Brad Haines knows a thing or two about building things. The intensely creative and innovative founder of Oklahoma City-based Haines Capital is the driving force behind numerous successful companies including Bank 7 (NASDAQ BSVN), which proudly reported record year-end earnings since going public in September of last year. He has beautifully built, renovated, and personally thumb printed all of his commercial spaces and residences. “Our theory is to keep things sophisticated but comfortable,” Brad says. That’s the exact approach he took in his personal haven in Nichols Hills, Oklahoma. Painstakingly renovated over the span of two years by Candeleria Foster Design-Build of Oklahoma City, his home boasts museum-white, authentic Venetian plaster walls and ceilings; charcoal tiled flooring; imported marble in the master bath; and a pretty kitchen you’ll want to emulate. Reminiscent of an edgy luxury hotel, it is a vibe conjured by Cantoni designer Nicole George. “The new remodel plan was all about opening up the space and layering monochromatic color with lots of texture,” says Nicole, who collaborated with Brad on two previous projects. “The color palette is minimal, with charcoal, bone, amber, stone, linen and leather.” “Sophisticated“Sophisticated“Sophisticated“Sophisticated“Sophisticated Nicole helped oversee space planning and selection of interior finishes, lighting, furnishings and fine art for the entire 7,000-square-foot home. It is now decked top-to-bottom in pieces sourced from Cantoni, beginning with the custom-ordered console at entry and a pair of Glacier Suspension fixtures over the stairwell. “Every angle in the house is the result of a critical thought process,” Nicole says. “We wanted to make sure each room would be purposeful.” To that end, “we reintroduced the ‘parlor,’ and also redefined the formal dining area as a bar and drink lounge with enough space for 10 guests to comfortably dine,” Nicole says. Brad’s parlor holds the Swing sectional customized in a silky, soft-hand charcoal leather crafted by prominent Italian leather furnishings company Gamma. Nicole paired it with the Kate swivel chair customized in a light grey leather, the sleek DK writing desk, and the Black & More bar cabinet by Malerba. “Nicole has a special design talent and adapts quickly to what we expect and like,” Brad says. To create the restaurant-worthy dining space, Nicole brought in a black-satin glass and marble-topped dining table and mohair-velvet chairs, all by Italian maker Gallotti & Radice. Guests can take a post-dinner respite on the adjoining room’s Aston sectional by Gamma. In the formal living room, Nicole paired Cantoni’s Fashion Affair club chairs with the Black & More cocktail table, and sofas sourced from Désirée, an Italian furniture upholstery company that creates cutting-edge yet comfortable pieces. The color-coordinating kitchen and breakfast area, meanwhile, hold a set of Guapa counter stools in ash grey leather, and the Ray dining table with light-grey leather Cattelan Italia chairs. The expansive loggia also is ideal for entertaining and lounging with the Versa grand sectional, the Ido cocktail table in grey aged walnut and Dolly chairs customized in black nubuck leather. Nicole made most of the design decisions, but, “she took my suggestions seriously and then put me in my place,” Brad says. She had the master bedroom’s Marlon bed by Gamma customized in a remarkably soft black leather with a matching stitch and paired it with onyx gloss Black & More nightstands. “The furnishings absolutely complement the style,” Brad says. “They are high-quality and have a modern flair, but at the end of the day, are still comfortable and user-friendly.” The end result is a home Brad not only enjoys, but one that Nicole also finds exceptional. “I honestly love every part of this house,” Nicole says. “Working with Brad is always an adventure but a privilege that I take very seriously, from the beginning of the design process to installation.”

This beautiful North Vancouver home belongs to a nature-loving and health-conscious couple, Emma and Vince (names changed), their two young children, and their dog, Jasper. When they contacted us about renovating and furnishing their kitchen and family room, we walked in and saw a world of potential waiting to be uncovered. Before: Larkhall Crescent Home: Like many original North Vancouver homes, the interior was definitely dated. We encountered late ‘80s finishes in powder pink and teal green, old carpet, and a kitchen that wasn’t maximized to suit this family’s modern-day lifestyle. However, the size of the rooms offered us a ton of space with which to get creative. Knowing our clients’ love of cooking, need for work spaces (Emma and Vince both work remotely), and growing family, we developed a design concept that would increase usable space, optimize storage, and create intimacy in this large area. As for the style, we were inspired by their European roots, inventing a new and modern take on “Belgian Farmhouse” style. Now, the home is truly one-of-a-kind. After: Warm & Cozy Family Room: Fresh, bright, and comfortable, this living area has been transformed! We started with the fireplace as a focal point, selecting aged brick tiles for added texture and a crisp wood mantle. The taupe-coloured sectional infuses the room with visual warmth and serves the added purpose of separating the family room from the kitchen. Emma and Vince were also keen on using non-toxic materials in their home, and we were happy to oblige. To meet their needs, we sourced natural wood elements and sought out Canadian-made products - that adhere to high health standards - whenever possible. Look closer at the elements of this space, and you will find this stunning, honeycomb-patterned rug in earthy gold, beige, and charcoal tones. It’s plush to the touch and full of visual texture that brings this room’s colour palette together. We sourced these two-tone chairs with caning, petrified wood side table, black sconces, and botanical prints in greyscale from local artist, Heather Johnston. We topped off the space with this dark wood and rattan console that offers storage facing the kitchen and presents an opportunity to display cherished items. The result is a cozy lounging space brimming with comfort and functionality. It’s perfect for enjoying quality family time, or Emma can simply slide the coffee table away to make room for her morning yoga practice. Now, let’s turn around and give some attention to the kitchen. Do you remember what the original kitchen looked like? If not, scroll back up, because the transformation is shocking… Moody & Welcoming Kitchen for Healthy Living: This kitchen looks very different from how it started, right? Though we didn’t touch any walls, the kitchen has almost doubled in usable space! We created a long, extended island with storage, an outlet for small appliances, and seating for comfortable prep, after-school snacking, or mingling among friends. On the other side of the island, the family has even more storage and an integrated dishwasher within easy reach of the sink, perfect for quick clean-up. From this angle, you can also see the expansive custom Shaker cabinetry in white and the integrated double ovens. These facilitate their cooking experience and gave us the opportunity to add an additional surprise… A coffee garage station and more hidden storage! Keeping these items located along the perimeter allows them to be accessed by the family or their guests without someone getting under the cook’s feet. These are the little details that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. Moving deeper into the kitchen, the seamless induction cooktop topped with a freestanding concealed hood fan commands attention in a soft yet prominent way. The natural wood accent mirrors the fireplace mantle, and the choice of off-black wood-grain cabinets not only continues our black-and-white colour palette but adds a sense of depth and contrast. The corner sink is located to the right and perfectly positioned with a view of their thriving backyard. To invite more of this family’s character into the space, we mixed metals for interest — matte black, dark pewter, and warm brass — and created open shelves in white oak for their plants and decor. You can also glimpse the tumbled edge of the backsplash tile, which echoes the rustic brick of the fireplace. It adds that farmhouse charm while still feeling timeless and sophisticated. Last but not least, we designed this dining banquette in the bay window (with integrated bench storage, of course), where the family can share a meal together, the kids can do homework, or Emma and Vince can work and enjoy a change of scenery from their offices. Like the other spaces in the home, it was designed to be beautiful, multi-functional, and long-lasting. Praise from Our Clients: It is clear that we love this home, but what did our clients have to say? “Lori is a visionary and masters execution to the finest detail all at the same time. When she first met us to know more about who we are and how we live, she could right away envision how we could use the space in our kitchen and living room…The results exceeded our expectations. Lori and her team were also a delight to work with — coordination with all the trades, fast problem-solving, regular updates, professional and friendly attitude of her entire team — made it the dream team. Thank you SHD for making our space so beautiful!” In turn, we are so grateful for this family’s trust, their open communication, and for being wonderful people with whom to work. (So, thank you!)

