Stairway featuring both white and Maple.
Example of a mid-sized farmhouse wood railing staircase design in Portland

The old garage was not being used to its full potential. We completely gutted the space, insulated the ceiling, floor and walls, installed Schluter waterproofing under the porcelain tile at the entry and then installed carpet tiles in the remainder of the space. We transformed the room into a new home office with meeting area and tiny kitchenette. The meeting area has been used for Christmas dinners as well as a local 'rentable' meeting space.

This family is beyond creative! They chose a rich flannel grey color for the majority of the cabinetry to compliment the stark white on the remainder of the cabinetry. The eclectic choice of mouldings made this job an exciting project to work on. This is a one of kind kitchen and one of my favorites. Additional challenge on this job: They kept their existing counter tops and had me put in all new cabinets underneath - that was a task that I mastered. For your cabinetry or remodeling needs, Contact WIRKKALA WOODWORKS at (949) 633 4018

This family is beyond creative! They chose a rich flannel grey color for the majority of the cabinetry to compliment the stark white on the remainder of the cabinetry. The eclectic choice of mouldings made this job an exciting project to work on. This is a one of kind kitchen and one of my favorites. Additional challenge on this job: They kept their existing counter tops and had me put in all new cabinets underneath - that was a task that I mastered. For your cabinetry or remodeling needs, Contact WIRKKALA WOODWORKS at (949) 633 4018

Situated mid-way between the historic Philips Academy campus and the bustling downtown area, this property came to life with a design that’s both functional and beautiful. When we initially sat down with the homeowners to discuss their lifestyle, they had just gotten a very exuberant puppy that needed a place to run and play. A traditional fence would isolate the yard and really restrict it’s flow, so we created a ‘puppy lawn’ surrounded by a stainless steel cable system that allows for a safe-dog environment while simultaneously keeping the sight lines open to the remainder of the property. A circular fieldstone fire pit with a hand-tooled, two-piece cap sits perfectly within the bluestone patio. Located adjacent to the screened porch in the most private part of the yard, the location is optimal for this ultimate four-season retreat. “The attention to detail is so critical to our builds. I constantly obsess over the ultimate ‘look’ as well as the fit and finish, as I believe it’s these details that the homeowners deserve. The bluestone cap on this fire pit was spec’d as two pieces to keep the joints minimal and clean. The exterior edge was rock-faced on-site by our masons and a stainless-steel ring in the center will protect the masonry from the heat of the flames. Careful stone selection as well as furniture choices create a composition that’s so very pleasing to the eye.” Russell Throughout the remainder of the property, matching fieldstone walls help with the slight grade change and is complemented by a variety of flowering perennials designed to have a succession of blooms, all within a cool color tone. Sit around the fire pit with a glass of wine on a crisp fall night and enjoy this perfect retreat within the energy of the downtown area; the dog is sure to join you.

This family is beyond creative! They chose a rich flannel grey color for the majority of the cabinetry to compliment the stark white on the remainder of the cabinetry. The eclectic choice of mouldings made this job an exciting project to work on. This is a one of kind kitchen and one of my favorites. Additional challenge on this job: They kept their existing counter tops and had me put in all new cabinets underneath - that was a task that I mastered. For your cabinetry or remodeling needs, Contact WIRKKALA WOODWORKS at (949) 633 4018

Framing in construction refers to the stage of the building project where the basic structure of the home is built. The interior wall frame is installed, typically with lumber studs. This includes both the exterior walls and the interior walls of the home. Framing in construction also includes adding a roof base, door frames, and window openings to the walls where needed. Framing is a building technique that provides the structural elements to build out the remainder of the home. Framing uses dimensional lumber pieces together to complete the wood frame construction.

