The client's original wooden deck, along with its aging patio cover, had deteriorated and was in need of replacement. The client's objective was to have a low-maintenance deck without a cover while retaining the existing railing. To begin, we carefully dismantled the old deck and patio cover, clearing the way for the upcoming construction. Following this, we proceeded to install sturdy cement footings to establish a reliable base for the new deck. The framework for the deck was meticulously crafted using robust 4x6 pressure-treated lumber, ensuring durability and stability. Subsequently, we laid down 2x6 joists on top of this framework, providing essential support for the upcoming decking material. To safeguard against moisture and enhance the longevity of the deck, we meticulously applied rubber flashing atop the joists. This protective layer serves to prevent water damage and reinforce the structural integrity of the deck. For the decking itself, we selected and expertly installed Trex, a top-quality composite decking material known for its low maintenance and long-lasting performance. Additionally, the existing railing was carefully refurbished and reinstalled, seamlessly integrating it with the new deck. Finally, we completed the project by installing the fascia, which not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the deck but also conceals the ends of the deck boards and joists, contributing to a polished and finished look. Throughout the entire process, we diligently adhered to local building codes and regulations, ensuring that the final result met the client's desires while delivering a high standard of construction and craftsmanship.

This extremely dirty and dull Victorian tiled hallway floor was at a house in Westcliffe on Sea near Southend. The tiles were well overdue for a deep clean and having worked on many of these types of floors before I was confident we could do the job. Any sealer that was originally present had worn off years earlier so I went straight in with a strong solution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean diluted 1:1 with water. This was applied to the floor and left to soak in for ten minutes before being worked into the tiles with a black scrubbing pad fitted to a rotary buffing machine. The soiled cleaning solution was then removed using a wet vacuum and the floor was rinsed. The process was then repeated a few times to ensure all the ingrained dirt had been removed and we also tackled a few paint splashes that became evident. The floor was given a final and thorough rinse with water to ensure all trace of cleaning products had been removed and dried as much as possible using a wet vacuum. The Victorian tiles were left to dry out for two days before we returned and the floor checked for dampness using a damp meter. Everything checked out OK so we proceeded to seal the tiles using numerous coats of Tile Doctor Seal and Go which is our recommended sealer for Victorian tiles as it gives a nice low sheen effect that enhances their appearance as well as protecting them from future staining. Nick Murphy South Essex Tile Doctor

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Sometimes it take a few tries to get a space to work how you want it to and that’s exactly what happened with this Hinsdale client. Their desire for a family friendly, open floor plan had them reworking an opening between the kitchen and family room and relocating some pantry cabinets in an attempt to make their home’s flow more suitable to their lifestyle. After living with this small change for a few years, they decided that a full kitchen remodel was really what was needed to make their home function the way they desired. They came in with the stereotypical “sketch on a napkin” done by an architect friend, and we proceeded to make that design come to life with a few tweaks along the way. The space was quite unique and also a bit challenging because of its multiple angled walls. While interesting, angles can be a challenge when trying make a space functional. The new kitchen has a great lineup of large appliances, including a large built-in fridge, steam oven and Galley workstation, which is a large prep sink that utilizes several inserts such as strainers and cutting boards and acts as a very large prep space. The new induction cooktop is easy to keep clean and a microwave drawer in the island is located away from the main prep space for convenient access. The main perimeter has tons of countertop space, with additional prep space available at the island and a slightly raised peninsula for casual meals and nice homework spot for the couple’s teenaged children. The kitchen also included a large shallow depth pantry and a large counter height desk area for keeping track of paperwork. The weathered finish on the cabinets and custom metal hood are a nice juxtaposition to the more sleek glass mosaic backsplash and waterfall countertops. The pendants and cabinet hardware provide modern details that provide an overall casual yet sophisticated feel in this transitional design. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Mike Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Time had stood still at this 1970s ranch in Armonk when the owners invited us to collaborate with them to transform it into a modern, light-filled home for their young family. The budget was lean, so economy was a primary consideration for every design decision. The challenge was to identify the modest home’s virtues – vaulted ceilings and a lovely backyard – and accentuate them by strategically optimizing available funds. We were tasked with rectifying a dysfunctional interior stair, connecting to the outdoors with new large windows, and updating the exterior. We focused our attention on a finite set of architectural moves which would have the biggest impact and improve our clients’ daily experience of the home. Detailing was kept simple, using common grade materials and standard components. All exterior walls were revamped with new windows and siding. Although these materials were not particularly costly, thoughtful layout of boards, battens, and openings produced a cohesive, rigorous composition at each facade. Since the budget would not cover the homeowners’ complete wish list, some items were bracketed for subsequent phases. The challenge was to establish a framework that would allow future work – including a new roof and kitchen renovation – to proceed smoothly. The homeowners, both scientists, were enthusiastic collaborators, contributing their outstanding design sensibilities to selection of fixtures and finishes. Construction ended just in time for the arrival of their baby – and with that, the transformation of their family home was complete.

