The 800 square-foot guest cottage is located on the footprint of a slightly smaller original cottage that was built three generations ago. With a failing structural system, the existing cottage had a very low sloping roof, did not provide for a lot of natural light and was not energy efficient. Utilizing high performing windows, doors and insulation, a total transformation of the structure occurred. A combination of clapboard and shingle siding, with standout touches of modern elegance, welcomes guests to their cozy retreat. The cottage consists of the main living area, a small galley style kitchen, master bedroom, bathroom and sleeping loft above. The loft construction was a timber frame system utilizing recycled timbers from the Balsams Resort in northern New Hampshire. The stones for the front steps and hearth of the fireplace came from the existing cottage’s granite chimney. Stylistically, the design is a mix of both a “Cottage” style of architecture with some clean and simple “Tech” style features, such as the air-craft cable and metal railing system. The color red was used as a highlight feature, accentuated on the shed dormer window exterior frames, the vintage looking range, the sliding doors and other interior elements. Photographer: John Hession

The main design goal of this Northern European country style home was to use traditional, authentic materials that would have been used ages ago. ORIJIN STONE premium stone was selected as one such material, taking the main stage throughout key living areas including the custom hand carved Alder™ Limestone fireplace in the living room, as well as the master bedroom Alder fireplace surround, the Greydon™ Sandstone cobbles used for flooring in the den, porch and dining room as well as the front walk, and for the Greydon Sandstone paving & treads forming the front entrance steps and landing, throughout the garden walkways and patios and surrounding the beautiful pool. This home was designed and built to withstand both trends and time, a true & charming heirloom estate. Architecture: Rehkamp Larson Architects Builder: Kyle Hunt & Partners Landscape Design & Stone Install: Yardscapes Mason: Meyer Masonry Interior Design: Alecia Stevens Interiors Photography: Scott Amundson Photography & Spacecrafting Photography

This classic cable rail was fabricated out of steel in sections at our facility. Each section was welded together on-site and painted with a flat black urethane. The cable was run through the posts in each section and then tensioned to the correct specifications. The simplicity of this rail gives an un-obstructed view of the beautiful surrounding valley and mountains. The front steps grab rail was measured and laid out onsite, and was bolted into place on the rock steps. The clear-cut grabrails inside for the basement stairs were formed and mounted to the wall. Overall, this beautiful home nestled in the heart of the Wyoming Mountains is one for the books.

Azek deck with Azek trim and Azek benches, planters, railing, stair treads, Redmond, Sammamish, Bellevue, Kirkland, Bothell Mrs Cole
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless backyard deck remodel in Seattle with no cover

The layered planting scheme along the front porch was designed to focus attention on the front porch and complement the existing paver walk. The suggestion to paint the posts, chinoiserie railing and porch trim a dark gray color added a dimension of sophistication to the simple frame house. Photography by Linda Oyama Bryan

Jim Bartsch Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized zen wooden u-shaped staircase remodel in Santa Barbara with wooden risers

Improve your curb appeal with a simple replacement of your front steps. As shown here, no project is too small for New Outlooks Construction! This front step replacement project was handled by our Handyman division and increased the curb appeal of this client's home immediately. The use of masonry has increased across the country for its beauty and durability!

Project by Studio H:T principal in charge Brad Tomecek (now with Tomecek Studio Architecture). This project tests the theory of bringing high quality design to a prefabricated factory setting. Enrolled in the LEED-Home Pilot, this residence completed certification. The modular home was conceived as two boxes that slide above one another to create outdoor living space and a lower covered rear entry. The passive solar design invites large amounts of light from the south while minimizing openings to the east and west. Factory construction saves both time and costs while reducing waste and using a controlled labor force. Built in a factory north of Denver, the home arrived by flatbed truck in two pieces and was craned into place in about 4 hours providing a fast, sustainable, cost effective alternative to traditional homebuilding techniques. Upgraded lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, doors, door hardware, windows, tile and bamboo flooring were incorporated into the design. 80% of the residence was completed in the factory in less than 3 weeks and other items were finished on site including the exterior stucco, garage, metal railing and stair. Stack-Slide-Stitch describes the conceptual process of how to tie together two distinct modular boxes. Stack refers to setting one modular directly on top of the other. Slide refers to the action that creates an upper southern deck area while simultaneously providing a covered rear entry area. The stitching or interlocking occurs with the upward extension of the lower volume with the front deck walls and with the rear two story vertical.

