The Gun Lake Residence replaces a small, aging, existing house located on a narrow peninsula on Gun Lake, in west Michigan. The peninsula is neatly populated with century-old homes that quietly occupy this uncommon setting. The project site offers extraordinary views of the water in multiple directions and extends to the east with open space, bordering on an historic, 19th-century community ice house. A primary project goal was to reimagine the relationship of the house to its surroundings while remaining sensitive to the communal context of the neighboring properties. The design seed of the new project included rotating the footprint of the existing house 90 degrees to open the long side of the home toward the lake, maximizing views and gaining optimal benefit of the linear site. Drawing inspiration from the traditional lake vernacular of the neighboring houses, the two principal roof forms of the new house reciprocate the setting -- the modern, clean lines of the upper gable roof upholds the clarity and tradition of the neighborhood, while the lower roof mimics the extension of the landscape and invites improvisational use. The horizontal flat roof allows use of the deck in all weather and cantilevers the most used public spaces into the landscape in a band of captured horizontal space. A wood-clad retaining wall refines a cut into the earth and harbors a transitional, outdoor room between the water and the basement. At 2200 finished square feet, the conditioned building envelope is compact. And like the exterior, the interior form responds directly to its use. The upper floor is a monastic repetition of modest sleeping cells and bathrooms with unique directional views, combined with a grand central stair and master bedroom at each corner that captures myriad views of the water, over the trees, in all directions. The main floor utilizes a core of small, functional spaces to shield the adjacent road, and forms a backdrop to the open interior spaces. Aided by the reaching, cedar-bellied roof, the living, dining, and kitchen spaces spill to the outdoors through an unusually porous exterior wall. Three sliding glass doors–including one at 20 feet wide–and a finished, surrounding ground plane cohere the landscape to the main living level. Super-insulated wood-framed walls, triple-paned aluminum-clad wood windows, and a structurally insulated roof panels make-up the core of the building envelope, and additional exterior high-performance design features include geothermal heating/cooling and a green roof. Cementitious lap siding, concrete panels, hardwood decking, cedar soffits, and river rock comprise the exterior finish. In addition to cedar ceilings, interior finishes include porcelain ceramic tile, cork flooring, tight pile wool carpet, and neutral painted walls -- designed in quiet tones to highlight the most important interior ingredient: views outside.

This unique contemporary home was carefully sited in a large meadow overlooking a magnificent brook that is a haven for wildlife. Classic New England materials such as natural stone and grey granite are used in a contemporary pattern to tie into the materials used on the homes exterior. The client asked us to create a 'one of a kind' front walkway that was functional and artistic. We set 3" thick granite on a poured concrete footing for this stunning look. The walking surface is a thin layer of 3/8" crushed stone for a crunch sound as you walk. Single stem river birch will soon fill the area, creating a forest effect.

The Gun Lake Residence replaces a small, aging, existing house located on a narrow peninsula on Gun Lake, in west Michigan. The peninsula is neatly populated with century-old homes that quietly occupy this uncommon setting. The project site offers extraordinary views of the water in multiple directions and extends to the east with open space, bordering on an historic, 19th-century community ice house. A primary project goal was to reimagine the relationship of the house to its surroundings while remaining sensitive to the communal context of the neighboring properties. The design seed of the new project included rotating the footprint of the existing house 90 degrees to open the long side of the home toward the lake, maximizing views and gaining optimal benefit of the linear site. Drawing inspiration from the traditional lake vernacular of the neighboring houses, the two principal roof forms of the new house reciprocate the setting -- the modern, clean lines of the upper gable roof upholds the clarity and tradition of the neighborhood, while the lower roof mimics the extension of the landscape and invites improvisational use. The horizontal flat roof allows use of the deck in all weather and cantilevers the most used public spaces into the landscape in a band of captured horizontal space. A wood-clad retaining wall refines a cut into the earth and harbors a transitional, outdoor room between the water and the basement. At 2200 finished square feet, the conditioned building envelope is compact. And like the exterior, the interior form responds directly to its use. The upper floor is a monastic repetition of modest sleeping cells and bathrooms with unique directional views, combined with a grand central stair and master bedroom at each corner that captures myriad views of the water, over the trees, in all directions. The main floor utilizes a core of small, functional spaces to shield the adjacent road, and forms a backdrop to the open interior spaces. Aided by the reaching, cedar-bellied roof, the living, dining, and kitchen spaces spill to the outdoors through an unusually porous exterior wall. Three sliding glass doors–including one at 20 feet wide–and a finished, surrounding ground plane cohere the landscape to the main living level. Super-insulated wood-framed walls, triple-paned aluminum-clad wood windows, and a structurally insulated roof panels make-up the core of the building envelope, and additional exterior high-performance design features include geothermal heating/cooling and a green roof. Cementitious lap siding, concrete panels, hardwood decking, cedar soffits, and river rock comprise the exterior finish. In addition to cedar ceilings, interior finishes include porcelain ceramic tile, cork flooring, tight pile wool carpet, and neutral painted walls -- designed in quiet tones to highlight the most important interior ingredient: views outside.

