Metal Comp. A galvanized structural steel decking system that fully integrates with our IntegraStone tile system. Metal Comp radically changes the way decks are built because we can now build deck structures that last for generations, while still being cost effective. Metal Comp is: structural, waterproof and a non-combustible decking system that is made from 25 % recycled materials. The integrity of the whole system will remain for generations without shifting, warping or rotting. We create new possibilities for luxury outdoor living. Metal Comp Deck System is manufactured in components that can be assembled and built by certified builders. The Metal Comp Deck System is ordered to size and is delivered with all the components required to build the structure and tile the deck. We remove the “running around” that builders typically face in construction. Our goal is to provide the builder with all the materials that they will need to for the entire job

This very typical, 1947 built, story-and-a-half home in South Minneapolis had a small ‘U’ shaped kitchen adjacent to a similarly small dining room. These homeowners needed more space to prepare meals and store all the items needed in a modern kitchen. With a standard side entry access there was no more than a landing at the top of the basement stairs – no place to hang coats or even take off shoes! Many years earlier, a small screened-in porch had been added off the dining room, but it was getting minimal use in our Minnesota climate. With a new, spacious, family room addition in the place of the old screen porch and a 5’ expansion off the kitchen and side entry, along with removing the wall between the kitchen and the dining room, this home underwent a total transformation. What was once small cramped spaces is now a wide open great room containing kitchen, dining and family gathering spaces. As a bonus, a bright and functional mudroom was included to meet all their active family’s storage needs. Natural light now flows throughout the space and Carrara marble accents in both the kitchen and around the fireplace tie the rooms together quite nicely! An ample amount of kitchen storage space was gained with Bayer Interior Woods cabinetry and stainless steel appliances are one of many modern conveniences this family can now enjoy daily. The flooring selection (Red Oak hardwood floors) will not only last for decades to come but also adds a warm feel to the whole home. See full details (including before photos) on our website at http://www.castlebri.com/wholehouse/project-2408-1/ Designed by: Mark Benzell

A teak outdoor chair is an ideal choice for anyone looking to create a classic, timeless look in their outdoor space. Teak is a beautiful hardwood that is naturally resistant to rot, decay, and pests, making it ideal for outdoor use. Teak outdoor chairs are typically made from solid teak and feature a classic, timeless design that can last for decades. They are available in a variety of styles, including traditional, contemporary, and even modern designs. Teak outdoor chairs are also incredibly comfortable, making them a great choice for outdoor relaxation and entertaining. Whether used in a patio, poolside, or garden, teak outdoor chairs are a great addition to any outdoor space. oroa.com

This room encompasses one of the most technical examples of woodwork we’ve seen in a long time. Normally, to create a raised panel wainscot wall, pieces of 1x wood are cut and used to create the boxes, and panel moldings are installed inside the frames to finish off the look. This can be done by typical finish carpenters. The problem is that over time, the numerous joints separate and look bad. In the case of this project, we wanted to avoid that pitfall and do something exquisite AND long-lasting. Over several days, each section of the wall was laid out to determine the appropriate size of each panel. Electrical outlets or switch plates that weren’t centered were moved. Each panel was then specially made at the shop out of 3/4” MDF because its smooth surface is ideal for painting. The raised panels (the pieces that go into each square opening) as well as the panel mouldings (the pieces that frame out each interior panel) were fabricated off site at the shop. Between the set-up, fabrication and the installation, two skilled craftsmen required three solid weeks to make each aspect absolutely perfect. Other finishing details including using a “Back Band” moulding to cap the top of the wainscot and using matching moldings (base, window casings and crown moldings) in areas that needed it for continuity of design. This room’s woodwork is an exquisite example of true craftsmanship. Words and pictures cannot describe the level of skill required for this project. Once everything was completed, it was sprayed with white enamel paint and wallpaper was installed above the wood wainscot to finish off the room. In a nutshell, each wall panel was constructed like a custom made high end cabinet. Literally.

