Kitchen — Project Description (Bolton, CT) (Full Renovation • Reconfiguration • Architectural Corrections) The original kitchen suffered from spatial imbalance and limited functionality: the right side was visually and physically heavy with cabinetry and appliances, the 135-degree angled walls lacked symmetry due to a missing window on the driveway side, and the small island could only seat two. Circulation was obstructed by a desk positioned in the main traffic flow, and the low French door felt disproportionate in scale compared to the large windows and adjacent two-story Great Room. Major Structural & Functional Improvements Repositioned window on the front elevation to the right, creating a long-desired view to the driveway while freeing space for a centered cooktop and statement hood — visually aligning with the Great Room’s redesigned fireplace focal wall. Installed a new custom sliding door, significantly taller and wider than the original French door. This upgrade enhances natural light, visually opens the kitchen to the deck, and provides unobstructed traffic flow thanks to its sliding operation. New Kitchen Layout & Enhanced Functionality Designed an entirely new layout centered around a 10' double-slab island, providing expansive workspace and a natural gathering zone. Added conversational seating for the whole family, allowing comfortable interaction on all sides of the island. Introduced purpose-designed storage solutions, including pullouts, rollouts, spice towers, tray organizers, and deep drawers to maximize usability. Reallocated the desk area to a dedicated window spot overlooking the backyard, removing it from traffic paths and improving both functionality and comfort. Cabinetry & Architectural Detailing Custom two-tone cabinetry in soft white and a serene blue-green tone reflects the visual language of the adjacent Great Room, creating whole-home cohesion. Installed lit upper glass cabinets along the entire perimeter, balancing vertical proportions and creating an elegant display band throughout the kitchen. A custom range hood was designed and painted to match the base cabinetry, becoming a focal point framed by symmetrical windows. Surfaces, Lighting & Finishes The island features a double-thickness quartz slab with a soft ogee radius for a timeless, furniture-like feel. A full-height, handcrafted aqua subway tile backsplash introduces depth, texture, and a gentle reflective quality. New layered lighting concept, including recessed lights, pendants, task lighting, and integrated cabinet lighting, ensures a warm and functional workspace at any time of day.

This 1910 family home in historical Dupont, was in distriss the original porch was suffering the effects of time and weather, the greatest challange was to earse time.

Home in Hawaii, just a few blocks from the ocean. All previous gates suffered from the salt in the air. These powder-coated aluminum gates will delight the owners and the neighborhood for years to come.

In Minnesota, there are probably 5 days out of the year that are idyllic for sitting outside on your uncovered deck, in the direct sun, where you won’t suffer from heat exhaustion or blood loss from mosquitos in short order. “So, you’ve got this beautifully manicured backyard to enjoy and no way to really enjoy it at your convenience,” recalls project manager Ben Murphy. “That’s what really drove this project.” In any remodel the biggest question is always why? Why are we doing this project? What pain are we trying to make go away or a problem to solve? In this case, the homeowners wanted to dramatically extend their outdoor living enjoyment and do so without the cost of a 4-season porch addition. “Our solution was a relatively new product called Sunspace, that takes those 5 good days on the deck and turns them into 9 months or so of comfortable living,” explains Murphy, “And for probably 25% less in cost and a traditional four season porch.”

This lovely 2-story townhome suffered the effects of more than 120 years of “remuddling” and “modernization” through significant modification of the structural framing. With a large section of a load-bearing wall removed and shear walls, the full 3-story building was structurally compromised. The program included the installation of a steel beam and structural reframing, beginning at the ground floor and through to the 3rd-floor living space. The new structural design allowed for a significantly improved living space. The kitchen was relocated and expanded, as were the living room and dining room. Several upgrades were made to the home, including incorporating all-electrical appliances. 1900 Victorian now boasts several eco-friendly and energy-efficient features.

For this color, we have both floating floor and glue down tiles. Photo shown is glue down tile. - Installation Type: Floating / Glue Down - Edge type: square edge (seamless floor) - Finish: Three coats German water based polyurethane - Made with formaldehyde free adhesives - 25 year warranty (residential installation) - Underlayment not required - Hypo-allergenic - Healthy alternative to carpet - Excellent thermal and acoustic insulation - Stain resistant - Naturally resistant to insects, mould, mildew due to anti-microbial properties. - Low slip surface - Excellent surface for seniors, children or people suffering from arthritis or joint pain *** Price for floating floor: $3.33/sqft Price may change without notice. Please check our website for the guaranteed price. Order FREE SAMPLES on our website: www.icorkfloor.com

This beach house was not only dated but the kitchen was suffering from a wall that closed it off and a peninsula that cut the space in half. Those were the first things we corrected. The wall was removed which opened the space up. The new layout has a large island instead of the peninsula for better flow and entertaining. This home is across the street from the beach so our design cues came from the ocean and natural surroundings. Our color pallet is white and coastal blue for the cabinets. The new luxury vinyl plank floor is light like the sand. The glass backsplash tile and quartz countertops carry the coastal feel. The main bathroom for the lower level is off the kitchen. We improved the shower size and updated all of the finishes. This beach house is now bright and open with a warm coastal feel.

