Photo by Jay Sifford
This is an example of an eclectic landscaping in Charlotte.

Our client, a hard working single lady, bought this condo knowing that things will need to change. The location was great with a beautiful view into the Nation's Capitol was a winner buy. The main layout of the condo was is but she knew that something will have to go! and that included the original kitchen from 1981 had to go! The closed layout and the laminate cabinets has no place in her vibrate life and passion for cooking. Looking at a few layout in the building, we deiced to take the layout to another direction, testing the limits of condo construction. At the end we managed to create an open and flowing space, connecting the living, dinning room and kitchen as one space. The gray, white with a touch of bling reflects the client's personality creating a space for her to experiment different cooking style, host a dinner party or just chill with a glass on wine.

Our client, a hard working single lady, bought this condo knowing that things will need to change. The location was great with a beautiful view into the Nation's Capitol was a winner buy. The main layout of the condo was is but she knew that something will have to go! and that included the original kitchen from 1981 had to go! The closed layout and the laminate cabinets has no place in her vibrate life and passion for cooking. Looking at a few layout in the building, we deiced to take the layout to another direction, testing the limits of condo construction. At the end we managed to create an open and flowing space, connecting the living, dinning room and kitchen as one space. The gray, white with a touch of bling reflects the client's personality creating a space for her to experiment different cooking style, host a dinner party or just chill with a glass on wine.

Photography by Corey Gaffer
Inspiration for a large eclectic u-shaped light wood floor kitchen pantry remodel in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Do you wish you could relax in your very own backyard retreat? These homeowners shared the same dream and hired Archadeck to help them bring it to life. The patio is the eye catcher, with it's unique design and built-in stone amenities. The custom screen porch includes Vertical Four Track Windows for a highly versatile room. Closing these windows keeps outdoor elements such as rain or snow out, but can open fully to fill the room with a warm breeze and sunshine. The screened porch leads to the backyard patio, with the Weston Wall grill surround just outside for easy access The chef can continue to mingle in the seating area while grilling dinner. The Belgard Bristol Fireplace is the focal point of this backyard. The size provides a little privacy from any nearby neighbors while it's warm fire and its tested durability is proven to withstand our every-changing Chicago climate. This is the perfect place to curl up on a cool fall night with a roaring fire to keep you toasty and warm. Just past the outdoor fireplace is a large section of patio designed to have enough space for dining people to move about and mingle. Featuring Belgard's Mega-Bergerac in Ashbury Haze and Mega Stone also in Ashbury Haze and Gastony Tan. The natural colors compliment each other beautifully while blending with the earthy tones of Mother Nature.

