When Bill and Jackie Fox decided it was time for a 3 Season room, they worked with Todd Jurs at Advance Design Studio to make their back yard dream come true. Situated on an acre lot in Gilberts, the Fox’s wanted to enjoy their yard year round, get away from the mosquitoes, and enhance their home’s living space with an indoor/outdoor space the whole family could enjoy. “Todd and his team at Advance Design Studio did an outstanding job meeting my needs. Todd did an excellent job helping us determine what we needed and how to design the space”, says Bill. The 15’ x 18’ 3 Season’s Room was designed with an open end gable roof, exposing structural open beam cedar rafters and a beautiful tongue and groove Knotty Pine ceiling. The floor is a tongue and groove Douglas Fir, and amenities include a ceiling fan, a wall mounted TV and an outdoor pergola. Adjustable plexi-glass windows can be opened and closed for ease of keeping the space clean, and use in the cooler months. “With this year’s mild seasons, we have actually used our 3 season’s room year round and have really enjoyed it”, reports Bill. “They built us a beautiful 3-season room. Everyone involved was great. Our main builder DJ, was quite a craftsman. Josh our Project Manager was excellent. The final look of the project was outstanding. We could not be happier with the overall look and finished result. I have already recommended Advance Design Studio to my friends”, says Bill Fox. Photographer: Joe Nowak

Klopf Architecture and Jesse Ososki Art remodeled an existing Eichler atrium home into a brighter, more open, and more functional version of its original self. The goals were to preserve the Eichler look and feel without the need to strictly adhere to it. The scope of work included re-configuring the master bedroom/bath, the kitchen, and the hall bath/laundry area, as well as updating interior finishes throughout to be more sophisticated. The owners are detail-oriented and were very involved in the design process, down to the selection of lighting controls and stainless steel faceplates.Their design aesthetic leans toward the Scandinavian — light and bright, with simple straight lines and pure geometric shapes. The finish flooring is large porcelain tile (24” x 24”) in a neutral grey tone, providing a uniform backdrop against which other materials can stand out. The same tile continues into the shower floor (with a different finish texture for slip-resistance) and up the shower/tub walls (in a smaller size). Heath Classic Field ceramic tile in Modern Blue was used sparingly, to add color at the hall bath vanity backsplash and at the shampoo niches in both bathrooms. Back-painted soda glass in pale blue to match the Heath tile was used at the kitchen backsplash. This same accent color was also used at the front entry atrium door. Kitchen cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and light fixtures are all white, making the kitchen feel more airy and light. Countertops are Caesarstone Blizzard. The owners chose to keep some of the original Eichler elements: the concrete masonry fireplace; the stained tongue-and-groove redwood ceiling decking; and the luan wall paneling. The luan paneling was lightly sanded, cleaned, and re-stained. The owners also kept an added element that was installed by a previous owner: sliding shoji panels at all bedroom windows and sliding glass doors, for both privacy and sun control. Grooves were cut into the new tile flooring for the shoji panels to slide in, creating a more integrated look. Walnut was used to add warmth and contrast at the kitchen bar top and niche, the bathroom vanities, and the window sill/ledge under the kitchen window. This Burlingame Eichler Remodel is a 2,121 sf, 4 bedroom/2 bath home located in the heart of Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, Klara Kevane and Yegvenia Torres Zavala Contractor: Jesse Ososki Art Structural Engineer: Emmanuel Pun Photography ©2018 Mariko Reed Location: Burlingame, CA Year completed: 2017

Inspiration for a kitchen remodel in Toronto

Landscape by Stonepocket located in Minnetonka, Minnesota Creating a elegant landscape to blend with a home with such character and charm was a challenge in controlled resistant. Did not want the landscape to overwhelm the home, nor did I want a typical landscape for this style that usually involves a box hedge. Utilizing light in the front to create a perennial garden give the home a sense of place. Keep the planting mostly to whites and greens in the back unifies the space. photos by Stonepocket, Inc

