Are you hot and uncomfortable in your outdoor spaces? If so, Keystone Fabrics cordless outdoor sun shades are the perfect solution. Our shades are made from a high quality, durable PVC fabric. With up to 92% UV block, these shades keep your space cool, while lowering your energy costs, reducing blinding glare and fading of furniture. Simply roll your shades down, using the pole and hand crank system, before heat starts building up on your window, porch or patio and start enjoying your outdoor space again. An installation template and removable pole are included. These shades are available in a variety of colors and sizes.

Inquire About Our Design Services What we did: I started with a floor plan. I knew the success of this design rested in how the space was mapped out. Lisa and Charles love modern furniture, but they couldn’t seem give each room the warmth they were looking for with modern furnishings, despite their best efforts. I was inspired by photos that they gave me and certain elements in the home that they LOVED. One thing they mentioned was the fireplace and its color. I decided that the fireplace had to be the starting point of the room design, and based the color palette off of that beautiful, earthy orange color. Here’s the highlights of the rest of the project: Charted out the furniture plan for each room. Created blueprints for shelving above Cabinet Storage area. Lisa is an avid reader and my home girl needs a library! Custom designed the sofas, chairs, and an ottoman for the living area. Selected all furnishings, accessories, and art. Created storage for the kids. They are now able to stash their toys when they’re not using them, reducing clutter and keeping the space nice and open. What I love: They gave me the green light to have fun with the fabrics and patterns in the family room. I had a ton of fun with the sofas! That AH-mazing coffee table. It is very unique, and I cannot lie… I secretly wanted it for myself. The art in their living room (very dramatic). With the scale of the room, I knew it was either go big or go home! Total time - 12.5 months

Are you hot and uncomfortable in your outdoor spaces? If so, Keystone Fabrics cordless outdoor sun shades are the perfect solution. Our shades are made from a high quality, durable PVC fabric. With up to 92% UV block, these shades keep your space cool, while lowering your energy costs, reducing blinding glare and fading of furniture. Simply roll your shades down, using the pole and hand crank system, before heat starts building up on your window, porch or patio and start enjoying your outdoor space again. An installation template and removable pole are included. These shades are available in a variety of colors and sizes.

The clients desired a building that would be low-slung, fit into the contours of the site, and would invoke a modern, yet camp-like arrangement of gathering and sleeping spaces.

The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by NIls Finne

Inquire About Our Design Services What we did: I started with a floor plan. I knew the success of this design rested in how the space was mapped out. Lisa and Charles love modern furniture, but they couldn’t seem give each room the warmth they were looking for with modern furnishings, despite their best efforts. I was inspired by photos that they gave me and certain elements in the home that they LOVED. One thing they mentioned was the fireplace and its color. I decided that the fireplace had to be the starting point of the room design, and based the color palette off of that beautiful, earthy orange color. Here’s the highlights of the rest of the project: Charted out the furniture plan for each room. Created blueprints for shelving above Cabinet Storage area. Lisa is an avid reader and my home girl needs a library! Custom designed the sofas, chairs, and an ottoman for the living area. Selected all furnishings, accessories, and art. Created storage for the kids. They are now able to stash their toys when they’re not using them, reducing clutter and keeping the space nice and open. What I love: They gave me the green light to have fun with the fabrics and patterns in the family room. I had a ton of fun with the sofas! That AH-mazing coffee table. It is very unique, and I cannot lie… I secretly wanted it for myself. The art in their living room (very dramatic). With the scale of the room, I knew it was either go big or go home! Total time - 12.5 months

Independent Home just completed a walk in tub installation for a couple in West Chester. Check out how our installation process works and how a walk in tub could benefit you. Our installation process starts with a pre-installation meeting. Our experts met with Allison and Greg to find out what type of walk in tub would best fit their needs, the best location, and what type of finish they would want. At the meeting, our experts learned that Allison and Greg already had a walk in shower. However, it wasn’t providing them with what they needed. They both suffer from arthritis and restless leg syndrome and were looking for relief. The Supreme Walk in Bathtub model was the perfect solution for Allison and Greg because not only do they suffer from arthritis and restless leg syndrome they also are bariatric clients and needed a wider tub. The Supreme model is large, has a non-slip floor, two safety grab bars, and hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is what will help reduce Allison and Greg’s pain. Their pain will decrease each time they enjoy a deep soaking massage that is provided by the air and whirlpool jets. The jets work in a greater range of motion that causes an increase in circulation. As Allison and Greg’s circulation increase, their muscles will begin to rehabilitate and reduce the pain. The installation only took a couple days to complete. That included taking out their old shower along with removing the foundation, bringing in the new bathtub, making sure the legs are level, hooking up the new plumbing, and making sure that there aren’t any leaks. The last part of the installation is building the finish. Allison and Greg had wanted our experts to maintain their bathroom tile.

