Our client purchased what had been a custom home built in 1973 on a high bank waterfront lot. They did their due diligence with respect to the septic system, well and the existing underground fuel tank but little did they know, they had purchased a house that would fit into the Three Little Pigs Story book. The original idea was to do a thorough cosmetic remodel to bring the home up to date using all high durability/low maintenance materials and provide the homeowners with a flexible floor plan that would allow them to live in the home for as long as they chose to, not how long the home would allow them to stay safely. However, there was one structure element that had to change, the staircase. The staircase blocked the beautiful water/mountain few from the kitchen and part of the dining room. It also bisected the second-floor master suite creating a maze of small dysfunctional rooms with a very narrow (and unsafe) top stair landing. In the process of redesigning the stairs and reviewing replacement options for the 1972 custom milled one inch thick cupped and cracked cedar siding, it was discovered that the house had no seismic support and that the dining/family room/hot tub room and been a poorly constructed addition and required significant structural reinforcement. It should be noted that it is not uncommon for this home to be subjected to 60-100 mile an hour winds and that the geographic area is in a known earthquake zone. Once the structural engineering was complete, the redesign of the home became an open pallet. The homeowners top requests included: no additional square footage, accessibility, high durability/low maintenance materials, high performance mechanicals and appliances, water and energy efficient fixtures and equipment and improved lighting incorporated into: two master suites (one upstairs and one downstairs), a healthy kitchen (appliances that preserve fresh food nutrients and materials that minimize bacterial growth), accessible bathing and toileting, functionally designed closets and storage, a multi-purpose laundry room, an exercise room, a functionally designed home office, a catio (second floor balcony on the front of the home), with an exterior that was not just code compliant but beautiful and easy to maintain. All of this was achieved and more. The finished project speaks for itself.

Located in the heart of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the building was erected on a shallow commercial lot between two 120 year old masonry buildings and a new residential rental building. 330 Grand Street is a mix of 725 SF 1BRs and 1050 SF 2BR apartments. It also contains a 1100 SF two story duplex as well as private and public rooftop space, large private balconies for most units and two large private terraces for the ground floor units. 330 Grand Street was originally designed and approved at the NYC DOB as a prefabricated modular building. During the pandemic, as shipping costs skyrocketed putting the project at risk, we suggested redesigning the building as a reinforced cast-in-place concrete structure. Concrete was readily available and prices had not been affected by the demand increase that many other materials suffered in the pandemic. We took this opportunity to raise floor to ceiling heights, enlarge high performance windows and redistribute the buildings MEPFS and Structural Systems to create very open floor plans. The challenge was to create a luxurious sensorial living experience with very limited means. In a city with very high construction costs, low cost residential buildings in the area are usually devoid of good quality, design and character. Our approach was to aim high for the end user, prioritizing natural light, open space with long visual perspectives, high ceilings and as always, rejecting the use of predefined building templates. Our biggest challenge was to ensure that the small spaces feel as clean cut, large and bright as possible. Several unique design decisions were made to ensure low cost and high quality; Floor plans were laid out so that spaces were wide open and free of clutter from mechanical or structural interruptions. Therefore all infrastructure was placed in lateral demising walls, which in turn act as the unit’s storage and kitchen. The apartments feel wide open, are super quiet and have more storage space than any other comparable apartment in the city. To solve the problem of the site’s shallow commercial lot which is typically prone to dark interior spaces we focused our attention on the building’s envelope. Instead of the usual small punched window openings, oversized high performance windows were designed to ensure that light penetrated as far as possible into the units. In the smaller 1BR units, the full 50’ depth of the lot is perceived by partitioning spaces with sliding pocket doors that can be retracted to allow deep visual perspectives, making the sight lines in the space feel longer, larger, more ample than normal. In addition to the full height glazing, each unit above the 2nd floor receives a 7 foot covered balcony, adding 120 to 240 sf to each apartment, something unusual in New York City buildings. The space is large enough for a full size dining table, when the weather permits being outside. We also worked hard to ensure modularity. For example, all kitchen units are all identical throughout the building. The idea of modularity and the economy of the repetitive unit is exercised to the maximum through the building. Hardware, appliances, flooring, wall coverings and material finishes are all carefully selected to feel bespoke, high quality and unique. It was important to KURV that the result of this work manifest into something that would deeply connect with the end user and sustain relationships with the consumers of this space. All images by KURV Architecture ©

