Don't have the room for the true "Circular" freestanding staircase you've been dreaming about? Maybe an Ellipse is what you need to put gorgeous lines in a tight space. This African Mahogany beauty found its home in Bountiful, Utah. The hand forged balusters from Italy were supplied by our good friends at House of Forgings. Where possible we try to avoid pitch changes which, while you can soften them with a nice carved fitting, cause a kink in the handrail and stringer. We love things to just flow. This last picture shows our design in which we ensured each of the maroon lines (inside stringer, walk line, & outside stringer) were divided in equal "run" segments. This results in no kinks and produces another wonderful side effect of bowing treads which as they descend down evolve from concave to convex and give the staircase a very compelling and organic feel.

Before the renovation, the bathroom featured a built-in jetted tub, a narrow separate shower enclosure, a single-sink white vanity, and gray floor tile. The divided bathing areas and older fixtures made the layout feel more segmented and less efficient than the remodeled space.

With all new finished on-site hardwood flooring using white oak and a natural, matte finish, the original brick of the home felt more connected to the remodeled space. Removing interior walls and enclosing a former patio, the floorplan became an open living concept in lieu of the original segmented rooms.

Originally built in 1892, this quaint log cabin has undergone a transformative renovation while preserving its charming character. Located near the Little Deschutes River in Central Oregon, within the historic Vandert Homestead, the home now boasts bright, open spaces for everyday living, complete with flexible aluminum clad folding doors. Working alongside contractor Bales Inc., architect Jeff Klein from Klein Architecture led the renovation with the goal of opening the once dark interior to natural light and the surrounding landscape. Central to the design was transforming a deteriorating garage into a new functional sunroom, creating a light-filled space that reorients the cabin design toward the patio and natural environment. Restoring a Historic Cabin with Aluminum Clad Folding Doors outdoor living with aluminum clad folding door A Revamped Cabin Design for Indoor-Outdoor Living The former garage is now a transitional space between the cabin and a natural stone patio. Positioned along the south elevation, the sunroom captures daylight throughout the day while acting as a buffer between the interior and exterior environments. A revised roof assembly was developed to resolve previous drainage failures. Working with framers, the design team incorporated a sloping roof system with a waterproof membrane to direct water away from the structure. This approach not only protected the log walls but also created access to a rooftop deck from the upper level, adding functional outdoor space without expanding the building footprint. “It was also critical to transform the existing dark, segmented interior spaces by physically opening them up to the new sunroom,” says Klein. “NanaWall systems offered the ideal solution for what we were after.” historical homestead interior Improving Spatial Flow, From the Kitchen to the Sunroom The kitchen remained largely intact during the renovation, retaining many of the elements that had defined the cabin’s character for decades. Features such as the farmhouse sink, concrete countertops, butcher-block island, and built-in seating were retained, creating a perfect blend of old and new. What changed was how the kitchen connects to the surrounding rooms. The layout now flows naturally into an adjacent dining area before extending into the newly added sunroom, delivering a seamless transition from the interiors to the outdoors through aluminum clad folding doors. Historic log cabin with clad folding doors and windows A Light-Filled Sunroom Designed for Gatherings with Aluminum Clad Windows and Doors The newly added sunroom became the centerpiece of the cabin design. Designed as a bright, welcoming space, it connects the historic cabin to the natural stone patio beyond. Interior designer Sue Olson helped create the room's atmosphere by choosing finishes and furnishings that complement the cabin's rustic materials while keeping the space open and inviting. The sunroom captures sunlight throughout the day and serves as a flexible space for dining, relaxing, and entertaining. The addition was designed to sit comfortably alongside the existing log structure while introducing expansive glazing and aluminum clad folding doors that draw daylight deep into the home. NanaWall aluminum clad folding doors and windows Aluminum Clad Folding Doors Open the Sunroom to the Patio A NanaWall aluminum clad folding glass door opens the south wall of the sunroom, creating a direct connection to the natural stone patio. Spanning more than thirteen feet wide and nearly eight feet tall, the system allows the entire façade to open when the panels are folded back. Specified with pine wood frames and simulated divided lites, the door complements the cabin’s traditional materials while introducing the flexibility of modern indoor-outdoor living. When closed, the door frames the view while bringing daylight into the sunroom. When open, the space seamlessly flows into the patio. Plus, customized with double glazed panels, these aluminum clad systems offer an insulated barrier that keeps cold weather out and keeps comfortable interiors year-round. “The NanaWall system was the ideal solution for the proposed design,” says Klein. “The result is a seamless connection between the sheltered interior area and the openness of the outdoor environment.” aluminum clad folding windows A Folding Window Creates an Indoor-Outdoor Bar Complementing the folding door and indoor-outdoor cabin design, a NanaWall aluminum clad folding window was installed at bar height along the sunroom wall facing the patio. Stretching more than thirteen feet across and just over four feet in height, the opening transforms the wall into a casual indoor-outdoor serving counter. Specified with matching pine wood frames and simulated divided lites, the system folds away easily, creating an indoor-outdoor bar that encourages interaction between the sunroom and patio. When open, the counter becomes a flexible gathering point for meals, drinks, and conversation, allowing those inside and outside to share the space comfortably. “The NanaWall door and window systems played a pivotal role in achieving our design objectives,” says Klein. “The connection between the indoor and outdoor environment has become seamless.” inoor-outdoor living with clad folding windows and doors The Flexible Design Solution for Every Home Style Beyond creating large openings, the NanaWall aluminum clad folding doors were chosen for how well they integrate with the cabin’s traditional architecture while delivering modern functionality. The wood clad panels, specified with simulated divided lites, reflect the style and charm of classic window detailing, while panels that fold outward maximize usable space inside the cabin. Minimal frames maximize glass area, drawing natural light deeper into the sunroom and adjacent spaces. Paired with higher weather performance sills, the systems are built to withstand the region’s climate while allowing the sunroom to shift easily between a sheltered interior space and an open-air extension of the patio. Additionally, NanaWall aluminum clad systems feature clip-on cladding technology that allows the wood to breathe in environments where temperatures are extremely hot, humid, or cold. This, in turn, aligns with the renovation’s goal of resolving prior drainage and moisture issues. outdoor living with NanaWall aluminum clad systems Final Thoughts: Historic Cabin Design Reimagined for Modern Living Today, the Vandevert Homestead perfectly blends old-time charm with modern living. The renovation maintains the historic character of the original log structure while introducing brighter, more connected spaces that better engage with the surrounding landscape. With the transformation of the garage into a light-filled sunroom and flexible NanaWall aluminum clad folding doors, everyday living now flows naturally between the kitchen, dining area, sunroom, and patio. The result is a cabin that feels both timeless and renewed, where historic craftsmanship remains intact while the home experience is lighter, more open, and closely tied to the natural beauty of Central Oregon.

