Patio - mid-sized transitional backyard stone patio idea in Boston with a fire pit and no cover

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern l-shaped light wood floor and gray floor open concept kitchen remodel in Vancouver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, quartz countertops and an island

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal and enclosed porcelain tile and multicolored floor living room remodel in Miami with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace and no tv

Tub Faucet Style Coordinates with all New Doors Throughout the Home
Inspiration for a contemporary bathroom remodel in Sacramento

LEED Certification Level: Platinum. Builder: R & S Engineering & Construction. The Cavanaugh Residence is a contemporary split level with a split personality. Totally designed from the ground up to minimize impact and maximize energy and water efficiency, its beautiful facade belies its hard-working, high-producing systems, earning it a LEED Platinum score of 116.5, and a HERS rating of minus 22. The 2774 square foot home produces over 100 per cent of its power with a 10.8 kw pv system, and captures 100 per cent of its freshwater needs from the curved metal roofs through an engineered collection and purification system, stored in an integrated concrete cistern. Constructed of locally made SIP panels on an infill waterfront lot, the home is oriented to maximize the production of the pv panels. Six inch SIP panels work together with a highly reflective, highly emmisive cool standing seam roof, icynene insulation in ceiling and floors, and carefully placed high efficiency windows and doors to create a tightly sealed environment. The 17-seer Trane heat pump variable speed compressors and TAM 7 air handlers, along with a whole house dehumidifier and fresh air intake provide a comfortable, clean indoor environment while using little energy. In the shoulder seasons, natural ventilation cools the home with fresh breezes drawn from lower windows in each room flowing through the curved ceilings to clerestory windows at the top of the house. Natural daylighting, with windows placed in corners and high clerestories, bounce the abundant natural light so that the owners use the interior LED lighting primarily at night. Windows were sited to frame views of the neighboring park and water, and capture the light, but represent a very low percentage of glazing to wall to conserve energy. Primarily native, xeriscaped turfless landscaping sips reclaimed water from its drip and bubbler irrigiation system, and requires little trimming or chemicals. Established trees, protected during construction, shade the home, FSC certified decks, and yard, providing a cool place to enjoy the outdoors at any time of the day, even in Florida's summer heat. Rainwater is diverted from the bay through the engineered collection and filtration system to an integrated concrete cistern hidden beneath the decks. Abundant Florida rainwater supplies 100 per cent of the home's needs, including drinking, bathing, and cleaning. Naturally soft, the highly filtered and UV purified water requires no chemical treatment or water softener. Coupled with minimal hardscape and permeable drive and walkways, almost all ground water remains on the lot, and out of storm sewers and bay runoffs. Designed as a forever home for this active retired couple, an open floor plan provides diagonal interior views along with great circulation space. Wide hallways and doors, curbless showers, an elevator, and extra blocking in the walls for grab rails insures the couple of being able to use their home even if physical disabilities arise. The home's footprint is minimized by building over the conditioned crawlspace and over-sized garage, and the finished floor height, at least two feet above flood code requirements, significantly reduces insurance costs while maximizing storage space for camping and water sports equipment. Materials, fixtures and appliances were carefully selected for energy and water efficiency, local production where possible, recycled content/recyclability, durability, and cost-effectiveness. The owners were very involved in vetting and materials selections, and assisted in just-in-time purchasing to minimize waste. Scrap materials were sorted daily for re-use elsewhere in the project (blocking, concrete forms, drywall scraps as acoustical insulation in interior walls, etc.), resulting in a tiny waste pile at the end of a dumpster-free project. Concrete waste was hauled to a local recycler to become road base, and extra useable materials were returned to the vendor or donated to Habitat Restore. Cost-effective choices, and careful planning, saved significant dollars in construction cost as well as landfill space. One of the biggest challenges was finding qualified subcontractors who would work within the guidelines. With the help of our LEED consultant and meetings and explanations, most subcontractors not only bought into the ideas readily, but offered up new ideas. Highly skilled and professional, the team of subs, LEED consultant, and contractor proved that LEED construction is excellent construction. The team, the owners, and I also found that LEED construction makes great economic sense. Most materials (other than increased insulation and photovoltaic panels) cost no more, and sometimes less, than those employed in construction of a lesser standard. The owners have been living in the home for a year now, and are thrilled with the results. No power bill. No water bill. Extremely low insurance bill. Minimal ground maintenance. No fabric softener. Reduced use of soap, detergents, and shampoos and cleaning supplies. Less time cleaning with spot-free rainwater. Careful planning and materials selection brought the project in under budget, and the home operates at an extremely low cost, both to the homeowners, and the environment. Who wouldn't be thrilled?