This cedar deck was a replacement for an older traditional deck with railings. We wanted to give the owner an open picture of the landscape with multiple access points and no railings to obscure that view.

Turn-key packages by NOW by Steven G
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary freestanding desk beige floor study room remodel in Miami with gray walls

Inquire About Our Design Services What we did: I started with a floor plan. I knew the success of this design rested in how the space was mapped out. Lisa and Charles love modern furniture, but they couldn’t seem give each room the warmth they were looking for with modern furnishings, despite their best efforts. I was inspired by photos that they gave me and certain elements in the home that they LOVED. One thing they mentioned was the fireplace and its color. I decided that the fireplace had to be the starting point of the room design, and based the color palette off of that beautiful, earthy orange color. Here’s the highlights of the rest of the project: Charted out the furniture plan for each room. Created blueprints for shelving above Cabinet Storage area. Lisa is an avid reader and my home girl needs a library! Custom designed the sofas, chairs, and an ottoman for the living area. Selected all furnishings, accessories, and art. Created storage for the kids. They are now able to stash their toys when they’re not using them, reducing clutter and keeping the space nice and open. What I love: They gave me the green light to have fun with the fabrics and patterns in the family room. I had a ton of fun with the sofas! That AH-mazing coffee table. It is very unique, and I cannot lie… I secretly wanted it for myself. The art in their living room (very dramatic). With the scale of the room, I knew it was either go big or go home! Total time - 12.5 months

Are you hot and uncomfortable in your outdoor spaces? If so, Keystone Fabrics cordless outdoor sun shades are the perfect solution. Our shades are made from a high quality, durable PVC fabric. With up to 90% UV block, these shades keep your space cool, while lowering your energy costs, reducing blinding glare and fading of furniture. Simply roll your shades down, using the pole and hand crank system, before heat starts building up on your window, porch or patio and start enjoying your outdoor space again. An installation template and removable pole are included. These shades are available in a variety of colors and sizes.

Are you hot and uncomfortable in your outdoor spaces? If so, Keystone Fabrics cordless outdoor sun shades are the perfect solution. Our shades are made from a high quality, durable PVC fabric. With up to 92% UV block, these shades keep your space cool, while lowering your energy costs, reducing blinding glare and fading of furniture. Simply roll your shades down, using the pole and hand crank system, before heat starts building up on your window, porch or patio and start enjoying your outdoor space again. An installation template and removable pole are included. These shades are available in a variety of colors and sizes.

Are you hot and uncomfortable in your outdoor spaces? If so, Keystone Fabrics cordless outdoor sun shades are the perfect solution. Our shades are made from a high quality, durable PVC fabric. With up to 92% UV block, these shades keep your space cool, while lowering your energy costs, reducing blinding glare and fading of furniture. Simply roll your shades down, using the pole and hand crank system, before heat starts building up on your window, porch or patio and start enjoying your outdoor space again. An installation template and removable pole are included. These shades are available in a variety of colors and sizes.

Inquire About Our Design Services What we did: I started with a floor plan. I knew the success of this design rested in how the space was mapped out. Lisa and Charles love modern furniture, but they couldn’t seem give each room the warmth they were looking for with modern furnishings, despite their best efforts. I was inspired by photos that they gave me and certain elements in the home that they LOVED. One thing they mentioned was the fireplace and its color. I decided that the fireplace had to be the starting point of the room design, and based the color palette off of that beautiful, earthy orange color. Here’s the highlights of the rest of the project: Charted out the furniture plan for each room. Created blueprints for shelving above Cabinet Storage area. Lisa is an avid reader and my home girl needs a library! Custom designed the sofas, chairs, and an ottoman for the living area. Selected all furnishings, accessories, and art. Created storage for the kids. They are now able to stash their toys when they’re not using them, reducing clutter and keeping the space nice and open. What I love: They gave me the green light to have fun with the fabrics and patterns in the family room. I had a ton of fun with the sofas! That AH-mazing coffee table. It is very unique, and I cannot lie… I secretly wanted it for myself. The art in their living room (very dramatic). With the scale of the room, I knew it was either go big or go home! Total time - 12.5 months

Jared McKenna Photography
Example of a mountain style exterior home design in Boston

Design Builders & Remodeling is a one stop shop operation. From the start, design solutions are strongly rooted in practical applications and experience. Project planning takes into account the realities of the construction process and mindful of your established budget. All the work is centralized in one firm reducing the chances of costly or time consuming surprises. A solid partnership with solid professionals to help you realize your dreams for a new or improved home.

