This house had a graphic makeover to help the Realtor show the true potential of this house to prospective buyers. Wood siding, windows, and shutters help create curb appeal. The roof was reduced on the front addition making it look less obtrusive. Landscaping tops it off. Not tacky specimen plants or the usual landscaped plantings but simple elegant plants to help play off the architecture, not attract attention. The image was created graphically so the new homeowner can see the result and be sure what they want. They can give this to their builder to use as a guide to be sure they GET what they want. Read the full story here: http://www.oldhouseguy.com/old-house-renovation/

Second story upgraded Timbertech Pro Reserve composite deck in Antique Leather color with picture frame boarder in Dark Roast. Timbertech Evolutions railing in black was used with upgraded 7.5" cocktail rail in Azek English Walnut. Also featured is the "pub table" below the deck to set drinks on while playing yard games or gathering around and admiring the views. This couple wanted a deck where they could entertain, dine, relax, and enjoy the beautiful Colorado weather, and that is what Archadeck of Denver designed and built for them!

Inspiration for a cottage kitchen remodel in Boston

Interiors by SHOPHOUSE Design Kyle Born Photography
Inspiration for a coastal bathroom remodel in Philadelphia

Bob O'Connor
Trendy kids' room photo in Boston

Blending a modern sensibility with traditional architecture, this garden features a front yard meadow with native grasses (Carex praecracilis) and wildflowers. Poured-in-place concrete pavers in a meandering pattern slow the approach from the sidewalk to the entry. The modestly-sized backyard has been maximized for entertaining with outdoor dining and lounging areas and subtle landscape lighting. Native plants, herbs, and edibles share the back garden beds, and a raised pond brings the garden to life. Photo by Martin Cox Photography.

Piston Design
Example of a large tuscan enclosed game room design in Houston with a media wall

Garden 6 in Oxford Square

Sun Control of Minnesota is a family owned and operated business that offers Professional Window Tinting Services. We first started out in one office with two part time installers, and we have now grown our business with over 15 employees badge-1980and four different locations in the metro area. We continue to expand our relationships with customers, as well as our service and quality of work. We offer a complete line of Window Tinting services for Automotive, Commercial, Residential, & Marine applications. Our products include Decorative Frost Films, for glass enhancement; Safety/ Security Films, for Anti-Theft and Blast Protection; and 3M Paint Protection Film, for Automotive Rock Chip Prevention. We focus on helping our customers reduce damaging UV rays, excessive solar heat gain, and glare from their interior spaces. UV rays, solar heat, and visible light are the main contributors to fading concerns in homes. Window Film reduces these elements to provide a beautiful view without having to close out the natural sunlight with a shade or blind. We provide the quality that competitors can’t even touch. Our Mission is to Provide the Highest Quality Service, Products, and Installation in the Solar Energy Control Tint & Glass Film industry.

Insights, vistas, perspectives. This private house in France can be divided into two clear architectural axes – inside and outside – fusing seamlessly together. Large window frontages as well as entrance and pool areas separated by solid wood struts play with light and shadow, now revealing now concealing. The modern building exudes a friendly, welcoming atmosphere while creating a harmonious the interplay of intimate homeliness and prestigious openness. The clear lines, handle-less fronts, and soft color scheme in the kitchen are very appealing. Everything revolves around the central island unit, which connects the functional area with sink and hob to an adjoining wooden table. As the very heart of the design, the cooking and dining island is deliberately reduced to essentials. Continuing the color concept and playing with the natural warmth of Highland oak and a light, softly matt frosty white, the large yet minimalist unit run with an integrated sideboard is a perfect fit.

In a narrow sideyard, a flagstone path leads to the backyard. Ornamental grasses screen views of the A/C units. Mike Crews Photography
Photo of a traditional shade side yard stone landscaping in Chicago for summer.

The homeowners needed window treatments that would reduce the bright sun coming in the room while they play the piano, but didn’t want to lose their view to the outside. They also wanted to protect the piano from damaging UV rays. Solar shades were the perfect solution to reduce glare while maintaining their view. They also helped to balance the room with their large, contemporary artwork.

Benefits of AirField in a green roofing system include: • AirDrain creates and helps maintain a more consistent Gmax for Synthetic Turf • ASTM testing proves AirDrain’s shock absorption properties reducing strain on joints and ligaments • AirDrain can be reused when the Synthetic Turf must be replaced • Can help qualify for LEED™ and other green building credits • A smaller carbon and development footprint with reduced site disturbance • Water harvesting reclamation and reuse is easy • AirDrain creates a one inch air barrier on the rooftop increasing the insulating properties. • AirDrain is a 100% recycled copolymer with the impact modifier “metallocene” qualifying it as a “No Break” plastic. Making it able to withstand extreme heat and cold and still maintain performance. • Resins can be made to the following specification “Flammability UL 94, Flame Retardant, High Impact Polypropylene Copolymer Resins” Synthetic Turf Provided and Installed By: Mike Harkrider ForeverLawn Austin 9601 Gray Blvd. Austin, Texas 78758 512.310.7320 office

Benefits of AirField in a green roofing system include: • AirDrain creates and helps maintain a more consistent Gmax for Synthetic Turf • ASTM testing proves AirDrain’s shock absorption properties reducing strain on joints and ligaments • AirDrain can be reused when the Synthetic Turf must be replaced • Can help qualify for LEED™ and other green building credits • A smaller carbon and development footprint with reduced site disturbance • Water harvesting reclamation and reuse is easy • AirDrain creates a one inch air barrier on the rooftop increasing the insulating properties. • AirDrain is a 100% recycled copolymer with the impact modifier “metallocene” qualifying it as a “No Break” plastic. Making it able to withstand extreme heat and cold and still maintain performance. • Resins can be made to the following specification “Flammability UL 94, Flame Retardant, High Impact Polypropylene Copolymer Resins” Synthetic Turf Provided and Installed By: Mike Harkrider ForeverLawn Austin 9601 Gray Blvd. Austin, Texas 78758 512.310.7320 office

A customer, whom I have done multiple jobs in the past, asked me to "shrink" her oversized entertainment system down to a size that would look good with her new flat panel TV. I reduced the height by 10", the depth by 12" installed louvers in the top doors that had been flat panel doors (like the bottom). The original finish was cherry. Her new TV has the DVD feature in the side. To make it easy to access I installed a pull out shelf that also swivels so she can turn it for people to see it easier. She wanted a distressed finish, which I did AFTER I had applied a beautiful pain job. I distressed the wood and also made the paint look older using my own technique, which came out very well. She was extremely pleased with how it turned out.

We had a several challenges to face with this project. Not only did we need to update a dated landscape to accommodate two seemingly different design tastes (modern & minimalistic vs natural english garden), we were tasked with improving the property’s drainage, improving the driveway access, reducing water usage and plant maintenance, and fixing a crumbling wall. To marry the two design tastes, we started with the more modern elements of metal planters and softened the landscape with mass plantings of ornamental grasses and native sedge. These grasses act as a turf replacement that do not need to be mowed and require less regular watering. On each side of the yard we constructed new cedar fences to provide updated and additional privacy. In addition, we poured a new concrete wall to replace the existing retaining wall and play off the new modern vibe.

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

For bathers with less dramatic ambitions the 8' x 18' tanning shelf is the perfect place to relax with toes dangling in the cooling waters. The shelf's shallow depth also makes the area perfect for supervised water play with toddlers. The bottom is surfaced in grey tile to match the pool's interior, this adds practicality for reduced water levels during winter.

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