Search results for "Struggles" in Home Design Ideas

From the moment I walked into this Cherokee Park home, I loved all of the great character, but the homeowners were struggling with furniture placement and flow for all of the entertaining they do. The first thing we did was flip the Living Room and Dining Room. By doing so, we were able to add more seating and make the older home feel like an open concept. We centered our sofa in a neutral tweed fabric on the large wall and flanked it with two wing chairs. I love the fresh take on a wingback chair and adding height differences in the space. Instead of a coffee table, we added two ottomans in a putty leather for additional seating. We were even able to fit in a small accent chair next to the media console. We worked in a bar cart right next to the Kitchen. Since these old houses are situated close to their neighbors, we added woven shades under our vibrant floral drapery panels for privacy. We grounded our seating area with a geometric rug in a soft blue/green color. The walls are my favorite neutral, Sherwin Williams’ Balanced Beige (SW7037).
By flipping the functions of the two spaces, we were able to get a great gathering space for this family and all of their friends. Check out these other entertaining spaces here and here. We cannot wait to show you the Dining Room. Enjoy!

Struggling to find a vanity that truly elevates your large bathroom? Virtu USA’s Large Space Vanity Collection is designed to transform oversized spaces with statement-making style, expansive countertops, and luxurious proportions -giving you the stunning centerpiece your bathroom deserves.

It doesn't matter how many children or grandchildren you might have, we know the struggle is certainly real with keeping bedrooms and playrooms de-cluttered. Toys are often the main culprit with stuffed animals, blocks, puzzles, remote controlled cars and dolls taking over floor-space. This is the reason why we think you are going to LOVE our new versatile toy storage options!
Perfect for the toddler or preschooler in your home, the open cubby allows young children to see the toys that they want, easily take toys out and put them back.
As a unit that sits directly on the floor, the floor hutch is the perfect base for your storage configuration.
Find the right local pro for your project

Transitional living room. Mid century modern chairs mixed with Stickley sofa that we reupholstered. Luxury Design in Chatham, New Jersey
Jodie O Designs, photo by Peter Rymwid

This is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITES! Spice drawer and mike drop!
Lol! But seriously there is no need to struggle and search for that last bit of cumin powder in the back of your spice cabinet. Use the spice drawer and always be able to see exactly what you need. Make your life easier by making your kitchen more functional.

Remodeling your master bathroom in Calabasas offers the perfect opportunity to optimize both functionality and style. Custom features, such as built-in cabinetry and spacious shower designs, can transform an ordinary bathroom into a highly organized, luxurious retreat. I recently worked with a homeowner in Calabasas who struggled with limited storage and a dated design. By integrating custom storage cabinets and a sleek walk-in shower, we were able to create a space that not only looked great but solved their storage woes. The built-in cabinetry, combined with the shower’s marble finishes, added much-needed storage for linens, toiletries, and more, all while maintaining a clean, open layout. The result was a bathroom that was both practical for daily use and aesthetically aligned with the homeowner’s vision.

Struggling with limited storage? Our Small–Medium Space Vanity Collection combines clever storage solutions—like deep drawers and open shelves—with sleek design, giving you space to stay organized without sacrificing style.

Here we replaced a gravel driveway with pavers. The color selection and style are perfect for the home and surrounding landscape. Drainage in this area was a big problem, and keeping the gravel level and clear of debris was a constant struggle. The homeowners welcome the low maintenance of this paver hardscape, and the newly installed drainage system eliminated their worries of flooding and standing water.
Installation Legacy Paver Group. Design by Hayley Johnson

