The Quarry Mill's Andover natural thin stone veneer has beautiful chiseled edges which adds dimension to the exterior of this residential home. Andover is a natural bluestone that is a unique take on dimensional stone. It has consistent sawn heights at 5.5” and this style is sometimes referred to as running bond, strip or course heights. With the individual pieces of stone all being the same height the finished wall will have consistent lines or rows running through it similar to brick. Andover has also been hand rockfaced or pitched as it is called. This is really a neat process as it chips up the edges and gives the stone dimension making the pieces bow out in the middle. Andover has shades of grey, blue and brown.

PHOTOS: Mountain Home Photo CONTRACTOR: 3C Construction Main level living: 1455 sq ft Upper level Living: 1015 sq ft Guest Wing / Office: 520 sq ft Total Living: 2990 sq ft Studio Space: 1520 sq ft 2 Car Garage : 575 sq ft ​ General Contractor: 3C Construction: Steve Lee The client, a sculpture artist, and his wife came to J.P.A. only wanting a studio next to their home. During the design process it grew to having a living space above the studio, which grew to having a small house attached to the studio forming a compound. At this point it became clear to the client; the project was outgrowing the neighborhood. After re-evaluating the project, the live / work compound is currently sited in a natural protected nest with post card views of Mount Sopris & the Roaring Fork Valley. The courtyard compound consist of the central south facing piece being the studio flanked by a simple 2500 sq ft 2 bedroom, 2 story house one the west side, and a multi purpose guest wing /studio on the east side. The evolution of this compound came to include the desire to have the building blend into the surrounding landscape, and at the same time become the backdrop to create and display his sculpture. “Jess has been our architect on several projects over the past ten years. He is easy to work with, and his designs are interesting and thoughtful. He always carefully listens to our ideas and is able to create a plan that meets our needs both as individuals and as a family. We highly recommend Jess Pedersen Architecture”. - Client “As a general contractor, I can highly recommend Jess. His designs are very pleasing with a lot of thought put in to how they are lived in. He is a real team player, adding greatly to collaborative efforts and making the process smoother for all involved. Further, he gets information out on or ahead of schedule. Really been a pleasure working with Jess and hope to do more together in the future!” Steve Lee - 3C Construction

Located in the East Bay, this property actually consists of two separate lots with the larger parcel, being a nonconforming lot and the other, an abandoned county roadway easement, which we are in the process of merging as one. The client wanted us to design a new single-story 3 bedroom 2 ½ bath home that he could either build as his personal residence, or if he elected to sell the property to another developer—once the lot merger was finalized with the County--he could have the flexibly to do so. The project’s location required us to design a modest family home that would have universal appeal to broad section of the real estate market of new home buyers looking to relocate in the Contra Costa Area. The home is designed in the popular Farmhouse Style, and has a habitable floor area of 2,082 square feet and comes with an attached 484 square foot two-car garage, along with all of the usual amenities and features found on similar new homes in this part of the East Bay.

The Quarry Mill's Castle Ridge and Baltic Hills natural thin stone veneer create a beautiful blend for this residential front porch. Castle Ridge is a quintessential natural thin cut limestone veneer. The warm and comforting golds, tans, and light yellows showcase classic limestone colors. Castle Ridge is cut from Wisconsin quarried dolomitic limestone which is world-renowned for its durability. The stone is known for its high tensile strength and low water absorption with the stone waste being crushed into DOT-approved gravel. Castle Ridge has been split with a hydraulic press on all four sides to create the rectangular shapes. This chopping or breaking process allows the stone to retain a rustic or natural look compared to a sawed edge. Castle Ridge’s large pieces are great for large-scale exteriors and install quickly.

“We are so happy with our floors! We have already had heavy-duty running by our kids on them and spills, and it is amazing with the water how there is no damage. For this particular flooring I have to say how easy they are to clean, and it is incredible how real to wood flooring they look. We are so happy with the decision we made and thankful for all your help and guidance in this process. The workers that did the install were very friendly and their attention to detail is amazing, especially with the trim work. And installation was completed way before the estimated end day would be. We will certainly be submitting high ratings on the internet and please free to use this email or us as a reference to new clients deciding on whether to hire creative carpet. Thank you so much for everything!” ~ Paul and Natalie R. of Mokena, IL Shaw Floorte Pro – Blue Ridge Pine in Forest Pine

