Creating space for a loved one doesn't always mean building a new home from the ground up. For this Southeast Portland garage conversion, the goal was simple but deeply personal: transform a detached garage into a comfortable guest cottage where a family member could live independently while remaining closely connected to the people she loves. The existing home presented challenges for long-term living, including stairs and limited accessibility. At the same time, the family wanted to provide privacy, dignity, and the comforts of home rather than simply adding another bedroom to the main house. The answer was hiding in plain sight: a detached garage with untapped potential. While the structure offered opportunity, it also came with significant constraints. A structural concrete block wall, neighboring retaining wall, and compact footprint left little room for expansion. With just 480 square feet to work with, every inch needed to serve a purpose. The design process began by focusing on how the space would be lived in rather than how it would look. Multiple floor plan options were explored before arriving at a layout that balances sleeping, cooking, crafting, relaxing, and storage within a bright, welcoming studio environment. Soft blue accents, warm walnut-toned flooring, cream tile, white countertops, and crisp trim create an aesthetic that feels calm, timeless, and intentionally residential rather than utilitarian. One of the most dramatic transformations came from replacing the original garage door with a wall of windows. Natural light now floods the interior, visually expanding the space and creating a stronger connection to the surrounding garden. Additional windows provide cross ventilation, keeping the cottage bright and comfortable throughout the year. The material palette was intentionally selected to feel calm, timeless, and residential. Soft blue tones appear throughout the cottage, complemented by light walnut flooring, white countertops, cream tile, and crisp white trim. Together, these finishes create a warm and inviting environment that feels thoughtfully designed rather than utilitarian. Thoughtful storage solutions help the cottage live larger than its footprint. A spacious bedroom closet, living room storage, full-height bathroom shelving, and carefully planned kitchen cabinetry keep daily essentials organized and out of sight. A built-in desk with integrated cabinetry provides a dedicated space for crafting, sewing, and spending time with grandchildren, reflecting how important hobbies and family connections are to everyday life. A compact kitchenette, partial privacy wall, and quiet mini-split heating and cooling system complete the home, while a new concrete pathway connects the cottage to the main house for safe and convenient access year-round. What makes this project special is not simply the garage conversion itself, but the life it makes possible. Through thoughtful space planning, universal design principles, and a collaborative design-build approach, a former garage became a warm, independent retreat that supports aging in place while keeping family close. The result is a cottage that feels less like a conversion and more like a home that was always meant to be there.

Creating space for a loved one doesn't always mean building a new home from the ground up. For this Southeast Portland garage conversion, the goal was simple but deeply personal: transform a detached garage into a comfortable guest cottage where a family member could live independently while remaining closely connected to the people she loves. The existing home presented challenges for long-term living, including stairs and limited accessibility. At the same time, the family wanted to provide privacy, dignity, and the comforts of home rather than simply adding another bedroom to the main house. The answer was hiding in plain sight: a detached garage with untapped potential. While the structure offered opportunity, it also came with significant constraints. A structural concrete block wall, neighboring retaining wall, and compact footprint left little room for expansion. With just 480 square feet to work with, every inch needed to serve a purpose. The design process began by focusing on how the space would be lived in rather than how it would look. Multiple floor plan options were explored before arriving at a layout that balances sleeping, cooking, crafting, relaxing, and storage within a bright, welcoming studio environment. Soft blue accents, warm walnut-toned flooring, cream tile, white countertops, and crisp trim create an aesthetic that feels calm, timeless, and intentionally residential rather than utilitarian. One of the most dramatic transformations came from replacing the original garage door with a wall of windows. Natural light now floods the interior, visually expanding the space and creating a stronger connection to the surrounding garden. Additional windows provide cross ventilation, keeping the cottage bright and comfortable throughout the year. The material palette was intentionally selected to feel calm, timeless, and residential. Soft blue tones appear throughout the cottage, complemented by light walnut flooring, white countertops, cream tile, and crisp white trim. Together, these finishes create a warm and inviting environment that feels thoughtfully designed rather than utilitarian. Thoughtful storage solutions help the cottage live larger than its footprint. A spacious bedroom closet, living room storage, full-height bathroom shelving, and carefully planned kitchen cabinetry keep daily essentials organized and out of sight. A built-in desk with integrated cabinetry provides a dedicated space for crafting, sewing, and spending time with grandchildren, reflecting how important hobbies and family connections are to everyday life. A compact kitchenette, partial privacy wall, and quiet mini-split heating and cooling system complete the home, while a new concrete pathway connects the cottage to the main house for safe and convenient access year-round. What makes this project special is not simply the garage conversion itself, but the life it makes possible. Through thoughtful space planning, universal design principles, and a collaborative design-build approach, a former garage became a warm, independent retreat that supports aging in place while keeping family close. The result is a cottage that feels less like a conversion and more like a home that was always meant to be there.

