This designer client relationship is one based on friendship. Senior Designer Cori Dyer and client have an indescribable partnership and unmentioned understanding when it comes to decorating this home. A vintage charmer with a modern flair, filled with collectables and uncommon goods that make this space a unique and spectacular. Cori Dyer: I first met Sally when our boys became friends at Chaminade in 2007. Since then, we have stayed close and become great friends. Several years back she asked for my help giving her ideas on ways to spruce things up a bit and work with her on a major remodel. A little intimidating as Sally has a beautiful home and is an avid collector of vintage finds.... way before the trend of blending old and new was popular. She has an eye for unique ways to use vintage pieces and incorporating those into some of the most interesting and compelling displays. What has made this design relationship work is simply one of respect. I know when to give her that push outside of her comfort zone and incorporate her collections with selections that work with what she has, but that offer a new spin on putting it all together. From that initial "spruce up" has come a makeover in her Living Room and currently one completed in her Family Room. Although there are signs of my design throughout her home, the detail and selection of the collections and vintage finds are all Sally!! I truly think that is how Design should be. Blending old and new, and a Designer listening to what makes the client happy. Client: It was fun to be in style for a year or two, but it’s back to being the quirky lady. I started collecting in my teens and enjoy the hunt for new finds of all types. Cori helped me to enjoy my collections in a new and modern way! As always I had too many things. With her designer eye she taught me to blend the old and the new and to use different materials. The best part was going shopping with one of my best friends, who just happens to be a designer!! She is definitely the ying to my much needed yang.

This designer client relationship is one based on friendship. Senior Designer Cori Dyer and client have an indescribable partnership and unmentioned understanding when it comes to decorating this home. A vintage charmer with a modern flair, filled with collectables and uncommon goods that make this space a unique and spectacular. Cori Dyer: I first met Sally when our boys became friends at Chaminade in 2007. Since then, we have stayed close and become great friends. Several years back she asked for my help giving her ideas on ways to spruce things up a bit and work with her on a major remodel. A little intimidating as Sally has a beautiful home and is an avid collector of vintage finds.... way before the trend of blending old and new was popular. She has an eye for unique ways to use vintage pieces and incorporating those into some of the most interesting and compelling displays. What has made this design relationship work is simply one of respect. I know when to give her that push outside of her comfort zone and incorporate her collections with selections that work with what she has, but that offer a new spin on putting it all together. From that initial "spruce up" has come a makeover in her Living Room and currently one completed in her Family Room. Although there are signs of my design throughout her home, the detail and selection of the collections and vintage finds are all Sally!! I truly think that is how Design should be. Blending old and new, and a Designer listening to what makes the client happy. Client: It was fun to be in style for a year or two, but it’s back to being the quirky lady. I started collecting in my teens and enjoy the hunt for new finds of all types. Cori helped me to enjoy my collections in a new and modern way! As always I had too many things. With her designer eye she taught me to blend the old and the new and to use different materials. The best part was going shopping with one of my best friends, who just happens to be a designer!! She is definitely the ying to my much needed yang.

