These high school sweethearts searched their hometown for a house that would fit their active young family, ultimately deciding to tear an older house down to make way for a gracious, elegant home that will last for generations. The furnishings add a colorful vibrancy to neutral walls, lots of molding, and gorgeous wood floors. To save on the budget, we re-purposed some existing furniture by repainting and changing out hardware. The entry and dining room set the tone for a fun house where dogs and kids are welcome. Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

The Challenge This beautiful waterfront home was begging for an update. Our clients wanted a contemporary design with modern finishes. They craved improved functionality in the kitchen, hardwood flooring in the living areas, and a spacious walk-in closet in the master bathroom. With two children in school, our clients also needed the project completed during their summer vacation – leaving a slim 90 days for the entire remodel. Could we do it? …Challenge accepted! Our Solution With their active summer travel schedule, our clients elected to vacate their home for the duration of the project. This was ideal for the intrusive nature of the scope of work. In preparation, our design team created a project plan to suit our client’s needs. With such a clear timeline, we were able to select and order long-lead items in plenty of time for the project start date. In the kitchen, we rearranged the layout to provide superior ventilation for the cooktop on the exterior wall. We added two large storage cabinets with glass doors, accented by a sleek mosaic backsplash of glass tile. We also incorporated a large contemporary waterfall island into the room. With seating at one end, the island provides both increased functionality and an eye-catching focal point for the center of the room. On the interior wall of the kitchen, we maximized storage with a wall of built-in cabinetry – complete with pullout pantry cabinets, a double oven, and a large stainless refrigerator. Our clients wisely chose rich, dark-colored wood flooring to add warmth to the contemporary design. After installing the flooring in the kitchen, we brought it into the main living areas as well. In the great room, we wrapped the existing gas fireplace in a neutral stack stone. The effect of the stone on the media and window wall is breathtaking. In the master bathroom, we expanded the closet by pushing the wall back into the adjacent pass-through hallway. The new walk-in closet now includes an impressive closet organization system. Returning to the master bathroom, we removed the single vanity and repositioned the toilet, allowing for a new, curb-less glass shower and a his-and-hers vanity. The entire vanity and shower wall is finished in white 12×24 porcelain tile. The vertical glass mosaic accent band and backlit floating mirrors add to the clean, modern style. To the left of the master bathroom entry, we even added a matching make-up area. Finally, we installed a number of elegant enhancements in the remaining rooms. The clients chose a bronze metal relief accent wall as well as some colorful finishes and artwork for the entry and hallway. Exceptional Results Our clients were simply thrilled with the final product! Not only did they return from their summer vacation to a gorgeous home remodel, but we concluded the project a full week ahead of schedule. As a result, the family was able to move in sooner than planned, giving them plenty of time to acclimate to the renovated space before their kids returned to school. Ultimately, we provided the outstanding results and customer experience that our clients had been searching for. “We met with many other contractors leading up to signing with Progressive Design Build. When we met Mike, we finally felt safe. We had heard so many horror stories about contractors! Progressive was the best move we could have made. They made our dream house become a reality. Vernon was in charge of our project and everything went better than we expected. Our project was completed earlier than expected, too. Our questions and concerns were dealt with quickly and professionally, the job site was always clean, and all subs were friendly and professional. We had a wonderful experience with Progressive Design Build. We’re so grateful we found them.” – The Mader Family

