This award-winning kitchen renovation was a special project for repeat clients for whom we had previously built an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). Now focusing on their personal home, the goal was clear: create a larger, more functional kitchen perfect for cooking, entertaining, and hosting gatherings. To achieve this, we absorbed the back porch and opened the kitchen to flow seamlessly into the front living room, allowing the space to comfortably accommodate large groups. Thoughtful design choices maintained both style and function, like the installation of a gas stovetop on the kitchen island paired with a high-powered hood mounted higher above the cooking surface, ensuring clear sightlines without sacrificing performance. By opting to install custom cabinetry, these homeowners were able to maximize every inch of their space and enable unique storage solutions, such as dedicated cutting board storage, towel cubbies, a shallow pantry carved into the wall for spices, and even a clever cabinet gap under the wet bar for the homeowners' cat food area. Large French doors connect the kitchen to an outdoor living space, creating a natural extension for summertime entertaining. To tie the renovation together, an original built-in received a fresh coat of paint, while a new fireplace surround was crafted, and the stone hearth update added warmth and charm to the living area. The result is a beautifully reimagined kitchen and living space that balances functionality, character, and the joy of hosting family and friends.

For this project, the goals were straight forward - a low energy, low maintenance home that would allow the "60 something couple” time and money to enjoy all their interests. Accessibility was also important since this is likely their last home. In the end the style is minimalist, but the raw, natural materials add texture that give the home a warm, inviting feeling. The home has R-67.5 walls, R-90 in the attic, is extremely air tight (0.4 ACH) and is oriented to work with the sun throughout the year. As a result, operating costs of the home are minimal. The HVAC systems were chosen to work efficiently, but not to be complicated. They were designed to perform to the highest standards, but be simple enough for the owners to understand and manage. The owners spend a lot of time camping and traveling and wanted the home to capture the same feeling of freedom that the outdoors offers. The spaces are practical, easy to keep clean and designed to create a free flowing space that opens up to nature beyond the large triple glazed Passive House windows. Built-in cubbies and shelving help keep everything organized and there is no wasted space in the house - Enough space for yoga, visiting family, relaxing, sculling boats and two home offices. The most frequent comment of visitors is how relaxed they feel. This is a result of the unique connection to nature, the abundance of natural materials, great air quality, and the play of light throughout the house. The exterior of the house is simple, but a striking reflection of the local farming environment. The materials are low maintenance, as is the landscaping. The siting of the home combined with the natural landscaping gives privacy and encourages the residents to feel close to local flora and fauna. Photo Credit: Leon T. Switzer/Front Page Media Group

