Modern Tudor on the Prairie Our clients fell in love with the wide-open spaces of the White Oaks Savanna development. They dreamed of a home that celebrated the beauty of Minnesota’s ever-changing landscape and blurred the line between indoor and outdoor. They wanted a home with a traditional exterior, impressive entry, and modern interiors. The large site provides spectacular views of the restored prairie landscape. All four sides of this home are refined and architecturally resolved since each elevation is highly visible in the open prairie setting. Properly locating the home on the site was critical to maintaining the stunning prairie views. The home is nestled behind a hill instead of sitting on top of it, so it is blocked from the neighbors and respects their views. Natural materials adorn the exterior, including cedar, stone, stucco, and copper, that act as “jewelry” for the home. The cedar and copper will patina with time, adding richness and texture to the home. Front Door: The custom front door is 4 feet wide by 8 feet tall. It is paired with a matching fixed panel, so the door appears to be 8 feet wide from the outside, and is painted a cheery bright blue to greet visitors. The intentional placement of color adds vibrancy throughout the home in contrast to the quiet exterior colors. The bold pops of color requested by the client continue on the interior of the home, including a turquoise dining room, magenta closet doors, and a deep blue basement. Lantern Staircase: A triple-height stair floating in front of 18-foot-high windows welcomes visitors. At night, a hidden, remote controlled retractable shade scrim (lightweight shade) limits light pollution to follow the Dark Skies Initiative. Great Room: Cased openings of white oak create transition spaces and frame views to and from the grand, two-story great room. The entry and dining room have cozy 8-foot ceilings and are perched 12” up from the great room for views over the living room furniture. To avoid dining chairs sliding over the steps, a custom built-in credenza sits on the steps behind the dining table. Folding Outswing Door: The 20’ wide by 9.5’ tall folding outswing door blurs the line between outside and inside. A hidden bi-parting retractable bug screen allows the large door to remain open throughout the day to bring in fresh air. Catwalk: A catwalk, or raised walkway, on the upper floor overlooks the great room and leads to the guest suites. A long bench with built-in linen storage is tucked into a niche with clerestory windows, providing a cozy spot for guests to relax. Guest laundry is tucked into the backside of the fireplace chimney. Owner's Suite: From the start, the owners wanted their bedroom perched on the second level to maximize views of the prairie beyond. Located in its own wing of the home, the owners’ suite offers privacy. Magenta closet doors guide the owners into the bedroom and adjacent bathroom. Lifestyle: The home incorporates numerous lifestyle features that are as much a part of the house as the main spaces. A sauna is located on the main level, allowing for easy access after a dip in the pool and a wine cellar is tucked neatly under the staircase for convenient and beautiful display.

Crafting Enchanting Entryways: Bespoke Arbors by AX Projects Transform your outdoor space with a touch of romance and architectural allure. At AX Projects, we specialize in creating stunning, custom-built arbors that serve as captivating focal points for gardens across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Why Choose an AX Projects Arbor? Our arbors are more than just garden structures; they're gateways to tranquility and style. Crafted with the same attention to detail as our renowned pergolas, our arbors offer: Unmatched Elegance: Each arbor is a work of art, designed to complement your home's architecture and garden aesthetics. Superior Materials: We primarily use premium Western Red Cedar, known for its natural beauty and resilience to the Pacific Northwest climate. Customized Designs: From classic arches to modern geometric shapes, we tailor each arbor to your unique vision and space. Versatile Functionality: Support climbing plants, frame a pathway, or create a charming entrance to your garden oasis. Expert Craftsmanship: Our skilled artisans bring years of experience to every project, ensuring quality that stands the test of time. The AX Projects Arbor Experience We begin with a thorough consultation, understanding your garden's layout and your design preferences. Our team then crafts a bespoke arbor that not only meets but exceeds your expectations. We handle everything from initial design to final installation, ensuring a seamless process and stunning results. Whether you're looking to add a romantic touch to your garden, create a defined entryway, or support your favorite climbing roses, an AX Projects arbor is the perfect solution. Let us help you elevate your outdoor space with a custom arbor that combines beauty, functionality, and durability. Discover the magic of a custom-crafted arbor. Contact AX Projects today and take the first step towards transforming your garden into an enchanting retreat.

