Search results for "Operate properly" in Home Design Ideas

shared desk space for designer and assistant
Photo by Rebecca McAlpin
Study room - mid-sized transitional freestanding desk medium tone wood floor and beige floor study room idea in Philadelphia with white walls
Study room - mid-sized transitional freestanding desk medium tone wood floor and beige floor study room idea in Philadelphia with white walls

This dream bathroom has everything one can wish for an ideal bathroom escape. It doesn’t just look fabulous – it works well and it is built to stand the test of time.
This bathroom was designed as a private oasis, a place to relax and unwind. Spa-like environment is created by expansive double-sink custom vanity, an elegant free standing tub, and a spacious two-person barrier-free shower with a floating bench. Toilet is concealed within a separate nook behind a pocket door.
Main bathroom area is outlined by a tray ceiling perimeter. The room looks open, airy and spacious. Nothing interferes with the ceiling design and overall space configuration. It hasn’t always been that way. Former layout had serious pitfalls that made the room look much smaller. The shower concealed behind solid walls protruded into the main area clashing with the tray ceiling geometry. Massive shower stall took up significant amount of the room leaving no continuous wall space for a double sink vanity. There were two separate vanities with a dead corner space between them. At the same time, the toilet room was quite spacious with just one fixture in the far end.
New layout not only looks better, it allows for a better functionality and fully reveals the space potential. The toilet was relocated to occupy the former linen closet space slightly expanded into adjacent walk-in closet. Shower was moved into the bigger alcove, away from the tray ceiling area. It opened up the room while giving space for a gorgeous wall-to-wall vanity. Having a full glass wall, the shower extends the space even further. Sparkling glass creates no barrier to the eyesight. The room feels clean, breezy and extra spacious. Gorgeous frameless shower enclosure with glass-to-glass clamps and hinges shows off premium tile designs of the accent shower wall.
Free standing tub remained in its original place in front of the window. With no solid shower walls nearby, it became a focal point adorned with the new crystal chandelier above it. This two-tier gorgeous chandelier makes the bathroom feel incredibly grand. A touch of luxury is showing up in timeless polished chrome faucet finish selections as well.
New expansive custom vanity has his and her full height linen towers, his and her sink cabinets with two individual banks of drawers on the sides and one shared drawer cabinet in the middle containing a charging station in the upper drawer.
Vanity counter tops and floating shower seat top are made of high-end quartz.
Vessel sinks resemble the shape and style of the free-standing tub.
To make the room feel even more spacious and to showcase the shower area in the reflection, a full size mirror is installed over the vanity. Crystal sconces are installed directly into the mirror.
Crisp classic white tile gives the room a timeless sense of polish and luxury. Walls around the perimeter of the entire bathroom are tiled half way. Three rows of 12”x 24” porcelain tile resembling white marble are crowned with a thin row of intricate glass tiles with marble accents, and a chair rail tile.
Tile design flows into a spacious barrier-free two-person walk-in shower. Two more tile patterns of the same tile collection are brought into play. Rear wall is adorned with a picture frame made out of 12”x12” tiles laid at 45 degree angle within the same chair rail and glass tile border. Shower floor is made of small hexagon tiles for proper drainage.
Shower area has two hidden from plain sight niches to contain shampoo bottles and toiletries. The rear side of the niches is made of glass mosaics for a waterfall effect.
To showcase the picture frame inside the shower, the accent shower wall is washed with cascading light from a discrete LED strip tucked in a cove behind “floating” shower ceiling platform.
Multiple shower heads (two ceiling-mount rain heads, one multi-functional wall mount shower head, and a handheld shower) are able to provide a fully customizable shower experience.
Despite of many hard surfaces and shiny finishes, which can sometimes lead to a cold impersonal feeling, this bathroom is cozy and truly welcoming. This sense of warms is maintained by exclusive multi-functional layered lighting. Carefully designed groups of lights (all having a dimmer control) can be used simultaneously, in various combinations, or separately to create numerous different effects and perfect atmosphere for every mood and occasion. Some lights have smart controls and can be operated remotely.
Amazing effect can be achieved by dimmable toe kick perimeter lighting. With the ceiling lights turned off, the vanity looks as if it is floating in the air. Multifaceted crystal fixtures produce cascades of sparkling rainbow reflections dancing around the room and creating an illusion of a starry sky.
Programmable radiant heating floor offers additional warmth and comfort to the room.
This bathroom is well suited for either a quick morning shower or a night in for ultimate relaxation with a champagne toast and a long soak in the freestanding tub.
Find the right local pro for your project

