The new custom fabric retractable awning is made from a screen type fabric to allow some light to come through so that the container garden plants still receive some sunlight. But, this also allows the awning to keep most of the direct sun off of the side of the house to keep it cool and reduce energy consumption. Here the awning is shown fully extended over the patio area. The homeowners opted to use inexpensive folding chairs and a table so that they can be easily stored away and a car can be parked on this backyard portion of the driveway.

"Inspirations and Solutions" For your home office, it's best to choose a window treatment that allows you to incrementally filter light. This will let you enjoy natural sunlight when you are reading or meeting with clients and reduce glare on your screen when you are working at your computer. Silhouette Window Shadings have soft, adjustable S-shaped vanes that can be tilted to achieve your desired level of light filtering. Another great option are Solera Soft Shades, which combine the look of a Roman shade with the construction of an energy-efficient cellular shade.

Dare to design... the fireplace of your dreams, while being environmentally friendly! Frontenac is not only the name of a grand hotel located in the heart of Quebec City, Canada. It is also the largest fireplace of the Valcourt brand. Majestic and imposing, this bravery symbol of the Count of Frontenac, who has fiercely defended the French colony, is quite appropriate to represent the enormous challenge overtaken when designing and manufacturing this fireplace. Exceptionally large, the FP11 Frontenac uses advanced technology to reduce air pollution and is already qualifies for Phase II of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) voluntary program for manufacturers of decorative wood burning fireplaces. With particulate emissions below 5.1 g/kg (which is approximately 70 percent cleaner than unqualified models), this model will surely give you elegance without compromising the quality of air. Just like the FP7-LM Antoinette, the FP11 Frontenac has a guillotine door that disappears in the hearth, allowing you to easily load wood on the fire and have an unrivalled view of the flames. The fire screen is also equipped with a guillotine mechanism. You will thus enjoy an open fire in safety when the ceramic glass door is open. Finally, the bare front allows significant flexibility and creativity in the design of your interior décor. Discover the additional qualities of the ambiance fireplace Valcourt Frontenac

This meditation corridor was designed as a transitional space that gently guides visitors from the outside world into a calm, restorative environment. Inspired by traditional Japanese architecture, the hallway features warm white oak detailing, shoji-style screens, natural stone, and an indoor Zen garden that encourages mindfulness with every step. Soft lighting, natural textures, and biophilic design elements create a peaceful rhythm throughout the circulation path, transforming a simple hallway into an intentional experience. Every detail was carefully considered to reduce visual clutter, strengthen the connection to nature, and prepare guests for yoga, meditation, and wellness practices. This conceptual rendering embodies Chanova Design's philosophy of creating holistic environments where every space, including transitional areas, contributes to a seamless journey of relaxation, balance, and well-being.

The new custom fabric retractable awning is made from a screen type fabric to allow some light to come through so that the container garden plants still receive some sunlight. But, this also allows the awning to keep most of the direct sun off of the side of the house to keep it cool and reduce energy consumption. Here the awning is shown in a mostly closed position to keep the house cool and the plants from wilting in the heat while keeping the patio area in the sunlight.