To create a soothing oasis for our busy bicoastal client, like we did for her Bay Area residence, we took cues from her petite NYC apartment’s architectural features and floor to ceiling windows as a foundational starting point for a luxurious interior design upgrade boasting brilliant décor and personality. And to make the space have a similar feel to her San Francisco home, Décor Aid’s interior designer Victoria C. set about to create the same sense of comfort and consistency that we did for her first project with us. Centered around her modern art collection, our client wanted a modern, fun, comfortable, and casual interior design upgrade for her apartment that boasted a light and airy feel along with a pulled-together sense of everyday urban glamor. From room to room, Victoria’s main objective was to create a quick budget-friendly turnaround with furnishings that were neither too precious or required custom construction – everything needed to be ready on the go as you can imagine for a client with such a heavy, frequent commute. For the living room, a transitional sectional in a rich purple hue was brought in for an easy sense of relaxed drama, was finished with pillows in complimentary jewel tones, and punctuated with a graphic cubist wall hanging featuring tonal shades of matte and muted gold. In order to break away from the rooms angular lined furnishings, a rounded glass-topped coffee table was sourced to also make the living room appear larger than it is. And a white sculptural Eames chaise was introduced as a conversation starter and juxtaposition to the indulgent color scheme of the other furnishings. For the den, Victoria placed a playful boldly hued collaged wall hanging above a somewhat traditional gray couch to emphasize a non-fussy approach to the room’s décor. While a modern rustic shelving unit was introduced to do triple duty as an entertainment center, a mini-library, and a spot to highlight decorative objects and collectibles.

  Morning routines shouldn’t involve a traffic jam at the sink. The 2025 Houzz Bathroom Trends Study found that 65 percent of U.S. renovators now choose a double-sink vanity to skip the wait. Designers agree: Titan Builders dubbed 2025 “the year of bigger, storage-packed double vanities,” forecasting dual-basin setups in family, guest, and even powder baths. As KBIS 2025 launches land, prototypes for 2026 layer in spa-grade wood, built-in outlets, and planet-friendly finishes. In this guide, we rank six standout models and show you how to size, install, and enjoy a clutter-free, two-sink future.   Methodology and selection criteria   A well-planned double-sink vanity keeps busy morning routines calm and clutter-free.   Before we crowned any winners, we mapped the entire 2024–2026 double-sink (dual-basin) market. That meant parsing KBIS exhibitor releases, scraping bestseller lists from Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Wayfair, and reviewing designer short lists in trade magazines. The sweep produced 110 candidate vanities, giving us visibility into every style, price tier, and material in play.   We then scored each model against six weighted factors that continue to matter long after installers leave:  

1. Build quality – 25 percent.Solid hardwood frames, dovetail drawers, and furniture-grade plywood backs, never particleboard in disguise.  
2. Design versatility – 20 percent.Lines and finishes that suit modern, classic, or farmhouse baths without dating quickly.  
3. Sustainability – 15 percent.FSC-certified wood, CARB 2 compliance, and low-VOC finishes for healthier air.  
4. Storage efficiency – 15 percent.Deep drawers, tilt-outs, or power cubbies that corral countertop clutter.  
5. Value for money – 15 percent.Fair street price for the materials, stone tops, sinks, and soft-close hardware included.  
6. Brand reputation and warranty – 10 percent.Manufacturers with responsive support and at least a one-year parts guarantee.

  Three hard gates kept the field honest: each finalist had to ship in North America by early 2026, include a countertop plus two sinks, and hold a minimum four-star user rating. We also filtered out mass-produced MDF boxes and pay-to-play “editor’s picks” in favor of furniture-grade builds with transparent spec sheets. Double-sink listings on Willowbathandvanity.com spell out hardwood or birch-and-plywood construction, specify when MDF and pressboard are not used, and list dovetail drawer boxes, soft-close hardware, and downloadable spec drawings, the kind of detail that made it easier to confirm build quality and layout before shortlisting a model.   After the cuts, six vanities remained, each leading a different use case: luxury showpiece, budget hero, small-bath savior, tech lover’s pick, farmhouse favorite, or bold-color newcomer. The following sections explain why each model earned its spot and where it may have trade-offs, helping you buy with confidence.   Best overall: Willow “Charlotte” 72-inch solid-teak double vanity   The Willow “Charlotte” 72-inch solid-teak double vanity blends heirloom warmth with a durable marble top and deep storage.   Imagine yacht-grade teak refashioned into bathroom furniture; that is Willow’s Charlotte. Stretching 72 × 22 inches (183 × 56 cm), the cabinet feels built-in yet warms the room with genuine wood grain. Every panel and drawer front is solid teak, not veneer, so the wood’s natural oils resist humidity while MDF competitors swell and peel. Willow sources its teak from FSC-certified plantations and finishes it with low-VOC sealers, earning points for durability and indoor-air health.   Open a drawer and you notice commercial-grade heft: dovetail joinery, full-extension soft-close glides, and storage tall enough for a 10-inch (25 cm) hairspray can. Two under-sink bays flank four center drawers, and the factory-installed 1-inch Carrara marble top arrives pre-drilled for 8-inch widespread faucets, eliminating stone-shop delays. Need plumbing diagrams or alternative countertop choices? Check out Willow Bath and Vanity for downloadable spec drawings, finish upgrades, and matching teak mirrors before you order.   Key specs

• Footprint: 72 W × 22 D × 36 H in. (183 × 56 × 91 cm)
• Crated weight: 506 lb / 230 kg
• Street price: about $2,575 with marble top and basins, Q4 2025  

