When you have a beautiful view and want to protect your floors and furnishings, a dark-colored solar shade is an excellent choice. The 3% openness shown here provides 97% UV protection and helps reduce glare while still preserving the view. The sleek, minimalist design of roller shades complements the home’s modern decor. With motorization, controlling the shades is simple and convenient, allowing you to adjust them with the touch of a button. When the shades are raised, the fabrics tuck neatly into the sliding door pocket, offering an unobstructed view.

This beautiful home exterior showcases a custom blend of the Quarry Mill's Carlisle and Springfield natural thin stone veneer. Carlisle is a multicolored two-tone real thin stone veneer. The natural stone is a castle rock style with medium to large semi-irregular blocky pieces. It showcases a blend of light and dark grey pieces with an occasional tan or gold colored piece in the mix. Carlisle is a split back or natural back product and has not been sawed on the back with a diamond blade. The natural back will have no impact on the final appearance or installation. Due to the natural layering of the quarry, we do not need to saw the stone into thin veneer. The reduced production cost makes Carlisle a cost-effective premium thin stone veneer at a very competitive price point.

The panoramic view is breathtaking from this home high above a lake in the Algonquin Highlands near Haliburton. To mesh with the natural surroundings, the dark gray Armorcoat interior of the pool and adjoining spa stand in soft contrast to the coping and massive deck in random-cut granite. Solar heating panels, discretely placed out of view, help to reduce energy use and add practicality to the year round enjoyment of the spa. What a soothing retreat from a busy world! (10 x 40, rectangular)

Darlene Nicolau updated this country home using a mixture of new and existing furnishings and décor, reviving the look with a contemporary spin on her Client’s tastes and preferences. Before the update, the layout of the space was inefficient, cluttered and the dark color palette absorbed much of the natural light. To bring a sense of order to the home, Darlene reconfigured the furniture layout, reduced the number of furniture and décor pieces, and brightened and streamlined the color palette. As well, a new front door with windows was incorporated to increase and balance the natural light in the space. The addition of a custom built-in to the entry-way, coupled with the new front door, creates an inviting entrance while providing much needed storage. New light fixtures, cabinetry hardware, wall art and soft goods throughout the home completed the update.

This beautiful exterior showcases custom siding with a blend of Carlisle and Springfield natural stone veneer. Carlisle is a multicolored two-tone real thin stone veneer. The natural stone is a castle rock style with medium to large semi-irregular blocky pieces. It showcases a blend of light and dark grey pieces with an occasional tan or gold colored piece in the mix. Carlisle is a split back or natural back product and has not been sawed on the back with a diamond blade. The natural back will have no impact on the final appearance or installation. Due to the natural layering of the quarry, we do not need to saw the stone into thin veneer. The reduced production cost makes Carlisle a cost-effective premium thin stone veneer at a very competitive price point.

The interior of the home went from Colonial to Classic Lodge without changing the footprint of the home. Columns were removed, fur downs removed that defined space, fireplace relocated, kitchen layout and direction changed, breakfast room and sitting room flip flopped, study reduced in size, entry to master bedroom changed, master suite completely re-arranged and enlarged, custom hand railing designed to open up stairwell, hardwood added to stairs, solid knotty alder 8’ doors added, knotty alder crown moldings added, reclaimed beamed ceiling grid, tongue and groove ceiling in kitchen, knotty alder cabinetry, leather finish to granite, seeded glass insets, custom door to panty to showcase an antique stained glass window from childhood church, custom doors and handles made for study entry, shredded straw added to wall texture, custom glazing done to all walls, wood floor remnants created an antique quilt pattern for the back wall of the powder bath, custom wall treatment created by designer, and a mixture of new and antique furnishing were added, all to create a warm, yet lived in feeling for this special family. A new central stone wall reversed with an over scaled fireplace and reclaimed flooring from the East became the anchor for this level of the home. Removing all the “divisions” of space and using a unified surface made unused rooms, part of the daily living for this family. The desire to entertain large group in a unified space, yet still feel like you are in a cozy environment was the driving force for removing divisions of space. Photos by Randy Colwell

“From the beginning, our clients’ first and primary desire was to transform the character and street presence of the house to a more refined and upstanding stature, while keeping as much of the existing structure intact as possible,” says Paul. “Their precedent for the house favored the French Provincial style, so we took that very much to heart.” A synthetic slate roof replaced the original barrel tile in a colorway to complement the updated palette. Akin to removing an oversized and ill-fitting hat, Paul reduced the eave overhangs to open up and invigorate the façade. The effect is significant — it instantly makes the home appear taller from the street and allows more natural light to stream into the second-floor rooms.