Realty Landscaping Corp./Real Winter, Inc. http://www.realtylandscaping.com 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Commercial $75,000 & Over Award Level: Silver Project Description: Located in a highly commercialized area of lower Bucks County, the property that was once a declining horse track is now revitalized as Pennsylvania's #1 casino. Parx Casino is owned and operated by Greenwood Gaming & Entertainment, Inc. and includes high stakes gaming, horse racing, premium entertainment and multiple restaurants and amenities. It's doors are open 24 hours a day. In the midst of an economic downturn, Parx brought in many much needed jobs, stimulating the local economy. The construction of the Parx Casino project began in 2008. The main portion our landscape installation ran the course of 2009 and into 2010. We originally were contracted to install a landscape that was already designed. The owner however was not totally satisfied with the design that he had commissioned, so we made a few recommendations to them. We took a leap of faith and installed one section of the landscape as a mock-up for a concept that we envisioned. Hoping to stir some interest and excitement and help the client draw in huge numbers of patrons, our concept included a high energy, formal and contemporary layout based upon low hedging and bright panels of color to match the Parx Casino logo. Lines were clean to compliment the building theme and layout. We were given the owners blessing right away and proceeded to redesign the majority of the newly re-developed site. There were a number of demanding deadlines and site related challenges. The site is very windy and open. Large volumes of vehicular and pedestrian traffic pulse through the site's veins continuously. The scale of the building and property is immense. In order to complete a project of this magnitude, a large labor force was utilized. Overnight and overtime hours were sometimes a necessity. Our veteran supervisory team ensured a good quality product on demand. Great quantities of the highest quality plant materials were needed to soften the huge expanse of asphalt, concrete and building facade. Massive 20 foot evergreen trees were brought in as a wind break, softening the building and obscuring the view to the valet security areas. Views were kept open from the main road to allow visitors a clear view of building entrances and mega-sized digital signage. A hardy mix of evergreen, deciduous and herbaceous plant materials were used to stir seasonal interest year round. Bright colors light the way down the main boulevard, drawing in the masses toward the casino entrances. We installed an automatic overhead and drip irrigation system to help keep the windy site from drying out. To supply the expansive landscape with water, we provided a large pump, which pushed thousands of gallons of water through a 4” main. The two-wire system features a smart controller and pressure regulating heads. The installation project as a whole was very successful. We took a plan that was given to us, made it our own, and turned our vision into reality. The client so satisfied that they've contracted us to maintain the landscape we implemented ever since. The casino shows no signs of slowing down. Thousands of patrons test their luck daily at Parx. The local economy, strengthened. The Lower Bucks strip is once again the place to be. Plant Schedule Trees: 6- X Cupressocyparis leylandii 8-10’ ht. 2- Ilex opaca 18-20’ ht. 37- Picea abies 20-22’ ht. 9- Picea abies 16-18’ ht. 35- Picea abies 12-14’ ht. 4- Pyrus calleryana ‘Aristocrat’ 4-4 ½” cal. Shrubs: 1,171- Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea ‘Cr. Pygmy’ 3 gal. 2,954- Boxwood microphylla ‘Winter Gem’ 18-24” ht. 41- Chaemacyparis obtusa ‘Crippsii’ 3-4’ ht. 104- Chaemacyparis pisifera ‘Filifera Aurea’ 7 gal. 124- Ilex glabra 36-42” ht. 496- Juniperus conferta ‘Blue Pacific’ 3 gal. 223- Prunus cistena 5-6’ ht. 281- Pyracantha coccinea ‘Rutgers’ 3 gal. 463- Rosa ‘Meidrifora’ 3 gal. 143- Rosa ‘Radrazz’ 3 gal. 1,045- Rosa ‘Radcon’ 3 gal. 362- Spiraea japonica ‘Lemon Princess’ 10 gal. 113- Spiraea japonica ‘Lemon Princess’ 3 gal. 217- Spiraea japonica ‘Little Princess’ 10 gal. 369- Spirea japonica ‘Little Princess’ 3 gal. 246- Spiraea x bumulda ‘Goldflame’ 10 gal. 106- Taxus baccata ‘Repandens’ 18-24” ht. Photo Credit: Matthew P. Aubel, Realty Landscaping Corp./Real Winter, Inc.

Get your hard hat ready! Kid tested and approved, Mohawk Home’s Build Site Play area rug is full of endless playtime possibilities. Part of our Kids Interactive collection, this one was created with our premium Wear-Dated nylon fiber for a soft touch and dependable durability. The fiber utilized in the design of this product has been performance-tested to meet strict standards of durability and stain resistance, for a quality you can trust! Photo by Ashley Mitchell Photography.

Our client, a hard working single lady, bought this condo knowing that things will need to change. The location was great with a beautiful view into the Nation's Capitol was a winner buy. The main layout of the condo was is but she knew that something will have to go! and that included the original kitchen from 1981 had to go! The closed layout and the laminate cabinets has no place in her vibrate life and passion for cooking. Looking at a few layout in the building, we deiced to take the layout to another direction, testing the limits of condo construction. At the end we managed to create an open and flowing space, connecting the living, dinning room and kitchen as one space. The gray, white with a touch of bling reflects the client's personality creating a space for her to experiment different cooking style, host a dinner party or just chill with a glass on wine.

LEED Certification Level: Platinum. The homeowners put a premium on indoor air quality and low energy consumption and recognized that quality design would allow more investment in a smaller project. A modest plan size was developed (1,700 square foot net, 1,960 square foot gross), with slab-on-grade first floor. The upper level slopes up to the south to capture sky views and solar gains; the stair allows that light and energy to flow to the main level. The front-screened porch is a reinvention of the traditional front porch — a place to socialize, enjoy the outdoors and enjoy fire on cool evenings. Great care was taken in specifying non-toxic materials: no-added formaldehyde cabinet construction with water-borne finishes, zero VOC, nontoxic floor finish and paints, Greenguard certified drywall and subfloor adhesives, caulks, and sealants, salvaged wood (not previously finished), etc. Third-party air quality testing showed total VOC of only 48 parts per billion prior to move in, and formaldehyde of 46ppb. The CARB residential formaldehyde guideline is below 27ppb for residential chronic exposure. Since we had no specified added-formaldehyde construction materials, our count is likely due to furniture and other off-gassing, and will drop as the house is ventilated. Mold readings were below outdoor air. An energy monitoring system was installed so the owners and design team can track energy use compared to modeled predictions. Measured results also contribute to a clearer understanding of energy use for future energy models across the industry, which is one of PHIUS’ objectives. Although early in occupancy, the owners appear to be running this all-electric house at about 500kWh per month, below the modeled prediction. The owners plan to install a PV array within the next year.