Originally built in the early twentieth century, this Orchard Lake cottage was purchased almost 10 years ago by a wonderful couple—empty nesters with an appreciation for stunning views, modern amenities and quality craftsmanship. They hired MainStreet Design Build to design and remodel their home to fit their needs exactly. Upon initial inspection, it was apparent that the original home had been modified over the years, sustaining multiple room additions. Consequently, this mid-size cottage home had little character or cohesiveness. Even more concerning, after conducting a thorough inspection, it became apparent that the structure was inadequate to sustain major modifications. As a result, a plan was formulated to take the existing structure down to its original floor deck. The clients’ needs that fueled the design plan included: -Preserving and capitalizing on the lake view -A large, welcoming entry from the street -A warm, inviting space for entertaining guests and family -A large, open kitchen with room for multiple cooks -Built-ins for the homeowner’s book collection -An in-law suite for the couple’s aging parents The space was redesigned with the clients needs in mind. Building a completely new structure gave us the opportunity to create a large, welcoming main entrance. The dining and kitchen areas are now open and spacious for large family gatherings. A custom Grabill kitchen was designed with professional grade Wolf and Thermador appliances for an enjoyable cooking and dining experience. The homeowners loved the Grabill cabinetry so much that they decided to use it throughout the home in the powder room, (2) guest suite bathrooms and the laundry room, complete with dog wash. Most breathtaking; however, might be the luxury master bathroom which included extensive use of marble, a 2-person Maax whirlpool tub, an oversized walk-in-shower with steam and bench seating for two, and gorgeous custom-built inset cherry cabinetry. The new wide plank oak flooring continues throughout the entire first and second floors with a lovely open staircase lit by a chandelier, skylights and flush in-wall step lighting. Plenty of custom built-ins were added on walls and seating areas to accommodate the client’s sizeable book collection. Fitting right in to the gorgeous lakefront lot, the home’s exterior is reminiscent of East Coast “beachy” shingle-style that includes an attached, oversized garage with Mahogany carriage style garage doors that leads directly into a mud room and first floor laundry. These Orchard Lake property homeowners love their new home, with a combined first and second floor living space totaling 4,429 sq. ft. To further add to the amenities of this home, MainStreet Design Build is currently under design contract for another major lower-level / basement renovation in the fall of 2017. Kate Benjamin Photography

A current interior design trend is the use of floor-to-ceiling color saturation, where paint colors envelop an entire space. When designing the primary en-suite bathroom for my personal residence, "The French Chateau," I wanted to explore this trend. Selecting Sherwin Williams' "Sleepy Blue" as the paint color, we adorned the bathroom from base to crown, creating a spa-like ambiance. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As I embarked on the journey of selecting art and accentuating the space, I found it challenging to source art that would infuse the ideal color scheme and fit the space perfectly. I decided that commissioning a custom piece would be the best solution. Eventually I realized that I, myself, was the ideal artist. Being an art major in college and passionate about all forms of creativity, the notion of crafting such an intimate piece for a personal space felt right. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I began painting this piece, drawing inspiration from my own story. The artwork encompasses multiple layers, mirroring the chapters of my journey. The initial layer exudes sweetness and simplicity, reflecting the innocence of childhood. Subsequent layers illustrate warm and joyful tones, symbolizing adolescence and falling in love. As the story unfolds, layers of hurt and pain emerge, portraying challenging times, lost friendships, infertility, the closure of my cherished boutique in 2016, and other profound moments in my life. Each stroke captures both gentleness and intensity, blending seamlessly or resonating with emotional fervor. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Finally, I adorned the painting with gold leaf, not only adding beauty but also symbolizing my own refinement through the fires of life. Every time I step into my bathroom, I am greeted by my own creation, which serves as a reminder of the beauty, both sweet and painful, that weaves through my story. It fills me with anticipation for the future too.

For a family who believes fitness is not only an essential part of life but also a fun opportunity for the whole family to connect, build and achieve greatness together there is nothing better than a custom designed obstacle course right in your back yard. THEME The theme of this half mile trail through the woods is evident in the fun, creative and all-inclusive obstacles hidden in the natural flow of the land around this amazing family home. The course was created with adults and children, advanced and beginner athletes, competitive and entertaining events all accounted for. Each of the 13 obstacles was designed to be challenging no matter the size, skill or ability of the athlete lucky enough to run the course. FOCUS The focus for this family was to create an outdoor adventure that could be an athletic, social and personal outlet for their entire family while maintaining the natural beauty of the landscape and without altering the sweeping views from the home. The large scale of the challenging obstacles is camouflaged within the landscape using the rolling hills and mature trees as a natural curtain in every season. The beauty of the course does not diminish the functional and demanding nature of the obstacles which are designed to focus on multiple strength, agility, and cardio fitness abilities and intensities. STORAGE The start of the trail includes a raised training area offering a dedicated space clear from the ground to place bags, mats and other equipment used during the run. A small all-terrain storage cart was provided for use with 6 yoga mats, 3 medicine balls of various weights, rings, sprinting cones, and a large digital timer to record laps. GROWTH The course was designed to provide an athletic and fun challenge for children, teens and adults no matter their experience or athletic prowess. This course offers competitive athletes a challenge and budding athletes an opportunity to experience and ignite their passion for physical activity. Initially the concept for the course was focused on the youngest of the family however as the design grew so did the obstacles and now it is a true family experience that will meet their adapting needs for years. Each obstacle is paired with an instructional sign directing the runners in proper use of the obstacle, adaptations for skill levels and tips on form. These signs are all customized for this course and are printed on metal to ensure they last for many years. SAFETY Safety is crucial for all physical activity and an obstacle course of this scale presents unique safety concerns. Children should always be supervised when participating in an adventure on the course however additional care was paid to details on the course to ensure everyone has a great time. All of the course obstacles have been created with pressure treated lumber that will withstand the seasonal poundings. All footer pilings that support obstacles have been placed into the ground between 3 to 4 feet (.9 to 1.2 meters) and each piling has 2 to 3 bags of concrete (totaling over 90 bags used throughout the course) ensuring stability of the structure and safety of the participants. Additionally, all obstacle lumber has been given rounded corners and sanded down offering less splintering and more time for everyone to enjoy the course. This athletic and charismatic family strives to incorporate a healthy active lifestyle into their daily life and this obstacle course offers their family an opportunity to strengthen themselves and host some memorable and active events at their amazing home.

