LEED Certification Level: Platinum. The homeowners put a premium on indoor air quality and low energy consumption and recognized that quality design would allow more investment in a smaller project. A modest plan size was developed (1,700 square foot net, 1,960 square foot gross), with slab-on-grade first floor. The upper level slopes up to the south to capture sky views and solar gains; the stair allows that light and energy to flow to the main level. The front-screened porch is a reinvention of the traditional front porch — a place to socialize, enjoy the outdoors and enjoy fire on cool evenings. Great care was taken in specifying non-toxic materials: no-added formaldehyde cabinet construction with water-borne finishes, zero VOC, nontoxic floor finish and paints, Greenguard certified drywall and subfloor adhesives, caulks, and sealants, salvaged wood (not previously finished), etc. Third-party air quality testing showed total VOC of only 48 parts per billion prior to move in, and formaldehyde of 46ppb. The CARB residential formaldehyde guideline is below 27ppb for residential chronic exposure. Since we had no specified added-formaldehyde construction materials, our count is likely due to furniture and other off-gassing, and will drop as the house is ventilated. Mold readings were below outdoor air. An energy monitoring system was installed so the owners and design team can track energy use compared to modeled predictions. Measured results also contribute to a clearer understanding of energy use for future energy models across the industry, which is one of PHIUS’ objectives. Although early in occupancy, the owners appear to be running this all-electric house at about 500kWh per month, below the modeled prediction. The owners plan to install a PV array within the next year.

This Custom Remodel located in Naples, FL and was built by 41 West, a Certified Luxury Builder. To learn more about 41 West, visit www.41west.com. As a Certified Luxury Builder we are proud to feature photos of select projects from our other members around the country to inspire you with design ideas. Please feel free to contact the Certified Luxury Builder of this project with any questions or inquiries you may have. Certified Luxury Builders is a network of leading custom home builders and luxury home and condo remodelers who create 5-Star experiences for luxury home and condo owners from New York to Los Angeles and Boston to Naples. Using a collaborative business model, Certified Luxury Builders assemble a design and construction team for each project including architects and interior designers to create inspired residences. By applying the highest level of quality building standards, Certified Luxury Builders provide predictable excellence for luxury home or condo owners.

This Custom Remodel located in Naples, FL and was built by 41 West, a Certified Luxury Builder. To learn more about 41 West, visit www.41west.com. As a Certified Luxury Builder we are proud to feature photos of select projects from our other members around the country to inspire you with design ideas. Please feel free to contact the Certified Luxury Builder of this project with any questions or inquiries you may have. Certified Luxury Builders is a network of leading custom home builders and luxury home and condo remodelers who create 5-Star experiences for luxury home and condo owners from New York to Los Angeles and Boston to Naples. Using a collaborative business model, Certified Luxury Builders assemble a design and construction team for each project including architects and interior designers to create inspired residences. By applying the highest level of quality building standards, Certified Luxury Builders provide predictable excellence for luxury home or condo owners.

This Custom Remodel located in Naples, FL and was built by 41 West, a Certified Luxury Builder. To learn more about 41 West, visit www.41west.com. As a Certified Luxury Builder we are proud to feature photos of select projects from our other members around the country to inspire you with design ideas. Please feel free to contact the Certified Luxury Builder of this project with any questions or inquiries you may have. Certified Luxury Builders is a network of leading custom home builders and luxury home and condo remodelers who create 5-Star experiences for luxury home and condo owners from New York to Los Angeles and Boston to Naples. Using a collaborative business model, Certified Luxury Builders assemble a design and construction team for each project including architects and interior designers to create inspired residences. By applying the highest level of quality building standards, Certified Luxury Builders provide predictable excellence for luxury home or condo owners.

This Custom Remodel located in Naples, FL and was built by 41 West, a Certified Luxury Builder. To learn more about 41 West, visit www.41west.com. As a Certified Luxury Builder we are proud to feature photos of select projects from our other members around the country to inspire you with design ideas. Please feel free to contact the Certified Luxury Builder of this project with any questions or inquiries you may have. Certified Luxury Builders is a network of leading custom home builders and luxury home and condo remodelers who create 5-Star experiences for luxury home and condo owners from New York to Los Angeles and Boston to Naples. Using a collaborative business model, Certified Luxury Builders assemble a design and construction team for each project including architects and interior designers to create inspired residences. By applying the highest level of quality building standards, Certified Luxury Builders provide predictable excellence for luxury home or condo owners.