Example of a mid-sized transitional enclosed carpeted and beige floor home theater design in Salt Lake City with gray walls and a wall-mounted tv

The 19th Annual Kansas City NARI Remodeled Homes Tour is right around the corner and Mission Kitchen and Bath is proud to be showing off a recent kitchen remodel in Leawood. A number of changes went into transforming this outdated kitchen into a modern culinary masterpiece. Perhaps the biggest change was removing the peninsula and replacing it with a more functional island, including a buffet area for entertaining. Not only did this change enhance the traffic flow through the kitchen, but it also exposed the beautiful fireplace in the dining area. The 1990s soffits were also removed, allowing the ceiling overhang to be raised to the same height as the existing ceiling in the kitchen, giving it a more open feel. The refrigerator, double ovens, and a pantry were located to a single area for improved convenience. Several cosmetic changes were also made to enhance the overall design of the kitchen. The cabinets were replaced with maple cabinetry featuring raised panel doors with a stain and glazed finish, while the island showcases a paint and glaze finish. A tumbled marble backsplash, including glass tile accents above the cooktop, complement the Snowfall granite countertops. Pendant lighting over the island combined with recessed lighting throughout the kitchen provide illumination and ambiance. The Kansas City NARI Remodeled Home Tour is April 23-24. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at any of the homes during the tour. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Habitat for Humanity Kansas City. Be sure to visit this amazing kitchen transformation by Mission Kitchen and Bath.

Kevin Keim
Home design - modern home design idea in Austin

**Check out the video of this transformation on our website** This small kitchen was way too small for this 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms apartment. Not only was it a very small kitchen, but the physical location of it made it very difficult to make it any bigger. There wasn't much that could have been done without incurring astronomical cost, which would get little or no return on the investment. The client wanted a kitchen that can be optimized in its current location to add a ton of value for resale. This was difficult to do, because there was no moving of any mechanical around in the kitchen and even if we wanted to, the management of the building would not allow. For those of you who live in condos, co-ops or apartment building, you know how difficult it is to rework these foot prints. When we showed up, we saw the problems, but we also saw a huge opportunity where we can achieve those goals in the small space. This was accomplished by making some key changes and to incorporate some new things that was not possible when this kitchen was built years ago. The crucial part of the design that would drive the entire new layout, was selecting the only appliance; that was the Refrigerator. Once we nailed down that refrigerator, we then proceeded to design the kitchen around it. We moved it to the other side of the wall where the sink was so that we can tap into the water line from the sink plumbing. It was crucial that it stays exactly 24" deep, not an inch more because we had to keep the entry as open as possible. Also, it was going to be directly in front of another big storage unit - The pantry. It is not ideal in most cases, but we needed the rest of the space to ramp up the design and open feel towards the side where all of the activities would take place, which happend to be the dining room and the view. Once all that was figured out, we re-positioned the sink, dishwasher and the range and proceeded to wrap the cabinets around the columns to integrate them into the space. Thirty- six inches cabinets height was used so that they can be installed higher towards the ceiling height to give more room rather than the standard 18" required height between the counter tops. This was done to make the room feel a lot bigger than it really was. Not to mention, we also didn't want the faucet to be buried under the cabinets so that was also a necessary design detail for the space. We then lowered both knee walls so that the counter top can sit on top of them, by removing that stop point that would have otherwise defined the kitchen area. This allowed us to pick up that extra footprint into the room for added prep space and enabled us to create the illusion of a kitchen that is looking longer than it really is. Every inch mattered when designing this kitchen and we made a conscious decision to use every one of that inch. White cabinets were selected to do just what white cabinets are design to do; make a small or dark room appear bigger, brighter and more open. In this kitchen, this was amplified the more because of the kitchen location. It was perfect! We knew we did justice to the space because while we were there taking some photos, a few potential buyers walked in and went straight for the kitchen! They said its design just to fit the apartment. Pantry roll out shelving, Double recycle bin, fancy handles, LED lighting, Quartz counter top, beautiful backslash tiles and grey linen floors finished off the kitchen which looked over a beautiful view of the George Washington Bridge from the top of this lovely 4th floor apartment. Credit to Masterpiece Tile and Marble (Annmarie on the selection of Tiles and countertop and Val on the Construction to complete this project). Davor Kokic Photography