To fully enjoy the winter holidays, with all the snow and cold, was the basis for our client’s decision to maintain their Chicago home when they were transferred to the warm and sunny west coast. A trusted caretaker was put in place to oversee and maintain their property; however, even excellent planning sometimes runs off-track. In the midst of winter the caretaker left on a well-planned vacation. The homeowner’s were apprised of dates and, without a worry, everyone went on about their daily routines. That is, until the caretaker returned and found the home in such utter devastation, he could not believe what had happened in such a short amount of time. The ill-timed vacation, planned during what became an extremely cold timeframe, was the home’s undoing. With the heat in the home turned slightly lower, to accommodate the emptiness, paired with the below zero temperatures, the hot water pipe in the main floor Sunroom froze and burst. The gushing, steaming water, unchecked, moved in so many directions, it is difficult to comprehend. As the water soaked through the Sunroom flooring to the walk-out Lower Level Area below, ice blocks were freezing before the water reached the ground; Ice blocks so thick only time and warmer temperatures were able to thaw. Since the heating systems were unaffected, the heat, paired with the steaming moisture, raised the humidity levels in the entire home; what wasn’t wet ultimately became mold covered. The humidity in the home was raised to such a level that window and door seals were compromised and condensation clouded most of the interior glass panes. The Kitchen wood flooring, saturated with water, buckled, causing the cabinets to lift and the granite to crack. The ceiling in the lower level Bar Area fell as the water flooded both the Bar and the adjoining Billiards Room, wreaking havoc on cabinetry, carpet, artwork, etc. After the insurance estimation determined the home was salvageable, the design phase began in earnest headed by LaMantia’s James Campbell, CKD and aided by Katie Suva, CKD, CBD as the guides. After a very long march towards recovery, the home is now back to the pristine beauty it once was.

Complete Dining Room Remodel Designed by Interior Designer Nathan J. Reynolds. phone: (508) 837 - 3972 email: nathan@insperiors.com www.insperiors.com Photography Courtesy of © 2015 C. Shaw Photography.

These high school sweethearts searched their hometown for a house that would fit their active young family, ultimately deciding to tear an older house down to make way for a gracious, elegant home that will last for generations. The furnishings add a colorful vibrancy to neutral walls, lots of molding, and gorgeous wood floors. To save on the budget, we re-purposed some existing furniture by repainting and changing out hardware. The entry and dining room set the tone for a fun house where dogs and kids are welcome. Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

The MultiTable FlexTable Height Adjustable sit Stand Desk. https://www.multitable.com/product/flextable-height-adjustable-standing-desk/ The FlexTable by MultiTable is uniquely designed from the ground up to be the most steadfast, versatile and adaptable height adjustable standing desk made for today’s modern workspace. Now the power is in your hands to sit or stand with an affordable height adjustable desk that can be ordered with an electric up-down switch or a hand crank – you get to choose how to raise and lower your desk surface. Best part is you can easily and quickly convert the FlexTable from a manual hand crank to an electric switch at any time with the FlexTable Electric Upgrade Kit. Offering impressive height adjustability from 27 ⅝” to 45 ⅞”, the FlexTable is made from quality-grade aluminum and steel components that can support standard desk tops ranging from 40” to 72” wide. Our most affordable standing desk yet, FlexTable achieves the ultimate in functionality, comfort and flexibility. With MultiTable, you decide how you accomplish your best work. FEATURES: Affordable, high-quality design in a variety of standard colors Powder-coated premium aluminum and steel desk frame Expansive height adjustability from 27 ⅝” to 45 ⅞” Adjustable width range from: 43” to 67” Adjustable desk frame width supports desk tops up to 72” Wide desk frame leg structure for improved stability and durability Flexible conversion from manual hand crank to electric switch with FlexTable Electric Conversion Kit 30-day return guarantee 5-year limited warranty

This one took some work, but ultimately we were able to get the entire replacement of the roof covered by the homeowner's insurance. Most people think their insurance carrier is in their corner, but when it comes to getting a legitimate peril covered, they will fight at every turn to try to minimize their payout. In most cases, they are obligated to paying the full replacement cost to return the property to pre-peril condition. Make sure you use a contractor that refuses to cut corners to do the work for the initial money that the carrier offers. Bullseye Roofing Solutions is committed to making sure you get what you are owed so that we can repair your home right.

