I think that many carpenters today consider nails and screws to be what holds a structure together. As a result, I think that many structures today are held together by little more than nails and screws. I often see knee braces bolted to the side of a post for a pergola when they should be positioned between the post and beam to take the load directly. Fasteners should not be load-bearing! They should be used to pin a piece of lumber into a position that allows it to shoulder the load directly. Nails and screws are fast. When used appropriately, they can keep costs down by reducing the time it takes to build something. But they are not the answer to everything. Joist hangars do little to stop a deck from pulling away from a house, just as nailing from the side is not a replacement for putting a post directly under a beam. On more than one occasion I've solved a challenging framing problem by employing lap-joints. I've used lap-jointed framing to build curves without having to bend wood, and in the example shown I've used them simply to avoid having to look at an unsightly beam underneath a raised section of deck. I cut notches half way through my beam where the joists will go, then I cut a corresponding notch into each joist that allows it to fit into the notch in the beam. This allows the joists to cantilever 'through' the beam, which gives me a number of advantages. Using this technique, I can build deck frames tight to the ground without having to rim the structure with joist-hangared beams. I can also use the cantilever to sculpt the edge of the deck into nearly any shape. As the lumber is locked in from every direction, it is also a far stronger joint than a joist-hangared butt-end, as it resists pulling away, and it is stronger than joist-on-beam because it does not allow for any twisting or 'flopping' of the joists. The beam and joist are locked together, and they each replace the missing pieces of one another, so there is no strength lost in either member. -Tyler Collins, Operations Manager

Under cabinet lighting transforms a system by providing an ideal location for task lighting that is easily concealed under the cabinet, thereby avoiding direct glare while reducing shadows cast by cabinets from overhead lighting. Horizontal Straight Ribbon consists of an aluminum profile that houses the LED ribbon which is recessed under the shelf above the area to be lit, typically towards the front of the shelf so the illumination falls to the front of the work area. This placement allows for increased visibility for the task at hand. Recessing creates a clean, minimalist aesthetic while ensuring the light fixture is out of the way preventing any bumping or catching of stored items.

The owners requested that their home harmonize with the spirit of the surrounding Colorado mountain setting and enhance their outdoor recreational lifestyle - while reflecting their contemporary architectural tastes. The site was burdened with a myriad of strict design criteria enforced by the neighborhood covenants and architectural review board. Creating a distinct design challenge, the covenants included a narrow interpretation of a “mountain style” home which established predetermined roof pitches, glazing percentages and material palettes - at direct odds with the client‘s vision of a flat-roofed, glass, “contemporary” home. Our solution finds inspiration and opportunities within the site covenant’s strict definitions. It promotes and celebrates the client’s outdoor lifestyle and resolves the definition of a contemporary “mountain style” home by reducing the architecture to its most basic vernacular forms and relying upon local materials. The home utilizes a simple base, middle and top that echoes the surrounding mountains and vegetation. The massing takes its cues from the prevalent lodgepole pine trees that grow at the mountain’s high altitudes. These pine trees have a distinct growth pattern, highlighted by a single vertical trunk and a peaked, densely foliated growth zone above a sparse base. This growth pattern is referenced by placing the wood-clad body of the home at the second story above an open base composed of wood posts and glass. A simple peaked roof rests lightly atop the home - visually floating above a triangular glass transom. The home itself is neatly inserted amongst an existing grove of lodgepole pines and oriented to take advantage of panoramic views of the adjacent meadow and Continental Divide beyond. The main functions of the house are arranged into public and private areas and this division is made apparent on the home’s exterior. Two large roof forms, clad in pre-patinated zinc, are separated by a sheltering central deck - which signals the main entry to the home. At this connection, the roof deck is opened to allow a cluster of aspen trees to grow – further reinforcing nature as an integral part of arrival. Outdoor living spaces are provided on all levels of the house and are positioned to take advantage of sunrise and sunset moments. The distinction between interior and exterior space is blurred via the use of large expanses of glass. The dry stacked stone base and natural cedar cladding both reappear within the home’s interior spaces. This home offers a unique solution to the client’s requests while satisfying the design requirements of the neighborhood covenants. The house provides a variety of indoor and outdoor living spaces that can be utilized in all seasons. Most importantly, the house takes its cues directly from its natural surroundings and local building traditions to become a prototype solution for the “modern mountain house”. Overview Ranch Creek Ranch Winter Park, Colorado Completion Date October, 2007 Services Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