Nestled in the heart of Dallas, our clients enjoy a 4-acre estate where they have developed the property for a "park" and "garden" like feel with lots of privacy and sound barrier from the neighbors and busy street along the front. They travel a lot for work and want to be able to come home and enjoy their own backyard oasis that is properly maintained and cared for. They also have 4 grandchildren who live on part of the property and roam around everywhere, so having lots of manicured lawn space to drive their toys around on, explore, etc. is important too. We service the property one day per week, since they retain a full-time porter. However, he is stretched thin as doesn't tend to much of the landscaping as needed as he's typically working on other side projects for the client. In order to complete our maintenance work within 5 hours on our service day, we work diligently with the client and the client’ assistant to constantly communicate issues we see and/or need to have resolved. Thankfully our client is very quick to respond and allows us an abundance of freedom to make necessary improvements when deemed necessary. Additionally, last minute work functions and/or parties are often hosted at their house. We often times have to respond quickly with an extra service visit, service date change, seasonal color change, bed mulching, etc. to help get it ready for their company. We value the trust and communication we have with this client and look forward to working with them for years to come!

Located in the heart of Downtown St. Petersburg, the Vinoy Renaissance Resort & Golf Club is one of the city's most iconic hotels. This downtown gem can easily be distinguished by its salmon color and Mediterranean Revival style architecture. Situated right on the bay, this luxury resort is just a short walk from all of the area’s major attractions such as the Dali Museum, Beach Drive, and the Mahaffey Theater. The Vinoy was constructed in 1925 and has been through a long history of renovations and construction within its lifetime. Efforts are constantly being made to preserve the hotel’s historic past while still providing guests with a unique, comfortable, and luxurious experience. With that being said, it was recently announced that the hotel will undergo a three-year $50 million plan to improve several aspects of the property. Patio Lane took part in these upgrades by designing and producing custom cushions for two locations on the property: the veranda and smoking area seating. We fabricated a total of 187 custom cushions with 13 different configurations for the hotel: dining chair seat, lounge chair, love seat, center sectional, end sectionals, as well as ottomans. Patio Lane directly competed with the original furniture and cushion manufacturer for this project. However, being an essential part of St. Petersburg, the resort appreciated a local vendor with strong initiative to earn their business. As far as the project requirements, the Vinoy needed something that will hold up through the harsh sun and storms of Central Florida. Typically, cushions in a commercial setting will last a few years depending on the human traffic. For a luxury hotel, such as the Vinoy, these cushions should have been replaced within 3 years. To ensure that they would have high performing seating for their guests, they chose cushions fabricated with Sunbrella Rain performance fabric. This fabric is 100% waterproof and specifically made for outdoor spaces that endure heavy rainfall or any kind of moisture. Sunbrella Rain eliminates drying time after wet weather. Resort staff can simply wipe the cushions down and their guests are ready to continue lounging and relaxing. The Vinoy’s original cushions used a polyurethane foam that had since lost its strength and was no longer providing a comfortable seat. (When we initially surveyed the Vinoy, we witnessed many customers doubling up on cushions to place behind their backs!) Numerous cushions had ripped at the seams and the zippers were non-functional. Dry-fast foam, the preferred option for cushions fabricated with Sunbrella Rain, was the perfect choice with the 4 in. thick seats & 5 in. thick backs because it will provide a firm seat and support for years to come.

