Description of Waterfront Home Design Challenge: The task was to fill a vast space with 14-foot walls soaring to a peak of 30 feet, using cabinetry that would not appear undervalued or insubstantial. The main question was determining the appropriate height for the cabinetry, considering the scale and proportion of the space, the walk-through to adjoining rooms, window heights, and the height of the refrigerator. Solution: By carefully analyzing these factors, we were able to create cabinetry that perfectly scaled to the grand dimensions of the room. The floor plan featured two islands that effectively filled the space. Key elements included #TheGalley workstations, drop-down televisions, #MouserCabinetry, and secret doors leading to a hidden scullery, all contributing to an extraordinary project.

Laundry chores involve more than just washing and drying clothes. With careful planning and effective organization, your laundry room can become a streamlined and pleasant space. Our solutions optimize your laundry area by providing countertop convenience for sorting and folding clothes, making tasks smoother and more enjoyable. Hidden storage in the form of enclosed cabinets above or around the machines keeps laundry supplies within reach but out of sight, while comprehensive storage options like cabinets and drawers accommodate everyday items. Tall cabinets store bulkier or seasonal items, ensuring the room remains clutter-free. To further enhance functionality, we offer quick ironing solutions with pull-down ironing boards for convenient touch-ups. Hanging solutions, including pull-down or stationary rods, make it easy to hang clothes and keep them wrinkle-free. Versatile valet rods provide extra hanging space and can be tucked away when not needed. Additionally, pull-out baskets or hampers help maintain cleanliness by keeping dirty laundry items separated. Large hampers simplify sorting for whites, colors, and other categories, promoting a well-organized laundry process. At The Tailored Closet, we specialize in maximizing space and style in laundry room designs. Our expertise ensures that your laundry area is both efficient and elegant. Let us help transform your laundry room into a well-organized and attractive space. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Retractable Screens, also known as Roll-up Screens and Vertical Rolling Screens are completely customized to meet the needs of the space. Easy to see through and completely retractable, exterior Retractable Screens create a cool, comfortable, insect-free environment without sacrificing your view. Designed to provide superior solar protection, they mitigate UV damage, optimize comfort and provide daytime privacy even in windy settings. Extra sun control can be achieved by increasing thread counts and weave density. Retractable Solar Shades provide energy-efficient sun shading, shelter against bugs and mosquitoes, climate control and rain/wind reduction while allowing outward visibility. Depending on screen fabric selection, our solar shade fabric selections are capable of blocking up to 95% of ultra-violet (UV) rays–saving up to 50% of the energy used to heat and cool homes. Motorize Retractable Screens provide control at the touch of a button. Somfy Motors allow activation by wall mounted toggle switch or several different types of remote control options. These Retractable Screens will stop at upper and lower limits and are able to stop any where along the travel path on command. Optional Manual Override features allow for operation in case of power outage for motorized units. Manual Operations are available on most models. Motorized Retractable Screens equipped with Somfy RTS motors may be upgraded for use in Smart Homes and operated via Smartphone or other Mobile Devices. Retractable Screens should be retracted when not in use. The screens are raised and housed inside the aluminum housing. All major components of the system are powder coated aluminum for durability, ease of operations, and longevity. All Retractable Screens from Shade & Shutter Systems come with a 5 year Warranty, to include the Somfy Motor. Retractable Screens offer wind and rain abatement for breezy days. Many of our clients enjoy outdoor patio settings along coastal areas and beach front properties. Those areas also endure regular breezes that can be knocked down with retractable Screens for a more enjoyable experience. Although these screens are not designed for storm protection, winds to 40 mph are easily abated. If you would like more information about Retractable Screens, our Product Specialists can be reached at 800-522-1599.