Dimension: 79" L X 19.5" D X 24" H Add a splash of color and a relaxed style to your media room with our Rustic Entertainment Cabinet. This hand crafted Television media island is built with solid reclaimed wood. The surface of old wood is naturally seasoned over time and develops an authentic antique quality. We honor this natural ageing process, no new paints or stains are added. There's lots of storage space with two 2-shelf side cupboards, two pillbox style drawers and an open middle top shelf. The cabinet doors have multi-colored slats. The 79" long TV cabinet is part of our Appalachian Rustic collection Special Features • 100% Handcrafted • Solid Wood construction • Media Island stands off the ground on short legs. • Traditional ring pulls on doors and wooden latches • Solid Wood back • Colored slat board surface Note: Custom Options such as Size, Shape, Shade & Design are not applicable to this item. Furniture is subjected to have Slight Variations. Real wood is a product of nature, and as such, no two pieces are alike. Variations in solid wood grain patterns are to be expected and make each furniture uniquely beautiful, just like us humans.

Product: Authentic Limestone for Exterior Living Spaces. Ancient Surfaces Contacts: (212) 461-0245 Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com The design of external living spaces is known as the 'Al Fresco' design style as it is called in Italian. 'Al Fresco' translates into 'the open' or 'the cool/fresh exterior'. Customizing a fully functional outdoor kitchen, pizza oven, BBQ, fireplace or Jacuzzi pool spa all out of old reclaimed Mediterranean stone pieces is no easy task and shouldn’t be created out of the lowest common denominator of building materials such as concrete, Indian slates or Turkish travertine. The one thing you can bet the farmhouse on is that when the entire process unravels and when your outdoor living space materializes from the architects rendering to real life, you will be guaranteed a true Mediterranean living experience if your choice of construction material was as authentic and possible to the Southern Mediterranean regions. We believe that the coziness of your surroundings brought about by the creative usage of our antique stone elements will only amplify that authenticity. whether you are enjoying a relaxing time soaking the sun inside one of our Jacuzzi spa stone fountains or sharing unforgettable memories with family and friends while baking your own pizzas in one of our outdoor BBQ pizza ovens, our stone designs will always evoke in most a feeling of euphoria and exultation that one only gets while being on vacation is some exotic European island surrounded with the pristine beauty of indigenous nature and ancient architecture...

The Pros and Cons of Fix and Flip Real Estate Investment Last week, we covered The Pros and Cons of Buy and Hold Real Estate Investment for rental property investors. This week, we want to talk about the other most common type of real estate investment: “fix and flip.” The Appeal of House Flipping We all love the house flipping shows on HGTV and other reality channels. They’re great and they make the prospect of buying, renovating and flipping homes for big profits seem super sexy and fun. However, any experienced real estate investor will tell you it’s not quite as easy as they make it look. There’s a lot of work that goes into a successful fix and flip investment. The basic premise of a fix and flip investment is pretty simple. You buy a property, usually one that needs some work and is available at a great price. You renovate the property, making the necessary repairs and upgrades to maximize its resale value. Then, you sell the property on the open market for the highest possible price. You get in and out as quickly as possible. Full-time flippers will move from property to property or will have multiple properties being worked on at the same time. Rather than the “buy and hold” strategy where you keep the house while earning rental income and equity over time, you are looking for the quick sale to earn your profits. If you are going to explore house flipping—whether as a full-time career or just a side hustle—you will want to know exactly what you are getting into. That is why we are going to cover the pros and cons of fix and flip real estate investment in this article. The Pros of Fix and Flip Here are some of the pros of fix and flip investing: Faster Return on Investment—The biggest appeal of fix and flip investing is that it gives you a quicker return on investment. Buy and hold will take you longer to see your ROI. House flipping allows you to see your full profit (hopefully) as soon as the house sells. The average house flip for an experienced investor is around six months. It may take longer for a first-timer who is just learning how to do certain things. Fairly Safe Investment—As long as you do all your projections and calculations carefully and avoid any major problems along the way, house flipping is a relatively safe investment strategy compared to something as turbulent as the stock market. Real estate markets are generally predictable and the short time frame of a flip helps you avoid losses if the property happens to depreciate over a longer period of time. Exciting—There is a reason why there are so many reality shows based around flipping and none based on buy and hold investing. It’s an exciting process to buy a home, gut it and completely renovate it. Then, you get the ultimate reward of selling it and collecting the profits—as long as you do things right. The Cons of Fix and Flip Here are some of the cons of fix and flip investing: Upfront Expenses—A house flip will require a lot of upfront expenses. We’re not only talking about financing the house itself, but all the renovation costs and other expenses involved in the flip. You are laying out all that money at the beginning and only seeing your returns when the property sells. This can create cash flow issues and stress if you fall being schedule or go above your initial budget. Taxes—House flips will usually create dramatic swings in income year over year, and that can increase your tax bill. You have to pace things correctly to take advantage of specific capital gains tax rules. Capital gains taxes are higher on any property owned less than a year, so you have to find that balance of how long you own any specific investment properties and how long it takes to complete the renovation and sale. Before you get too deep into fix and flip investing, you will want to talk with your tax advisor to make sure you have the right plan in place. Surprises—All real estate investment is susceptible to surprises. You don’t always know what lies behind the walls until you start the renovation process. You cannot plan for everything as a real estate investor, but you have to be prepared for anything. It is a good idea to add some wiggle room in your budget and overestimate your renovation expenses/timeline to cover any surprises that may come up. These are some of the biggest pros and cons of fix and flip real estate investment. Of course, there are other things you need to know as an investor, so be sure and do your homework in order to get the most out of your investment portfolio. Both fix and flip and buy and hold strategies can be highly lucrative if you do things right. There are no wrong answers, but there are wrong ways of doing things if you truly want to be successful in this field. If you are looking for great investment properties to fix and flip, join the exclusive PropertyLark home buyers’ network. If you qualify, you’ll have access to our exclusive off-market deals and analytics tools that will help you identify the best investments and get the highest possible ROI. Fill out the contact form and questionnaire on the PropertyLark buyer’s site to apply!

