Search results for "Major selection" in Home Design Ideas

For this couple, planning to move back to their rambler home in Arlington after living overseas for few years, they were ready to get rid of clutter, clean up their grown-up kids’ boxes, and transform their home into their dream home for their golden years.
The old home included a box-like 8 feet x 10 feet kitchen, no family room, three small bedrooms and two back to back small bathrooms. The laundry room was located in a small dark space of the unfinished basement.
This home is located in a cul-de-sac, on an uphill lot, of a very secluded neighborhood with lots of new homes just being built around them.
The couple consulted an architectural firm in past but never were satisfied with the final plans. They approached Michael Nash Custom Kitchens hoping for fresh ideas.
The backyard and side yard are wooded and the existing structure was too close to building restriction lines. We developed design plans and applied for special permits to achieve our client’s goals.
The remodel includes a family room, sunroom, breakfast area, home office, large master bedroom suite, large walk-in closet, main level laundry room, lots of windows, front porch, back deck, and most important than all an elevator from lower to upper level given them and their close relative a necessary easier access.
The new plan added extra dimensions to this rambler on all four sides. Starting from the front, we excavated to allow a first level entrance, storage, and elevator room. Building just above it, is a 12 feet x 30 feet covered porch with a leading brick staircase. A contemporary cedar rail with horizontal stainless steel cable rail system on both the front porch and the back deck sets off this project from any others in area. A new foyer with double frosted stainless-steel door was added which contains the elevator.
The garage door was widened and a solid cedar door was installed to compliment the cedar siding.
The left side of this rambler was excavated to allow a storage off the garage and extension of one of the old bedrooms to be converted to a large master bedroom suite, master bathroom suite and walk-in closet.
We installed matching brick for a seam-less exterior look.
The entire house was furnished with new Italian imported highly custom stainless-steel windows and doors. We removed several brick and block structure walls to put doors and floor to ceiling windows.
A full walk in shower with barn style frameless glass doors, double vanities covered with selective stone, floor to ceiling porcelain tile make the master bathroom highly accessible.
The other two bedrooms were reconfigured with new closets, wider doorways, new wood floors and wider windows. Just outside of the bedroom, a new laundry room closet was a major upgrade.
A second HVAC system was added in the attic for all new areas.
The back side of the master bedroom was covered with floor to ceiling windows and a door to step into a new deck covered in trex and cable railing. This addition provides a view to wooded area of the home.
By excavating and leveling the backyard, we constructed a two story 15’x 40’ addition that provided the tall ceiling for the family room just adjacent to new deck, a breakfast area a few steps away from the remodeled kitchen. Upscale stainless-steel appliances, floor to ceiling white custom cabinetry and quartz counter top, and fun lighting improved this back section of the house with its increased lighting and available work space. Just below this addition, there is extra space for exercise and storage room. This room has a pair of sliding doors allowing more light inside.
The right elevation has a trapezoid shape addition with floor to ceiling windows and space used as a sunroom/in-home office. Wide plank wood floors were installed throughout the main level for continuity.
The hall bathroom was gutted and expanded to allow a new soaking tub and large vanity. The basement half bathroom was converted to a full bathroom, new flooring and lighting in the entire basement changed the purpose of the basement for entertainment and spending time with grandkids.
Off white and soft tone were used inside and out as the color schemes to make this rambler spacious and illuminated.
Final grade and landscaping, by adding a few trees, trimming the old cherry and walnut trees in backyard, saddling the yard, and a new concrete driveway and walkway made this home a unique and charming gem in the neighborhood.

