Take me back to Merrimac. Home to a pastoral New England setting in Merrimac, MA, these homeowners realized the bucolic nature surrounding them and wanted to further invite and incorporate that into their daily living. The amount of natural light and brightness, especially in their new kitchen and mudroom is truly life-changing. Photo credit: Eric Roth

So in love with how their interior space felt, our clients once again invited us to orchestrate an outdoor environment just as life changing. Our first objective was to create an unobstructed view of the sculptural pool fountain from the front door while designing a covered lanai. We developed a highly sophisticated and textural material palette and layout for large family gatherings. We brought together a dream team that consisted of landscape, lighting, pool and contractors, all that excel in their trades to collaborate on this one of a kind outdoor experience.

So in love with how their interior space felt, our clients once again invited us to orchestrate an outdoor environment just as life changing. Our first objective was to create an unobstructed view of the sculptural pool fountain from the front door while designing a covered lanai. We developed a highly sophisticated and textural material palette and layout for large family gatherings. We brought together a dream team that consisted of landscape, lighting, pool and contractors, all that excel in their trades to collaborate on this one of a kind outdoor experience.

Another ‘Life Changing’ Mini Kitchen Remodel in El Dorado Hills. The ‘Before’ and ‘Afters’ are striking. Instead of tearing out and replacing with all new cabinetry (we’re experts at this type of remodel as well), these homeowners chose a painted Reface along with some we’ll thought out design modifications. We expanded the island, lowering the bar counter to one level and modified the sink base to allow for a new efficient farm sink. Additionally, we added glass doors and undercabinet lighting. The two-tone color scheme features painted hardwood cabinetry in Swiss Coffee with a combination of Lexington door style for the uppers and Heritage for the lowers. The island features Cherry cabinetry and to add to the beautiful modern aesthetic, prominently features Cambria Clovelly quartz counters with two waterfall ends. Rounding out the kitchen transformation is warm tile backsplash which features a metal accent tile selected by the home owners. Now that’s inspired design. All remodel work from design, to cabinetry, carpentry, electrical, countertop fabrication and installation, appliance installation and finish painting by Kitchen Mart.

Project Kagiso is a Live Build Architecture project ran by The University of Nottingham for which I was a tutor. Second year BArch students, working alongside local NGOs, design and build indoor and outdoor classroom facilities for a nursery in the Limpopo province of South Africa. The site is remote and sits in a region where poverty is high and resources low. Project Kagiso aims to provide this community with life-changing facilities whilst at the same time allowing the Nottingham students to gain hands-on building experience and the chance to work amongst and with their client. Ben Tynegate - Architectural Photographer based in London

Mano poured architectural walls, Modern hardscape layout, well protected bamboo, decomposed granite, modern bio planter etc. We transform outdoor spaces and create life changing positive experience around one’s home. #TrueScapeDesign

Life changes. Kids move out. And they leave us with spaces that look a little tired... One of the most fun things that can happen (so I hear--I haven't experienced it yet), is to have your children want to come home and visit again WITH GRANDCHILDREN. Yay! This is exactly where my client had found herself…and she wanted to make the rooms that were now mostly empty and seldom-used, a warm, cozy & stylish guest suite to welcome her adult children home when they came to visit. We used an eclectic mix of furnishings and fabrics to outfit both of the old bedrooms, creating a lovely guest suite, complete with a sitting/tv room that my clients use for cozy movie watching nights even when they don't have guests. :) Photography by Laura Kicey

