Search results for "Void aired" in Home Design Ideas

The Control/Shift House is perched on the high side of the site which takes advantage of the view to the southeast. A gradual descending path navigates the change in terrain from the street to the entry of the house. A series of low retaining walls/planter beds gather and release the earth upon the descent resulting in a fairly flat level for the house to sit on the top one third of the site. The entry axis is aligned with the celebrated stair volume and then re-centers on the actual entry axis once you approach the forecourt of the house.
The initial desire was for an “H” scheme house with common entertaining spaces bridging the gap between the more private spaces. After an investigation considering the site, program, and view, a key move was made: unfold the east wing of the “H” scheme to open all rooms to the southeast view resulting in a “T” scheme. The new derivation allows for both a swim pool which is on axis with the entry and main gathering space and a lap pool which occurs on the cross axis extending along the lengthy edge of the master suite, providing direct access for morning exercise and a view of the water throughout the day.
The Control/Shift House was derived from a clever way of following the “rules.” Strict HOA guidelines required very specific exterior massing restrictions which limits the lengths of unbroken elevations and promotes varying sizes of masses. The solution most often used in this neighborhood is one of addition - an aggregation of masses and program randomly attached to the inner core of the house which often results in a parasitic plan. The approach taken with the Control/Shift House was to push and pull program/massing to delineate and define the layout of the house. Massing is intentional and reiterated by the careful selection of materiality that tracks through the house. Voids and relief in the plan are a natural result of this method and allow for light and air to circulate throughout every space of the house, even into the most inner core.
Photography: Charles Davis Smith

Powder room with glam geometric wallpaper complimented with a vessel sink rustic vanity with riveted hardware. Counter top is quartz Viatera - Truffle. Mirror framed wall mirror.
Ryan Hainey

Welcome to the world of barn doors. Here, we are all about showcasing the perfect blend of aesthetics, functionality, and charm, all packed in a singular piece. We present you with an extensive collection of barn doors ranging from rustic to modern, to fit right in with your interior design vision.
Uncover the versatile personality of barn doors
Barn doors are not just for the country-side vibe anymore. They instigate a breath of fresh air, straying away from traditional door selections. Barn doors are elegant and surprisingly adaptable, fitting into any space regardless of the style be it an industrial loft or a cosmopolitan studio apartment.
Add black matte barn doors to your color story
Why not add a bit of drama to your living space with our black matte barn doors? This sophisticated shade is the personification of chic, bringing out an intriguing contrast against a light interior or blending in smoothly with a darker palette.
Step into the new age of door-color coordination with our Black Rail
It's high time we move beyond matching doors with just our walls, floorings, and ceilings. We bring you our innovative Black Rail color that beautifully uplifts not just your barn door, but the entire doorframe too, creating a harmonious, all-rounded synchrony. Not to mention, it adds a unique twist to your door aesthetics narrative.
Harness the magic of reflections with our mirror glass barn doors
Let us walk you through the wondrous world of mirror glass barn doors. Our doors create an illusion of amplified space, bouncing off the light to spruce up your rooms brightness. They also significantly come in handy as last-minute checks before stepping out. Plus, is there anything more stunning than a shimmering mirror barn door stealing the spotlight?
Create maximalism with minimal components
Our barn doors feature a straightforward and clean design, void of excessive panels yet pull off a commanding presence. The combination of the reflective mirror glass and an arresting black matte finish or black rail is all you need to create a minimalist yet luxurious appeal.
Embrace the ease of ordering with Unitedporte
If you seek to order and buy doors of unmatched caliber, all from the comfort of your home, we are here for you. Our process is neat, methodical, and customer-centric. With us, you have the liberty to choose from a diverse range of barn doors and other interior doors that resonate with your style and enhance your living space.
Are you excited about elevating your home decor with our stunning collection of barn doors? Then don't wait! The door to superior quality, excellent craftsmanship, and your dream interior is just a click away!
Find the right local pro for your project