Joseph Eichler developed his moderately priced houses for the mass-market starting in 1949. His homes were designed using affordable materials and simple construction techniques. Nearly 70 years later these homes are in need of updating and remodeling an Eichler home today can become an imposing and costly project if you’re not careful. For this project the clients, who had undergone several previous house renovations, were determined to stick with an established budget from the beginning. Klopf Architecture helped them modernize their Eichler with a premium appearance on a reasonable budget. The clients challenged the Klopf team to create a design that had a high-end feel and nicely done while adhering to their budget. That meant not all of the initial project scope could be built. Like many other Eichler homes, the original floor plan did not meet the family’s needs leaving them feeling disconnected from one room to another. While an early goal was to expand the house into a carport and create a larger garage, it did not survive the contractor pricing phase of the project. The goals that did survive through to the end of the project included blurring some of the boundaries and opening up some of the spaces, making them more functional and creating a smoother flow in the house. The Klopf team joined the former separate kitchen and formal living room into one large space and shift the dining room where it is now connected to the kitchen. Klopf swapped the family room to the front alongside the living room, so the spaces feel more cohesive and are now better suited for family activities. The functional layout of the master bathroom was changed to include a large, curbless shower. Installing a complete IKEA kitchen including cabinets, countertops, appliances, light fixtures, and furnishings was key to staying within budget. Bath fixtures in this house are also exclusively IKEA. Klopf Architecture has designed many homes using IKEA products, which are quite compatible offering an affordable, contemporary take on Eichler homes. The clients saved additional money from the simplicity and availability of IKEA products and by orchestrating the orders and purchases themselves. Following each construction meeting, the clients would make a run to IKEA and purchase items, pick up needed spare parts, and bring them back right away to stay ahead of the contractor’s schedule and minimize the chance of delays and bottlenecks. Klopf balanced material selections by retaining some of the original woodwork and simply refinishing the mahogany paneling. They were able to retain the original windows and sliding doors which were still in good shape, avoiding some of the most costly replacement expenses. Additionally interior doors were simply refinished and the exterior siding cleaned up and repainted. Formerly dark interiors are now illuminated with new slimmer semi-recessed lighting eliminating the need for costly roof work. Attention to design details allowed the Klopf team to ensure the house ended up with a high quality feel. Key visual elements were strictly aligned and Klopf worked with the clients to select a unified materials palette throughout the spaces so the house flows seamlessly together. Aligning the tile layout with the trusses and keeping it level with the concrete slab outside allowed them to achieve a level of quality that may otherwise be missed. The clients were able to keep their budget on track by determining clear goals and making critical decisions upfront, choosing materials and furnishings wisely, working with the right design and construction teams in place and to a large part, their willingness to participate throughout the process. In the end the clients were much happier with their reconfigured Eichler home and Klopf Architecture managed to keep their remodeling costs to about $325/sf – a good amount below the average Bay Area Eichler remodel. Project Team: John Klopf, Angela Todorova, Sherry Tan Contractor: Keycon Construction Structural Engineer: Sezen & Moon Photography: Sabrina Huang Year Completed: 2020

Creating space for a loved one doesn't always mean building a new home from the ground up. For this Southeast Portland garage conversion, the goal was simple but deeply personal: transform a detached garage into a comfortable guest cottage where a family member could live independently while remaining closely connected to the people she loves. The existing home presented challenges for long-term living, including stairs and limited accessibility. At the same time, the family wanted to provide privacy, dignity, and the comforts of home rather than simply adding another bedroom to the main house. The answer was hiding in plain sight: a detached garage with untapped potential. While the structure offered opportunity, it also came with significant constraints. A structural concrete block wall, neighboring retaining wall, and compact footprint left little room for expansion. With just 480 square feet to work with, every inch needed to serve a purpose. The design process began by focusing on how the space would be lived in rather than how it would look. Multiple floor plan options were explored before arriving at a layout that balances sleeping, cooking, crafting, relaxing, and storage within a bright, welcoming studio environment. Soft blue accents, warm walnut-toned flooring, cream tile, white countertops, and crisp trim create an aesthetic that feels calm, timeless, and intentionally residential rather than utilitarian. One of the most dramatic transformations came from replacing the original garage door with a wall of windows. Natural light now floods the interior, visually expanding the space and creating a stronger connection to the surrounding garden. Additional windows provide cross ventilation, keeping the cottage bright and comfortable throughout the year. The material palette was intentionally selected to feel calm, timeless, and residential. Soft blue tones appear throughout the cottage, complemented by light walnut flooring, white countertops, cream tile, and crisp white trim. Together, these finishes create a warm and inviting environment that feels thoughtfully designed rather than utilitarian. Thoughtful storage solutions help the cottage live larger than its footprint. A spacious bedroom closet, living room storage, full-height bathroom shelving, and carefully planned kitchen cabinetry keep daily essentials organized and out of sight. A built-in desk with integrated cabinetry provides a dedicated space for crafting, sewing, and spending time with grandchildren, reflecting how important hobbies and family connections are to everyday life. A compact kitchenette, partial privacy wall, and quiet mini-split heating and cooling system complete the home, while a new concrete pathway connects the cottage to the main house for safe and convenient access year-round. What makes this project special is not simply the garage conversion itself, but the life it makes possible. Through thoughtful space planning, universal design principles, and a collaborative design-build approach, a former garage became a warm, independent retreat that supports aging in place while keeping family close. The result is a cottage that feels less like a conversion and more like a home that was always meant to be there.