When it comes to window blinds in Sioux Falls, there are several options to choose from. Peaky Window Blinds stands out among American Blinds, Budget Blinds, Budget Blinds Sioux Falls, and Betz Blinds. It is crucial to pick window blinds that fit both your budget and window frame properly. Peaky Window Blinds offers an extensive selection of designs, ensuring that you find the perfect fit for your needs.
To guarantee an accurate fit for your window blinds, it is crucial to measure your windows correctly. This will ensure that your chosen window blinds look great and operate correctly. If you're unsure about measuring your windows, you can always reach out to Alan at Peaky Window Blinds by visiting peakywindowblinds.com.
In terms of design, zebra roller blinds are an excellent choice that complements most interior designs. They provide optimal light control and are effortless to clean. Additionally, zebra roller blinds create a stylish, modern look in any room.
In conclusion, selecting the perfect window blinds for your home or office in Sioux Falls requires careful consideration of all available options. By choosing Peaky Window Blinds and accurately measuring your windows, you can ensure that your window blinds fit perfectly and look stunning. If you need additional guidance or support, Alan at Peaky Window Blinds is always available to help. Remember to check out zebra roller blinds for a modern and stylish look that offers optimal light control and is effortless to clean.

This project involved replacing a worn and damaged garage door spring for a homeowner in Evanston, IL. The door had become heavy, noisy, and difficult to lift, creating a safety concern for the family. Our team inspected the system, identified the failing spring, and installed a new high‑cycle torsion spring designed for long‑term durability.
We also performed a full system balance, tightened all hardware, and lubricated the moving components to ensure smooth and quiet operation. The result was a safer, easier‑to‑use garage door with improved performance and reliability.
Projects like this highlight the importance of proper garage door maintenance and professional installation. Our goal is always to provide homeowners with safe, dependable, and long‑lasting solutions.

NEW Viking Gas Cooktops | Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center
Designed to fit virtually any existing cutout, Viking Professional Gas Cooktops offer a hassle-free kitchen upgrade with superior cooking power. These surface units strategically deliver all the power you could want from your cooktop, giving you the freedom to not only cook whatever you like, but however you like.
To learn more about NEW Viking Gas Cooktops stop by Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center in Studio City and Calabasas.
BUILT-IN GAS COOKTOP FEATURES
Commercial-Type Cooking Power
- Highest combined BTU rating in the industry, featuring sealed burners with brass burner rings in a wide variety of sizes
- Powerful 18,000 BTU burner delivers commercial power for high heat sautéing, rapid boiling and quick recovery
- Simmer settings on all burners allows low BTU output for heating delicate sauces
- EXCLUSIVE SureSpark™ Ignition System ensures automatic ignition/re-ignition should flame extinguish at any time while cooking
Easy Maintenance and Cleanup
- Permanently sealed burners prevent spills from entering burner box
- Deep, seamless recessed burner pan retains liquid spills
- Updated beveled edge design provides sleek styling and easy cleaning
- Durable laser-etched graphics withstand the rigors of regular cleaning
- Removable knobs, grates, and burner ports/caps make cleanup easy
Safe-Easy Operation
- Child proof, push-to-turn metal knobs for safe use
- Automatic electric spark ignition means no standing pilot to re-light, waste energy or add extra heat to the kitchen
- EXCLUSIVE ScratchSafe™ Grate Design provides ultimate protection from scratches and ensures proper placement of the heavy-duty, porcelain-coated cast iron grates
Optional Accessories
- Porcelain-coated cast iron wok ring fits securely over grates to accommodate a traditional wok
- Portable non-stick cast aluminum griddle fits securely onto grates for griddling or defrosting food
The Industry’s Best and Most Comprehensive Warranty
- 3-year full – complete product
- 90-day full - cosmetic parts such as glass, painted items and decorative items
- Lifetime limited - stainless steel exterior
- 5-year limited - surface burners

