The original kitchen in this condominium was renovated arising from the need to replace Kitec plumbing. The work triangle remained generally the same, but numerous changes were made to improve the kitchen’s functionality, aesthetics, and lighting. Automation was also introduced. The goal was to design and build a modern contemporary functional kitchen with inspiring colours accented with textured wood features. The functionality was improved with the addition of an under counter microwave, which freed up countertop space. Additional and improved storage was also created by incorporating under cabinet drawers throughout the kitchen, a bar area with open glass shelving above, and open shelving to the right of the seating area. Upper cabinet storage was as well increased with storage above the fridge. Numerous lighting improvements were made including the addition of potlights. This was done by dropping the ceiling in the kitchen, which also created a visual division with the dining area. Automation was introduced as well into the space with HUE under cabinet lighting, and a touch faucet. The under cabinet lights are controlled by the Phillips Hue App that programs routines, scenes, and other settings. The kitchen features painted Shaker cabinets accented by textured wood shelving. The countertop surfaces are quartz with waterfalls on both sides of the island, which is a focal point. Shapes are also strongly identified in the design with the use of triangular tiles in the backsplash along with rectangular upper cabinets, and appliance doors and drawers. The kitchen is made most unique though with the uplifting use of colour in the cabinets that make this a bright and cheerful space. Aristea Photography

The original kitchen in this condominium was renovated arising from the need to replace Kitec plumbing. The work triangle remained generally the same, but numerous changes were made to improve the kitchen’s functionality, aesthetics, and lighting. Automation was also introduced. The goal was to design and build a modern contemporary functional kitchen with inspiring colours accented with textured wood features. The functionality was improved with the addition of an under counter microwave, which freed up countertop space. Additional and improved storage was also created by incorporating under cabinet drawers throughout the kitchen, a bar area with open glass shelving above, and open shelving to the right of the seating area. Upper cabinet storage was as well increased with storage above the fridge. Numerous lighting improvements were made including the addition of potlights. This was done by dropping the ceiling in the kitchen, which also created a visual division with the dining area. Automation was introduced as well into the space with HUE under cabinet lighting, and a touch faucet. The under cabinet lights are controlled by the Phillips Hue App that programs routines, scenes, and other settings. The kitchen features painted Shaker cabinets accented by textured wood shelving. The countertop surfaces are quartz with waterfalls on both sides of the island, which is a focal point. Shapes are also strongly identified in the design with the use of triangular tiles in the backsplash along with rectangular upper cabinets, and appliance doors and drawers. The kitchen is made most unique though with the uplifting use of colour in the cabinets that make this a bright and cheerful space. Aristea Photography

Situated in Mickleover, this kitchen project marries timeless elegance with a modern edge by introducing a contemporary twist to the classic shaker style. The kitchen features the Belsay Woodgrain range from Second Nature, finished in a soft Cashmere hue—a subtle shade of grey that exudes sophistication. This choice brings warmth and character to the space while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic. Worktops are 30mm Silestone Ethereal Glow, offering durability and a luminous finish that enhances the kitchen’s light and airy feel. State-of-the-art NEFF appliances from the N 70 collection, including ovens, a hob, and a fridge, complete the design. With Home Connect technology, these appliances provide voice and app control for added convenience and functionality. A central island serves as the heart of the kitchen, providing additional workspace and a spot for casual dining. Ample storage solutions include a hidden pantry with pull-out shelves, ensuring that every inch of space is efficiently utilised. With thoughtful design choices and premium features, this kitchen is as functional as it is beautiful. Are you ready to bring your dream kitchen to life? Get in touch with us, and let’s discuss your ideas.

