No greater compliment of a material is possible than when stone is selected for a historic property renovation within a home rich in tradition and with a celebrated past. This new feature stair addition to a private residence in Toronto, Canada, has an equally compelling story to tell. Originally envisioned as a wall-supported, cantilevered stone stair, the owner boldly accepted a unique solution for their showpiece element. The 19-tread stair would be designed with 550 lb. solid stone treads, and fully liberated from traditional supports and the adjacent rubble wall. To say, “it would float” is not an exaggeration. The stair would be designed as a monolithic beam spanning 16.5 feet, 10 feet high and 41 inches wide. Aesthetically bold, with a reduced tone from pure black, the basalt stone was the perfect contrast for the white modern interior of the home. The 3-1/2" tension cables played the most important role by resisting the large bending moment generated by the stone load and stair geometry. Fabrication required precise coordination and care to ensure perfect alignment of the interlocking key, and the corresponding cable holes. The fabrication challenge was achieving the highest level of accuracy in notching, coring, and replicating each tread identically. Expert precision and skill were key to nesting each tread in sequence and simultaneously with the strands. Meticulous alignment and exacting tolerance assured the true performance and aesthetics were delivered. Hydraulic post-tensioning pulled each cable to 120 kiloNewtons or 27,000 lbs, infusing strength and structural integrity. Removing the temporary support and testing was the last critical step—it was the first time the stone stair would be self-supporting. The “floating” stair is an ultimate achievement and example of innovation, material strength, fabrication quality, installation precision, and expert coordination. A perfect final chapter to a historical journey and modern ode to stone as structure.

Reconfigured over time, the historic orientation of this beautiful residence was reversed, posing an architectural challenge for Morpurgo Architects. Our design created facades that would function with the original entry yet face the great lawn in the back of the house. We conceived a two-story, open living space that utilizes the exterior stone on the fireplace and along an interior wall. We fashioned a sculptural staircase that emulates details of an existing stair, reduced to an elegant simplicity. Our additions and restoration of the structure were supported by our client’s desire to maintain the quality and workmanship of the historic residence. The stonework, which was hand-cut, dressed and aged to duplicate the 200-year old masonry, is an example of our mutual commitment to the preservation of our treasured past.

This early 20th century Indianapolis, IN basement remodel was in desperate need of help. The original and still operating hydronic radiant heating system had its plumbing configured without regard to any other use of the space. Fearful of harming the aged system and the high cost of doing so, these Clients were adamant that the existing system remain intact. Architect Lee Constantine developed a design that maintained the existing heating system while creating "niches" around the perimeter that would conceal the unsightly plumbing. Additionally, by removing free-standing structural supporting posts, amore flexible and inviting space was achieved. Because of an already low ceiling condition, the floor-ceiling structure above was kept exposed, painted and highlighted with indirect lighting to avoid further reducing the ceiling height. Constantine incorporated "clouds" on this ceiling to conceal certain existing components that either were cost prohibitive to relocate or couldn't be relocated. These "clouds"become a "visual element" through their geometry and hidden "indirect" light source rather than an undesirable complication. Now this family entertains frequently in the basement and reports "it doesn't feel like we're in a basement anymore"

Custom millwork transforms this living room into a calm architectural focal point within the Hearth Residence whole-home renovation in Unionville. A wood-clad feature wall integrates the fireplace, television, display shelving, and concealed storage into a single composition, reducing visual clutter while enhancing functionality. Designed as part of a comprehensive interior architecture and space planning strategy, the built-in creates balance, warmth, and organization while supporting everyday family living. Natural materials, clean lines, and tailored detailing reflect the home’s warm contemporary design approach.

For this Brookside Kitchen Remodel Studio Home started by removing the existing kitchen cabinetry, countertops, and flooring. Then the wall between the kitchen and family room was reduced to match the height of the cabinetry and new beams and columns were added for support. Studio Home installed the new Medallion Custom Cabinetry, Amerock Cabinet Pulls, Pental Quartz countertops, Pfister faucet, Blanco undermount sink, Provenva Luxury Vinyl Tile, and United Tile subway tile backsplash.

This evening view shows how a full storage wall, dressing mirror, and wall-mounted TV can fit into a compact bedroom without competing with the sleeping area. Handleless white wardrobes blend into the surrounding walls, concealing generous storage and reducing visual clutter. A full-length arched mirror supports the dressing routine while reflecting light and creating a greater sense of depth. Recessed ceiling lights provide practical overall illumination, while the bedside pendant and wall lights create a softer atmosphere for evening relaxation.