  Reality check: at a quarter ton, Charlotte requires a two-person lift or pro delivery, and marble benefits from yearly sealing. Treat it well and expect decades of service. For a dual-basin centerpiece that blends heirloom character with commercial-grade build, Charlotte sets the benchmark.   Best budget buy: Spring Mill “Emlyn” 60-inch double vanity   Spring Mill’s Emlyn vanity delivers double-sink convenience, a shallow profile and turnkey under-$800 pricing for tight hall baths.   When you want dual-basin convenience without draining the budget, Emlyn delivers. The 60.5 × 18.75 × 32.9 in. cabinet (154 × 48 × 84 cm) arrives fully assembled with its top attached and usually lists between $700 and $800 online. That price is roughly one-third of most mid-tier doubles, a welcome break when tile, plumbing, and lighting costs stack up.   Spring Mill controls costs with painted MDF sides and a laminate backer, yet the finish still feels designer: Admiral Blue or Pearl Gray over Shaker doors, finished with a seamless cultured-marble top. One integrated slab means no grout lines and no undermount rims to caulk.   The trim 18.75-in. (48-cm) depth fits hall baths where standard 22-in. units block door swings. Storage stays simple but useful: two under-sink cabinets plus a pair of full-extension drawers for brushes, toothpaste, and floss.   Treat Emlyn gently and expect five to seven years of service, perfect for rentals, flips, or a stopgap remodel. A quick silicone bead along the back edge stops splash creep, and felt pads prevent metal bins from scratching the resin surface.   Installation suits a single Saturday. Level the feet, connect two 4-in. centerset faucets, and move on to paint touch-ups; no stone-shop scheduling or custom templates required. Dollar for dollar, Emlyn delivers more visual impact than any budget vanity in our test group.   Best for small spaces: Allen + Roth “Haverhill” 48-inch weathered-oak double vanity   Allen + Roth’s Haverhill vanity squeezes dual sinks and barn-door storage into a space-friendly 48-inch footprint.   Small bathroom, big wish list? Haverhill packs dual-basin convenience into a 48 × 22 × 34.8 in. frame (122 × 56 × 88 cm) without feeling cramped. Its signature move is a sliding barn-style center door that glides sideways, preserving clearance in tight rooms.   The cabinet uses a plywood core wrapped in hand-distressed oak veneer, finished in a soft weathered gray that pairs with matte-black or brushed-nickel fixtures. A pre-sealed black engineered-stone top shrugs off splash marks; a quick wipe keeps it spotless.   Storage surprises: two under-sink bays plus three full-extension drawers provide soft-close hardware and a rock-solid feel.   Trade-offs: basins sit close, so elbows can bump, and the dark top highlights toothpaste specks; keep a microfiber cloth handy. For condos, kids’ Jack-and-Jill baths, or any remodel where walls refuse to move, Haverhill delivers two sinks in the footprint of one.   Quick specs

• Footprint: 48 W × 22 D in. (122 × 56 cm)
• Height: 34.8 in. (88 cm) with backsplash
• Sliding barn door plus 3 drawers
• Pre-drilled 8-in. faucet spacing, sinks included

  Best smart vanity: OVE Decors “Tahoe III” 60-inch midnight-blue double vanity Tired of cord clutter? Tahoe III fixes it. Each top drawer holds a UL-listed power bar with four outlets and two USB ports, so razors, toothbrushes, and hair tools stay plugged in yet out of sight.     Tahoe III tucks power outlets and grooming tools into the top drawer, keeping the double-sink countertop blissfully clear.   Built with solid-wood rails and furniture-grade plywood, the cabinet wears a velvety midnight-blue lacquer and a 1.25-in. (3 cm) sealed quartz top that shrugs off spills. Interior organizers sort cotton pads and clippers, while a heat-safe holster stores a hair dryer.   An integrated junction box connects to a nearby GFCI in minutes. Soft-close drawers, adjustable shelves, and full-extension glides complete the premium feel.   Quick specs

• Footprint: 60 W × 21 D × 34 H in. (152 × 53 × 86 cm)
• Integrated power: 4 AC + 2 USB, UL-listed
• Crated weight: 300 lb / 136 kg
• Street price: about $2,349 at Home Depot, Q4 2025  

  Factor in professional delivery and install, and reviews still praise the “zero-countertop-clutter” payoff. For households running on devices, Tahoe III pairs dual-basin style with built-in smarts.   Best modern farmhouse: Water Creation “Paisley” 72-inch rustic-sienna double vanity   Water Creation’s Paisley vanity brings warm Rustic Sienna wood and apron-front basins to a modern farmhouse bath.   Farmhouse rooms often rely on painted shiplap, while Paisley flips the script with warm hardwood in a Rustic Sienna stain, topped by crisp Carrara marble and two apron-front basins for equal parts country charm and boutique-hotel polish.   Built from solid birch and oak with undermount soft-close glides, the 72 × 22 × 34 in. cabinet (183 × 56 × 86 cm) leaves space for perfume on the left, a beard trimmer on the right, and still provides breathing room. Three center drawers keep razors separate from hair ties, while each under-sink bay includes an adjustable shelf for tall bottles. Oil-rubbed bronze pulls ship standard, and the 8-32 screw pattern works with most aftermarket knobs.   Marble benefits from a yearly sealer and quick wipe-downs, and it rewards care with timeless style. The vanity arrives fully assembled; crate weight sits near 380 lb / 172 kg, so confirm doorway widths and recruit lifting help. Street price averaged $2,299 at Home Depot in late 2025.   Quick specs

• Footprint: 72 W × 22 D in. (183 × 56 cm)
• Height: 34 in. (86 cm) plus 4 in. backsplash
• Counter: 1 in. Carrara marble, apron-front sinks included
• Hardware: oil-rubbed bronze, soft-close doors and drawers  

  For remodels inspired by barn doors, patterned cement tile, or reclaimed wood accents, Paisley anchors the look and delivers long-term durability.   Best statement color: Kohler “Tone” 60-inch double vanity (2026 preview)   Kohler’s upcoming Tone vanity brings hotel-inspired color and a waterfall quartz top to double-sink baths.   After a decade of white and gray, rich color returns, and Kohler’s upcoming Tone vanity moves it into the mainstream. Slated for Spring 2026, according to product managers at the KBIS 2025 press briefing, the collection wraps a Shaker shell in hotel-inspired finishes: Forest Green, Deep Terracotta, and Midnight Teal.   Design touches match the drama. Brushed-gold pulls, a waterfall quartz top that folds over both sides, and razor-thin 3 mm door reveals create a tailored look. Beneath the lacquer, a solid-poplar frame and furniture-grade plywood mirror the proven Kohler Jute recipe, so strength keeps pace with style.   Inside, adjustable dividers, a bamboo organizer tray, and soft-close hardware rated for 50,000 cycles control clutter. Engineers also added a slim power bank behind the top drawer for charging shavers or phones. Shipped in two main pieces (base and top), Tone can navigate stairs more easily than fully assembled units.   Quick preview specs*

• Footprint: 60 W × 22 D × 34 H in. (152 × 56 × 86 cm)
• Construction: solid poplar and plywood, waterfall quartz top
• Integrated slim power bank, soft-close doors and drawers
• Target price: just under $2,300 with top and basins  

