The Twin Peaks Passive House + ADU was designed and built to remain resilient in the face of natural disasters. Fortunately, the same great building strategies and design that provide resilience also provide a home that is incredibly comfortable and healthy while also visually stunning. This home’s journey began with a desire to design and build a house that meets the rigorous standards of Passive House. Before beginning the design/ construction process, the homeowners had already spent countless hours researching ways to minimize their global climate change footprint. As with any Passive House, a large portion of this research was focused on building envelope design and construction. The wall assembly is combination of six inch Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) and 2x6 stick frame construction filled with blown in insulation. The roof assembly is a combination of twelve inch SIPs and 2x12 stick frame construction filled with batt insulation. The pairing of SIPs and traditional stick framing allowed for easy air sealing details and a continuous thermal break between the panels and the wall framing. Beyond the building envelope, a number of other high performance strategies were used in constructing this home and ADU such as: battery storage of solar energy, ground source heat pump technology, Heat Recovery Ventilation, LED lighting, and heat pump water heating technology. In addition to the time and energy spent on reaching Passivhaus Standards, thoughtful design and carefully chosen interior finishes coalesce at the Twin Peaks Passive House + ADU into stunning interiors with modern farmhouse appeal. The result is a graceful combination of innovation, durability, and aesthetics that will last for a century to come. Despite the requirements of adhering to some of the most rigorous environmental standards in construction today, the homeowners chose to certify both their main home and their ADU to Passive House Standards. From a meticulously designed building envelope that tested at 0.62 ACH50, to the extensive solar array/ battery bank combination that allows designated circuits to function, uninterrupted for at least 48 hours, the Twin Peaks Passive House has a long list of high performance features that contributed to the completion of this arduous certification process. The ADU was also designed and built with these high standards in mind. Both homes have the same wall and roof assembly ,an HRV, and a Passive House Certified window and doors package. While the main home includes a ground source heat pump that warms both the radiant floors and domestic hot water tank, the more compact ADU is heated with a mini-split ductless heat pump. The end result is a home and ADU built to last, both of which are a testament to owners’ commitment to lessen their impact on the environment.

Toast cool design with this sturdy and stunning white wine decanter featuring an open ice chamber that keeps wine cold without diluting it. Handmade in Colombia from recycled glass, each decanter has a slight green hue from the tint originally added to lessen the sun's glare. These are free form pieces, not made from molds, but wonderful organic shapes that are thick and hefty. Best of all, the glass is recycled from old windows, automobile glass, and all sorts of bottles. Each design is one-of-a-kind, and yes, as always, you can count on unique variations in each piece. For after all... this is no ordinary piece of glass! Due to the hand-crafted process, the texture of each item will differ. Air bubbles and small "imperfections" add individual charm to each one-of-a-kind piece!

Gorgeous view to the outside from this Hunter Douglas Nantucket sheer shade. The neighbors can't see in, but you can see out! Close the vanes for total privacy, or for heat, glare and UV protection! The sheers throw a diffused and beautiful sunlight deep into your room, lessening the need for lights to be left on during the daytime.

An awkward corner piece of wall had to remain when the kitchen was opened up to the family room. A niche helped to make a unique design statement while lessening the bulk of the area. It created a custom art display area.

The Twin Peaks Passive House + ADU was designed and built to remain resilient in the face of natural disasters. Fortunately, the same great building strategies and design that provide resilience also provide a home that is incredibly comfortable and healthy while also visually stunning. This home’s journey began with a desire to design and build a house that meets the rigorous standards of Passive House. Before beginning the design/ construction process, the homeowners had already spent countless hours researching ways to minimize their global climate change footprint. As with any Passive House, a large portion of this research was focused on building envelope design and construction. The wall assembly is combination of six inch Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) and 2x6 stick frame construction filled with blown in insulation. The roof assembly is a combination of twelve inch SIPs and 2x12 stick frame construction filled with batt insulation. The pairing of SIPs and traditional stick framing allowed for easy air sealing details and a continuous thermal break between the panels and the wall framing. Beyond the building envelope, a number of other high performance strategies were used in constructing this home and ADU such as: battery storage of solar energy, ground source heat pump technology, Heat Recovery Ventilation, LED lighting, and heat pump water heating technology. In addition to the time and energy spent on reaching Passivhaus Standards, thoughtful design and carefully chosen interior finishes coalesce at the Twin Peaks Passive House + ADU into stunning interiors with modern farmhouse appeal. The result is a graceful combination of innovation, durability, and aesthetics that will last for a century to come. Despite the requirements of adhering to some of the most rigorous environmental standards in construction today, the homeowners chose to certify both their main home and their ADU to Passive House Standards. From a meticulously designed building envelope that tested at 0.62 ACH50, to the extensive solar array/ battery bank combination that allows designated circuits to function, uninterrupted for at least 48 hours, the Twin Peaks Passive House has a long list of high performance features that contributed to the completion of this arduous certification process. The ADU was also designed and built with these high standards in mind. Both homes have the same wall and roof assembly ,an HRV, and a Passive House Certified window and doors package. While the main home includes a ground source heat pump that warms both the radiant floors and domestic hot water tank, the more compact ADU is heated with a mini-split ductless heat pump. The end result is a home and ADU built to last, both of which are a testament to owners’ commitment to lessen their impact on the environment.