Established in 2005, Stonebridge at Rankin’s Lake is proud to be Duke Energy’s “First All-Electric Energy Star Certified Community” in South Carolina. Each home has been constructed with strict guidelines to insure each individual home will receive it’s own Energy Star certificate which in turn results in a reduced rate from Duke Energy on the energy bill for the life of the home. Through a partnership between the architecture firm, Chapman Design Group, Inc. and it’s construction arm, Icon Construction of South Carolina, Inc., special emphasis is placed on quality construction, methods and design details a well as a stringent construction quality control standard. The total efforts, skills, resources provide unyielding commitment directed toward building superior homes that will bring our homeowners many years of comfortable and carefree living. This 107 home community was created on a 43 acre property that was planned into two phases. Approximately 17 of these acres are to be left natural, providing the feel of an established neighborhood from the very beginning. The featured attraction is Rankin’s Lake. It is approximately 4 acres in size and was once a well-known fishing lake in Anderson in the 1940s and 50s. A stone bridge will adorn its spillway and will be constructed during the second phase of the project. The traditional style streetscape is enhanced with grass medians separating curb lines and sidewalks. This feature is accentuated in intermittent Alee Elm Trees and decorative post streetlights throughout the neighborhood. Every front and side lawn as well as all common areas continue to be maintained on a weekly basis by a private landscape maintenance company. This perpetual maintenance provided through the Homeowner’s Association insures a constant harmonious look throughout the entire community. From day one, several development principles were established and achieved: • The development’s concept was designed with all water front lots facing into Rankin’s Lake to have the street running between the homes and the lake. With this concept, it allows all of the neighborhood residents and their guest to take advantage of the pathways as well as enjoy to natural scenery of the lake each time the upon entering and exiting the neighborhood. This became a positive selling point as it encouraged the selection of building sites deeper into the development once you passed the lake. • The design concept of the development was to create a variation of the traditional home neighborhood where the homes, all with front porches are intentionally built closer to the sidewalk lined streets to encourage neighborly interaction. • Plans were designed with the garages at the rear of the lot as to make the neighborhood less about cars and more about the home and it’s residents. This was prioritized due to many subdivisions today are designed in such a way the home’s primary feature is a front facing garage which often have two cars in the driveway… hence, Stonebridge at Rankin’s Lake want to provide an alternative. • Each home design includes a spacious front porch, a screened porch and or a sunroom to encourage neighborly interaction and casual living. • The floor plans include both 2 and 3 bedroom plans with 2 to 3.5 baths with all master suites remaining on the main level. The entire development would have only Energy Star Certified homes.

The SIX is a 52-unit affordable housing project provides a home, support services and rehabilitation for disabled veterans. It is located in the MacArthur Park area of Los Angeles. McArthur Park has one of the highest densities in the USA with over 38,000 people per square mile and a total population of 120,000 people in 2.72 square miles. Offering shelter and comfort, the SIX breaks the prescriptive mold of the traditional shelter by creating public and private "zones" in which private space is deemphasized, in favor of large public areas. The organization of the space is intended to transform the way people live-away from a reclusive, isolating layout towards a community-oriented, interactive space. The ground level contains offices, support spaces for the veterans, bike storage and parking while the second level has a large public courtyard. Surrounded by four levels of housing units with balconies wrapped with a wood screen made from recycle planking the courtyard has large openings with green roofs that visually connects the space to the street on the lower level beyond. This allows the tenants to enjoy a secured open space while still connecting to the larger community. The uppermost level has a green roof, large public patio and edible garden with panoramic views of the area. The SIX distinguishes itself from most conventionally developed projects in that it incorporates energy efficient measures that exceed standard practice, optimize building performance, and ensure reduced energy use during all phases of construction and occupancy. The planning and design emerged from close consideration and employment of passive design strategies. These strategies include: locating and orienting the building to control solar cooling loads; shaping and orienting the building for exposure to prevailing winds; shaping the building to induce buoyancy for natural ventilation; designing windows to maximize day lighting; shading south facing windows and minimizing west-facing glazing; designing windows to maximize natural ventilation; utilizing low flow fixtures and storm water management; shaping and planning the interior to enhance daylight and natural air flow distribution. These passive strategies alone make this building 50% more efficient than a conventionally designed structure.

