Santos Mahogany Natal is one of the hardest and most resilient hardwood flooring products. Complimented by its unique grain and reddish tone, the Natal is one of a kind!

front elevation
Example of a cottage exterior home design in San Francisco

Santos Mahogany Natal is one of the hardest and most resilient hardwood flooring products. Complimented by its unique grain and reddish tone, the Natal is one of a kind!

This project was basically a blank slate for a living/dining room with the ever-challenging sunroom extension of the living room. We bridged the living room into the sunroom with a bench so that it feels open. New furniture throughout, lighting, art some dramatic wallpaper and window treatments tie the first floor together. The hardest working space is in the back of the house though, where we added custom built-in cabinetry by the back door. Instead of matching the white kitchen, we chose to bring in green and a dash of walnut from the other furniture on that level. FUN FACT: The mudroom is multi-functional with two large coat cabinets, shoe storage, a key drop, overflow storage above and a hidden pull out desk. See it in action below. Photography: Dustin Halleck and Margaret Rajic

Kayla Kopke
Example of a trendy bathroom design in Detroit

Dan D'Agostino, AIA Located in Montclair, coined Manhattan’s sixth borough, is a commuter town with progressive ideals. This modern renovation and addition to a 1960’s split level home is a statement of architecture consistent with the modern undertone to the city’s new development. A recessed minimal entry, through a six-foot pivot door, leads you to a light filled open plan Kitchen, Dining Room and Living Room marked abstract compositions of wall and window. The indoors are extended to the outdoor by way of a 13 foot sliding Nana wall. Minimalistically appointed, natural light is the main focus of this renovation. Our client valued the notion of a fresh home that with statement architecture. Zoning regulations presented an additional layer of complexity. Split level homes are typically the hardest to work one, we were able make several large modifications such as a widened stair, alignments between floors and a lofted 2 story Living Room tie the new to old.

Designed by Maggie Walker of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Frederick, MD in collaboration with Buildmark Remodeling & Construction, this kitchen remodeling project features a traditional style influence. Kitchen cabinets are Merillat Classic Somerton Hill Maple in a Chiffon with Desert Glaze finish. The kitchen countertop features Cambria Havergate engineered quartz. Photos courtesy of BTW Images LLC. For the customer, while the hardest part was selecting all the materials, of the finished space they said, "We love the final look, it looks bigger in the same space."

This was a simple bathroom remodel but with a slew of challenges to overcome. We were confined to a very small space however we needed to redesign this bathroom to fit the needs of a master bath setup. Adding the archway over the shower/tub and the custom shelving really gave some style to the room and added some much needed storage, we also tried our hardest to make the vanity a true centerpiece with the backsplash and all of the additions.

Choose granite's classic shades of grey to harmonize with poured concrete or contrast subtly with materials of other colors. The hardest stone on earth, granite is unfazed by the most extreme weather or traffic conditions.

Ipe wood is one of the hardest natural materials on earth. So, to see this hand-carved Japanese dragon made of solid Ipe wood is quite impressive. This is just one of two dragons that adorn a Japanese garden bell stand made of Ipe.

You say you don’t know what color can match your kitchen or bath decor, because your floor is beige or black or some other color that no one match, your cabinets are dark brown or who knows what and your appliance are stainless steel or you have a kaleidoscope of colors and you are all confused because nothing looks good, Don’t despair, Introducing Kashmir White, Stock # PW-987 comes in 119” X 56“ Citrine® Quartz Stone, Inc. and it is more affordable then you think. As you already may know, quartz is one of the hardest materials on earth, making it more durable than granite, marble or soapstone. Only diamond, sapphire, and topaz are stronger than quartz. However, since no counter tops are made from those elements, quartz is the king of the counter top because of its durability luminescence and elegance. Citrine® Quartz is 94% natural quartz and only 6% resin it will never require any sanding, sealing or polishing, and unlike granite or marble they do not accumulate molds or soap scum when property maintained. They are sure to always remain just as glossy and smooth as the first day they were installed, and we back it up with a LIFETIME WARRANTY. Citrine® Quartz Stone has drastically risen in popularity and has even began to supplant the natural stones. Consumer Reports rates it as “The best counter tops material”. Citrine® quartz is the ideal option for a stress-free counter top, if you are remodeling your kitchen, bathroom, office or even building a new one. We can also fabricate if you provide the drawings with measurements to our email; quartz@citrineus.com our estimator will contact you with a preliminary estimate. Citrine® Quartz tip # 002 Our Master Quartz installers use miter joints, which reduces the use of grout or caulk by about 80% and gives the aesthetics of one continuous flowing slab. Customer’s tip # 138 Use Hope’s Perfect Granite Spray it is 100% streak free and will give your luminous Quartz a mirror like finish. Customer’s tip # 150 Use Isopropyl alcohol to remove ink marks by rubbing on the affected area with a cloth. No cleaning required after removal.

Natural Hickory Stairs with wrought iron accent newels and a double twist. Hickory is the hardest of all North American Species. Which makes it a very durable floor with an active household. Hickory has a variety of shades and movement that can add warmth and light to just about any atmosphere.

Zachary Schiller of Reico Kitchen and Bath in Chesapeake, VA collaborated with Casey Hall to design a contemporary inspired kitchen and pantry featuring Merillat Classics cabinetry. The kitchen showcases the Glenrock door style in Maple with a Cotton finish for the wall cabinetry, and the Nightfall finish for the base cabinetry and decorative range hood. Similarly, the pantry features Glenrock Maple in a Cotton finish for the perimeter cabinets, with an island in the Nightfall finish. Appliances and countertops were provided by others. “The hardest part of the project was making decisions with so many great choices. Zach was extremely patient and helped guide us to make the right choices. I love the color and quality of cabinets; the end panels and crown moldings make things look beautiful and more expensive. I also love the silverware drawer insert and the slide out drawers on the tall units are a game changer,” said the client. Photos courtesy of Tim Snyder Photography.