Karen and Chad of Tower Lakes, IL were tired of their unfinished basement functioning as nothing more than a storage area and depressing gym. They wanted to increase the livable square footage of their home with a cohesive finished basement design, while incorporating space for the kids and adults to hang out. “We wanted to make sure that upon renovating the basement, that we can have a place where we can spend time and watch movies, but also entertain and showcase the wine collection that we have,” Karen said. After a long search comparing many different remodeling companies, Karen and Chad found Advance Design Studio. They were drawn towards the unique “Common Sense Remodeling” process that simplifies the renovation experience into predictable steps focused on customer satisfaction. “There are so many other design/build companies, who may not have transparency, or a focused process in mind and I think that is what separated Advance Design Studio from the rest,” Karen said. Karen loved how designer Claudia Pop was able to take very high-level concepts, “non-negotiable items” and implement them in the initial 3D drawings. Claudia and Project Manager DJ Yurik kept the couple in constant communication through the project. “Claudia was very receptive to the ideas we had, but she was also very good at infusing her own points and thoughts, she was very responsive, and we had an open line of communication,” Karen said. A very important part of the basement renovation for the couple was the home gym and sauna. The “high-end hotel” look and feel of the openly blended work out area is both highly functional and beautiful to look at. The home sauna gives them a place to relax after a long day of work or a tough workout. “The gym was a very important feature for us,” Karen said. “And I think (Advance Design) did a very great job in not only making the gym a functional area, but also an aesthetic point in our basement”. An extremely unique wow-factor in this basement is the walk in glass wine cellar that elegantly displays Karen and Chad’s extensive wine collection. Immediate access to the stunning wet bar accompanies the wine cellar to make this basement a popular spot for friends and family. The custom-built wine bar brings together two natural elements; Calacatta Vicenza Quartz and thick distressed Black Walnut. Sophisticated yet warm Graphite Dura Supreme cabinetry provides contrast to the soft beige walls and the Calacatta Gold backsplash. An undermount sink across from the bar in a matching Calacatta Vicenza Quartz countertop adds functionality and convenience to the bar, while identical distressed walnut floating shelves add an interesting design element and increased storage. Rich true brown Rustic Oak hardwood floors soften and warm the space drawing all the areas together. Across from the bar is a comfortable living area perfect for the family to sit down at a watch a movie. A full bath completes this finished basement with a spacious walk-in shower, Cocoa Brown Dura Supreme vanity with Calacatta Vicenza Quartz countertop, a crisp white sink and a stainless-steel Voss faucet. Advance Design’s Common Sense process gives clients the opportunity to walk through the basement renovation process one step at a time, in a completely predictable and controlled environment. “Everything was designed and built exactly how we envisioned it, and we are really enjoying it to it’s full potential,” Karen said. Constantly striving for customer satisfaction, Advance Design’s success is heavily reliant upon happy clients referring their friends and family. “We definitely will and have recommended Advance Design Studio to friends who are looking to embark on a remodeling project small or large,” Karen exclaimed at the completion of her project.

Vicenza Grigio Limestone
Patio - large coastal backyard concrete paver patio idea with no cover

