This Boulder, Colorado remodel by fuentesdesign demonstrates the possibility of renewal in American suburbs, and Passive House design principles. Once an inefficient single story 1,000 square-foot ranch house with a forced air furnace, has been transformed into a two-story, solar powered 2500 square-foot three bedroom home ready for the next generation. The new design for the home is modern with a sustainable theme, incorporating a palette of natural materials including; reclaimed wood finishes, FSC-certified pine Zola windows and doors, and natural earth and lime plasters that soften the interior and crisp contemporary exterior with a flavor of the west. A Ninety-percent efficient energy recovery fresh air ventilation system provides constant filtered fresh air to every room. The existing interior brick was removed and replaced with insulation. The remaining heating and cooling loads are easily met with the highest degree of comfort via a mini-split heat pump, the peak heat load has been cut by a factor of 4, despite the house doubling in size. During the coldest part of the Colorado winter, a wood stove for ambiance and low carbon back up heat creates a special place in both the living and kitchen area, and upstairs loft. This ultra energy efficient home relies on extremely high levels of insulation, air-tight detailing and construction, and the implementation of high performance, custom made European windows and doors by Zola Windows. Zola’s ThermoPlus Clad line, which boasts R-11 triple glazing and is thermally broken with a layer of patented German Purenit®, was selected for the project. These windows also provide a seamless indoor/outdoor connection, with 9′ wide folding doors from the dining area and a matching 9′ wide custom countertop folding window that opens the kitchen up to a grassy court where mature trees provide shade and extend the living space during the summer months. With air-tight construction, this home meets the Passive House Retrofit (EnerPHit) air-tightness standard of

