges, hello silky surfaces! ? Stairway to Elegance - Staining the Steps: The step treads and landing got a luxurious makeover with a premium stain, adding warmth and sophistication to the entrance. It's like a red carpet for your doorstep! ⚪ Radiant in White - Railings, Risers, and Sides: The talented hands at Windy City Painters painted the railings, risers, and step sides in a crisp, classic white. The result? A porch that exudes timeless charm and curb appeal. ?‍♂️ About Windy City Painters: ? Expertise Beyond Compare: Windy City Painters specializes not only in front porch refinishing but also in wrought iron fences and metal porches. They work their magic with rust removal, treatment, and restoration, ensuring longevity and beauty. ? Drywall Water Damage Repairs: Water damage? Not a problem! They're your go-to for seamless drywall repairs, leaving no traces of past troubles. ?️ Wallpaper Wizards: Transform your interiors with their impeccable wallpaper installation services. From subtle textures to bold patterns, they bring your vision to life. ? Kitchen Cabinets Revival: Give your kitchen a facelift! Windy City Painters excels in painting kitchen cabinets, turning them from outdated to dazzling. ? Contact Windy City Painters: ? WindyCityPainters.com ? WindyPainters.com ☎️ Phone: 773-818-6331 ? andy@windypainters.com ✅ Experience the Windy City Painters Difference! Transforming homes into masterpieces, one stroke at a time. Schedule your consultation today and let the experts work their magic. Your dream home awaits! #WindyCityPainters #ChicagoPainting #HomeMakeover #FrontPorchRefinishing #PorchPainter #ChicagoWallpaperInstaller #ChicagoCabinetsPainter ✨?️

Enhance the curb appeal of your home with eco-friendly mosses lining your driveway. Moss also serves as an erosion control solution. Best of all, you'll experience year-round green beauty, even in the winter, especially when compared to wide-spread use of brown mulch and pine needles. Photo by Annie Martin, www.mountainmoss.com

Our custom built mobile showroom brings the window treatment shopping experience directly to your home—so you can explore styles, compare materials, and choose the perfect look in the space where it matters most. Full size samples of plantation shutters give you the opportunity to select the perfect frame style, louver size, and color to customize your home.

We welcome our new bedroom collection. This bedroom collection is composed by modern and contemporary designs that are going to make you love your bedroom everyday. Compared to our other collections this one is the most complete to your needs. We offer closest, new make-up vanities, dressers, mirrors, chairs, ottomans and so much more. By combining a variety of new designs and unique designs in order for our customer to have the best experience. Prices may vary. Products can be customized to other colors and finishes. *As a reminder these products have a lead time of 10-15 weeks.

Heith Comer Photography This beautiful lake house included high end appointments throughout, until you entered the Master Bath, with builder grade vanities, cultured marble tub and counter tops, standard trim. It now has an elegant his and her vanity with towers at each end, a center tower and make up station, and lots of drawers for additional storage. The newly partitioned space (where the original tub was located) now serves as a fully accessible shower, with seat, hand held shower next to seat, shower head in ceiling and three body sprays. A lateral drain was used to minimize the required slope. Stone surfaces produce feel of old world elegance. The bathroom is spacious, easy to maintain, the cabinetry design and storage space allows for everything to be at your finger tips, but still organized, put away and out of sight. Precision Homecrafters was named Remodeler of the Year by the Alabama Home Builders Association. Since 2006, we've been recognized with over 51 Alabama remodeling awards for excellence in remodeling. Our customers find that our highly awarded team makes it easy for you to get the finished home you want and that we save them money compared to contractors with less experience. Please call us today for Free in home consultation!

