Search results for "Longevity" in Home Design Ideas

Retractable Screens, also known as Roll-up Screens and Vertical Rolling Screens are completely customized to meet the needs of the space.
Easy to see through and completely retractable, exterior Retractable Screens create a cool, comfortable, insect-free environment without sacrificing your view. Designed to provide superior solar protection, they mitigate UV damage, optimize comfort and provide daytime privacy even in windy settings.
Extra sun control can be achieved by increasing thread counts and weave density. Retractable Solar Shades provide energy-efficient sun shading, shelter against bugs and mosquitoes, climate control and rain/wind reduction while allowing outward visibility. Depending on screen fabric selection, our solar shade fabric selections are capable of blocking up to 95% of ultra-violet (UV) rays–saving up to 50% of the energy used to heat and cool homes.
Motorize Retractable Screens provide control at the touch of a button. Somfy Motors allow activation by wall mounted toggle switch or several different types of remote control options. These Retractable Screens will stop at upper and lower limits and are able to stop any where along the travel path on command.
Optional Manual Override features allow for operation in case of power outage for motorized units. Manual Operations are available on most models.
Motorized Retractable Screens equipped with Somfy RTS motors may be upgraded for use in Smart Homes and operated via Smartphone or other Mobile Devices.
Retractable Screens should be retracted when not in use. The screens are raised and housed inside the aluminum housing. All major components of the system are powder coated aluminum for durability, ease of operations, and longevity. All Retractable Screens from Shade & Shutter Systems come with a 5 year Warranty, to include the Somfy Motor.
Retractable Screens offer wind and rain abatement for breezy days. Many of our clients enjoy outdoor patio settings along coastal areas and beach front properties. Those areas also endure regular breezes that can be knocked down with retractable Screens for a more enjoyable experience. Although these screens are not designed for storm protection, winds to 40 mph are easily abated.
If you would like more information about Retractable Screens, our Product Specialists can be reached at 800-522-1599.

To create a space that cuts down on the need for maintenance these homeowners chose TimberTech decking from the Reserve Collection in the Antique Leather color. This decking is extremely durable and constructed with longevity in mind. Additionally, since the decking is capped on all four sides, it is extremely resistant to moisture intrusion. These elements make it a perfect choice for a poolside deck.

Sunset Oak – The Ultra Wide Avenue Collection, removes the constraints of conventional flooring allowing your space to breathe. These Sawn-cut floors boast the longevity of a solid floor with the security of Hallmark’s proprietary engineering prowess to give your home the floor of a lifetime.
Find the right local pro for your project

Transform your dining or great room with this handcrafted epoxy resin table, designed to serve as both a functional surface and a striking artistic statement. The natural walnut showcases deep wood grain and preserved live edges, emphasizing the wood’s unique character, while the glossy black epoxy river enhances durability while introducing a clean, modern accent.
Suitable for open-plan living areas or formal dining settings, this table brings together organic warmth and tailored sophistication—ideal for homeowners who value both beauty and longevity.
Featured Review from a REAL CUSTOMER:
“We absolutely love the table and have received countless compliments on its craftsmanship and design.”

NatureKast has a reputation for long lasting and beautiful outdoor products. As a result of years of experience and sensational craftsmanship, we’ve come up with a product that is stunningly beautiful, but also ruggedly functional. These cabinets are constructed out of 3/4” thick White or Black PVC and feature 100% Stainless Steel hardware. On top of that, we’ve pioneered a closed-cell weatherproof Resin that we’ve moulded to create exterior beauty that you will love at first sight. Available in 3 captivating door styles, and 15 finishes, these cabinets are designed to beautifully supplement your outdoor living space by providing comfort, style and longevity.

