With its expansive two-sided opening and stunningly realistic fire presentation, the DRT63ST See-Through provides a harmonious flow from one space to another, inside or outside the home. The DRT63ST See-Through is available in a 40" size, and comes standard with high-definition logs, ceramic ember bed burner, log grate, wire mesh pull screens and the Total Comfort Control™ System. Aesthetics Dramatic louverless construction gives the fireplace a clean, traditional masonry look and provides the ability to finish right up to the opening. Tall ceramic-glass opening provides an exceptional view of the logs and flame. The high-definition charred split-oak log set is cast from real wood for an authentic look. Platinum embers enhance the glow of the fire. Light- and dark-tinted outdoor kits trimmed in stainless steel are available for indoor/outdoor application. The dark-tinted version provides enhanced ambiance from inside the room by creating an infinity effect while reducing glare from the outside environment. Comfort Exclusive Secure Vent™ chimney system provides efficient venting. Rated 68% in annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). Ease of Operation Full-function remote offers an array of controls, including modulating flame height. Gas controls are conveniently located to the side of the fireplace opening for easy installation and operation. An adjustable air shutter is included in the burner which allows you to raise or lower flame height to desired levels. Design Versatility A required choice of liners available in Buff Rustic, Buff Herringbone and Black Porcelain. Optional andirons evoke the look of a traditional hearth, in Mission and Classic styles. Decorative freestanding screens in a variety of designs are available. Available in power-vented versions which can vent up to 110 ft. Can be installed as an indoor/indoor unit or as an indoor/outdoor unit with the addition of an outdoor kit. This fireplace meets all 2015 ANSI barrier requirements.