We started with a blank slate on this basement project where our only obstacles were exposed steel support columns, existing plumbing risers from the concrete slab, and dropped soffits concealing ductwork on the ceiling. It had the advantage of tall ceilings, an existing egress window, and a sliding door leading to a newly constructed patio. This family of five loves the beach and frequents summer beach resorts in the Northeast. Bringing that aesthetic home to enjoy all year long was the inspiration for the décor, as well as creating a family-friendly space for entertaining. Wish list items included room for a billiard table, wet bar, game table, family room, guest bedroom, full bathroom, space for a treadmill and closed storage. The existing structural elements helped to define how best to organize the basement. For instance, we knew we wanted to connect the bar area and billiards table with the patio in order to create an indoor/outdoor entertaining space. It made sense to use the egress window for the guest bedroom for both safety and natural light. The bedroom also would be adjacent to the plumbing risers for easy access to the new bathroom. Since the primary focus of the family room would be for TV viewing, natural light did not need to filter into that space. We made sure to hide the columns inside of newly constructed walls and dropped additional soffits where needed to make the ceiling mechanicals feel less random. In addition to the beach vibe, the homeowner has valuable sports memorabilia that was to be prominently displayed including two seats from the original Yankee stadium. For a coastal feel, shiplap is used on two walls of the family room area. In the bathroom shiplap is used again in a more creative way using wood grain white porcelain tile as the horizontal shiplap “wood”. We connected the tile horizontally with vertical white grout joints and mimicked the horizontal shadow line with dark grey grout. At first glance it looks like we wrapped the shower with real wood shiplap. Materials including a blue and white patterned floor, blue penny tiles and a natural wood vanity checked the list for that seaside feel. A large reclaimed wood door on an exposed sliding barn track separates the family room from the game room where reclaimed beams are punctuated with cable lighting. Cabinetry and a beverage refrigerator are tucked behind the rolling bar cabinet (that doubles as a Blackjack table!). A TV and upright video arcade machine round-out the entertainment in the room. Bar stools, two rotating club chairs, and large square poufs along with the Yankee Stadium seats provide fun places to sit while having a drink, watching billiards or a game on the TV. Signed baseballs can be found behind the bar, adjacent to the billiard table, and on specially designed display shelves next to the poker table in the family room. Thoughtful touches like the surfboards, signage, photographs and accessories make a visitor feel like they are on vacation at a well-appointed beach resort without being cliché.

This designer client relationship is one based on friendship. Senior Designer Cori Dyer and client have an indescribable partnership and unmentioned understanding when it comes to decorating this home. A vintage charmer with a modern flair, filled with collectables and uncommon goods that make this space a unique and spectacular. Cori Dyer: I first met Sally when our boys became friends at Chaminade in 2007. Since then, we have stayed close and become great friends. Several years back she asked for my help giving her ideas on ways to spruce things up a bit and work with her on a major remodel. A little intimidating as Sally has a beautiful home and is an avid collector of vintage finds.... way before the trend of blending old and new was popular. She has an eye for unique ways to use vintage pieces and incorporating those into some of the most interesting and compelling displays. What has made this design relationship work is simply one of respect. I know when to give her that push outside of her comfort zone and incorporate her collections with selections that work with what she has, but that offer a new spin on putting it all together. From that initial "spruce up" has come a makeover in her Living Room and currently one completed in her Family Room. Although there are signs of my design throughout her home, the detail and selection of the collections and vintage finds are all Sally!! I truly think that is how Design should be. Blending old and new, and a Designer listening to what makes the client happy. Client: It was fun to be in style for a year or two, but it’s back to being the quirky lady. I started collecting in my teens and enjoy the hunt for new finds of all types. Cori helped me to enjoy my collections in a new and modern way! As always I had too many things. With her designer eye she taught me to blend the old and the new and to use different materials. The best part was going shopping with one of my best friends, who just happens to be a designer!! She is definitely the ying to my much needed yang.

This designer client relationship is one based on friendship. Senior Designer Cori Dyer and client have an indescribable partnership and unmentioned understanding when it comes to decorating this home. A vintage charmer with a modern flair, filled with collectables and uncommon goods that make this space a unique and spectacular. Cori Dyer: I first met Sally when our boys became friends at Chaminade in 2007. Since then, we have stayed close and become great friends. Several years back she asked for my help giving her ideas on ways to spruce things up a bit and work with her on a major remodel. A little intimidating as Sally has a beautiful home and is an avid collector of vintage finds.... way before the trend of blending old and new was popular. She has an eye for unique ways to use vintage pieces and incorporating those into some of the most interesting and compelling displays. What has made this design relationship work is simply one of respect. I know when to give her that push outside of her comfort zone and incorporate her collections with selections that work with what she has, but that offer a new spin on putting it all together. From that initial "spruce up" has come a makeover in her Living Room and currently one completed in her Family Room. Although there are signs of my design throughout her home, the detail and selection of the collections and vintage finds are all Sally!! I truly think that is how Design should be. Blending old and new, and a Designer listening to what makes the client happy. Client: It was fun to be in style for a year or two, but it’s back to being the quirky lady. I started collecting in my teens and enjoy the hunt for new finds of all types. Cori helped me to enjoy my collections in a new and modern way! As always I had too many things. With her designer eye she taught me to blend the old and the new and to use different materials. The best part was going shopping with one of my best friends, who just happens to be a designer!! She is definitely the ying to my much needed yang.

