With sweeping views of the Willamette river and Mt. Hood, this Atwater Place condo was designed with a balance of minimalism and livability in mind. A complete kitchen remodel brought a dark interior kitchen to the light and a full furnishings package welcomed Los Angeles transplants home to their new modern and bright residence. Our clients, a retired camera operator for both feature films and television and a producer/production manager on numerous television series including Weeds and The Middle, relocated from their traditionally-styled LA bungalow to Portland in the Summer of 2014. The couple sought a design departure from their long-term California residence and a fresh start for their new life in the South Waterfront. With only two pieces of sentimental furniture and a handful of artwork included in the plan, we set out to create a comfortable and clean-lined furnishings package complimenting the broad southeast views. Organically shaped upholstery pieces juxtaposed with angular steel and wood tables create a soft balance in the open floor plan. Several custom pieces, including a dining table designed by our studio and a custom hand-blown glass chandelier crafted by Scott Schiesel with Lightlite compliment timeless pieces from Knoll, Herman Miller, and B&B Italia. The kitchen is designed to reflect light and create brilliance in a space that is otherwise naturally dark. A material balance of stainless steel, back painted glass, quartz composite, lacquer, and mirror all play their part in creating a vibrant cooking environment. We collectively decided to forgo the traditional island pendant for a linear commercial fixture that provides tremendous light to the prep surface and creates an unexpected architectural element. The mirrored prep island creates the illusion of open space while concealing casework and wine storage on the working side of the kitchen. It is worth noting that this project was designed and installed almost entirely while our clients were still living in LA and wrapping up professional obligations and selling their home. This afforded us the tremendous opportunity to send our clients to showrooms not available in Portland to view key pieces before final specification. Textiles and finish samples were approved via mail and communication took place over e-mail, telephone, and an occasional office visit. This unique process lead to a successful result and a beautifully balanced living environment. Josh Partee Photography

Developers across the country know that a successful Street of Dreams home starts with making a good first impression. That’s why builders Gordon Root and Rick Waible used Nichiha Sierra Premium Shake for their show home at the NW Natural Street of Dreams outside Portland, Oregon.

While the beauty of this clients’ kitchen lies in its individuality, some key features run through various successful kitchen designs. Every essential feature satisfied both functional and ascetically pleasing needs of the client. Starting from a broken up home with its defined kitchen, dining room, informal living room and home bar, we reinvented the first floor into a flexible living space. This Transitional kitchen has an open-plan, featuring distinct zones for cooking, eating and lounging, an Island unit that penetrates into the dinning and bar zone creating a subtle boundary in the entire room. The principles of maximizing light and space combined with creating a generous amount of storage space and a balance of transparent, opaque and reflective materials guided the design of the new space. Granite countertops meeting marble tile backsplash wrapping around picture windows helped to bounce lights around the room. The off white cabinets with Burnt Sienna glazing, gave a warm contrast throughout the entire room, the show stopping glass large pendant lights over the island captured modern essence. Photography by Cindi with an eye

Living beyond the walls of your home outdoors should look fabulous, entertain fabulously and taste fabulous too. First and foremost on the menu is this WOOD STONE Home Outdoor Pizza Oven. The Wood Stone Chuck a nut Pizza oven is the best there is for Family and Friends to spend endless hours outdoors celebrating life beyond just Grilling. http://outdoorlivingdesignerct.com/2015/07/04/its-the-toppings-on-the-pizza-oven-that-makes-outdoor-living-taste-fabulous/ For more Great Outdoor Kitchen ideas go to www.OutdoorKitchenDesigner.com to visit THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. The installation of this propane fired Outdoor pizza oven requires due diligence from many professional tradesman including the propane fuel connection, electric service, carpentry, stucco, grease exhaust fan, copper flashing and chimney duct work in addition to the stone work and finish details. Outdoor living fabulously designer shares secret success of the trendy niche of Luxury Outdoor living. Michael Gotowala founder of The Outdoor Kitchen Design Store shows us that the recipe for living outdoors fabulously is to understand the lifestyle and comfort level of each family member indoors and portray some of that lifestyle outdoors. It results in endless hours spent outdoors. Watch the start of this Wood Stone pizza oven get craned into the side wall of the pool house. WOODSTONE PIZZA OVEN all part of the living fabulously https://youtube/OOteE10-PRQ

Developers across the country know that a successful Street of Dreams home starts with making a good first impression. That’s why builders Gordon Root and Rick Waible used Nichiha Sierra Premium Shake for their show home at the NW Natural Street of Dreams outside Portland, Oregon.