Block the sun and maintain your view! Our large selection of interior solar screens is the ideal solution to your indoor natural lighting needs. Allow the proper amount of sunlight in while creating the perfect environment in your home. Utilize the interior solar screens to reduce the sun’s glare while saving money by blocking the heat from entering the room. Choose from a variety of fabrics that can blend with their surroundings or feature them as a design aspect in the room. Our interior solar screens are best for windows, glass doors, and sunrooms. Maintain your view while blocking harmful UV rays.

As a busy family of four with two boys and three cats, this client was ready for a kitchen remodel that made family life easier. With dated finishes, appliances, cabinetry, counters, and an oversized laundry room that could be better used as kitchen space, there were many aspects they wanted to change. They had five different flooring surfaces within the line of sight, kept bumping into each other in the congested hallway, wanted to move their cooktop to the perimeter of their island rather than in the middle, hated their refrigerator location, and didn’t like having an island with two heights. Good thing they came to Horizon Interior Design, where we developed solutions for every problem! We ran hardwood flooring throughout the main level to make it feel uniform and cohesive, opened up the hallway, and decreased the size of the laundry room to significantly extend their kitchen space and remove congestion in their hallway. We added more functional pull-out shelves to their pantry to replace the original rickety, narrow shelving and placed their refrigerator and cooktop on the perimeter wall, allowing for a large island with a solid surface and a decorative range hood. We reduced the size of their kitchen windows to allow for more upper cabinetry space and added a granite waterfall feature on the island for a wow factor while placing the counter stools in such a way that they didn't block up main walkways. Dark cabinetry tied in nicely with the knots in the pine ceiling, and white tile backsplash brightened up the space beautifully. Our new kitchen layout meant the family had a nicer view while walking down the stairs, rather than staring at the top of kitchen cabinets. Gugel Photography

Minimalist entryway photo in Orange County

Holly Hill, a retirement home, whose owner's hobbies are gardening and restoration of classic cars, is nestled into the site contours to maximize views of the lake and minimize impact on the site. Holly Hill is comprised of three wings joined by bridges: A wing facing a master garden to the east, another wing with workshop and a central activity, living, dining wing. Similar to a radiator the design increases the amount of exterior wall maximizing opportunities for natural ventilation during temperate months. Other passive solar design features will include extensive eaves, sheltering porches and high-albedo roofs, as strategies for considerably reducing solar heat gain. Daylighting with clerestories and solar tubes reduce daytime lighting requirements. Ground source geothermal heat pumps and superior to code insulation ensure minimal space conditioning costs. Corten steel siding and concrete foundation walls satisfy client requirements for low maintenance and durability. All light fixtures are LEDs. Open and screened porches are strategically located to allow pleasant outdoor use at any time of day, particular season or, if necessary, insect challenge. Dramatic cantilevers allow the porches to project into the site’s beautiful mixed hardwood tree canopy without damaging root systems. Guest arrive by vehicle with glimpses of the house and grounds through penetrations in the concrete wall enclosing the garden. One parked they are led through a garden composed of pavers, a fountain, benches, sculpture and plants. Views of the lake can be seen through and below the bridges. Primary client goals were a sustainable low-maintenance house, primarily single floor living, orientation to views, natural light to interiors, maximization of individual privacy, creation of a formal outdoor space for gardening, incorporation of a full workshop for cars, generous indoor and outdoor social space for guests and parties.

This project focused on creating a clean, ultra low maintenance outdoor environment that seamlessly builds upon the home’s recent remodel. The rear yard was thoughtfully expanded by incorporating a previously unused and vacated easement area, allowing us to extend the usable space by nearly ten feet and significantly improve overall flow and functionality. The design emphasizes simple lines, durable materials, and low water plantings for long term ease of care. In the front yard, we refreshed the landscape with new planting and replaced inconsistent lawn areas with a stable rock ground cover, creating a more polished look with greater durability and reduced upkeep.