Welcome to the world of barn doors. Here, we are all about showcasing the perfect blend of aesthetics, functionality, and charm, all packed in a singular piece. We present you with an extensive collection of barn doors ranging from rustic to modern, to fit right in with your interior design vision.
Uncover the versatile personality of barn doors
Barn doors are not just for the country-side vibe anymore. They instigate a breath of fresh air, straying away from traditional door selections. Barn doors are elegant and surprisingly adaptable, fitting into any space regardless of the style be it an industrial loft or a cosmopolitan studio apartment.
Add black matte barn doors to your color story
Why not add a bit of drama to your living space with our black matte barn doors? This sophisticated shade is the personification of chic, bringing out an intriguing contrast against a light interior or blending in smoothly with a darker palette.
Step into the new age of door-color coordination with our Black Rail
It's high time we move beyond matching doors with just our walls, floorings, and ceilings. We bring you our innovative Black Rail color that beautifully uplifts not just your barn door, but the entire doorframe too, creating a harmonious, all-rounded synchrony. Not to mention, it adds a unique twist to your door aesthetics narrative.
Harness the magic of reflections with our mirror glass barn doors
Let us walk you through the wondrous world of mirror glass barn doors. Our doors create an illusion of amplified space, bouncing off the light to spruce up your rooms brightness. They also significantly come in handy as last-minute checks before stepping out. Plus, is there anything more stunning than a shimmering mirror barn door stealing the spotlight?
Create maximalism with minimal components
Our barn doors feature a straightforward and clean design, void of excessive panels yet pull off a commanding presence. The combination of the reflective mirror glass and an arresting black matte finish or black rail is all you need to create a minimalist yet luxurious appeal.
Embrace the ease of ordering with Unitedporte
If you seek to order and buy doors of unmatched caliber, all from the comfort of your home, we are here for you. Our process is neat, methodical, and customer-centric. With us, you have the liberty to choose from a diverse range of barn doors and other interior doors that resonate with your style and enhance your living space.
Are you excited about elevating your home decor with our stunning collection of barn doors? Then don't wait! The door to superior quality, excellent craftsmanship, and your dream interior is just a click away!

Concrete can be made to look like any substance. Tile, stone, wood, brick, etc. With unlimited color options, Ky-Kan Coatings can transform any room in your home or business using lightweight, beautiful concrete.

We used: Custom cherry cabinetry in Arts & Crafts Shaker style by Kabinart in Boulder and Espresso stains. Liberty Hardware Venetian bronze 1-1/2" cabinet knobs. KitchenAid Architect II Series 22 CF counter-depth French door refrigerator. KitchenAid Architect Series II 27" convection single wall oven. KitchenAid 36" 6-burner dual fuel freestanding commercial-style range. KitchenAid Architect II Series 24" dishwasher. Sharp Insight Pro Series 24" built-in microwave drawer (Model #KB6524PS). Crystorama Solaris 12" wide pendant lights in English bronze. Granite countertops in Brown Fantasy. 3"x6" polished marble backsplash.
Paint colors:
Walls: Glidden Silver Cloud 30YY 63/024
Ceilings/Trims/Doors: Glidden Swan White GLC23
Robert B. Narod Photography

Sharifi-ha House
Uncertainty and flexibility lie at the heart of the design concept in Sharifi-ha House. The sensational, spatial qualities of the interiors, as well as the formal configuration of its exterior, directly respond to the displacement of turning boxes that lead the building volume to become open or closed, obtaining introverted or extroverted character. These changes may occur according to changing seasons or functional scenarios of floor plans.
Like many other urban plots, the land for this project had a noticeably narrow façade-width compared with its length. Consequently, our expertise in transforming a two-dimensional façade to a three-dimensional one became indispensable. Here, the openness /closure of the building volume is a reference to traditional Iranian houses, which would dynamically serve as seasonal modes of habitation by offering both a Zemestan-Neshin (winter living room) and Taabestan-Neshin (summer living room) to their residents. In summertime, Sharifi-ha House offers an open /transparent /perforated volume with wide, large terraces. In contrast, during Tehran’s cold, snowy winters the volume closes itself, offering minimal openings in total absence of those wide summer terraces. In this project, the challenges to the concepts of open/closed typology (introverted/extroverted character) led to an exciting spatial transformation of an ever-changing residential building.
The House is distributed over seven floors: the two basement floors are allocated to family conviviality, fitness facilities, and wellness areas, while the ground floor hosts parking and housekeeping rooms. Public activities all happen on the first and second floors, and the family’s private life takes place on the third and fourth floors.
The project consisted of four major parts; the fixed volume of the structure, the void, and the fixed volume and the mobile volume, respectively. When the turning boxes are closed, the building captures sunlight throughout the space of the central void, which also connects the two fixed volumes by suspended bridges.
The house adapts to the functional needs of its residents. For instance, depending on whether there is a guest or not, the guest room (located on the second floor) can be reconfigured for different purposes. Similarly, home office and breakfast room (turning rooms on the first and third floors) can change the formality of their appearance according to their residents’ desire. In other words, there is always the possibility of having different seasonal or lighting scenarios, some of which have been already considered in the BMS program of the project.
From the initial design steps, we noticed that three pine trees outside could be incorporated into the spaces of the interior. Now, in the open mode of the house, the trees are pleasantly captured by the window frames.
Stepping back for about three meters from the permitted construction boundary line allowed us to provide splendid daylight for the basement floors by inserting a glass fountain. The fitness and wellness areas are accommodated between this fountain and the basement pool where reflective installations reverberate the water’s radiance all over the space.
The applied manufacturing technique for the turning mechanism was in fact a simple one; the same method which is currently employed in turning theatrical scenes, turning the floor of car exhibitions, steel companies and the shipping industry in Iran. But as our client himself was into importing CNC and other similar industrial German machines, he preferred the structural system to be fabricated in Germany. In doing so, he could engage his employees in the manufacturing process and thus train them for future maintenance purposes.
Details of the handrails and air-penetration controlling methods were major issues considered in developing the design of the turning boxes. Designing foldable handrails and refining the edges of the boxes happened to be our feasible solutions.
Considering the specialties of this kind of architecture, the structural system was inevitably a customized one. After digitally modeling the structure, a series of SAP2000 analysis were undertaken to examine static/dynamic performance of the proposed system. Being partially moveable is the dominant feature of this structural assembly, which was contemplated throughout the fabrication process by the German manufacturer company. The main loads all rest on the beams of the living rooms.
Due to the various configurations the turning boxes may take, the loading calculation has been estimated based on the largest possible loading value applied to the system. Additionally, in order to prevent structural deformation controlling the probable vibrations in the turning boxes was taken into account during the design/calculations of the structure.
The house was titled Sharifi-ha House, in honor of traditional Iranian mansions.