Context Norbert and Robin had dreamed of retiring in a Passive House-certified home overlooking the Lubberland Creek Preserve in Southeastern New Hampshire, and they’d done their homework. They were interested in using four integrated Zehnder America (www.zehnderamerica.com) technologies to make the 1,900 square foot home extremely energy efficient. They didn’t miss any opportunity to innovate or raise the bar on sustainable design. Our goals were focused on guaranteeing their comfort in every season, saving them money on a fixed income, and reducing the home’s overall impact on the environment as much as possible. Response The home faces directly south and captures sunlight all winter under tall and vaulted ceilings and a continuous band of slim-lined, Italian triple-pane windows and doors that provide gorgeous views of the wild preserve. A second-story office nook and clerestory provide even deeper views, with a little more privacy. Zehnder, which previously sold its innovative products only in Europe, took on the project as a test house. We designed around Zehnder’s vent-based systems, including a geothermal heat loop that heats and cools incoming air, a heat pump cooling system, electric towel-warmer radiators in the bathrooms, and a highly efficient energy recovery ventilator, which recycles heat and minimizes the need for air conditioning. The house effectively has no conventional heating system—and doesn’t need it. We also looked for efficiencies and smart solutions everywhere, from the lights to the windows to the insulation. The kitchen exhaust hood eliminates, cleans, and recirculates cooking fumes in the home’s unique kitchen, custom-designed to match the ways Norbert likes to prepare meals. There are several countertop heights so they can prep and clean comfortably, and the eat-in kitchen also has two seating heights so people can sit and socialize while they’re working on dinner. An adjacent screened porch greets guests and opens to the view. A roof-mounted solar system helps to ensure that the home generates more energy than it consumes—helped by features such as a heat pump water heater, superinsulation, LED lights and a polished concrete floor that helps regulate indoor temperatures. Photo credit Chris Smith

This 1970’s rambler was due for a significant update to the kitchen and bathrooms. With three kids and a busy travel schedule, this family needed a space that would work well for making the most of precious family time at home. The existing dining room was separated from the kitchen by an extra stair to the basement. This was removed so that the front and back of the house could be open to each other, while also improving the connection to the living room. The extra-large garage was reduced in size, with some of the space being converted into a mudroom. And finally, the connection to the garage was transformed into a simple and spacious slate floored back entry, with improved access to an existing screened porch on the back of the house. The kitchen space is wide enough for a rolling island trolley, which can be put away during larger functions.

Context Norbert and Robin had dreamed of retiring in a Passive House-certified home overlooking the Lubberland Creek Preserve in Southeastern New Hampshire, and they’d done their homework. They were interested in using four integrated Zehnder America (www.zehnderamerica.com) technologies to make the 1,900 square foot home extremely energy efficient. They didn’t miss any opportunity to innovate or raise the bar on sustainable design. Our goals were focused on guaranteeing their comfort in every season, saving them money on a fixed income, and reducing the home’s overall impact on the environment as much as possible. Response The home faces directly south and captures sunlight all winter under tall and vaulted ceilings and a continuous band of slim-lined, Italian triple-pane windows and doors that provide gorgeous views of the wild preserve. A second-story office nook and clerestory provide even deeper views, with a little more privacy. Zehnder, which previously sold its innovative products only in Europe, took on the project as a test house. We designed around Zehnder’s vent-based systems, including a geothermal heat loop that heats and cools incoming air, a heat pump cooling system, electric towel-warmer radiators in the bathrooms, and a highly efficient energy recovery ventilator, which recycles heat and minimizes the need for air conditioning. The house effectively has no conventional heating system—and doesn’t need it. We also looked for efficiencies and smart solutions everywhere, from the lights to the windows to the insulation. The kitchen exhaust hood eliminates, cleans, and recirculates cooking fumes in the home’s unique kitchen, custom-designed to match the ways Norbert likes to prepare meals. There are several countertop heights so they can prep and clean comfortably, and the eat-in kitchen also has two seating heights so people can sit and socialize while they’re working on dinner. An adjacent screened porch greets guests and opens to the view. A roof-mounted solar system helps to ensure that the home generates more energy than it consumes—helped by features such as a heat pump water heater, superinsulation, LED lights and a polished concrete floor that helps regulate indoor temperatures. Photo credit Chris Smith