This modern green home offers both a vacation destination on Cape Cod near local family members and an opportunity for rental income. FAMILY ROOTS. A West Coast couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area sought a permanent East Coast vacation home near family members living on Cape Cod. As academic professionals focused on sustainability, they sought a green, energy efficient home that was well-aligned with their values. With no green homes available for sale on Cape Cod, they decided to purchase land near their family and build their own. SLOPED SITE. Comprised of a 3/4 acre lot nestled in the pines, the steeply sloping terrain called for a plan that embraced and took advantage of the slope. Of equal priority was optimizing solar exposure, preserving privacy from abutters, and creating outdoor living space. The design accomplished these goals with a simple, rectilinear form, offering living space on the both entry and lower/basement levels. The stepped foundation allows for a walk-out basement level with light-filled living space on the down-hill side of the home. The traditional basement on the eastern, up-hill side houses mechanical equipment and a home gym. The house welcomes natural light throughout, captures views of the forest, and delivers entertainment space that connects indoor living space to outdoor deck and dining patio. MODERN VISION. The clean building form and uncomplicated finishes pay homage to the modern architectural legacy on the outer Cape. Durable and economical fiber cement panels, fixed with aluminum channels, clad the primary form. Cedar clapboards provide a visual accent at the south-facing living room, which extends a single roof plane to cover the entry porch. SMART USE OF SPACE. On the entry level, the “L”-shaped living, dining, and kitchen space connects to the exterior living, dining, and grilling spaces to effectively double the home’s summertime entertainment area. Placed at the western end of the entry level (where it can retain privacy but still claim expansive downhill views) is the master suite with a built-in study. The lower level has two guest bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and laundry. The flexibility of the space—crucial in a house with a modest footprint—emerges in one of the guest bedrooms, which doubles as home office by opening the barn-style double doors to connect it to the bright, airy open stair leading up to the entry level. Thoughtful design, generous ceiling heights and large windows transform the modest 1,100 sf* footprint into a well-lit, spacious home. *(total finished space is 1800 sf) RENTAL INCOME. The property works for its owners by netting rental income when the owners are home in San Francisco. The house especially caters to vacationers bound for nearby Mayo Beach and includes an outdoor shower adjacent to the lower level entry door. In contrast to the bare bones cottages that are typically available on the Cape, this home offers prospective tenants a modern aesthetic, paired with luxurious and green features. Durable finishes inside and out will ensure longevity with the heavier use that comes with a rental property. COMFORT YEAR-ROUND. The home is super-insulated and air-tight, with mechanical ventilation to provide continuous fresh air from the outside. High performance triple-paned windows complement the building enclosure and maximize passive solar gain while ensuring a warm, draft-free winter, even when sitting close to the glass. A properly sized air source heat pump offers efficient heating & cooling, and includes a carefully designed the duct distribution system to provide even comfort throughout the house. The super-insulated envelope allows us to significantly reduce the equipment capacity, duct size, and airflow quantities, while maintaining unparalleled thermal comfort. ENERGY EFFICIENT. The building’s shell and mechanical systems play instrumental roles in the home’s exceptional performance. The building enclosure reduces the most significant energy glutton: heating. Continuous super-insulation, thorough air sealing, triple-pane windows, and passive solar gain work together to yield a miniscule heating load. All active energy consumers are extremely efficient: an air source heat pump for heating and cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation (ERV), and high efficiency appliances. The result is a home that uses 70% less energy than a similar new home built to code requirements. OVERALL. The home embodies the owners’ goals and values while comprehensively enabling thermal comfort, energy efficiency, a vacation respite, and supplementary income. PROJECT TEAM ZeroEnergy Design - Architect & Mechanical Designer A.F. Hultin & Co. - Contractor Pamet Valley Landscape Design - Landscape & Masonry Lisa Finch - Original Artwork European Architectural Supply - Windows Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Renovating a home can completely transform the way a space looks, feels, and functions, but successful improvements require thoughtful planning rather than rushing into expensive changes. These renovation tips and tricks house ideas can help homeowners organize projects, control costs, select practical materials, and create rooms that remain useful for years. Start by identifying what genuinely needs improvement, such as outdated finishes, poor lighting, inefficient storage, damaged surfaces, or an inconvenient layout. Create a realistic budget that includes materials, labor, permits where applicable, and a contingency amount for unexpected issues. Taking measurements, collecting inspiration, and deciding priorities before work begins can prevent unnecessary purchases and make the renovation process much easier to manage.
One of the most useful renovation tips and tricks house projects can benefit from is improving the layout before focusing on decoration. A beautiful room will still feel inconvenient if furniture blocks walkways or storage is insufficient. Consider how people actually use each space and whether doors, windows, lighting, electrical outlets, and storage are positioned effectively. In kitchens, for example, practical work zones and accessible storage can make everyday tasks easier. In bedrooms and living rooms, built-in shelving, multifunctional furniture, and organized storage can reduce clutter without making the space feel crowded. Whenever possible, repair or improve the existing structure before replacing everything, because thoughtful upgrades can deliver significant results without creating unnecessary renovation costs.
Choosing materials carefully is another important part of renovation tips and tricks house planning. Look beyond appearance and consider durability, maintenance, safety, and suitability for the room. High-moisture areas require materials that can handle regular exposure to water, while frequently used floors and work surfaces should be selected for durability. Neutral foundations can also provide flexibility because wall colors, textiles, artwork, and accessories can be changed later without another major renovation. Lighting deserves equal attention: combine general illumination with task and accent lighting to make rooms more functional and visually comfortable. Energy-efficient lighting, improved insulation, weather sealing, and efficient fixtures may also contribute to better long-term household performance.
Before beginning major work, divide the project into manageable stages. A useful approach is to complete structural or repair work first, followed by electrical or plumbing updates when necessary, then walls, flooring, cabinetry, fixtures, and finally decorative details. This order can reduce the chance of damaging newly finished surfaces. Keep a record of measurements, product specifications, receipts, and important project decisions so replacements or future repairs are easier. For specialized work involving structural changes, electrical systems, plumbing, gas, or other regulated areas, consult appropriately qualified professionals and follow local requirements. Among the most practical renovation tips and tricks house owners can follow is to avoid changing too many things simultaneously; completing priority areas systematically makes budgets, timelines, and quality easier to control.
Finally, focus on improvements that combine appearance with everyday usefulness. Fresh paint, updated hardware, better organization, improved lighting, refreshed flooring, and carefully selected fixtures can make a noticeable difference without requiring a complete transformation. Outdoor areas can also benefit from simple maintenance, improved lighting, seating, planting, or repaired surfaces that extend the usable living space. Before declaring the project finished, inspect each room for functionality, storage, lighting, ventilation, safety, and finishing quality. The best renovation tips and tricks house approach is not necessarily about spending more it is about making informed choices that solve real problems and create a home that feels comfortable, practical, and personal.