This family of 5 was quickly out-growing their 1,220sf ranch home on a beautiful corner lot. Rather than adding a 2nd floor, the decision was made to extend the existing ranch plan into the back yard, adding a new 2-car garage below the new space - for a new total of 2,520sf. With a previous addition of a 1-car garage and a small kitchen removed, a large addition was added for Master Bedroom Suite, a 4th bedroom, hall bath, and a completely remodeled living, dining and new Kitchen, open to large new Family Room. The new lower level includes the new Garage and Mudroom. The existing fireplace and chimney remain - with beautifully exposed brick. The homeowners love contemporary design, and finished the home with a gorgeous mix of color, pattern and materials. The project was completed in 2011. Unfortunately, 2 years later, they suffered a massive house fire. The house was then rebuilt again, using the same plans and finishes as the original build, adding only a secondary laundry closet on the main level.

This mid century modern home, built in 1957, suffered a fire and poor repairs over twenty years ago. A cohesive approach of restoration and remodeling resulted in this newly modern home which preserves original features and brings living spaces into the 21st century. Photography by Atlantic Archives

This mid century modern home, built in 1957, suffered a fire and poor repairs over twenty years ago. A cohesive approach of restoration and remodeling resulted in this newly modern home which preserves original features and brings living spaces into the 21st century. Photography by Atlantic Archives

Most trees have leaves that will change colours every time the seasons change. This means that you may see changes three to four times a year depending on where you live. However, they will typically retain some measure of green colouring on their leaves until fall rolls around. During the fall season, trees explode with bright reds, oranges, and vibrant yellows. This is a natural part of their growth and hibernation process. However, if you see these colours in the offseason, it may be a sign that there is a problem. Below, Five Star Tree Services discusses why your leaves may be yellow during the summer and what you can do about it. Should Leaves Turn Yellow in the Summer? If your trees have yellow leaves in the summer, it is a sign that it is suffering from disease, or having a problem with its growth cycle. Having your trees inspected periodically by a trained professional will help you catch problems early. If your trees already have yellow leaves in the offseason, they can identify the cause and suggest a solution. When diagnosed early, suggested treatments can help save the tree. Keep reading for some common causes of yellowing leaves. Improper Watering One of the most common reasons trees start to develop yellow leaves in the summer is due to dehydration. Checking the soil moisture levels will help determine if your trees are getting enough water. Hydration is important all year long, but especially crucial during the hot summer months. If there are dry areas around your tree trunk, it is a good idea to partake in deep root watering to help keep your trees healthy and well-watered. Make sure that you don’t overwater your trees because flooding their roots can also be unhealthy. Lacking Nutrition Just like people, trees need to get the right blend of nutrients in order to remain healthy. If your tree has yellow leaves in the summer and is also getting enough water, chances are it is not getting the nutrients it needs from the soil. If soil testing shows low levels of nutrients, it is a good idea to schedule a deep root fertilization treatment to adjust the levels. In many instances, correcting the soil will help you save the tree. Insect or Pest Infestation Yellow summer leaves are also a sign that a tree has been infested with pests. Some pest is only active in the summer. Some of the most common are: Emerald Ash Borer Asian Long-Horned Beetle Yellownecked Caterpillar Ash Flower Gall Bronze Birch Borer Apple-and-Thorn Skeletonizer Eastern Tent Caterpillar Birch Leafminer Fall Webworm Gypsy Moth And many others The first thing you should do is call an arborist to have the tree inspected. They will be able to identify the root of the problem and formulate a solution to treat the pest infestation. This will help you get rid of the bugs once and for all and save your tree in the process. How We Can Help If you have noticed that one of your trees have begun to develop yellow leaves, give Five Star Tree Services a call as soon as possible. We have been providing tree care services in Toronto for over 10 years. Our skilled arborist would be more than happy to evaluate your tree and suggest a solution to treat the problem, so don’t wait. Contact us at (416) 990-3355 today!