Photo: Alexandra Crafton © 2017 Houzz
Eclectic living room photo in Boston

I received an enquiry from a property in Crowthorne to come and survey an unknown Flagstone Floor in a converted barn that was ready to be rented out. The owners where concerned the stone was letting the rest of the property down due to it being dirty and heavily stained, particularly around the kitchen and entrance areas. If your selling or renting out a property it really needs to look its best if you want to achieve a good price. Having spoken over the phone we agreed a date for me to pop over to complete a survey. From further inspection I confirmed the stone was in fact a Sandstone, it was also clear that the sealer protecting the stone from ingrained dirt had worn away and was now allowing dirt and staining to ruin the appearance of the flagstones. It was a large floor so I measured up so I could work out the quantities of cleaning and sealing products needed and then walked the customer through the cleaning process. Later that day I sent over a detailed quotation which was accepted, and a date agreed for my return. I should mention this work took place during the Covid restrictions, fortunately being a rental property, I was able to work in the property alone. To deep clean the floor and remove the ingrained dirt and staining I used a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean. It is sprayed onto the floor and left to soak in for five minutes before agitating with a Black scrubbing pad fitted to a weighted buffing machine. The resultant slurry was then wet extracted away using a powerful high-pressure van mounted extracting system. This action cleaned up most of the stone nicely however certain areas where heavily stained, particularly in the kitchen area where food and drink stains were more apparent. To tackle this, I applied a stronger cleaner/stripper product called Tile Doctor Remove and Go this time allowing ten minutes for it to soak in before scrubbing the surface with a very coarse 100-grit soft milling pad. This took quite a few attempts each time extracting the slurry away and then inspecting the floor to see if more work was needed. Happy the stains have been removed, I then focused on renovating the surface Sandstone after the application of the coarse pad. This involves the application of several finer grit burnishing pads which close the pores and adds a subtle polish to the Sandstone. As I started with 100-grit pad it was necessary to gradually refine the surface with an incremental series of pads that included 200, 400 and finally 800-grit pads. Then to ensure a uniform finish across the floor I continued the 400 and 800 grit pads throughout the property. Water is used to lubricate the process and this turns into a fine slurry that is rinse extracted as before. The cleaning process took up the whole of the first day and I am pleased to say the Sandstone floor looked very clean after I had finished. The stone was then allowed dry off overnight with the aid of an industrial air mover and I returned later the next day to apply a new protective seal. In the meantime, my customer had been over to check out the floor and were over the moon with how it looked and wanted to keep the finish as natural as possible. With this in mind, I applied Tile Doctor Ultra-Seal sealer to the Sandstone throughout, only two coats were needed. This is a premium sealer that is almost invisible and works by penetrating the stone thus preventing dirt from becoming ingrained. Once done the floor looked very clean and much brighter than before, it now had that wow factor which will help it attract a good yield in the rental market. The trouble with rental properties of course is making sure the tenant uses the right product to maintain the floor and not a typical supermarket tile cleaner that are only designed for use on Ceramic and Porcelain tiles. In fact, these types of cleaning product can slowly strip the sealer off the floor so it’s always worth checking the label before purchasing. Fortunately Tile Doctor sells a product called Neutral Cleaner that is ideal for maintaining sealed stone floors, so I left them with a complimentary bottle and recommended they get some more to leave under the sink for the new tenant. Dennis Buckland Berkshire Tile Doctor

