When planning to construct their elegant new home in Rye, NH, our clients envisioned a large, open room with a vaulted ceiling adjacent to the kitchen. The goal? To introduce as much natural light as is possible into the area which includes the kitchen, a dining area, and the adjacent great room. As always, Sunspace is able to work with any specialists you’ve hired for your project. In this case, Sunspace Design worked with the clients and their designer on the conservatory roof system so that it would achieve an ideal appearance that paired beautifully with the home’s architecture. The glass roof meshes with the existing sloped roof on the exterior and sloped ceiling on the interior. By utilizing a concealed steel ridge attached to a structural beam at the rear, we were able to bring the conservatory ridge back into the sloped ceiling. The resulting design achieves the flood of natural light our clients were dreaming of. Ample sunlight penetrates deep into the great room and the kitchen, while the glass roof provides a striking visual as you enter the home through the foyer. By working closely with our clients and their designer, we were able to provide our clients with precisely the look, feel, function, and quality they were hoping to achieve. This is something we pride ourselves on at Sunspace Design. Consider our services for your residential project and we’ll ensure that you also receive exactly what you envisioned.

Whether you're preparing a Thanksgiving feast or grabbing breakfast on the go as you whirl out the door to work, having a highly functional kitchen requires an upfront attention to design detail that borders on fanatical. That's why Colorado Fine Woodworks' kitchen cabinet projects include an in-depth discussion about how you actually use your kitchen. Left-handed or right-handed? Doors or drawers? Concealing or revealing? We ask all the questions, listen to your answers, take our own measurements onsite, create 3D drawings, manage installation, and collaborate with you to ensure even the smallest elements are carefully considered. And, of course, we also make it beautiful, whether your tastes tend toward traditional or contemporary, incorporating influences from elegant to rustic to reclaimed. Our work is: - exclusively custom, built EXACTLY to the specifications of your kitchen - designed to optimize every square inch, with no fillers or dead spaces - crafted to highlight or hide any feature you wish - including your appliances - thoughtfully and thoroughly plotted, from hinges to hardware

By removing the wall that separated the dining room from the kitchen, we were able to add the pantry/mudroom behind the kitchen, which was initially upfront and very open to the first-floor living spaces. New custom cabinetry was installed with shaker-style cabinet doors in a beautiful antique green color. The cabinets were topped with striking black quartz countertops and completed with new commercial-grade appliances, chrome plumbing fixtures, and vintage pendant lights. New wood floors were installed and finished to match the existing wood floors throughout the first floor. Leveraging the talented skills of our lead carpenter, we were able to match the existing trim in the newly remodeled areas.

By removing the wall that separated the dining room from the kitchen, we were able to add the pantry/mudroom behind the kitchen, which was initially upfront and very open to the first-floor living spaces. New custom cabinetry was installed with shaker-style cabinet doors in a beautiful antique green color. The cabinets were topped with striking black quartz countertops and completed with new commercial-grade appliances, chrome plumbing fixtures, and vintage pendant lights. New wood floors were installed and finished to match the existing wood floors throughout the first floor.

Floral designer Laurie Garza of Fleurie | Flower Studio sourced a variety of pink, cream, apricot and blush American-grown roses from Eufloria Flowers. All other ingredients grown in Fleurie cutting garden: silver dollar eucalyptus, scented geranium, jasmine vine, dusty Miller, scabiosa, poppy pods and oregano blooms. Fleurie Photography

Whether you're preparing a Thanksgiving feast or grabbing breakfast on the go as you whirl out the door to work, having a highly functional kitchen requires an upfront attention to design detail that borders on fanatical. That's why Colorado Fine Woodworks' kitchen cabinet projects include an in-depth discussion about how you actually use your kitchen. Left-handed or right-handed? Doors or drawers? Concealing or revealing? We ask all the questions, listen to your answers, take our own measurements onsite, create 3D drawings, manage installation, and collaborate with you to ensure even the smallest elements are carefully considered. And, of course, we also make it beautiful, whether your tastes tend toward traditional or contemporary, incorporating influences from elegant to rustic to reclaimed. Our work is: - exclusively custom, built EXACTLY to the specifications of your kitchen - designed to optimize every square inch, with no fillers or dead spaces - crafted to highlight or hide any feature you wish - including your appliances - thoughtfully and thoroughly plotted, from hinges to hardware