Energy Efficiency: Every effort has been utilized to reduce and minimize energy use through an effective strategy of both passive heating and cooling, as well as state-of-the-art active solar thermal and photovoltaic on site off-grid energy production. Optimal solar orientation with an attached thermal mass food production greenhouse on the Lower Floor enables hot air to be introduced into the house during the winter, and rise via. a thermal chimney “stack effect” and distributed throughout the house. In the summer the same thermal chimney is used to channel hot air to rise up to the Upper Loft vegetated Roof Terrace, where it is exhausted. This condition provides a positive air pressure in the Winter, and a negative pressure in the summer, drawing in cooler outside air from every open window. In addition carefully proportioned roof eave overhangs provide deep passive solar gain and additional day lighting in the winter, and cooling shade in the summer. Active mechanical systems include solar thermal which produces domestic hot water and is integrated into hydronic radiant heated floors. This is supplemented with a multi-split heatpump, on demand backup hot water, and an ERV, which collectively provide active heating, cooling, dehumidification, and healthful indoor air quality. The entire house and detached Barn are off-grid with a 14.4 kW solar array, whole-house batteries, and backup generator. Further, the home is super insulated and extremely tight with high energy performing windows and doors and LED lighting throughout, and even a high efficiency woodstove. Integrated Design: From the beginning and throughout construction, this home demonstrates a close collaboration between the Architect, Contractor, and Owners. Healthful materials and finishes standards, autonomy and energy efficiency, and environmental impact and sustainability were primary goals and stressed throughout. Careful attention was paid to finishes which will require minimal long term maintenance such as the galvalume metal roof (which also provides for rainwater harvesting) and fiber cement siding for longevity. Resource Efficiency / Conservation: Resource conservation began with Schematic Design which utilizes a 2 ft. grid of modular components, thereby optimizing construction efficiency and minimizing on site waste. The site was cleared with the trees stockpiled for future lumber harvesting and firewood. The foundation walls are “Ideal Walls” which use less than half the concrete of a conventional poured wall or block, and do not require extensive concrete footings, exterior insulation, or waterproofing. These panels are prefabricated off site and set in only a few days, which further reduces on site impact and construction lead time. Resiliency: Respect for climate change and mitigating its impact were primary considerations in the design and selection of materials and systems. The home is sited high on a south facing slope as protection from high water or flood and to optimize both passive and active solar opportunity. With remarkably tight construction and super insulation the interior is buffered from both outdoor heat and cold extremes. The metal roof and fiber cement siding are fireproof and resistant to the impact of high winds. And these materials are specified for minimal maintenance and longevity. Further, the attached Greenhouse and Upper Roof Terrace is landscaped and suitable for a vegetable garden with abundant sunshine, easy to water, and with no need for fencing to keep deer at bay. All this being a notable case study for Regenerative Design. Innovation: This home exemplifies Biophilic Design principles to facilitate symbiotic living in harmony with Nature. This incorporates careful attention to natural day lighting, indoor air quality, rainwater catchment and wastewater reclamation, garden food production with vegetated roofs, the home hearth and fire, and connected interaction with the weather and the surrounding natural ecosystems. Community Impact: This EcoHome project has already been presented at several Sustainable Building lectures as a model case study for “Green Building”, including USGBC at Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach, VA. Plans are underway for an Open House tour for area Architects and students.

Transforming this long-standing home on Bradgate Rd required more than a simple update—it called for a careful balance between renewal, structure, and respect for what was already there. The existing brick bungalow had strong bones, but the exterior was deteriorating, the carport was underutilized, and key interior spaces no longer supported the homeowners’ needs. Having lived in the home for decades, the goal wasn’t to start over—it was to rework the home into a more functional, comfortable space that could support the years ahead. The scope included a full exterior masonry refresh, where the front layer of brick was removed and replaced while maintaining the integrity of the original structure. The carport was fully enclosed and integrated into the home as a garage, and a new roof tied everything together with consistent detailing and long-term performance in mind. Inside, the layout was carefully reworked to introduce a new primary ensuite and completely renovate the main bathroom. Plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems were updated throughout, with a focus on accessibility, ease of use, and everyday comfort. The result is a home that feels both familiar and elevated—where thoughtful construction and refined design come together to support long-term living without compromising character.

This award-winning kitchen renovation was a special project for repeat clients for whom we had previously built an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). Now focusing on their personal home, the goal was clear: create a larger, more functional kitchen perfect for cooking, entertaining, and hosting gatherings. To achieve this, we absorbed the back porch and opened the kitchen to flow seamlessly into the front living room, allowing the space to comfortably accommodate large groups. Thoughtful design choices maintained both style and function, like the installation of a gas stovetop on the kitchen island paired with a high-powered hood mounted higher above the cooking surface, ensuring clear sightlines without sacrificing performance. By opting to install custom cabinetry, these homeowners were able to maximize every inch of their space and enable unique storage solutions, such as dedicated cutting board storage, towel cubbies, a shallow pantry carved into the wall for spices, and even a clever cabinet gap under the wet bar for the homeowners' cat food area. Large French doors connect the kitchen to an outdoor living space, creating a natural extension for summertime entertaining. To tie the renovation together, an original built-in received a fresh coat of paint, while a new fireplace surround was crafted, and the stone hearth update added warmth and charm to the living area. The result is a beautifully reimagined kitchen and living space that balances functionality, character, and the joy of hosting family and friends.