All Weather teamed up with the Property Brothers and Emmy nominated actress and comedian Cheryl Hines on this week’s episode of HGTV’s hit show CELEBRTIY IOU. In the Cheryl Hines Gifts a Garage Makeover episode, Cheryl surprises Sarita, her close friend of nearly 20 years, by transforming her underused detached garage into a gorgeous multi purpose guest suite and work space. Sarita started as Cheryl’s assistant, turned into a close friend as well as a nanny for her daughter Catherine. “Sarita is a part of the family and Catherine wouldn’t be who she is today without her.” said Hines. “She taught Cat so much.” Cheryl Hines learned a very important lesson about demolition from the Property Brothers. you can’t scream because all the stuff flies into your mouth. Hines wields a reciprocating saw and sledgehammer and knocks down shelves in the episode. The newly renovated garage features All Weather Series 8100 Multi Slide Doors and Counter Top Sliding Windows to allow natural light and fresh air in; a sophisticated kitchenette, spa inspired bathroom, built in desk, spacious walk-in closet and a Murphy Bed for the perfect mother-in law suite and personal retreat. Check out the Project Photos from this life-changing garage renovation. Now in its third season, Celebrity IOU gives celebrities a chance to show their deepest gratitude to friends, family and mentors by giving them a surprise renovation courtesy of Drew and Jonathan Scott.

Mid-sized 1960s brown one-story stucco exterior home idea in San Francisco

Putting up a sign in the yard and waiting for the right buyer to come along isn't always the easiest way to sell a house. The traditional process of selling your home can be slow, expensive and frustrating for many Springfield, OH homeowners. You may have to fix the house up, clean it out, show it, negotiate with buyers, wait for inspections, and hope the buyer's financing doesn't fall through. That can be a lot to manage, especially if you need to move quickly or work with a property that is no longer working for your situation. That’s why many homeowners now look for a faster option. If you want to sell your house fast for cash in Springfield, OH, then working with a local cash home buyer like Sell House Now Columbus can be a practical solution. The company works with homeowners in Columbus, Springfield and other parts of Ohio, providing a direct cash-buying process that helps sellers avoid repairs, agent commissions, closing delays and unnecessary stress. They buy houses as-is, and offer a simple selling process and possibly help with closing costs, according to the company’s website. Why Springfield, OH Homeowners Choose to Sell for Cash Every homeowner has their own reason for desiring a quick sale. Some are relocating for jobs and don’t have months to wait for a buyer.” Others may have inherited a property they don’t want to keep up. Some houses need a lot of work and the owner may not have the time, money or energy to do it all before listing. There are also situations of divorce, concerns about foreclosure, bad tenants, unpaid taxes, or simply a desire to move on without the hassle of a traditional sale. It makes sense to do a cash sale because it takes away a lot of the common roadblocks. Rather than waiting for mortgage approvals, appraisals, repair requests and lengthy negotiations, homeowners can receive a direct offer from a buyer who is ready, willing and able to purchase the property. At Sell House Now Columbus, sellers can request a fair cash offer and pick a closing timeline that suits them. The firm says homeowners can sell without agents, fees, repairs or cleaning, which can be a huge relief for anyone going through a stressful property situation. Selling as is No repairs or cleaning One of the biggest advantages of selling to a cash home buyer is the fact that you can sell the property as-is. This is good news because you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on fixing the roof, replacing flooring, repainting walls, updating the kitchen, repairing plumbing or improving kerb appeal to attract buyers. Buyers expect the home to look clean, updated and move-in ready in traditional sales. Issues discovered during the inspection can force the seller to lower the price or pay for repairs prior to closing. An as-is cash sale is a different process. The purchaser is taking the property “as is” and is offering based on the current condition. Sell House Now, Columbus, states that sellers are spared the hassle of repairs, daily showings and cleaning. They also say that unwanted items can be left behind and dealt with after purchase. This can save time and money for Springfield homeowners confronted with an older house, damaged property, rental cleanup or inherited home full of belongings. No Real Estate Agent Fees or Hidden Commissions When you sell your home, conventional real estate agents eat up a huge portion of your final proceeds through commission fees. You might have closing costs, staging costs, repair costs, inspection-related costs, photography fees and other costs that eat into what you actually walk away with. After deducting all expenses the final number is much lower than expected for some sellers. A direct cash sale makes the numbers simple. “Sell House Now, Columbus says they don’t charge commissions and their process is designed to help homeowners avoid listing fees and agent-related expenses.” This provides sellers more clarity up front. Instead of guessing what the final payout might be after months of negotiations and deductions, you can review a cash offer and decide if it meets your needs. Faster Closing Timeline for Springfield Homeowners When you need to sell fast, time is of the essence. A traditional home sale can take weeks or even months, depending on market conditions, buyer financing, inspections, appraisals and negotiations. Once you’ve accepted an offer, there is always the risk that the buyer’s loan may be delayed or denied. Delays can add additional pressure to a homeowner who needs cash fast, who needs to stop paying taxes or utilities, or who needs to relocate soon. Cash buyers are often faster than traditional buyers because they don’t rely on bank financing. Sell House Now Columbus says their process offers a competitive cash offer, a simple experience and Sellers can pick their closing day. That flexibility can be helpful if you need to close quickly or if you need extra time to make your next move. You don’t have to follow someone else’s schedule but can choose a plan that works better for your circumstances. Who Can Use Selling For Cash? Is your property stressing you out? Is it costing you money every month? If so then selling your House for cash in Springfield OH may be a good option. It can help homeowners who are behind on payments, tired of being landlords, dealing with code violations, handling probate property, in need of costly repairs, or just ready for a clean break. It can also be a benefit to those who do not live near the property and do not want to travel back and forth to manage repairs, contractors, cleaning and showings. And the best part is you don’t need to have a perfect house. Cash buyers often see the property as an investment and are willing to do repairs after the sale. This makes it easier for sellers who are stuck with a dated, vacant, damaged, or otherwise hard-to-list property. How it works Generally, the process begins with a call to discuss the property in general terms. After reviewing those details, Sell House Now Columbus can assess the home and make a cash offer. If the offer interests you, you can pick a closing date that suits you. You don’t have to accept and the offer can help you explore your options before making a final decision. This approach gives control to homeowners. You don’t have to go through months of listings, open houses, questionable buyers or last-minute repair demands. You can look at the cash offer and see if it solves your problem. Summary If you need to Sell your House fast for cash in Springfield, OH then a direct cash sale might be the easiest path forward. It gives homeowners a way to avoid repairs, agent commissions, delays and stress. Whether you’re looking to sell an inherited property, a damaged home, a rental you no longer want, or a life change that requires a quick sale, Sell House Now Columbus provides a simple option for homeowners that want speed and convenience. Selling a house should be no more difficult than dragging a heavy box up hill. A good cash buyer can make the process a lot lighter, faster and easier to manage. If you are a homeowner in Springfield and want to get a fair cash offer and an easy solution, Sell House Now Columbus can make the next step a lot easier.