This designer client relationship is one based on friendship. Senior Designer Cori Dyer and client have an indescribable partnership and unmentioned understanding when it comes to decorating this home. A vintage charmer with a modern flair, filled with collectables and uncommon goods that make this space a unique and spectacular. Cori Dyer: I first met Sally when our boys became friends at Chaminade in 2007. Since then, we have stayed close and become great friends. Several years back she asked for my help giving her ideas on ways to spruce things up a bit and work with her on a major remodel. A little intimidating as Sally has a beautiful home and is an avid collector of vintage finds.... way before the trend of blending old and new was popular. She has an eye for unique ways to use vintage pieces and incorporating those into some of the most interesting and compelling displays. What has made this design relationship work is simply one of respect. I know when to give her that push outside of her comfort zone and incorporate her collections with selections that work with what she has, but that offer a new spin on putting it all together. From that initial "spruce up" has come a makeover in her Living Room and currently one completed in her Family Room. Although there are signs of my design throughout her home, the detail and selection of the collections and vintage finds are all Sally!! I truly think that is how Design should be. Blending old and new, and a Designer listening to what makes the client happy. Client: It was fun to be in style for a year or two, but it’s back to being the quirky lady. I started collecting in my teens and enjoy the hunt for new finds of all types. Cori helped me to enjoy my collections in a new and modern way! As always I had too many things. With her designer eye she taught me to blend the old and the new and to use different materials. The best part was going shopping with one of my best friends, who just happens to be a designer!! She is definitely the ying to my much needed yang.

This designer client relationship is one based on friendship. Senior Designer Cori Dyer and client have an indescribable partnership and unmentioned understanding when it comes to decorating this home. A vintage charmer with a modern flair, filled with collectables and uncommon goods that make this space a unique and spectacular. Cori Dyer: I first met Sally when our boys became friends at Chaminade in 2007. Since then, we have stayed close and become great friends. Several years back she asked for my help giving her ideas on ways to spruce things up a bit and work with her on a major remodel. A little intimidating as Sally has a beautiful home and is an avid collector of vintage finds.... way before the trend of blending old and new was popular. She has an eye for unique ways to use vintage pieces and incorporating those into some of the most interesting and compelling displays. What has made this design relationship work is simply one of respect. I know when to give her that push outside of her comfort zone and incorporate her collections with selections that work with what she has, but that offer a new spin on putting it all together. From that initial "spruce up" has come a makeover in her Living Room and currently one completed in her Family Room. Although there are signs of my design throughout her home, the detail and selection of the collections and vintage finds are all Sally!! I truly think that is how Design should be. Blending old and new, and a Designer listening to what makes the client happy. Client: It was fun to be in style for a year or two, but it’s back to being the quirky lady. I started collecting in my teens and enjoy the hunt for new finds of all types. Cori helped me to enjoy my collections in a new and modern way! As always I had too many things. With her designer eye she taught me to blend the old and the new and to use different materials. The best part was going shopping with one of my best friends, who just happens to be a designer!! She is definitely the ying to my much needed yang.

This designer client relationship is one based on friendship. Senior Designer Cori Dyer and client have an indescribable partnership and unmentioned understanding when it comes to decorating this home. A vintage charmer with a modern flair, filled with collectables and uncommon goods that make this space a unique and spectacular. Cori Dyer: I first met Sally when our boys became friends at Chaminade in 2007. Since then, we have stayed close and become great friends. Several years back she asked for my help giving her ideas on ways to spruce things up a bit and work with her on a major remodel. A little intimidating as Sally has a beautiful home and is an avid collector of vintage finds.... way before the trend of blending old and new was popular. She has an eye for unique ways to use vintage pieces and incorporating those into some of the most interesting and compelling displays. What has made this design relationship work is simply one of respect. I know when to give her that push outside of her comfort zone and incorporate her collections with selections that work with what she has, but that offer a new spin on putting it all together. From that initial "spruce up" has come a makeover in her Living Room and currently one completed in her Family Room. Although there are signs of my design throughout her home, the detail and selection of the collections and vintage finds are all Sally!! I truly think that is how Design should be. Blending old and new, and a Designer listening to what makes the client happy. Client: It was fun to be in style for a year or two, but it’s back to being the quirky lady. I started collecting in my teens and enjoy the hunt for new finds of all types. Cori helped me to enjoy my collections in a new and modern way! As always I had too many things. With her designer eye she taught me to blend the old and the new and to use different materials. The best part was going shopping with one of my best friends, who just happens to be a designer!! She is definitely the ying to my much needed yang.

