A big challenge our customers face is covering the sidelights on either side of their front door. Whether it be for privacy or to protect furniture and floors, dressing a side light can be a challenge. Clients want something operable that looks finished. It’s not easy to find a solution that doesn’t look like something just dangling from the wall and blowing around every time the door gets opened. This is the first impression most guests have of your home, after all. One of our favorite solutions to addressing sidelight with shutters. Specifically, we offer a unique application to cover sidelights that don’t allow much width as a mounting surface. Batten back shutters reduce the need for the bulky frame and allow a mount with as little as ¾” width!! This results in a wider louver in relation to the frame; and we want as much width as we can get. This way we have nice, grand shutter louvers, not a bulky frame blocking the widow.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Club installs AirField Systems AirDrain. The AirField Systems AirDrain for Golf Greens installed at Robert Trent Jones, home of The President’s Cup, continues to perform since 2004. Stronger roots, healthier turf, superior drainage and the ability to make it’s own nearly perfect perched water table without organics make AirDrain Golf Greens by AirField the choice of the most discriminating golf course architects, designers, owners and superintendents – and the savings in time, installation and maintenance make it the choice for everyone. View AirDrain Golf Greens in action after years of use at one of the most prestigious courses on the east coast. Thru a research project conducted at Texas A&M, it was concluded that you can reduce your irrigation needs using AirField Systems AirDrain. The five year research project was jointly funded by the United States Golf Association and AirField Systems and was a collaborative effort between Texas A&M, AirField Systems and the United States Golf Association. The data from the research showed that the AirField Systems drainage profile provided between one to three more days of plant available water than a United States Golf Association recommended gravel and sand profile. In addition, AirDrain by AirField Systems can significantly save on installation time because much less excavation is required compared to the traditional gravel drainage layers that have a much deeper profile. AirDrain arrives on site in 53” trailers, palletized and ready for install. Unlike gravel drainage, with AirDrain there is no need for heavy dump trucks that can compact your golf course. Benefits of an AirField System Design for Golf Greens include: 1 to 3 more days of plant available water stored in the root zone (depending on climate) Significantly reduces daily irrigation needs (as told to us by our customers) Healthier turf / Stronger root system (as told to us by our customers) 100% Vertical Drainage under the entire playing surface AirDrain is a 100% recycled copolymer with the impact modifier “metallocene” qualifying it as a “No Break” plastic Helps eliminate standing water / Simplifies maintenance (as told to us by our customers) Minimal site disturbance / Far less excavation and disposal Several Installation days are saved over a gravel installation Compact shipping that reduces overall storage and transportation costs An AirDrain System sand profile creates its own perched water table without peat moss or clay AirDrain’s sand profile and minimal organics puts it at very little risk for issues of mold or disease http://www.rtjgc.com/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp

This private studio, built in collaboration with producer, engineer, and pianist Ian Miller, is a fully custom creative space designed around his workflow and artistic process. The project blended NILES’ technical execution with Ian’s hands-on finishing work, resulting in a studio where every corner has intention and every system supports a seamless, plug-and-play workflow. The structure began as a barn-style two-car garage with a second floor. After exploring several layouts and engineering options, we landed on a design that leveraged the high ceilings and existing footprint to create a dynamic and spacious acoustic environment. Generous daylight from surrounding windows connects the interior to the outdoors, while layered textures, warm tones, and custom finishes create a grounded yet inspiring atmosphere. The Control Room is fully isolated from the rest of the building with sound-reducing wall systems, a full soft-ceiling bass trap, tuned corner traps, treatment throughout, and full-lite doors for controlled transmission and visibility. Though modest in size, it delivers accurate monitoring and integrates smoothly with the larger live environment. Roasted Bean Studio was built to support any direction Ian pursues—from producing to mixing to live performance. The space provides the sonic palette and creative flexibility needed for a wide range of projects, offering a visually inspiring and acoustically reliable environment that empowers his work every day.

