Well Known Hobbies - Photos & Ideas

Shaw Floorte Awaken HD Plus Accent 704SA 9" Luxury Vinyl Plank

Awaken HD Plus Accent is an amazing style from the Floorte collection from the widely known Shaw Floors. Shaw Floors is a very well known flooring manufacturer. With all of its years in the industry, it has learned from experience how to make the best flooring. The floorte collection is known for its durability and its waterproof surface. It is easy to clean and makes cleaning spills and accidents a breeze. https://www.georgiacarpet.com/products/shaw-floorte-awaken-hd-plus-accent-704sa-9-luxury-vinyl-plank.html

Bee Design Projects

Bee Design

Guest bathroom is a unique place that reflects the owner's taste and style. Also, it is vital for your guest comfort if they are hosted for the night. The bathroom can be used as a multifunction space weather for your laundry, pet or showering. Use your space wisely to benefit your lifestyle and guest. It is vital a well bespoke designed bathroom is rich in colors and materials. How many of you are taken by an impressive bathroom at your friend's house? and recognized how stylish and influential this house is. Every space deserves a well-designed attention. Let Bee Design in Chiswick, help you turn your dream home into reality. Bee Design is a virtual interior design company. It provides a selection of interior design packages from plan layout, mood board to visual images. The final outcome is a curated shopping list especially selected for the room with guidance to purchase and execute. Bee Design is delegated to manage budget and time schedule to achieve better results and performance according to customer’s request. It’s online collaboration with well-known brands and suppliers helps to enhance any space. The website has an action button for a free consultation call with an email and portal tool for further communication. Bee Design is across the U.K market making it possible for anyone to design their home through virtual communication. beedesign.uk #moderninteriors #designyourdreamhome #moderninteriordesigners #homedecor #Beedesign #interiordesignservice #onlineinteriordesign #interiordesigner #homedecorideas #interiordesignservices #onlineinteriordesigner #bespokebathroomdesign

Upperville Barn Renovation

Gruver Cooley

When well known philanthropist Rachel (Bunny) Mellon passed away in 2014, a key provision of her will was that her beloved Oak Spring Garden estate in in Upperville, Virginia would be converted to a center for the study of horticulture. During her lifetime, Bunny, a devoted gardener, created stunning gardens on the estate, amassed a collection of priceless horticultural manuscripts and even designed the famous White House Rose Garden. One of the challenges of achieving her vision of a center for horticultural learning on her estate was the need to convert the Mellon's existing stables into hotel-style rooms for visiting scholars. Working with Architect Karl Riedel of Leesburg, our Interior Designer Cathleen Gruver, and Peter Crane, President of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation and his wife Elinor, Gruver Cooley transformed spaces that had once housed race horses into comfortable rooms which fit seamlessly with the spirit of the Mellon property. The original barn was designed in 1949 by New York architectural firm Cross and Sons, which was responsible for many notable buildings there. Although the barn's purpose changed dramatically, the exterior facade was maintained as originally conceived by Mr. Mellon. In the interior, all flooring, wainscoting and some millwork was fabricated using Oak Spring Farm grown timber in maple, oak, walnut and poplar. The desks within each room were also fabricated on site using wood grown on the estate. The barn is ADA accessible and 20% of the rooms meet ADA standards. Making comfortable hotel-style rooms required a number of new systems to be integrated into the structure and provided the opportunity to use sustainable best building practices. Geothermal wells were drilled to provide energy efficient low impact heating and cooling. All ductwork is insulated and sealed, icynene insulation is used on all walls and attic areas and ground level floors are insulated with R6 insulation. Low water toilets and low pressure showers are used in each of the new bathrooms, and all windows are high efficiency advanced low e glass. As you view the pictures above, we think you will agree that the Mellon Legacy has been well preserved while moving the property responsibly into a new chapter of its storied history.