Main Line Kitchen Design’s unique business model allows our customers to work with the most experienced designers and get the most competitive kitchen cabinet pricing..
.
How can Main Line Kitchen Design offer both the best kitchen designs along with the most competitive kitchen cabinet pricing? Our expert kitchen designers meet customers by appointment only in our offices, instead of a large showroom open to the general public. We display the cabinet lines we sell under glass countertops so customers can see how our cabinetry is constructed. Customers can view hundreds of sample doors and and sample finishes and see 3d renderings of their future kitchen on flat screen TV’s. But we do not waste our time or our customers money on showroom extras that are not essential. Nor are we available to assist people who want to stop in and browse. We pass our savings onto our customers and concentrate on what matters most. Designing great kitchens!
Main Line Kitchen Design designers are some of the most experienced and award winning kitchen designers in the Delaware Valley. We design with and sell 8 nationally distributed cabinet lines. Cabinet pricing is slightly less than at major home centers for semi-custom cabinet lines, and significantly less than traditional showrooms for custom cabinet lines.
After discussing your kitchen on the phone, first appointments always take place in your home, where we discuss and measure your kitchen. Subsequent appointments usually take place in one of our offices and selection centers where our customers consider and modify 3D kitchen designs on flat screen TV’s. We can also bring sample cabinet doors and finishes to your home and make design changes on our laptops in 20-20 CAD with you, in your own kitchen.
Call today! We can estimate your kitchen renovation from soup to nuts in a 15 minute phone call and you can find out why we get the best reviews on the internet. We look forward to working with you. As our company tag line says: “The world of kitchen design is changing…”

Whether you are a home owner, remodeler, or builder, you're looking for a high quality entry door that can add curb appeal, warmth, and energy efficiency to the home. At Mead, we have made a major commitment to both Therma-Tru Doors and Acclimated Entry Systems in terms of in-stock, selections, and ability to provide our customers information, endless choices, and best value.
Therma-Tru® offers hundreds of beautiful door options, including multiple textures, panel styles, glass designs, sidelites, and transoms to complement a variety of architectural and personal styles. From their broad range of beautiful and high-performance fiberglass door systems to their full-system warranties.
Acclimated Entry Systems® surround your choice of a beautiful wood, fiberglass or steel door with a "climate enhanced" frame and sill system. Crafted with pride by the experts at Bayer Built, this entry system is designed and built to meet the rigors of our Midwest climate and is now available in an array of factory applied finishes.
Waudena Millwork has become the recognized leader in the industry for providing only the highest quality products while providing a great value for your dollar. Whether your style is traditional or contemporary Waudena Millwork offers a diverse collection of products to suit your needs.
We also feature storm doors by Larson, who build storm doors that last. They are energy efficient, stylish, and innovative and most importantly a great value to you and your family. Whether you want to showcase your entry, seal a draft, let light in, or ventilate, Larson storm doors can help you add further value to your home.
Renovating your home or building from the ground up? We have what you are looking for, when you choose Andersen you are choosing high performance, dependable product and a brand you can trust.
Find the right local pro for your project

The architectural design of your home should be a major consideration in the selection of the appropriate spa for your environment. Note how the Bullfrog Stil model shown here reflects harmoniously with this home's leisure space.

Main Line Kitchen Design's unique business model allows our customers to work with the most experienced designers and get the most competitive kitchen cabinet pricing.
How does Main Line Kitchen Design offer the best designs along with the most competitive kitchen cabinet pricing? We are a more modern and cost effective business model. We are a kitchen cabinet dealer and design team that carries the highest quality kitchen cabinetry, is experienced, convenient, and reasonable priced. Our five award winning designers work by appointment only, with pre-qualified customers, and only on complete kitchen renovations.
Our designers are some of the most experienced and award winning kitchen designers in the Delaware Valley. We design with and sell 8 nationally distributed cabinet lines. Cabinet pricing is slightly less than major home centers for semi-custom cabinet lines, and significantly less than traditional showrooms for custom cabinet lines.
After discussing your kitchen on the phone, first appointments always take place in your home, where we discuss and measure your kitchen. Subsequent appointments usually take place in one of our offices and selection centers where our customers consider and modify 3D designs on flat screen TV's. We can also bring sample doors and finishes to your home and make design changes on our laptops in 20-20 CAD with you, in your own kitchen.
Call today! We can estimate your kitchen project from soup to nuts in a 15 minute phone call and you can find out why we get the best reviews on the internet. We look forward to working with you.
As our company tag line says:
"The world of kitchen design is changing..."