Situated in Mickleover, this kitchen project marries timeless elegance with a modern edge by introducing a contemporary twist to the classic shaker style. The kitchen features the Belsay Woodgrain range from Second Nature, finished in a soft Cashmere hue—a subtle shade of grey that exudes sophistication. This choice brings warmth and character to the space while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic. Worktops are 30mm Silestone Ethereal Glow, offering durability and a luminous finish that enhances the kitchen’s light and airy feel. State-of-the-art NEFF appliances from the N 70 collection, including ovens, a hob, and a fridge, complete the design. With Home Connect technology, these appliances provide voice and app control for added convenience and functionality. A central island serves as the heart of the kitchen, providing additional workspace and a spot for casual dining. Ample storage solutions include a hidden pantry with pull-out shelves, ensuring that every inch of space is efficiently utilised. With thoughtful design choices and premium features, this kitchen is as functional as it is beautiful. Are you ready to bring your dream kitchen to life? Get in touch with us, and let’s discuss your ideas.

Situated in Mickleover, this kitchen project marries timeless elegance with a modern edge by introducing a contemporary twist to the classic shaker style. The kitchen features the Belsay Woodgrain range from Second Nature, finished in a soft Cashmere hue—a subtle shade of grey that exudes sophistication. This choice brings warmth and character to the space while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic. Worktops are 30mm Silestone Ethereal Glow, offering durability and a luminous finish that enhances the kitchen’s light and airy feel. State-of-the-art NEFF appliances from the N 70 collection, including ovens, a hob, and a fridge, complete the design. With Home Connect technology, these appliances provide voice and app control for added convenience and functionality. A central island serves as the heart of the kitchen, providing additional workspace and a spot for casual dining. Ample storage solutions include a hidden pantry with pull-out shelves, ensuring that every inch of space is efficiently utilised. With thoughtful design choices and premium features, this kitchen is as functional as it is beautiful. Are you ready to bring your dream kitchen to life? Get in touch with us, and let’s discuss your ideas.

Situated in Mickleover, this kitchen project marries timeless elegance with a modern edge by introducing a contemporary twist to the classic shaker style. The kitchen features the Belsay Woodgrain range from Second Nature, finished in a soft Cashmere hue—a subtle shade of grey that exudes sophistication. This choice brings warmth and character to the space while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic. Worktops are 30mm Silestone Ethereal Glow, offering durability and a luminous finish that enhances the kitchen’s light and airy feel. State-of-the-art NEFF appliances from the N 70 collection, including ovens, a hob, and a fridge, complete the design. With Home Connect technology, these appliances provide voice and app control for added convenience and functionality. A central island serves as the heart of the kitchen, providing additional workspace and a spot for casual dining. Ample storage solutions include a hidden pantry with pull-out shelves, ensuring that every inch of space is efficiently utilised. With thoughtful design choices and premium features, this kitchen is as functional as it is beautiful. Are you ready to bring your dream kitchen to life? Get in touch with us, and let’s discuss your ideas.

The original kitchen in this condominium was renovated arising from the need to replace Kitec plumbing. The work triangle remained generally the same, but numerous changes were made to improve the kitchen’s functionality, aesthetics, and lighting. Automation was also introduced. The goal was to design and build a modern contemporary functional kitchen with inspiring colours accented with textured wood features. The functionality was improved with the addition of an under counter microwave, which freed up countertop space. Additional and improved storage was also created by incorporating under cabinet drawers throughout the kitchen, a bar area with open glass shelving above, and open shelving to the right of the seating area. Upper cabinet storage was as well increased with storage above the fridge. Numerous lighting improvements were made including the addition of potlights. This was done by dropping the ceiling in the kitchen, which also created a visual division with the dining area. Automation was introduced as well into the space with HUE under cabinet lighting, and a touch faucet. The under cabinet lights are controlled by the Phillips Hue App that programs routines, scenes, and other settings. The kitchen features painted Shaker cabinets accented by textured wood shelving. The countertop surfaces are quartz with waterfalls on both sides of the island, which is a focal point. Shapes are also strongly identified in the design with the use of triangular tiles in the backsplash along with rectangular upper cabinets, and appliance doors and drawers. The kitchen is made most unique though with the uplifting use of colour in the cabinets that make this a bright and cheerful space. Aristea Photography