Creating space for a loved one doesn't always mean building a new home from the ground up. For this Southeast Portland garage conversion, the goal was simple but deeply personal: transform a detached garage into a comfortable guest cottage where a family member could live independently while remaining closely connected to the people she loves. The existing home presented challenges for long-term living, including stairs and limited accessibility. At the same time, the family wanted to provide privacy, dignity, and the comforts of home rather than simply adding another bedroom to the main house. The answer was hiding in plain sight: a detached garage with untapped potential. While the structure offered opportunity, it also came with significant constraints. A structural concrete block wall, neighboring retaining wall, and compact footprint left little room for expansion. With just 480 square feet to work with, every inch needed to serve a purpose. The design process began by focusing on how the space would be lived in rather than how it would look. Multiple floor plan options were explored before arriving at a layout that balances sleeping, cooking, crafting, relaxing, and storage within a bright, welcoming studio environment. Soft blue accents, warm walnut-toned flooring, cream tile, white countertops, and crisp trim create an aesthetic that feels calm, timeless, and intentionally residential rather than utilitarian. One of the most dramatic transformations came from replacing the original garage door with a wall of windows. Natural light now floods the interior, visually expanding the space and creating a stronger connection to the surrounding garden. Additional windows provide cross ventilation, keeping the cottage bright and comfortable throughout the year. The material palette was intentionally selected to feel calm, timeless, and residential. Soft blue tones appear throughout the cottage, complemented by light walnut flooring, white countertops, cream tile, and crisp white trim. Together, these finishes create a warm and inviting environment that feels thoughtfully designed rather than utilitarian. Thoughtful storage solutions help the cottage live larger than its footprint. A spacious bedroom closet, living room storage, full-height bathroom shelving, and carefully planned kitchen cabinetry keep daily essentials organized and out of sight. A built-in desk with integrated cabinetry provides a dedicated space for crafting, sewing, and spending time with grandchildren, reflecting how important hobbies and family connections are to everyday life. A compact kitchenette, partial privacy wall, and quiet mini-split heating and cooling system complete the home, while a new concrete pathway connects the cottage to the main house for safe and convenient access year-round. What makes this project special is not simply the garage conversion itself, but the life it makes possible. Through thoughtful space planning, universal design principles, and a collaborative design-build approach, a former garage became a warm, independent retreat that supports aging in place while keeping family close. The result is a cottage that feels less like a conversion and more like a home that was always meant to be there.

Creating space for a loved one doesn't always mean building a new home from the ground up. For this Southeast Portland garage conversion, the goal was simple but deeply personal: transform a detached garage into a comfortable guest cottage where a family member could live independently while remaining closely connected to the people she loves. The existing home presented challenges for long-term living, including stairs and limited accessibility. At the same time, the family wanted to provide privacy, dignity, and the comforts of home rather than simply adding another bedroom to the main house. The answer was hiding in plain sight: a detached garage with untapped potential. While the structure offered opportunity, it also came with significant constraints. A structural concrete block wall, neighboring retaining wall, and compact footprint left little room for expansion. With just 480 square feet to work with, every inch needed to serve a purpose. The design process began by focusing on how the space would be lived in rather than how it would look. Multiple floor plan options were explored before arriving at a layout that balances sleeping, cooking, crafting, relaxing, and storage within a bright, welcoming studio environment. Soft blue accents, warm walnut-toned flooring, cream tile, white countertops, and crisp trim create an aesthetic that feels calm, timeless, and intentionally residential rather than utilitarian. One of the most dramatic transformations came from replacing the original garage door with a wall of windows. Natural light now floods the interior, visually expanding the space and creating a stronger connection to the surrounding garden. Additional windows provide cross ventilation, keeping the cottage bright and comfortable throughout the year. The material palette was intentionally selected to feel calm, timeless, and residential. Soft blue tones appear throughout the cottage, complemented by light walnut flooring, white countertops, cream tile, and crisp white trim. Together, these finishes create a warm and inviting environment that feels thoughtfully designed rather than utilitarian. Thoughtful storage solutions help the cottage live larger than its footprint. A spacious bedroom closet, living room storage, full-height bathroom shelving, and carefully planned kitchen cabinetry keep daily essentials organized and out of sight. A built-in desk with integrated cabinetry provides a dedicated space for crafting, sewing, and spending time with grandchildren, reflecting how important hobbies and family connections are to everyday life. A compact kitchenette, partial privacy wall, and quiet mini-split heating and cooling system complete the home, while a new concrete pathway connects the cottage to the main house for safe and convenient access year-round. What makes this project special is not simply the garage conversion itself, but the life it makes possible. Through thoughtful space planning, universal design principles, and a collaborative design-build approach, a former garage became a warm, independent retreat that supports aging in place while keeping family close. The result is a cottage that feels less like a conversion and more like a home that was always meant to be there.