Traveling to the heart of Avon, Connecticut, Sunspace Design introduced a timeless addition to a gorgeous residence — a breathtaking hip style glass roof system. The project features a 14’ x 20’ skylight, elegantly framed in mahogany. The large frame was assembled in advance at the Sunspace Design workshop, and installed with the help of crane-powered operation after being delivered to the site. Once there, our team outfitted the glass roof system with exceptionally performant SolarBan PPG 70 insulated glass. A collaboration between Sunspace Design and DiGiorgi Roofing & Siding was instrumental in bringing this vision to life. Sunspace Design, with its expertise in specialty glass design, led the charge in crafting, designing, and seamlessly installing the bespoke glass roof system. DiGiorgi Roofing & Siding, serving as the capable general contractor, carefully prepared the wood frame walls and structural components in advance, providing a flawless setting for the glass roof construction. This harmonious collaboration between specialty glass artisans and skilled contractors demonstrates the great result achieved when expertise converges through teamwork. This skylight marries artistry and functionality. The mahogany framing provides a timeless allure, and the insulated glass ensures excellent performance through four seasons of New England weather thanks to its thermal and light-transmitting properties. Other features include a custom glazing system and copper capping and flashing which serve as crowning touches that heighten beauty and boost durability. At Sunspace Design, our commitment lies in crafting glass installations that transmit nature's beauty through architectural finesse. Whether a client is interested in skylights, glass roofs, conservatories, or greenhouses, our designs illuminate spaces, bringing the splendor of the outdoors into the home. We invite you to explore the transformative possibilities of glass as we continue to elevate the world of custom glass construction with every project we complete.

MAGIC HALLWAY Combination 4032 HOLTKAMP MAGIC. enchanting design. The large mirrored surfaces make your hallwayarea appear roomy and bright. Combine different coat rack elements with wardrobe units and dressers as you wish. The dresser with cushioned seat provides a comfortable spot where you can sit while putting on your shoes or talking on the phone. Customize your hall wardrobe combination according to your wishes and avilable space. The option of adding color accents to fronts and rear panels ensures interesting variations in design. A cable flap in the top panel of a dresser allows for perfectly concealed organisation of the cables from your telephones, rechargers or lamps. Coat rack hooks that fold out provide plenty of space for jackets, coats and bags. The wardrobe unit in cutom width provides plenty of space with sidemounted shoe trays. Personalize your wardrobe compartments with interior fittings of your choice. "MAGIC" performs just the way you want it. MAGIC. MODERN MOOD. MAGIC COMBINATION 4032 The large mirrored surfaces make your hallway area appear roomy and bright. Includes: Mirrors, 3 flap hooks panels, 3 drawers, 3 doors. Dimensions: Width: 12 / 12 / 12 / 180 cm / 5" / 5" / 5" / 71" Height: 176 / 176 / 176 / 55 / 130 cm / 69" / 69"/ 69" / 23" / 51" Depth: 4/ 4/ 4/ 39/ 3 cm / 2" / 2" / 2" /15"/ 1" Price: $ 2 486 Chest interior for compartments "1" can be chosen additionally and not included into price. Additional information upon request. Made in Germany Custom orders delivery to Miami area within 12-14 weeks.

