Year – 2008
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Weigh pros and cons of remodeling vs. buying new home
Read More: Weigh pros and cons of remodeling vs. buying new homeBy 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: Should I move to a new home or remodel the one I have? An architect…
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Digging down erases steep driveway
Read More: Digging down erases steep drivewayWhen 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 creative uses of existing space we have seen. Jennie’s home is on a steep Bountiful…
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Combating McMansion craze
Read More: Combating McMansion crazeBy 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 a single-family home in the United States increased from 1,500 square feet to 2,443 —…
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Give fireplace a cost-effective face-lift
Read More: Give fireplace a cost-effective face-liftBy 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 fireplace this time of year, we thought we would discuss options to remodel yours. The…
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Give the gift of architecture
Read More: Give the gift of architecturey 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 love architecture as others love paintings or symphonies. Remodeling magazine subscriptions or architectural books…
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Being decisive will help streamline your remodel
Read More: Being decisive will help streamline your remodelBy 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 fact of the matter is there are specific phases in this process. They are sequential…
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Save money tomorrow with a master plan today
Read More: Save money tomorrow with a master plan todayBy 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 it is not hard to understand that line of reasoning. During above: Replacing the windows…
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Skylights add light, warmth, dimension
Read More: Skylights add light, warmth, dimensionBy 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 cheers us up and makes a space more pleasant. The question in these days of…
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Vanquish ‘energy vampires’
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. That means controlling “the energy vampires” that slowly suck the energy and heat out of…
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Beautify basement window wells
Read More: Beautify basement window wellsBy 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 below-grade, it makes sense that there is a new market for livable basement products. For…
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Pet-friendly home reduces stress
Read More: Pet-friendly home reduces stressBy 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 many lifestyles include pets as important and valued members of the family. From building in-the-wall…
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New garage door adds curb appeal
Read More: New garage door adds curb appealBy 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 are ways to upgrade without paying for a new garage. Our first “renovation-alternative” is to…
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Garage remodel enhances home
Read More: Garage remodel enhances homeBy 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 and practical elements of your home, it holds a great deal of potential for making…
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Right roofing material is key to blending home addition
Read More: Right roofing material is key to blending home additionBy 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 have fallen from space and just happened to land on a particular house. Remodels don’t…
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Remodel pulls laundry out of the dungeon
Read More: Remodel pulls laundry out of the dungeonBy 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 person you are, your laundry room should function for your laundry style. It’s an architectural…
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Ceiling beams and other ceiling finishing touches
Read More: Ceiling beams and other ceiling finishing touchesBy 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 of your house’s appearance. While walls, flooring and exterior work are important when it comes…
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Tiles almost limitless in their variety and uses in home
Read More: Tiles almost limitless in their variety and uses in homeBy 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 floor covering: tile. Tile has a natural, handcrafted look that is durable and has easy…
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Hardwood flooring is great way to dress up any space
Read More: Hardwood flooring is great way to dress up any spaceBy 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 is among the most beautiful types of material available for residential floors. Besides being visually…
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New carpet one of the easiest ways to renovate rooms
Read More: New carpet one of the easiest ways to renovate roomsBy 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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Homes have public and private spaces
Read More: Homes have public and private spacesBy 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 be identified and appropriately designed in your remodel. The first is public spaces. These are…
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Leaky basements can be prevented or remodeled
Read More: Leaky basements can be prevented or remodeledBy 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 wet and moldy and your foundation walls cracked, you have no choice but to look…
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Bathtubs can be refinished with ease
Read More: Bathtubs can be refinished with easeBy 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. For years, bathtubs were made of steel with a vitreous china coating. This is a…
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Bathroom may need partial redo
Read More: Bathroom may need partial redoBy 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. Everyone is feeling the pinch, and all our plans and projects are being scrutinized and…
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Tubs help bathrooms become relaxing retreats
Read More: Tubs help bathrooms become relaxing retreatsBy 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 at a premium, the secret to a great tub is to have a separate shower.…
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Sinks can add beauty to baths
Read More: Sinks can add beauty to bathsBy 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 dual-basin models for luxurious master baths. The sink is certainly a practical necessity in a…
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Lots of options in bath remodel
Read More: Lots of options in bath remodelBy 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 you never had to have a guest use the kids’ bathroom again. It’s amazing the…
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Redo closet in a weekend
Read More: Redo closet in a weekendBy 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” is still good advice. Homes and rooms seem larger when they are not filled with…
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Use color to create a mood
Read More: Use color to create a moodBy 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, you may feel indecisive and insecure about choosing color schemes. We’ve all experienced the difficulty…
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Lighting key to comfort, design
Read More: Lighting key to comfort, designBy 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 their placement can drastically enhance architecture, give character and individuality to a space, and set…
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Want to do your part for conservation? Remodel
Read More: Want to do your part for conservation? RemodelBy 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 jumped on the green bandwagon, and it is gaining speed. As architects, we are bombarded…
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Architects valuable in redesign
Read More: Architects valuable in redesignBy 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 as you direct. But if you want to study the possibilities and consider your options…
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Take initiative with major remodel
Read More: Take initiative with major remodelBy 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. Ultimately, you, as the homeowner, are in charge. You have to think of yourself as…
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Contractor choice is critical step
Read More: Contractor choice is critical stepBy 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 final outcome. While each member of the design team has an important role, the contractor’s…
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Make interior designer part of team
Read More: Make interior designer part of teamBy 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 talk about another possible contributor: an interior designer. The line between the responsibilities of an…
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Family designs house for casual lifestyle
Read More: Family designs house for casual lifestyleBy 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 existing space or add on to make their physical surroundings reflect their more casual and…
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Boomers have their own style
Read More: Boomers have their own styleBy 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, many “boomer” couples and individuals are experiencing this phenomenon. The actual need is not always…
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Give the deck a face-lift
Read More: Give the deck a face-liftBy 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 we will focus on another outdoor-living favorite: the classic wooden deck. After a winter of…
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Spruce up your porch for summer
Read More: Spruce up your porch for summerBy 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 backyard, now is the time to assess its condition and get it ready for outdoor…
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Some concrete ideas for home remodeling
Read More: Some concrete ideas for home remodelingBy 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 this typically utilitarian building material into whatever you can imagine. They can make concrete any…
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Outdoor kitchens can enhance backyard barbecues
Read More: Outdoor kitchens can enhance backyard barbecuesBy 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 imagine spring and summer without a little outdoor cooking. The backyard culinary experience has moved…