Example of a transitional living room design in Orange County

For this project, the goals were straight forward - a low energy, low maintenance home that would allow the "60 something couple” time and money to enjoy all their interests. Accessibility was also important since this is likely their last home. In the end the style is minimalist, but the raw, natural materials add texture that give the home a warm, inviting feeling. The home has R-67.5 walls, R-90 in the attic, is extremely air tight (0.4 ACH) and is oriented to work with the sun throughout the year. As a result, operating costs of the home are minimal. The HVAC systems were chosen to work efficiently, but not to be complicated. They were designed to perform to the highest standards, but be simple enough for the owners to understand and manage. The owners spend a lot of time camping and traveling and wanted the home to capture the same feeling of freedom that the outdoors offers. The spaces are practical, easy to keep clean and designed to create a free flowing space that opens up to nature beyond the large triple glazed Passive House windows. Built-in cubbies and shelving help keep everything organized and there is no wasted space in the house - Enough space for yoga, visiting family, relaxing, sculling boats and two home offices. The most frequent comment of visitors is how relaxed they feel. This is a result of the unique connection to nature, the abundance of natural materials, great air quality, and the play of light throughout the house. The exterior of the house is simple, but a striking reflection of the local farming environment. The materials are low maintenance, as is the landscaping. The siting of the home combined with the natural landscaping gives privacy and encourages the residents to feel close to local flora and fauna. Photo Credit: Leon T. Switzer/Front Page Media Group

Kitchen - kitchen idea in Orange County

At Raven Roofing and Restoration, it’s our goal to provide quality Jacksonville roof repair, because we know how important it is to take care of your home. From leaky roofs to storm damage repair, no roof repair job is too big or too small for our team. Many other roofing contractors will insist on a complete roof replacement if you call them to fix a simple leak in your roof. You can trust our professional Jacksonville roofers to quickly diagnose and properly repair the exact areas of your roof that are in need of repair. Quality Roof Repair in Jacksonville, FL Our roofing experts have created exclusive repair specifications designed to ensure permanent repair solutions for your asset. We do not perform simple patchwork. All of our service professionals have been trained and certified in our exclusive methods. This enables us to guarantee all of our repairs and offer the best-extended roof warranty available in today’s market. You can rely on us for high quality standards for roof replacement and repair, the best trained repair technicians and the most efficient service delivery. Our dedication to the highest quality of service and workmanship is backed by a full warranty and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. This ensures you receive competitive prices—guaranteed.

Transforming this long-standing home on Bradgate Rd required more than a simple update—it called for a careful balance between renewal, structure, and respect for what was already there. The existing brick bungalow had strong bones, but the exterior was deteriorating, the carport was underutilized, and key interior spaces no longer supported the homeowners’ needs. Having lived in the home for decades, the goal wasn’t to start over—it was to rework the home into a more functional, comfortable space that could support the years ahead. The scope included a full exterior masonry refresh, where the front layer of brick was removed and replaced while maintaining the integrity of the original structure. The carport was fully enclosed and integrated into the home as a garage, and a new roof tied everything together with consistent detailing and long-term performance in mind. Inside, the layout was carefully reworked to introduce a new primary ensuite and completely renovate the main bathroom. Plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems were updated throughout, with a focus on accessibility, ease of use, and everyday comfort. The result is a home that feels both familiar and elevated—where thoughtful construction and refined design come together to support long-term living without compromising character.

Industrial transitional English style kitchen. The addition and remodeling were designed to keep the outdoors inside. Replaced the uppers and prioritized windows connected to key parts of the backyard and having open shelvings with walnut and brass details. Custom dark cabinets made locally. Designed to maximize the storage and performance of a growing family and host big gatherings. The large island was a key goal of the homeowners with the abundant seating and the custom booth opposite to the range area. The booth was custom built to match the client's favorite dinner spot. In addition, we created a more New England style mudroom in connection with the patio. And also a full pantry with a coffee station and pocket doors.

