Architect: Michelle Penn, AIA This barn home is modeled after an existing Nebraska barn in Lancaster County. Heating is by passive solar design, supplemented by a geothermal radiant floor system. Cooling uses a whole house fan and a passive air flow system. The passive system is created with the cupola, windows, transoms and passive venting for cooling, rather than a forced air system. Because fresh water is not available from a well nor county water, water will be provided by rainwater harvesting. The water will be collected from a gutter system, go into a series of nine holding tanks and then go through a water filtration system to provide drinking water for the home. A greywater system will then recycle water from the sinks and showers to be reused in the toilets. Low-flow fixtures will be used throughout the home to conserve water. Photo Credits: Jackson Studios

Large transitional l-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Example of a mid-sized classic medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed dining room design in Dallas with white walls

Becky Hulsey, Envision Virtual Tours The Lodge at Gold Mine Falls A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity Awaits…. Have you dreamed of owning your own spectacular waterfall, a serene trout pond, or a one of a kind mountain lodge filled with high end touches, all near Lake Burton? If the answer is yes…..then “The Lodge at Gold Mine Falls” is for you! Located just off HW 76 .3 miles to Anchorage Marina, this unique 2.8 acre property borders the National Forest, boasts a fully remodeled 3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2000+ square foot rock lodge that is adjacent to its own private, spectacular 60 foot waterfall all surrounded by native landscape such as rhododendron and mountain laurel. Tumbling under the 40 foot suspension bridge, the pristine, crystal clear water continues to ramble on its way to large pond ready to be stocked with trout. Picture yourself fly fishing for a trout dinner right at your front door, or delight your friends or family while entertaining on your new porch or extensive, multi-level deck that connects your new home to your own waterfall. The kids or grandkids will be entertained for hours wading in the pool at the base of the waterfall, exploring the crooks and crannies among the stream’s boulders while looking for salamanders, or panning for “fool’s gold” in the stream. Just imagine….The Lodge at Gold Mine Falls has all this and more! As you walk up the front steps to The Lodge at Gold Mine Falls, you will notice the craftsmanship of this uniquely one of a kind home made from local stone and granite from a period gone by. If you look closely at some of the stones, you will find raw garnets, some the size of a nail head. Upon opening the front door constructed of solid oak and a tasteful piece of leaded glass, you will be amazed at the spaciousness of the lodge room. Once upon a time, the 20 x 30 foot room with 10 foot ceilings was the entire home. The focal piece of the room is the new floor to ceiling field stone fireplace, hand honed solid maple mantel, rounded hearth, accentuated by a hand-cut keystone, and flanked by raw cedar columns. The new gas logs can be remotely controlled with programmable heat. A built-in floor to ceiling cherry wood wall unit, with granite serving surface, highlights a side wall and is topped off with a large piece of stained glass from an English pub. The mood lighting behind the stained glass and the antique library ladder really highlights this unique bookcase. Distinctive lighting fixtures and fans provide dining area lighting and circulation from the cool breezes off of Lake Burton. On the bottom, the solid oak 1.5 inch flooring is a remnant of the past on the top, the height of the ceilings is enhanced by double crown moldings throughout and a touch of the outdoors is brought indoors by the three new skylights. Surrounded by rustic cedar window boxes, additional ambient light streams through the four windows facing south, and the new French doors. As you open the French doors to the new porch, you are immediately struck by the sights and sound produced by the rushing water as it cascades over the spectacular multilevel waterfall. You will also notice that the mountain has literally been carved away as you view the layers and striations in the granite that surround the back of the porch. The peaked cathedral ceiling sports a glass apex and the bead board on the ceiling accentuated by the raw cedar plank framing and the five cedar trees used as cornerstones all bring the outdoors within your reach. The addition of “E-Z Breeze” vinyl windows along with the cast iron gas stove will allow you and your family to enjoy the beauty and continually changing scenery at The Lodge at Gold Mine Fall during all four seasons. Opening the Adirondack style door on the other side of the lodge room allows you to step into the Lodge’s addition built at a later date. The four foot wide hallway boasts stained glass light fixtures and an architectural feature from the new stairwell that divides the living and the bedroom spaces. Knowing that the east wall in the kitchen and study were once on the home’s exterior allowed us to investigate and reveal the true character of these walls by removing the two layers of drywall and 4 inches of plaster exposing a striking addition to both rooms…… beautiful granite rock walls. The hallway flows into the granite breakfast bar which fully complements the newly exposed granite wall. From the Viking SS refrigerator to gas Jenn Air ceramic cooktop and microwave the appliances are a chef’s delight. Lighting is a critical component in a gourmet kitchen and the light from the double window is enhanced by two spotlights over the cooking area, LED task lighting under the cabinets, mood lighting over the top cabinets, and four “Murano” hand blown glass pendant lights over the sink and bar area. Scoring points in the design category, the full wood “Thomasville” two tone glazed cabinets that are country white and palomino scream style and sophistication, and are accentuated by the cool copper glass backsplash and refined stainless steel hardware. The porcelain, two bowl farmhouse sink is large enough for your biggest pots while the stainless steel sink guards will protect it from scratches. The SS faucet is professional quality and the Insinkerator will help the chef in the house save time with instant 190 degree water. An eight foot long exposed cedar tree trunk hangs over the cooking area allowing the chef to hang his/her