Energy Efficiency: Every effort has been utilized to reduce and minimize energy use through an effective strategy of both passive heating and cooling, as well as state-of-the-art active solar thermal and photovoltaic on site off-grid energy production. Optimal solar orientation with an attached thermal mass food production greenhouse on the Lower Floor enables hot air to be introduced into the house during the winter, and rise via. a thermal chimney “stack effect” and distributed throughout the house. In the summer the same thermal chimney is used to channel hot air to rise up to the Upper Loft vegetated Roof Terrace, where it is exhausted. This condition provides a positive air pressure in the Winter, and a negative pressure in the summer, drawing in cooler outside air from every open window. In addition carefully proportioned roof eave overhangs provide deep passive solar gain and additional day lighting in the winter, and cooling shade in the summer. Active mechanical systems include solar thermal which produces domestic hot water and is integrated into hydronic radiant heated floors. This is supplemented with a multi-split heatpump, on demand backup hot water, and an ERV, which collectively provide active heating, cooling, dehumidification, and healthful indoor air quality. The entire house and detached Barn are off-grid with a 14.4 kW solar array, whole-house batteries, and backup generator. Further, the home is super insulated and extremely tight with high energy performing windows and doors and LED lighting throughout, and even a high efficiency woodstove. Integrated Design: From the beginning and throughout construction, this home demonstrates a close collaboration between the Architect, Contractor, and Owners. Healthful materials and finishes standards, autonomy and energy efficiency, and environmental impact and sustainability were primary goals and stressed throughout. Careful attention was paid to finishes which will require minimal long term maintenance such as the galvalume metal roof (which also provides for rainwater harvesting) and fiber cement siding for longevity. Resource Efficiency / Conservation: Resource conservation began with Schematic Design which utilizes a 2 ft. grid of modular components, thereby optimizing construction efficiency and minimizing on site waste. The site was cleared with the trees stockpiled for future lumber harvesting and firewood. The foundation walls are “Ideal Walls” which use less than half the concrete of a conventional poured wall or block, and do not require extensive concrete footings, exterior insulation, or waterproofing. These panels are prefabricated off site and set in only a few days, which further reduces on site impact and construction lead time. Resiliency: Respect for climate change and mitigating its impact were primary considerations in the design and selection of materials and systems. The home is sited high on a south facing slope as protection from high water or flood and to optimize both passive and active solar opportunity. With remarkably tight construction and super insulation the interior is buffered from both outdoor heat and cold extremes. The metal roof and fiber cement siding are fireproof and resistant to the impact of high winds. And these materials are specified for minimal maintenance and longevity. Further, the attached Greenhouse and Upper Roof Terrace is landscaped and suitable for a vegetable garden with abundant sunshine, easy to water, and with no need for fencing to keep deer at bay. All this being a notable case study for Regenerative Design. Innovation: This home exemplifies Biophilic Design principles to facilitate symbiotic living in harmony with Nature. This incorporates careful attention to natural day lighting, indoor air quality, rainwater catchment and wastewater reclamation, garden food production with vegetated roofs, the home hearth and fire, and connected interaction with the weather and the surrounding natural ecosystems. Community Impact: This EcoHome project has already been presented at several Sustainable Building lectures as a model case study for “Green Building”, including USGBC at Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach, VA. Plans are underway for an Open House tour for area Architects and students.

100% washed linen pillowcases, sheets, duvet covers and bed skirts. Custom sizes available.
Cottage chic bedroom photo in Vancouver