Richard Herman is in the hospitality business and owns several upscale hotels in Florida and in other states as well as cattle ranches in both Florida and Missouri. Their farm in Ocala is by farm their most unique. The property serves as a 4-H demonstration project for the purpose of children’s education. They have been working with the Academy Prep of St. Pete which is dedicated to inner-city youths that are selected on the basis of need and achievement. Wife Diane spends her time on the farm raising Gypsy Vanners, a diminutive draft horse named after the job they did in Eastern Europe, pulling the wagons (vans) for gypsies that wandered across the continent. On the Ocala farm, there are several mules with a unique profession. Richard had visited the Hearthstone display at a Log & Timber Home Shows at the Orlando Convention Center many years ago. He was impressed that Hearthstone had stayed in touch with him over the years by mailings, invitations to shows, and periodic phone calls. When the time came to start serious consideration of the design of barn, Hearthstone responded promptly and professionally to Richard and Diane’s requests for information and a review of their ideas for their barn, which would serve as the centerpiece for their new farm. They wanted a multipurpose facility that could accommodate an educational environment and a large hall suitable for the fundraising events for his charities. Richard wanted a barn that reflected the look and feel of barns built at the dawn of the 20th century. Besides the rustic chicken houses and vegetable gardens, they have completely renovated a 1020’s era farmhouse to be as historically correct as possible and serves as the entry to the farm. “They very careful to feel us out, get comfortable with our capabilities, and be convinced that we could perform as promised,” said Project Manager John Ricketson of Hearthstone. Design Process There were some initial drawings that gave us a start on the basic shape and size of the barn. From there, it was a process of narrowing down the uses of each area and the spans that could be achieved. The barn was going to have the traditional “board & batten” exterior siding and a metal roof. There is a cantilevered ‘hay hood” on the north gable end above the large sliding barn doors that open into the foyer and horse stalls. The wings house a combination of areas, beginning with the large restrooms to accommodate crowds for events. Other parts of the wings have garage areas for the farm vehicles, feed room, tack room, wash rack, storage, offices, and smaller restrooms. Keeping with the look and feel of the turn of the century, Hearthstone developed a process for giving the timbers a surface texture that mimicked the circular cuts of timbers that had just come out of an old sawmill. This was easier said than done. Randy Giles guided his millwright (Wolfgang) in designing a machine that would do this effectively. The barn was delivered in October of 2014 and was erected over the course of two weeks, thanks to a hardworking crew (Eric Foster) and near-perfect weather. After the Hearthstone crew completed the erection and roof dry-in, it was time for the local carpenters to step up and install some light conventional framing on the gable ends before applying the roof fascia and exterior board & batten siding. Next came the big sliding barn doors, plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling. Large rustic fixtures were hung from the great hall roof timbers. Exterior The board & batten siding was cypress and allowed to turn color naturally as rain hit it and the sun started working on it with UV rays. This method causes a much grayer look closer to the ground and less so where the roof overhang provides protection. The North end has some large limestone boulders and planters arranged around the pad with tall pampas grass. The planters provide casual seating before events and during outside receptions. The entire area was sodded with lush St. Augustine grass and split rail fences were added to enclose the barn area. The corrugated metal roof was a special order material that immediately rusted after being exposed to moisture. The layer of rust protects the metal from the elements. Interior The board & batten theme was carried throughout most of the interior with the timbers left natural to show off the circular saw texture. All of the tongue & groove decking was shipped in advance to allow the local painter to pre-stain it with a dark brown transparent stain that is a beautiful background to the light color Eastern White Pine timbers. “Everything was unique in this project” said Project Manager John Ricketson. “The setting on a small demonstration farm close to Ocala, the multipurpose design, the circular saw texture on the timbers.” The Hermans are very proud of their farm’s outcome. Richard sent a note to Randy Giles, owner of Hearthstone: “The Barn is fantastic, not a single problem, period. Next month, we have Jo Dee Messina coming in to help with a fundraiser for a local center for abused kids. Folks love the farm, ...... but that barn gets all of the attention. I would encourage you to use me as a reference for your sales team, feel free to extend my cell phone to any prospective purchasers.”

Open living room with neutral beige background, custom sofa and chairs, coffee table by Susan Hersker, custom entry door and windows by Slater Sculpture, reflecting pond entry Photo: Mark Boisclair Contractor: Manship Builder Architect: Bing Hu Interior Design: Susan Hersker and Elaine Ryckman Project designed by Susie Hersker’s Scottsdale interior design firm Design Directives. Design Directives is active in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, Sedona, and beyond. For more about Design Directives, click here: https://susanherskerasid.com/