This Custom Remodel located in Naples, FL and was built by 41 West, a Certified Luxury Builder. To learn more about 41 West, visit www.41west.com. As a Certified Luxury Builder we are proud to feature photos of select projects from our other members around the country to inspire you with design ideas. Please feel free to contact the Certified Luxury Builder of this project with any questions or inquiries you may have. Certified Luxury Builders is a network of leading custom home builders and luxury home and condo remodelers who create 5-Star experiences for luxury home and condo owners from New York to Los Angeles and Boston to Naples. Using a collaborative business model, Certified Luxury Builders assemble a design and construction team for each project including architects and interior designers to create inspired residences. By applying the highest level of quality building standards, Certified Luxury Builders provide predictable excellence for luxury home or condo owners.

This Custom Remodel located in Naples, FL and was built by 41 West, a Certified Luxury Builder. To learn more about 41 West, visit www.41west.com. As a Certified Luxury Builder we are proud to feature photos of select projects from our other members around the country to inspire you with design ideas. Please feel free to contact the Certified Luxury Builder of this project with any questions or inquiries you may have. Certified Luxury Builders is a network of leading custom home builders and luxury home and condo remodelers who create 5-Star experiences for luxury home and condo owners from New York to Los Angeles and Boston to Naples. Using a collaborative business model, Certified Luxury Builders assemble a design and construction team for each project including architects and interior designers to create inspired residences. By applying the highest level of quality building standards, Certified Luxury Builders provide predictable excellence for luxury home or condo owners.

Photo courtesy of Dunn-Edwards

Example of a trendy sunroom design in Ahmedabad

This home is built by Robert Thomas Homes located in Minnesota. Our showcase models are professionally staged. FOR STAGING PRODUCT QUESTIONS please contact Ambiance at Home for information on furniture - 952.440.6757

Bob Schatz
Example of a mountain style staircase design in Burlington

Small elegant gray one-story mixed siding gable roof photo in Charleston

We used: Custom cherry cabinetry in Arts & Crafts Shaker style by Kabinart in Boulder and Espresso stains. Liberty Hardware Venetian bronze 1-1/2" cabinet knobs. KitchenAid Architect II Series 22 CF counter-depth French door refrigerator. KitchenAid Architect Series II 27" convection single wall oven. KitchenAid 36" 6-burner dual fuel freestanding commercial-style range. KitchenAid Architect II Series 24" dishwasher. Sharp Insight Pro Series 24" built-in microwave drawer (Model #KB6524PS). Crystorama Solaris 12" wide pendant lights in English bronze. Granite countertops in Brown Fantasy. 3"x6" polished marble backsplash. Paint colors: Walls: Glidden Silver Cloud 30YY 63/024 Ceilings/Trims/Doors: Glidden Swan White GLC23 Robert B. Narod Photography

Gorgeous master bath with dramatic retro "wave" tile. Peak Photography
Example of a 1950s bathroom design in Los Angeles

Photo: A Darling Felicity Photography © 2015 Houzz
Example of a mid-sized country porcelain tile mudroom design in Seattle with green walls

This beautiful showcase home offers a blend of crisp, uncomplicated modern lines and a touch of farmhouse architectural details. The 5,100 square feet single level home with 5 bedrooms, 3 ½ baths with a large vaulted bonus room over the garage is delightfully welcoming.

For more photos of this project visit our website: https://wendyobrienid.com.