This thoughtfully renovated flip was designed with both beauty and longevity in mind, featuring an ADA-accessible private suite tailored for aging in place. The layout was fully re-imagined to improve flow and daily functionality—most notably by opening up the main living areas and removing an outdated corner brick fireplace, allowing for smoother circulation and a brighter, more connected home.
The primary suite was significantly expanded to create a spacious bedroom, an oversized walk-in closet, and a serene master bathroom, transforming it into a true retreat. A new patio door was added to enhance indoor-outdoor connection and bring in natural light.
The kitchen was refreshed with a timeless black-and-white palette, elevated by champagne bronze hardware, updated lighting, and charming shiplap accents. A dedicated coffee bar adds both function and personality, making the space perfect for everyday living and entertaining.
Bathrooms were finished with extra-large format porcelain tile on both floors and walls, creating a clean, seamless, and spa-like feel while ensuring durability and easy maintenance. Throughout the main living areas, we installed rustic waterproof wood-look flooring in a mid-tone oak, offering warmth, texture, and long-term performance—ideal for multi-generational living.
This renovation balances accessibility, comfort, and modern elegance, proving that a well-designed home can be both future-ready and beautifully timeless.

Modern Warmth: A Custom Cabinetry Masterpiece
We recently completed a fully custom kitchen project that perfectly balances modern architectural precision with organic warmth. Every element was designed with longevity and user experience at the forefront.
Material & Aesthetic
The centerpiece of this build is the exquisite Shinnoki Frozen Walnut cabinetry. By utilizing a vertical grain-matching technique across the entire installation, we created a seamless, fluid aesthetic that anchors the room. The rich, natural tones of the walnut provide a beautiful, warm contrast to the clean, minimalist design.
Uncompromising Construction
Quality is found in the details that remain unseen. The cabinetry features robust 3/4" plywood box construction, ensuring structural integrity and a solid, premium feel. To elevate the daily interaction with the kitchen, we integrated:
Premium Motion-Activated LED Lighting: Subtle, intuitive illumination that brings the cabinetry to life the moment you step into the workspace.
Superior Hardware: Featuring Blum/Titus/Grass (as applicable) door hinges for a soft-close, refined movement, paired with the Nova Pro Scala drawer system in Stone, offering a sleek, high-end look with incredibly smooth operation.
Smart Functionality
We maximized every inch of available space by integrating clever, custom storage solutions, including:
Custom Kick Drawers: Utilizing the often-wasted toe-kick space for low-profile, high-utility storage.
Specialized Organization: A tailored spice rack system designed for effortless access.
Custom Hood: A bespoke hood design that ties the modern silhouette of the kitchen together.
This project is a testament to what is possible when high-grade materials meet thoughtful, custom engineering. It isn’t just a kitchen—it is a functional piece of art designed to evolve with the home.

A Vancouver new build pops in a neighborhood full of post-war homes. This custom home was designed in a modern esthetic to reflect a young couple’s happening lifestyle. The working duo plan to start a family so will have little time for home maintenance. At the top of their list of wants were durable, quality materials that perform. Clad in James Hardie with cedar accents, a metal roof and fibreglass powder coating windows this home is set for exceptional longevity.

The back patio features a custom pool and spa. Photographer: GP Martin
Inspiration for a large mediterranean backyard tile and rectangular hot tub remodel in San Francisco
Inspiration for a large mediterranean backyard tile and rectangular hot tub remodel in San Francisco