After six years of living in their Huntley IL home, Chris and Meghan were tired of their dark, dingy, outdated kitchen and it was finally time for a long-anticipated change. “The kitchen is the place where we live, it’s where we do everything,” Meghan said. “It was important that it be a space where we wanted to be.” Meghan loves cooking and enjoys including their girls in healthy meal prepping, this led them to want a brighter, more enjoyable kitchen with increased functionality and improved storage. For Chris especially, the laundry room was an entirely dysfunctional eyesore. “We had a washer and a dryer, but it was all kind-of cobbled together!” Chris said. “There were always laundry piles everywhere, we weren’t really sure what we wanted to do in there, but it was time for us to make a change.” The mess of the space was stressful every time they walked in the door from the garage each day. Kids’ backpacks and shoes piled up haphazardly in the makeshift boot-bench closet left the family feeling disorganized and stressed. They needed space for folding clothes and locker cubbies to help keep the family organized. Having known Christine and Todd in the Huntley community for years, Chris and Meghan were familiar with their work. “We already trusted them personally and having seen their projects for years we knew they did top notch work. After we reviewed the initial round of designs, we knew that hiring them was definitely the right choice,” Meghan and Chris said. Although Chris had done a lot of work in their home himself, the kitchen and laundry room renovation was such a large undertaking that he didn’t want to steal time away from his family to spend what would surely be many long weekends doing the job himself. “That would not have been a wise choice for us,” Chris laughed. “Our designer, Michelle was very, very, easy to work with; anything we wanted to see or weren’t sure about, she went above and beyond to make this easy for us. She was easy to get hold of and always quick to respond,” the couple said. Michelle pulled ideas that mirrored the couple’s taste and style and was adept at directing the couple to limited choices that didn’t overwhelm them and kept the process moving. “I have a hard time making decisions. Michelle made the decision-making process so easy. I loved how she listened to what I liked and then presented three great options for me to choose from,” Meghan said. The main objectives for the kitchen were better storage solutions, they wanted the space to reflect their lifestyle and taste, and they wanted it to last for years with low maintenance. One of the first steps in creating a more functional kitchen was relocating the refrigerator, creating an improved workflow for the busy family. “We didn’t know that we could even move the refrigerator to a new location where it is now, that was something that we never would have thought of,” Chris said. “The new refrigerator location makes the kitchen feel so much bigger. We didn’t add any space, but our whole kitchen with the new design just seems like it’s so much larger than before!” Meghan said. The perimeter mist colored cabinets helped warm and brighten the entire room, while the graphite colored cabinets on the island added contrast. Using this fresh, clean color palette satisfied the couple’s desire for a bright space that was the exact opposite of what they had before. Organization accessories were also added to the cabinets such as a spice drawer tray and roll outs to create hidden convenience. “I absolutely love the hidden spices – it makes cooking so much more enjoyable!” Chris said. “And all the pull outs, and the double trash bin, who would think you could get so excited about organization!” the couple said in unison. One thing they hated in their original kitchen was how dark the space felt. Added lighting on the ceiling with the new light fixtures combined with the lighter cabinetry colors throughout solved this problem. “Our new kitchen has this warm, almost cozy feeling that our old kitchen never had, it’s just a space that I love spending my time in now,” Meghan said. The light airy feeling was accentuated with the use of floating white shelves on either side of the decorative range hood. “We have so much cabinetry space, the new design is amazing we actually have more storage space than we will ever need,” Meghan said. The island was extended to create more work surface and added space for stool seating. “The new island changes how we live. Now the kids can be in the kitchen with us, doing homework, eating breakfast, and the three of us have special dinners there when Chris is working late,” Meghan said. The Carrara Marmi Quartz countertops were chosen because they are, not only beautiful, but are made from hard-working material that doesn’t require maintenance. The white subway tile backsplash that wraps to the ceiling behind the focal point cooktop range/hood compliments the crisp white countertops perfectly, while brushed brass hardware and light fixtures keep the design fresh and new. The couple had a few fears at the beginning of the project, as most homeowners do. Their biggest fear was being out of their kitchen and laundry room for an extended time. The crew made it very easy for the family to work in a limited space keeping the washer and dryer hooked up the majority of the time, and also getting appliances working with minimal downtime. “They above and beyond accommodated us to get us through the process,” Meghan said. “They did a great job making sure we were as comfortable as possible throughout the process,” Chris added. “Our project manager DJ did a great job. He was very good at updating us on schedule changes, getting guys in as quickly as possible. Everyone that stepped in the house was nice and did great work,” said Chris. They thought Advance’s carpenter was phenomenal and were impressed when he took a conceptual idea from a photograph and worked with designer Michelle to create a one of a kind range/hood that has become the topic of conversation with friends and family who visit the new kitchen. “He was in our house literally every day for several weeks. He was easy to work with and good at what he did,” Meghan and Chris said. The focal point of the kitchen; a hand-crafted, custom-built ventilation hood was clad with handpicked reclaimed barnwood. Advance Design’s carpenter built the framework and the cladding to create a one-of-a-kind design element that the couple loves. “I think it was especially fun for him to create something unique from scratch, showcasing his talent in this area,” Meghan said. “I love that my kitchen is not like everyone else’s. I got to pick out the wood on my hood and watch it being built and was able to choose what pieces of wood went where on it. It’s totally unique.” Red Oak flooring was toothed-in throughout the kitchen and the rest of the first floor anywhere changes were made. Then the whole floor was refinished to tone down the orange undertones in the existing floor stain, ultimately changing the color complexion of the entire first floor. The result is a completely new feeling to the entire home. Renovating the laundry room was extremely important to Meghan and Chris, but they had trouble visualizing what the possibilities were for the seemingly small space. Michelle produced beautiful 3D illustrations that helped them envision the space in a whole new way. “I must have told Michelle 100 times that I am a visual person, seeing the designs in 3D made it so easy to make decisions and see what we could really do with our space,” Meghan said. A dividing wall and doorway were removed between the existing laundry room and hallway formerly containing a coat closet, providing space to design specialized graphite colored cabinetry matching the kitchen island to house custom storage cubbies for each family member. Adding the tall utility cabinetry in the new laundry area helped solve the storage issue, tucking away cleaning supplies, household items, and even the cat got its own cubby. “I love how everything is now hidden in its own space. I can’t tell you how much I hated coming home and seeing everything sitting around on counters,” Chris said. Electrical outlets were planned for the inside of utility cabinets, so devices could charge in hidden locations. Stacking the washer and dryer allowed for wider countertop space to provide a folding area and a special space for clothes to hang. “The way I do laundry has been completely transformed! I can actually fold clothes and hang them now right out of the washer and dryer,” Meghan said. “The end result in the kitchen and the laundry/mud room was an updated light and bright space, with a smarter work flow that better meets the needs of this family,” Michelle said. “I would totally recommend Advance Design,” Meghan said. “Sometimes I sit and just look at my kitchen and laundry room and think ‘Wow, I can’t believe I get to live here!’ It’s an understatement to say we love our new space.”

