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Renovation Solutions: How to solve common remodeling problems
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How to solve common remodeling problemsBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer Adding more curb appeal to a house is one of the top client requests when they are considering a remodel. While some issues of deferred maintenance need to be addressed on a practical level, changing the look of their home is often more of a psychological need…
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Renovation Solutions: Finding the best remodeling contractors for your project
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Finding the best remodeling contractors for your projectBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer This entry remodel shows the dramatic impact a remodel can have on a house with the help of a well-selected group of professionals. (Annie Schwemmer, Renovation Design Group) Many of our clients come to us wondering how they can ever find a contractor who can get their job…
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Kitchens serve as the life of the family, home
Read More: Kitchens serve as the life of the family, homeBy Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson For the Deseret News We recently heard a statement from a woman who was planning a new custom home, and something she said resonated with us: “The kitchen to me is the life of the family.” We think this is true for so many families. The kitchen is the…
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Renovating the mother-in-law suite
Read More: Renovating the mother-in-law suiteBy Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson For the Deseret News Thinking of moms recently, this week we will discuss a mother-inspired renovation: the mother-in-law suite. The number of multi-generational households is growing in the U.S. The Census Bureau says they were up 30 percent between 2000 and 2010, making nearly one in six households a…
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Tips for surviving home remodeling
Read More: Tips for surviving home remodelingBy Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson For the Deseret News “Renovating is an intense personal experience shared with large numbers of total strangers — not much different than surviving a plane crash.” — an anonymous homeowner Even with the grim reference, this quote made us smile for its honesty. Renovating truly is an intense personal…
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Remodeling for seismic upgrades
Read More: Remodeling for seismic upgradesLast time we introduced you to Bob and Char Nelson’s remodeled 1927 Tudor-style home in the Harvard-Yale area of Salt Lake City. The remodel stayed within the floor plan of the historic home and was initially focused on energy efficiency and updating the exterior facade. The exterior of the home was in rocky shape: The…
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Remodeling for energy efficiency
Read More: Remodeling for energy efficiencyWhen Bob and Char Nelson relocated from Provo to the Harvard-Yale area in Salt Lake City, they knew it was only a matter of time before they would remodel their new, old house. Right after they moved in, they finished the basement, but the main floor, upstairs and exterior needed some work, too. Before: (Annie…
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Outdoor kitchens are gaining popularity
Read More: Outdoor kitchens are gaining popularityPeople enjoy a good old-fashioned barbecue. On a beautiful sunny day, people just love to cook and eat outside. For some reason, food cooked outside just tastes better. It might have something to do with the mouth-watering scent filling the air for miles or the chef escaping from the walls of the kitchen and becoming…
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Renovation Solutions: Planning the details of your patio design
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Planning the details of your patio designBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer Last week we discussed planning a patio remodel. Now that the basics of function, location and size are out of the way, it’s time to talk about details. The more attention you give to the details of your outdoor living space, the more you will use it.…
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Time to plan the patio project
Read More: Time to plan the patio projectBy Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson For the Deseret News We are sure your spring project priority list is filling up fast. No doubt many of your lists include some overhaul to or addition of an outdoor space. Though Mother Nature may still throw us a snow storm or two, now is the time to…
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Tricks to front porch additions
Read More: Tricks to front porch additionsIf you follow this column, you know that for the past month we have been covering house styles. We broke down the history, traditional elements, remodeling challenges and solutions for the Craftsman Bungalow, the Tudor Revival, the Cape Cod and the California Ranch. While this was just a sampling of house styles, we made the…
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Remodeling the California Ranch
Read More: Remodeling the California RanchFor the past few weeks we have been discussing home styles in our column. Last we talked about the challenges and solutions in remodeling the Cape Cod-style house. This week we are focusing on another favorite house style from the opposite coast: the California Ranch. The California Ranch home style often referred to as a…
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Ways to enhance your Cape Cod-style home
Read More: Ways to enhance your Cape Cod-style homeUnderstanding 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 to decrease the value of your home, not to mention those of your neighbors. Over the past…
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Renovation Solutions: Dealing with the challenges of remodeling Tudor style homes
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Dealing with the challenges of remodeling Tudor style homesSeveral predominant home styles have evolved over the past century in the United States. You’ve seen them as you drive the streets of Salt Lake City’s classic neighborhoods: the fairy-tale Tudor revival, the classic craftsman bungalow, the charming Cape Cod and the California ranch. With each style comes unique renovation challenges and opportunities. We hope…