Entertaining and bringing people together is what this family is all about. Birthdays involve amazing cakes like you see on those TV shows, and groups of 30 people or more. Their ideal kitchen needed to accommodate that level of baking and hosting, but also support the daily rhythms of life. Our collaborative design was guided by Vastu Shastra, an ancient architectural tradition that predates feng shui. Based on Vedic traditions that harmonize human behavior with natural forces in the world, Vastu Shanstra basically suggests how to inhabit a place in the best way possible. The objectives were: -Relocate the entire kitchen so the home’s heat source (oven) is in the southeast -Incorporate symmetry into the overall design -Create a large space for entertaining – open and airy with lots of light -Simultaneously separate but join cooking and gathering spaces, allowing the cook to have a cook-specific zone that is still a part of any gathering -Individual storage for small appliances – making them easier to use -Simplicity – the space should be easy to use and maintain Design challenges we solved for: -Incorporate three load bearing points of the house -Provide structural support that was not obvious -Reconfigure kitchen utilities to another part of the home -Maximize storage space Design solutions and mindful innovations became an exciting motivation that drove the project: -Double-horseshoe design features two symmetrical islands that seat 18 people comfortably -Downdraft ventilation behind rangetop allows unobstructed views -Overhead beams for structural support -Equip nearby dining room with locking bar and wine cabinet -Roll-out appliance shelves on back of cooking island are powered for easy use -Symmetrical fridge and freezer columns separated by oven -Cabinets along back of the cooking area for everyday items -Tall pantry cabinet has four drawers for paperwork -Spacious walk-in storage pantry has a counter with power outlets -Coffee station has a trash can directly below for easy clean up -Two sinks and dishwashers for easy cleanup “A lot of relationships are built over food,” the homeowner told us. “This [kitchen] keeps our family close because we all love food. My kids sit in the kitchen all evening long every day – and I’m right there cooking. That’s life –to be together.” We also collaborated with the homeowners to remodel their primary bathroom, primary bedroom closet and an additional bathroom.

At this beautiful LEICHT Westchester project, The original design was traditional, with a layout involving many angled corners. The goal was to streamline the design and create a modern and more functional space. We accomplished this first by squaring off all corners, rotating the island and enlarging the main window to add more sunlight and visual balance. In the new design, there is ample pantry space, large pots/pans drawer storage and an appliance garage unit to hide away small items to keep the countertop clutter-free. An open display unit with built-in LED lighting allows the homeowner a place to showcase her beautiful artwork. Finishes- Bondi in Arctic (matt laminate), Topos in Textured Oak Marsh (wood veneer) Countertop- Quartz- Aurea in Divine, Granite- Black Absolute in a leathered finish.

This home, built in 1847, is the oldest included in the Lee County Historic Register. The master bath and kitchen had framing dating to the original build. Both rooms were out of square and plumb. The owners decided to tear out and square up. Had they not, the kitchen, with addition, would have a 5” slope across 25’. The entire home features original heart pine floors. The foyer floor had been refinished so many times that it required stabilization from below. The surface was so thin that it required the services of a specialist to sand before we refinished, saving the original floor. The second floor was added earlier this century and now required a large engineered beam to allow for the kitchen addition. The kitchen windows are now Marvin brand clad wood (TDL). If you look closely, you will see we used a rounded bead on the archway. The daughter’s bath is contained in a very small space. We built the knee wall. The knee wall had to be beveled to accommodate the walk door swing and access the toilet. Rohl sinks were used in both kitchens and bathrooms, along with unlacquered Newport Brass faucets to allow them to patina to a beautiful and natural aged look. The new kitchen island countertop we installed is Honed Kronos Dolomite with smoked soapstone surrounds. There is a new “hidden room” above the kitchen featuring a Murphy cabinet door entry. The second flat roof floor deck, built over 20 years ago, had floor paver tiles that required a custom match. We sliced brick to achieve this. This home site features a large oak tree. The owners appreciate the sensory enhancements it provides and are determined to preserve the backyard centerpiece. This necessitated an 18” from edge railing setback. The railing features a herringbone design which we rebuilt for proportionality following the edge setback. This project required a rework of the massive roof valleys feeding the copper conductor boxes which was completed using 10’ PVC sheets, 6” copper downspouts and copper conductor boxes. We also added ½ round copper gutters with copper downspouts. We then added a steel frame with copper standing seam eyebrow roof over the 2nd floor balcony door. The traditional tongue and groove front porch floor warped and buckled. We replaced it with sassafras wood after rebuilding the framing to accommodate the new flooring. After extensive Building Science research, we installed 2 dehumidifying fans in the front porch crawl space to keep the porch floor boards smooth. We found the original 18’X18”X16’ tall original columns had some rot. During repair, we found structural defects. Replacement involved placing the 4x4 iron posts on a concrete foundation. We built new columns of sassafras then wrapped the iron posts.