Main Line Kitchen Design’s unique business model allows our customers to work with the most experienced designers and get the most competitive kitchen cabinet pricing.
How does Main Line Kitchen Design offer the best designs along with the most competitive kitchen cabinet pricing? We are a more modern and cost effective business model. We are a kitchen cabinet dealer and design team that carries the highest quality kitchen cabinetry, is experienced, convenient, and reasonable priced. Our five award winning designers work by appointment only, with pre-qualified customers, and only on complete kitchen renovations.
Our designers are some of the most experienced and award winning kitchen designers in the Delaware Valley. We design with and sell 8 nationally distributed cabinet lines. Cabinet pricing is slightly less than major home centers for semi-custom cabinet lines, and significantly less than traditional showrooms for custom cabinet lines.
After discussing your kitchen on the phone, first appointments always take place in your home, where we discuss and measure your kitchen. Subsequent appointments usually take place in one of our offices and selection centers where our customers consider and modify 3D designs on flat screen TV’s. We can also bring sample doors and finishes to your home and make design changes on our laptops in 20-20 CAD with you, in your own kitchen.
Call today! We can estimate your kitchen project from soup to nuts in a 15 minute phone call and you can find out why we get the best reviews on the internet. We look forward to working with you.
As our company tag line says:
“The world of kitchen design is changing…”

For this couple, planning to move back to their rambler home in Arlington after living overseas for few years, they were ready to get rid of clutter, clean up their grown-up kids’ boxes, and transform their home into their dream home for their golden years.
The old home included a box-like 8 feet x 10 feet kitchen, no family room, three small bedrooms and two back to back small bathrooms. The laundry room was located in a small dark space of the unfinished basement.
This home is located in a cul-de-sac, on an uphill lot, of a very secluded neighborhood with lots of new homes just being built around them.
The couple consulted an architectural firm in past but never were satisfied with the final plans. They approached Michael Nash Custom Kitchens hoping for fresh ideas.
The backyard and side yard are wooded and the existing structure was too close to building restriction lines. We developed design plans and applied for special permits to achieve our client’s goals.
The remodel includes a family room, sunroom, breakfast area, home office, large master bedroom suite, large walk-in closet, main level laundry room, lots of windows, front porch, back deck, and most important than all an elevator from lower to upper level given them and their close relative a necessary easier access.
The new plan added extra dimensions to this rambler on all four sides. Starting from the front, we excavated to allow a first level entrance, storage, and elevator room. Building just above it, is a 12 feet x 30 feet covered porch with a leading brick staircase. A contemporary cedar rail with horizontal stainless steel cable rail system on both the front porch and the back deck sets off this project from any others in area. A new foyer with double frosted stainless-steel door was added which contains the elevator.
The garage door was widened and a solid cedar door was installed to compliment the cedar siding.
The left side of this rambler was excavated to allow a storage off the garage and extension of one of the old bedrooms to be converted to a large master bedroom suite, master bathroom suite and walk-in closet.
We installed matching brick for a seam-less exterior look.
The entire house was furnished with new Italian imported highly custom stainless-steel windows and doors. We removed several brick and block structure walls to put doors and floor to ceiling windows.
A full walk in shower with barn style frameless glass doors, double vanities covered with selective stone, floor to ceiling porcelain tile make the master bathroom highly accessible.
The other two bedrooms were reconfigured with new closets, wider doorways, new wood floors and wider windows. Just outside of the bedroom, a new laundry room closet was a major upgrade.
A second HVAC system was added in the attic for all new areas.
The back side of the master bedroom was covered with floor to ceiling windows and a door to step into a new deck covered in trex and cable railing. This addition provides a view to wooded area of the home.
By excavating and leveling the backyard, we constructed a two story 15’x 40’ addition that provided the tall ceiling for the family room just adjacent to new deck, a breakfast area a few steps away from the remodeled kitchen. Upscale stainless-steel appliances, floor to ceiling white custom cabinetry and quartz counter top, and fun lighting improved this back section of the house with its increased lighting and available work space. Just below this addition, there is extra space for exercise and storage room. This room has a pair of sliding doors allowing more light inside.
The right elevation has a trapezoid shape addition with floor to ceiling windows and space used as a sunroom/in-home office. Wide plank wood floors were installed throughout the main level for continuity.
The hall bathroom was gutted and expanded to allow a new soaking tub and large vanity. The basement half bathroom was converted to a full bathroom, new flooring and lighting in the entire basement changed the purpose of the basement for entertainment and spending time with grandkids.
Off white and soft tone were used inside and out as the color schemes to make this rambler spacious and illuminated.
Final grade and landscaping, by adding a few trees, trimming the old cherry and walnut trees in backyard, saddling the yard, and a new concrete driveway and walkway made this home a unique and charming gem in the neighborhood.

