Lisa Kessler
Photo of a rustic landscaping in Boston.

The Johnson-Thompson House, built c. 1750, has the distinct title as being the oldest structure in Winchester. Many alterations were made over the years to keep up with the times, but most recently it had the great fortune to get just the right family who appreciated and capitalized on its legacy. From the newly installed pine floors with cut, hand driven nails to the authentic rustic plaster walls, to the original timber frame, this 300 year old Georgian farmhouse is a masterpiece of old and new. Together with the homeowners and Cummings Architects, Windhill Builders embarked on a journey to salvage all of the best from this home and recreate what had been lost over time. To celebrate its history and the stories within, rooms and details were preserved where possible, woodwork and paint colors painstakingly matched and blended; the hall and parlor refurbished; the three run open string staircase lovingly restored; and details like an authentic front door with period hinges masterfully created. To accommodate its modern day family an addition was constructed to house a brand new, farmhouse style kitchen with an oversized island topped with reclaimed oak and a unique backsplash fashioned out of brick that was sourced from the home itself. Bathrooms were added and upgraded, including a spa-like retreat in the master bath, but include features like a claw foot tub, a niche with exposed brick and a magnificent barn door, as nods to the past. This renovation is one for the history books! Eric Roth

The tiles shown in the photographs below are classic distressed Black and White Italian Marble installed in the kitchen of a property in Bamber Bridge which is South of Preston. Some of the tiles had an issue with loose grout which I suspect was due to the suspended wooden floor and a small amount of movement had resulted in the grout cracking. Ideally more support would be needed under the floor to prevent this, in the meantime however I recommended removing the grout and replacing with a flexible grout product that could cope with the movement. The tiles also needed a clean, polish and reseal so it made sense to address the issue with the grout as part of the work. Working as a two-man team we started by cleaning the floor with a set of diamond burnishing pads starting with a coarse 400-grit, followed by 800 and 1500 grit. Water was used to lubricate the process and the floor was rinsed with water between pads with the fine slurry generated by the process extracted using a wet vacuum. These pads remove ingrained dirt and then slowly refine the appearance of the Marble building up its polished appearance in the process. The next step was to rake out all the grout which as discussed was compromised and needed replacing. We had to be very careful when removing the grout due to the electric heating mat under the floor, any damage to that would require ripping the floor up. With the old grout removed and the floor cleaned the floor was then grouted using Mapei Ultra-colour which is a flexible and fully waterproof grout more than suitable for this situation. Between us we managed to pack a lot into day one which was tough, however with the hardest tasks out of the way day two should be a lot easier. Day two started with an initial clean making sure to remove any excess grout smeared on the surface that can affect the look of the tile if not removed. This was followed by the application of the last of the set of burnishing pads which is a 3,000-grit pad that really brings up the polish on the marble. You only need a small amount of water sprayed onto the floor when applying this last pad so by late morning the floor was dry and ready for sealing. The customer wanted a better sheen appearance than they previously had, fortunately we find the Diamond burnishing pads do this well, they also tighten up the pores of the stone as well which means less sealer is needed. The floor was then sealed with Tile Doctor Colour Grow which is an impregnating sealer that improves colour and soaks into the stone occupying the pores and thereby preventing dirt from becoming ingrained. Once complete the floor looked great and the client was very happy. Sealers and Polish do wear down with use over time so before leaving I discussed our annual maintenance plan option which will ensure the appearance of the Marble floor always looks good. The plan involves returning once a year to further polish the floor with a high-grade burnishing pad and to add more sealer if required. We also discussed the use of Tile Doctor Stone Soap for regular cleaning, it is a pH neutral cleaner which is ideal for stone floors like Marble which are acid sensitive. Russell Taylor Lancashire Tile Doctor