One of the most popular hardwood floor finishing which offers Tom & Peter Flooring is provided by WOCA. If you’ve decided that you want a natural looking wooden floor that is lacquer-free, then the likelihood is that you’ve chosen oil as your way of protecting your wood and making your floor look great at the same time. WOCA for wood flooring comes in various forms and is a great way of making sure that your wood is protected, but at the same time looks natural. A highly popular as well as effective way of treating wood floors, oils effectively penetrate into the wood and in some cases harden into the surface of the floor to stop damage and to maintain the wood in its optimum condition. WOCA Oil finish hardwood flooring has taken the United States market by in 2014 and shows no signs of slowing down in 2016 and now. Here are some of the most common questions we have regarding this type of finish which we will I’m to answer in today’s my blog: Is oil finish as durable as traditional factory urethane finishes with aluminum oxide? When it comes to durability, oil finish flooring tackles the issue with a completely different method. The penetrating oil serves as protection from moisture and wear while allowing the user to feel the wood grains in their bare feet. If compared directly to factory finished aluminum oxide finish, the oil finish flooring will not perform as well to abrasion and impact. However, the beauty of this finish is the fact that it will camouflage any scratches which will inevitably accumulate over time. Will this finish evaporate over time and will this be harmful for indoor air quality? Another concern for oil finished floors its effect on indoor air quality. For on-site applications, some varieties suggest several coats which typically require the residents to be out of the home due to mild odors. However, there are factory finished UV-cured or single coat applications which lessen the downtime. Despite the odors produced during the drying process, oil finish floors rank amongst the lowest for VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions. Certain brands even boast true zero VOC. This fact alone makes oil finished floors one of the best options for green building solutions. “WOCA products are certified by independent laboratories, the German Institute for Biological Building Materials, and are in accordance with DIN–Norm 53–160. WOCA WoodCare Denmark products meet or exceed the most stringent U.S. standards for volatile organic compounds.” –WOCA Oil Finish Manufacture Does this type of finish require additional maintenance which I am not familiar with? For weekly cleaning, oiled floors use a special cleaner which contains an oil and soap mixture. After a period of 12-18 months some oil may evaporate causing the wood grains to appear dry. An additional layer of oil can be reapplied to keep the floor looking fresh. Although oil finished floors require more involvement in periodic maintenance in high traffic areas, this maintenance can be done much easier than the equivalent of an onsite sand and refinish. WOCA Master Color Oil contains pigment, which provides a single-step hardwood floor staining process. Laying down the stain and the finish in one step. This product comes 14 different colors, from Black to Extra White, and you can mix them freely to create various color palettes that will meet the demands of any job. Below are some pictures of the finished job…

Give your poolside a splash of elegant, sophisticated style with the addition of the 7 Pc. Coronado Wicker Poolside Sofa Set by Sunset West (2101-PS7Pc). With two chaise lounges, two club chairs and a loveseat included in the set, all of your guests can enjoy your backyard?s poolside side in complete comfort. All pieces in the Coronado collection are made to last as they are built with powder coated aluminum frames and synthetic resin wicker that is fade and split resistant. The cushions in the set are made with your choice of many Sunbrella brand fabrics, which offer unmatched comfort, lifespan, and protection against the elements. This Sofa Set Includes: a love seat, two club chairs, two chaises, a coffee table, and an end table. Additional Coronado pieces can be quickly added by using the drop-down menus above, or alternatively, by scrolling further below to add related products. Features at a Glance Premium resin wicker in our new Driftwood color QS Cushion fabric treated to be resistant to stains, water, and oil UV Ray protection on wicker for increased longevity Pictured cushions are included with an optional Sunbrella fabric upgrade Set is completely customizable, please contact us by phone or email if you have any specific set desires Dimensions Love Seat: 75"W x 35"D x 35"H (2101-22) Club Chair: 35"W x 35"D x 35"H (2101-21) Adjustable Chaise: 31"W x 79"D x 28"H (2101-9) Coffee Table: 48"W x 32"D x 20"H (2101-CT) Optional Set Pieces Ottoman: 32"W x 28"D x 18"H (2101-OTT) End Table: 22"W x 22"D x 22"H (2101-ET)

