These past clients wanted to renovate and redecorate their 25-year-old family room, primary bedroom, and ensuite. They wanted a vibrant and fresh colour palette for the family room. We replaced the flooring, designed a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, and provided new furnishings and décor. In the bedroom and ensuite, they wanted a fresh and spa-like colour palette. Both function and beauty were important to them. We changed the ensuite layout to allow for a large walk-in shower and two vanities. Beautiful wallpaper and finishes adorn this new space. The bedroom was given a major facelift. New furniture, bedding, drapery, and wallcoverings provide them with a bedroom to retire to at night. For more about Lumar Interiors, see here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/portfolio/woodbridge-family-home-renovation-decor/

Beach style living room photo in Orange County

This year’s Designer Showhouse was another great opportunity to give back to our Montecito community while showcasing our work as a fully integrated interior design studio. This time around, we participated in the first Home & Garden Designer Showcase by creating the lounge, bar area, and powder room of a nearly 6,000 square foot home in the neighborhood. The beautiful MARIA LAURA table from our SORELLA furniture line provides a joyful centerpiece to the seating area and shows how flexible and outside-the-box our furniture designs can be. The distinct piano bench, also one of our designs, gives the space a sophisticated touch, and pillows from our MB Home Collection provide a perfect complement to the plush chairs. All of the staging and décor accessories are from louis + rocco, our home decor styling rental business. Project designed by Montecito interior designer Margarita Bravo. She serves Montecito as well as surrounding areas such as Hope Ranch, Summerland, Santa Barbara, Isla Vista, Mission Canyon, Carpinteria, Goleta, Ojai, Los Olivos, and Solvang. --- For more about MARGARITA BRAVO, click here: https://www.margaritabravo.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.margaritabravo.com/portfolio/denver-2021-designer-showhouse/

This year’s Designer Showhouse was another great opportunity to give back to our Montecito community while showcasing our work as a fully integrated interior design studio. This time around, we participated in the first Home & Garden Designer Showcase by creating the lounge, bar area, and powder room of a nearly 6,000 square foot home in the neighborhood. The beautiful MARIA LAURA table from our SORELLA furniture line provides a joyful centerpiece to the seating area and shows how flexible and outside-the-box our furniture designs can be. The distinct piano bench, also one of our designs, gives the space a sophisticated touch, and pillows from our MB Home Collection provide a perfect complement to the plush chairs. All of the staging and décor accessories are from louis + rocco, our home decor styling rental business. Project designed by Montecito interior designer Margarita Bravo. She serves Montecito as well as surrounding areas such as Hope Ranch, Summerland, Santa Barbara, Isla Vista, Mission Canyon, Carpinteria, Goleta, Ojai, Los Olivos, and Solvang. --- For more about MARGARITA BRAVO, click here: https://www.margaritabravo.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.margaritabravo.com/portfolio/denver-2021-designer-showhouse/

Our mission at Sanders Brick is to provide professional expertise to our clients. We offer professional brick siding services in South Pasadena, taking care of outstanding construction/installation to individual homeowners, businesses and other service providers. Call Sanders Brick to learn more or to schedule an estimate. Brick Siding in South Pasadena, CA - http://www.sandersbricks.com/

Our mission at Sanders Brick is to provide professional expertise to our clients. We offer professional paving contractor services in Los Angeles, taking care of outstanding construction/installation to individual homeowners, businesses and other service providers. Call Sanders Brick to learn more or to schedule an estimate. Our Services: -Pavers Installation in Los Angeles CA. -Brick Masonry in Los Angeles CA. -Stone Siding in Los Angeles CA. -Stone Masonry in Los Angeles CA. -Brick Siding in Los Angeles CA. -Concrete Driveway in Los Angeles CA. -Stamped Concrete in Los Angeles CA. -Decorative Concrete in Los Angeles CA. -Asphalt Paving in Los Angeles CA. -Retaining Wall Construction in Los Angeles CA. -Foundation Construction in Los Angeles CA. Paving Contractors Services in Los Angeles, CA - https://www.sandersbricks.com/

