For the Fletcher home we installed our new PC6/1 Single Basket, PC6/4 Double Basket, and PC4/1 Single Twist balusters in our Classic Black coating. We also replaced the painted newel posts with Oak 4500 series newel posts and replaced the 6010 Oak handrail on the right side of the stairs. We then installed a "Rake" 4212 newel post under the handrail for a cleaner, uninterrupted handrail all the way up to the top of the stairs. To finish we installed new MDF shoe rail and re-spaced the balusters to IRC Code requirements.

New and separate entrance added to the basement. Photo: Pete Eckert
Transitional exterior home idea in Portland

Atherton has many large substantial homes - our clients purchased an existing home on a one acre flag-shaped lot and asked us to design a new dream home for them. The result is a new 7,000 square foot four-building complex consisting of the main house, six-car garage with two car lifts, pool house with a full one bedroom residence inside, and a separate home office /work out gym studio building. A fifty-foot swimming pool was also created with fully landscaped yards. Given the rectangular shape of the lot, it was decided to angle the house to incoming visitors slightly so as to more dramatically present itself. The house became a classic u-shaped home but Feng Shui design principals were employed directing the placement of the pool house to better contain the energy flow on the site. The main house entry door is then aligned with a special Japanese red maple at the end of a long visual axis at the rear of the site. These angles and alignments set up everything else about the house design and layout, and views from various rooms allow you to see into virtually every space tracking movements of others in the home. The residence is simply divided into two wings of public use, kitchen and family room, and the other wing of bedrooms, connected by the living and dining great room. Function drove the exterior form of windows and solid walls with a line of clerestory windows which bring light into the middle of the large home. Extensive sun shadow studies with 3D tree modeling led to the unorthodox placement of the pool to the north of the home, but tree shadow tracking showed this to be the sunniest area during the entire year. Sustainable measures included a full 7.1kW solar photovoltaic array technically making the house off the grid, and arranged so that no panels are visible from the property. A large 16,000 gallon rainwater catchment system consisting of tanks buried below grade was installed. The home is California GreenPoint rated and also features sealed roof soffits and a sealed crawlspace without the usual venting. A whole house computer automation system with server room was installed as well. Heating and cooling utilize hot water radiant heated concrete and wood floors supplemented by heat pump generated heating and cooling. A compound of buildings created to form balanced relationships between each other, this home is about circulation, light and a balance of form and function. Photo by John Sutton Photography.

Sharp angles and smooth edges define the streamlined silhouettes in the Sonia dining collection and add finesse to this tastefully modern space. Accessories in lush shades of green bring fresh contrast to the tapered leg table and bespoke chairs, which feature linen upholstery and distinctive wood-framed backs. And when you want to add more guests when hosting fabulous, friend-filled fêtes, a butterfly leaf extension makes it convenient and efficient.

Pool Side Covered Patio for Waxhaw, NC Community Pool
Inspiration for a coastal concrete back porch remodel in Charlotte with a roof extension

Finished in a casual two-tone rubbed black and distressed reclaimed looking wood tone. Dining table, chair and drawer fronts are constructed with solid rubber wood. Buffet feature farmhouse styling with wide framed mouldings used to create a simple yet sturdy silhouette. Wine rack can hold 12 bottles. Round metal knobs are finished in an oil rubbed bronze color. Drawer boxes are dovetailed and fully finished with metal ball bearing side guides for smooth function.

D-Trac Construction was contracted to address install issues from a previous contractor related to the workmanship and install of the exterior hardie board package. Because of the issues, the local county would not pass building permit inspection due to non-compliance with the Alberta Building Code and the Safety Codes Act. Issues and corrective actions included: 1. Aluminum J and corner trim does not allow for the plank to be sealed (caulked at termination). Corrective Action: Install 5/4" Smart Trim and color match caulk at all terminations. 2. Flashing detail on primary head flashings are cut and bent, creating point of entry on each end dam at the back side of drip. Corrective Action: Install new primary head flashings using the fold method to create end dam. 3: Incorrect stagger on plank install, Not enough distance between butt joints on stagger, no slip plates at butt joints. Corrective Action: Install new plank using a either a 24" or 32" stagger pattern, with aluminum slip plates behind all butt joints. 4: Many terminations through plank siding have no trim block, not sealed correctly. Corrective Action: Install 5/4" trim blocks to allow plank to be sealed(caulked to termination. At the end of the project, a final inspection was completed and the local county passed the building permit inspection.