The Gun Lake Residence replaces a small, aging, existing house located on a narrow peninsula on Gun Lake, in west Michigan. The peninsula is neatly populated with century-old homes that quietly occupy this uncommon setting. The project site offers extraordinary views of the water in multiple directions and extends to the east with open space, bordering on an historic, 19th-century community ice house. A primary project goal was to reimagine the relationship of the house to its surroundings while remaining sensitive to the communal context of the neighboring properties. The design seed of the new project included rotating the footprint of the existing house 90 degrees to open the long side of the home toward the lake, maximizing views and gaining optimal benefit of the linear site. Drawing inspiration from the traditional lake vernacular of the neighboring houses, the two principal roof forms of the new house reciprocate the setting -- the modern, clean lines of the upper gable roof upholds the clarity and tradition of the neighborhood, while the lower roof mimics the extension of the landscape and invites improvisational use. The horizontal flat roof allows use of the deck in all weather and cantilevers the most used public spaces into the landscape in a band of captured horizontal space. A wood-clad retaining wall refines a cut into the earth and harbors a transitional, outdoor room between the water and the basement. At 2200 finished square feet, the conditioned building envelope is compact. And like the exterior, the interior form responds directly to its use. The upper floor is a monastic repetition of modest sleeping cells and bathrooms with unique directional views, combined with a grand central stair and master bedroom at each corner that captures myriad views of the water, over the trees, in all directions. The main floor utilizes a core of small, functional spaces to shield the adjacent road, and forms a backdrop to the open interior spaces. Aided by the reaching, cedar-bellied roof, the living, dining, and kitchen spaces spill to the outdoors through an unusually porous exterior wall. Three sliding glass doors–including one at 20 feet wide–and a finished, surrounding ground plane cohere the landscape to the main living level. Super-insulated wood-framed walls, triple-paned aluminum-clad wood windows, and a structurally insulated roof panels make-up the core of the building envelope, and additional exterior high-performance design features include geothermal heating/cooling and a green roof. Cementitious lap siding, concrete panels, hardwood decking, cedar soffits, and river rock comprise the exterior finish. In addition to cedar ceilings, interior finishes include porcelain ceramic tile, cork flooring, tight pile wool carpet, and neutral painted walls -- designed in quiet tones to highlight the most important interior ingredient: views outside.

With a farmhouse feel, this guest bedroom serves to keep its guests feeling warm and relaxed. Designed by: LTB Designs Photographed by: Picture Perfect LLC

The Gun Lake Residence replaces a small, aging, existing house located on a narrow peninsula on Gun Lake, in west Michigan. The peninsula is neatly populated with century-old homes that quietly occupy this uncommon setting. The project site offers extraordinary views of the water in multiple directions and extends to the east with open space, bordering on an historic, 19th-century community ice house. A primary project goal was to reimagine the relationship of the house to its surroundings while remaining sensitive to the communal context of the neighboring properties. The design seed of the new project included rotating the footprint of the existing house 90 degrees to open the long side of the home toward the lake, maximizing views and gaining optimal benefit of the linear site. Drawing inspiration from the traditional lake vernacular of the neighboring houses, the two principal roof forms of the new house reciprocate the setting -- the modern, clean lines of the upper gable roof upholds the clarity and tradition of the neighborhood, while the lower roof mimics the extension of the landscape and invites improvisational use. The horizontal flat roof allows use of the deck in all weather and cantilevers the most used public spaces into the landscape in a band of captured horizontal space. A wood-clad retaining wall refines a cut into the earth and harbors a transitional, outdoor room between the water and the basement. At 2200 finished square feet, the conditioned building envelope is compact. And like the exterior, the interior form responds directly to its use. The upper floor is a monastic repetition of modest sleeping cells and bathrooms with unique directional views, combined with a grand central stair and master bedroom at each corner that captures myriad views of the water, over the trees, in all directions. The main floor utilizes a core of small, functional spaces to shield the adjacent road, and forms a backdrop to the open interior spaces. Aided by the reaching, cedar-bellied roof, the living, dining, and kitchen spaces spill to the outdoors through an unusually porous exterior wall. Three sliding glass doors–including one at 20 feet wide–and a finished, surrounding ground plane cohere the landscape to the main living level. Super-insulated wood-framed walls, triple-paned aluminum-clad wood windows, and a structurally insulated roof panels make-up the core of the building envelope, and additional exterior high-performance design features include geothermal heating/cooling and a green roof. Cementitious lap siding, concrete panels, hardwood decking, cedar soffits, and river rock comprise the exterior finish. In addition to cedar ceilings, interior finishes include porcelain ceramic tile, cork flooring, tight pile wool carpet, and neutral painted walls -- designed in quiet tones to highlight the most important interior ingredient: views outside.

