This North Dartmouth, MA homeowner is enjoying her beautiful year round sunroom! After years of wanting a sunny retreat for her home – this customer finally hired Care Free Homes to make that sunroom dream a reality! Featuring Low E Argon, insulated, double pane windows and a scenisunroom dartmouth, mac view of her backyard, the homeowner chose sliding windows (one active and one fixed) to invite a gentle breeze in warmer weather. A single, full view, thermal insulated passage door steps out to the backyard. Trapezoid openings are currently enclosed with insulated foam panels that can be upgraded to insulated glass in the future. Tongue and groove pine panels, installed both vertically and horizontally, were painted white to add a coastal New England flair. Past customers have also added the warmth of wood to their sunroom by opting for beautiful wood plank ceilings. To accommodate the homeowners request for a large sunroom, engineering required the construction of both a conventionally framed asphalt roof and an aluminum clad 6-inch foam filled structural roof panel. The conventionally framed roof is a GAF Timberline HD Lifetime roofing system which boasts a 50 year, factory registered warranty. (Interested in a GAF Timberline HD Lifetime roof? Learn more about the anatomy of a GAF roof with this blog.) This room features a non pro-rated, transferable 50 year structural warranty which adds value to the home by giving the next homeowner the same sense of security.

When a Historic District home was renovated in Fort Myers, a dream kitchen was created: open plan enough for gathering, with clearly delineated areas for cooking, reading and entertaining. Challenge Bill and Alison’s existing kitchen was small and dysfunctional. Each room seemed independent, and there was no flow through the house. The house felt small, with one entry and exit point. As a planning consultant, Bill was no stranger to construction. He was a general contractor himself and had built several custom homes in years past. As a gardening enthusiast and professional educator, Alison also had an eye for design. They started with design, layout and planning on their own, but soon realized they needed help. After interviewing several contractors who seemed overwhelmed and unenthused by their project, they reached out to Progressive Design Build. Solution Mike was not only enthused about the project, but he established trust with Bill and Alison. Within a few short weeks he was hired to begin the planning phase, conducting thorough research on the project, meeting key subcontractors and establishing a realistic budget. When the project began, internal walls were removed to open up the kitchen/dining areas and an island was built, giving the space an open and modern functionality. The eating area was enlarged, and a visual connection to the outside was established using Marvin insulated glass windows with Low E coatings—which rejects solar heat gain without reducing visible light passing through the glass. In order to allow for the open concept layout that Bill and Alison desired, we built new structural beams to transfer the live load. The sliding patio doors opened onto a small terrace with a wrought iron handrail creating access to the private courtyard and garden area. Finishing details included custom cherry cabinets and wood trimming, 16” x 32” natural stone flooring, granite countertops and historically correct plaster finishes. Result The project was completed within budget and two weeks ahead of schedule. “That planning phase was the best money we spent on the project,” exclaimed Bill. “It was incredibly gratifying being able to watch the subcontractors and suppliers come and go with shared leadership and attention to details.”

As Brooklyn continues to reach upward, its newest denizens demand an aesthetic which marries the past with the present. For the latest buildings, rooftop spaces are not an after-thought but are carefully engineered and planned early in the design phase, often long before there is a semblance of a space to survey. The primary challenge with common spaces for residential buildings is to provide some level of individual privacy while developing an overall spatial design which will also foster social interaction between users. In order to achieve this balance, smaller conversational spaces which are defined through the rigid face of the wood-clad planters and accented by hearty plantings and provide a diverse mix of seating types from long benches attached to the face of the planters to moveable chairs and tables allowing for maximum flexibility. The smaller conversational spaces take advantage of the views from the outside edges of the roof while the larger common spaces are defined by plant-softened wood fences. The materials of the space borrow from the buildings context, reclaiming many of the materials which permeated Brooklyn’s industrial heritage. Concrete, steel, aluminum and various fabrics are some of the elements which help to unite the past with the present. Transferring the feel of the sidewalk planting bed to the rooftop is achieved through the raw steel-edged green-roof garden areas which help define the spaces.

Part of the beauty of this home is it location, high in the hills, overlooking valleys and mountains, and facing due west. Unfortunately, the original floorplan didn’t take advantage of the views or the ample natural light. In order to bring the outside in, We widened hallways and removed many of the angled walls that were serving to cut off the transfer of light. We added and enlarged the windows on the wester facing elevation, and added a La Cantina glass door system leading out to the brand new deck. The natural tone oak wood floors bring an organic, light and bright feel throughout the home.