New flooring into master bedroom Now this was a fun project! We had the privilege of stopping out to perform a consultation for this client’s bathroom, and what a project it was! The existing bathroom provided plenty of room for a renovation, but the home owner was a little unsure of exactly what they wanted. They presented us with a wish list, and asked for our advice on how to fit everything into their dream master bathroom. The key factor for the hole project centered around the shower. Number one priority was a spacious, luxurious shower of their dreams. We worked hand in hand with them to provide the perfect layout, which included moving the toilet across the bathroom to make room. The old layout included a shower room that housed the toilet. To provide the biggest possible space, we converted the WHOLE room into one large shower. While the shower size was adequate for the typical home owner, it simply was not what our client wanted. We replace the window with glass block and moved the toilet out of the room. Then we proceeded to install 2 separate shower faucets with diverter valves and slide bar mounted hand-held shower wands The tile our client selected paired perfectly, and provided an eye-popping tiled shower enclosure. The closet was originally sectioned off into 2 rooms with an entrance from not only the bedroom, but also the bathroom. We eliminated this separating to allow a better flow and more storage options. The tub was completed deleted to make room for a longer, more elegant vanity to take its place. Our client liked the idea of continuing water proof vinyl plank flooring from the bathroom through their master bedroom as well. We enjoy all of the projects that we are blessed to participate in. However, there are some that just stand apart from the field. We thoroughly enjoyed bringing this client’s dream to reality, and look forward to them enjoying their dream master bathroom for years to come. Give A+ Home Improvements a call to get your project started today!

Joseph Eichler developed his moderately priced houses for the mass-market starting in 1949. His homes were designed using affordable materials and simple construction techniques. Nearly 70 years later these homes are in need of updating and remodeling an Eichler home today can become an imposing and costly project if you’re not careful. For this project the clients, who had undergone several previous house renovations, were determined to stick with an established budget from the beginning. Klopf Architecture helped them modernize their Eichler with a premium appearance on a reasonable budget. The clients challenged the Klopf team to create a design that had a high-end feel and nicely done while adhering to their budget. That meant not all of the initial project scope could be built. Like many other Eichler homes, the original floor plan did not meet the family’s needs leaving them feeling disconnected from one room to another. While an early goal was to expand the house into a carport and create a larger garage, it did not survive the contractor pricing phase of the project. The goals that did survive through to the end of the project included blurring some of the boundaries and opening up some of the spaces, making them more functional and creating a smoother flow in the house. The Klopf team joined the former separate kitchen and formal living room into one large space and shift the dining room where it is now connected to the kitchen. Klopf swapped the family room to the front alongside the living room, so the spaces feel more cohesive and are now better suited for family activities. The functional layout of the master bathroom was changed to include a large, curbless shower. Installing a complete IKEA kitchen including cabinets, countertops, appliances, light fixtures, and furnishings was key to staying within budget. Bath fixtures in this house are also exclusively IKEA. Klopf Architecture has designed many homes using IKEA products, which are quite compatible offering an affordable, contemporary take on Eichler homes. The clients saved additional money from the simplicity and availability of IKEA products and by orchestrating the orders and purchases themselves. Following each construction meeting, the clients would make a run to IKEA and purchase items, pick up needed spare parts, and bring them back right away to stay ahead of the contractor’s schedule and minimize the chance of delays and bottlenecks. Klopf balanced material selections by retaining some of the original woodwork and simply refinishing the mahogany paneling. They were able to retain the original windows and sliding doors which were still in good shape, avoiding some of the most costly replacement expenses. Additionally interior doors were simply refinished and the exterior siding cleaned up and repainted. Formerly dark interiors are now illuminated with new slimmer semi-recessed lighting eliminating the need for costly roof work. Attention to design details allowed the Klopf team to ensure the house ended up with a high quality feel. Key visual elements were strictly aligned and Klopf worked with the clients to select a unified materials palette throughout the spaces so the house flows seamlessly together. Aligning the tile layout with the trusses and keeping it level with the concrete slab outside allowed them to achieve a level of quality that may otherwise be missed. The clients were able to keep their budget on track by determining clear goals and making critical decisions upfront, choosing materials and furnishings wisely, working with the right design and construction teams in place and to a large part, their willingness to participate throughout the process. In the end the clients were much happier with their reconfigured Eichler home and Klopf Architecture managed to keep their remodeling costs to about $325/sf – a good amount below the average Bay Area Eichler remodel. Project Team: John Klopf, Angela Todorova, Sherry Tan Contractor: Keycon Construction Structural Engineer: Sezen & Moon Photography: Sabrina Huang Year Completed: 2020