A dated, low-ceiling white sunroom addition was completely reimagined into a bright, modern, year-round living space with clean lines and bold contemporary styling. Key upgrades include: Raised and revised gables for greater ceiling height and improved proportions Taller sliding windows with upgraded gray privacy tint CONSERVAGLASS SELECT™ high-performance insulated glass BetterVue® ultra-fine insect screens Single vertical wall design on all windows and transoms for a sleek, uninterrupted glass look Fully insulated walls finished with drywall interior Rich blue aluminum-clad exterior New locally sourced entry door The result is a light-filled, energy-efficient Four Seasons sunroom that feels spacious, quiet, and perfectly suited for all-season enjoyment. Ideal for contemporary homes seeking maximum natural light without sacrificing comfort or style. Style: Contemporary Room Type: Sunroom / Four Seasons Room Features: All-Season Sunroom, Gray Tint Windows, Insulated Walls, Drywall Interior, Large Sliding Windows, Blue Exterior Brands: Four Seasons Sunrooms & Windows, CONSERVAGLASS SELECT™, BetterVue® Screens Location: Washington, DC

This project transformed an existing outdoor space into a functional, all-season retreat with the addition of a custom waterproof pergola system. Built using white UCS panels with an integrated gutter, the structure provides reliable weather protection while maintaining a clean, modern aesthetic. The pergola was constructed on the home’s existing 6x6 pressure-treated posts, originally part of a trellis system, allowing for an efficient build while preserving the existing framework. Structural flexibility was built into the design, including provisions for an additional support post and potential height adjustments to ensure long-term performance and adaptability. To enhance comfort and usability, integrated lighting and a patio heater were added, extending the functionality of the space into the evening and cooler months. The end result is a refined outdoor living area that combines durability, protection from the elements, and year-round comfort—all while seamlessly blending with the home’s existing structure.

Our client purchased what had been a custom home built in 1973 on a high bank waterfront lot. They did their due diligence with respect to the septic system, well and the existing underground fuel tank but little did they know, they had purchased a house that would fit into the Three Little Pigs Story book. The original idea was to do a thorough cosmetic remodel to bring the home up to date using all high durability/low maintenance materials and provide the homeowners with a flexible floor plan that would allow them to live in the home for as long as they chose to, not how long the home would allow them to stay safely. However, there was one structure element that had to change, the staircase. The staircase blocked the beautiful water/mountain few from the kitchen and part of the dining room. It also bisected the second-floor master suite creating a maze of small dysfunctional rooms with a very narrow (and unsafe) top stair landing. In the process of redesigning the stairs and reviewing replacement options for the 1972 custom milled one inch thick cupped and cracked cedar siding, it was discovered that the house had no seismic support and that the dining/family room/hot tub room and been a poorly constructed addition and required significant structural reinforcement. It should be noted that it is not uncommon for this home to be subjected to 60-100 mile an hour winds and that the geographic area is in a known earthquake zone. Once the structural engineering was complete, the redesign of the home became an open pallet. The homeowners top requests included: no additional square footage, accessibility, high durability/low maintenance materials, high performance mechanicals and appliances, water and energy efficient fixtures and equipment and improved lighting incorporated into: two master suites (one upstairs and one downstairs), a healthy kitchen (appliances that preserve fresh food nutrients and materials that minimize bacterial growth), accessible bathing and toileting, functionally designed closets and storage, a multi-purpose laundry room, an exercise room, a functionally designed home office, a catio (second floor balcony on the front of the home), with an exterior that was not just code compliant but beautiful and easy to maintain. All of this was achieved and more. The finished project speaks for itself.