Kowalske Kitchen & Bath was hired as the bathroom remodeling contractor for this Delafield master bath and closet. This black and white boho bathrooom has industrial touches and warm wood accents. The original space was like a labyrinth, with a complicated layout of walls and doors. The homeowners wanted to improve the functionality and modernize the space. The main entry of the bathroom/closet was a single door that lead to the vanity. Around the left was the closet and around the right was the rest of the bathroom. The bathroom area consisted of two separate closets, a bathtub/shower combo, a small walk-in shower and a toilet. To fix the choppy layout, we separated the two spaces with separate doors – one to the master closet and one to the bathroom. We installed pocket doors for each doorway to keep a streamlined look and save space. BLACK & WHITE BOHO BATHROOM This master bath is a light, airy space with a boho vibe. The couple opted for a large walk-in shower featuring a Dreamline Shower enclosure. Moving the shower to the corner gave us room for a black vanity, quartz counters, two sinks, and plenty of storage and counter space. The toilet is tucked in the far corner behind a half wall. BOHO DESIGN The design is contemporary and features black and white finishes. We used a white cararra marble hexagon tile for the backsplash and the shower floor. The Hinkley light fixtures are matte black and chrome. The space is warmed up with luxury vinyl plank wood flooring and a teak shelf in the shower. HOMEOWNER REVIEW “Kowalske just finished our master bathroom/closet and left us very satisfied. Within a few weeks of involving Kowalske, they helped us finish our designs and planned out the whole project. Once they started, they finished work before deadlines, were so easy to communicate with, and kept expectations clear. They didn’t leave us wondering when their skilled craftsmen (all of which were professional and great guys) were coming and going or how far away the finish line was, each week was planned. Lastly, the quality of the finished product is second to none and worth every penny. I highly recommend Kowalske.” – Mitch, Facebook Review

Entertaining and bringing people together is what this family is all about. Birthdays involve amazing cakes like you see on those TV shows, and groups of 30 people or more. Their ideal kitchen needed to accommodate that level of baking and hosting, but also support the daily rhythms of life. Our collaborative design was guided by Vastu Shastra, an ancient architectural tradition that predates feng shui. Based on Vedic traditions that harmonize human behavior with natural forces in the world, Vastu Shanstra basically suggests how to inhabit a place in the best way possible. The objectives were: -Relocate the entire kitchen so the home’s heat source (oven) is in the southeast -Incorporate symmetry into the overall design -Create a large space for entertaining – open and airy with lots of light -Simultaneously separate but join cooking and gathering spaces, allowing the cook to have a cook-specific zone that is still a part of any gathering -Individual storage for small appliances – making them easier to use -Simplicity – the space should be easy to use and maintain Design challenges we solved for: -Incorporate three load bearing points of the house -Provide structural support that was not obvious -Reconfigure kitchen utilities to another part of the home -Maximize storage space Design solutions and mindful innovations became an exciting motivation that drove the project: -Double-horseshoe design features two symmetrical islands that seat 18 people comfortably -Downdraft ventilation behind rangetop allows unobstructed views -Overhead beams for structural support -Equip nearby dining room with locking bar and wine cabinet -Roll-out appliance shelves on back of cooking island are powered for easy use -Symmetrical fridge and freezer columns separated by oven -Cabinets along back of the cooking area for everyday items -Tall pantry cabinet has four drawers for paperwork -Spacious walk-in storage pantry has a counter with power outlets -Coffee station has a trash can directly below for easy clean up -Two sinks and dishwashers for easy cleanup “A lot of relationships are built over food,” the homeowner told us. “This [kitchen] keeps our family close because we all love food. My kids sit in the kitchen all evening long every day – and I’m right there cooking. That’s life –to be together.” We also collaborated with the homeowners to remodel their primary bathroom, primary bedroom closet and an additional bathroom.

