Articles
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Small, smart additions to your home can replace expensive big ones
Read More: Small, smart additions to your home can replace expensive big onesSmall, well-designed additions — just adding a few square feet here or there — can create sufficient space to change the way your home functions without having to construct a “big box” addition. Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson, Deseret News We have talked about reconfiguring and repurposing existing space to change your home and life…
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Finding more space without an addition
Read More: Finding more space without an additionMost people who want to remodel crave more space from their house. They want more storage space, more living space, more garage space, more office space, or more gathering space. In general, people want more space. While most people initially think of an addition to accomplish the goal of adding more space to their house,…
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Renovation Solutions: Couple makes investment in family with remodel
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Couple makes investment in family with remodelWe love to use this column to share clients’ experiences with our readers. Our mission is to bring light and understanding to the field of residential architecture. Being architects ourselves and talking about this next client’s experience feels like we are coming from a strange position. However, we know a lot of people can relate…
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Renovation Solutions: Retirement living with Cape Cod style, flair
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Retirement living with Cape Cod style, flairJill and Bob moved to Salt Lake City from Connecticut to reconnect with family and to find a house suitable for their impending retirement. They wanted a house with a comfortable gathering space where they could age in place. Stylistically, they wanted a home that had the New Englander flare they were used to. Annie…
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Renovation Solutions: Common oversights when remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Common oversights when remodelingEditor’s note: This is the third in a series about avoiding common remodeling mistakes. The first is “Avoiding common home remodeling mistakes” and the second is “5 tips to avoiding costly remodeling mistakes.” Both are on deseretnews.com in the Family section. Portions of this column were previously published. This month, we are discussing common home…
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Renovation Solutions: Whether home is a Cape Cod or California ranch, remodel to capitalize on home’s style
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Whether home is a Cape Cod or California ranch, remodel to capitalize on home’s styleEditor’s note: Portions of this article have been previously published on the authors’ blog and on deseretnews.com. Understanding the history, style and architecture of your home — and the other homes in your neighborhood — is crucial in designing an addition or renovation. Ignore this principle and you’ll end up spending a lot of money…
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Tudors or craftsman home styles offer a lot
Read More: Tudors or craftsman home styles offer a lotAbout once a year, we discuss the importance of understanding the history, style and architecture of your home. This knowledge is crucial when designing an addition or renovation. The popularity of several predominant home styles has endured over the past few centuries in the United States. They include the fairy-tale Tudor revival, classic craftsman bungalow…
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Renovation Solutions: 5 tips to avoiding costly remodeling mistakes
Read More: Renovation Solutions: 5 tips to avoiding costly remodeling mistakesEditor’s note: This is the second in a series about avoiding common remodeling mistakes. The first is “Avoiding common home remodeling mistakes” and is on deseretnews.com in the Family section. Also, portions of this column were previously published deseretnews.com. Last week, we started a discussion on common remodeling mistakes. This week we will continue by…
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Avoiding common home remodeling mistakes
Read More: Avoiding common home remodeling mistakesPart of our job is to help our clients avoid common home remodeling mistakes. Most people who undertake a significant home remodel will do so only once in their lifetime. On the other hand, we have been involved in almost a thousand projects, and that gives us a leg up in the experience department. Therefore,…
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Renovation Solutions: How soggy basement carpet changed 2 lives for the better
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How soggy basement carpet changed 2 lives for the betterMost people think about a home remodel for years before they actually do anything about it. What makes someone take the first step to turn the dream into a reality is different for everyone. For Gayla Black and Teresa Frost, it was a flooded basement that finally did the trick. They came home from a…
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Renovation Solutions: How to make remodeling a smart investment
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How to make remodeling a smart investmentMany people think that the main job of an architect is to make a house look good. While that is certainly one goal of a residential remodeling project, there are others of equal or even greater importance. The way a house flows and circulates is critical to how it feels and functions. How a house…
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Renovation Solutions: 5 signs it is time to remodel
Read More: Renovation Solutions: 5 signs it is time to remodelThere are many factors that might motivate a person to take on the challenge of remodeling a home. Some homeowners may have a specific event that finally pushes them over the edge to remodel (such as the last child leaving for college), while others may just feel it is finally time to execute the dream.…
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Renovation Solutions: Three renovation projects to make a home more energy-efficient
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Three renovation projects to make a home more energy-efficientBefore: To make their home more energy efficient and yet preserve some original charm, these clients sandwiched their original leaded-glass windows panes into new Pella Wiindows frames. A home remodeling project may have several goals. We want our finished project to be beautiful and functional, stylish and timeless, solve problems and fulfill dreams. One common…
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Renovation Solutions: A pellet ice machine might start a big remodel project