This home testament to one of the most elegant applications of home technology we've done. The colors and textures in this home made of steel, stone and wood are breathtaking! You literally have to search high and low for drywall. It takes extreme respect for the space, the design and the overall aesthetics of a home like this to weave any technology into it.

The focus of Alpha Builders Group is on building the best quality new homes with the most energy efficient and luxurious finishes we can find so that we can offer the best home possible to our homebuyers. It is something we passionately believe in just as much as we believe in providing a home that can be considered the best home our homebuyers can and will ever buy. Our homeowners know this, especially during winter cold snaps or the summer heat where the energy bills stay low despite the extreme temperatures. Modern-Homes-on-Tillery-Street-Austin-Texas-108_Unit_1_Living_area Energy efficiency is a top priority for us starting with providing the best quality highest efficient insulation to help lower electric bills. Every home we build at Alpha Builders Group has the added insulation within the home with spray foam on every inner wall and under every stairway to help secure the home as well as keep noise from travelling within the home. The control of each room’s environment is an additional bonus to help guarantee climate controls throughout the home through the use of spray foam to insulate every room. Share your thoughts with us or Contact one of our representatives for more information about our new homes or to remodel your home and we’ll get right on it with the best in European Craftsmanship and highest quality products and finishes.

2pcs fashion rattan wicker sofa Furniture set will be perfect for outdoor garden, backyard, patio and any other outdoor areas. Featured lightweight but strong rattan wicker and sturdy frame, this combo ensures long-term use. The PE rattan wicker is waterproof and UV-resistant, enabling it to withstand changeable weather. However, extra protection may be needed for some extreme weather conditions. The sleek sponge cushions will adorn your outdoor area. This rattan sofa set is your great companion to improve your quality of life. Features: -Made of high quality PE rattan wicker and steel frame -Lightweight yet durable and quality construction -Excellent hand-weaving technique with fashionable design, sleek and modern -Weatherproof rattan wicker, waterproof and UV resistant -Rattan seat board have corner stiffener for extra support and stability. -Breathable seat cushions add comfort and removable cushion covers are easy to rinse -Perfect for patio, pool side, backyard or other outdoor setting -Sofas can be combined freely according to your interest -Modern and stylish design fits perfectly with any outdoor décor -Assembly Required Specification: -Rattan Color: Black -Cushion Color: Picture Color -Cushion Fabric: polyester fabric and sponge padded -Corner Sofa Size (overall): 29.5" W×29.5"D×24.8" H -Seat Cushion: 25.6” x 25.6” x 3.9” (L x D x Thickness) -Back Cushion: 25.6” x 15.7” x 3.9” (L x D x Thickness) -Arm Rest Cushion: 21.7” x 13.8” x 3.9” (L x D x Thickness) -Weight Capacity for Each Seat: 265 lbs -Rattan: PE -Assembly required Set includes: -2×corner sofa -2×seat cushions -2×back cushions -2× armrest cushions

