Search results for "Reduce utility" in Home Design Ideas

The client wanted to utilize the front yard better and replace their steep entry stairs. Levitch created a more graceful winding stair and added a small deck at the top that's a perfect spot to enjoy a cup of coffee or the sunset. We used minimal concrete over wood frame construction to reduce weight and potential waterproofing concerns while maintaining a traditional look in keeping with the home. Since the entry upgrades were done in conjunction with landscaping, the owner wanted something that looked organic. We introduced the owner to an architectural metalsmith and created different models for the railing before the owner chose a final design.
Photography by Treve Johnson

Images by Nic LeHoux
Designed as a home and studio for a photographer and his young family, Lightbox is located on a peninsula that extends south from British Columbia across the border to Point Roberts. The densely forested site lies beside a 180-acre park that overlooks the Strait of Georgia, the San Juan Islands and the Puget Sound.
Having experienced the world from under a black focusing cloth and large format camera lens, the photographer has a special fondness for simplicity and an appreciation of unique, genuine and well-crafted details.
The home was made decidedly modest, in size and means, with a building skin utilizing simple materials in a straightforward yet innovative configuration. The result is a structure crafted from affordable and common materials such as exposed wood two-bys that form the structural frame and directly support a prefabricated aluminum window system of standard glazing units uniformly sized to reduce the complexity and overall cost.
Accessed from the west on a sloped boardwalk that bisects its two contrasting forms, the house sits lightly on the land above the forest floor.
A south facing two-story glassy cage for living captures the sun and view as it celebrates the interplay of light and shadow in the forest. To the north, stairs are contained in a thin wooden box stained black with a traditional Finnish pine tar coating. Narrow apertures in the otherwise solid dark wooden wall sharply focus the vibrant cropped views of the old growth fir trees at the edge of the deep forest.
Lightbox is an uncomplicated yet powerful gesture that enables one to view the subtlety and beauty of the site while providing comfort and pleasure in the constantly changing light of the forest.

One of the hottest trends in bath design is open, clean-line spaces. This serene look is accomplished by reducing distractions caused by too many ornate details. This client approached Renovisions to remodel her outdated master bath and create a clean and uncluttered space with a contemporary flair. The bathtub and tile floor remains in the new design adding a small challenge to coordinate the right color selection for shower and tub surround tile. The existing bath’s fiberglass shower was cramped, under utilized and under styled, so Renovisions first enlarged the depth of the shower with a complete water proof system, hand-held shower and soap dish, corner shelf and safety grab bar.
A teak veneer vanity was designed to compliment the client’s master bedroom teak furniture. A beautiful combination of sleek grey quartz countertop, rectangular under-mount sink, modern plumbing fixtures, stylish hardware and a simple yet elegant tilt mirror completed the contemporary look.
This renewed master bath combines functionality and aesthetics in perfect harmony.
Find the right local pro for your project

Our client wanted a SIP built home and we incorporated this and many other energy and sustainability features into this home which was in the Sheboygan County Parade of Homes.
Named "The Green Balanced Home", this project was all about creating practical and stunning living spaces that combined with sound environmental building materials and methods. By showcasing an assortment of leading-edge- green technologies, the Green Balanced Home was the talk of the Parade that year. In cooperation with our client, our methodology was:
Start with the site:
1. Protected tree lines
2. Drought resistant vegetation
3. High proportion of natural, plantings versus higher maintenance lawn
4. Optimal home placement on lot for solar exposure
5. Narrower streets
Build a high thermal envelope:
1. R-10 Gold Guard laminated EPS foam under basement, garage, and patio.
2. R-10 Gold Guard laminated EPS foam around exterior foundation walls.
3. R-10 ESP foam "shirt" around foundation
4. R-24 Structural Insulated panels (SIPs) for exterior walls, including garage
5. Sprayed foam in basement box sills and attic separation walls
6. R-15 garage door
7. R-60 blown cellulose attic insulation
Add efficient heating, cooling, ventilation, and electric utilization elements:
1. High efficiency fireplace with auxiliary ducting
2. Pull-out exterior wood-loading drawer
3. Air-to-air heat pump
4. 95% efficient, ultra-quiet variable capacity furnace
5. 19 SEER air conditioner
6. Five zones with programmable thermostats
7. Heat reclamation from hot water usage
8. LED lighting
9. Skylights
10. Energy Star appliances
11. Prep for in-floor heating system
12. Prep for photovoltaic (PV) solar
13. Prep for solar hot water
Incorporate water conservation:
1. Rain water recapture for toilet flushing and irrigation
2. Motion activated hot water circulation system
3. Power flush toilets
4. Dual flush toilets
Create high indoor air quality:
1. HEPA and UV filters
2. Air-to-air exchanger
3. Ultra-quiet bathroom fans with moisture sensor activation
Integrate sustainable, efficient materials:
* Expanded polystyrene (ESP) foam that does not emit HCFC "greenhouse" gases
* Oriented strand board (OSB) based siding, trim, and shutters
* SIPs panels that contain ESP an OSB
* Carpeting pads made from recycled materials
* Stewardship-certified cabinet manufacturing
* Job site recycling and reduce waste with SIPs

