Empire Contracting Inc 707.884.9789 Photos By: Sea Ranch Images www.searanchimages.com 707.653.6866
Living room - 1950s living room idea in San Francisco

Patio - modern patio idea in San Diego

Photo: Danielle Sykes © 2016 Houzz
Inspiration for a farmhouse open concept light wood floor living room remodel in Boston

This early 20th century Indianapolis, IN basement remodel was in desperate need of help. The original and still operating hydronic radiant heating system had its plumbing configured without regard to any other use of the space. Fearful of harming the aged system and the high cost of doing so, these Clients were adamant that the existing system remain intact. Architect Lee Constantine developed a design that maintained the existing heating system while creating "niches" around the perimeter that would conceal the unsightly plumbing. Additionally, by removing free-standing structural supporting posts, amore flexible and inviting space was achieved. Because of an already low ceiling condition, the floor-ceiling structure above was kept exposed, painted and highlighted with indirect lighting to avoid further reducing the ceiling height. Constantine incorporated "clouds" on this ceiling to conceal certain existing components that either were cost prohibitive to relocate or couldn't be relocated. These "clouds"become a "visual element" through their geometry and hidden "indirect" light source rather than an undesirable complication. Now this family entertains frequently in the basement and reports "it doesn't feel like we're in a basement anymore"

Modern living room/family room with a couple of features. Stone Fireplace Dry stacked with 6" veneer installed by Fernando's Stone in Swannanoa NC. We really tried to focus on the varying tones in the stone we picked which you can do with any stone that you find. We asked for a lot of the "chocolate" tones to be added in for warmth.

Trendy kids' room photo in Boston

Small classic front porch idea in Orange County with decking and a roof extension

Liftslide Door Our premier moving glass wall door, designed with precision engineering for near effortless operation. Corner or curved designs and custom configurations Straight stacking or pocketing for a perfectly unobstructed view Door panels lift onto rollers for nearly effortless motion Monumental panels up to 16' tall and door systems up to 60' wide Folding Door Folding Glass Walls A different approach to removing the lines between indoors and out. When open, these moving glass walls fold up to beautifully frame your view. When closed, they create a stately wall of light. Up to 10' tall and 48' wide Top hung system allows for easy operation Doors can open from left, right or center Contemporary panel widths up to 48” wide MultiGlide™ Door Sliding Glass Door Systems Engineered for smooth and easy operation, giving you design freedom with the performance and innovation you expect from Andersen. Straight stacking or pocketing for a perfectly unobstructed view Contemporary and traditional design Sized for openings up to 25' wide and 10' tall with sliding glass panels up to 60" wide

Peter Koenig Landscape Designer, Gene Radding General Contracting, Creative Environments Swimming Pool Construction
Huge trendy backyard concrete paver and custom-shaped lap hot tub photo in San Francisco

The Legacy™ C260 fireplace insert provides a long-term solution to the seldom-used family fireplace. Designed to meet almost any heating need, the Legacy fills an inefficient fireplace with a powerful heat source to warm your room or entire home. Built to accept large logs, the Legacy provides heat for up to 2,200 square feet. And to add your distinctive style, the Legacy can be customized for a perfect, personalized appearance. Aesthetics Unique, integral airwash system keeps the glass clean and clear for a wide-open view of the fire. Constructed from premium materials, like heavy-gauge stainless steel, for dependable performance and striking appearance. Comfort Ceramic-fiber blanket utilizes technology developed by NASA that has 10 times the insulation value of firebrick, radiating heat back into the firebox and creating higher efficiencies and cleaner gas. Uniquely designed refractory baffle assists in igniting fuel-rich gases, increasing efficiency and reducing emissions. Stainless steel afterburner tubes mix oxygen with unburned gases and smoke to create a secondary burn, lowering fuel costs. Heavy-duty door contains no nuts or washers, forming a 360° seal for long-lasting durability. EPA Phase II-certified for clean and efficient operation. Ease of Operation Singular draft control for simple operation and burn rate adjustment. Design Versatility A choice of finishes and glass styling options. Surround size and trim choices provide customization for personalized styling preference. *Square-feet heating capacities are approximations only. Actual performance may vary depending upon home design and insulation, ceiling heights, climate, condition and type of wood used, appliance location, burn rate, accessories chosen, chimney installation and how the appliance is operated.