Sharifi-ha House
Uncertainty and flexibility lie at the heart of the design concept in Sharifi-ha House. The sensational, spatial qualities of the interiors, as well as the formal configuration of its exterior, directly respond to the displacement of turning boxes that lead the building volume to become open or closed, obtaining introverted or extroverted character. These changes may occur according to changing seasons or functional scenarios of floor plans.
Like many other urban plots, the land for this project had a noticeably narrow façade-width compared with its length. Consequently, our expertise in transforming a two-dimensional façade to a three-dimensional one became indispensable. Here, the openness /closure of the building volume is a reference to traditional Iranian houses, which would dynamically serve as seasonal modes of habitation by offering both a Zemestan-Neshin (winter living room) and Taabestan-Neshin (summer living room) to their residents. In summertime, Sharifi-ha House offers an open /transparent /perforated volume with wide, large terraces. In contrast, during Tehran’s cold, snowy winters the volume closes itself, offering minimal openings in total absence of those wide summer terraces. In this project, the challenges to the concepts of open/closed typology (introverted/extroverted character) led to an exciting spatial transformation of an ever-changing residential building.
The House is distributed over seven floors: the two basement floors are allocated to family conviviality, fitness facilities, and wellness areas, while the ground floor hosts parking and housekeeping rooms. Public activities all happen on the first and second floors, and the family’s private life takes place on the third and fourth floors.
The project consisted of four major parts; the fixed volume of the structure, the void, and the fixed volume and the mobile volume, respectively. When the turning boxes are closed, the building captures sunlight throughout the space of the central void, which also connects the two fixed volumes by suspended bridges.
The house adapts to the functional needs of its residents. For instance, depending on whether there is a guest or not, the guest room (located on the second floor) can be reconfigured for different purposes. Similarly, home office and breakfast room (turning rooms on the first and third floors) can change the formality of their appearance according to their residents’ desire. In other words, there is always the possibility of having different seasonal or lighting scenarios, some of which have been already considered in the BMS program of the project.
From the initial design steps, we noticed that three pine trees outside could be incorporated into the spaces of the interior. Now, in the open mode of the house, the trees are pleasantly captured by the window frames.
Stepping back for about three meters from the permitted construction boundary line allowed us to provide splendid daylight for the basement floors by inserting a glass fountain. The fitness and wellness areas are accommodated between this fountain and the basement pool where reflective installations reverberate the water’s radiance all over the space.
The applied manufacturing technique for the turning mechanism was in fact a simple one; the same method which is currently employed in turning theatrical scenes, turning the floor of car exhibitions, steel companies and the shipping industry in Iran. But as our client himself was into importing CNC and other similar industrial German machines, he preferred the structural system to be fabricated in Germany. In doing so, he could engage his employees in the manufacturing process and thus train them for future maintenance purposes.
Details of the handrails and air-penetration controlling methods were major issues considered in developing the design of the turning boxes. Designing foldable handrails and refining the edges of the boxes happened to be our feasible solutions.
Considering the specialties of this kind of architecture, the structural system was inevitably a customized one. After digitally modeling the structure, a series of SAP2000 analysis were undertaken to examine static/dynamic performance of the proposed system. Being partially moveable is the dominant feature of this structural assembly, which was contemplated throughout the fabrication process by the German manufacturer company. The main loads all rest on the beams of the living rooms.
Due to the various configurations the turning boxes may take, the loading calculation has been estimated based on the largest possible loading value applied to the system. Additionally, in order to prevent structural deformation controlling the probable vibrations in the turning boxes was taken into account during the design/calculations of the structure.
The house was titled Sharifi-ha House, in honor of traditional Iranian mansions.