Design Builders & Remodeling is a one stop shop operation. From the start, design solutions are strongly rooted in practical applications and experience. Project planning takes into account the realities of the construction process and mindful of your established budget. All the work is centralized in one firm reducing the chances of costly or time consuming surprises. A solid partnership with solid professionals to help you realize your dreams for a new or improved home.

Project by Studio H:T principal in charge Brad Tomecek (now with Tomecek Studio Architecture). This project tests the theory of bringing high quality design to a prefabricated factory setting. Enrolled in the LEED-Home Pilot, this residence completed certification. The modular home was conceived as two boxes that slide above one another to create outdoor living space and a lower covered rear entry. The passive solar design invites large amounts of light from the south while minimizing openings to the east and west. Factory construction saves both time and costs while reducing waste and using a controlled labor force. Built in a factory north of Denver, the home arrived by flatbed truck in two pieces and was craned into place in about 4 hours providing a fast, sustainable, cost effective alternative to traditional homebuilding techniques. Upgraded lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, doors, door hardware, windows, tile and bamboo flooring were incorporated into the design. 80% of the residence was completed in the factory in less than 3 weeks and other items were finished on site including the exterior stucco, garage, metal railing and stair. Stack-Slide-Stitch describes the conceptual process of how to tie together two distinct modular boxes. Stack refers to setting one modular directly on top of the other. Slide refers to the action that creates an upper southern deck area while simultaneously providing a covered rear entry area. The stitching or interlocking occurs with the upward extension of the lower volume with the front deck walls and with the rear two story vertical.

Based on French country styling, this kitchen offers contrasts between light and dark while maintaining an wide-open aesthetic. A custom designed wood hood with integrated storage, hutch with glass doors and carved details, open shelves and detailed crown assembly lend a unique appeal to the space. We used an integrated Sub-Zero refrigerator and hid the microwave behind cabinet doors to reduce the visual impact of the appliances. A bow front set of drawers is the highlight on the public side of the island and a farmhouse style sink accents the working side. Another unique feature of this kitchen is the specialty imported Iroko wood butcher-block counter in an oiled finish. Wood-Mode Fine Custom Cabinetry

This Craftsman home gives you 5,292 square feet of heated living space spread across its three levels as follows: 1,964 sq. ft. Main Floor 1,824 sq. ft. Upper Floor 1,504 sq. ft. Lower Level Higlights include the 2 story great room on the main floor. Laundry on upper floor. An indoor sports court so you can practice your 3-point shot. The plans are available in print, PDF and CAD. And we can modify them to suit your needs. Where do YOU want to build? Plan Link: http://www.architecturaldesigns.com/house-plan-73333HS.asp

Entering into the open foyer, we come across soaring ceiling heights that take us into the study. This space has one of a kind custom built in shelves and is perfect for a day of work in the home, decked out with chrome accessories and modern furniture. Ashton Morgan, By Design Interiors Photography: Daniel Angulo Builder: Flair Builders

ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) created this modern home for a progressive family in the desirable community of Lexington. Thoughtful Land Connection. The residence is carefully sited on the infill lot so as to create privacy from the road and neighbors, while cultivating a side yard that captures the southern sun. The terraced grade rises to meet the house, allowing for it to maintain a structured connection with the ground while also sitting above the high water table. The elevated outdoor living space maintains a strong connection with the indoor living space, while the stepped edge ties it back to the true ground plane. Siting and outdoor connections were completed by ZED in collaboration with landscape designer Soren Deniord Design Studio. Exterior Finishes and Solar. The exterior finish materials include a palette of shiplapped wood siding, through-colored fiber cement panels and stucco. A rooftop parapet hides the solar panels above, while a gutter and site drainage system directs rainwater into an irrigation cistern and dry wells that recharge the groundwater. Cooking, Dining, Living. Inside, the kitchen, fabricated by Henrybuilt, is located between the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The expansive south-facing sliding door opens to seamlessly connect the spaces, using a retractable awning to provide shade during the summer while still admitting the warming winter sun. The indoor living space continues from the dining areas across to the sunken living area, with a view that returns again to the outside through the corner wall of glass. Accessible Guest Suite. The design of the first level guest suite provides for both aging in place and guests who regularly visit for extended stays. The patio off the north side of the house affords guests their own private outdoor space, and privacy from the neighbor. Similarly, the second level master suite opens to an outdoor private roof deck. Light and Access. The wide open interior stair with a glass panel rail leads from the top level down to the well insulated basement. The design of the basement, used as an away/play space, addresses the need for both natural light and easy access. In addition to the open stairwell, light is admitted to the north side of the area with a high performance, Passive House (PHI) certified skylight, covering a six by sixteen foot area. On the south side, a unique roof hatch set flush with the deck opens to reveal a glass door at the base of the stairwell which provides additional light and access from the deck above down to the play space. Energy. Energy consumption is reduced by the high performance building envelope, high efficiency mechanical systems, and then offset with renewable energy. All windows and doors are made of high performance triple paned glass with thermally broken aluminum frames. The exterior wall assembly employs dense pack cellulose in the stud cavity, a continuous air barrier, and four inches exterior rigid foam insulation. The 10kW rooftop solar electric system provides clean energy production. The final air leakage testing yielded 0.6 ACH 50 - an extremely air tight house, a testament to the well-designed details, progress testing and quality construction. When compared to a new house built to code requirements, this home consumes only 19% of the energy. Architecture & Energy Consulting: ZeroEnergy Design Landscape Design: Soren Deniord Design Paintings: Bernd Haussmann Studio Photos: Eric Roth Photography

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Photography: Eric Roth Photo

This Dark Gray Memory Foam Bath Mat Runner with a 3D cobblestone texture is a luxurious and functional accessory for your bathroom. The memory foam structure provides additional comfort and support. The absorbent properties prevent water from spilling onto your floor. Plus, the non-slip back makes this extra-long bath mat safe to use. It reduces the risk of slips and falls. The 3D pebble design adds texture and visual interest, while the dark gray color brings a timeless touch. Surely, it fits in with any modern bathroom decor. Measuring 48 inches long by 18 inches wide, this cushioned mat is a perfect size for use in a variety of bathroom settings. It's ideal for placing in front of a bathtub, large shower, double sink, or in a spacious bathroom. This bath rug mat creates a spa-like experience in the comfort of your own home. This runner rug is easy to clean and maintain; simply machine wash it. Its durable construction ensures long-lasting use. Overall, this Dark Gray Memory Foam Bathroom Runner Mat adds a warm and welcoming atmosphere to your bathroom while giving a stylish and contemporary touch to your decor. Imported from France, Made in China

Photo by Pete Veilleux, East Bay Wilds. 'Island Pink' yarrow (Achillea millefolium 'Island Pink') with woolly blue curls (Trichostema lanatum).

WexfordHDP is a warm, artisanal fabric look brought to life with proprietary High Definition Porcelain® technology by Florida Tile. The graphic is a beautiful representation of burlap that includes semblances of interlacing fabric strands and subtle nuances of pattern shift. A light punch and specialized glaze create a soft appearance and delicate texture that combine for a fashionable statement – perfect for any commercial or residential application.This color body glazed porcelain tile comes in multiple formats – 24x24, 12x24, 8x24, and 3.75x12, all rectified. Classic colors of Linen- a creamy off-white, Muslin- a light beige, Burlap- a medium taupe, Wool- a light blue/gray, and Tweed- a dark gray, all complement one another, allowing you to mix and match to create a uniquely inspired space. Two mixed-color rhomboid mosaics come in either light or dark mixes. A straightstack mosaic and bullnose are also available in all five colors.Made in the USA in our GreenSquared® certified Advanced Manufacturing Center in Lawrenceburg, KY, WexfordHDP contains 40% pre-consumer recycled content. It meets the DCOF AcuTest requirements to be installed in wet areas and is GREENGUARD® and Porcelain Tile certified. Incorporated into the tile surface is Microban® antimicrobial technology that works continuously to inhibit bacteria growth, improve visible cleanliness, and reduce odors.

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values.

Our client wanted to update many rooms including the kitchen, family room and den. We focused on reducing cost by utilizing the existing cabinets and refacing them with white painted shaker cabinet doors. We also extended the cabinets by filling in the void (aka Dust Trap) between the top cabinets and the ceiling. This lengthens the cabinets and gives them a built in custom cabinet look. The added crown trim, mill work panels and glossy paint looks great and avoids the "what do I put in the void above the cabinet" question. We added glass subway tile for back splash and honed Carrera marble counter tops. Photos by Rebecca Anne Photography