This client's phase of life changed from young children claiming dining room as toy room to grown up entertaining spot! We love the pops of blue in this transitional dining room.

Another ‘Life Changing’ Mini Kitchen Remodel in El Dorado Hills. The ‘Before’ and ‘Afters’ are striking. Instead of tearing out and replacing with all new cabinetry (we’re experts at this type of remodel as well), these homeowners chose a painted Reface along with some we’ll thought out design modifications. We expanded the island, lowering the bar counter to one level and modified the sink base to allow for a new efficient farm sink. Additionally, we added glass doors and undercabinet lighting. The two-tone color scheme features painted hardwood cabinetry in Swiss Coffee with a combination of Lexington door style for the uppers and Heritage for the lowers. The island features Cherry cabinetry and to add to the beautiful modern aesthetic, prominently features Cambria Clovelly quartz counters with two waterfall ends. Rounding out the kitchen transformation is warm tile backsplash which features a metal accent tile selected by the home owners. Now that’s inspired design. All remodel work from design, to cabinetry, carpentry, electrical, countertop fabrication and installation, appliance installation and finish painting by Kitchen Mart.

Life changes. Kids move out. And they leave us with spaces that look a little tired... One of the most fun things that can happen (so I hear--I haven't experienced it yet), is to have your children want to come home and visit again WITH GRANDCHILDREN. Yay! This is exactly where my client had found herself…and she wanted to make the rooms that were now mostly empty and seldom-used, a warm, cozy & stylish guest suite to welcome her adult children home when they came to visit. We used an eclectic mix of furnishings and fabrics to outfit both of the old bedrooms, creating a lovely guest suite, complete with a sitting/tv room that my clients use for cozy movie watching nights even when they don't have guests. :) Photography by Laura Kicey

So in love with how their interior space felt, our clients once again invited us to orchestrate an outdoor environment just as life changing. Our first objective was to create an unobstructed view of the sculptural pool fountain from the front door while designing a covered lanai. We developed a highly sophisticated and textural material palette and layout for large family gatherings. We brought together a dream team that consisted of landscape, lighting, pool and contractors, all that excel in their trades to collaborate on this one of a kind outdoor experience.