Our mission at Sanders Brick is to provide professional expertise to our clients. We offer professional stone siding services in Los Angeles, taking care of outstanding construction/installation to individual homeowners, businesses and other service providers. Call Sanders Brick to learn more or to schedule an estimate. Stone Siding Services in Los Angeles, CA - http://www.sandersbricks.com/

This year’s Designer Showhouse was another great opportunity to give back to our Montecito community while showcasing our work as a fully integrated interior design studio. This time around, we participated in the first Home & Garden Designer Showcase by creating the lounge, bar area, and powder room of a nearly 6,000 square foot home in the neighborhood. The beautiful MARIA LAURA table from our SORELLA furniture line provides a joyful centerpiece to the seating area and shows how flexible and outside-the-box our furniture designs can be. The distinct piano bench, also one of our designs, gives the space a sophisticated touch, and pillows from our MB Home Collection provide a perfect complement to the plush chairs. All of the staging and décor accessories are from louis + rocco, our home decor styling rental business. Project designed by Montecito interior designer Margarita Bravo. She serves Montecito as well as surrounding areas such as Hope Ranch, Summerland, Santa Barbara, Isla Vista, Mission Canyon, Carpinteria, Goleta, Ojai, Los Olivos, and Solvang. --- For more about MARGARITA BRAVO, click here: https://www.margaritabravo.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.margaritabravo.com/portfolio/denver-2021-designer-showhouse/

At Acre Windows, we pride ourselves on delivering beautiful and functional home upgrades, and our latest installation in Belvedere, NJ, is no exception! This week, we installed an Andersen 400 Series gliding patio door, offering the perfect blend of style, functionality, and durability. A Modern Look with a Timeless Touch For this project, the homeowners chose a stunning two-tone finish: a natural pine interior and a crisp white exterior. The natural pine interior adds warmth and elegance to the home’s interior spaces, giving a timeless, natural look. Meanwhile, the white exterior perfectly complements the modern aesthetic, providing a clean, sophisticated curb appeal that stands up to the elements. Why the Andersen 400 Series? The Andersen 400 Series gliding patio door is known for its versatility and durability. With its dual-finish option, it seamlessly blends interior and exterior design needs. Not only is it visually appealing, but it also offers superior energy efficiency and smooth gliding operation—ideal for high-traffic patio areas. This modern patio door upgrade provides a large glass surface area, which maximizes natural light while offering excellent insulation to keep your home comfortable year-round. Andersen Certified Installer: As an Andersen Certified Installer, Acre Windows ensures that every Andersen product is installed to the highest standards. Our certification reflects our expertise and commitment to quality, giving homeowners peace of mind that their installation is done right. From the precision installation of your Andersen patio doors to personalized service, we deliver long-lasting results you can trust. Why Choose Acre Windows? At Acre Windows, we specialize in custom solutions to enhance your home’s aesthetic and functionality. Our expert team ensures top-quality installation that meets your specific needs, whether it’s for style, energy efficiency, or ease of use. If you’re in Belvedere, NJ, or the surrounding areas and are considering upgrading your patio doors, contact Acre Windows to learn more about our range of Andersen patio door options!

Our mission at Sanders Brick is to provide professional expertise to our clients. We offer professional stone masonry services in South Pasadena, taking care of outstanding construction/installation to individual homeowners, businesses and other service providers. Call Sanders Brick to learn more or to schedule an estimate. Stone Masonry in South Pasadena, CA - http://www.sandersbricks.com/

These past clients wanted to renovate and redecorate their 25-year-old family room, primary bedroom, and ensuite. They wanted a vibrant and fresh colour palette for the family room. We replaced the flooring, designed a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, and provided new furnishings and décor. In the bedroom and ensuite, they wanted a fresh and spa-like colour palette. Both function and beauty were important to them. We changed the ensuite layout to allow for a large walk-in shower and two vanities. Beautiful wallpaper and finishes adorn this new space. The bedroom was given a major facelift. New furniture, bedding, drapery, and wallcoverings provide them with a bedroom to retire to at night. For more about Lumar Interiors, see here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/portfolio/woodbridge-family-home-renovation-decor/