Nature itself inspires most of our designs. It has given us some amazing aesthetic proportions. These natural proportions tend to unify diverse objects into captivating compositions such as sunsets, mountainscapes, and bodies. Adhering to these ratios ensure that our designs embody nature’s beauty and are cohesive with a variety of décor. To accomplish this, our creative process entails multiple paper sketches, computer animated designs, and tweaks to real life prototypes. This progression ensures that anything brought into your home has the mark of great design.

Edify Studio has committed to provide high quality construction services since the year 2013. The company has successfully completed many projects of house construction; however, various construction projects are under process. Over the years, the company has gained experiences, accumulated skills, and built a team of professionals for Planning, Designing, Appraising, Executing and Monitoring till successful completion of the projects. With Emergence of Technology and passage of time it has become a Corporation with the following objectives:  Provision of the Client-focused services for achieving Design and Architectural Requirements. (Architects)  Accomplishing Construction Projects within agreed time, requirements and budget. (Builders)  Supports businesses to grow (Marketing)  Provision of best Investment Opportunities in Real Estate and Development. (Realtors)

Photo: Faith Towers Media © 2015 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic living room remodel in Boston

I’m often asked if you should seal a tile before grouting and the answer is a definite yes, and this Encaustic Cement tiled bathroom floor installation in Stockport is a great example as to why. The tiles had not been sealed before grouting and then, once the tiler went to grout the newly installed tiles with a grey grout, the colour ran into the tiles, staining them and leaving them looking grubby and dirty. Had the tiles been sealed it would of made the process of removing the grout from the surface of the tile much easier. If you haven’t come across them before Encaustic cement tiles are often hand painted and are available in a range of beautifully artistic patterns, so it was a real shame that these tiles were allowed to be spoilt by an avoidable mistake. As you can imagine, the property owner was keen to have the tiles professionally restored, and she contacted me to get the job done. I took some photographs but I’m not sure that they do justice to the problem. Rather than use a liquid cleaning product, I opted to use diamond encrusted handheld burnishing pads to remove the grout stains. Our burnishing system comprises four pads of varying grits. I started with the Coarse grit burnishing pads applying to the tiles it with a small amount of water as lubricant to grind down the grubby marks. Following this I worked my way through the system, applying Medium, Fine and Very Fine pads to gradually restore the appearance of the floor. Once the burnishing process has been completed I rinsed the tiles and then accelerated the drying process using a heat gun to prepare them to be sealed. Removing any excess moisture before sealing is essential as even a small amount can cloud the sealer and prevent it from properly protecting the tiles from dirt and stains. Once satisfied that the floor was dry, I proceeded to seal it using Tile Doctor Colour Grow. As an impregnating sealer Colour Grow penetrates deep into the pores of the stone to fill them and thus prevent dirt from becoming ingrained. Colour Grow’s colour intensifying properties also really accentuated the patterns of the Encaustic Cement tiles. Now that these fantastic tiles have been properly sealed it will be far easier for the customer to keep them clean in future. Needless to say, she was very happy with the result. We recommend topping up your sealer on a regular basis to ensure problems like those which occurred here do not damage the appearance of your tiles. Steve Keary Greater Manchester Tile Doctor