A portable spa unit is self contained. This means everything needed to operate it is included within the spa itself, which is partially what makes them so cost-friendly. It also means that wherever it is positioned, water from the rain must be free to drain away from the hot tub. If it can’t escape, the plumbing could get damaged. So when positioning it in-ground, the hot tub plumbing equipment needs to be removed and protected above ground, where it is also accessible for any future repairs or adjustments. www.longislandhottub.com

This 100+ year old farmhouse in Colorado had no central air conditioning. Using custom sized operable louvered doors allowed air flow throughout the house, keeping the house cool, while offering privacy when needed. To receive a quote on our Operable Louvered doors follow the "Visit Store" link: below.

The design promotes healthy lifestyles by providing primary living on one floor, no materials containing volatile organic compounds, energy recovery ventilation systems, radon elimination systems, extension of interior spaces into the natural environment of the site, strong and direct physical and visual connections to nature, daylighting techniques providing occupants full integration into a natural, endogenous circadian rhythm. Incorporation¬¬¬ of daylighting with clerestories and solar tubes reduce daytime lighting requirements. Ground source geothermal heat pumps and superior-to-code insulation ensure minimal space-conditioning costs. Corten steel siding and concrete foundation walls satisfy client requirements for low maintenance and durability. All lighting fixtures are LEDs.

In What Order Should You Renovate a Kitchen? Revolutionizing Kitchen and Bath Renovation with Allreno's Design AI Renovating a kitchen can be one of the most exciting and rewarding home improvement projects. However, with so many decisions to make, it can also be overwhelming. From selecting kitchen cabinets to choosing countertops and appliances, the process often involves careful planning and organization. So, how do you ensure the renovation goes smoothly? One important factor is knowing the right order in which to tackle the project. The Right Order for Kitchen Renovation Renovating a kitchen involves multiple steps, and knowing the proper order of operations is crucial for both time efficiency and cost savings. Here’s a general guideline for how to approach your kitchen renovation: 1. Planning and Design: The first step in any renovation is planning. This includes deciding on the layout, design, and features you want in your kitchen. At this stage, you’ll also need to think about your budget and timeline. It’s essential to finalize these details before moving forward with the actual work. 2. Demolition: Once the design is set, it’s time to remove old fixtures, cabinets, appliances, and flooring. Demolition can be a messy process, but it’s necessary for starting fresh. Having a professional handle this phase is often a smart move to ensure everything is safely removed. 3. Structural Work: If you plan on altering the layout of the kitchen by knocking down walls or adding new plumbing or electrical work, now is the time to do it. Structural changes can be complicated and costly, so it’s important to ensure these are completed before installing any new elements. 4. Plumbing and Electrical Work: With the structure in place, you can begin installing plumbing and electrical systems. This might include adding new water lines, sinks, or electrical outlets for appliances. It’s best to bring in licensed professionals for this stage, as electrical and plumbing work requires expert knowledge. 5. Cabinet Installation: Once the plumbing and electrical work are in place, you can install the kitchen cabinets. Cabinets are one of the most important elements of the kitchen, and the Allreno design AI can make this process easier. Allreno's AI-driven platform allows you to visualize how different kitchen cabinets will fit into your space, ensuring you make the best choice based on your preferences and layout. 6. Countertops: After the cabinets are installed, it’s time to add countertops. Whether you choose granite, quartz, or a more budget-friendly option, countertops are a focal point of the kitchen, and they should complement the cabinets and other design elements. 7. Flooring: Now that the major structural elements are in place, it’s time to install your flooring. Whether you opt for tile, hardwood, or vinyl, flooring should be installed after the cabinets and countertops to prevent any damage during the installation process. 8. Appliances and Fixtures: With the foundation in place, you can now add your appliances (oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, etc.) and fixtures (sink, faucets, lighting). Allreno’s AI can also help here by offering kitchen design recommendations based on available appliances and space dimensions. 9. Final Touches: The last step is adding the finishing touches to your kitchen. This includes painting the walls, adding backsplash tiles, and installing accessories like handles and knobs on your cabinets. This is also the stage where you can implement any stylistic choices to make the space uniquely yours. How Allreno's AI Transforms the Renovation Process One of the biggest challenges of a kitchen renovation is visualizing how everything will come together. Allreno’s design AI changes that by offering an intuitive platform that brings your ideas to life. Here’s how: • Personalized Design Recommendations: Allreno’s AI suggests design elements based on your preferences, style, and space dimensions. Whether it’s selecting the perfect kitchen cabinets or countertop finishes, the AI ensures everything works together cohesively. • 3D Visualization: With Allreno’s AI-driven design tools, you can visualize your kitchen layout in 3D before any work begins. This allows you to see how different elements will fit into your space and make adjustments as needed. • Efficient Project Management: Allreno helps you streamline the entire renovation process by generating accurate material lists, estimates, and timelines. This means you can avoid costly errors and keep your renovation on track. Conclusion Renovating a kitchen is an exciting project, but it requires careful planning and organization to ensure it’s done right. By following a strategic order of operations and leveraging cutting-edge technology like Allreno’s design AI, homeowners can streamline the process, save time and money, and bring their dream kitchen to life with ease. Allreno not only simplifies the design process but also provides innovative solutions that make kitchen and bath renovations faster and more efficient than ever before. Ready to get started with your kitchen renovation? Allreno's AI-powered design platform is here to help you every step of the way.