A client from the village of Heytesbury contacted me to see whether we could improve the look of her Victorian tiled hallway floor. It turns out that a competitor had previously cleaned and sealed it two years prior but she was disappointed with the result once she realised that the floor still had dirt ingrained in the tile. As per our normal practice we ran a test clean and she booked us in immediately. We started by wetting the floor using a strong solution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean and left it dwell for ten minutes. We then attached a black stripping pad to a rotary machine and slowly covered the whole area to remove ingrained dirt and any existing seals that may be evident. The dirty slurry was then removed with a wet vacuum and then floor rinsed with the aid of a deck brush and a wet vacuum. Next we used a heavy duty scraper to remove paint splashes around the edges from years of decorating. Once we were satisfied we’d removed all evident dirt, seal and paint we rinsed the floor thoroughly several times to make sure all contaminants are removed again using the wet vacuum to remove the water. We returned five days later to let the floor dry out thoroughly. Upon our return we tested with a damp meter which tested fine so we proceeded to seal the floor using six coats of Tile Doctor Seal & Go to provide protection and add a nice sheen to the floor which I think you will agree now looks amazing. Stuart Ford Wiltshire Tile Doctor

Time had stood still at this 1970s ranch in Armonk when the owners invited us to collaborate with them to transform it into a modern, light-filled home for their young family. The budget was lean, so economy was a primary consideration for every design decision. The challenge was to identify the modest home’s virtues – vaulted ceilings and a lovely backyard – and accentuate them by strategically optimizing available funds. We were tasked with rectifying a dysfunctional interior stair, connecting to the outdoors with new large windows, and updating the exterior. We focused our attention on a finite set of architectural moves which would have the biggest impact and improve our clients’ daily experience of the home. Detailing was kept simple, using common grade materials and standard components. All exterior walls were revamped with new windows and siding. Although these materials were not particularly costly, thoughtful layout of boards, battens, and openings produced a cohesive, rigorous composition at each facade. Since the budget would not cover the homeowners’ complete wish list, some items were bracketed for subsequent phases. The challenge was to establish a framework that would allow future work – including a new roof and kitchen renovation – to proceed smoothly. The homeowners, both scientists, were enthusiastic collaborators, contributing their outstanding design sensibilities to selection of fixtures and finishes. Construction ended just in time for the arrival of their baby – and with that, the transformation of their family home was complete.

2015 Southwest Regional Design Award Winner! The project’s construction took place during the building of the home. The river front lot sloped drastically down toward the river making a system of retaining walls necessary to establish the usable areas of the back yard. Five separate levels of walls were constructed in order to proceed with backfilling. It was necessary to fill and compact seven feet to reach the desired grade. A large dropped deck area made for a perfect outdoor kitchen and fire pit area. As if the topography’s elevation changes weren’t enough of a challenge, the client’s number one criterion was seamless elevations both inside and outside to include all of the doorway thresholds. He also wanted the design to have a geometric and modern look. The zero edge design fit the criteria perfectly and also allowed for an infinity edge on the back to take full advantage of the elevated river view. The limestone patio is cut in random size rectangles that incorporate drains cut into limestone to maintain the seamless appearance. To enhance the modern look, we used a black iridescent glass tile for the interior including the large sun shelf as well as the six entry steps. The tile overhang of the weir wall was accomplished by first placing limestone on the gunite portion. The pool was then filled, in order to check the levelness of the edge. Minor imperfections were sanded out to insure a near perfect edge. Because of the exhaustive efforts to ensure precise leveling, the pool can operate on only one pump and at less than 50 gallons per minute. The pool is fully automated.