After six years of living in their Huntley IL home, Chris and Meghan were tired of their dark, dingy, outdated kitchen and it was finally time for a long-anticipated change. “The kitchen is the place where we live, it’s where we do everything,” Meghan said. “It was important that it be a space where we wanted to be.” Meghan loves cooking and enjoys including their girls in healthy meal prepping, this led them to want a brighter, more enjoyable kitchen with increased functionality and improved storage. For Chris especially, the laundry room was an entirely dysfunctional eyesore. “We had a washer and a dryer, but it was all kind-of cobbled together!” Chris said. “There were always laundry piles everywhere, we weren’t really sure what we wanted to do in there, but it was time for us to make a change.” The mess of the space was stressful every time they walked in the door from the garage each day. Kids’ backpacks and shoes piled up haphazardly in the makeshift boot-bench closet left the family feeling disorganized and stressed. They needed space for folding clothes and locker cubbies to help keep the family organized. Having known Christine and Todd in the Huntley community for years, Chris and Meghan were familiar with their work. “We already trusted them personally and having seen their projects for years we knew they did top notch work. After we reviewed the initial round of designs, we knew that hiring them was definitely the right choice,” Meghan and Chris said. Although Chris had done a lot of work in their home himself, the kitchen and laundry room renovation was such a large undertaking that he didn’t want to steal time away from his family to spend what would surely be many long weekends doing the job himself. “That would not have been a wise choice for us,” Chris laughed. “Our designer, Michelle was very, very, easy to work with; anything we wanted to see or weren’t sure about, she went above and beyond to make this easy for us. She was easy to get hold of and always quick to respond,” the couple said. Michelle pulled ideas that mirrored the couple’s taste and style and was adept at directing the couple to limited choices that didn’t overwhelm them and kept the process moving. “I have a hard time making decisions. Michelle made the decision-making process so easy. I loved how she listened to what I liked and then presented three great options for me to choose from,” Meghan said. The main objectives for the kitchen were better storage solutions, they wanted the space to reflect their lifestyle and taste, and they wanted it to last for years with low maintenance. One of the first steps in creating a more functional kitchen was relocating the refrigerator, creating an improved workflow for the busy family. “We didn’t know that we could even move the refrigerator to a new location where it is now, that was something that we never would have thought of,” Chris said. “The new refrigerator location makes the kitchen feel so much bigger. We didn’t add any space, but our whole kitchen with the new design just seems like it’s so much larger than before!” Meghan said. The perimeter mist colored cabinets helped warm and brighten the entire room, while the graphite colored cabinets on the island added contrast. Using this fresh, clean color palette satisfied the couple’s desire for a bright space that was the exact opposite of what they had before. Organization accessories were also added to the cabinets such as a spice drawer tray and roll outs to create hidden convenience. “I absolutely love the hidden spices – it makes cooking so much more enjoyable!” Chris said. “And all the pull outs, and the double trash bin, who would think you could get so excited about organization!” the couple said in unison. One thing they hated in their original kitchen was how dark the space felt. Added lighting on the ceiling with the new light fixtures combined with the lighter cabinetry colors throughout solved this problem. “Our new kitchen has this warm, almost cozy feeling that our old kitchen never had, it’s just a space that I love spending my time in now,” Meghan said. The light airy feeling was accentuated with the use of floating white shelves on either side of the decorative range hood. “We have so much cabinetry space, the new design is amazing we actually have more storage space than we will ever need,” Meghan said. The island was extended to create more work surface and added space for stool seating. “The new island changes how we live. Now the kids can be in the kitchen with us, doing homework, eating breakfast, and the three of us have special dinners there when Chris is working late,” Meghan said. The Carrara Marmi Quartz countertops were chosen because they are, not only beautiful, but are made from hard-working material that doesn’t require maintenance. The white subway tile backsplash that wraps to the ceiling behind the focal point cooktop range/hood compliments the crisp white countertops perfectly, while brushed brass hardware and light fixtures keep the design fresh and new. The couple had a few fears at the beginning of the project, as most homeowners do. Their biggest fear was being out of their kitchen and laundry room for an extended time. The crew made it very easy for the family to work in a limited space keeping the washer and dryer hooked up the majority of the time, and also getting appliances working with minimal downtime. “They above and beyond accommodated us to get us through the process,” Meghan said. “They did a great job making sure we were as comfortable as possible throughout the process,” Chris added. “Our project manager DJ did a great job. He was very good at updating us on schedule changes, getting guys in as quickly as possible. Everyone that stepped in the house was nice and did great work,” said Chris. They thought Advance’s carpenter was phenomenal and were impressed when he took a conceptual idea from a photograph and worked with designer Michelle to create a one of a kind range/hood that has become the topic of conversation with friends and family who visit the new kitchen. “He was in our house literally every day for several weeks. He was easy to work with and good at what he did,” Meghan and Chris said. The focal point of the kitchen; a hand-crafted, custom-built ventilation hood was clad with handpicked reclaimed barnwood. Advance Design’s carpenter built the framework and the cladding to create a one-of-a-kind design element that the couple loves. “I think it was especially fun for him to create something unique from scratch, showcasing his talent in this area,” Meghan said. “I love that my kitchen is not like everyone else’s. I got to pick out the wood on my hood and watch it being built and was able to choose what pieces of wood went where on it. It’s totally unique.” Red Oak flooring was toothed-in throughout the kitchen and the rest of the first floor anywhere changes were made. Then the whole floor was refinished to tone down the orange undertones in the existing floor stain, ultimately changing the color complexion of the entire first floor. The result is a completely new feeling to the entire home. Renovating the laundry room was extremely important to Meghan and Chris, but they had trouble visualizing what the possibilities were for the seemingly small space. Michelle produced beautiful 3D illustrations that helped them envision the space in a whole new way. “I must have told Michelle 100 times that I am a visual person, seeing the designs in 3D made it so easy to make decisions and see what we could really do with our space,” Meghan said. A dividing wall and doorway were removed between the existing laundry room and hallway formerly containing a coat closet, providing space to design specialized graphite colored cabinetry matching the kitchen island to house custom storage cubbies for each family member. Adding the tall utility cabinetry in the new laundry area helped solve the storage issue, tucking away cleaning supplies, household items, and even the cat got its own cubby. “I love how everything is now hidden in its own space. I can’t tell you how much I hated coming home and seeing everything sitting around on counters,” Chris said. Electrical outlets were planned for the inside of utility cabinets, so devices could charge in hidden locations. Stacking the washer and dryer allowed for wider countertop space to provide a folding area and a special space for clothes to hang. “The way I do laundry has been completely transformed! I can actually fold clothes and hang them now right out of the washer and dryer,” Meghan said. “The end result in the kitchen and the laundry/mud room was an updated light and bright space, with a smarter work flow that better meets the needs of this family,” Michelle said. “I would totally recommend Advance Design,” Meghan said. “Sometimes I sit and just look at my kitchen and laundry room and think ‘Wow, I can’t believe I get to live here!’ It’s an understatement to say we love our new space.”