Stuart Wade, Envision Virtual Tours
Mountain Reflections on Lake Burton
Recently renovated both inside and out, this 5 bedroom, 5.5 bath home with sweeping views of Lake Burton is fit for entertaining large crowds. The open floor plan features a spacious great room with a 2-story stacked stone fireplace, abundant natural ligthing, dining for 10+ and a large chef's kitchen with granite countertops, custom cabinets to house every utensil, exposed beams and access to a lakeside porch. Three sets of french doors open to a magnificent curved veranda accented by columns. Western sunsets make this the place to be in the cool evenings watching the sun reflect off the jewel tone water. A private master bedroom on the main floor provides access to the covered porch. The master bath features a double vanity with granite countertops, built-in storage drawers and cabinets, jetted tub and seperate shower. Spacious guest bedrooms feature private baths and lake views. Mature landscaping including an incredible array of pink and purple rhododendron, eyebrow windows, columns and curved porches highlight the newly painted exterior.
The terrace level features a second family room/rec room with a stacked stone fireplace, wet bar, and a wall of triple french doors that open to a lakeside stone terrace. Two additional guest bedrooms with full baths also have access to the terrace patio. A large laundry room and gym/art studio with outside entrance, double sink and ample storage completes the terrace level.
Lake Burton is a unique Life Style. Cherry Lane is a paved street accessed by 4 single family homes. This home features a private, gated driveway off Cherry Lane. There is not a homeowner’s association, there are no fees or dues. Over 800 lake properties are managed and leased by the Georgia Power Company.
Location is a major advantage for this property with close proximity to Clayton, the hospital, Waterfall Country Club, the Appalachian Trail, shopping, quaint restaurants and only about a 45 minute drive to Highlands, N.C. This house is located on deep water and has breathtaking lake and mountain views that will capture your heart!
General Information:
• 5 bedrooms and 5 ½ baths
• All bathrooms have new updated granite counter tops.
• 2 fireplaces ( 1 gas non vent logs and 1 wood burning with gas starter and built in wood storage)
• Both fireplaces have raised hearths.
• House has poured concrete walls with reinforced steel.
• All Floor trusses were engineered for proper application.
• During construction the house and grounds were pre-treated for termites. The house is inspected for termites annually. To date, no termites have been found. The termite bond is with American Pest control out of Toccoa, GA.
• The main entrance has double Mahogany leaded glass door. All other exterior doors and windows are deluxe Anderson thermo pane. All Anderson windows are tilt out for easy inside cleaning. Windows have Planter shutter and/or wood blinds.
• All lake side doors are 8 feet. Doors have triple locks and are adjustable for the best fit.
• All exterior walls have house wrap and heavy insulation- R-17 for walls and R 30 in the attic.
• House has 3 levels. Each level has its own Trane High Efficiency Weathertron heat pump XE 1200. The 2 units for the main and basement levels also have dual fuel, propane gas for extra heat if needed.
• Beam Central Vacuum system for all 3 levels.
• All 3 levels are wired for Stereo speakers as well as the main level outside deck.
• All ceilings are 10 ft. or higher.
• Bar sinks have granite counter tops
*Brand new (2014) roof with HD architectural shingles has transferable lifetime warranty
Entry Foyer:
-Double Mahogany lead glass doors
-2 lead glass side windows
-Marble floor, heavy moldings, tray ceiling
Great Room:
-Vaulted wood ceiling with multi light chandelier
-Doors can be adjusted in many different positions for easy operations
-Anderson Windows and doors
-All doors facing lake side are 8 ft. doors
-Planter shutters in all windows on main floor
Kitchen:
-Vaulted ceiling with beadboard and exposed beams
-Custom Gillespie cabinets with space for every utensil
-Large kitchen island with breakfast bar
-Walk-in pantry
-Granite counter tops with plenty of prep space
-Breakfast nook
-Access to lakeside porch
-Central Vac and crumb catcher
-GE Monogram Fridge
-Kitchenaid built in oven and microwave
-Jen-air 4 burner gas stove with exhaust
-Kitchenaid trash compactor
-Scotsman Ice Machine
-Over and under counter accent lighting
Master Bedroom:
-Heavy Molding, hardwood flooring,
-Plantation shutters on bedroom French doors opening to deck
-4 closets
Master Bath:
-Granite counter tops with double sinks
-Separate shower with glass door and delta shower system
-Jetted Tub
-14 drawer built-in cabinets for clothing
Upstairs level:
-Two bedrooms, each with full baths, tile floors, double vanities, granite countertops, ample closets and linen closets
Terrace Level:
-Spacious family room with stone fireplace and wet bar
-Guest bedroom with full bath
-Office with full bath
-Art studio or exercise room with double sink
-Separate tool room
-Laundry room/utility room with tile floors and cabinets
-Covered stone terrace with access to boathouse
Boat House:
-Two stall for up to 25 ft. boat
-2 electric boat lifts
-Large deck on top of boathouse with ½ covered roof
-Large storage area for boat supplies
-Swim dock