Developers across the country know that a successful Street of Dreams home starts with making a good first impression. That’s why builders Gordon Root and Rick Waible used Nichiha Sierra Premium Shake for their show home at the NW Natural Street of Dreams outside Portland, Oregon.

The Randolph flip is another successful project by an energetic client always looking to fix up a very uncared home and flip it to a lucky buyer. The end result is a very open clean house with many beautiful features. THis home had been neglected for years starting on the outside with very overgrown landscaping making it a very unfriendly looking home nobody would want to approach. We cleaned up the yard gave it some new bright siding. But the real magic happened on the inside by opening up the living room, kitchen and dining area creating a welcome and entertaining amenable space. We relocated the kitchen to give it a better flow and allowing for the kitchen to enlarge in size. Created a more friendly family room by refacing the fireplace in stone and giving everything a fresh look. Upstairs we expanded the master bedroom and gave it a beautiful master bathroom. Take a look and see the transformation! Front door photography, llc

This project is an incredible transformation and the perfect example of successful style mixing! This client, and now a good friend of TVL (as they all become), is a wonderfully eclectic and adventurous one with immense interest in texture play, pops of color, and unique applications. Our scope in this home included a full kitchen renovation, main level powder room renovation, and a master bathroom overhaul. Taking just over a year to complete from the first design phases to final photos, this project was so insanely fun and packs an amazing amount of fun details and lively surprises. The original kitchen was large and fairly functional. However, the cabinetry was dated, the lighting was inefficient and frankly ugly, and the space was lacking personality in general. Our client desired maximized storage and a more personalized aesthetic. The existing cabinets were short and left the nice height of the space under-utilized. We integrated new gray shaker cabinets from Waypoint Living Spaces and ran them to the ceiling to really exaggerate the height of the space and to maximize usable storage as much as possible. The upper cabinets are glass and lit from within, offering display space or functional storage as the client needs. The central feature of this space is the large cobalt blue range from Viking as well as the custom made reclaimed wood range hood floating above. The backsplash along this entire wall is vertical slab of marble look quartz from Pental Surfaces. This matches the expanse of the same countertop that wraps the room. Flanking the range, we installed cobalt blue lantern penny tile from Merola Tile for a playful texture that adds visual interest and class to the entire room. We upgraded the lighting in the ceiling, under the cabinets, and within cabinets--we also installed accent sconces over each window on the sink wall to create cozy and functional illumination. The deep, textured front Whitehaven apron sink is a dramatic nod to the farmhouse aesthetic from KOHLER, and it's paired with the bold and industrial inspired Tournant faucet, also from Kohler. We finalized this space with other gorgeous appliances, a super sexy dining table and chair set from Room & Board, the Paxton dining light from Pottery Barn and a small bar area and pantry on the far end of the space. In the small powder room on the main level, we converted a drab builder-grade space into a super cute, rustic-inspired washroom. We utilized the Bonner vanity from Signature Hardware and paired this with the cute Ashfield faucet from Pfister. The most unique statements in this room include the water-drop light over the vanity from Shades Of Light, the copper-look porcelain floor tile from Pental Surfaces and the gorgeous Cashmere colored Tresham toilet from Kohler. Up in the master bathroom, elegance abounds. Using the same footprint, we upgraded everything in this space to reflect the client's desire for a more bright, patterned and pretty space. Starting at the entry, we installed a custom reclaimed plank barn door with bold large format hardware from Rustica Hardware. In the bathroom, the custom slate blue vanity from Tharp Cabinet Company is an eye catching statement piece. This is paired with gorgeous hardware from Amerock, vessel sinks from Kohler, and Purist faucets also from Kohler. We replaced the old built-in bathtub with a new freestanding soaker from Signature Hardware. The floor tile is a bold, graphic porcelain tile with a classic color scheme. The shower was upgraded with new tile and fixtures throughout: new clear glass, gorgeous distressed subway tile from the Castle line from TileBar, and a sophisticated shower panel from Vigo. We finalized the space with a small crystal chandelier and soft gray paint. This project is a stunning conversion and we are so thrilled that our client can enjoy these personalized spaces for years to come.

