The theater scope included both a projection system and a multi-TV video wall. The projection system is an Epson 1080p projector on a Stewart Cima motorized screen. To achieve the homeowner’s requirement to switch between one large video program and five smaller displays for sports viewing. The smaller displays are comprised of a 75” Samsung 4K smart TV flanked by two 50” Samsung 4K displays on each side for a total of 5 possible independent video programs. These smart TVs and the projection system video are managed through a Control4 touchscreen and video routing is achieved through an Atlona 4K HDMI switching system. Unlike the client’s 7.1 theater at his primary residence, the hunting lodge theater was to be a Dolby Atmos 7.1.2 system. The speaker system was to be a Bowers & Wilkins CT7 system for the main speakers and use CI600 series for surround and Atmos speakers. CT7 15” subwoofers with matched amplifier were selected to bring a level of bass response to the room that the client had not experienced in his primary residence. The CT speaker system and subwoofers were concealed with a false front wall and concealed behind acoustically transparent cloth. Some degree of wall treatment was required but the budget would not allow for a typical snap-track track installation or acoustical analysis. A one-inch absorption panel system was designed for the room and custom trim and room design allowed for stock size panels to be used with minimum custom cuts, allowing for a room to get some treatment in a budget that would normally afford none. Both the equipment rack and the projector are concealed in a storage room at the back of the theater. The projector is installed into a custom enclosure with a CAV designed and built port-glass window into the theater.

The theater scope included both a projection system and a multi-TV video wall. The projection system is an Epson 1080p projector on a Stewart Cima motorized screen. To achieve the homeowner’s requirement to switch between one large video program and five smaller displays for sports viewing. The smaller displays are comprised of a 75” Samsung 4K smart TV flanked by two 50” Samsung 4K displays on each side for a total of 5 possible independent video programs. These smart TVs and the projection system video are managed through a Control4 touchscreen and video routing is achieved through an Atlona 4K HDMI switching system. Unlike the client’s 7.1 theater at his primary residence, the hunting lodge theater was to be a Dolby Atmos 7.1.2 system. The speaker system was to be a Bowers & Wilkins CT7 system for the main speakers and use CI600 series for surround and Atmos speakers. CT7 15” subwoofers with matched amplifier were selected to bring a level of bass response to the room that the client had not experienced in his primary residence. The CT speaker system and subwoofers were concealed with a false front wall and concealed behind acoustically transparent cloth. Some degree of wall treatment was required but the budget would not allow for a typical snap-track track installation or acoustical analysis. A one-inch absorption panel system was designed for the room and custom trim and room design allowed for stock size panels to be used with minimum custom cuts, allowing for a room to get some treatment in a budget that would normally afford none. Both the equipment rack and the projector are concealed in a storage room at the back of the theater. The projector is installed into a custom enclosure with a CAV designed and built port-glass window into the theater.

This home addition was intended to expand the home to provide the space needed for the growing new family. The existing kitchen was gutted, expanded and opened up to a family room and nook area. Custom inset cabinets were our preference; however cost was a significant concern. The owner researched multiple companies and standard product lines to save on her budget. After careful analysis, we discovered that it was just as cost effective to use the local custom cabinet maker we preferred. This allowed for more precise detailing and unique features. The goal of a classical farm house kitchen character updated with modern features was able to be obtained much to the home owner's delight. A family room was added to this home, opening up to a screen porch that takes advantage of a previously unused side yard. The much needed new rear entry provides the family a space for their laundry room and is now the primary entry point from the detached garage. Great care was taken to ensure that the home’s new detailing could have been built this way originally. The space however needed to have a modern function for a modern family. The homes existing exterior had aluminum siding and trim which concealed original millwork and shingles. When the nondescript materials were removed, it was discovered that the original was in poor condition. Careful attention was taken to replace and/or repair original materials wherever possible around the entire home, in order to create a seamless exterior character.

This home addition was intended to expand the home to provide the space needed for the growing new family. The existing kitchen was gutted, expanded and opened up to a family room and nook area. Custom inset cabinets were our preference; however cost was a significant concern. The owner researched multiple companies and standard product lines to save on her budget. After careful analysis, we discovered that it was just as cost effective to use the local custom cabinet maker we preferred. This allowed for more precise detailing and unique features. The goal of a classical farm house kitchen character updated with modern features was able to be obtained much to the home owner's delight. A family room was added to this home, opening up to a screen porch that takes advantage of a previously unused side yard. The much needed new rear entry provides the family a space for their laundry room and is now the primary entry point from the detached garage. Great care was taken to ensure that the home’s new detailing could have been built this way originally. The space however needed to have a modern function for a modern family. The homes existing exterior had aluminum siding and trim which concealed original millwork and shingles. When the nondescript materials were removed, it was discovered that the original was in poor condition. Careful attention was taken to replace and/or repair original materials wherever possible around the entire home, in order to create a seamless exterior character.