Garden 2 in Santa Monica http://www.nativeplantgardentour.org/gardens/garden-2-in-santa-monica/ Photo Credit: Philip Oakley Otto

"We would just like to say a world of thanks for the great job you guys did remodeling our house. it was finished right on the time schedule you laid out. Going into the project Belle and i were greatly concerned after hearing all the horror stories of remodeling a home.You guys from the very beginning were upfront with all the issues that may occur during the rebuild and that helped us get through the project. John was always accommodating when we had questions to say a word of thanks to your crew Bob, Dave and Paul and the rest of the gang for their fine workmanship on the rebuild.W We would recommend Newland Construction to anyone who is looking to remodel his or her home. Best Regards, Bob and Belle Hara" Professional Design-Build Contractor offering high quality work at an affordable price! We are a family run company that has been in business since 1982, operated by two brothers known for their integrity, honesty, and beautiful craftsmanship. You dream it, we build it!

Photography by Natalie Marotta Bungalows are lovable homes, but how can they be better? Along with many of our clients, we find that older (early 20th c.) homes have a lot of character and a comfortable scale, but are leaky, damp (especially in the basement), have fair to poor air quality, and use unconscionable amounts of fossil fuels to heat. The owners of this bungalow were ready to change that, and wanted to do so with minimal upfront carbon emissions as well. The gut renovation included replacing the basement slab and providing capillary breaks and insulation continuously below grade. The brick structure was treated with a fluid-applied air and water barrier from the interior and insulated entirely with cellulose, a carbon-storing insulation. The roof used HFO-blown spray foam to provide sufficient insulation while allowing headroom for bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry. One great benefit of a full renovation is the possibility of reconfiguring spaces to suit the family’s lifestyle, and to make the best of indoor-outdoor connections. We opened up the main rooms on the first floor, creating a family gathering spot with a view to the back yard, and a spacious kitchen that supports the family’s commitment to cooking for healthy eating. The stair uses a north-facing skylight to bring light from above into the middle of the home, where it was previously dark. As a decarbonization retrofit, the inefficient furnace was replaced with two small ducted heat pump systems, water heating and clothes drying are powered by air-source heat pumps, and cooking uses an induction cooktop plus electric ovens. Energy recovery ventilation provides filtered fresh air continuous exhaust from the kitchen, baths, and laundry, and supplies fresh, highly filtered air to bedrooms and living spaces. The Better Bungalow now makes sense for the 21st century–it now fits the owners’ life-patterns, is super comfortable, has great air quality, and uses a fraction of the energy it did before, greatly lowering the demand on the utility grid. In the near future, when solar PV is installed, it can achieve net zero or near net zero emissions, and with battery backup, can provide great resilience in the event of power outages.

