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Year: 2008

Weigh pros and cons of remodeling vs. buying new home

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer We see it all the time. Homeowners come to us needing more space for a growing family or desiring home features that their current home just doesn’t have. The tough question they face is:

rdgDecember 29, 2008 Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2008 Read more

Digging down erases steep driveway

When you are sitting in Jennie Broadhead’s main-floor family room, you would never guess that two years ago you would have been sitting in her garage. The Broadheads just finished an extensive remodeling project that is one of the most

rdgDecember 22, 2008 Family, Living, & Great Rooms, Year - 2008 Read more

Combating McMansion craze

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer In the past 10 years, there have been several trends in the local and national housing markets worth noting: The first is that houses have increased in size. Since 1970, the average size of

rdgDecember 15, 2008 Designing Principals, Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2008 Read more

Give fireplace a cost-effective face-lift

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer The fireplace: We hang stockings from it, roast chestnuts in it and cuddle in front of it. (OK, maybe we don”t do the chestnut part.) Anyway, with so many reasons to gather around the

rdgDecember 8, 2008 Materials, Finishes, Appliances & Fixtures, Year - 2008 Read more

Give the gift of architecture

y Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer You have 23 shopping days left until Christmas. So, we thought we would give you some ideas. How about giving the gift of architecture? There are lots of ways to do this. Some people

rdgDecember 1, 2008 Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2008 Read more

Being decisive will help streamline your remodel

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer It is not uncommon to think about remodeling your home for years before taking any action. Once you have decided to actually do something, however, it is human nature to want it NOW. The

rdgNovember 24, 2008 Designing Principals, Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2008 Read more

Save money tomorrow with a master plan today

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Most have been hit hard by the recent financial turmoil in our country. “We’re going to have to wait on our project.” That’s a phrase we are hearing from a lot of people, and

rdgNovember 17, 2008 Designing Principals, Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2008 Read more

Skylights add light, warmth, dimension

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Many homeowners express a desire to add skylights to their homes during a remodeling project. Perhaps it is the same psychological attraction as the sunroof in your latest car. We all know that light

rdgNovember 3, 2008 Materials, Finishes, Appliances & Fixtures, Year - 2008 Read more

Vanquish ‘energy vampires’

We’re afraid it isn’t going to be cheap heating our homes this year. With energy costs expected to soar this winter, it is more important than ever to do our part to make our homes as energy efficient as possible.

rdgOctober 27, 2008 Energy Efficiency & Green Design, Interior Remodeling, Year - 2008 Read more

Beautify basement window wells

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Basements are not just for storing canned peaches anymore. Finishing the basement is one of our most common renovations. People are living, playing and sleeping in the basement. With our families spending more time

rdgOctober 10, 2008 Basements & Attics, Year - 2008 Read more

Pet-friendly home reduces stress

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Our goal is to improve people’s lives through architecture. Having a home that supports your family’s lifestyle reduces stress and contributes to mental and physical well being. It is a fact of life that

rdgOctober 6, 2008 Interior Remodeling, Year - 2008 Read more

New garage door adds curb appeal

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Last week’s column touted the importance of a high-functioning, well-designed garage. But it also cited a reality check to the costs involved. If you already have a garage that functions but lacks luster, there

rdgSeptember 29, 2008 Exterior Updating, Garages, Year - 2008 Read more

Garage remodel enhances home

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer For some, garages are among the least exciting home-renovation projects. But for others, the garage is the only exciting home renovation project. The truth is, because a garage is one of the most useful

rdgSeptember 22, 2008 Exterior Updating, Garages, Year - 2008 Read more

Right roofing material is key to blending home addition

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Everyone has seen a bad remodel. You’ve seen the house where the new addition looks like a big shed bumped up against the house, or the second story that looks as if it could

rdgSeptember 15, 2008 Exterior Updating, Materials, Finishes, Appliances & Fixtures, Year - 2008 Read more

Remodel pulls laundry out of the dungeon

By Ann Robinson and Annie V. Schwemmer How do you do laundry? Do you do a load a day keeping the piles small? Or do you wait until heaping piles take over the hampers? No matter what kind of laundry

rdgSeptember 8, 2008 Bathrooms, Laundry & Mudrooms, Year - 2008 Read more

Ceiling beams and other ceiling finishing touches

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon While we devoted the past three columns to flooring, this week it is time to look up and discuss the project hanging over your head: ceilings. The ceiling is often a seriously overlooked aspect

rdgSeptember 1, 2008 Designing Principals, Year - 2008 Read more

Tiles almost limitless in their variety and uses in home

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Flooring is one of the most inexpensive and least invasive renovation options. For the past two weeks, we have devoted columns to carpet and hardwood floors. This week we are focusing on another popular

rdgAugust 25, 2008 Materials, Finishes, Appliances & Fixtures, Year - 2008 Read more

Hardwood flooring is great way to dress up any space

By Ann Robinson and Annie V. Schwemmer Last week we started a flooring theme by focusing on the most commonly used flooring material — carpet. This week we continue the discussion with one of our favorite flooring options: wood. Wood

rdgAugust 18, 2008 Materials, Finishes, Appliances & Fixtures, Year - 2008 Read more

New carpet one of the easiest ways to renovate rooms

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon If you are ready for a new look but not ready for a major project, flooring is one of the easiest and least invasive ways to renovate any room. Flooring comes in all shapes

rdgAugust 11, 2008 Materials, Finishes, Appliances & Fixtures, Year - 2008 Read more

