Search results for "Solutions depends" in Home Design Ideas

Example of a mid-sized farmhouse look-out dark wood floor basement design in Boston with beige walls and no fireplace

Joseph Narcisse
Mid-sized mountain style enclosed dark wood floor family room photo in New York with beige walls and a wall-mounted tv
Mid-sized mountain style enclosed dark wood floor family room photo in New York with beige walls and a wall-mounted tv
Find the right local pro for your project

The master bath features stunning views of Puget Sound.
The glass walls between the bath and hall have a hand-drawn etched glass pattern.
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider

Example of a mid-sized transitional dark wood floor and brown floor double front door design in Austin with gray walls and a black front door

Coral Pool and Spa
Hot tub - large contemporary backyard stamped concrete and custom-shaped natural hot tub idea in San Francisco
Hot tub - large contemporary backyard stamped concrete and custom-shaped natural hot tub idea in San Francisco

Winner of NKBA Bath in the Small Bath Category.
Custom designed vanity in a 48" area includes total
organization in a small area. The vanity is a lesser depth with a bump out for the sink area making it less massive in the small space.
It has 3 narrow draws for make-up and a woman sundries. 1 slightly higher draw for bottles and creams, shaving cream a deep draw with a socket and storage for a hair blower, brushes, hair implements and a built in hamper.
The Robern curved reccess medicine cabinet with lights, 2 side cabinets are mirrored inside out, includes adjustable glass shelves, radio, plugs and a defogger to prevent steam from the shower fogging up the glass.
Notice there is a crown molding running around the ceiling in marble, which supports the mirrored ceiling without using unsightly metal moldings for support.

Imbue Design
Small minimalist front door photo in Salt Lake City with a medium wood front door
Small minimalist front door photo in Salt Lake City with a medium wood front door

NSPJ Architects / Cathy Kudelko
Home design - transitional home design idea in Kansas City
Home design - transitional home design idea in Kansas City

Don't let your interior doors be written off as some functional piece of hardware. Come to Glenview Haus and make your interior doors just as stunning as the rest of your home. Glenview Haus' Traditional Wood Interior Door Collection ensures that every door stands out with all the elegance and style. Our Traditional wooden doors are finely made by expert artisans and designed with all of your needs in mind.

Josiah Zukowski
Staircase - mid-sized modern carpeted straight carpeted staircase idea in Portland with white walls and carpeted risers
Staircase - mid-sized modern carpeted straight carpeted staircase idea in Portland with white walls and carpeted risers

"Builder Beige" new construction. This guest bath came with bare white cabinets, grey walls and basic frame less square mirror with vanity light over the mirror. I added this black oversize picket tile back splash with charcoal/black grout. I replaced the builder grade mirror with a round metal framed one. We changed the lighting by, removing the light above the mirror and added two sconces, one on each side. For the final touch, I added the black hardware, to ensure the white cabinets remain white for as long as possible. Cabinets without hardware tend to get dirty quicker, because the doors pick up the oils from our hands. I wanted to avoid that for as long as possible.
The water closet came with this out-swing shower door.
The space was extremely tight for the smallest of people,
so for anyone of any size would feel closed in. So, I
switched out the builder grade out-swing shower door with a semi-frame-less sliding shower door. This allows for more room to move around, opening the space up just a tad.

Example of a large classic u-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Minneapolis with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

Master shower with marble seat, threshold and nook. Stainless steel and glass accent tile.
Inspiration for a coastal gray tile alcove shower remodel in Miami with marble countertops
Inspiration for a coastal gray tile alcove shower remodel in Miami with marble countertops

Mid-sized transitional master carpeted and multicolored floor bedroom photo in DC Metro with gray walls

Inspiration for a small modern courtyard concrete patio remodel in San Luis Obispo with a fire pit and a pergola