Whether you are a home owner, remodeler, or builder, you're looking for a high quality entry door that can add curb appeal, warmth, and energy efficiency to the home. At Mead, we have made a major commitment to both Therma-Tru Doors and Acclimated Entry Systems in terms of in-stock, selections, and ability to provide our customers information, endless choices, and best value.
Therma-Tru® offers hundreds of beautiful door options, including multiple textures, panel styles, glass designs, sidelites, and transoms to complement a variety of architectural and personal styles. From their broad range of beautiful and high-performance fiberglass door systems to their full-system warranties.
Acclimated Entry Systems® surround your choice of a beautiful wood, fiberglass or steel door with a "climate enhanced" frame and sill system. Crafted with pride by the experts at Bayer Built, this entry system is designed and built to meet the rigors of our Midwest climate and is now available in an array of factory applied finishes.
Waudena Millwork has become the recognized leader in the industry for providing only the highest quality products while providing a great value for your dollar. Whether your style is traditional or contemporary Waudena Millwork offers a diverse collection of products to suit your needs.
We also feature storm doors by Larson, who build storm doors that last. They are energy efficient, stylish, and innovative and most importantly a great value to you and your family. Whether you want to showcase your entry, seal a draft, let light in, or ventilate, Larson storm doors can help you add further value to your home.
Renovating your home or building from the ground up? We have what you are looking for, when you choose Andersen you are choosing high performance, dependable product and a brand you can trust.

Main Line Kitchen Design's unique business model allows our customers to work with the most experienced designers and get the most competitive kitchen cabinet pricing.
How does Main Line Kitchen Design offer the best designs along with the most competitive kitchen cabinet pricing? We are a more modern and cost effective business model. We are a kitchen cabinet dealer and design team that carries the highest quality kitchen cabinetry, is experienced, convenient, and reasonable priced. Our five award winning designers work by appointment only, with pre-qualified customers, and only on complete kitchen renovations.
Our designers are some of the most experienced and award winning kitchen designers in the Delaware Valley. We design with and sell 8 nationally distributed cabinet lines. Cabinet pricing is slightly less than major home centers for semi-custom cabinet lines, and significantly less than traditional showrooms for custom cabinet lines.
After discussing your kitchen on the phone, first appointments always take place in your home, where we discuss and measure your kitchen. Subsequent appointments usually take place in one of our offices and selection centers where our customers consider and modify 3D designs on flat screen TV's. We can also bring sample doors and finishes to your home and make design changes on our laptops in 20-20 CAD with you, in your own kitchen.
Call today! We can estimate your kitchen project from soup to nuts in a 15 minute phone call and you can find out why we get the best reviews on the internet. We look forward to working with you.
As our company tag line says:
"The world of kitchen design is changing..."