Bryon Berrier of Reico Kitchen and Bath in Timonium, MD collaborated with R Solomon Construction to design a transitional style inspired primary bathroom featuring Masterpiece cabinetry. The cabinets feature the Bolton door style in Maple in a Translucent Driftwood finish, complemented by Silestone Etheral Haze quartz vanity tops. Fixture selections for the bathroom are Kohler provided by GROF. After remodeling the client's kitchen, Bryon was contacted to update the primary bathroom. "The original design had two separate rooms: one for the vanity and drop-in tub, and another for the shower and toilet, separated by a wall. We removed a wall to create a more open space, making the shower area feel less enclosed and used a free-standing tub to reduce crowding," Bryon explained. "My favorite part is how well the materials coordinate and the use of Matte Black Hardware. I enjoyed working with the clients because they had a clear vision for the remodel and were easy to collaborate with.” Photos courtesy of BTW Images.

Our client came to us with a desire to take an overgrown, neglected space and transform it into a clean contemporary backyard for the family to enjoy. Having had less than stellar experiences with other contractors, they wanted to find a trustworthy company; One that would complement their style and provide excellent communication. They saw a JRP banner at their son's baseball game at Westlake High School and decided to call. After meeting with the team, they knew JRP was the firm they needed to give their backyard a complete overhaul. With a focus on sleek, clean lines, this contemporary backyard is captivating. The outdoor family room is a perfect blend of beauty, form, and function. JRP reworked the courtyard and dining area to create a space for the family to enjoy together. An outdoor pergola houses a media center and lounge. Restoration Hardware low profile furniture provides comfortable seating while maintaining a polished look. The adjacent barbecue is perfect for crafting up family dinners to enjoy amidst a Southern California sunset. Before renovating, the landscaping was an unkempt mess that felt overwhelming. Synthetic grass and concrete decking was installed to give the backyard a fresh feel while offering easy maintenance. Gorgeous hardscaping takes the outdoor area to a whole new level. The resurfaced free-form pool joins to a lounge area that's perfect for soaking up the sun while watching the kids swim. Hedges and outdoor shrubs now maintain a clean, uniformed look. A tucked-away area taken over by plants provided an opportunity to create an intimate outdoor dining space. JRP added wooden containers to accommodate touches of greenery that weren't overwhelming. Bold patterned statement flooring contrasts beautifully against a neutral palette. Additionally, our team incorporated a fireplace for a feel of coziness. Once an overlooked space, the clients and their children are now eager to spend time outdoors together. This clean contemporary backyard renovation transformed what the client called "an overgrown jungle" into a space that allows for functional outdoor living and serene luxury. Photographer: Andrew - OpenHouse VC

This private studio, built in collaboration with producer, engineer, and pianist Ian Miller, is a fully custom creative space designed around his workflow and artistic process. The project blended NILES’ technical execution with Ian’s hands-on finishing work, resulting in a studio where every corner has intention and every system supports a seamless, plug-and-play workflow. The structure began as a barn-style two-car garage with a second floor. After exploring several layouts and engineering options, we landed on a design that leveraged the high ceilings and existing footprint to create a dynamic and spacious acoustic environment. Generous daylight from surrounding windows connects the interior to the outdoors, while layered textures, warm tones, and custom finishes create a grounded yet inspiring atmosphere. The Control Room is fully isolated from the rest of the building with sound-reducing wall systems, a full soft-ceiling bass trap, tuned corner traps, treatment throughout, and full-lite doors for controlled transmission and visibility. Though modest in size, it delivers accurate monitoring and integrates smoothly with the larger live environment. Roasted Bean Studio was built to support any direction Ian pursues—from producing to mixing to live performance. The space provides the sonic palette and creative flexibility needed for a wide range of projects, offering a visually inspiring and acoustically reliable environment that empowers his work every day.

A big challenge our customers face is covering the sidelights on either side of their front door. Whether it be for privacy or to protect furniture and floors, dressing a side light can be a challenge. Clients want something operable that looks finished. It’s not easy to find a solution that doesn’t look like something just dangling from the wall and blowing around every time the door gets opened. This is the first impression most guests have of your home, after all. One of our favorite solutions to addressing sidelight with shutters. Specifically, we offer a unique application to cover sidelights that don’t allow much width as a mounting surface. Batten back shutters reduce the need for the bulky frame and allow a mount with as little as ¾” width!! This results in a wider louver in relation to the frame; and we want as much width as we can get. This way we have nice, grand shutter louvers, not a bulky frame blocking the widow.