Faux Wood Blinds Imagine the Possibilities with Faux Wood Transform any room with Graber Faux Wood Blinds, a sturdy, strong, and cost-effective way to decorate your home. Available styles: Lake Forest® Faux Wood Blinds An affordable alternative to wood, these enduring, easy-to-clean blinds are engineered to withstand moisture. Lake Forest Premium Faux Wood Blinds The perfect counterpart for the Graber Wood Blinds throughout your home, Lake Forest Premium Faux Wood Blinds coordinate beautifully in matching color and wood grain. Traditions® Composite Blinds Get the look you want with the strength and resilience you need. Composite blinds combine the extraordinary look of wood with extra durability, making them a perfect addition to high humidity areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms. Where traditional wood blinds are not recommended, these perform beautifully. Wood Blinds Warmth and Beauty Used in furnishings for centuries from the most elegant carved filigrees to the simplest Shaker chairs, wood can embody any style. From rustic to ultramodern, wood can take on a variety of paint and stain colors, setting the tone for your living spaces and carrying an aesthetic theme from room to room. We start with the basics—superior materials and craftsmanship—so you can focus on the details that will make your Graber Traditions Wood Blinds the perfect addition to your home. Whether your home décor is traditional, contemporary, or eclectic, versatile Graber Traditions Wood Blinds can add warmth and beauty to your living spaces.

A client sent me a picture of her log cabin that we coated with Sikkens® ProLuxe™ Cetol® Log & Siding about six years ago - She has us return every other year for maintenace and to apply a coat of Sikkens® Cetol® Maintenace RE™

Why choose a C-Thru sunroom? Well, for starters, we have the most thermally efficient enclosures on the market. Our sunrooms have the comfort level of a room addition when it comes to heat and cold transfer but at 1/3 of the cost to build! If you live in the Bay Area, Ca then you know the cost of living is high! Why not look into adding a sunroom addition and get the extra space you need. Take a look at the cold ice test below! We put our wall system on a block of dry ice at -22 degrees and as you can see our C-Thru Omega wall system dominates over the competition! Omega is resting comfortably and at room temperate upon the dry ice. True product excelence and performance! Contact us today for an estimate! P: 1-650-339-1477 E: marco.truvaluebuilders@gmail.com

Located in the heart of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the building was erected on a shallow commercial lot between two 120 year old masonry buildings and a new residential rental building. 330 Grand Street is a mix of 725 SF 1BRs and 1050 SF 2BR apartments. It also contains a 1100 SF two story duplex as well as private and public rooftop space, large private balconies for most units and two large private terraces for the ground floor units. 330 Grand Street was originally designed and approved at the NYC DOB as a prefabricated modular building. During the pandemic, as shipping costs skyrocketed putting the project at risk, we suggested redesigning the building as a reinforced cast-in-place concrete structure. Concrete was readily available and prices had not been affected by the demand increase that many other materials suffered in the pandemic. We took this opportunity to raise floor to ceiling heights, enlarge high performance windows and redistribute the buildings MEPFS and Structural Systems to create very open floor plans. The challenge was to create a luxurious sensorial living experience with very limited means. In a city with very high construction costs, low cost residential buildings in the area are usually devoid of good quality, design and character. Our approach was to aim high for the end user, prioritizing natural light, open space with long visual perspectives, high ceilings and as always, rejecting the use of predefined building templates. Our biggest challenge was to ensure that the small spaces feel as clean cut, large and bright as possible. Several unique design decisions were made to ensure low cost and high quality; Floor plans were laid out so that spaces were wide open and free of clutter from mechanical or structural interruptions. Therefore all infrastructure was placed in lateral demising walls, which in turn act as the unit’s storage and kitchen. The apartments feel wide open, are super quiet and have more storage space than any other comparable apartment in the city. To solve the problem of the site’s shallow commercial lot which is typically prone to dark interior spaces we focused our attention on the building’s envelope. Instead of the usual small punched window openings, oversized high performance windows were designed to ensure that light penetrated as far as possible into the units. In the smaller 1BR units, the full 50’ depth of the lot is perceived by partitioning spaces with sliding pocket doors that can be retracted to allow deep visual perspectives, making the sight lines in the space feel longer, larger, more ample than normal. In addition to the full height glazing, each unit above the 2nd floor receives a 7 foot covered balcony, adding 120 to 240 sf to each apartment, something unusual in New York City buildings. The space is large enough for a full size dining table, when the weather permits being outside. We also worked hard to ensure modularity. For example, all kitchen units are all identical throughout the building. The idea of modularity and the economy of the repetitive unit is exercised to the maximum through the building. Hardware, appliances, flooring, wall coverings and material finishes are all carefully selected to feel bespoke, high quality and unique. It was important to KURV that the result of this work manifest into something that would deeply connect with the end user and sustain relationships with the consumers of this space. All images by KURV Architecture ©

