Search results for "Proper functioning" in Home Design Ideas

Tenuous link I know but I worked on this semi riven Black Brazilian Slate Tiles in the kitchen and dining room of a house in the seaside town of Thornton-Cleveleys around the time of the Rio Olympics. I love working on Slate as although it’s appearance can degrade without proper maintenance due to a build-up of dirt I knew they would look fantastic by the time I had finished.
The tile itself had lost its rich black colour and the grout lines had become stained, leaving the floor as a whole looking very unattractive. Out of interest honed Slate has a smooth, refined texture whereas the riven Slate has a rougher, more natural texture, and this can make it more difficult to keep clean. Needless to say, the customer was keen to have the tiles restored to looking their best.
To restore the appearance of the Slate, I cleaned the floor and removed what remained of the old sealer off using Tile Doctor Remove and Go. This was scrubbed into the floor using a scrubbing pad fitted to a rotary machine. The floor was then rinsed with water, and the process repeated where necessary to tackle particularly stubborn areas of dirt.
As mentioned previously, the grout lines were in a particularly bad state, and would need special cleaning attention. I cleaned carefully with a strong 5-to-1 dilution of Tile Doctor Pro Clean with water, which is our high alkaline cleaner. The cleaning solution was scrubbed I’m using a stiff handheld grout brush, with the grout lines looking immediately cleaner. When I was satisfied that the grout lines had been restored to the best possible condition, I gave the floor a thorough rinse using the wet pickup function of a wet wax machine to get the floor as dry as possible and then left the whole floor to dry off overnight.
Upon my return to the property I ran some quick damp tests to check that the floor was completely dry. This is important as any excess moisture would have prevented me from sealing the tiles, since it can cloud the sealer and damage it performance.
Previously I discussed sealer options with the customer and they stated that they would prefer a Satin finish, so I applied a sealer called Tile Doctor Seal and Go, our topical sealer which will both protect the Slate from dirt and stains, and also gave it the desired finish. As you can see from the below photographs, the rich, dark shades in the Slate were really enhanced.
The customer was very pleased with the finished result, but was also concerned about keeping the Slate clean in the long-term. For regular cleaning I advised the customer to use a pH neutral cleaner for aftercare called Tile Doctor Neutral Cleaner. As a pH neutral cleaner, it will not erode the sealer compared to acidic cleaners you so often find in supermarkets.
Russell Taylor
Lancashire Tile Doctor

New windows, floors, powder room and basement:
We gave the home new windows, new hardwood floors, and paint throughout. We created a new main floor powder room and a new finished basement containing a living area, three-piece bathroom and new bedroom with egress (tilt and turn) windows.
Flipped around and redesigned kitchen:
We created a new kitchen. The footprint of the kitchen stayed the same, but we flipped it around and redesigned it. Now it has a walk-in pantry area and more floorspace going in and out, which optimized the flow of traffic. We replaced the old non-functioning mudroom with a new one.
Disappearing balcony and drafty door:
To create a new space using a balcony in a bedroom, we extended the second storey out to line up with the first floor, and this increased the square footage. In that room we turned a drafty door into a window.
We reinstated the rear deck, using as many of the original pieces as we could:
There was a leaking roof problem because the original roof pitches were causing ice damming. We designed a new roof to prevent that in the future.
New windows, stucco, and the challenge of asbestos:
Another challenge was installing new windows in the original stucco finish, which contained asbestos. We waterproofed those properly, future proofing them from leaks.
We solved the situation by installing a 5-inch trim around the perimeter of the window. Specialists cut the asbestos back (we had to set up a containment perimeter around each window), and then we placed windows that are five inches wider than the window frames. We used special flashing tapes and sealed them all up behind the stucco.

This kitchen renovation features custom rift white oak cabinetry and painted cabinetry in Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green HC-157. The slab cabinet doors and drawers with concealed pulls creates a clean minimalist look with beautiful horizontal tile. This kitchen uses an interesting mixture of metal finishes including a custom copper hood and back splash with other black accents. Seating was maximized with the use of a custom wood banquette. The use of specialty inserts such as a pot and pan pullout, peg drawers for dishes, cutlery divider, oil and spice pullouts ensure that everything has its proper place and maximized functional storage.
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The existing space was over compartmentalized and was never going to function properly as a place to cook and entertain friends. The new design involved removing an extra entry point & created all the zones necessary for fine entertaining while overlooking the vineyard.