Updated Spec Home: Foyer and Great Room In our last post, we introduced you to my mom and sister’s Updated Spec Home; the Foyer and Great Room will be featured in this post. Foyer As you enter their home, to the right is a hall closet and a french door which leads to the Basement. To the left is a long wall which was perfect for an extra long console table in a rustic finish that served as a sofa table in their previous home. I love repositioning furniture, and by using this table in the entry, it makes it feel new. Additionally, we placed a vibrant piece of art previously used in my sister’s Bedroom above the table. This piece not only sets the tone for our color palette, it also makes the kind of statement you want in your Foyer – Wow! We added accessories and an unique lamp to complete the space. Great Room In the Great Room which is open to the Foyer, we installed our inspiration artwork in the place of honor over the mantel. Since the piece was vertical, it did not take up enough space. I do not like a “fussy” mantel with lots of accessories so we found these two vases in a silver leaf finish. They were perfect because they were large enough, but not too deep. Accessorizing mantels can be tricky because the majority of them are not deep. We went to Jan’s Floral Design to add vibrant color and interesting textures to the vases. The original mantel was too small and uninspired. Therefore, we had our contractor Brad Anderson built a new one based on a photo of a mantel we liked. The new mantel has lots of great detail and is the appropriate proportion for the fireplace. We replaced beige 12×12 ceramic tiles with gorgeous large pieces of smoked carrara marble for a striking fireplace surround. Check out this other mantel that we updated. For furniture, we purchased a shorter sofa in a gray tweed fabric. Typically, two throw pillows come with a sofa.We added a fun fringe to the pillows that came with the sofa. I recommend ordering pillows that match your sofa fabric and layering with custom pillows that support your color palette. We added a patterned custom pillow and a striped throw. Next, we got a small scale recliner in a yummy gray leather for my mom and a chair and ottoman in a small scale mint and gray geometric pattern for my sister. We added an accent chair in a fun small scale stripe to fill a corner and add additional seating – which is always a good thing. Remember that this was a Spec Home so there were no built-ins. As a result, we needed a media cabinet for the television and some bookcases to display my mom’s decorative box collection and my sister’s collection of blown colored glass. This set from Ballard Designs fit the bill perfectly. The back is open and airy with nice detail. The wood finish also adds a richness to the space. My mom needed a space for her computer, and this small writing desk fit the space perfectly. Finally, for finishing touches, we added a patterned rug, cornice boards in a mint leaf fabric, and great lamps for ambient lighting. These two rooms are stunning, vibrant and livable. Can’t wait to show you more in our next post! Enjoy! Photo by Tim Furlong Jr.

Originally built in 1938, this bungalow cottage had enduring character, but its traditional closed kitchen layout – typical of the era – didn’t align with the way the homeowners envisioned living in the space. Inspired by their travels through England’s Cotswolds, the French countryside, and Carmel’s whimsical Storybook Cottages by the Sea, the homeowners dreamed of a home that captured the romance of cottages and one that would seamlessly connect with their stunning English-style garden. After years of attempting to reimagine the kitchen in its original location the homeowners realized it would never truly suit the way they lived & wanted to entertain. The original kitchen was historical & was built when the kitchen was the last room you wanted guests to see. It was tucked into the front corner of the home off a hallway leading to the main level bedrooms and bath. To reach the dining room, you passed through a servery swing door, then continued into the living room. While the original door had charm, it disrupted the flow and connection between the kitchen and the main living areas. To bring the homeowners’ vision to life, the design called for a bold move—relocating the kitchen entirely. We designed a 560-square-foot addition off the living room – placing the kitchen at the heart of the home and connecting it to the gardens. The new space includes a sunlit breakfast nook, a charming butler’s pantry, a garden vestibule with its own entry porch, and a wraparound porch that encourages indoor-outdoor living. The main level remodel also redefined existing spaces: the old dining room was transformed into a cozy study library, while a former bedroom became an elegant dining room just off the new kitchen. Every design decision honored the home’s original 1938 architecture and character. Matching the home’s original 1.5-story proportions, the new kitchen wing was designed with intersecting gables that echo the scale and pitch of the existing roofline. A stone-wrapped chimney topped with a handcrafted copper cap is straight from the pages of a storybook. Decorative corbels, intricate window trim, and cedar shake in the gable ends further connect the new architecture to the home’s historic detailing. Finishes and fixtures were thoughtfully chosen to marry the home’s moodier, character-rich original rooms with the brighter, lighter new spaces. The result is a timeless transformation that feels as though it has always been part of the home – an enchanting blend of storybook charm, functional design, and garden-centered living. At the ground level, a Pennsylvania bluestone porch and stone skirting ground the addition in traditional materials. Inside, a tongue-and-groove ceiling with hand-hewn beams gives purpose and intimacy to the heightened kitchen ceiling. The home’s signature arched openings were meticulously replicated in the new kitchen, breakfast nook, and dining room, ensuring a seamless transition between old and new. Every element – inside and out – was chosen to honor the original home while enhancing the charm, character, and connection to the garden. Photos by MK Photography