We had already remodeled this clients kitchen and it still looks beautiful. Now it was time to update the baths. The hall bath was a simple freshen up with new everything . A new tub with tiled walls and niche, tiled floors, vanity, granite top, and all new fixtures and accessories bring the hall bath back to life. The Master bath was a little more involved; a larger shower with seat and niche was designed along with a free standing tub. The tiled shower looks great and the Frameless glass surround lets in all the light and helps keep the bathroom feeling open and spacious. The new vanity has double bowls, drawers, and a tower for plenty of storage.

One of the most popular hardwood floor finishing which offers Tom & Peter Flooring is provided by WOCA. If you’ve decided that you want a natural looking wooden floor that is lacquer-free, then the likelihood is that you’ve chosen oil as your way of protecting your wood and making your floor look great at the same time. WOCA for wood flooring comes in various forms and is a great way of making sure that your wood is protected, but at the same time looks natural. A highly popular as well as effective way of treating wood floors, oils effectively penetrate into the wood and in some cases harden into the surface of the floor to stop damage and to maintain the wood in its optimum condition. WOCA Oil finish hardwood flooring has taken the United States market by in 2014 and shows no signs of slowing down in 2016 and now. Here are some of the most common questions we have regarding this type of finish which we will I’m to answer in today’s my blog: Is oil finish as durable as traditional factory urethane finishes with aluminum oxide? When it comes to durability, oil finish flooring tackles the issue with a completely different method. The penetrating oil serves as protection from moisture and wear while allowing the user to feel the wood grains in their bare feet. If compared directly to factory finished aluminum oxide finish, the oil finish flooring will not perform as well to abrasion and impact. However, the beauty of this finish is the fact that it will camouflage any scratches which will inevitably accumulate over time. Will this finish evaporate over time and will this be harmful for indoor air quality? Another concern for oil finished floors its effect on indoor air quality. For on-site applications, some varieties suggest several coats which typically require the residents to be out of the home due to mild odors. However, there are factory finished UV-cured or single coat applications which lessen the downtime. Despite the odors produced during the drying process, oil finish floors rank amongst the lowest for VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions. Certain brands even boast true zero VOC. This fact alone makes oil finished floors one of the best options for green building solutions. “WOCA products are certified by independent laboratories, the German Institute for Biological Building Materials, and are in accordance with DIN–Norm 53–160. WOCA WoodCare Denmark products meet or exceed the most stringent U.S. standards for volatile organic compounds.” –WOCA Oil Finish Manufacture Does this type of finish require additional maintenance which I am not familiar with? For weekly cleaning, oiled floors use a special cleaner which contains an oil and soap mixture. After a period of 12-18 months some oil may evaporate causing the wood grains to appear dry. An additional layer of oil can be reapplied to keep the floor looking fresh. Although oil finished floors require more involvement in periodic maintenance in high traffic areas, this maintenance can be done much easier than the equivalent of an onsite sand and refinish. WOCA Master Color Oil contains pigment, which provides a single-step hardwood floor staining process. Laying down the stain and the finish in one step. This product comes 14 different colors, from Black to Extra White, and you can mix them freely to create various color palettes that will meet the demands of any job. Below are some pictures of the finished job…

A long shot of the open area of the penthouse that involves the living room, dining room, and part of the kitchen. The navy back wall keeps this whole space grounded.