Richard Herman is in the hospitality business and owns several upscale hotels in Florida and in other states as well as cattle ranches in both Florida and Missouri. Their farm in Ocala is by farm their most unique. The property serves as a 4-H demonstration project for the purpose of children’s education. They have been working with the Academy Prep of St. Pete which is dedicated to inner-city youths that are selected on the basis of need and achievement. Wife Diane spends her time on the farm raising Gypsy Vanners, a diminutive draft horse named after the job they did in Eastern Europe, pulling the wagons (vans) for gypsies that wandered across the continent. On the Ocala farm, there are several mules with a unique profession. Richard had visited the Hearthstone display at a Log & Timber Home Shows at the Orlando Convention Center many years ago. He was impressed that Hearthstone had stayed in touch with him over the years by mailings, invitations to shows, and periodic phone calls. When the time came to start serious consideration of the design of barn, Hearthstone responded promptly and professionally to Richard and Diane’s requests for information and a review of their ideas for their barn, which would serve as the centerpiece for their new farm. They wanted a multipurpose facility that could accommodate an educational environment and a large hall suitable for the fundraising events for his charities. Richard wanted a barn that reflected the look and feel of barns built at the dawn of the 20th century. Besides the rustic chicken houses and vegetable gardens, they have completely renovated a 1020’s era farmhouse to be as historically correct as possible and serves as the entry to the farm. “They very careful to feel us out, get comfortable with our capabilities, and be convinced that we could perform as promised,” said Project Manager John Ricketson of Hearthstone. Design Process There were some initial drawings that gave us a start on the basic shape and size of the barn. From there, it was a process of narrowing down the uses of each area and the spans that could be achieved. The barn was going to have the traditional “board & batten” exterior siding and a metal roof. There is a cantilevered ‘hay hood” on the north gable end above the large sliding barn doors that open into the foyer and horse stalls. The wings house a combination of areas, beginning with the large restrooms to accommodate crowds for events. Other parts of the wings have garage areas for the farm vehicles, feed room, tack room, wash rack, storage, offices, and smaller restrooms. Keeping with the look and feel of the turn of the century, Hearthstone developed a process for giving the timbers a surface texture that mimicked the circular cuts of timbers that had just come out of an old sawmill. This was easier said than done. Randy Giles guided his millwright (Wolfgang) in designing a machine that would do this effectively. The barn was delivered in October of 2014 and was erected over the course of two weeks, thanks to a hardworking crew (Eric Foster) and near-perfect weather. After the Hearthstone crew completed the erection and roof dry-in, it was time for the local carpenters to step up and install some light conventional framing on the gable ends before applying the roof fascia and exterior board & batten siding. Next came the big sliding barn doors, plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling. Large rustic fixtures were hung from the great hall roof timbers. Exterior The board & batten siding was cypress and allowed to turn color naturally as rain hit it and the sun started working on it with UV rays. This method causes a much grayer look closer to the ground and less so where the roof overhang provides protection. The North end has some large limestone boulders and planters arranged around the pad with tall pampas grass. The planters provide casual seating before events and during outside receptions. The entire area was sodded with lush St. Augustine grass and split rail fences were added to enclose the barn area. The corrugated metal roof was a special order material that immediately rusted after being exposed to moisture. The layer of rust protects the metal from the elements. Interior The board & batten theme was carried throughout most of the interior with the timbers left natural to show off the circular saw texture. All of the tongue & groove decking was shipped in advance to allow the local painter to pre-stain it with a dark brown transparent stain that is a beautiful background to the light color Eastern White Pine timbers. “Everything was unique in this project” said Project Manager John Ricketson. “The setting on a small demonstration farm close to Ocala, the multipurpose design, the circular saw texture on the timbers.” The Hermans are very proud of their farm’s outcome. Richard sent a note to Randy Giles, owner of Hearthstone: “The Barn is fantastic, not a single problem, period. Next month, we have Jo Dee Messina coming in to help with a fundraiser for a local center for abused kids. Folks love the farm, ...... but that barn gets all of the attention. I would encourage you to use me as a reference for your sales team, feel free to extend my cell phone to any prospective purchasers.”

Not too long ago I visited a client who had just moved into a lovely old cottage in Milton, Oxfordshire. She wanted to restore many of the antique features of the building, including a fantastic Quarry tiled floor in the kitchen. Quarry is typically a robust, hard wearing stone, but in a high traffic area like a kitchen, the tiles will need regular maintenance. These tiles clearly hadn’t seen a thorough clean and fresh seal in a long time, and so I was called in to provide just that. On the first day of work, I gave the Quarry tiles a deep clean using a strong solution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean and water. Pro-Clean is a versatile alkaline cleaner that also helps to break down any old and no longer effectual sealer remaining on the tiles. The solution was applied evenly to the floor and left to dwell for half an hour, allowing time for it to seep into the stone to get underneath and lift out the ingrained dirt. I then removed the dirt by agitating the solution with a scrubbing pad fitted to a rotary floor scrubber. I worked in small sections at first, and gradually finished the entire floor. After completing the initial clean, I rinsed away the soiled solution and vacuumed up the excess moisture using a wet-vac machine. I then scrubbed the floor an acid wash using a dilution of Tile Doctor Grout Clean-Up to remove grout smears and other mineral type deposits. The resulting solution was then removed in a similar fashion using a wet-vac. The final step in the cleaning process was to rinse the floor with Tile Doctor pH Neutral Cleaner to remove any trace of product helps to tackle any remaining dirt and reset the pH balance of the tiles before sealing. After leaving the floor to dry overnight, I returned the next day to the house to seal the floor with Tile Doctor Seal & Go, a water-based topical sealer which gives the floor an aesthetically pleasing sheen and a robust surface seal. The photos demonstrate the results better than this short account can, needless to say the floor is now transformed. Barry Woodward Oxfordshire Tile Doctor