★ 3RD STREET INN® DECK TILES - 3rd Street Inn® Deck Tiles are made from 100% solid acacia hardwood. Acacia is known for its excellent resistance to rot and decay from outdoor elements including rain, sun, mold, mildew, and insects. Each 3rd Street Inn® Interlocking Patio Tile provides 12"x12" (1 Square Foot) of coverage and is available as a 6-pack (6 Square Feet), 10-pack (10 Square Feet), and 20-pack (20 Square Feet). ★ EASY INSTALLATION & NO HARDWARE NEEDED - 3RD STREET INN® interlocking deck flooring features snap-lock connectors for easy DIY installation without the use of tools or hardware. Install our interlocking deck cover tiles in your area by lining them up and then stepping on the seams until you hear an audible "click" to lock them in. All 3rd Street Inn® deck flooring options are made completely hardware free so that there aren't any components to rust and break down in the outdoor elements like other inferior tile patio decking ★ INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DECK FLOORING - 3rd Street Inn® Patio Tiles create a beautiful space both inside and outside. All that is needed is a solid surface and the deck flooring can be laid directly on top of it. Our composite deck tiles can be installed on top of concrete, wood, carpet, pavers, or any other solid surface. Great for decks, patios, balconies, around pools, saunas, showers, sun rooms, mud rooms, bedrooms, and more. ★ DURABLE BEAUTY - 3rd Street Inn® interlocking composite deck tiles are sanded and oiled for a beautiful, scratch resistant finish. All 3rd Street Inn® outdoor patio flooring is non-slip and great for high or low traffic areas inside or outside of the home. To increase the lifespan of your tile decking when used for outdoor applications, standard decking care is recommended. For best results, coat your decking with a UV-rated weatherproofing sealer twice a year and re-stain as needed. The tile decking can also be painted different colors in order to create the look that you want! ★ VERSATILE INSTALLATION OPTIONS- 3rd Street Inn® Interlocking Flooring Tiles not only look great in permanent installations on decks, patios, and around pools, they also offer a great temporary solution for installations in apartments and condos that can easily be removed when needed. For a custom fit, the interlocking patio tiles can be easily cut with a skill saw or jigsaw to accommodate areas of all shapes and sizes. Add 3rd Street Inn® Wooden Deck Flooring to your home and bring your space to life! We recommend using a UV rated weatherproof sealant twice yearly. This sealant is a crucial step in the life of the decking tiles and can extend the life of the decking tiles, in some cases, pending the climate, by 1 to 2 years. The life of a decking tile is heavily dependent on the climate of where they are located. Hot, humid climates, rainy climates, and cold, snowy climates can cause the decking tiles to deteriorate faster than using them in a climate controlled environment, like inside of a house or indoor venue.

