Dare to design... the fireplace of your dreams, while being environmentally friendly! Frontenac is not only the name of a grand hotel located in the heart of Quebec City, Canada. It is also the largest fireplace of the Valcourt brand. Majestic and imposing, this bravery symbol of the Count of Frontenac, who has fiercely defended the French colony, is quite appropriate to represent the enormous challenge overtaken when designing and manufacturing this fireplace. Exceptionally large, the FP11 Frontenac uses advanced technology to reduce air pollution and is already qualifies for Phase II of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) voluntary program for manufacturers of decorative wood burning fireplaces. With particulate emissions below 5.1 g/kg (which is approximately 70 percent cleaner than unqualified models), this model will surely give you elegance without compromising the quality of air. Just like the FP7-LM Antoinette, the FP11 Frontenac has a guillotine door that disappears in the hearth, allowing you to easily load wood on the fire and have an unrivaled view of the flames. The fire screen is also equipped with a guillotine mechanism. You will thus enjoy an open fire in safety when the ceramic glass door is open. Finally, the bare front allows significant flexibility and creativity in the design of your interior decor.

This project is proof that the challenges posed by limited space and accessibility can always be overcome in order to deliver stunning results. The space itself was rather small and also very close to the neighboring residence. Not only was the neighboring wall imposing, it was also of a completely different design style. The goal here was to create a layering effect with numerous features of varying heights. Not only would this add depth and dimension to the overall design, but it would cause the viewer to shift their focus from the encroaching wall to the beauty of the pool space. Instead of trying to maximize the water area by squaring off the pool, I decided to instead maximize the visual interest by gracefully rounding off the back wall of the pool. This was accomplished by implementing a raised stucco wall, and also a shorter, matching curved wall, featuring a "Sheer Descent" waterfall. Inside the taller, deep-plum stucco wall, I created three vertical windows which are all highlighted by LED uplighting. To give depth, dimension and some natural beauty, I implemented a simple bed of Horse Tail Reeds behind the short wall, and chose to place Banana Trees behind the taller wall. The main seating area is just outside the home's master suite, and is separated by a "Leuder" limestone fire pit. Aside from being a striking design feature, the floating stepper pads accomplish a number of things; they serve triple-duty as a walkway, a seating area adjacent to the fire pit, and also as a poolside rest for beverages. After discovering that the narrow courtyard acted as a sort of wind tunnel between the two houses, we opted to install tempered glass in order to better control the behavior of the flames. This solved the problem while remaining visually pleasing to the client as well. You'll notice in some of the leading photos for this project that I had originally intended to implement stepper pads on both sides of the pool closest to the house. And despite a thorough understanding of what would be necessary on an engineering and structural-design basis, we were eventually forced to turn this into a solid deck due to unrelenting city-required setbacks. However the client remained very understanding due to encountering a number of similar issues in their home-build process. In the end, they were delivered an outstanding pool design that had come to fruition only after coming up with numerous solutions to a number of challenges that only a unique space like this could provide.

Inspiration for an eclectic nursery remodel in New York

These homeowners love to entertain family, friends and work colleagues but their existing floor plan kept hosts and guests awkwardly separated. By removing the preexisting imposing offending wall entirely, the design team was able to create an appropriate environment for entertaining. Perimeter cabinetry in Alabaster White adds to the sense of light and openness in a once-confined space. The contrasting Pecan finished island serves as a focal point for the room. Cambria Berwyn quartz countertops are highlighted by gorgeous Walker Zanger gray ceramic backsplash tile. Calcutta marble and wood water-jet mosaic add just the right amount of visual interest to this kitchen. 205 Photography

These homeowners love to entertain family, friends and work colleagues but their existing floor plan kept hosts and guests awkwardly separated. By removing the preexisting imposing offending wall entirely, the design team was able to create an appropriate environment for entertaining. Perimeter cabinetry in Alabaster White adds to the sense of light and openness in a once-confined space. The contrasting Pecan finished island serves as a focal point for the room. Cambria Berwyn quartz countertops are highlighted by gorgeous Walker Zanger gray ceramic backsplash tile. Calcutta marble and wood water-jet mosaic add just the right amount of visual interest to this kitchen. 205 Photography