The owners wanted a major home renovation when we removed the supporting wall between the kitchen and the family room, and installed a steel I Beam. The owners selected that the new beam and existing columns be wrapped with stained wood. The result is this beautiful, open kitchen and family area.
Cabinetry and built-in appliances were installed, along with the unique glass top table.
The installation of the hand-made tile back splash adds a dramatic feature to this finished project.
Recessed lights and curio lights enhance the warmth of this room.
General Contractor / Remodel: E D Enterprises Inc
Michael Alan Kaskel Photography

Main Line Kitchen Design’s unique business model allows our customers to work with the most experienced designers and get the most competitive kitchen cabinet pricing.
How does Main Line Kitchen Design offer the best designs along with the most competitive kitchen cabinet pricing? We are a more modern and cost effective business model. We are a kitchen cabinet dealer and design team that carries the highest quality kitchen cabinetry, is experienced, convenient, and reasonable priced. Our five award winning designers work by appointment only, with pre-qualified customers, and only on complete kitchen renovations.
Our designers are some of the most experienced and award winning kitchen designers in the Delaware Valley. We design with and sell 8 nationally distributed cabinet lines. Cabinet pricing is slightly less than major home centers for semi-custom cabinet lines, and significantly less than traditional showrooms for custom cabinet lines.
After discussing your kitchen on the phone, first appointments always take place in your home, where we discuss and measure your kitchen. Subsequent appointments usually take place in one of our offices and selection centers where our customers consider and modify 3D designs on flat screen TV’s. We can also bring sample doors and finishes to your home and make design changes on our laptops in 20-20 CAD with you, in your own kitchen.
Call today! We can estimate your kitchen project from soup to nuts in a 15 minute phone call and you can find out why we get the best reviews on the internet. We look forward to working with you.
As our company tag line says:
“The world of kitchen design is changing…”

A social space that catered for serious entertaining was sought by my husband and wife client.
The dwelling’s kitchen was upstairs, so the outdoor kitchen needed to work independently to avoid double handling of dirty dishes and rubbish.
Hard landscaping was underway with a retained area designated for the kitchen. Weathertightness was a major requirement with the ability to shut the kitchen away when not in use.
An automated louvred roof system with rain sensors would provide protection from rain and sun.
The louvred roof had LED strip lighting to which further task lighting was added.
Four Motorised Zip Screen Mesh Blinds would wrap the kitchen area. These blinds would control wind and shade. When the kitchen was not in use these four blinds would completely protect the kitchen from weather.
HI MAC Solid Acrylic was selected for part of the benchtop. Arctic Granite had the appropriate UV properties. Stainless Steel with a Linen finish was used for the remainder of the benchtop which was to wrap around the BBQ and additional side burner. Faces to doors and drawers was constructed with HIMAC acrylic with timber slats added.
An integrated dishwasher would deal with dirty dishes. A bin system and waste disposal unit would take care of all rubbish. Storage for crockery, cutlery and glassware would avoid having to fetch or return objects to the main upstairs kitchen. Storage for BBQ accessories together with oil and spices was included.
Dual Fridges allowed for beverages and prepared food to be stored.

This older couple residing in a golf course community wanted to expand their living space and finish up their unfinished basement for entertainment purposes and more.
Their wish list included: exercise room, full scale movie theater, fireplace area, guest bedroom, full size master bath suite style, full bar area, entertainment and pool table area, and tray ceiling.
After major concrete breaking and running ground plumbing, we used a dead corner of basement near staircase to tuck in bar area.
A dual entrance bathroom from guest bedroom and main entertainment area was placed on far wall to create a large uninterrupted main floor area. A custom barn door for closet gives extra floor space to guest bedroom.
New movie theater room with multi-level seating, sound panel walls, two rows of recliner seating, 120-inch screen, state of art A/V system, custom pattern carpeting, surround sound & in-speakers, custom molding and trim with fluted columns, custom mahogany theater doors.
The bar area includes copper panel ceiling and rope lighting inside tray area, wrapped around cherry cabinets and dark granite top, plenty of stools and decorated with glass backsplash and listed glass cabinets.
The main seating area includes a linear fireplace, covered with floor to ceiling ledger stone and an embedded television above it.
The new exercise room with two French doors, full mirror walls, a couple storage closets, and rubber floors provide a fully equipped home gym.
The unused space under staircase now includes a hidden bookcase for storage and A/V equipment.
New bathroom includes fully equipped body sprays, large corner shower, double vanities, and lots of other amenities.
Carefully selected trim work, crown molding, tray ceiling, wainscoting, wide plank engineered flooring, matching stairs, and railing, makes this basement remodel the jewel of this community.

