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:
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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”
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,
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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,
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
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
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
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
