Audrey Hall
Example of a trendy bathroom design in Other

PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS The architect specified two butting/side by side 173.93 inch wide x 240.0 inch projection retractable canopy systems to be inserted in to a new steel frame structure. Each of the areas to be covered used one continuous piece of fabric and one motor. The system frame and guides specified are made entirely of aluminum which is powder coated using the Qualicoat® powder coating process. Custom color chosen for the guides by the Architect was RAL 9006 known as White Aluminum. The stainless steel components used were Inox (470LI and 316) which are of the highest quality and have an extremely high corrosion resistance. In fact, the components passed the European salt spray corrosion test as tested by Centro Sviluppo Materiali in Italy. Fabric is Ferrari 86 Color 2044 White, a fabric that is self-extinguishing (fire retardant). These retracting canopy systems has a Beaufort wind load rating Scale 10 (up to 63 mph) with the fabric fully extended and in use. A grey hood with end caps was requested for each end to prevent rain water (location is Alexandria, Virginia) from collecting in the folds of fabric when not in use. A running profile which runs from end to end in the rear of each section was necessary to attach the Somfy RTS motor which is installed inside a motor safety box. The client chose to control the system with two remote controls, two white wall switches and two Somfy wind sensors. PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT Our original contact was from the architect who requested two retractable systems that would attach to a new steel structure and that would meet local wind load requirements since the units are installed on the top of the building known as Metro Park VI. The architect wanted a contemporary, modern and very clean appearance and a product that would also meet International Building Code Requirements. The purpose of the project was to provide an area for shade, heat, sun, glare and UV protection but not rain protection thus the use of Soltis 86 sheer mesh fabric. The client stated to the Architect that the area was to be used for entertainment purposes in good weather conditions. UNIQUENESS AND COMPLEXITY OF THE PROJECT This project was a challenge since the steel structure was being built at the same time (simultaneously) as the retractable patio cover systems were being manufactured to meet a deadline therefore there was no room for error. In addition, removing all the extrusions, fabric etc. from the crate and hoisting them to the top of the building was indeed difficult but accomplished. PROJECT RESULTS The client is elated with the results of both retractable canopy cover systems. Along with landscaping, the exterior top floor of the Metro Park VI building was transformed and is truly a stunning example of design, function and aesthetics as can be seen in the pictures. Goal accomplished – All customer requirements were met including a contemporary, modern, stylish and very clean appearance along with providing shade, sun, UV, glare and heat reduction.

Example of a small trendy stone tile porcelain tile walk-in shower design in New Orleans with a wall-mount sink and a wall-mount toilet

Transitional kitchen photo in Atlanta with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, an island and quartz countertops

Example of a large transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, brick backsplash, stainless steel appliances, white countertops, gray cabinets and an island

After the devastating Tubbs fire, Craig reimagined this Calistoga property into a wine country retreat for the owners' family as well as corporate/wellness guests. He approached the design by studying the natural elements of the site including trees, views and light, the vernacular design of the area and the clients’ personality. Craig designed a barn and the house – made up of a one-story and a two-story building – connected by a stunning 20-foot steel and glass breezeway. Expansive doors and windows create seamless indoor/outdoor flow and numerous patios and the pool area provide comfortable outdoor spaces. The modern and warm interior is bright, luxurious and comfortable.

Here's what our clients from this project had to say: We LOVE coming home to our newly remodeled and beautiful 41 West designed and built home! It was such a pleasure working with BJ Barone and especially Paul Widhalm and the entire 41 West team. Everyone in the organization is incredibly professional and extremely responsive. Personal service and strong attention to the client and details are hallmarks of the 41 West construction experience. Paul was with us every step of the way as was Ed Jordon (Gary David Designs), a 41 West highly recommended designer. When we were looking to build our dream home, we needed a builder who listened and understood how to bring our ideas and dreams to life. They succeeded this with the utmost honesty, integrity and quality! 41 West has exceeded our expectations every step of the way, and we have been overwhelmingly impressed in all aspects of the project. It has been an absolute pleasure working with such devoted, conscientious, professionals with expertise in their specific fields. Paul sets the tone for excellence and this level of dedication carries through the project. We so appreciated their commitment to perfection...So much so that we also hired them for two more remodeling projects. We love our home and would highly recommend 41 West to anyone considering building or remodeling a home.