Situated mid-way between the historic Philips Academy campus and the bustling downtown area, this property came to life with a design that’s both functional and beautiful. When we initially sat down with the homeowners to discuss their lifestyle, they had just gotten a very exuberant puppy that needed a place to run and play. A traditional fence would isolate the yard and really restrict it’s flow, so we created a ‘puppy lawn’ surrounded by a stainless steel cable system that allows for a safe-dog environment while simultaneously keeping the sight lines open to the remainder of the property. A circular fieldstone fire pit with a hand-tooled, two-piece cap sits perfectly within the bluestone patio. Located adjacent to the screened porch in the most private part of the yard, the location is optimal for this ultimate four-season retreat. “The attention to detail is so critical to our builds. I constantly obsess over the ultimate ‘look’ as well as the fit and finish, as I believe it’s these details that the homeowners deserve. The bluestone cap on this fire pit was spec’d as two pieces to keep the joints minimal and clean. The exterior edge was rock-faced on-site by our masons and a stainless-steel ring in the center will protect the masonry from the heat of the flames. Careful stone selection as well as furniture choices create a composition that’s so very pleasing to the eye.” Russell Throughout the remainder of the property, matching fieldstone walls help with the slight grade change and is complemented by a variety of flowering perennials designed to have a succession of blooms, all within a cool color tone. Sit around the fire pit with a glass of wine on a crisp fall night and enjoy this perfect retreat within the energy of the downtown area; the dog is sure to join you.

Situated mid-way between the historic Philips Academy campus and the bustling downtown area, this property came to life with a design that’s both functional and beautiful. When we initially sat down with the homeowners to discuss their lifestyle, they had just gotten a very exuberant puppy that needed a place to run and play. A traditional fence would isolate the yard and really restrict it’s flow, so we created a ‘puppy lawn’ surrounded by a stainless steel cable system that allows for a safe-dog environment while simultaneously keeping the sight lines open to the remainder of the property. A circular fieldstone fire pit with a hand-tooled, two-piece cap sits perfectly within the bluestone patio. Located adjacent to the screened porch in the most private part of the yard, the location is optimal for this ultimate four-season retreat. “The attention to detail is so critical to our builds. I constantly obsess over the ultimate ‘look’ as well as the fit and finish, as I believe it’s these details that the homeowners deserve. The bluestone cap on this fire pit was spec’d as two pieces to keep the joints minimal and clean. The exterior edge was rock-faced on-site by our masons and a stainless-steel ring in the center will protect the masonry from the heat of the flames. Careful stone selection as well as furniture choices create a composition that’s so very pleasing to the eye.” Russell Throughout the remainder of the property, matching fieldstone walls help with the slight grade change and is complemented by a variety of flowering perennials designed to have a succession of blooms, all within a cool color tone. Sit around the fire pit with a glass of wine on a crisp fall night and enjoy this perfect retreat within the energy of the downtown area; the dog is sure to join you.

The bathtub wall features an Arabesque Blended Mosaic in the color Tuileries from Bedrosians, and continues to the top of the window to enhance the height of the ceilings. Blast 12x24 tile in Calacatta from Happy Floors outlines the remainder of the walls surrounding the bathtub, and was used in the shower walls as well.

Small elegant gray one-story mixed siding gable roof photo in Charleston

Situated mid-way between the historic Philips Academy campus and the bustling downtown area, this property came to life with a design that’s both functional and beautiful. When we initially sat down with the homeowners to discuss their lifestyle, they had just gotten a very exuberant puppy that needed a place to run and play. A traditional fence would isolate the yard and really restrict it’s flow, so we created a ‘puppy lawn’ surrounded by a stainless steel cable system that allows for a safe-dog environment while simultaneously keeping the sight lines open to the remainder of the property. A circular fieldstone fire pit with a hand-tooled, two-piece cap sits perfectly within the bluestone patio. Located adjacent to the screened porch in the most private part of the yard, the location is optimal for this ultimate four-season retreat. “The attention to detail is so critical to our builds. I constantly obsess over the ultimate ‘look’ as well as the fit and finish, as I believe it’s these details that the homeowners deserve. The bluestone cap on this fire pit was spec’d as two pieces to keep the joints minimal and clean. The exterior edge was rock-faced on-site by our masons and a stainless-steel ring in the center will protect the masonry from the heat of the flames. Careful stone selection as well as furniture choices create a composition that’s so very pleasing to the eye.” Russell Throughout the remainder of the property, matching fieldstone walls help with the slight grade change and is complemented by a variety of flowering perennials designed to have a succession of blooms, all within a cool color tone. Sit around the fire pit with a glass of wine on a crisp fall night and enjoy this perfect retreat within the energy of the downtown area; the dog is sure to join you.

