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

Complete exterior painting project on the stucco, wood trim, windows, and doors. We replaced much on the right hand porch, and three windows which suffered wood rot.

At the start of the year we usually get asked to restore the appearance of patios and other outside areas which have suffered from the staining of autumn leaves and the ravages of winter cold snaps. Most patios are quite straight forward to maintain however when you’re dealing natural stone then it’s best to call in your local Tile Doctor to ensure nothing is applied to the stone that could damage it. Such was the case with this four-year-old Sandstone Patio at a house in the town of Kettering. Unfortunately, it was not sealed when it was first installed and the combination of weather and UV sunlight had faded the tiles, this together with general soiling had greatly affected the appearance of this beautiful stone and could almost have been mistaken for concrete slabs. My first course of action was to lightly spray the area with a dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean which is a powerful tile cleaning product that is safe to use on Stone. The solution was allowed to soak in for a while before being agitated with a brush to bring out the dirt. This was followed by pressure washing with a spinning tool at a medium pressure so as to not damage the stone. Once dry I re-grouted the entire area and then sealed with Tile Doctor Colour Grow Sealant which is a impregnating breathable product (essential for damp environments) that also enhances the natural colours of the stone. Within hours of finishing the customer came home and called me straight away to say he couldn’t believe the transformation that was achieved and they looked better than when they were first laid. Phil Vissian Northamptonshire Tile Doctor

This is half-round gutter. This is a beautiful style available with either internal hangers or external hanger hangers as shown in the photo. This gutter looks great on every home! It is a more expensive product and it usually suffers from over'splash due to the curve of the gutter.

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.

bench seating resting on roof structure. deck area suffered extensive dry rot damage to structure . repair included adding a pony wall doubling as a seating area. built ipe back and seat as sleeper system to cover Gaco weatherproof covering material

Newly built properties are not without their problems and often take a while to resolve all the snagging which occasionally extends to resolving problems with newly laid tiled floors. At this new property in the village of Malvern, and overlooked by the Malvern hills, the builders had left the Terracotta tiled kitchen floor covered in grout smears (also known as Grout Haze) following installation. They had also neglected to seal the tiles, which was actually quite fortunate in this case as they would have sealed in the grout haze, making it more difficult to remove. Naturally, the property owner wanted the problem to be resolved as soon as possible, and for me to make the tiles easy to keep clean in future, which can be achieved by sealing the tile. Before starting work, I made sure to fully protect any exposed woodwork with a plastic sheet covering to protect them from potential damage. I then proceeded to give the floor a thorough clean, using Tile Doctor Remove and Go to clean the floor and eradicate some stains that had been left behind as a result of the building work. Next, I paid special attention to the grout, where the very visible problem of grout haze had arisen. To neutralise these smears I used Tile Doctor Grout Clean Up, a concentrated phosphoric acid cleaner that can also remove alkaline mineral deposits and efflorescence. Grout Clean Up is only to be used on acid resistant stone, as sensitive stone can suffer from irreparable etching if it comes into contact with the product. Once completely clean and free of grout smears the floor was thoroughly rinsed with water to remove any trace of product and then dried as much as possible with a wet vacuum, afterwards an air mover was installed to speed up the drying process. Later that afternoon the floor was dry and I was able to apply a sealer. To do this I opted to use several coats of Tile Doctor Seal and Go Extra, a topical, fully breathable sealer that works really well on Terracotta. The sealer builds up a layer of protection on the surface of the tiles, protecting against ingrained dirt and stains. Seal and Go Extra also provides a high quality sheen finish which really did well to enhance the look of the Terracotta. The property owner was exceptionally pleased with the results, and to have this problem dealt with quickly and efficiently, additionally the sealer will ensure the Kitchen floor is easy to keep clean in the future.

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.

The original 1920’s cottage was charming, but suffered from a series of additions that marred the exterior and created an awkward floor plan. To renovate this home, the exterior of the original cottage was left largely intact, the previous additions were removed, a garage/bedroom wing was added to the rear, and a glazed breakfast room was added where old and new construction meet. Within the original cottage, several partitions were removed and openings between rooms were widened. The resulting home maintains the intimate feel of the original cottage, while creating the light and airy interior desired by the owner.