THE SETUP
“You have to figure out how to rebuild a life worth living,” Basia Kozub’s client says. Her husband passed away suddenly three years ago. Holidays with family became more important, and she found herself struggling with a 37-year old kitchen that was falling apart. “I made a decision to move forward,” she says. “I went, ‘You know what? I’m redoing the kitchen.'”
The big task of getting started was as easy as having a conversation – literally. Basia was on the job, helping the client sort through priorities, wishes and ideas. Basia’s client is 5′ 4″, likes keeping an eye on the kiddoes in the backyard and wanted certain things to have their own place.
THE REMODEL
The objectives were:
Enlarge and open the space
Find a classic look that incorporates blues
Upgrade to easy-to-use appliances
Hide an office space within the space
Ample storage for dishes
Design challenges:
Uneven window alignment on the back wall
Original kitchen smaller than desired, stuctural concerns if walls to be moved
Keep folks close – figure out seating for entertaining
Main sink in corner is ideal, but windows are hard to reach
Lots of storage needed for dishes, glass collection, pantry items, bar bottles and office supplies
Specific storage needs for oft-used spices and utensils
THE RENEWED SPACE
Design solutions:
Replace back wall windows, establish window size continuity
Take out two walls to open up the space, tall shallow cabinet and a tall filler added to conceal a new header
Large island that seats six easily
Custom corner sink cabinet with recessed edge allows vertically challenged homeowner to reach the windows
Mindful storage planning features: plenty of cabinets, pull-out bar bottle storage, file drawers & cubbies with pocket doors for office appliances, magic corner pullouts, and appliance garages with pocket doors
Shelf behind range for easy access to daily-use spices and oils. Also: spice and utensil pullouts on either side of range
The clients says every priority and wish box got checked. The highly functional design absorbed everything that used to be in that area of the house, but now those things are out of the way.
“In the past, we were all spread out when we gathered for the holidays, because we had to spread out. Now, we’re all in here together, including my 92-year old mother. We’re visiting, cooking, laughing… everyone is here. And I’m really learning how to use these appliances. This kitchen has given me a whole new life.”

BELLA DECKS / Frank Snell
Deck - mid-sized traditional backyard deck idea in Detroit with no cover
Deck - mid-sized traditional backyard deck idea in Detroit with no cover

From our Go Fund me Page Feb. 2016
Princess Kaylee is only two and a half years old and was recently diagnosed with cancer. We need your generosity so that we can give her the enchanted room of her dreams as she endures 2.5 years of treatments. We're breaking out our magic wands and designing a gorgeous room for this sweet little girl. With your assistance, we can create a fairy tale space for Kaylee and her family to rest and recover.
Kaylee's story hits especially close to home in our tight-knit community. Her mother, Kelly, is an oncology nurse at Rady Children's Hospital. Yes, you read that correctly - her mother has spent the last 8 years compassionately caring after children who have been diagnosed with cancer. In fact, she was one of the dedicated nurses who so wonderfully cared for Savvy Giving by Design's very first recipient, Kasey Harvey.
And Kelly is not the only hero in this family. Kaylee's father, Jared, is a local CHP officer who keeps our streets safe and not long ago rescued multiple children after a lengthy stand-off with their abductor.
http://www.10news.com/news/chp-officers-relive-moments-in-highway-standoff-121214
Jared and Kelly have two beautiful children. Their son Drew is 5 years-old and daughter Kaylee will turn 3 in August. Kaylee's diagnosis, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, turned this family's world upside down. While her prognosis is, thankfully, very good (with a 93% cure rate), the treatment will be incredibly arduous. Kaylee is facing 2.5 years of ongoing treatment with periods of intense chemotherapy followed by "maintenance" chemo. As hard as it is to believe, Kaylee's treatment will not be complete until she is 5 years-old and preparing to enter kindergarten.
Given the ongoing and onerous treatment regimen that Kaylee faces, Savvy Giving by Design knows that she will need a beautiful and comfortable room where she can rest and be visited by family and friends. Kaylee is currently transitioning out of her crib and we have big intentions for this princess-loving little girl. Our plan is to combine fun and functionality with details and personal touches that will show Kaylee that there is an entire community rallying behind her. We will incorporate Kaylee's favorite colors (pink and purple) and turn her fantasies into reality by installing a built-in castle bed that makes her room feel magical and shows this little girl that anything is possible.
This room will have some very personal special touches incorporated into it to pay tribute to Kaylee's fairy godmother. When Kelly was 13, she lost her very best friend, Jessica, to cancer. Kelly paid tribute to her dear friend by naming her daughter Kaylee Jessica and she wholeheartedly believes that Jessica will be watching over her little girl as she travels this difficult road.
With sufficient funding, we will also be able to do a little makeover for Kaylee's knight in shining armor, her big brother Drew. We recognize and appreciate that Drew faces a struggle all his own as his little sister battles this disease.
Savvy Giving by Design is a the philanthropic arm of Savvy Interiors, Inc. We are registered with the state of California as a nonprofit and awaiting our "formal" 501(c)(3) designation by the IRS. Your donations are tax-deductible. All monies collected will go directly to this space! Any excess funds will be distributed directly to the family. Since late 2014, Savvy Giving by Design has transformed 8 spaces and our ultimate goal is to have sufficient funding to take on one project each month.
As stated in our founding documents, "Our mission is to provide comfort, support, and healing to families with a child facing a medical crisis by transforming the interior spaces of their homes at no cost to them".
We hope you will support our mission to makeover these two rooms for this very deserving family and give Kaylee and Drew's loving parents the gift of knowing that their children are happy, safe, and ready to take on the battle of a lifetime. If you would like to join and follow Kaylee's team page, "Tutu's and Chemo drips," you can do so here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/158667784506286/
To join our ongoing grass roots efforts, please join our Savvy Giving closed group page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/SavvyGivingbyDesign/