Pairing their love of Mid-Century Modern design and collecting with the enjoyment they get out of entertaining at home, this client’s kitchen remodel in Linda Vista hit all the right notes. Set atop a hillside with sweeping views of the city below, the first priority in this remodel was to open up the kitchen space to take full advantage of the view and create a seamless transition between the kitchen, dining room, and outdoor living space. A primary wall was removed and a custom peninsula/bar area was created to house the client’s extensive collection of glassware and bar essentials on a sleek shelving unit suspended from the ceiling and wrapped around the base of the peninsula. Light wood cabinetry with a retro feel was selected and provided the perfect complement to the unique backsplash which extended the entire length of the kitchen, arranged to create a distinct ombre effect that concentrated behind the Wolf range. Subtle brass fixtures and pulls completed the look while panels on the built in refrigerator created a consistent flow to the cabinetry. Additionally, a frosted glass sliding door off of the kitchen disguises a dedicated laundry room full of custom finishes. Raised built-in cabinetry houses the washer and dryer to put everything at eye level, while custom sliding shelves that can be hidden when not in use lessen the need for bending and lifting heavy loads of laundry. Other features include built-in laundry sorter and extensive storage.

As the “nest” began to empty and her available time to maintain the home lessened, Ursula realized that it was time to sell. The 1996 home still had the original kitchen and baths, and was in need of general repair and new flooring. The HVAC system, water heater, and washer and dryer had been replaced as they aged, but the kitchen appliances, exterior, windows, and roof needed replacing. Jeff wanted to repair and update the home with quality materials and workmanship so that it would provide the most value to the new owners and sell as quickly as possible, so we got to work determining what the best use of the budget would be to accomplish this goal. We focused on updating the major interior design elements that would provide the most enjoyment, durability, and energy efficiency for the new homeowners as well as meticulously replaced worn exterior components with tasteful color palette selections. We repaired and refinished all of the kitchen cabinets and added granite counter tops and a stainless steel sink. All of the Kitchen appliances were replaced with new energy efficient stainless models. All bathroom cabinetry was repaired and refinished, all of the faucets and shower trims were replaced, and all of the toilets with EPA WaterSense rated low-flow toilets. The master bathroom shower glass was replaced with updated semi-frameless glass. All of the hardwood flooring was refinished as well as general repair on the walls and new paint throughout. The end result was bright, open, and comfortable updated home ready for its new occupants. Design Features Durable and nicely renovated cabinetry. Granite Kitchen counter tops. Stainless Kitchen appliances. Stainless Kitchen sink and brushed nickel faucets. Brushed Nickel cabinetry and door hardware. Low-flow EPA WaterSense rated toilets. Refinished natural oak hardwood flooring. New carpet. New architectural roof shingles. Replaced window sashes. Complete exterior repair and painting. Light and bright No-VOC paints and finishes. Energy Efficient and Green Features Energy efficient EPA Energy Star appliances. EPA WaterSense rated low-flow toilets. Durable No-VOC cabinetry. Low-flow faucets. Energy efficient LED lighting throughout. No-VOC paints and finishes.

This client came to me with an almost blank palette. The front yard was a weed-filled slope with two glorious purple plum trees providing lots of shaded space. Because the soil on this property is made up of a lot of clay, rain would rush off the property and into the street. We decide to build up a low retaining wall with boulders to lessen the slope of the yard, letting rain water sink into the soil were the plants can access it, instead of running into the storm drains and out the ocean. Because of the plum trees, we chose shade tolerant Mediterranean adaptive and California native plants to create a naturalistic woodland look. The corner of the property receives full sun for most of the day, and we incorporated edible plantings such as pineapple guavas, artichokes and culinary herbs that seamlessly integrated with the shade loving plants. This yard is now a low-maintenance, water wise garden that breathes new life into this 1960s house.

