In the first post of this two-part blog series, we began the discussion of why we decline business. We’re tackling this sensitive subject by the horns to give more insight into what happens behind the scenes in the remodeling industry. It’s a touchy subject as when we buy something we never expect to be rejected by the seller. However, there are instances where businesses need to filter potential customers to be successful. To help make our explanation more relatable, we’ll return to the example we set up in part one: a farmer selling oranges at a local farmer’s market. Take a read on the conclusion of this 2 part blog series on the reasons why contractors occasionally decline business to customers. Check out the full blog on our website - Either use the link in our bio, QR code provided, or link below to see the post directly. Link: https://mayflowerva.com/why-we-decline-business-pt2/

A traditional 1926 cottage was transformed into a stunning, contemporary home. The focal point from both inside and out is a 3-story floating wood and stainless staircase, showcased by oversized windows and dramatic lighting. Walnut cabinetry with a distinct stain and natural slab surfaces offset the metals used throughout – Including at the interior and exterior of the fireplace. Reclaimed wood floors pay homage to the industrial area the home is situated in. In designing this home restrictions set forth by the building department were key. For instance, in order for the project to be considered a remodel the existing 8’ tall perimeter walls had to remain in place. The homeowners desperately wanted 9’ tall ceilings, so with crafty engineering and framing we were able to embellish the existing wall framing to achieve the added height. Clearstory windows allow much needed light into the spaces and creates the illusion of spaciousness, while maintaining wall areas for key furnishings and artwork. Every inch of space maximizes storage throughout the 2,600 square foot home. A cabinet for shoe storage immediately inside the front door also serves as a key component at the staircase and provides a platform to highlight sculptural artwork. Unique products and details, such as a metal link shower curtain and custom built-in guest beds with strategically placed outlets and horizontal surfaces to allow for electronics to be close at hand, elevate this home to the next level.

Open shelves, cornices, top boards and the gently rounded edges discreetly emphasise the country cottage character of our rondo kitchen. Small playful details such as solid wood cookery book holders and niche elements complete the charming appearance of the rondo kitchen. The emphasis here is placed on manageability and functionality. For instance, there is a top cabinet with generous storage space for kitchen tools and other utensils concealed behind a practical roll door.

Kitchen - contemporary kitchen idea in DC Metro

A traditional 1926 cottage was transformed into a stunning, contemporary home. The focal point from both inside and out is a 3-story floating wood and stainless staircase, showcased by oversized windows and dramatic lighting. Walnut cabinetry with a distinct stain and natural slab surfaces offset the metals used throughout – Including at the interior and exterior of the fireplace. Reclaimed wood floors pay homage to the industrial area the home is situated in. In designing this home restrictions set forth by the building department were key. For instance, in order for the project to be considered a remodel the existing 8’ tall perimeter walls had to remain in place. The homeowners desperately wanted 9’ tall ceilings, so with crafty engineering and framing we were able to embellish the existing wall framing to achieve the added height. Clearstory windows allow much needed light into the spaces and creates the illusion of spaciousness, while maintaining wall areas for key furnishings and artwork. Every inch of space maximizes storage throughout the 2,600 square foot home. A cabinet for shoe storage immediately inside the front door also serves as a key component at the staircase and provides a platform to highlight sculptural artwork. Unique products and details, such as a metal link shower curtain and custom built-in guest beds with strategically placed outlets and horizontal surfaces to allow for electronics to be close at hand, elevate this home to the next level.