This home addition was intended to expand the home to provide the space needed for the growing new family. The existing kitchen was gutted, expanded and opened up to a family room and nook area. Custom inset cabinets were our preference; however cost was a significant concern. The owner researched multiple companies and standard product lines to save on her budget. After careful analysis, we discovered that it was just as cost effective to use the local custom cabinet maker we preferred. This allowed for more precise detailing and unique features. The goal of a classical farm house kitchen character updated with modern features was able to be obtained much to the home owner's delight. A family room was added to this home, opening up to a screen porch that takes advantage of a previously unused side yard. The much needed new rear entry provides the family a space for their laundry room and is now the primary entry point from the detached garage. Great care was taken to ensure that the home’s new detailing could have been built this way originally. The space however needed to have a modern function for a modern family. The homes existing exterior had aluminum siding and trim which concealed original millwork and shingles. When the nondescript materials were removed, it was discovered that the original was in poor condition. Careful attention was taken to replace and/or repair original materials wherever possible around the entire home, in order to create a seamless exterior character.

This home addition was intended to expand the home to provide the space needed for the growing new family. The existing kitchen was gutted, expanded and opened up to a family room and nook area. Custom inset cabinets were our preference; however cost was a significant concern. The owner researched multiple companies and standard product lines to save on her budget. After careful analysis, we discovered that it was just as cost effective to use the local custom cabinet maker we preferred. This allowed for more precise detailing and unique features. The goal of a classical farm house kitchen character updated with modern features was able to be obtained much to the home owner's delight. A family room was added to this home, opening up to a screen porch that takes advantage of a previously unused side yard. The much needed new rear entry provides the family a space for their laundry room and is now the primary entry point from the detached garage. Great care was taken to ensure that the home’s new detailing could have been built this way originally. The space however needed to have a modern function for a modern family. The homes existing exterior had aluminum siding and trim which concealed original millwork and shingles. When the nondescript materials were removed, it was discovered that the original was in poor condition. Careful attention was taken to replace and/or repair original materials wherever possible around the entire home, in order to create a seamless exterior character.

This home addition was intended to expand the home to provide the space needed for the growing new family. The existing kitchen was gutted, expanded and opened up to a family room and nook area. Custom inset cabinets were our preference; however cost was a significant concern. The owner researched multiple companies and standard product lines to save on her budget. After careful analysis, we discovered that it was just as cost effective to use the local custom cabinet maker we preferred. This allowed for more precise detailing and unique features. The goal of a classical farm house kitchen character updated with modern features was able to be obtained much to the home owner's delight. A family room was added to this home, opening up to a screen porch that takes advantage of a previously unused side yard. The much needed new rear entry provides the family a space for their laundry room and is now the primary entry point from the detached garage. Great care was taken to ensure that the home’s new detailing could have been built this way originally. The space however needed to have a modern function for a modern family. The homes existing exterior had aluminum siding and trim which concealed original millwork and shingles. When the nondescript materials were removed, it was discovered that the original was in poor condition. Careful attention was taken to replace and/or repair original materials wherever possible around the entire home, in order to create a seamless exterior character.

