Challenge This 2001 riverfront home was purchased by the owners in 2015 and immediately renovated. Progressive Design Build was hired at that time to remodel the interior, with tentative plans to remodel their outdoor living space as a second phase design/build remodel. True to their word, after completing the interior remodel, this young family turned to Progressive Design Build in 2017 to address known zoning regulations and restrictions in their backyard and build an outdoor living space that was fit for entertaining and everyday use. The homeowners wanted a pool and spa, outdoor living room, kitchen, fireplace and covered patio. They also wanted to stay true to their home’s Old Florida style architecture while also adding a Jamaican influence to the ceiling detail, which held sentimental value to the homeowners who honeymooned in Jamaica. Solution To tackle the known zoning regulations and restrictions in the backyard, the homeowners researched and applied for a variance. With the variance in hand, Progressive Design Build sat down with the homeowners to review several design options. These options included: Option 1) Modifications to the original pool design, changing it to be longer and narrower and comply with an existing drainage easement Option 2) Two different layouts of the outdoor living area Option 3) Two different height elevations and options for the fire pit area Option 4) A proposed breezeway connecting the new area with the existing home After reviewing the options, the homeowners chose the design that placed the pool on the backside of the house and the outdoor living area on the west side of the home (Option 1). It was important to build a patio structure that could sustain a hurricane (a Southwest Florida necessity), and provide substantial sun protection. The new covered area was supported by structural columns and designed as an open-air porch (with no screens) to allow for an unimpeded view of the Caloosahatchee River. The open porch design also made the area feel larger, and the roof extension was built with substantial strength to survive severe weather conditions. The pool and spa were connected to the adjoining patio area, designed to flow seamlessly into the next. The pool deck was designed intentionally in a 3-color blend of concrete brick with freeform edge detail to mimic the natural river setting. Bringing the outdoors inside, the pool and fire pit were slightly elevated to create a small separation of space. Result All of the desirable amenities of a screened porch were built into an open porch, including electrical outlets, a ceiling fan/light kit, TV, audio speakers, and a fireplace. The outdoor living area was finished off with additional storage for cushions, ample lighting, an outdoor dining area, a smoker, a grill, a double-side burner, an under cabinet refrigerator, a major ventilation system, and water supply plumbing that delivers hot and cold water to the sinks. Because the porch is under a roof, we had the option to use classy woods that would give the structure a natural look and feel. We chose a dark cypress ceiling with a gloss finish, replicating the same detail that the homeowners experienced in Jamaica. This created a deep visceral and emotional reaction from the homeowners to their new backyard. The family now spends more time outdoors enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of nature. Their professional lives allow them to take a trip to paradise right in their backyard—stealing moments that reflect on the past, but are also enjoyed in the present.

This is an example of a large traditional white two-story wood garden path in San Francisco with a shingle roof.

Beez Kneez Pleez is an ceramic sculpture approximately 8 to 10-feet high by 3-feet in diameter. The piece has grown into a concrete art concept after I participated as part of an unplanned group, called "The Bee Swarm" in the Marche du Nain Rouge parade in Detroit. Visually noticing the decline of the honey bee in addition to being fascinated with the structure of the bee itself, I've begun a love for all the bee represents: hard work, happiness, warm sun, clover, industriousness and flowers. The use of carved and stacked honeycomb cells, fun, furry colors, and whimsical characterizations present the underlying seriousness and interconnectivity of this environmental issue, with a more lighthearted approach. This sculpture is a nod to the bee and the imperative role they play in the delicate balance of survival. The bee reminds us to leave that dandelion, violet, reduce pesticide use and preserve habitat. A totem of ceramic bees, leaves, flowers, corn, butterflies, frogs, rabbits, extruded hexagons, and perhaps a few other surprises arranged along an 10-foot steel pole. The pole will thread into a sturdy base via a threaded rod. Weight should not exceed 250 hundred pounds. The use of celadon glazes will highlight the intricate carving on the bees, honeycomb and other items which are nestled, hung with manilla rope or stick mounted along the length of the totem. The stabile and it's stoneware components is suited to indoor or outdoor areas. Created for ArtPrize 10 in 2018: Venue: Grand Rapids Public Museum. Permanently installed at Central Insurance Company Headquarters, Van Wert, Ohio

