The subtle changes begin as soon as you walk out the back door of the house. The existing decking had a lot of what we call "tweeners"; areas that are overly generous walkways, yet not large enough to house furniture. The awkwardly small bluestone patio was expanded to accommodate a generous seating area. This was done by pushing the step-down closer to the pool. Our talented stone mason carefully married the new bluestone into the existing portion of the patio, resulting in an imperceptible difference between the two. As you descend the new bluestone steps to the pool level, your bare feet will be thankful for the new smooth-finished, limestone-colored concrete, with a hand cut pattern carefully etched into it's surface. The old red brick decking was so hot that the owners could not walk around the pool with their bare feet. The brick coping was also replaced with an eased edge, Pennsylvania Premier Stone which matches the new step treads throughout the project. Between the house and the pool, a large raised planter was reconfigured, giving additional space to the pool deck for a shaded lounge chair area. Across the pool, a bank of rather tall painted brick retaining walls were cut down, shortened and moved. This lessened the visual impact of the walls (which were overwhelming in the space) and also opened up a new seating area, nestled under the arms of the massive Pecan tree at the back of the property. Rather than continuing solid decking around the entire pool, the area near these walls has been transformed to large stone stepper pads set in a sea of beautiful St. Augustine lawn. This creates a visually softened area that is still suited to setting tables and chairs when the guest list calls for additional seating. The spa area is possibly the most dramatic change on this project. Yet more raised planter walls divided this area into awkward spaces, unsuited for proper furniture placement. The planters were removed, new stone decks added, and once again expertly married into the existing decks, opening the area to house a large dining table and a newly built-in BBQ area. The spa itself was re-imagined with the bluestone coping and painted brick veneer. The most impressive addition though is the new handmade glazed tiles that surround the existing cast stone water feature. This water feature was almost unnoticeable against the painted brick wall, but now the dramatic arch and pop of color draw the eye to this quaint little corner of the property. Originally designed by one of the most notable landscape architects in town, this once impressive project had faltered in recent years. The pool and spa still functioned well, and the client wanted to keep it intact. In addition, they wanted to keep as much of the existing landscape as possible. But, the surrounding decks, walls and steps were fair game. At first glance, one might think that our changes were simple material changes. However, upon closer inspection, one can see the subtle-yet-transformative changes that came together to update this classic pool in a tasteful, timeless manner, as well as to improve the flow and usability of the deck areas, while softening the feel of this massive hardscape.

Our clients for this project are a professional couple with a young family. They approached us to help with extending and improving their home in London SW2 to create an enhanced space both aesthetically and functionally for their growing family. We were appointed to provide a full architectural and interior design service, including the design of some bespoke furniture too. A core element of the brief was to design a kitchen living and dining space that opened into the garden and created clear links from inside to out. This new space would provide a large family area they could enjoy all year around. We were also asked to retain the good bits of the current period living spaces while creating a more modern day area in an extension to the rear. It was also a key requirement to refurbish the upstairs bathrooms while the extension and refurbishment works were underway. The solution was a 21m2 extension to the rear of the property that mirrored the neighbouring property in shape and size. However, we added some additional features, such as the projecting glass box window seat. The new kitchen features a large island unit to create a workspace with storage, but also room for seating that is perfect for entertaining friends, or homework when the family gets to that age. The sliding folding doors, paired with floor tiling that ran from inside to out, created a clear link from the garden to the indoor living space. Exposed brick blended with clean white walls creates a very contemporary finish throughout the extension, while the period features have been retained in the original parts of the house.