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.

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

Our installation experts at Independent Home just completed a walk in tub installation for our customer Edward of Haddonfield. Find out why he decided to go with Independent Home along with how the installation was completed. Edward began shopping around for walk in tubs about a month ago. He was looking for a tub that was not only safe but could help with his arthritis. He received quotes from a few different companies but in the end decided on Independent Home. We were chosen because our salesmen were not pushy and were patient with answering all of Edward’s questions. A pre-installation meeting was then scheduled. The pre-installation meeting involved our installation experts and, of course, Edward. The meeting consisted of discussing what tub would be best for Edward’s needs, where the best location would be, and what type of finish should be added. Edward and our experts decided to go with our celebrity walk in tub with hydrotherapy model. The celebrity was the best choice for Edward because it had all of the requirements he was looking for. It met his safety requirements with a non-slip floor, an ADA compliant seat, and a low threshold for an easy entrance and exit. The tub’s hydrotherapy features will be able to reduce Edward’s arthritis pain. All he has to do is turn on the jets and relax. The way that the jets move will increase his circulation which will help his muscles and joints rehabilitate. The entire installation process only took a couple of days to complete. This consisted of removing Edward’s old tub and foundation, bringing in the new tub, leveling the legs, connecting the water, and testing for leaks. The last step of the installation was building the finish with a simple tile wall surround that Edward had requested. Edward loves his new tub. The hydrotherapy features have decreased his arthritis pain, allowing him to get out more.

This modern green home offers both a vacation destination on Cape Cod near local family members and an opportunity for rental income. FAMILY ROOTS. A West Coast couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area sought a permanent East Coast vacation home near family members living on Cape Cod. As academic professionals focused on sustainability, they sought a green, energy efficient home that was well-aligned with their values. With no green homes available for sale on Cape Cod, they decided to purchase land near their family and build their own. SLOPED SITE. Comprised of a 3/4 acre lot nestled in the pines, the steeply sloping terrain called for a plan that embraced and took advantage of the slope. Of equal priority was optimizing solar exposure, preserving privacy from abutters, and creating outdoor living space. The design accomplished these goals with a simple, rectilinear form, offering living space on the both entry and lower/basement levels. The stepped foundation allows for a walk-out basement level with light-filled living space on the down-hill side of the home. The traditional basement on the eastern, up-hill side houses mechanical equipment and a home gym. The house welcomes natural light throughout, captures views of the forest, and delivers entertainment space that connects indoor living space to outdoor deck and dining patio. MODERN VISION. The clean building form and uncomplicated finishes pay homage to the modern architectural legacy on the outer Cape. Durable and economical fiber cement panels, fixed with aluminum channels, clad the primary form. Cedar clapboards provide a visual accent at the south-facing living room, which extends a single roof plane to cover the entry porch. SMART USE OF SPACE. On the entry level, the “L”-shaped living, dining, and kitchen space connects to the exterior living, dining, and grilling spaces to effectively double the home’s summertime entertainment area. Placed at the western end of the entry level (where it can retain privacy but still claim expansive downhill views) is the master suite with a built-in study. The lower level has two guest bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and laundry. The flexibility of the space—crucial in a house with a modest footprint—emerges in one of the guest bedrooms, which doubles as home office by opening the barn-style double doors to connect it to the bright, airy open stair leading up to the entry level. Thoughtful design, generous ceiling heights and large windows transform the modest 1,100 sf* footprint into a well-lit, spacious home. *(total finished space is 1800 sf) RENTAL INCOME. The property works for its owners by netting rental income when the owners are home in San Francisco. The house especially caters to vacationers bound for nearby Mayo Beach and includes an outdoor shower adjacent to the lower level entry door. In contrast to the bare bones cottages that are typically available on the Cape, this home offers prospective tenants a modern aesthetic, paired with luxurious and green features. Durable finishes inside and out will ensure longevity with the heavier use that comes with a rental property. COMFORT YEAR-ROUND. The home is super-insulated and air-tight, with mechanical ventilation to provide continuous fresh air from the outside. High performance triple-paned windows complement the building enclosure and maximize passive solar gain while ensuring a warm, draft-free winter, even when sitting close to the glass. A properly sized air source heat pump offers efficient heating & cooling, and includes a carefully designed the duct distribution system to provide even comfort throughout the house. The super-insulated envelope allows us to significantly reduce the equipment capacity, duct size, and airflow quantities, while maintaining unparalleled thermal comfort. ENERGY EFFICIENT. The building’s shell and mechanical systems play instrumental roles in the home’s exceptional performance. The building enclosure reduces the most significant energy glutton: heating. Continuous super-insulation, thorough air sealing, triple-pane windows, and passive solar gain work together to yield a miniscule heating load. All active energy consumers are extremely efficient: an air source heat pump for heating and cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation (ERV), and high efficiency appliances. The result is a home that uses 70% less energy than a similar new home built to code requirements. OVERALL. The home embodies the owners’ goals and values while comprehensively enabling thermal comfort, energy efficiency, a vacation respite, and supplementary income. PROJECT TEAM ZeroEnergy Design - Architect & Mechanical Designer A.F. Hultin & Co. - Contractor Pamet Valley Landscape Design - Landscape & Masonry Lisa Finch - Original Artwork European Architectural Supply - Windows Eric Roth Photography - Photography