For years, this family felt like their main floor was working against them. The kitchen was a tight galley where only one person could comfortably stand at a time. An old addition felt disconnected and awkward, making everyday life a struggle.
Rethinking the Space
They thought the only solution was a big, expensive addition. But after walking through the home and completing a feasibility study, we found that the square footage was already there. It just needed a smarter plan.
Designing a Floor That Works
We reimagined how the home works day to day. The kitchen became a bright, open hub with a generous island perfect for cooking, homework, and family time. Awkward corners were given clear and useful purposes. A long steel span replaced an exterior wall that could not carry the load, opening the space safely and effectively.
Personal Touches
We made sure the house reflected the family. A custom basement door with a built-in cat door adds charm and function, and cat-shaped handles in the laundry room bring personality throughout the home. Even the piano room feels warm, inviting, and easy to live in.A Home That Flows
Now, multiple people can cook together comfortably. The rooms feel connected and welcoming. The previously awkward addition feels fully integrated. Daily life flows naturally, and the house finally supports the family instead of working against them.
Discover the Potential in Your Home
If your kitchen does not work or a space feels off, there may be more potential than you realize. Sometimes the right solution is already within your walls. Reach out to us, and see what your home could become!
Sosna Incorporated
7250 Keele Street, Unit 372
Vaughan, ON L4K 1Z8
Phone: 416-888-7366 extension 1
Email: contact@sosna.ca
![full [s3e1] Power Se.ason 3 Ep.isode 1 On.line Call Me James](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/696141ae078aa206_3435-w360-h360-b0-p0--.jpg)
full [s3e1] Power Se.ason 3 Ep.isode 1 On.line Call Me James. Alright, everything looks perfect then, and let's getting started to watch for it finally, Power s03e01: Call Me James. As the premiere of season 3, what we could expect then? James gets ready to leave Ghost behind. Angela needs to choose between honor and love. A bit reminder from "Ghost Is Dead" Bodies from Ghost's organization drop left and right, each death inching closer to Ghost and Tommy.
Tasha learns of Shawn's death, believing it to have been Ghost's work. Kanan and Ghost fight with Ghost the victor, leaving him for dead and burning the evidence. Tommy Learns of Ghost's involvement with Holly. Ghost reveals to Tommy that he was the one killing most of the members from the organization.
Soon after, Tommy shows Ghost the fake ID of Holly and goes solo. Lobo's calls Tommy wanting him to work with him or lose everything. Angela and Ghost reconcile telling her Ghost is dead, but at the risk of her possibly losing her job. Greg threatens to put Angela and Ghost in jail. The police investigate a fire at Ghost's and Kanan's fight, revealing someone escaped, strongly implying Kanan is still alive.
Know further of this show, Power is an American crime drama television series airing on Starz. The show was created by Courtney Kemp Agboh and is produced by the rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. It premiered on June 7, 2014.
On June 11, 2014, Starz renewed Power for a ten-episode second season, which began on June 6, 2015 and ended on August 15, 2015. On June 10, 2015, after a very positive critical response to its season 2 premiere, Power was renewed for a ten-episode third season which is scheduled to premiere on July 17, 2016.
Very fantastic, The series follows James St. Patrick, nicknamed "Ghost," owner of a popular New York City nightclub "Truth." In addition, he is a major player in one of the city's biggest illegal drug networks. He struggles to balance these two lives, and the balance topples when he realizes he wants to leave the drug ring in order to support his legitimate business, and commit to his mistress. He seems eerily unhappy with his life, Tommy calling it a mid-life crisis, therefore getting in a relationship with Angela.
He also has to keep his marriage with Tasha (Naughton) and his relationship with AUSA agent Angela Valdez (Loren). With help from his partner in crime Tommy Egan (Sikora), he tries to manage a double life. In the second season James is thrown out of his penthouse after Tasha found out that James took Angela to Miami.
100% working here:
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http://tinyurl.com/jejqwra
Kanan (50 Cent) who spent 10 years in a drug related crime, also believes Ghost set him up. Kanan has a son Shawn, who drives Ghost around and Kanan uses him to get information on Ghost. In the season 2 finale, Ghost and Kanan indulge in an extremely dangerous fight in a dilapidated building. Ghost eventually stabs Kanan and burns him. But in the final minutes of the season finale "Ghost Is Dead", it is revealed that sprinklers had put the fire out, resulting in Kanan escaping and ends with the line "Nobody broke in, somebody broke out". Go and start watching for it after all, Power season 3, episode 1 : Call Me James.