Homes have public and private spaces

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon There are places in your house meant to be public, and there are places meant to be private. When thinking architecturally, there are three levels of interaction in your home, and they need to

rdgAugust 4, 2008 Designing Principals, Year - 2008 Read more

Leaky basements can be prevented or remodeled

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon While most of the time you can choose and plan for remodels, there are emergency situations when a renovation is less of a choice and more of a necessity. If you find your basement

rdgJuly 28, 2008 Basements & Attics, Year - 2008 Read more

Bathtubs can be refinished with ease

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Last week, we discussed replacing your bathtub — a rather daunting process. In our effort to consider ways to update your bathroom without a complete remodel, today we will discuss refinishing an existing tub.

rdgJuly 18, 2008 Bathrooms, Laundry & Mudrooms, Year - 2008 Read more

Bathroom may need partial redo

By Ann Robinson and Annie V. Schwemmer We’re sure you are as sick as we are about hearing of rising gas prices every time you turn around. Unfortunately, that is just the most obvious symptom of our current economic troubles.

rdgJuly 11, 2008 Bathrooms, Laundry & Mudrooms, Year - 2008 Read more

Tubs help bathrooms become relaxing retreats

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Bathrooms today serve more than a practical function. They are often created as a refuge from the stress and commotion of everyday life. While the combination tub-shower is a practical solution when space is

rdgJuly 4, 2008 Bathrooms, Laundry & Mudrooms, Year - 2008 Read more

Sinks can add beauty to baths

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon As the number and type of bathrooms in the average home increase, so has the selection of bathroom sinks, which now range from tiny wall-hung versions for the smallest of powder rooms to elaborate

rdgJune 27, 2008 Bathrooms, Laundry & Mudrooms, Year - 2008 Read more

Lots of options in bath remodel

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Adding a bathroom to your home remodel could change your life. Just think of how different your mornings would be if the vanity in your teenagers’ bathroom was separate from the shower. Or if

rdgJune 20, 2008 Bathrooms, Laundry & Mudrooms, Year - 2008 Read more

Redo closet in a weekend

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Has anyone ever had too many closets? A need for storage (or possibly hoarding!) seems to be part of the human condition. The old adage “A place for everything and everything in its place”

rdgJune 13, 2008 Interior Remodeling, Year - 2008 Read more

Use color to create a mood

By Annie V. Schemmer A room with plain, white walls can be transformed by a simple coat of paint. You can create different feelings and moods in a room just by what wall colors you choose. Because color is powerful,

rdgJune 6, 2008 Designing Principals, Year - 2008 Read more

Lighting key to comfort, design

By Ann Robinson and Annie V. Schwemmer When it comes to remodeling, sometimes it is the little things that can make all the difference. Today the influential detail we want to discuss is lighting. Changing lighting fixtures as well as

rdgMay 30, 2008 Designing Principals, Year - 2008 Read more

Want to do your part for conservation? Remodel

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon It seems only a few years ago that the only one who thought it was cool to be green was Kermit the Frog — and even then it wasn’t always easy. Today, everyone has

rdgMay 23, 2008 Energy Efficiency & Green Design, Year - 2008 Read more

Architects valuable in redesign

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon There is no getting around it: If you are remodeling your home, you are going to need a set of plans. If you know exactly what you want, a drafter can draw the plans

rdgMay 16, 2008 Designing Principals, Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2008 Read more

Take initiative with major remodel

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon When you think of the remodeling team, you may first think of the architect, the interior designer or the contractor. However, the role of the homeowner is often underestimated — usually by the homeowner.

rdgMay 9, 2008 Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2008 Read more

Contractor choice is critical step

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Choosing the right contractor is a critical step in remodeling. No matter how well your architect designs the plans or how vividly you envision the project, the contractor can literally make or break the

rdgMay 4, 2008 Designing Principals, Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2008 Read more

Make interior designer part of team

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Remodeling is a complicated process that takes a balanced team to bring the project to a successful conclusion. Obviously, we think a good architect is key to this team, but today we want to

rdgApril 25, 2008 Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2008 Read more

Family designs house for casual lifestyle

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon More people are exchanging formal spaces in their homes for more casual and flexible spaces. They realize they use a formal dining or living room only a few times a year. So, they renovate

rdgApril 18, 2008 Designing Principals, Family, Living, & Great Rooms, Year - 2008 Read more

Boomers have their own style

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Now that our children are gone, we need a bigger house! This is a sentiment we, as architects specializing in residential remodeling, hear a lot. Though it may not make sense on the surface,

rdgApril 11, 2008 Interior Remodeling, Year - 2008 Read more

Give the deck a face-lift

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon If you haven’t noticed from our columns over the past couple of weeks, we are ready for summer. We have discussed outdoor kitchens, patios in all their shapes and sizes, and porches. This week

rdgApril 4, 2008 Exterior Updating, Year - 2008 Read more

Spruce up your porch for summer

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Porches are a great way to take advantage of beautiful spring and summer weather. Whether you have a small front porch with a single chair or a big back porch that spills into the

rdgMarch 28, 2008 Exterior Updating, Front Porches, Year - 2008 Read more

Some concrete ideas for home remodeling

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Who would have thought to use a sidewalk as a kitchen countertop? Well, someone did, because the once drab, gray concrete is now an artistic upscale trend in home design. Today, contractors can transform

rdgMarch 21, 2008 Interior Remodeling, Year - 2008 Read more

Outdoor kitchens can enhance backyard barbecues

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon It’s March. The snow is beginning to melt and we are all anticipating spring. Before long we will soak in the sun, watch the flowers bloom and, of course, barbecue. It is hard to

rdgMarch 14, 2008 Miscellaneous, Year - 2008 Read more
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Recent Posts

  • Renovation Solutions: The value of a remodeling budget, part 2
  • Renovation Solutions: 3 necessary budget questions to consider before embarking on a home remodeling project
  • Renovation Solutions: Don’t be your own worst enemy when remodeling
  • Renovation Solutions: Do we stay or do we go?
  • Home remodels that impact resale value

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