This landscape lighting upgrade project in Palm Coast, Florida transformed an aging outdoor lighting system into a modern, energy-efficient LED system designed for improved performance, reliability, and nighttime curb appeal. The project included replacing outdated fixtures, upgrading lamps to long-lasting LED technology, improving light distribution, and optimizing the system for enhanced architectural, landscape, and pathway illumination. The new lighting design delivers brighter, more consistent light while reducing maintenance requirements and energy consumption. Designed for Florida's coastal environment, the upgraded system provides lasting durability against humidity, salt air, and harsh weather conditions while creating a beautiful nighttime appearance that enhances safety, visibility, and outdoor enjoyment. Palm Coast Landscape Lighting specializes in landscape lighting upgrades, LED conversions, repairs, and custom low-voltage lighting systems throughout Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, The Hammock, Ormond Beach, and St. Augustine. Transform Your Home After Sunset. Built for Florida. Designed to Last.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Club installs AirField Systems AirDrain. The AirField Systems AirDrain for Golf Greens installed at Robert Trent Jones, home of The President’s Cup, continues to perform since 2004. Stronger roots, healthier turf, superior drainage and the ability to make it’s own nearly perfect perched water table without organics make AirDrain Golf Greens by AirField the choice of the most discriminating golf course architects, designers, owners and superintendents – and the savings in time, installation and maintenance make it the choice for everyone. View AirDrain Golf Greens in action after years of use at one of the most prestigious courses on the east coast. Thru a research project conducted at Texas A&M, it was concluded that you can reduce your irrigation needs using AirField Systems AirDrain. The five year research project was jointly funded by the United States Golf Association and AirField Systems and was a collaborative effort between Texas A&M, AirField Systems and the United States Golf Association. The data from the research showed that the AirField Systems drainage profile provided between one to three more days of plant available water than a United States Golf Association recommended gravel and sand profile. In addition, AirDrain by AirField Systems can significantly save on installation time because much less excavation is required compared to the traditional gravel drainage layers that have a much deeper profile. AirDrain arrives on site in 53” trailers, palletized and ready for install. Unlike gravel drainage, with AirDrain there is no need for heavy dump trucks that can compact your golf course. Benefits of an AirField System Design for Golf Greens include: 1 to 3 more days of plant available water stored in the root zone (depending on climate) Significantly reduces daily irrigation needs (as told to us by our customers) Healthier turf / Stronger root system (as told to us by our customers) 100% Vertical Drainage under the entire playing surface AirDrain is a 100% recycled copolymer with the impact modifier “metallocene” qualifying it as a “No Break” plastic Helps eliminate standing water / Simplifies maintenance (as told to us by our customers) Minimal site disturbance / Far less excavation and disposal Several Installation days are saved over a gravel installation Compact shipping that reduces overall storage and transportation costs An AirDrain System sand profile creates its own perched water table without peat moss or clay AirDrain’s sand profile and minimal organics puts it at very little risk for issues of mold or disease http://www.rtjgc.com/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp

Timber frame homes offer unique challenges during a remodel. What often makes them beautiful and attractive to most homeowners, also makes them challenging for space requirements. Context: The lovely couple that owned this home were struggling with some interesting floor plan challenges that just didn't work for their family. The loved the beautiful timbers and woodwork of their home, but the dramatically sloping ceilings on the second floor, particularly in the bathroom, just didn't work for this 1 1/2 bath home. Needing to use the skylight to approach the toilet was a less then ideal scenario. Although the bathroom footprint was more then adequate, the sloped ceiling only made half of the space useable. Check out the Before/After post on our blog to see the photos of the house pre-renovation. As much as they loved all the wood features in their home, another challenge they had was light. The wood ceiling made everything inside the house darker, even with a fantastic array of south facing windows, there were spaces in the home that felt dark and small. When they contacted us they wanted to know how could they make their brighter and more inviting, were there solutions to the 2nd floor sloped ceiling issues, and if they were going to do all of this work, how could they make their home more comfortable and efficient. A nagging water leak in the upstairs bathroom spurred them into action and here is how we solved their dilemma. Conclusion: First, we added a little dormer to the rear of the house so we could get full headroom in nearly all of the upstairs bathroom! Then we decided to extend that dormer one more timber bay over to create a walk in closet with natural light and plenty of space. Since we were contemplating energy efficiency, we resolved a nagging issue that is present in a lot of timber frame construction, air tightness. Commonly found in timber frame construction, fiberglass insulation is installed in the rafter bays and board ceilings are installed over top. Unfortunately, board ceilings are anything but air tight, and fiberglass insulation needs to be in an airtight cavity for maximum effectiveness. So we were able to solve two issues at the same time for this homeowner. We removed the board ceiling and fiberglass insulation, we dense packed the rafter bays with cellulose insulation, and installed sheetrock in place of the boards. The boards were salvaged for re-use by the homeowner, and the space and light quality was dramatically improved. Some may think that losing the board ceiling took something away from the space, but what you'll see in the pictures is that it highly accentuates the heavy timbers and really makes them stand out in a beautiful way. Now with this added airtightness, better insulation, and brighter space, the homeowner hardly runs their wood stove, and it's so quiet in the space, an added bonus from changing the insulation. It became necessary to also add a sheetrock ceiling to the living room to hide the plumbing from the new bathroom layout above. Changing this ceiling gave the homeowner some real quality lighting that was lacking in the living room before. The brighter ceiling and new lighting layout completely transforms the living room into a space you want to hang out, even though the layout didn't change at all. When the homeowner saw the finished spaces she said "I can't believe this is my house, I want to live in this house" Energy Efficiency: I touched a little on the efficiency above, but like all projects done with Mottram Architecture, we always want to leave you with a little extra. Timber frame construction with board ceilings and fiberglass insulation are notoriously leaky! If you want to know what we think about fiberglass insulation, check our our blog post on Why Fiberglass Insulation Sucks. By installing cellulose insulation and covering it with sheetrock we were able to greatly reduce the heat flowing out of this home. It not only improves cashflow it improves the comfort level in the space. Who wants to sit in their living room and feel a draft? Let us remind you, we are not saying cellulose insulation is an air barrier, we use the sheetrock to help with that, but it does significantly reduce the air flow over fiberglass insulation. And when we reduce the airflow, we reduce the heat flow. And when we reduce the heat flow, we reduce the need to re-heat that drafty air from outside. When it comes to energy efficiency the first and best place to start is air infiltration. We greatly reduced the air infiltration with the new insulation, but we also added a hat and warm boots. What I mean by that is, we improved the insulation in the roof, and we installed insulation in the basement. Maybe it's a silly analogy, but when you think about keeping warm, we always start with the hat and boots! With sustainability in mind, the next project will be to add a deck to the front of this house with rain catchment barrels from the metal roof. They are planning to plant a garden in the spring and the rain catchment system will help to irrigate the new garden. Builder: East Shore Builders Photographer: Michael Eric Berube

