The oak spiral staircase with carpet runner brings accents of comfort and safety. Built by ULFBUILT, Vail general contractors. We listen with care and work with you. We deliver outstanding results. Contact us to learn more.

Architect: Andre Tchelistcheff Architects New York. NY Builder: Xhema of Greenwich CT Installer: TRM Enterprises Bridgehampton NY Back story. Northern has worked with both Xhema and TRM many tiles. We have worked with Andre before he branched out on his own. Originally Xhema’s contact was to replace the roof and repair the garage, which as some point had been made into an indoor swimming pool without adequate ventilation. The budget was about $8m and there were 20 drawings. By the time the job was 6 months old the scope of work has expanded to over $30m and over 200 drawings had been produced. Northern was contacted to visit the site and evaluate the existing roof. Although the house had been added to over the years the same tile was used but due to the location of the house the color of the tile varied considerably from the front to the back. Northern identified a large number of custom details which would require us to: 1) Match the existing Field tile in size, thickness (it was actually thicker at the butt and reduced to ½” where the tile is overlapped) , surface texture and the color. 2) Make tiles that are curved in their length to suit the curved rafter on the gabled dormers. 3) Make the curved tiles to suit the low slope octagonal tower. 4) Make the curved tiles and Arris style hips to suit the hipped dormers with the curved rafters. 5) Make the segmented tiles to suit the round turret. 6) Make the custom arris style hip tiles for the octagonal tower. 7) Make the custom Arris style hip to suit the different roof pitches as well as the varying splays at the eaves. 8) Make the custom pieces to suit the swept valleys Simon broke down each section of the roof. He indented all items for each section and agreed the measure etc with the installers. This ‘Project Bible’ became an invaluable tool for the installer, our tile makers and us. We shipped some samples from the original roof to Sahtas who replicated tall the details. I was visiting factory and delayed my return to the Saturday so that the tiles coming out of the kiln late Friday night could be wrapped and packed into newly purchase suit cases. I arrived home late Saturday evening and Simon picked me up Sunday afternoon and drove us down to Greenwich for an 8 am meeting with the clients. When we unpacked the tiles they were still warm and Hilfiger signed off on the color, although his wife suggested we make them a bit darker a ‘as he has a dreadful sense of color!’ We took Vincent Liot, owner of TRM to the factory twice so that he could oversee the prototyping of all the myriad custom pieces. This was an invaluable move as he pre-approved all the pieces before they were shipped. The installation was completed and everyone was very pleased with the final outcome. The Hilfiger’s estate manager told me that a group of friends who were staying the weekend after all the work was completed were heard to ask Mr. Hilfiger ‘I thought you were having a new roof’…to which he responded ‘we did but you can’t tell, which as the plan” …perfect! In refection this is probably the most complicated roof Northern has ever had the pleasure to supply. We learned a lot of very valuable lessons but in future when we are asked how did we do it we will answer ‘that is for us to know and for you to pay for!’

Bedroom and fireplace.
Tuscan medium tone wood floor bedroom photo in Santa Barbara with beige walls and a standard fireplace

Natural light pours into a niche furnished with a Baker dining table and chairs by Swaim. Photograph © Stacy Zarin Goldberg Photography Project designed by Boston interior design studio Dane Austin Design. They serve Boston, Cambridge, Hingham, Cohasset, Newton, Weston, Lexington, Concord, Dover, Andover, Gloucester, as well as surrounding areas. For more about Dane Austin Design, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/dupont-circle-highrise

This remodeled transitional kitchen and seating area features dark wooden cabinets and wicker coffee tables that contrast with the light-colored marble countertop and loveseat. The overall color scheme is neutral, with subtle hues of blue, pink, and gray, bringing focus on the combination of hanging pendant lights and a detailed, stained glass chandelier. Other features in this kitchen include beige walls, arch windows with wooden window panes, kitchen island with white curved marble top, tile kitchen backsplash, a stone surround flat screen TV, and flat hearth fireplace. Home designed by Atlanta interior design firm, VRA Interiors. They serve the entire Atlanta metropolitan area including Buckhead, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Cobb County, and North Fulton County. For more about VRA Interior Design, click here: https://www.vrainteriors.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.vrainteriors.com/portfolio/helmsley-drive-kitchen/