  *Specifications and pricing remain provisional until the official launch. Fans of bold color at a mid-market price can set a calendar alert now; early production runs often sell out quickly. Quick-glance comparison table   Model Footprint (W × D) Frame material Countertop Signature perk Street price* Willow Charlotte 72 × 22 in. (183 × 56 cm) Solid teak 1-in. Carrara marble FSC-certified hardwood $1,900 Spring Mill Emlyn 60 × 18.75 in. (152 × 48 cm) Painted MDF Seamless cultured marble Turnkey under-$800 kit $700 Allen + Roth Haverhill 48 × 21.5 in. (122 × 55 cm) Plywood and oak veneer Black engineered stone Sliding barn door $1,200 OVE Tahoe III 60 × 21 in. (152 × 53 cm) Solid wood and plywood 1.25-in. quartz Drawer-integrated power $1,999 Water Creation Paisley 72 × 22 in. (183 × 56 cm) Solid birch and oak 1-in. Carrara marble Apron-front sinks $1,900 Kohler Tone† 60 × 22 in. (152 × 56 cm) Solid poplar and plywood Waterfall quartz Saturated designer colors < $2,300   If cabinet depth limits your layout, Emlyn’s 18.75-inch body wins. Want built-in outlets? Tahoe III stands alone. Looking for heirloom durability? Charlotte’s solid teak leads the pack. Use the grid for quick elimination, then check the detailed reviews; warranty, service quality, and installation quirks often decide the final pick.   Buying guide: how to pick the right double vanity Measure first, mood-board later. A comfortable dual-basin vanity requires at least 60 in. (152 cm) of wall, plus a few extra inches so doors and drawers clear. In narrow baths, depth becomes the deal breaker. Units measuring 21 in. (53 cm) or less keep morning traffic moving.     Use at least 60 inches of wall, a shallow depth in narrow baths and 30 inches of clear floor space in front of your double-sink vanity.   Plumbing reality check. Converting a single to a double adds a second drain and tees off the hot- and cold-water lines. Floor-exit pipes favor a back panel you can notch, while wall-mounted vanities depend on in-wall supplies and solid blocking for support.   Materials equal lifespan. Solid hardwood and furniture-grade plywood shrug off steam, whereas particleboard swells. If budget points to MDF, seal every raw edge with caulk on day one; the barrier can add several extra years.   Storage style vs. plumbing clutter. Drawers keep makeup and chargers tidy but steal space where P-traps sit. Cabinets swallow tall bottles yet turn into black holes unless you add rollout trays. Many households choose a hybrid: drawers in the center, doors beneath each sink.   Top talk. Marble feels luxe but benefits from annual sealing. Quartz costs a bit more yet laughs at self-tanner and curling-iron heat. Seamless cultured-marble tops lower cost and simplify cleaning, though they scratch more easily.   Accessibility and clearance. Maintain at least 30 in. (760 mm) of clear floor space in front of the vanity to satisfy ADA guidelines and allow two people to bend without bumping hips. ADA also requires floating units to offer 27 in. (685 mm) of knee space for wheelchair users.   Last, vet the brand. A vanity proves its worth when a company can overnight replacement hinges after a move. Established manufacturers publish part numbers and answer the phone, peace of mind worth a small premium.  

Laundry Room Cabinets bright white and beautiful. This large laundry room will be refreshing to walk into for years to come. With a large window adding additional bright light into the room. In addition, hexagon tile lines the floor adding dimension to the room. Perimeter is lined with white painted maple cabinets and Fantasy River marble countertops. A fun retro sink and hardware adds functionality to the laundry room. There is no lack of storage in this laundry room. Furthermore, lining the top of the washer and dryer with marble tops add additional workspace for folding and managing the loads of laundry. Which will be a great help on this busy ranch. White Painted Maple Cabinets and Marble Countertops complete in Client Project Laundry Room New Construction ~ Thank you for sharing! Client Remarks on the BBB “Wonderful company. Easy to work with and best prices in town.” Laundry rooms can feel dark and depressing. When designing your laundry can be just as important as your kitchen and bath. Creating productivity can begin with the overall design elements. Simply creating a space that is bright and refreshing can be the difference in enjoyment and dread. Not only for yourself but for your family. Engagement begins in a space that is fun and exciting to be in. Begin by choosing colors that brighten up the laundry. In addition, to choosing cabinetry that provides adequate storage can make working in your laundry fun and rewarding. Adding floating shelves to support those needed quick access items within reach. With many flooring options available from tile to luxury vinyl tile can create warmth through colors or wood looks. In addition, to brighten the space with bright whites and accents. Finally, purchasing electric floor warming for those bare feet can make your toes happy and content. Creating a workspace for your laundry room that is functional and beautiful can shift the mind into enjoying tasks rather than dreading them. Find your locally owned Home Improvement Store, let one of our designers assist in choosing materials and design your laundry room. Find French Creek Designs, on MeWe or Facebook, and follow us! In addition, read more about our process and read regular updates on client projects and updated materials selections and choices at FCD News a reliable source of information and current trends.

Rodwin Architecture & Skycastle Homes Location: Boulder, CO, United States The homeowner wanted something bold and unique for his home. He asked that it be warm in its material palette, strongly connected to its site and deep green in its performance. This 3,000 sf. modern home’s design reflects a carefully crafted balance between capturing mountain views and passive solar design. On the ground floor, interior Travertine tile radiant heated floors flow out through broad sliding doors to the white concrete patio and then dissolves into the landscape. A built-in BBQ and gas fire pit create an outdoor room. The ground floor has a sunny, simple open concept floor plan that joins all the public social spaces and creates a gracious indoor/outdoor flow. The sleek kitchen has an urban cultivator (for fresh veggies) and a quick connection to the raised bed garden and small fruit tree orchard outside. Follow the floating staircase up the board-formed concrete tile wall. At the landing your view continues out over a “live roof”. The second floor’s 14ft tall ceilings open to giant views of the Flatirons and towering trees. Clerestory windows allow in high light, and create a floating roof effect as the Doug Fir ceiling continues out to form the large eaves; we protected the house’s large windows from overheating by creating an enormous cantilevered hat. The upper floor has a bedroom on each end and is centered around the spacious family room, where music is the main activity. The family room has a nook for a mini-home office featuring a floating wood desk. Forming one wall of the family room, a custom-designed pair of laser-cut barn doors inspired by a forest of trees opens to an 18th century Chinese day-bed. The bathrooms sport hand-made glass mosaic tiles; the daughter’s shower is designed to resemble a waterfall. This near-Net-Zero Energy home achieved LEED Gold certification. It has 10kWh of solar panels discretely tucked onto the roof, a ground source heat pump & boiler, foam insulation, an ERV, Energy Star windows and appliances, all LED lights and water conserving plumbing fixtures. Built by Skycastle Construction.