favorite utensils and pots or pans in full lodge style. And who wouldn’t crave a large walk in pantry with commercial grade slides that will up to 120 pounds. With all these features, the cook/cooks in the family will love spending time in this room. Across from the kitchen is a study/office area which can be closed off from the hallway by a double barn door. Except for the remarkable exposed granite rock wall mentioned earlier, the entire room has been paneled with raw cedar boards treated with Australian Tree Oil for true lodge feel. The triple crank out window provides a superb view of the pond and blazing Japanese maple trees in the fall. Outside, the hallway leads to the utility room which has been fully upgraded with all the modern amenities. The oak cabinetry with granite tops also has an extra deep sink with commercial kitchen sprayer. The sink area is surrounded by white subway tile while slate and green glass mini tile accents bring the outdoor colors inside. The doggy door, new exterior door and crank out window provide access to the back yard and additional light. From the new “Rinnai” point of use, gas hot water heater to the new “LG” full size, stackable washer and dryer, this utility room delivers. The master bedroom has four windows which provide outstanding light and air circulation. To take the chill off of nippy evenings, this bedroom also has its own romantic fireplace with travertine marble surround, remote controlled gas logs, and a beautiful antique oak and mirror mantle. To top it off, the en-suite bath contains high end fixtures, a spacious vanity, and floor to ceiling rain shower with independent valves allowing you to turn on the shower and not get wet. Multiple safety handrails and a fold down shower seat give bathers assurance and provide an additional measure of safety. The earthy color tiles, glass tile accents and hand blown light fixtures continue the lodge theme in this end of the house. Located across the hall, the guest bedroom is light and airy with its white window boxes and double crown molding, and also has an attached bathroom. This bathroom also has an entrance door leading to the hallway and doubles as the guest bathroom for the house. Its antique oak vanity and mirror, stained glass lights and wrought iron accents remind me of a past era while the vessel sink, modern fixtures, and floor to ceiling travertine and glass tile rain shower all bring the bathroom up to modern standards. Located at the end of the hallway, and next to the guest bathroom, is the handcrafted stairwell leading to the sleeping loft. The distinctive maple stair treads with their grain and raw edge being displayed, were milled locally in Clayton and then installed from underneath so that no screw or nail heads are visible. The staircase was completed with wrought iron spindles, raw cedar handrail and floor to ceiling end post. Upon your entry into the sleeping loft, you will notice the amount of light that enters through the two skylights and large window facing the pond. The sound of water rushing over the pond’s spillway is a delightful addition to this large sleeping loft. Finished with engineered hardwood flooring and two built in double beds with tree trunks for legs, the room can accommodate four additional twin beds. The sleeping loft is also equipped with a kitchenette and a distinctive cedar and rock walled bathroom. The bath features an antique dresser vanity with marble vessel sink, distinctive fixtures and a floor to ceiling polished travertine marble shower with rain head. This bathroom also has an exterior door leading to a secondary upstairs staircase in the back yard. Just envision the great sleepovers the kids or grandkids will have here or how your out of town friends or family will just love this special area designed with their comfort and needs in mind. Originally constructed in 1925 by “off Broadway” star Rose Grant, this property is rich in history. In the early years, this home was one of the first in Rabun County to generate its own electric from the waterfall. Several small cabins were also built on the property and rented out to guests who came for the waterfall, swim in the pond and connect with nature. Other notable residents were Mrs. and Doctor Fowler who was a local pediatrician. According to an aged newspaper article, Mrs. Fowler was very interested in the indigenous flora and fauna and grew a variety of native plants on the property including some that were rare or endangered. Many metal name tags still remain along the various paths on the property thus reminding you of times gone by and the true beauty of property. Lastly, this solidly built home has just been structurally solidified, become more energy efficient, and reconfigured to further usable space all while retaining the Lodge’s original charm. After removing the flooring in the kitchen, hall and both bathrooms, the home’s structure and roof were fortified with numerous concrete footers to support both bathrooms, kitchen, and stairwell walls that extend from floor to roof. To make this home more comfortable, energy efficient, and bring it up to modern standards, the electrical system was upgraded to 220 service with the wiring, outlets, electrical panels and fixtures replaced throughout the entire home. A whole house surge protector was also installed to protect against damage that may occur with lightning strikes. Speaking of electric…..the pond’s newly poured formed concrete wall contains a pipe enabling you to install your own hydro-electric system. And whether you might decide to tie into the grid or store you energy in a battery system, you could generate your own electric 24/7. The homes plumbing was also replaced with new pipes, energy/water efficient fixtures in each bathroom (including three Toto toilets), and a new cistern was installed behind the garage with a laboratory grade water filtration system. The task of water heating was completed by a gas Rinnai point of use hot water heater in the utility room and all windows were replaced with Anderson thermal pane and 6 Velux skylights were mounted to bring the outdoors inside. The home’s HVAC system was top of the line several years ago and both sets of new gas logs are controlled with remotes. Formerly a summer home, all exterior walls were studded out with insulation added, and whole house fans were installed in the attic and upstairs bathroom. Although many of these upgrades may not be visible, they allow the home to be more energy efficient and more comfortable……allowing The Lodge at Gold Mine Falls to become your four season retreat.