Artistic Landscapes
Small elegant backyard concrete paver patio photo in Boston

The beauty is in the details. This home illustrates many of the options brick offers, from arches with keystones to brick quoins and stack bond headers. A mortared brick paver walkway leading to a brick stoop and steps creates a grand first impression.

Adding a segmented curve out into the backyard affords a 180 degree view from the new Dining Room. Banquet style seating on the window side.
Example of a mid-sized beach style medium tone wood floor enclosed dining room design in Charlotte

The owners of this cheery and bright kitchen and dining room are a young family with a busy and active life. They approached KMI because they needed an updated kitchen that functionally served their needs better and allowed for more connection to the dining room for entertaining. Where the peninsula stands currently, there once stood a wall completely segmenting the two spaces. We worked with a structural engineer to help our clients eliminate that wall so we could create the open floor plan they were dreaming of. We also helped our clients think creatively about maximizing storage in their small but mighty kitchen. In smaller spaces, good organization is all the more important. We added a pantry cabinet, utilized dead space by the fridge for open shelves, and added storage drawers to the built-in bench seat in the breakfast nook – not for storing serveware, but for their two boys' Lego collection that once lived on the table. When it came to the finishes and the design, we knew this kitchen needed to fit into the historic craftsman home. We chose colors and fixtures that honored the age and style of the home while allowing the kitchen to also fit the aesthetic of a modern family. Wood accents, brass hardware, and the pop of deep blue in the peninsula were chosen to add warmth and character to the space, while the creamy off-white cabinets add an air of lightness and brightness to the kitchen, ultimately creating an effortlessly balanced design.