Updated Spec Home: Basement Living Area I promised you there would be a Season 2 of our series Updated Spec Home and here it is – Basement Family Room. My mom and sister found themselves spending more and more time in this room because it was a great open space to watch television and hang out with my sister’s two border collies. Color Scheme We pulled our color scheme from a floral fabric that they saw on a chair at my store, and we used it to reupholster their existing wood accent chairs. We used pops of turquoise and green throughout the space including the long back wall which was perfect to make a feature with this vibrant wallpaper in a geometric design. Defining the Space The room was so large that we needed to define different areas. The large rug in the oversized pattern was perfect for the seating area. Lighting Since there is only one small window bringing natural light into the space, we painted the remaining walls a light warm gray (Sherwin Williams’ City Loft SW7631) and added several table lamps and a floor lamp for task lighting. Reusing Existing Furniture Fortunately the space was large enough so my sister could keep her fabulous worn leather chair and ottoman and my mom could have an upholstered chair and ottoman in a subtle blue and green tweed. The large hallway leading to the storage area was the perfect place for these small bookcases which house family photos in various silver frames. The bookcases have a special place in our hearts – they belonged to my grandparents. We accessorized with a long painted box which was the perfect scale for the bookcases and a grouping of vibrant botanical prints. In lieu of a conventional media cabinet, my mom and sister found this one with a built-in fireplace. It brings a lot of warmth into the space – literally! Painted Furniture We had Kelly Sisler of Kelly Faux Creations paint their existing glass front cabinet this awesome apple green. Accessories include turquoise floral vases, a metallic circular vase, and a beautiful floral print. Reading Nook We positioned this original oil painting in the landing so it would be visible from the seating area. The landing was the perfect spot to display my sister’s collection of art glass. I love the small reading nook created with this rattan wooden accent chair and lantern floor lamp. We were able to make good use of the ledge in the stairwell by leaning these vibrant watercolors. The dogs even have their own space. Meet my two “nephews” – Dill and Atticus (the one with his back to us pouting). We used this colorful oversized canvas to define their space and break up the long wall. As you know, one good thing leads to another. Be sure to tune in next week for a surprise addition to this Updated Spec Home. In the meantime, check out this Basement Family Room designed by Robin’s Nest Interiors. Enjoy!

These Arlington homeowners loved their home and location but with a growing family, knew that they needed to add space to be able to live comfortably for the long-term. Fortunately, they had the yard space to add on a family/rec room addition and screened porch along with taking some of that space for an expanded, eat-in kitchen with floating shelves, a large island, and many other beautiful selections.

“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” - Henry Ford It’s no secret that one big reason for Jacobson Construction’s success is because of our people. I’ve always hired the best people who work together as a team while respecting our customers. These are real professionals who work together and get the job done. Sean, our project leader, has been with me since 1995, and my electrician has been with me even longer. Many of my current staff have been with me for over 15 years. I am fortunate to have these skilled professionals working with me. The addition is coming along. There’s a hole in the kitchen where there used to be a supporting wall. Framing’s done in the basement, and a gas fireplace is ready to be installed. The second-floor dormers are framed, and all of our windows have been delivered. Now that it’s taking shape, looks like one of our new favorite spaces will be the new second-floor bedroom. Because it’s adjacent to the master suite it could make an ideal nursery and add value to my home. Paying for things you can’t see is hard. For example, putting on a new roof is expensive, and because you can’t see it this seems like an even bigger expense. What you can’t see on this addition is how much effort is made in securely tying the addition to the existing home – originally built in 1936. We needed to support part of the old roof and all the new roof with stacked support posts. To do that we installed 3 stacked posts to carry the load from new footings in the basement to the beam three stories up. The red marked beam in the photo at the top of the page is supported by footings three stories below, halfway into the existing home. We also physically connected the new addition with beams that extend halfway into the current home.

This North Shore of Boston client wanted to make a change; she decided to purchase a seaside antique home and was up for the challenge to re-design and remodel. Her plan involved re-locating her mother from Florida to the newly added wing of the house when the remodel was in full swing. We believed that what was standing between our client and the kitchen of her dreams was a well thought out, creative design and a wall or two… Once outdated and worn, this 1830 antique kitchen was closed off from the family room and dining spaces. The newly re-configured kitchen with re-claimed wide-plank wood floors and restorations to wood cladding on the ceiling, beam and open corner shelving really warmed up the room and welcomes friends, neighbors and relatives. Wood bead board paneling around the island cabinetry along with mixed metals, tie in nicely with the stunning soapstone countertops with distinctive copper-colored veining, creating a beautiful vintage appeal. Styled to look like an old-fashioned stove, this steel range boasts modern conveniences such as dual-fuel (gas burners and electric oven) and a convection oven crowned by a custom steel hood adorned with rivets and metal trims. To enrich the vintage feel, a white farm-style fire clay apron sink was installed that also evokes a classic and time- honored feel. Although the process was daunting as it presented several challenges, it was a rewarding experience when the project was completed. Our client and her mother were absolutely thrilled with the final results. “Thank you to Cathy and Ed very much for all your assistance with my kitchen planning! I’m fortunate to have had your input and expertise! It was great seeing you and spending time together and my mom really liked you both. I would welcome you to stop by and say hello when you’re headed to Portsmouth or the north shore. All the best!” -Jill P.