Situated in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, we worked closely with a strong owner to transform a fatigued and inefficient 3-level townhouse, constructed in the 1980’s, into America’s first LEED Platinum (pending) townhome. Outdated systems, poor insulation, unbalanced & unclean air, worn finishes, and outdated kitchen and bathrooms required attention. Yet a replacement project did not address other high concerns. Though the home at 2,400SF offered the right amount and quantity of rooms, the home lacked a sense of openness and more was needed than high-efficiency systems, great insulation, and selection of no VOC finishes to create a warm, inviting and comfortable place to live and enjoy their art and photography collection. An oddly-located, creaky, carpet-covered stairway enclosed in drywall walls was on the list of items needing repairs. The stair seemed to disorient a person and disconnect the levels of the home. Our design focused on opening the core of the home to provide long diagonal views that visually connect adjacent rooms and levels of the home and beyond. An architectural skylight floods the void with light and opens to bring fresh air. A steel, glass and wood stairway suspends into the core- it’s every detail and every angle thoughtfully considered to create a feeling of connection, orientation and lightness. It seeks to solve the functional while daring to be more. It dares to be beautiful. It dares to bring delight to those who use it or simply look upon it. We long to create experiencially rich places where functional needs are solved with creativity and beauty. We search for meaning and believe that places can be both enjoyed and connect us to truth beyond ourselves. As we look upon the stairway in this home, we are drawn to consider beautifully designed objects in the natural world- a tree is one such example. To sustain life it needs to gather sunlight and keep the ground beneath cool and moist. As a result, we see wooden branches of great weight extend effortlessly from a trunk to hold leaves. This functional need is solved, so perfect, so mysterious, so beautiful. As we gaze upon, it has the capacity to move us to something more beautiful.

Mr. Mescher – Home Owner Shares Story “I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you that I am extremely pleased with the work that Columbia Roofing did in replacing the roof on our Kent Island home. The house has a complicated roof structure with multiple gables and a quarter round conical roof which spans between two vertical walls in the back. We choose a 50 year Owens Corning shingle and to assure a good job, we only obtained quotes from roofing companies that received outstanding reviews. We were pleased when the Columbia production crew roofed the house without issue and brought the full visual effect of slate using the 4 tab asphalt shingle with its distinctive keyway. When it came to the conical roof, we were faced with the possibility of having to install a metal roof in lieu of maintaining the slate like appearance that was so prominent on the other roof sections of the house. Our preference was to maintain the appearance of slate on the conical section similar to that seen on the old slate roof cathedrals. While this is easy to say, I can now appreciate how difficult it is to do. To honor our wishes, Ben Alsop came to the house and worked through the complicated layout necessary to use the same 4 tab shingles on the conical section. To do the job properly, every single 4 tab shingle had to be cut into individual tabs. Each tab was then taken up on the roof where the keyway was aligned to vertical through a system of straight lines drawn from the point of the conical roof to the starter shingle at the roof’s edge. Each tab had to be cut again (often multiple times) after the tab alignment was complete. To assure the accuracy necessary to maintain the visual effect, Ben took it upon himself to personally perform the roofing of the conical section. Ben is a manager for Columbia Roofing who no longer performs the physical roofing work after coming up through the ranks of the roofing trade. His personal dedication to getting this job done for us in a way that is simply stellar could not go without acknowledgement. Ben is not only a craftsman, he is an artisan whose skill set can clearly be seen in the pictures that I have attached. I want to thank Columbia Roofing for a job well done and particularly I want to thank Ben for taking the time and putting in the effort to truly make this a stellar installation.”