The Organic Solid Hardwood Collection blends natural and vintage materials into contemporary living. Complimenting both nature and the latest design trends Hallmark Floors replicates authentic, real reclaimed wood floors with random widths and lengths. This innovative flooring is unique to Hallmark Floors – you will not find this reclaimed design anywhere else. The warmth of Organic Solid, Marsala flooring creates a show stopping backdrop to this beautiful Kitchen project. Marrying natural woods with the high end upgraded surfaces is the perfect choice for this home. These solid wood floors have a natural patina, and are 100% handcrafted with genuine wood texture. Through our exclusive 10 Step Process, the Organic Solid Collection is paving the way for fashion and innovation. Learn more about Organic Solid, Masala at this link https://hallmarkfloors.com/hallmark-hardwoods/organic-hardwood-collection/

Hallmark Floors Courtier Paladin, Oak Premium Vinyl Flooring is 7" wide and was created to replicate contemporary hardwood floors. The innovative process provides the most natural wood visuals and textures – you won’t believe it isn’t real wood. The depth of color in this diverse collection is unlike any other vinyl flooring product, but it’s still completely waterproof, durable, easy to clean, FloorScore Certified and made using 100% pure virgin vinyl. Courtier PVP is the most elegant and dependable wood alternative. Courtier has a 20 mil wear layer is 100% waterproof and is built with Purcore Ultra. The EZ Loc installation system makes it easy to install and provides higher locking integrity. The higher density of the floor provides greater comfort for feet and spine. Courtier is healthy and certified, contains no formaldehyde, has neutral VOC and Micro Nanocontrol technology effectively kills micro organisms.

The Organic Solid Hardwood Collection blends natural and vintage materials into contemporary living. Complimenting both nature and the latest design trends Hallmark Floors replicates authentic, real reclaimed wood floors with random widths and lengths. This innovative flooring is unique to Hallmark Floors – you will not find this reclaimed design anywhere else. This welcoming foyer showcases Organic Solid, Masala floors with classic white wainscoting walls. These solid wood floors have a natural patina, and are 100% handcrafted with genuine wood texture. Through our exclusive 10 Step Process, the Organic Solid Collection is paving the way for fashion and innovation. Learn more about Organic Solid, Masala at this link https://hallmarkfloors.com/hallmark-hardwoods/organic-hardwood-collection/

This is an amazing example of encompassing two wood finishes in a Home Office setting. The Organic Solid Hardwood Collection blends natural and vintage materials into contemporary living. Complimenting both nature and the latest design trends Hallmark Floors replicates authentic, real reclaimed wood floors with random widths and lengths. This innovative flooring is unique to Hallmark Floors – you will not find this reclaimed design anywhere else. These solid wood floors have a natural patina, and are 100% handcrafted with genuine wood texture. Through our exclusive 10 Step Process, the Organic Solid Collection is paving the way for fashion and innovation. Learn more about Organic Solid, Masala at this link https://hallmarkfloors.com/hallmark-hardwoods/organic-hardwood-collection/

These homeowners came to us wanting to upgrade the curb appeal of their home and improve the layout of the interior. They hoped for an entry that would welcome guests to their home both inside and out, while also creating more defined and purposeful space within the home. The main goals of the project were to add a covered wrap around porch, add more windows for natural light, create a formal entry that housed the client’s baby grand piano, and add a home office for the clients to work from home. With a dated exterior and facade that lacked dimension, there was little charm to be had. The front door was hidden from visitors and a lack of windows made the exterior unoriginal. We approached the exterior design pulling inspiration from the farmhouse style, southern porches, and craftsman style homes. Eventually we landed on a design that added numerous windows to the front façade, reminiscent of a farmhouse, and turned a Dutch hipped roof into an extended gable roof, creating a large front porch and adding curb appeal interest. By relocating the entry door to the front of the house and adding a gable accent over this new door, it created a focal point for guests and passersby. In addition to those design elements, we incorporated some exterior shutters rated for our northwest climate that echoed the southern style homes our client loved. A greige paint color (Benjamin Moore Cape May Cobblestone) accented with a white trim (Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee) and a black front door, shutters, and window box (Sherwin Williams Black Magic) all work together to create a charming and welcoming façade. On the interior we removed a half wall and coat closet that separated the original cramped entryway from the front room. The front room was a multipurpose space that didn’t have a designated use for the family, it became a catch-all space that was easily cluttered. Through the design process we came up with a plan to split the spaces into 2 rooms, a large open semi-formal entryway and a home office. The semi-formal entryway was intentionally designed to house the homeowner’s baby grand piano – a real showstopper. The flow created by this entryway is welcoming and ushers you into a beautifully curated home. A new office now sits right off the entryway with beautiful French doors, built-in cabinetry, and an abundance of natural light – everything that one dreams of for their home office. The home office looks out to the front porch and front yard as well as the pastural side yard where the children frequently play. The office is an ideal location for a moment of inspiration, reflection, and focus. A warm white paint (Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee) combined with the newly installed light oak luxury vinyl plank flooring runs throughout the home, creating continuity and a neutral canvas. Traditional and schoolhouse style statement light fixtures coordinate with the black door hardware for an added level of contrast. There is one more improvement that made a big difference to this family. In the family room, we added a built-in window seat. This created a cozy nook that is used by all for reading and extra seating. This relatively small improvement had a big impact on how the family uses and enjoys the space.