Our clients for this project are a professional couple with a young family. They approached us to help with extending and improving their home in London SW2 to create an enhanced space both aesthetically and functionally for their growing family. We were appointed to provide a full architectural and interior design service, including the design of some bespoke furniture too. A core element of the brief was to design a kitchen living and dining space that opened into the garden and created clear links from inside to out. This new space would provide a large family area they could enjoy all year around. We were also asked to retain the good bits of the current period living spaces while creating a more modern day area in an extension to the rear. It was also a key requirement to refurbish the upstairs bathrooms while the extension and refurbishment works were underway. The solution was a 21m2 extension to the rear of the property that mirrored the neighbouring property in shape and size. However, we added some additional features, such as the projecting glass box window seat. The new kitchen features a large island unit to create a workspace with storage, but also room for seating that is perfect for entertaining friends, or homework when the family gets to that age. The sliding folding doors, paired with floor tiling that ran from inside to out, created a clear link from the garden to the indoor living space. Exposed brick blended with clean white walls creates a very contemporary finish throughout the extension, while the period features have been retained in the original parts of the house.

Our clients for this project are a professional couple with a young family. They approached us to help with extending and improving their home in London SW2 to create an enhanced space both aesthetically and functionally for their growing family. We were appointed to provide a full architectural and interior design service, including the design of some bespoke furniture too. A core element of the brief was to design a kitchen living and dining space that opened into the garden and created clear links from inside to out. This new space would provide a large family area they could enjoy all year around. We were also asked to retain the good bits of the current period living spaces while creating a more modern day area in an extension to the rear. It was also a key requirement to refurbish the upstairs bathrooms while the extension and refurbishment works were underway. The solution was a 21m2 extension to the rear of the property that mirrored the neighbouring property in shape and size. However, we added some additional features, such as the projecting glass box window seat. The new kitchen features a large island unit to create a workspace with storage, but also room for seating that is perfect for entertaining friends, or homework when the family gets to that age. The sliding folding doors, paired with floor tiling that ran from inside to out, created a clear link from the garden to the indoor living space. Exposed brick blended with clean white walls creates a very contemporary finish throughout the extension, while the period features have been retained in the original parts of the house.

Our clients for this project are a professional couple with a young family. They approached us to help with extending and improving their home in London SW2 to create an enhanced space both aesthetically and functionally for their growing family. We were appointed to provide a full architectural and interior design service, including the design of some bespoke furniture too. A core element of the brief was to design a kitchen living and dining space that opened into the garden and created clear links from inside to out. This new space would provide a large family area they could enjoy all year around. We were also asked to retain the good bits of the current period living spaces while creating a more modern day area in an extension to the rear. It was also a key requirement to refurbish the upstairs bathrooms while the extension and refurbishment works were underway. The solution was a 21m2 extension to the rear of the property that mirrored the neighbouring property in shape and size. However, we added some additional features, such as the projecting glass box window seat. The new kitchen features a large island unit to create a workspace with storage, but also room for seating that is perfect for entertaining friends, or homework when the family gets to that age. The sliding folding doors, paired with floor tiling that ran from inside to out, created a clear link from the garden to the indoor living space. Exposed brick blended with clean white walls creates a very contemporary finish throughout the extension, while the period features have been retained in the original parts of the house.

We purchased this home that hadn't had much of an opportunity to have been revitalized throughout the years, therefore, had grown old and tired. We were excited at the vision of what it could be! Through a 5 month process we renovated and refurbished this home with updated bathrooms, kitchen, flooring, ceilings, and exterior work, and fully new windows and french door to create the indoor/outdoor living. Added on a new guest bathroom and laundry room, skylights, and elegant chandeliers and further updated the electrical, plumbing and A/C and heating units. The end product was magnificently elegant with a breathtaking kitchen, modern bathrooms, with a distinct contrast in flooring materials used that left an impressive impression for everyone that toured the property. The before and after pictures of the facade of the property were so contrasting that people who had previously seen pictures of the property or the property itself had a hard time recognizing it when driving by. This project was a huge success for our company and created the elevated energy for all that were involved, including the upliftment of the neighborhood.