Clear Rift Sawn White Oak Flooring Excelsior Wood Products, LLC is a full service mill and lumber supplier specializing in antique and reclaimed wood. We have the capacity to produce and ship reclaimed flooring, custom moldings, custom siding, decking, sawn and hand hewn beams, architectural millwork and a wide range of other specialty wood products to customers across the United States. As a custom mill, we also have the flexibility to produce products made from just about any type of wood, to your exact specifications. We offer flooring at a variety of widths and lengths ... unfinished or prefinished with VOC free materials. We offer original face and textured finishes. We mill to 3/4" with an extra thick wear layer to ensure longevity and durability. We inspect every board to maximize usability and remove unsound defects. Our custom flooring is precision milled tongue and groove including back relieved. Excelsior Wood Products, LLC is a full service mill and lumber supplier specializing in antique and reclaimed wood. We have the capacity to produce and ship reclaimed flooring, custom moldings, custom siding, decking, sawn and hand hewn beams, architectural millwork and a wide range of other specialty wood products to customers across the United States. As a custom mill, we also have the flexibility to produce products made from just about any type of wood, to your exact specifications. We offer flooring at a variety of widths and lengths ... unfinished or prefinished with VOC free materials. We offer original face and textured finishes. We mill to 3/4" with an extra thick wear layer to ensure longevity and durability. We inspect every board to maximize usability and remove unsound defects. Our custom flooring is precision milled tongue and groove including back relieved. Our mission: "Deliver the highest quality natural material, along with excellent personal customer service.” Please feel free to visit our website www.excelsiorwood.com, call (845) 339-6630 or email christina@excelsiorwood.com, come tour our facility or let us bring samples to you.339-6630 or email christina@excelsiorwood.com, come tour our facility or let us bring samples to you.

Inspiration for a contemporary bathroom remodel in Austin

Clear Rift Sawn White Oak Flooring Excelsior Wood Products, LLC is a full service mill and lumber supplier specializing in antique and reclaimed wood. We have the capacity to produce and ship reclaimed flooring, custom moldings, custom siding, decking, sawn and hand hewn beams, architectural millwork and a wide range of other specialty wood products to customers across the United States. As a custom mill, we also have the flexibility to produce products made from just about any type of wood, to your exact specifications. We offer flooring at a variety of widths and lengths ... unfinished or prefinished with VOC free materials. We offer original face and textured finishes. We mill to 3/4" with an extra thick wear layer to ensure longevity and durability. We inspect every board to maximize usability and remove unsound defects. Our custom flooring is precision milled tongue and groove including back relieved. Excelsior Wood Products, LLC is a full service mill and lumber supplier specializing in antique and reclaimed wood. We have the capacity to produce and ship reclaimed flooring, custom moldings, custom siding, decking, sawn and hand hewn beams, architectural millwork and a wide range of other specialty wood products to customers across the United States. As a custom mill, we also have the flexibility to produce products made from just about any type of wood, to your exact specifications. We offer flooring at a variety of widths and lengths ... unfinished or prefinished with VOC free materials. We offer original face and textured finishes. We mill to 3/4" with an extra thick wear layer to ensure longevity and durability. We inspect every board to maximize usability and remove unsound defects. Our custom flooring is precision milled tongue and groove including back relieved. Our mission: "Deliver the highest quality natural material, along with excellent personal customer service.” Please feel free to visit our website www.excelsiorwood.com, call (845) 339-6630 or email christina@excelsiorwood.com, come tour our facility or let us bring samples to you.339-6630 or email christina@excelsiorwood.com, come tour our facility or let us bring samples to you.

Clear Rift Sawn White Oak Flooring Excelsior Wood Products, LLC is a full service mill and lumber supplier specializing in antique and reclaimed wood. We have the capacity to produce and ship reclaimed flooring, custom moldings, custom siding, decking, sawn and hand hewn beams, architectural millwork and a wide range of other specialty wood products to customers across the United States. As a custom mill, we also have the flexibility to produce products made from just about any type of wood, to your exact specifications. We offer flooring at a variety of widths and lengths ... unfinished or prefinished with VOC free materials. We offer original face and textured finishes. We mill to 3/4" with an extra thick wear layer to ensure longevity and durability. We inspect every board to maximize usability and remove unsound defects. Our custom flooring is precision milled tongue and groove including back relieved. Excelsior Wood Products, LLC is a full service mill and lumber supplier specializing in antique and reclaimed wood. We have the capacity to produce and ship reclaimed flooring, custom moldings, custom siding, decking, sawn and hand hewn beams, architectural millwork and a wide range of other specialty wood products to customers across the United States. As a custom mill, we also have the flexibility to produce products made from just about any type of wood, to your exact specifications. We offer flooring at a variety of widths and lengths ... unfinished or prefinished with VOC free materials. We offer original face and textured finishes. We mill to 3/4" with an extra thick wear layer to ensure longevity and durability. We inspect every board to maximize usability and remove unsound defects. Our custom flooring is precision milled tongue and groove including back relieved. Our mission: "Deliver the highest quality natural material, along with excellent personal customer service.” Please feel free to visit our website www.excelsiorwood.com, call (845) 339-6630 or email christina@excelsiorwood.com, come tour our facility or let us bring samples to you.339-6630 or email christina@excelsiorwood.com, come tour our facility or let us bring samples to you.