CAPITAL DESIGN: Ionic Order (Roman) - Scamozzi Capital CAPITAL MATERIAL: PolyStone® Fiberglass Composite CAPITAL SIZE: 10" x 4-7/8" x 16-3/8" PROJECT LOCATION: New Haven, Connecticut PROJECT COMMENTS: Consulting with Chadsworth, the architects chose a Scamozzi column capital, which was nearly an exact replica of the severely damaged originals at the main entrance. The house was originally built in 1895. Like much of the house, which had been neglected for many decades, the original capitals ultimately proved to be held together by 150 years of paint. The capitals are a key feature of a strongly symmetrical facade, and the architects were grateful to remain true to the original design intent. This house is a late and rare example of very strict Georgian revival done in the East Rock neighborhood. The original house owner, Moritz Spier, was a warm-hearted coal merchant known to have carried the accounts of hundreds of families through the many economic downturns of that period. The house had few owners, and its highly detailed interior woodwork has thankfully remained unpainted. Because of its large foyer and wide open central staircase, the geometry of the house helped it survive a trend of partitioning large houses into Yale graduate student apartments. The Scamozzi capitals utilized for the renovation of this historic home were (8) of Chadsworth's PolyStone® fiberglass composite capitals. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: ROBERT NARRACCI, EXTERIOR, RESIDENTIAL, RENOVATION

Artsy + Airy Open Concept Living - Working with an open concept space can have its advantages...spaces often appear larger, lots of natural sunlight, great for entertaining. However, often times, the caviot is that you have to commit to a concept and keep it cohesive throughout, which can present some challenges when it comes to design. Collectively, the entry, dining, living and kitchen were all open to the centered stairwell that somewhat divided the spaces. Creating a color palette that could work throughout the main floor was simple once the window treatment fabric was discovered and locked down. Golds, purples and accent of turquoise in the chairs the homeowner already owned, creating an interesting color way the moment you entered through the front door. Infusing texture with the citron sea grass-grass cloth wall covering, consistent with the fireplace/TV combo, creating one focal point in each space is key to your survival with an open floor plan. [if you would like 4 Simple tips on creating one focal point with a fireplace and TV click here!] A great layout and spacial plan will create an even flow between spaces, creating a space within a space. Create small interesting and beautifully styled spaces to inspire conversation and invite guests in. Here are our favorite project images!

CAPITAL DESIGN: Ionic Order (Roman) - Scamozzi Capital CAPITAL MATERIAL: PolyStone® Fiberglass Composite CAPITAL SIZE: 10" x 4-7/8" x 16-3/8" PROJECT LOCATION: New Haven, Connecticut PROJECT COMMENTS: Consulting with Chadsworth, the architects chose a Scamozzi column capital, which was nearly an exact replica of the severely damaged originals at the main entrance. The house was originally built in 1895. Like much of the house, which had been neglected for many decades, the original capitals ultimately proved to be held together by 150 years of paint. The capitals are a key feature of a strongly symmetrical facade, and the architects were grateful to remain true to the original design intent. This house is a late and rare example of very strict Georgian revival done in the East Rock neighborhood. The original house owner, Moritz Spier, was a warm-hearted coal merchant known to have carried the accounts of hundreds of families through the many economic downturns of that period. The house had few owners, and its highly detailed interior woodwork has thankfully remained unpainted. Because of its large foyer and wide open central staircase, the geometry of the house helped it survive a trend of partitioning large houses into Yale graduate student apartments. The Scamozzi capitals utilized for the renovation of this historic home were (8) of Chadsworth's PolyStone® fiberglass composite capitals. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: ROBERT NARRACCI, EXTERIOR, RESIDENTIAL, RENOVATION