The United States has the most powerful economy in the world if one were to use GDP as the criteria.China is launching a challenge but it’s obvious who has the victory. The US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) highlighted the industry“Finance and Insurance” in a recent report. The real estate industry is part of this classification in the BEA summary. BEA acknowledged as the biggest contributor to growth in the 4th quarter of 2016. This sector even outperformed the GDP by 20% at one time. This is somewhat unexpected considering the 2008 crisis when the real estate bubble burst. The resulting financial crisis spread like wildfire and affected practically all industries. Eventually, this financial plague contaminated the global economy as well. The saying is true: when the US sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold. The good news is, the real estate sector has been recovering fast. So, what are the trends and factors to look out for in 2017? What are the possibilities this year? Real estate prices continue to rise. For the last five years, property prices have been going up. The horizon is rosy and it looks like the ghost of 2008 has been laid to rest. Most experts predict only good things throughout 2017 as far as the real estate industry is concerned. This pace will hopefully continue. The primary forces that push prices upward are low unemployment rate, high consumer confidence, and a very strong market demand. In 2016, existing home sales increased by 3.8% according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Similarly, the US Census Bureau statistics disclosed that sales of new single-family houses are up 12%. In 2016, all 20 big cities in the US registered an upward trend in property prices. Let’s look at some of them: Seattle – 10.75% Portland – 10.01% Denver –8.89% Tampa – 8.33% Dallas – 8.06% Miami – 6.79% Boston – 6.31% Interest rates The Federal Reserve has not increased interest rates for more than 10 years. However, the US Central Bank hiked the interest rate to 0.5 (or 25 basis points) last December. Surprisingly they did it again last March. It seems these hikes weren’t enough because this month the Fed increased the interest rate once more. That makes a total of three hikes in a 7-month period. Right now the rate sits at 1.25 percent. Experts are bracing for at least one more rate hike before the year is over. Obviously, these increases directly impact mortgage rates. A higher rate will naturally mean a higher cost.The upside is, this is an indication that the economy is getting stronger and becoming more stable.Furthermore, analysts are confident that rates will not go beyond 4.3% for 30-year fixed mortgages. Low unemployment rate The US unemployment rate has been going down since 2012. It reached its lowest point at 4.3% last May. On the Bureau of Statistics website, you can check out a chart that shows how this rate has been improving. The unemployment rate has actually already equaled the levels before the crisis happened. More employment means more income to families. More income means more people with the capacity to purchase new homes.This is definitely one of the most bullish indicators not just for the housing market but for the economy as a whole. In an economic climate like this, banks will be more inclined to grant mortgages to first-time home buyers. Mortgage frenzy Even with rising interest rates, more and more people are deciding to buy their first home. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported an unbelievable upward trend for the month of May.On top of this, a Builder Application Survey revealed that for May, applications for a new home increased by 15%. This is a very significant spike from April’s increase of 4%. It appears that the confidence and trust in the economy is more positive. The interest rate increases hardly mattered to buyers after all.

See this blog post for the inside scoop on this project. It offers analysis by Project Architect Stewart Davis as well as before photos: http://cgsdb.blogspot.com/2011/04/craftsman-done-right.html Photography by Thomas McConnell, 2011

This suburban home felt outdated with oak cabinets that looked too traditional. This family, now a couple with an empty nest, wanted a refresh with more modern fixtures and transitional furniture in the colors that represented them best. The color palette was inspired by their travels all over the world including frequent visits to see family in Jamaica and most recently, a vacation in Australia. Collected Interiors worked with the clients to bring an ocean-inspired color palette and fun textures to their primary bath. With visits to the plumbing showroom and tile warehouse, we were able to select more modern finishes, while keeping a fun feel in the mosaic backsplash. The family room needed a bright, and clean refresh with more modern looking cabinets, cleaner lines and still plenty of storage. Since our clients are focused on utilizing electric energy, they replaced all of their gas fireplaces and appliances with electric, and this fireplace was included. By choosing a colorful mosaic tile and paint, this room is anything but boring and stuffy. Commissioning a one-of-a-kind piece of art from their trip to Australia, we used it as a foundation to guide the rest of their design. The result was a bright and vibrant space, featuring furniture and accessories that perfectly complemented the artwork. As their children grew up and moved out to apartments of their own, our clients found themselves with two empty bedrooms and no furniture. With our Space Lift service, we were able to pull together two new bedroom looks that’s perfect for guests, but still comfortable when their adult children came to visit. We utilized the help of a color analysis expert to narrow down the wall paint by gathering inspiration from previously owned art. From there, we refined the color palettes and carried them into the furnishings and bedding.

A visual artist and his fiancée’s house and studio were designed with various themes in mind, such as the physical context, client needs, security, and a limited budget. Six options were analyzed during the schematic design stage to control the wind from the northeast, sunlight, light quality, cost, energy, and specific operating expenses. By using design performance tools and technologies such as Fluid Dynamics, Energy Consumption Analysis, Material Life Cycle Assessment, and Climate Analysis, sustainable strategies were identified. The building is self-sufficient and will provide the site with an aquifer recharge that does not currently exist. The main masses are distributed around a courtyard, creating a moderately open construction towards the interior and closed to the outside. The courtyard contains a Huizache tree, surrounded by a water mirror that refreshes and forms a central part of the courtyard. The house comprises three main volumes, each oriented at different angles to highlight different views for each area. The patio is the primary circulation stratagem, providing a refuge from the wind, a connection to the sky, and a night sky observatory. We aim to establish a deep relationship with the site by including the open space of the patio.