dekton patio table top. we installed just the patio table top, we can install this on almost any existing patio table, or we can build a new one custom to your design. Dekton is weather resistant, stain resistant, scratch proof, resistant to extreme temperatures and freeze-thaw conditions.

In this project, we revitalized the home's exterior with a fresh coat of paint while also addressing necessary wood repairs. The exterior paint provides a durable, weather-resistant finish that enhances curb appeal, while the wood repairs ensured the structure’s longevity and beauty. Our team carefully restored the damaged wood, seamlessly blending it with the newly painted surfaces for a cohesive and polished look.

In this project, we revitalized the home's exterior with a fresh coat of paint while also addressing necessary wood repairs. The exterior paint provides a durable, weather-resistant finish that enhances curb appeal, while the wood repairs ensured the structure’s longevity and beauty. Our team carefully restored the damaged wood, seamlessly blending it with the newly painted surfaces for a cohesive and polished look.

Neutral finishes and clean lines create an atmosphere perfect for lounging, while modern-style seating keeps the look on-trend. Providing a plush, relaxed seating experience, the Edison Small Sectional Sofa in Gray showcases that design can be strong and handsome with a soft side. The wooden frame lends structural support and ensures the designs longevity. With a lavish gray appearance, this contemporary sofa adds style and personality to any living space.

Originally built in 1972, these eight interlocked residential units and the accompanying House Master’s Residence won an AIA award for their unique spatial complexity, balancing standard units of construction with volumetric interplay, all while bringing natural light into living spaces. However, nearly 40 years later These 1970’s era, interlocked faculty housing units won an AIA award when first completed. They were unique in spatial complexity, By early 2,000’s they were showing signs of age, and had become outdated on many levels. Working with project management for the Faculty of Arts & Sciences, we prepared one prototype design to bring the buildings into the 21st century. New insulated skylights, standing seam metal siding, cedar decks and trellises, exchanging black roofs for well insulated white roofs, were all part of a larger planning program to renovate all nine units. The prototype was implemented in 2012, to great approval and result. In 2013 a few more units were done. In 2014 the “House Masters” unit was done, with the remaining four units planned for future budgets. Sustainable features include re-use of most materials on site, (former siding was able to become sheathing below metal panels), implementing the Stretch Energy Code for insulation, and putting new white roof membranes in place. Using FSC certified wood for decks and trellises, and using Rheinzink siding, a “200 year material” according to the manufacturer. After nearly 40 years, Ronald Gourley’s AIA award winning Faculty Housing (1972) was beginning to show its age – plywood siding was delaminating, wooden decks splintering, and custom windows failing. Therefore, the opportunity to reinvent a piece of Mid-Century Modernism presented itself when two of the building’s eight alternating rooftop designs were to be rebuilt as prototypes for the remainder of the structure. The strength of the original design was its rectilinear and symmetrical arrangement of internal and external spaces, but the difference between the two had become blurred over the decades. New zinc siding, mahogany decking, and stainless steel railings accentuate the defining elements and more clearly articulate the living spaces, breathing new life into the building and reinvigorating the surrounding campus. Furthermore, the renovation also provided a chance to bring the structure up to modern energy standards and help meet Harvard’s lofty environmental goals. Insulation within the ceilings was more than tripled, white TPO roofing reduces the heat island effect, construction waste was minimized by recasting the siding as sheathing, and materials were selected not only for aesthetics, but for their longevity and ability to be recycled as well. Harvard’s energy standards brought an uncharacteristic level of environmental care to this building. Roof structures are triple insulated, allowing separating interior from exterior in the most thermally efficient manner. North facing triple insulated skylights and white TPO roofing reduces the heat gain, but allows natural light to pour in. Materials were selected not only for aesthetics, but for their longevity. Zinc, for example, is made of 100% recycled material, and has duration of 200 years. Uncharacteristic levels of environmental care were common on this project.