Thedo Remmelink, a Dutch native, competed in the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics in snowboarding. He moved to Steamboat Springs in order to coach snowboarding for the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. Thedo is the type of person whom you are thankful that the client carries the torch. Our goal of this project was to design a sustainable home. We chose straw bale as the primary material because of its high R-value (tested at R-40 to 45), its ability to resist high winds, it’s attribute of acting as a thermal tempering mass and it’s thick old world feel. The S.I.P.’s (Structural Insulated Panels) in the roof have an R-Value of 49. The home also utilizes passive solar, most of the glazing faces south and southeast. The concrete slab and the central heating element provide the mass to store the solar heat. The concrete slab contains radiant heating. However, the radiant heat is designed to be at a very low consistent temperature. The central heating element is used for task heating. The kitchen and dining side of this heating element is gas, and the living room side contains a highly efficient wood stove. In addition to our primary goal of creating a sustainable home, it was also extremely important to create a design that reflects Thedo’s personality and a house that settles into the open valley. The upper curves reflect the surrounding hills. The half level change at the master bedroom along with the cross-axial plan creates spatial flow directly informed by the site’s change in elevation, solar aspect, and the views to the north and south to the Elk River Valley. The use of logs for the structure juxtapose the high tech energy efficient lighting and the 18 inch thick straw bale walls contrast the precisely cut stone and metal rails. Through these contrasting elements one realizes the permanence as well as the ethereal nature of home.

“Remodel for the Neighbors” Judkins Park Project featured on “Renovation Nation” television show Description House lift and wholesale remodel of a structure that everyone called a teardown. This is one of four homes built in 1908, in an area where townhomes are on the march, and cottages on the way out. Challenge Everything in the house was ruined. On the outside the asbestos siding was crumbling, and the back addition was turning into a nurse log. There were rickety wooden stairs to get down to the back yard, disconnecting the main living space from the yard. Inside the kitchen floor was extremely weak and rainwater was sheeting down one wall. Inspiration We loved the history of the house and wanted to preserve the fabric of the neighborhood. There was great proportion to house. It had great structural bones with a box ceiling and beautiful inlaid floor. This was a move that you make from the heart, and it drove our decisions. Solution + Innovation We honored the spirit of the historic house, but added modern elements that fit the character, kept the relationship to the street, and the integrity to the other houses in the row. We lifted the house and built a full-height ICF insulated concrete form basement, then set it back down. We built an addition to achieve an interior staircase to connect the upstairs living space with the back yard which only added 8.5 feet in length to the house. We also created a hydronic heating system in the wood floor, making this a low load hydronic house. How is it sustainable? We didn’t tear down the house and instead made the best of what we had to work with. We recycled wood and used forest salvaged wood for the cabinets. We repurposed a laboratory sink as a bath tub, and made stairs out of Garfield High School bleachers that we salvaged from another project. The overall energy usage is exceptional. We skinned the outside with insulation before the new siding went back on. We added solar, best in class windows, and LED lighting throughout. The entire 2200 square foot house uses one 50-gallon water tank, and the house is heated with this one tank.

Very poor-quality fabrics 

Beautiful design, but very disappointing product quality and customer service I purchased Mika outdoor sectional sofas in 2022 (Order #1599844). By 2024, despite meticulous care (stored indoors every winter), the seating already shows 5 tears. The fabric is of questionable quality—worse than that of some low-end outdoor furniture. A tiny hole quickly grows and becomes impossible to control… I reported the issue to customer service, but no solution was offered. It’s even impossible to purchase matching fabric to reupholster the seats. I recommend avoiding this product, or at the very least—if you're willing to take the risk—covering it with protective covers after each use, as the fabric is extremely fragile.

This ProVia fiberglass door with privacy glass & sidelites proved to be the perfect fit for the home of our client, Keith. ProVia fiberglass doors imitate the look of wood while offering an insulated core and weather-stripping. They are incredibly low-maintenance and won’t rust, rot or deteriorate; this makes them an excellent choice for extreme climates.