One of the most popular hardwood floor finishing which offers Tom & Peter Flooring is provided by WOCA. If you’ve decided that you want a natural looking wooden floor that is lacquer-free, then the likelihood is that you’ve chosen oil as your way of protecting your wood and making your floor look great at the same time. WOCA for wood flooring comes in various forms and is a great way of making sure that your wood is protected, but at the same time looks natural. A highly popular as well as effective way of treating wood floors, oils effectively penetrate into the wood and in some cases harden into the surface of the floor to stop damage and to maintain the wood in its optimum condition. WOCA Oil finish hardwood flooring has taken the United States market by in 2014 and shows no signs of slowing down in 2016 and now. Here are some of the most common questions we have regarding this type of finish which we will I’m to answer in today’s my blog: Is oil finish as durable as traditional factory urethane finishes with aluminum oxide? When it comes to durability, oil finish flooring tackles the issue with a completely different method. The penetrating oil serves as protection from moisture and wear while allowing the user to feel the wood grains in their bare feet. If compared directly to factory finished aluminum oxide finish, the oil finish flooring will not perform as well to abrasion and impact. However, the beauty of this finish is the fact that it will camouflage any scratches which will inevitably accumulate over time. Will this finish evaporate over time and will this be harmful for indoor air quality? Another concern for oil finished floors its effect on indoor air quality. For on-site applications, some varieties suggest several coats which typically require the residents to be out of the home due to mild odors. However, there are factory finished UV-cured or single coat applications which lessen the downtime. Despite the odors produced during the drying process, oil finish floors rank amongst the lowest for VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions. Certain brands even boast true zero VOC. This fact alone makes oil finished floors one of the best options for green building solutions. “WOCA products are certified by independent laboratories, the German Institute for Biological Building Materials, and are in accordance with DIN–Norm 53–160. WOCA WoodCare Denmark products meet or exceed the most stringent U.S. standards for volatile organic compounds.” –WOCA Oil Finish Manufacture Does this type of finish require additional maintenance which I am not familiar with? For weekly cleaning, oiled floors use a special cleaner which contains an oil and soap mixture. After a period of 12-18 months some oil may evaporate causing the wood grains to appear dry. An additional layer of oil can be reapplied to keep the floor looking fresh. Although oil finished floors require more involvement in periodic maintenance in high traffic areas, this maintenance can be done much easier than the equivalent of an onsite sand and refinish. WOCA Master Color Oil contains pigment, which provides a single-step hardwood floor staining process. Laying down the stain and the finish in one step. This product comes 14 different colors, from Black to Extra White, and you can mix them freely to create various color palettes that will meet the demands of any job. Below are some pictures of the finished job…

This custom home in heart of Great Falls Village, has been an elder couple's home for years. Since moving to this large home, they had a different vision for the main level of the home, specifically the kitchen, sunroom and laundry area. The wife loves modern arts, modern cabinets, sleek counter tops and floors. The breakfast room was separated by a bearing wall from the kitchen space. The kitchen was confined with surrounding walls and disconnected from rest of the main level. Tall eleven foot ceiling with large scale coved crown molding was a signature mark of this home and she wanted to continue that look throughout the new remodeled area. We took down the middle bearing wall by inserting structural beams, moved the back wall into the laundry space to create a pantry and a space for wall cabinets, and on the opposite side created space for a desk area. We implemented two large scale islands with all kinds of amenities such as an espresso maker, warming drawer, steam oven all wrapped in waterfall quartz. We relocated major soil stack and duct chases to allow taller cabinetry and open the flow between the two new spaces, Our expert designers cleverly implemented French doors and used long plank porcelain tile for seamless connections among all new space. Modern style glossy white cabinetry with exquisite selection of hardware and carefully selected quartz top brightens up this new kitchen. A new and modern laundry room was designed and got added to front side of the kitchen. Clever placement of LED lighting, pendent lights and under cabinet lights, brightens up this kitchen. The new kitchen space is perfectly suited for friendly gatherings.

Kitchen Over 150K If you ever found yourself shopping for a new home, finding a model home, falling in love with this model home and immediately signing on the dotted line. Yet after a few months of moving into your new home you realize that the kitchen and the layout of main level will not work out for your lifestyle. The model home you fell in love with was furnished with beautiful furniture distracting you from concentrating on what is really important to you. This is what happened to this couple in Ashburn, VA, after purchasing their dream home. The kitchen lacked natural light, while its location was not ideal and was disrupting their daily routine. After a careful review of the kitchen design, a plan was formed to upgrade the kitchen. Their kitchen was moved to a location between the two-story family room and front dining room. To the left of the family room there was a breakfast eating area that was not serving any purpose. Our design incorporated the breakfast area placed along a couple feet from an adjacent pantry space to create this new dream kitchen. By knocking down a few bearing walls, we have placed the main sink area under large backside windows. Now the kitchen can look into their beautiful backyard. A major load bearing wall between the old breakfast room and adjacent two-story family was taken down and a big steel beam took the place of that, creating a large seamless connection between the new kitchen and the rest of the home. A large island was implemented with a prep sink, microwave, and with lots of seating space around it. Large scale professional appliances along with stunning mosaic backsplash tiles complement this amazing kitchen design. Double barn style door in front of the pantry area sets off this storage space tucked away from rest of the kitchen. All the old tile was removed and a matching wide plank distressed wood floor was installed to create a seamless connection to rest of the home. A matching butler pantry cabinet area just outside of dining room and a wine station/drink serving area between family room and main foyer were added to better utilize the multi-function needs of the family. The custom inset cabinetry with double layers and exotic stone counter top, distressed ceiling beams, and other amenities are just a few standouts of this project.