Ask a kitchen designer in Chicago which countertop question comes up most and you will hear the same answer: white or off-white quartz, and which shade. Homeowners walk into showrooms with a photo saved on their phone, usually a bright, veined slab from a magazine spread, and leave an hour later realizing there are a dozen versions of that same look. The confusion is not about taste. It is about the fact that "white quartz" covers a huge range of patterns, undertones, and price points, and nobody explains the differences before the sale. Older bungalows and newer builds alike are getting stripped of their dated laminate and butcher block in favor of quartz, and the reasons are practical rather than trendy. Quartz does not need sealing, resists the kind of staining that granite can suffer over decades, and holds up to the freeze-thaw humidity swings that Chicago basements and kitchens go through every year. Once a homeowner commits to quartz, though, the real decision starts: which white, and does the pattern justify the difference in cost. This piece walks through three specific slabs that keep showing up in Chicago renovation projects, why designers reach for them in different rooms, and what actually separates a flat white surface from one with real depth. None of this requires a design background to follow. It is mostly about paying attention to how a slab behaves under kitchen lighting, how busy the vending gets, and how it photographs versus how it looks in person. Why White Quartz Took Over Chicago Kitchens Ten years ago, granite dominated Chicago kitchen remodels almost by default. It was durable, it looked expensive, and every fabricator in the metro area carried a wide range of colors. Quartz has since taken over that position, and the shift happened faster than most contractors expected. Engineered stone gave homeowners a more predictable surface, since natural granite varies slab to slab while quartz is manufactured to a consistent pattern batch after batch. The other driver is light. Chicago winters are long and gray, and a lot of kitchens, especially in older two-flats and courtyard buildings, do not get much direct sun. A dark granite countertop in a dim kitchen can make the whole room feel smaller. White and light-toned quartz reflects what little natural light comes through the windows, and it makes a galley kitchen or a north-facing space feel noticeably brighter without touching the cabinetry or the layout. There is also a resale argument that local real estate agents bring up constantly. White quartz photographs well for listings, reads as updated and low-maintenance to buyers touring in person, and does not compete visually with whatever cabinet color the next owner might prefer. It is a safer bet than a bold veined marble look or a colored quartz that might feel dated in five years. Arctic White and the Cost Question Among the flatter, more uniform whites, arctic white quartz price comes up constantly in budget conversations because the slab sits at a more approachable point than the heavily veined Italian-marble-inspired patterns. It reads as clean and bright without the busy movement that some homeowners find overwhelming in a small kitchen. Fabricators in the Chicago area tend to keep it in stock precisely because demand stays steady across both new construction and remodel projects. Part of what keeps this slab affordable relative to its heavily patterned cousins comes down to manufacturing complexity. A quartz surface with minimal veining and a consistent white base is simpler to produce at scale than one that mimics the irregular, high-contrast movement of natural Calacatta marble. That production difference shows up directly in what a homeowner pays per square foot, and it is worth asking a fabricator to walk through that pricing before assuming every white quartz costs the same. Homeowners planning a full kitchen, including an island, backsplash, and perimeter counters, often use a flatter white like this specifically because it lets other elements carry the visual interest. A patterned tile backsplash or a bold cabinet color reads more clearly against a calm countertop than against one already fighting for attention with heavy veining. Designers frequently pair simpler whites with statement lighting fixtures for exactly this reason. What Makes Calacatta Patterns Different Calacatta refers to a family of marble originally quarried in Italy, known for a bright white background broken up by bold, often gold-toned veining that moves in thick, dramatic streaks rather than thin gray lines. Natural Calacatta marble is soft, porous, and expensive to maintain, which is exactly why quartz manufacturers spent years developing engineered versions that replicate the look without the upkeep headaches. The challenge with any Calacatta-style quartz is getting the veining to look organic instead of printed. Early generations of engineered stone struggled with repetitive patterns that gave away the fact the slab was manufactured rather than cut from actual marble. Modern digital printing and layering techniques have closed that gap considerably, and the better Calacatta-inspired quartz lines now vary the veining across each slab batch so two counters in the same kitchen do not look identical. Chicago designers gravitate toward Calacatta patterns for kitchens that function as the visual centerpiece of an open floor plan, which describes a large share of the gut renovations happening in neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, and the North Shore suburbs. When the kitchen island is visible from the living room and dining area, a dramatic veined surface becomes part of the home's overall design language rather than a purely functional work surface. Calacatta Arno Under Kitchen Lighting One of the more popular options in this category, calacatta arno quartz, balances a warm white base with soft gray and gold veining that avoids looking too stark under the cooler LED lighting common in newer Chicago builds. Homeowners touring showrooms sometimes make the mistake of judging a slab entirely under warm incandescent lighting, then get surprised when the same surface looks slightly