Perched on Great Neck in Ipswich, MA, this coastal renovation was all about unlocking the home’s stunning ocean views.
The original layout left the ground level disconnected from its breathtaking surroundings, so we flipped the bedrooms to the front by converting an underused porch.
This allowed us to introduce an elegant new bath and laundry area, offering effortless access for post-boating cleanups.
A striking custom spiral staircase was added for seamless flow while preserving the integrity of the upper level, which will be tackled in Phase 2. Beyond aesthetics, we remediated a major mold issue, ensuring a safe and healthy retreat. Thoughtful material selections—teak, Moderne Brass, Calacatta Glitz, and rich red oak—bring warmth and modern refinement to this refreshed waterfront escape.

This backyard got a major upgrade - we started with a clean slate: removed queen palms + citrus trees, cleared select plants, moved existing granite to the side, handled grading, and took care of hauling/dumping so the new layout could shine.
Then we brought the “outdoor kitchen goals” to life:
✅ Gas + electric utilities trenched and run to the BBQ area
✅ Irrigation updates for a healthier, cleaner system
✅ The centerpiece: a 15’ BBQ island with a backsplash + stainless setup
— Travertine top + Turbo 4 grill, Ooni pizza oven, charcoal grill, griddle
— Access door, utensil drawer, install kit
— Finished with stucco + paint surround
— Deco tile backsplash + turndown for a polished custom look
✅ Concrete pavers expanded the entertainment footprint
— BBQ patio + walkway to the garden area + filled in patio space near the garden
✅ Desert-fresh finishing touches
— 6 tons of ½” screened Mad Gold granite
— New plant palette: 3 tall accent trees, 15 five-gallon plants, plus 2 citrus trees
✅ Lighting ✨
✅ And the comfort-maker: Alumawood shade structure
End result: a true Peoria entertaining hub—shade, lighting, pavers, and a kitchen setup that’s ready for BBQ nights and pizza parties. ??

Main Line Kitchen Design’s unique business model allows our customers to work with the most experienced designers and get the most competitive kitchen cabinet pricing..
.
How can Main Line Kitchen Design offer both the best kitchen designs along with the most competitive kitchen cabinet pricing? Our expert kitchen designers meet customers by appointment only in our offices, instead of a large showroom open to the general public. We display the cabinet lines we sell under glass countertops so customers can see how our cabinetry is constructed. Customers can view hundreds of sample doors and and sample finishes and see 3d renderings of their future kitchen on flat screen TV’s. But we do not waste our time or our customers money on showroom extras that are not essential. Nor are we available to assist people who want to stop in and browse. We pass our savings onto our customers and concentrate on what matters most. Designing great kitchens!
Main Line Kitchen Design designers are some of the most experienced and award winning kitchen designers in the Delaware Valley. We design with and sell 8 nationally distributed cabinet lines. Cabinet pricing is slightly less than at major home centers for semi-custom cabinet lines, and significantly less than traditional showrooms for custom cabinet lines.
After discussing your kitchen on the phone, first appointments always take place in your home, where we discuss and measure your kitchen. Subsequent appointments usually take place in one of our offices and selection centers where our customers consider and modify 3D kitchen designs on flat screen TV’s or via Zoom. We can also bring sample cabinet doors and finishes to your home and make design changes on our laptops in 20-20 CAD with you, in your own kitchen.
Call today! We can estimate your kitchen renovation from soup to nuts in a 15 minute phone call and you can find out why we get the best reviews on the internet. We look forward to working with you. As our company tag line says: “The world of kitchen design is changing…”

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.