Example of a classic l-shaped eat-in kitchen design in Bridgeport with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, laminate countertops and black appliances

Asked by her client to review a typically mundane South Hampton ‘50s saltbox because “the last designer they talked to said they would have to add on to make the house anything,” Ms. Cohen approached the renovation in exactly the opposite manner. To refine the small building footprint, precise architectural gestures were used with a series of finely calibrated moments make the space more gracious and welcoming. Architectural acts were bold in concept but not in actual construction work; such as capturing the car garage to add a hyper modern sunroom/den along with a powder room and laundry. Reconfiguring one side of the house’s roofline to manipulate the space into a sensational master suite saved the north side of the house from remaining an un-useful attic space. This inner sanctum of bedroom and master bath is reminiscent of a Hampton’s beachscape in all its elegance and minimalism. The only square footage actually added was a tiny 4X4 corner as an addition to the front entry, oddly an essential piece of real estate to make an actual vestibule. All these refinements make for a crafted, articulate result rather than bowing to the bigger is better theme, which is more prevalent in the Hamptons. The function of the plan and the accompanying finishes are impressive. The Jack and Jill bathroom, an invention of the American post-war housing boom, was outfitted in handsome walnut Duravit vanity cabinets and neutral finishes. The master bath, with its expansive skylights, might be mistaken for a conceptual art installation due to its evocative marble countertop in striped ethereal hues. Finally, Ms. Cohen uses wallpaper like a museum curator, hanging an iconic Knoll pattern to punctuate the dining/media space. Each room in the house was sculpted via a palette of watercolor blue of varying saturations. Fabrics were culled from the greats of modernist textiles, Maharam’s Quatrefoil pattern in blue and Knoll classic Sway pattern in sea shades. The blue on white “beach” scheme runs from a soft cotton candy sky in the girl’s room to an immersive David Sutherland Park Bark wallpaper in the powder room. This intellectual inquiry as to what are the true colors at the beach belays the sophistication that surpasses the usual nautical curse of the average beach house. Out of the corner of your eye, in almost every quadrant of the house, is a burst of colorful expression and delight; this serves as Ms. Cohen’s painterly gift to the client. Ms. Cohen’s hidden strength is her ability to choreograph a seating area. Whether it is a formal living room or the ultimate hang out spot, each space has the right amount of distance, intimacy and dare I say intrigue to make the arrangements inviting. Each conversation, because it really looks like a fine chat can be had, has an elegant side table ready for duty and all tête-à-têtes are regulated to a sumptuous area rugs. Habitants in Ms. Cohen’s world only work through deep discourse.

Designed by: TOC design - Tania Scardellato Construction by : TOC design & Construction inc. Pictures by: Mathieu Laflamme Like clothing or furniture, kitchens come in many styles. Since a new kitchen costs the most and last the longest, choosing a kitchen style requires serious thought. Speaking broadly, it helps to know if you prefer a more classic or more modern look. Making that decision will help you start to narrow down choices on everything from wall color to cabinet doors. Picking a very specific design theme, such as French Colonial or Art Deco, gives you even more of a design road map. Mixing and matching styles typically is called eclectic, while a look that blends traditional and contemporary elements is considered transitional. The design for this home is Transitional Transitional kitchens include elements of both traditional and contemporary design. Eclectic in nature, they mix natural and man-made materials as well as finishes and textures. For example, an Arts & Crafts or Shaker kitchen can be made transitional rather than traditional by lightening the color palette, adding bamboo flooring, and showcasing appliances rather than hiding them behind wooden panels. Molding and fixtures aren't elaborate but do have some ornamentation.