This modern bathroom wall is a very dark grey tile made from recycled stone dust. Its color is PB 3106 Dark Grey and is in the brushed texture.
Example of a mid-sized minimalist master gray tile and stone tile bathroom design in Miami with gray walls
Example of a mid-sized minimalist master gray tile and stone tile bathroom design in Miami with gray walls

Budget Blinds blackout roller shades, photo credit installer Adam Brannick
Example of a mid-sized transitional guest bedroom design in Cedar Rapids with gray walls and no fireplace
Example of a mid-sized transitional guest bedroom design in Cedar Rapids with gray walls and no fireplace

Full-overlay Rustic Beech cabinets in the "Charleston" door style and "Briarwood" finish.
Village Home Stores
Example of a large mountain style kitchen design in Chicago
Example of a large mountain style kitchen design in Chicago

Large country u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen photo in Milwaukee with white cabinets and a peninsula

Our daily routine begins and ends in the closet, so we believe it should be a place of peace, organization and beauty. When it comes to the custom design of one of the most personal rooms in your home, we want to transform your closet and make space for everything. With an inspired closet design you are able to easily find what you need, take charge of your morning routine, and discover a feeling of harmony to carry you throughout your day.

ver look at your iron fence and wonder how rust crept up so fast? For homeowners across Chicago's North Side and Near West Side, that moment of recognition often comes too late. Windy City Painters built this project guide to help you understand exactly what a professional iron fence restoration involves, what products matter, and what Chicago's climate demands from every coat of paint applied to exposed metal.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
This iron fence restoration involved a multi-unit property featuring an ornamental iron perimeter fence typical of Chicago's greystone and courtyard building streetscape. The fence presented moderate-to-severe surface rust, multiple areas of paint delamination, and two sections with deep pitting requiring needle gun descaling before any coating could be applied. The goal was full rust remediation and a durable topcoat finish built for Chicago's demanding climate. Windy City Painters completed the project in two days with zero damage to surrounding hardscape.
MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS
Ospho Rust Converter - A phosphoric acid-based treatment that chemically transforms iron oxide into iron phosphate, halting active corrosion before primer is applied. Essential on Chicago iron exposed to decades of salt air and freeze-thaw cycling.
Corroseal Rust-Inhibitive Primer - A water-based latex primer with built-in rust inhibitors, applied over converted surfaces to seal and prepare metal for topcoating.
Sherwin-Williams DTM Acrylic Coating - Direct-to-Metal formulation delivering exceptional adhesion, flexibility, and corrosion resistance. Available in satin and semi-gloss, ideal for ornamental iron fence painting across Chicago properties.
THE PROCESS
Step 1 - Mechanical Surface Preparation: Wire wheel grinding with angle grinder attachments removed all loose rust scale, failing paint, and surface contamination. Heavily pitted sections received needle gun descaling to expose clean stable metal beneath. This step determines everything. No primer or topcoat performs correctly over compromised metal, regardless of product quality. Windy City Painters treats prep as the primary investment on every iron fence project.
Step 2 - Rust Conversion: Ospho was applied liberally to all areas showing active rust. The phosphoric acid reaction was allowed to complete fully before any priming began. On severely oxidized sections, a second Ospho application ensured complete conversion. This step is non-negotiable in Chicago where freeze-thaw cycles push moisture into every surface irregularity.
Step 3 - Priming with Corroseal: Full coverage Corroseal primer coat sealed the converted surface and established adhesion for the finish coats. Corroseal's rust-inhibitive chemistry adds a secondary barrier against moisture penetration, extending the effective life of the topcoat by years in Chicago's humid lakefront environment.
Step 4 - DTM Topcoat Application: Two coats of Sherwin-Williams DTM acrylic in satin black were applied by brush to ensure full penetration into ornamental detail. DTM's flexibility accommodates the metal expansion and contraction Chicago temperatures demand, from minus-15 winters to 95-degree July afternoons. Final coverage was uniform and true to color.
CHICAGO-SPECIFIC CHALLENGES