Developers across the country know that a successful Street of Dreams home starts with making a good first impression. That’s why builders Gordon Root and Rick Waible used Nichiha Sierra Premium Shake for their show home at the NW Natural Street of Dreams outside Portland, Oregon.

Exceptional Custom Homes and ADUs in San Diego, Riverside and Orange County since 2007. We have been successfully building all types of homes for all types of people. At G.J. Gardner Homes we understand that you are an individual and have unique requirements when building a home. By working together with you, we can design and build a home custom suited to you, your lifestyle and your needs. From Custom Homes to ADUs, Granny Flats and Casitas. Our experienced team will guide you through the process from start to finish in making your dream home a reality within your budget. We continue to build our reputation on reliability, design, workmanship, warranty and honesty that both our clients and suppliers can trust.

While my wife was steaming the wallpaper, I started testing the walls to pull paper. The results were very nice. You can see here that the paper was sheeting off in large strips. I would scrape the still wet glue to reduce the washing of the walls. What we found was that if the steamer was passed slowly over the holes the steam pushed into the holes and the wallpaper heated up which seemed to saturate the glue better. If we moved too fast over the wall, neither enough heat nor moisture made it through to the glue. We were able to remove the paper in just a couple hours. ( not bad for a guy that generally refuses to remove wallpaper ) The garment steamer experiment was a success. If you wonder why I didn't just rent a wallpaper steamer, it was because I have one more wallpapered room to steam for this customer, I wanted to see if a DIYer could get by without renting, and now my wife has a garment steamer Hahaha. The next day I washed the walls and we were ready for plaster.

There is nothing more welcoming than a luxurious spa master bath to unwind from a hard day or to awaken the senses before starting a stress filled workday. My thoughts are your home should be your sanctuary and the rooms within your home can reduce stress, give life and create a more healthy lifestyle through the healing process of balancing work and home. I love creating these models to show clients how we will use different materials and mediums to reach their goals and budgets successfully.

Scott and Janet of Elgin have had four design to build renovations with Advance Design over the last decade. We got the chance to sit down and talk with Janet about her experience working with Advance Design on so many different areas of her home. Starting with her kitchen in 2009, Janet proclaimed, “The reason we kept coming back is because our first [renovation] went so extremely well, exceeding all of my expectations.” Since their kitchen renovation with Advance Design ten years ago, Scott and Janet have also worked with Advance to remodel their master bedroom, their power room, a wet bar, and most recently their master bath. Having renovated practically every major room in the house with the team, we asked Janet what made her experience with Advance Design so special. “We went with Advance Design because we trusted them so much more, their experience, and everything that they brought. We were confident they were giving us what we wanted for the money we were spending.” For their most recent renovation, Scott and Janet clearly knew what to expect going into their master bath renovation. They were familiar with Advance’s step by step design process that epitomizes the “Common Sense Remodeling” philosophy applied in every project Advance creates. After once again experiencing the careful budgeting analysis, the pointed design meetings, and the clear documentation that leads up the a thoroughly managed installation, Janet’s simple summary of their experience is this; “The word I would use to describe the process is – collaboration!” Working closely with Advance Design kitchen designer Michelle Lecinski, together they were able to develop a new master bath design that not only worked with their investment goal, but also made sense for their lifestyle. “Oh Michelle, my designer! I connected with her immediately. She spent time getting to know us, our lifestyle, even the setting of our house.” The threesome had a great experience designing and producing yet another successful project together. When it came to their new project plans, Scott and Janet were interested in creating a relaxing “spa-like” experience in their master bath. One of the many ideas Michelle introduced during the design process was installing a Kohler Alteo series showerhead for a rain-like shower experience. This designer showerhead, mixed with the warm ambiance of the lighting and pebble accent running throughout the shower make for what Janet calls a “luxury spa essence”. From the oversized glass sliding door to the recessed niche for accessories, each special detail was considered and implemented intentionally so as to create the maximumly optimized use of the compact space. Not only was this transformation one of beauty and luxury, but special attention was given to every way possible to provide additional storage to maximize the functionality of the bath area as a whole. Once design was complete and the bath construction project began in their home, making sure everything happened efficiently and on schedule became new priority number one. “Having a project manager made an enormous difference,” Janet said, “It was so worth it to hire professionals that knew exactly what they were doing. Even after all of these years, I wouldn’t change a thing.” “It was a pleasure working together with Janet and Scott to create this beautiful space that will enhance their lives for many years,” says Michelle. “It is so much fun to get to do this job every day, I love that I can have this sort of impact on their lives by doing something for them [Janet & Scott] that comes so naturally to me!” After reviewing the long-term relationship with clients like Scott and Janet, owner Todd Jurs had this to say, “Clients returning and asking us to transform that next area of their home really warms my heart. It reaffirms that every decision to please clients no matter what is always the right choice, and that our honesty and integrity along with the immense collective talent of this team is recognized and appreciated by those who continue to return to us year after year.” He continued to say, “I always say how blessed we truly are to be able to do what we do, and experiences like this one put a smile on my face every time.”