New flooring into master bedroom Now this was a fun project! We had the privilege of stopping out to perform a consultation for this client’s bathroom, and what a project it was! The existing bathroom provided plenty of room for a renovation, but the home owner was a little unsure of exactly what they wanted. They presented us with a wish list, and asked for our advice on how to fit everything into their dream master bathroom. The key factor for the hole project centered around the shower. Number one priority was a spacious, luxurious shower of their dreams. We worked hand in hand with them to provide the perfect layout, which included moving the toilet across the bathroom to make room. The old layout included a shower room that housed the toilet. To provide the biggest possible space, we converted the WHOLE room into one large shower. While the shower size was adequate for the typical home owner, it simply was not what our client wanted. We replace the window with glass block and moved the toilet out of the room. Then we proceeded to install 2 separate shower faucets with diverter valves and slide bar mounted hand-held shower wands The tile our client selected paired perfectly, and provided an eye-popping tiled shower enclosure. The closet was originally sectioned off into 2 rooms with an entrance from not only the bedroom, but also the bathroom. We eliminated this separating to allow a better flow and more storage options. The tub was completed deleted to make room for a longer, more elegant vanity to take its place. Our client liked the idea of continuing water proof vinyl plank flooring from the bathroom through their master bedroom as well. We enjoy all of the projects that we are blessed to participate in. However, there are some that just stand apart from the field. We thoroughly enjoyed bringing this client’s dream to reality, and look forward to them enjoying their dream master bathroom for years to come. Give A+ Home Improvements a call to get your project started today!

Where can a line lead you? The Surrealists believed automatically drawing one continuous line could take you into your subconscious. Many artists also use one unbroken line to create two-dimensional portraits or to limn recognizable forms. For Axis Mundi, one uninterrupted line leads to home. Or, more intriguingly, to the rhythmic underlying structure of this concept house for a successful digital entrepreneur in the Palm Springs desert. An homage to Austrian architect Frederick Kiesler’s 1950 “Endless House,” the basic footprint and floor plan derives from a single ribbon looped repeatedly in a single continuous line. The home is enclosed with rammed-earth exterior walls built up along the undulating contours formed by the ribbon, while interior walls are erected around selected voids defined by some of the loops. A faceted tent-like Cor-Ten steel roof—out of which the shape of the floor plan is cut out and replaced with glass—tops the structure. It is both a line of intellectual questioning posed by the designers and a line of continuity that brings fluidity to a living plan for the client in question. Size: 8,000 sq. ft. Design Team: John Beckmann, Audrey Leduc, Nastasia Giraud and Silvia Tosques Renderings and Diagrams: Audrey Leduc and Nastasia Giraud Interior Rendering: Silvia Tosques © Axis Mundi Design LLC

New flooring into master bedroom Now this was a fun project! We had the privilege of stopping out to perform a consultation for this client’s bathroom, and what a project it was! The existing bathroom provided plenty of room for a renovation, but the home owner was a little unsure of exactly what they wanted. They presented us with a wish list, and asked for our advice on how to fit everything into their dream master bathroom. The key factor for the hole project centered around the shower. Number one priority was a spacious, luxurious shower of their dreams. We worked hand in hand with them to provide the perfect layout, which included moving the toilet across the bathroom to make room. The old layout included a shower room that housed the toilet. To provide the biggest possible space, we converted the WHOLE room into one large shower. While the shower size was adequate for the typical home owner, it simply was not what our client wanted. We replace the window with glass block and moved the toilet out of the room. Then we proceeded to install 2 separate shower faucets with diverter valves and slide bar mounted hand-held shower wands The tile our client selected paired perfectly, and provided an eye-popping tiled shower enclosure. The closet was originally sectioned off into 2 rooms with an entrance from not only the bedroom, but also the bathroom. We eliminated this separating to allow a better flow and more storage options. The tub was completed deleted to make room for a longer, more elegant vanity to take its place. Our client liked the idea of continuing water proof vinyl plank flooring from the bathroom through their master bedroom as well. We enjoy all of the projects that we are blessed to participate in. However, there are some that just stand apart from the field. We thoroughly enjoyed bringing this client’s dream to reality, and look forward to them enjoying their dream master bathroom for years to come. Give A+ Home Improvements a call to get your project started today!

Mr. Mescher – Home Owner Shares Story “I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you that I am extremely pleased with the work that Columbia Roofing did in replacing the roof on our Kent Island home. The house has a complicated roof structure with multiple gables and a quarter round conical roof which spans between two vertical walls in the back. We choose a 50 year Owens Corning shingle and to assure a good job, we only obtained quotes from roofing companies that received outstanding reviews. We were pleased when the Columbia production crew roofed the house without issue and brought the full visual effect of slate using the 4 tab asphalt shingle with its distinctive keyway. When it came to the conical roof, we were faced with the possibility of having to install a metal roof in lieu of maintaining the slate like appearance that was so prominent on the other roof sections of the house. Our preference was to maintain the appearance of slate on the conical section similar to that seen on the old slate roof cathedrals. While this is easy to say, I can now appreciate how difficult it is to do. To honor our wishes, Ben Alsop came to the house and worked through the complicated layout necessary to use the same 4 tab shingles on the conical section. To do the job properly, every single 4 tab shingle had to be cut into individual tabs. Each tab was then taken up on the roof where the keyway was aligned to vertical through a system of straight lines drawn from the point of the conical roof to the starter shingle at the roof’s edge. Each tab had to be cut again (often multiple times) after the tab alignment was complete. To assure the accuracy necessary to maintain the visual effect, Ben took it upon himself to personally perform the roofing of the conical section. Ben is a manager for Columbia Roofing who no longer performs the physical roofing work after coming up through the ranks of the roofing trade. His personal dedication to getting this job done for us in a way that is simply stellar could not go without acknowledgement. Ben is not only a craftsman, he is an artisan whose skill set can clearly be seen in the pictures that I have attached. I want to thank Columbia Roofing for a job well done and particularly I want to thank Ben for taking the time and putting in the effort to truly make this a stellar installation.”