Photography by Natalie Marotta Bungalows are lovable homes, but how can they be better? Along with many of our clients, we find that older (early 20th c.) homes have a lot of character and a comfortable scale, but are leaky, damp (especially in the basement), have fair to poor air quality, and use unconscionable amounts of fossil fuels to heat. The owners of this bungalow were ready to change that, and wanted to do so with minimal upfront carbon emissions as well. The gut renovation included replacing the basement slab and providing capillary breaks and insulation continuously below grade. The brick structure was treated with a fluid-applied air and water barrier from the interior and insulated entirely with cellulose, a carbon-storing insulation. The roof used HFO-blown spray foam to provide sufficient insulation while allowing headroom for bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry. One great benefit of a full renovation is the possibility of reconfiguring spaces to suit the family’s lifestyle, and to make the best of indoor-outdoor connections. We opened up the main rooms on the first floor, creating a family gathering spot with a view to the back yard, and a spacious kitchen that supports the family’s commitment to cooking for healthy eating. The stair uses a north-facing skylight to bring light from above into the middle of the home, where it was previously dark. As a decarbonization retrofit, the inefficient furnace was replaced with two small ducted heat pump systems, water heating and clothes drying are powered by air-source heat pumps, and cooking uses an induction cooktop plus electric ovens. Energy recovery ventilation provides filtered fresh air continuous exhaust from the kitchen, baths, and laundry, and supplies fresh, highly filtered air to bedrooms and living spaces. The Better Bungalow now makes sense for the 21st century–it now fits the owners’ life-patterns, is super comfortable, has great air quality, and uses a fraction of the energy it did before, greatly lowering the demand on the utility grid. In the near future, when solar PV is installed, it can achieve net zero or near net zero emissions, and with battery backup, can provide great resilience in the event of power outages.

Mid-sized transitional beige tile, black tile, brown tile, gray tile and ceramic tile alcove shower photo with beige walls

Visit our site to learn more about this style and to view our up-front, transparent installed pricing.
Inspiration for a coastal exterior home remodel in St Louis

A complete front yard and backyard transformation, this Catie’s Way home offers a bit of everything. New features range from a large pool and deck area to a complete outdoor kitchen. Multiple seating options create the ultimate flexibility for outdoor entertaining or relaxing. Upfront, visitors are greeted by a winding stone walkway and a newly rebuilt driveway.

This historic home in Oak Park was in need of updating, with deferred maintenance inside and out requiring extensive work. This created an opportunity to rethink the house for a modern family in the 21st century, with an updated plan, a strong connection to the yard from the kitchen and new mudroom, covered patio, and flexible rooms for work-at-home, gym, or guest functions. The insulation and mechanical systems were upgraded to Phius levels, and a solar PV array added to meet annual net zero energy performance. With minimal upfront energy expenditure, the home’s operational carbon was reduced by 100%, and the house is a delightful place for the young family to grow into.

First impressions matter, and staging your listing is the best way to make a good one. Whether buyers are looking at listing photos online or attending an open house, staging can make a big difference in how a house is perceived. And when you work with Curbio, you stage now, pay when you sell, because paying upfront for staging is the last thing you should be worrying about. We are the pre-sale experts. From refreshes to remodels, digital open houses to agent resources, prepping homes for market is our specialty. 97% of agents agree that staged listings make a better first impression, but 23% have paid out of pocket to stage a listing.

This historic home in Oak Park was in need of updating, with deferred maintenance inside and out requiring extensive work. This created an opportunity to rethink the house for a modern family in the 21st century, with an updated plan, a strong connection to the yard from the kitchen and new mudroom, covered patio, and flexible rooms for work-at-home, gym, or guest functions. The insulation and mechanical systems were upgraded to Phius levels, and a solar PV array added to meet annual net zero energy performance. With minimal upfront energy expenditure, the home’s operational carbon was reduced by 100%, and the house is a delightful place for the young family to grow into.

