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.”

The washer and dryer were stacked and placed next to a tall pantry cabinet. Medium grey painted cabinets were selected and paired with black and white cement tile. Base cabinets were added under the window for additional overflow storage.

Starting with a blank slate, we transformed this basement into a sleek modern space to hang out and entertain. With a full bar, guests are invited to sit down and relax or engage in a game of pool. Inspired by the reflective quality of metal we were able to select materials that created visual interest with very little contrast in color. With so many hard materials used for the cabinetry and counter tops, it was important to add a touch of softness by adding wall coverings and upholstered bar stools. The fireplace adds an element of warmth and sophistication complimented by the bold statement of the electric blue pool table.

This well used but dreary bathroom was ready for an update but this time, materials were selected that not only looked great but would stand the test of time. The large steam shower (6x6') was like a dark cave with one glass door allowing light. To create a brighter shower space and the feel of an even larger shower, the wall was removed and full glass panels now allowed full sunlight streaming into the shower which avoids the growth of mold and mildew in this newly brighter space which also expands the bathroom by showing all the spaces. Originally the dark shower was permeated with cracks in the marble marble material and bench seat so mold and mildew had a home. The designer specified Porcelain slabs for a carefree un-penetrable material that had fewer grouted seams and added luxury to the new bath. Although Quartz is a hard material and fine to use in a shower, it is not suggested for steam showers because there is some porosity. A free standing bench was fabricated from quartz which works well. A new free standing, hydrotherapy tub was installed allowing more free space around the tub area and instilling luxury with the use of beautiful marble for the walls and flooring. A lovely crystal chandelier emphasizes the height of the room and the lovely tall window.. Two smaller vanities were replaced by a larger U shaped vanity allotting two corner lazy susan cabinets for storing larger items. The center cabinet was used to store 3 laundry bins that roll out, one for towels and one for his and one for her delicates. Normally this space would be a makeup dressing table but since we were able to design a large one in her closet, she felt laundry bins were more needed in this bathroom. Instead of constructing a closet in the bathroom, the designer suggested an elegant glass front French Armoire to not encumber the space with a wall for the closet.The new bathroom is stunning and stops the heart on entering with all the luxurious amenities.

HDBros The clients wanted a unique and spa-like master bath retreat to complement their already beautiful downtown loft. They wanted design solutions and attention to detail that would help distinguish their duplex apartment as a one-of-a-kind space tailored to their specific needs. The existing master bath did not have the sleek contemporary look they prefer, and the shower was too small. We enlarged the shower by removing a tub in an adjacent hall bath. The clients were willing to change the full hall bath into a powder room as they already had two full baths on the lower level. A simple palette of white, gray, and black enhances the contemporary design. We removed the wall between the master and hall bath, removed the hall bath tub, and built a new wall. We had to install all new plumbing rough-ins for the new fixtures. The new shower is 7-feet 9-inches by 4-feet -- enlarged from the original 4-foot square – with a linear drain in the floor. • The owners selected a river rock floor to provide acupressure and an organic touch to the modern room. • The black back wall has a large niche set with the same contrasting white tile as the side walls. The niche is outlined with metal trim. • Adding drama and the feel of a waterfall is an oversized 23-inch square rain head in the ceiling. The clients wanted two benches. Our crew mounted stainless steel L-brackets on the side walls. Our countertop fabricator routed the underside of the engineered quartz benches so the brackets sit flush. The clients also wanted a steam shower, so the glass doors span from the base to the tiled ceiling. We angled the shower ceiling such that the condensation drips would float back to the rear wall instead of straight down. Also set in the walls are waterproof blue-tooth enabled speakers. The clients were inspired by a photo of a countertop with dual ramp sinks. However, there were no references or design information. Our team stepped up to the challenge and created a detailed shop drawings with consultations between our designer, stone fabricator, and in-house plumber. A concealed tank/wall hung toilet fits the clean design lines. We installed the tank in the existing wall which had 2x6 framing. The toilet’s bidet seat (with remote control) required an electrical circuit. In one corner of the bathroom is a single unit wall-mounted drawer with five floating shelves above. The towel bars that are attached to each shelf are appliance pulls. The room has layers of light, including LED strips under the toilet, vanity, and shelving to highlight the floating/wall mounted units. The medicine cabinets have surface mounted lights, and there are recessed lights in the room, as well as in the shower. We also renovated the hall powder room with new flooring, vanity, and fixtures.