All About Oak Trees

Five Star Tree Care

You might have heard the expression “strong as Oak” somewhere before. Although this saying might make you think it is talking about the strong physical attributes of the tree; like the storm-resistant trunk or the strong root system, it is actually referring to something deeper than that. Five Star Tree Services is here to dive deep into the ancient history of this magnificent tree! Throughout Greek mythology and time, the Oak tree has continuously been represented as a symbol of wisdom. It has also been the embodiment of time, strength, and wisdom. The Greeks have linked the oldest oak tree, which surpassed 300 years old, as Zeus, the God of Thunder. When we talk about this tree outside of all the symbolism it represents, it also has many other useful uses for us and animals as well. This includes things like having a strong root system that aids against erosion, producing acorns that feed farm animals, very strong wood that we can use for furniture, bringing beauty to any yard, and being a good home for wildlife. This particular tree is easy to spot amongst many others. You can depict an Oak tree by the iconic broad canopy, multi pointed leaves, and strong branches coming from the trunk. At full maturity, these trees stretch out as much as they get tall. Meaning that these trees are perfect for hanging swings, providing plenty of shade, or partake in a lovely family picnic. Oak trees are probably the most well-known and famous trees in the world. This is due to all the people who love the overall look of the tree, history, and symbolism. This tree is depicted throughout history and also has appeared in some of Hollywood’s movies. You may have seen the movie Forrest Gump and might have noticed a big beautiful tree with a couple different scenes. The Oak tree appears in the movie for the scene where Forrest and Jenny are kids and sitting on a low hanging branch. In another scene, you get to see a row of oaks and the iconic scene of “run Forrest, run”. As well as at the end of the movie where Forrest has Jenny buried. Throughout this movie, the Oak tree symbolizes strength and at-home consistency. If you are thinking about planting one of these majestic trees, you are going to need to seriously consider the placement of the permanent location where this tree will stay for its whole life. You need to think about the future growth of this tree and make accommodations for how big and wide it will get. This means thinking hundreds of years into the future and planning accordingly. Maintaining this magnificent tree is a necessity for its longevity, overall aesthetic, and for safety reasons. It will require a full pruning every couple of years and yearly fertilization in order to give the Oak tree the best care possible and to help it last many lifetimes. How Five Star Tree Service Can Help Oak trees are very symbolic, strong, and beautiful trees. When given enough room for growth, they are perfect for any home! This tress will leave a legacy for many generations to see and behold. If you have been contemplating adding this beautiful tree to your property, Five Star Tree Services would love to help you with our Toronto Tree Planting services! Our highly knowledgeable team will be able to assist you in choosing the perfect location for this tree and of course, planting it for you! If you are interested in our services, give us a call today at (416) 990-3355. To learn more, check out our website for more information.

When Booth Hansen’s client obtained seven acres of virgin forest on St. Joseph Island in Ontario, Canada, to build a retreat home, they intended to be good stewards of the land. They desired a series of cabins that were organized along the shoreline of Lake Huron but also which treaded lightly on the site. The design solution incorporated three black zinc clad volumes situated parallel to the water, sited to follow the natural contours of the land, and oriented to accentuate views to the surrounding area. Their dark color allows the cabins to recede into the shoreline forest, thereby intentionally diminishing the presence of the structures when viewed from the water. The cabins utilize a raised pier foundation, respecting the site by maintaining the natural topography, allowing snow melt and rainwater to drain naturally into the lake. Passive house insulation strategies were employed to allow optimal performance of the thermal envelope. Windows are aligned with one another to promote cross ventilation through the cabins as well as to frame specific views of the exterior from the inside. Operable windows located near the peak of each gabled volume allow for natural stack effect to remove heat from the cathedral ceiling volumes as well as to allow diffuse light to enter. For thermal comfort, radiant floor heating was utilized and geothermal loops were installed into the bottom of the lake to sustainably heat and cool the home. Custom zinc clad operable shutters are recessed into the walls on a concealed track to secure the building and protect the windows when it is not in use, but recede from view and provide additional insulation to the walls when open. Programming for this 4,500-square-foot group of cabins includes 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, powder room, great room, study/library and garage. A central living cabin holds the living and dining spaces and opens onto a waterfront deck. Glass bridge connectors on either side reach to two sleeping cabins. The study comprises floor to ceiling book shelves and a view across the water to the distant lighthouse, a structure that recalls fond childhood memories for our client, a well-known fiction writer. Deeper In the woods, a 1500 sf 2 level detached garage surprises and delights by housing a private dance studio on the second floor for our client’s wife, a famous flamenco dancer. Four sides of glass allow dancing among the treetops along with a view back to the water. While our clients were intrigued by the austere black zinc cladding for the exterior, on the inside of the home, a more whimsical aesthetic was desired. The earthy interior palette was pulled directly from the surrounding landscape. Jade green cabinets emulate the pine trees, while chocolate toned wood flooring recalls the forest floor. Furniture and personal items further propagate the idea of natural moments of color in the woods.