Example of a nursery design in Orange County

Goal for this Transitional Kitchen design was to offer to our customers their dream kitchen: design and material combined in one place. The look they admire, the quality they are looking for and the convenience of well-planned details which allows high performance and makes everyone wow is all they expect from it. When you have as good product as walnut, the only challenge is design. You should be very detail oriented and think about timeless features, because walnut is never going out of style and is destined to shine many years to come. Based on this thought we decided to choose Transitional style and Keyline’s walnut cabinetry as with this combination there was a plenty of room for creativity.

The homeowners wanted to transform an outdated kitchen into a modern, high-performance space designed for a serious home cook. Their goal was to integrate premium appliances—specifically a Wolf range and a high-capacity hood system—while avoiding the cost and disruption of a full kitchen replacement. This project focused on thoughtful design, strategic reuse of existing elements, and custom solutions that delivered a refined contemporary aesthetic without compromising functionality or efficiency.

Durability and design are the most important components of every entry door. It is our goal to ensure that our clients do not have to compromise on either of these elements. Our Aluminum clad entry door line offers top of the line safety features that will not only perform beautifully but will have a visually pleasing appearance. This project is located along the lake on the North Shore of Chicago. It was important to provide a door that was aesthetically pleasing and complementary to this modern style home, but to also craft a product that can withstand below zero temperatures and direct sunlight. The duality of this product results in a perfectly secure and insulated entrance. Durability of Aluminum Clad Entry Doors Besides the sleek design, our aluminum clad entry door’s have a larger purpose. The durability of our aluminum shield product is unmatched. This shield is attached to our Euro-Tech door slab to ensure for sound insulation, and complete safety. With a thickness of 3-1/2”, our Aluminum Clad entry doors will protect your entryway from harsh elements, as well defend against damage from exposure to direct sunlight. These factors can create wear and tear on solid wood materials and causes aging to the surface. The aluminum shield is a barrier between the exterior elements, and the interior climate. Each aluminum shield has a powder coat finish and is available in any custom color. One feature that is important to note, is that this combination of our Euro-Technology door, paired with the Aluron Shield, creates a very secure and safe entrance. The Beauty of Glenview Haus’ Aluminum Clad Entry Door Ideal for residences in Chicago and the North Shore; this door line is built to last and to create a fully insulated entrance. Our aluminum clad entry doors are incredibly sleek and will appeal to all modern design enthusiasts. Fully customizable, these doors are guaranteed to stand out. The simple and elegant designs are complementary to Modern and Transitional home architecture.

This award-winning kitchen renovation was a special project for repeat clients for whom we had previously built an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). Now focusing on their personal home, the goal was clear: create a larger, more functional kitchen perfect for cooking, entertaining, and hosting gatherings. To achieve this, we absorbed the back porch and opened the kitchen to flow seamlessly into the front living room, allowing the space to comfortably accommodate large groups. Thoughtful design choices maintained both style and function, like the installation of a gas stovetop on the kitchen island paired with a high-powered hood mounted higher above the cooking surface, ensuring clear sightlines without sacrificing performance. By opting to install custom cabinetry, these homeowners were able to maximize every inch of their space and enable unique storage solutions, such as dedicated cutting board storage, towel cubbies, a shallow pantry carved into the wall for spices, and even a clever cabinet gap under the wet bar for the homeowners' cat food area. Large French doors connect the kitchen to an outdoor living space, creating a natural extension for summertime entertaining. To tie the renovation together, an original built-in received a fresh coat of paint, while a new fireplace surround was crafted, and the stone hearth update added warmth and charm to the living area. The result is a beautifully reimagined kitchen and living space that balances functionality, character, and the joy of hosting family and friends.

