This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood. INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site. EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot. THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place. HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde. YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting. ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements. RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage. OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet. ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Inspiration for a transitional gender-neutral carpeted and shiplap ceiling nursery remodel in Kansas City with white walls

When people think of remodeling their homes, they often immediately consider starting with rooms like the dining area, living room, or basement – rooms where the most amount of people spend the most amount of time. While those rooms are important, recent remodeling trends are pointing toward the popularity of re-creating a more private place – the master bath. In fact, we are in the midst of The Year of the Master Bath. Current home improvement practices show that, not only is redoing your master bath a fun and stylish choice, but it also is a wise way to add value to your home. For homes built in the 1990’s with master baths over 200 square feet in size, now is the ideal time to remodel and upgrade to a more efficient, stylish, and worth-while setup. Most homes built during this time period were completed with a typical master bath that included a large jetted tub, and a separate small shower. Both of these elements are quickly becoming recognizable as features of the past, and are being replaced by new and improved technologies. For instance, many homeowners have taken it upon themselves to remove the large jetted bath, and replace it with a free standing tub. These free standing tubs allow for the room to open up in a more modern fashion, and provide endless style and aesthetic choices. Homeowners are also expanding their small showers to create a luxury environment. By pushing out walls to make more shower space, adding skylights and hinged doors, or even designing an accent tile pattern, homeowners are able to take their simple shower and turn it into a relaxing space that rivals even the best spa. The remodeling of a master bath even allows for homeowners to get creative with storage space and style. Many emerging trends include higher vanity height, and even additional built-in towers with extra outlets so that no one is without power while curling their hair or charging a razor. When you take the time to customize your master bath, you will add a level of value to your home that you can experience each and every day, and that will also add to your home’s worth in the long run. Join in on The Year of the Master Bath, and enjoy your improved space for decades to come!

When people think of remodeling their homes, they often immediately consider starting with rooms like the dining area, living room, or basement – rooms where the most amount of people spend the most amount of time. While those rooms are important, recent remodeling trends are pointing toward the popularity of re-creating a more private place – the master bath. In fact, we are in the midst of The Year of the Master Bath. Current home improvement practices show that, not only is redoing your master bath a fun and stylish choice, but it also is a wise way to add value to your home. For homes built in the 1990’s with master baths over 200 square feet in size, now is the ideal time to remodel and upgrade to a more efficient, stylish, and worth-while setup. Most homes built during this time period were completed with a typical master bath that included a large jetted tub, and a separate small shower. Both of these elements are quickly becoming recognizable as features of the past, and are being replaced by new and improved technologies. For instance, many homeowners have taken it upon themselves to remove the large jetted bath, and replace it with a free standing tub. These free standing tubs allow for the room to open up in a more modern fashion, and provide endless style and aesthetic choices. Homeowners are also expanding their small showers to create a luxury environment. By pushing out walls to make more shower space, adding skylights and hinged doors, or even designing an accent tile pattern, homeowners are able to take their simple shower and turn it into a relaxing space that rivals even the best spa. The remodeling of a master bath even allows for homeowners to get creative with storage space and style. Many emerging trends include higher vanity height, and even additional built-in towers with extra outlets so that no one is without power while curling their hair or charging a razor. When you take the time to customize your master bath, you will add a level of value to your home that you can experience each and every day, and that will also add to your home’s worth in the long run. Join in on The Year of the Master Bath, and enjoy your improved space for decades to come!

Inspiration for a modern bathroom remodel in Atlanta

The MultiTable FlexTable Height Adjustable sit Stand Desk. https://www.multitable.com/product/flextable-height-adjustable-standing-desk/ The FlexTable by MultiTable is uniquely designed from the ground up to be the most steadfast, versatile and adaptable height adjustable standing desk made for today’s modern workspace. Now the power is in your hands to sit or stand with an affordable height adjustable desk that can be ordered with an electric up-down switch or a hand crank – you get to choose how to raise and lower your desk surface. Best part is you can easily and quickly convert the FlexTable from a manual hand crank to an electric switch at any time with the FlexTable Electric Upgrade Kit. Offering impressive height adjustability from 27 ⅝” to 45 ⅞”, the FlexTable is made from quality-grade aluminum and steel components that can support standard desk tops ranging from 40” to 72” wide. Our most affordable standing desk yet, FlexTable achieves the ultimate in functionality, comfort and flexibility. With MultiTable, you decide how you accomplish your best work. FEATURES: Affordable, high-quality design in a variety of standard colors Powder-coated premium aluminum and steel desk frame Expansive height adjustability from 27 ⅝” to 45 ⅞” Adjustable width range from: 43” to 67” Adjustable desk frame width supports desk tops up to 72” Wide desk frame leg structure for improved stability and durability Flexible conversion from manual hand crank to electric switch with FlexTable Electric Conversion Kit 30-day return guarantee 5-year limited warranty