These high school sweethearts searched their hometown for a house that would fit their active young family, ultimately deciding to tear an older house down to make way for a gracious, elegant home that will last for generations. The furnishings add a colorful vibrancy to neutral walls, lots of molding, and gorgeous wood floors. To save on the budget, we re-purposed some existing furniture by repainting and changing out hardware. The entry and dining room set the tone for a fun house where dogs and kids are welcome. Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Our entertainment solutions create the ultimate video experience–no matter the size of your home. Home theater and video systems are one of the most requested from our clients. We believe it’s because of the outstanding return on investment and the amount of family enjoyment our high quality home theater systems offer. Often it’s best to arrange for one of our design concierge team members to take a look at your space. From there we will discuss what you would like to accomplish and what’s important to you and your family. With this information we will personalize a system that meets your needs and provide you with a project proposal. Once you approve the project we can get started on your dream room!

Mid-sized elegant beige tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile bathroom photo in Boston with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble countertops, a two-piece toilet and green walls

These high school sweethearts searched their hometown for a house that would fit their active young family, ultimately deciding to tear an older house down to make way for a gracious, elegant home that will last for generations. The furnishings add a colorful vibrancy to neutral walls, lots of molding, and gorgeous wood floors. To save on the budget, we re-purposed some existing furniture by repainting and changing out hardware. The entry and dining room set the tone for a fun house where dogs and kids are welcome. Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

These high school sweethearts searched their hometown for a house that would fit their active young family, ultimately deciding to tear an older house down to make way for a gracious, elegant home that will last for generations. The furnishings add a colorful vibrancy to neutral walls, lots of molding, and gorgeous wood floors. To save on the budget, we re-purposed some existing furniture by repainting and changing out hardware. The entry and dining room set the tone for a fun house where dogs and kids are welcome. Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

This pond was excavated and rebuilt to serve as the water source for the waterfall. The system recirculates water to the upper pond, where it cascades down the falls and follows a stream, ultimately returning to the main pond.

To fully enjoy the winter holidays, with all the snow and cold, was the basis for our client’s decision to maintain their Chicago home when they were transferred to the warm and sunny west coast. A trusted caretaker was put in place to oversee and maintain their property; however, even excellent planning sometimes runs off-track. In the midst of winter the caretaker left on a well-planned vacation. The homeowner’s were apprised of dates and, without a worry, everyone went on about their daily routines. That is, until the caretaker returned and found the home in such utter devastation, he could not believe what had happened in such a short amount of time. The ill-timed vacation, planned during what became an extremely cold timeframe, was the home’s undoing. With the heat in the home turned slightly lower, to accommodate the emptiness, paired with the below zero temperatures, the hot water pipe in the main floor Sunroom froze and burst. The gushing, steaming water, unchecked, moved in so many directions, it is difficult to comprehend. As the water soaked through the Sunroom flooring to the walk-out Lower Level Area below, ice blocks were freezing before the water reached the ground; Ice blocks so thick only time and warmer temperatures were able to thaw. Since the heating systems were unaffected, the heat, paired with the steaming moisture, raised the humidity levels in the entire home; what wasn’t wet ultimately became mold covered. The humidity in the home was raised to such a level that window and door seals were compromised and condensation clouded most of the interior glass panes. The Kitchen wood flooring, saturated with water, buckled, causing the cabinets to lift and the granite to crack. The ceiling in the lower level Bar Area fell as the water flooded both the Bar and the adjoining Billiards Room, wreaking havoc on cabinetry, carpet, artwork, etc. After the insurance estimation determined the home was salvageable, the design phase began in earnest headed by LaMantia’s James Campbell, CKD and aided by Katie Suva, CKD, CBD as the guides. After a very long march towards recovery, the home is now back to the pristine beauty it once was.

Our entertainment solutions create the ultimate video experience–no matter the size of your home. Home theater and video systems are one of the most requested from our clients. We believe it’s because of the outstanding return on investment and the amount of family enjoyment our high quality home theater systems offer. Often it’s best to arrange for one of our design concierge team members to take a look at your space. From there we will discuss what you would like to accomplish and what’s important to you and your family. With this information we will personalize a system that meets your needs and provide you with a project proposal. Once you approve the project we can get started on your dream room!