Park Ridge, IL Dutch Colonial Style Home completed by Siding & Windows Group in James HardiePlank Select Cedarmill Lap Siding in ColorPlus Technology Color Evening Blue and HardieTrim Smooth Boards in ColorPlus Technology Color Arctic White. Also installed Marvin Ultimate Windows throughout the house and a new Roof.

With this homeowner being a geologist, they were looking for a very earthy, stone-based feel. The stone for the countertop was selected first, and then a bright color was found to match the rusted stone esthetic. The window was also opened to give life to the owner’s beautiful view and grey upper-cabinets were used to tie the appliances into the rest of the design. Under-cabinet lighting was added as well to keep the space bright and functional throughout the evening. Treve Johnson Photography

Elegant enclosed medium tone wood floor family room photo in DC Metro with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and no tv

The original wood stove was retained and a new floor to ceiling tile surround adds texture and warmth to the room. The mantle is a salvaged beam from the remodel. The walls between the kitchen and the living room were opened up and a new steel beam was added in the ceiling for structural support. A new powder room was added as well (doorway visible at right edge of the photo).

For this project, we transformed the top floor of a Park Slope brownstone into a modern, lightfilled home tailored to the needs of a busy couple. The original space was outdated and lacked cohesion, so our design focused on creating a harmonious and functional layout that reflects the clients’ lifestyle while introducing moments of drama and creativity. At the heart of the penthouse is an open-concept dining room, living room, and kitchen. The living room accommodates multiple areas, including a cozy seating nook illuminated by multicolored glass pendant lights. A dramatic custom-built feature spans the entire length of the living room, integrating storage, display areas, and a unique guardwall that separates the staircase to the couple's rooftop garden from the living space. This built-in showcases a dynamic geometric design, with select sections backed in soft mauve for depth and visual interest. Along the front of the space, a bespoke oak window seat with modern slatted wood fronts conceals the AC and radiators while providing ample storage. The main seating area centers around a creamy marble fireplace surround, a refined focal point in the living area. Wide-plank oak flooring extends throughout the apartment and up the staircase, where a minimal aesthetic enhances the clean, modern feel. The kitchen continues the theme of modern sophistication with a palette of soft white lacquered lower cabinets and oak upper cabinetry. The countertops and backsplash are crafted from a striking quartzite in cream, peach, and mauve tones, adding a subtle vibrancy to the space. A cream-enameled range takes center stage, complemented by a hidden coffee station and a dedicated cabinet for AV supplies, ensuring a clutter-free aesthetic. The hall guest bathroom is a playful yet refined mix of materials and textures. Peach-toned concrete tiles cover the walls, while the floor features cream zellige tiles. Brass fixtures, a brass mirror, and a brass wall sconce lend a touch of warmth and luxury, harmonizing with the custom pecan-veneered vanity and custom concrete sink, The primary bedroom suite is a serene retreat, painted in a rich, deep blue that sets a calming tone. Accessed through a bespoke millwork closet, the ensuite bathroom is a small yet striking space, showcasing impeccable craftsmanship. The rear wall of the shower is clad in floor-toceiling slabs of light blue quartzite, creating a dramatic focal point visible from the bedroom. This quartzite extends seamlessly to form a sculptural bench within the shower, which transitions outward into a custom sink. Beneath the sink, two wood drawers provide discreet storage. The remaining walls are finished in soft beige Moroccan tadelakt plaster, adding a warm contrast to the cool tones of the quartzite. This Park Slope penthouse is a carefully curated blend of modern elegance and thoughtful functionality, with bespoke details and rich materiality that celebrate both the character of the space and the needs of its owners.