All Weather teamed up with the Property Brothers and Emmy nominated actress and comedian Cheryl Hines on this week’s episode of HGTV’s hit show CELEBRTIY IOU. In the Cheryl Hines Gifts a Garage Makeover episode, Cheryl surprises Sarita, her close friend of nearly 20 years, by transforming her underused detached garage into a gorgeous multi purpose guest suite and work space. Sarita started as Cheryl’s assistant, turned into a close friend as well as a nanny for her daughter Catherine. “Sarita is a part of the family and Catherine wouldn’t be who she is today without her.” said Hines. “She taught Cat so much.” Cheryl Hines learned a very important lesson about demolition from the Property Brothers. you can’t scream because all the stuff flies into your mouth. Hines wields a reciprocating saw and sledgehammer and knocks down shelves in the episode. The newly renovated garage features All Weather Series 8100 Multi Slide Doors and Counter Top Sliding Windows to allow natural light and fresh air in; a sophisticated kitchenette, spa inspired bathroom, built in desk, spacious walk-in closet and a Murphy Bed for the perfect mother-in law suite and personal retreat. Check out the Project Photos from this life-changing garage renovation. Now in its third season, Celebrity IOU gives celebrities a chance to show their deepest gratitude to friends, family and mentors by giving them a surprise renovation courtesy of Drew and Jonathan Scott.

This client's phase of life changed from young children claiming dining room as toy room to grown up entertaining spot! We love the pops of blue in this transitional dining room.