Photography by Jill Broussard
Huge trendy l-shaped light wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Houston with an island, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, a double-bowl sink, quartz countertops, green backsplash and stainless steel appliances
Huge trendy l-shaped light wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Houston with an island, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, a double-bowl sink, quartz countertops, green backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Stuart Wade, Envision Virtual Tours
Mountain Reflections on Lake Burton
Recently renovated both inside and out, this 5 bedroom, 5.5 bath home with sweeping views of Lake Burton is fit for entertaining large crowds. The open floor plan features a spacious great room with a 2-story stacked stone fireplace, abundant natural ligthing, dining for 10+ and a large chef's kitchen with granite countertops, custom cabinets to house every utensil, exposed beams and access to a lakeside porch. Three sets of french doors open to a magnificent curved veranda accented by columns. Western sunsets make this the place to be in the cool evenings watching the sun reflect off the jewel tone water. A private master bedroom on the main floor provides access to the covered porch. The master bath features a double vanity with granite countertops, built-in storage drawers and cabinets, jetted tub and seperate shower. Spacious guest bedrooms feature private baths and lake views. Mature landscaping including an incredible array of pink and purple rhododendron, eyebrow windows, columns and curved porches highlight the newly painted exterior.
The terrace level features a second family room/rec room with a stacked stone fireplace, wet bar, and a wall of triple french doors that open to a lakeside stone terrace. Two additional guest bedrooms with full baths also have access to the terrace patio. A large laundry room and gym/art studio with outside entrance, double sink and ample storage completes the terrace level.
Lake Burton is a unique Life Style. Cherry Lane is a paved street accessed by 4 single family homes. This home features a private, gated driveway off Cherry Lane. There is not a homeowner’s association, there are no fees or dues. Over 800 lake properties are managed and leased by the Georgia Power Company.
Location is a major advantage for this property with close proximity to Clayton, the hospital, Waterfall Country Club, the Appalachian Trail, shopping, quaint restaurants and only about a 45 minute drive to Highlands, N.C. This house is located on deep water and has breathtaking lake and mountain views that will capture your heart!
General Information:
• 5 bedrooms and 5 ½ baths
• All bathrooms have new updated granite counter tops.
• 2 fireplaces ( 1 gas non vent logs and 1 wood burning with gas starter and built in wood storage)
• Both fireplaces have raised hearths.
• House has poured concrete walls with reinforced steel.