Project Overview: The owner of this project is a financial analyst turned realtor turned landlord, and the goal was to increase rental income on one of his properties as effectively as possible. The design was developed to minimize construction costs, minimize City of Portland building compliance costs and restrictions, and to avoid a county tax assessment increase based on site improvements. The owner started with a large backyard at one of his properties, had a custom tiny home built as “personal property”, then added two ancillary sheds each under a 200SF compliance threshold to increase the habitable floor plan. Compliant navigation of laws and code ended up with an out-of-the-box design that only needed mechanical permitting and inspections by the city, but no building permits that would trigger a county value re-assessment. The owner’s final construction costs were $50k less than a standard ADU, rental income almost doubled for the property, and there was no resultant tax increase. Product: Gendai 1×6 select grade shiplap Prefinish: Unoiled Application: Residential – Exterior SF: 900SF Designer: Builder: Date: March 2019 Location: Portland, OR

Project Overview: The owner of this project is a financial analyst turned realtor turned landlord, and the goal was to increase rental income on one of his properties as effectively as possible. The design was developed to minimize construction costs, minimize City of Portland building compliance costs and restrictions, and to avoid a county tax assessment increase based on site improvements. The owner started with a large backyard at one of his properties, had a custom tiny home built as “personal property”, then added two ancillary sheds each under a 200SF compliance threshold to increase the habitable floor plan. Compliant navigation of laws and code ended up with an out-of-the-box design that only needed mechanical permitting and inspections by the city, but no building permits that would trigger a county value re-assessment. The owner’s final construction costs were $50k less than a standard ADU, rental income almost doubled for the property, and there was no resultant tax increase. Product: Gendai 1×6 select grade shiplap Prefinish: Unoiled Application: Residential – Exterior SF: 900SF Designer: Builder: Date: March 2019 Location: Portland, OR

Completed in collaboration with Hobel Designs, this Spring 2022 renovation transformed an Elizabeth home with a beautifully designed primary suite addition and a fully remodeled hall bathroom. The project was created to enhance comfort, functionality, and everyday living while maintaining a seamless connection to the home's existing character. The new primary suite features a spacious bedroom, a thoughtfully designed walk-in closet, and a luxurious bathroom that provides a private retreat for the homeowners. The hall bathroom was completely updated with modern finishes, improved functionality, and timeless design elements. Outside, the renovation extended into the backyard with a refreshed patio and improved pathways, creating inviting outdoor spaces for relaxation and entertaining. Every detail was carefully planned to maximize usability, improve flow, and create a cohesive experience both inside and outside the home. The result is a beautifully updated property that combines elegant design, quality craftsmanship, and practical living solutions.

Custom pave-stones and balustrade, hot rolled wall cladding. Photo: Greg Anderson, Design: Hawkins Architecture
Large urban backyard concrete patio photo in Other with no cover

We purchased this home that hadn't had much of an opportunity to have been revitalized throughout the years, therefore, had grown old and tired. We were excited at the vision of what it could be! Through a 5 month process we renovated and refurbished this home with updated bathrooms, kitchen, flooring, ceilings, and exterior work, and fully new windows and french door to create the indoor/outdoor living. Added on a new guest bathroom and laundry room, skylights, and elegant chandeliers and further updated the electrical, plumbing and A/C and heating units. The end product was magnificently elegant with a breathtaking kitchen, modern bathrooms, with a distinct contrast in flooring materials used that left an impressive impression for everyone that toured the property. The before and after pictures of the facade of the property were so contrasting that people who had previously seen pictures of the property or the property itself had a hard time recognizing it when driving by. This project was a huge success for our company and created the elevated energy for all that were involved, including the upliftment of the neighborhood.

Completed in collaboration with Hobel Designs, this Spring 2022 renovation transformed an Elizabeth home with a beautifully designed primary suite addition and a fully remodeled hall bathroom. The project was created to enhance comfort, functionality, and everyday living while maintaining a seamless connection to the home's existing character. The new primary suite features a spacious bedroom, a thoughtfully designed walk-in closet, and a luxurious bathroom that provides a private retreat for the homeowners. The hall bathroom was completely updated with modern finishes, improved functionality, and timeless design elements. Outside, the renovation extended into the backyard with a refreshed patio and improved pathways, creating inviting outdoor spaces for relaxation and entertaining. Every detail was carefully planned to maximize usability, improve flow, and create a cohesive experience both inside and outside the home. The result is a beautifully updated property that combines elegant design, quality craftsmanship, and practical living solutions.