Our busy Silicon Valley clients asked us to convert their tight-quartered 1960’s ranch house to a gracious family home that would meet their long term needs. Ease of living was paramount, both in functionality and in ordered design. The project was completed on a moderate budget.While retaining most of the structure of the existing house to avoid costly structural changes, we opened walls to improve the sight lines and flow of the house and bring in more light. We made small additions at the front and back bedrooms to gain space for the family and relatives. An existing underused patio area was improved with a simple outdoor kitchen and overhang to extend the living space to the outside. Costs were kept down with choices of modest materials. Everything was made to be functional. Ample storage has been built into the right places. The details of the kitchen were carefully worked out to accommodate all the wishes of the various cooks in the family. The house is set up to be easy to keep clean. Acoustic walls separate living from bedroom spaces so adults can enjoy time together while children sleep. The outdoor kitchen has easy access to the indoor kitchen and the garage, and its setup promotes socializing while cooking outdoors. A large part of the narrow back yard was previously unusable space due to a steep slope up to a neighbor’s higher fence. With a new retaining wall and some re-grading we took back more of the yard for the patio and play space on a new lawn. The remodeled house is a mix of contemporary and traditional elements. Cool colors have a calming effect. Traditional items such as prairie style windows, trellis, mosaic tiles, and Shaker style cabinets, break down the scale in an otherwise streamlined, contemporary design. A new gabled roof with a broad arch at the front of the house marks the entry and resolves a challenging form where the central entry is set back from walls on both sides. Photography: Kurt Manley https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/modern-ranch/

Black Out Top down Bottom up shades provide options for how much light and privacy you want in your bedroom and work great on large window areas.
Bedroom - contemporary bedroom idea in San Diego

In the previous layout, the basement stairs were located approximately where the new kitchen island sits. The stairs were relocated, and walls were removed in order to open this space up.

Designed By: Richard Bustos Photos By: Chad Mellon It is practically unheard of in interior design—that, in a matter of four hours, the majority of furnishings, accessories, lighting and artwork could be selected for an entire 5,000-square-foot home. But that was exactly the story for Cantoni designer Richard Bustos and his clients, Karen and Mike Moran. The couple, who had purchased and were in the midst of gutting a home on the water in Newport Beach, California, knew what they wanted. Combined with Richard’s design assistance, it was a match made for swift decision-making and the resulting beautifully neutral, modern space. “We went into Cantoni in Irvine and fell in love with it—it was everything we liked,” Karen says. “Richard had the same vision we did, and we told him what we wanted, and he would direct us. He was on the same level.” Even more surprising: they selected the furnishings before the home’s bones were even complete. They had wanted a more contemporary vibe to capitalize on the expansive bay views and were in the midst of ripping out low ceilings and outdated spaces. “We wanted modern warmth,” Karen says. “Cantoni furniture was the perfect fit.” After their initial meeting, Richard met with the couple several times to take measurements and ensure pieces would fit. And they did—with elegant cohesion. In the living room, they leaned heavily on the Fashion Affair collection by Malerba, which is exclusive to Cantoni in the U.S. He flanked the Fashion Affair sofa in ivory leather with the Fashion Affair club chairs in taupe leather and the ivory Viera area rug to create a sumptuous textural mix. In the center, he placed the brown-glossed Fashion Affair low cocktail table and Fashion Affair occasional table for ease of entertaining and conversation. A punch of glamour came by way of a set of Ravi table lamps in gold-glazed porcelain set on special-ordered Fashion Affair side tables. The Harmony floor sculpture in black stone and capiz shell was brought in for added interest. “Because of the grand scale of the living room—with high ceilings and numerous windows overlooking the water—the pieces in the space had to have more substance,” Richard says. “They are heavier-scaled than traditional modern furnishings, and in neutral tones to allow the architectural elements, such as a glass staircase and elevator, to be the main focal point.” The trio settled on the Fashion Affair extension table in brown gloss with a bronze metal arc base in the formal dining area, and flanked it with eight Arcadia high-back chairs. “We like to have Sunday dinners with our large family, and now we finally have a big dining-room table,” Karen says. The master bedroom also affords bay views, and they again leaned heavily on neutral tones with the M Place California-king bed with chrome accents, the M Place nightstand with M Place table lamps, the M Place bench, Natuzzi’s Anteprima chair and a Scoop accent table. “They were fun, happy, cool people to work with,” Richard says. One of the couple’s favorite spaces—the family room—features a remote-controlled, drop-down projection screen. For comfortable viewing, Richard paired the Milano sectional (with a power recliner) with the Sushi round cocktail table, the Lambrea accent table, and a Ravi table lamp in a gold metallic snakeskin pattern. “Richard was wonderful, was on top of it, and was a great asset to our team,” Karen says. Mike agrees. “Richard was a dedicated professional,” he says. “He spent hours walking us through Cantoni making suggestions, measuring, and offering advice on what would and wouldn’t work. Cantoni furniture was a natural fit.”