We contracted with Chester County Kitchen and Bath (CCKAB) to completely renovate our master bathroom first, followed by a complete kitchen renovation and the building of a family room addition off the kitchen. John Noland, the VP at CCKAB for such project development, was simply fantastic. He spent many hours with us, discussing our ideas of what we wanted the house to look like, and then he produced outstanding overall technical designs for each project before we ever signed the contract. John used his design software to develop dramatic and really useful drawings and graphic depictions of each aspect of the different projects; these drawings enabled us to refine the different projects over several weeks. John's initial cost estimates were spot-on, as was his proposed project timeline. When we added major changes to the original designs, John worked with us and the general (sub)contractor to incorporate the changes to the overall project without bursting the budget or blowing the timeline. John's able deputy, Stacy Nass, was simply amazing as the Project Manager. She juggled the scheduling of subcontractors, suppliers, cabinetry, appliance installation, etc. with aplomb and professionalism, and it was principally due to her careful attention to detail that the projects ran so smoothly and finished on time. The technical expertise of John, Stacy, and the rest of the staff at CCKAB are matched by their warm interpersonal skills. Having heard all the horror stories from friends about contractors they've used for home projects, we consider ourselves fortunate to have hired the folks from Chester County Kitchen and Bath. In the end, we were so very impressed with the final results - John and Stacy and their many collaborators really did help us create our dream home.

TITLE: Streak of Luck 2 Size - 24 x 48 in inches Koi can be represented in interior design with artwork such as paintings, photographs or sculpture. Its placement is said to attract auspicious abundance and prosperity into your home and life and some opt to have multiple representations of this fish.The Koi fish symbolize good luck, abundance and perseverance. Symbolic in Buddhism is to represent courage. Today the fish are considered to be symbolic of advancement materially and spiritually. Some of the characteristics associated with the koi include: Good fortune Success Prosperity Longevity Courage Ambition Perseverance This is a one of a kind authentic painting. This painting is signed by the artist and comes accompanied by with a certificate of authenticity. If you love this piece and my style of work but it's not the right size/colours, I would be deligthed to discuss your personal requirements. Please contact me for information about commissions. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me. Send me a conversation about style, size, and color if what you see here is not perfect. ****STRETCHED CANVAS - ORIGINAL PAINTING - READY TO HANG **** The canvas is stretched on a wooden frame and artwork is ready to hang. Framing is not required. The painting will be shipped and packed professionally. In order to protect your painting I will personally pack your painting with great care using high quality, shipping industry approved CUSTOMS FEES AND DUTIES Customs fees and duties vary from country to country and are the responsibility of the recipient. Please understand we have no knowledge or control over those fees. Please let us know if you have any questions. We are always happy to assist you quickly. PooviArtGallery - Copyright © All rights reserved

Greenleaf Construction is fortunate to have a long history of building for architects, designers, and engineers for their own homes. This single story addition was brought to life with the design and vision of two architects for their own home: Khanh Uong of Design Develop and Dana Tharrett of JP2 Architects. The addition now houses a large kitchen drenched in natural light, a walk-in pantry and a powder room. In the kitchen, Custom Fit Cabinetry supplied the fabricated Rehau acrylic laminate custom cabinetry, accented with glossy white acrylic wall cabinets and touch latches. While the floors are a large format porcelain tile, the sink wall is accented with glass geometric tile and marble hexagon above the range. The cathedral ceiling with flush track lights recessed into the ceiling and the custom floating shelves with integrated linear lighting all lend to the clean and minimal design. The pantry is accessed by a trimless pocket door, custom stained wood open shelves and acrylic base cabinets and wood countertops. The exterior is finished with James Hardi architectural series shiplap siding with mitered corner while the full bed stone water table ties in the addition to the existing house.

30 Years of Construction Experience in the Bay Area | Best of Houzz! We are a passionate, family owned/operated local business in the Bay Area, California. At Lavan Construction, we create a fresh and fit environment with over 30 years of experience in building and construction in both domestic and international markets. We have a unique blend of leadership combining expertise in construction contracting and management experience from Fortune 500 companies. We commit to deliver you a world class experience within your budget and timeline while maintaining trust and transparency. At Lavan Construction, we believe relationships are the main component of any successful business and we stand by our motto: “Trust is the foundation we build on.”

A young family of four recently purchased a home with an unfinished basement. Each member of the family had their own opinion of how to use the space: dad wanted a music room, mom loves to dance and have parties, and the children wanted a media/game room where they could hang out with their friends. Fortunately, the basement was big enough to meet all their needs. The renovation includes a secluded sound proof music room that doubles as an office, a home gym with full-length mirrors and a multi-purpose area for dancing and entertaining. A full bar area with sink, dishwasher, microwave, wine cooler and under-the-counter refrigerator features granite countertops and custom cabinetry. Complete with high-back bar stools, it is a great gathering space during the parties the family loves to host. The focal point of the basement is a gas fireplace with ledger stone surround. Mood lighting, sconces, pendants, recessed lights and a disco ball provide plenty of lighting options. Last, but not least, is a high-tech media room with 110” large screen television. Let the games begin!