Faithful reproduction of concrete blocks that have suffered the bad weather of time. This product is so easy to install and heat resistant. The look of this product is just magnificent. Those around you will undoubtedly remember it.

Laundry rooms and mudrooms can be a headache for many homeowners. They are usually cramped with poor functionality and little storage space. Joe and Kristin suffered all those aches and more, as their laundry room lacked clothing storage. Shoes were crammed in every corner. There was nowhere to fold clothes without taking them to the kitchen. They were ready for a complete laundry room remodel project. Joe and Kristin interviewed several local remodeling companies but didn’t connect with anyone who could understand their vision. During the summer, when they were attending their son’s race venue, they noticed fellow kart racers Todd and Christine Jurs’ sponsor banner for their remodeling company, Advance Design Studio. Immediately they were thrilled that they knew someone they trusted who could handle the renovation. “We wanted someone that we actually knew, who has a little bit more invested than an outside person that we don’t have any ties to,” Kristin said. Project Designer Nicole Ryan came to their home in Warrenville for the initial consultation. Kristin, an avid HGTV viewer, brought her ideas to Nicole. Throughout the design process, they worked together designing the space, selecting materials, and choosing colors. Nicole made sure to incorporate Kristin’s must-haves into the finished laundry room remodel. “It was really easy. Nicole made the transition very easy,” Kristin said of Nicole’s work in the design phase of the project. With the materials selected and the drawings finalized, it was time to begin construction. Kristin and Joe were impressed with how quickly and cleanly this phase went. “Everyone that came in was very respectful, very neat, and that was a big part for me because I didn’t want dust going through the rest of my house,” Kristin said. The new combination mudroom/laundry room is everything Kristin and Joe hoped. There is plenty of storage, three pull-out laundry hampers for presorting laundry, a large central island for folding clothes, a designated bar to hang dry, and even a unique rotating shoe rack to keep shoes from cluttering the space. “My rotating shoe rack,” Kristin said when asked what her favorite part of her new laundry room was. “We have four kids. We have a lot of shoes and sporting events. So it makes sense to have all that space for shoes.” The center island has an exceptional feature as well. It has wheels. Kristin wanted to be able to move the island out of the way for different functions in the room. An island with wheels can be placed wherever needed in the space. The two existing closets were reconfigured with built-in closet storage systems to make them more functional than before with shelves for baskets holding gloves and hats, umbrellas, and coats. “They love it,” Project Designer Nicole Ryan said. “They had a vision of how they wanted the space to function but didn’t know exactly how to get it there. My design took all their needs and used the most efficient products to get them the desired outcome. Tons of function, while still looking beautiful!” The “White” Hudson Panel Dura Supreme cabinetry on the perimeter brightens the space and contrasts the popular blue “Gale Force” Dura Supreme cabinetry of the rolling island. The black and white encaustic design porcelain tile backsplash adds visual interest to the room above the white quartz countertops. Additionally, an oil-rubbed bronze bar for hanging clothes is conveniently located above the washer/dryer, and a stainless-steel under-mount sink with a matching Kohler faucet offers perfect functionality. “I would definitely recommend Advance Design; they’ve been wonderful. They were so helpful. Any little changes we had, they were able to accommodate,” Kristin said.

Challenge: Our client needed their downtown Toronto condo to serve as a peaceful retreat from the demanding pace of urban professional life. The space suffered from the sterile, impersonal aesthetic typical of many Toronto condos, lacking the warmth and tranquility needed to truly unwind after busy workdays in the city's core. Solution: We approached this project in thoughtful stages, transforming the condo into a serene sanctuary that promotes relaxation and rejuvenation. By incorporating a palette of light, calming colors and introducing rich textural elements throughout the space, we elevated the sterile interior into a sophisticated retreat. Each design decision was made with the goal of creating visual and tactile interest that would engage the senses and promote a sense of calm. Highlights: • Staged design approach that allowed for thoughtful evolution of the space • Light color palette that enhances natural light and creates an airy, peaceful atmosphere • Rich variety of textures that add warmth and visual interest to combat sterile condo interiors • Strategic material selection that transforms typical condo finishes into sophisticated design elements Results: The transformed Downtown Zen condo now serves as the perfect urban escape—a space that immediately shifts the client's mindset from work mode to relaxation. This project demonstrates how thoughtful design can overcome the limitations of typical Toronto condo interiors, creating a personalized sanctuary that enhances daily life and well-being.