Home conversions from a single-family home to a mother/daughter home may be just what your family needs to cut costs or care for an aging parent. You must designate two distinct living areas with two separate entrances in your home for the independence and privacy of your aging parents. The majority of floor plans are not ideal for mother-daughter living, so trust the professionals at Cavalier Homes Inc. to perform a transformative mother/daughter home conversion that will give your family two separate living spaces. Since many people are unfamiliar with the term, a mother-daughter home is simply a house with separate living spaces, such as two bathrooms, two bedrooms, two kitchens, two living rooms, etc. Even though the extended family lives under one roof, they appear to be divided between two houses. However, if one member of the family requires the assistance of another in an emergency, such as an elderly parent falling, the other family members can respond quickly. A mother/daughter home is not the same as a duplex or a single-family home with an in-law suite. A mother/daughter conversion creates completely separate living quarters for the family. A mother-daughter home can be arranged in a variety of ways, and many different kinds of families could benefit from it. For instance, the most typical arrangement for mother-daughter homes is for elderly parents to live with their adult child and their family. The elderly parent retains their independence and dignity in this type of mother-daughter home while also having access to a lot of assistance from their adult children. In addition, a family with a son or daughter who has recently graduated from college but isn’t quite ready to buy or rent a living space of their own would profit from a mother/daughter conversion. They receive a separate living space so they can live independently, even though they are technically still living with their parents. No matter what your family’s particular requirements are, Cavalier Homes can make a mother/daughter conversion of your house to meet everyone’s needs and preferences. Our design experts can create two separate spaces for the two distinct personalities or families that live in them, all while maintaining the cohesion that binds the mother/daughter home together. Your home is your calling card, and your happiness is our greatest goal, as well as our greatest pleasure. Our qualified professionals in West Islip, Long Island can help you with your mother/daughter conversion or any type of home remodeling project. Call us at 631-422-9138 or email us at cavalierhomes@aol.com to set up a meeting to discuss your needs and how we can help you meet them.

Home conversions from a single-family home to a mother/daughter home may be just what your family needs to cut costs or care for an aging parent. You must designate two distinct living areas with two separate entrances in your home for the independence and privacy of your aging parents. The majority of floor plans are not ideal for mother-daughter living, so trust the professionals at Cavalier Homes Inc. to perform a transformative mother/daughter home conversion that will give your family two separate living spaces. Since many people are unfamiliar with the term, a mother-daughter home is simply a house with separate living spaces, such as two bathrooms, two bedrooms, two kitchens, two living rooms, etc. Even though the extended family lives under one roof, they appear to be divided between two houses. However, if one member of the family requires the assistance of another in an emergency, such as an elderly parent falling, the other family members can respond quickly. A mother/daughter home is not the same as a duplex or a single-family home with an in-law suite. A mother/daughter conversion creates completely separate living quarters for the family. A mother-daughter home can be arranged in a variety of ways, and many different kinds of families could benefit from it. For instance, the most typical arrangement for mother-daughter homes is for elderly parents to live with their adult child and their family. The elderly parent retains their independence and dignity in this type of mother-daughter home while also having access to a lot of assistance from their adult children. In addition, a family with a son or daughter who has recently graduated from college but isn’t quite ready to buy or rent a living space of their own would profit from a mother/daughter conversion. They receive a separate living space so they can live independently, even though they are technically still living with their parents. No matter what your family’s particular requirements are, Cavalier Homes can make a mother/daughter conversion of your house to meet everyone’s needs and preferences. Our design experts can create two separate spaces for the two distinct personalities or families that live in them, all while maintaining the cohesion that binds the mother/daughter home together. Your home is your calling card, and your happiness is our greatest goal, as well as our greatest pleasure. Our qualified professionals in West Islip, Long Island can help you with your mother/daughter conversion or any type of home remodeling project. Call us at 631-422-9138 or email us at cavalierhomes@aol.com to set up a meeting to discuss your needs and how we can help you meet them.