This residence was a complete gut renovation of a 4-story row house in Park Slope, and included a new rear extension and penthouse addition. The owners wished to create a warm, family home using a modern language that would act as a clean canvas to feature rich textiles and items from their world travels. As with most Brooklyn row houses, the existing house suffered from a lack of natural light and connection to exterior spaces, an issue that Principal Brendan Coburn is acutely aware of from his experience re-imagining historic structures in the New York area. The resulting architecture is designed around moments featuring natural light and views to the exterior, of both the private garden and the sky, throughout the house, and a stripped-down language of detailing and finishes allows for the concept of the modern-natural to shine. Upon entering the home, the kitchen and dining space draw you in with views beyond through the large glazed opening at the rear of the house. An extension was built to allow for a large sunken living room that provides a family gathering space connected to the kitchen and dining room, but remains distinctly separate, with a strong visual connection to the rear garden. The open sculptural stair tower was designed to function like that of a traditional row house stair, but with a smaller footprint. By extending it up past the original roof level into the new penthouse, the stair becomes an atmospheric shaft for the spaces surrounding the core. All types of weather – sunshine, rain, lightning, can be sensed throughout the home through this unifying vertical environment. The stair space also strives to foster family communication, making open living spaces visible between floors. At the upper-most level, a free-form bench sits suspended over the stair, just by the new roof deck, which provides at-ease entertaining. Oak was used throughout the home as a unifying material element. As one travels upwards within the house, the oak finishes are bleached to further degrees as a nod to how light enters the home. The owners worked with CWB to add their own personality to the project. The meter of a white oak and blackened steel stair screen was designed by the family to read “I love you” in Morse Code, and tile was selected throughout to reference places that hold special significance to the family. To support the owners’ comfort, the architectural design engages passive house technologies to reduce energy use, while increasing air quality within the home – a strategy which aims to respect the environment while providing a refuge from the harsh elements of urban living. This project was published by Wendy Goodman as her Space of the Week, part of New York Magazine’s Design Hunting on The Cut. Photography by Kevin Kunstadt

The SIX is a 52-unit affordable housing project provides a home, support services and rehabilitation for disabled veterans. It is located in the MacArthur Park area of Los Angeles. McArthur Park has one of the highest densities in the USA with over 38,000 people per square mile and a total population of 120,000 people in 2.72 square miles. Offering shelter and comfort, the SIX breaks the prescriptive mold of the traditional shelter by creating public and private "zones" in which private space is deemphasized, in favor of large public areas. The organization of the space is intended to transform the way people live-away from a reclusive, isolating layout towards a community-oriented, interactive space. The ground level contains offices, support spaces for the veterans, bike storage and parking while the second level has a large public courtyard. Surrounded by four levels of housing units with balconies wrapped with a wood screen made from recycle planking the courtyard has large openings with green roofs that visually connects the space to the street on the lower level beyond. This allows the tenants to enjoy a secured open space while still connecting to the larger community. The uppermost level has a green roof, large public patio and edible garden with panoramic views of the area. The SIX distinguishes itself from most conventionally developed projects in that it incorporates energy efficient measures that exceed standard practice, optimize building performance, and ensure reduced energy use during all phases of construction and occupancy. The planning and design emerged from close consideration and employment of passive design strategies. These strategies include: locating and orienting the building to control solar cooling loads; shaping and orienting the building for exposure to prevailing winds; shaping the building to induce buoyancy for natural ventilation; designing windows to maximize day lighting; shading south facing windows and minimizing west-facing glazing; designing windows to maximize natural ventilation; utilizing low flow fixtures and storm water management; shaping and planning the interior to enhance daylight and natural air flow distribution. These passive strategies alone make this building 50% more efficient than a conventionally designed structure.

Another highlight of the backyard is the 11’ x 13.5’ pergola. The south side (at the back in this photo) has a see-through roll down screen which helps to soften breezes and reduce mid-day sun. The roof, currently open, has retractable panels which can be partially or fully drawn closed to provide shade.