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

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 medium-sized bathroom had ample space to create a luxurious bathroom for this young professional couple with 3 young children. My clients really wanted a place to unplug and relax where they could retreat and recharge. New cabinets were a must with customized interiors to reduce cluttered countertops and make morning routines easier and more organized. We selected Hale Navy for the painted finish with an upscale recessed panel door. Honey bronze hardware is a nice contrast to the navy paint instead of an expected brushed silver. For storage, a grooming center to organize hair dryer, curling iron and brushes keeps everything in place for morning routines. On the opposite, a pull-out organizer outfitted with trays for smaller personal items keeps everything at the fingertips. I included a pull-out hamper to keep laundry and towels off the floor. Another design detail I like to include is drawers in the sink cabinets. It is much better to have drawers notched for the plumbing when organizing bathroom products instead of filling up a large base cabinet. The room already had beautiful windows and was bathed in natural light from an existing skylight. I enhanced the natural lighting with some recessed can lights, a light in the shower as well as sconces around the mirrored medicine cabinets. The best thing about the medicine cabinets is not only the additional storage but when both doors are opened you can see the back of your head. The inside of the cabinet doors are mirrored. Honey Bronze sconces are perfect lighting at the vanity for makeup and shaving. A larger shower for my very tall client with a built-in bench was a priority for this bathroom. I recommend stream showers whenever designing a bathroom and my client loved the idea of that feature as a surprise for his wife. Steam adds to the wellness and health aspect of any good bathroom design. We were able to access a small closet space just behind the shower a perfect spot for the steam unit. In addition to the steam, a handheld shower is another “standard” item in our shower designs. I like to locate these near a bench so you can sit while you target sore shoulder and back muscles. Another benefit is the cleanability of the shower walls and being able to take a quick shower without getting your hair wet. The slide bar is just the thing to accommodate different heights. For Mrs., a tub for soaking and relaxing were the main ingredients required for this remodel. Here I specified a Bain Ultra freestanding tub complete with air massage, chromatherapy, and a heated backrest. The tub filer is floor mounted and adds another element of elegance to the bath. I located the tub in a bay window so the bather can enjoy the beautiful view out of the window. It is also a great way to relax after a round of golf. Either way, both of my clients can enjoy the benefits of this tub. The tiles selected for the shower and the lower walls of the bathroom are slightly oversized subway tiles in a clean and bright white. The floors are 12x24 porcelain marble. The shower floor features a flat-cut marble pebble tile. Behind the vanity, the wall is tiled with Zellige tile in a herringbone pattern. The colors of the tile connect all the colors used in the bath. The final touches of elegance and luxury to complete our design, are the soft lilac paint on the walls, the mix of metal materials on the faucets, cabinet hardware, lighting, and yes, an oversized heated towel warmer complete with robe hooks. This truly is a space for rejuvenation and wellness.