New windows, floors, powder room and basement:
We gave the home new windows, new hardwood floors, and paint throughout. We created a new main floor powder room and a new finished basement containing a living area, three-piece bathroom and new bedroom with egress (tilt and turn) windows.
Flipped around and redesigned kitchen:
We created a new kitchen. The footprint of the kitchen stayed the same, but we flipped it around and redesigned it. Now it has a walk-in pantry area and more floorspace going in and out, which optimized the flow of traffic. We replaced the old non-functioning mudroom with a new one.
Disappearing balcony and drafty door:
To create a new space using a balcony in a bedroom, we extended the second storey out to line up with the first floor, and this increased the square footage. In that room we turned a drafty door into a window.
We reinstated the rear deck, using as many of the original pieces as we could:
There was a leaking roof problem because the original roof pitches were causing ice damming. We designed a new roof to prevent that in the future.
New windows, stucco, and the challenge of asbestos:
Another challenge was installing new windows in the original stucco finish, which contained asbestos. We waterproofed those properly, future proofing them from leaks.
We solved the situation by installing a 5-inch trim around the perimeter of the window. Specialists cut the asbestos back (we had to set up a containment perimeter around each window), and then we placed windows that are five inches wider than the window frames. We used special flashing tapes and sealed them all up behind the stucco.

The materials we work with are selected with longevity in mind, from the veneer-cored plywood to the variety of durable finishes at our disposal. We paint and finish our cabinets in-house, which gives us proper control over the quality we aim to provide.
We help people get creative with their cabinets, creating optimal layouts for efficiency and reducing wasted space.
We build high quality and custom kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, built-ins, and more!
Using cutting edge technology, we can craft the perfect cabinets for your home, tailor made to fit and look great!
We offer an ever-growing selection of specialty hardware to make your cabinets as functional as possible while looking their best both inside and out.