What a privilege to work in this beautiful old Watermill! This was a really special project to be involved in and a challenge we loved embarking on. A painted in-frame shaker kitchen complete with solid oak drawer boxes was the ideal style to work with here. We used a pale ‘winter blue’ tone to lift the overall colour scheme, whilst keeping it classic. In order to reflect more light around the space, we used glass splashbacks behind the Aga and sink. Colour matching the glass panels to the walls means they really blend into the design as well as helping to reflect light. The worktops are a multi-tone granite worktop called ‘Aosta’. This particular granite features almost turquoise and plummy colours that work with both the blue furniture, and the flooring. The island is a real multi-purpose space. It provides a food prep area, integrated hob & oven, plus seating area. Designed in this way, it is the real hub of the kitchen. Previously, the kitchen had felt like two separate areas, but the run of storage units incorporating the old fridge-freezer really ties the spaces together seamlessly. Ample storage and elegant storage solutions were key to this design. Several units were tailor made on site. We designed a run of units to conceal the alarm system, consumer unit and even a hostess trolley neatly out of sight. One of our absolutely favourite areas in this kitchen is our bespoke window seat for the bay window. This little perch looks out over the water and doubles up as extra storage. A great little nook to relax into. The final touch in this kitchen is the lighting under the cabinets and bespoke mantle. At night, this creates a particularly lovely ambience against the backdrop of the running water outside.

Our client wanted to keep her home’s historic character and charm and chose Forward Design Build Remodel because she knew we could work with her home’s historic bones and honor the original design. The goals for this remodel were to open the older kitchen, preserve the location of the windows, update the finishes and lighting, and better the kitchen's feng shui. Our plan involved maximizing storage in the smaller space without making it feel cluttered and overwhelming while adding luxury and higher-end finishes to the kitchen and bathrooms. Our team utilized custom cabinetry and a two-toned color palette in the kitchen to work with the space and efficiently open up the remaining area. We transformed the bathrooms from outdated, essential to elegant, modern ones with aesthetically pleasing and functional cutouts.

Welcome to our #TerraHouseProject We were so grateful that our client trusted us to reimagine their home. Keep swiping to see the before photos! We began designing this project in 2020, and while the journey took longer than expected for a variety of reasons, we’re thrilled to finally see the project come to life in its full form. The scope involved an addition added onto the FRONT of the home. The addition included an extension of the entryway and dining room, as well as adding a gallery/library and office and office bath. With the addition, we also cosmetically remodeled their kitchen, powder bath, lounge and fireplace. The front elevation completely changed and the home feels like an entirely new home. Our client envisioned a space that felt earthy and organic, reflecting a deep connection to nature. They also wanted to incorporate global elements inspired by their travels, creating a warm, well-traveled aesthetic that tells their story through textures, materials, and curated pieces from around the world.

This is a whole house renovation and addition in North Seattle. The lovely clients are accustomed to the warm and vibrant colors of their native country. They asked Story to design an addition and whole-house renovation that would be in keeping with the needs of their busy family. We opened up the home on the first floor, giving a loft feel. Black windows and white, high-ceilinged spaces set a backdrop for splashes of color throughout. Warm wood flooring borders mosaic cement tile, and a large pantry has sliding barn doors that also hide an entrance to the family room. Upstairs, we redesigned the Owner’s Suite bathroom to include a high window for light, and a floating vanity with bold tile accents. These clients also asked us to add a guest suite on the first floor for visiting relatives - something that’s becoming quite common in renovations. These clients were very involved in the interiors for the project, and much of the artwork in the home was made by the client and her mother, who uses the guest suite when she visits for long intervals.

This is a whole house renovation and addition in North Seattle. The lovely clients are accustomed to the warm and vibrant colors of their native country. They asked Story to design an addition and whole-house renovation that would be in keeping with the needs of their busy family. We opened up the home on the first floor, giving a loft feel. Black windows and white, high-ceilinged spaces set a backdrop for splashes of color throughout. Warm wood flooring borders mosaic cement tile, and a large pantry has sliding barn doors that also hide an entrance to the family room. Upstairs, we redesigned the Owner’s Suite bathroom to include a high window for light, and a floating vanity with bold tile accents. These clients also asked us to add a guest suite on the first floor for visiting relatives - something that’s becoming quite common in renovations. These clients were very involved in the interiors for the project, and much of the artwork in the home was made by the client and her mother, who uses the guest suite when she visits for long intervals.