In this beautiful Houston remodel, we took on the exterior AND interior - with a new outdoor kitchen, patio cover and balcony outside and a Mid-Century Modern redesign on the inside: "This project was really unique, not only in the extensive scope of it, but in the number of different elements needing to be coordinated with each other," says Outdoor Homescapes of Houston owner Wayne Franks. "Our entire team really rose to the challenge." OUTSIDE The new outdoor living space includes a 14 x 20-foot patio addition with an outdoor kitchen and balcony. We also extended the roof over the patio between the house and the breezeway (the new section is 26 x 14 feet). On the patio and balcony, we laid about 1,100-square foot of new hardscaping in the place of pea gravel. The new material is a gorgeous, honed-and-filled Nysa travertine tile in a Versailles pattern. We used the same tile for the new pool coping, too. We also added French doors leading to the patio and balcony from a lower bedroom and upper game room, respectively: The outdoor kitchen above features Southern Cream cobblestone facing and a Titanium granite countertop and raised bar. The 8 x 12-foot, L-shaped kitchen island houses an RCS 27-inch grill, plus an RCS ice maker, lowered power burner, fridge and sink. The outdoor ceiling is tongue-and-groove pine boards, done in the Minwax stain "Jacobean." INSIDE Inside, we repainted the entire house from top to bottom, including baseboards, doors, crown molding and cabinets. We also updated the lighting throughout. "Their style before was really non-existent," says Lisha Maxey, senior designer with Outdoor Homescapes and owner of LGH Design Services in Houston. "They did what most families do - got items when they needed them, worrying less about creating a unified style for the home." Other than a new travertine tile floor the client had put in 6 months earlier, the space had never been updated. The drapery had been there for 15 years. And the living room had an enormous leather sectional couch that virtually filled the entire room. In its place, we put all new, Mid-Century Modern furniture from World Market. The drapery fabric and chandelier came from High Fashion Home. All the other new sconces and chandeliers throughout the house came from Pottery Barn and all décor accents from World Market. The couple and their two teenaged sons got bedroom makeovers as well. One of the sons, for instance, started with childish bunk beds and piles of books everywhere. "We gave him a grown-up space he could enjoy well into his high school years," says Lisha. The new bed is also from World Market. We also updated the kitchen by removing all the old wallpaper and window blinds and adding new paint and knobs and pulls for the cabinets. (The family plans to update the backsplash later.) The top handrail on the stairs got a coat of black paint, and we added a console table (from Kirkland's) in the downstairs hallway. In the dining room, we painted the cabinet and mirror frames black and added new drapes, but kept the existing furniture and flooring. "I'm just so pleased with how it turned out - especially Lisha's coordination of all the materials and finishes," says Wayne. "But as a full-service outdoor design team, this is what we do, and our all our great reviews are telling us we're doing it well."

Most trees have leaves that will change colours every time the seasons change. This means that you may see changes three to four times a year depending on where you live. However, they will typically retain some measure of green colouring on their leaves until fall rolls around. During the fall season, trees explode with bright reds, oranges, and vibrant yellows. This is a natural part of their growth and hibernation process. However, if you see these colours in the offseason, it may be a sign that there is a problem. Below, Five Star Tree Services discusses why your leaves may be yellow during the summer and what you can do about it. Should Leaves Turn Yellow in the Summer? If your trees have yellow leaves in the summer, it is a sign that it is suffering from disease, or having a problem with its growth cycle. Having your trees inspected periodically by a trained professional will help you catch problems early. If your trees already have yellow leaves in the offseason, they can identify the cause and suggest a solution. When diagnosed early, suggested treatments can help save the tree. Keep reading for some common causes of yellowing leaves. Improper Watering One of the most common reasons trees start to develop yellow leaves in the summer is due to dehydration. Checking the soil moisture levels will help determine if your trees are getting enough water. Hydration is important all year long, but especially crucial during the hot summer months. If there are dry areas around your tree trunk, it is a good idea to partake in deep root watering to help keep your trees healthy and well-watered. Make sure that you don’t overwater your trees because flooding their roots can also be unhealthy. Lacking Nutrition Just like people, trees need to get the right blend of nutrients in order to remain healthy. If your tree has yellow leaves in the summer and is also getting enough water, chances are it is not getting the nutrients it needs from the soil. If soil testing shows low levels of nutrients, it is a good idea to schedule a deep root fertilization treatment to adjust the levels. In many instances, correcting the soil will help you save the tree. Insect or Pest Infestation Yellow summer leaves are also a sign that a tree has been infested with pests. Some pest is only active in the summer. Some of the most common are: Emerald Ash Borer Asian Long-Horned Beetle Yellownecked Caterpillar Ash Flower Gall Bronze Birch Borer Apple-and-Thorn Skeletonizer Eastern Tent Caterpillar Birch Leafminer Fall Webworm Gypsy Moth And many others The first thing you should do is call an arborist to have the tree inspected. They will be able to identify the root of the problem and formulate a solution to treat the pest infestation. This will help you get rid of the bugs once and for all and save your tree in the process. How We Can Help If you have noticed that one of your trees have begun to develop yellow leaves, give Five Star Tree Services a call as soon as possible. We have been providing tree care services in Toronto for over 10 years. Our skilled arborist would be more than happy to evaluate your tree and suggest a solution to treat the problem, so don’t wait. Contact us at (416) 990-3355 today!