For this expansive kitchen renovation, Designer, Randy O’Kane of Bilotta Kitchens worked with interior designer Gina Eastman and architect Clark Neuringer. The backyard was the client’s favorite space, with a pool and beautiful landscaping; from where it’s situated it’s the sunniest part of the house. They wanted to be able to enjoy the view and natural light all year long, so the space was opened up and a wall of windows was added. Randy laid out the kitchen to complement their desired view. She selected colors and materials that were fresh, natural, and unique – a soft greenish-grey with a contrasting deep purple, Benjamin Moore’s Caponata for the Bilotta Collection Cabinetry and LG Viatera Minuet for the countertops. Gina coordinated all fabrics and finishes to complement the palette in the kitchen. The most unique feature is the table off the island. Custom-made by Brooks Custom, the top is a burled wood slice from a large tree with a natural stain and live edge; the base is hand-made from real tree limbs. They wanted it to remain completely natural, with the look and feel of the tree, so they didn’t add any sort of sealant. The client also wanted touches of antique gold which the team integrated into the Armac Martin hardware, Rangecraft hood detailing, the Ann Sacks backsplash, and in the Bendheim glass inserts in the butler’s pantry which is glass with glittery gold fabric sandwiched in between. The appliances are a mix of Subzero, Wolf and Miele. The faucet and pot filler are from Waterstone. The sinks are Franke. With the kitchen and living room essentially one large open space, Randy and Gina worked together to continue the palette throughout, from the color of the cabinets, to the banquette pillows, to the fireplace stone. The family room’s old built-in around the fireplace was removed and the floor-to-ceiling stone enclosure was added with a gas fireplace and flat screen TV, flanked by contemporary artwork. Designer: Bilotta’s Randy O’Kane with Gina Eastman of Gina Eastman Design & Clark Neuringer, Architect posthumously Photo Credit: Phillip Ennis

The main island stayed in its original shape with minor arranging of appliances and adding drawers. The second island was enlarge slightly to accommodate a better selection of appliances as we added a second dish washer drawer and ice maker. Again we used better storage solutions when replacing the old cabinetry.

These South Shore of Boston Homeowners approached the Team at Renovisions to power-up their powder room. Their half bath, located on the first floor, is used by several guests particularly over the holidays. When considering the heavy traffic and the daily use from two toddlers in the household, it was smart to go with a stylish, yet practical design. Wainscot made a nice change to this room, adding an architectural interest and an overall classic feel to this cape-style traditional home. Installing custom wainscoting may be a challenge for most DIY’s, however in this case the homeowners knew they needed a professional and felt they were in great hands with Renovisions. Details certainly made a difference in this project; adding crown molding, careful attention to baseboards and trims had a big hand in creating a finished look. The painted wood vanity in color, sage reflects the trend toward using furniture-like pieces for cabinets. The smart configuration of drawers and door, allows for plenty of storage, a true luxury for a powder room. The quartz countertop was a stunning choice with veining of sage, black and white creating a Wow response when you enter the room. The dark stained wood trims and wainscoting were painted a bright white finish and allowed the selected green/beige hue to pop. Decorative black framed family pictures produced a dramatic statement and were appealing to all guests. The attractive glass mirror is outfitted with sconce light fixtures on either side, ensuring minimal shadows. The homeowners are thrilled with their new look and proud to boast what was once a simple bathroom into a showcase of their personal style and taste. "We are very happy with our new bathroom. We received many compliments on it from guests that have come to visit recently. Thanks for all of your hard work on this project!" - Doug & Lisa M. (Hanover)

First home, savvy art owners, decided to hire RBD to design their recently purchased two story, four bedroom, midcentury Diamond Heights home to merge their new parenthood and love for entertaining lifestyles. Hired two months prior to the arrival of their baby boy, RBD was successful in installing the nursery just in time. The home required little architectural spatial reconfiguration given the previous owner was an architect, allowing RBD to focus mainly on furniture, fixtures and accessories while updating only a few finishes. New paint grade paneling added a needed midcentury texture to the entry, while an existing site for sore eyes radiator, received a new walnut cover creating a built-in mid-century custom headboard for the guest room, perfect for large art and plant decoration. RBD successfully paired furniture and art selections to connect the existing material finishes by keeping fabrics neutral and complimentary to the existing finishes. The backyard, an SF rare oasis, showcases a hanging chair and custom outdoor floor cushions for easy lounging, while a stylish midcentury heated bench allows easy outdoor entertaining in the SF climate. Photography Credit: Scott Hargis Photography

“This design originated with the client’s desire to duplicate the warmth of Tuscan Architecture,” says Stolz. “The vision that South Coast Architects set forth was to create the feel of an old Tuscan Village as a private residence at their golf community, ‘The Hideaway’ in La Quinta, California. However, we had to keep in mind that we were still designing for a desert lifestyle, which meant an emphasis on indoor/outdoor living and capturing the spectacular views of the golf course and neighboring mountains,” Stolz adds. “The owners had spent a lot of time in Europe and knew exactly what they wanted when it came to the overall look of the home, especially the stone,” says Muth. “The mason ended up creating a dozen mock-ups of various stone profiles and blends to help the family decide what really worked for them. Ultimately, they selected Eldorado Stone’s Orchard Cypress Ridge profile that offers a beautiful blend of stone sizes and colors.” “The generous use of Eldorado Stone with brick detailing over the majority of the exterior of the home added the authenticity and timelessness that we were striving for in the design,” says Stolz. “Our clients want the very best, but if we can duplicate something and save money, what client would say no? That’s why we use Eldorado Stone whenever we can. It gives us the opportunity to save money and gives clients exactly the look they desire so we can use more of their budget in other areas.” Stolz explained that Eldorado Stone was also brought into the interior to continue that feel of authenticity and historical accuracy. Stone is used floor to ceiling in the kitchen for a pizza oven, as well as on the fireplace in the Great Room and on an entire wall in the master bedroom. “Using a material like Eldorado Stone allows for the seamless continuation of space” says Stolz. “Stone is what made the house so authentic-looking” says Muth. “It’s such an integral part of the house that it either was going to be a make or break scenario if we made the wrong choice. Luckily, Eldorado Stone really made it!” Eldorado Stone Profile Featured: Orchard Cypress Ridge with a khaki grout color (overgrout technique) Eldorado Brick Profile Featured: Cassis ModenaBrick with a khaki grout color (overgrout technique) Architect: South Coast Architects Website: www.southcoastarchitects.com Builder: Andrew Pierce Corporation, Palm Desert, CA Website: www. andrewpiercecorp.com Mason: RAS Masonry, Inc. Bob Serna, Corona, CA Phone: 760-774-0090 Photography: Eric Figge Photography, Inc.

Great room - mid-sized 1960s dark wood floor great room idea in New York with white walls and a standard fireplace

We opened up the kitchen in this Old Portland condo by removing two walls, creating a new generous entry and extra dining space with the addition of a breakfast bar. Extra storage was created with drawers installed into the toe-kicks, and the cabinets were taken to the ceiling to create visual height while adding more storage. Views over the breakfast bar keep the cook connected with guests. All materials were selected for beauty, function, and sustainability. The cabinets and woodwork are handcrafted from reclaimed lumber. The back splash tiles are handmade by a Pacific Northwest artisan. The floor is made of sustainable cork, and is comfortable underfoot.

There are so many components of this space that show functionality and glamour. We kept the bright white theme throughout this custom home and extended the shiplap and white high-end materials into the bathroom. One of our favorite pieces that really captured the look included a Victoria + Albert free standing tub. Working with Krystine Edwards on the interior design, the homeowners chose oversized lanterns over the vanities, which were purchased from a local lighting store – Carolina Lanterns. And, the Moroccan style mirrors added just the extra touch of charm. Now, let’s talk about the oversized walk-in, frameless glass shower. It is simply breathtaking. We used Bianca Carerra marble, arabesque tile and penny round tiles on the floor. With three shower heads, there’s the option to set the temperature to each person’s liking. Once the valves are set you never have to change it again; you simply turn on the water! This classic white look will stand the test of time, and the glamorous selections make it one of the most beautiful master bathrooms we’ve constructed.

Glamour is the statement in this compact Powder Room with a floating vanity. An oval stone vessel sink sits on a Cambrian stone counter with extra high backsplash to match. Chrome faucets with Swarovski crystals add the finishing touch.