The SIX is a 52-unit affordable housing project provides a home, support services and rehabilitation for disabled veterans. It is located in the MacArthur Park area of Los Angeles. McArthur Park has one of the highest densities in the USA with over 38,000 people per square mile and a total population of 120,000 people in 2.72 square miles. Offering shelter and comfort, the SIX breaks the prescriptive mold of the traditional shelter by creating public and private "zones" in which private space is deemphasized, in favor of large public areas. The organization of the space is intended to transform the way people live-away from a reclusive, isolating layout towards a community-oriented, interactive space. The ground level contains offices, support spaces for the veterans, bike storage and parking while the second level has a large public courtyard. Surrounded by four levels of housing units with balconies wrapped with a wood screen made from recycle planking the courtyard has large openings with green roofs that visually connects the space to the street on the lower level beyond. This allows the tenants to enjoy a secured open space while still connecting to the larger community. The uppermost level has a green roof, large public patio and edible garden with panoramic views of the area. The SIX distinguishes itself from most conventionally developed projects in that it incorporates energy efficient measures that exceed standard practice, optimize building performance, and ensure reduced energy use during all phases of construction and occupancy. The planning and design emerged from close consideration and employment of passive design strategies. These strategies include: locating and orienting the building to control solar cooling loads; shaping and orienting the building for exposure to prevailing winds; shaping the building to induce buoyancy for natural ventilation; designing windows to maximize day lighting; shading south facing windows and minimizing west-facing glazing; designing windows to maximize natural ventilation; utilizing low flow fixtures and storm water management; shaping and planning the interior to enhance daylight and natural air flow distribution. These passive strategies alone make this building 50% more efficient than a conventionally designed structure.

We install custom shades to your specifications using high quality components manufactured by SW Sun Control. Our sun shades will reduce wind, sun damage and harmful UV rays while preserving your view of the outdoors. Perfect for sliders, patio covers, pergolas, and windows, these beautiful, easy-to-use, durable vinyl mesh screens block up to 97% of sun, wind, and mist yet let in soft, filtered light and air. Whether you need protection from the elements or you want to enjoy the sun, our sun shades retract smoothly, giving you complete control of your outdoor space. With so many options to choose from we can accommodate any budget, no project is too large or too small. Consider your options and let us help you improve the way you live outdoors!

This innovative cottage house design offers an interactive floor plan suitable for single-family or duplex living. With two floors and a garage, it maximizes space while maintaining a cozy atmosphere. The ground floor features a welcoming front screened porch and a spacious kitchenette with an eating bar and butler's pantry for functionality. Storage under the dining room and an upper deck enhance convenience, with plenty of sunlight and ventilation from windows on both sides. The bedroom includes a walk-in closet and a bathroom with wet and dry zones for practicality and comfort. Parking for one car and storage on an elevated slab optimize space usage. Thoughtful touches like the reduced porch, expansive front deck, and storage under the stairs add to the appeal. Overall, this beautifully adorned cottage charms visitors with its functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Main Line Kitchen Design has a different business model than other kitchen showrooms, designers, and cabinetry dealers. The difference helps us to do five important things better than our competitors. The kitchens we sell are better designed and our designers are more experienced. This is because we insist on showing customers designs we recommend, BEFORE, we do a design they request. This way, final designs tend to be more collaborative and professional. Our designers are more experienced because they are better paid and design with more cabinet brands than at other dealers. Our pricing for cabinets is less than other cabinet dealers. This is because we do not have a showroom open to the public, and we require a small deposit and a screening before we accept customers. This helps our designers spend their time more effectively. And, it eliminates 80% of the overhead kitchen showrooms spend on staffing, larger displays, and on a curbside location. We carry more brands of cabinetry than other dealers. This is possible because we display one cabinet for each brand we sell. Through glass countertops clients can examine a brands construction quality, and we display the door styles and finishes of our brands. Instead of the larger displays customers see in traditional showrooms, our customers can view 5 million kitchens on Houzz.com, or the hundreds of our kitchen renovations we show on Houzz, our web site, and in framed photos on the walls of our office building. Kitchen construction is often better organized and generally costs less. This is because we recommend general contractors free of charge. They supervise construction from scheduling to completion. This eliminates a middleman, reduces delays, and eliminates the fees that almost all showrooms and home centers charge their customers. We are also happy to work with any contractor a customer finds on their own. If we haven’t worked with that contractor before they may need more of our direction, but both companies can benefit from working together and possibly referring each other in the future. Less problems arise, and if they do, they are handled more quickly. This is because every kitchen we sell is reviewed by at least 3 kitchen designers during the ordering process. Our Operations Manager Ed Sossich checks orders and schedules all warehouse and home deliveries. Our delivery manager Mark Mitten supervises every delivery and checks in each cabinet and part. And our CRM system, Monday, prompts each person responsible for each phase of a customer’s kitchen with automated alerts. This keeps things moving, even during supply chain disruptions, and ensures no step is overlooked. Main Line Kitchen Design’s company slogan is “The world of kitchen design is changing . . . “. We pride ourselves on being innovative in everything we do. From our web site and how we advertise, to the gift we send each customer upon the completion of their kitchen. Our business model helps us receive 100’s of 5-star reviews, and makes our kitchen projects more enjoyable for everyone. We look forward to working with you.