Nest "smart" thermostat
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Boston with a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Our clients took advantage of this curved, quarter-round rack wine display TX to showcase a beautiful antique, as depicted here. Quarter round display racks can showcase wine and wine accessories as well. Quarter round display racks are primarily used, however, to provide an attractive endings to racks. Wine Cellar Specialists 1134 Commerce Drive Richardson (972)454-0480 75081 https://winecellarspec.com/

This remodeled transitional kitchen and seating area features dark wooden cabinets and wicker coffee tables that contrast with the light-colored marble countertop and loveseat. The overall color scheme is neutral, with subtle hues of blue, pink, and gray, bringing focus on the combination of hanging pendant lights and a detailed, stained glass chandelier. Other features in this kitchen include beige walls, arch windows with wooden window panes, kitchen island with white curved marble top, tile kitchen backsplash, a stone surround flat screen TV, and flat hearth fireplace. Home designed by Atlanta interior design firm, VRA Interiors. They serve the entire Atlanta metropolitan area including Buckhead, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Cobb County, and North Fulton County. For more about VRA Interior Design, click here: https://www.vrainteriors.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.vrainteriors.com/portfolio/helmsley-drive-kitchen/

Benefits of Plantation Shutters Plantation shutters offer advantages and benefits to homeowners over other window coverings including: • A permanent addition to a house: While they don't add much to the sale price and don't guarantee a return on investment, the curb appeal helps the house sell faster. The permanency of plantation shutters allows them to be included in appraisals. • Versatility: Many have the ability to open only halfway if desired. If you want to let in all the light, plantation shutters swing away from the window to grant an unobstructed view. • Insulation: When all louvers are closed, a good insulating barrier is created, trapping unwanted temperatures and saving you money on your energy bill. • Easy maintenance: With wide louvers, a simple wipe-down is often all that's needed. Vinyl shutters can be taken off their hinges and sprayed off for a major cleaning. • Elegance: The classic, yet modern look conveys a permanency like no other window dressing can. Whether painted or natural wood, they all have a look that says; welcome home. Wood vs. Faux Wood It's not hard to argue that natural wood is more appealing than vinyl or PVC. However, "faux wood," as it's sometimes called, has some advantages: • Price -- Faux wood shutters are often lower in price than real wood. • Weight -- Because some shutters are made "hollow core" (as opposed to vinyl-wrapped medium density fiberboard, MDF), they can be significantly lighter. • Moisture Resistance -- If you live in an area with high humidity, hollow faux wood or aluminum core will resist expanding and sagging. (MDF core louvers will tend to expand and crack as the material swells with moisture.) Natural wood is the choice for those who have a very healthy budget or for whom a specific appearance is a must. Among the advantages are: • Size -- Because wood plantation shutters are made of hardwood, they can be quite a bit larger than plastic or vinyl. Vinyl shutters larger than 29 inches may be prone to sag, so they need divider rails or other supports which can destroy the traditional look of a plantation shutter. • Natural -- While vinyl or plastic shutters can be painted to match any color scheme, the natural shades and finishes of the various species of wood have something for every look. • Classic -- While many plastic shutters can be made to look like real wood, the faux wood finishes can vary significantly depending on manufacturer and model. Up close, it can be easy to tell they're plastic. The warmth of natural wood is a classic feel that's impossible to beat. Popular Plantation Shutter Brands When you go to purchase your plantation shutters, brands names may offer a good representation of high-, mid-, and low-cost range of what's available. Which one you choose depends on your budget and your tastes. Hunter-Douglas and Norman Shutters produce three lines of plantation shutters in both real wood and faux wood styles. A higher-end product, Hunter-Douglas may be worth the cost for beauty and quality of workmanship. The Window Outfitters and Sunland produce a mid-cost line of shutters. The mid-range pricing may be for those who are balancing aesthetics with a budget. National franchise and or box stores may not offer an in-house expert or designer. Look to local companies that specialize in plantation shutters looking online may offer a low-cost brand for budget-minded DIYers. Available in both faux and real wood, the affordability combines with the visual appeal to make this a very popular choice for plantation shutters. Regardless of which line you go with, be sure to ask about frames. Generally all manufactures offer frame choices and may add to the cost, but they add an unsurpassed beauty and warmth to a room with plantation shutters. Plantation shutters look like similar to wooden blinds, but there are significant differences. Blinds are often narrow, made of aluminum or vinyl, and the slats tilt based on a gear and pulley mechanism and they hang in the window with cords. By contrast, plantation shutters have wide compound louvers that fit into a frame and are controlled by way of a wooden rod running up the middle. When not needed, they can be manufactured to swing back onto the wall. Options to are available to build a more contemporary look with a larger view with a “hidden tilt” feature. Cost of Plantation Shutters Nationally, the cost of plantation shutters, depending on their size and the material, whether or not they are custom arches and colors or stains, may vary. Most manufacturers want their shutters to be professionally installed to keep the warranty intact which is a benefit to the customer in the long run. They will usually have a limited lifetime warranty. Cost of Installation Costs for having plantation shutters installed by a contractor are a bit more predictable. Contractors who have installed plantation shutters before can quickly get accurate measurements and suggest which materials would work best in different rooms. For example, while natural wood may look beautiful in your living room, it might not be so practical in a bathroom where moisture will cause the wood to warp. The size, material, and quality of the shutter will have a significant effect on the cost. Contractors usually go through a shutter supplier and can get various sizes that are not normally available at home improvement stores. Hiring a professional team of knowledgeable suppliers and installers is a good choice. Here are some sample prices of the shutters most contractors use for standard-sized windows: In general, plantation shutters should cost approximately $20 to $26 per square foot. Labor costs depend on factors such as the contractor's workload, remoteness of the location, environment, and the contractor's overhead. Labor generally runs about $100 per hour and will be added to the shutter cost. • 16x20 -- Faux wood $120. Real wood $156 • 24x50 -- Faux wood $160. Real wood $208 • 36x54 -- Faux wood $270. Real wood $351 • 36x60 -- Faux wood $300 Real wood $390 • 42x72 -- Faux wood $420. Real wood $546 • 48x82 -- Faux wood $550. Real wood $715 DIY Plantation shutters can be purchased and installed by the homeowners. How much they cost will depend on size and material. Faux wood shutter’s cost depends on size and wooden shutter’s cost will depend on size and whether or not they are painted or stained. • Natural wood is $90-$600 depending on size. Many companies offer standard stained selection but custom color matching may be available from $175 -$250. • Faux wood will be from $120-$500. • Additional tools include: Hang Strips $4-$15 and about $4 for mounting hardware. Locks or closures can cost up to $15 for each shutter. Finally, if you order them online, you can expect to pay $30-$70 shipping per shutter or per set of shutters per window depending on the supplier. Keep in mind that even if you're handy with tools, installing shutters can be time-consuming if you've never done it before there is defiantly a learning curve.