Do you wish you could relax in your very own backyard retreat? These homeowners shared the same dream and hired Archadeck to help them bring it to life. The patio is the eye catcher, with it's unique design and built-in stone amenities. The custom screen porch includes Vertical Four Track Windows for a highly versatile room. Closing these windows keeps outdoor elements such as rain or snow out, but can open fully to fill the room with a warm breeze and sunshine. The screened porch leads to the backyard patio, with the Weston Wall grill surround just outside for easy access The chef can continue to mingle in the seating area while grilling dinner. The Belgard Bristol Fireplace is the focal point of this backyard. The size provides a little privacy from any nearby neighbors while it's warm fire and its tested durability is proven to withstand our every-changing Chicago climate. This is the perfect place to curl up on a cool fall night with a roaring fire to keep you toasty and warm. Just past the outdoor fireplace is a large section of patio designed to have enough space for dining people to move about and mingle. Featuring Belgard's Mega-Bergerac in Ashbury Haze and Mega Stone also in Ashbury Haze and Gastony Tan. The natural colors compliment each other beautifully while blending with the earthy tones of Mother Nature.

Our client, a hard working single lady, bought this condo knowing that things will need to change. The location was great with a beautiful view into the Nation's Capitol was a winner buy. The main layout of the condo was is but she knew that something will have to go! and that included the original kitchen from 1981 had to go! The closed layout and the laminate cabinets has no place in her vibrate life and passion for cooking. Looking at a few layout in the building, we deiced to take the layout to another direction, testing the limits of condo construction. At the end we managed to create an open and flowing space, connecting the living, dinning room and kitchen as one space. The gray, white with a touch of bling reflects the client's personality creating a space for her to experiment different cooking style, host a dinner party or just chill with a glass on wine.

Christopher Nelson photos
Trendy home office photo in Seattle

Fabric-Shield™ Storm Panels (also known as wind abatement screens or hurricane fabric) are a highly-effective alternative to steel or aluminum hurricane panels. The PVC-coated woven fabric panels are tested to block wind, rain, and storm-driven projectiles while being simple to handle and easy to store. The panel system attaches to the outside of windows, porches, doors – virtually any open space that you would like to protect. Fabric-Shield Storm Panels are also translucent allowing diffused light to enter so you won’t feel trapped in darkness.

Example of a transitional family room design in DC Metro

【Package Includes】2 door panels, a complete hardware set, and a detailed instruction manual. You do not need to buy any other parts; just follow the instructions to install. 【Door Size】 Each size of sliding door contains two door panels. The 48“ x 80" slidiing door actual panel size is 2 x 25 "(Width) x 78.58"(Height) x 1.18 ". The 60"x80" sliding door actual panel size is 2 x 31" (Width) x 78.58"(Height) x 1.18 ". 【Widely Used】The elegant design matches your home perfectly. You can use it in your closet, storage room, etc. We offer various sizes to accomodate different openings. 【Top-notch Hardware】Our hardware only requires a top track, keeping your floor clear and eliminating the need to damage your floor or carpet. Our hardware has passed a 100k+ open & close test, ensuring lifelong usage. 【Dedicated Service】We are dedicated to providing you with quality products and services. If you have any questions regarding your purchase, please feel free to contact us and we will do our best to help you solve the problem.

Our client, a hard working single lady, bought this condo knowing that things will need to change. The location was great with a beautiful view into the Nation's Capitol was a winner buy. The main layout of the condo was is but she knew that something will have to go! and that included the original kitchen from 1981 had to go! The closed layout and the laminate cabinets has no place in her vibrate life and passion for cooking. Looking at a few layout in the building, we deiced to take the layout to another direction, testing the limits of condo construction. At the end we managed to create an open and flowing space, connecting the living, dinning room and kitchen as one space. The gray, white with a touch of bling reflects the client's personality creating a space for her to experiment different cooking style, host a dinner party or just chill with a glass on wine.

Our client, a hard working single lady, bought this condo knowing that things will need to change. The location was great with a beautiful view into the Nation's Capitol was a winner buy. The main layout of the condo was is but she knew that something will have to go! and that included the original kitchen from 1981 had to go! The closed layout and the laminate cabinets has no place in her vibrate life and passion for cooking. Looking at a few layout in the building, we deiced to take the layout to another direction, testing the limits of condo construction. At the end we managed to create an open and flowing space, connecting the living, dinning room and kitchen as one space. The gray, white with a touch of bling reflects the client's personality creating a space for her to experiment different cooking style, host a dinner party or just chill with a glass on wine.