Kat Alves
Hallway - small mediterranean medium tone wood floor hallway idea in Sacramento with white walls

This outdoor kitchen project started with a welded-aluminum frame wrapped in HardieBacker cement board. HardieBacker is a board, sort of like drywall, that allows us to adhere many different finishes to the exterior of the frame. In this instance the customers chose stacked stone as their preferred finish. For a countertop, they opted for Fusion quartzite. Appliances include an Alfresco grill, True beverage center, and Scotsman nugget ice maker.

A defining feature of the house is a purpose made conical window on the Eastern wall of the lounge. The shape and position of this window combined with the precise placement of four etched copper tiles on the lounge floor were meticulously calculated to mark the birthdays of each of the four family members, an instance which binds person, place and time.

On projects like this traditional and wine cellar, we are often brought to finish out spaces with unique and custom touches to perfect the rooms. In this instance, we were commissioned to build a custom, traditional wet bar to serve as a focal point for the room with an adjoining wine cellar. This effect of this is a great, finished basement perfect for not only storing wine, but also entertaining and hosting guests and family.

A transitional townhouse for a family with a touch of modern design and blue accents. When I start a project, I always ask a client to describe three words that they want to describe their home. In this instance, the owner asked for a modern, clean, and functional aesthetic that would be family-friendly, while also allowing him to entertain. We worked around the owner's artwork by Ryan Fugate in order to choose a neutral but also sophisticated palette of blues, greys, and green for the entire home. Metallic accents create a more modern feel that plays off of the hardware already in the home. The result is a comfortable and bright home where everyone can relax at the end of a long day. Photography by Reagen Taylor Photography Collaboration with lead designer Travis Michael Interiors

If you are familiar with our work, at Berry Design Build, you know that to us each project is more than just sticks and mortar. Each home, each client, each family we have the privilege to work with becomes part of our team. We believe in the value of excellence, the importance of commitment, and the significance of delivery. This renovation, along with many, is very close to our hearts because it’s one of the few instances where we get to exercise more than just the Design Build division of our company. This particular client had been working with Berry for many years to find that lifetime home. Through many viewings, agent caravans, and lots of offers later she found a house worth calling home. Although not perfectly to her personality (really what home is until you make it yours) she asked our Design Build division to come in and renovate some areas: including the kitchen, hall bathroom, master bathroom, and most other areas of the house; i.e. paint, hardwoods, and lighting. Each project comes with its challenges, but we were able to combine her love of mid-century modern furnishings with the character of the already existing 1962 ranch. Photos by Nicole Cosentino