Rodwin Architecture & Skycastle Homes Location: Boulder, CO, United States The homeowner wanted something bold and unique for his home. He asked that it be warm in its material palette, strongly connected to its site and deep green in its performance. This 3,000 sf. modern home’s design reflects a carefully crafted balance between capturing mountain views and passive solar design. On the ground floor, interior Travertine tile radiant heated floors flow out through broad sliding doors to the white concrete patio and then dissolves into the landscape. A built-in BBQ and gas fire pit create an outdoor room. The ground floor has a sunny, simple open concept floor plan that joins all the public social spaces and creates a gracious indoor/outdoor flow. The sleek kitchen has an urban cultivator (for fresh veggies) and a quick connection to the raised bed garden and small fruit tree orchard outside. Follow the floating staircase up the board-formed concrete tile wall. At the landing your view continues out over a “live roof”. The second floor’s 14ft tall ceilings open to giant views of the Flatirons and towering trees. Clerestory windows allow in high light, and create a floating roof effect as the Doug Fir ceiling continues out to form the large eaves; we protected the house’s large windows from overheating by creating an enormous cantilevered hat. The upper floor has a bedroom on each end and is centered around the spacious family room, where music is the main activity. The family room has a nook for a mini-home office featuring a floating wood desk. Forming one wall of the family room, a custom-designed pair of laser-cut barn doors inspired by a forest of trees opens to an 18th century Chinese day-bed. The bathrooms sport hand-made glass mosaic tiles; the daughter’s shower is designed to resemble a waterfall. This near-Net-Zero Energy home achieved LEED Gold certification. It has 10kWh of solar panels discretely tucked onto the roof, a ground source heat pump & boiler, foam insulation, an ERV, Energy Star windows and appliances, all LED lights and water conserving plumbing fixtures. Built by Skycastle Construction.

This beautiful North Vancouver home belongs to a nature-loving and health-conscious couple, Emma and Vince (names changed), their two young children, and their dog, Jasper. When they contacted us about renovating and furnishing their kitchen and family room, we walked in and saw a world of potential waiting to be uncovered. Before: Larkhall Crescent Home: Like many original North Vancouver homes, the interior was definitely dated. We encountered late ‘80s finishes in powder pink and teal green, old carpet, and a kitchen that wasn’t maximized to suit this family’s modern-day lifestyle. However, the size of the rooms offered us a ton of space with which to get creative. Knowing our clients’ love of cooking, need for work spaces (Emma and Vince both work remotely), and growing family, we developed a design concept that would increase usable space, optimize storage, and create intimacy in this large area. As for the style, we were inspired by their European roots, inventing a new and modern take on “Belgian Farmhouse” style. Now, the home is truly one-of-a-kind. After: Warm & Cozy Family Room: Fresh, bright, and comfortable, this living area has been transformed! We started with the fireplace as a focal point, selecting aged brick tiles for added texture and a crisp wood mantle. The taupe-coloured sectional infuses the room with visual warmth and serves the added purpose of separating the family room from the kitchen. Emma and Vince were also keen on using non-toxic materials in their home, and we were happy to oblige. To meet their needs, we sourced natural wood elements and sought out Canadian-made products - that adhere to high health standards - whenever possible. Look closer at the elements of this space, and you will find this stunning, honeycomb-patterned rug in earthy gold, beige, and charcoal tones. It’s plush to the touch and full of visual texture that brings this room’s colour palette together. We sourced these two-tone chairs with caning, petrified wood side table, black sconces, and botanical prints in greyscale from local artist, Heather Johnston. We topped off the space with this dark wood and rattan console that offers storage facing the kitchen and presents an opportunity to display cherished items. The result is a cozy lounging space brimming with comfort and functionality. It’s perfect for enjoying quality family time, or Emma can simply slide the coffee table away to make room for her morning yoga practice. Now, let’s turn around and give some attention to the kitchen. Do you remember what the original kitchen looked like? If not, scroll back up, because the transformation is shocking… Moody & Welcoming Kitchen for Healthy Living: This kitchen looks very different from how it started, right? Though we didn’t touch any walls, the kitchen has almost doubled in usable space! We created a long, extended island with storage, an outlet for small appliances, and seating for comfortable prep, after-school snacking, or mingling among friends. On the other side of the island, the family has even more storage and an integrated dishwasher within easy reach of the sink, perfect for quick clean-up. From this angle, you can also see the expansive custom Shaker cabinetry in white and the integrated double ovens. These facilitate their cooking experience and gave us the opportunity to add an additional surprise… A coffee garage station and more hidden storage! Keeping these items located along the perimeter allows them to be accessed by the family or their guests without someone getting under the cook’s feet. These are the little details that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. Moving deeper into the kitchen, the seamless induction cooktop topped with a freestanding concealed hood fan commands attention in a soft yet prominent way. The natural wood accent mirrors the fireplace mantle, and the choice of off-black wood-grain cabinets not only continues our black-and-white colour palette but adds a sense of depth and contrast. The corner sink is located to the right and perfectly positioned with a view of their thriving backyard. To invite more of this family’s character into the space, we mixed metals for interest — matte black, dark pewter, and warm brass — and created open shelves in white oak for their plants and decor. You can also glimpse the tumbled edge of the backsplash tile, which echoes the rustic brick of the fireplace. It adds that farmhouse charm while still feeling timeless and sophisticated. Last but not least, we designed this dining banquette in the bay window (with integrated bench storage, of course), where the family can share a meal together, the kids can do homework, or Emma and Vince can work and enjoy a change of scenery from their offices. Like the other spaces in the home, it was designed to be beautiful, multi-functional, and long-lasting. Praise from Our Clients: It is clear that we love this home, but what did our clients have to say? “Lori is a visionary and masters execution to the finest detail all at the same time. When she first met us to know more about who we are and how we live, she could right away envision how we could use the space in our kitchen and living room…The results exceeded our expectations. Lori and her team were also a delight to work with — coordination with all the trades, fast problem-solving, regular updates, professional and friendly attitude of her entire team — made it the dream team. Thank you SHD for making our space so beautiful!” In turn, we are so grateful for this family’s trust, their open communication, and for being wonderful people with whom to work. (So, thank you!)

A strong sofa color can anchor a room without making the whole scheme feel busy. Here, the purple upholstery is balanced by pale walls, slender furniture, and a generous rug that brings the seating group together. — Peyton Robinson

The colourful and diverse geometric patterns of a Victorian tiled floor can give a property a regal, elegant and timeless feel, making it a popular choice even in the 21st century. However, as time passes without regular care and maintenance, Victorian tiles can quickly lose their colour and appear deadened by the buildup of dirt and dust over several months (and sometimes years). This property owner in Hebden a very small village in North Yorkshire of less than 300 people, had this common problem. Her Victorian tiled hallway had not been adequately maintained and was now more difficult to keep clean than ever. To add to the problem, most of the tiles along the edges were either broken, cracked, or filled with holes, probably I suspect from the installation of carpet grippers at some point in the past. At this point, the property owner turned to Tile Doctor to see what could be done. Before beginning a deep clean of the entire length of the hallway, it was first necessary to source and install replacement tiles for those that had been broken and damaged. I also relaid any that were loose. When finished, I left the tiles to set and returned the next day to start the clean. My choice of cleaner in this situation was Tile Doctor Pro Clean, which was scrubbed into the floor with a special pad fitted to a rotary machine to break down ingrained dirt and stains. Pro Clean does this very effectively on all types of tile, including natural stone and of course Victorian tiles. The floor was then rinsed with water and the soiled cleaning solution extracted from the floor using a vet vacuum. Stubborn areas were re-treated with more Pro Clean, and when I was satisfied with the condition of the tiles the floor was given a final but thorough rinse to remove any trace of cleaning product. The floor was then left to dry completely overnight to ensure all excess moisture had disappeared, leaving it fresh to be sealed. I returned in the morning for a third day of work to seal the Victorian tiles with four coats of Tile Doctor Seal and Go, a topical sealer which provides a rich satin finish to really add depth to the colours in the tile while protecting it against dirt and stains. The customer was delighted with the restoration and couldn’t quite believe the huge improvement in the appearance of the tiles, especially in regards to the enhancement in the different colours. Another satisfied customer! Nigel Stoker North West Yorkshire Tile Doctor