This designer client relationship is one based on friendship. Senior Designer Cori Dyer and client have an indescribable partnership and unmentioned understanding when it comes to decorating this home. A vintage charmer with a modern flair, filled with collectables and uncommon goods that make this space a unique and spectacular. Cori Dyer: I first met Sally when our boys became friends at Chaminade in 2007. Since then, we have stayed close and become great friends. Several years back she asked for my help giving her ideas on ways to spruce things up a bit and work with her on a major remodel. A little intimidating as Sally has a beautiful home and is an avid collector of vintage finds.... way before the trend of blending old and new was popular. She has an eye for unique ways to use vintage pieces and incorporating those into some of the most interesting and compelling displays. What has made this design relationship work is simply one of respect. I know when to give her that push outside of her comfort zone and incorporate her collections with selections that work with what she has, but that offer a new spin on putting it all together. From that initial "spruce up" has come a makeover in her Living Room and currently one completed in her Family Room. Although there are signs of my design throughout her home, the detail and selection of the collections and vintage finds are all Sally!! I truly think that is how Design should be. Blending old and new, and a Designer listening to what makes the client happy. Client: It was fun to be in style for a year or two, but it’s back to being the quirky lady. I started collecting in my teens and enjoy the hunt for new finds of all types. Cori helped me to enjoy my collections in a new and modern way! As always I had too many things. With her designer eye she taught me to blend the old and the new and to use different materials. The best part was going shopping with one of my best friends, who just happens to be a designer!! She is definitely the ying to my much needed yang.

This designer client relationship is one based on friendship. Senior Designer Cori Dyer and client have an indescribable partnership and unmentioned understanding when it comes to decorating this home. A vintage charmer with a modern flair, filled with collectables and uncommon goods that make this space a unique and spectacular. Cori Dyer: I first met Sally when our boys became friends at Chaminade in 2007. Since then, we have stayed close and become great friends. Several years back she asked for my help giving her ideas on ways to spruce things up a bit and work with her on a major remodel. A little intimidating as Sally has a beautiful home and is an avid collector of vintage finds.... way before the trend of blending old and new was popular. She has an eye for unique ways to use vintage pieces and incorporating those into some of the most interesting and compelling displays. What has made this design relationship work is simply one of respect. I know when to give her that push outside of her comfort zone and incorporate her collections with selections that work with what she has, but that offer a new spin on putting it all together. From that initial "spruce up" has come a makeover in her Living Room and currently one completed in her Family Room. Although there are signs of my design throughout her home, the detail and selection of the collections and vintage finds are all Sally!! I truly think that is how Design should be. Blending old and new, and a Designer listening to what makes the client happy. Client: It was fun to be in style for a year or two, but it’s back to being the quirky lady. I started collecting in my teens and enjoy the hunt for new finds of all types. Cori helped me to enjoy my collections in a new and modern way! As always I had too many things. With her designer eye she taught me to blend the old and the new and to use different materials. The best part was going shopping with one of my best friends, who just happens to be a designer!! She is definitely the ying to my much needed yang.

