Every culture has multiple ways of saying hello. Greetings are an essential, and important, human interaction. Smiles, handshakes, high fives, and hugs all convey welcome; but, as I tell our three boys, your choice of greeting, sends a greater message than just, “hi”. A firm handshake and eye contact says a lot about you and how you regard the other person. Homes greet us, too. A home’s entrance sends a message, whether formal like a handshake or warm like a hug, it greets guests and owners with the same message. A mudroom entrance might invite a guest into the heart of the home like an old friend, or a formal entry may give a guest pause to look around and gauge the home’s owner by the impression left on the guest. One of our Red House “clients for life” is a couple that bought a builder grade development home in RI. After taking care of some high priority functional & aesthetic remodeling (a new master bathroom and walk-in closet), the owners contacted Red House again to finally upgrade the front door & entry to the home. The original, a low-end entry door from a big box store, had finally reached the end of its’ usable life. It was leaking air and starting to rust. It didn’t live up to the aesthetic improvements the owners had made in other areas of the home, and, it no longer served its purpose to shelter and protect or to welcome and greet. After gauging the space, we realized that with a few minor adjustments to the entry area, we could add some paneling above the door and center a window feature in the foyer. These details created a elegant, yet warm, formality. A three-quarter glass door with a unique window patter provides warm light and an openness that creates the friendly invitation of a true home. The newly remodeled space speaks to the quality standards of the owners of the home, and, in turn, it will continue to inform the identity of the family while they live there. But more than that, the new entry foreshadows the quality and aesthetics of the other rooms in the house, just like a firm handshake and eye contact is a preview of what to expect. - Justin Zeller owns a design-build remodeling firm, Red House Custom Building, serving RI and MA. Besides being a Certified Remodeler, Justin has led the team at Red House to win multiple peer-reviewed awards for design and service achievements. Justin also sits on the Board of Directors and serves as Vice President of EM NARI. Photos by Aaron Usher Instagram: @redhousedesignbuild

Green Patio Landscape Design is a landscape design company owned and operated by Lynn Saunders in Los Altos, CA. Specializing in creating beautiful, sustainable and functional gardens, Lynn will provide hands-on attention to your project, from preliminary design through construction.

Achieving an "island state of mind" should be as easy as walking through your own front door. Crossing the threshold should evoke a change in attitude and outlook - manifesting itself in a lifestyle that moves at an elegant but relaxed pace.

Mark Adams Pictures
Example of a mid-sized minimalist master gray tile corner shower design in San Francisco with white walls

Soft neutrals, a deep soaking tub and a personalized shower -- your own private escape.
Example of an arts and crafts bathroom design in Milwaukee

Mayfaire Volakas Grigio Basketweave 2x2 Mosaic. Beautiful Porcelain tile.
Bathroom - traditional bathroom idea in Raleigh

To design your own Brookshire plan, go visit https://www.gomsh.com/plans/two-story-home/brookshire/ifp.

Product: Authentic Limestone for Exterior Living Spaces. Ancient Surfaces Contacts: (212) 461-0245 Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com The design of external living spaces is known as the 'Al Fresco' design style as it is called in Italian. 'Al Fresco' translates into 'the open' or 'the cool/fresh exterior'. Customizing a fully functional outdoor kitchen, pizza oven, BBQ, fireplace or Jacuzzi pool spa all out of old reclaimed Mediterranean stone pieces is no easy task and shouldn’t be created out of the lowest common denominator of building materials such as concrete, Indian slates or Turkish travertine. The one thing you can bet the farmhouse on is that when the entire process unravels and when your outdoor living space materializes from the architects rendering to real life, you will be guaranteed a true Mediterranean living experience if your choice of construction material was as authentic and possible to the Southern Mediterranean regions. We believe that the coziness of your surroundings brought about by the creative usage of our antique stone elements will only amplify that authenticity. whether you are enjoying a relaxing time soaking the sun inside one of our Jacuzzi spa stone fountains or sharing unforgettable memories with family and friends while baking your own pizzas in one of our outdoor BBQ pizza ovens, our stone designs will always evoke in most a feeling of euphoria and exultation that one only gets while being on vacation is some exotic European island surrounded with the pristine beauty of indigenous nature and ancient architecture...

For home renovations and remodeling projects, Best Electrical Company is the Orange County electrical contractor you can count on to help you with your interior lighting project. Whether you are looking for modern light fixtures, recessed lighting, track lighting, or ceiling fan installation, our expert Orange County lighting contractors will provide you with Service At Its Best. Our team of expert Anaheim lighting technicians will help integrate a beautiful and functional lighting design that will bring light and life to your home. We are available for electrical safety inspections, electrical wiring installation and lighting installation for new houses and home additions as well, ensuring the whole project comes together smoothly. Contact BEC today to discuss your interior lighting design, and allow us to install your lights and ceiling fans with precision and ease.

Wedge Wire close up
Bathroom - modern bathroom idea in New York

Craftsman Corners fit well with Pac Trim's Pioneer Series PIO190
Entryway - entryway idea in Sacramento

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary dark wood floor and brown floor great room remodel in New York with white walls and no fireplace

Inspiration for a modern home design remodel in Albuquerque

CDH Designs 15 East 4th St Emporium, PA 15834
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized transitional porcelain tile eat-in kitchen idea in Philadelphia with shaker cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a double-bowl sink, white cabinets and an island

AFTER 2013 - close up of paver detail; great product from Outdoor Living by Belgard
Transitional front yard concrete paver patio photo in DC Metro

Whether your closets are walk-ins, reach-ins or dressing rooms – or if you are looking for more space, better organization or even your own boutique – we have the vision and creativity to make it happen.

JPM Construction offers complete support for designing, building, and renovating homes in Atherton, Menlo Park, Portola Valley, and surrounding mid-peninsula areas. With a focus on high-quality craftsmanship and professionalism, our clients can expect premium end-to-end service. The promise of JPM is unparalleled quality both on-site and off, where we value communication and attention to detail at every step. Onsite, we work closely with our own tradesmen, subcontractors, and other vendors to bring the highest standards to construction quality and job site safety. Off site, our management team is always ready to communicate with you about your project. The result is a beautiful, lasting home and seamless experience for you.

Legal Duplex! Own your home and have a tenant in the back help pay for your mortgage! Spanish charm is throughout this whole house. Hard wood floors through all the living areas and carpet in the 3 bedrooms. Newly remodeled with newer dual pane windows, new kitchen, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances included in the sale. Bathroom has been remodeled and the new front door really finishes off the Spanish style. The back unit has its own electric meter and is around 350 SF with a bathroom, kitchenette, dining, laundry and 1 car attached garage.

Legal Duplex! Own your home and have a tenant in the back help pay for your mortgage! Spanish charm is throughout this whole house. Hard wood floors through all the living areas and carpet in the 3 bedrooms. Newly remodeled with newer dual pane windows, new kitchen, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances included in the sale. Bathroom has been remodeled and the new front door really finishes off the Spanish style. The back unit has its own electric meter and is around 350 SF with a bathroom, kitchenette, dining, laundry and 1 car attached garage.