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Homeowners dodge awkward basement remodel
Read More: Homeowners dodge awkward basement remodelFinishing the basement may not be a project that most people think would need an architect. Whether or not there is a “need” depends on a variety of factors. once dreaded, partially finished space in the house is now a beautiful, bright favorite area where a young family spends most of its time. (Kevin Bunnell,…
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10 years later, architects reflect on their story
Read More: 10 years later, architects reflect on their storyAnnie V. Schwemmer, Jared Bulloch, and Ann Robinson reflect back on the beginning of Renovation Design Group as they celebrate its 10-year anniversary this year. Daniel Barton, Renovation Design Group The year 2013 marks the 10-year anniversary of Renovation Design Group. It is a milestone year for us, and we’d like to share our…
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Renovation Solutions: Design tips: Remodeling your basement can lead to wonderful, usable spaces downstairs
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Design tips: Remodeling your basement can lead to wonderful, usable spaces downstairsFinishing your basement is a less-expensive and less-invasive alternative to a home addition, and it does not eat up yard space. With good architectural design, even shelf basements with low ceilings and small windows, or basements that have already been poorly “finished” can be transformed into wonderful, usable spaces. If you add a bedroom in…
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Holiday season tests your home the most and sparks remodeling discussions
Read More: Holiday season tests your home the most and sparks remodeling discussionsThe 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 the most. This is when you learn (or remember) you really could use that extra bedroom for house guests, your dining room isn’t quite big enough when you add…
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Renovation Solutions: The problem of asbestos in home remodels
Read More: Renovation Solutions: The problem of asbestos in home remodelsWe recently had a reader ask us to highlight the problem of asbestos in private residences, so this is our topic of the week. Asbestos abatement workers contain the area and must where respirators to protect themselves from the harmful effects of working around disturbed asbestos. (DRL Enterprises, Inc., www.drlenterprisesinc.com) Even small areas need…
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Renovation Solutions: Adding insulation will combat high heating bills
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Adding insulation will combat high heating billsThe weather is getting colder and the energy bill is getting higher. If your heating bill is through the roof, then that may be exactly where your heat is escaping — through your roof and walls. There were three different types of insulation used in this residential remodel: Open-cell spray polyurethane foam used in the…
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New countertops are quick, painless upgrade
Read More: New countertops are quick, painless upgradeHere’s a quick and easy way to upgrade your home: Install new countertops. Installing new countertops does not require moving walls, making structural changes or imposing drastic disruptions to your life. The actual disruption can be limited to just one day of switching out the old and new. New counters can be considered for bathrooms…
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Built-in seating gets you more out of your kitchen
Read More: Built-in seating gets you more out of your kitchenLast week, we started our kitchen remodeling series in honor of Thanksgiving — the holiday with the most time spent in the kitchen. Beyond Thanksgiving and other holiday gatherings, modern families are actually spending more time in general in the kitchen. The kitchen has become command central. It is not only a place to store…
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Renovation Solutions: Carving out a better kitchen
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Carving out a better kitchenIt is hard to believe it is already November. Now that the election is over, everyone can all start thinking about the next big event in November: Thanksgiving. With its focus of a wonderful, home-cooked meal, there is no doubt that Thanksgiving wins as the holiday with the most time spent in the kitchen. What…
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Creative storage space ideas
Read More: Creative storage space ideasMore storage space is one of the top needs on our clients’ lists. What we help clients realize is that storage doesn’t necessarily have to come in the form of a closet. There are many ways to creatively add storage space to your homes. The first priority is to carefully look at your existing storage.…
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Renovation Solutions: An architect’s tale of the Frankenhouses
Read More: Renovation Solutions: An architect’s tale of the FrankenhousesIn honor of this ghoulish holiday, we want to resurrect a favorite scary tale: “The Story of the Frankenhouses.” Spooky decorations may add some Halloween flare to this recently remodeled porch, but nothing is scarier than An Architect’s Tale of the Frankenhouses. Daniel Barton, Renovation Design Group Frankenhouses are “renovated” homes that feature things…
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Defining space with ceiling design
Read More: Defining space with ceiling designOne of the main goals of architecture is to clearly and beautifully define and differentiate space in a home. While adding a wall is one way to do that, it is not the only way. Today’s families want houses that accommodate their lifestyles, which tend to be less formal than they were in the past.…
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Renovation Solutions: Wall thickness can be used as design tool
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Wall thickness can be used as design toolLast week we discussed interior views — the views we see from room to room inside our homes. One important aspect of these views is the wall in the rooms themselves. Wall thickness actually impacts the look and feel of the house. Many people associate thicker walls with sturdiness, permanence and a time when homes…