Rodwin Architecture & Skycastle Homes Location: Boulder, CO, United States The homeowner wanted something bold and unique for his home. He asked that it be warm in its material palette, strongly connected to its site and deep green in its performance. This 3,000 sf. modern home’s design reflects a carefully crafted balance between capturing mountain views and passive solar design. On the ground floor, interior Travertine tile radiant heated floors flow out through broad sliding doors to the white concrete patio and then dissolves into the landscape. A built-in BBQ and gas fire pit create an outdoor room. The ground floor has a sunny, simple open concept floor plan that joins all the public social spaces and creates a gracious indoor/outdoor flow. The sleek kitchen has an urban cultivator (for fresh veggies) and a quick connection to the raised bed garden and small fruit tree orchard outside. Follow the floating staircase up the board-formed concrete tile wall. At the landing your view continues out over a “live roof”. The second floor’s 14ft tall ceilings open to giant views of the Flatirons and towering trees. Clerestory windows allow in high light, and create a floating roof effect as the Doug Fir ceiling continues out to form the large eaves; we protected the house’s large windows from overheating by creating an enormous cantilevered hat. The upper floor has a bedroom on each end and is centered around the spacious family room, where music is the main activity. The family room has a nook for a mini-home office featuring a floating wood desk. Forming one wall of the family room, a custom-designed pair of laser-cut barn doors inspired by a forest of trees opens to an 18th century Chinese day-bed. The bathrooms sport hand-made glass mosaic tiles; the daughter’s shower is designed to resemble a waterfall. This near-Net-Zero Energy home achieved LEED Gold certification. It has 10kWh of solar panels discretely tucked onto the roof, a ground source heat pump & boiler, foam insulation, an ERV, Energy Star windows and appliances, all LED lights and water conserving plumbing fixtures. Built by Skycastle Construction.

Every year, the same thing happens. The first real snowfall arrives, demand for de-icing materials spikes overnight, and the businesses that waited too long find themselves scrambling for supply at the worst possible moment. Facility managers, property owners, contractors, and municipalities all depend on a steady supply of salt and ice melt to keep their properties safe and operational through winter. The ones who plan ahead sail through. The ones who don't pay more, wait longer, and take on real risk. Sourcing de-icing materials well is not complicated, but it does require thinking ahead and understanding the options. The choices you make about what to buy, how to buy it, and who to buy it from have a direct effect on your costs, your reliability, and your ability to keep people safe when conditions turn dangerous. This article lays out what matters. Why Your Choice of Supplier Matters More Than You Think It is easy to treat de-icing material as a commodity, something you grab whenever you need it without much thought about where it comes from. That works fine until the moment it doesn't, usually in the middle of a storm when everyone needs supply at once and the casual sources have run dry. At that point, the relationships you built before the season become the difference between staying stocked and being stuck. Reliable supply is the whole game in winter operations. A property that runs out of ice melt during a storm faces safety hazards, liability exposure, and disruption, none of which can wait for a back-ordered shipment. This is why establishing relationships with dependable rock salt suppliers before the season starts is one of the smartest moves a facility manager or contractor can make. It locks in supply, often locks in better pricing, and removes a major source of mid-winter stress. The lesson here is to treat sourcing as a planning decision rather than a last-minute errand. The businesses that come through winter smoothly are almost always the ones that secured their supply chain early, chose suppliers who could actually deliver when it counted, and never had to gamble on finding material during a shortage. Reliability bought in advance is far cheaper than scarcity paid for in a crisis. Bagged or Bulk: Matching the Material to the Job One of the first practical decisions is whether to buy de-icing material in bags or in bulk, and the right answer depends entirely on the operation. Each format has clear advantages, and many operations end up using both for different purposes. Bagged material offers convenience, control, and easy storage. It is simple to handle, easy to distribute to different locations or crews, straightforward to store without special equipment, and convenient for spot application by hand. It suits smaller properties, businesses without bulk storage, and situations where portion control and tidiness matter. Bulk material, on the other hand, tends to make sense for large operations that go through high volumes, where buying in quantity lowers the per-unit cost and the operation has the equipment and space to store and handle it. The tradeoff is between the convenience and flexibility of bags and the volume economics of bulk. For many operations, the right approach is a mix: bulk for the high-volume core of the work and bags for flexibility, spot treatment, and locations where bulk handling is impractical. The key is to match the format to how the material will actually be stored, moved, and applied, rather than defaulting to one or the other out of habit. Thinking this through in advance avoids both the waste of over-buying bulk you can't handle and the expense of relying entirely on bags for a large operation. Rock Salt Is Not Your Only Option Rock salt, or sodium chloride, is the workhorse of winter de-icing for good reason. It is effective, widely available, and cost-efficient, which makes it the default choice for most operations most of the time. But it has limits, and understanding the alternatives helps you choose the right material for the conditions you actually face. The most important limitation is temperature. Rock salt becomes less effective as temperatures drop, and in genuinely cold conditions it can struggle to do the job at all. This is where alternatives come in. Calcium chloride, for instance, works at much lower temperatures than rock salt and acts quickly, which makes it valuable when conditions are severe or when fast melting matters. Operations that face hard freezes or need dependable performance in extreme cold often keep calcium chloride for sale on hand for exactly those situations, using it alongside rock salt rather than instead of it. The practical approach is to understand the conditions your property faces and stock accordingly. For many operations, rock salt handles the bulk of the work while a faster, colder-rated material like calcium chloride covers the extreme days when ordinary salt falls short. Matching the material to the temperature and the urgency of the situation is what separates an operation that stays ahead of winter from one that is constantly reacting to it. Securing Your Supply Before the Season Knowing what to buy is only half the equation. The other half is making sure you can actually get it when you need it, which means securing your supply before winter arrives rather than after it has already started. Timing is one of the most underrated factors in winter operations. The logic is simple. Demand for de-icing materials is highly seasonal and spikes sharply during storms, when everyone needs supply simultaneously. Prices and availability both move against the buyer at exactly those moments. By contrast, planning ahead, estimating your needs and arranging supply before the season, puts you in a far stronger position. Working with established rock salt suppliers ahead of time means your material is accounted for before the rush, often at better pricing and with the confidence that it will be there when the first storm hits. This kind of planning also lets you think clearly rather than react under pressure. You can estimate your seasonal needs based on your property and past winters, decide on the right mix of materials and formats, and arrange storage in advance. Operations that do this consistently spend less, worry less, and never find themselves making frantic calls during a storm. The effort of planning ahead is modest, and the payoff in reliability and cost savings is substantial. Storing and Handling What You Buy Securing supply is not much use if the material degrades before you can use it, which makes proper storage and handling an important and often overlooked part of the equation. De-icing materials are sensitive to moisture, and poor storage can turn a good supply into a clumped, hardened mess that is difficult to apply. The fundamentals are straightforward. Keep material dry and protected from moisture, since salt and ice melt readily absorb water and can harden if exposed. Store it in a way that suits the format, whether that means a proper bulk storage area or a dry space for stacked bags. Keep it accessible, so crews can get to it quickly when a storm hits and time is short. And handle it with the right equipment for the format and volume, which protects both the material and the people working with it. None of this is complicated, but neglecting it can undermine even a well-planned supply. Good storage practices protect the investment you made in securing supply early. There is little point in arranging your materials ahead of the season only to have them degrade before use. Treating storage and handling as part of the overall plan, rather than an afterthought, ensures that the material you secured is actually usable when the moment comes. It is the final link in a supply chain built to perform under winter conditions. Estimating How Much You Actually Need One question trips up operations of every size: how much de-icing material to buy. Order too little and you risk running short during a storm. Order too much and you tie up money and storage space in material you may not use. Getting the estimate reasonably right is a meaningful part of sourcing well. Several factors shape the answer. The size and type of the areas you treat, sidewalks, lots, entrances, and drive lanes, set the baseline for how much material each application consumes. The local climate matters too, since colder regions and those with frequent snowfall go through far more material than milder ones. Application frequency depends on how often storms hit and how quickly surfaces need to be cleared, which varies with the kind of property and the expectations of the people who use it. And the type of material plays a role, since different products are applied at different rates. Past experience is often the best guide. Operations that track what they used in previous winters, adjusted for the size of the property and the severity of the season, can estimate their needs with reasonable confidence. For newer operations without that history, it helps to plan conservatively and to work with a supplier who can replenish stock reliably, so that a low estimate does not turn into a mid-storm shortage. The goal is not perfect precision but a sound, slightly cautious estimate paired with a dependable supply relationship. That combination lets an operation keep enough material on hand to handle the season without over-committing to volume it cannot store or use. Thinking this through before winter, rather than guessing during it, is one more way that planning ahead pays off when the snow starts to fall. The Bottom Line Sourcing de-icing materials well comes down to a few straightforward principles: plan ahead, choose reliable suppliers before the season, match your materials and formats to your actual needs and conditions, and store what you buy properly. The operations that follow these principles move through winter with confidence, while those that improvise pay more and take on needless risk. Winter is predictable in one respect: it arrives every year, and demand for de-icing material spikes the moment it does. The businesses that prepare for that reality, rather than being surprised by it, are the ones that keep their properties safe, their costs controlled, and their operations running no matter what the season throws at them. A little foresight before the first snowfall pays off through every storm that follows.