Sink: KRAUS Forteza 33" Dual Mount 50/50 Double Bowl Granite Kitchen Sink, Gray Faucet: KRAUS Nola Commercial Pre-Rinse Kitchen Faucet With 2-Function Sprayer, Chrome Soap Dispensr: KRAUS Soap Dispenser, Chrome Sink: Strength meets beauty in the Forteza Series of kitchen sinks. The basin is constructed from a premium granite composite that blends natural quartz with acrylic resin for superior durability and the luxurious look of real stone. An advanced, proprietary manufacturing process ensures even distribution of the material, for unparalleled resistance to thermal shock and damage from dropped items. Faucet: The Nola Single Handle Flex Commercial Kitchen Faucet is a perfect fit for the modern kitchen. A stylish double spring supports the dual function sprayhead, which switches from stream to spray. Mounting hardware and optional deck plate included. Soap Dispenser: Designed with clean lines and sleek shapes, Kraus kitchen accessories provide everyday efficiency with style. Commercial grade finish coordinates beautifully with most popular kitchen appliances and fixtures.

Custom Home Built for Real Life Our clients came to us with a clear vision: a home that could adapt to their lifestyle and growing family. They needed a home built with intention, designed with the future in mind, and built around the routines they loved and the people they loved more. Open-Concept Living With Hosting in Mind Our clients hosted often and lived actively, so the main level had to be flexible for all of life’s moments. The goal was a space that felt grand without losing its warmth. Cooking together as a family mattered to our clients – the Wolf range, farmhouse sink, integrated appliances, and large island gave them a kitchen that flowed effortlessly while looking beautiful. This space also served as the bridge between other parts of the main level so that they would stay in view of the next. This created the perfect environment for gathering where everyone had their own spot without ever feeling apart from the whole group. For the living room, our clients wanted space that felt open without losing its warmth. Soaring ceilings created that sense of scale, while warm tones and materials, like the wood coffered ceiling and fireplace wall, kept it grounded. That same warmth carried outside, where an outdoor lounge with a fireplace and dining area made sure guests felt welcomed the moment they stepped out. A Backyard Built for Real Rest Every corner of the backyard was designed with one goal: to be the ultimate outdoor retreat. The elevated, white-brick-framed pool and integrated spa hot tub gave them a place to truly exhale. As the sun set, the fire pit lounge next to the pool became the hangout spot when they hosted their youth groups and family gatherings. Room to Grow With kids in the house, “custom” had to also mean flexible. Our clients had 2 young sons and needed their rooms to grow with them through the years. The two bedrooms and a full bath sat beside a loft that served as both their hangout-and-homework spot. The guest suite sat on the same level where a four-poster bed, floor-to-ceiling wood-look tile, and a frameless glass shower welcomed their guests from day one. A Retreat That’s Actually Theirs Between hosting and raising kids, this couple needed a suite that felt like a true escape. The wood-planked tray ceiling and French doors grounded the room in warmth the moment you walked in, while the ensuite bathroom carried a spa-like feeling with a freestanding soaking tub, custom double vanity, and a glass-enclosed shower. This Is What Approachable Luxury Looks Like The approachable luxury experience meant starting with conversations about how they wanted their space to live with them – how they hosted, how their kids played, how they wanted to feel walking through their own front door, and how we took their goals and experience and used it as the foundation of every decision that was made from start to finish. We wanted our clients to feel taken care of through the process and, most importantly, feel heard.