An Arts & Crafts Bungalow is one of my favorite styles of homes. We have quite a few of them in our Stockton Mid-Town area. And when C&L called us to help them remodel their 1923 American Bungalow, I was beyond thrilled. As per usual, when we get a new inquiry, we quickly Google the project location while we are talking to you on the phone. My excitement escalated when I saw the Google Earth Image of the sweet Sage Green bungalow in Mid-Town Stockton. "Yes, we would be interested in working with you," I said trying to keep my cool. But what made it even better was meeting C&L and touring their home, because they are the nicest young couple, eager to make their home period perfect. Unfortunately, it had been slightly molested by some bad house-flippers, and we needed to bring the bathroom back to it "roots." We knew we had to banish the hideous brown tile and cheap vanity quickly. But C&L complained about the condensation problems and the constant fight with mold. This immediately told me that improper remodeling had occurred and we needed to remedy that right away. The Before: Frustrations with a Botched Remodel The bathroom needed to be brought back to period appropriate design with all the functionality of a modern bathroom. We thought of things like marble countertop, white mosaic floor tiles, white subway tile, board and batten molding, and of course a fabulous wallpaper. This small (and only) bathroom on a tight budget required a little bit of design sleuthing to figure out how we could get the proper look and feel. Our goal was to determine where to splurge and where to economize and how to complete the remodel as quickly as possible because C&L would have to move out while construction was going on. The Process: Hard Work to Remedy Design and Function During our initial design study, (which included 2 hours in the owners’ home), we noticed framed images of William Morris Arts and Crafts textile patterns and knew this would be our design inspiration. We presented C&L with three options and they quickly selected the Pimpernel Design Concept. We had originally selected the Black and Olive colors with a black vanity, mirror, and black and white floor tile. C&L liked it but weren’t quite sure about the black, We went back to the drawing board and decided the William & Co Pimpernel Wallpaper in Bayleaf and Manilla color with a softer gray painted vanity and mirror and white floor tile was more to their liking. After the Design Concept was approved, we went to work securing the building permit, procuring all the elements, and scheduling our trusted tradesmen to perform the work. We did uncover some shoddy work by the flippers such as live electrical wires hidden behind the wall, plumbing venting cut-off and buried in the walls (hence the constant dampness), the tub barely balancing on two fence boards across the floor joist, and no insulation on the exterior wall. All of the previous blunders were fixed and the bathroom put back to its previous glory. We could feel the house thanking us for making it pretty again. The After Reveal: Cohesive Design Decisions We selected a simple white subway tile for the tub/shower. This is always classic and in keeping with the style of the house. We selected a pre-fab vanity and mirror, but they look rich with the quartz countertop. There is much more storage in this small vanity than you would think. The Transformation: A Period Perfect Refresh We began the remodel just as the pandemic reared and stay-in-place orders went into effect. As C&L were already moved out and living with relatives, we got the go-ahead from city officials to get the work done (after all, how can you shelter in place without a bathroom?). All our tradesmen were scheduled to work so that only one crew was on the job site at a time. We stayed on the original schedule with only a one week delay. The end result is the sweetest little bathroom I've ever seen (and I can't wait to start work on C&L's kitchen next). Thank you for joining me in this project transformation. I hope this inspired you to think about being creative with your design projects, determining what works best in keeping with the architecture of your space, and carefully assessing how you can have the best life in your home.

At Gallery of Shades, we provide high quality and stylish window coverings for any room. Our philosophy is simple and that is to provide our clients with the best products and services at a fair price in order to enrich their home environment. We have been servicing Scottsdale and its surrounding areas for over 25 years. We have a large selection of window treatments including shutters, blinds, shades, screens, draperies and even tints. Regardless of the windows size or shape, you can rest assured Gallery of Shades has the perfect solution for them. Our design consultants will help you to select the right window covering for any room by bringing the showroom to you. This enables you to get the right look, feel and functionality in your window treatments, and beautify your space while protecting it from the harsh Arizona sun. Our products are guaranteed for a lifetime. At Gallery of Shades, our top priority is giving our customers more value than they expect. This is measured by price, performance, quality, features and services rendered. This goal is the core of our beliefs and guides us in everything we do. We know making decisions in your home can sometimes be overwhelming so we do our best to make your window covering experience a positive one that you won’t forget.

Modern bathroom remodel in Issaquah, WA focused on clean tile work, functional layout, and durable materials. The project included full demolition, new tile installation, shower upgrade, updated fixtures, and improved waterproofing. The goal was to create a clean, practical bathroom with reliable construction and a modern look. Attention to detail in tile layout, waterproofing, and finish work ensures long-term performance and everyday comfort.