• All Floor trusses were engineered for proper application.
• During construction the house and grounds were pre-treated for termites. The house is inspected for termites annually. To date, no termites have been found. The termite bond is with American Pest control out of Toccoa, GA.
• The main entrance has double Mahogany leaded glass door. All other exterior doors and windows are deluxe Anderson thermo pane. All Anderson windows are tilt out for easy inside cleaning. Windows have Planter shutter and/or wood blinds.
• All lake side doors are 8 feet. Doors have triple locks and are adjustable for the best fit.
• All exterior walls have house wrap and heavy insulation- R-17 for walls and R 30 in the attic.
• House has 3 levels. Each level has its own Trane High Efficiency Weathertron heat pump XE 1200. The 2 units for the main and basement levels also have dual fuel, propane gas for extra heat if needed.
• Beam Central Vacuum system for all 3 levels.
• All 3 levels are wired for Stereo speakers as well as the main level outside deck.
• All ceilings are 10 ft. or higher.
• Bar sinks have granite counter tops
*Brand new (2014) roof with HD architectural shingles has transferable lifetime warranty
Entry Foyer:
-Double Mahogany lead glass doors
-2 lead glass side windows
-Marble floor, heavy moldings, tray ceiling
Great Room:
-Vaulted wood ceiling with multi light chandelier
-Doors can be adjusted in many different positions for easy operations
-Anderson Windows and doors
-All doors facing lake side are 8 ft. doors
-Planter shutters in all windows on main floor
Kitchen:
-Vaulted ceiling with beadboard and exposed beams
-Custom Gillespie cabinets with space for every utensil
-Large kitchen island with breakfast bar
-Walk-in pantry
-Granite counter tops with plenty of prep space
-Breakfast nook
-Access to lakeside porch
-Central Vac and crumb catcher
-GE Monogram Fridge
-Kitchenaid built in oven and microwave
-Jen-air 4 burner gas stove with exhaust
-Kitchenaid trash compactor
-Scotsman Ice Machine
-Over and under counter accent lighting
Master Bedroom:
-Heavy Molding, hardwood flooring,
-Plantation shutters on bedroom French doors opening to deck
-4 closets
Master Bath:
-Granite counter tops with double sinks
-Separate shower with glass door and delta shower system
-Jetted Tub
-14 drawer built-in cabinets for clothing
Upstairs level:
-Two bedrooms, each with full baths, tile floors, double vanities, granite countertops, ample closets and linen closets
Terrace Level:
-Spacious family room with stone fireplace and wet bar
-Guest bedroom with full bath
-Office with full bath
-Art studio or exercise room with double sink
-Separate tool room
-Laundry room/utility room with tile floors and cabinets
-Covered stone terrace with access to boathouse
Boat House:
-Two stall for up to 25 ft. boat
-2 electric boat lifts
-Large deck on top of boathouse with ½ covered roof
-Large storage area for boat supplies
-Swim dock