This home’s kitchen isn’t large and needed to somehow hold a mudroom area as the detached garage enters into the space. I carefully planned out all storage needs and we were able to add a wide, double door cabinet closet by the back door. The upper area holds coats and clutter. The lower doors have hooks and boot trays for backpacks and shoes. Paneling the Subzero fridge helps with softening the weight of the large appliance, as does the panel on the dishwasher. Little details like the skirt on the toe area and the beautiful hood and island posts make this smaller work space truly special!

Photo by Doug Peterson Photography
Shed - craftsman shed idea in Boise

Custom Pebble Water Feature - Marco Island, FL
Example of a trendy entryway design in Miami

This masterfully appointed kitchen is both beautiful and functional. The large center island has room for seating, storage, open book shelving and wine display. The kitchen is complete with abundant natural light streaming in from the large window, the LRD can lighting, modern mini pendant lights, and under cabinet LED strip lighting. The white and grey quartz gives the beauty and elegance of marble, without any of the maintenance. The polished grey porcelain floor is the perfect anchor point to the dark cherry cabinets. The glass and stone blend for the back splash brings just enough movement and color into this upscale space.

John Reed Forsman
Inspiration for a coastal kitchen remodel in Minneapolis

A updated farmhouse look done with gray lower cabinets and white uppers. Capture.Create Photography
Example of a mid-sized farmhouse galley medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Located at the Toll Brothers Model Homes the Enclave at Yorba Linda. Toll Brothers envisioned a raised overflow pool with glass walls, allowing guests to see underwater from the outside. Extensive care was taken during the difficult design and build process to ensure that excellence was achieved and Toll Brothers was completely enamored with the results. This pool features a very modern look with straight, clean lines, square columns and LED lights accenting the acrylic pool walls. The bar area touts an acrylic wall and in-pool bar stools, while the tile inside the pool matches the house, bringing continuity to the entire space. An extreme amount of coordination was required for the 2.5 inch thick pieces of acrylic to fit perfectly within the slots on the columns while still maintaining the structural integrity of the pool. We were in continual communication with the structural engineer and acrylic manufacturer, ensuring that each piece fit perfectly. The completed acrylic walls were then craned over the house due to their weight. With a vanishing edge on the front three sections and a negative edge along the back, it was absolutely imperative that the pool was perfectly level and that the water filtration system operated perfectly so that the flow was even over each wall. The water cascading over the front walls collects in a trough that ties into to the rear negative edge basin, where it recirculates back into the pool. The rear negative edge was designed so as not to distract from the breathtaking view of the valley below, while the lounging deck overhangs the pool with a freestanding cover ensuring that the view is completely unobstructed. An elegant piece of artwork frames the back of the pool, completing the look for this intriguing swimming pool.