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

Modern Platform Bed Otello by Huppe Made in Canada The Otello Bedroom Furniture Set by Huppe is singled out by its distinctive feature - layered rectangles that break-up the signature straight lines of its contemporary design. Made of North American birch veneer, the elegant look of the Otello bedroom can easily match any interior design. The low profile of the Otello platform bed underlines its stout and robust appearance and adds uniqueness to its shape. The platform bed Otello can be ordered with optional matching casegoods: nightstands, dresser, chest and mirror. The drawers of the case-goods close gently, featuring invisible self-closing slow-motion German slides. Each drawer is stained internally in the same finish as its external parts and coated with a silky finish that protects the most delicate clothes. The focal point of the Otello case-goods is the reduced size of the top drawer of the dresser and nightstand that creates a unique stunning look. The Huppe Otello platform bed only requires a mattress that sits on Italian slats or panels. The bed is available in Queen and Kigs sizes. Features: Designed by Huppe Structure is available in 15 different birch finishes Matching nightstands, dresser, chest and mirror are available The drawers of the optional casegoods feature self-clothing slow motions slides Bed only requires a mattress that sits on a wooden platform with slats or panels The starting price is for the Otello Queen size bed in an Charcoal #11 Birch finish with the wooden slats platform. Dimensions: Queen Size Bed: W68" x D87" x H40" King Size Bed: W86" x D87" x H40" Night Stand: W26" x D19" x H20" Double Dresser: W60" x D19" x H31" 6 Drawer Chest: W30" x D19" x H60" Wall Mirror: W42" x D1.5" x H35"

Cibes Primo Home Elevator – Black with Laminated Glass The Cibes Symmetry Primo is a premium self-supporting home elevator that combines Scandinavian design with advanced engineering to create a stunning architectural feature in any home. Finished in elegant black with full laminated glass sides, this luxury residential elevator offers panoramic views, abundant natural light, and a sleek contemporary aesthetic that complements modern and transitional home designs. Unlike traditional residential elevators, the Cibes Primo requires no machine room, no conventional elevator shaft, and minimal construction, making it an ideal solution for both new custom homes and renovation projects. Its self-supporting design reduces installation time while preserving valuable living space, allowing homeowners to add accessibility without compromising the home's architecture. The all-glass cabin creates an open, airy feel while laminated safety glass enhances durability, security, and peace of mind. Whether installed in a foyer, living room, stairwell, or open-concept space, the Primo becomes a centerpiece that adds both function and sophistication. Powered by Cibes Symmetry's proven screw-driven lift technology, the Primo delivers exceptionally smooth, quiet operation with low maintenance requirements. Advanced safety features include obstruction sensors, battery-powered emergency lowering, emergency communication, automatic lighting, and intuitive controls for dependable everyday performance. Perfect For: Luxury homes Modern and contemporary home design Aging in place Wheelchair accessibility Multigenerational living New home construction Home renovations and remodels Designed for homeowners who refuse to compromise between style and accessibility, the Cibes Symmetry Primo transforms vertical transportation into a design statement. Its striking black finish, panoramic laminated glass enclosure, premium craftsmanship, and space-saving design make it one of the most elegant and innovative home elevators available today.

Cibes Primo Home Elevator – Black with Laminated Glass The Cibes Symmetry Primo is a premium self-supporting home elevator that combines Scandinavian design with advanced engineering to create a stunning architectural feature in any home. Finished in elegant black with full laminated glass sides, this luxury residential elevator offers panoramic views, abundant natural light, and a sleek contemporary aesthetic that complements modern and transitional home designs. Unlike traditional residential elevators, the Cibes Primo requires no machine room, no conventional elevator shaft, and minimal construction, making it an ideal solution for both new custom homes and renovation projects. Its self-supporting design reduces installation time while preserving valuable living space, allowing homeowners to add accessibility without compromising the home's architecture. The all-glass cabin creates an open, airy feel while laminated safety glass enhances durability, security, and peace of mind. Whether installed in a foyer, living room, stairwell, or open-concept space, the Primo becomes a centerpiece that adds both function and sophistication. Powered by Cibes Symmetry's proven screw-driven lift technology, the Primo delivers exceptionally smooth, quiet operation with low maintenance requirements. Advanced safety features include obstruction sensors, battery-powered emergency lowering, emergency communication, automatic lighting, and intuitive controls for dependable everyday performance. Perfect For: Luxury homes Modern and contemporary home design Aging in place Wheelchair accessibility Multigenerational living New home construction Home renovations and remodels Designed for homeowners who refuse to compromise between style and accessibility, the Cibes Symmetry Primo transforms vertical transportation into a design statement. Its striking black finish, panoramic laminated glass enclosure, premium craftsmanship, and space-saving design make it one of the most elegant and innovative home elevators available today.