A customer from the Tunbridge Wells borough of Southborough got in touch with me regarding the renovation of their Sandstone Paved Drive and Patio. The paving surrounded the property and since all the facias had recently been renewed on the house the stone was letting the overall appearance of the property down. It had been sometime since the Sandstone had been cleaned and as you can see from the photos what was once a beautiful stone had now darkened and lost much of its natural colour. I went to the property to do a quick site visit to check what needed to be done. I worked out a quote for cleaning to the stone which was accepted and a convenient time to carry out the work was agreed. I have a very powerful high pressure cleaning system installed in my van which makes short work of cleaning stone and brick. Not only is it very effective at cleaning its designed as a closed system, so all the waste is extracted back to a large grey water tank in the van. Now you can use an everyday power washer to clean up external stone however they are not as powerful and so take much longer, also the result does not tend to be as good. It was a large area, so I approached the job in sections and started by pre-wetting the stone with water. Then I applied Tile Doctor Patio & Brick Driveway Cleaner which is a powerful outdoor cleaning solution formulated to power through patio blackspots, lichen, moss, and stains. This is a commercial product designed for professional use so if you are looking at using it yourself, please take care and use the right protection. The cleaner was left to soak into the really dirty areas whilst I focused on the cleaning the other parts of the drive and patio with the van mounted pressure washer. I was then able to return to the deeper stains later. Using a combination of the Tile Doctor Brick and Patio Cleaner along with our van mounted pressure cleaning system we were able to completely transform the properties kerb appeal. Applying a sealer now the Sandstone was clean would have improved the look of the stone further and made the patio easier to keep clean going forward; however, it was a very large area which would require a lot of sealer. Keen to keep the cost down it was agreed not to apply a sealer and instead they intend to do more regular cleaning. The patio did look in great condition following the deep cleaning and so difficult to justify at this stage. My customer was very happy with the transformed patio and the look of delight was clearly visible. It’s a great feeling when you have a happy customer and this was one of those jobs where their satisfaction was so uplifting, especially during these times. Michael Conlon South Kent TIle Doctor

Bathroom remodeling is a significant home improvement project that blends functionality, aesthetics, and value. At a high level, it involves updating elements such as fixtures, flooring, lighting, cabinetry, and plumbing to create a more efficient and visually appealing space. Modern remodeling also emphasizes energy and water efficiency, incorporating low-flow toilets, LED lighting, and eco-friendly materials. The planning stage is critical, involving layout decisions, selection of durable finishes, and ensuring compliance with local building codes to ensure both safety and longevity. The outcomes of a well-executed bathroom remodel go beyond surface-level improvements. A redesigned bathroom can greatly enhance daily convenience and comfort, whether through better storage solutions, improved lighting, or more accessible features such as walk-in showers or grab bars for aging-in-place needs. These changes can dramatically improve quality of life, especially in homes with outdated or poorly designed bathrooms. Functionality and thoughtful design can make even small bathrooms feel spacious and more enjoyable to use. Moreover, bathroom remodeling holds significant value from a financial perspective. A modern, attractive bathroom can increase a home’s resale value and appeal to potential buyers, often offering a high return on investment compared to other renovation projects. Real estate professionals consistently highlight updated bathrooms as key selling points. Ultimately, a bathroom remodel isn’t just an aesthetic upgrade—it’s an investment in comfort, safety, efficiency, and property value.