Mid-sized minimalist l-shaped gray floor open concept kitchen photo in Vancouver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, quartz countertops and an island

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern l-shaped gray floor open concept kitchen remodel in Vancouver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, quartz countertops and an island

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern l-shaped gray floor open concept kitchen remodel in Vancouver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops and an island

How can you get more usable space and flow from a split-level home without changing its footprint? It’s not uncommon to remove a wall or two that separates the Kitchen and Living area. And for this 1990’s split-level design, we did just that. But we also brought together the main, lower and upper levels with new luxury vinyl flooring throughout along with updated staircases and spindles and new baseboards, doors, and trims. The open layout now allows for entertaining without being closed off from the Kitchen. The Kitchen features more storage space with the addition of several tall pantries and a large island for working space. The main Kitchen cabinets are white while the island is painted a light gray to create contrast and black handles and faucets are added for accent. A clean white herringbone backsplash is incorporated along the wall and the white countertop with gray veining ties the whole monotone look together. To bring together the three levels in this split-level design, we installed new luxury vinyl flooring throughout along with updated staircases and spindles and new baseboards and trims. When you’re ready to bring flow and function to your split-level, we’re the Renovator You Can Count On.

How can you get more usable space and flow from a split-level home without changing its footprint? It’s not uncommon to remove a wall or two that separates the Kitchen and Living area. And for this 1990’s split-level design, we did just that. But we also brought together the main, lower and upper levels with new luxury vinyl flooring throughout along with updated staircases and spindles and new baseboards, doors, and trims. The open layout now allows for entertaining without being closed off from the Kitchen. The Kitchen features more storage space with the addition of several tall pantries and a large island for working space. The main Kitchen cabinets are white while the island is painted a light gray to create contrast and black handles and faucets are added for accent. A clean white herringbone backsplash is incorporated along the wall and the white countertop with gray veining ties the whole monotone look together. To bring together the three levels in this split-level design, we installed new luxury vinyl flooring throughout along with updated staircases and spindles and new baseboards and trims. When you’re ready to bring flow and function to your split-level, we’re the Renovator You Can Count On.

Large danish enclosed carpeted and beige floor family room photo in Orange County with white walls, no fireplace and no tv

Living room - mid-sized contemporary formal and open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room idea in Other with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and no tv

Example of a mid-sized trendy enclosed medium tone wood floor family room design in Houston with white walls and a wall-mounted tv

Home office - mid-sized modern freestanding desk white floor home office idea in Other with white walls

Large trendy pool photo in Sydney

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen remodel in Vancouver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops and an island

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern l-shaped light wood floor and gray floor open concept kitchen remodel in Vancouver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, stone slab backsplash and an island

Open concept kitchen - mid-sized modern l-shaped gray floor open concept kitchen idea in Vancouver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops and an island

How can you get more usable space and flow from a split-level home without changing its footprint? It’s not uncommon to remove a wall or two that separates the Kitchen and Living area. And for this 1990’s split-level design, we did just that. But we also brought together the main, lower and upper levels with new luxury vinyl flooring throughout along with updated staircases and spindles and new baseboards, doors, and trims. The open layout now allows for entertaining without being closed off from the Kitchen. The Kitchen features more storage space with the addition of several tall pantries and a large island for working space. The main Kitchen cabinets are white while the island is painted a light gray to create contrast and black handles and faucets are added for accent. A clean white herringbone backsplash is incorporated along the wall and the white countertop with gray veining ties the whole monotone look together. To bring together the three levels in this split-level design, we installed new luxury vinyl flooring throughout along with updated staircases and spindles and new baseboards and trims. When you’re ready to bring flow and function to your split-level, we’re the Renovator You Can Count On.