This dream bathroom has everything one can wish for an ideal bathroom escape. It doesn’t just look fabulous – it works well and it is built to stand the test of time.
This bathroom was designed as a private oasis, a place to relax and unwind. Spa-like environment is created by expansive double-sink custom vanity, an elegant free standing tub, and a spacious two-person barrier-free shower with a floating bench. Toilet is concealed within a separate nook behind a pocket door.
Main bathroom area is outlined by a tray ceiling perimeter. The room looks open, airy and spacious. Nothing interferes with the ceiling design and overall space configuration. It hasn’t always been that way. Former layout had serious pitfalls that made the room look much smaller. The shower concealed behind solid walls protruded into the main area clashing with the tray ceiling geometry. Massive shower stall took up significant amount of the room leaving no continuous wall space for a double sink vanity. There were two separate vanities with a dead corner space between them. At the same time, the toilet room was quite spacious with just one fixture in the far end.
New layout not only looks better, it allows for a better functionality and fully reveals the space potential. The toilet was relocated to occupy the former linen closet space slightly expanded into adjacent walk-in closet. Shower was moved into the bigger alcove, away from the tray ceiling area. It opened up the room while giving space for a gorgeous wall-to-wall vanity. Having a full glass wall, the shower extends the space even further. Sparkling glass creates no barrier to the eyesight. The room feels clean, breezy and extra spacious. Gorgeous frameless shower enclosure with glass-to-glass clamps and hinges shows off premium tile designs of the accent shower wall.
Free standing tub remained in its original place in front of the window. With no solid shower walls nearby, it became a focal point adorned with the new crystal chandelier above it. This two-tier gorgeous chandelier makes the bathroom feel incredibly grand. A touch of luxury is showing up in timeless polished chrome faucet finish selections as well.
New expansive custom vanity has his and her full height linen towers, his and her sink cabinets with two individual banks of drawers on the sides and one shared drawer cabinet in the middle containing a charging station in the upper drawer.
Vanity counter tops and floating shower seat top are made of high-end quartz.
Vessel sinks resemble the shape and style of the free-standing tub.
To make the room feel even more spacious and to showcase the shower area in the reflection, a full size mirror is installed over the vanity. Crystal sconces are installed directly into the mirror.
Crisp classic white tile gives the room a timeless sense of polish and luxury. Walls around the perimeter of the entire bathroom are tiled half way. Three rows of 12”x 24” porcelain tile resembling white marble are crowned with a thin row of intricate glass tiles with marble accents, and a chair rail tile.
Tile design flows into a spacious barrier-free two-person walk-in shower. Two more tile patterns of the same tile collection are brought into play. Rear wall is adorned with a picture frame made out of 12”x12” tiles laid at 45 degree angle within the same chair rail and glass tile border. Shower floor is made of small hexagon tiles for proper drainage.
Shower area has two hidden from plain sight niches to contain shampoo bottles and toiletries. The rear side of the niches is made of glass mosaics for a waterfall effect.
To showcase the picture frame inside the shower, the accent shower wall is washed with cascading light from a discrete LED strip tucked in a cove behind “floating” shower ceiling platform.
Multiple shower heads (two ceiling-mount rain heads, one multi-functional wall mount shower head, and a handheld shower) are able to provide a fully customizable shower experience.
Despite of many hard surfaces and shiny finishes, which can sometimes lead to a cold impersonal feeling, this bathroom is cozy and truly welcoming. This sense of warms is maintained by exclusive multi-functional layered lighting. Carefully designed groups of lights (all having a dimmer control) can be used simultaneously, in various combinations, or separately to create numerous different effects and perfect atmosphere for every mood and occasion. Some lights have smart controls and can be operated remotely.
Amazing effect can be achieved by dimmable toe kick perimeter lighting. With the ceiling lights turned off, the vanity looks as if it is floating in the air. Multifaceted crystal fixtures produce cascades of sparkling rainbow reflections dancing around the room and creating an illusion of a starry sky.
Programmable radiant heating floor offers additional warmth and comfort to the room.
This bathroom is well suited for either a quick morning shower or a night in for ultimate relaxation with a champagne toast and a long soak in the freestanding tub.