Cottage entryway photo in Other with beige walls and a blue front door

This modern home, near Cedar Lake, built in 1900, was originally a corner store. A massive conversion transformed the home into a spacious, multi-level residence in the 1990’s. However, the home’s lot was unusually steep and overgrown with vegetation. In addition, there were concerns about soil erosion and water intrusion to the house. The homeowners wanted to resolve these issues and create a much more useable outdoor area for family and pets. Castle, in conjunction with Field Outdoor Spaces, designed and built a large deck area in the back yard of the home, which includes a detached screen porch and a bar & grill area under a cedar pergola. The previous, small deck was demolished and the sliding door replaced with a window. A new glass sliding door was inserted along a perpendicular wall to connect the home’s interior kitchen to the backyard oasis. The screen house doors are made from six custom screen panels, attached to a top mount, soft-close track. Inside the screen porch, a patio heater allows the family to enjoy this space much of the year. Concrete was the material chosen for the outdoor countertops, to ensure it lasts several years in Minnesota’s always-changing climate. Trex decking was used throughout, along with red cedar porch, pergola and privacy lattice detailing. The front entry of the home was also updated to include a large, open porch with access to the newly landscaped yard. Cable railings from Loftus Iron add to the contemporary style of the home, including a gate feature at the top of the front steps to contain the family pets when they’re let out into the yard. Tour this project in person, September 28 – 29, during the 2019 Castle Home Tour!

Front entry re-do with new front steps & entryway, walkway, driveway (blacktop with paver inlay)
Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman concrete paver front porch remodel in New York

Architect: Michelle Penn, AIA Located in Fallbrook neighborhood, it draws on the traditional design of the Prairie Trail Arts & Crafts. Notice the generous front porch, exposed brackets and mixture of siding styles.

Arnold's Masonry & Construction recently completed this custom wrought iron railing installation for a homeowner in Waterbury, Connecticut. The new railings were professionally installed to improve the safety, functionality, and curb appeal of the home's front entrance while complementing the existing masonry and concrete steps. Whether you need railings for front steps, porches, walkways, patios, or retaining walls, our team provides high-quality craftsmanship and durable installations built to withstand Connecticut's changing weather. If you're looking for professional wrought iron railing installation in Waterbury or the surrounding areas, we'd be happy to provide a free estimate. ? (203) 808-6886 Learn more about this project: https://arnoldsmasonry.com/wrought-iron-railing-installation-waterbury-ct-arnolds-masonry/

Photos by Linda Oyama Bryan
Mid-sized trendy backyard concrete paver patio photo in Chicago with no cover

Walkway at the front entrance of the house is made from large slabs of black slate. The Landscape Architect is Akiko Iwata and the plant installer is Landco. Waterfalls Fountains & Gardens designed and installed the flagstone, slate, stepping stone walkway.

The kitchen spills out onto the deck and the sliding glass door that was added in the master suite opens up into an exposed structure screen porch. Over all the exterior space extends the traffic flow of the interior and makes the home feel larger without adding actual square footage. Troy Thies Photography

The view terrace is the signature space of the house. First seen from the entry, the terrace steps down to wind-protected fire-bowl, surrounded by tall glass walls. Plantings in bowl make for a terrific area to relax. House appearance described as California modern, California Coastal, or California Contemporary, San Francisco modern, Bay Area or South Bay residential design, with Sustainability and green design.

Traditional beige two-story wood exterior home idea in DC Metro

The front porch of this log home spans across the entire facade. It overlooks the family's pond and beautiful countryside. The porch posts, hand rail and logs are hand-hewn. The 8x12 logs feature a chinking groove (for aesthetics only) and Dovetail corner assembly. This is a modified Pleasant Grove design, built with 6x12 Traditional Solid Kiln-Dried Logs, manufactured by Timberhaven Log & Timber Homes.