McKeesport Downtown Housing, formerly a YMCA, is an 84-unit SRO for people at risk of homelessness. The old brick and terracotta building was important historically for McKeesport. The decision to design the project to Passive House criteria actually went a long way to making the pro-forma work. This project was the first large scale retrofit to be designed to meet Passive House Standards in the US. Another major concern of the project team was to maintain the historic charm of the building.
Space was at a premium and a reorganization of space allowed for making larger resident rooms. Through a community process with various stakeholders, amenities were identified and added to the project, including a community room, a bike storage area, exterior smoking balconies, single-user rest rooms, a bed bug room for non-toxic treatment of bed bugs, and communal kitchens to provide healthy options for food. The renovation includes new additional lighting, air-conditioning, make-up air and ventilation systems, an elevator, and cooking facilities. A cold-weather shelter, 60-day emergency housing, bridge housing, and section 8 apartment rentals make up the housing programs within the shelter. Thoughtful Balance designed the interiors, and selected the furniture for durability and resistance to bed bugs.
The project team worked closely with Zola Windows to specify a unique uPVC window that not only offers passive house performance levels at an affordable cost, but also harmonizes with the building’s historic aesthetic. Zola’s American Heritage SDH (simulated double hung) from the popular, budget-friendly Thermo uPVC line was specified for the project. The windows implemented in this project feature a lower tilt & turn window and a fixed upper for maximum airtightness and thermal performance. The implementation of these windows helped the project team achieve a very significant energy consumption reduction of at least 75%.
Photographer: Alexander Denmarsh

Main Line Kitchen Design’s unique business model allows our customers to work with the most experienced designers and get the most competitive kitchen cabinet pricing.
How does Main Line Kitchen Design offer the best designs along with the most competitive kitchen cabinet pricing? We are a more modern and cost effective business model. We are a kitchen cabinet dealer and design team that carries the highest quality kitchen cabinetry, is experienced, convenient, and reasonable priced. Our five award winning designers work by appointment only, with pre-qualified customers, and only on complete kitchen renovations.
Our designers are some of the most experienced and award winning kitchen designers in the Delaware Valley. We design with and sell 8 nationally distributed cabinet lines. Cabinet pricing is slightly less than major home centers for semi-custom cabinet lines, and significantly less than traditional showrooms for custom cabinet lines.
After discussing your kitchen on the phone, first appointments always take place in your home, where we discuss and measure your kitchen. Subsequent appointments usually take place in one of our offices and selection centers where our customers consider and modify 3D designs on flat screen TV’s. We can also bring sample doors and finishes to your home and make design changes on our laptops in 20-20 CAD with you, in your own kitchen.
Call today! We can estimate your kitchen project from soup to nuts in a 15 minute phone call and you can find out why we get the best reviews on the internet. We look forward to working with you.
As our company tag line says:
“The world of kitchen design is changing…”

Main Line Kitchen Design’s unique business model allows our customers to work with the most experienced designers and get the most competitive kitchen cabinet pricing.
How does Main Line Kitchen Design offer the best designs along with the most competitive kitchen cabinet pricing? We are a more modern and cost effective business model. We are a kitchen cabinet dealer and design team that carries the highest quality kitchen cabinetry, is experienced, convenient, and reasonable priced. Our five award winning designers work by appointment only, with pre-qualified customers, and only on complete kitchen renovations.
Our designers are some of the most experienced and award winning kitchen designers in the Delaware Valley. We design with and sell 8 nationally distributed cabinet lines. Cabinet pricing is slightly less than major home centers for semi-custom cabinet lines, and significantly less than traditional showrooms for custom cabinet lines.
After discussing your kitchen on the phone, first appointments always take place in your home, where we discuss and measure your kitchen. Subsequent appointments usually take place in one of our offices and selection centers where our customers consider and modify 3D designs on flat screen TV’s. We can also bring sample doors and finishes to your home and make design changes on our laptops in 20-20 CAD with you, in your own kitchen.
Call today! We can estimate your kitchen project from soup to nuts in a 15 minute phone call and you can find out why we get the best reviews on the internet. We look forward to working with you.
As our company tag line says:
“The world of kitchen design is changing…”
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