The Home
Nestled in Jackson Ranch, Thurston House welcomes you to experience the solace and comfort of this warm and peaceful home.
As you step past the barnwood accented exterior, you enter a refined rustic interior with a barnwood wall and century-old beams
gracing the great room. Durable, luxury, vinyl, tile flooring leads you further in, past a front office with ample sunlight. Relax as you gaze upon the Front Range, through the pines, from the great room - while a wood-burning fire crackles nearby. Continue into the spacious kitchen, complete with custom cabinets and more amazing views. An expansive walk-in pantry gives way to an oversized garage, a builder and hobbyist’s dream space. Steps away from the kitchen, the master bedroom envelops you, providing those awe-inspiring views, while balancing privacy in the pines.
Whether you seek to entertain or to escape, the downstairs of Thurston House delivers. The stairs open to a lounge, complete with a
wood-burning fireplace and abundant screen space, while a wet bar is tucked away for close conversation. Additional bedrooms offer
comfort and privacy for overnight guests. A home gym leads to the privacy of your backyard among the pines, with mountain views to
motivate you.
The Builder
Custom Design Builders (CDB) provides a relational partnership aimed at building the home that exists in your mind. Founder and president, Ben Woody, draws on the practical creativity of his nearly 30 years of construction experience, along with the safety consciousness he acquired as a firefighter. Ben is skillful at building according to your desires, incorporating a thoughtful design that balances safety and functionality in a dynamic process. CDB relies on the expertise acquired from years of building partnerships with the most reliable tradesmen in the area. Our team of partners consistently delivers the highest quality products and services, which has helped drive our exponential growth via word-of-mouth referrals.
As a family-owned and operated business, CDB understands relationships. Engaging in a partnership with CDB is to take on an active role in designing and defining your project, while relying on the comfort and security that can only come from decades of experience.
The Interior Design
Thurston House brings a feeling of warmth, comfort and hospitality. Modern accents elevate your living experience by highlighting the character of century-old, hand-hewn beams and barnwood. A luxurious freestanding bathtub and Euro-style shower in the master bathroom encourage you to relax and recharge in your own spa-like retreat. Energy efficient HVAC and water systems, appliances and windows minimize your footprint. Durable flooring offers stability and longevity, and hand trowel-finished drywall with reclaimed wood accents provide a warm background for your life. The open floor plan lends itself to entertaining, and the views of the Front Range through the pines are enticing. These same spaces also feel private and individual. Whether training in the home gym for your next marathon, building your dream canoe in the garage, or relaxing while you listen to the crackle of a fire in your fireplace accented by those hand-hewn beams, Thurston House is a stunning place to call home.

This thoughtfully renovated flip was designed with both beauty and longevity in mind, featuring an ADA-accessible private suite tailored for aging in place. The layout was fully re-imagined to improve flow and daily functionality—most notably by opening up the main living areas and removing an outdated corner brick fireplace, allowing for smoother circulation and a brighter, more connected home.
The primary suite was significantly expanded to create a spacious bedroom, an oversized walk-in closet, and a serene master bathroom, transforming it into a true retreat. A new patio door was added to enhance indoor-outdoor connection and bring in natural light.
The kitchen was refreshed with a timeless black-and-white palette, elevated by champagne bronze hardware, updated lighting, and charming shiplap accents. A dedicated coffee bar adds both function and personality, making the space perfect for everyday living and entertaining.
Bathrooms were finished with extra-large format porcelain tile on both floors and walls, creating a clean, seamless, and spa-like feel while ensuring durability and easy maintenance. Throughout the main living areas, we installed rustic waterproof wood-look flooring in a mid-tone oak, offering warmth, texture, and long-term performance—ideal for multi-generational living.
This renovation balances accessibility, comfort, and modern elegance, proving that a well-designed home can be both future-ready and beautifully timeless.

We designed and constructed the master bathroom in this Fulton Award winning custom home, built by Merv Miller Builder LLC. The bathroom won Best Bath in it's category and the home was awarded Best Single Family Home in the Lancaster BIA's Parade of Homes, 2014. We worked with kitchen and bath designer, Pat Caulfied, for this project and were thrilled with the end result.
The home craftsman style but the open concept and use of lighter and painted wood finishes instead of traditional dark woods makes the house feel light and spacious.
Universal Design makes things safer, easier, and more convenient for everyone. This bath was designed using the principles of universal design, which is the term used for a space can be used by the widest range of people possible.
Everyone faces difficulties at any given point in their lives – from a sprained ankle to a serious injury – universal design addresses the needs of people using the space for the longevity of the space.
At Re Bath & More, we feel that a universal space can be beautiful as well as functional. One of the key points we incorporated into this bath was to design a space for all the senses. As we age, our vision yellows and depth perception can become an issue. By using a high contrast of light colored flooring, darker cabinets and lighter countertops there is a clear definition of space. The floor is also textured for safety in walking on a wet area and the long vanity can provide support when walking through the space.