different once installed under their kitchen's actual fixtures. What separates this particular pattern from flatter competitors is how the veining clusters rather than spreading evenly across the slab. That clustering mimics the way real quarried marble forms, with denser mineral deposits in some sections and cleaner stretches in others. Fabricators cutting a large island slab from a single piece will often orient the pattern intentionally so the busiest veining lands somewhere visually interesting rather than getting cut off at an edge. Because the background reads warmer than a stark white, this pattern tends to pair well with brass or matte gold hardware, a combination that has been showing up repeatedly in Chicago kitchen remodels over the past few renovation seasons. Cabinet painters report a similar trend, with more clients requesting warm white or greige cabinet colors specifically because they complement this kind of veined quartz better than a cooler, blue-toned white would. Silestone's Version of the Calacatta Look Manufacturers compete directly in this Calacatta-inspired category, and silestone eternal calacatta gold represents one brand's specific take on the pattern, distinguished by richer gold veining set against a brighter white base than some competing slabs in the same family. Silestone has built a reputation around anti-bacterial surface treatments in addition to the standard quartz durability, a detail some homeowners specifically ask about for kitchens used heavily by families with young children. The veining in this particular slab tends to run in longer, more continuous lines compared to the clustered pattern found in some other Calacatta-style options, which gives large island surfaces a sense of visual flow from one end to the other. Fabricators working with bigger islands, the kind increasingly common in open-concept Chicago remodels, often favor patterns like this because there is less need to worry about seams interrupting a busy, disconnected pattern. Price positioning for this slab tends to sit toward the upper end of the engineered quartz category, reflecting both the brand's manufacturing process and the complexity of replicating that continuous gold veining consistently across production batches. Homeowners weighing this option against other Calacatta-style quartz should ask their fabricator directly about batch availability, since premium patterns sometimes have longer lead times than standard stock colors. Living With Quartz Day to Day Beyond how a slab looks in a showroom or a listing photo, the daily experience of owning quartz countertops matters more once the renovation dust settles. Quartz resists scratching far better than laminate and holds up to the acidic spills, hot pans, and general abuse of an active kitchen without the sealing maintenance that natural stone requires every year or two. That low-maintenance reputation is a large part of why quartz overtook granite in the first place. Heat resistance is a detail that gets less attention than it should. While quartz handles moderate heat well, manufacturers generally recommend using a trivet or pad for very hot pots straight off the stove, since sudden temperature shock can occasionally cause stress marks in the resin binder that holds the engineered stone together. This is a minor precaution rather than a major limitation, but it is worth mentioning to anyone assuming quartz is entirely indestructible. Cleaning routines stay simple across almost every pattern in this category. A damp cloth and mild soap handle daily messes, and the nonporous surface means wine, coffee, and tomato-based sauces do not soak in the way they can with unsealed granite or marble. Homeowners moving from an older stone counter often mention how much less they worry about everyday spills once quartz is installed, which is a quality-of-life change that rarely makes it into the initial design conversation. Choosing Between the Three There is no single correct answer among these three slabs, and that is exactly why they keep coming up together in the same design conversations across Chicago renovation projects. A flatter white with minimal veining suits kitchens where other elements need to carry the visual interest, while a bolder Calacatta-inspired pattern makes sense when the countertop itself is meant to be the centerpiece of an open floor plan. Budget matters too, and it is worth having a direct conversation with a fabricator about where each option lands before falling in love with a specific slab in a showroom. Lighting, cabinet color, and how the kitchen connects to the rest of the home all play into which pattern will actually look right once installation is finished rather than just in a photo. Whatever direction a homeowner leans, seeing a full slab in person under actual kitchen lighting remains the single most useful step before signing off. Photos only go so far once the countertop is sitting in the room it will live in for years.

Photo: Stacy Allen with Mountainside Photography. Custom Cabinets: Lovewood Studio (Dave Hayes) Every drawer and cabinet in this beautiful and functional kitchen are CUSTOM with all the bells and whistles. Dinner ware organization, under-sink pull-out drawer, built-in spice rack pull out, lazy susan in pantry cabinet, pop-up mixer pull-outs, trash can pull-out over trash pull-out, utensils pull-out drawer, Keurig pull out, tray dividers in oven cabinet, 2-tier utensils pull-out over dinnerware drawer, wine rack pull-out with refrigeration, ice-maker cabinet, refrigerator over-lay panels. Countertops & Backsplash: Quartz, 3cm Cambria in "Ella" Cabinets: Base Color: Shermin Williams "Heron plum"(sw6070); brush glazed with a custom zinc colored glaze. Farm Sink & Fixtures: Kohler Pendant Lighting over Island: Model 088846 Precision Homecrafters was named Remodeler of the Year by the Alabama Home Builders Association. Since 2006, we've been recognized with over 51 Alabama remodeling awards for excellence in remodeling. Our customers find that our highly awarded team makes it easy for you to get the finished home you want and that we save them money compared to contractors with less experience.