To prepare your fireplace and chimney for winter, schedule a professional inspection and chimney cleaning. The temperatures are just about right to either fire up those logs or turn on the gas fireplace. Either way, you don’t want to miss out on a cozy night in front of the fireplace. But why is it important to prepare your fireplace and chimney for winter? That’s what we going to talk about today, everything from the damper, to chimney cap to what to look out for and what to repair now. The team at Superior Chimney is ready to share practical tips for getting ready for the cold to start. Why is it Important to Prepare the Fireplace for Winter? Your fireplace works hard during the winter. Using your fireplace just on the weekends or everyday while you relax causes system stress behind the scenes regardless. While providing you warmth and comfort, the fire in the fireplace creates a byproduct called creosote, which is sticky and gives off a smokey smell. All winter long, this will be slowly building inside of the chimney walls. Now that’s what’s going on inside your home. Outside, your chimney endures the elements every day with the snow, ice, freezing rain, and critters looking for a nice warm place to settle. All these things add up putting stress on the chimney structure. Getting this done now will give you peace of mind and helps your system run efficiently. This way, heat stays in your living room where you want it. Start with an Annual Chimney Inspection The most important step to take now is to get a certified chimney inspection before you light your first fire. A certified technician can identify creosote buildup, cracked flue liners, damaged masonry and blockages that are hard to see from inside and outside the home. The National Fire Protection Association standard for chimneys, fireplaces, and vents calls for chimneys to be inspected at least once a year and cleaned as needed for safe operation (NFPA 211). The Chimney Safety Institute of America gives the same guidance, recommending that fireplaces, chimneys, and vents be inspected annually by a certified professional (CSIA). Ventilation is a Breath of Fresh Air for Your Home Proper ventilation allows your home to breathe. Your home relies on vents connected to the fireplace and natural gas appliances to carry harmful gases such as carbon monoxide safely outdoors. During the winter, snow and ice can pile up around the vents. When that happens, pollutants have a harder time leaving the home. Signs of a Blocked Chimney Vent A blocked vent can cause symptoms such as headaches, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness. If symptoms go away once you or your family leave the house, that’s a sign of a blocked chimney vent, and it needs to be addressed right away. Be sure your carbon monoxide detectors are in working order and located on every level of your home. Keep the Cold Air Out of Your Fireplace Pay attention to the chimney effect, also called the stack effect, during winter. Warm air inside your home rises to meet the colder air outside. That cold air can rush down the chimney and into your home. This pressure imbalance can also pull smoke back into the room when you light a fire. Keeping the damper closed whenever the fireplace is not working, is one of the best ways to stop cold drafts from entering your home. Have You Tried to Preheat the Chimney Flue? What? What is that? When you are ready to light the fireplace, warming the flue can help smoke travel up the chimney flue and out of your home. Light your gas starter without wood in there for a few minutes or a small bundle of kindling if you don’t have the convenience of a gas log starter. This will warm the air and cold chimney walls within the chimney flue so when the fire starts, it will go up and out of your home (Priming the system). Never roll up a sheet of newspaper, or any paper, and hold it up toward the open damper! The New Critter Home? For many animals, a chimney looks like a warm and safe place from the cold and freezing temperatures. Squirrels, raccoons, birds, bats, possum and other small creatures may try to nest inside. How do you know if a critter made its way in? If you hear scratching, chirping, or the sounds of moving around in the chimney, or a foul smell call a certified chimney professional to inspect the chimney flue. A technician can safely remove the animals and check for any nesting material or structural damage it left behind. Sometimes an animal can die inside the chimney. Typical first signs can be a strong odor, trouble venting smoke, seeing flesh flies or maggots. Any situation, you will want to call Superior Chimney at 877-244-6349 for help. You may want to consider a tightly fitted stainless steel chimney cap with mesh sides is the best long term solution. It keeps wildlife out while still allowing smoke and gases to escape freely. What are Common Chimney Repairs Your chimney stands tall and is exposed to the weather all year long. In winter, snow builds up on the chimney crown and rain always finds its way