Mike Kaskel
Small beach style galley light wood floor enclosed kitchen photo in Jacksonville with a single-bowl sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

TruStile (TS) Door Collection features over 100 architecturally-correct panel door styles from 1- to 9-panel configurations. Each door is built with genuine stile and rail construction and is never routed or stamped. Our flexible manufacturing process also allows you to customize the look of any TS series door by substituting any panel for glass, resin, leather or metal.

by Karen Aitken
This is an example of a mediterranean landscaping in San Francisco.

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

A condo was given a fresh look by a few substitutions, and the use of white, black and glass furniture pieces and green accents. The client already had the couch which they liked, and wished to retain. The glass coffee and end tables keep the space looking light and airy. The mirror strategically placed above the couch bounced light around. Painted grey shelves with pipe fittings as brackets add an industrial touch which is carried through the spaces. Green accents are carried right through the dining area and the bedroom.

The original bathroom featured a dark diagonal shiplap with a built-in tub that dimmed the room and created a smaller feel of the space. By replacing the shiplap with a white simply patterned wallpaper we brighten the room and opened the floor plan by removing the built-in tub and substituting it with a free-standing tub. Using the original layout, we repurposed the pre-existing cabinets by installing an additional two drawers and a wall cabinet to give an illusion of built-in cabinets while also providing additional storage space. The extended double vanities were created by removing the closet space and replacing it with another set of drawers and wall cabinets to provide extra storage space and create a cohesive bathroom layout.

We added drought tolerant plantings and a wandering gravel walkway. This garden had great bones - it just needed some space planning and a little TLC. We removed an old and not very attractive rose garden to create a new decomposed granite seating area with a custom fire pit and some olive trees. The rest of the garden got a major landscape re-do, with low water plants, lawn area replaced with Kurapia, drip irrigation and LED landscape lighting. The clients are delighted with the new space and what with the lighting and firepit, can really enjoy this gorgeous garden!

Dimension: Dining Table: 95"L X 39"D X 31"H Dining Bench: 81"L X 16.5"D X 18"H Boasting a lovely combination of Sergai suar wood and Iron, the Gloucester Solid Wood Iron Base Live Edge Dining Table with 2 Bench Set is an elegant and sturdy dining table set to bring the elements of industrial design to your dining area. The table and bench top come handcrafted from solid Mango wood with organic edges, supported by a stylish black iron cross base. Both the pieces match up well with their sleek silhouette through the neat design and thin yet sturdy tops. Exuding the traditional and modern charm, the set is a beautiful addition serving a variety of decorating styles. Materials: The dining table and bench set are handcrafted from sergai suar wood in natural finish with iron bases, finished in black. The set offers years of durability and grace to keep your dining space looking as stylish as always. Suar, also known as the majestic "rain tree" is the giant tropical rainforest tree. It is a hardwood known for its beautiful straight grains, durability, strength and is often used as a substitute for hardwoods like Walnut and Mahogany. With such properties, the beauty of the Suar wood furniture is easy to retain for years. Special Features: • Sergai suar wood construction • 100% handcrafted • Industrial style Note: Real wood is a product of nature, and as such, no two pieces are alike. Variations in solid wood grain patterns are to be expected and make each furniture uniquely beautiful, just like us humans.

For years, early morning walks past this 1910 Craftsman in Houston's historic Avondale neighborhood left the new owners with lingering fantasies of making it their future home. When it became available, they acquired a home rich with history, but one nearly abolished. The home was once inhabited by Texas Governor (1931-1932) and founder of Humble Oil, Ross Sterling. But, renovations subdivided the home into multi-family rentals and destroyed original finishes. The developer driven modifications were abruptly halted by city red tags in 2018 after original windows were demolished and replaced with vinyl substitutes. With a nearly clean slate on the interior, the HRDD renovation aims to be respectful to the original context while providing coplimentary modern surprises atypical to the era. One such example is a new opening that punctures through the second floor, extending to a roof skylight. Situated at the transition between formal and informal rooms on the first floor and common space on the second floor, this subtraction is lined with a scalloped wood screen. The screen is one of multiple moments within the home where texture will combine with minimal white surfaces, providing a backdrop to the owners' collection of antique Indian furniture pieces. Additionally, a new detached replaced an existing dilapidated garage apartment and contains the owner's photography studio. Windows and a skylight are placed to capture coveted north light, ideal for photographing and editing. The main room remains an austere slate, with ceiling vaulting to a single aperture to create a dynamic moment that carries a dialogue to the opening in the main home.