Titan Wall Hood

Timber frame homes offer unique challenges during a remodel. What often makes them beautiful and attractive to most homeowners, also makes them challenging for space requirements. Context: The lovely couple that owned this home were struggling with some interesting floor plan challenges that just didn't work for their family. The loved the beautiful timbers and woodwork of their home, but the dramatically sloping ceilings on the second floor, particularly in the bathroom, just didn't work for this 1 1/2 bath home. Needing to use the skylight to approach the toilet was a less then ideal scenario. Although the bathroom footprint was more then adequate, the sloped ceiling only made half of the space useable. Check out the Before/After post on our blog to see the photos of the house pre-renovation. As much as they loved all the wood features in their home, another challenge they had was light. The wood ceiling made everything inside the house darker, even with a fantastic array of south facing windows, there were spaces in the home that felt dark and small. When they contacted us they wanted to know how could they make their brighter and more inviting, were there solutions to the 2nd floor sloped ceiling issues, and if they were going to do all of this work, how could they make their home more comfortable and efficient. A nagging water leak in the upstairs bathroom spurred them into action and here is how we solved their dilemma. Conclusion: First, we added a little dormer to the rear of the house so we could get full headroom in nearly all of the upstairs bathroom! Then we decided to extend that dormer one more timber bay over to create a walk in closet with natural light and plenty of space. Since we were contemplating energy efficiency, we resolved a nagging issue that is present in a lot of timber frame construction, air tightness. Commonly found in timber frame construction, fiberglass insulation is installed in the rafter bays and board ceilings are installed over top. Unfortunately, board ceilings are anything but air tight, and fiberglass insulation needs to be in an airtight cavity for maximum effectiveness. So we were able to solve two issues at the same time for this homeowner. We removed the board ceiling and fiberglass insulation, we dense packed the rafter bays with cellulose insulation, and installed sheetrock in place of the boards. The boards were salvaged for re-use by the homeowner, and the space and light quality was dramatically improved. Some may think that losing the board ceiling took something away from the space, but what you'll see in the pictures is that it highly accentuates the heavy timbers and really makes them stand out in a beautiful way. Now with this added airtightness, better insulation, and brighter space, the homeowner hardly runs their wood stove, and it's so quiet in the space, an added bonus from changing the insulation. It became necessary to also add a sheetrock ceiling to the living room to hide the plumbing from the new bathroom layout above. Changing this ceiling gave the homeowner some real quality lighting that was lacking in the living room before. The brighter ceiling and new lighting layout completely transforms the living room into a space you want to hang out, even though the layout didn't change at all. When the homeowner saw the finished spaces she said "I can't believe this is my house, I want to live in this house" Energy Efficiency: I touched a little on the efficiency above, but like all projects done with Mottram Architecture, we always want to leave you with a little extra. Timber frame construction with board ceilings and fiberglass insulation are notoriously leaky! If you want to know what we think about fiberglass insulation, check our our blog post on Why Fiberglass Insulation Sucks. By installing cellulose insulation and covering it with sheetrock we were able to greatly reduce the heat flowing out of this home. It not only improves cashflow it improves the comfort level in the space. Who wants to sit in their living room and feel a draft? Let us remind you, we are not saying cellulose insulation is an air barrier, we use the sheetrock to help with that, but it does significantly reduce the air flow over fiberglass insulation. And when we reduce the airflow, we reduce the heat flow. And when we reduce the heat flow, we reduce the need to re-heat that drafty air from outside. When it comes to energy efficiency the first and best place to start is air infiltration. We greatly reduced the air infiltration with the new insulation, but we also added a hat and warm boots. What I mean by that is, we improved the insulation in the roof, and we installed insulation in the basement. Maybe it's a silly analogy, but when you think about keeping warm, we always start with the hat and boots! With sustainability in mind, the next project will be to add a deck to the front of this house with rain catchment barrels from the metal roof. They are planning to plant a garden in the spring and the rain catchment system will help to irrigate the new garden. Builder: East Shore Builders Photographer: Michael Eric Berube Michael Eric Berube, Maine Virtual Home Tours