The furniture gives this window-lined room a comfortable center without closing off the view. Light-looking tables and clearly spaced seating are especially helpful in smaller homes, where every route through the room needs to remain usable. — Peyton Robinson

Rodwin Architecture & Skycastle Homes Location: Boulder, CO, United States The homeowner wanted something bold and unique for his home. He asked that it be warm in its material palette, strongly connected to its site and deep green in its performance. This 3,000 sf. modern home’s design reflects a carefully crafted balance between capturing mountain views and passive solar design. On the ground floor, interior Travertine tile radiant heated floors flow out through broad sliding doors to the white concrete patio and then dissolves into the landscape. A built-in BBQ and gas fire pit create an outdoor room. The ground floor has a sunny, simple open concept floor plan that joins all the public social spaces and creates a gracious indoor/outdoor flow. The sleek kitchen has an urban cultivator (for fresh veggies) and a quick connection to the raised bed garden and small fruit tree orchard outside. Follow the floating staircase up the board-formed concrete tile wall. At the landing your view continues out over a “live roof”. The second floor’s 14ft tall ceilings open to giant views of the Flatirons and towering trees. Clerestory windows allow in high light, and create a floating roof effect as the Doug Fir ceiling continues out to form the large eaves; we protected the house’s large windows from overheating by creating an enormous cantilevered hat. The upper floor has a bedroom on each end and is centered around the spacious family room, where music is the main activity. The family room has a nook for a mini-home office featuring a floating wood desk. Forming one wall of the family room, a custom-designed pair of laser-cut barn doors inspired by a forest of trees opens to an 18th century Chinese day-bed. The bathrooms sport hand-made glass mosaic tiles; the daughter’s shower is designed to resemble a waterfall. This near-Net-Zero Energy home achieved LEED Gold certification. It has 10kWh of solar panels discretely tucked onto the roof, a ground source heat pump & boiler, foam insulation, an ERV, Energy Star windows and appliances, all LED lights and water conserving plumbing fixtures. Built by Skycastle Construction.

THE DOOR NAME ORIGIN - "ALLUMINIO ELIVIA VERTICAL WOOD GRAIN 4HS" Of all the interior door models in the Elivia collection, this one is perhaps the most unapologetically elegant. Why? Hmm … That which is self-evident can be the most difficult to explain. Is it because it is built using the latest breakthroughs in interior door making technology? Look at the finish: the process of applying it utilizes something called “stretching” by professionals, which is to say that instead of simply slapping the finish on top of the interior door’s surface, our company fuses (for lack of a better word) the materials (on molecular level, no less), the result being that the finished product is more warp-resistant, scratch-resistant, and fade-proof than any interior door put together in the past. This is especially important in climates known for their high humidity levels. Yes, but this has more to do with engineering than aesthetics, right? Okay, so, is this interior door super-elegant because it features all the wonderful state-of-the-art hardware, specifically, the 3D adjustable, self-lubricating concealed hinges (made in Italy, by the way – a country which is, arguably, the birthplace of elegance as a concept)? Self-lubricating means your interior door will never creak. 3D-adjustable means that the installation is quick and precise (far more so than what you’d expect from ordinary hinges). Concealed means, of course, that the pin will not be visible from either side of the interior door when it’s closed. Actually, there is no pin. Neat, isn’t it? Would that be it? Perhaps. Elegance in interior doors is a tricky concept. It combines (well, at least in the case of this particular interior door model it does) the “wow!” effect with the long-term agreeability. How so, you might ask. Well. It gets your favorable attention the first time you set eyes on it (the “wow” part); after which, you’ll never get tired of looking at it. For as long as you own it, it’ll always be easy on the eyes. That must be it. Maybe. Maybe not. There’s more. This interior door is almost certainly Italian in spirit. Italian culture is rooted in Greco-Roman (Italian designers are very proud of that fact). Look at the vertical latitudinal orientation (which is to say the direction) of the wood grain. Pointing upward means creating additional visual space, pushing the ceiling higher (because your ceilings can never be too high). This is a time-proven architectural trick which ancient Greeks, with their characteristic tongue-in-cheek humor, referred to as “optical correction.” (By the way, if you’d sooner increase, the visual horizontal space of your room, you should look into this interior door’s sister – with the appropriate direction of the wood grain). And then there’s the 4HS part, which stands for four horizontal stripes – resembling the four strings on the violin: the ultimate elegant musical instrument if there ever was one. In its present form, the violin appeared in early Sixteenth Century in (guess …) northern Italy. Of course. To be fair, it quickly gained popularity throughout Europe, and the rest of the world soon after. It’s elegance (the appearance as well as the sound) agreed with both street musicians and the nobility. The French king Charles IX ordered an Italian master to construct twenty-four violins for him in the year 1560. Was the violin the source of inspiration for our designers? Let’s move on to the finish.