Born and raised in Highland Park, Illinois. John has both an Associate’s degree in Building Construction Technology and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration but considers his greatest accomplishment starting his own home remodeling company at 25 years old AND growing it into a very successful business. At PBC, we try to stay on John’s good side by being punctual, respecting the environment, and following through on our word. John considers himself a professional grill-master, loves to support Habitat for Humanity, the Wounded Warrior Project, and hopes to travel back to Italy one day in search of his remaining relatives. On any given Friday night, you can find him at a local brewery enjoying a cold one or hanging at the beach.

Astaneh Construction is proud to announce the successful completion of one of our most favourite projects to date - a custom-built home in Toronto's Greater Toronto Area (GTA) using only the highest quality materials and the most professional tradespeople available. The project, which spanned an entire year from start to finish, is a testament to our commitment to excellence in every aspect of our work. As a leading home renovation and kitchen renovation company in Toronto, Astaneh Construction is dedicated to providing our clients with exceptional results that exceed their expectations. Our custom home build in 2020 is a shining example of this commitment, as we spared no expense to ensure that every detail of the project was executed flawlessly. From the initial planning stages to the final walkthrough, our team worked tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of the project met our strict standards of quality and craftsmanship. We carefully selected the most professional and skilled tradespeople in the GTA to work alongside us, and only used the highest quality materials and finishes available to us. The total cost of the project was $350 per sqft, which equates to a cost of over 1 million and 200 hundred thousand Canadian dollars for the 3500 sqft custom home. We are confident that this investment was worth every penny, as the final result is a breathtaking masterpiece that will stand the test of time. We take great pride in our work at Astaneh Construction, and the completion of this project has only reinforced our commitment to excellence. If you are considering a home renovation or kitchen renovation in Toronto, we invite you to experience the Astaneh Construction difference for yourself. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you turn your dream home into a reality.

This renovation project focused on transforming a retired couple’s home into a space that reflects their current stage of life—comfortable, elegant, and functional. With their children grown and moved out, the couple wanted a home that adapted to their needs while addressing years of wear and outdated design. Having had previous negative experiences with contractors, they were hesitant but committed to renovating instead of moving. By building trust through clear communication and a shared vision, the team was able to bring their dream to life. The renovation started with the kitchen, where a partial wall removal opened up the space, creating a seamless flow between the kitchen and living areas. Custom cabinetry with integrated storage solutions, durable contemporary flooring, and refreshed ceilings replaced outdated finishes, while new lighting fixtures and a strategically placed skylight brightened the entire main floor. A built-in entry closet and refinished staircase with sleek metal railings added modern touches without expanding the home’s footprint. In the master ensuite, luxury and function took center stage. The space was expanded to include a full-sized soaking tub, a double vanity with ample storage, and marble tiles for a spa-like retreat. The addition of a home office in the master suite provided a private, comfortable space for hobbies and personal tasks, while an updated closet system brought improved organization. The fully renovated basement, featuring a walk-in shower and custom laundry room furniture, ensured the home could comfortably accommodate visiting family and friends. The project was not without challenges, including integrating a seamless transition between existing structures and a new addition, as well as ensuring the design respected the couple’s cultural tastes. Through teamwork, regular progress updates, and attention to detail, these hurdles were overcome with success. A new patio door now connects the home’s interior to the outdoor space, transforming the backyard into a natural extension of the living area. The result is a stunning transformation—an elegant, modern, and functional home that supports the couple’s evolving lifestyle. This renovation serves as a testament to how thoughtful design and collaboration can create a space that is both beautiful and practical, allowing homeowners to enjoy a new chapter of life with comfort and ease.