Established in 2005, Stonebridge at Rankin’s Lake is proud to be Duke Energy’s “First All-Electric Energy Star Certified Community” in South Carolina. Each home has been constructed with strict guidelines to insure each individual home will receive it’s own Energy Star certificate which in turn results in a reduced rate from Duke Energy on the energy bill for the life of the home. Through a partnership between the architecture firm, Chapman Design Group, Inc. and it’s construction arm, Icon Construction of South Carolina, Inc., special emphasis is placed on quality construction, methods and design details a well as a stringent construction quality control standard. The total efforts, skills, resources provide unyielding commitment directed toward building superior homes that will bring our homeowners many years of comfortable and carefree living. This 107 home community was created on a 43 acre property that was planned into two phases. Approximately 17 of these acres are to be left natural, providing the feel of an established neighborhood from the very beginning. The featured attraction is Rankin’s Lake. It is approximately 4 acres in size and was once a well-known fishing lake in Anderson in the 1940s and 50s. A stone bridge will adorn its spillway and will be constructed during the second phase of the project. The traditional style streetscape is enhanced with grass medians separating curb lines and sidewalks. This feature is accentuated in intermittent Alee Elm Trees and decorative post streetlights throughout the neighborhood. Every front and side lawn as well as all common areas continue to be maintained on a weekly basis by a private landscape maintenance company. This perpetual maintenance provided through the Homeowner’s Association insures a constant harmonious look throughout the entire community. From day one, several development principles were established and achieved: • The development’s concept was designed with all water front lots facing into Rankin’s Lake to have the street running between the homes and the lake. With this concept, it allows all of the neighborhood residents and their guest to take advantage of the pathways as well as enjoy to natural scenery of the lake each time the upon entering and exiting the neighborhood. This became a positive selling point as it encouraged the selection of building sites deeper into the development once you passed the lake. • The design concept of the development was to create a variation of the traditional home neighborhood where the homes, all with front porches are intentionally built closer to the sidewalk lined streets to encourage neighborly interaction. • Plans were designed with the garages at the rear of the lot as to make the neighborhood less about cars and more about the home and it’s residents. This was prioritized due to many subdivisions today are designed in such a way the home’s primary feature is a front facing garage which often have two cars in the driveway… hence, Stonebridge at Rankin’s Lake want to provide an alternative. • Each home design includes a spacious front porch, a screened porch and or a sunroom to encourage neighborly interaction and casual living. • The floor plans include both 2 and 3 bedroom plans with 2 to 3.5 baths with all master suites remaining on the main level. The entire development would have only Energy Star Certified homes.