Call Today and begin our process: First, we cover any questions you have over the phone. Usually we can give you a close approximation of what you are likely to spend on your kitchen by simply asking you a few important questions. If you would like to proceed, we charge you a $150 deposit. For this deposit our expert designer will measure your kitchen, transfer the measurements to their computer and create your individual kitchen design. And at a second 2 hour appointment they will go over the detailed 3D designs with you. At our second meeting we display and go over our completed designs and make changes to them on our laptops with you present. Depending on your and our availability, this meeting can take place within the following week. Pricing for the cabinetry you select is just the click of a button and if you are able to provide us preferences in counter tops, fixtures, appliances, flooring, and back splash, we can give you reliable pricing estimates for each area as well as estimates for the construction costs. We are glad to work with a contractor you have selected or with one of the many we regularly refer on the basis of the quality of their work and with no remuneration to Main Line Kitchen Design. Unless you require printouts of our work, everything to this point is included in our initial $150 deposit.

This Flagstone floor was installed in a house near the village of Ambleside and had previously been sealed with varnish and other products which had left the floor looking dull and nowhere near its best. I did a test clean which came out well and then agreed a date and price I came back a couple of weeks later to do the job. Due to the numerous coatings that had been applied to the floor it was necessary to completely strip off the coatings back to the bare stone. To start I used Tile Doctor Remove and Go which does what it says on the bottle and removes coatings from tiles, the product was diluted with water and left to soak in before being scrubbed in using a Black Scrubbing pad fitted to a rotary machine. The now dirty cleaning solution was removed using a wet vacuum and I could see that the Remove and Go had removed most but not all of the coatings so it was time to using something stronger. To do this I applied NanoTech UltraClean which is a gel that is left to soak into the floor for thirty minutes before adding water and then agitating with the black pad. The floor was rinsed with water and the solution removed with the wet vacuum. At this point I could see that all the varnish and dirt had been removed so I gave the floor a final wash down with clean water to neutralise the floor before sealing and left for the evening so the floor could dry overnight. I came back the next day and tested the floor with a damp meter to confirm the floor was dry and then proceeded to seal the floor with Tile Doctor Seal and Go applied with a paint pad which gave the floor a nice low sheen finish that the customer requested.

The 19th Annual Kansas City NARI Remodeled Homes Tour is right around the corner and Mission Kitchen and Bath is proud to be showing off a recent kitchen remodel in Leawood. A number of changes went into transforming this outdated kitchen into a modern culinary masterpiece. Perhaps the biggest change was removing the peninsula and replacing it with a more functional island, including a buffet area for entertaining. Not only did this change enhance the traffic flow through the kitchen, but it also exposed the beautiful fireplace in the dining area. The 1990s soffits were also removed, allowing the ceiling overhang to be raised to the same height as the existing ceiling in the kitchen, giving it a more open feel. The refrigerator, double ovens, and a pantry were located to a single area for improved convenience. Several cosmetic changes were also made to enhance the overall design of the kitchen. The cabinets were replaced with maple cabinetry featuring raised panel doors with a stain and glazed finish, while the island showcases a paint and glaze finish. A tumbled marble backsplash, including glass tile accents above the cooktop, complement the Snowfall granite countertops. Pendant lighting over the island combined with recessed lighting throughout the kitchen provide illumination and ambiance. The Kansas City NARI Remodeled Home Tour is April 23-24. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at any of the homes during the tour. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Habitat for Humanity Kansas City. Be sure to visit this amazing kitchen transformation by Mission Kitchen and Bath.