A curving staircase made of hardwood treads and risers with metal rails and balusters. The curved pattern makes it look spacious and grand. Creative and beautiful design for a front entry with this 3 story spiral staircase. Built by ULFBUILT. Vail general contractors. We listen with care and work with you. We deliver outstanding results. Contact us to learn more.

This is a graphic representation of new house colors. Know what to expect before you do it. This house has real wood shingles, clapboard, wood windows and balustrade. Nothing fake about this house and you can tell!

Amy Bartlam
Example of an eclectic open concept dark wood floor living room design in Orange County with white walls and no fireplace

A cozy and functional farmhouse kitchen with warm white cabinets and a rustic walnut island.
Mid-sized country l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Another finished project! We love how this classic curved staircase turned out! This beautiful staircase features our Basket Twist Series Iron Balusters with a Scroll Baluster accent! Interested in a similar style staircase for your home? Follow the link to learn what stair parts we used!

Photo: Caela McKeever © 2015 Houzz

“After the IKEA boxes were installed, we were able to add the Ricabi custom doors and drawer fronts on our own,” she says. She continues: “The main challenge we faced was making sure we measured everything in the kitchen area correctly while the house was in the demo stage. There’s definitely a learning curve to putting the first few IKEA cabinets together but it’s much easier after that.” Andrea concludes with some advice for other IKEA kitchen remodelers. “You can have a custom-looking kitchen without the huge price tag. If you’re concerned that your kitchen is going to look like those in the IKEA showroom, consider a custom door company like Ricabi and an awesome design service like IKD. Constructing IKEA cabinets yourself will save money but be patient on the first few. It’s a lot smoother if you have a partner to help you.”

Example of a trendy kitchen design in Other

In this spiral staircase, the combination of oak wood, black metal rails, and white wall creates a harmonious look from the top. The angles and curves brings out the focal point, and It's a creative way of putting 3-storey staircases in a traditional mountain home. Built by ULFBUILT. Contact us to learn more.

Enclosed dining room - mid-sized traditional medium tone wood floor and beige floor enclosed dining room idea in New York with purple walls and no fireplace