The young couple’s goal in this Chicago Lakeview Renovation was to improve their city dwelling in order to accommodate their growing young children, add more natural light and updated finishes, and take advantage of the recently acquired lot next door. Seen here is transitional style kitchen with white cabinetry and stained wood island. All cabinetry was crafted in-house at our cabinet shop. Need help with your home transformation? Call Benvenuti and Stein design build for full service solutions. 847.866.6868. Norman Sizemore-photographer

As I drive from job to job is never ceases to amaze me how uninspiring and even downright unappealing the decks are in new development neighborhoods. While doing a finish carpentry job in the formal living and dining rooms the homeowner asked me to come outside to get my opinion on his deck. The previous owner of the property invested a great deal of money on a well designed deck but because it was completely close in under the deck the decking had deteriorated. We removed the decking and surround and power-washed the framing, then allowed it to dry completely before installing the new decking. We were careful when removing the decking and were able to save the white vinyl hand railing. Before installing the new decking we checked and corrected all of the framing for level, plumed all of the posts, and replace all of the rotten stair stringer. We then installed all of the blocking for the new decking perimeter boards and partitions. The decking went on smoothly with a new pneumatic hidden fastener nailer which drives 3" screws into the framing. The stair risers and rim board are in white paint grade vinyl (PGV) to compliment the dark wood tone decking. The overall look of the deck exceeded the homeowners hopes and the price was below budget. 95% of each composite decking board contents recycled and reclaimed plastic and wood fibers. 70% of all the plastic bags recycled in the U.S. are part of an in-store collection program used by TREX. ECO Building Solutions is "improving the planet one home at a time" .

Living room - living room idea in Charlotte

Kids' room - contemporary kids' room idea

Inspiration for a large contemporary medium tone wood floor and brown floor dining room remodel in Charlotte with white walls

Effectively maintaining your landscape and trees take a good amount of time and effort. Often, homeowners will delay trimming or pruning their trees out of laziness or simply because they don’t know how to correctly care of their trees. But, you should know that tree trimming should be at the top of your to-do list for many reasons. Pruning, proper maintenance, and fertilization are all critical if you want the trees in your yard to thrive to grow strong. For homeowners that are unable to handle the tasks on their own, our professional tree trimming service can help. Five Star Tree Services has put together a list of the top three reasons why you need to trim your trees on a regular basis. Healthier Trees Regular tree trimming will keep your trees in their best health while also promoting growth. Sometimes trees may have dead or broken branches, removing them prevents decay and can even prevent an infection from spreading. If you leave damaged or rotting branches on your tree, it can spread the condition to other parts of the tree or even to other trees in the area. When you prune your tree on a regular basis, it also promotes the growth of new leaves and branches. Reducing the thickness of the leaves and branches also opens up the inner part of the tree to the sun. Furthermore, air circulation is critical for a healthy tree and regular trimming ensures that your tree always has access to the fresh oxygen it needs to thrive. The healthier your tree is the better quality oxygen it will produce for the surrounding area. Improve Property Value Well-kept trees greatly improve the aesthetics of your home. Decaying branches or trees that are overgrown are not only unsightly and dangerous, but they can also have a negative impact on the curb appeal of your house. If your house is on the market, seeing an unkempt yard with untrimmed trees can leave potential buyers with a negative perception of your property. Keeping your trees trimmed and neat show that you care about your home and how it looks. Work hard for your property and it will turn the best profit when you finally sell. Prevent Environmental Damage Tree branches that are rotting or weak pose a safety hazard to your home and your family. Dead limbs or even overburdened are more likely to fall off of the tree and strike your home. There have been plenty of reports of dead or overly heavy branches suddenly falling on people as well. Trees that grow close to power lines also pose a threat if they are not trimmed on a regular basis. Limbs can grow too high or too long causing them to brush against the power lines. This may trigger a fire or even a power outage. Sick trees with limbs that are diseased are more likely to cause the entire tree to tip over. This can cause damage to your home, vehicles, or even a person if they are unlucky. How Five Star Tree Services Can Help If you are not sure about how or when to trim your trees, Five Star Tree Services is here to help. We offer a wide range of Toronto Tree Trim Services and pruning services for both commercial and residential locations. Our passionate team of tree care experts will keep your property safe and ensure that your trees are beautiful and can continue to grow in a healthy state. Give us a call at (416) 990-3355 to find out more information about the services we offer.