Another fun Crestview project! This young couple wanted a back yard that reflected their bohemian-eclectic style and could add additional privacy from the ever climbing construction around them. A place for “hanging out and drinking coffee or beer in the backyard.” But what was most exciting, was the air stream they had just purchased and were in the process of restoring. With the end goal of using it as a guest home for family and friends, we were challenged with creating a space that was cohesive and connected this new living space with the rest of the yard.
In the front we had another quark to fix. The sidewalk from their front door to the street suddenly stopped 5 feet from the curb, making a less than inviting entry for guests. So, creating a new usable entryway with additional curb appeal was a top priority.
We managed the entertainment space by using modern poured concrete pad’s as a focal. A poured concrete wall serves as a bench as well as creates a visual anchor for the patio area. To soften the hard materials, small plantings of succulents and ground cover were planted in the spaces between the pads. For a backdrop, a custom Cedar Plank wall and trellis combined to soften the vertical space and add plenty of privacy. The trellis is anchored by a Coral Vine to add interest. Cafe style lighting was strung across the area create a sense of intimacy.
We also completed the fence transition, and eliminated the grass areas that were not being utilized to reduce the amount of water waste in the landscape, and replaced these areas with beneficial plantings for the wildlife.
Overall, this landscape was completed with a cohesive Austin-friendly design in mind for these busy young professionals!
Caleb Kerr - http://www.calebkerr.com

the new kitchen
Sometimes, in remodel designs, it is best to keep things simple. Do small things to affect utility, flow and aesthetics. For this mid-century modern, for all their noted openness, the kitchen was closed off from the public, living areas. Hard to entertain to a wall. This we fixed. The other big flaw was the flow. While there was no way to economically change the path of travel through the kitchen. Nudging here and there could at least reduce the disruption at the core kitchen work areas. See the before and after plans and the photos:
Photo Credits - Beatrice McGinnis

One of the hottest trends in bath design is open, clean-line spaces. This serene look is accomplished by reducing distractions caused by too many ornate details. This client approached Renovisions to remodel her outdated master bath and create a clean and uncluttered space with a contemporary flair. The bathtub and tile floor remains in the new design adding a small challenge to coordinate the right color selection for shower and tub surround tile. The existing bath’s fiberglass shower was cramped, under utilized and under styled, so Renovisions first enlarged the depth of the shower with a complete water proof system, hand-held shower and soap dish, corner shelf and safety grab bar.
A teak veneer vanity was designed to compliment the client’s master bedroom teak furniture. A beautiful combination of sleek grey quartz countertop, rectangular under-mount sink, modern plumbing fixtures, stylish hardware and a simple yet elegant tilt mirror completed the contemporary look.
This renewed master bath combines functionality and aesthetics in perfect harmony.

Sponsored
Sunbury, OH
J.Holderby - Renovations
Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!

This is garage we were able to help utilize the height of their garage and give them back the floor space that they had lost. There is always a lot of room along the walls and up the walls that aren't used correctly to reduce clutter.

Twin trash/recycling bins in the pantry reduce the mess in the kitchen. We utilize the space above the bins with a drawer for storing garbage bags.