We purchased this home that hadn't had much of an opportunity to have been revitalized throughout the years, therefore, had grown old and tired. We were excited at the vision of what it could be! Through a 5 month process we renovated and refurbished this home with updated bathrooms, kitchen, flooring, ceilings, and exterior work, and fully new windows and french door to create the indoor/outdoor living. Added on a new guest bathroom and laundry room, skylights, and elegant chandeliers and further updated the electrical, plumbing and A/C and heating units. The end product was magnificently elegant with a breathtaking kitchen, modern bathrooms, with a distinct contrast in flooring materials used that left an impressive impression for everyone that toured the property. The before and after pictures of the facade of the property were so contrasting that people who had previously seen pictures of the property or the property itself had a hard time recognizing it when driving by. This project was a huge success for our company and created the elevated energy for all that were involved, including the upliftment of the neighborhood.

We purchased this home that hadn't had much of an opportunity to have been revitalized throughout the years, therefore, had grown old and tired. We were excited at the vision of what it could be! Through a 5 month process we renovated and refurbished this home with updated bathrooms, kitchen, flooring, ceilings, and exterior work, and fully new windows and french door to create the indoor/outdoor living. Added on a new guest bathroom and laundry room, skylights, and elegant chandeliers and further updated the electrical, plumbing and A/C and heating units. The end product was magnificently elegant with a breathtaking kitchen, modern bathrooms, with a distinct contrast in flooring materials used that left an impressive impression for everyone that toured the property. The before and after pictures of the facade of the property were so contrasting that people who had previously seen pictures of the property or the property itself had a hard time recognizing it when driving by. This project was a huge success for our company and created the elevated energy for all that were involved, including the upliftment of the neighborhood.

We purchased this home that hadn't had much of an opportunity to have been revitalized throughout the years, therefore, had grown old and tired. We were excited at the vision of what it could be! Through a 5 month process we renovated and refurbished this home with updated bathrooms, kitchen, flooring, ceilings, and exterior work, and fully new windows and french door to create the indoor/outdoor living. Added on a new guest bathroom and laundry room, skylights, and elegant chandeliers and further updated the electrical, plumbing and A/C and heating units. The end product was magnificently elegant with a breathtaking kitchen, modern bathrooms, with a distinct contrast in flooring materials used that left an impressive impression for everyone that toured the property. The before and after pictures of the facade of the property were so contrasting that people who had previously seen pictures of the property or the property itself had a hard time recognizing it when driving by. This project was a huge success for our company and created the elevated energy for all that were involved, including the upliftment of the neighborhood.

Completed in collaboration with Hobel Designs, this Spring 2022 renovation transformed an Elizabeth home with a beautifully designed primary suite addition and a fully remodeled hall bathroom. The project was created to enhance comfort, functionality, and everyday living while maintaining a seamless connection to the home's existing character. The new primary suite features a spacious bedroom, a thoughtfully designed walk-in closet, and a luxurious bathroom that provides a private retreat for the homeowners. The hall bathroom was completely updated with modern finishes, improved functionality, and timeless design elements. Outside, the renovation extended into the backyard with a refreshed patio and improved pathways, creating inviting outdoor spaces for relaxation and entertaining. Every detail was carefully planned to maximize usability, improve flow, and create a cohesive experience both inside and outside the home. The result is a beautifully updated property that combines elegant design, quality craftsmanship, and practical living solutions.

We purchased this home that hadn't had much of an opportunity to have been revitalized throughout the years, therefore, had grown old and tired. We were excited at the vision of what it could be! Through a 5 month process we renovated and refurbished this home with updated bathrooms, kitchen, flooring, ceilings, and exterior work, and fully new windows and french door to create the indoor/outdoor living. Added on a new guest bathroom and laundry room, skylights, and elegant chandeliers and further updated the electrical, plumbing and A/C and heating units. The end product was magnificently elegant with a breathtaking kitchen, modern bathrooms, with a distinct contrast in flooring materials used that left an impressive impression for everyone that toured the property. The before and after pictures of the facade of the property were so contrasting that people who had previously seen pictures of the property or the property itself had a hard time recognizing it when driving by. This project was a huge success for our company and created the elevated energy for all that were involved, including the upliftment of the neighborhood.