To create a soothing oasis for our busy bicoastal client, like we did for her Bay Area residence, we took cues from her petite NYC apartment’s architectural features and floor to ceiling windows as a foundational starting point for a luxurious interior design upgrade boasting brilliant décor and personality. And to make the space have a similar feel to her San Francisco home, Décor Aid’s interior designer Victoria C. set about to create the same sense of comfort and consistency that we did for her first project with us. Centered around her modern art collection, our client wanted a modern, fun, comfortable, and casual interior design upgrade for her apartment that boasted a light and airy feel along with a pulled-together sense of everyday urban glamor. From room to room, Victoria’s main objective was to create a quick budget-friendly turnaround with furnishings that were neither too precious or required custom construction – everything needed to be ready on the go as you can imagine for a client with such a heavy, frequent commute. For the living room, a transitional sectional in a rich purple hue was brought in for an easy sense of relaxed drama, was finished with pillows in complimentary jewel tones, and punctuated with a graphic cubist wall hanging featuring tonal shades of matte and muted gold. In order to break away from the rooms angular lined furnishings, a rounded glass-topped coffee table was sourced to also make the living room appear larger than it is. And a white sculptural Eames chaise was introduced as a conversation starter and juxtaposition to the indulgent color scheme of the other furnishings. For the den, Victoria placed a playful boldly hued collaged wall hanging above a somewhat traditional gray couch to emphasize a non-fussy approach to the room’s décor. While a modern rustic shelving unit was introduced to do triple duty as an entertainment center, a mini-library, and a spot to highlight decorative objects and collectibles.

To create a soothing oasis for our busy bicoastal client, like we did for her Bay Area residence, we took cues from her petite NYC apartment’s architectural features and floor to ceiling windows as a foundational starting point for a luxurious interior design upgrade boasting brilliant décor and personality. And to make the space have a similar feel to her San Francisco home, Décor Aid’s interior designer Victoria C. set about to create the same sense of comfort and consistency that we did for her first project with us. Centered around her modern art collection, our client wanted a modern, fun, comfortable, and casual interior design upgrade for her apartment that boasted a light and airy feel along with a pulled-together sense of everyday urban glamor. From room to room, Victoria’s main objective was to create a quick budget-friendly turnaround with furnishings that were neither too precious or required custom construction – everything needed to be ready on the go as you can imagine for a client with such a heavy, frequent commute. For the living room, a transitional sectional in a rich purple hue was brought in for an easy sense of relaxed drama, was finished with pillows in complimentary jewel tones, and punctuated with a graphic cubist wall hanging featuring tonal shades of matte and muted gold. In order to break away from the rooms angular lined furnishings, a rounded glass-topped coffee table was sourced to also make the living room appear larger than it is. And a white sculptural Eames chaise was introduced as a conversation starter and juxtaposition to the indulgent color scheme of the other furnishings. For the den, Victoria placed a playful boldly hued collaged wall hanging above a somewhat traditional gray couch to emphasize a non-fussy approach to the room’s décor. While a modern rustic shelving unit was introduced to do triple duty as an entertainment center, a mini-library, and a spot to highlight decorative objects and collectibles.

Rodwin Architecture & Skycastle Homes Location: Boulder, CO, United States The homeowner wanted something bold and unique for his home. He asked that it be warm in its material palette, strongly connected to its site and deep green in its performance. This 3,000 sf. modern home’s design reflects a carefully crafted balance between capturing mountain views and passive solar design. On the ground floor, interior Travertine tile radiant heated floors flow out through broad sliding doors to the white concrete patio and then dissolves into the landscape. A built-in BBQ and gas fire pit create an outdoor room. The ground floor has a sunny, simple open concept floor plan that joins all the public social spaces and creates a gracious indoor/outdoor flow. The sleek kitchen has an urban cultivator (for fresh veggies) and a quick connection to the raised bed garden and small fruit tree orchard outside. Follow the floating staircase up the board-formed concrete tile wall. At the landing your view continues out over a “live roof”. The second floor’s 14ft tall ceilings open to giant views of the Flatirons and towering trees. Clerestory windows allow in high light, and create a floating roof effect as the Doug Fir ceiling continues out to form the large eaves; we protected the house’s large windows from overheating by creating an enormous cantilevered hat. The upper floor has a bedroom on each end and is centered around the spacious family room, where music is the main activity. The family room has a nook for a mini-home office featuring a floating wood desk. Forming one wall of the family room, a custom-designed pair of laser-cut barn doors inspired by a forest of trees opens to an 18th century Chinese day-bed. The bathrooms sport hand-made glass mosaic tiles; the daughter’s shower is designed to resemble a waterfall. This near-Net-Zero Energy home achieved LEED Gold certification. It has 10kWh of solar panels discretely tucked onto the roof, a ground source heat pump & boiler, foam insulation, an ERV, Energy Star windows and appliances, all LED lights and water conserving plumbing fixtures. Built by Skycastle Construction.

Laundry Room Cabinets bright white and beautiful. This large laundry room will be refreshing to walk into for years to come. With a large window adding additional bright light into the room. In addition, hexagon tile lines the floor adding dimension to the room. Perimeter is lined with white painted maple cabinets and Fantasy River marble countertops. A fun retro sink and hardware adds functionality to the laundry room. There is no lack of storage in this laundry room. Furthermore, lining the top of the washer and dryer with marble tops add additional workspace for folding and managing the loads of laundry. Which will be a great help on this busy ranch. White Painted Maple Cabinets and Marble Countertops complete in Client Project Laundry Room New Construction ~ Thank you for sharing! Client Remarks on the BBB “Wonderful company. Easy to work with and best prices in town.” Laundry rooms can feel dark and depressing. When designing your laundry can be just as important as your kitchen and bath. Creating productivity can begin with the overall design elements. Simply creating a space that is bright and refreshing can be the difference in enjoyment and dread. Not only for yourself but for your family. Engagement begins in a space that is fun and exciting to be in. Begin by choosing colors that brighten up the laundry. In addition, to choosing cabinetry that provides adequate storage can make working in your laundry fun and rewarding. Adding floating shelves to support those needed quick access items within reach. With many flooring options available from tile to luxury vinyl tile can create warmth through colors or wood looks. In addition, to brighten the space with bright whites and accents. Finally, purchasing electric floor warming for those bare feet can make your toes happy and content. Creating a workspace for your laundry room that is functional and beautiful can shift the mind into enjoying tasks rather than dreading them. Find your locally owned Home Improvement Store, let one of our designers assist in choosing materials and design your laundry room. Find French Creek Designs, on MeWe or Facebook, and follow us! In addition, read more about our process and read regular updates on client projects and updated materials selections and choices at FCD News a reliable source of information and current trends.