A complete kitchen and powder room remodel in Herndon, Virginia, designed around two clear priorities: open up the kitchen to the rest of the main level, and create an experience that felt warm and timeless rather than trendy.
The original layout had a wall separating the kitchen from the dining room and an awkward fridge wall that limited both storage and traffic flow. Our solution involved removing the dividing wall (confirmed non-load-bearing), tightening the new dining room opening to 66 inches, and extending the fridge wall 25 inches into the kitchen to create a proper full-height pantry run. The result is a kitchen that breathes — open to the dining and living areas, with clear sight lines from the island to the bay windows at the far end.
Design Approach
The clients came in knowing they didn't want white. They didn't want navy. They wanted something with real wood character — the kind of finish that ages well and looks more like furniture than stock kitchen cabinetry. Cherry was the answer to that question.
We anchored the room around contrast: warm cherry cabinetry against clean white walls and white quartz, black hardware grounding the cherry's warmth, and a single waterfall island acting as the architectural focal point. Stainless appliances, brushed gold pendant accents, and the herringbone hardwood floor pull the room together without any one element shouting for attention.
The Cabinetry
Medallion Gold Line Sonoma Cappuccino — a stained cherry finish that catches light differently throughout the day. All-plywood box construction, solid wood doors and drawer fronts, soft close everywhere, US-made with a lifetime warranty. Four pull-out drawers built into the pantry bottoms keep the deep storage actually usable rather than a black hole.
Cabinet hardware is Top Knobs Riverside Pulls in flat black — 40 pulls across drawers and doors, plus three longer pulls on the 36-inch base drawers. The black was a deliberate decision: with cherry and stainless already providing warm and cool tones, brass or gold would have been one warm tone too many. Black grounds the cabinetry and gives the kitchen its architectural definition.
The Island and Countertops
MSI Calacatta Miraggio Gold quartz throughout — perimeter counters, island, waterfall ends, and the powder room. The Gold variant has subtle warm veining that pairs with cherry where cooler whites would have fought the wood tone.
The island gets a full waterfall edge — slabs book-matched, miters precise, the finished edge essentially seamless. Treating the island as architectural sculpture rather than just functional storage. The black undermount farmhouse-style sink ties back to the hardware throughout the rest of the kitchen.
The Backsplash
MSI Metro Gold tile — small format white and gold tiles in a herringbone-adjacent pattern with intermittent gold accents. Full height, continuous behind the floating shelves and behind the hood.
Four custom floating shelves are spaced above a 3-inch countertop ledge: first shelf 18 inches above the ledge, second shelf 9 inches above that, third 18 inches above the second. The shelves are stained to match the cabinetry. The backsplash continues behind the shelves and behind the hood, so the wall reads as a continuous textured surface that the shelves and hood float in front of.
The Appliances
This is a serious cooking kitchen. The clients chose a 48-inch Wolf gas range, a Sub-Zero built-in refrigerator integrated into the cherry cabinet wall, a Wolf microwave drawer in the island base, and a Bosch dishwasher. For ventilation, we installed a 1200 CFM hood paired with a make-up air system to balance the negative pressure that hood pulls. New ducting was routed through the exterior siding on the side of the house.
The Flooring
MSI engineered hardwood throughout the entire main level — approximately 800 square feet — installed in a Bramlett herringbone pattern. Herringbone adds roughly 15-20 percent to material and labor costs because of the angled cuts and waste factor, but the result is a floor that reads as more considered and luxurious than standard plank flooring. Finished with 4.5-inch white wood baseboards throughout.
The Powder Room
A small room with a big personality. The clients chose a deep blue and teal scallop pattern wallpaper (client-supplied, we installed) and paired it with the same Sonoma Cappuccino cherry vanity used in the kitchen — material continuity between the spaces.
Powder room countertop is the same MSI Calacatta Miraggio Gold quartz from the kitchen with a rectangular white undermount sink. Hardware on the powder room vanity is Top Knobs Riverside in honey bronze rather than the kitchen's flat black — the warm bronze pulls the brass tones from the faucet into the millwork and complements the wallpaper. New sconce, kept the existing toilet (refinishing or replacing a working toilet is wasted money in a powder room remodel), and a Panasonic Whisper Green exhaust fan.
Project Specs
Location: Herndon, Virginia
Project type: Combined kitchen and powder room remodel
Project duration: Approximately 4 to 6 weeks
Style: Transitional, Modern Farmhouse, Warm Wood Contemporary
Color palette: Cherry, white, black, brushed gold, deep blue (powder room)
Materials
Cabinetry (kitchen and powder room): Medallion Gold Line Sonoma Cappuccino cherry, Shaker-style, all-plywood box construction, lifetime warranty
Kitchen hardware: Top Knobs Riverside Pulls in flat black (TK1014BLK and TK1017BLK)
Powder room hardware: Top Knobs Riverside Pulls in honey bronze (TK1012HB)
Counter tops: MSI Calacatta Miraggio Gold Quartz, pencil edge, waterfall island
Backsplash: MSI Metro Gold tile, full height
Floating shelves: 4 custom shelves at 48" by 9", stained to match cabinets
Range: 48-inch Wolf gas range
Refrigerator: Sub-Zero built-in
Microwave: Wolf microwave drawer (island base)
Hood: 1200 CFM with make-up air system
Kitchen sink: Kohler farmhouse-style, 36-inch base, black
Kitchen faucet: Brizo (homeowner-supplied)
Flooring: MSI engineered hardwood in Bramlett herringbone pattern, approximately 800 sq ft
Baseboards: 4.5-inch white wood throughout
Powder room wallpaper: Client-supplied scallop pattern in blues and teals
Powder room exhaust fan: Panasonic Whisper Green
Paint: Benjamin Moore
Designed and built by My Kitchen and Bath out of our Herndon showroom at 285 Sunset Park Drive. We've been designing and building kitchens, bathrooms, and full home renovations across Northern Virginia and the DMV since 1994.

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Columbus, OH
Structural Remodeling
Franklin County's Heavy Timber Specialists | Best of Houzz 2020!