This kitchen had a fantastic head start from a previous remodel back in 2006, which opened up the space. However, our clients wanted to take it a step further. We added two structural posts to accommodate an expanded header. This change allowed us to create an inviting island that not only provides extra prep space but also offers room for six stools. The existing maple wood floors were too beautiful to replace, so we laced into them to seamlessly blend the new square footage. The entire floor was elegantly stained grey, creating a cohesive and sophisticated look throughout the space. The textured melamine wood grain laminate and painted slab doors for the cabinets added a touch of contemporary elegance. The Cambria Queensbury countertops, paired with a full-height backsplash, create a sleek and easy-to-maintain kitchen surface. A upgraded kitchen is not complete without top-notch appliances. In this project, we installed a 48″ Sub-Zero refrigerator, oven, speed oven, beverage refrigerator, wine cooler, induction cooktop, and a decorative stainless hood. The cast iron farm sink found a new home in the spacious island, flanked by two dishwashers for ultimate convenience. Initially designed as a dry bar, an overseas trip inspired our clients to upgrade to a wet bar. After experiencing the joy of sparkling water in Europe, they decided to bring this feature home. The custom-built Grohe faucet was added to provide non-sparkling and sparkling water options, thanks to a carbonated canister cleverly hidden under the sink. To add a touch of warmth and continuity, we incorporated floating shelves made of cherry wood, stained to match the new dining room table. This not only ties the spaces together but also adds a unique design element to the wet bar area. A pocket door leading to the mudroom and back entry, originally added in the 2006 remodel, was kept, and a custom-built dog door made of wood and metal rods was integrated. Now, the dogs can stay in the back entry yet still be part of the family action. New windows and sliding glass doors were installed to provide breathtaking views of the lush landscape and a stunning blue stone patio with a fireplace, seamlessly connecting the interior to the outdoors. This project showcases our commitment to marrying functionality, elegance, and innovation. If you have a unique vision for your kitchen, our team at Crystal Kitchen is here to turn it into a reality. Contact us today and let’s create your dream space together!

Customized Designs We believe in creating spaces that reflect your unique taste and lifestyle. Our design team works closely with you to develop a customized plan that transforms your vision into reality. Whether you prefer a sleek, modern look or a classic, timeless aesthetic, we tailor every detail to match your preferences. High-Quality Craftsmanship Our skilled craftsmen are dedicated to delivering exceptional quality in every aspect of your renovation. From precise tiling and elegant fixtures to innovative storage solutions, we ensure that every element is meticulously crafted and installed to perfection. Premium Materials We use only the finest materials to guarantee durability, beauty, and long-lasting performance. Our partnerships with top suppliers allow us to offer a wide range of high-quality options, ensuring that your new bathroom is both stunning and resilient. Innovative Solutions Modern bathrooms demand innovative solutions that enhance both functionality and aesthetics. We incorporate the latest trends and technologies, such as smart lighting, heated floors, and water-efficient fixtures, to create a bathroom that is as practical as it is beautiful. Stress-Free Process Renovating your bathroom should be an exciting journey, not a stressful ordeal. Our team manages every aspect of the project, from initial consultation to final installation, with clear communication and a commitment to staying on schedule and within budget. We handle all the details so you can enjoy a seamless, worry-free renovation experience. Eco-Friendly Practices Sustainability is at the heart of what we do. We prioritize eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient solutions, helping you create a bathroom that is both luxurious and environmentally responsible. Transform Your Bathroom with Golp Renovations Imagine stepping into a beautifully designed bathroom that offers a perfect blend of relaxation and functionality. With Golp Renovations, that dream can become a reality. Our expert team is ready to transform your bathroom into a space where you can unwind, rejuvenate, and enjoy the finer things in life. Ready to start your bathroom renovation journey? Contact Golp Renovations today and let us create the bathroom of your dreams.

After years of enjoying their backyard, the clients of this property enlisted our firm to improve the original landscape we had completed over ten years ago. Our goal was to update the patio and further develop their backyard by creating a garden with a variety of color and texture. Over time the existing patio had settled, plantings grew, and an existing Oak thrived. During the initial home and landscape construction our clients were particularly concerned about the health of the mature Oak located just off the home. Special care was given when the patio was first built. Precautions were again taken in working around the Oak as the existing patio was removed and replaced. Surrounding trees and shrubs had grown and enclosed the backyard limiting access. This required almost all work and transport of material to be done by hand. The old concrete paver patio was replaced with bluestone. Existing mortared limestone around the edges of the patio levels were cleaned and tuck-pointed. A new stoop was constructed with mortared limestone risers and bluestone treads. A built-in grill and fireplace further updated the backyard space. The fireplace was designed to follow the organic curve of the patio. Mortared limestone and bluestone material were repeated on all elements, tying them together. Along with the updated patio, many additions were made in transforming the modest backyard into a lush garden. Masses of annuals, ornamental grasses, and perennials along with mixed shrubs created sweeps of color and texture in front of a new arborvitae hedge and other existing trees and shrubs. After careful planning and execution the completed landscape gave our clients the updated landscape they desired. The completion of the project was a rewarding and fulfilling experience as we transformed a good past project into a fantastic new project.