Time had stood still at this 1970s ranch in Armonk when the owners invited us to collaborate with them to transform it into a modern, light-filled home for their young family. The budget was lean, so economy was a primary consideration for every design decision. The challenge was to identify the modest home’s virtues – vaulted ceilings and a lovely backyard – and accentuate them by strategically optimizing available funds. We were tasked with rectifying a dysfunctional interior stair, connecting to the outdoors with new large windows, and updating the exterior. We focused our attention on a finite set of architectural moves which would have the biggest impact and improve our clients’ daily experience of the home. Detailing was kept simple, using common grade materials and standard components. All exterior walls were revamped with new windows and siding. Although these materials were not particularly costly, thoughtful layout of boards, battens, and openings produced a cohesive, rigorous composition at each facade. Since the budget would not cover the homeowners’ complete wish list, some items were bracketed for subsequent phases. The challenge was to establish a framework that would allow future work – including a new roof and kitchen renovation – to proceed smoothly. The homeowners, both scientists, were enthusiastic collaborators, contributing their outstanding design sensibilities to selection of fixtures and finishes. Construction ended just in time for the arrival of their baby – and with that, the transformation of their family home was complete.

**Check out the video of this transformation on our website** This small kitchen was way too small for this 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms apartment. Not only was it a very small kitchen, but the physical location of it made it very difficult to make it any bigger. There wasn't much that could have been done without incurring astronomical cost, which would get little or no return on the investment. The client wanted a kitchen that can be optimized in its current location to add a ton of value for resale. This was difficult to do, because there was no moving of any mechanical around in the kitchen and even if we wanted to, the management of the building would not allow. For those of you who live in condos, co-ops or apartment building, you know how difficult it is to rework these foot prints. When we showed up, we saw the problems, but we also saw a huge opportunity where we can achieve those goals in the small space. This was accomplished by making some key changes and to incorporate some new things that was not possible when this kitchen was built years ago. The crucial part of the design that would drive the entire new layout, was selecting the only appliance; that was the Refrigerator. Once we nailed down that refrigerator, we then proceeded to design the kitchen around it. We moved it to the other side of the wall where the sink was so that we can tap into the water line from the sink plumbing. It was crucial that it stays exactly 24" deep, not an inch more because we had to keep the entry as open as possible. Also, it was going to be directly in front of another big storage unit - The pantry. It is not ideal in most cases, but we needed the rest of the space to ramp up the design and open feel towards the side where all of the activities would take place, which happend to be the dining room and the view. Once all that was figured out, we re-positioned the sink, dishwasher and the range and proceeded to wrap the cabinets around the columns to integrate them into the space. Thirty- six inches cabinets height was used so that they can be installed higher towards the ceiling height to give more room rather than the standard 18" required height between the counter tops. This was done to make the room feel a lot bigger than it really was. Not to mention, we also didn't want the faucet to be buried under the cabinets so that was also a necessary design detail for the space. We then lowered both knee walls so that the counter top can sit on top of them, by removing that stop point that would have otherwise defined the kitchen area. This allowed us to pick up that extra footprint into the room for added prep space and enabled us to create the illusion of a kitchen that is looking longer than it really is. Every inch mattered when designing this kitchen and we made a conscious decision to use every one of that inch. White cabinets were selected to do just what white cabinets are design to do; make a small or dark room appear bigger, brighter and more open. In this kitchen, this was amplified the more because of the kitchen location. It was perfect! We knew we did justice to the space because while we were there taking some photos, a few potential buyers walked in and went straight for the kitchen! They said its design just to fit the apartment. Pantry roll out shelving, Double recycle bin, fancy handles, LED lighting, Quartz counter top, beautiful backslash tiles and grey linen floors finished off the kitchen which looked over a beautiful view of the George Washington Bridge from the top of this lovely 4th floor apartment. Credit to Masterpiece Tile and Marble (Annmarie on the selection of Tiles and countertop and Val on the Construction to complete this project). Davor Kokic Photography