Ask a kitchen designer in Chicago which countertop question comes up most and you will hear the same answer: white or off-white quartz, and which shade. Homeowners walk into showrooms with a photo saved on their phone, usually a bright, veined slab from a magazine spread, and leave an hour later realizing there are a dozen versions of that same look. The confusion is not about taste. It is about the fact that "white quartz" covers a huge range of patterns, undertones, and price points, and nobody explains the differences before the sale. Older bungalows and newer builds alike are getting stripped of their dated laminate and butcher block in favor of quartz, and the reasons are practical rather than trendy. Quartz does not need sealing, resists the kind of staining that granite can suffer over decades, and holds up to the freeze-thaw humidity swings that Chicago basements and kitchens go through every year. Once a homeowner commits to quartz, though, the real decision starts: which white, and does the pattern justify the difference in cost. This piece walks through three specific slabs that keep showing up in Chicago renovation projects, why designers reach for them in different rooms, and what actually separates a flat white surface from one with real depth. None of this requires a design background to follow. It is mostly about paying attention to how a slab behaves under kitchen lighting, how busy the vending gets, and how it photographs versus how it looks in person. Why White Quartz Took Over Chicago Kitchens Ten years ago, granite dominated Chicago kitchen remodels almost by default. It was durable, it looked expensive, and every fabricator in the metro area carried a wide range of colors. Quartz has since taken over that position, and the shift happened faster than most contractors expected. Engineered stone gave homeowners a more predictable surface, since natural granite varies slab to slab while quartz is manufactured to a consistent pattern batch after batch. The other driver is light. Chicago winters are long and gray, and a lot of kitchens, especially in older two-flats and courtyard buildings, do not get much direct sun. A dark granite countertop in a dim kitchen can make the whole room feel smaller. White and light-toned quartz reflects what little natural light comes through the windows, and it makes a galley kitchen or a north-facing space feel noticeably brighter without touching the cabinetry or the layout. There is also a resale argument that local real estate agents bring up constantly. White quartz photographs well for listings, reads as updated and low-maintenance to buyers touring in person, and does not compete visually with whatever cabinet color the next owner might prefer. It is a safer bet than a bold veined marble look or a colored quartz that might feel dated in five years. Arctic White and the Cost Question Among the flatter, more uniform whites, arctic white quartz price comes up constantly in budget conversations because the slab sits at a more approachable point than the heavily veined Italian-marble-inspired patterns. It reads as clean and bright without the busy movement that some homeowners find overwhelming in a small kitchen. Fabricators in the Chicago area tend to keep it in stock precisely because demand stays steady across both new construction and remodel projects. Part of what keeps this slab affordable relative to its heavily patterned cousins comes down to manufacturing complexity. A quartz surface with minimal veining and a consistent white base is simpler to produce at scale than one that mimics the irregular, high-contrast movement of natural Calacatta marble. That production difference shows up directly in what a homeowner pays per square foot, and it is worth asking a fabricator to walk through that pricing before assuming every white quartz costs the same. Homeowners planning a full kitchen, including an island, backsplash, and perimeter counters, often use a flatter white like this specifically because it lets other elements carry the visual interest. A patterned tile backsplash or a bold cabinet color reads more clearly against a calm countertop than against one already fighting for attention with heavy veining. Designers frequently pair simpler whites with statement lighting fixtures for exactly this reason. What Makes Calacatta Patterns Different Calacatta refers to a family of marble originally quarried in Italy, known for a bright white background broken up by bold, often gold-toned veining that moves in thick, dramatic streaks rather than thin gray lines. Natural Calacatta marble is soft, porous, and expensive to maintain, which is exactly why quartz manufacturers spent years developing engineered versions that replicate the look without the upkeep headaches. The challenge with any Calacatta-style quartz is getting the veining to look organic instead of printed. Early generations of engineered stone struggled with repetitive patterns that gave away the fact the slab was manufactured rather than cut from actual marble. Modern digital printing and layering techniques have closed that gap considerably, and the better Calacatta-inspired quartz lines now vary the veining across each slab batch so two counters in the same kitchen do not look identical. Chicago designers gravitate toward Calacatta patterns for kitchens that function as the visual centerpiece of an open floor plan, which describes a large share of the gut renovations happening in neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, and the North Shore suburbs. When the kitchen island is visible from the living room and dining area, a dramatic veined surface becomes part of the home's overall design language rather than a purely functional work surface. Calacatta Arno Under Kitchen Lighting One of the more popular options in this category, calacatta arno quartz, balances a warm white base with soft gray and gold veining that avoids looking too stark under the cooler LED lighting common in newer Chicago builds. Homeowners touring showrooms sometimes make the mistake of judging a slab entirely under warm incandescent lighting, then get surprised when the same surface looks slightly different once installed under their kitchen's actual fixtures. What separates this particular pattern from flatter competitors is how the veining clusters rather than spreading evenly across the slab. That clustering mimics the way real quarried marble forms, with denser mineral deposits in some sections and cleaner stretches in others. Fabricators cutting a large island slab from a single piece will often orient the pattern intentionally so the busiest veining lands somewhere visually interesting rather than getting cut off at an edge. Because the background reads warmer than a stark white, this pattern tends to pair well with brass or matte gold hardware, a combination that has been showing up repeatedly in Chicago kitchen remodels over the past few renovation seasons. Cabinet painters report a similar trend, with more clients requesting warm white or greige cabinet colors specifically because they complement this kind of veined quartz better than a cooler, blue-toned white would. Silestone's Version of the Calacatta Look Manufacturers compete directly in this Calacatta-inspired category, and silestone eternal calacatta gold represents one brand's specific take on the pattern, distinguished by richer gold veining set against a brighter white base than some competing slabs in the same family. Silestone has built a reputation around anti-bacterial surface treatments in addition to the standard quartz durability, a detail some homeowners specifically ask about for kitchens used heavily by families with young children. The veining in this particular slab tends to run in longer, more continuous lines compared to the clustered pattern found in some other Calacatta-style options, which gives large island surfaces a sense of visual flow from one end to the other. Fabricators working with bigger islands, the kind increasingly common in open-concept Chicago remodels, often favor patterns like this because there is less need to worry about seams interrupting a busy, disconnected pattern. Price positioning for this slab tends to sit toward the upper end of the engineered quartz category, reflecting both the brand's manufacturing process and the complexity of replicating that continuous gold veining consistently across production batches. Homeowners weighing this option against other Calacatta-style quartz should ask their fabricator directly about batch availability, since premium patterns sometimes have longer lead times than standard stock colors. Living With Quartz Day to Day Beyond how a slab looks in a showroom or a listing photo, the daily experience of owning quartz countertops matters more once the renovation dust settles. Quartz resists scratching far better than laminate and holds up to the acidic spills, hot pans, and general abuse of an active kitchen without the sealing maintenance that natural stone requires every year or two. That low-maintenance reputation is a large part of why quartz overtook granite in the first place. Heat resistance is a detail that gets less attention than it should. While quartz handles moderate heat well, manufacturers generally recommend using a trivet or pad for very hot pots straight off the stove, since sudden temperature shock can occasionally cause stress marks in the resin binder that holds the engineered stone together. This is a minor precaution rather than a major limitation, but it is worth mentioning to anyone assuming quartz is entirely indestructible. Cleaning routines stay simple across almost every pattern in this category. A damp cloth and mild soap handle daily messes, and the nonporous surface means wine, coffee, and tomato-based sauces do not soak in the way they can with unsealed granite or marble. Homeowners moving from an older stone counter often mention how much less they worry about everyday spills once quartz is installed, which is a quality-of-life change that rarely makes it into the initial design conversation. Choosing Between the Three There is no single correct answer among these three slabs, and that is exactly why they keep coming up together in the same design conversations across Chicago renovation projects. A flatter white with minimal veining suits kitchens where other elements need to carry the visual interest, while a bolder Calacatta-inspired pattern makes sense when the countertop itself is meant to be the centerpiece of an open floor plan. Budget matters too, and it is worth having a direct conversation with a fabricator about where each option lands before falling in love with a specific slab in a showroom. Lighting, cabinet color, and how the kitchen connects to the rest of the home all play into which pattern will actually look right once installation is finished rather than just in a photo. Whatever direction a homeowner leans, seeing a full slab in person under actual kitchen lighting remains the single most useful step before signing off. Photos only go so far once the countertop is sitting in the room it will live in for years.