Why choose a C-Thru sunroom? Well, for starters, we have the most thermally efficient enclosures on the market. Our sunrooms have the comfort level of a room addition when it comes to heat and cold transfer but at 1/3 of the cost to build! If you live in the Bay Area, Ca then you know the cost of living is high! Why not look into adding a sunroom addition and get the extra space you need. Take a look at the cold ice test below! We put our wall system on a block of dry ice at -22 degrees and as you can see our C-Thru Omega wall system dominates over the competition! Omega is resting comfortably and at room temperate upon the dry ice. True product excelence and performance! Contact us today for an estimate! P: 1-650-339-1477 E: marco.truvaluebuilders@gmail.com

One of the most popular hardwood floor finishing which offers Tom & Peter Flooring is provided by WOCA. If you’ve decided that you want a natural looking wooden floor that is lacquer-free, then the likelihood is that you’ve chosen oil as your way of protecting your wood and making your floor look great at the same time. WOCA for wood flooring comes in various forms and is a great way of making sure that your wood is protected, but at the same time looks natural. A highly popular as well as effective way of treating wood floors, oils effectively penetrate into the wood and in some cases harden into the surface of the floor to stop damage and to maintain the wood in its optimum condition. WOCA Oil finish hardwood flooring has taken the United States market by in 2014 and shows no signs of slowing down in 2016 and now. Here are some of the most common questions we have regarding this type of finish which we will I’m to answer in today’s my blog: Is oil finish as durable as traditional factory urethane finishes with aluminum oxide? When it comes to durability, oil finish flooring tackles the issue with a completely different method. The penetrating oil serves as protection from moisture and wear while allowing the user to feel the wood grains in their bare feet. If compared directly to factory finished aluminum oxide finish, the oil finish flooring will not perform as well to abrasion and impact. However, the beauty of this finish is the fact that it will camouflage any scratches which will inevitably accumulate over time. Will this finish evaporate over time and will this be harmful for indoor air quality? Another concern for oil finished floors its effect on indoor air quality. For on-site applications, some varieties suggest several coats which typically require the residents to be out of the home due to mild odors. However, there are factory finished UV-cured or single coat applications which lessen the downtime. Despite the odors produced during the drying process, oil finish floors rank amongst the lowest for VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions. Certain brands even boast true zero VOC. This fact alone makes oil finished floors one of the best options for green building solutions. “WOCA products are certified by independent laboratories, the German Institute for Biological Building Materials, and are in accordance with DIN–Norm 53–160. WOCA WoodCare Denmark products meet or exceed the most stringent U.S. standards for volatile organic compounds.” –WOCA Oil Finish Manufacture Does this type of finish require additional maintenance which I am not familiar with? For weekly cleaning, oiled floors use a special cleaner which contains an oil and soap mixture. After a period of 12-18 months some oil may evaporate causing the wood grains to appear dry. An additional layer of oil can be reapplied to keep the floor looking fresh. Although oil finished floors require more involvement in periodic maintenance in high traffic areas, this maintenance can be done much easier than the equivalent of an onsite sand and refinish. WOCA Master Color Oil contains pigment, which provides a single-step hardwood floor staining process. Laying down the stain and the finish in one step. This product comes 14 different colors, from Black to Extra White, and you can mix them freely to create various color palettes that will meet the demands of any job. Below are some pictures of the finished job…