A visual artist and his fiancée’s house and studio were designed with various themes in mind, such as the physical context, client needs, security, and a limited budget. Six options were analyzed during the schematic design stage to control the wind from the northeast, sunlight, light quality, cost, energy, and specific operating expenses. By using design performance tools and technologies such as Fluid Dynamics, Energy Consumption Analysis, Material Life Cycle Assessment, and Climate Analysis, sustainable strategies were identified. The building is self-sufficient and will provide the site with an aquifer recharge that does not currently exist. The main masses are distributed around a courtyard, creating a moderately open construction towards the interior and closed to the outside. The courtyard contains a Huizache tree, surrounded by a water mirror that refreshes and forms a central part of the courtyard. The house comprises three main volumes, each oriented at different angles to highlight different views for each area. The patio is the primary circulation stratagem, providing a refuge from the wind, a connection to the sky, and a night sky observatory. We aim to establish a deep relationship with the site by including the open space of the patio.

This suburban home felt outdated with oak cabinets that looked too traditional. This family, now a couple with an empty nest, wanted a refresh with more modern fixtures and transitional furniture in the colors that represented them best. The color palette was inspired by their travels all over the world including frequent visits to see family in Jamaica and most recently, a vacation in Australia. Collected Interiors worked with the clients to bring an ocean-inspired color palette and fun textures to their primary bath. With visits to the plumbing showroom and tile warehouse, we were able to select more modern finishes, while keeping a fun feel in the mosaic backsplash. The family room needed a bright, and clean refresh with more modern looking cabinets, cleaner lines and still plenty of storage. Since our clients are focused on utilizing electric energy, they replaced all of their gas fireplaces and appliances with electric, and this fireplace was included. By choosing a colorful mosaic tile and paint, this room is anything but boring and stuffy. Commissioning a one-of-a-kind piece of art from their trip to Australia, we used it as a foundation to guide the rest of their design. The result was a bright and vibrant space, featuring furniture and accessories that perfectly complemented the artwork. As their children grew up and moved out to apartments of their own, our clients found themselves with two empty bedrooms and no furniture. With our Space Lift service, we were able to pull together two new bedroom looks that’s perfect for guests, but still comfortable when their adult children came to visit. We utilized the help of a color analysis expert to narrow down the wall paint by gathering inspiration from previously owned art. From there, we refined the color palettes and carried them into the furnishings and bedding.

A visual artist and his fiancée’s house and studio were designed with various themes in mind, such as the physical context, client needs, security, and a limited budget. Six options were analyzed during the schematic design stage to control the wind from the northeast, sunlight, light quality, cost, energy, and specific operating expenses. By using design performance tools and technologies such as Fluid Dynamics, Energy Consumption Analysis, Material Life Cycle Assessment, and Climate Analysis, sustainable strategies were identified. The building is self-sufficient and will provide the site with an aquifer recharge that does not currently exist. The main masses are distributed around a courtyard, creating a moderately open construction towards the interior and closed to the outside. The courtyard contains a Huizache tree, surrounded by a water mirror that refreshes and forms a central part of the courtyard. The house comprises three main volumes, each oriented at different angles to highlight different views for each area. The patio is the primary circulation stratagem, providing a refuge from the wind, a connection to the sky, and a night sky observatory. We aim to establish a deep relationship with the site by including the open space of the patio.

A visual artist and his fiancée’s house and studio were designed with various themes in mind, such as the physical context, client needs, security, and a limited budget. Six options were analyzed during the schematic design stage to control the wind from the northeast, sunlight, light quality, cost, energy, and specific operating expenses. By using design performance tools and technologies such as Fluid Dynamics, Energy Consumption Analysis, Material Life Cycle Assessment, and Climate Analysis, sustainable strategies were identified. The building is self-sufficient and will provide the site with an aquifer recharge that does not currently exist. The main masses are distributed around a courtyard, creating a moderately open construction towards the interior and closed to the outside. The courtyard contains a Huizache tree, surrounded by a water mirror that refreshes and forms a central part of the courtyard. The house comprises three main volumes, each oriented at different angles to highlight different views for each area. The patio is the primary circulation stratagem, providing a refuge from the wind, a connection to the sky, and a night sky observatory. We aim to establish a deep relationship with the site by including the open space of the patio.