Lake Front Country Estate Family Room, design by Tom Markalunas, built by Resort Custom Homes. Photography by Rachael Boling.
Huge elegant open concept carpeted family room photo in Other with white walls and a wall-mounted tv

Interior Design By Krista Watterworth
Beach style medium tone wood floor bedroom photo in Miami with gray walls

This beautiful, all-cedar privacy fence warmly welcomes visitors and keeps the eyes looking around the yard. The arbor extends over the patio to continue the green-black trim to better frame the white house. The HVAC units have been fenced in with a visual screen that lets airflow through - and the panels are removable for maintenance access. We also replaced the old planter boxes on the front windows.

Shigeru Ban: Metal Shutter House, 2010, New York, USA Photo by Michael Moran
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in New York with white walls and no tv

My clients were having a modest sunroom installed off of their living room that connected to their deck area. It was a small space with two entrances. In order to maximize the floor space and offer versatility, I specified two swivel chairs with storage ottomans. The light fixtures, fan and small end table have an organic theme to marry the view from the outdoors with the interior space. A radiant heat tile floor will keep the room cozy all year round. However, with consideration to sunlight and the potential of extreme temperatures, outdoor rated fabric and furnishings were specified.

Historic 1913 North Shore Farmhouse Gets Complete Makeover 1913 Glenview, IL Farmhouse Glenview, Il. (December 10, 2013) — A century-old Glenview home successfully completed it’s extensive exterior restoration courtesy of Chicagoland home exterior company A.B. Edward Enterprises, Inc. Originally built in 1913, the house is a two-story framed farmhouse. View Entire Story >> http://bit.ly/1bvHPnT “These are the types of projects our company loves performing,” said Bo Mikuta, president of A.B. Edward. “When we met with the client we discussed the scope of the remodel, reviewed a list of project changes, and put together a workable budget, and we were very excited to be chosen as the sole contractor.” Remodeling this farmhouse required a myriad of exterior services, all provided by the one contractor. A.B. Edward rebuilt the porch entirely and restored the brick foundation. A.B. Edward also installed GAF roofing shingles, Pella windows, and James Hardie lap and shake siding. The complete list of services performed for the farmhouse’s renovation include the following: - GAF Roofing Shingles - James Hardie Siding - Pella Windows - Aluminum Gutter Gards - Custom Garage Doors - Wall Insulation - Masonry Chimney Rebuild - Electrical Installation / Repair - Carpentry Deck and Porch Build - Restoration of Brick Foundation Owner Megan McClug said: “How do you describe the work of successfully reviving a piece of history over 100 years old? Some might call it a miracle. We call it experience, talent and attention to detail. The exterior of our 100-year old farmhouse needed every bit of attention to make it an energy efficient and secure home for our young family. It was important to us to find a local-community company and also one with deep know-how about remodeling exteriors. A.B. Edward is the definition of an exterior home specialist, and our experience working with them was simply the best. A.B. Edward gave us a detailed construction contract and they were attentive to every change, addition and question we raised during both the bidding and finalization. Their entire crew worked very hard and were extremely efficient and clean. They also completed our project on time and within budget! A.B. Edward replaced our home’s roof, 22 windows, insulated the walls, new siding, gutters, garage door, and demolished and built a new porch within 3 months.” The Glenview farmhouse was built in 1913. It went on the market in 1961 with a non-conforming apartment on the second floor. A.B. Edward completed the exterior restoration in four months. A.B. Edward has been family owned and operated since it began business in 2003. Serving the Chicagoland area’s home exterior needs, A.B. Edward is located in Wheeling, IL, and can be contacted at (847) 827-1605 or info@abedward.com. “We are so happy with the look and feel of our remodeled exterior home. Thank you to everyone at AB Edward! ### About A.B. Edward Enterprises, Inc. Since 2003 A.B. Edward Enterprises, Incorporated has been providing Chicagoland homeowners with products and installations in the home exteriors industry. A.B. Edward has an unblemished A+ Better Business Bureau Rating, and is a repeat winner of the Angie’s List Super Service Award. A.B. Edward is a certified installer of the market’s top leading products including GAF, DaVinci, North Shore Prime, Greenstone Slate, Waldun Shake, James Hardie, Mastic, Pella, Velux, Marvin, Jeld-wen, Simonton, Advanced, and more. Today, the family-owned and operated business proudly employs more than 30 people, and their services go well beyond roofing to include masonry, insulation, decks, exterior painting, stucco, carpentry and more.