Reinterpreting the old, the Rim planters mimic traditional Italian rimmed containers. Unlike their predecessor, these self-watering pots are incredibly versatile in design and can be used to complement any style home from Mediterranean to Modern. The double-wall planter helps insulate the roots of your plants when the temperature shifts from cold to hot, preserving the longevity of the plant's life. Created for the first-time gardener or the savvy enthusiast, the TruDrop system feature allows your plants to better survive the outdoors and can go weeks without watering for phenomenal results. The ingeniously designed reservoir in the planter, which reduces watering frequency and avoids over-fertilizing, is an innovative environmental solution for container gardening. This 100% recyclable and food-safe container is resistant to chipping, fading and mildews, resulting in healthier plants and more efficient gardening. The Crescent Garden's TruDrop One self-watering planting pots are available in a great variety of colors, sizes and styles. Using quality materials that are backed by a 10-year warranty, these lightweight planters are known for their durability, designed to withstand extreme weather, and made to last.

Rodwin Architecture and Skycastle Homes Location: Boulder, CO, United States We recently completed the design and construction of this beautiful 3800 s.f. contemporary Colorado mountain home, above the foothills of Boulder. We designed the house to maximize the sweeping views of Indian Peaks mountain range, while simultaneously optimizing passive solar design. The open floor plan brings natural light and passive cooling into every part of the house; the vaulted ceilings create an airy, sunny feeling. Every room opens to generous patios and decks to facilitate easy indoor/outdoor living. White Oak floors, granite counters and local flagstone finishes lend a warm modern texture to the home. We carefully preserved one hand-built quartz wall that was part of the house that formerly occupied the site, and restored the original adjacent homestead, successfully receiving Historic Landmark designation. This very energy efficient home (HERS 40 – uses 60% less energy than allowed by code), uses solar–photovoltaics, foam insulation, Energy Star windows & appliances, LED lighting, and a high-efficiency mechanical system. It uses EPA Watersense plumbing fixtures and Xeric landscaping to dramatically reduce water

The Cherry Road project is a humble yet striking example of how small changes can have a big impact. A meaningful project as the final room to be renovated in this house, thus our completion aligned with the family’s move-in. The kitchen posed a number of problems the design worked to remedy. Such as an existing window oriented the room towards a neighboring driveway. The initial design move sought to reorganize the space internally, focusing the view from the sink back through the house to the pool and courtyard beyond. This simple repositioning allowed the range to center on the opposite wall, flanked by two windows that reduce direct views to the driveway while increasing the natural light of the space. At the range, we incorporated stainless steel countertops to integrate with the range itself, to make that more seamless flow. The edge detail is historic from the 1930s. At the range itself, there are a number of custom detailed incorporated for storage of cooking oils and spices, in a pullout. A custom knife block that's in a pull out as well.

Rodwin Architecture and Skycastle Homes Location: Boulder, CO, United States We recently completed the design and construction of this beautiful 3800 s.f. contemporary Colorado mountain home, above the foothills of Boulder. We designed the house to maximize the sweeping views of Indian Peaks mountain range, while simultaneously optimizing passive solar design. The open floor plan brings natural light and passive cooling into every part of the house; the vaulted ceilings create an airy, sunny feeling. Every room opens to generous patios and decks to facilitate easy indoor/outdoor living. White Oak floors, granite counters and local flagstone finishes lend a warm modern texture to the home. We carefully preserved one hand-built quartz wall that was part of the house that formerly occupied the site, and restored the original adjacent homestead, successfully receiving Historic Landmark designation. This very energy efficient home (HERS 40 – uses 60% less energy than allowed by code), uses solar–photovoltaics, foam insulation, Energy Star windows & appliances, LED lighting, and a high-efficiency mechanical system. It uses EPA Watersense plumbing fixtures and Xeric landscaping to dramatically reduce water