Please note: White Oak Exterior Doors are supplied unfinished (the pictures may depict a finished door)
Elevate the aesthetic and security of your home or office with our Rome flush vertical lite white oak door. Constructed with a solid core, this door combines timeless elegance with exceptional durability, making it a perfect choice for entryways, front doors, back doors, patio doors, garage side doors, or any other exterior application. Ideal for residential homes and commercial properties alike, this door provides a sophisticated blend of style and functionality, making it a versatile option for a range of uses. Whether you're refreshing your front entryway or upgrading the side entrance, this white oak door is designed to meet your needs with lasting performance.
The white laminated glass installed in our white oak entry doors is also known as safety glass. The engineered construction of our white oak exterior doors utilizes a solid white oak core with a 3mm thick clear face veneer for superior appearance and strength. This solid white oak core door construction offers greater protection against warping, cracking, and splitting. Solid white oak core exterior door construction provides for a much quieter environment. Our unique integral panel design will not shrink or split and there is no possibility of stile and rail separation.
Free Samples: Request a Free Exterior White Oak Door Corner Sample to See the ETO Quality Difference.
PRO Discounts: Pro discount program trade pricing available for contractors, architects, and designers on all our Exterior White Oak doors.
Lowest Prices Nationwide: At ETO Doors, we leverage our mass production to manufacture these high-quality solid core Exterior White Oak doors at the lowest prices in the country, passing significant savings directly to you.
Versatile Usage: Our Exterior White Oak doors are perfect for residential and commercial settings, including new construction and remodeling projects. Our slim vertical lite Exterior White Oak doors are installed in places with high traffic volumes such as multifamily homes, office buildings, and hotels.
Customization Available: We understand that every project is unique. Our white oak wood doors can be customized to fit your specific size and design requirements, ensuring a perfect fit and look for any application.
Brand You Can Trust—a leader in the industry for over 20 years, delivering top-quality doors nationwide and worldwide.
Optional Features (at an additional cost)
Low-E Glass: Dual tempered low-e glass combined with our exterior white oak doors reduces noise, air conditioning, and heating bills.
Pre-hanging: Our solid core white oak Exterior White Oak doors can be pre-hung for interior or exterior applications with matching engineered white oak jambs or finger joint white primed jambs as pre-hung single doors or pre-hung double door units. Side-lites are also available.
Impact Hurricane Certification: Our Exterior White Oak doors are available with a Miami Dade hurricane impact wood door approval in both in-swing and out-swing configurations. Our wood Exterior White Oak storm doors certifications are equivalent to “Miami-Dade NOA," the highest hurricane approval standard for wood doors in the country. Each of our white oak Exterior White.

Another fun Crestview project! This young couple wanted a back yard that reflected their bohemian-eclectic style and could add additional privacy from the ever climbing construction around them. A place for “hanging out and drinking coffee or beer in the backyard.” But what was most exciting, was the air stream they had just purchased and were in the process of restoring. With the end goal of using it as a guest home for family and friends, we were challenged with creating a space that was cohesive and connected this new living space with the rest of the yard.
In the front we had another quark to fix. The sidewalk from their front door to the street suddenly stopped 5 feet from the curb, making a less than inviting entry for guests. So, creating a new usable entryway with additional curb appeal was a top priority.
We managed the entertainment space by using modern poured concrete pad’s as a focal. A poured concrete wall serves as a bench as well as creates a visual anchor for the patio area. To soften the hard materials, small plantings of succulents and ground cover were planted in the spaces between the pads. For a backdrop, a custom Cedar Plank wall and trellis combined to soften the vertical space and add plenty of privacy. The trellis is anchored by a Coral Vine to add interest. Cafe style lighting was strung across the area create a sense of intimacy.
We also completed the fence transition, and eliminated the grass areas that were not being utilized to reduce the amount of water waste in the landscape, and replaced these areas with beneficial plantings for the wildlife.
Overall, this landscape was completed with a cohesive Austin-friendly design in mind for these busy young professionals!
Caleb Kerr - http://www.calebkerr.com

This is garage we were able to help utilize the height of their garage and give them back the floor space that they had lost. There is always a lot of room along the walls and up the walls that aren't used correctly to reduce clutter.