Timber frame homes offer unique challenges during a remodel. What often makes them beautiful and attractive to most homeowners, also makes them challenging for space requirements. Context: The lovely couple that owned this home were struggling with some interesting floor plan challenges that just didn't work for their family. The loved the beautiful timbers and woodwork of their home, but the dramatically sloping ceilings on the second floor, particularly in the bathroom, just didn't work for this 1 1/2 bath home. Needing to use the skylight to approach the toilet was a less then ideal scenario. Although the bathroom footprint was more then adequate, the sloped ceiling only made half of the space useable. Check out the Before/After post on our blog to see the photos of the house pre-renovation. As much as they loved all the wood features in their home, another challenge they had was light. The wood ceiling made everything inside the house darker, even with a fantastic array of south facing windows, there were spaces in the home that felt dark and small. When they contacted us they wanted to know how could they make their brighter and more inviting, were there solutions to the 2nd floor sloped ceiling issues, and if they were going to do all of this work, how could they make their home more comfortable and efficient. A nagging water leak in the upstairs bathroom spurred them into action and here is how we solved their dilemma. Conclusion: First, we added a little dormer to the rear of the house so we could get full headroom in nearly all of the upstairs bathroom! Then we decided to extend that dormer one more timber bay over to create a walk in closet with natural light and plenty of space. Since we were contemplating energy efficiency, we resolved a nagging issue that is present in a lot of timber frame construction, air tightness. Commonly found in timber frame construction, fiberglass insulation is installed in the rafter bays and board ceilings are installed over top. Unfortunately, board ceilings are anything but air tight, and fiberglass insulation needs to be in an airtight cavity for maximum effectiveness. So we were able to solve two issues at the same time for this homeowner. We removed the board ceiling and fiberglass insulation, we dense packed the rafter bays with cellulose insulation, and installed sheetrock in place of the boards. The boards were salvaged for re-use by the homeowner, and the space and light quality was dramatically improved. Some may think that losing the board ceiling took something away from the space, but what you'll see in the pictures is that it highly accentuates the heavy timbers and really makes them stand out in a beautiful way. Now with this added airtightness, better insulation, and brighter space, the homeowner hardly runs their wood stove, and it's so quiet in the space, an added bonus from changing the insulation. It became necessary to also add a sheetrock ceiling to the living room to hide the plumbing from the new bathroom layout above. Changing this ceiling gave the homeowner some real quality lighting that was lacking in the living room before. The brighter ceiling and new lighting layout completely transforms the living room into a space you want to hang out, even though the layout didn't change at all. When the homeowner saw the finished spaces she said "I can't believe this is my house, I want to live in this house" Energy Efficiency: I touched a little on the efficiency above, but like all projects done with Mottram Architecture, we always want to leave you with a little extra. Timber frame construction with board ceilings and fiberglass insulation are notoriously leaky! If you want to know what we think about fiberglass insulation, check our our blog post on Why Fiberglass Insulation Sucks. By installing cellulose insulation and covering it with sheetrock we were able to greatly reduce the heat flowing out of this home. It not only improves cashflow it improves the comfort level in the space. Who wants to sit in their living room and feel a draft? Let us remind you, we are not saying cellulose insulation is an air barrier, we use the sheetrock to help with that, but it does significantly reduce the air flow over fiberglass insulation. And when we reduce the airflow, we reduce the heat flow. And when we reduce the heat flow, we reduce the need to re-heat that drafty air from outside. When it comes to energy efficiency the first and best place to start is air infiltration. We greatly reduced the air infiltration with the new insulation, but we also added a hat and warm boots. What I mean by that is, we improved the insulation in the roof, and we installed insulation in the basement. Maybe it's a silly analogy, but when you think about keeping warm, we always start with the hat and boots! With sustainability in mind, the next project will be to add a deck to the front of this house with rain catchment barrels from the metal roof. They are planning to plant a garden in the spring and the rain catchment system will help to irrigate the new garden. Builder: East Shore Builders Photographer: Michael Eric Berube