Not too long ago, I visited a house in the town of Fulwood in Preston, Lancashire. My client had a Terracotta tiled floor which had been neglected for many years and in their attempt to improve it had unfortunately been given some very poor advice by tile retailers, all of whom sold him different products, and each of which was unsuitable. Using these different products in succession had resulted in the depreciation of the floor’s texture and smoothness, in turn making the clay difficult to clean and maintain. As per my usual process I ran a small test clean to demonstrate what could be done to improve the floor and I was commissioned to restore the floor back to its former glory. I started by mixing a strong cleaning solution consisting of one part Tile Doctor Pro-Clean to three parts water. The solution was applied to the floor and left it to dwell for a short period. The high alkaline cleaner seeps into the pores of the tile getting underneath and lifting out the ingrained dirt and breaking down the old sealers. Then, I agitated the floor using a scrubbing pad fitted to a rotary floor machine before using a wet vacuum to suck up the resulting soiled solution. There were a few paint marks dotted across the floor, but these were not noticeable until after I had given the Terracotta a deep clean. To remove the paint marks I used Tile Doctor Remove & Go, which is specially formulated to break down paint stains, adhesives and coatings. This product was used in combination with a steamer which, when applied directly to the tiles, helped to lift the paint out. Following this, I rinsed the entire floor a couple of times to remove any trace of cleaning product, and vacuumed up the excess moisture. It’s always best to let the floor dry completely prior to sealing as applying sealer to a damp floor will affect the sealer. I left the house to allow this to take place overnight returning the next day. To get the best out of the Terracotta I sealed the floor using one coat of Tile Doctor Colour Grow, which is an impregnating sealer that soaks into the pores of the tile and acts as both as a bonding sealer enhancing the natural colours and darkening the clay (as requested by my client). After the coat of Colour Grow had dried, I applied a further seven coats of Tile Doctor Seal & Go, which achieves a nice, low sheen Satin finish. Before leaving my happy client to enjoy his newly restored Terracotta floor, I made sure to provide some professional cleaning and long-term maintenance advice. Russell Taylor Lancashire Tile Doctor

All Weather teamed up with the Property Brothers and actress and comedian Ali Wong on this week’s episode of HGTV’s hit show Celebrity IOU. In the Ali Wong’s Renovation Surprise for A Dear Friend episode, Ali takes sledgehammers and crowbars into her own hands to help transform her best friend, Citadelle’s barren basement and backyard into the perfect indoor-outdoor entertaining space. Ali credits much of her early success to her best friend, Citadelle, whose tireless support helped her when she first started out in Los Angeles. “I really wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for her,” noted Ali. Citadelle opened up space in her home for Ali while she went on auditions. So years later, Ali knew it was time to give back in a big way. “Her friendship has been such a gift” said Ali. “I was supposed to stay there for two weeks and it ended up being a year.” With the help of Drew and Jonathan Scott, Ali was determined to update the entire lower level of Citadelle’s home inside and out and making these spaces as entertainment-friendly as possible for the whole family, including Citadelle’s husband and kids, to enjoy. The multipurpose downstairs basement makeover included turning the family room into a classy lounge with a built in bar, removing the basic stand up shower and replacing it with a luxurious spa tub with stone tiles and converting the guest bedroom into “an office by day and bedroom by night” courtesy of a hidden pull down Murphy bed. All Weather Series 7000 French Swing Doors extend and connect the indoor lounge area to the new outdoor living spaces. The ultimate backyard includes a stylish fireplace, white pergola, outdoor seating and dining area, an outdoor kitchen/grill and new turf for the yard and play structure areas. THE PROPERTY BROTHERS also painted the entire house white with black trim, leveled the backyard and basically doubled the livable square footage of the home. Check out the PROJECT PHOTOS here. Now in its third season, Celebrity IOU gives celebrities a chance to show their deepest gratitude and to surprise someone who is important in their life by giving their living space a complete transformation, courtesy of the Drew and Jonathan Scott.

Major renovation including 4 additions, completely new inside and out, new accessory building, complete landscape overhaul. This project started with the approval of 6 minor variances in order to accommodate the new plan & accessory building. Working with our exceptional clients, we were able to successfully complete this major transformation both inside and out. This year-round, waterfront oasis will be enjoyed by family and friends for years to come.