This back garden space was struggling with a chafer beetle infestation and the intention was to create a lawn free, low maintenance space. Cedar beams extend through the patio into the landscape framing the tree. Rustic basalt treads lead up to gravel paths fringed with river rock and low maintenance plantings.

Struggling to find a vanity that truly elevates your large bathroom? Virtu USA’s Large Space Vanity Collection is designed to transform oversized spaces with statement-making style, expansive countertops, and luxurious proportions -giving you the stunning centerpiece your bathroom deserves.

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

This project was such an incredible design opportunity, and instilled inspiration and excitement at every turn! Our amazing clients came to us with the challenge of converting their beloved family home into a welcoming haven for all members of the family. At the time that we met our clients, they were struggling with the difficult personal decision of the fate of the home. Their father/father-in-law had passed away and their mother/mother-in-law had recently been admitted into a nursing facility and was fighting Alzheimer’s. Resistant to loss of the home now that both parents were out of it, our clients purchased the home to keep in in the family. Despite their permanent home currently being in New Jersey, these clients dedicated themselves to keeping and revitalizing the house. We were moved by the story and became immediately passionate about bringing this dream to life.
The home was built by the parents of our clients and was only ever owned by them, making this a truly special space to the family. Our goal was to revitalize the home and to bring new energy into every room without losing the special characteristics that were original to the home when it was built. In this way, we were able to develop a house that maintains its own unique personality while offering a space of welcoming neutrality for all members of the family to enjoy over time.
The renovation touched every part of the home: the exterior, foyer, kitchen, living room, sun room, garage, six bedrooms, three bathrooms, the laundry room, and everything in between. The focus was to develop a style that carried consistently from space to space, but allowed for unique expression in the small details in every room.
Starting at the entry, we renovated the front door and entry point to offer more presence and to bring more of the mid-century vibe to the home’s exterior. We integrated a new modern front door, cedar shingle accents, new exterior paint, and gorgeous contemporary house numbers that really allow the home to stand out. Just inside the entry, we renovated the foyer to create a playful entry point worthy of attention. Cement look tile adorns the foyer floor, and we’ve added new lighting and upgraded the entry coat storage.
Upon entering the home, one will immediately be captivated by the stunning kitchen just off the entry. We transformed this space in just about every way. While the footprint of the home ultimately remained almost identical, the aesthetics were completely turned on their head. We re-worked the kitchen to maximize storage and to create an informal dining area that is great for casual hosting or morning coffee.
We removed the entry to the garage that was once in the informal dining, and created a peninsula in its place that offers a unique division between the kitchen/informal dining and the formal dining and living areas. The simple light warm light gray cabinetry offers a bit of traditional elegance, along with the marble backsplash and quartz countertops. We extended the original wood flooring into the kitchen and stained all floors to match for a warmth that truly resonates through all spaces. We upgraded appliances, added lighting everywhere, and finished the space with some gorgeous mid century furniture pieces.
In the formal dining and living room, we really focused on maintaining the original marble fireplace as a focal point. We cleaned the marble, repaired the mortar, and refinished the original fireplace screen to give a new sleek look in black. We then integrated a new gas insert for modern heating and painted the upper portion in a rich navy blue; an accent that is carried through the home consistently as a nod to our client’s love of the color.