By adding the Opera sectional sofa to your living space you'll enhance your home's decor because this piece of modern furniture takes stylish design to a whole new level. Everyone who visits you will end up asking you where you got it. The Opera is custom made and crafted by the world-renowned Spanish manufacturer Famaliving. The combination of round and straight pieces offer a contemporary unique look that is truly one of a kind. This sofa can come upholstered in a variety of colored and patterned fabrics, including leather. The frame of the Opera is crafted from pine wood and MDF materials making it extremely durable. All Fama products use a webbing system for suspension and support instead of the old spring design that will sag over time. Attached to the bottom of the sofa are chrome-finished metal or black-finished wooden leg supports that allow the sofa to maintain its low profile design. Dimensions: Customizable We deliver Nationwide! Visit our showroom at: Famaliving San Diego 401 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 Questions? Ready to purchase? Tel. 1-619-900-7674 sandiego@famaliving.com

The corten house demonstrates how jurisdictionally imposed restraints can create hardships which (no matter how intimidating) cannot, however, deny a property owner their legally established right-to-build and, subsequently, the corten house demonstrates how those hardships, through proper planning and perseverance, can be overcome. For the McLendon Av. house, the true challenge became how to build responsibly, economically and sustainably on an extremely difficult site. The streets of the neighborhood were originally surveyed as a few separate developments and were incorporated into the City of Atlanta one by one in the 1910’s. Although some developers built groups of houses, much of Lake Claire was sold as empty lots, with individuals constructing their own homes. The neighborhood of approximately 1,200 homes is, thus, an eclectic mix from Victorian to Tudor revival to more modern periods (Craftsman bungalows, 1950s salt box cottages, mid-century ranch styles, contemporary folk styles). Given the neighborhood’s unique character, the McLendon house was introduced to the site while maintaining and then restoring as much of the native ecological habitat as possible. For example, the site’s tree frogs and stream’s bullfrogs happily remain.

The Arcadia Louvered Roof enhances the beauty of any style home and provides the flexibility of having an open roof when the weather is good or a solid roof to keep the rain off your patio when the weather turns bad. Eco-friendly Construction The Arcadia system is made up of recycled aluminum making it an extremely Green product. It is also eco-friendly, helping consumers save on passive solar heating and cooling. We Think Green Arcadia is proud to continue the company's tradition with its approach to Environmental Innovation. From the choice of lightweight materials and lean production methods to the efficiency of its drive system and designs, Arcadia is committed to operating as a more sustainable business and reducing its overall environmental impact. High-quality Building Materials Each Arcadia system is a work of art, constructed with care and attention to every little detail. Our system is powered coated, extruded aluminum with stainless steel components giving us the most durable louvered roof on the market today. From our superior drive system, which is UL & CE certified, down to the stainless steel tex screws that secures the system together. Nothing but the best! Our low-maintenance components eliminate painting, staining, and waterproofing of traditional shading structures. Using powder-coated aluminum construction prevents warping, cracking, and corrosion. Photographed by: Roger Chafin

Furthermore, VDom Doors insulate your home from extreme weather conditions, as well as unwanted animals, insects, and dust from entering. This technology makes it possible to protect the front door from condensation and ice formation. A thermal break is a layer of material with low thermal conductivity. For the correct operation of the door, it must be located between the outer and inner sides of the leaf and the frame, thereby excluding the contact of the metal parts with each other. This technology prevents the door from freezing, preserving its properties and impeccable appearance for many years. The two-tone painting ofthe door leaf and the frame makes it possible to select colours separately for interior and exterior decoration, which gives the door a complete look and makes it possible to create a harmonious image in the interior and exterior. All models of this collection are made with a frame made of aluminum. The external framework and internal power framework of the frame do not touch in any way, because they are interconnected by a polyamide insert (thermal break) 18 mm thick, which guarantees maximum thermal insulation performance. The door leaf ofthis series is made of two sheets of metal 1 mm thick. A reliable two-layer design with a thermal insulation layer and expanded polystyrene filling guarantees reliability. durability, and the best indicators of heat and noise insulation of the door. Model - 6777 Cynex Color - Black Door thickness - 3 1/4" Frame thickness - 4" Metal frame 4" thick - dimensions of the door with frame is 34" x 82". Metal threshold. Plate-type, primary lock for armoured type of steel doors, locked by 3 key turns To maintain the warranty, a canopy is required over the door.