Located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado is Ideal Mountain Property’s newest fractionally owned property offering. This brand new, custom built lodge is located at the base of Steamboat Ski Mountain, in one of Steamboat Springs newest resort communities, Wildhorse Meadows. Center stage is the Wildhorse gondola providing incredible access to the ski mountain and village while offering owners and guests a spacious single family residence right in the heart of the mountain area. Builder | Greg Fortune & Rory Witzel Designer | Tara Bender Starmark Cabinetry

The upstairs of this 200 yr old farm house featured sloped ceilings I worked with the sloped ceiling and room for only one chest, to offer room to walk within the room. The room fortunately can hold a king bed, and is welcoming today for her guests.

Originally Built in 1903, this century old farmhouse located in Powdersville, SC fortunately retained most of its original materials and details when the client purchased the home. Original features such as the Bead Board Walls and Ceilings, Horizontal Panel Doors and Brick Fireplaces were meticulously restored to the former glory allowing the owner’s goal to be achieved of having the original areas coordinate seamlessly into the new construction.

This project is entitled 'Bringing Nature Home'; Where the Coyotes Run. While initially meeting with the client on a sunny afternoon a coyote ran across the lawn. This indicated good fortune was waiting. From a Feng Shui perspective...powerful, positive energy. An excerpt from the design concept is...Flowering ornamental grasses colorful perennials with large boulders will accent your new, native plant garden.

Home offices have now become staples in most households around the world offering people a space to work and be productive day in and day out. How circumstances have changed! In this day and age, many do not have to leave their houses to reach their workplace. This particular office space was once an unused bedroom. Who wouldn’t appreciate calling this beautiful room their place of work? The impressive large window was the starting point in the design process. Identical custom built-ins house printers and office supplies. They were installed on both sides for added storage. Solid wood shelves supported by custom black metal brackets display fun memorabilia and ornaments. They also complete the symmetry look. One of the home owners’ requisites was to have a place for visitors to stay overnight. This beautiful chair opens into a one-person bed for convenience. A new light fixture, a double barn door, an area rug, two computer chairs, and two desk lamps complete the look. If you are fortunate enough to have your own office space in your home, kudos to you. Grab a coffee and get to work!

Every now and again we have the good fortune to provide our services in a location with stunningly gorgeous scenery. This Cape Neddick, Maine project represents one of those occasions. Nestled in the client’s backyard, the custom glass conservatory we designed and built offers breathtaking views of the Cape Neddick River flowing nearby. The picturesque result is a great example of how our custom glass enclosures can enhance your daily experience of the natural beauty that already surrounds your home. This conservatory is iconic in its form, designed and styled to match the existing look of the client’s residence, and built to withstand the full brunt of a New England winter. Positioned to maximize views of the river, the glass addition is completed by an adjacent outdoor patio area which provides additional seating and room to entertain. The new space is annexed directly to the home via a steel-reinforced opening into the kitchen in order to provide a convenient access path between the home’s interior and exterior. The mahogany glass roof frame was engineered in our workshop and then transported to the job site and positioned via crane in order to speed construction time without sacrificing quality. The conservatory’s exterior has been painted white to match the home. The floor frame sits atop helical piers and we used wide pine boards for the interior floor. As always, we selected some of the best US-made insulated glass on the market to complete the project. Low-e and argon gas-filled, these panes will provide the R values that make this a true four-season structure.

This North Shore of Boston client wanted to make a change; she decided to purchase a seaside antique home and was up for the challenge to re-design and remodel. Her plan involved re-locating her mother from Florida to the newly added wing of the house when the remodel was in full swing. We believed that what was standing between our client and the kitchen of her dreams was a well thought out, creative design and a wall or two… Once outdated and worn, this 1830 antique kitchen was closed off from the family room and dining spaces. The newly re-configured kitchen with re-claimed wide-plank wood floors and restorations to wood cladding on the ceiling, beam and open corner shelving really warmed up the room and welcomes friends, neighbors and relatives. Wood bead board paneling around the island cabinetry along with mixed metals, tie in nicely with the stunning soapstone countertops with distinctive copper-colored veining, creating a beautiful vintage appeal. Styled to look like an old-fashioned stove, this steel range boasts modern conveniences such as dual-fuel (gas burners and electric oven) and a convection oven crowned by a custom steel hood adorned with rivets and metal trims. To enrich the vintage feel, a white farm-style fire clay apron sink was installed that also evokes a classic and time- honored feel. Although the process was daunting as it presented several challenges, it was a rewarding experience when the project was completed. Our client and her mother were absolutely thrilled with the final results. “Thank you to Cathy and Ed very much for all your assistance with my kitchen planning! I’m fortunate to have had your input and expertise! It was great seeing you and spending time together and my mom really liked you both. I would welcome you to stop by and say hello when you’re headed to Portsmouth or the north shore. All the best!” -Jill P.