LX2 Series 42 inch Built-in Alfresco Grill with Rotisserie and IR SearZone An Alfresco grill enables you to cook openly out in the fresh air of your patio, and the LX2 42" with IR SearZone Built In Alfresco Grill from Outdora will proudly serve as the crown jewel of your outdoor kitchen. With 770 square inches of grilling space, you’ll be able to cook up and dole out meals for the entire family. Alfresco grills are recognized for their streamlined, no gap stainless steel craftsmanship – made in the U.S.A. – and this Alfresco grill is easy to clean thanks to the roll out drip pan and fold down control panel. This model includes three main burners, two "U" shaped burners and an infrared Sear Zone™, a built-in rotisserie and a smoker box. The main burners of these built in grills emit 27,500 BTUs each, and the rotisserie features a motor, which is built seamlessly into the outdoor barbecue grill. The rotisserie has a dedicated burner with 18,500 BTUs of heat, but there are no visible wires and the stainless steel meat forks are included. Using the ceramic infrared Sear Zone™, you can super heat steaks and other favorites – it preheats to 1,400˚ Fahrenheit in just 4 minutes! Alfresco grills have several details that make foods come out perfectly; for instance, the U- burners of this built in grill are designed with double row ports and dual crossovers. Also, the porcelain ceramic pyramid briquettes help tame flames for even distribution and added flavor. However, the smoker box of your built-in grill can be used to infuse meats and vegetables with an intense smoky flavor, and if you want more infrared Alfresco grill power, look to the LX2 Series 30 inch All Infrared Built-in Alfresco Grill with Rotisserie from Outdora. Lastly, the 3/8" stainless steel rod cooking grids create beautiful crosshatches on steaks. These outdoor gas grills are available as Liquid Propane or Natural Gas models – enjoy user friendliness, easy cleaning, durability and style with an Alfresco grill. Beautifully unique outdoor kitchen on the Eastside of Sonoma. Outdoor Kitchen includes: + LX2 Series 42 inch Built-in Alfresco Grill w/ Rotisserie and Infrared SearZone. + Alfresco VersaPower Cooker + 24 inch Built-in Marvel Outdoor Refrigerator + Twin Eagles Tall Trash Drawer + Twin Eagles 30 inch Triple Drawer and Door Combo + Twin Eagles 24 inch Single Access Door + Twin Eagles 19 inch Triple Storage Drawer + Twin Eagles 30 inch Access Door + Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat 6000 Watt Electric Heater + Outdoor Dual Duplex Wall Switch Plate and Gang Box Construction by: JKT & Associates Photos by: Theilen Photography

’25 years ago’ design shows — that’s why this young family needed DiD to create a whole house transitional transformation in their newly purchased home. We refreshed or completely recreated every single room in this 5000sf Moorestown home. From removing the family room and entry murals, to shrinking down the overpowering fireplace, changing lighting, and custom creating furniture and built-ins to suit the needs of this energetic family of 6. Light and bright was the goal in most instances, with pocketed touches of moody blues and grays. We also accessorized and installed new window treatments throughout. Take a look and admire the new view. Now this family can truly say this home is ‘theirs’ in style and deed!

On projects like this traditional and wine cellar, we are often brought to finish out spaces with unique and custom touches to perfect the rooms. In this instance, we were commissioned to build a custom, traditional wet bar to serve as a focal point for the room with an adjoining wine cellar. This effect of this is a great, finished basement perfect for not only storing wine, but also entertaining and hosting guests and family.

Designer: Joe Inscoe Location: Cabinet Discounters – Annapolis Specie: Maple Finish: Oatmeal and Zinc Overlay: FOLC Doors: Hillsbrad Drawer: 5-pc Flat Start your New Year with a New Kitchen! With the New Year finally here, it might be time to freshen up that outdated kitchen. Brighton Cabinetry offers custom cabinets across the Midwest and the East coast. Finding a dealer near you is easy! Just check out our Find a Dealer Page by clicking HERE. Not sure if you want light or dark colors on your cabinetry? Why not try using both? By accenting your kitchen with darker colors it will help certain pieces’ pop in color. For instance, in our shown kitchen you will see that the perimeter cabinets are painted in our Oatmeal finish, and the island and coffee bar are done in the contrasting dark color of Zinc. Brighton offers many ways to dress up your cabinetry to give it that extra flair. In the pictures you might have noticed the bun feet on the island. Bun feet give that chic look that will most likely never go out of style. With a bun foot you can give your kitchen a bit more of a comfortable feel, and a look that is like furniture style which is a design that people are looking for. Don’t forget about your accessories and storage! There are many different options that allow you to conveniently place away your items. From your pots and pans down to your spices, Brighton offers different choices to fit your needs, and if we don’t have it as a standard, your designer can custom quote an item to specifically fit your cabinetry needs. Some examples in the pictures are: Drawer Plate Organizer Double Knife Blocks Pullout Spice Racks Deluxe Rollouts Cutlery Dividers

The entry way to the Balcony I really wanted to implement the gold metallic in new and different ways. In this instance I painted the first step going outside and did a small paint job on the curtain holder.. its the detailed that counts!

Open shelves, cornices, top boards and the gently rounded edges discreetly emphasise the country cottage character of our rondo kitchen. Small playful details such as solid wood cookery book holders and niche elements complete the charming appearance of the rondo kitchen. The emphasis here is placed on manageability and functionality. For instance, there is a top cabinet with generous storage space for kitchen tools and other utensils concealed behind a practical roll door.