This full yard remodel was designed to enhance both function and curb appeal. Custom patina metal planters were installed in the backyard and front yard to add visual interest and a modern, timeless touch. Faux turf was incorporated to replace high-traffic areas and eliminate persistent muddy spots, creating a clean and low-maintenance landscape solution.
Special care was taken to preserve existing mature trees, with custom turf cutouts around established trunks to allow for proper growth and drainage. The result is a cohesive, pet-friendly outdoor space that stays green year-round while maintaining the natural character of the property.

When we design, we take our design cue from nature herself. the highest compliment we can receive is having our work compliment structures, whether private residences or office complexes, and be in harmony with their surroundings.
Copper is the ultimate benchmark of any prestigious building throughout the millenniums. Its lifespan is measured in centuries, it will not fade, but will protect itself with unique rich green color from further oxidation. Properly installed, it will remain basically maintenance free.
The elegant, timeless beauty of copper combined with its legendary longevity makes it a wonderful investment. Simple, functional gutters become decorative elements when supported by ornamental gutter brackets. A copper finial or weather vane can adorn any straight or peaked roof top and give your property a distinctive crown.
More About Our Copper Services: http://www.abedward.com/custom-copper-work/
(847) 827-1605 | www.abedward.com

This Sammamish, WA project transformed the homeowner’s outdoor living space with the construction of a custom 25' x 20' gable-style patio cover designed to provide year-round protection and comfort. The structure was engineered to complement the home’s existing architecture and finished with durable, low-maintenance materials for long-term performance.
Key features included a new composite roof system matched to the existing home, integrated gutters and downspouts for proper drainage, custom-wrapped support posts, and a finished tongue-and-groove-style soffit ceiling that creates a clean, polished appearance. The project also included permit preparation, engineering, and municipal approvals to ensure compliance with local building requirements.
The completed patio cover provides a spacious outdoor gathering area that enhances both the functionality and value of the property while delivering protection from the Pacific Northwest weather. The result is a beautiful extension of the home that can be enjoyed throughout the year for entertaining, dining, and relaxation.

This completed Port Perry project features a striking interlocking stone driveway that brings a clean, modern look to a classic two-storey brick home.
The design showcases large-format, multi-tonal grey concrete pavers laid in a structured, contemporary pattern, complemented by a darker border that neatly frames the driveway and guides the eye toward the garage. The expansive layout creates a grand entrance while maintaining symmetry with the home’s architecture and surrounding landscape.
Built with precision, the installation includes a properly prepared base and careful grading to ensure durability and reliable drainage in all seasons. Subtle in-ground lighting along the driveway edges adds both safety and a soft, upscale ambiance in the evening.
For the homeowners, the widened driveway offers improved parking and maneuverability, while the interlocking system provides a long-lasting, low-maintenance alternative to traditional asphalt. The result is a refined, functional upgrade that enhances curb appeal and adds lasting value to the property.