Pairing their love of Mid-Century Modern design and collecting with the enjoyment they get out of entertaining at home, this client’s kitchen remodel in Linda Vista hit all the right notes. Set atop a hillside with sweeping views of the city below, the first priority in this remodel was to open up the kitchen space to take full advantage of the view and create a seamless transition between the kitchen, dining room, and outdoor living space. A primary wall was removed and a custom peninsula/bar area was created to house the client’s extensive collection of glassware and bar essentials on a sleek shelving unit suspended from the ceiling and wrapped around the base of the peninsula. Light wood cabinetry with a retro feel was selected and provided the perfect complement to the unique backsplash which extended the entire length of the kitchen, arranged to create a distinct ombre effect that concentrated behind the Wolf range. Subtle brass fixtures and pulls completed the look while panels on the built in refrigerator created a consistent flow to the cabinetry. Additionally, a frosted glass sliding door off of the kitchen disguises a dedicated laundry room full of custom finishes. Raised built-in cabinetry houses the washer and dryer to put everything at eye level, while custom sliding shelves that can be hidden when not in use lessen the need for bending and lifting heavy loads of laundry. Other features include built-in laundry sorter and extensive storage.

Large format tile to lessen grout lines.
Bathroom - transitional bathroom idea in Kansas City

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…

Curtis and Peggy had been thinking of a kitchen remodel for quite some time, but they knew their house would have a unique set of challenges. Their older Victorian house was built in 1891. The kitchen cabinetry was original, and they wanted to keep the authenticity of their period home while adding modern comforts that would improve their quality of life. A friend recommended Advance Design Studio for their exceptional experience and quality of work. After meeting with designer Michelle Lecinski at Advance Design, they were confident they could partner with Advance to accomplish the unique kitchen renovation they’d been talking about for years. “We wanted to do the kitchen for a long, long time,” Curtis said. “(We asked ourselves) what are we actually going to do? How are we going to do this? And who are we going to find to do exactly what we want?” The goal for the project was to keep the home renovation and new kitchen feeling authentic to the time in which it was built. They desperately wanted the modern comforts that come with a larger refrigerator and the dishwasher that they never had! The old home was also a bit drafty so adding a fireplace, wall insulation and new windows became a priority. They very much wanted to create a comfortable hearth room adjacent to the kitchen, complete with old world brick. The original cabinetry had to go to make way for beautiful new kitchen cabinetry that appears as if it was a hundred years old, but with all the benefits of cutting-edge storage, self-closing drawers, and a brand-new look. “We just wanted to keep it old looking, but with some modern updates,” Peggy said. Dura Supreme Highland Cabinets with a Heritage Old World Painted Finish replaced the original 1891 cabinets. The hand-applied careful rubbed-off detailing makes these exquisite cabinets look as if they came from a far-gone era. Despite the small size of the kitchen, Peggy, Curtis and Michelle utilized every inch with custom cabinet sizes to increase storage capacity. The custom cabinets allowed for the addition of a 24” Fisher Paykel dishwasher with a concealing Dura Supreme door panel. Michelle was also able to work into the new design a larger 30” Fisher Paykel French refrigerator. “We made every ¼ inch count in this small space,” designer Michelle said. “Having the ability to custom size the cabinetry was the only way to achieve this.” “The kitchen essentially was designed around the Heartland Vintage range and oven,” says Michelle. A classic appliance that combines nostalgic beauty and craftsmanship for modern cooking, with nickel plated trim and elegantly shaped handles and legs; the not to miss range is a striking focal point of the entire room and an engaging conversation piece. Granite countertops in Kodiak Satin with subtle veining kept with the old-world style. The delicate porcelain La Vie Crackle Sonoma tile kitchen backsplash compliments the home’s style perfectly. A handcrafted passthrough designed to show off Peggy’s fine china was custom built by project carpenters Justin Davis and Jeff Dallain to physically and visually open the space. Additional storage was created in the custom panty room with Latte Edinburg cabinets, hand-made weathered wood shelving with authentic black iron brackets, and an intricate tin copper ceiling. Peggy and Curtis loved the idea of adding a Vermont stove to make the hearth-room not only functional, but a truly beckoning place to be. A stunning Bordeaux red Vermont Castings Stove with crisp black ventilation was chosen and combined with the authentic reclaimed Chicago brick wall. Advance’s talented carpenters custom-built elegant weathered shelves to house family memorabilia, installed carefully chosen barn sconces, and made the hearth room an inviting place to relax with a cup of coffee and a good book. “Peggy and Curtis’ project was so much fun to work on. Creating a space that looks and feels like it always belonged in this beautiful old Victorian home is a designer’s dream. To see the delight in their faces when they saw the design details coming together truly made it worth the time and effort that went into making the very compact kitchen space work”, said Michelle. “The result is an amazing custom kitchen, packed with functionality in every inch, nook and cranny!” exclaims Michelle. The renovation didn’t end with the kitchen. New Pella windows were added to help lessen the drafts. The removal of the original windows and trim necessitated the re-creation of hand-made corbels and trim details no longer available today. The talented carpenter team came to the rescue, crafting new pieces and masterfully finishing them as if they were always there. New custom gutters were formed and installed with a front entry rework necessary to accommodate the changes. The whole house functions better, but it still feels like the original 1891 home. “From start to finish it’s just a much better space than we used to have,” Peggy said. “Jeff and Justin were amazing.” Curtis added; “We were lucky to find Advance Design, because they really came through for us. I loved that they had everything in house, anything you needed to have done, they could do it”.