This 20 x 36 feet outdoor space seamlessly becomes an extension of the house with Infinity Canopy. The exterior wall of the home and a custom built free standing frame 36 feet away provides the support for the canopy which consists of two sections/rows of 10' wide by 36' long canopy featuring Phifertex Plus in Metallica White. In order to reduce the weight of the canopy by 25% each panel is 4' long (10' x 4') instead of standard 2'. The longer panels also make the canopy cleaner and uncluttered by having 18 panels instead of 36 panels total. The frame was designed by a structural engineer in order to sustain the canopy's weight and wind loads. It is constructed with stainless steel using two 5x5 posts and a 6x6 cross beam welded together on site. The posts have square footings placed 3' into the ground and reinforced with concrete. Infinity Canopy provides this outdoor living area with ample shade that can be retracted to reveal the night sky without any obstruction thanks to the frame's minimal and clean design.

For this Brookside Kitchen Remodel Studio Home started by removing the existing kitchen cabinetry, countertops, and flooring. Then the wall between the kitchen and family room was reduced to match the height of the cabinetry and new beams and columns were added for support. Studio Home installed the new Medallion Custom Cabinetry, Amerock Cabinet Pulls, Pental Quartz countertops, Pfister faucet, Blanco undermount sink, Provenva Luxury Vinyl Tile, and United Tile subway tile backsplash.

This lakefront diamond in the rough lot was waiting to be discovered by someone with a modern naturalistic vision and passion. Maintaining an eco-friendly, and sustainable build was at the top of the client priority list. Designed and situated to benefit from passive and active solar as well as through breezes from the lake, this indoor/outdoor living space truly establishes a symbiotic relationship with its natural surroundings. The pie-shaped lot provided significant challenges with a street width of 50ft, a steep shoreline buffer of 50ft, as well as a powerline easement reducing the buildable area. The client desired a smaller home of approximately 2500sf that juxtaposed modern lines with the free form of the natural setting. The 250ft of lakefront afforded 180-degree views which guided the design to maximize this vantage point while supporting the adjacent environment through preservation of heritage trees. Prior to construction the shoreline buffer had been rewilded with wildflowers, perennials, utilization of clover and meadow grasses to support healthy animal and insect re-population. The inclusion of solar panels as well as hydroponic heated floors and wood stove supported the owner’s desire to be self-sufficient. Core ten steel was selected as the predominant material to allow it to “rust” as it weathers thus blending into the natural environment.

Blue Ribbon Dancer Contemporary Metal Art Sculpture As seen on the ABC hit TV show "Nashville"! A blue ribbon pirouettes around a central support in this freestanding contemporary metal art sculpture, an airy abstract composition that seems to float in space. The graceful spiral of the metal ribbon, which twists and tapers elegantly, is in contrast to its bold color, a deep cobalt blue that suggests passion and exuberance. Dimensions: - Approximately 76"H x 16"L x 12"D including the 14" artistically textured wooden base. - Ready to secure to a patio, deck or garden stone with the included pre-drilled mounting plate for easy installation.(Screws not included) Color: Brilliant Blue Jewel Tones with Black Finial Pleae note: ustom pieces are available for your size and color specifications.

These modest homeowners were looking for drainage solutions, low maintenance plantings, and an entertainment space they could enjoy outside. Mowing the grass had been a pain in the past, so with this design we decided to remove it entirely. Instead, more native grasses were utilized to take in water and reduce erosion. A new fence modernized and updated the space and allowed the interior of the backyard to be leveled providing more opportunities for design elements like a floating bench and custom built fire pit.

The Unikoo UK-F frameless corner shower enclosure offers a space-efficient design with a luxurious, open feel. Constructed with 10mm SGCC-certified tempered safety glass — 67% thicker than standard 6mm glass — for superior strength and lasting safety. The permanent EnduroShield nano-coating repels water and soap scum, reducing cleaning time by up to 90%. Heavy-duty 304 stainless steel sliding hardware ensures smooth, quiet operation. The corner design maximizes bathroom space while creating a sleek, modern aesthetic. Supports up to 1/4"–3/8" out-of-plumb adjustment for easy installation. Free shipping within 48 hours to all 48 contiguous US states. SGCC and ANSI Z97.1 certified.