Robert Trent Jones Golf Club installs AirField Systems AirDrain. The AirField Systems AirDrain for Golf Greens installed at Robert Trent Jones, home of The President’s Cup, continues to perform since 2004. Stronger roots, healthier turf, superior drainage and the ability to make it’s own nearly perfect perched water table without organics make AirDrain Golf Greens by AirField the choice of the most discriminating golf course architects, designers, owners and superintendents – and the savings in time, installation and maintenance make it the choice for everyone. View AirDrain Golf Greens in action after years of use at one of the most prestigious courses on the east coast. Thru a research project conducted at Texas A&M, it was concluded that you can reduce your irrigation needs using AirField Systems AirDrain. The five year research project was jointly funded by the United States Golf Association and AirField Systems and was a collaborative effort between Texas A&M, AirField Systems and the United States Golf Association. The data from the research showed that the AirField Systems drainage profile provided between one to three more days of plant available water than a United States Golf Association recommended gravel and sand profile. In addition, AirDrain by AirField Systems can significantly save on installation time because much less excavation is required compared to the traditional gravel drainage layers that have a much deeper profile. AirDrain arrives on site in 53” trailers, palletized and ready for install. Unlike gravel drainage, with AirDrain there is no need for heavy dump trucks that can compact your golf course. Benefits of an AirField System Design for Golf Greens include: 1 to 3 more days of plant available water stored in the root zone (depending on climate) Significantly reduces daily irrigation needs (as told to us by our customers) Healthier turf / Stronger root system (as told to us by our customers) 100% Vertical Drainage under the entire playing surface AirDrain is a 100% recycled copolymer with the impact modifier “metallocene” qualifying it as a “No Break” plastic Helps eliminate standing water / Simplifies maintenance (as told to us by our customers) Minimal site disturbance / Far less excavation and disposal Several Installation days are saved over a gravel installation Compact shipping that reduces overall storage and transportation costs An AirDrain System sand profile creates its own perched water table without peat moss or clay AirDrain’s sand profile and minimal organics puts it at very little risk for issues of mold or disease http://www.rtjgc.com/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp

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Robert Trent Jones Golf Club installs AirField Systems AirDrain. The AirField Systems AirDrain for Golf Greens installed at Robert Trent Jones, home of The President’s Cup, continues to perform since 2004. Stronger roots, healthier turf, superior drainage and the ability to make it’s own nearly perfect perched water table without organics make AirDrain Golf Greens by AirField the choice of the most discriminating golf course architects, designers, owners and superintendents – and the savings in time, installation and maintenance make it the choice for everyone. View AirDrain Golf Greens in action after years of use at one of the most prestigious courses on the east coast. Thru a research project conducted at Texas A&M, it was concluded that you can reduce your irrigation needs using AirField Systems AirDrain. The five year research project was jointly funded by the United States Golf Association and AirField Systems and was a collaborative effort between Texas A&M, AirField Systems and the United States Golf Association. The data from the research showed that the AirField Systems drainage profile provided between one to three more days of plant available water than a United States Golf Association recommended gravel and sand profile. In addition, AirDrain by AirField Systems can significantly save on installation time because much less excavation is required compared to the traditional gravel drainage layers that have a much deeper profile. AirDrain arrives on site in 53” trailers, palletized and ready for install. Unlike gravel drainage, with AirDrain there is no need for heavy dump trucks that can compact your golf course. Benefits of an AirField System Design for Golf Greens include: 1 to 3 more days of plant available water stored in the root zone (depending on climate) Significantly reduces daily irrigation needs (as told to us by our customers) Healthier turf / Stronger root system (as told to us by our customers) 100% Vertical Drainage under the entire playing surface AirDrain is a 100% recycled copolymer with the impact modifier “metallocene” qualifying it as a “No Break” plastic Helps eliminate standing water / Simplifies maintenance (as told to us by our customers) Minimal site disturbance / Far less excavation and disposal Several Installation days are saved over a gravel installation Compact shipping that reduces overall storage and transportation costs An AirDrain System sand profile creates its own perched water table without peat moss or clay AirDrain’s sand profile and minimal organics puts it at very little risk for issues of mold or disease http://www.rtjgc.com/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp

A retired couple desired a valiant master suite in their “forever home”. After living in their mid-century house for many years, they approached our design team with a concept to add a 3rd story suite with sweeping views of Puget sound. Our team stood atop the home’s rooftop with the clients admiring the view that this structural lift would create in enjoyment and value. The only concern was how they and their dear-old dog, would get from their ground floor garage entrance in the daylight basement to this new suite in the sky? Our CAPS design team specified universal design elements throughout the home, to allow the couple and their 120lb. Pit Bull Terrier to age in place. A new residential elevator added to the westside of the home. Placing the elevator shaft on the exterior of the home minimized the need for interior structural changes. A shed roof for the addition followed the slope of the site, creating tall walls on the east side of the master suite to allow ample daylight into rooms without sacrificing useable wall space in the closet or bathroom. This kept the western walls low to reduce the amount of direct sunlight from the late afternoon sun, while maximizing the view of the Puget Sound and distant Olympic mountain range. The master suite is the crowning glory of the redesigned home. The bedroom puts the bed up close to the wide picture window. While soothing violet-colored walls and a plush upholstered headboard have created a bedroom that encourages lounging, including a plush dog bed. A private balcony provides yet another excuse for never leaving the bedroom suite, and clerestory windows between the bedroom and adjacent master bathroom help flood the entire space with natural light. The master bathroom includes an easy-access shower, his-and-her vanities with motion-sensor toe kick lights, and pops of beachy blue in the tile work and on the ceiling for a spa-like feel. Some other universal design features in this master suite include wider doorways, accessible balcony, wall mounted vanities, tile and vinyl floor surfaces to reduce transition and pocket doors for easy use. A large walk-through closet links the bedroom and bathroom, with clerestory windows at the high ceilings The third floor is finished off with a vestibule area with an indoor sauna, and an adjacent entertainment deck with an outdoor kitchen & bar.

This 1970’s kitchen had been well used for decades and was due for an update when this retired couple started hosting a new generation with the birth of their grandchildren. Dark slab wood cabinets were replaced with off-white shaker style cabinets. Pretty details like the range hood cover, bookcase cabinets, and appliance garage helps add beautiful yet function details to their new space. By removing the wall separating the dining room and kitchen and adding built-in buffet cabinets we were able to open up the spaces without loosing any storage. Their favorite part is the stools at the peninsula where their grandchildren can sit after school, play games, and enjoy a weekend breakfast with them. Interior Design by Bennett Design Co. Heartwood Residential Photo by Mischa Montagna

Timber frame homes offer unique challenges during a remodel. What often makes them beautiful and attractive to most homeowners, also makes them challenging for space requirements. Context: The lovely couple that owned this home were struggling with some interesting floor plan challenges that just didn't work for their family. The loved the beautiful timbers and woodwork of their home, but the dramatically sloping ceilings on the second floor, particularly in the bathroom, just didn't work for this 1 1/2 bath home. Needing to use the skylight to approach the toilet was a less then ideal scenario. Although the bathroom footprint was more then adequate, the sloped ceiling only made half of the space useable. Check out the Before/After post on our blog to see the photos of the house pre-renovation. As much as they loved all the wood features in their home, another challenge they had was light. The wood ceiling made everything inside the house darker, even with a fantastic array of south facing windows, there were spaces in the home that felt dark and small. When they contacted us they wanted to know how could they make their brighter and more inviting, were there solutions to the 2nd floor sloped ceiling issues, and if they were going to do all of this work, how could they make their home more comfortable and efficient. A nagging water leak in the upstairs bathroom spurred them into action and here is how we solved their dilemma. Conclusion: First, we added a little dormer to the rear of the house so we could get full headroom in nearly all of the upstairs bathroom! Then we decided to extend that dormer one more timber bay over to create a walk in closet with natural light and plenty of space. Since we were contemplating energy efficiency, we resolved a nagging issue that is present in a lot of timber frame construction, air tightness. Commonly found in timber frame construction, fiberglass insulation is installed in the rafter bays and board ceilings are installed over top. Unfortunately, board ceilings are anything but air tight, and fiberglass insulation needs to be in an airtight cavity for maximum effectiveness. So we were able to solve two issues at the same time for this homeowner. We removed the board ceiling and fiberglass insulation, we dense packed the rafter bays with cellulose insulation, and installed sheetrock in place of the boards. The boards were salvaged for re-use by the homeowner, and the space and light quality was dramatically improved. Some may think that losing the board ceiling took something away from the space, but what you'll see in the pictures is that it highly accentuates the heavy timbers and really makes them stand out in a beautiful way. Now with this added airtightness, better insulation, and brighter space, the homeowner hardly runs their wood stove, and it's so quiet in the space, an added bonus from changing the insulation. It became necessary to also add a sheetrock ceiling to the living room to hide the plumbing from the new bathroom layout above. Changing this ceiling gave the homeowner some real quality lighting that was lacking in the living room before. The brighter ceiling and new lighting layout completely transforms the living room into a space you want to hang out, even though the layout didn't change at all. When the homeowner saw the finished spaces she said "I can't believe this is my house, I want to live in this house" Energy Efficiency: I touched a little on the efficiency above, but like all projects done with Mottram Architecture, we always want to leave you with a little extra. Timber frame construction with board ceilings and fiberglass insulation are notoriously leaky! If you want to know what we think about fiberglass insulation, check our our blog post on Why Fiberglass Insulation Sucks. By installing cellulose insulation and covering it with sheetrock we were able to greatly reduce the heat flowing out of this home. It not only improves cashflow it improves the comfort level in the space. Who wants to sit in their living room and feel a draft? Let us remind you, we are not saying cellulose insulation is an air barrier, we use the sheetrock to help with that, but it does significantly reduce the air flow over fiberglass insulation. And when we reduce the airflow, we reduce the heat flow. And when we reduce the heat flow, we reduce the need to re-heat that drafty air from outside. When it comes to energy efficiency the first and best place to start is air infiltration. We greatly reduced the air infiltration with the new insulation, but we also added a hat and warm boots. What I mean by that is, we improved the insulation in the roof, and we installed insulation in the basement. Maybe it's a silly analogy, but when you think about keeping warm, we always start with the hat and boots! With sustainability in mind, the next project will be to add a deck to the front of this house with rain catchment barrels from the metal roof. They are planning to plant a garden in the spring and the rain catchment system will help to irrigate the new garden. Builder: East Shore Builders Photographer: Michael Eric Berube