In a world where environmental concerns have reached a critical juncture, the need for eco-conscious living has never been more pressing. Ameen Salous, a visionary leader and a prominent advocate for sustainability, stands as a shining example of how individuals can adopt a greener, more eco-friendly lifestyle. This article will delve into the eco-conscious lifestyle of Ameen Salous, exploring seven practical tips that can inspire anyone to embark on their journey towards a more sustainable way of living. Introduction: Ameen Salous - A Visionary Champion of Sustainability Ameen Salous is a name synonymous with innovation, but his influence extends far beyond technological advancements. His commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility is a core facet of his identity. Ameen's eco-conscious lifestyle serves as a beacon of hope in a world grappling with the consequences of climate change and environmental degradation. As we explore his approach to green living, we can glean valuable insights into how each of us can make a positive impact on the planet. 1. Embrace Renewable Energy Sources One of the cornerstones of Ameen Salous's eco-conscious lifestyle is his unwavering support for renewable energy sources. He recognizes the vital role these sources play in reducing our carbon footprint and mitigating climate change. Ameen's advocacy for renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind power, is not only inspiring but also serves as a practical example for individuals looking to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. Actionable Tip: Consider installing solar panels on your property, invest in energy-efficient appliances, and explore green energy options provided by your utility company. 2. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle The mantra of "reduce, reuse, recycle" has become a fundamental principle of eco-conscious living, and Ameen Salous is a staunch advocate for this approach. He emphasizes the importance of minimizing waste and finding creative ways to repurpose items rather than sending them to landfills. By adopting this mindset, Ameen has significantly reduced his environmental footprint. Actionable Tip: Practice responsible waste management by recycling paper, plastics, and glass. Also, look for ways to upcycle or repurpose items you no longer need. 3. Sustainable Transportation Choices Ameen Salous is a proponent of sustainable transportation methods. He recognizes that the transportation sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. To reduce his impact, he promotes eco-friendly alternatives such as electric vehicles, public transit, and carpooling. Ameen's choice to drive electric vehicles reflects his commitment to reducing air pollution and dependence on fossil fuels. Actionable Tip: Consider switching to an electric or hybrid vehicle, use public transportation when possible, and explore options for carpooling or ridesharing to reduce your carbon footprint. 4. Support Sustainable Agriculture Ameen Salous is acutely aware of the environmental impact of our food choices. He advocates for supporting sustainable agriculture practices, such as organic farming and locally sourced produce. Ameen's commitment to a plant-based diet further reduces his carbon footprint, as plant-based diets generally have a lower environmental impact compared to diets heavy in animal products. Actionable Tip: Incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet, buy locally grown and organic produce when available, and consider starting a small garden to grow your own vegetables and herbs. 5. Conserve Water Water conservation is another key aspect of Ameen Salous's eco-conscious lifestyle. He understands the importance of preserving this precious resource in the face of increasing water scarcity worldwide. Ameen's commitment to water conservation includes installing water-saving fixtures, fixing leaks promptly, and minimizing water usage in everyday activities. Actionable Tip: Install low-flow showerheads and faucets, fix any leaks in your plumbing, collect rainwater for outdoor use, and be mindful of water usage when doing everyday tasks like washing dishes or doing laundry. 6. Opt for Sustainable Home Design Ameen Salous's commitment to an eco-conscious lifestyle extends to his home. He believes that sustainable home design can significantly reduce energy consumption and environmental impact. Ameen has incorporated features such as energy-efficient insulation, LED lighting, and smart thermostats into his home to increase its energy efficiency. Actionable Tip: Consider making energy-efficient upgrades to your home, such as adding insulation, installing energy-efficient windows, and using programmable thermostats to reduce energy consumption. 7. Environmental Advocacy and Education Perhaps one of the most impactful aspects of Ameen Salous's eco-conscious lifestyle is his dedication to environmental advocacy and education. He recognizes that raising awareness and inspiring others to take action are essential steps in addressing environmental challenges. Ameen actively engages with his community and the broader public to promote sustainable living practices and advocate for policies that protect the environment. Actionable Tip: Get involved in environmental advocacy in your community, participate in local clean-up events, and educate yourself and others about the importance of sustainable living. Conclusion: Ameen Salous's Green Living Legacy Ameen Salous's eco-conscious lifestyle serves as a testament to the power of individual actions in the fight against climate change and environmental degradation. His commitment to sustainability, renewable energy, and responsible consumption inspires us all to make more environmentally conscious choices in our daily lives. By embracing these seven tips for going green, we can follow in the footsteps of Ameen Salous and contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly future for our planet.