Running a small restaurant is a high-wire act - delicious plates on one end, razor-thin margins on the other. With food costs averaging 28-35 percent of revenue and labor at 30 percent, every dollar counts. The good news? Targeted tweaks can shave 10-20 percent off your bottom line without sacrificing quality. From smarter sourcing to streamlined waste handling, these strategies empower independents to thrive. One underrated gem: Efficient waste management via roll-off dumpster rentals, which can slash disposal fees by up to 40 percent. Let's break it down. Optimize Inventory: Waste Less, Save More Overstocked pantries are profit killers - U.S. restaurants toss $25 billion in food yearly. Audit weekly. Track sales data to forecast demand, using apps like Toast or MarketMan for real-time insights. Trim your menu to 12-15 core items, focusing on seasonal, high-margin stars like farm-fresh salads over imported proteins. Portion control is key - pre-weighed scoops cut overuse by 15 percent. Repurpose scraps creatively. Veggie peels into stocks, bread ends for croutons. Donate extras to food banks via apps like Too Good To Go, earning tax deductions up to $5,000 annually. These habits reclaim 5-10 percent of food budgets, freeing cash for upgrades. Additionally, consider using citrus rinds for infused oils or desserts, and coffee grounds for compost to support local gardens. Engaging staff in sustainability efforts also builds morale and can be highlighted in marketing materials to attract eco-conscious diners. Trim Energy and Utilities: Go Green for Greenbacks Utilities gobble 4-10 percent of expenses. Swap to LED bulbs and energy-star appliances - upfront costs pay back in 6-12 months via 20-30 percent bill drops. Install low-flow faucets and programmable thermostats; during off-hours, dial down to 55°F to save $200/month on HVAC. Use induction cooktops for precise heat, reducing gas by 15 percent. Train staff on "last out" protocols - unplugging idle equipment. Solar panels? For rooftops under 1,000 sq ft, incentives cover 30 percent installation, yielding ROI in 5 years.  Master Waste Management: Dumpsters as Cost Commanders Trash isn't just garbage - it's a budget black hole, with disposal eating 2-5 percent of revenues. Small spots generate 1-2 tons monthly from food scraps, packaging, and grease. Ditch overflowing bins and irregular hauls for roll-off dumpster rentals. A 10-15 yard unit centralizes waste, handling bulk like fryer oil drums or produce crates without daily pickups. Efficiency Over Headcount Labor's your biggest line item - cross-train staff for multi-roles, like servers prepping during lulls, trimming overtime 10-15 percent. Shift scheduling software optimizes based on reservations, avoiding idle payroll. Negotiate bulk buys with local suppliers for 5-10 percent discounts; loyalty programs from Sysco yield free deliveries. Go digital - QR menus cut printing costs, speed table turnover, and allow menu updates in real time without waste. Loyalty apps boost repeat visits without increasing your advertising budget, making it easier to track customer preferences and send targeted promotions. Consider bundling purchases with other area restaurants to unlock deeper discounts and leverage supplier relationships for exclusive seasonal specials. These strategies can reduce overhead, improve customer retention, and keep operations flexible as trends shift.