FLA XT is a fully automatic bio fireplace equipped with an external fuel tank and a control panel. It emits no smell and no smoke. The fireplace can be operated with a single remote control or mobile devices. Connected to any given Smart Home System installation, FLA XT allows the customers simple use and gives unlimited control. FLA XT in a stylish black colour fits both modern and classic interiors. Its external fuel tank is hidden in the tailored BOX XT and can be easily pulled-out for replacement or refuelling. This efficient solution reduces the frequency of refuelling and significantly elongates the burning time

Block the sun and maintain your view! Our large selection of interior solar screens is the ideal solution to your indoor natural lighting needs. Allow the proper amount of sunlight in while creating the perfect environment in your home. Utilize the interior solar screens to reduce the sun’s glare while saving money by blocking the heat from entering the room. Choose from a variety of fabrics that can blend with their surroundings or feature them as a design aspect in the room. Our interior solar screens are best for windows, glass doors, and sunrooms. Maintain your view while blocking harmful UV rays.

The European homeowners wanted to create a space for a new sauna and hot tub, as well as a place to relax afterwards. It needed to be light and bright, and have a warm but modern feel. We built this addition under the existing deck, and spruced up the deck at the same time to enjoy the nice territorial views. The walls of the addition are cedar, with built-ins and deep cabinets for storage. There is a walk-in, tiled shower with built-in bench just off the sauna, and a seating area with tv for relaxing. The floor is stained concrete. The 14-foot wall of windows (including a door to the hot tub), and the secondary window wall that includes french doors allows the maximum amount of light into the space and really creates that spa feeling. The plans evolved during construction to include a larger sauna (thereby reducing the shower size somewhat) and a much larger hot tub than originally planned. The solution was to move the hot tub outside, which had the benefit of opening up more space inside for a yoga/ workout area. The hot tub is covered by a glass roof so it can be enjoyed year-round under the stars.

Reinterpreting the old, the Rim planters mimic traditional Italian rimmed containers. Unlike their predecessor, these self-watering pots are incredibly versatile in design and can be used to complement any style home from Mediterranean to Modern. The double-wall planter helps insulate the roots of your plants when the temperature shifts from cold to hot, preserving the longevity of the plant's life. Created for the first-time gardener or the savvy enthusiast, the TruDrop system feature allows your plants to better survive the outdoors and can go weeks without watering for phenomenal results. The ingeniously designed reservoir in the planter, which reduces watering frequency and avoids over-fertilizing, is an innovative environmental solution for container gardening. This 100% recyclable and food-safe container is resistant to chipping, fading and mildews, resulting in healthier plants and more efficient gardening. The Crescent Garden's TruDrop One self-watering planting pots are available in a great variety of colors, sizes and styles. Using quality materials that are backed by a 10-year warranty, these lightweight planters are known for their durability, designed to withstand extreme weather, and made to last.

The Cherry Road project is a humble yet striking example of how small changes can have a big impact. A meaningful project as the final room to be renovated in this house, thus our completion aligned with the family’s move-in. The kitchen posed a number of problems the design worked to remedy. Such as an existing window oriented the room towards a neighboring driveway. The initial design move sought to reorganize the space internally, focusing the view from the sink back through the house to the pool and courtyard beyond. This simple repositioning allowed the range to center on the opposite wall, flanked by two windows that reduce direct views to the driveway while increasing the natural light of the space. The island has a custom steel base with hammered legs, with a natural wax finish on it. The top is soapstone and incorporates an integral drainboard in the kitchen sink. We did custom bar stools with steel bases and upholstered seats.

This project focused on creating a clean, ultra low maintenance outdoor environment that seamlessly builds upon the home’s recent remodel. The rear yard was thoughtfully expanded by incorporating a previously unused and vacated easement area, allowing us to extend the usable space by nearly ten feet and significantly improve overall flow and functionality. The design emphasizes simple lines, durable materials, and low water plantings for long term ease of care. In the front yard, we refreshed the landscape with new planting and replaced inconsistent lawn areas with a stable rock ground cover, creating a more polished look with greater durability and reduced upkeep.