This high-efficiency custom home was thoughtfully designed to replace an aging residence on a prime site near Seward Park in Seattle. The design of the new two-story residence prioritizes sustainability without compromising modern comfort or style. Built to meet Passive House air-tightness standards, the home features a highly insulated exterior envelope, a Structurally Insulated Panel (SIPs) roof system, sustainably sourced wood products, and a state-of-the-art HVAC system providing efficient heating, cooling, and ventilation. The main floor of the home is laid out with an open-concept where the kitchen, dining, and living areas are subtly defined by a striking three-sided fireplace. Expansive sliding glass doors open to an entertaining deck with sweeping views of Lake Washington, creating seamless indoor-outdoor living. The gourmet kitchen is outfitted with high-end appliances, custom cabinetry, concrete countertops, a custom steel pot rack, and a dedicated wet bar. Distinctive interior features include exposed steel beams, polished concrete floors, and industrial materials that reflect the home’s modern aesthetic. Additional highlights include a spa-inspired primary bath with smart shower controls, a temperature-controlled wine cellar, a private office with custom built-ins, and a fully equipped home gym. Blending industrial modern design with sustainable performance, this home delivers refined craftsmanship, energy efficiency, and contemporary Northwest living. + Architecture: H2D Architecture + Design www.h2darchitects.com + Interior Design: Karlee Coble Interiors + Built by: Carlisle Classic Homes + Photography: Christopher Nelson Photography

This ambitious remodel touched all interiors and exteriors of this 1925 Tudor, including significant work on the shell to increase home comfort and performance. Hammer & Hand replaced most exterior widows—save for a handful of the original leaded glass panes—and built a kitchen addition matching the distinct swoops of the existing roof. Inside, French doors were removed and entryways enlarged to brighten the space and create longer sight-lines throughout the living areas. In addition to all new interior finishes, H&H also added a fully finished basement with living area, study, spare bedroom, bathroom, and a mini climate-controlled wine cellar tucked into an unobtrusive corner. Photos by Jeff Amram.

Our client purchased what had been a custom home built in 1973 on a high bank waterfront lot. They did their due diligence with respect to the septic system, well and the existing underground fuel tank but little did they know, they had purchased a house that would fit into the Three Little Pigs Story book. The original idea was to do a thorough cosmetic remodel to bring the home up to date using all high durability/low maintenance materials and provide the homeowners with a flexible floor plan that would allow them to live in the home for as long as they chose to, not how long the home would allow them to stay safely. However, there was one structure element that had to change, the staircase. The staircase blocked the beautiful water/mountain few from the kitchen and part of the dining room. It also bisected the second-floor master suite creating a maze of small dysfunctional rooms with a very narrow (and unsafe) top stair landing. In the process of redesigning the stairs and reviewing replacement options for the 1972 custom milled one inch thick cupped and cracked cedar siding, it was discovered that the house had no seismic support and that the dining/family room/hot tub room and been a poorly constructed addition and required significant structural reinforcement. It should be noted that it is not uncommon for this home to be subjected to 60-100 mile an hour winds and that the geographic area is in a known earthquake zone. Once the structural engineering was complete, the redesign of the home became an open pallet. The homeowners top requests included: no additional square footage, accessibility, high durability/low maintenance materials, high performance mechanicals and appliances, water and energy efficient fixtures and equipment and improved lighting incorporated into: two master suites (one upstairs and one downstairs), a healthy kitchen (appliances that preserve fresh food nutrients and materials that minimize bacterial growth), accessible bathing and toileting, functionally designed closets and storage, a multi-purpose laundry room, an exercise room, a functionally designed home office, a catio (second floor balcony on the front of the home), with an exterior that was not just code compliant but beautiful and easy to maintain. All of this was achieved and more. The finished project speaks for itself.