Antera Home Elevator The Cibes Symmetry Antera is a next-generation luxury home elevator that combines sophisticated European design with innovative engineering to deliver a truly elevated living experience. Designed for discerning homeowners, architects, and designers, the Antera offers exceptional customization, premium finishes, and advanced technology while making every floor of your home effortlessly accessible. Available in configurations with or without a traditional elevator shaft, the Antera provides remarkable design flexibility for both new custom homes and home renovation projects. Its space-efficient engineering minimizes construction requirements while offering the refined appearance and smooth performance expected from a premium residential elevator. Every Antera is built to complement your home's unique style with customizable cab finishes, elegant lighting, designer fixtures, and modern materials. Whether your vision is contemporary, transitional, or classic, the Antera becomes a seamless extension of your home's architecture while enhancing comfort, convenience, and long-term accessibility. Powered by Cibes Symmetry's proven machine-room-less (MRL) technology, the Antera delivers exceptionally quiet, smooth, and reliable operation with reduced maintenance requirements compared to many traditional residential elevator systems. Advanced safety features, intuitive controls, emergency communication, battery-powered emergency lowering, and intelligent obstruction detection provide peace of mind for homeowners and their families. Perfect For: Luxury custom homes Aging in place Wheelchair accessibility Multigenerational living New home construction Home renovations and remodels Universal Design and accessible living The Cibes Symmetry Antera is designed for homeowners who want more than just accessibility—it is a statement of luxury, innovation, and thoughtful design. With its flexible installation options, premium craftsmanship, and cutting-edge engineering, the Antera delivers a beautiful, future-ready home elevator that adds lasting value, convenience, and elegance to any residence.

Antera Home Elevator The Cibes Symmetry Antera is a next-generation luxury home elevator that combines sophisticated European design with innovative engineering to deliver a truly elevated living experience. Designed for discerning homeowners, architects, and designers, the Antera offers exceptional customization, premium finishes, and advanced technology while making every floor of your home effortlessly accessible. Available in configurations with or without a traditional elevator shaft, the Antera provides remarkable design flexibility for both new custom homes and home renovation projects. Its space-efficient engineering minimizes construction requirements while offering the refined appearance and smooth performance expected from a premium residential elevator. Every Antera is built to complement your home's unique style with customizable cab finishes, elegant lighting, designer fixtures, and modern materials. Whether your vision is contemporary, transitional, or classic, the Antera becomes a seamless extension of your home's architecture while enhancing comfort, convenience, and long-term accessibility. Powered by Cibes Symmetry's proven machine-room-less (MRL) technology, the Antera delivers exceptionally quiet, smooth, and reliable operation with reduced maintenance requirements compared to many traditional residential elevator systems. Advanced safety features, intuitive controls, emergency communication, battery-powered emergency lowering, and intelligent obstruction detection provide peace of mind for homeowners and their families. Perfect For: Luxury custom homes Aging in place Wheelchair accessibility Multigenerational living New home construction Home renovations and remodels Universal Design and accessible living The Cibes Symmetry Antera is designed for homeowners who want more than just accessibility—it is a statement of luxury, innovation, and thoughtful design. With its flexible installation options, premium craftsmanship, and cutting-edge engineering, the Antera delivers a beautiful, future-ready home elevator that adds lasting value, convenience, and elegance to any residence.