This classic two-level switchback staircase showcases timeless design through clean, traditional elements. Natural wood treads paired with crisp white risers create a bright, inviting aesthetic that complements any home style. Square nosing on the treads adds a subtle contemporary edge to the otherwise traditional design.
A wood railing and handrail system guides the journey between levels, providing both safety and warmth. The standard box stair construction ensures durability and longevity, while the switchback configuration efficiently navigates the vertical space. The result is a staircase that balances classic craftsmanship with practical functionality.
1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Enhance the Beauty and Functionality of Your Modern Farmhouse with a Custom Pool from Babcock
Are you searching for an exceptional and unique pool design to complete your modern farmhouse aesthetic? Look no further than Babcock Custom Pools, your trusted source for contemporary and rustic pool designs. Our state-of-the-art modern farmhouse pools seamlessly blend sophistication and natural charm, making them the perfect addition to any outdoor living space.
Our expert pool builders craft each design with precision and attention to detail, utilizing only the finest materials for long-lasting durability. From clean lines and minimalistic aesthetics to top-notch weather-resistant construction, you can trust that your Babcock pool will be the epitome of beauty and longevity.
But our commitment to excellence doesn’t end there. Babcock Custom Pools also integrates advanced features to elevate your swimming experience. Energy-efficient pumps, filters, and lighting systems are just some of the cutting-edge features you can expect in your custom pool design.
Don’t settle for just any pool, bring your dream modern farmhouse oasis to life with Babcock Custom Pools. Whether you prefer a simple, elegant design or a more elaborate outdoor haven, our team has the expertise and experience to bring your vision to reality. Get in touch with us today to start planning your stunning modern farmhouse pool!

This kitchen was designed to be both highly functional and visually calm — a space that supports daily routines as easily as it hosts large gatherings. The generous island provides ample seating and workspace, creating a natural gathering point for family and guests without disrupting the flow of the room.
Custom cabinetry, balanced proportions, and carefully selected finishes give the kitchen a timeless feel, while layered lighting and exposed ceiling details add warmth and depth. Sightlines to the outdoors bring in natural light and reinforce the connection between the kitchen, dining, and outdoor living areas.
Every element was chosen with longevity in mind, resulting in a kitchen that feels welcoming, organized, and built to serve the homeowners well for years to come.

Julian Hodges - Featured Project of the Month by Truitt & White
This month featured project brings you beautifully crafted gates and entryways from local craftsman Julian Hodges. For over 35 years, Mr. Hodges has been designing and crafting custom wooden gates in Berkeley and the greater Bay Area.
His projects mainly feature old growth, vertical grained redwood or western red cedar which is air or kiln dried. The gates are fully mortised and tenoned (male / female joints) and a very powerful epoxy is used to glue the parts together. Wherever a floating panel rides in a dado, drainage is provided in the form of several holes that are out of sight that allow any rain water to be ushered out at the bottom of the gate enabling the gate to dry itself rather than staying damp which otherwise could lead to long term decomposition of the wood.
Adding to the unique feel of each gate, Julian creates his own custom hardware from heavy gauge steel, which also provides a pleasing solid sound as it operates.
All gates are then finished in a penetrating oil seal which optimizes the longevity and good appearance of the gates.
For more information on Julian Hodges' work, visit www.julianhodges.com.