Nestled amidst a neighborhood of single story bungalows in Venice, California, the Solar Umbrella Residence boldly establishes a precedent for the next generation of California modernist architecture. Located on a 41’ wide x 100’-0” long through lot, the Solar Umbrella addition transforms the architects’ existing 650 square foot bungalow into a 1900 square foot residence equipped for responsible living in the twenty-first century. Inspired by Paul Rudolph’s Umbrella House of 1953, the Solar Umbrella provides a contemporary reinvention of the solar canopy—a strategy that provides thermal protection in climates with intense exposures. In establishing the program for their residence, which accommodates the couple and their one child chose to integrate into the design, principles of sustainability that they strive to achieve in their own practice. The architects carefully considered the entire site, taking advantage of as many opportunities for sustainable living as possible. Passive and active solar design strategies render the residence 100% energy neutral. Recycled, renewable, and high performance materials and products are specified throughout. Hardscape and landscape treatments are considered for their aesthetic and actual impact on the land. The Brooks Scarpa Residence elegantly crafts each of these strategies and materials, exploiting the potential for performance and sensibility while achieving a rich and interesting sensory and aesthetic experience.

One of the most popular hardwood floor finishing which offers Tom & Peter Flooring is provided by WOCA. If you’ve decided that you want a natural looking wooden floor that is lacquer-free, then the likelihood is that you’ve chosen oil as your way of protecting your wood and making your floor look great at the same time. WOCA for wood flooring comes in various forms and is a great way of making sure that your wood is protected, but at the same time looks natural. A highly popular as well as effective way of treating wood floors, oils effectively penetrate into the wood and in some cases harden into the surface of the floor to stop damage and to maintain the wood in its optimum condition. WOCA Oil finish hardwood flooring has taken the United States market by in 2014 and shows no signs of slowing down in 2016 and now. Here are some of the most common questions we have regarding this type of finish which we will I’m to answer in today’s my blog: Is oil finish as durable as traditional factory urethane finishes with aluminum oxide? When it comes to durability, oil finish flooring tackles the issue with a completely different method. The penetrating oil serves as protection from moisture and wear while allowing the user to feel the wood grains in their bare feet. If compared directly to factory finished aluminum oxide finish, the oil finish flooring will not perform as well to abrasion and impact. However, the beauty of this finish is the fact that it will camouflage any scratches which will inevitably accumulate over time. Will this finish evaporate over time and will this be harmful for indoor air quality? Another concern for oil finished floors its effect on indoor air quality. For on-site applications, some varieties suggest several coats which typically require the residents to be out of the home due to mild odors. However, there are factory finished UV-cured or single coat applications which lessen the downtime. Despite the odors produced during the drying process, oil finish floors rank amongst the lowest for VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions. Certain brands even boast true zero VOC. This fact alone makes oil finished floors one of the best options for green building solutions. “WOCA products are certified by independent laboratories, the German Institute for Biological Building Materials, and are in accordance with DIN–Norm 53–160. WOCA WoodCare Denmark products meet or exceed the most stringent U.S. standards for volatile organic compounds.” –WOCA Oil Finish Manufacture Does this type of finish require additional maintenance which I am not familiar with? For weekly cleaning, oiled floors use a special cleaner which contains an oil and soap mixture. After a period of 12-18 months some oil may evaporate causing the wood grains to appear dry. An additional layer of oil can be reapplied to keep the floor looking fresh. Although oil finished floors require more involvement in periodic maintenance in high traffic areas, this maintenance can be done much easier than the equivalent of an onsite sand and refinish. WOCA Master Color Oil contains pigment, which provides a single-step hardwood floor staining process. Laying down the stain and the finish in one step. This product comes 14 different colors, from Black to Extra White, and you can mix them freely to create various color palettes that will meet the demands of any job. Below are some pictures of the finished job…