My clients had always been inspired by the grand Tudor Revival homes of the early 20th century and commissioned Hull Historical to recreate the authentic custom millwork, paneling and doors for their new Tudor Revival home. Our inspiration came from 2 great English homes, Stan Hywett, a great Tudor Revival home in Ohio, built for the founder of Goodyear Tires. Also, the Woodbine Mansion, built in 1911 for the son of the Pabst Brewing Company. We were fortunate to purchase three rooms of architectural millwork from the woodbine home, which was originally fabricated by the Huber Company of New York. Upon completion of this project, the architectural salvage comprised 15% of the final quantity of paneling installed. The remainder was custom fabricated by Hull Historical at our shop in Fort Worth, TX and installed at the clients home. The commission, based on historic precedent, constituted antique paneling on the main floor, beamed ceilings and all the doors in the home. The new paneling, including the kitchen cabinetry is made from a combination of new quarter-sawn white oak and antique white oak salvaged from old barns and buildings. All the oak was fumed in an ammonia-filled chamber to produce a cocoa color and deep feel giving the millwork rough character and a timeless look that my client loved. The millwork also served to give the home a hierarchy, with simple paneling combined with board and batten doors downstairs, then more ornate paneling, with carvings on the main floor. Additionally, the main floor features mostly 8 and 10 panel doors. All woodwork was hand-pegged with oak pegs. Some of the paneling features a unique Mason’s Miter, a historic joinery technique inspired from stone work. For more information on residential renovation and new construction projects by Hull Historical, visit http://brenthullcompanies.com/residential.html

Framing in construction refers to the stage of the building project where the basic structure of the home is built. The interior wall frame is installed, typically with lumber studs. This includes both the exterior walls and the interior walls of the home. Framing in construction also includes adding a roof base, door frames, and window openings to the walls where needed. Framing is a building technique that provides the structural elements to build out the remainder of the home. Framing uses dimensional lumber pieces together to complete the wood frame construction.

Lots of details on this project! Our clients open concept kitchen/living room was given a very contemporary feel with these beautiful built-in arched niche shelving units, arched entryway and built in fireplace (we built the solid wood mantle ourselves). The living room windows (purchased from Pella) were given a drywall finish as opposed to the remainder of the home which was trimmed. The overall result was a beautiful high ceiling space with spacious and beautiful design and a lot of natural lighting.