New flooring into master bedroom Now this was a fun project! We had the privilege of stopping out to perform a consultation for this client’s bathroom, and what a project it was! The existing bathroom provided plenty of room for a renovation, but the home owner was a little unsure of exactly what they wanted. They presented us with a wish list, and asked for our advice on how to fit everything into their dream master bathroom. The key factor for the hole project centered around the shower. Number one priority was a spacious, luxurious shower of their dreams. We worked hand in hand with them to provide the perfect layout, which included moving the toilet across the bathroom to make room. The old layout included a shower room that housed the toilet. To provide the biggest possible space, we converted the WHOLE room into one large shower. While the shower size was adequate for the typical home owner, it simply was not what our client wanted. We replace the window with glass block and moved the toilet out of the room. Then we proceeded to install 2 separate shower faucets with diverter valves and slide bar mounted hand-held shower wands The tile our client selected paired perfectly, and provided an eye-popping tiled shower enclosure. The closet was originally sectioned off into 2 rooms with an entrance from not only the bedroom, but also the bathroom. We eliminated this separating to allow a better flow and more storage options. The tub was completed deleted to make room for a longer, more elegant vanity to take its place. Our client liked the idea of continuing water proof vinyl plank flooring from the bathroom through their master bedroom as well. We enjoy all of the projects that we are blessed to participate in. However, there are some that just stand apart from the field. We thoroughly enjoyed bringing this client’s dream to reality, and look forward to them enjoying their dream master bathroom for years to come. Give A+ Home Improvements a call to get your project started today!

This young couple, busy raising two young boys (plus a playful cat), had always planned to renovate—it was just a matter of finding the right people for the job. Their biggest concern? Hiring a contractor they could truly rely on to bring their vision to life without added stress. The master ensuite simply wasn’t working. A large, unused deck-mount tub dominated the space, while the tiny, dim shower made daily routines uncomfortable. The layout didn’t make sense for how they actually used the room, which ended up being mostly for the toilet and vanity. On top of that, the master bedroom sat in an open loft without proper walls or a door, making privacy nearly impossible. Our solution involved a thoughtful reconfiguration of the ensuite. We removed the oversized tub and replaced it with a spacious walk-in shower. The old, cramped shower space became the perfect spot for a relocated vanity, allowing for better flow and use of the room. Up in the loft, we built a new wall with a door to give the bedroom the privacy it was missing. The stairway was also refreshed with new oak treads and a stained handrail to match the existing flooring. One challenge during construction was installing the custom shower glass and tile within the sloped ceilings and angled walls—but our team carefully managed every detail to ensure a precise and polished finish. The new master ensuite now feels like a retreat. Handmade-style blue subway tiles add a calming pop of colour in the shower, paired with crème porcelain floor tiles. A prefabricated solid wood vanity with quartz countertop, brushed nickel fixtures, and an electric towel warmer complete the space—bringing comfort and functionality together beautifully. A fun moment during the design phase? We used stools, tables, and even a piano to mock up the future layout—helping the homeowners get a real feel for the spacing between the new vanity and toilet. It was a creative, hands-on way to ensure everyone felt confident moving forward. Now, the ensuite functions exactly as it should: a fully usable and relaxing 3-piece bathroom, styled just the way they wanted. And with the new loft wall and door, the bedroom finally feels like a true primary suite—private, peaceful, and made for them.