If you are looking to fill out a large outdoor space with furniture that displays elegant style and provides your guests with complete comfort, the 7 Pc. Coronado Wicker Sofa Set by Sunset West (2101-SS-7Pc) is just what you are looking for. The set seats nine adults and is highlighted by the sophisticated look of driftwood wicker made from synthetic resin and the comfort of plush seating cushions wrapped in Sunbrella brand fabrics. Choose a Sunbrella fabric from the options listed above. Also feel free to customize your set by using the drop down option menus above. This Sofa Set Includes: one love seat, a sofa, club chair, a double chaise, a chaise ottoman, a coffee table, and an end table. Additional Coronado pieces can easily be added to the collection by using the drop down window above to customize your configuration or by scrolling below to add related items. Features at a Glance Premium resin wicker in Driftwood color Cushion fabric resistant to stains, water, and oil UV Ray protection on wicker for increased longevity Pictured cushions included - custom Sunbrella® fabric options available Dimensions Sofa: 106"W x 35"D x 35"H (2101-23) Love Seat: 75"W x 35"D x 35"H (2101-22) Club Chair: 35"W x 35"D x 35"H (2101-21) Double Chaise: 63"W x 75"D x 29"H (2101-99) Ottoman: 50"W x 28"D x 17"H Coffee Table: 48"W x 32"D x 20"H (2101-CT) End Table: 22"W x 22"D x 22"H (2101-ET)

The kitchen may be the heart of a home, but the dining room is where the family gathers to enjoy special occasions, create and pass on traditions, and savour each other’s company free from distractions. The family behind this particular dining room enjoys doing just that. When they are not traveling the world, Matthew and Anna (names changed) love to cook meals at home with their teenage daughter, entertain family and friends, and live amongst their cherished travel souvenirs and heirlooms. Their dining room, however, was far from the perfect backdrop for these experiences. Before: Dining Room: When Matthew and Anna contacted us, they imagined a space that would comfortably seat 8 to 10 people and incorporate their beautiful inherited dining table and sideboard in a fresh, modern way. Above all, they wanted a dining room that they would feel proud to share. They worked with us to design, lightly renovate, and furnish their dining room and adjacent living space. Now, the room is nothing short of inviting and elevated. Classic Yet Contemporary Dining Room: Viewed from the living area, the dining room is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Matthew and Anna wanted dark blue for the walls, and we couldn’t have been happier to find the perfect shade for them. By leaning darker, this rich blue creates the perception of depth, making the room feel enticing, comfortable and secluded. The previous built-ins were underwhelming and lacked function, so we designed wider, taller, double sided cabinets that integrated the existing bulk-head, and then accessorized the shelves with the family’s travel finds, books, and decor. Topping these units with brass art lights not only blends contemporary and traditional styles, it also draws attention to the dining table’s modern show-stopping chandelier. You can’t miss it. Inside the dining room, the effect is equally impressive: enveloping yet spacious, warm yet cool, classic yet contemporary. We incorporated their heirloom pieces seamlessly into the design thanks to the 1:2 ratio. For every traditional piece, we introduced two more modern or contemporary pieces — clean lines, subtle curves, and lustrous brass hardware. The result is a collected yet updated look. In any room with dark walls, lighting is of the utmost importance. We placed a mirror adjacent to the window to reflect natural light throughout the room, and we kept the trim and ceiling white for brightness. To provide maximum versatility, we provided multiple light sources that can be adjusted to create different levels of light to suit any mood or occasion. These include: pot lights and a chandelier on dimmers, a sculptural trilight lamp on the sideboard, and art lights on the bookcases and above important art pieces. The built-ins have another surprise waiting inside this special dining room: Double-sided built-ins: dining room shelving and living room shelving. Rather than keep them white like we did in the living room, we painted the back wall of the book cases the same dark blue as the walls in the rest of the room. This reduces the contrast with the surrounding walls and emphasizes the white outline of the cabinets. We also love the dark blue walls’ role as a beautiful backdrop for this family’s treasures. The brass accessories and hand-painted vases and bowls feel like part of the experience. Of course, what is beauty without function? It may not look like it, but the base storage is only accessible from the dining room side. The units include deep cabinets for storing serving ware, as well as another delightful surprise: silverware drawers lined in luxurious navy velvet! Lastly, we designed this beautiful nook for their heirloom sideboard. From afar, the wall looks as if it has texture and perhaps a touch of shine. Up close, you will notice that it is actually navy blue wallpaper with tiny golden dots. This unique touch accentuates the brass in the room touches throughout the space.. The room feels curated, contemporary, and full of character. Words of Praise: Anna and Matthew were thrilled with their new dining room and with the design process itself, which is always the highest compliment. They said: “Working with Lori and her team at Simply Home Decorating was a great experience. The design they came up with was both beautiful and practical for our family. Renovations can be stressful but working with Simply Home made the process much more pleasant. “Simply Home's project management and their longstanding relationships with reliable trades meant we could relax, knowing that everything was taken care of. If an issue arose, the entire Simply Home team was quick to address it. They were excellent at communicating with us—we never felt like we didn't know what was going on. We would highly recommend working with Simply Home Decorating.” Thank you, Matthew and Anna! We are honoured to have been part of your journey and wish your family many happy memories in these new spaces. Now, is it your turn? Are you ready to uncover the hidden potential in your home? If so, contact us here to start the conversation or download my guide Uncovering the Hidden Potential in Your Home below to learn more about what we can do for you.