Home conversions from a single-family home to a mother/daughter home may be just what your family needs to cut costs or care for an aging parent. You must designate two distinct living areas with two separate entrances in your home for the independence and privacy of your aging parents. The majority of floor plans are not ideal for mother-daughter living, so trust the professionals at Cavalier Homes Inc. to perform a transformative mother/daughter home conversion that will give your family two separate living spaces. Since many people are unfamiliar with the term, a mother-daughter home is simply a house with separate living spaces, such as two bathrooms, two bedrooms, two kitchens, two living rooms, etc. Even though the extended family lives under one roof, they appear to be divided between two houses. However, if one member of the family requires the assistance of another in an emergency, such as an elderly parent falling, the other family members can respond quickly. A mother/daughter home is not the same as a duplex or a single-family home with an in-law suite. A mother/daughter conversion creates completely separate living quarters for the family. A mother-daughter home can be arranged in a variety of ways, and many different kinds of families could benefit from it. For instance, the most typical arrangement for mother-daughter homes is for elderly parents to live with their adult child and their family. The elderly parent retains their independence and dignity in this type of mother-daughter home while also having access to a lot of assistance from their adult children. In addition, a family with a son or daughter who has recently graduated from college but isn’t quite ready to buy or rent a living space of their own would profit from a mother/daughter conversion. They receive a separate living space so they can live independently, even though they are technically still living with their parents. No matter what your family’s particular requirements are, Cavalier Homes can make a mother/daughter conversion of your house to meet everyone’s needs and preferences. Our design experts can create two separate spaces for the two distinct personalities or families that live in them, all while maintaining the cohesion that binds the mother/daughter home together. Your home is your calling card, and your happiness is our greatest goal, as well as our greatest pleasure. Our qualified professionals in West Islip, Long Island can help you with your mother/daughter conversion or any type of home remodeling project. Call us at 631-422-9138 or email us at cavalierhomes@aol.com to set up a meeting to discuss your needs and how we can help you meet them.

Image Courtesy © Chris Becker
Example of a beach style brown two-story mixed siding house exterior design in Boston with a shed roof

Recently, I was called to a work on a Limestone tiled floor in a house near Hove Park. Hove Park is a popular park in Hove, East Sussex, which was once opposite to the Goldstone Ground, the traditional home of Brighton and Hove Albion football club until the ground was demolished. My client informed me that the house was used a meeting place every Friday, and the high traffic of people was taking its toll on the floor. The floor was clearly in need of a good clean, especially the grout. You do need to take care when cleaning Limestone as it can be affected by the acidic substances you get in some cleaning products which can break down the surface of the Limestone and cause further damage. The results of my test clean showed the Limestone tiles responded well to the cleaning, but I was concerned about the grout, which was not cleaning very easily. I suspected that the grout had, in fact, been discoloured by a bleach-based cleaner, turning it grey. Bleach contains strong chemicals, so there is a good chance that any bleach-based cleaners used on tiled floors will discolour the grout over time. After discussing this issue with my client, I quoted separately for a possible grout recolour. On the first day of working on the floor, I started the cleaning process using a black buffing pad attached to a floor buffer machine, in combination with a solution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean, which I applied to the floor. This combination really helped to remove the heavily built up grime and dirt. Although the tiles looked great after the clean, I still wasn’t convinced by the state of the grout. After drying a test area with a heat gun, I confirmed that the grout was not continuous in colour and would need a recolour to get it back to looking its best again. I left the rest of the floor to dry for a period of two days, allowing any residual moisture to evaporate, before returning to recolour the grout with a white Grout Colourant which was applied using a good old fashioned toothbrush and baby wipes to remove any excess. I was careful to apply thin, even coats in order to prevent the possibility of the Colourant staining the tile. After several hours of knee-breaking work, the recolouring was complete, and I was extremely pleased to be able to show my client the finished product. She was very happy to be able to show off the floor to her friends, which was now white all the way through, without the dark lines caused by the discoloured grout. Another satisfied client.

Kim Quigley joined Roundtree in 2015 as our purchasing director. Kim searches far and wide for the best plants at the best value for all our clients. She loves the hunt involved with making sure we have the perfect plants for all our projects. Kim monitors all the vendors who deliver plants and hardgoods to us and ensures everything is on time and running smoothly. Kim’s roots in the green industry go all the way back to when she was only six years old, when she would spend time at what was then Vickery Florist (now Vickery Wholesale Greenhouse). Her parents were best friends with the founding owners of Vickery. She has fond memories of the greenhouses and spent some time later in her career working in interior plantscaping. Kim has managed landscape installations and worked on the retail side of the horticulture industry. Since 2008 Kim has also designed and installed decorations for the Queen of the Rose Festivals Ball, held during the Tyler rose festival weekend. After spending 22 years running her own corporate special events company in the convention world, Kim decided she missed working in the plant world. She loves plants and the friendly welcoming feel our industry offers and loves balancing operations and logistics. The position with Roundtree felt like the perfect fit. When it comes to her favorite part of her job here at Roundtree, Kim says she loves making such a diverse group of people – both at the company and our clients – happy with their projects by finding the very best plants and features. While she does not get to spend a lot of time face to face with our customers, she is always thrilled to hear customer feedback about how much they love their landscapes. Kim is passionate about building things, working in her yard and her cat Pearl, who she adopted as a stray from the Roundtree office. Because Kim had never had a cat before, only dogs, she said she just went ahead and trained Pearl like a dog. Pearl now responds to commands just like a dog! A fun fact you might not know about Kim: she is a backyard award winning meat smoking master. Kim learned to smoke meat at a young age with her Dad. She feels learning the patience involved with smoking meat helped teach her patience in other parts of work and life. She also loves the friendly competition when at events. Her signature dish? She says it is probably her smoked brisket, but that her bacon wrapped meatloaf is also quite popular.