A tea pot, being a vessel, is defined by the space it contains, it is not the tea pot that is important, but the space. Crispin Sartwell Located on a lake outside of Milwaukee, the Vessel House is the culmination of an intense 5 year collaboration with our client and multiple local craftsmen focused on the creation of a modern analogue to the Usonian Home. As with most residential work, this home is a direct reflection of it’s owner, a highly educated art collector with a passion for music, fine furniture, and architecture. His interest in authenticity drove the material selections such as masonry, copper, and white oak, as well as the need for traditional methods of construction. The initial diagram of the house involved a collection of embedded walls that emerge from the site and create spaces between them, which are covered with a series of floating rooves. The windows provide natural light on three sides of the house as a band of clerestories, transforming to a floor to ceiling ribbon of glass on the lakeside. The Vessel House functions as a gallery for the owner’s art, motorcycles, Tiffany lamps, and vintage musical instruments – offering spaces to exhibit, store, and listen. These gallery nodes overlap with the typical house program of kitchen, dining, living, and bedroom, creating dynamic zones of transition and rooms that serve dual purposes allowing guests to relax in a museum setting. Through it’s materiality, connection to nature, and open planning, the Vessel House continues many of the Usonian principles Wright advocated for. Overview Oconomowoc, WI Completion Date August 2015 Services Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

Tucker Design Awards celebrate the innovation and vision that designers bring to their projects through the specification and use of natural stone materials. For members of the Natural Stone Institute, acknowledgment as a contributor to a Tucker Design Awards winning project is a genuine tribute to their traditional values, physicality of work, and dedication to precise specifications required in the realization of such accomplished architectural design. Landscape Architect Design Workshop, Aspen, CO Landscape Contractor/ Installer Landscape Workshop, Carbondale, CO Stone Installer JD Masonry, Arvada, CO Stone Suppliers Coldspring, Cold Spring, MN Gallegos Corporation, Vail, CO Through a collective dialogue between landscape, architecture and interior design, a new vision reimagines the disturbed site into a livable landscape, emblematic of our American West. The residence – an ensemble of structures designed in a modern ranch vernacular – is effortlessly unified through layered, interconnected outdoor gathering spaces and regional materials that elaborates upon the experience of moving between structures, heightening and renewing one’s sense of place. Upon entering the courtyard, one is immediately aware of seamless and unfolding relationships between architecture and landscape through a sophisticated, regional palette of natural stone, water, and plants. Set upon architectural focal points, two perpendicular sandstone paths descend into the space and converge upon a monolithic, hand-carved granite fountain. The design of the fountain is purposefully quiet, both in its detailing and operation. The feature includes a recessed interior, allowing water to become still before it reaches the surface, with lightly cleft sides, allowing the water to delicately bounce as it descends into the geometric lower granite basin. The landscape architect’s selection of various stone material extends the tones of the home’s granite walls and contextual surroundings into the garden, but also be detailed in a manner that balances rural and modern qualities. The majority of the paving is constructed of rectilinear gray sandstone with a natural finish and snapped edges, laid in a staggered running bond organization. Throughout the garden, thoughtful attention was also given to the configuration and layout of terraces, pathways, and steps. In doing so, this ensured that the edges of the terrace and its interface to other elements were designed so that no “leftover” stone paver pieces would be found. Within the central courtyard, split-faced stone stairs descend into a rectilinear plinth of lawn, punctuated by a carved granite fire pit. Leveraging the property’s existing topographic relief, a shallow infinity-edge dipping pool abstracts the transparent and cavity-like pools found throughout the Rocky Mountains. The design purposefully achieves the illusion of a larger water feature with the distant pond and offers a refreshing recreational element. Containing the infinity edge, a designed granite escarpment emerges from the meadow, juxtaposing the geometric water feature and providing informal seating ledges. The site’s prior use required the landscape architect to incorporate a highly technical and complex sub-surface structural system. The initial geotechnical report identified the building envelopes rested on 12 feet of man-placed fill. Assuming a 1 percent settlement, the team faced concerns that the terraces would settle up to 12 inches. In response, a grid of structural micro-piles provides the necessary foundation for the construction of terraces immediately outside of the architecture, under the water features and site walls. The solution enabled the crisp detailing and design resolution of the architectural structures to seamlessly connect with the horizontal stone terraces.