LEED Certification Level: V4 Builder: BPC Green Builders, LLC Architect: Trillium Architects. The Taft School faculty home serves as a high performance residence and learning lab for students. The project also earned certification through ENERGY STAR, Indoor airPLUS, Water Sense, PHIUS, and Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Homes with Living Building Challenge Petal recognition pending. The project team was honored with third place in the 2014 Connecticut Zero Energy Home Challenge. Excluding the photovoltaic installation the HERS index was 33, and with the 13.1 kW the HERS index is -14. A year of utility bills show the home is producing more electricity than it uses. Located on a quiet street adjacent to campus the existing, historic home was deconstructed and materials donated or reused where possible. Challenged to find high efficiency windows that were historic commission acceptable, the team installed Klearwall awnings or casements over fixed glass (to mimic double hungs) with simulated divided lites (u-values as low as 0.13). A high solar heat gain coefficient (0.58) facilitates the passive solar gain for winter months, while well designed overhangs and a pergola shade summer sun. Double stud walls have 2¼” closed cell foam plus 8½” dense pack cellulose for a R-49 cavity. The exterior sheathing is R-6.6 Zip Wall System with taped seams to create the continuous air barrier. Inside the solid concrete foundation is 3” closed cell foam behind 2x4 stud walls and R-32 cellulose in the cavity. Prefabricated TJI joists frame the attic floor, an insulated “room” houses the heat recovery ventilator and ductwork, and blown in cellulose blankets it all in R-86. The house tested 0.6ACH50 proving the effectiveness of its air-tight envelope and attention to air sealing. Heating and cooling is provided by efficient air source heat pumps (9.2 HSPF, 16.5 SEER) and delivered by short duct runs which tested extremely tight. A heat pump water heater provides domestic hot water and an on-demand switch, with an occupancy sensor at each bath, ensures hot water is delivered fast and efficiently. Low flow fixtures are WaterSense certified, appliances are Energy Star labeled, and all LED lighting. A Zehnder Novus 300 (93.3% efficient) HRV supplies 112 cfm of continuous fresh air while using only 32 watts of power and running quietly. The homeowners control the mechanical ventilation through the intuitive wall-mounted control pad to shut off or increase the ventilation. Chemicals and contaminants were reduced by using low VOC and GreenGuard certified sealants, adhesives, primers, and paints. A walk-off matt at the side entry and hardwood floors help control dirt and dust. The granite front steps were salvaged and local stone used for the patio and stone walls. Storm water runoff from the roof, patio, and driveway is managed by the rain garden. The native landscaping is low maintenance, a community garden produces vegetables, and the chicken coop is powered by its own roof mounted PV panels. Taft School Director of Environmental Stewardship, Carly Borken has used the design and construction process as a teaching tool for her science classes. With access to the home monitoring system they can virtually access the residents’ consumption.