into small crack in the chimney masonry. Anytime you have spalling or cracked bricks with or without missing or deteriorating mortar, you have a problem brewing with the chimney structure. When water from rain or snow freezes, it expands and widens the cracks. This process is known as the freeze and thaw cycle. Water that enters the chimney can mix with creosote. That’s what creates a musty, smoky smell. A persistent odor from your fireplace is often an early sign that moisture is getting inside, so prompt repairs help protect your home. Don’t Forget the Chimney Flashing Metal step flashing seals the joint where your chimney meets the roof. Over time, it can loosen, rust, or pull away from the chimney. Have a certified chimney professional inspect the flashing each year to confirm it remains watertight. Adding a waterproofing sealant to the masonry and a crown repair when needed gives your chimney lasting protection through the wettest months. The Chimney from Bottom to Top Each year when your chimney inspection is performed, the certified chimney technician will automatically check the firebox all the way up to the damper and out to the exterior chimney itself. The chimney technician will be looking for cracked or missing firebricks, gaps in the mortar joints, and loose pieces within the chimney walls especially if you do not have a chimney liner. The chimney technician is searching for hairline cracks, damaged bricks, ineffective damper, damaged or missing chimney cap to name a few on the 14-point inspection. Because it is difficult for a homeowner to inspect on top of the roof or inside of the chimney as well as know exactly what to look for, it is best to have a trained, certified technician to do it for you. The technician will show you and the office staff will email you pictures so you have an understanding of what the technician has found. Keep Fire Safety Essentials Nearby A few simple tools make a fire experience safer for family, pets and guests. Keep a sturdy metal fireplace screen in front of the opening to catch sparks and embers. Place a fire extinguisher rated for household use in a safe, dry space. If you can have it near the fireplace, even better. Be sure to talk to family members or anyone else living in your home so they know where it is. Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors monthly throughout the heating season. Keep rugs, furniture, holiday decorations including Santa stockings at least three feet from the fireplace. This space gives you plenty of room to ensure the fire stays in the fireplace. When it is time to clean out the ashes, wait until they have cooled down… at least until the next morning. Shovel them into a metal container with a tight lid and keep it outside away from your home. Preparing a Gas Fireplace for Winter Gas fireplaces need attention before starting it up too. Have a certified chimney technician check the burner, pilot assembly, gas connections, and venting system before you turn it on for the season. The chimney technician will continue to conduct a thorough cleaning and inspection from bottom to top according to the 14-point inspection. As a homeowner, clean the protective glass front that’s attached or separate from the fireplace only once the unit is cool. Look for any soot buildup, which can be an indication that a burner or vent is experiencing a problem. Frequently Asked Questions How often should a chimney be inspected? CSIA (the Chimney Safety Institute of America), NCSG (the National Chimney Sweep Guild), NFPA (the National Fire Protection Association) and IRC (International Residential Code) all specify a chimney inspection at least once a year. Cleaning is then scheduled based on how much buildup the technician finds. Why does my fireplace smell bad in winter? A strong odor can point to creosote mixed with moisture, a downdraft caused by the stack effect, or an animal in the chimney flue. A certified inspection can pinpoint the cause quickly. Should I close the damper when the fireplace is off or cooled? Yes, once the fire is completely out and the ashes are cool. A closed damper keeps warm air inside and cold air outside. What is the best time of year to have my chimney cleaning? Right now! Scheduling before the first cold snap gives you more appointment options and time for any repairs. Do I need a chimney cap? A chimney cap is critical to the function of your chimney. It keeps out rain, snow, debris and animals while allowing smoke to go up and out of your home properly. Every chimney needs a chimney cap for the same reasons every home needs a roof! Get Your Fireplace Winter-Ready With Superior Chimney A well maintained fireplace is one of the coziest parts of winter. With a yearly inspection, clear vents, a sturdy chimney cap, and sound masonry, you can enjoy every fire without unnecessary worry. Now that you know how to prepare your fireplace and chimney for winter, contact Superior Chimney today to schedule your inspection and sweeping, and enjoy a warm and comfortable season by the fire.