Large tuscan u-shaped travertine floor kitchen photo with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This project was such an incredible design opportunity, and instilled inspiration and excitement at every turn! Our amazing clients came to us with the challenge of converting their beloved family home into a welcoming haven for all members of the family. At the time that we met our clients, they were struggling with the difficult personal decision of the fate of the home. Their father/father-in-law had passed away and their mother/mother-in-law had recently been admitted into a nursing facility and was fighting Alzheimer’s. Resistant to loss of the home now that both parents were out of it, our clients purchased the home to keep in in the family. Despite their permanent home currently being in New Jersey, these clients dedicated themselves to keeping and revitalizing the house. We were moved by the story and became immediately passionate about bringing this dream to life. The home was built by the parents of our clients and was only ever owned by them, making this a truly special space to the family. Our goal was to revitalize the home and to bring new energy into every room without losing the special characteristics that were original to the home when it was built. In this way, we were able to develop a house that maintains its own unique personality while offering a space of welcoming neutrality for all members of the family to enjoy over time. The renovation touched every part of the home: the exterior, foyer, kitchen, living room, sun room, garage, six bedrooms, three bathrooms, the laundry room, and everything in between. The focus was to develop a style that carried consistently from space to space, but allowed for unique expression in the small details in every room. Starting at the entry, we renovated the front door and entry point to offer more presence and to bring more of the mid-century vibe to the home’s exterior. We integrated a new modern front door, cedar shingle accents, new exterior paint, and gorgeous contemporary house numbers that really allow the home to stand out. Just inside the entry, we renovated the foyer to create a playful entry point worthy of attention. Cement look tile adorns the foyer floor, and we’ve added new lighting and upgraded the entry coat storage. Upon entering the home, one will immediately be captivated by the stunning kitchen just off the entry. We transformed this space in just about every way. While the footprint of the home ultimately remained almost identical, the aesthetics were completely turned on their head. We re-worked the kitchen to maximize storage and to create an informal dining area that is great for casual hosting or morning coffee. We removed the entry to the garage that was once in the informal dining, and created a peninsula in its place that offers a unique division between the kitchen/informal dining and the formal dining and living areas. The simple light warm light gray cabinetry offers a bit of traditional elegance, along with the marble backsplash and quartz countertops. We extended the original wood flooring into the kitchen and stained all floors to match for a warmth that truly resonates through all spaces. We upgraded appliances, added lighting everywhere, and finished the space with some gorgeous mid century furniture pieces. In the formal dining and living room, we really focused on maintaining the original marble fireplace as a focal point. We cleaned the marble, repaired the mortar, and refinished the original fireplace screen to give a new sleek look in black. We then integrated a new gas insert for modern heating and painted the upper portion in a rich navy blue; an accent that is carried through the home consistently as a nod to our client’s love of the color. The former entry into the old covered porch is now an elegant glass door leading to a stunning finished sunroom. This room was completely upgraded as well. We wrapped the entire space in cozy white shiplap to keep a casual feel with brightness. We tiled the floor with large format concrete look tile, and painted the old brick fireplace a bright white. We installed a new gas burning unit, and integrated transitional style lighting to bring warmth and elegance into the space. The new black-frame windows are adorned with decorative shades that feature hand-sketched bird prints, and we’ve created a dedicated garden-ware “nook” for our client who loves to work in the yard. The far end of this space is completed with two oversized chaise loungers and overhead lights…the most perfect little reading nook! Just off the dining room, we created an entirely new space to the home: a mudroom. The clients lacked this space and desperately needed a landing spot upon entering the home from the garage. We uniquely planned existing space in the garage to utilize for this purpose, and were able to create a small but functional entry point without losing the ability to park cars in the garage. This new space features cement-look tile, gorgeous deep brown cabinetry, and plenty of storage for all the small items one might need to store while moving in and out of the home. The remainder of the upstairs level includes massive renovations to the guest hall bathroom and guest bedroom, upstairs master bed/bath suite, and a third bedroom that we converted into a home office for the client. Some of the largest transformations were made in the basement, where unfinished space and lack of light were converted into gloriously lit, cozy, finished spaces. Our first task was to convert the massive basement living room into the new master bedroom for our clients. We removed existing built-ins, created an entirely new walk-in closet, painted the old brick fireplace, installed a new gas unit, added carpet, introduced new lighting, replaced windows, and upgraded every part of the aesthetic appearance. One of the most incredible features of this space is the custom double sliding barn door made by a Denver artisan. This space is truly a retreat for our clients! We also completely transformed the laundry room, back storage room, basement master bathroom, and two bedrooms. This home’s massive scope and ever-evolving challenges were thrilling and exciting to work with, and the result is absolutely amazing. At the end of the day, this home offers a look and feel that the clients love. Above all, though, the clients feel the spirit of their family home and have a welcoming environment for all members of the family to enjoy for years to come.

French country bathroom photo in Dallas

Lots of details on this project! Our clients open concept kitchen/living room was given a very contemporary feel with these beautiful built-in arched niche shelving units, arched entryway and built in fireplace (we built the solid wood mantle ourselves). The living room windows (purchased from Pella) were given a drywall finish as opposed to the remainder of the home which was trimmed. The overall result was a beautiful high ceiling space with spacious and beautiful design and a lot of natural lighting.