Articles
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Rearranging interior may be best
Read More: Rearranging interior may be bestBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon When you are talking home renovation sometimes bigger isn’t better. Sometimes the biggest impacts are the small projects that rearrange existing space. Often times, clients think they have to have a new addition but reconfiguring interior walls and even plumbing may be more economical than doing new construction. A…
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Create stunning views inside home
Read More: Create stunning views inside homeBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Most of us have been in homes with fantastic views. We remember homes with majestic panoramas of beautiful mountains or breathtaking vistas with city lights twinkling in the distance. Of course, these views usually come with a hefty price tag. Here, a window is reflected in a mirror left…
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Lofts are on the rise in downtown S.L.
Read More: Lofts are on the rise in downtown S.L.By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon The dynamics of downtown Salt Lake are really changing these days. Everyone seems to be moving to the heart of the city. Well really, we are just following the trend set decades ago by New Yorkers that recently has spread across the country. One urban living style, new to…
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Extra storage makes life easier
Read More: Extra storage makes life easierBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon There is an old adage that says “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” But what if everything doesn’t have a place in your home? Then you need better storage or less stuff (or a little of both). Take advantage of hanging space by adding pegboard storage…
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Modernism brought radical new look
Read More: Modernism brought radical new lookBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon We need to spend one more week on house styles because we cannot ignore the modernist movement. The very concept of “modern” houses gives some people indigestion. Some feel that this design approach results in cold, impersonal boxes, and they certainly don’t want them in their neighborhood. While homes…
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Spain, Italy influence Eclectic homes
Read More: Spain, Italy influence Eclectic homesBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon We are continuing our discussion of the Eclectic movement in residential design. The influence of European design is readily seen in many American homes. Today we will see how architecture from Spain and Italy has shaped the homes in our neighborhoods or even the one in which you live.…
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Eclectic style came after Victorian
Read More: Eclectic style came after VictorianBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon In our continuing discussion of residential architectural styles, today we will look at the Eclectic movement. Spanning from the late 19th century through about 1940, this was the phase that followed the Victorian period. While the Victorians took inspiration from former classical architectural styles, they did so with great…
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Victorian homes charming, popular
Read More: Victorian homes charming, popularBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Queen Victoria reigned over England from 1837 to 1901. Besides political influences, Queen Victoria’s reign influenced literature, clothing, furniture and, yes, architecture. Even today, more than a hundred years later, you still see homes new and old that are most definitely Victorian. The Victorian-style home began to appear in…
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Tradition marks colonial home
Read More: Tradition marks colonial homeBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon A year or so ago, we spotlighted several home types: the craftsman bungalow, the Tudor, the Cape Cod, and the California ranch. Of course there are more than just four styles, so we thought we would again spend a few weeks featuring a few more types, beginning with the…
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Master plan can ease remodel
Read More: Master plan can ease remodelBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon When you ask Donna Bates about their own efforts to remodel their 1940s-built home, she likens it to a 1980s craze: a Rubik’s Cube. “It’s like that Rubik’s Cube puzzle. We’d work on one part of the house and it would mess up another part we’d already worked on,”…
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Buying a home? Do homework
Read More: Buying a home? Do homeworkBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Not many things are more exciting or more terrifying than buying a new house. It’s a big decision that requires lots of forethought and even lots of afterthought to make sure you ultimately get the right home for you and your family. So this week we offer some tips…
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Get porch ready for summer
Read More: Get porch ready for summerBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon It’s spring and our thoughts turn to outdoor living. We long for the days soon to come where we can sit on our back porch and relax outside. And our mouths are already watering for the first barbecue of the season. With the spring weather come opportunities to focus…
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Color is a huge design element
Read More: Color is a huge design elementBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Have you ever walked into a room and thought, “Wow, the colors in this room are perfect!” Or maybe you’ve thought, “Wow, the colors in this room are awful!” Color is a huge design element for any space, and the colors you choose can make or break a room.…
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New materials liven up a home
Read More: New materials liven up a homeBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon If you’re working on or thinking about a remodel, you’ll find there is no end to the choices of materials you can use to finish off your project. Here are some new options for wall finishes and tiles that we find particularly interesting because of their versatility and style…
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Remodel to add gathering space
Read More: Remodel to add gathering spaceBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Pat and Kathie Debenham had a problem we see again and again in our business: not enough gathering space. And just like so many others, their gathering centered around the kitchen. So this week we want to introduce you to the Debenhams and their renovation because we know it’s…
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Rain gutters whisk water away
Read More: Rain gutters whisk water awayBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Last week we may have made you nervous with a discussion about mold. Of course, one of the biggest causes of mold — and many other woes — is too much water around your home. So keeping water well away from your house is one of the most important…
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Keep house dry to avoid mold
Read More: Keep house dry to avoid moldBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon If you didn’t have any sleepless nights after we talked about lead paint, let’s see if a discussion of mold will do the trick! We have all heard horror stories about mold taking over homes and wreaking havoc. But in our dry climate, we don’t typically fret too much…
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Find best contractor for the job
Read More: Find best contractor for the jobBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Spring is just around the corner, and we all know that in spring a young man’s (or woman’s) fancy turns to thoughts of … remodeling. Some remodeling you can do yourself, but some projects will require the help of professionals. Here are some tips to finding the best man…
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Banish lead paint from home
Read More: Banish lead paint from homeBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon You’ve all heard about the dangers of lead paint, but what do you do if you discover lead paint in your home? It’s a very serious problem that will take time, effort and money to solve. But it’s not an impossible problem. You can successfully free your old home…
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Craftsman Bungalow House re-Design: Home remodeling results in new old home