Deborah De graffenreid
Trendy ceramic tile eat-in kitchen photo in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash and stainless steel appliances

LOFT | Luxury Loft Transformation | FOUR POINT DESIGN BUILD INC This ultra feminine luxury loft was designed for an up-and-coming fashion/travel writer. With 30' soaring ceiling heights, five levels, winding paths of travel and tight stairways, no storage at all, very little usable wall space, a tight timeline, and a very modest budget, we had our work cut out for us. Thrilled to report, the client loves it, and we completed the project on time and on budget. Photography by Riley Jamison

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.

Here's what our clients from this project had to say: We LOVE coming home to our newly remodeled and beautiful 41 West designed and built home! It was such a pleasure working with BJ Barone and especially Paul Widhalm and the entire 41 West team. Everyone in the organization is incredibly professional and extremely responsive. Personal service and strong attention to the client and details are hallmarks of the 41 West construction experience. Paul was with us every step of the way as was Ed Jordon (Gary David Designs), a 41 West highly recommended designer. When we were looking to build our dream home, we needed a builder who listened and understood how to bring our ideas and dreams to life. They succeeded this with the utmost honesty, integrity and quality! 41 West has exceeded our expectations every step of the way, and we have been overwhelmingly impressed in all aspects of the project. It has been an absolute pleasure working with such devoted, conscientious, professionals with expertise in their specific fields. Paul sets the tone for excellence and this level of dedication carries through the project. We so appreciated their commitment to perfection...So much so that we also hired them for two more remodeling projects. We love our home and would highly recommend 41 West to anyone considering building or remodeling a home.

A contemporary kitchen designer's dream - with or without handles, wall hanging or floor mounted, the System Collection offers an extensive selection of standard elements and finishes to fit a wide range of modern kitchen layouts and flexible kitchen design budgets. Minimalism to the max. The System Collection allows the ancient and universal function of cooking to be a fun and fulfilling experience to participate in. While the System Collection does focus on the aesthetics of design and the materials used, the driving force behind the design has and will always be enjoying the kitchen and the pleasure of cooking. The System Collection is a modern kitchen that is easy and only creates light barriers between the living areas. One of the unique features of the System Collection is its ease of maintenance, making it one of the most hygienic contemporary kitchens available. System Collection’s ergonomic design gives it an extremely high rate of flexibility. Superior usage of space, ease of reaching every corner, top-notch organization and beautiful forms that follow superb function. Whether your goal is a contemporary Italian kitchen design or a large modern suburban kitchen, the System Collection offers endless design options - textured melamine with matching edges, hundreds of laminate colors (matte or glossy) with or without aluminum edges, eco wood with aluminum edges, painted glass, and the entire range of Pedini lacquer colors (matte, textured and high gloss).

A contemporary kitchen designer's dream - with or without handles, wall hanging or floor mounted, the System Collection offers an extensive selection of standard elements and finishes to fit a wide range of modern kitchen layouts and flexible kitchen design budgets. Minimalism to the max. The System Collection allows the ancient and universal function of cooking to be a fun and fulfilling experience to participate in. While the System Collection does focus on the aesthetics of design and the materials used, the driving force behind the design has and will always be enjoying the kitchen and the pleasure of cooking. The System Collection is a modern kitchen that is easy and only creates light barriers between the living areas. One of the unique features of the System Collection is its ease of maintenance, making it one of the most hygienic contemporary kitchens available. System Collection’s ergonomic design gives it an extremely high rate of flexibility. Superior usage of space, ease of reaching every corner, top-notch organization and beautiful forms that follow superb function. Whether your goal is a contemporary Italian kitchen design or a large modern suburban kitchen, the System Collection offers endless design options - textured melamine with matching edges, hundreds of laminate colors (matte or glossy) with or without aluminum edges, eco wood with aluminum edges, painted glass, and the entire range of Pedini lacquer colors (matte, textured and high gloss).