Two part project with the first being an improvement of the drainage by connecting new pipe to existing running under the street, and concealing in a dry riverbed. Pipe was day-lighted to allow water to push over the wall and around the house, down the boat ramp. It provided for a functional solution, with a beautiful look. The second part of the project included the installation of a small Belgard retaining wall to lessen the slope of the yard, re-grading of yard with tree and shrub removal, installation of two dry riverbeds to the front to help with water drainage, shrub plantings, and installation of Emerald Zoysia turf. Area was touched up with pine straw for clean and finished look

Brighten up your white bedroom space with tropical fruits theme to have a fun and interesting statement in your chamber. Orange color associated with yellow encourages social interaction in a fun, conversational way. Orange is also the color that stimulates the appetite. With this theme color, it will help you brighten up your morning everyday! Complete your bedroom space with a clean and elegant white furniture pieces providing style and function. The beds have storage space for your collectibles and spacious storage dressers and chests to keep your things organize and clean. It will lessen your worries when you're in a space like this!

The givens in this artist's home were the painted floor, her etched galvanized steel backsplash ( by the artist) and just lots of stuff which makes her home wonderful and personal. She was stuck with what do do with her old cabinets and newer cabinets. My approach was to lessen the confusion and tie the cabinets to the floor with color, but just use her background steel before etching on the upper cabinets fronts. My client is very happy with this slightly cleaned up look and then attacked her other living areas with an eye to simplifying a little bit. M. Larcade

The Twin Peaks Passive House + ADU was designed and built to remain resilient in the face of natural disasters. Fortunately, the same great building strategies and design that provide resilience also provide a home that is incredibly comfortable and healthy while also visually stunning. This home’s journey began with a desire to design and build a house that meets the rigorous standards of Passive House. Before beginning the design/ construction process, the homeowners had already spent countless hours researching ways to minimize their global climate change footprint. As with any Passive House, a large portion of this research was focused on building envelope design and construction. The wall assembly is combination of six inch Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) and 2x6 stick frame construction filled with blown in insulation. The roof assembly is a combination of twelve inch SIPs and 2x12 stick frame construction filled with batt insulation. The pairing of SIPs and traditional stick framing allowed for easy air sealing details and a continuous thermal break between the panels and the wall framing. Beyond the building envelope, a number of other high performance strategies were used in constructing this home and ADU such as: battery storage of solar energy, ground source heat pump technology, Heat Recovery Ventilation, LED lighting, and heat pump water heating technology. In addition to the time and energy spent on reaching Passivhaus Standards, thoughtful design and carefully chosen interior finishes coalesce at the Twin Peaks Passive House + ADU into stunning interiors with modern farmhouse appeal. The result is a graceful combination of innovation, durability, and aesthetics that will last for a century to come. Despite the requirements of adhering to some of the most rigorous environmental standards in construction today, the homeowners chose to certify both their main home and their ADU to Passive House Standards. From a meticulously designed building envelope that tested at 0.62 ACH50, to the extensive solar array/ battery bank combination that allows designated circuits to function, uninterrupted for at least 48 hours, the Twin Peaks Passive House has a long list of high performance features that contributed to the completion of this arduous certification process. The ADU was also designed and built with these high standards in mind. Both homes have the same wall and roof assembly ,an HRV, and a Passive House Certified window and doors package. While the main home includes a ground source heat pump that warms both the radiant floors and domestic hot water tank, the more compact ADU is heated with a mini-split ductless heat pump. The end result is a home and ADU built to last, both of which are a testament to owners’ commitment to lessen their impact on the environment.