To fully enjoy the winter holidays, with all the snow and cold, was the basis for our client’s decision to maintain their Chicago home when they were transferred to the warm and sunny west coast. A trusted caretaker was put in place to oversee and maintain their property; however, even excellent planning sometimes runs off-track. In the midst of winter the caretaker left on a well-planned vacation. The homeowner’s were apprised of dates and, without a worry, everyone went on about their daily routines. That is, until the caretaker returned and found the home in such utter devastation, he could not believe what had happened in such a short amount of time. The ill-timed vacation, planned during what became an extremely cold timeframe, was the home’s undoing. With the heat in the home turned slightly lower, to accommodate the emptiness, paired with the below zero temperatures, the hot water pipe in the main floor Sunroom froze and burst. The gushing, steaming water, unchecked, moved in so many directions, it is difficult to comprehend. As the water soaked through the Sunroom flooring to the walk-out Lower Level Area below, ice blocks were freezing before the water reached the ground; Ice blocks so thick only time and warmer temperatures were able to thaw. Since the heating systems were unaffected, the heat, paired with the steaming moisture, raised the humidity levels in the entire home; what wasn’t wet ultimately became mold covered. The humidity in the home was raised to such a level that window and door seals were compromised and condensation clouded most of the interior glass panes. The Kitchen wood flooring, saturated with water, buckled, causing the cabinets to lift and the granite to crack. The ceiling in the lower level Bar Area fell as the water flooded both the Bar and the adjoining Billiards Room, wreaking havoc on cabinetry, carpet, artwork, etc. After the insurance estimation determined the home was salvageable, the design phase began in earnest headed by LaMantia’s James Campbell, CKD and aided by Katie Suva, CKD, CBD as the guides. After a very long march towards recovery, the home is now back to the pristine beauty it once was.

The Pros and Cons of Fix and Flip Real Estate Investment Last week, we covered The Pros and Cons of Buy and Hold Real Estate Investment for rental property investors. This week, we want to talk about the other most common type of real estate investment: “fix and flip.” The Appeal of House Flipping We all love the house flipping shows on HGTV and other reality channels. They’re great and they make the prospect of buying, renovating and flipping homes for big profits seem super sexy and fun. However, any experienced real estate investor will tell you it’s not quite as easy as they make it look. There’s a lot of work that goes into a successful fix and flip investment. The basic premise of a fix and flip investment is pretty simple. You buy a property, usually one that needs some work and is available at a great price. You renovate the property, making the necessary repairs and upgrades to maximize its resale value. Then, you sell the property on the open market for the highest possible price. You get in and out as quickly as possible. Full-time flippers will move from property to property or will have multiple properties being worked on at the same time. Rather than the “buy and hold” strategy where you keep the house while earning rental income and equity over time, you are looking for the quick sale to earn your profits. If you are going to explore house flipping—whether as a full-time career or just a side hustle—you will want to know exactly what you are getting into. That is why we are going to cover the pros and cons of fix and flip real estate investment in this article. The Pros of Fix and Flip Here are some of the pros of fix and flip investing: Faster Return on Investment—The biggest appeal of fix and flip investing is that it gives you a quicker return on investment. Buy and hold will take you longer to see your ROI. House flipping allows you to see your full profit (hopefully) as soon as the house sells. The average house flip for an experienced investor is around six months. It may take longer for a first-timer who is just learning how to do certain things. Fairly Safe Investment—As long as you do all your projections and calculations carefully and avoid any major problems along the way, house flipping is a relatively safe investment strategy compared to something as turbulent as the stock market. Real estate markets are generally predictable and the short time frame of a flip helps you avoid losses if the property happens to depreciate over a longer period of time. Exciting—There is a reason why there are so many reality shows based around flipping and none based on buy and hold investing. It’s an exciting process to buy a home, gut it and completely renovate it. Then, you get the ultimate reward of selling it and collecting the profits—as long as you do things right. The Cons of Fix and Flip Here are some of the cons of fix and flip investing: Upfront Expenses—A house flip will require a lot of upfront expenses. We’re not only talking about financing the house itself, but all the renovation costs and other expenses involved in the flip. You are laying out all that money at the beginning and only seeing your returns when the property sells. This can create cash flow issues and stress if you fall being schedule or go above your initial budget. Taxes—House flips will usually create dramatic swings in income year over year, and that can increase your tax bill. You have to pace things correctly to take advantage of specific capital gains tax rules. Capital gains taxes are higher on any property owned less than a year, so you have to find that balance of how long you own any specific investment properties and how long it takes to complete the renovation and sale. Before you get too deep into fix and flip investing, you will want to talk with your tax advisor to make sure you have the right plan in place. Surprises—All real estate investment is susceptible to surprises. You don’t always know what lies behind the walls until you start the renovation process. You cannot plan for everything as a real estate investor, but you have to be prepared for anything. It is a good idea to add some wiggle room in your budget and overestimate your renovation expenses/timeline to cover any surprises that may come up. These are some of the biggest pros and cons of fix and flip real estate investment. Of course, there are other things you need to know as an investor, so be sure and do your homework in order to get the most out of your investment portfolio. Both fix and flip and buy and hold strategies can be highly lucrative if you do things right. There are no wrong answers, but there are wrong ways of doing things if you truly want to be successful in this field. If you are looking for great investment properties to fix and flip, join the exclusive PropertyLark home buyers’ network. If you qualify, you’ll have access to our exclusive off-market deals and analytics tools that will help you identify the best investments and get the highest possible ROI. Fill out the contact form and questionnaire on the PropertyLark buyer’s site to apply!