Materials Ipe Hardwood, Marine Grade Birch, Brazilian Walnut Dimensions Height: 34 Inches; Width: 49 Inches; Depth: 15 Inches Description Modern, Contemporary luxury in a sleek stylish and modern design brings a beautiful style to any outdoor entertainment space. This outdoor TV cabinet it rated for both very cold and very hot environments, complete protection from mold, mildew or insects and with a fire rating identical to that of concrete you can be sure this piece of furniture will stand the test of time. The sustainably sourced Ipe hardwood (also known as Brazilian Walnut) is hard, robust and durable. It's naturally weatherproof and survives equally well in hot or humid climates as it does in rain, frost, wind, ice or snow. It is guaranteed to not mildew or mold. In fact in tests performed by the USGA Ipe can be buried underground for over 50 years without rotting. The simple and modern design is taken to the next level by the introduction of a Nexus TV lift system which allows your TV cabinet to be wirelessly opened by the touch of a button. The TV lift system comes with a 10-year warranty. With the addition of the 360 degree swivel option the TV can be viewed from any angle. Comes with: - American-made TV Lift system w/ 10 Year Warranty - Fully waterproofed interior, power distribution box - Front panel is fully removable for safe maintenance - Universal TV Mount - HDMI cable

Artsy + Airy Open Concept Living - Working with an open concept space can have its advantages...spaces often appear larger, lots of natural sunlight, great for entertaining. However, often times, the caviot is that you have to commit to a concept and keep it cohesive throughout, which can present some challenges when it comes to design. Collectively, the entry, dining, living and kitchen were all open to the centered stairwell that somewhat divided the spaces. Creating a color palette that could work throughout the main floor was simple once the window treatment fabric was discovered and locked down. Golds, purples and accent of turquoise in the chairs the homeowner already owned, creating an interesting color way the moment you entered through the front door. Infusing texture with the citron sea grass-grass cloth wall covering, consistent with the fireplace/TV combo, creating one focal point in each space is key to your survival with an open floor plan. [if you would like 4 Simple tips on creating one focal point with a fireplace and TV click here!] A great layout and spacial plan will create an even flow between spaces, creating a space within a space. Create small interesting and beautifully styled spaces to inspire conversation and invite guests in. Here are our favorite project images!

CAPITAL DESIGN: Ionic Order (Roman) - Scamozzi Capital CAPITAL MATERIAL: PolyStone® Fiberglass Composite CAPITAL SIZE: 10" x 4-7/8" x 16-3/8" PROJECT LOCATION: New Haven, Connecticut PROJECT COMMENTS: Consulting with Chadsworth, the architects chose a Scamozzi column capital, which was nearly an exact replica of the severely damaged originals at the main entrance. The house was originally built in 1895. Like much of the house, which had been neglected for many decades, the original capitals ultimately proved to be held together by 150 years of paint. The capitals are a key feature of a strongly symmetrical facade, and the architects were grateful to remain true to the original design intent. This house is a late and rare example of very strict Georgian revival done in the East Rock neighborhood. The original house owner, Moritz Spier, was a warm-hearted coal merchant known to have carried the accounts of hundreds of families through the many economic downturns of that period. The house had few owners, and its highly detailed interior woodwork has thankfully remained unpainted. Because of its large foyer and wide open central staircase, the geometry of the house helped it survive a trend of partitioning large houses into Yale graduate student apartments. The Scamozzi capitals utilized for the renovation of this historic home were (8) of Chadsworth's PolyStone® fiberglass composite capitals. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: ROBERT NARRACCI, EXTERIOR, RESIDENTIAL, RENOVATION

As shown in the second picture, the problem was more severe on the East side of the house. The water had rusted through the original nails holding the dentals to the base molding. The base molding had warped and pulled away from the upper crown. In addition to the CPES product, we used epoxy to fill the gaps and cracks in the wood. As a final step before caulking and painting, we applied a coat of high-built adhesive primer to all the trim elements of the building, including the window casings, which were original to the house. The crown moldings and window casings were seemingly made of old-growth wood, which survived in these hash conditions, without rotting for over one hundred fifty years. This wood is still hard as stone today! Wood like this deserves every bit of care we can muster to help preserve it for another century or more. As you can also see in the second picture, since our painting and decorating company is EPA Lead-Safe Certified, the paint scraping process was done in compliance with EPA regulations. It involved setting up containment for the paint debris, sealing the windows, wearing protective garments, respirators etc., all this in 90 degree heat this week! As a pioneer and early settler’s house, the Colonel Palmer house is quite remarkable by its size, style and quality of materials used in its construction. This was no shack on the prairie! It is well worth preserving for the generations to come.