Makeup mirrors are a woman’s or a man’s best friend, they can save you from foundation lines, overgrown eyebrows, and other preventable beauty blunders. Before shopping for a quality makeup mirror, we recommend narrowing down your choices by learning which type of makeup mirror will not only look great in your bathroom, but have you looking your best as well. Magnifying mirrors will give you a new perspective on your skin while cosmetic mirrors are designed to give you red carpet style in the comfort of your own home. Magnifying mirrors can also be found as double face mirrors, with different magnifications on each mirror face. The most popular magnification is 5x as it is ideal for brow tweezing and perfecting eyeliner. Facial mirrors are great for the man of the bathroom and make shaving safer and easier. Lighted Makeup Mirrors are ideal if you want to make the most of each brush, line, and stroke when applying your makeup. Wall Mounted Makeup Mirrors are becoming increasingly popular, we know find them as a standard in hotel rooms. Many of them have extendable arms, which gives you the freedom to adjust it as needed for better lighting or positioning. Additionally, many lighted mirrors today are also wall mounted, which gives you another option to choose from. The best part is several lighted makeup mirrors are now battery powered, which saves you the headaches of hardwired installations. Free Standing Makeup Mirrors, probably the most popular option in this category. Free standing makeup mirrors are fashionable and trendy. They are easy to move from one room to the other or simply closer to a window or better lighting. No matter the type of makeup mirror you choose, you can always rely on one to help you transform into a professional makeup artist and aid you in your quest for flawless skin. Browse our large selection of European makeup mirror collections:

This project was a major renovation in collaboration with Payne & Payne Builders and Peninsula Architects. The dated home was taken down to the studs, reimagined, reconstructed and completely furnished for modern-day family life. A neutral paint scheme complemented the open plan. Clean lined cabinet hardware with accented details like glass and contrasting finishes added depth. No detail was spared with attention to well scaled furnishings, wall coverings, light fixtures, art, accessories and custom window treatments throughout the home. The goal was to create the casual, comfortable home our clients craved while honoring the scale and architecture of the home.