Situated in Mickleover, this kitchen project marries timeless elegance with a modern edge by introducing a contemporary twist to the classic shaker style. The kitchen features the Belsay Woodgrain range from Second Nature, finished in a soft Cashmere hue—a subtle shade of grey that exudes sophistication. This choice brings warmth and character to the space while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic. Worktops are 30mm Silestone Ethereal Glow, offering durability and a luminous finish that enhances the kitchen’s light and airy feel. State-of-the-art NEFF appliances from the N 70 collection, including ovens, a hob, and a fridge, complete the design. With Home Connect technology, these appliances provide voice and app control for added convenience and functionality. A central island serves as the heart of the kitchen, providing additional workspace and a spot for casual dining. Ample storage solutions include a hidden pantry with pull-out shelves, ensuring that every inch of space is efficiently utilised. With thoughtful design choices and premium features, this kitchen is as functional as it is beautiful. Are you ready to bring your dream kitchen to life? Get in touch with us, and let’s discuss your ideas.

Situated in Mickleover, this kitchen project marries timeless elegance with a modern edge by introducing a contemporary twist to the classic shaker style. The kitchen features the Belsay Woodgrain range from Second Nature, finished in a soft Cashmere hue—a subtle shade of grey that exudes sophistication. This choice brings warmth and character to the space while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic. Worktops are 30mm Silestone Ethereal Glow, offering durability and a luminous finish that enhances the kitchen’s light and airy feel. State-of-the-art NEFF appliances from the N 70 collection, including ovens, a hob, and a fridge, complete the design. With Home Connect technology, these appliances provide voice and app control for added convenience and functionality. A central island serves as the heart of the kitchen, providing additional workspace and a spot for casual dining. Ample storage solutions include a hidden pantry with pull-out shelves, ensuring that every inch of space is efficiently utilised. With thoughtful design choices and premium features, this kitchen is as functional as it is beautiful. Are you ready to bring your dream kitchen to life? Get in touch with us, and let’s discuss your ideas.

The original kitchen in this condominium was renovated arising from the need to replace Kitec plumbing. The work triangle remained generally the same, but numerous changes were made to improve the kitchen’s functionality, aesthetics, and lighting. Automation was also introduced. The goal was to design and build a modern contemporary functional kitchen with inspiring colours accented with textured wood features. The functionality was improved with the addition of an under counter microwave, which freed up countertop space. Additional and improved storage was also created by incorporating under cabinet drawers throughout the kitchen, a bar area with open glass shelving above, and open shelving to the right of the seating area. Upper cabinet storage was as well increased with storage above the fridge. Numerous lighting improvements were made including the addition of potlights. This was done by dropping the ceiling in the kitchen, which also created a visual division with the dining area. Automation was introduced as well into the space with HUE under cabinet lighting, and a touch faucet. The under cabinet lights are controlled by the Phillips Hue App that programs routines, scenes, and other settings. The kitchen features painted Shaker cabinets accented by textured wood shelving. The countertop surfaces are quartz with waterfalls on both sides of the island, which is a focal point. Shapes are also strongly identified in the design with the use of triangular tiles in the backsplash along with rectangular upper cabinets, and appliance doors and drawers. The kitchen is made most unique though with the uplifting use of colour in the cabinets that make this a bright and cheerful space. Aristea Photography

The original kitchen in this condominium was renovated arising from the need to replace Kitec plumbing. The work triangle remained generally the same, but numerous changes were made to improve the kitchen’s functionality, aesthetics, and lighting. Automation was also introduced. The goal was to design and build a modern contemporary functional kitchen with inspiring colours accented with textured wood features. The functionality was improved with the addition of an under counter microwave, which freed up countertop space. Additional and improved storage was also created by incorporating under cabinet drawers throughout the kitchen, a bar area with open glass shelving above, and open shelving to the right of the seating area. Upper cabinet storage was as well increased with storage above the fridge. Numerous lighting improvements were made including the addition of potlights. This was done by dropping the ceiling in the kitchen, which also created a visual division with the dining area. Automation was introduced as well into the space with HUE under cabinet lighting, and a touch faucet. The under cabinet lights are controlled by the Phillips Hue App that programs routines, scenes, and other settings. The kitchen features painted Shaker cabinets accented by textured wood shelving. The countertop surfaces are quartz with waterfalls on both sides of the island, which is a focal point. Shapes are also strongly identified in the design with the use of triangular tiles in the backsplash along with rectangular upper cabinets, and appliance doors and drawers. The kitchen is made most unique though with the uplifting use of colour in the cabinets that make this a bright and cheerful space. Aristea Photography