CAPITAL DESIGN: Ionic Order (Roman) - Scamozzi Capital CAPITAL MATERIAL: PolyStone® Fiberglass Composite CAPITAL SIZE: 10" x 4-7/8" x 16-3/8" PROJECT LOCATION: New Haven, Connecticut PROJECT COMMENTS: Consulting with Chadsworth, the architects chose a Scamozzi column capital, which was nearly an exact replica of the severely damaged originals at the main entrance. The house was originally built in 1895. Like much of the house, which had been neglected for many decades, the original capitals ultimately proved to be held together by 150 years of paint. The capitals are a key feature of a strongly symmetrical facade, and the architects were grateful to remain true to the original design intent. This house is a late and rare example of very strict Georgian revival done in the East Rock neighborhood. The original house owner, Moritz Spier, was a warm-hearted coal merchant known to have carried the accounts of hundreds of families through the many economic downturns of that period. The house had few owners, and its highly detailed interior woodwork has thankfully remained unpainted. Because of its large foyer and wide open central staircase, the geometry of the house helped it survive a trend of partitioning large houses into Yale graduate student apartments. The Scamozzi capitals utilized for the renovation of this historic home were (8) of Chadsworth's PolyStone® fiberglass composite capitals. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: ROBERT NARRACCI, EXTERIOR, RESIDENTIAL, RENOVATION

Materials Ipe Hardwood, Marine Grade Birch, Brazilian Walnut Dimensions Height: 34 Inches; Width: 49 Inches; Depth: 15 Inches Description Modern, Contemporary luxury in a sleek stylish and modern design brings a beautiful style to any outdoor entertainment space. This outdoor TV cabinet it rated for both very cold and very hot environments, complete protection from mold, mildew or insects and with a fire rating identical to that of concrete you can be sure this piece of furniture will stand the test of time. The sustainably sourced Ipe hardwood (also known as Brazilian Walnut) is hard, robust and durable. It's naturally weatherproof and survives equally well in hot or humid climates as it does in rain, frost, wind, ice or snow. It is guaranteed to not mildew or mold. In fact in tests performed by the USGA Ipe can be buried underground for over 50 years without rotting. The simple and modern design is taken to the next level by the introduction of a Nexus TV lift system which allows your TV cabinet to be wirelessly opened by the touch of a button. The TV lift system comes with a 10-year warranty. With the addition of the 360 degree swivel option the TV can be viewed from any angle. Comes with: - American-made TV Lift system w/ 10 Year Warranty - Fully waterproofed interior, power distribution box - Front panel is fully removable for safe maintenance - Universal TV Mount - HDMI cable

Headline: Stop replacing your kid's closet every few years. ? (Mercer Island Project) Body: A recent client in Mercer Island reached out with a common frustration: their existing custom closet couldn't survive their kids. The shelves were bowing, the standard drawers were breaking from being slammed, and the floor was a constant mountain of clothes. (See the "Before" photo). Kids' rooms require heavy-duty engineering, not just pretty panels. Here is how we rebuilt the space logic: ✔️ Impact-Resistant Hardware: We installed heavy-duty, soft-close glides. When kids slam the drawers, the hardware absorbs the shock, preserving the cabinet frame. ✔️ The Drawer Matrix: We eliminated deep, chaotic shelves. By increasing the number of drawers, we created an intuitive sorting system that actually encourages kids to put things away. ✔️ Structural Integrity: Built with solid materials designed for decades of daily physical stress. A closet isn't just a box; it's a daily operating system for your home. If your current storage is failing, let's redesign the logic of your space. ? Serving Mercer Island, Bellevue, Renton & surrounding areas. ? Send a direct message to book a space consultation. Sai Remodeling LLC | Hybrid Customization Closets _ #SaiRemodeling #MercerIslandWA #BellevueHomes #SeattleContractor #ClosetDesign #HomeOrganization #BuiltToLast