Chiara Rose Anti-slip Armless Sofa Cover Furniture Protector Chair Size Diamond
Dimensions: 29 Inch X 70 Inch
BEST SOFA PROTECTOR - This Slipcover is Extremely Sturdy, as well as an Instant, Magical Solution to Renew your Old Furniture with an Elegant Look! Ultrasonically welded seams prevent ripping apart and unraveling. The Edges are Laser-Cut to give a Chenille Trim Effect. Its Velvety Texture is Soft and also functions like a Warm Pet Bed giving a Sense of Security while your Pet is Resting. Our Covers are absolutely Pet-Friendly.
PROTECTIVE! Best Protection for ANIMAL SCRATCHES FUR SHED-HAIR DIRT FOOD SPILLS WEAR TEAR! STAIN PROOF! Perfect Guard against Cats Dogs Kids Children!
DECORATIVE! Great Stylish Coverage and Luxury Decoration in Living, Sitting Room with Full Solid Colors and Beautiful Printed, Patterned Designs, Extra Deluxe Décor, Nice Plush Texture! New Modern Look! CUSTOM-FIT! Relaxed fitted in Wing-back, Club, Rocker, Single Chair and a Half, one two three Pillow Coach, 1 2 Seaters, Box, T cushion, L, U shape Seaters! Big Large Long Wide Couches! Leather Velour Denim Twill Linen Sofas!
NON SLIDE! Slid-Resistant with PLASTIC DROP BACKING! No More Slipping Off / Sliding Over! Plastic Dots firmly Grip Upholstery! Stays in Place! No Zipper, Mat, Elastic Strap! No Pads under!
EASY CARE & WASH, DURABLE, DETERRENT! Machine Washable! Easily Removable Ready Made Furniture Throws! Cheap and Inexpensive! Heavy Duty Fabric! Stretch Enough to Cloth up Perfectly and Look Form Fit! NO ARMS! Slipcovers with Armrests DON’T properly FIT IN the Armrests and always create Fitting Problems. You know, they also have an Ugly Look. But with Chiara Rose no Need to Worry about Armrests anymore!
• PLEASE MAKE SURE TO READ DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION BELOW!
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Product Description
WHY CHIARA ROSE SOFA COVERS?
Kids and Pets; We love them but we also love our furniture. Cleaning furniture is one of the most difficult chores and that’s why you need to protect it from dirt. The easiest and economical way of preserving your furniture is Chiara Rose Sofa Protector. Just put the sofa protector on your sofas (futon or couch) and stop worrying about stains and spills. It is perfect for homes with kids and pets. Pets love to scratch upholstery of the furniture. The enduring 220 gsm polyester fabric of Chiara Rose Sofa Protectors prevents tears and any kind of debris on your sofas. Its sturdy texture doesn’t let any spill and dirt penetrate the upholstery.
Besides being durable, Chiara Rose Sofa Cover is suitable to all types of decoration. To express your own personal style, you can choose from a variety of color and design options that fit perfectly to your home décor. With brilliant colors and attractive patterns, Chiara Rose Sofa Covers will give your room a completely new outlook. Unlike other covers, you don’t need to remove Chiara Rose Sofa Protector when you have guests. It will both protect your furniture and become a part of your home decoration.
WHY CHIARA ROSE SOFA PROTECTOR IS DURABLE?
The most common problem with traditional sofa covers is that after a short time of use the stitches come apart. The edges of Chiara Rose Sofa Cover are manufactured with ultrasonic laser cut technology. This technology prevents the edges from unraveling. What’s more, the 220 gsm polyester knitted fabric is the most long lasting fabric used in furniture protectors. While being durable, this fabric gives a warm sense
of touch and pleasure to sit upon.
WHY CHIARA ROSE IS THE BEST ANTI-SLIP SOFA PROTECTOR?
We always use the most contemporary technology to develop our products. That’s why we decided to use the patented plastic drop design on the back side of our covers to create the anti slip effect. These plastic drops firmly grip the upholstery of furniture so that the cover doesn’t slip off the seat easily. Even after your kids and pets jump on the sofa, Chiara Rose Sofa Cover holds on to your furniture. A quick adjustment is all it takes to get it back to look smooth. Chiara Rose Sofa Cover is the only sofa protector that uses this new technology.
WHY IT IS EASY TO USE CHIARA ROSE SOFA PROTECTORS?
No zippers, no elastic straps, no metal hooks!!! The anti-slip drops will take care of everything! , As shown on the image, just lay Chiara Rose Sofa Cover on your sofa, and tuck it between the cushion and the arms of the sofa. That’s all you need to do to put it on.
Chiara Rose Sofa Protector doesn’t allow everyday dirt, pet hair and food spills reach your sofa. The pattern of the fabric prevents accumulation of dirt on it. You can easily take off this dirt. In order to get best results, use a vacuum cleaner or shake your cover off before machine wash.
Chiara Rose Sofa Protector is easy care. It can be machine washed on max. 30°C or 85°F water temperature. Don’t use bleacher. Machine dryer can be used on low heat setting. To avoid wrinkles, use gentle cycle on washing machine and hang from a line while drying. If necessary, iron at low temperature.