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW This family from Wheaton was ready to remodel their kitchen, dining room and powder room. The project didn’t call for any structural or space planning changes but the makeover still had a massive impact on their home. The homeowners wanted to change their dated 1990’s brown speckled granite and light maple kitchen. They liked the welcoming feeling they got from the wood and warm tones in their current kitchen, but this style clashed with their vision of a deVOL type kitchen, a London-based furniture company. Their inspiration came from the country homes of the UK that mix the warmth of traditional detail with clean lines and modern updates. To create their vision, we started with all new framed cabinets with a modified overlay painted in beautiful, understated colors. Our clients were adamant about “no white cabinets.” Instead we used an oyster color for the perimeter and a custom color match to a specific shade of green chosen by the homeowner. The use of a simple color pallet reduces the visual noise and allows the space to feel open and welcoming. We also painted the trim above the cabinets the same color to make the cabinets look taller. The room trim was painted a bright clean white to match the ceiling. In true English fashion our clients are not coffee drinkers, but they LOVE tea. We created a tea station for them where they can prepare and serve tea. We added plenty of glass to showcase their tea mugs and adapted the cabinetry below to accommodate storage for their tea items. Function is also key for the English kitchen and the homeowners. They requested a deep farmhouse sink and a cabinet devoted to their heavy mixer because they bake a lot. We then got rid of the stovetop on the island and wall oven and replaced both of them with a range located against the far wall. This gives them plenty of space on the island to roll out dough and prepare any number of baked goods. We then removed the bifold pantry doors and created custom built-ins with plenty of usable storage for all their cooking and baking needs. The client wanted a big change to the dining room but still wanted to use their own furniture and rug. We installed a toile-like wallpaper on the top half of the room and supported it with white wainscot paneling. We also changed out the light fixture, showing us once again that small changes can have a big impact. As the final touch, we also re-did the powder room to be in line with the rest of the first floor. We had the new vanity painted in the same oyster color as the kitchen cabinets and then covered the walls in a whimsical patterned wallpaper. Although the homeowners like subtle neutral colors they were willing to go a bit bold in the powder room for something unexpected. For more design inspiration go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

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

The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

This private studio, built in collaboration with producer, engineer, and pianist Ian Miller, is a fully custom creative space designed around his workflow and artistic process. The project blended NILES’ technical execution with Ian’s hands-on finishing work, resulting in a studio where every corner has intention and every system supports a seamless, plug-and-play workflow. The structure began as a barn-style two-car garage with a second floor. After exploring several layouts and engineering options, we landed on a design that leveraged the high ceilings and existing footprint to create a dynamic and spacious acoustic environment. Generous daylight from surrounding windows connects the interior to the outdoors, while layered textures, warm tones, and custom finishes create a grounded yet inspiring atmosphere. The Control Room is fully isolated from the rest of the building with sound-reducing wall systems, a full soft-ceiling bass trap, tuned corner traps, treatment throughout, and full-lite doors for controlled transmission and visibility. Though modest in size, it delivers accurate monitoring and integrates smoothly with the larger live environment. Roasted Bean Studio was built to support any direction Ian pursues—from producing to mixing to live performance. The space provides the sonic palette and creative flexibility needed for a wide range of projects, offering a visually inspiring and acoustically reliable environment that empowers his work every day.

Are you looking for a flat roofing contractor? Want to extend the lifespan of residential or commercial buildings? Then you should invest in the substantial security of your building by selecting an energy-efficient and durable roofing system. Flat roofing can be an ideal choice in this context and will be considered the last investment of time. This is where you need the support of professional flat roofers. Flat roofing not only protects your building assets but also enhances its life, and when you need the support of seasoned contractors, you can come to AmeriTop Roofing Contractors for help. Both commercial and residential buildings require cyclical maintenance. Growth of mold and mildew represent the common problem found on the flat roofing system due to moisture infiltration. Our expert roofer inspects the property to identify the origin of the damage and possible solution to reduce its severity and chances of reoccurrence when you hire us. At AmeriTop Roofing Contractors, we specialize in flat roof installation, repair, and quick restoration. You can trust us; we evaluate your property then only provide you a fair valuation and necessary suggestions for cost-effective maintenance. We believe roof maintenance can be more effective when spotted early damages; otherwise, it will get worse and more expensive. Apart from offering basic roofing services, you can rely on our contractors for excellent and quick services.

Transitional home office photo in New York

This private studio, built in collaboration with producer, engineer, and pianist Ian Miller, is a fully custom creative space designed around his workflow and artistic process. The project blended NILES’ technical execution with Ian’s hands-on finishing work, resulting in a studio where every corner has intention and every system supports a seamless, plug-and-play workflow. The structure began as a barn-style two-car garage with a second floor. After exploring several layouts and engineering options, we landed on a design that leveraged the high ceilings and existing footprint to create a dynamic and spacious acoustic environment. Generous daylight from surrounding windows connects the interior to the outdoors, while layered textures, warm tones, and custom finishes create a grounded yet inspiring atmosphere. The Control Room is fully isolated from the rest of the building with sound-reducing wall systems, a full soft-ceiling bass trap, tuned corner traps, treatment throughout, and full-lite doors for controlled transmission and visibility. Though modest in size, it delivers accurate monitoring and integrates smoothly with the larger live environment. Roasted Bean Studio was built to support any direction Ian pursues—from producing to mixing to live performance. The space provides the sonic palette and creative flexibility needed for a wide range of projects, offering a visually inspiring and acoustically reliable environment that empowers his work every day.