Materials Ipe Hardwood, Marine Grade Birch, Brazilian Walnut Dimensions Height: 34 Inches; Width: 49 Inches; Depth: 15 Inches Description Modern, Contemporary luxury in a sleek stylish and modern design brings a beautiful style to any outdoor entertainment space. This outdoor TV cabinet it rated for both very cold and very hot environments, complete protection from mold, mildew or insects and with a fire rating identical to that of concrete you can be sure this piece of furniture will stand the test of time. The sustainably sourced Ipe hardwood (also known as Brazilian Walnut) is hard, robust and durable. It's naturally weatherproof and survives equally well in hot or humid climates as it does in rain, frost, wind, ice or snow. It is guaranteed to not mildew or mold. In fact in tests performed by the USGA Ipe can be buried underground for over 50 years without rotting. The simple and modern design is taken to the next level by the introduction of a Nexus TV lift system which allows your TV cabinet to be wirelessly opened by the touch of a button. The TV lift system comes with a 10-year warranty. With the addition of the 360 degree swivel option the TV can be viewed from any angle. Comes with: - American-made TV Lift system w/ 10 Year Warranty - Fully waterproofed interior, power distribution box - Front panel is fully removable for safe maintenance - Universal TV Mount - HDMI cable

Stuart Wade, Envision Virtual Tours The second-largest and most developed of Georgia's barrier islands, St. Simons is approximately twelve miles long and nearly three miles wide at its widest stretch (roughly the size of Manhattan Island in New York). The island is located in Glynn County on Georgia's coast and lies east of Brunswick (the seat of Glynn County), south of Little St. Simons Island and the Hampton River, and north of Jekyll Island. The resort community of Sea Island is separated from St. Simons on the east by the Black Banks River. Known for its oak tree canopies and historic landmarks, St. Simons is both a tourist destination and, according to the 2010 U.S. census, home to 12,743 residents. Early History The earliest St. Simons Island Village record of human habitation on the island dates to the Late Archaic Period, about 5,000 to 3,000 years ago. Remnants of shell rings left behind by Native Americans from this era survive on many of the barrier islands, including St. Simons. Centuries later, during the period known by historians as the chiefdom era, the Guale Indians established a chiefdom centered on St. Catherines Island and used St. Simons as their hunting and fishing grounds. By 1500 the Guale had established a permanent village of about 200 people on St. Simons, which they called Guadalquini. Beginning in 1568, the Spanish attempted to create missions along the Georgia coast. Catholic missions were the primary means by which Georgia's indigenous Native American chiefdoms were assimilated into the Spanish colonial system along the northern frontier of greater Spanish Florida. In the 1600s St. Simons became home to two Spanish missions: San Buenaventura de Guadalquini, on the southern tip of the island, and Santo Domingo de Asao (or Asajo), on the northern tip. Located on the inland side of the island were the pagan refugee villages of San Simón, the island's namesake, and Ocotonico. In 1684 pirate raids left the missions and villages largely abandoned. Colonial History As Fort Frederica early as 1670, with Great Britain's establishment of the colony of Carolina and its expansion into Georgia territory, Spanish rule was threatened by the English. The Georgia coast was considered "debatable land" by England and Spain, even though Spain had fully retreated from St. Simons by 1702. Thirty-one years later General James Edward Oglethorpe founded the English settlement of Savannah. In 1736 he established Fort Frederica, named after the heir to the British throne, Frederick Louis, prince of Wales, on the west side of St. Simons Island to protect Savannah and the Carolinas from the Spanish threat. Between 1736 and 1749 Fort Frederica was the hub of British military operations along the Georgia frontier. A town of the same name grew up around the fort and was of great importance to the new colony. By 1740 Frederica's population was 1,000. In 1736 the congregation of what would become Christ Church was organized within Fort Frederica as a mission of the Church of England. Charles Wesley led the first services. In 1742 Britain's decisive victory over Spain in the Battle of Bloody Marsh, during the War of Jenkins' Ear, ended the Spanish threat to the Georgia coast. When the British regimen disbanded in 1749, most of the townspeople relocated to the mainland. Fort Frederica went into decline and, except for a short time of prosperity during the 1760s and 1770s under the leadership of merchant James Spalding, never fully recovered. Today the historic citadel's tabby ruins are maintained by the National Park Service. Plantation Era By the start of the American Revolution (1775-83), Fort Frederica was obsolete, and St. Simons was left largely uninhabited as most of its residents joined the patriot army. Besides hosting a small Georgia naval victory on the Fort Frederica River, providing guns from its famous fort for use at Fort Morris in Sunbury, and serving as an arena for pillaging by privateers and British soldiers, the island played almost no role in the war. Following the war, many of the townspeople, their businesses destroyed, turned to agriculture. The island was transformed into fourteen cotton plantations after acres of live oak trees were cleared for farm land and used for building American warships, including the famous USS Constitution, or "Old Ironsides." Although rice was the predominant crop along the neighboring Altamaha River, St. Simons was known for its production of long-staple cotton, which soon came to be known as Sea Island cotton. Between Ebos Landing the 1780s and the outbreak of the Civil War (1861-65), St. Simons's plantation culture flourished. The saline atmosphere and the availability of cheap slave labor proved an ideal combination for the cultivation of Sea Island cotton. In 1803 a group of Ebo slaves who survived the Middle Passage and arrived on the west side of St. Simons staged a rebellion and drowned themselves. The sacred site is known today as Ebos Landing. One of the largest owners of land and slaves on St. Simons was Pierce Butler, master of Hampton Point Plantation, located on the northern end of the island. By 1793 Butler owned more than 500 slaves, who cultivated 800 acres of cotton on St. Simons and 300 acres of rice on Butler's Island in the Altamaha River delta. Butler's grandson, Pierce Mease Butler, who at the age of sixteen inherited a share of his grandfather's estate in 1826, was responsible for the largest sale of human beings in the history of the United States: in 1859, to restore his squandered fortune, he sold 429 slaves in Savannah for more than $300,000. The British actress and writer Fanny Kemble, whose tumultuous marriage to Pierce ended in divorce in 1849, published an eyewitness account of the evils of slavery on St. Simons in her book Journal of a Residence on a Georgian Plantation in 1838-1839 (1863). Another Retreat Plantation large owner of land and slaves on