Take note also of what the expected life of your hot tub is and how much it costs to operate. Energy efficiency can be a real cost-saver over the long run. Check out the hot tub’s insulation, for example, and how its plumbing affects the cost to run it. Another key factor is how easy it is to maintain. Photo: Bullfrog Spas

Fourty60 Infotech is a Google Workspace Industry leader renowned for providing high-quality work on time every time. Google Workspace Business Standard is a complete set of productivity tools aimed at improving cooperation and streamlining corporate operations. Understanding the costs of these services is critical for firms looking for cost-effective options. 

Duette and Applause Honeycomb blinds are fully operational in this application. Window Quilt (Muskoka) exclusively custom fits Hunter Douglas Energy Efficient blinds to any sized angled or specialty shaped windows. Keep the glare of the sun out of your eyes and save money heating your home in the winter and cooling it off in the summer. Energy saving Honeycomb blinds are designed to make life more comfortable during all four seasons. Reduce enegy costs by keeping the heat in during the cold winters and radiant heat out in the summer. One of our exclusive innovations allows these angle shades to be fully operational manually. A patented honeycomb construction dramatically reduces heat gain and UV radiation while retaining natural light. Duette, the most energy efficient and versatile of the Hunter Douglas product line. This great room utilized angled shades operated from below. Common in contemporary homes, angled windows bring up some unique challenges in providing privacy and light control and keeping your home energy efficient. Hunter Douglas has taken on these challenges, offering you a wide selection of products that help to enhance the beauty of your angled windows whether the shade is open or closed. Angled windows come in many variations including right triangles, isosceles triangles and top/bottom sloped windows with specific minimums and maximums for each brand. As with all specialty shapes, you should consult with your local Hunter Douglas dealer Window Quilt (Muskoka) in Huntsville, when deciding which product will work best for your angled window application. Angled Window Treatments are available on these Hunter Douglas products: Applause® honeycomb shades Duette® honeycomb shades Duette® Architella® honeycomb shades EverWood® Distinctions™ blinds EverWood® Renditions™ blinds EverWood® TruGrain® blinds Heritance® hardwood shutters Nantucket™ window shadings NewStyle® hybrid shutters Palm Beach™ Polysatin™ shutters Parkland® Ash Wood blinds Parkland® Classics™ Wood blinds Parkland® Scenic™ Wood blinds Parkland® Textures Wood blinds Parkland® Weathered Wood blinds Pirouette® window shadings Provenance® Woven Wood Shades Silhouette® window shadings Somner® Custom Vertical Blinds The Alustra® Collection of Duette® Architella® honeycomb shades The Alustra® Collection of Pirouette® window shadings The Alustra® Collection of Silhouette® window shadings The Alustra® Collection of Vignette® Modern Roman Shades The Alustra® Collection of Woven Textures® Vertical Solutions® Vignette® Modern Roman Shades Visit Window Quilt (Muskoka)'s Show Case Showroom in Huntsville, Ontario to see how they exclusively custom fit angled windows with fully operational blinds by Hunter Douglas. Its is simply amazing!! x