Home conversions from a single-family home to a mother/daughter home may be just what your family needs to cut costs or care for an aging parent. You must designate two distinct living areas with two separate entrances in your home for the independence and privacy of your aging parents. The majority of floor plans are not ideal for mother-daughter living, so trust the professionals at Cavalier Homes Inc. to perform a transformative mother/daughter home conversion that will give your family two separate living spaces. Since many people are unfamiliar with the term, a mother-daughter home is simply a house with separate living spaces, such as two bathrooms, two bedrooms, two kitchens, two living rooms, etc. Even though the extended family lives under one roof, they appear to be divided between two houses. However, if one member of the family requires the assistance of another in an emergency, such as an elderly parent falling, the other family members can respond quickly. A mother/daughter home is not the same as a duplex or a single-family home with an in-law suite. A mother/daughter conversion creates completely separate living quarters for the family. A mother-daughter home can be arranged in a variety of ways, and many different kinds of families could benefit from it. For instance, the most typical arrangement for mother-daughter homes is for elderly parents to live with their adult child and their family. The elderly parent retains their independence and dignity in this type of mother-daughter home while also having access to a lot of assistance from their adult children. In addition, a family with a son or daughter who has recently graduated from college but isn’t quite ready to buy or rent a living space of their own would profit from a mother/daughter conversion. They receive a separate living space so they can live independently, even though they are technically still living with their parents. No matter what your family’s particular requirements are, Cavalier Homes can make a mother/daughter conversion of your house to meet everyone’s needs and preferences. Our design experts can create two separate spaces for the two distinct personalities or families that live in them, all while maintaining the cohesion that binds the mother/daughter home together. Your home is your calling card, and your happiness is our greatest goal, as well as our greatest pleasure. Our qualified professionals in West Islip, Long Island can help you with your mother/daughter conversion or any type of home remodeling project. Call us at 631-422-9138 or email us at cavalierhomes@aol.com to set up a meeting to discuss your needs and how we can help you meet them.

Kansas City Landscape is one of kansas city best Kansas City landscaping companies / Kansas City Landscape Design is a Kansas City Area Landscape Company that continues to develop as a design discipline, and to respond to the various movements in architecture / design throughout Kansas City and the 20th and 21st centuries. Our goal is to create a sense of bliss around your KANSAS CITY metro home, starting at the entrance to your front door and leading to your own special place in your backyard. We are here to complete the vision you have always dreamed of in landscape design with Kansas City landscaping companies. We offer quality and craftsmanship that stand the test of time. We are specializing in all types of brickwork ,Stone Landscape, landscape fountains ,Hardscape, Landscape design, Landscape patio, Landscape Company Installation, Paver Patio Company Kansas City /Brick Paver Patio, Masonry services . From small renovations to multi-million dollar new construction, we handle commercial LANDSCAPE Kansas City, industrial and institutional work for clients seeking a KANSAS CITY landscape partner they can trust. Our final product is always beautifully constructed, fairly priced and delivered on time and on schedule We are an elite KANSAS CITY landscaping design, waterfeture,/ fountains landscape paver installation company with over 20 years of experience. The Landscape Company Kansas City is engaged in the landscape design KANSAS CITY, planning, landscape installation Kansas City area and development of residential, commercial and industrial establishments, bounded by a belief in hardwork, expertise, and professionalism in the specialized field of landscaping. LANDSCAPE WATERFEATURS , BRICK MASONRY REPAIR We are known for our exceptional, outstanding landscape design in KANSAS CITY area and quality workmanship. We are a Certified Landscape installations kansas City. We are specializing in Landscape design, Landscape patio, Landscape stone/brick kansas city, Fountian, LANDSCAPE Water Garden, LANDSCAPE Stone Retaining walls in Kansas city Kansas City Landscape & Design offers landscape design and install landscaping, landscape retaining walls, outdoor firepits, outdoor fireplaces, built in bbq grills, bbq grills, outdoor patios, low voltage lighting, driveways, retaining walls, landscape lighting, brick pavers, concrete pavers, outside fireplaces, outdoor water features, ponds, Landscape outdoor kitchens, outdoor lighting, water features, flagstone patios, Landscape patio pavers, pools and spas in Kansas City, Shawnee, Overland Park, Bonner Springs, Leawood, Olathe, Mission Hills, Lenexa, Prairie Village, Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, Liberty, Raymore, Raytown, Independence, Belton, Gladstone, Lansing, Wichita, North Kansas City, Kansas City Masonry / Kansas City Fountain,landscape water feature fountain