Buying term papers from academic writing services and freelance writers is becoming a popular deal. Therefore, former and current professors are entering this industry to write papers for money more and more often. Such services as CourseworkService.com are becoming popular among students all over the world. An interesting fact is that they hire not only former graduates but also out-of-work academics. When professors find a compromise about cheating Jennifer Sunseri, a former assistant professor, lost her job in 2009. She has been looking for a job for almost three years. At long last, she had abandoned all hope of finding a new job and started working as an academic writing service creating papers for college students. Jenifer says, “I realize that it is legal, but highly unethical especially regarding the fact that I am a former professor. For me this is an equivalent of prostitution. But I have been living in a tight situation for years without an opportunity to visit a doctor or pay my bills. I am 53, and I have no kids to help me when I am out-of-work.” She has been a tutor in Texas Tech since 1998, where she established a Slavic folklore course. Jenifer didn’t have any publications during her working years at Texas Tech, so when the time has come to apply for a venture, she realized that she has no chances and left. She moved to her sister and her mom and now she is living in her studio apartment with her two cats. Sunseri was worried when she lost her job even though she has master’s degrees in Slavic linguistics and technical communications. “I thought that my educator’s and writer’s skills will be useful,” she said. “However, I was shocked at the quantity of applications for an instructor at the local college, as well as for the office manager, or an adjunct at the local institution. Even an effort to apply for a substitute teacher failed. I cannot believe that those who have academic background, experience and a degree are in less demand than those have not.” When Ph.D. and master’s degrees lose their magical power, people with academic background have no choice but to start their term paper writing career. Once professors become unemployed, one may say that they feel themselves like high school graduates looking for a part-time job. However, you will be surprised, but according to statistics sometimes those with high school or college diplomas are more welcome than people with higher education. The reason is that a lot of new job places in America were created at times of economic recovery and, therefore, they are low-paying and require specialists with lower skills. It turns to be that it is much easier to learn a less-educated worker and train him/her in a particular way suitable for a certain company or service than to teach a higher-educated worker all over again. In addition, higher educated job candidates are more selective about their choice. How to become a ghostwriter if you have been punishing others for paper cheating Jenifer was not fastidious. She was looking for a job that would correspond her skills and finally decided to try herself as an online editor. While searching for an editing job, she ran against term paper writing service. This company asked her to send examples of her works and complete a test task. She has been accepted as a ghostwriter. In fact, term paper writing services gladly accept people with higher education and offer them to write papers of all kinds for money. Jenifer says that her first assignments for sale included a 5-page paper on public debt, 10-page paper on linguistics, and an editing work of someone else’s 20-page paper. All these assignments brought her about $150. Jenifer reports that it is possible to turn a useful penny by writing academic papers. Jenifer realized that ghostwriting is a good source of income after she read an article about an anonymous academic writer who earned almost $70,000 a year writing papers for high school and college students. “Currently this business becomes more and more popular. During finals and midterms, we have a lot of work to do since there are a lot of students ready to pay for a custom paper and submit it as their own,” he says. “It is no wonder that students use writing services. I have seen a lot of their writings, and I realize why they are so desperate about writing their assignments. Some of them are unable to compose a grocery list without additional help. They really need it. We help them pass a course, that’s all.” Jenifer says that this work helped her be on form and develop her core skills like writing and researching all the time. She was unemployed for a long time and was afraid that her skills might become lower due to a lack of practice. However, at a writing company she never stops practicing. She claims that this is a hard work mostly because you have to be meet urgent deadlines. The other challenge was a paper that she couldn’t complete once. The problem was not in a lack of competency, but in ethics. She discovered that it was an order for a student from her former place of work, Tech University. She says that she felt weird about completing this work and refused to write it. “I became angry when I realized that I am going to serve a kid who is partying in Florida, while being a former faculty member of the university he is attending.” Currently, Jenifer is working as a Russian translator. However, she is not abandoning academic writing industry even though she feels a little awkward about helping students to cheat. It is not that bad that unemployable professors have an opportunity to earn for living being ghostwriters even though it is not very ethical. Ironically, a place of work like academic writing company that makes out-of-job educators feel that they are performing a crime assisting students in cheating seems to be the only place in the job market that values their experience in the sphere of education.