CARNEGIE HOMES Features •Imposing Romanesque Architecture •4525 square feet ( 5 Br/4.5 Bath) •Spacious Rooftop Terrace with Fireplace and Kitchen •Ornate detailing •Master Retreat with fireplace •Coffee Bar and Steam Shower •Media Room •Private Elevator •Home Automation •Alleyway access to Garage •Custom Shoe Closets •Custom Master Closet •Energy Star Certified •Wolf/Subzero Appliances •Custom Designed Wrought Iron Stairs •Open Floor Plan •Grand Kitchen Island •Sink in Utility Room •Game room with Bar •Exotic Granite Countertops •Custom Stained Red Oak Flooring

Nantucket is a small island vacation destination off the mainland of Massachusetts. The appeal of the villages is due to the restrained New England architecture, beaches, sailing, fishing, golf and quaint shops. Regulations imposed by the towns restrict the height and size of new homes and remodeling of existing homes. In consequence to this concern for scale and habitat architects are known for creative utilization of interior spaces. Created by Bentley and Churchill Architects this cottage is a wonderful example of fully utilized space, easy living interiors and with an eye towards the timelessness of the island. Jaeger & Ernst cabinetmakers were chosen for our design sensibility, craftsmanship and an ability to move seamlessly between cabinetry, furniture and millwork. Although each portion of the home is complex in it’s fitting and structure the overall impression is one of inviting simplicity. In this photo the end two drawers are fronts on Miele dishwashers. The wall paneling remains exposed on the upper cabinets serving two functions: the room remains larger visually and everything is easily known for use. The Wolf range is nested in the hearth – all the mess, smells and fuss are contained.

Designed and built by Otogawa-Anschel Design+Build. The shower tile has a recess that contains the essential items. This functional compartment inspired the cubby motif we repeated in the shower stall and throughout the room. The bold color blocks break up the monotony of a single-tile theme, while avoiding the heaviness a border or accent stripe can impose. The frosted French windows add to the playful aesthetic, and stay water tight courtesy the neoprene gasket. Even the toilet paper has its own recess. The pedestal sink maximizes floor space, and the extra-long medicine cabinet mirror accommodates the entire family.

This 7 year old carriage home was in excellent condition, yet dated with builder special finishes. I removed several pieces within the kitchen, including dated appliances, a few gingerbread valances, brass knobs, yellow paint, and a boring chandelier above the kitchen table area. I added a mixed materials backsplash, new oil rubbed bronze hardware throughout the home on all cabinetry and doors with the exception of the newly remodeled master bathroom. Large imposing faux pillars dominated the dining area, and once removed, allowed the open floor plan to flow. Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter paint was used throughout the house except in the master bath where I used Sherwin Wms. Pediment. I added custom window treatments to all bedrooms and the living room, and the client opted for new furniture in the kitchen, living room and dining room, rounding out a most lovely new, and improved, transitional style. New lighting was added throughout the three bedroom home, and a covered room pergolas was added to the exterior patio area. The client, newly relocated to the Pittsburgh area from New York wanted a very specific master bathroom, and that is what was delivered: a top of the line, sleek, spa-like space that will allow seamless aging in place. Overall, the project went flawlessly and my client is very pleased with the results.

This gorgeous summer retreat was in need of a complete overhaul! After SuperStorm Sandy renovations to the lower level, my clients were ready to tackle the 3 upper floors. The home is chock full of original beauty with its custom bead board and moldings. Walnut banisters and solid five panels interior doors - adorned with crystal knobs. We took advantage of the amazing exposed ceiling beams in living and dining rooms. Incredible wavy leaded glass doors are found in both the foyer and bar rooms. Imposing interior walls were removed to make way for this dream kitchen! A classic 9" subway tile sets the tone for the white shaker front cabinets and quartz counter top. While the contrasting soft gray island carries an almost black dropped miter edge quartz top. For that old world charm, we added a pair of open shelves to showcase the dinnerware and glasses. Custom furnishings and window treatments are found through the home. Our goal was to create an amazingly cozy home that our clients could enjoy for generations to come!!