The Challenge When we first met with our clients, they had a number of dislikes about the master bathroom in their seasonal Bonita Springs home. While the space was palatial, it just didn’t function well for them. Furthermore, it didn’t reflect their sense of style. They wanted to update fixtures and finishes with a splash of color and redesign the large, cave-like shower to include additional drainage and ventilation. Our Solution Our design team concluded that a complete reconfiguration of the entire master bathroom was the best way to give our clients the functionality and open feel they envisioned. We removed the cumbersome center island and the built-in Jacuzzi in favor of a new focal point – a freestanding soaker tub – and created a new footprint for the shower. The new curbless double-headed shower design with floor-to-ceiling glass on three sides was guaranteed to provide the openness our clients were looking for. We raised the shower floor to match the main level and ran a large linear drain to move water quickly out of the shower. For the final touch, we installed floating quartz shower seats and his-and-hers niches for extra storage. In the toilet room, we installed a large double storage cabinet for linens and extra storage. We also installed separate his-and-hers vanities with floating dark wood cabinetry and quartz countertops, accented with stacked stone mosaic tile. We also added floating medicine cabinet mirrors and painted the bathroom walls in the striking blue color our clients selected to compliment the lively hues throughout their home. The Result Ultimately, the new layout brought our clients’ vision to life. With vibrant, updated finishes, the updated space was much more suited to their style. Since our clients only reside in Bonita Springs part of the year, we were also able to complete the project while they were away from home. Upon their return, our clients were so thrilled with the results that they sent us this review: “Their integrity, quality, friendliness, and excellent communication added up to completely satisfied clients …we would definitely – and without question – use Progressive Builders again!”

“Home” is in the Valley…Designed & Built What a difference the right curb appeal can make. It plays a significant role in that warm, inviting feeling you get when you return. A well-maintained lawn, vibrant flowers lining the walkway, and a charming front brick porch adorned with cozy seating was designed and built to create an immediate sense of welcome. The outdoor colors of the exterior hardscapes evoke a feeling of sophistication, tranquility and cheerfulness, especially how it complements the surrounding landscape. A tasteful front door, framed by decorative plants, draws you in and hints at the warmth inside. Details like outdoor lighting, decorative house numbers and seasonal wreath add character and shows that the home is loved and cared for. Each time you pull onto the brick paver driveway, it reminds you of the comfort and joy that awaits inside, making every return feel like a heartfelt reunion. A lifetime of memories will be made here and become some of the most cherished moments in our clients lives as well as their friends and family. Ultimately, it’s the everyday moments—the small, simple pleasures—that weave the fabric of memories in a cozy home, making it a sanctuary filled with love, laughter, and lasting joy.