Running a small restaurant is a high-wire act - delicious plates on one end, razor-thin margins on the other. With food costs averaging 28-35 percent of revenue and labor at 30 percent, every dollar counts. The good news? Targeted tweaks can shave 10-20 percent off your bottom line without sacrificing quality. From smarter sourcing to streamlined waste handling, these strategies empower independents to thrive. One underrated gem: Efficient waste management via roll-off dumpster rentals, which can slash disposal fees by up to 40 percent. Let's break it down. Optimize Inventory: Waste Less, Save More Overstocked pantries are profit killers - U.S. restaurants toss $25 billion in food yearly. Audit weekly. Track sales data to forecast demand, using apps like Toast or MarketMan for real-time insights. Trim your menu to 12-15 core items, focusing on seasonal, high-margin stars like farm-fresh salads over imported proteins. Portion control is key - pre-weighed scoops cut overuse by 15 percent. Repurpose scraps creatively. Veggie peels into stocks, bread ends for croutons. Donate extras to food banks via apps like Too Good To Go, earning tax deductions up to $5,000 annually. These habits reclaim 5-10 percent of food budgets, freeing cash for upgrades. Additionally, consider using citrus rinds for infused oils or desserts, and coffee grounds for compost to support local gardens. Engaging staff in sustainability efforts also builds morale and can be highlighted in marketing materials to attract eco-conscious diners. Trim Energy and Utilities: Go Green for Greenbacks Utilities gobble 4-10 percent of expenses. Swap to LED bulbs and energy-star appliances - upfront costs pay back in 6-12 months via 20-30 percent bill drops. Install low-flow faucets and programmable thermostats; during off-hours, dial down to 55°F to save $200/month on HVAC. Use induction cooktops for precise heat, reducing gas by 15 percent. Train staff on "last out" protocols - unplugging idle equipment. Solar panels? For rooftops under 1,000 sq ft, incentives cover 30 percent installation, yielding ROI in 5 years.  Master Waste Management: Dumpsters as Cost Commanders Trash isn't just garbage - it's a budget black hole, with disposal eating 2-5 percent of revenues. Small spots generate 1-2 tons monthly from food scraps, packaging, and grease. Ditch overflowing bins and irregular hauls for roll-off dumpster rentals. A 10-15 yard unit centralizes waste, handling bulk like fryer oil drums or produce crates without daily pickups. Efficiency Over Headcount Labor's your biggest line item - cross-train staff for multi-roles, like servers prepping during lulls, trimming overtime 10-15 percent. Shift scheduling software optimizes based on reservations, avoiding idle payroll. Negotiate bulk buys with local suppliers for 5-10 percent discounts; loyalty programs from Sysco yield free deliveries. Go digital - QR menus cut printing costs, speed table turnover, and allow menu updates in real time without waste. Loyalty apps boost repeat visits without increasing your advertising budget, making it easier to track customer preferences and send targeted promotions. Consider bundling purchases with other area restaurants to unlock deeper discounts and leverage supplier relationships for exclusive seasonal specials. These strategies can reduce overhead, improve customer retention, and keep operations flexible as trends shift.

Green Home Systems provides reliable solar power solutions to residential and commercial customers all over the country. Recently, we had the opportunity to work with Bruce D. in Jacksonville, IL to provide a 19kW solar system for his home. We were able to complete this job quickly and efficiently, delivering a high quality product at an affordable price. At Green Home Systems, our mission is to provide our customers with the best customer service in the industry as well as unparalleled solar solutions at the most economical price. We understand that not everyone can afford large upfront costs associated with installing solar systems and we are proud to offer competitive financing options that make it easier for our customers to go solar without breaking the bank. This was certainly true for Bruce D., who took advantage of our financing options and was able to have his new solar system installed within a couple of weeks time. Our team worked hard to ensure everything went smoothly when installing Bruce’s new system. We began by inspecting his roof to determine if it was suitable for installation and if there were any potential problems that needed addressing before beginning work. Once we determined everything was in order we then moved on to designing and installing the system itself. Our team of experienced professionals worked diligently to ensure each component was installed properly and securely so that it would be able to withstand years of exposure to the elements without issue. We also made sure that Bruce was aware of all the financial benefits associated with having a photovoltaic system installed on his home. He was now able to take advantage of numerous tax credits available in Illinois as well as decreased utility bills due to reduced consumption from his local electricity provider. Additionally, he will be able to increase the value of his home by having a solar power system installed which will make it more attractive should he decide he wants to sell it down the line. In conclusion, we are proud of our work with Bruce D. in Jacksonville, IL and were happy to provide him with an efficient and cost-effective way to add renewable energy sources into his home’s power grid. Our team worked diligently throughout every stage of this project from design through installation until completion and we are thrilled with the results. We look forward to continuing our work throughout Illinois providing reliable solar solutions at competitive prices so that more people can benefit from this clean source of energy!