St. Simons was Major William Page, a friend and employee of Pierce Butler Sr. Before purchasing Retreat Plantation on the southwestern tip of the island in 1804, Page managed the Hampton plantation and Butler's Island. Upon Page's death in 1827, Thomas Butler King inherited the land together with his wife, Page's daughter, Anna Matilda Page King. King expanded his father-in-law's planting empire on St. Simons as well as on the mainland, and by 1835 Retreat Plantation alone was home to as many as 355 slaves. The center of life during the island's plantation era was Christ Church, Frederica. Organized in 1807 by a group of island planters, the Episcopal church is the second oldest in the Diocese of Georgia. Embargoes imposed by the War of 1812 (1812-15) prevented the parishioners from building a church structure, so they worshiped in the home of John Beck, which stood on the site of Oglethorpe's only St. Simons residence, Orange Hall. The first Christ Church building, finished on the present site in 1820, was ruined by occupying Union troops during the Civil War. In 1884 the Reverend Anson Dodge Jr. rebuilt the church as a memorial to his first wife, Ellen. The cruciform building with a trussed gothic roof and stained-glass windows remains active today as Christ Church. Civil War and Beyond The St. Simons Island Lighthouse outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 put a sudden end to St. Simons's lucrative plantation era. In January of that year, Confederate troops were stationed at the south end of the island to guard the entrance to Brunswick Harbor. Slaves from Retreat Plantation, owned by Thomas Butler King, built earthworks and batteries. Plantation residents were scattered—the men joined the Confederate army and their families moved to the mainland. Cannon fire was heard on the island in December 1861, and Confederate troops retreated in February 1862, after dynamiting the lighthouse to keep its beacon from aiding Union troops. Soon thereafter, Union troops occupied the island, which was used as a camp for freed slaves. By August 1862 more than 500 former slaves lived on St. Simons, including Susie King Taylor, who organized a school for freed slave children. But in November the ex-slaves were taken to Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Fernandina, Florida, leaving the island abandoned. After the Civil War the island never returned to its status as an agricultural community. The plantations lay dormant because there were no slaves to work the fields. After Union general William T. Sherman's January 1865 Special Field Order No. 15 —a demand that former plantations be divided and distributed to former slaves—was overturned by U.S. president Andrew Johnson less than a year later, freedmen and women were forced to work as sharecroppers on the small farms that dotted the land previously occupied by the sprawling plantations. By St. Simons Lumber Mills 1870 real economic recovery began with the reestablishment of the timber industry. Norman Dodge and Titus G. Meigs of New York set up lumber mill operations at Gascoigne Bluff, formerly Hamilton Plantation. The lumber mills provided welcome employment for both blacks and whites and also provided mail and passenger boats to the mainland. Such water traffic, together with the construction of a new lighthouse in 1872, designed by architect Charles B. Cluskey, marked the beginning of St. Simons's tourism industry. The keeper of the lighthouse created a small amusement park, which drew many visitors, as did the seemingly miraculous light that traveled from the top of the lighthouse tower to the bottom. The island became a summer retreat for families from the mainland, particularly from Baxley, Brunswick, and Waycross. The island's resort industry was thriving by the 1880s. Beachfront structures, such as a new pier and grand hotel, were built on the southeastern end of the island and could be accessed by ferry. Around this time wealthy northerners began vacationing on the island. Twentieth Century The St. Simons Island Pier and Village opening in 1924 of the Brunswick–St. Simons Highway, today known as the Torras Causeway, was a milestone in the development of resorts in the area. St. Simons's beaches were now easily accessible to locals and tourists alike. More than 5,000 automobiles took the short drive from Brunswick to St. Simons via the causeway on its opening day, paving the way for convenient residential and resort development. In 1926 automotive pioneer Howard Coffin of Detroit, Michigan, bought large tracts of land on St. Simons, including the former Retreat Plantation, and constructed a golf course, yacht club, paved roads, and a residential subdivision. Although the causeway had brought large numbers of summer people to the island, St. Simons remained a small community with only a few hundred permanent residents until the 1940s. The St. Simons Island outbreak of World War II (1941-45) brought more visitors and residents to St. Simons. Troops stationed at Jacksonville, Florida; Savannah; and nearby Camp Stewart took weekend vacations on the island, and a new naval air base and radar school became home to even more officers and soldiers. The increased wartime population brought the island its first public school. With a major shipyard for the production of Liberty ships in nearby Brunswick, the waters of St. Simons became active with German U-boats. In April 1942, just off the coast, the Texas Company oil tanker S. S. Oklahoma and the S. S. Esso Baton Rouge were torpedoed by the Germans, bringing the war very close to home for island residents. Due in large part to the military's improvement of the island's infrastructure during the war, development on the island boomed in the 1950s and 1960s. More permanent homes and subdivisions were built, and the island was no longer just a summer resort but also a thriving community. In 1950 the Methodist conference and retreat center Epworth by the Sea opened on Gascoigne Bluff. In 1961 novelist Eugenia Price visited St. Simons and began work on her first works of fiction, known as the St. Simons Trilogy. Inspired by real events on the island, Price's trilogy renewed interest in the history of Georgia's coast, and the novelist herself relocated to the island in 1965 and lived there for thirty-one years. St. Simons is also home to contemporary Georgia writer Tina McElroy Ansa. Since Epworth by the Sea 1980 St. Simons's population has doubled. The island's continued status as a vacation destination and its ongoing development boom have put historic landmarks and natural areas at risk. While such landmarks as the Fort Frederica ruins and the Battle of Bloody Marsh site are preserved and maintained by the National Park Service, and while the historic lighthouse is maintained by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, historic Ebos Landing has been taken over by a sewage treatment plant. Several coastal organizations have formed in recent years to save natural areas on the island. The St. Simons Land Trust, for example, has received donations of large tracts of land and plans to protect property in the island's three traditional African American neighborhoods. Despite its rapid growth and development, St. Simons remains one of the most beautiful and important islands on the Georgia coast.