Chicago iron faces challenges most other markets do not. Lake Michigan humidity accelerates surface oxidation year-round. Road salt from winter de-icing migrates to fence bases and lower rails. Freeze-thaw cycling cracks poorly adhered coatings within a single winter. Greystones, two-flats, and Victorian brownstones often feature original ornamental ironwork with decades of layered paint that must be assessed before any new coating is added. Windy City Painters factors all of these conditions into every iron fence estimate and material selection.
WHAT TO EXPECT LONG-TERM
A properly prepared and coated iron fence using the Ospho, Corroseal, and Sherwin-Williams DTM system should deliver 5-8 years of performance in Chicago conditions. Annual visual inspection for chips or scratches, followed by prompt spot priming, extends that timeline significantly. Full refinishing cycles become less frequent when the initial prep work is done correctly.
PRO TIPS
Tip 1 - Never skip the rust converter. Painting over active rust with even the best topcoat guarantees early failure. Ospho or a comparable phosphoric acid treatment must precede any primer on iron showing orange or brown oxidation.
Tip 2 - Assess for weld repairs before scheduling painting. If rust has eaten through the metal creating structural voids or broken sections, a welder must address those areas before painting begins. Windy City Painters identifies weld repair needs during the free estimate.
Tip 3 - Choose satin or semi-gloss finish on iron. Flat finishes on metal hold moisture and show wear faster. Satin DTM provides enough sheen to shed water while maintaining the traditional look Chicago ornamental iron demands.
Ready to restore your iron fence the right way? Visit windypainters.com to schedule your free estimate with Windy City Painters.
FAQ
Q: What does iron fence painting cost in Chicago?
A: Most residential iron fence projects range from $500 to $1,800 depending on linear footage, rust severity, and prep requirements. Windy City Painters provides free detailed on-site estimates for accurate iron fence painting cost in Chicago.
Q: How do I know if my fence needs rust conversion or just repainting?
A: Any visible orange or brown rust requires chemical conversion before priming. Windy City Painters evaluates every fence during the estimate to determine whether Ospho, mechanical prep, or weld repair is needed before coating begins.
Q: Can you paint iron in cold Chicago weather?
A: DTM coatings have lower application temperature thresholds than standard exterior paint, but we avoid application below 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Windy City Painters schedules iron fence projects for appropriate weather windows throughout the season.
Q: How long does iron fence paint last in Chicago?
A: With complete rust conversion, Corroseal priming, and Sherwin-Williams DTM topcoat, iron fence painting in Chicago lasts 5-8 years. Annual inspections and prompt touch-ups of chips extend that timeline further.
Q: Do I need a welder before an iron fence can be painted?
A: Only if rust has created structural voids or breaks in the metal. Windy City Painters assesses this during the free estimate and can coordinate with welders when needed before our painting crew begins.
Q: What is the difference between Ospho and Corroseal?
A: Ospho is a rust converter applied directly to active rust to chemically neutralize it. Corroseal is a rust-inhibitive primer applied over converted or clean metal. Windy City Painters often uses both in sequence for maximum protection on Chicago iron.
Q: How often should Chicago iron fences be inspected?
A: Annual inspection is recommended, ideally in early spring after winter salt and freeze-thaw exposure. Catching small chips and bare spots early allows simple touch-up rather than full iron fence repainting, saving significant cost.

This 3 BR, 3 1/2 bath home allows the owners to live on one level most of the time. The Master Suite is on the main level along with the Living Room, Kitchen, Dining, pantries, Sun Room and service areas. The upper level houses two ample bedrooms while the lower level supports a rec center, media room, wine cellar, shop and full wet bar. Conceived as a Great Room house, the main level is designed as one seamless space that flows onto an ample deck overlooking the rear yard.
We also incorporated a variety of green building techniques - photo-voltaic shingles on the roof of the garage to generate a portion of the home's energy, a super insulated building envelope, rain water harvesting, high performance windows and doors, a high efficiency heat pump, low flow bath & kitchen fixtures, Energy Star appliances and LED lighting - that greatly reduced this structure's carbon footprint. All of the strategies amounted to a 30% reduction in the energy consumption in this home relative to comparable structures.

The ground floor volumes wrapped in an elongated hand-fired brick, emphasizing the horizontality of the architecture that lays solidly on the land.
(Photography by: Matthew Millman)
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