Make a Dream Home proudly presents a remarkable showcase of our recently completed window replacement project in Chicago, IL. With a focus on transforming homes and enhancing their energy efficiency, we have replaced outdated windows with high-quality, stylish alternatives that bring a fresh outlook to each space. Our team of skilled professionals meticulously executed the window replacement process, ensuring a seamless and precise installation. Every window has been carefully chosen to not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the home but also improve functionality and energy efficiency. With the new windows in place, homeowners can enjoy an abundance of natural light that brightens and revitalizes the interior spaces. The stylish designs of the replacement windows add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the overall appearance of the home. Make a Dream Home's commitment to excellence extends beyond aesthetics. Our carefully selected windows are equipped with advanced features that contribute to energy efficiency, helping homeowners save on energy costs while reducing their environmental footprint. The completed window replacement project is a testament to our dedication to craftsmanship and exceptional service. Our team employed expert techniques and utilized high-quality materials to ensure durability and longevity. The finished windows not only enhance the home's curb appeal but also provide improved insulation and noise reduction. By choosing Make a Dream Home for their window replacement needs, homeowners can experience the joy of a transformed living space. With our expertise and attention to detail, we have brought light, style, and enhanced energy efficiency to homes across Chicago, IL. If you seek to upgrade your windows, improve energy efficiency, and enhance the beauty of your home, trust Make a Dream Home. Our window replacement services in Chicago, IL offer a seamless and transformative solution, leaving you with a refreshed and invigorated living space that surpasses expectations.

Make a Dream Home proudly presents a remarkable showcase of our recently completed window replacement project in Chicago, IL. With a focus on transforming homes and enhancing their energy efficiency, we have replaced outdated windows with high-quality, stylish alternatives that bring a fresh outlook to each space. Our team of skilled professionals meticulously executed the window replacement process, ensuring a seamless and precise installation. Every window has been carefully chosen to not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the home but also improve functionality and energy efficiency. With the new windows in place, homeowners can enjoy an abundance of natural light that brightens and revitalizes the interior spaces. The stylish designs of the replacement windows add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the overall appearance of the home. Make a Dream Home's commitment to excellence extends beyond aesthetics. Our carefully selected windows are equipped with advanced features that contribute to energy efficiency, helping homeowners save on energy costs while reducing their environmental footprint. The completed window replacement project is a testament to our dedication to craftsmanship and exceptional service. Our team employed expert techniques and utilized high-quality materials to ensure durability and longevity. The finished windows not only enhance the home's curb appeal but also provide improved insulation and noise reduction. By choosing Make a Dream Home for their window replacement needs, homeowners can experience the joy of a transformed living space. With our expertise and attention to detail, we have brought light, style, and enhanced energy efficiency to homes across Chicago, IL. If you seek to upgrade your windows, improve energy efficiency, and enhance the beauty of your home, trust Make a Dream Home. Our window replacement services in Chicago, IL offer a seamless and transformative solution, leaving you with a refreshed and invigorated living space that surpasses expectations.

This was built for a showcase project, the fence features a robust design with great drainage. This design is a must for strength, longevity and durability! A great fence

This Transitional -Whimsical bathroom remodel is simplified by the natural stain used for the vanity. Taking the glass backsplash 3 tiles high minimum, helps this bathroom to feel larger. 10x10 black hex tiles surround the tub, Food for thought; when using any glass tile, thinset must be white. Whatever color goes behind the glass, will show through. Also, keeping a 1/16 grout line, when installing most tiles, increases the visual longevity of a space. Larger grout lines are typically not built for visual longevity, unless used in brick install.