The architect and designer Guy Derwent was approached by his client with a clear and compelling brief: to completely transform a grand Victorian terrace house they were planning to renovate. The client envisioned something far beyond a standard renovation – this was to be a bold and dramatic reimagining of a family home that could grow with them over time.
With the property having remained largely untouched for more than fifty years, the architects saw an opportunity to unlock its potential and deliver a contemporary design that would contrast beautifully with its Victorian heritage.
The existing layout consisted of a series of small, disconnected rooms to the rear of the house. To respond to the client’s need for openness and flexibility, the architect proposed a radical restructuring of the ground floor:
The rear rooms were completely removed
Suspended timber floors were lowered by up to two metres to align with the garden
Two bold extensions were added
The first extension filled in the side return with a London stock brick facade and a glazed roof, while the second – a striking black steel and glass pavilion was glazed on three sides and placed along the garden elevation.
This new pavilion redefined the building’s relationship with the garden. Its steel-framed glazing created a seamless dialogue between interior and exterior, offering a sense of immersion in the surrounding landscape.
At the heart of the plan sits a dramatic, five-metre-tall dining space that acts as a transition from the original entrance hall into the new addition. A large, circular cast-glass window, framed in steel, provides a visual and spatial link between old and new, allowing light and movement to travel through the depth of the home.
Throughout the project, a series of black metal elements were introduced as sculptural interventions – each marking moments of transformation within the house. These included the bespoke steel framed circular window, a custom metal staircase, a cylindrical support column, and the striking steel and glass garden pavilion. Together, they formed a coherent architectural language that underscored the project’s bold intent.
Our steel windows and doors played a vital role in delivering the project’s vision. The architects chose steel for its refined sight lines and distinctive material character, which helped bridge the gap between the historical context of the building and the bold new additions.
The black steel frames provided a crisp contrast to the pale London stock brick and added definition to the glazed pavilion, reinforcing the sense of architectural precision. In particular, the fine steel profiles of the garden room allowed the extension to feel both lightweight and immersive, blurring the boundary between the house and its garden.
The architect drew inspiration from the Bauhaus Movement, particularly the work of Walter Gropius, whose approach to functional beauty and industrial materials informed the design of the garden pavilion.
Here, our glazing system was used not just for transparency, but as an expressive architectural element. The carefully proportioned panels help to conceal the roof thickness and reinforce the pavilion’s industrial yet abstract character – a deliberate nod to product design and modernist detailing.
Sustainability was an important factor in the selection of materials. Our steel systems, made from 99% recycled content and 100% recyclable, aligned with the project’s broader environmental goals.
The architects noted that this commitment to material longevity and circularity was central to their decision to use steel. The durability and recyclability of the windows and doors ensured the project met both aesthetic and ethical criteria.
This London terrace house now stands as a celebration of contrast – between heritage and innovation, solidity and transparency, tradition and transformation. Our steel windows and doors were not simply components; they were essential tools in crafting a home that is as bold and expressive as it is functional.
The result is a home designed for modern family life, where light, space, and materiality come together in perfect harmony.

Welcome to the epitome of timeless elegance and versatility—a kitchen adorned with pristine white cabinets that redefine sophistication and functionality. White kitchen cabinets are a classic choice that transcends trends, offering a canvas of endless possibilities to enhance any home's aesthetic.
The beauty of white cabinets lies in their ability to create a sense of openness and lightness, making even small kitchens feel more spacious and airy. Whether your style is traditional, modern, or somewhere in between, white cabinets provide a neutral backdrop that harmonizes effortlessly with any décor.
Crafted from high-quality materials such as solid wood, MDF, or sleek laminate, our white cabinets are designed for durability and longevity. Each door and drawer is expertly finished with a satin or matte white surface that reflects natural light, brightening the entire room and creating a welcoming atmosphere.
To complement the clean lines of the cabinetry, minimalist hardware in brushed nickel, stainless steel, or matte black can be chosen, adding a touch of modern sophistication without overwhelming the pristine aesthetic.
The countertops, often in materials like quartz, granite, or marble, offer a luxurious contrast to the white cabinets while providing a durable and easy-to-clean surface for meal preparation and entertaining.
Under-cabinet lighting illuminates the workspace, ensuring optimal visibility for cooking tasks and creating a warm ambiance during evening gatherings. This subtle touch enhances both the functionality and aesthetic appeal of your kitchen.
From classic shaker-style cabinets to sleek flat-panel designs, our white kitchen cabinets cater to diverse tastes and preferences, offering versatility that complements any interior style. Whether you're remodeling or starting fresh, embrace the timeless allure of white cabinets and transform your kitchen into a space that combines elegance, functionality, and enduring beauty.

The teak wood outdoor glider bench is a captivating fusion of style and substance, destined to elevate any outdoor oasis. Crafted using premium Indonesian teak wood, this bench exudes an unwavering commitment to quality and longevity, ensuring it remains a steadfast companion for years to come.

This multi level deck was originally all wood and failing. We kept the foot print and upgraded materials for longevity and low maintenance.
Deck - transitional deck idea in Baltimore
Deck - transitional deck idea in Baltimore
35