Startup industry is growing increasingly from year to year, and the trend to create their own projects has gripped the world. We have compiled a list of the most fun projects that are developed in Europe. We present you the most interesting start-up projects of Italy and France. Italy: music, food and business processes Italy has the status of a new high-tech center. This is not surprising, because in recent years, start-ups of Italian specialists are increasingly succeeding and attract the attention of the public. 1. Musixmatch is an application that displays lyrics on the smartphone screen. Founder is Max Chochola. The audience of the project is 30 million. The base has 7 million songs. Text is in 40 languages. The startup has already received investments from two venture capital funds. 2. Thefork is a start-up from Tripadvisor that contains information about food and the best restaurants in Italy. 3. Decisyon is a symbiosis of social networks and systems. It allows companies to coordinate the work of the team. The goal is an optimization of business processes. According to media reports, last year the company received an investment of $ 22 million from the American investment company. France: transportation and the Internet of things Earlier this year, France launched an initiative by which start-ups can apply for the selection and to get a visa to travel to the country. It helps in developing their business. This step is indicated in the country's interest in new companies and highly qualified specialists. Among the most interesting of the French start-up are projects that have been successful: 1. BlaBlaCar is a famous company that has almost become synonymous with the search for travel companions for the trip. A few weeks ago, the startup closed a new round of investment and attracted $ 200 million that will be spent on expansion in new markets. In general, for the 9 years of its existence BlaBlaCar bought eight companies and received funding of $ 335 million. 2. Actility is a company specializing in the Internet of things. Its main product is a platform ThingPark, designed to connect all kinds of organizations. The project was founded in Paris in 2010, and in June 2015 received an investment of $ 25 million from the fund Ginko Ventures. About the Author: Avan Dearthis a writer, whose articles are published in his own blog. He likes to make student’s life easier with the help of his academic articles atCourseworkServiceUK. He can write on completely various topics, especially on the newest technologies.

This kitchen had a fantastic head start from a previous remodel back in 2006, which opened up the space. However, our clients wanted to take it a step further. We added two structural posts to accommodate an expanded header. This change allowed us to create an inviting island that not only provides extra prep space but also offers room for six stools. The existing maple wood floors were too beautiful to replace, so we laced into them to seamlessly blend the new square footage. The entire floor was elegantly stained grey, creating a cohesive and sophisticated look throughout the space. The textured melamine wood grain laminate and painted slab doors for the cabinets added a touch of contemporary elegance. The Cambria Queensbury countertops, paired with a full-height backsplash, create a sleek and easy-to-maintain kitchen surface. A upgraded kitchen is not complete without top-notch appliances. In this project, we installed a 48″ Sub-Zero refrigerator, oven, speed oven, beverage refrigerator, wine cooler, induction cooktop, and a decorative stainless hood. The cast iron farm sink found a new home in the spacious island, flanked by two dishwashers for ultimate convenience. Initially designed as a dry bar, an overseas trip inspired our clients to upgrade to a wet bar. After experiencing the joy of sparkling water in Europe, they decided to bring this feature home. The custom-built Grohe faucet was added to provide non-sparkling and sparkling water options, thanks to a carbonated canister cleverly hidden under the sink. To add a touch of warmth and continuity, we incorporated floating shelves made of cherry wood, stained to match the new dining room table. This not only ties the spaces together but also adds a unique design element to the wet bar area. A pocket door leading to the mudroom and back entry, originally added in the 2006 remodel, was kept, and a custom-built dog door made of wood and metal rods was integrated. Now, the dogs can stay in the back entry yet still be part of the family action. New windows and sliding glass doors were installed to provide breathtaking views of the lush landscape and a stunning blue stone patio with a fireplace, seamlessly connecting the interior to the outdoors. This project showcases our commitment to marrying functionality, elegance, and innovation. If you have a unique vision for your kitchen, our team at Crystal Kitchen is here to turn it into a reality. Contact us today and let’s create your dream space together!

This kitchen had a fantastic head start from a previous remodel back in 2006, which opened up the space. However, our clients wanted to take it a step further. We added two structural posts to accommodate an expanded header. This change allowed us to create an inviting island that not only provides extra prep space but also offers room for six stools. The existing maple wood floors were too beautiful to replace, so we laced into them to seamlessly blend the new square footage. The entire floor was elegantly stained grey, creating a cohesive and sophisticated look throughout the space. The textured melamine wood grain laminate and painted slab doors for the cabinets added a touch of contemporary elegance. The Cambria Queensbury countertops, paired with a full-height backsplash, create a sleek and easy-to-maintain kitchen surface. A upgraded kitchen is not complete without top-notch appliances. In this project, we installed a 48″ Sub-Zero refrigerator, oven, speed oven, beverage refrigerator, wine cooler, induction cooktop, and a decorative stainless hood. The cast iron farm sink found a new home in the spacious island, flanked by two dishwashers for ultimate convenience. Initially designed as a dry bar, an overseas trip inspired our clients to upgrade to a wet bar. After experiencing the joy of sparkling water in Europe, they decided to bring this feature home. The custom-built Grohe faucet was added to provide non-sparkling and sparkling water options, thanks to a carbonated canister cleverly hidden under the sink. To add a touch of warmth and continuity, we incorporated floating shelves made of cherry wood, stained to match the new dining room table. This not only ties the spaces together but also adds a unique design element to the wet bar area. A pocket door leading to the mudroom and back entry, originally added in the 2006 remodel, was kept, and a custom-built dog door made of wood and metal rods was integrated. Now, the dogs can stay in the back entry yet still be part of the family action. New windows and sliding glass doors were installed to provide breathtaking views of the lush landscape and a stunning blue stone patio with a fireplace, seamlessly connecting the interior to the outdoors. This project showcases our commitment to marrying functionality, elegance, and innovation. If you have a unique vision for your kitchen, our team at Crystal Kitchen is here to turn it into a reality. Contact us today and let’s create your dream space together!