This traditional Cape Cod style house design offers the perfect blend of charm and functionality within a compact space. The exterior features board and batten and lap siding, reminiscent of the modern farmhouse architectural style. This two-story home boasts three bedrooms and two garages at the rear.
Visitors are greeted by a covered entrance porch with four columns, dividing the house into distinct sections. Inside, a spacious living room with ample windows and a back porch provides a cozy retreat, complete with a fireplace for winter warmth. The kitchen features a walk-in cabinet pantry, a breakfast nook, and a connected dining room.
The main floor also includes a reading room with proper ventilation and a luxurious master suite, complete with a master bath and walk-in closet. Upstairs, two bedrooms with wardrobes, a media lounge, a multipurpose room, and a bath offer flexible living spaces. The upstairs bedroom layout ensures a comfortable environment tailored to your preferences.
With its low height and wide framing, this home has a rich history of attracting people, offering a timeless appeal that continues to captivate homeowners.

They provide a clear way of containing elements both functional and ornamental. Plus, they help prevent the wanderings of both pets and young children. Properly designed and constructed fences will add beauty and value to your property.

This house was in need of a true master suite. The mid-century home had a small master bedroom with a half bathroom. In the daylight basement, there was a beautiful room with a fireplace, large windows, a utility closet, and a separate bathroom. This was a perfect space to remodel the bathroom and make it a true master suite. We doubled the bathroom's size by taking a utility room in the garage. This allowed us to add floor space and large windows for maximum daylight. We also added an oversized tiled shower, double sinks, and a linen closet to help increase the function of the space.
This home has a lot of charm with the unusual rooms in it. The house didn’t present itself in a true mid-century modern feel, but more on the traditional side. This allowed us to design with some unique features such as the patterned tile flooring, satin brass fixtures, floating vanity, and simple flat moldings. Updating the space gave this growing family a quiet oasis for mom and dad to wind down properly.

Perfect Pools designed an outdoor space that worked well for this Vienna, VA home. We wanted to keep the proper amount of green space still while making the space functional. This pool is in the town of Vienna, so extra steps were needed for the permitting process.
We used a Flagstone Patio with additional Bluestone Steppers to Landscape the area. This Pool has an Auto Cover to help not only with safety, but to also help retain heat for the cooler evenings. The interior finish is a SGM Riverrock Pebble.

They provide a clear way of containing elements both functional and ornamental. Plus, they help prevent the wanderings of both pets and young children. Properly designed and constructed fences will add beauty and value to your property.

Incorporating wine storage into your living space is a sophisticated enhancement that combines both practicality and elegance.
Installing a wine rack or a dedicated wine refrigerator allows you to showcase and preserve your wine collection in an organized and temperature-controlled environment.
Whether it's a built-in wine cabinet in the kitchen or a designated wine cellar, the addition of wine storage not only serves a functional purpose but also adds a touch of luxury to your home.
Consider ambient lighting or glass doors for a visually striking display. This upgrade not only ensures proper storage conditions for your wines but also becomes a stylish focal point, transforming your space into a connoisseur's haven.

Built in 1938, this home has some beautiful architectural features. The former kitchen was charming, but it was not functional. Cabinet drawers were not opening properly, there was no hot water at the sink and there was no electric on the island. With the new kitchen design, we added several modern amenities, several of which are concealed behind cabinet doors and drawers.
Credits:
Designer: Erin Hurst, CKD-French's Cabinet Gallery, LLC
Contractor: Benjamin Breeding- Breeding Homes, LLC
Countertops: Smokey Mountain Tops
Cabinetry: Crestwood Inc.
Crown Molding: Stephens Millwork & Lumber Company
Tile: Dal Tile-Beth Taylor
Appliances: A1 Appliance-Tom Burns
Plumbing Fixtures: Kenny & Company-Jessica Smith
Paint: Jo Ella McClellan
Photographer: Dylan Reyes-Dylan Reyes Photos

For the kitchen, the space is designed for a gourmet cook who loves to entertain in the country. The entire space was gutted to make room for a diversity of functions within the area. Counter space is gained and a separate identity created for the breakfast room by adding the arched opening and cabinets between it and the kitchen proper. The breakfast room is airy with the addition of a greenhouse, affording views of the yard and swimming pool.
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