Metal Porch Stairs Painting in Lakeview, Chicago | Windy City Painters
Lakeview is one of Chicago's most architecturally diverse neighborhoods — vintage courtyard buildings, rooftop-deck condos, newly converted three-flats, and classic brick two-flats all line the same block. What they share is this: exposed metal. Back porch stairs, handrails, balconies, and exterior landings define the rear streetscape of nearly every building in the neighborhood. And in Chicago, exposed metal without proper protective coatings doesn't last.
Windy City Painters recently completed a full metal porch stairs painting project in Lakeview that illustrates exactly what professional metal refinishing looks like — and why preparation is everything.
The Problem: Years of Chicago Weather Had Done Their Damage
The client's back porch stairs were structurally sound — the diamond-plate steel treads were solid underfoot and the handrails were stable. However, the original paint system had long since failed. Surface rust had spread across the treads and risers. The old coating was peeling at every seam, edge, and weld point. Meanwhile, the black handrails were chalky and beginning to show rust at the bases.
Notably, this is a pattern Windy City Painters sees constantly in Lakeview. The neighborhood's diverse housing stock — ranging from pre-war courtyard buildings to 1990s condo conversions — often features original metal porch work that has never received a proper professional refinish. Homeowners and property managers patch-paint over rust for years, which ultimately accelerates the problem rather than solving it.
The solution isn't more paint. It's a complete system: mechanical rust removal, chemical treatment, primer, and a durable topcoat engineered for exterior metal.
The Windy City Painters Process for Metal Porch Stairs Painting
Windy City Painters approaches every metal porch stairs painting project with the same disciplined sequence. Consequently, our finishes outlast the competition by years.
Step 1 — Mechanical Preparation Our crew wire-brushes all loose rust, flaking paint, and surface contamination from every tread, riser, stringer, and handrail section. For heavier rust accumulation, we use grinding discs to cut down to clean, bare metal. This step is non-negotiable. Additionally, we pay particular attention to weld seams, bolt plates, and edge returns — the spots where moisture consistently hides and rust reliably starts.
Step 2 — Chemical Rust Treatment After mechanical prep, we apply a rust-converting primer to any remaining rust residue. This chemically neutralizes active rust and converts it into a stable, paintable surface. Moreover, the converter bonds to the metal and creates an additional barrier against future oxidation.
Step 3 — Rust-Inhibiting Primer Windy City Painters then applies a full coat of oil-based, rust-inhibiting primer to all prepared metal surfaces. This primer penetrates bare metal and creates the critical bond layer that everything else depends on. Skipping this step — or substituting a latex primer — is the single biggest reason DIY metal paint jobs fail within one season.
Step 4 — Two Topcoats of Industrial Enamel We apply two full coats of oil-based industrial enamel in the client's chosen color. For this Lakeview project, the stairs received a deep red finish and the handrails received gloss black — a classic combination that reads beautifully against the surrounding brick. Each coat is allowed to cure fully before the next is applied. Furthermore, we back-roll every surface to eliminate lap marks and ensure consistent film build.
Step 5 — Final Inspection and Cleanup Windy City Painters inspects every inch of the completed work before calling a project done. We remove all masking, clean up the work area completely, and walk the client through the finished result. In addition, we advise on a maintenance schedule to maximize the life of the coating system.
Why Metal Porch Stairs Painting Matters for Lakeview Properties
Metal porch stairs are among the most visible exterior features of Chicago residential buildings. Therefore, their condition directly affects curb appeal, property value, and — most importantly — structural safety. Rust that penetrates deeply enough will compromise the structural integrity of stairs and railings. Meanwhile, peeling paint signals to buyers, renters, and neighbors that a property is deferred.
In contrast, freshly refinished metal porch stairs signal exactly the opposite. They say the property is maintained, the owner takes pride in the building, and the structure is safe. For Lakeview landlords and homeowners alike, metal porch stair refinishing delivers an exceptional return on investment.
Professional Advice for Lakeview Homeowners
Before starting a metal porch stairs painting project, Windy City Painters recommends the following:
Don't paint over rust. Any rust left beneath a topcoat will continue to spread and will lift the new paint within months. Mechanical removal is essential.
Choose oil-based products for exterior metal. Latex paints don't adhere to metal as reliably and lack the film hardness needed to withstand foot traffic and freeze-thaw cycles.
Time your project right. Ideal conditions for metal painting are 50°F–90°F with low humidity. Chicago's spring and early fall are perfect windows.
Don't skip the primer. A properly applied rust-inhibiting primer is what separates a seven-year finish from a one-year failure.
Budget for full prep. Preparation typically represents 60–70% of the labor on a metal refinishing project. That's where the money is well spent.
Windy City Painters: Lakeview's Trusted Metal Refinishing Contractor
Windy City Painters has refined the process of exterior metal painting and refinishing across Chicago's North Side and Near West Side. We work in Lakeview regularly — on courtyard buildings, two-flats, coach houses, and commercial properties — and we understand the unique demands that Chicago's climate places on exterior metal. As a result, our coating systems are selected and applied for maximum longevity in this specific environment.
See more of our work and request a free estimate at www.windypainters.com.
Ready to transform your Lakeview home? Contact Windy City Painters for a free estimate — visit www.windypainters.com today. Proudly serving Wicker Park, West Town, Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, Lakeview, Ukrainian Village, River North, and all of Chicago.

The owners of this 1980’s built-home wanted to create a completely new look for their outdated master bath and turned to Renovisions for design and build services. Having perused Renovisions website, they were confident they made the right choice to help them transform their ordinary space into something truly extraordinary. The design team created several configurations for the homeowners review until they nailed down one particular design that would create that wow factor.
The main challenges were creating an open, spacious feel and maximizing natural light and ventilation with plenty of storage and customizations. The addition of a second window allows ample light into the space throughout the day along with the recessed and sconce lights which were perfectly placed. Storage, which was a key element of this design, includes two separate vanity cabinets (his and hers) with plenty of space for needed toiletries, a matching framed medicine cabinet for her and a custom built cubby for him. Built on site was a linen closet with both roll out and stationary shelves for towels and shower supplies. The spacious walk-in, all tiled shower boasts ‘no door’ access with lineal drain, traditional fixed and hand-held shower heads and a rounded shower seat. Polished black granite was used inside the cubby and topping both the threshold and seat creating a nice contrast to and tying in with the floor. The decorative grab bar ensures safety for these homeowners while showering. The heated floors added throughout the bath take the edge off when stepping out of the warm shower and are conveniently operated by a 24 hour programmable thermostat. Classic white subway tile and chair rail trims adorne all walls and tie in nicely to each vanity station. Carrera look quartz was the perfect choice for countertops creating a clean fresh look. Stunning marble basket-weave mosaic floor tile set the stage in this exquisite bath as the beautiful white painted cabinetry softened the overall feel of the space.
These homeowners are not saving spa retreats for once-a-year vacations anymore, they now enjoy a relaxing spa-like shower experience every day in their own home!
44