The Twin Peaks Passive House + ADU was designed and built to remain resilient in the face of natural disasters. Fortunately, the same great building strategies and design that provide resilience also provide a home that is incredibly comfortable and healthy while also visually stunning. This home’s journey began with a desire to design and build a house that meets the rigorous standards of Passive House. Before beginning the design/ construction process, the homeowners had already spent countless hours researching ways to minimize their global climate change footprint. As with any Passive House, a large portion of this research was focused on building envelope design and construction. The wall assembly is combination of six inch Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) and 2x6 stick frame construction filled with blown in insulation. The roof assembly is a combination of twelve inch SIPs and 2x12 stick frame construction filled with batt insulation. The pairing of SIPs and traditional stick framing allowed for easy air sealing details and a continuous thermal break between the panels and the wall framing. Beyond the building envelope, a number of other high performance strategies were used in constructing this home and ADU such as: battery storage of solar energy, ground source heat pump technology, Heat Recovery Ventilation, LED lighting, and heat pump water heating technology. In addition to the time and energy spent on reaching Passivhaus Standards, thoughtful design and carefully chosen interior finishes coalesce at the Twin Peaks Passive House + ADU into stunning interiors with modern farmhouse appeal. The result is a graceful combination of innovation, durability, and aesthetics that will last for a century to come. Despite the requirements of adhering to some of the most rigorous environmental standards in construction today, the homeowners chose to certify both their main home and their ADU to Passive House Standards. From a meticulously designed building envelope that tested at 0.62 ACH50, to the extensive solar array/ battery bank combination that allows designated circuits to function, uninterrupted for at least 48 hours, the Twin Peaks Passive House has a long list of high performance features that contributed to the completion of this arduous certification process. The ADU was also designed and built with these high standards in mind. Both homes have the same wall and roof assembly ,an HRV, and a Passive House Certified window and doors package. While the main home includes a ground source heat pump that warms both the radiant floors and domestic hot water tank, the more compact ADU is heated with a mini-split ductless heat pump. The end result is a home and ADU built to last, both of which are a testament to owners’ commitment to lessen their impact on the environment.

This addition and extensive interior renovation optimizes front and rear river views, natural light and indoor / outdoor integration. The use of craftsman detailing – adding a front porch – makes this home naturally inviting, functional and extremely livable. The design was challenged due to the waterfront lot restrictions, lot coverage restrictions (car port instead of garage), slope stability challenges and septic restrictions (only 15% of existing footprint was allowed). The rear eating area / sunroom addition was built on pillars to achieve septic clearances. The second storey addition utilized sloped ceilings, which finished at 10 ft. in order to create spacial volume. Open to below areas allow more sunlight in and help achieve square footage requirements. The carport helped meet lot coverage restrictions, but more importantly, helped lessen the environmental impact. Driveways and walkways feature natural stone for water runoff. The home exceeded the design objectives by maintaining formal entertaining, by eliminating walls and organizing spaces, creating comfortable family areas and by introducing natural light throughout the home. 2012 Finalist in the Canadian Home Builder’s SAM Awards for a Whole House Renovation $250,000-$500,000 2012 Ontario Home Builders Association Awards Finalist for Most Outstanding Home Renovation $100,000 – $500,000 2012 Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association Awards Finalist for Renovations/Additions $350,000 – $499,999

Brighten up your white bedroom space with tropical fruits theme to have a fun and interesting statement in your chamber. Orange color associated with yellow encourages social interaction in a fun, conversational way. Orange is also the color that stimulates the appetite. With this theme color, it will help you brighten up your morning everyday! Complete your bedroom space with a clean and elegant white furniture pieces providing style and function. The beds have storage space for your collectibles and spacious storage dressers and chests to keep your things organize and clean. It will lessen your worries when you're in a space like this!