Located on a steep hill above downtown Ventura, this modern Spanish house features panoramic views of town with the ocean and Channel Islands beyond. While the views are amazing from a large front deck, the steep slope presented some constraints on the landscape design. Although the property is about a third-of-an-acre, the only useable and open garden space is a small (about 500 square feet) area to the West of the house. The house sits at the back of the property, and another steep hill on the neighboring property behind is held back by a tall retaining wall, leaving just enough room for a narrow, hardscaped patio in the back yard. Bright plantings along the back of the property delineate the home from the neighboring property, and we chose plantings to help stabilize the soil and further develop the Spanish garden look while creating a lush, inviting feel. Additionally, we added 52 pieces of pottery to soften and add interest to the back garden and patio areas. Succulents, herbs, and California natives fill the pottery along with bright, sweet-smelling, tropical-looking, and climate-appropriate plants. Slope stabilization was paramount for the front hill. Beyond that, finding plants that would thrive on the steep slope was the next obstacle. Finally, the aesthetics could be addressed, and we worked to find plants that meshed with the architecture—blending plants with white and orange to play off the red-tiled roofs and white-plastered walls that are emblematic of the Spanish style of this house as well as the predominate style of the neighborhood. The flattish area to the West was designed with the idea of creating a contemporary take on the parterre garden. Reminiscent of Mediterranean gardens, this vegetable and herb garden substitutes formal hedges with formal Corten steel planters to honor the modern Spanish architecture of the house. The citrus, herbs, and vegetables serve the foodie clients well.

The original bathroom featured a dark diagonal shiplap with a built-in tub that dimmed the room and created a smaller feel of the space. By replacing the shiplap with a white simply patterned wallpaper we brighten the room and opened the floor plan by removing the built-in tub and substituting it with a free-standing tub. Using the original layout, we repurposed the pre-existing cabinets by installing an additional two drawers and a wall cabinet to give an illusion of built-in cabinets while also providing additional storage space. The extended double vanities were created by removing the closet space and replacing it with another set of drawers and wall cabinets to provide extra storage space and create a cohesive bathroom layout.

An addition and remodel to a home sited on a gently sloping hillside in San Carlos, CA. The existing structure, a badly worn post-war ranch style house, was reinvented by substituting new single-slope roof forms in place of the old sagging gables.

King of the Painters King of the Painters is the king of the painting jungle when it comes to interior and exterior projects. Our services include simple repainting of interior and exterior walls, basic and finished carpentry services, wall texturing, special wall surface effects (such as “marbleizing” and “faux finishes”), installation of recessed ceiling lights, all the way to drywall and acoustical ceiling repair. We also offer expert application of color glazes, specialty industrial coatings, including industrial enamels, epoxy, and urethane coatings. We are proud of the fact that a major portion of our new clients are referrals. King of the Painters, Inc. has earned its reputation by not only being locally owned and operated, but by ensuring quality and satisfaction. Our goal is to minimize the hassles typically associated with painting and construction work by making your painting project an enjoyable experience . . . rather than one you would like to forget. Remember, there is no substitute or compromise for quality and professionalism. Just ask some of our past and current clients gladly provided on request! Whether you need to paint your home, business, office building, shopping center or homeowners association, request a royal appointment right now by calling us anytime for a free, no-obligation estimate and expert color consultation.

For this project, the objective was to integrate the kitchen and living areas. The kitchen was separated in part from the living area by a partial wall. We removed the partial wall, and the space was suddenly open and full of natural light. We choose to combine white cabinets with a dark charcoal island, black leathered granite, and stainless steel appliances. The tile flooring was removed and substituted with wide wood planks in their natural color. Matching floating shelves complete the look.

Once an uninspired lawn, this front garden has been reimagined as a lush, Modern Japanese retreat featuring vibrant Japanese Maples, structured Mugo Pines, and a drought-tolerant Kurapia groundcover. The thoughtfully layered planting delivers enduring color, rich texture, and natural privacy for the front bedrooms throughout every season. Functioning as both a focal point and a sustainable drainage solution, an artfully placed dry creek bed captures seasonal rainfall, allowing water to gently percolate into the soil rather than escaping into storm drains.

We wired in-ceiling speakers for the home’s dining room, kitchen and bathrooms, using a mix of high-end Polk Audio and Niles Audio speakers; we weren’t able to run wires through the master and guest bedrooms, so we substituted wireless Sonos PLAY:5 and PLAY:3 speaker systems which provide a full plug-and-play audio experience powered by the whole-home system.

Photo by Ross Irwin---The customers loved their new home, but they just couldn't stand the kitchen, because it looked outdated and wasn't very functional. Trivonna reworked the layout and eliminated a very cumbersome peninsula, substituting with an island. Also, she added plenty of storage solutions and conveniences to make the cooking experience more enjoyable.

King of the Painters King of the Painters is the king of the painting jungle when it comes to interior and exterior projects. Our services include simple repainting of interior and exterior walls, basic and finished carpentry services, wall texturing, special wall surface effects (such as “marbleizing” and “faux finishes”), installation of recessed ceiling lights, all the way to drywall and acoustical ceiling repair. We also offer expert application of color glazes, specialty industrial coatings, including industrial enamels, epoxy, and urethane coatings. We are proud of the fact that a major portion of our new clients are referrals. King of the Painters, Inc. has earned its reputation by not only being locally owned and operated, but by ensuring quality and satisfaction. Our goal is to minimize the hassles typically associated with painting and construction work by making your painting project an enjoyable experience . . . rather than one you would like to forget. Remember, there is no substitute or compromise for quality and professionalism. Just ask some of our past and current clients gladly provided on request! Whether you need to paint your home, business, office building, shopping center or homeowners association, request a royal appointment right now by calling us anytime for a free, no-obligation estimate and expert color consultation.

Sometimes, a drone substitutes for a tall ladder.
Kitchen - large transitional kitchen idea in Indianapolis