Transfer from Chicago to San Francisco. We did his home in Chicago. Which incidentally appeared on the cover of Chicago Home Interiors. The client is a google executive transplanted. The home is roughly 1500 sq. ft and sits right in the middle of the Castro District. Art deco and arts and craft detailing. The client opted to go with color, and they drove the color scheme. The living room was awkward with only one plain wall. It needed to accommodate entertaining, audio and video use, and be a workspace. Additionally, the client wanted the room to transition easily weather it was just him and his partner or many guests. We opted to do central furniture arrangements. Therefore, we took advantage of the fireplace, large window focal point and added a media wall as a third focal point. Dining is a large square table with two large buffets. The unique feature is a ceiling mural. The color scheme is moody browns greens and purples.

LET'S GET PHYSICAL. | TARA LOGIC takes up the form of the Tara Classic single-lever mixer and radically modernizes it, although it is still instantly recognizable. It is narrower, extends upwards – but still has the same reduced design based on a cylindrical structure. Whether as a shower stem or a free-standing single-lever mixer on the tub, TARA LOGIC reaches elegantly upwards. It looks well-toned and encourages us to emulate it. Because there is no rosette, it looks even more streamlined and aspiring. This results in a progressive, minimalistic verticality that can be transferred to the architecture and design of the bathroom. | Available at www.shopstudio41.com

As Brooklyn continues to reach upward, its newest denizens demand an aesthetic which marries the past with the present. For the latest buildings, rooftop spaces are not an after-thought but are carefully engineered and planned early in the design phase, often long before there is a semblance of a space to survey. The primary challenge with common spaces for residential buildings is to provide some level of individual privacy while developing an overall spatial design which will also foster social interaction between users. In order to achieve this balance, smaller conversational spaces which are defined through the rigid face of the wood-clad planters and accented by hearty plantings and provide a diverse mix of seating types from long benches attached to the face of the planters to moveable chairs and tables allowing for maximum flexibility. The smaller conversational spaces take advantage of the views from the outside edges of the roof while the larger common spaces are defined by plant-softened wood fences. The materials of the space borrow from the buildings context, reclaiming many of the materials which permeated Brooklyn’s industrial heritage. Concrete, steel, aluminum and various fabrics are some of the elements which help to unite the past with the present. Transferring the feel of the sidewalk planting bed to the rooftop is achieved through the raw steel-edged green-roof garden areas which help define the spaces.

Example of a classic home design design in Tampa

This project included more than 200 square feet of concrete countertop, corbels, a footrest and a dual basin concrete sink. The pieces were all cast in black concrete with an egg and dart edge. Small decorative stones and large geodes were used as an aggregate adding many bright colors to the space in the daylight. At night the project comes to life with fiberoptics backlighting all of the translucent stones that were cast into the piece. The project brought with it many challenges, such as determining the best way to transfer light from the cable to the stones, the overall size of the pieces and the shapes created by the existing structure. The completed project really shines and has been the WOW factor for the homeowner and his many guests.

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless master gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and gray floor corner shower remodel in Other with raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, blue walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, a hinged shower door and blue countertops

The Belfast Residence in Ohio is a new construction, custom modern house situated on a 150 acre farm. Panda solved the challenge of extending the intimate space of the kitchen into the expansiveness of the backyard by installing fully retractable TS.60 All Aluminum Thermally Broken Folding Door Systems. Custom designed for this space, this elegant and durable folding door system spans the entire wall of the kitchen. This door system uses cutting-edge aluminum extrusions with a polyamide bar to connect the frame together while reducing heat or cold transfer. When closed, this Bi-Fold door system provides a protective barrier that lowers u-factors, limits condensation, increases energy performance, and most of all reduces thermal conductivity. The architectural firm, Drawing Dept. designed a cantilevered roof reaching out over the pool on axis with a sunken fire pit, drawing the geometry of the house further out into the landscape. As a result, the heart of the home unrestrictedly extends toward the fire pit for optimal physical and visual connection. Impressive architectural design intertwined with Panda’s custom Bi-Fold doors can create unimaginable opportunities. No wonder this home was awarded the 2013 Merit Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Cincinnati and the 2013 Honor Award from the CDA + Cincinnati Magazine for its exterior space! Panda’s custom designed Bi-Fold Doors ensure that a homeowner can equally and cohesively enjoy their interior and exterior spaces. Views from the house and views of the house should hold equal merit. To view more of Panda’s Bi-Fold Doors, please check out our gallery http://www.panda-windows.com/products/by-type/folding-doors. Architect: Drawing Dept. Contractor: Camery Hensley Construction Photography: Ross Van Pelt

Handsomely perched over water’s edge w/ 160 ft. of direct ocean frontage stands this residence & detached cottage. Experience the finest materials & craftsmanship in a very special & private oceanfront setting. Vibrant hibiscus flowers & sounds of the ocean liven the senses as you approach the 14ft. ‘ohia poles-the gateway into what is unequivocally the top valued oceanfront residence on Maui. Many large windows afford prime vantage points to remain intimately connected from any point in the entire home to ocean, Haleakala, and Maalaea Harbor vistas abound. Your new home was completely remodeled (most recently as 2011) w/ a plethora of exotic hardwoods, surfaces, & finishes. Envision Venetian plaster, Travertine, & Hawaiian Koa-it all lives here & more, in a perfect state of balance & sophistication. The great room redefines the open concept for living, dining, food & timeless memory creation. A massive solid monkeypod kitchen island that is only rivaled by the one which this residence calls home is stylishly accented by mango cabinetry, exotic granite slabs, & superior stainless appliances. On the lanai, sliding glass walls disappear, soothing sounds of lightly crashing waves emerge, and the ten resident turtles smile up at you. 3 of the 4 bedrooms are suites each w/ their own distinctive elegance & all with perfectly framed views. Book your first class tickets, prepare your $4m wire transfer, & get your appointment today- this is a true steal & you will regret not owning this home. Listed by Jeremy Stice, R(B), ABR stice@hawaiilife.com | (808) 281-2178

The original master bath suite in this rustic lake house possessed high ceilings with multiple rooms and all surfaces covered in Knotty Pine. Although there were multiple windows in this space, the wood walls, floor and ceiling tended to absorb natural light and force the illumination to come from incandescent Amber fixtures. Our approach was to start with a blank slate by removing all existing partitions and doors. A metal and milk glass wall with a functioning transom and integrated door, was designed and fabricated to divide the space and provide privacy, while allowing light to transfer from the shower, water-closet, bath and dressing room. The welded steel frames his and hers vanities have inlaid white glass panels with integrated steel framed mirrors above.

RESIDENCE FOR Mr PRADEEP JAIN Location: Sector 28, Chandigarh Year of Construction : 2005 So the old sewage connection was retained..........basically to save oneself from harassment from the sharks in the various departments connected with house sanction, and concomitant procedures. The plot was a large one – upwards of around 1500 sq yds. - which could qualify locally as a 3 kanal house. (1 kanal = 1/8 of an acre = 4840/8=605 sq yds.) We’ll not get into the travails of getting the plot transferred to oneself, and the subsequent sanction of the building plans – but it was relatively easy compared to the norm – thanx to a dynamic young AEO in the Estate Office. Since the Owner was based in Ambala, the plans for the house were relatively simple – considering that the construction firm was based out of Meerut........!!! So the program was for the house to be born out of 9 squares of around 16’ side each, (the traditional Vastu Purusha Mandala) with an additional 8’ wide wrap around space where needed – ie the SE, the SW and the NW sides. While the SW side had an insulating wrap of walk-in closets and toilets, the SE and the NW sides had a verandah – with suitable pop-outs of study-rooms, etc. to shade the glazing from the low East and West sun. The central square was designed like an atrium, with an attic above, just under the peak of the pyramidal roof topping the house. To allow for an unique character – this pyramid was clad in terracotta tiles. As the sketch of the plan shows – there is a square each for the entrance lobby, the living room, and the kitchen. The lobby has a powder room attached on the left, behind which is the kitchen. On the right, and opening onto a huge garden at the rear (NW) is the large living room – occupying 1.5 squares of space. And there is a 8’ wide verandah insulating this living room from the rear garden. Although packed with flowers from the Potted Plant Committee........... The central Atrium is the Dining room – with suitable storage all around for crockery and other decorative memorabilia.......and leading onto another family seating (the TV area) between the 3 bedrooms adjoining this atrium. The staircase to the FF is just SW of this lounge, with a hobby room or tool room (the owner is an engineer who loves to tinker) as is the exit to the SW garden. As aforesaid – the SW side of the house is insulated from the afternoon sun with a set of toilets and walk-in closets. On both floors. From the FF one can look down and communicate with the GF easily, leading to a great feeling of space. The FF also has additional rooms used as a gym, and games room, while a large deck is left open as a verandah of the NE side. If a 70’ long x 17’ wide space plus more seems reasonable. - instead of large. Well, there you are – supposed to be impressed with all those large spaces – which is what the house was supposed to do to the visitor in the first place.......!!!!

A small backyard pond is a great way to turn a drab backyard into a relaxing oasis. As you can see from this small backyard pond project installed in Lancater, PA. This backyard pond project included installation of a Aquascape Ecosystem 8’x11′ Pond. The pond installation included low voltage underwater lighting and automatic dosing system. Automatic dosing systems help to maintain optimum water quality in your pond. Existing landscaping were the pond was to be installed was transplanted and reinstalled after pond construction was complete. The secret behind building a low maintenance water feature is to develop a working ecosystem in your pond. A mechanical skimmer filter on the left of this diagram holds your pump and skims the surface of debris. The pump then transfers the water through a flexible PVC pipe to the biological biofalls on the right. With the help of beneficial bacteria the biofalls will clean the water and return it to the pond via the waterfall. The plants and fish work together to control excessive algae blooms. The gravel unlike a smooth pond liner provide surface area for beneficial bacteria to break down organic waste on the pond floor.

This townhome located on Lake Anna of Reston, VA own into a confined gall kitchen with a very limited cabinet space, short wall cabinets, big closet taking over big portion of kitchen, duct chase creating a big barrier, plumbing chases causing bulkhead and a bearing wall header to name a few of obstacles Their dream was to walk in from front door and have a clear view of wall to wall scenic view of the lake. Modernize the kitchen, eliminate bearing walls, lots of storage, upgraded appliances and so much more. They have been chasing this dream for years and have been turned down by multiple firms due to level of difficulty of the project, budget constraint and as she put it “cleeking with a design firm that can feel her needs” Our staff spent countless number of hours to hear her and bring her dream to reality. The main constraint was the bearing wall on corner of foyer and living room, which was a closet, main duct chase and return ducts, obscene amount of plumbing and not to mention structural load. By the way of re-routing mechanical chases, and reformulating all second-floor plumbing stack to back walls, and then inserting few structural beams that transfer the second-floor joists to front and back wall, we have accomplished the biggest goals of all and created the view open floor plan Now home to a big island with cooktop and beverage center. The home has front to back clear view of the scenic lake. ¬¬¬With expanding the kitchen into front breakfast area, we have doubled up on storage and cabinet space. Long line of gorgeous counter top and full backsplash under new Led lighting has glorified this kitchen project. The linear porcelain floor tile has complimented the counter top and her trophy accessories.

Lobelia Bungalow Single family residence near Hillsboro WV. Highlight This home is constructed with hempcrete. Hempcrete is a biocomposite material composed of hemp fiber and a lime based binder. For more detailed information on hempcrete see our blog post. The hempcrete on this project was cast in place. The walls are 12" thick and extend from the foundation up to the bottom of the trusses. 2x4 studs on 24" centers sit at the center of the wall, serving to transfer the roof load to the foundation. Hempcrete forms a monolithic wall assembly, replacing the batt insulation, drywall, OSB sheathing, and siding that would be used in a conventional stick built house. Both the inside and outside of the hempcrete walls are finished with 2 layers of lime based plaster. Detail The structure is built into a hillside to the North and has full exposure and a partial basement on the South side. A slab on grade with in-floor hydronic radiant heat conditions the main level. Supplemental passive solar heating was achieved by orienting the house due south and adding extra glazing to the south wall. Overhangs were designed to prevent overheating in the summertime. Mechanical: Heat pump water heater provides domestic hot water A concrete cistern was installed in the hillside above the house to provide gravity fed water

Our clients asked us to design a guest house while thinking about the big picture which included a main house, a guest house, and a garage. We were in the middle of the design phase when they were transferred to Hong Kong. The project continued, as we worked long distance to iron out the details. The guest house/pool house then became home base for periodic visits while we worked on the main house and the garage. Eventually, they came home to their compound, and it feels like they never left.

Our clients asked us to design a guest house while thinking about the big picture which included a main house, a guest house, and a garage. We were in the middle of the design phase when they were transferred to Hong Kong. The project continued, as we worked long distance to iron out the details. The guest house/pool house then became home base for periodic visits while we worked on the main house and the garage. Eventually, they came home to their compound, and it feels like they never left.