Wrought Iron Double Door - D'Vine by Porte, Color Dark Bronze, Clear Glass
Example of a small classic concrete floor entryway design in Austin with gray walls and a metal front door
Example of a small classic concrete floor entryway design in Austin with gray walls and a metal front door

Easton, Maryland Traditional Kitchen Design by #JenniferGilmer with a lake view
http://gilmerkitchens.com/
Photography by Bob Narod

After. We could look at this stunning curbless shower all day! Universal design features which aid in safe access are beautifully and subtly worked into the design.

Casey Dunn
Inspiration for a large modern open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Austin with white walls, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv
Inspiration for a large modern open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Austin with white walls, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Barry Grossman Photography
Example of a trendy white floor living room design in Miami with a ribbon fireplace
Example of a trendy white floor living room design in Miami with a ribbon fireplace

This modern green home offers both a vacation destination on Cape Cod near local family members and an opportunity for rental income.
FAMILY ROOTS. A West Coast couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area sought a permanent East Coast vacation home near family members living on Cape Cod. As academic professionals focused on sustainability, they sought a green, energy efficient home that was well-aligned with their values. With no green homes available for sale on Cape Cod, they decided to purchase land near their family and build their own.
SLOPED SITE. Comprised of a 3/4 acre lot nestled in the pines, the steeply sloping terrain called for a plan that embraced and took advantage of the slope. Of equal priority was optimizing solar exposure, preserving privacy from abutters, and creating outdoor living space. The design accomplished these goals with a simple, rectilinear form, offering living space on the both entry and lower/basement levels. The stepped foundation allows for a walk-out basement level with light-filled living space on the down-hill side of the home. The traditional basement on the eastern, up-hill side houses mechanical equipment and a home gym. The house welcomes natural light throughout, captures views of the forest, and delivers entertainment space that connects indoor living space to outdoor deck and dining patio.
MODERN VISION. The clean building form and uncomplicated finishes pay homage to the modern architectural legacy on the outer Cape. Durable and economical fiber cement panels, fixed with aluminum channels, clad the primary form. Cedar clapboards provide a visual accent at the south-facing living room, which extends a single roof plane to cover the entry porch.
SMART USE OF SPACE. On the entry level, the “L”-shaped living, dining, and kitchen space connects to the exterior living, dining, and grilling spaces to effectively double the home’s summertime entertainment area. Placed at the western end of the entry level (where it can retain privacy but still claim expansive downhill views) is the master suite with a built-in study. The lower level has two guest bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and laundry. The flexibility of the space—crucial in a house with a modest footprint—emerges in one of the guest bedrooms, which doubles as home office by opening the barn-style double doors to connect it to the bright, airy open stair leading up to the entry level. Thoughtful design, generous ceiling heights and large windows transform the modest 1,100 sf* footprint into a well-lit, spacious home. *(total finished space is 1800 sf)
RENTAL INCOME. The property works for its owners by netting rental income when the owners are home in San Francisco. The house especially caters to vacationers bound for nearby Mayo Beach and includes an outdoor shower adjacent to the lower level entry door. In contrast to the bare bones cottages that are typically available on the Cape, this home offers prospective tenants a modern aesthetic, paired with luxurious and green features. Durable finishes inside and out will ensure longevity with the heavier use that comes with a rental property.
COMFORT YEAR-ROUND. The home is super-insulated and air-tight, with mechanical ventilation to provide continuous fresh air from the outside. High performance triple-paned windows complement the building enclosure and maximize passive solar gain while ensuring a warm, draft-free winter, even when sitting close to the glass. A properly sized air source heat pump offers efficient heating & cooling, and includes a carefully designed the duct distribution system to provide even comfort throughout the house. The super-insulated envelope allows us to significantly reduce the equipment capacity, duct size, and airflow quantities, while maintaining unparalleled thermal comfort.
ENERGY EFFICIENT. The building’s shell and mechanical systems play instrumental roles in the home’s exceptional performance. The building enclosure reduces the most significant energy glutton: heating. Continuous super-insulation, thorough air sealing, triple-pane windows, and passive solar gain work together to yield a miniscule heating load. All active energy consumers are extremely efficient: an air source heat pump for heating and cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation (ERV), and high efficiency appliances. The result is a home that uses 70% less energy than a similar new home built to code requirements.
OVERALL. The home embodies the owners’ goals and values while comprehensively enabling thermal comfort, energy efficiency, a vacation respite, and supplementary income.
PROJECT TEAM
ZeroEnergy Design - Architect & Mechanical Designer
A.F. Hultin & Co. - Contractor
Pamet Valley Landscape Design - Landscape & Masonry
Lisa Finch - Original Artwork
European Architectural Supply - Windows
Eric Roth Photography - Photography

White Kitchen, Modern
Interiors: Britt Taner Design
Photography: Tony Soluri Photography
Example of a trendy light wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island
Example of a trendy light wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This project won in the 2013 Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Award for Best Urban Renewal Renovation Project. The glass bowl was made in the glass studio owned by the owner which is adjacent to the residence. The mirror is a repurposed window. The door is repurposed from a boarding house.
George Mendel
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