One of the hottest trends in bath design is open, clean-line spaces. This serene look is accomplished by reducing distractions caused by too many ornate details. This client approached Renovisions to remodel her outdated master bath and create a clean and uncluttered space with a contemporary flair. The bathtub and tile floor remains in the new design adding a small challenge to coordinate the right color selection for shower and tub surround tile. The existing bath’s fiberglass shower was cramped, under utilized and under styled, so Renovisions first enlarged the depth of the shower with a complete water proof system, hand-held shower and soap dish, corner shelf and safety grab bar.
A teak veneer vanity was designed to compliment the client’s master bedroom teak furniture. A beautiful combination of sleek grey quartz countertop, rectangular under-mount sink, modern plumbing fixtures, stylish hardware and a simple yet elegant tilt mirror completed the contemporary look.
This renewed master bath combines functionality and aesthetics in perfect harmony.

Sponsored
Sunbury, OH
J.Holderby - Renovations
Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!

Window Film Chattanooga installed energy-saving solar control film on a residential property in Chattanooga, TN. The film blocks significant solar heat gain in summer, reducing air conditioning costs while keeping interiors comfortable year-round. Low-e coating also helps retain warmth in winter. The homeowner saw measurable utility bill reductions within the first billing cycle. This installation demonstrates the comfort and cost savings professional window film delivers to Chattanooga homeowners and businesses throughout the metro area.

Please note: White Oak Exterior Doors are supplied unfinished (the pictures may depict a finished door)
Elevate the aesthetic and security of your home or office with our Albany horizontal plank with slim vertical lite white oak door. Constructed with a solid core, this door combines timeless elegance with exceptional durability, making it a perfect choice for entryways, front doors, back doors, patio doors, garage side doors, or any other exterior application. Ideal for residential homes and commercial properties alike, this door provides a sophisticated blend of style and functionality, making it a versatile option for a range of uses. Whether you're refreshing your front entryway or upgrading the side entrance, this white oak door is designed to meet your needs with lasting performance.
The white laminated glass installed in our white oak entry doors is also known as safety glass. The engineered construction of our white oak exterior doors utilizes a solid white oak core with a 3mm thick clear face veneer for superior appearance and strength. This solid white oak core door construction offers greater protection against warping, cracking, and splitting. Solid white oak core exterior door construction provides for a much quieter environment. Our unique integral panel design will not shrink or split and there is no possibility of stile and rail separation.
Free Samples: Request a Free Exterior White Oak Door Corner Sample to See the ETO Quality Difference.
PRO Discounts: Pro discount program trade pricing available for contractors, architects, and designers on all our Exterior White Oak doors.
Lowest Prices Nationwide: At ETO Doors, we leverage our mass production to manufacture these high-quality solid core Exterior White Oak doors at the lowest prices in the country, passing significant savings directly to you.
Versatile Usage: Our Exterior White Oak doors are perfect for residential and commercial settings, including new construction and remodeling projects. Our slim vertical lite Exterior White Oak doors are installed in places with high traffic volumes such as multifamily homes, office buildings, and hotels.
Customization Available: We understand that every project is unique. Our white oak wood doors can be customized to fit your specific size and design requirements, ensuring a perfect fit and look for any application.
Brand You Can Trust a leader in the industry for over 20 years, delivering top-quality doors nationwide and worldwide.
Optional Features (at an additional cost)
Low-E Glass: Dual tempered low-e glass combined with our exterior white oak doors reduces noise, air conditioning, and heating bills.
Pre-hanging: Our solid core white oak Exterior White Oak doors can be pre-hung for interior or exterior applications with matching engineered white oak jambs or finger joint white primed jambs as pre-hung single doors or pre-hung double door units. Side-lites are also available.
Impact Hurricane Certification: Our Exterior White Oak doors are available with a Miami Dade hurricane impact wood door approval in both in-swing and out-swing configurations. Our wood Exterior White Oak storm doors certifications are equivalent to a "Miami-Dade NOA," the highest hurricane approval standard for wood doors in the country. Each of our white oak Exterior White Oak doors can be assembled with the appropriate components to be Florida Building Code Compliant.