Walt, Terri and I are the authors of four books which provide wisdom and insight on building extraordinary custom homes, additions and renovations. Collectively our books provide “must know” information which could save you headaches, heartaches and thousands (if not tens of thousands) of dollars when building a custom home, addition or renovation. * "Building An Extraordinary Custom Home - What You Need to Know", First Edition, 150+ pages, (2018) * "50 Steps to a Building a Custom Home - Learn The Sequential Process Before You Begin", Second Edtion,100+ pages, (2015) * "What to Expect When Building A Custom Home - Questions Smart Homebuyers Ask Their Builder", Tenth Edition, 160+ pages, (2013) * "IN HOUSE - Creating Your Dream Home, Room By Room.", First Edition, 160+ pages (Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 anticipated publishing date) Marv Ritter, Rite-Way Custom Homes, LLC (630) 790-8144

These past clients wanted to renovate and redecorate their 25-year-old family room, primary bedroom, and ensuite. They wanted a vibrant and fresh colour palette for the family room. We replaced the flooring, designed a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, and provided new furnishings and décor. In the bedroom and ensuite, they wanted a fresh and spa-like colour palette. Both function and beauty were important to them. We changed the ensuite layout to allow for a large walk-in shower and two vanities. Beautiful wallpaper and finishes adorn this new space. The bedroom was given a major facelift. New furniture, bedding, drapery, and wallcoverings provide them with a bedroom to retire to at night. For more about Lumar Interiors, see here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/portfolio/woodbridge-family-home-renovation-decor/

These past clients wanted to renovate and redecorate their 25-year-old family room, primary bedroom, and ensuite. They wanted a vibrant and fresh colour palette for the family room. We replaced the flooring, designed a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, and provided new furnishings and décor. In the bedroom and ensuite, they wanted a fresh and spa-like colour palette. Both function and beauty were important to them. We changed the ensuite layout to allow for a large walk-in shower and two vanities. Beautiful wallpaper and finishes adorn this new space. The bedroom was given a major facelift. New furniture, bedding, drapery, and wallcoverings provide them with a bedroom to retire to at night. For more about Lumar Interiors, see here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/portfolio/woodbridge-family-home-renovation-decor/

These past clients wanted to renovate and redecorate their 25-year-old family room, primary bedroom, and ensuite. They wanted a vibrant and fresh colour palette for the family room. We replaced the flooring, designed a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, and provided new furnishings and décor. In the bedroom and ensuite, they wanted a fresh and spa-like colour palette. Both function and beauty were important to them. We changed the ensuite layout to allow for a large walk-in shower and two vanities. Beautiful wallpaper and finishes adorn this new space. The bedroom was given a major facelift. New furniture, bedding, drapery, and wallcoverings provide them with a bedroom to retire to at night. For more about Lumar Interiors, see here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/portfolio/woodbridge-family-home-renovation-decor/

Our mission at Sanders Brick is to provide professional expertise to our clients. We offer professional stone masonry services in South Pasadena, taking care of outstanding construction/installation to individual homeowners, businesses and other service providers. Call Sanders Brick to learn more or to schedule an estimate. Stone Masonry in South Pasadena, CA - http://www.sandersbricks.com/