This project involved installing a brand‑new insulated garage door for a homeowner in Evanston IL. The old door was outdated and inefficient, so we removed it, installed a modern steel door with quiet rollers and weather‑seal insulation, aligned the tracks, and tested the opener system. The new door improved curb appeal, energy efficiency, and overall safety.

Nestled in the lush landscape, a modern reinterpretation of a once-fallen barn now features a charming guest cottage with stylish details and contemporary amenities. Situated along a narrow lot in Germantown, New York, the cottage completes a cluster of existing buildings, forming an intimate courtyard on one side. Steel effect folding patio doors fully open the living areas to the expansive fields and the Catskill Mountains beyond. The homeowners, a young family with parents living abroad, envisioned a cozy yet modern ADU for extended stays. Designed by Lauren Cawse, AIA, architect and partner at The Art of Building, the year-round retreat draws inspiration from traditional local barns while embracing a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. Captivating Guest Cottage Design Enhances the Senses with Steel Effect Folding Patio Doors The modern ADU design started with the site itself. Positioned between residential and commercial neighbors, the elongated property required a careful balance of privacy and openness. Architect Lauren Cawse approached the layout by redefining the existing house and garage as the east and west sides of an outdoor room, with the new cottage forming its southern boundary. This arrangement created a clear courtyard near the main residence while directing the 800-square-foot guest house toward the open meadow and the distant Catskill Mountains. “The unique character of the site and its history inspired the architectural direction,” says Cawse. “The intent was to create a secondary structure in the compound in clear contrast to the modern farmhouse style of the house and garage.” A Barn-Inspired Exterior Adds Visual Flair The exterior envelope evokes a traditional barn with a simple gable shape, weathered wood siding, cedar shingles, and a foundation veneer made of local fieldstone. A large sliding barn door adds a complementary feature to the courtyard-facing side, creating a dynamic opening that maintains uninterrupted views through the cottage to the meadow beyond. Steel effect folding patio doors surrounding the structure add a modern touch of transparency, and simulated divided lites allow the contemporary glass wall systems to harmonize with the traditional elements of the modern ADU design. “The goal was to fully open the living areas to the outdoors, framing views to the meadows and mountains,” says Cawse. “The positioning of the NanaWall systems frames the views and, when open, dissolves the boundary between inside and out.” Interior Design That Mirrors Nature’s Tranquility Inside, the design program features a simple layout with one bedroom, a full bath, a kitchenette, and a living area with a wood-burning stove. The interior, a collaboration between The Art of Building and the homeowners, is defined by an understated palette and tactile materials that reflect the natural setting. Color is introduced through the framed glass views on all sides of the structure. Reclaimed timber collar ties span the ceiling overhead, while stone surfaces and naturally patinated metal accents add quiet texture throughout. Custom hand-painted Delft tiles along the kitchen backsplash add personal detail, and terra cotta flooring in the bathroom brings warmth and old-world charm. Soaring ceilings and abundant daylight create a peaceful play of light and shadow, shifting subtly with the seasons and emphasizing the cottage’s connection to the natural landscape outside. Sleek Steel Effect Folding Patio Doors Elevate the Modern ADU Design Aesthetic Three customized steel effect folding patio doors define the living space, each aligned to respond to a different edge of the site. The largest, spanning nearly 20 feet wide and just under eight feet tall, opens directly onto the stone patio, allowing the main gathering area to extend fully into the landscape. Along the side of the living room, a smaller 10-foot-wide system introduces more light and ventilation, nearly creating an open corner condition if not for the structural post that supports the façade and roofline. At the rear, a fourth ten-foot-wide system features a French door swing panel configuration that opens toward the courtyard, strengthening the design connection to the main residence. All steel effect folding patio doors were specified with a low-maintenance, water-rated Performance Sill to safeguard against inclement weather while providing a seamless, barrier-free transition to the outdoor patio. Unique Customizations for Visual Appeal and a Steel Effect Each folding patio door system is configured to open outward, maximizing usable floor space in the compact interior and allowing furniture placement to remain uninterrupted. By stacking outward, the steel effect folding patio doors, specified in a SE Classic Bronze powder coat, ensure every inch of the cottage is optimized. Simulated divided lites create a consistent rhythm across windows and doors, maintaining alignment with the traditional barn-inspired exterior. In the bedroom, a three-panel, 10-foot-wide system mirrors these customizations, matching the steel effect divided-lite pattern and outward-opening configuration, extending the indoor-outdoor connection while preserving visual continuity throughout the ADU. “The divided lites were crucial to the architectural vision, and while