Read More: Craftsman Bungalow House re-Design: Home remodeling results in new old homeBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon We’ve decided to periodically highlight homeowners and their projects to give you a better feel for real-world remodeling experiences. We realize you will never really know what it’s like until you’ve experienced it yourself, but it’s wise to gather as much information as possible because knowledge is power when…
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Tubular skylights are bright idea
Read More: Tubular skylights are bright ideaBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon A skylight is pretty simply defined: a hole in the roof that lets in light. The “light” part is great; the “hole in the roof” part is not so great. You might have heard (or experienced) horror stories of leaking, dripping, cracked skylights that add nothing but trouble to…
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Types of smoke detectors, fire alarms: Pros and Cons
Read More: Types of smoke detectors, fire alarms: Pros and ConsBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Fire is the third leading cause of accidental death in the United States, and four out of five people who die in a fire die in a home. Fortunately, we have access to devices designed to give early warnings of a fire and other hazards. Whether remodeling or not,…
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Engineered wood offers ease, style
Read More: Engineered wood offers ease, styleBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Who doesn’t love the look of a charming New England cape home, replete with natural wood clapboard or shingle siding and plenty of well-detailed wood trim? You can just imagine a cozy family nestled inside, as charming and quaint as their home. These New England transplant homes can be…
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Trusses are popular roof choices
Read More: Trusses are popular roof choicesBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon It is not uncommon for remodels to call for changes to a roof. You may be adding a new addition, which will require a roof for the addition and perhaps changes to your existing roof. Or you may be adding a second story, which will most definitely call for…
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Uncover house’s former glory
Read More: Uncover house’s former gloryBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon What a difference a year makes! At the beginning of 2006, a run-down eyesore blighted a lovely Federal Heights street. Today a tasteful, stately home with beautiful landscaping adds to the charm and character of the area. The home stands ready to shelter a family and facilitate all the…
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Choose right paint for project
Read More: Choose right paint for projectBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Last week we began a discussion about a great mid-winter pick-me-up for your home: paint. It’s a great do-it-yourself home improvement project that doesn’t require nice weather or prolonged upheaval to your home. And a fresh coat of paint can provide an immediate update to any room in the…
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Spruce up home with paint
Read More: Spruce up home with paintBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Lisa spent a recent Christmas holiday up to her ears in paint. She had a few days off work, and she decided to use it for a little home improvement. Truly there is no better winter home renovation project than a few cans of paint. Lisa was looking to…
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Be aware of restrictive covenants
Read More: Be aware of restrictive covenantsBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon We may be in over our heads this week, but we want to introduce you to the concept of restrictive covenants. Restrictive covenants are deed restrictions that apply to a group of homes or lots generally within a development or subdivision. They are usually put in place by the…
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Work goes on — even in winter
Read More: Work goes on — even in winterBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon As soon as the holidays are over, we will all pack up the tree and decorations, and thoughts will turn to the promises of a new year. Starting that first week in January, architects around Utah will start meeting with new clients, and the request will inevitably be the…
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New garage door can add zing
Read More: New garage door can add zingBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon We’ve talked about doors for a few weeks now, and we’ll conclude with a discussion of the largest door in your home: your garage door. Changing out that old garage door can do wonders for your home’s curb appeal as well as its energy-efficiency and safety. Many older homes…
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Patio doors connect home, yard
Read More: Patio doors connect home, yardBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Continuing with our theme of doors this month, today we will look at patio doors. These are doors that lead to the exterior and are the kind you would use when you want to capitalize on light and views. When done right, patio doors create a strong connection between…
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Construction of doors varies
Read More: Construction of doors variesBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Last week we began a discussion about doors. We looked at a variety of door types — from traditional hinged doors to nifty pocket doors. This week we look at the different ways doors are constructed. If you understand your options, replacing doors can be a relatively unobtrusive and…
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Door options open up possibilities
Read More: Door options open up possibilitiesBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon In the past few weeks we’ve given you tips on how to easily and quickly update your home without a huge renovation. We’ve mentioned carpet, hard flooring, and countertops as minimally invasive ways to spruce up your decor. This week we continue the theme with interior doors. Pocket doors,…
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Frat house becoming luxury home
Read More: Frat house becoming luxury homeBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon 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 cheers us up and makes a space more pleasant. The question in these days of…
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Countertop options are almost endless
Read More: Countertop options are almost endlessBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Last week we started a two-part column about countertop options. Countertops can be a relatively simple way to spruce up your decor if you plan to keep everything else (like cabinets and the layout) in place for a while. Last week we looked at some common options for countertop…
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New countertops can add pizazz
Read More: New countertops can add pizazzBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Here’s a quick and easy way to upgrade your home: install new countertops. In the right situation, new countertops in a kitchen, bath or elsewhere can make a big splash without causing a big headache. Installing new countertops does not require moving walls or making structural changes or imposing…
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Wood floors add warmth, beauty
Read More: Wood floors add warmth, beautyBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon 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 is among the most beautiful types of material available for residential floors. Besides being visually spectacular,…
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Learn facts about carpet before purchasing
Read More: Learn facts about carpet before purchasingBy 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 and sizes — from carpet to tile to bamboo to cork — and each choice…
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Drywall helps home take shape
Read More: Drywall helps home take shapeBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon We’ve been following the progress of one of our projects for several months. It’s a house that started as a single-family residence and over time was morphed by several additions and remodels into a fraternity house. We were engaged as the architects to bring it back to its life…
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Freestanding bathtubs are a relaxing retreat
Read More: Freestanding bathtubs are a relaxing retreatBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Now that you are an expert on bathroom sinks (see Deseret Morning News column of Sept. 15: Sink can greatly add to beauty of the bathroom), it is time to brush up on bathtubs. Bathrooms today serve more than a practical function. They are often created to be a…