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.

Recently Heidi and I worked on a Victorian tiled hallway floor at a house in Turton, Lancashire, an area which lies on the southern slopes of the West Pennine Moors. Victorian tile floors are commonly found in the reception area and hallways of older houses and public buildings, many of which date back to the reign of Queen Victoria (hence ‘Victorian’ tiles). It was during this time that the tile industry really started to boom. Upon inspection it was evident that the floor in question had suffered from some settlement in the past resulting in a crack in the base under the tiles which had lifted one side and dropped the other; this is quite common in old houses resulting in some of the tiles becoming loose and would need to be fixed back in place before the floor could be given a good clean and re-seal. Removing Lippage from Victorian Tiles The concrete floor under the tile was patched as best as could be without pulling up more of the floor and the tiles were fixed in place, unfortunately however many of the triangular tiles in the adjacent border would not lay flat resulting in a lippage issue between them which naturally the customer was not very happy about. Not wishing to cause the customer the extra expense of pulling up more tiles and relaying the concrete subfloor I left the tiles to fully set and then came back a few days later with a handheld Flex Machine fitted with a small 220 Grit Diamond pad to grind the tiles flat. As the pictures show, this made the difference and the diamond did not scratch the tiles despite the surface being dry. Diamond pads are usually used on stone floors but after some investigation back at the Tile Doctor training centre we also realised they can be used on other types of tile including Victorian. Once this was resolved the entire floor was given a thorough clean using a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean worked in with a scrubbing pad. As well as cleaning the tile and grout it also removed any remaining sealer which is important if you don’t know the history of the floor as the previous coating maybe incompatible with the new sealer. Once done the floor was given a thorough rinse with water which was then extracted from the floor with a wet vacuum. Sealing Victorian Tiles The floor was left to dry and I returned later to seal the tiles with a couple of coats of Tile Doctor Colour Grow which is an impregnating sealer that soaks into the pores of the tile and intensifies colour whilst also providing durable protection from within. Normally I use Seal and Go on Victorian Tiles however in this case the customer had specified a matt finish. The results were fantastic and the client was very pleased with the now flat Victorian tiled floor which, thanks to the cleaning and sealing, was back to looking its best. Another happy customer for the Lancashire Tile Doctor!

This customer spent over 40 years building and renovating his home. In his younger days, he was an amazing building and craftsman. Recently, he suffered a stroke and lost the ability to build. He wants to leave his home to his daughter, so he planned one last renovation project. For this project, he wanted to choose a renovation company that could build a kitchen as well as he could. Luckily, he chose Wood Front Kitchens. He was thrilled with the result. He loved that we were able to keep storage features he had built in his previous cabinets and transfer them to the new cabinets. This homeowner chose shaker-style oak cabinets stained in Michels. He chose Amerock Conrad Square hardware in oil-rubbed bronze to give his rustic cabinets an industrial feel. He and his daughter are both pleased with the results, and with their huge increase in storage space.

The gate has a wooden gate stop built into the stucco wall, shown left. The gate stop provides protection for the gate latch’s arm, so if the gate slams, the latch arm does not suffer the force of the slamming gate’s weight. Client-provided photos.

Alison suffers from terrible migraines and wanted a room in her home that was dark enough to help her recover naturally. She found that our Ultimate Blackout Cellular Shades and Movable Arch Blackout Shades were the perfect fit for her unique shaped windows. These shades have vinyl channels that block all light coming in from the sides of the shades for a complete blackout. To learn more about Alison of How She Does, check out here blog post, here: http://www.howdoesshe.com/migraines-blinds-com/

This 1948 house designed by renowned mid-century modernist Architect Gregory Ain suffered thru several bad remodels before we totally restored it and added on a new master suite.

These stairs suffered from a carpet wrapped tread and mis matched wood tones. Exposing the wood of the stairs was a fun surprise as they had great texture! New rich stain on the treads, the rails and the handle and it came together beautifully! Tom Clary, Clarified Studios