Cibes Primo Home Elevator – Black with Laminated Glass The Cibes Symmetry Primo is a premium self-supporting home elevator that combines Scandinavian design with advanced engineering to create a stunning architectural feature in any home. Finished in elegant black with full laminated glass sides, this luxury residential elevator offers panoramic views, abundant natural light, and a sleek contemporary aesthetic that complements modern and transitional home designs. Unlike traditional residential elevators, the Cibes Primo requires no machine room, no conventional elevator shaft, and minimal construction, making it an ideal solution for both new custom homes and renovation projects. Its self-supporting design reduces installation time while preserving valuable living space, allowing homeowners to add accessibility without compromising the home's architecture. The all-glass cabin creates an open, airy feel while laminated safety glass enhances durability, security, and peace of mind. Whether installed in a foyer, living room, stairwell, or open-concept space, the Primo becomes a centerpiece that adds both function and sophistication. Powered by Cibes Symmetry's proven screw-driven lift technology, the Primo delivers exceptionally smooth, quiet operation with low maintenance requirements. Advanced safety features include obstruction sensors, battery-powered emergency lowering, emergency communication, automatic lighting, and intuitive controls for dependable everyday performance. Perfect For: Luxury homes Modern and contemporary home design Aging in place Wheelchair accessibility Multigenerational living New home construction Home renovations and remodels Designed for homeowners who refuse to compromise between style and accessibility, the Cibes Symmetry Primo transforms vertical transportation into a design statement. Its striking black finish, panoramic laminated glass enclosure, premium craftsmanship, and space-saving design make it one of the most elegant and innovative home elevators available today.

Antera Home Elevator The Cibes Symmetry Antera is a next-generation luxury home elevator that combines sophisticated European design with innovative engineering to deliver a truly elevated living experience. Designed for discerning homeowners, architects, and designers, the Antera offers exceptional customization, premium finishes, and advanced technology while making every floor of your home effortlessly accessible. Available in configurations with or without a traditional elevator shaft, the Antera provides remarkable design flexibility for both new custom homes and home renovation projects. Its space-efficient engineering minimizes construction requirements while offering the refined appearance and smooth performance expected from a premium residential elevator. Every Antera is built to complement your home's unique style with customizable cab finishes, elegant lighting, designer fixtures, and modern materials. Whether your vision is contemporary, transitional, or classic, the Antera becomes a seamless extension of your home's architecture while enhancing comfort, convenience, and long-term accessibility. Powered by Cibes Symmetry's proven machine-room-less (MRL) technology, the Antera delivers exceptionally quiet, smooth, and reliable operation with reduced maintenance requirements compared to many traditional residential elevator systems. Advanced safety features, intuitive controls, emergency communication, battery-powered emergency lowering, and intelligent obstruction detection provide peace of mind for homeowners and their families. Perfect For: Luxury custom homes Aging in place Wheelchair accessibility Multigenerational living New home construction Home renovations and remodels Universal Design and accessible living The Cibes Symmetry Antera is designed for homeowners who want more than just accessibility—it is a statement of luxury, innovation, and thoughtful design. With its flexible installation options, premium craftsmanship, and cutting-edge engineering, the Antera delivers a beautiful, future-ready home elevator that adds lasting value, convenience, and elegance to any residence.

Antera Home Elevator The Cibes Symmetry Antera is a next-generation luxury home elevator that combines sophisticated European design with innovative engineering to deliver a truly elevated living experience. Designed for discerning homeowners, architects, and designers, the Antera offers exceptional customization, premium finishes, and advanced technology while making every floor of your home effortlessly accessible. Available in configurations with or without a traditional elevator shaft, the Antera provides remarkable design flexibility for both new custom homes and home renovation projects. Its space-efficient engineering minimizes construction requirements while offering the refined appearance and smooth performance expected from a premium residential elevator. Every Antera is built to complement your home's unique style with customizable cab finishes, elegant lighting, designer fixtures, and modern materials. Whether your vision is contemporary, transitional, or classic, the Antera becomes a seamless extension of your home's architecture while enhancing comfort, convenience, and long-term accessibility. Powered by Cibes Symmetry's proven machine-room-less (MRL) technology, the Antera delivers exceptionally quiet, smooth, and reliable operation with reduced maintenance requirements compared to many traditional residential elevator systems. Advanced safety features, intuitive controls, emergency communication, battery-powered emergency lowering, and intelligent obstruction detection provide peace of mind for homeowners and their families. Perfect For: Luxury custom homes Aging in place Wheelchair accessibility Multigenerational living New home construction Home renovations and remodels Universal Design and accessible living The Cibes Symmetry Antera is designed for homeowners who want more than just accessibility—it is a statement of luxury, innovation, and thoughtful design. With its flexible installation options, premium craftsmanship, and cutting-edge engineering, the Antera delivers a beautiful, future-ready home elevator that adds lasting value, convenience, and elegance to any residence.