Articles | Blogs

Mayflower Construction Group

In this blog, we’ll continue our discussion on how to select the perfect countertop for your kitchen, bathroom or anywhere else you might be considering putting stone. Custom closets, fireplace surrounds, feature walls, and outdoor lounge areas are also great places to utilize stone. In our last blog, we discussed natural stone and why you might choose that material over the popular man made alternatives. In this blog, we’ll discuss the most well-known types of natural stones and their pros and cons. Use the QR code or link below to check out PART 2 of our blog series! Link: https://mayflowerva.com/how-to-choose-a-countertop-part-one-2/

Modern Farmhouse Kitchen with a Touch of Hickory & Blue

Dura Supreme Cabinetry

This modern farmhouse kitchen features a beautiful combination of Navy Blue painted and gray stained Hickory cabinets that’s sure to be an eye-catcher. The elegant “Morel” stain blends and harmonizes the natural Hickory wood grain while emphasizing the grain with a subtle gray tone that beautifully coordinated with the cool, deep blue paint. The “Gale Force” SW 7605 blue paint from Sherwin-Williams is a stunning deep blue paint color that is sophisticated, fun, and creative. It’s a stunning statement-making color that’s sure to be a classic for years to come and represents the latest in color trends. It’s no surprise this beautiful navy blue has been a part of Dura Supreme’s Curated Color Collection for several years, making the top 6 colors for 2017 through 2020. Beyond the beautiful exterior, there is so much well-thought-out storage and function behind each and every cabinet door. The two beautiful blue countertop towers that frame the modern wood hood and cooktop are two intricately designed larder cabinets built to meet the homeowner’s exact needs. The larder cabinet on the left is designed as a beverage center with apothecary drawers designed for housing beverage stir sticks, sugar packets, creamers, and other misc. coffee and home bar supplies. A wine glass rack and shelves provides optimal storage for a full collection of glassware while a power supply in the back helps power coffee & espresso (machines, blenders, grinders and other small appliances that could be used for daily beverage creations. The roll-out shelf makes it easier to fill clean and operate each appliance while also making it easy to put away. Pocket doors tuck out of the way and into the cabinet so you can easily leave open for your household or guests to access, but easily shut the cabinet doors and conceal when you’re ready to tidy up. Beneath the beverage center larder is a drawer designed with 2 layers of multi-tasking storage for utensils and additional beverage supplies storage with space for tea packets, and a full drawer of K-Cup storage. The cabinet below uses powered roll-out shelves to create the perfect breakfast center with power for a toaster and divided storage to organize all the daily fixings and pantry items the household needs for their morning routine. On the right, the second larder is the ultimate hub and center for the homeowner’s baking tasks. A wide roll-out shelf helps store heavy small appliances like a KitchenAid Mixer while making them easy to use, clean, and put away. Shelves and a set of apothecary drawers help house an assortment of baking tools, ingredients, mixing bowls and cookbooks. Beneath the counter a drawer and a set of roll-out shelves in various heights provides more easy access storage for pantry items, misc. baking accessories, rolling pins, mixing bowls, and more. The kitchen island provides a large worktop, seating for 3-4 guests, and even more storage! The back of the island includes an appliance lift cabinet used for a sewing machine for the homeowner’s beloved hobby, a deep drawer built for organizing a full collection of dishware, a waste recycling bin, and more! All and all this kitchen is as functional as it is beautiful! Request a FREE Dura Supreme Brochure Packet: http://www.durasupreme.com/request-brochure