Designed By Runa Novak In Your space Interior Design
Example of a small minimalist medium tone wood floor powder room design in Chicago with a wall-mount sink

Common Mistakes in Exterior Door Refinishing Refinishing an exterior wood door is an excellent way to prolong it’s lifespan while improving its appearance. However, there are a few common mistakes that can render a refinishing ineffective, or even damage your door. Learn what to avoid while working on your exterior wood door to ensure a successful refinishing. 1. Poor Sanding Sanding against the grain or leaving power sander marks can leave unsightly marks on the surface that will appear in the finished product. Pay attention to how you’re sanding, and use finer grit sandpaper to eliminate any marks. 2. Scratching the Glass Leaving glass unprotected during the sanding process can result in accidentally scratching the surface. These marks are difficult to remove, and can be avoided by simply protecting the glass before you sand. 3. Bad Varnish A varnish could be bad for a variety of reasons; bad prep work, mixing incompatible products, etc. Make sure you know the product you are working with, and do not cut corners. 4. Sanding Through the Veneer Many exterior doors are constructed from a solid core with a decorative veneer applied on top. Sanding too far into the veneer can show unsightly layers and seriously reduce the lifespan of your door. Know how your door is made, and don’t sand too much.

This striking kitchen continues the Lincoln Park home's design language of sculptural minimalism and architectural clarity. Defined by long, uninterrupted sightlines and a bold palette of high contrast, the space celebrates geometry in motion—from the linear cabinetry to the monolithic waterfall island, to the bold, opaque glass pantry door that doubles as a design statement. The custom cabinetry wall integrates seamlessly into the architecture, concealing high-performance appliances while preserving the flow of the space. Opposite, a floating staircase grounds the layout while introducing a play of lines and levels. Every element is intentional—functional, but also beautiful enough to disappear when not in use. With its clean floor plan, strong contrasts, and quiet luxury, this kitchen is a refined backdrop for daily rituals. It evokes calm, control, and confidence—proof that modern design can be deeply personal and powerfully understated.

THE SETUP Once these empty nest homeowners decided to stay put, they knew a new kitchen was in order. Passionate about cooking, entertaining, and hosting holiday gatherings, they found their existing kitchen inadequate. The space, with its traditional style and outdated layout, was far from ideal. They longed for an elegant, timeless kitchen that was not only show-stopping but also functional, seamlessly catering to both their daily routines and special occasions with friends and family. Another key factor was its future appeal to potential buyers, as they’re ready to enjoy their new kitchen while also considering downsizing in the future. Design Objectives: Create a more streamlined, open space Eliminate traditional elements Improve flow for entertaining and everyday use Omit dated posts and soffits Include storage for small appliances to keep counters clutter-free Address mail organization and phone charging concerns THE REMODEL Design Challenges: Compensate for lost storage from omitted wall cabinets Revise floorplan to feature a single, spacious island Enhance island seating proximity for a more engaging atmosphere Address awkward space above existing built-ins Improve natural light blocked by wall cabinet near the window Create a highly functional space tailored for entertaining Design Solutions: Tall cabinetry and pull-outs maximize storage efficiency A generous single island promotes seamless flow and ample prep space Strategic island seating arrangement fosters easy conversation New built-ins fill arched openings, ensuring a custom, clutter-free look Replace wall cabinet with lighted open shelves for an airy feel Galley Dresser and Workstation offer impeccable organization and versatility, creating the perfect setup for entertaining with everything easily accessible. THE RENEWED SPACE The new kitchen exceeded every expectation, thrilling the clients with its revitalized, expansive design and thoughtful functionality. The transformation brought to life an open space adorned with marble accents, a state-of-the-art steam oven, and the seamless integration of the Galley Dresser, crafting a kitchen not just to be used, but to be cherished. This is more than a culinary space; it’s a new heart of their home, ready to host countless memories and culinary adventures. This photo features a maple interior drawer with the docking drawer outlet power attached for easy charging, key drawer, etc.