Our client wanted a SIP built home and we incorporated this and many other energy and sustainability features into this home which was in the Sheboygan County Parade of Homes.
Named "The Green Balanced Home", this project was all about creating practical and stunning living spaces that combined with sound environmental building materials and methods. By showcasing an assortment of leading-edge- green technologies, the Green Balanced Home was the talk of the Parade that year. In cooperation with our client, our methodology was:
Start with the site:
1. Protected tree lines
2. Drought resistant vegetation
3. High proportion of natural, plantings versus higher maintenance lawn
4. Optimal home placement on lot for solar exposure
5. Narrower streets
Build a high thermal envelope:
1. R-10 Gold Guard laminated EPS foam under basement, garage, and patio.
2. R-10 Gold Guard laminated EPS foam around exterior foundation walls.
3. R-10 ESP foam "shirt" around foundation
4. R-24 Structural Insulated panels (SIPs) for exterior walls, including garage
5. Sprayed foam in basement box sills and attic separation walls
6. R-15 garage door
7. R-60 blown cellulose attic insulation
Add efficient heating, cooling, ventilation, and electric utilization elements:
1. High efficiency fireplace with auxiliary ducting
2. Pull-out exterior wood-loading drawer
3. Air-to-air heat pump
4. 95% efficient, ultra-quiet variable capacity furnace
5. 19 SEER air conditioner
6. Five zones with programmable thermostats
7. Heat reclamation from hot water usage
8. LED lighting
9. Skylights
10. Energy Star appliances
11. Prep for in-floor heating system
12. Prep for photovoltaic (PV) solar
13. Prep for solar hot water
Incorporate water conservation:
1. Rain water recapture for toilet flushing and irrigation
2. Motion activated hot water circulation system
3. Power flush toilets
4. Dual flush toilets
Create high indoor air quality:
1. HEPA and UV filters
2. Air-to-air exchanger
3. Ultra-quiet bathroom fans with moisture sensor activation
Integrate sustainable, efficient materials:
* Expanded polystyrene (ESP) foam that does not emit HCFC "greenhouse" gases
* Oriented strand board (OSB) based siding, trim, and shutters
* SIPs panels that contain ESP an OSB
* Carpeting pads made from recycled materials
* Stewardship-certified cabinet manufacturing
* Job site recycling and reduce waste with SIPs

Another fun Crestview project! This young couple wanted a back yard that reflected their bohemian-eclectic style and could add additional privacy from the ever climbing construction around them. A place for “hanging out and drinking coffee or beer in the backyard.” But what was most exciting, was the air stream they had just purchased and were in the process of restoring. With the end goal of using it as a guest home for family and friends, we were challenged with creating a space that was cohesive and connected this new living space with the rest of the yard.
In the front we had another quark to fix. The sidewalk from their front door to the street suddenly stopped 5 feet from the curb, making a less than inviting entry for guests. So, creating a new usable entryway with additional curb appeal was a top priority.
We managed the entertainment space by using modern poured concrete pad’s as a focal. A poured concrete wall serves as a bench as well as creates a visual anchor for the patio area. To soften the hard materials, small plantings of succulents and ground cover were planted in the spaces between the pads. For a backdrop, a custom Cedar Plank wall and trellis combined to soften the vertical space and add plenty of privacy. The trellis is anchored by a Coral Vine to add interest. Cafe style lighting was strung across the area create a sense of intimacy.
We also completed the fence transition, and eliminated the grass areas that were not being utilized to reduce the amount of water waste in the landscape, and replaced these areas with beneficial plantings for the wildlife.
Overall, this landscape was completed with a cohesive Austin-friendly design in mind for these busy young professionals!
Caleb Kerr - http://www.calebkerr.com

This "after" picture shows the vast improvements made with the tub area. We reduced the size of the tub box allowing for more visual space in the bathroom. Instead of incorporating tile everywhere like the original bathroom, we utilized a wainscot panel on the front which allowed for more of a spa look.

Wolf 24" Coffee System EC24/S - Stainless
Available at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center | uakc.com
Striking stainless steel design. Strikingly delicious drinks — espresso, cappuccino, latte, macchiato, long or short coffee, even hot water for tea. Simply touch a couple of buttons and in seconds you’ll be enjoying a professional-quality coffee drink, made your way. On top of that, the Wolf coffee system lets you easily customize the details of your drink, from temperature to strength to level of foam, to meet your personal definition of the “perfect cup.”
You’ll also enjoy how hassle-free the Wolf coffee system is to own. It needs no plumbing connections, and it steam-cleans the milk nozzle with one push of a button; milk never enters the system’s internal mechanisms.
The 24” coffee system in stainless can be installed with a 24" cup warming drawer to create an ultimate in-home coffee station, and coordinates beautifully with Wolf convection steam and microwave ovens of the same size. For ideal pairing with 30” Wolf ovens, the 24” coffee system in black (EC24/B) should be purchased and customized with any of five accessory trim kits.
DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE FEATURES
Make all your favorite coffee beverages:
What's your pleasure? Make long or short coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte, or a macchiato in seconds. Even steam or froth milk for, say, a chai latte or the kids' hot chocolate.
Coffee, made to size:
Select the size you want from four pushbutton presets, everything from a one-ounce espresso shot to a 12-ounce coffee. Unique sizes (up to 7 oz.) can be programmed and saved using the customizable "My Coffee" setting.
Strength, to your taste:
When brewing from whole bean coffee, five strength settings from extra-mild to extra-strong give you precisely the flavor you prefer at any selected size.
No plumbing needed:
Unlike units that must be connected to a water line, the Wolf coffee system can be installed anywhere without additional plumbing. The easily accessible water reservoir holds 60.9 fluid oz. (1.8 liters), enough for several drinks between refills.
Easy to clean:
Unlike coffee systems that pipe milk through the internal mechanism, the Wolf system cleans with pushbutton ease. Rinse the brew head, or clean the milk spout with a jet of steam. It's all done in seconds. The milk carafe is dishwasher safe, too.
Uses whole-bean and pre-ground coffee:
The machine holds a generous supply of whole-bean coffee — about half a pound — and grinds it automatically to make your drink. It can brew single-cups from pre-ground coffee, too, so you can have your breakfast blend even when the bean reservoir is full of espresso roast.
Adjustable built-in stainless steel burr grinder:
Thirteen grind settings allow you to customize your whole-bean coffee for the taste and body you prefer.
Make it a double:
For two identical coffees, just press the Double Coffee button and position a cup under each of the two spouts. Or select Double Coffee and place your mug under the spouts to make a double-size coffee for one.
Removable milk carafe for freshness and convenience:
The dishwasher-safe carafe plugs into the machine to make milk drinks, then can go right in the refrigerator to keep milk fresh. Milk is steamed and frothed without passing through the system's internal components. That makes cleaning infinitely easier.
Hot water on demand — tea, anyone?
Tea, hot chocolate, oatmeal, you name it. The system can deliver up to 14 ounces of hot water with the push of a button. How hot? That's up to you. The temperature is adjustable.
Push-button control panel:
Brewing the drink you want at the size and with the taste you want is as easy as pressing a few buttons. The bright LCD control panel provides clear information.
Programmable start time and auto off:
Program a time for the system to turn on and warm up automatically, it will be ready to brew when you're ready to enjoy. For safety and energy efficiency, the system powers down after a set period of inactivity.
More enjoying, less cleaning:
After the system prepares a coffee drink, it ejects the compressed grounds into a container, then lets you know when the container is ready to be emptied. Meanwhile, a removable drip tray catches excess water from brewing and rinsing. Simply rinse it out just as you would your coffee cup.
Built into cabinetry, works like a drawer:
Designed to be built seamlessly into your kitchen cabinetry, the Wolf coffee system has an ingenious feature: glide rails that enable you to slide the unit out from the wall for easy access to the whole-bean and ground coffee reservoirs. It's like opening a drawer.
Supplies are in reach but out of sight:
Pull the unit out on its glide rails to access handy integrated storage trays where you can keep bottles of flavored syrup, sugars and other supplies at the ready.
Auto-descale reminders:
Minerals from water naturally build up on heating surfaces and reduce efficiency. The Wolf coffee system is engineered to monitor this and let you know when to descale the system. Result: Your drinks always come out at the temperature you expect.
TECHNICAL FEATURES:
- Electrical Requirements: 120 V AC, 60 Hz, 15-amp dedicated circuit, grounded
- Shipping Weight (lbs): 60
- Water reservoir (fl oz): 60.9 (1.8 L)
- Whole Bean Reservoir (oz): 8.8 (~1/2 lb)
- Removable milk carafe holds just over 3 cups
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