This kitchen had a fantastic head start from a previous remodel back in 2006, which opened up the space. However, our clients wanted to take it a step further. We added two structural posts to accommodate an expanded header. This change allowed us to create an inviting island that not only provides extra prep space but also offers room for six stools. The existing maple wood floors were too beautiful to replace, so we laced into them to seamlessly blend the new square footage. The entire floor was elegantly stained grey, creating a cohesive and sophisticated look throughout the space. The textured melamine wood grain laminate and painted slab doors for the cabinets added a touch of contemporary elegance. The Cambria Queensbury countertops, paired with a full-height backsplash, create a sleek and easy-to-maintain kitchen surface. A upgraded kitchen is not complete without top-notch appliances. In this project, we installed a 48″ Sub-Zero refrigerator, oven, speed oven, beverage refrigerator, wine cooler, induction cooktop, and a decorative stainless hood. The cast iron farm sink found a new home in the spacious island, flanked by two dishwashers for ultimate convenience. Initially designed as a dry bar, an overseas trip inspired our clients to upgrade to a wet bar. After experiencing the joy of sparkling water in Europe, they decided to bring this feature home. The custom-built Grohe faucet was added to provide non-sparkling and sparkling water options, thanks to a carbonated canister cleverly hidden under the sink. To add a touch of warmth and continuity, we incorporated floating shelves made of cherry wood, stained to match the new dining room table. This not only ties the spaces together but also adds a unique design element to the wet bar area. A pocket door leading to the mudroom and back entry, originally added in the 2006 remodel, was kept, and a custom-built dog door made of wood and metal rods was integrated. Now, the dogs can stay in the back entry yet still be part of the family action. New windows and sliding glass doors were installed to provide breathtaking views of the lush landscape and a stunning blue stone patio with a fireplace, seamlessly connecting the interior to the outdoors. This project showcases our commitment to marrying functionality, elegance, and innovation. If you have a unique vision for your kitchen, our team at Crystal Kitchen is here to turn it into a reality. Contact us today and let’s create your dream space together!

This kitchen had a fantastic head start from a previous remodel back in 2006, which opened up the space. However, our clients wanted to take it a step further. We added two structural posts to accommodate an expanded header. This change allowed us to create an inviting island that not only provides extra prep space but also offers room for six stools. The existing maple wood floors were too beautiful to replace, so we laced into them to seamlessly blend the new square footage. The entire floor was elegantly stained grey, creating a cohesive and sophisticated look throughout the space. The textured melamine wood grain laminate and painted slab doors for the cabinets added a touch of contemporary elegance. The Cambria Queensbury countertops, paired with a full-height backsplash, create a sleek and easy-to-maintain kitchen surface. A upgraded kitchen is not complete without top-notch appliances. In this project, we installed a 48″ Sub-Zero refrigerator, oven, speed oven, beverage refrigerator, wine cooler, induction cooktop, and a decorative stainless hood. The cast iron farm sink found a new home in the spacious island, flanked by two dishwashers for ultimate convenience. Initially designed as a dry bar, an overseas trip inspired our clients to upgrade to a wet bar. After experiencing the joy of sparkling water in Europe, they decided to bring this feature home. The custom-built Grohe faucet was added to provide non-sparkling and sparkling water options, thanks to a carbonated canister cleverly hidden under the sink. To add a touch of warmth and continuity, we incorporated floating shelves made of cherry wood, stained to match the new dining room table. This not only ties the spaces together but also adds a unique design element to the wet bar area. A pocket door leading to the mudroom and back entry, originally added in the 2006 remodel, was kept, and a custom-built dog door made of wood and metal rods was integrated. Now, the dogs can stay in the back entry yet still be part of the family action. New windows and sliding glass doors were installed to provide breathtaking views of the lush landscape and a stunning blue stone patio with a fireplace, seamlessly connecting the interior to the outdoors. This project showcases our commitment to marrying functionality, elegance, and innovation. If you have a unique vision for your kitchen, our team at Crystal Kitchen is here to turn it into a reality. Contact us today and let’s create your dream space together!