The Evolution of the Bathtub Ends Here… The Ultimate Healing Bathtub is a Brand-New Revolutionary Slide-In Bathtub, designed and engineered by the most brilliant minds on the Planet and in the Industry. This incredible Bathtub, took 5-long hard years, along with millions of dollars to invent, engineer and develop. No safety or ease of use features have been taken for granted or overlooked. This Amazing Bathtub will help people of all ages, ethnic cultures and backgrounds to relax and enjoy life, while they are cleansing themselves from the toxins of the world, safely along with shouting their pain and discomforts. The beautiful, sleek, aerodynamic design is not only practical, it is Gorgeous. Can you Imagine, Owning the Safest, Most Revolutionary and Luxurious Bathtub in the World? How would that increase the Quality of Your Life? You Can own this Awesome Bathtub…and You Deserve To have One...or Two… Or maybe Three… The Sky is the Limit… It is Affordable… And I’m going to help and assist you, on how to get this Ultra-Unique Invention into Your Home. So, you can rest assured, that when you get home, after working a long hard day, tired, sore, stressed and confused. Call today to learn more about the amazing features and opportunities that were offering! The ”Ultimate Healing Bathtub”, will be waiting for you… With Wide Open Doors… Strong, Powerful Air Jets…. along with Soft Hot Water and Chromotherapy, to help and assist you to: Reduce the Swelling and Inflammation in your Sore Muscles, Tenons and Bones Decrease your Muscle Tension Improve the Circulation of your Blood Give you Satisfying Relief of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Increase your Ligaments Range of Motion Release Toxins Out of your Body Revitalize Loose and Wrinkled Skin Enjoy a Gentle but Powerful Message Regulate Your Mood Swings Improve your Sleeping Patterns Gain Tremendous Anti-Aging Benefits Live a Higher Quality of Life Live More Comfortable Live Happier Live Longer Get all this…. and more, along with the Safest and Most Technical Bathtub on the Planet… The Benefits and Features on this Miraculous Bathtub are Astounding. The Ultimate Healing Bathtub comes standard with: 4-Computers (YES -I said Four CPU’s) Drains in 10-15 Seconds Equipped with a Catch Basin Reservoir underneath the bathtub to allow for quick drainage The Pressurized Door Seal is the same seal the United States Air Force uses on the F-18 Fighter Jet Plane to seal the Canopy to the top of the Cockpit Medical Grade Stainless Steel Main Frame that will stay 99% Bacterial Free Removable Medical Grade Stainless Steel Drain Filter for easy maintenance along with access to the main floor drain 2-12 Volt Back-Up Batteries in case of a power failure Numerous Fail -Safe Features-In case of Power Failure this bathtub automatically Drains in 10-15 seconds, then the door drops so you can get out of the bathtub The door rises from underneath the bathtub for maximum immersion and has 3-positions (Down, Center and Top) Weight of less that one (1) pound of force to open and close the door Door Automatically Latches Easy Ingress and egress from a walker or a wheelchair The bathtub is at chair level for easy positioning Extra foot drain so you can add more hot water without emptying the bathtub water too fast Consumption of less than 40 Gallons of Water Ships in 2-different pieces, that weigh 160 LBS each, for easy installation and attaches together with 4-screws Low Voltage Heated Backrest (Low and High Heat positions) Soft Gel Pillow Numerous Self-Cleaning and Self-Drying Air Jets placed along the entire length of the bathtub that shoot millions of gentle massaging bubbles No chance of contamination and residue buildup from use of soaps and oils Upper Control Panel so you can control all of the benefits and features of the Ultimate Healing Bathtub with a push of a button Hand Held Sprayer for simple caregiving and easy cleaning Dual-Temperature Water Control Valve Anti-Scald Valve so the hot water can’t burn you Water Volume Valve Door latches in center position for easy usage for a care giver or to bathe children and pets Requires 1-110 -20-amp Duplex Receptacle Water and Drain lines come equipped with quick connecting couplings for easy installation Shell is made of Acrylic not Fiberglass for easy patching in case bathtub gets damaged Back and Foot Message Air Jets Grab Bar inside bathtub for Safety Access and Egress At no point is the user standing in the Bathtub, so there is no chance of slipping or falling Ultimate Healing Bathtub dimensions fit easily into existing bathrooms (60” X 32” X 42”) Extra Long Ultimate Healing Bathtub Dimensions (72” X 32” X 42”) Chromotherapy Bring dignity, autonomy and relaxation back into the bathing experience with this remarkable Ultimate Healing Bathtub.