Mr. Mescher – Home Owner Shares Story “I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you that I am extremely pleased with the work that Columbia Roofing did in replacing the roof on our Kent Island home. The house has a complicated roof structure with multiple gables and a quarter round conical roof which spans between two vertical walls in the back. We choose a 50 year Owens Corning shingle and to assure a good job, we only obtained quotes from roofing companies that received outstanding reviews. We were pleased when the Columbia production crew roofed the house without issue and brought the full visual effect of slate using the 4 tab asphalt shingle with its distinctive keyway. When it came to the conical roof, we were faced with the possibility of having to install a metal roof in lieu of maintaining the slate like appearance that was so prominent on the other roof sections of the house. Our preference was to maintain the appearance of slate on the conical section similar to that seen on the old slate roof cathedrals. While this is easy to say, I can now appreciate how difficult it is to do. To honor our wishes, Ben Alsop came to the house and worked through the complicated layout necessary to use the same 4 tab shingles on the conical section. To do the job properly, every single 4 tab shingle had to be cut into individual tabs. Each tab was then taken up on the roof where the keyway was aligned to vertical through a system of straight lines drawn from the point of the conical roof to the starter shingle at the roof’s edge. Each tab had to be cut again (often multiple times) after the tab alignment was complete. To assure the accuracy necessary to maintain the visual effect, Ben took it upon himself to personally perform the roofing of the conical section. Ben is a manager for Columbia Roofing who no longer performs the physical roofing work after coming up through the ranks of the roofing trade. His personal dedication to getting this job done for us in a way that is simply stellar could not go without acknowledgement. Ben is not only a craftsman, he is an artisan whose skill set can clearly be seen in the pictures that I have attached. I want to thank Columbia Roofing for a job well done and particularly I want to thank Ben for taking the time and putting in the effort to truly make this a stellar installation.”

This young couple, busy raising two young boys (plus a playful cat), had always planned to renovate—it was just a matter of finding the right people for the job. Their biggest concern? Hiring a contractor they could truly rely on to bring their vision to life without added stress. The master ensuite simply wasn’t working. A large, unused deck-mount tub dominated the space, while the tiny, dim shower made daily routines uncomfortable. The layout didn’t make sense for how they actually used the room, which ended up being mostly for the toilet and vanity. On top of that, the master bedroom sat in an open loft without proper walls or a door, making privacy nearly impossible. Our solution involved a thoughtful reconfiguration of the ensuite. We removed the oversized tub and replaced it with a spacious walk-in shower. The old, cramped shower space became the perfect spot for a relocated vanity, allowing for better flow and use of the room. Up in the loft, we built a new wall with a door to give the bedroom the privacy it was missing. The stairway was also refreshed with new oak treads and a stained handrail to match the existing flooring. One challenge during construction was installing the custom shower glass and tile within the sloped ceilings and angled walls—but our team carefully managed every detail to ensure a precise and polished finish. The new master ensuite now feels like a retreat. Handmade-style blue subway tiles add a calming pop of colour in the shower, paired with crème porcelain floor tiles. A prefabricated solid wood vanity with quartz countertop, brushed nickel fixtures, and an electric towel warmer complete the space—bringing comfort and functionality together beautifully. A fun moment during the design phase? We used stools, tables, and even a piano to mock up the future layout—helping the homeowners get a real feel for the spacing between the new vanity and toilet. It was a creative, hands-on way to ensure everyone felt confident moving forward. Now, the ensuite functions exactly as it should: a fully usable and relaxing 3-piece bathroom, styled just the way they wanted. And with the new loft wall and door, the bedroom finally feels like a true primary suite—private, peaceful, and made for them.

TThis young couple, busy raising two young boys (plus a playful cat), had always planned to renovate—it was just a matter of finding the right people for the job. Their biggest concern? Hiring a contractor they could truly rely on to bring their vision to life without added stress. The master ensuite simply wasn’t working. A large, unused deck-mount tub dominated the space, while the tiny, dim shower made daily routines uncomfortable. The layout didn’t make sense for how they actually used the room, which ended up being mostly for the toilet and vanity. On top of that, the master bedroom sat in an open loft without proper walls or a door, making privacy nearly impossible. Our solution involved a thoughtful reconfiguration of the ensuite. We removed the oversized tub and replaced it with a spacious walk-in shower. The old, cramped shower space became the perfect spot for a relocated vanity, allowing for better flow and use of the room. Up in the loft, we built a new wall with a door to give the bedroom the privacy it was missing. The stairway was also refreshed with new oak treads and a stained handrail to match the existing flooring. One challenge during construction was installing the custom shower glass and tile within the sloped ceilings and angled walls—but our team carefully managed every detail to ensure a precise and polished finish. The new master ensuite now feels like a retreat. Handmade-style blue subway tiles add a calming pop of colour in the shower, paired with crème porcelain floor tiles. A prefabricated solid wood vanity with quartz countertop, brushed nickel fixtures, and an electric towel warmer complete the space—bringing comfort and functionality together beautifully. A fun moment during the design phase? We used stools, tables, and even a piano to mock up the future layout—helping the homeowners get a real feel for the spacing between the new vanity and toilet. It was a creative, hands-on way to ensure everyone felt confident moving forward. Now, the ensuite functions exactly as it should: a fully usable and relaxing 3-piece bathroom, styled just the way they wanted. And with the new loft wall and door, the bedroom finally feels like a true primary suite—private, peaceful, and made for them.