When Cummings Architects first met with the owners of this understated country farmhouse, the building’s layout and design was an incoherent jumble. The original bones of the building were almost unrecognizable. All of the original windows, doors, flooring, and trims – even the country kitchen – had been removed. Mathew and his team began a thorough design discovery process to find the design solution that would enable them to breathe life back into the old farmhouse in a way that acknowledged the building’s venerable history while also providing for a modern living by a growing family. The redesign included the addition of a new eat-in kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, wrap around porch, and stone fireplaces. To begin the transforming restoration, the team designed a generous, twenty-four square foot kitchen addition with custom, farmers-style cabinetry and timber framing. The team walked the homeowners through each detail the cabinetry layout, materials, and finishes. Salvaged materials were used and authentic craftsmanship lent a sense of place and history to the fabric of the space. The new master suite included a cathedral ceiling showcasing beautifully worn salvaged timbers. The team continued with the farm theme, using sliding barn doors to separate the custom-designed master bath and closet. The new second-floor hallway features a bold, red floor while new transoms in each bedroom let in plenty of light. A summer stair, detailed and crafted with authentic details, was added for additional access and charm. Finally, a welcoming farmer’s porch wraps around the side entry, connecting to the rear yard via a gracefully engineered grade. This large outdoor space provides seating for large groups of people to visit and dine next to the beautiful outdoor landscape and the new exterior stone fireplace. Though it had temporarily lost its identity, with the help of the team at Cummings Architects, this lovely farmhouse has regained not only its former charm but also a new life through beautifully integrated modern features designed for today’s family. Photo by Eric Roth

This 1970’s kitchen had been well used for decades and was due for an update when this retired couple started hosting a new generation with the birth of their grandchildren. Dark slab wood cabinets were replaced with off-white shaker style cabinets. Pretty details like the range hood cover, bookcase cabinets, and appliance garage helps add beautiful yet function details to their new space. By removing the wall separating the dining room and kitchen and adding built-in buffet cabinets we were able to open up the spaces without loosing any storage. Their favorite part is the stools at the peninsula where their grandchildren can sit after school, play games, and enjoy a weekend breakfast with them. Interior Design by Bennett Design Co. Heartwood Residential Photo by Mischa Montagna