Living room - transitional living room idea in Philadelphia

Asked by her client to review a typically mundane South Hampton ‘50s saltbox because “the last designer they talked to said they would have to add on to make the house anything,” Ms. Cohen approached the renovation in exactly the opposite manner. To refine the small building footprint, precise architectural gestures were used with a series of finely calibrated moments make the space more gracious and welcoming. Architectural acts were bold in concept but not in actual construction work; such as capturing the car garage to add a hyper modern sunroom/den along with a powder room and laundry. Reconfiguring one side of the house’s roofline to manipulate the space into a sensational master suite saved the north side of the house from remaining an un-useful attic space. This inner sanctum of bedroom and master bath is reminiscent of a Hampton’s beachscape in all its elegance and minimalism. The only square footage actually added was a tiny 4X4 corner as an addition to the front entry, oddly an essential piece of real estate to make an actual vestibule. All these refinements make for a crafted, articulate result rather than bowing to the bigger is better theme, which is more prevalent in the Hamptons. The function of the plan and the accompanying finishes are impressive. The Jack and Jill bathroom, an invention of the American post-war housing boom, was outfitted in handsome walnut Duravit vanity cabinets and neutral finishes. The master bath, with its expansive skylights, might be mistaken for a conceptual art installation due to its evocative marble countertop in striped ethereal hues. Finally, Ms. Cohen uses wallpaper like a museum curator, hanging an iconic Knoll pattern to punctuate the dining/media space. Each room in the house was sculpted via a palette of watercolor blue of varying saturations. Fabrics were culled from the greats of modernist textiles, Maharam’s Quatrefoil pattern in blue and Knoll classic Sway pattern in sea shades. The blue on white “beach” scheme runs from a soft cotton candy sky in the girl’s room to an immersive David Sutherland Park Bark wallpaper in the powder room. This intellectual inquiry as to what are the true colors at the beach belays the sophistication that surpasses the usual nautical curse of the average beach house. Out of the corner of your eye, in almost every quadrant of the house, is a burst of colorful expression and delight; this serves as Ms. Cohen’s painterly gift to the client. Ms. Cohen’s hidden strength is her ability to choreograph a seating area. Whether it is a formal living room or the ultimate hang out spot, each space has the right amount of distance, intimacy and dare I say intrigue to make the arrangements inviting. Each conversation, because it really looks like a fine chat can be had, has an elegant side table ready for duty and all tête-à-têtes are regulated to a sumptuous area rugs. Habitants in Ms. Cohen’s world only work through deep discourse.

Typical Cabinetry that won't last in the harsh environment. Damaged by moisture, sun and now past the repair stage

This custom home is situated on a typical, tight Arlington lot, but we were still able to fit a spacious house along with a pool, outdoor kitchen, and trampoline area in the backyard. The main floor consists of an in-law/guest suite, the kitchen, great room, dining room, and bi-fold sliding doors and pocket sliding doors that allow the main floor to be completely open and seamlessly transition to the outdoors. The floor to ceiling windows in the owner’s suite is another signature design choice for AV. With smart home features and all-around home speakers as well as many other small details, the home is deceptively simple and incredibly easy to use and maintain. Solar power fits right in because the system lasts for decades, and it requires almost no maintenance, consistent with our standard choices of low-hassle, high-quality exterior building materials.

Carbonized bamboo flooring pieces were milled and installed with bullnose edging above the faces of the steps for durability. Factory-supplied bullnoses typically consist of a thin veneer over pressed wood that does not last, as they get stepped on constantly.