Discover how premium light-filtering materials and smart-home automation can secure street-level entryway glass without losing natural daylight. Choosing the right window treatments for a home's front entrance is one of the most challenging design decisions a homeowner can face. The front door is the focal point of a home's curb appeal, often featuring expansive glass panels or side-by-side double doors designed to make a grand architectural statement. During the day, these large glass features are an asset, flooding entryways and foyers with beautiful natural daylight. However, for homes situated on busy local roads or highly trafficked street-level lots, the dynamic completely changes once the sun goes down. The moment interior lights are switched on in the evening, a stark contrast is created with the dark outdoors. This creates a severe privacy issue, leaving the entire foyer completely exposed to passing traffic and pedestrians. Finding a solution that delivers absolute evening privacy without permanently plunging the front entrance into darkness during the day requires understanding how modern window treatment materials and operating systems interact. Light-Filtering vs. Blackout Fabrics The first step in solving street-level privacy is selecting the correct fabric type. Many homeowners mistakenly assume they need heavy, opaque blackout shades to secure their home from outside eyes at night. While blackout fabrics certainly block 100% of the view, they also block 100% of the natural daylight during the day, forcing you to constantly raise and lower the shades just to see inside your own foyer. A more effective approach for entryways utilizes premium light-filtering materials. These specialized fabrics are engineered with a precise, tight weave that operates on the principles of directional light and optical density. Daytime Functionality: When the sun is shining outside, the exterior light levels are significantly higher than the interior light levels. The light-filtering fabric diffuses the intense, direct sunlight into a soft, ambient glow throughout the entryway. This keeps the home bright, eliminates harsh glares, and protects interior hardwood flooring, paint, and trim from damaging UV rays. Night-Time Functionality: At night, the lighting dynamic reverses. The interior foyer lights make the inside bright, while the outside is dark. Because of the specialized tight weave, the fabric blocks the transmission of clear shapes and details. To a person standing out on the street or driving by on a busy road, the view inside is completely obstructed, delivering total privacy when the family is home for the evening. Challenges of Front Door Installations Securing privacy for a double wide front entrance introduces unique structural hurdles that standard windows do not face. Traditional blinds with hanging cords or manual pull chains are poorly suited for front doors. They disrupt the clean architectural lines of a grand foyer, create a safety hazard, and can easily get tangled or damaged when the doors are opened and closed. The window treatments must be mounted high and wide enough above the door trim to ensure that the front doors can swing open and close freely without ever catching on the fabric or the lower hem bar. How We Applied These Principles in Sherrills Ford, NC Applying these exact educational principles to real-world homes is what Cole and I do every day at Bloomin' Blinds of North Charlotte. We recently worked with a homeowner in Sherrills Ford whose beautiful new construction property sat on a highly trafficked road. They loved their double wide front door entrance but felt entirely too exposed to the street at night. We brought our mobile showroom directly to their driveway. This allowed us to hold up premium light-filtering fabric samples directly against their entryway glass, matching the materials perfectly to their home's natural lighting, interior paint, and trim before making a single cut. To solve their street-level privacy issue, we custom-built and installed two matching light-filtering roller shades, mounting them flawlessly side-by-side above the front door frame. To keep the home’s interior design completely cohesive, we carried the exact same style to the back of the house, installing a matching single roller shade on the rear door. Smart Home Window Automation at Your Fingertips Because entryway windows can be tall and awkward to reach manually, our family team integrated advanced smart-home motorization into this Sherrills Ford project. Beyond the convenience of a handheld remote control, these automated roller shades feature seamless Wi-Fi integration. The homeowners can control their privacy through a dedicated smartphone app or link the system directly to their existing voice-activated smart home networks, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. This allows for complete hands-free window automation. The clients can program custom daily routines—such as setting the front entry shades to automatically lower exactly at sunset—or simply use a voice command to secure the foyer instantly from the comfort of the couch.