A visual artist and his fiancée’s house and studio were designed with various themes in mind, such as the physical context, client needs, security, and a limited budget. Six options were analyzed during the schematic design stage to control the wind from the northeast, sunlight, light quality, cost, energy, and specific operating expenses. By using design performance tools and technologies such as Fluid Dynamics, Energy Consumption Analysis, Material Life Cycle Assessment, and Climate Analysis, sustainable strategies were identified. The building is self-sufficient and will provide the site with an aquifer recharge that does not currently exist. The main masses are distributed around a courtyard, creating a moderately open construction towards the interior and closed to the outside. The courtyard contains a Huizache tree, surrounded by a water mirror that refreshes and forms a central part of the courtyard. The house comprises three main volumes, each oriented at different angles to highlight different views for each area. The patio is the primary circulation stratagem, providing a refuge from the wind, a connection to the sky, and a night sky observatory. We aim to establish a deep relationship with the site by including the open space of the patio.

A visual artist and his fiancée’s house and studio were designed with various themes in mind, such as the physical context, client needs, security, and a limited budget. Six options were analyzed during the schematic design stage to control the wind from the northeast, sunlight, light quality, cost, energy, and specific operating expenses. By using design performance tools and technologies such as Fluid Dynamics, Energy Consumption Analysis, Material Life Cycle Assessment, and Climate Analysis, sustainable strategies were identified. The building is self-sufficient and will provide the site with an aquifer recharge that does not currently exist. The main masses are distributed around a courtyard, creating a moderately open construction towards the interior and closed to the outside. The courtyard contains a Huizache tree, surrounded by a water mirror that refreshes and forms a central part of the courtyard. The house comprises three main volumes, each oriented at different angles to highlight different views for each area. The patio is the primary circulation stratagem, providing a refuge from the wind, a connection to the sky, and a night sky observatory. We aim to establish a deep relationship with the site by including the open space of the patio.

This suburban home felt outdated with oak cabinets that looked too traditional. This family, now a couple with an empty nest, wanted a refresh with more modern fixtures and transitional furniture in the colors that represented them best. The color palette was inspired by their travels all over the world including frequent visits to see family in Jamaica and most recently, a vacation in Australia. Collected Interiors worked with the clients to bring an ocean-inspired color palette and fun textures to their primary bath. With visits to the plumbing showroom and tile warehouse, we were able to select more modern finishes, while keeping a fun feel in the mosaic backsplash. The family room needed a bright, and clean refresh with more modern looking cabinets, cleaner lines and still plenty of storage. Since our clients are focused on utilizing electric energy, they replaced all of their gas fireplaces and appliances with electric, and this fireplace was included. By choosing a colorful mosaic tile and paint, this room is anything but boring and stuffy. Commissioning a one-of-a-kind piece of art from their trip to Australia, we used it as a foundation to guide the rest of their design. The result was a bright and vibrant space, featuring furniture and accessories that perfectly complemented the artwork. As their children grew up and moved out to apartments of their own, our clients found themselves with two empty bedrooms and no furniture. With our Space Lift service, we were able to pull together two new bedroom looks that’s perfect for guests, but still comfortable when their adult children came to visit. We utilized the help of a color analysis expert to narrow down the wall paint by gathering inspiration from previously owned art. From there, we refined the color palettes and carried them into the furnishings and bedding.

This suburban home felt outdated with oak cabinets that looked too traditional. This family, now a couple with an empty nest, wanted a refresh with more modern fixtures and transitional furniture in the colors that represented them best. The color palette was inspired by their travels all over the world including frequent visits to see family in Jamaica and most recently, a vacation in Australia. Collected Interiors worked with the clients to bring an ocean-inspired color palette and fun textures to their primary bath. With visits to the plumbing showroom and tile warehouse, we were able to select more modern finishes, while keeping a fun feel in the mosaic backsplash. The family room needed a bright, and clean refresh with more modern looking cabinets, cleaner lines and still plenty of storage. Since our clients are focused on utilizing electric energy, they replaced all of their gas fireplaces and appliances with electric, and this fireplace was included. By choosing a colorful mosaic tile and paint, this room is anything but boring and stuffy. Commissioning a one-of-a-kind piece of art from their trip to Australia, we used it as a foundation to guide the rest of their design. The result was a bright and vibrant space, featuring furniture and accessories that perfectly complemented the artwork. As their children grew up and moved out to apartments of their own, our clients found themselves with two empty bedrooms and no furniture. With our Space Lift service, we were able to pull together two new bedroom looks that’s perfect for guests, but still comfortable when their adult children came to visit. We utilized the help of a color analysis expert to narrow down the wall paint by gathering inspiration from previously owned art. From there, we refined the color palettes and carried them into the furnishings and bedding.