I was called in at the last minute to GC this small counter top and back splash job in SW Portland.

The owner had already decided on her granite slabs and slate tile back splash materials.  I came in to make it all happen in time for her to host family and friends for the holidays.  If all went perfectly well, I could get it done in time!

What we encountered while doing the tear-out of the old corian counters and back splash was unlike anything I’d seen before.  The last kitchen renovation occurred the 1980’s and the quality of work was awful.  The cabinets were not up to 1-1/2 inches out of level from front to back and not even close to square.  The corian counters and back splash were simply laid over an older tile and hadn’t ever been secured down.  The dishwasher was so out of whack, the top shelf would spill out into the room unless the door was closed.  The list went on.  My job was to get this done in an expedient manner and within the clients budget (meaning, no cabinet adjustments).

We leveled the counters, installed a new under-mount sink, installed a custom fabricated stainless steel back splash behind the cook-top, upgraded the old outlets, and added under cabinet lights to highlight the new surfaces.

As you can see in the pictures, it was quite a nice change!

Building Blocks is very excited about this new aspect of our design/build business.  We would love to build you a custom playhouse or treehouse that will provide you and your loved ones a special place for years to come.  Our structures are built to last, both in timeless design and construction.

One of 5 design/build teams participating in the Storybook Playhouses benefit for Doernbecher Children’s Hospital,  Building Blocks and Introspecs worked hand-in-hand to create the feature playhouse: The Magic Treehouse. Built in the round, on salvaged round cherry-wood trunks above an 8′ round platform, it stands apart as a creative space for children. We worked tirelessly and tediously to create finely notched joinery and a rather sophisticated experience in a timeless, modern tree-house.

Climb up the ladder to find a skylight with a view to the eco-roof, or let your imagination run wild, sketching on the chalkboard walls! The semi-circular balcony adds a fun surprise and enriches the connection between indoors and outdoors.

Introspecs along with Building Blocks designed the tree-house, including conceptualizing it’s round floor plan, balcony and railing, and eco-roof + hatched skylight. Introspecs also designed the minimal interiors, with circular carpet tiles on the waterproof painted floor, large-scale chalk drawings and alphabet magnets on the magnetic walls.

The Magic Treehouse was on display at Bridgeport Village Shopping Center for 3 weeks, beginning July 23rd, 2010 and now resides at a lucky owners riverfront home in Keizer, Oregon.

It is also featured in the December 2010 issue of NW Renovation Magazine.

Please contact Matt to discuss options for your own treehouse/playhouse.  For a glimpse of other designs click below:

When the owners of this 100 year old 4-plex had a store built in their front yard, the builders built the roof too high affecting the whole entrance to the home.
We extended the covering over the entrance, and swapped the locations of the door and the window and rebuilt the interior step.

The original window was salvaged and we built a column to match the existing ones.  Cedar tongue and groove siding was used instead of the stucco to visually differentiate this area from the rest of the home.  We later added a custom designed covered seating area on the rooftop deck.