Tom Marks Photography
Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in Seattle

Basement support post wood molding detail. Home built by Rembrandt Construction, Inc - Traverse City, Michigan 231.645.7200 www.rembrandtconstruction.com . Photos by George DeGorski

Inspiration for a mid-century modern kitchen remodel in San Diego

Italian custom cabinetry and sleek black glass appliances create a distinctive look in this kitchen. The Jenn-Air® Floating Glass series offers a glossy alternative to stainless steel. Like the dishwashe and its powerful Trifecta™ Wash System. It features three stages of filtration and dual wash zones and is wonderfully quiet as it cleans, with noise levels as low as 40 decibels. Kitchen designed by Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, ASID, CAPS.

Tom Marks Photography
Example of a classic kitchen design in Seattle

Kitchen - northwest view with new enlarged window openings
Inspiration for a timeless l-shaped eat-in kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls, we install ponds, water features and low maintenance water gardens. Renovation, Repair and Maintenance are our specialties. Check out our website http://www.acornponds.com and give us a call 585.442.6373. Ecosystem Pond Maintenace, Spring Pond or Water Garden Maintenance. Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Rochester, Monroe County NY. 585-442-6373 Contact us now to get on our spring pond maintenance schedule, or Please click here: http://www.acornponds.com/spring-maintenance.html Spring Pond Maintenance, what should water garden and pond owners be doing in the spring? In general it is alway a good idea to do a complete pond clean out in the spring. Here in Monroe County, Rochester NY the winters can be harsh and we recommend to shut down the pond so there are no surprises in the spring. Early spring is the best time to perform your pond clean out ( before the beneficial bacteria become re-established). Once completed, you can enjoy your pond for the rest of the season with very little maintenance. Keep your pond looking good and your fish healthy with regular pond clean out and maintenance in the spring. First, drain the pond down to a few inches and pump some of the water into a storage tank for the fish. Now, we can catch the fish more easily, place them in the tank and cover them up. Next, drain the pond down completely and remove all solids such as leaves and twigs. Take out all the filter media in the biofalls and skimmer. Once removed we then shop-vac out the biofalls and skimmer. Pond Maintenance NY, Water Feature Maintenance, Pond Algae, Green Water Solutions Monroe County Rochester NY Pond Maintenance NY, Pond Cleaning NY, Koi and Fish Pond Cleaning and Maintenance NY by Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls of Rochester NY in, NY, Install Pond Skimmer, Install Pond Biofalls, Rochester NY, New York, Pond cleaning service Rochester NY, clean out ponds Rochester NY, Water Feature Service Rochester NY, algae control Rochester NY. Algae problems, algae solutions, Fixing Algae in Fish Ponds, Water features NY, Service NY, Power wash landscape ponds Rochester NY, New York Pond Maintenance Rochester NY, Pond washing Rochester NY, Waterfalls Rochester NY, Ponds Rochester NY, pond design in Rochester NY, water garden service Rochester NY, backyard pond maintenance Rochester NY, pond Rochester NY, Water Garden Feature service Rochester NY, waterfall Rochester NY, Pond construction Rochester NY, pond installation Rochester NY, Pondless waterfalls Rochester NY, pond building or Replace Rochester NY, landscape ponds Rochester NY, pond plants Rochester NY, pond ecosystem Rochester NY, pond filtration Rochester NY, Pond Fish Rochester NY, koi ponds Rochester NY, pond less waterfalls, pond waterfalls, watergarden design in Fairport, Webster, Brighton, Spencerport, Pittsford, Repair or Repairs Rochester NY. Fix or Fixes Rochester NY, Re-do Rochester NY, Henrietta NY, Victor, Greece, Gates, East Rochester, Penfield, Pond less waterfalls Rochester NY Monroe County, Rain Water Collection Systems Rochester NY, Permeable Pavers Rochester NY, Rain Water Harvest Systems Rochester NY, Sustainable Gardens Rochester NY, Certified Aquascape Contractor of New York, Pond Designer

Example of a large classic u-shaped dark wood floor enclosed kitchen design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island