Inspiration for a timeless entryway remodel in DC Metro

Wild flower meadow next to the lake and apple orchards showcasing Upstate New York apple production. Some areas mowed for entertaining and tents.
Inspiration for a huge rustic drought-tolerant and partial sun front yard stone vegetable garden landscape in New York for spring.

The dryer vent. Who is thinking about cleaning the dryer vent when we clean them every time we do laundry, right? Let me share with you what I discovered this weekend. I spent some time outside this weekend trying to do two things at one time. 1. Enjoy some of the sunshine 2. Spring Clean. Spring Cleaning As Spring cleaning is well underway, it seems like the leaves never went away from the Fall. In every corner of the home, there’s a pile of leaves wet and stuck to the ground. However, on the back side of the home, the leaves made its way from one side to the other. I knew this was going to take a while. As I reached the half way mark, I remembered that a family member was inside washing a load of laundry. I could hear the low sound of the dryer running. But wait…the flap is barely moving. Dryer Vent Cleaning #1 Benefit Let’s first discuss the #1 benefit of a dryer vent sweep. You get done with your laundry faster and your dryer unit lasts longer. If the dryer vent isn’t cleaned once per year, the hot moist air remains in the dryer and venting system. It takes longer for the dryer to complete its job. And…not very good for the life of your dryer unit either. Infrequent dryer vent service shortens the life of your dryer unit as it needs to work harder and longer to dry your clothes. The moist air can also get trapped in your clothes and leave a musty smell. All that work, and you’re right back where you started. Dryer Vent #1 Problem to Solve The issue of dryer vents is a real one. According to the National Fire Protection Association, about 13,000 home dryer fires are reported each year. 34% of those fires are caused by lint. Now that’s not to say that you don’t clean your dryer vent. You do. But lint has a mind of its own. Some light and fluffy lint gets past the lint trap and accumulates in the duct that leads to the outside. More Problems with Dryer Vents Because we want you to be fully armed with information, here are some additional problematic signs that can cause a dryer vent fire. Clothes are too hot to touch. Remember, there’s a cool down before you take the clothes out. When that’s still too hot, that’s a sign the dryer vent is clogged. The room with the washer and dryer, it’s also too hot. The dryer vent flap or slats outside isn’t working properly. If you also notice in the picture, lint and debris begin to make its way out of the slats or flap. That’s pretty full. Smell the dryer sheet. If you notice it doesn’t smell like the dryer sheet, there’s a clog. What Can a Homeowner Do? To begin, to check your dryer vent outside. Is it working properly? Is there anything overflowing outside? Next, throw in a load of laundry. Does it smell musty? A little or a lot? Is the dryer overly hot in the cool down? Is it running longer than it used to? If you get a slight yes to a full blown yes, then it’s time to get it cleaned by Superior Chimney. Give us a call at 877-244-6349 to schedule up your spring dryer vent cleaning. Smell like fresh spring!

Two Birds Photography
Kids' room - transitional kids' room idea in Chicago

A parent-freindly playroom means that this room can act as a gathering place for the entire family!!! A comfy custom sectional with a custom ottoman to put your feet up on, a large screen TV wall for adults and kids alike! The built-in bookcases have pull out desktops hidden away with patterned ottomans as desk chairs or can double as a footrest while lounging with a good book on the window seat. Two whiteboards and a magnetic board to display the very best art projects, handwriting and math problems. Each lit with the kelly green wall pandants. A multishelf gutter style bookcase wall under the vintage letters that say it all "PLAY!" Kid books on the bottom shelves with mom's parenting magazines on the top shelf. Custom drapes frame in the bay window and help seperate the bold damask wallpaper from the rest of the space. The bay is complete with two art tables, four chairs and a roll of white paper where the creativity can start. Checkerboard ceramic tile floor in 24" x 24" tiles set the tone for the pattern-filled playroom. The custom rug with bold raised polka dots adds comfort for little ones who want to lay on the ground and add a dramatic twist to the entire room. Two wallpapers, 3 paint colors, one unique floor, a custom patterened area rug, and over 12 patterened fabrics used in just this room! Who says you can't have fun with patterns? Interior Designer: Alisha Newman Photo Credit: Joshua Caldwell