Skylight: Velux | Curb Mounted | Clear Glass | Fixed | size code: 31046. Windows: Marvin Essential | Fiberglass | Single Hung | Bronze. Rewards Elevate 5" x 1' 7" white oak rift wood plank flooring. Cabinets: Custom Made | White Oak Cabinet Pulls: Top Knobs | Brookline | TK766HB | Honey Bronze. Cabinet Knobs: Top Knobs | Brookline | TK762HB | Honey Bronze. Wall, Doors, and Trim Paint Color: Kelley Moore KM4779 Willow Side.

Duramax SideMate 4 x 8 vinyl shed shown beside a home with the door open, illustrating compact outdoor storage for garden supplies and household items. Product marketing image from Durasheds; landscaping and stored items illustrate a possible setup. This is a product showcase, not a Durasheds installation portfolio. Confirm current model specifications, site clearances, foundation requirements and assembly instructions before ordering. Message Durasheds with your ZIP code and available space for help choosing a shed.

Custom made roman shades with two inch accent band on all sides and coordinating header. Shades are interlined and blackout lined and up to current code with continuous loop cord.

With the warm two-tone look of the cottage white and burnished brown finishes beautifully accenting the stylish cottage design, the “Whitesburg” dining collection creates an inviting cottage retreat within the décor of any dining room.

Photo by Jeff Herr
Large trendy ceramic tile kitchen photo with marble backsplash and an island

Skylight: Velux | Curb Mounted | Clear Glass | Fixed | size code: 31046. Windows: Marvin Essential | Fiberglass | Single Hung | Bronze. Rewards Elevate 5" x 1' 7" white oak rift wood plank flooring. Cabinets: Custom Made | White Oak Cabinet Pulls: Top Knobs | Brookline | TK766HB | Honey Bronze. Cabinet Knobs: Top Knobs | Brookline | TK762HB | Honey Bronze. Wall, Doors, and Trim Paint Color: Kelley Moore KM4779 Willow Side.

Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, black appliances and an island

D-Trac Construction was contracted to address install issues from a previous contractor related to the workmanship and install of the exterior hardie board package. Because of the issues, the local county would not pass building permit inspection due to non-compliance with the Alberta Building Code and the Safety Codes Act. Issues and corrective actions included: 1. Aluminum J and corner trim does not allow for the plank to be sealed (caulked at termination). Corrective Action: Install 5/4" Smart Trim and color match caulk at all terminations. 2. Flashing detail on primary head flashings are cut and bent, creating point of entry on each end dam at the back side of drip. Corrective Action: Install new primary head flashings using the fold method to create end dam. 3: Incorrect stagger on plank install, Not enough distance between butt joints on stagger, no slip plates at butt joints. Corrective Action: Install new plank using a either a 24" or 32" stagger pattern, with aluminum slip plates behind all butt joints. 4: Many terminations through plank siding have no trim block, not sealed correctly. Corrective Action: Install 5/4" trim blocks to allow plank to be sealed(caulked to termination. At the end of the project, a final inspection was completed and the local county passed the building permit inspection.

This modern green home offers both a vacation destination on Cape Cod near local family members and an opportunity for rental income. FAMILY ROOTS. A West Coast couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area sought a permanent East Coast vacation home near family members living on Cape Cod. As academic professionals focused on sustainability, they sought a green, energy efficient home that was well-aligned with their values. With no green homes available for sale on Cape Cod, they decided to purchase land near their family and build their own. SLOPED SITE. Comprised of a 3/4 acre lot nestled in the pines, the steeply sloping terrain called for a plan that embraced and took advantage of the slope. Of equal priority was optimizing solar exposure, preserving privacy from abutters, and creating outdoor living space. The design accomplished these goals with a simple, rectilinear form, offering living space on the both entry and lower/basement levels. The stepped foundation allows for a walk-out basement level with light-filled living space on the down-hill side of the home. The traditional basement on the eastern, up-hill side houses mechanical equipment and a home gym. The house welcomes natural light throughout, captures views of the forest, and delivers entertainment space that connects indoor living space to outdoor deck and dining patio. MODERN VISION. The clean building form and uncomplicated finishes pay homage to the modern architectural legacy on the outer Cape. Durable and economical fiber cement panels, fixed with aluminum channels, clad the primary form. Cedar clapboards provide a visual accent at the south-facing living room, which extends a single roof plane to cover the entry porch. SMART USE OF SPACE. On the entry level, the “L”-shaped living, dining, and kitchen space connects to the exterior living, dining, and grilling spaces to effectively double the home’s summertime entertainment area. Placed at the western end of the entry level (where it can retain privacy but still claim expansive downhill views) is the master suite with a built-in study. The lower level has two guest bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and laundry. The flexibility of the space—crucial in a house with a modest footprint—emerges in one of the guest bedrooms, which doubles as home office by opening the barn-style double doors to connect it to the bright, airy open stair leading up to the entry level. Thoughtful design, generous ceiling heights and large windows transform the modest 1,100 sf* footprint into a well-lit, spacious home. *(total finished space is 1800 sf) RENTAL INCOME. The property works for its owners by netting rental income when the owners are home in San Francisco. The house especially caters to vacationers bound for nearby Mayo Beach and includes an outdoor shower adjacent to the lower level entry door. In contrast to the bare bones cottages that are typically available on the Cape, this home offers prospective tenants a modern aesthetic, paired with luxurious and green features. Durable finishes inside and out will ensure longevity with the heavier use that comes with a rental property. COMFORT YEAR-ROUND. The home is super-insulated and air-tight, with mechanical ventilation to provide continuous fresh air from the outside. High performance triple-paned windows complement the building enclosure and maximize passive solar gain while ensuring a warm, draft-free winter, even when sitting close to the glass. A properly sized air source heat pump offers efficient heating & cooling, and includes a carefully designed the duct distribution system to provide even comfort throughout the house. The super-insulated envelope allows us to significantly reduce the equipment capacity, duct size, and airflow quantities, while maintaining unparalleled thermal comfort. ENERGY EFFICIENT. The building’s shell and mechanical systems play instrumental roles in the home’s exceptional performance. The building enclosure reduces the most significant energy glutton: heating. Continuous super-insulation, thorough air sealing, triple-pane windows, and passive solar gain work together to yield a miniscule heating load. All active energy consumers are extremely efficient: an air source heat pump for heating and cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation (ERV), and high efficiency appliances. The result is a home that uses 70% less energy than a similar new home built to code requirements. OVERALL. The home embodies the owners’ goals and values while comprehensively enabling thermal comfort, energy efficiency, a vacation respite, and supplementary income. PROJECT TEAM ZeroEnergy Design - Architect & Mechanical Designer A.F. Hultin & Co. - Contractor Pamet Valley Landscape Design - Landscape & Masonry Lisa Finch - Original Artwork European Architectural Supply - Windows Eric Roth Photography - Photography

D-Trac Construction was contracted to address install issues from a previous contractor related to the workmanship and install of the exterior hardie board package. Because of the issues, the local county would not pass building permit inspection due to non-compliance with the Alberta Building Code and the Safety Codes Act. Issues and corrective actions included: 1. Aluminum J and corner trim does not allow for the plank to be sealed (caulked at termination). Corrective Action: Install 5/4" Smart Trim and color match caulk at all terminations. 2. Flashing detail on primary head flashings are cut and bent, creating point of entry on each end dam at the back side of drip. Corrective Action: Install new primary head flashings using the fold method to create end dam. 3: Incorrect stagger on plank install, Not enough distance between butt joints on stagger, no slip plates at butt joints. Corrective Action: Install new plank using a either a 24" or 32" stagger pattern, with aluminum slip plates behind all butt joints. 4: Many terminations through plank siding have no trim block, not sealed correctly. Corrective Action: Install 5/4" trim blocks to allow plank to be sealed(caulked to termination. At the end of the project, a final inspection was completed and the local county passed the building permit inspection.

Upper East Side Manhattan terrace garden with pergola, tv and kitchen ©toddhaimanlandscapedesign2015
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard stone patio remodel in New York with a pergola