budget prohibited a steel and glass system, NanaWall Systems’ thin frames provide the open and airy feeling we hoped to attain,” says Cawse. “Simulated divided lites transition the thoroughly modern element of the glass walls to remain in harmony with the otherwise traditional palette.” Matching Windows and Doors: Create a Cohesive Design Program Alongside the larger openings in the living areas and bedroom, a smaller 3-foot-tall NanaWall tilt turn window was added to the bathroom. This window-sized NanaWall system perfectly matches the divided lite panels and sleek frames of the steel effect folding patio doors, creating a cohesive modern ADU design throughout. The compact opening provides ventilation and natural light, enhancing the spa-like atmosphere along with natural stone flooring. The matching glass lines and sleek profiles of the NanaWall Generation 4 comprehensive product line further unify visual consistency, allowing each system to fit into the architectural style seamlessly. “This project had three bifold glass walls, a pair of double French doors with sidelites, and a single tilt turn window,” says architect Lauren Cawse. “Being able to work with a single manufacturer provided aesthetic cohesiveness and simplified coordination.” Sustainability Where It Matters Most New York weather can vary from hot 85-degree summers to cold 26-degree winters. Creating an efficient living space was a primary goal. To achieve this, the design included Timber HP-insulated walls and floors with a heat pump system for effective heating and cooling. Additionally, the steel effect folding patio doors and windows were specified with double-glazed panels to ensure a tight building envelope. Indoor-Outdoor Living Spaces for Relaxing and Entertaining In-house landscape designer Liz Pulver worked closely with the team to conceive open-air spaces that enhanced the connection between inside and outside. To the south end of the lot, the landscape transitions into an “enhanced meadow,” allowing the cottage to feel embedded within the surrounding fields rather than set apart from them. A circular pool was designed to mimic a natural pond with a modest footprint. Around it, a minimalist fence and sunken stone ha-ha wall offer discreet safety for young children. Limited space due to existing infrastructure and zoning setbacks left only a small footprint for the swimming pool, prompting the designer to propose a circular form that maximized the usable swimming area. “We felt that the perfect way to integrate a pool into the property and to honor the landscape would be to treat the pool as a piece of art itself,” says Pulver. “The result is a beautiful round pool that serves as both a functional retreat and a sculptural moment.” Final Thoughts: A Barn-Inspired Design for Contemporary Living This modern ADU design skillfully combines modern features with the enduring charm of traditional barns. The outcome is a welcoming living space that stands out amid a stunning landscape. Natural materials that mimic the beauty of the outdoors, expansive steel effect folding patio doors that fill the space with fresh air and natural light, and a restrained interior design work together to create an inviting retreat for everyday living, throughout the seasons. “When entering the site, the cottage feels as though it was always there,” says Cawse. “It achieves its two opposing goals by creating a feeling of intimacy and enclosure near the house while also functioning as a threshold to the expansive fields and views beyond.” Explore how NanaWall folding patio doors elevate other ADU spaces in our inspiring project photo gallery! Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What is Slimline Steel Effect? Steel Effect is a folding patio door design option that replicates the appearance of traditional steel-framed glass doors. It combines the look of steel with the performance benefits of aluminum, including energy efficiency, low maintenance, greater design flexibility, and lower cost. How does a NanaWall Steel Effect aluminum system compare to traditional steel-framed glass doors? NanaWall Slimline Steel Effect folding patio doors replicate the narrow frames of traditional steel doors with improved weather and thermal performance and easier operation. They are lighter, more corrosion-resistant, and feature a thermally broken design for better energy efficiency and lower long-term maintenance. What are the benefits of Steel Effect folding glass walls? Steel Effect folding glass walls deliver the narrow sightlines and grid patterns of traditional steel, combined with the performance and low maintenance of aluminum. The slimline steel effect option offers all the benefits of our Generation 4 product line, including the FourFold / SixFold floating panel set option and smooth operation with Gothic arch stainless steel rollers on a stainless steel track. Can Slimline Steel Effect glass walls be customized? Yes, these systems offer a high level of customization to suit different architectural styles, including simulated divided lites specified in various patterns, popular SE colors for a true steel effect look, and a contemporary glass stop option for a refined look. Contact your local NanaWall representative for additional options here. How energy-efficient and weather-resistant are Slimline Steel Effect folding patio doors? Steel effect folding systems are engineered for strong thermal and weather performance. Thermally broken frames and high-performance glazing help improve energy efficiency. Each NanaWall system has been independently tested for air, water, structural integrity, and forced entry with excellent results.