We started with a blank slate on this basement project where our only obstacles were exposed steel support columns, existing plumbing risers from the concrete slab, and dropped soffits concealing ductwork on the ceiling. It had the advantage of tall ceilings, an existing egress window, and a sliding door leading to a newly constructed patio. This family of five loves the beach and frequents summer beach resorts in the Northeast. Bringing that aesthetic home to enjoy all year long was the inspiration for the décor, as well as creating a family-friendly space for entertaining. Wish list items included room for a billiard table, wet bar, game table, family room, guest bedroom, full bathroom, space for a treadmill and closed storage. The existing structural elements helped to define how best to organize the basement. For instance, we knew we wanted to connect the bar area and billiards table with the patio in order to create an indoor/outdoor entertaining space. It made sense to use the egress window for the guest bedroom for both safety and natural light. The bedroom also would be adjacent to the plumbing risers for easy access to the new bathroom. Since the primary focus of the family room would be for TV viewing, natural light did not need to filter into that space. We made sure to hide the columns inside of newly constructed walls and dropped additional soffits where needed to make the ceiling mechanicals feel less random. In addition to the beach vibe, the homeowner has valuable sports memorabilia that was to be prominently displayed including two seats from the original Yankee stadium. For a coastal feel, shiplap is used on two walls of the family room area. In the bathroom shiplap is used again in a more creative way using wood grain white porcelain tile as the horizontal shiplap “wood”. We connected the tile horizontally with vertical white grout joints and mimicked the horizontal shadow line with dark grey grout. At first glance it looks like we wrapped the shower with real wood shiplap. Materials including a blue and white patterned floor, blue penny tiles and a natural wood vanity checked the list for that seaside feel. A large reclaimed wood door on an exposed sliding barn track separates the family room from the game room where reclaimed beams are punctuated with cable lighting. Cabinetry and a beverage refrigerator are tucked behind the rolling bar cabinet (that doubles as a Blackjack table!). A TV and upright video arcade machine round-out the entertainment in the room. Bar stools, two rotating club chairs, and large square poufs along with the Yankee Stadium seats provide fun places to sit while having a drink, watching billiards or a game on the TV. Signed baseballs can be found behind the bar, adjacent to the billiard table, and on specially designed display shelves next to the poker table in the family room. Thoughtful touches like the surfboards, signage, photographs and accessories make a visitor feel like they are on vacation at a well-appointed beach resort without being cliché.

The Challenge This beautiful waterfront home was begging for an update. Our clients wanted a contemporary design with modern finishes. They craved improved functionality in the kitchen, hardwood flooring in the living areas, and a spacious walk-in closet in the master bathroom. With two children in school, our clients also needed the project completed during their summer vacation – leaving a slim 90 days for the entire remodel. Could we do it? …Challenge accepted! Our Solution With their active summer travel schedule, our clients elected to vacate their home for the duration of the project. This was ideal for the intrusive nature of the scope of work. In preparation, our design team created a project plan to suit our client’s needs. With such a clear timeline, we were able to select and order long-lead items in plenty of time for the project start date. In the kitchen, we rearranged the layout to provide superior ventilation for the cooktop on the exterior wall. We added two large storage cabinets with glass doors, accented by a sleek mosaic backsplash of glass tile. We also incorporated a large contemporary waterfall island into the room. With seating at one end, the island provides both increased functionality and an eye-catching focal point for the center of the room. On the interior wall of the kitchen, we maximized storage with a wall of built-in cabinetry – complete with pullout pantry cabinets, a double oven, and a large stainless refrigerator. Our clients wisely chose rich, dark-colored wood flooring to add warmth to the contemporary design. After installing the flooring in the kitchen, we brought it into the main living areas as well. In the great room, we wrapped the existing gas fireplace in a neutral stack stone. The effect of the stone on the media and window wall is breathtaking. In the master bathroom, we expanded the closet by pushing the wall back into the adjacent pass-through hallway. The new walk-in closet now includes an impressive closet organization system. Returning to the master bathroom, we removed the single vanity and repositioned the toilet, allowing for a new, curb-less glass shower and a his-and-hers vanity. The entire vanity and shower wall is finished in white 12×24 porcelain tile. The vertical glass mosaic accent band and backlit floating mirrors add to the clean, modern style. To the left of the master bathroom entry, we even added a matching make-up area. Finally, we installed a number of elegant enhancements in the remaining rooms. The clients chose a bronze metal relief accent wall as well as some colorful finishes and artwork for the entry and hallway. Exceptional Results Our clients were simply thrilled with the final product! Not only did they return from their summer vacation to a gorgeous home remodel, but we concluded the project a full week ahead of schedule. As a result, the family was able to move in sooner than planned, giving them plenty of time to acclimate to the renovated space before their kids returned to school. Ultimately, we provided the outstanding results and customer experience that our clients had been searching for. “We met with many other contractors leading up to signing with Progressive Design Build. When we met Mike, we finally felt safe. We had heard so many horror stories about contractors! Progressive was the best move we could have made. They made our dream house become a reality. Vernon was in charge of our project and everything went better than we expected. Our project was completed earlier than expected, too. Our questions and concerns were dealt with quickly and professionally, the job site was always clean, and all subs were friendly and professional. We had a wonderful experience with Progressive Design Build. We’re so grateful we found them.” – The Mader Family

Inspiration for a large transitional enclosed dark wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Atlanta with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace