Typically Involves - Photos & Ideas

Find top design and renovation professionals on Houzz

During the planning phase we undertook a fairly major Value Engineering of the design to ensure that the project would be completed within the clients budget. The client identified a ‘Fords Garage’ style that they wanted to incorporate. They wanted an open, industrial feel, however, we wanted to ensure that the property felt more like a welcoming, home environment; not a commercial space. A Fords Garage typically has exposed beams, ductwork, lighting, conduits, etc. But this extent of an Industrial style is not ‘homely’. So we incorporated tongue and groove ceilings with beams, concrete colored tiled floors, and industrial style lighting fixtures. During construction the client designed the courtyard, which involved a large permit revision and we went through the full planning process to add that scope of work. The finished project is a gorgeous blend of industrial and contemporary home style.

Find the right local pro for your project

Cabinetry Collaboration Brings European Charm to Kitchen and Bath

One of the most popular hardwood floor finishing which offers Tom & Peter Flooring is provided by WOCA. If you’ve decided that you want a natural looking wooden floor that is lacquer-free, then the likelihood is that you’ve chosen oil as your way of protecting your wood and making your floor look great at the same time. WOCA for wood flooring comes in various forms and is a great way of making sure that your wood is protected, but at the same time looks natural. A highly popular as well as effective way of treating wood floors, oils effectively penetrate into the wood and in some cases harden into the surface of the floor to stop damage and to maintain the wood in its optimum condition. WOCA Oil finish hardwood flooring has taken the United States market by in 2014 and shows no signs of slowing down in 2016 and now. Here are some of the most common questions we have regarding this type of finish which we will I’m to answer in today’s my blog: Is oil finish as durable as traditional factory urethane finishes with aluminum oxide? When it comes to durability, oil finish flooring tackles the issue with a completely different method. The penetrating oil serves as protection from moisture and wear while allowing the user to feel the wood grains in their bare feet. If compared directly to factory finished aluminum oxide finish, the oil finish flooring will not perform as well to abrasion and impact. However, the beauty of this finish is the fact that it will camouflage any scratches which will inevitably accumulate over time. Will this finish evaporate over time and will this be harmful for indoor air quality? Another concern for oil finished floors its effect on indoor air quality. For on-site applications, some varieties suggest several coats which typically require the residents to be out of the home due to mild odors. However, there are factory finished UV-cured or single coat applications which lessen the downtime. Despite the odors produced during the drying process, oil finish floors rank amongst the lowest for VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions. Certain brands even boast true zero VOC. This fact alone makes oil finished floors one of the best options for green building solutions. “WOCA products are certified by independent laboratories, the German Institute for Biological Building Materials, and are in accordance with DIN–Norm 53–160. WOCA WoodCare Denmark products meet or exceed the most stringent U.S. standards for volatile organic compounds.” –WOCA Oil Finish Manufacture Does this type of finish require additional maintenance which I am not familiar with? For weekly cleaning, oiled floors use a special cleaner which contains an oil and soap mixture. After a period of 12-18 months some oil may evaporate causing the wood grains to appear dry. An additional layer of oil can be reapplied to keep the floor looking fresh. Although oil finished floors require more involvement in periodic maintenance in high traffic areas, this maintenance can be done much easier than the equivalent of an onsite sand and refinish. WOCA Master Color Oil contains pigment, which provides a single-step hardwood floor staining process. Laying down the stain and the finish in one step. This product comes 14 different colors, from Black to Extra White, and you can mix them freely to create various color palettes that will meet the demands of any job. Below are some pictures of the finished job…

KSI Kitchen & Bath

While KSI designers typically work directly with homeowners on their kitchen and bath design projects, we also love partnering with interior designers - and they love partnering with us! We make it easy for interior designers to create beautiful and functional spaces for their clients by offering our cabinetry knowledge and design expertise to compliment their skillset. When Interior Designer Shannon Lawrason came to KSI to select cabinetry for her new build home, I knew our collaboration would result in a truly breathtaking kitchen! As a client and an Interior Designer, Shannon had a vision from the beginning: Timeless beauty with a touch of classic elements. Everything involved in the mixture of textures – hardware selection, tile selections, marble, cabinetry materials – was fundamental to the execution of the design intent.

Cabinetry Collaboration Brings European Charm to Kitchen and Bath

KSI Kitchen & Bath

Downtown Tampa, Contemporary Industrial Style Family Home

Attic Convertion, Solana Beach, CA

Evergreen Remodeling & Construction

Is all this space upstairs just for storing Christmas decorations? The owners had three teenagers who were constantly Is all this space upstairs just for storing Christmas decorations? this space up here is just for storing Christmas decorations over the only TV downstairs, and they needed a solution that didn’t involve expanding their already cramped property. When we went up to see the attic, we immediately saw the potential: good ceiling height, ample floor space, and those beautiful angled roof lines just waiting to be celebrated. What we created is a stunning additional room that became the family’s favorite gathering place. The transformation demonstrates how thoughtful design can turn a neglected space into something extraordinary. Those dramatic skylights weren’t originally there; we cut into the roof structure and installed them to flood the space with natural light, transforming what could have felt like a cramped attic into a spacious and luminous retreat. The angled roof lines, which could have been a challenge, became architectural features that give the room character and visual interest. The focal point is that modern linear fireplace surrounded by elegant gray tiles and custom-built shelving. We designed the media wall to accommodate a large-screen TV while also providing storage for the family’s massive collection of books and vinyl records. Side cabinets keep clutter hidden, while open shelving showcases items worth displaying. This conversion required significant structural work. We reinforced the floor joists to support varying loads, remember, attics are typically built only to support insulation and the occasional storage box, not furniture or people. We added proper air conditioning ducts extending from the main system, upgraded the electrical system with multiple circuits for media equipment, and installed that stylish white railing system that meets regulations and maintains the feeling of spaciousness. The construction photos tell the real story: what began as an unfinished space with exposed subfloor and construction debris has become this elegant sanctuary. Those casement windows on either side create cross-ventilation, essential for an upper-floor space on the California coast.

Downtown Tampa, Contemporary Industrial Style Family Home

Westpark - Space Planning and Kitchen Design

AH Design Studio

The primary objective of this project was to enhance the layout of the ground floor and expand the kitchen area. Similar to many single-family cottages constructed before the 2010s, the typical ground floor layout consisted of a kitchen, formal living room, formal dining room, dinette, vestibule, and a den. However, in recent years, the demand for formal spaces has waned while the desire for larger and more practical kitchens has significantly increased. To achieve this goal, we embarked on a project that involved demolishing the wall separating the existing kitchen from the formal dining room. This allowed us to expand the kitchen into the former formal dining room space. We relocated the dining room to what was previously the formal living room, effectively eliminating the need for a formal living room. The result is a new kitchen with significantly enhanced storage and prep areas, making it much more functional.

Desert Modern at Estancia

Drewett Works

Believe it or not, this award-winning home began as a speculative project. Typically speculative projects involve a rather generic design that would appeal to many in a style that might be loved by the masses. But the project’s developer loved modern architecture and his personal residence was the first project designed by architect C.P. Drewett when Drewett Works launched in 2001. Together, the architect and developer envisioned a fictitious art collector who would one day purchase this stunning piece of desert modern architecture to showcase their magnificent collection. The primary views from the site were southwest. Therefore, protecting the interior spaces from the southwest sun while making the primary views available was the greatest challenge. The views were very calculated and carefully managed. Every room needed to not only capture the vistas of the surrounding desert, but also provide viewing spaces for the potential collection to be housed within its walls. The core of the material palette is utilitarian including exposed masonry and locally quarried cantera stone. An organic nature was added to the project through millwork selections including walnut and red gum veneers. The eventual owners saw immediately that this could indeed become a home for them as well as their magnificent collection, of which pieces are loaned out to museums around the world. Their decision to purchase the home was based on the dimensions of one particular wall in the dining room which was EXACTLY large enough for one particular painting not yet displayed due to its size. The owners and this home were, as the saying goes, a perfect match! Project Details | Desert Modern for the Magnificent Collection, Estancia, Scottsdale, AZ Architecture: C.P. Drewett, Jr., AIA, NCARB | Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ Builder: Shannon Construction | Phoenix, AZ Interior Selections: Janet Bilotti, NCIDQ, ASID | Naples, FL Custom Millwork: Linear Fine Woodworking | Scottsdale, AZ Photography: Dino Tonn | Scottsdale, AZ Awards: 2014 Gold Nugget Award of Merit Feature Article: Luxe. Interiors and Design. Winter 2015, “Lofty Exposure”

Desert Modern at Estancia

Drewett Works

Effects of Fall Rain and the Chimney

SUPERIOR CHIMNEY SERVICES CORPORATION

Do you know what ends our time of enjoying the wonderful Fall colors? Rain. The other day when it rained, it took most of those bright yellow leaves and brought them to the ground. It saddened me not only because the colors were gone, but now the leaves have to be cleaned up. And with the trees being larger, those leaves went everywhere. All over the ground, in the tall bushes, stuck on the window sills, lodged in the gutters and up at the chimney. Nature’s going to happen so, what are the effects of Fall rain and the Chimney? Let’s take a further look. Fall Rain and the Chimney The Fall leaves are gorgeous and fall is many homeowners favorite time of year. But as with all seasons, it comes to an end. The Fall rain combined with wind takes those colorful leaves and distributes them…everywhere. Especially on the roof where your chimney is located. By having an annual chimney inspection, we’ll take a look to ensure the safety of your chimney stays intact for the upcoming harsher season: Winter. The Exterior Chimney With Fall, we have two of the elements to be concerned about and that’s the leaves and rain. Here are a few areas we check and the effects of fall rain and the chimney. Let’s start at the top: Chimney Cap: The chimney cap is vital for protecting the opening of your chimney which leads to the interior of your home. We inspect the chimney cap ensuring it is tightly secured to the exterior chimney termination. The chimney is typically the tallest part of your home and gets exposed to the harshest winds, rain, snow, animals and blowing debris. All of that hits the chimney cap trying to find that weak spot so it can get inside the chimney. If it does, that debris is easily ignited and can cause harm to your home. Chimney Crown: This is the slab of concrete that covers the chimney and extends beyond the bricks or materials that make up the chimney. This is to provide protection from the elements. But remember the chimney crown can also develop cracks over time. This is where crown coat can extend the life of the chimney crown ensuring the elements stay where they should… outside. Brick, Stone and Mortar: The structure of the chimney can be made of brick, stone or other materials. If it is made of brick or stone, then mortar is involved. All of these materials are porous, meaning that it can absorb water and snow melt, which breaks down over time. As a result, this needs to be checked looking for loose bricks, missing mortar, cracks in either one of these materials and more. Tuckpointing is a good solution to ensure the elements stay out. The use of Chimney Saver is a great way to preserve the bricks, stones and mortar as it waterproofs and protects the materials for about 8 – 10 years and slows down the aging process. Flashing: This is the material that protects the connection of the roof to the chimney. A critical and common area for leaks. The flashing moves the water away from the chimney and down the roof. The flashing adheres to the chimney with a seal, which dries out over time. This area needs to be checked to ensure the seal is strong and doesn’t allow water to get in. Before the cold sets in and you want to turn on or fire up the fireplace, be sure to take into consideration the effects of fall rain and the chimney. Contact us today at 877-244-6349 to set up an appointment.

Downtown Tampa, Contemporary Industrial Style Family Home