This after picture of this country home shows curb appeal. They already had the segmented block so the designer re purposed the block in to a raised bed and edging for the new beds. The new grand sidewalk allowed for a whole new layout for the front.

Home design - traditional home design idea in Salt Lake City

Inspiration for a coastal exterior home remodel in Miami

This beautiful 1881 Alameda Victorian cottage, wonderfully embodying the Transitional Gothic-Eastlake era, had most of its original features intact. Our clients, one of whom is a painter, wanted to preserve the beauty of the historic home while modernizing its flow and function. From several small rooms, we created a bright, open artist’s studio. We dug out the basement for a large workshop, extending a new run of stair in keeping with the existing original staircase. While keeping the bones of the house intact, we combined small spaces into large rooms, closed off doorways that were in awkward places, removed unused chimneys, changed the circulation through the house for ease and good sightlines, and made new high doorways that work gracefully with the eleven foot high ceilings. We removed inconsistent picture railings to give wall space for the clients’ art collection and to enhance the height of the rooms. From a poorly laid out kitchen and adjunct utility rooms, we made a large kitchen and family room with nine-foot-high glass doors to a new large deck. A tall wood screen at one end of the deck, fire pit, and seating give the sense of an outdoor room, overlooking the owners’ intensively planted garden. A previous mismatched addition at the side of the house was removed and a cozy outdoor living space made where morning light is received. The original house was segmented into small spaces; the new open design lends itself to the clients’ lifestyle of entertaining groups of people, working from home, and enjoying indoor-outdoor living. Photography by Kurt Manley. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/artists-victorian/

Built in Masonry BBQ and Prep Island with Step- Up Bar. We included Natural Stone Bokuete Stone Verneer on the Facing of the outer BBQ Island Walls. The Redwood Deck its sitting on a 4.5" concrete slab with built in Chanel drinks for proper drainage.

Example of a mid-sized trendy backyard concrete paver patio design in Baltimore

This beautiful 1881 Alameda Victorian cottage, wonderfully embodying the Transitional Gothic-Eastlake era, had most of its original features intact. Our clients, one of whom is a painter, wanted to preserve the beauty of the historic home while modernizing its flow and function. From several small rooms, we created a bright, open artist’s studio. We dug out the basement for a large workshop, extending a new run of stair in keeping with the existing original staircase. While keeping the bones of the house intact, we combined small spaces into large rooms, closed off doorways that were in awkward places, removed unused chimneys, changed the circulation through the house for ease and good sightlines, and made new high doorways that work gracefully with the eleven foot high ceilings. We removed inconsistent picture railings to give wall space for the clients’ art collection and to enhance the height of the rooms. From a poorly laid out kitchen and adjunct utility rooms, we made a large kitchen and family room with nine-foot-high glass doors to a new large deck. A tall wood screen at one end of the deck, fire pit, and seating give the sense of an outdoor room, overlooking the owners’ intensively planted garden. A previous mismatched addition at the side of the house was removed and a cozy outdoor living space made where morning light is received. The original house was segmented into small spaces; the new open design lends itself to the clients’ lifestyle of entertaining groups of people, working from home, and enjoying indoor-outdoor living. Photography by Kurt Manley. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/artists-victorian/

Enjoy our Summer Great Deals! Combi blinds/shades, also known as zebra shades, uses dual layers of horizontal fabric segments alternating between sheer and semi-opaque or opaque fabrics. Shade can be set to open where vanes between the two layers are aligned or closed to cover the sheer portion. Or they can be complete rolled up into the headrail. Provide view-through and visual privacy. Shades block up to 99% of UV rays when closed.

Custom cedar pergola with ceiling fan and brick pillars.
Example of a small classic backyard concrete paver patio design in Chicago with a pergola

This is an example of a farmhouse landscaping in Minneapolis.