Before - After many years of having no outdoor living space and dealing with overgrown plants and trees the owner’s decided it was time to revitalize their backyard. They knew they wanted a large sitting area with a wood burning fireplace, room for outdoor dining and a place for the grill. A connecting walk would be needed to get guests from the driveway to the outdoor space. Last but not least, the owners wanted the ability to and a reason for stepping out of their unusable patio doors. The designers decided from the start the fireplace would be the prominent feature and focal point for the entire project. A large fireplace accented with sitting walls and arbors was positioned to anchor the corner of the patio. Stone was chosen to set the fireplace apart as its own element. Brick was used for the sitting walls and brick accents were added to the fireplace to tie into the house. An inlaid herringbone brick detail was incorporated above the stone mantle to simulate artwork which is typically found above indoor fireplaces. Flagstone was used for the wall caps and hearth to match the patio and thicker flagstone tread stock was used for the mantle and top. The arbors were added to visually balance the pergolas at the opposite side of the patio. For the patio the designers created a series of offset spaces to help subtly divide the space into two areas, sitting and dining. Two large existing trees also help dictate the shape of the patio. Cut flagstone was chosen for the surface bordered by a double soldier edge of brick. The brick edging also surrounds a decorative gravel area topped with an urn fountain which provides a secondary focal point and the sound of water. Large flagstone treads were used for the steps leading to the previously unused patio doors. Opposite the fireplace a short walk leads to a square transition area with a statue chosen by the owner. The statue provides a strong focal point when entering from the driveway. A longer walk leads from this space along the house to the driveway. The pergolas and arbors were designed by the landscape designer as part of this project but were ultimately contracted separately by the owner. The larger square pergola was intended as an area for a bench or two separate from the main patio. The longer pergola was added later in the design phase to help provide shade to the interior of the house. The arbors at the fireplace were added to balance out the wood elements at the opposite side while adding additional architectural interest to the fireplace. While this project was predominantly hardscaping, planting and lighting were also incorporated into the design. Several large existing trees were retained and serious of smaller understory trees were added to help enclose the space. The designer’s took advantage of the large trees to place down lights on the branches to achieve a moonlight effect at night. Additional lighting was used on the pergola, to accent focal points, to up light the smaller trees and around the patio. Massed planting of Japanese forest grass provides bold foliage color for the shady garden. A mulch path leads off behind the fireplace to another garden and a secluded area ideal for a bench or small table and chairs. Additional plantings were added along the rear property line to screen and unsightly fence. This project has obviously completely changed the way the owners use their backyard. They now have a seamless transition from indoors to outdoors with the use of the patio doors. The large patio allows for entertaining small gatherings outdoors for the first time. The fireplace has definitely become the primary gathering place for family and friends.

This very typical, 1947 built, story-and-a-half home in South Minneapolis had a small ‘U’ shaped kitchen adjacent to a similarly small dining room. These homeowners needed more space to prepare meals and store all the items needed in a modern kitchen. With a standard side entry access there was no more than a landing at the top of the basement stairs – no place to hang coats or even take off shoes! Many years earlier, a small screened-in porch had been added off the dining room, but it was getting minimal use in our Minnesota climate. With a new, spacious, family room addition in the place of the old screen porch and a 5’ expansion off the kitchen and side entry, along with removing the wall between the kitchen and the dining room, this home underwent a total transformation. What was once small cramped spaces is now a wide open great room containing kitchen, dining and family gathering spaces. As a bonus, a bright and functional mudroom was included to meet all their active family’s storage needs. Natural light now flows throughout the space and Carrara marble accents in both the kitchen and around the fireplace tie the rooms together quite nicely! An ample amount of kitchen storage space was gained with Bayer Interior Woods cabinetry and stainless steel appliances are one of many modern conveniences this family can now enjoy daily. The flooring selection (Red Oak hardwood floors) will not only last for decades to come but also adds a warm feel to the whole home. See full details (including before photos) on our website at http://www.castlebri.com/wholehouse/project-2408-1/ Designed by: Mark Benzell

Nestled in the heart of Dallas, our clients enjoy a 4-acre estate where they have developed the property for a "park" and "garden" like feel with lots of privacy and sound barrier from the neighbors and busy street along the front. They travel a lot for work and want to be able to come home and enjoy their own backyard oasis that is properly maintained and cared for. They also have 4 grandchildren who live on part of the property and roam around everywhere, so having lots of manicured lawn space to drive their toys around on, explore, etc. is important too. We service the property one day per week, since they retain a full-time porter. However, he is stretched thin as doesn't tend to much of the landscaping as needed as he's typically working on other side projects for the client. In order to complete our maintenance work within 5 hours on our service day, we work diligently with the client and the client’ assistant to constantly communicate issues we see and/or need to have resolved. Thankfully our client is very quick to respond and allows us an abundance of freedom to make necessary improvements when deemed necessary. Additionally, last minute work functions and/or parties are often hosted at their house. We often times have to respond quickly with an extra service visit, service date change, seasonal color change, bed mulching, etc. to help get it ready for their company. We value the trust and communication we have with this client and look forward to working with them for years to come!