This Transitional -Whimsical bathroom remodel is simplified by the natural stain used for the vanity. Taking the glass backsplash 3 tiles high minimum, helps this bathroom to feel larger. Food for thought; when using any glass tile, thinset must be white. Whatever color goes behind the glass, will show through. Also, keeping a 1/16 grout line increases the longevity of a space. Larger grout lines are typically not built for visual longevity, unless used in brick install.

Make a Dream Home proudly presents a stunning showcase of our recently completed staircase refinishing project in Wilmette, IL. With meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to craftsmanship, we have transformed a worn-out staircase into a magnificent centerpiece that exudes elegance and sophistication. The staircase now stands as a testament to our dedication to reviving and renewing spaces. Every step of the refinishing process was carefully executed to ensure a seamless transformation. From sanding and staining to polishing and sealing, our team of skilled professionals employed expert techniques to enhance the natural beauty of the staircase. Upon entering the space, you will be greeted by a staircase that exudes grandeur and refinement. The wood has been meticulously restored, showcasing its intricate grain and rich tones. The refinishing process has revitalized the staircase, breathing new life into its design and enhancing its overall visual appeal. Make a Dream Home's commitment to quality is evident in every aspect of the project. We utilized premium materials and finishes to ensure durability and longevity. The completed staircase not only exudes timeless beauty but also stands up to the demands of everyday use. With this staircase refinishing project in Wilmette, IL, Make a Dream Home has proven to be a trusted partner in creating extraordinary spaces. Whether you seek to enhance the elegance of a traditional home or bring a touch of sophistication to a modern interior, our team is dedicated to turning your vision into a reality. Experience the joy of a beautifully refinished staircase that perfectly complements your home's aesthetic. Trust Make a Dream Home for your next staircase refinishing project and let us unveil the beauty and elegance within your space.

In this project, we revitalized the home's exterior with a fresh coat of paint while also addressing necessary wood repairs. The exterior paint provides a durable, weather-resistant finish that enhances curb appeal, while the wood repairs ensured the structure’s longevity and beauty. Our team carefully restored the damaged wood, seamlessly blending it with the newly painted surfaces for a cohesive and polished look.

Custom wine cellar fabricated with Spanish Cedar. Excelsior Wood Products, LLC is a full service mill and lumber supplier specializing in antique and reclaimed wood. We have the capacity to produce and ship reclaimed flooring, custom moldings, custom siding, decking, sawn and hand hewn beams, architectural millwork and a wide range of other specialty wood products to customers across the United States. As a custom mill, we also have the flexibility to produce products made from just about any type of wood, to your exact specifications. We offer flooring at a variety of widths and lengths ... unfinished or pre-finished with VOC free materials. We offer original face and textured finishes. We mill to 3/4" with an extra thick wear layer to ensure longevity and durability. We inspect every board to maximize usability and remove unsound defects. Our custom flooring is precision milled tongue and groove including back relieved. Excelsior Wood Products, LLC is a full service mill and lumber supplier specializing in antique and reclaimed wood. We have the capacity to produce and ship reclaimed flooring, custom moldings, custom siding, decking, sawn and hand hewn beams, architectural millwork and a wide range of other specialty wood products to customers across the United States. As a custom mill, we also have the flexibility to produce products made from just about any type of wood, to your exact specifications. We offer flooring at a variety of widths and lengths ... unfinished or pre-finished with VOC free materials. We offer original face and textured finishes. We mill to 3/4" with an extra thick wear layer to ensure longevity and durability. We inspect every board to maximize usability and remove unsound defects. Our custom flooring is precision milled tongue and groove including back relieved. Our mission: "Deliver the highest quality natural material, along with excellent personal customer service.” Please feel free to visit our website www.excelsiorwood.com, call (845) 339-6630 or email christina@excelsiorwood.com, come tour our facility or let us bring samples to you.339-6630 or email christina@excelsiorwood.com, come tour our facility or let us bring samples to you.