Read More: Renovation Solutions: A pellet ice machine might start a big remodel projectWe’ve recently worked with a family who knew that someday they would like to remodel their home; they just weren’t sure when. When the wife wanted to install a pellet ice machine in the kitchen, it sparked the major remodel to the main and upper floors of the house. That simple pellet ice machine would…
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Renovation Solutions: How to get the most out of your kitchen
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How to get the most out of your kitchenA great kitchen is an asset to a house and to the people who use it. That is why remodeling a kitchen is one of the most common home-improvement projects and a top selling point in real estate. The spatial design, equipment and the finishes all impact both the functionality and the aesthetic appeal of…
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Renovation Solutions: How to survive a home remodel
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How to survive a home remodelBy Ann Robinson and Annie V Schwemmer Published: March 27, 2015 Unless you are into flipping houses, you will most likely only experience a major home remodel once or twice in your life. Like the path to many good things in life, you may encounter some hardships and difficulties during the home remodeling process. While…
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Designing your own ultimate outdoor kitchen
Read More: Designing your own ultimate outdoor kitchenAnnie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson, Deseret News – as*@*******************up.com Mar 22, 2015 The outdoor entertaining season is almost here. Even with the occasional spring showers, the pleasant weather lately is practically begging us to take dinner parties outside. It is hard to imagine spring and summer without a little outdoor cooking. Eighty percent of all…
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Renovation Solutions: When to hire an architect and how much it will cost
Read More: Renovation Solutions: When to hire an architect and how much it will costAn old high school teacher used to say if one student has a question, others probably have the same question. A few weeks ago, we had an inquiry on our Facebook page about how our process works. We decided it may be useful to answer that question here for others who may wonder the same…
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Renovation Solutions: Life-centered design improves lives through remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Life-centered design improves lives through remodelingResidential architecture is more than just making a house look pretty. Function is a critical feature of any home and must be given equal or even greater billing than aesthetics. Residential architecture is a unique branch of architecture because clients are also the end users. When designing a large commercial or institutional building, architects have…
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Adding curb appeal to your house
Read More: Adding curb appeal to your houseReal estate professionals say it time and time again: Curb appeal (or the lack thereof) can make or break a deal. They say potential buyers form their opinions about a given property within the first 15 seconds of viewing a house. Whether you are selling your house or not, curb appeal is important and can…
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Renovation Solutions: Determining if the dining room is right for you
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Determining if the dining room is right for youAll types of design have trends. Whether it is shoes, furniture or interior design, trends reflect a measurable change in behavior that develops within a group or culture. Sometimes the trend is to take something away. Eventually we miss whatever it was, so the next trend is to bring it back. Take, for instance, the…
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Renovation Solutions: Determining if the dining room is right for you
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Determining if the dining room is right for youBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer BEFORE: In the remodel, the dining room and kitchen swapped places and a wall was removed to open them both to the living room. (Kevin Bunnell, Renovation Design Group) All types of design have trends. Whether it is shoes, furniture or interior design, trends reflect a measurable change…
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Renovation Solutions: Planning the spring projects
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Planning the spring projectsBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer The official groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, predicted six more weeks of winter this year. Here along the Wasatch Front, however, we are wondering what winter? Well, whether or not Phil’s prediction will prove to be true, now is the time to plan your spring projects. Along with the normal…
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Renovation Solutions: Planning the spring projects
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Planning the spring projectsThe official groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, predicted six more weeks of winter this year. Here along the Wasatch Front, however, we are wondering what winter? Well, whether or not Phil’s prediction will prove to be true, now is the time to plan your spring projects. Along with the normal spring-cleaning, you may want to consider adding…
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Renovation Solutions: Tips for remodeling a bathroom
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Tips for remodeling a bathroomBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer Home remodeling takes money. How much depends on the level of remodeling you intend to do. Obviously, the more involved the project the more expensive it will be. This week we want to share some tips and ideas for the varying stages of bathroom remodels. The first level…
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Tips for remodeling a bathroom
Read More: Tips for remodeling a bathroomHome remodeling takes money. How much depends on the level of remodeling you intend to do. Obviously, the more involved the project the more expensive it will be. This week we want to share some tips and ideas for the varying stages of bathroom remodels. The first level of bathroom remodel is sprucing up what…
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Renovation Solutions: Designing your home with storage in mind
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Designing your home with storage in mindAs we start another year, it is time to get your life and your home in order. Of course, decluttering and purging is a big part of the organization process. However, once you know what you want to keep, you need a place to put it. Lack of storage is one of the most common…