Challenge This 2001 riverfront home was purchased by the owners in 2015 and immediately renovated. Progressive Design Build was hired at that time to remodel the interior, with tentative plans to remodel their outdoor living space as a second phase design/build remodel. True to their word, after completing the interior remodel, this young family turned to Progressive Design Build in 2017 to address known zoning regulations and restrictions in their backyard and build an outdoor living space that was fit for entertaining and everyday use. The homeowners wanted a pool and spa, outdoor living room, kitchen, fireplace and covered patio. They also wanted to stay true to their home’s Old Florida style architecture while also adding a Jamaican influence to the ceiling detail, which held sentimental value to the homeowners who honeymooned in Jamaica. Solution To tackle the known zoning regulations and restrictions in the backyard, the homeowners researched and applied for a variance. With the variance in hand, Progressive Design Build sat down with the homeowners to review several design options. These options included: Option 1) Modifications to the original pool design, changing it to be longer and narrower and comply with an existing drainage easement Option 2) Two different layouts of the outdoor living area Option 3) Two different height elevations and options for the fire pit area Option 4) A proposed breezeway connecting the new area with the existing home After reviewing the options, the homeowners chose the design that placed the pool on the backside of the house and the outdoor living area on the west side of the home (Option 1). It was important to build a patio structure that could sustain a hurricane (a Southwest Florida necessity), and provide substantial sun protection. The new covered area was supported by structural columns and designed as an open-air porch (with no screens) to allow for an unimpeded view of the Caloosahatchee River. The open porch design also made the area feel larger, and the roof extension was built with substantial strength to survive severe weather conditions. The pool and spa were connected to the adjoining patio area, designed to flow seamlessly into the next. The pool deck was designed intentionally in a 3-color blend of concrete brick with freeform edge detail to mimic the natural river setting. Bringing the outdoors inside, the pool and fire pit were slightly elevated to create a small separation of space. Result All of the desirable amenities of a screened porch were built into an open porch, including electrical outlets, a ceiling fan/light kit, TV, audio speakers, and a fireplace. The outdoor living area was finished off with additional storage for cushions, ample lighting, an outdoor dining area, a smoker, a grill, a double-side burner, an under cabinet refrigerator, a major ventilation system, and water supply plumbing that delivers hot and cold water to the sinks. Because the porch is under a roof, we had the option to use classy woods that would give the structure a natural look and feel. We chose a dark cypress ceiling with a gloss finish, replicating the same detail that the homeowners experienced in Jamaica. This created a deep visceral and emotional reaction from the homeowners to their new backyard. The family now spends more time outdoors enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of nature. Their professional lives allow them to take a trip to paradise right in their backyard—stealing moments that reflect on the past, but are also enjoyed in the present.