Savant smart door entry is the most elegant and reliable doorbell system around. Works in a single app right alongside your lighting, temperature, TV, sound, and more.

Carved from a single block of granite, this Bathtub will highlight your master bath! CHARCOAL GREY Granite honed/filled interior & rough picked exterior- Oval-in Bathtub Material: Granite Finish: Exterior rough picked, top and interior honed/filled, flat top/eased edge Application: Interior/Exterior Area: Ideal for bathroom Pool App: Okay Water App: Okay Hue Variation: Low Shape: Bathtub

Carved from a single block of granite, this Bathtub will highlight your master bath! CHARCOAL GREY Granite honed/filled interior & rough picked exterior- Oval-in Bathtub Material: Granite Finish: Exterior rough picked, top and interior honed/filled, flat top/eased edge Application: Interior/Exterior Area: Ideal for bathroom Pool App: Okay Water App: Okay Hue Variation: Low Shape: Bathtub

Brunswick Parlour transforms a Victorian cottage into a hard-working, personalised home for a family of four. Our clients loved the character of their Brunswick terrace home, but not its inefficient floor plan and poor year-round thermal control. They didn't need more space, they just needed their space to work harder. The front bedrooms remain largely untouched, retaining their Victorian features and only introducing new cabinetry. Meanwhile, the main bedroom’s previously pokey en suite and wardrobe have been expanded, adorned with custom cabinetry and illuminated via a generous skylight. At the rear of the house, we reimagined the floor plan to establish shared spaces suited to the family’s lifestyle. Flanked by the dining and living rooms, the kitchen has been reoriented into a more efficient layout and features custom cabinetry that uses every available inch. In the dining room, the Swiss Army Knife of utility cabinets unfolds to reveal a laundry, more custom cabinetry, and a craft station with a retractable desk. Beautiful materiality throughout infuses the home with warmth and personality, featuring Blackbutt timber flooring and cabinetry, and selective pops of green and pink tones. The house now works hard in a thermal sense too. Insulation and glazing were updated to best practice standard, and we’ve introduced several temperature control tools. Hydronic heating installed throughout the house is complemented by an evaporative cooling system and operable skylight. The result is a lush, tactile home that increases the effectiveness of every existing inch to enhance daily life for our clients, proving that good design doesn’t need to add space to add value.

Carved from a single block of granite, this Bathtub will highlight your master bath! CHARCOAL GREY Granite honed/filled interior & rough picked exterior- Oval-in Bathtub Material: Granite Finish: Exterior rough picked, top and interior honed/filled, flat top/eased edge Application: Interior/Exterior Area: Ideal for bathroom Pool App: Okay Water App: Okay Hue Variation: Low Shape: Bathtub

Here's the project review from our client (also found on our review page): We worked with Dan to provide full home automation including lighting, blinds, HVAC, AV, and whole-home audio in our recent condo renovation. Everything works seamlessly through a single app. Dan worked with us from start to finish including the entire install and he is a wealth of knowledge and experience. He will tailor the project scope to your budget. Dan is very professional and just an all-around great guy and we were so pleased with our experience that we are using his services on our new home build! Shop around and you will find Dan Killinger and Intelligent Living Solutions is the way to go.

Launch Port inwall docking station for iPad. Controls the whole house with URC Total Control app or use a single app such as Sonos, Lutron, Alarm.com, and more. URC Keypad for fast control scenes of lights and shades.