Full home landscaping from Design which lead to excavation, new bed areas, driveway and masonry in front, and side yards, About: Tom Williamson Landscaping, Inc. Simple. Elegant. Landscaping. When preserving or remodeling your outdoor inspirational gardens, entertainment areas, or read-a-book oasis, you can rely on a professional landscaper for the best in beautiful design. As your advocates, they shop multiple nurseries to ensure that you get the healthiest of shrubs, trees, flowers, ground cover, and seed for your installations. Other design elements professionals consider are strong defining rock walls, delightful three-season blooming beds, and healthy rolling lawns. Plus, their planning and project management are additional skills that significantly affect the look and life of your garden. Years of experience and training and working alongside horticultural experts develop the important skills of the trade. But, the ability to turn a home into a representation of the family’s successes and accomplishments is the artistry that only a seasonal professional landscaper can deliver. Welcome to Tom Williamson Landscaping. We design, install and maintain brilliant gardens and lawns, providing this high level of beauty. Our 30 years of servicing Westchester County’s fine homes and families is a testament to our ability to listen and respond to your visions and needs. We have the artists, the muscle, and the management to provide — not only gardens and lawns your neighbors will envy — but the “experience” that ensures you hired the right landscaper. So, if you are planning on refreshing your home and outdoors with stone or living environments, visit our gallery to see our work. We are here, happy to answer your questions. Call us today at 914-762-4927 or email us. More Services offered Landscaping and Masonry; Ground cover, Pachysandra, Rose bush installation, Boxwood installation, Tree installation, Bushes, Plantings, Trees, Seasonal plantings, Urns, Pruning, Fertilization, Lawn care & Maintenance, Mulching, Installation of Large Trees, Holiday Trimming, Snowplowing, Landscape Design and construction, Lawn Installation: sod, hydro seeding, spot seeding, Lawn Fertilizing, Lyme application, design plans Extended Services provided are everything great gardening: Landscaping and Masonry; Ground cover, Pachysandra installation, Rose bush installation, Boxwood installation, Tree installation, Bushes, Plantings, Trees, Seasonal plantings, Urns, Pruning, Fertilization, Lawn care & Maintenance, Mulching, Installation of Large Trees, Holiday Trimming, Snowplowing to keep your home enjoyable even in the winter. Landscape Design and construction, Lawn care and maintenance, Lawn Installation: sod, hydro seeding, spot seeding, Lawn Fertilizing and Lyme application, Landscape design plans and installation, Masonry: stone walls, patios, walkways, garden paths, boulder steps, Planting Bed Care: mulching, weeding, edging, trimming, Pruning: trees & shrubs, Deep Root Feeding: Trees and shrubs, Tree Installation: dwarf to large, ornamental, flowering, evergreen, Maple, Cedar, Dogwood, Cherry, Apple, Red Bud, Shrub Installation: Boxwood, Holly, Juniper, Cypress, Dogwood twig, Leucothoe, Andromeda, Viburnum, Hydrangea, Lylac, Installation Ornamental Grasses: Fountain grass, Fox Tail grass, Hakone grass, ferns, Ground Cover Installation: Pachysandra, Ivy, Vinca, Perennial Installation: Daffodils, Tulips, Lilies, Lavender, Hibiscus, Black-eyed Susan, Bleeding Heart, Peony, Sage, Clematis, Sedum, Hosta, Sage, Iris, Plumbago, Astilbe, and Ferns, Flowering Annuals Installation: Pansies, Begonias, Petunias, Daises, Geraniums, Impatiens, Lantana, Fushia, Bacopa, Flower Pots, Urns and Boxes: Overflowing mixture of annuals, perennials and hangers for spring, summer, fall and winter, Gutter Cleaning: Late fall, Snow Removal: Plowing, salting, walkways shoveled, roofs raked, Winter Holiday Trimming Areas cover: 10504, 10506, 10510, 10514, 10546, 10549, 10562, 10570, 10510, 10506 Servicing Chappaqua, Briarcliff Manor, Ossining, Scarborough, Pleasantville, Armonk, and Mt. Kisco and Bedford Chappaqua 10514 Landscaping: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Scarsdale landscaping: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Masonry in Chappaqua: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Masonry in Pleasantville: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Armonk landscaping specialists: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Mt. Kisco landscaping specialists: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Briarcliff Manor 10510 landscaping contractors: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Braircliff masonry 10510 contractors: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Armonk Masonry contractors: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Chappaqua rock wall specialists: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Ossining landscaping: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Ossining Masonry: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Scarborough Landscaper: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Scarborough Stone Wall and Mason: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Pleasantville land design and installation of large trees: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Pleasantville landscaper: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Mt. Kisco masonry contractors: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Armonk stone wall, driveway and pathway designer: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Best Landscaper in Westchester, NY : http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Hottest landscape business in Westchester, NY: http://www.tomwilliamsonlandscaping.com/photos Photo by: Tom Williamson & Kevin Williamson

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Kids' room - transitional kids' room idea in Chicago