Designed by Shanae Mobley of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Springfield VA in collaboration with Eagle Innovations, this contemporary bathroom remodel features contemporary bathroom cabinets by Ultracraft Cabinetry in the Apex door style in a painted Pebble Gray finish. The vanity top is Calico White from MSI Q Quartz. The bathroom includes Daltile 12x24 Cove Creek Grey wall tiles and Atlas 12x24 Grespania Tivolo Perla Matte floor tile. Shower floor tiles were provided by others. “The client’s plan was to retire in place, so we focused on updating their bathroom accordingly with a contemporary twist,” said Shanae. “We created easier access to their washer and dryer, which are now in their master bath. We included features like a curbless, doorless shower with a bench, slip resistant tile, grab bars and lighted mirrors.” Added the client, “The hardest part of the project was working the washer and dryer into the layout of the room. We love the curbless, doorless shower entrance. Shanae was very helping in selecting products, designing the shower and creating the room layout.” Photos courtesy of BTW Images LLC.

Custom steel deck railing for an Albuquerque residence. "I've had 2 jobs done by Pascetti, steel railings on a 2nd story deck and steel railings on a deck that hangs over an arroyo. In both instances the estimate appointment was on time and the estimate was priced fairly, and usually lower than others I had. These guys are so busy (b/c they are so good and fair) that the hardest part of working with them is timing....you might have to wait a couple of months B4 they can get to your job. But once they get to your property they are completely prepared, all of the materials are ready, the installation crew is incredibly fast and hard working, they finish the job in a timely manner (half a day in both of my installations), and the final product is the best it can be: high quality and installed perfectly. I can't say enough good things about this group. Oh, by the way, they answer emails and when dealing on the phone with scheduling or accounting they are friendly, easy to work with, efficient." - Don D., Homeowner Working with architects and designers at the initial design stage or directly with homeowners, Pascetti Steel will make the entire process from drawings to installation seamless and hassle free. We plan safety and stability into every design we make, the railings and hardware are fabricated to be strong, durable and visually appealing. Choose from a variety of styles including cable railing, glass railing, hand forged and custom railing. We also offer pre-finished aluminum balcony railing for hotels, resorts and other commercial buildings. We can ship pre-finished railing to any location, complete with all the hardware and installation recommendations. We'll work from your drawings or we can create a design for you. Choose from a variety of styles to fit any architecture. Finishes include chemical treatments, paint, and a wide range of powder coating colors.

Other than diamonds, rubies, and sapphires, granite is the hardest natural stone. Granite is the preferred stone for exterior or interior as it is known for its strength and resistance to the elements.

David Betsy of Reico Kitchen and Bath in Wilmington, DE collaborated with J Butler Home Improvements to design a shaker styled kitchen featuring Masterpiece cabinetry. The cabinets are in the Mesa door style in Quartersawn Oak with a Natural finish, complemented by New Bianco Romano granite countertops. Appliances were provided by others. The client expressed their appreciation, saying, “I’m very happy with everything we picked and love my new kitchen. The hardest part of the project was storing everything until it was finished. I especially love my little step stool that allows me to reach everything in the high part of the cabinets. I also love my farm sink.” “The clients were looking to make their kitchen more modern but keep a natural feel. The Shaker style door with natural Quartersawn Oak and modern farm short apron sink fit perfectly with the style of their home. We selected specific cabinets that not only looked great but made their kitchen useful. They also decided on the perfect tone of under cabinet lighting that makes everything pop. I appreciate the time the clients spent with me to ensure that their kitchen has a WOW factor,” said David. Photos courtesy of Dan Williams Photography.

This timeless, traditional kitchen served as the original ‘showroom’ for Jarrett Design. As many small businesses start in the homes of their owners, Jarrett Design did, too. Home studios have their challenges, as one can imagine. In this case, the ‘showroom’ had to serve as inspiration for clients while also meeting the needs of the owner’s bustling family of nine! Cooking and baking together were an integral part of family life, so the kitchen was designed accordingly. The opening between the family room and kitchen was expanded to unite the spaces and to bring the fireplace into view from the kitchen. A galley plan emerged featuring a 36” all refrigerator, a 48” pro range top, an advantium microwave, a roomy sink with a dishwasher under an enlarged window . A tall pull out for spices, oils, and vinegars along with roll out shelves and lots of cutlery dividers provides ample organization for items used most frequently. A wall was removed between the children’s study and the kitchen to make way for the large cooking island with seating and a second prep island with a sink, dishwasher and wine refrigerator. A wall with double ovens, coffee center with a beverage refrigerator below and a 30” freezer column rounds out the appliance list. Large, hand painted armoire-style pantries and a message center flank a rustic cherry hutch for glassware and pottery. A freestanding bookshelf houses the extensive cookbook collection. Pretty lighting and an array of different hardware pieces add the finishing touches. Fun fact, these photos were taken in 2017. The kitchen was designed and installed over ten years prior! Proof that smart design, classic selections and quality custom cabinetry truly do stand the test of time even in the hardest working kitchens. Matthew Villano Photography

What better way to enjoy the outdoors than to gather around a beautiful fire pit with friends and family? The natural stone look of the Belvedere Fire Pit Kit transforms your patio or backyard into an inviting, warm retreat. Precast concrete is fire-safe and engineered to weather the hardest outdoor elements. Every Belvedere Firepit Kit comes with a steel firepit ring for further protection. Photo: Barkman Concrete Ltd.