Benefits of Plantation Shutters Plantation shutters offer advantages and benefits to homeowners over other window coverings including: • A permanent addition to a house: While they don't add much to the sale price and don't guarantee a return on investment, the curb appeal helps the house sell faster. The permanency of plantation shutters allows them to be included in appraisals. • Versatility: Many have the ability to open only halfway if desired. If you want to let in all the light, plantation shutters swing away from the window to grant an unobstructed view. • Insulation: When all louvers are closed, a good insulating barrier is created, trapping unwanted temperatures and saving you money on your energy bill. • Easy maintenance: With wide louvers, a simple wipe-down is often all that's needed. Vinyl shutters can be taken off their hinges and sprayed off for a major cleaning. • Elegance: The classic, yet modern look conveys a permanency like no other window dressing can. Whether painted or natural wood, they all have a look that says; welcome home. Wood vs. Faux Wood It's not hard to argue that natural wood is more appealing than vinyl or PVC. However, "faux wood," as it's sometimes called, has some advantages: • Price -- Faux wood shutters are often lower in price than real wood. • Weight -- Because some shutters are made "hollow core" (as opposed to vinyl-wrapped medium density fiberboard, MDF), they can be significantly lighter. • Moisture Resistance -- If you live in an area with high humidity, hollow faux wood or aluminum core will resist expanding and sagging. (MDF core louvers will tend to expand and crack as the material swells with moisture.) Natural wood is the choice for those who have a very healthy budget or for whom a specific appearance is a must. Among the advantages are: • Size -- Because wood plantation shutters are made of hardwood, they can be quite a bit larger than plastic or vinyl. Vinyl shutters larger than 29 inches may be prone to sag, so they need divider rails or other supports which can destroy the traditional look of a plantation shutter. • Natural -- While vinyl or plastic shutters can be painted to match any color scheme, the natural shades and finishes of the various species of wood have something for every look. • Classic -- While many plastic shutters can be made to look like real wood, the faux wood finishes can vary significantly depending on manufacturer and model. Up close, it can be easy to tell they're plastic. The warmth of natural wood is a classic feel that's impossible to beat. Popular Plantation Shutter Brands When you go to purchase your plantation shutters, brands names may offer a good representation of high-, mid-, and low-cost range of what's available. Which one you choose depends on your budget and your tastes. Hunter-Douglas and Norman Shutters produce three lines of plantation shutters in both real wood and faux wood styles. A higher-end product, Hunter-Douglas may be worth the cost for beauty and quality of workmanship. The Window Outfitters and Sunland produce a mid-cost line of shutters. The mid-range pricing may be for those who are balancing aesthetics with a budget. National franchise and or box stores may not offer an in-house expert or designer. Look to local companies that specialize in plantation shutters looking online may offer a low-cost brand for budget-minded DIYers. Available in both faux and real wood, the affordability combines with the visual appeal to make this a very popular choice for plantation shutters. Regardless of which line you go with, be sure to ask about frames. Generally all manufactures offer frame choices and may add to the cost, but they add an unsurpassed beauty and warmth to a room with plantation shutters. Plantation shutters look like similar to wooden blinds, but there are significant differences. Blinds are often narrow, made of aluminum or vinyl, and the slats tilt based on a gear and pulley mechanism and they hang in the window with cords. By contrast, plantation shutters have wide compound louvers that fit into a frame and are controlled by way of a wooden rod running up the middle. When not needed, they can be manufactured to swing back onto the wall. Options to are available to build a more contemporary look with a larger view with a “hidden tilt” feature. Cost of Plantation Shutters Nationally, the cost of plantation shutters, depending on their size and the material, whether or not they are custom arches and colors or stains, may vary. Most manufacturers want their shutters to be professionally installed to keep the warranty intact which is a benefit to the customer in the long run. They will usually have a limited lifetime warranty. Cost of Installation Costs for having plantation shutters installed by a contractor are a bit more predictable. Contractors who have installed plantation shutters before can quickly get accurate measurements and suggest which materials would work best in different rooms. For example, while natural wood may look beautiful in your living room, it might not be so practical in a bathroom where moisture will cause the wood to warp. The size, material, and quality of the shutter will have a significant effect on the cost. Contractors usually go through a shutter supplier and can get various sizes that are not normally available at home improvement stores. Hiring a professional team of knowledgeable suppliers and installers is a good choice. Here are some sample prices of the shutters most contractors use for standard-sized windows: In general, plantation shutters should cost approximately $20 to $26 per square foot. Labor costs depend on factors such as the contractor's workload, remoteness of the location, environment, and the contractor's overhead. Labor generally runs about $100 per hour and will be added to the shutter cost. • 16x20 -- Faux wood $120. Real wood $156 • 24x50 -- Faux wood $160. Real wood $208 • 36x54 -- Faux wood $270. Real wood $351 • 36x60 -- Faux wood $300 Real wood $390 • 42x72 -- Faux wood $420. Real wood $546 • 48x82 -- Faux wood $550. Real wood $715 DIY Plantation shutters can be purchased and installed by the homeowners. How much they cost will depend on size and material. Faux wood shutter’s cost depends on size and wooden shutter’s cost will depend on size and whether or not they are painted or stained. • Natural wood is $90-$600 depending on size. Many companies offer standard stained selection but custom color matching may be available from $175 -$250. • Faux wood will be from $120-$500. • Additional tools include: Hang Strips $4-$15 and about $4 for mounting hardware. Locks or closures can cost up to $15 for each shutter. Finally, if you order them online, you can expect to pay $30-$70 shipping per shutter or per set of shutters per window depending on the supplier. Keep in mind that even if you're handy with tools, installing shutters can be time-consuming if you've never done it before there is defiantly a learning curve.

This is an example of a contemporary landscaping in Seattle.

Kristina O'Brien Photography
Corner bathtub - large transitional master white tile ceramic tile corner bathtub idea in Portland Maine with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls and an undermount sink