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Designing your home with storage in mind
Read More: Designing your home with storage in mindThis bedroom remodel added built-in storage at the headboard to create much needed storage and a focal point for the room. Brent Murray Renovation Design Group courtesy As we start another year, it is time to get your life and your home in order. Of course, decluttering and purging is a big part of the…
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Renovation Solutions: Design for everyday homeowners
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Design for everyday homeownersOur message in a nutshell: No, the first step to a remodel is not to call a contractor. Design comes before construction and each professional has their expertise. (Photo by Renovation Solutions) Many of our friends and acquaintances are kind enough to tell us they enjoy reading our columns. Other than that, however, we don’t…
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Why upgrading your front door will help you save money on your energy bill
Read More: Why upgrading your front door will help you save money on your energy billEnergy-efficient updates are a good idea any time of the year. There is, however, a more measurable and meaningful reason to go green during the colder months. You can ease the pain of the winter heating bill by making a few simple changes to your outside doors. These simple changes can enhance the energy efficiency…
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Renovation Solutions: 4 levels of options for remodeling master suites
Read More: Renovation Solutions: 4 levels of options for remodeling master suitesEditor’s note: Portions of this column were previously published on deseretnews.com and their blog at renovationdesigngroup.com. As we enter the entertaining season, starting with Thanksgiving next week and moving into the party season of Christmas, New Year’s and the Super Bowl, we are reflecting on the many gathering spaces we have helped create for our…
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Renovation Solutions: Four examples of how to remodel for gathering spaces
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Four examples of how to remodel for gathering spacesEditor’s note: Portions of this column were previously published on deseretnews.com and their blog at renovationdesigngroup.com. As we enter the entertaining season, starting with Thanksgiving next week and moving into the party season of Christmas, New Year’s and the Super Bowl, we are reflecting on the many gathering spaces we have helped create for our…
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Renovation Solutions: Holiday season inspires remodels
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Holiday season inspires remodelsEditor’s note: This column was previously published on deseretnews.com and on their website renovationdesigngroup.com. The holiday season is often the busiest time of year for gatherings, so it is also the time when your home’s capacity and functionality are tested. Before: This client who enjoys entertaining converted an office off the entry to a…
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Heating up the house: Tips for energy efficient homes in winter
Read More: Heating up the house: Tips for energy efficient homes in winterIt is that time of year again: time to start heating the house. Many of us hold out as long as possible, but the old “put on a sweater” or “grab a blanket” routine will only last a few more weeks at most! Our lovely fall weather can’t last forever. Many people, especially homeowners living…
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Renovation Solutions: What reality TV doesn’t tell you about home remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: What reality TV doesn’t tell you about home remodelingEveryone knows reality TV isn’t actually reality, right? We know an hour in real life is never that entertaining. There is a lot of editing, slicing and dicing behind the scenes to put those shows together. However, the pop culture of home-remodeling reality shows has a lot of people believing that the TV version of…
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Renovation Solutions: Bigger isn’t always better in home remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Bigger isn’t always better in home remodelingWhen it comes to home remodeling, we stand by the saying: “Bigger isn’t always better.” We have said it before and we will say it again: Good home remodeling is about function and design, not about size. We have seen small homes with much better style and function than homes with double the square footage.…
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Renovation Solutions: Architects’ three tips for a great design
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Architects’ three tips for a great designEditor’s note: Portions of this column have previously run on the writers’ website at renovationdesigngroup.com and in a previous Renovation Design column at deseretnews.com. These French doors and windows, visible from the home’s entry, provide lots of natural light to the space and also offer an inviting view of a covered deck and beautiful back…
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Renovation Solutions: Housing market impacts home remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Housing market impacts home remodelingThe housing market is becoming a seller’s market again. Home values are on the rise and optimism abounds. Actually, according to reuters.com, the housing market saw an eight-month high in July, evidencing that the economic recovery is officially back on track. Experts actually predict the housing market to keep climbing in 2015. Altos Research predicts…
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Renovation Solutions: Guarding your house against floods
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Guarding your house against floodsIn past weeks, we have discussed our valley’s potential for earthquakes and landslides and options to remediate our homes in preparation for a disaster. This week we will consider another issue, namely flooding. Even though we live in a desert, there is still a flood potential in our area. Certain areas, known as flood plains,…
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Renovation Solutions: Tips for earthquake-resistant home upgrades
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Tips for earthquake-resistant home upgradesDid you know that in Utah there are little earthquakes all the time? Actually, according to earthquaketrack.com, Utah experienced 16 earthquakes last month and 495 last year. These are obviously small tremors, usually below magnitude 3.0. However, the probability of a large earthquake along the Wasatch Fault during the next 50 years is 1 in…