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How to create better interior views
Read More: How to create better interior viewsRemoving a section of wall and adding a window in the wall behind it made this space feel much more open and inviting. (David Price, Renovation Design Group) Architecture is often associated with how the home is viewed from the exterior, but there are far more opportunities to impact the lives of those who…
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Tips for designing a welcoming home
Read More: Tips for designing a welcoming homeIt is difficult to put into words what it feels like to come home. “Home” looks and feels different for everyone. However, there are similarities in the elements of architecture that create that welcoming feeling of “Ahh, we’re home.” Before: while tiling an entry area helps, it is still awkward to walk directly into a…
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Designing the perfect ‘away room’
Read More: Designing the perfect ‘away room’Because our homes are filled with electronics, televisions, computers, appliances and people, our homes are filled with noise. When a majority of the public space in a home is open, it is helpful to maintain a small space that can be closed off to contain or seal out noise. (Brent Murray, Renovation Design Group) Noise…
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Remodeling should focus on comfort, not size
Read More: Remodeling should focus on comfort, not sizeSo many times, clients come to us asking for more space. However, most of the time it is not more space that they actually need. It is better space. Do you use every room of your house every day? How are you using those rooms? Are feeling cramped in your current house? Is there wasted…
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Busy families choose mudrooms for entrances
Read More: Busy families choose mudrooms for entrancesBusy families with school-age children have most likely spent the last few weeks buying school clothes and supplies to prepare for the new school year. As we say goodbye to summer, it is time for us to gear up for the busy fall season. Now that everyone is finished vacationing, many will again be thinking…
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Renovation Solutions: Three home design elements to better your home
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Three home design elements to better your homeIn our last column, we started the discussion on design elements that affect our lives and our relationships in our homes. We talked about three key design elements: light, interior views and shelter around activity. This five-foot opening between a basement family room and guest room helps the spaces feel larger and more connected. (Brent…
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Using design elements in your home can renew life : By Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson For the Deseret News
Read More: Using design elements in your home can renew life : By Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson For the Deseret NewsArchitects have numerous design tools at their disposal to evoke positive emotions. Good architects know when to use each one and can expertly apply combinations of them to change the lives of their clients. There are three general areas of impact to a client’s life: The natural light from the window and the skylight…
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Renovation Solutions: How to survive a renovation
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How to survive a renovationMany of those who remodel choose to stay in their home while it is being renovated. In terms of saving money, this isn’t a bad idea. It is definitely more cost-effective than renting a place for the few months your house will be torn up. However, this decision is not an easy one to live…
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Tips on making remodeling less stressful
Read More: Tips on making remodeling less stressfulAs difficult as remodeling is under the best of circumstances, imagine trying to complete a project on a house in a different city or state. For instance, a Utah family was transferred to Arizona. The family flew to the new city for a few days and found a house that would do, but with some…
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Renovation Solutions: Remodeling lessons learned from office renovation
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Remodeling lessons learned from office renovationWe recently renovated a space and moved our office. This has been a good experience in the same way that a surgeon should occasionally have an operation. We are in the business of uprooting people’s lives, temporarily, and telling them that the pain and stress are all worth it. We assure them that they will…
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The key to successful remodeling, even if you do it yourself; Simple secret to a successful home remodel
Read More: The key to successful remodeling, even if you do it yourself; Simple secret to a successful home remodelWe would like to preface this column by saying that we are not automatically opposed to do-it-yourself remodels. We have seen some beautiful homes remodeled by homeowners as the contractor and/or laborer. Granted, the homeowner who successfully does it himself is usually experienced with construction or handier than the average homeowner, but putting some sweat…
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How architecture can change lives
Read More: How architecture can change livesHappy clients are the measure of our success. We enjoy having our work published and earning design awards, but we get our most direct rewards from our happy clients. Nothing is more rewarding than to hear how our work has truly improved our clients’ lives. Before: In this project, we removed a wall to open…
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Bringing light inside the home with skylights
Read More: Bringing light inside the home with skylightsStudies show that when people live and work in a well-lit environment, they are happier, healthier and more productive. Natural lighting can also be another way to save on electricity, since it provides free light and warmth. This design technique is called daylighting. A solar tube skylight was added in a mudroom as part of…