This charming house was built in 1924 with all the aspiration of the California transplants of that era - mimicking a traditional, English cottage built into the hillside of scenic Los Feliz. When our clients moved in, nearly 100 years later, the house was suffering from a poorly-built, 2006 addition which was a jumble of walls and bathrooms that also turned out to be a breeding ground for black mold. After careful remediation, the clients decided to make the most of the fact that their primary suite had been taken down to the studs by reconceiving the layout of the 300 sf wing to accommodate a generous new primary bathroom, walk-in closet and convertible home office / guest bedroom.

The original bunk room featured bright blue carpet, green blue and red wallpaper coupled with maple trim. Contrasted with the existing country cabinets in the kitchen, log home features in the living / dining area and the Tuscan bathroom off the foyer ... to say the house suffered from an identity crisis is an understatement. We decided to re-imagine this space and create a fun yet functional bunk room that compliments the rustic industrial design throughout the rest of the property. Photo Credit: TraceJordan Properties

This master bath was long and narrow and suffered from a 1990's renovation with a huge tub no one used and a tiny shower area. The vanity was also quite small. By removing the tub and relocating the shower from the toilet room to the main area, the shower was able to double in size. The vanity area is also almost twice as large as before.

- Installation Type: Floating - Licensed Uniclic Flooring system - Square Edge Plank (seamless floor) - Finish: Three coats water based polyurethane - Wear Layer: 3mm genuine cork - Middle Layer: 7mm E1 Class High Density Fiberboard (HDF) - Integrated Underlayment: 1mm agglomerated cork. - Plank Width: 12” (315mm) - Plank Length: 36" (915mm) - Plank Thickness: 7/16" (11mm) - Carton coverage: 21.03 sqft - Pieces per carton: 7 - 25 year warranty (residential installation) - Underlayment not required - Hypo-allergenic - Healthy alternative to carpet - Excellent thermal and acoustic insulation - Stain resistant - Naturally resistant to insects, mould, mildew due to anti-microbial properties - Low slip surface - Excellent surface for seniors, children or people suffering from arthritis or joint pain Order FREE SAMPLES on our website: www.icorkfloor.com

The original house was built as a kit on the coast. The potential view was spectacular but the existing house suffered from a deep sense of tunnel vision and the interior was a maze of disconnected spaces. By changing the location of the kitchen to a more commanding location and unfolding the spaces into a more logical flow the house not only captures the panoramic view but feels twice as big without adding one square foot to the building footprint. Small changes in the deck sizes with some sweeping curves and more logical exterior stair locations connect the interior with the surrounding natural landscape. An “away” space, affectionately called the Quiet Room, is crowned with a sculptural plaster ceiling that evokes a wave, or a shell, or a soft sky canopy floating above this unusual living area. Outdoors is an infinity edge spa overlooking Gloucester’s Eastern Point Lighthouse and the ocean beyond.

After years of suffering through a poorly designed kitchen that didn’t meet her needs, our client made the difficult decision to re-remodel her kitchen. Now that the kitchen is complete, she's happier than ever in her new kitchen. What used to be a space that was intimidating and difficult to use has become a place designed specifically for her needs, where every appliance and shelf is within comfortable reach and the design is tailored exactly to her personal style.

Alloy was truly fortunate to have the opportunity to restore and renovate this 1850’s log cabin at Afton Mountain. No home looks more at home than this cabin in the foothills. The cabin suffered years of decay and an unsympathetic interior renovation so our first step was to work with a local log cabin specialist to correctly restore the structure. We then rebuilt much of the interior to have everything a modern home needs while staying true to the log cabin aesthetic. On all of our projects we carefully research materials and finishes but this one really took that to the next level. We enjoyed the challenge and the chance to show off the impressive craftsmanship of our carpenters. As you approach on the winding path, the log cabin feels like a part of the landscape. And now, when you come inside, you can keep that connected feeling – in comfort.

- Installation Type: Floating / Glue Down - Edge type: square edge (seamless floor) - Finish: Three coats German water based polyurethane - Made with formaldehyde free adhesives - 25 year warranty (residential installation) - Underlayment not required - Hypo-allergenic - Healthy alternative to carpet - Excellent thermal and acoustic insulation - Stain resistant - Naturally resistant to insects, mould, mildew due to anti-microbial prosperities - Low slip surface - Excellent surface for seniors, children or people suffering from arthritis or joint pain *** The price for glue down tile is $2.29/sqft Order FREE SAMPLES on our website: www.icorkfloor.com