**Check out the video of this transformation on our website** This small kitchen was way too small for this 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms apartment. Not only was it a very small kitchen, but the physical location of it made it very difficult to make it any bigger. There wasn't much that could have been done without incurring astronomical cost, which would get little or no return on the investment. The client wanted a kitchen that can be optimized in its current location to add a ton of value for resale. This was difficult to do, because there was no moving of any mechanical around in the kitchen and even if we wanted to, the management of the building would not allow. For those of you who live in condos, co-ops or apartment building, you know how difficult it is to rework these foot prints. When we showed up, we saw the problems, but we also saw a huge opportunity where we can achieve those goals in the small space. This was accomplished by making some key changes and to incorporate some new things that was not possible when this kitchen was built years ago. The crucial part of the design that would drive the entire new layout, was selecting the only appliance; that was the Refrigerator. Once we nailed down that refrigerator, we then proceeded to design the kitchen around it. We moved it to the other side of the wall where the sink was so that we can tap into the water line from the sink plumbing. It was crucial that it stays exactly 24" deep, not an inch more because we had to keep the entry as open as possible. Also, it was going to be directly in front of another big storage unit - The pantry. It is not ideal in most cases, but we needed the rest of the space to ramp up the design and open feel towards the side where all of the activities would take place, which happend to be the dining room and the view. Once all that was figured out, we re-positioned the sink, dishwasher and the range and proceeded to wrap the cabinets around the columns to integrate them into the space. Thirty- six inches cabinets height was used so that they can be installed higher towards the ceiling height to give more room rather than the standard 18" required height between the counter tops. This was done to make the room feel a lot bigger than it really was. Not to mention, we also didn't want the faucet to be buried under the cabinets so that was also a necessary design detail for the space. We then lowered both knee walls so that the counter top can sit on top of them, by removing that stop point that would have otherwise defined the kitchen area. This allowed us to pick up that extra footprint into the room for added prep space and enabled us to create the illusion of a kitchen that is looking longer than it really is. Every inch mattered when designing this kitchen and we made a conscious decision to use every one of that inch. White cabinets were selected to do just what white cabinets are design to do; make a small or dark room appear bigger, brighter and more open. In this kitchen, this was amplified the more because of the kitchen location. It was perfect! We knew we did justice to the space because while we were there taking some photos, a few potential buyers walked in and went straight for the kitchen! They said its design just to fit the apartment. Pantry roll out shelving, Double recycle bin, fancy handles, LED lighting, Quartz counter top, beautiful backslash tiles and grey linen floors finished off the kitchen which looked over a beautiful view of the George Washington Bridge from the top of this lovely 4th floor apartment. Credit to Masterpiece Tile and Marble (Annmarie on the selection of Tiles and countertop and Val on the Construction to complete this project). Davor Kokic Photography

Call Today and begin our process: First, we cover any questions you have over the phone. Usually we can give you a close approximation of what you are likely to spend on your kitchen by simply asking you a few important questions. If you would like to proceed, we charge you a $150 deposit. For this deposit our expert designer will measure your kitchen, transfer the measurements to their computer and create your individual kitchen design. And at a second 2 hour appointment they will go over the detailed 3D designs with you. At our second meeting we display and go over our completed designs and make changes to them on our laptops with you present. Depending on your and our availability, this meeting can take place within the following week. Pricing for the cabinetry you select is just the click of a button and if you are able to provide us preferences in counter tops, fixtures, appliances, flooring, and back splash, we can give you reliable pricing estimates for each area as well as estimates for the construction costs. We are glad to work with a contractor you have selected or with one of the many we regularly refer on the basis of the quality of their work and with no remuneration to Main Line Kitchen Design. Unless you require printouts of our work, everything to this point is included in our initial $150 deposit.

Call Today and begin our process: First, we cover any questions you have over the phone. Usually we can give you a close approximation of what you are likely to spend on your kitchen by simply asking you a few important questions. If you would like to proceed, we charge you a $150 deposit. For this deposit our expert designer will measure your kitchen, transfer the measurements to their computer and create your individual kitchen design. And at a second 2 hour appointment they will go over the detailed 3D designs with you. At our second meeting we display and go over our completed designs and make changes to them on our laptops with you present. Depending on your and our availability, this meeting can take place within the following week. Pricing for the cabinetry you select is just the click of a button and if you are able to provide us preferences in counter tops, fixtures, appliances, flooring, and back splash, we can give you reliable pricing estimates for each area as well as estimates for the construction costs. We are glad to work with a contractor you have selected or with one of the many we regularly refer on the basis of the quality of their work and with no remuneration to Main Line Kitchen Design. Unless you require printouts of our work, everything to this point is included in our initial $150 deposit.