Another ‘Life Changing’ Mini Kitchen Remodel in El Dorado Hills. The ‘Before’ and ‘Afters’ are striking. Instead of tearing out and replacing with all new cabinetry (we’re experts at this type of remodel as well), these homeowners chose a painted Reface along with some we’ll thought out design modifications. We expanded the island, lowering the bar counter to one level and modified the sink base to allow for a new efficient farm sink. Additionally, we added glass doors and undercabinet lighting. The two-tone color scheme features painted hardwood cabinetry in Swiss Coffee with a combination of Lexington door style for the uppers and Heritage for the lowers. The island features Cherry cabinetry and to add to the beautiful modern aesthetic, prominently features Cambria Clovelly quartz counters with two waterfall ends. Rounding out the kitchen transformation is warm tile backsplash which features a metal accent tile selected by the home owners. Now that’s inspired design. All remodel work from design, to cabinetry, carpentry, electrical, countertop fabrication and installation, appliance installation and finish painting by Kitchen Mart.

Another ‘Life Changing’ Mini Kitchen Remodel in El Dorado Hills. The ‘Before’ and ‘Afters’ are striking. Instead of tearing out and replacing with all new cabinetry (we’re experts at this type of remodel as well), these homeowners chose a painted Reface along with some we’ll thought out design modifications. We expanded the island, lowering the bar counter to one level and modified the sink base to allow for a new efficient farm sink. Additionally, we added glass doors and undercabinet lighting. The two-tone color scheme features painted hardwood cabinetry in Swiss Coffee with a combination of Lexington door style for the uppers and Heritage for the lowers. The island features Cherry cabinetry and to add to the beautiful modern aesthetic, prominently features Cambria Clovelly quartz counters with two waterfall ends. Rounding out the kitchen transformation is warm tile backsplash which features a metal accent tile selected by the home owners. Now that’s inspired design. All remodel work from design, to cabinetry, carpentry, electrical, countertop fabrication and installation, appliance installation and finish painting by Kitchen Mart.