Location: Eugene, OR, USA A complete overhaul was in order for this dated kitchen. Despite the sunny yellow walls, this kitchen felt dark and dated. The dividing wall above the counter separating the kitchen from the dining room made the ceilings feel low, and cut the room in half, as did the soffits above the cabinets. The small amount of track lighting did nothing to brighten the space or provide adequate task lighting while cooking. In order to update this space, the kitchen was essentially gutted. Gone are the soffits – replaced with locally sourced solid wood and formaldehyde free plywood cabinets in a light finish, that reach the ceiling. The partial wall between the kitchen and the dining room was removed, opening the space up for task lighting above the bar, where two new modern barstools were placed. The paneling on the walls was removed, and replaced with tile in gray, green, and blue tones, featuring small flecks of brown that pick up on the color of the countertops. The counters themselves are Paperstone – made of recycled paper and resin, making them extremely eco-friendly and non-toxic. Small details such as live edge wood shelves featuring colorful vases, and staggered tile descending down the wall create a fun definition between the kitchen and dining room areas. The fluted edging that finishes off the countertop extending over the eat in bar area adds personality to the space, and also highlights the built in shelving for cookbooks below. By creating the shape and look of a rug, using the Marmoleum flooring, the dining room achieved a beautiful focal point. Delano Designs

Looking for stylish privacy that lasts for 20+ years? Aluminum fence installation is the solution you need! Homeowners and property owners in Pittsburgh, PA continue to choose aluminum fence installation because it’s low-maintenance, sleek, and affordable. The residential and commercial aluminum fencing that we install not only looks lovely but functions exceedingly well, too. The fence panels are powder coated with extreme attention to detail to help prevent chipping, scratching, and fading.

When our clients purchased a new home, the existing wood deck was in extremely bad shape and unsafe. Low-maintenance materials were a "must-have" for them, so we used Deckorators Voyage Tundra with a double picture frame and divider boards in the much darker Deckorators Dark Slate. The railing is a Fortress Fe26 panel system in Black Sand with 3" posts and flat pyramid post caps. Five of the caps are lighted using a non-dimmable transformer.

Designed landscape to be lower maintenance, Florida-friendly, using transplants and site-appropriate plants for a wet, sloped yard. Client needed place for raised garden boxes and a purpose to walk through extremely small back yard. Teresa Watkins

The low profile design of the Moma casual table and puff stool is excellent for casual dining and relaxing. The table has an irregular shaped top with a recessed area for storage, ice or a plant. The poof stool is oval shaped with an indentation for sitting. The table and poof are made of rotationally molded of 100% recyclable polyethylene and resistant to extreme heat, cold and UV. Available with a matte or high gloss lacquer finish in several colors. The collection is also available in an illuminated fluorescent or LED lighted version. The fluorescent displays only white light while the LED can display white, red, green, blue, light blue, pink or yellow. The finish is white when not lighted. Uses 120V current and comes with a 10' cord. Remote control is included.

The Pearl is a tropical contemporary home, located in the Oyster Bay area of Sarasota. The temperature of the lamps used in the landscape lighting system was extremely important in highlighting the home’s beautiful woodwork in the main entrance. It also helped accentuate its backyard ambience. Photo Credits : Ryan Gamma