Designed and built by Otogawa-Anschel Design+Build. The shower tile has a recess that contains the essential items. This functional compartment inspired the cubby motif we repeated in the shower stall and throughout the room. The bold color blocks break up the monotony of a single-tile theme, while avoiding the heaviness a border or accent stripe can impose. The frosted French windows add to the playful aesthetic, and stay water tight courtesy the neoprene gasket. Even the toilet paper has its own recess. The pedestal sink maximizes floor space, and the extra-long medicine cabinet mirror accommodates the entire family.

Joseph Eichler developed his moderately priced houses for the mass-market starting in 1949. His homes were designed using affordable materials and simple construction techniques. Nearly 70 years later these homes are in need of updating and remodeling an Eichler home today can become an imposing and costly project if you’re not careful. For this project the clients, who had undergone several previous house renovations, were determined to stick with an established budget from the beginning. Klopf Architecture helped them modernize their Eichler with a premium appearance on a reasonable budget. The clients challenged the Klopf team to create a design that had a high-end feel and nicely done while adhering to their budget. That meant not all of the initial project scope could be built. Like many other Eichler homes, the original floor plan did not meet the family’s needs leaving them feeling disconnected from one room to another. While an early goal was to expand the house into a carport and create a larger garage, it did not survive the contractor pricing phase of the project. The goals that did survive through to the end of the project included blurring some of the boundaries and opening up some of the spaces, making them more functional and creating a smoother flow in the house. The Klopf team joined the former separate kitchen and formal living room into one large space and shift the dining room where it is now connected to the kitchen. Klopf swapped the family room to the front alongside the living room, so the spaces feel more cohesive and are now better suited for family activities. The functional layout of the master bathroom was changed to include a large, curbless shower. Installing a complete IKEA kitchen including cabinets, countertops, appliances, light fixtures, and furnishings was key to staying within budget. Bath fixtures in this house are also exclusively IKEA. Klopf Architecture has designed many homes using IKEA products, which are quite compatible offering an affordable, contemporary take on Eichler homes. The clients saved additional money from the simplicity and availability of IKEA products and by orchestrating the orders and purchases themselves. Following each construction meeting, the clients would make a run to IKEA and purchase items, pick up needed spare parts, and bring them back right away to stay ahead of the contractor’s schedule and minimize the chance of delays and bottlenecks. Klopf balanced material selections by retaining some of the original woodwork and simply refinishing the mahogany paneling. They were able to retain the original windows and sliding doors which were still in good shape, avoiding some of the most costly replacement expenses. Additionally interior doors were simply refinished and the exterior siding cleaned up and repainted. Formerly dark interiors are now illuminated with new slimmer semi-recessed lighting eliminating the need for costly roof work. Attention to design details allowed the Klopf team to ensure the house ended up with a high quality feel. Key visual elements were strictly aligned and Klopf worked with the clients to select a unified materials palette throughout the spaces so the house flows seamlessly together. Aligning the tile layout with the trusses and keeping it level with the concrete slab outside allowed them to achieve a level of quality that may otherwise be missed. The clients were able to keep their budget on track by determining clear goals and making critical decisions upfront, choosing materials and furnishings wisely, working with the right design and construction teams in place and to a large part, their willingness to participate throughout the process. In the end the clients were much happier with their reconfigured Eichler home and Klopf Architecture managed to keep their remodeling costs to about $325/sf – a good amount below the average Bay Area Eichler remodel. Project Team: John Klopf, Angela Todorova, Sherry Tan Contractor: Keycon Construction Structural Engineer: Sezen & Moon Photography: Sabrina Huang Year Completed: 2020

2016. "African Room" Interior Design Project by #OxaKovalli. The most exotic of all existing styles is the African style. A passion for the unfamiliar is so human. Decorating the interior in the African style excites the imagination and creates a sense of touching a mystery, something special. Maximum exotic and grotesque, it breaks the clichéd notions of how the interior should be. To give your home an African flavor, a global rearrangement of the apartment to arrange not necessarily. This style - is the very embodiment of dynamics, expression, and pounding vital energy. A neatly chosen game of contrasts can achieve an interesting visual effect in this interior. For example, for decorating the room, you can choose warm, soft, muted colors: sandy, terracotta, pale, the color of melted milk, ochre, or wood bark. Against this background, the items of decor, curtains, and drapery of saturated hues will look very impressive: scarlet or lemon-yellow finishing cloth of upholstered furniture, orange fixtures, and motley carpets with characteristic ornaments. In terms of colors, the African style imposes the only restriction: you should not use synthetic, fluorescent colors.