The former entry into the old covered porch is now an elegant glass door leading to a stunning finished sunroom. This room was completely upgraded as well. We wrapped the entire space in cozy white shiplap to keep a casual feel with brightness. We tiled the floor with large format concrete look tile, and painted the old brick fireplace a bright white. We installed a new gas burning unit, and integrated transitional style lighting to bring warmth and elegance into the space. The new black-frame windows are adorned with decorative shades that feature hand-sketched bird prints, and we’ve created a dedicated garden-ware “nook” for our client who loves to work in the yard. The far end of this space is completed with two oversized chaise loungers and overhead lights…the most perfect little reading nook!
Just off the dining room, we created an entirely new space to the home: a mudroom. The clients lacked this space and desperately needed a landing spot upon entering the home from the garage. We uniquely planned existing space in the garage to utilize for this purpose, and were able to create a small but functional entry point without losing the ability to park cars in the garage. This new space features cement-look tile, gorgeous deep brown cabinetry, and plenty of storage for all the small items one might need to store while moving in and out of the home.
The remainder of the upstairs level includes massive renovations to the guest hall bathroom and guest bedroom, upstairs master bed/bath suite, and a third bedroom that we converted into a home office for the client.
Some of the largest transformations were made in the basement, where unfinished space and lack of light were converted into gloriously lit, cozy, finished spaces. Our first task was to convert the massive basement living room into the new master bedroom for our clients. We removed existing built-ins, created an entirely new walk-in closet, painted the old brick fireplace, installed a new gas unit, added carpet, introduced new lighting, replaced windows, and upgraded every part of the aesthetic appearance. One of the most incredible features of this space is the custom double sliding barn door made by a Denver artisan. This space is truly a retreat for our clients!
We also completely transformed the laundry room, back storage room, basement master bathroom, and two bedrooms.
This home’s massive scope and ever-evolving challenges were thrilling and exciting to work with, and the result is absolutely amazing. At the end of the day, this home offers a look and feel that the clients love. Above all, though, the clients feel the spirit of their family home and have a welcoming environment for all members of the family to enjoy for years to come.

This white custom, furniture style vanity goes along with the bright and open feel of the house. The floor tiles are laid in a herringbone pattern.
Inspiration for a mid-sized master bathroom remodel in Charlotte with beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets and quartzite countertops
Inspiration for a mid-sized master bathroom remodel in Charlotte with beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets and quartzite countertops

Everything but the mirror and light fixture.
I struggled a lot with what to choose for a sink because the bathroom was quite small but it also didn't have any storage. I got rid of the medicine cabinet because I wanted a big mirror that would reflect ample light, and I thought about getting a vanity but knew it would look chunky in the small space. I ended up going with a Kohler pedestal sink which looked amazing in the space and helped keep my tiny bathroom from looking cramped. The brand new pedestal sink was also significantly cheaper than any vanity I could find, and probably saved me at least $500-$1000 on my overall budget.
Photos © Kari Post

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
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