Basement Brewhouse

Angela Brown Photography LLC

Lincoln Net Positive Farmhouse

ZeroEnergy Design

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Lincoln Net Positive Farmhouse

ZeroEnergy Design

A Beverage Center Larder Used as a Compact Home Bar and Liqueur Cabinet

Dura Supreme Cabinetry

The Chairish Villa at The Colony Hotel

Chairish

The Chairish Villa at The Colony is a celebration of authentic Palm Beach style, reimagined for today’s tastemaking and affluent guests. As America’s premier emporium for vintage and antique furnishings, Chairish is known for serving up historical design expertise with heaping sides of high/low chic and playful irreverence. Likewise, the Colony is celebrated the world over as a vintage mecca with a 100-year history of tastemaking residents. This spirit of play guided our design approach, and the Chairish Villa fearlessly mixes historically significant, Palm Beach specific design themes with modern additions like contemporary art, mid-century furnishings and sophisticated layering to delight The Colony’s fashionable clientele. Chinoiserie motifs, animalia details, wicker, rattan, and breezy hues abound. Palm Beach is a famed treasure trove of vintage and antique furnishings, offered by an extensive community of expert local purveyors. Almost all the furnishings selected by Chairish for the project were locally sourced from Chairish dealers within 5 miles from the hotel, making The Chairish Villa at The Colony both a fashionable and sustainable destination. We used matching archival wallpaper and fabric pairings. This approach was specifically inspired by the Yellow Roses Room at the Flagler Mansion, and we sourced our textile, wallpaper, and trim pairings exclusively from our partner Schumacher Hospitality. Schumacher’s Del Tesoro pattern, based on a 19th-century French document, served as the project’s overall jumping off point. We also used Hydrangea Drape, which was inspired by a design of Hobe Erwin. The villa features over 40 pieces of art: largely comprised of contemporary works from 20 artists from around the world, half of which were tapped to create original works specific to the space. This impressive showing is complemented by a small selection of vintage artwork as well. Noteworthy Artists include: Liz Marsh, Hope Olson, Brock DeBoer, Lia Burke Libaire, Venetia Syms, Ron Giusti, and Virginia Chamlee, among others. Special thanks to our local partners for their incredible work on this project, particularly: Catharine Willmer Interiors (Interior Design) David’s Drapery Workroom (Window Treatments) Associated Interior Designer Service (Upholstery) Wallpaper by Wendy (Wallpaper Hanger/Installer) Illume (Custom Lampshades)

THE MINNE STUGA

Marvin

Way up North, nestled among pine trees, Melissa Coleman’s cedar-clad A-frame cabin is a modern retreat for outdoor lovers. Coleman, a designer and blogger known as The Faux Martha, completely renovated the dilapidated structure. The dramatic renovation is an homage to Minnesota and cabin culture. As part of her renovation, Coleman replaced permanently fogged windows with products from the Marvin Ultimate collection. She also chose the Marvin Skycove and Marvin Awaken Skylights to fill the previously dim space with natural light and views of the Northwoods. “[The Skycove] looks like it’s always been there. Like it was always supposed to be there,” said Melissa Coleman. “And somehow, a wall of glass windows is incredibly cozy. Just add a cushion and a heavy wool blanket, a good cup of pour-over and a book, and well, you have your weekend plans. If you could install magic in a space, this is the way to do it.” MARVIN PRODUCTS USED: Marvin Modern Direct Glaze Window Marvin Modern Casement Window Marvin Modern Awning Window Marvin Ultimate Sliding French Door Marvin Ultimate Swinging French Door Architecture Firm: The Faux Martha Builder: Taiga Design+Build, LLC

The Chairish Villa at The Colony Hotel

Chairish

Musical Retreat

Pelletier + Schaar

This musical retreat was designed to give the client a space to enjoy his music as well as his many other hobbies.
Example of a 1960s home theater design in Seattle