Serenity Farm, where celebrations and purposeful can come alive in a the most peaceful setting, surrounded by the best Sonoma has to offer and grazing donkeys and other invited wildlife. It’s contemporary farm style exterior and interior exudes warmth, with soaring interior ceilings and exposed glulam beams, mezzanine walkways, and steel open staircase, all create an inviting atmosphere, mixed with intelligent building design aimed at sustainability, resiliency, durability and energy and resource efficiency. Adjacent to the barn, a sun-kissed bocce ball court invites friendly competition under the California sky. The adjoined guest house seamlessly marries contemporary design with farmhouse sensibilities. Clean lines, expansive windows, and a standing-seam metal roof define its character. The barn spills onto a vast covered patio with heaters and BBQ area and fire table a seating for many A dedicated section of the barn houses miniature ponies. Children and adults alike delight in their playful presence. Outdoor pastures provide ample space for the ponies to roam freely. The orchard, with its fruit-laden trees, adds to the bucolic charm. A meandering brook winds through the front of the property, providing a soothing soundtrack that echoes through its serpentine old olive tree grove. Deliberately modest, tucked into the hillside for minimal impact, the structure and hardscaping embraces its surroundings without imposing on it. But just walk to the edge of the gardens one can contemplate the Sonoma Valley all the way down to San Francisco. Both in terms of design and construction, Serenity Farm invites you to escape the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary. Designed by EAG Studio | Built by Character Builders

High-quality turnkey bathroom renovation is a guarantee of comfort for apartment owners. This room requires a special approach, since a huge number of engineering communications are concentrated in a limited space, and humidity and active vaporization impose increased requirements on finishing materials.

The dining table of this project joins harmoniously with the rest of the furniture of this incredible open space. An imposing and powerful piece, the Her dining table for six people follows a minimalist design that fits perfectly in any decorative environment. The fluted legs with bronze lacquered details give the touch of refinement, for family sharing moments.

Nestled in a home in Thrapston, this stunning kitchen was the result of a chance connection over golf, and it turned into something simply perfect for a lovely family. There’s a great story behind this kitchen. It might never have happened if not for a few golf lessons with a brilliant local pro, who, as it turned out, needed a kitchen. The result is a beautiful room that we’re proud to have delivered from start to finish. We used Crown Imperial’s Midsomer range for this project, painted in Sage and Blush. The Royal Calacatta Gold Quartz worktops bring a soft, luxurious feel to the space, and the Karndean herringbone floor adds warmth and texture underfoot. Bosch appliances and a standout gold Quooker tap bring both function and flair. That Quooker, especially, was a decision that took a bit of bravery, but it paid off. There are a few design details that really make this kitchen special to us. The tall units in Blush add a soft accent, with matching tiles at the opposite end of the room to tie the whole space together. A curved pilaster helps soften the corner, making the tall units feel less imposing. And the centralised hob with integrated canopy hood gives the room a far cleaner, more balanced finish, even if it did require a bit of head scratching during the design stage. We handled the entire project, from removing the old kitchen to the final finishing touches. That included plumbing, electrics, plastering, and the new flooring—every step was taken care of by our team. This kitchen is more than just a pretty space – it’s full of considered design choices and lovely touches that really suit the family who lives here. We adore how it turned out. A truly lovely room for a lovely family.

Example of a classic medium tone wood floor, brown floor and exposed beam staircase design in Hertfordshire with gray walls

I took over a project to renovate a penthouse at Thessaloniki Greece. Clean lines. Entering the house gives you the feeling of a fresh interior. Open spaces, white colors are giving a relaxed atmosphere. The eye concentrates to the imposing island. Mirrors are placed to the right spot to make the space look bigger.