Welcome to the coziest corner of a log cabin on Lake Anna. This project was so fun and darling. First came the layout: We installed a wall of glass blocks between the front door and the living room. Before our redesign, you had 3 choices to make right when you walked in the front door: walk down a short hallway to the kitchen, walk upstairs, or walk into the living room. By walling off the living room option, we funneled the entry energy down the short hallway to the kitchen, and we made the living room a cozy destination and not just another passage way through the house to the kitchen! Why did we use glass blocks? Because this log cabin has an eclectic mid-century modern twist and glass blocks are cool and interesting. It also gives a teaser of the living room when you enter the house. Everything else we accomplished in this project includes: new flooring, paint, new light fixtures, new window treatments, and all newly selected vintage furniture, new furniture and pillows, rugs, art, and decor!

"Plissee" (pleated) shades come in over 260 fabrics and styles. Ideal for tilt and turn windows and doors, single and dual operation pleated shades. Unobtrusive mounting options allow windows and doors to easily tilt or open, even when the blinds are closed. Installation options include: between glazing bead installation, face mount installation, clamp or adhesive mounting (screw less). They can also be ordered for unusually shaped windows, folding and patio doors. All shades are made to measure by the millimeter to ensure a perfect fit. MHZ Fabric pleated shades help create an elegant and beautiful living space. These soft yet durable window and door coverings come in hundreds of colors. The fabrics are woven and dyed in Germany using a 'refined weave' technology, giving it surprising structures, transparencies and effects. Almost all of the fabrics comply with the OEKO-TEK Standard 100, which stands for harmlessness to health. - all images by MHZ Hachtel GmBH

This house was designed for a couple and their son. One of the design program requirements was to have two master suites on the main level. They enjoy cooking and entertaining so the public and food prep. areas are functional, attractive and conducive to people gathering around. Consequently, the square footage of the main level is large. The house is also on a very steep slope which didn't help with the required footprint. In order to minimize the related costs of building with this site condition, the footprint of the house is long and not deep as it reaches down the slope. The scale of the existing homes in the neighborhood are unimposing. In order to play down the size as viewed from the street, the facade is broken up into several different masses with low sloping roofs. Once you're inside, the house opens up with 14 foot ceilings in the entry and living areas. The ceiling height of other spaces on the main level are 10 feet. Universal design was implemented on the main level to provide inherent accessibility for everyone. The lower level accommodates several guest rooms and baths, an exercise room, a guest den with wet bar and a man cave. Another design program requirement was to make the house as maintenance-free as possible. Exterior materials include stucco, Pennsylvania Blue Stone and a new aluminum siding product called Longboard. The siding comes in many wood grain finishes and to everyone that has seen it, they think it's real wood. It's also made from heavy gauge aluminum so it doesn't ding like traditional aluminum siding. The roofs are metal standing seam. The house is energy efficient. It's fully insulated with spray foam insulation-lots of it. The exterior walls were designed with 2x6 studs and roof rafters are 2x12 to provide plenty of space for the insulation, exceeding the required R-values. Windows and doors of course are energy efficient as well. All lighting is LED. The decking around the exterior is locust, a very hard native wood which is naturally insect and rot resistant. The best part of the whole project are the owners who love their new home. They initially had plans to live in this house during the summer months and Florida during the winter. They are now seriously considering living here full-time.

This Georgian Colonial anchoring the culdesac is just a beauty. It is so apparent that light defines space and more so enables us to see what we see. Strategic landscaping by our crew allowed tall slender trees to anchor the road presentation and support the landscape in the front yard. Ofcourse all the landscape design had great lighting right behind it as well. Various strategies such as cross lighting, front lighting, silhouetting, down lighting and low level lighting allowed accent lighting to shine it's thing on what I thought was some of the most interesting and striking Focal specimens in the Landscape. The levels of brightness play a dominant role in direction of the welcoming of the house to others as there are several options for entry and light brightness helps direct the guests to the door. As most homeowners drive into the garage to enter the home they don't think about the approach in the dark as much as we do. Outdoor lighting on the house and fixtures secured to the home have to be at times toned down or aligned with light intensity to match the landscape lighting. Finish pointing at night and night time photography which we do as part of our landscape lighting installation approach shows these details best. It gives us an opportunity to adjust beam sprays, add lens covers and readjust the landscape lighting fixtures for more optimal results.