The Handbook for Travelers in India, Burma and Ceylon Edition 1874, carries extensive instructions for the minimum amount of clothing, weapons, tents and food needed for an extensive voyage in the tropics. Boxes, trunks and chests were packed and hauled on exploration, hunting, or military expeditions that traversed mountains and deserts. Documents, books and libraries, games and tables, folding chairs and exquisite foods from purveyors to the Queen were taken along. All this had to be packed and unpacked every single day. The design and manufacture of furniture fitting all these conditions and ways of travel was both an art and a science. In the rich tradition of 19th C. furniture makers who supplied furniture to all corners of the Empire, AM has developed a system of stackable units that can be filled and used in different ways. Units can be arranged in single stacks, or to fill an entire wall. They can section off one part of a room, as both front and back are finished. Always practical, decorative and never boring. Exquisitely finished, made from solid cherry, maple and birch, these brass bound units will survive centuries and fill both grown-up and kid's spaces in any way needed.

Custom rock waterfall and river cobbles framed in by boulders, Gaura, Penstemon, Oregon Grape and Autumn Moore Grass (Sesleria autumnalis).
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary partial sun backyard gravel water fountain landscape for summer.

Formerly the workshop of mid-century artisans, this manufacturing building in NYC's SoHo neighborhood was transformed into an 11,000 sf townhouse. The home features a full level spa, two-story living room, six bedrooms, eleven bathrooms, and rooftop addition with pool. Neighboring buildings were underpinned to lower the cellar to accommodate the spa which features dry stacked stone walls that blend into the swimming pool and hot tub and are featured throughout the entire level. The architect’s vision was to have visual recognition that the space was below ground. Thinking about the striations of the earth beneath its surface, he was inspired by the Therme Baths and Spa in Zurich where all the walls are clad with narrow strips of Vals quartzite. After seeing a rendering, the stone supplier advised that only certain stones could survive constant submersion in pool water and the stone should not have the cleft face he had originally imagined due to bacteria issues. Honed, Super Grey granite with white veining was used – the slabs cut into long 3” wide strips installed at random lengths to accentuate the concept of layering as found in the Earth. The kitchen was designed to feel more like a furnished room to integrate with the family room. The architect addressed this through materials and the design of the over-sized island. The countertop is the only veined stone in the kitchen – a beautiful single slab of Super White marble. The island is clad in mirror-polished stainless steel, transforming it into a beautiful piece of furniture that blends into the space. A two-story living room with 22' ceilings created a problem of comfortable scale. The key was the fireplace – the strongest vertical element in the room. By using horizontal vein-cut slabs of light-colored Driftwood marble, the scale of the space instantly became more intimate.