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Year – 2009

Insulation will lower heating bills

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon The weather is getting colder, but saving on the heating bill this winter shouldn’t mean you have to cuddle under four blankets to stay warm. If your heating bill is through the roof, then

rdgNovember 9, 2011 Basements & Attics, Year - 2009 Read more

Renovating? Upgrade home’s earthquake resistance

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Architecture is an interesting combination of art and science. In this column we usually feature the more visual side of our profession, but physics also has a lot to do with a remodeling project.

rdgJanuary 25, 2010 Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2009 Read more

Strive for year-round functionality in holiday remodels

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer 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. This is when you learn (or remember) you

rdgDecember 14, 2009 Designing Principals, Year - 2009 Read more

Remodeling now could save homeowners a bundle

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Notice we did not say a “fond” farewell. Frankly, we are glad to see it go. It seems everyone has struggled through, both professionally and personally. Here’s hoping for better things in 2010! We

rdgDecember 8, 2009 Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2009 Read more

Move, build or remodel? Each has pluses, drawbacks

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer There is no ignoring the fact: Your house is just not working for you anymore. Either your circumstances have changed (more people in the family, fewer people at home, more money coming in, less

rdgDecember 7, 2009 Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2009 Read more

Family’s new garage finally functions like a garage

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer The Ashworth family came to us needing two things from their garage: a place to park their cars and some much-needed additional storage space. Though the existing 1920s garage was large, the doors were

rdgNovember 30, 2009 Front Porches, Garages, Year - 2009 Read more

Architect can be valuable in bidding process

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Unfortunately, many homeowners think undertaking a remodeling project means picking up the phone and calling a contractor. If you have read any of our columns over the past several years, we hope you have

rdgNovember 23, 2009 Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2009 Read more

Be thorough when selecting a general contractor

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Choosing the right general contractor is a critical step in remodeling your home. No matter how well your architect designs the plans or how vividly you envision the project, the remodeling contractor can literally

rdgNovember 16, 2009 Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2009 Read more

Keep your toes toasty with radiant heating in floors

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer There are few things worse in the winter than stepping on a cold tile floor. A heated floor is one of those luxuries that is becoming more common with the push for energy efficiency

rdgNovember 9, 2009 Materials, Finishes, Appliances & Fixtures, Year - 2009 Read more

Details important when remodeling older, boxy homes

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer We know the little boxy houses of yesterday do not meet the needs of the modern family — and they haven’t for decades. So, it wasn’t surprising to hear that Ty Robbins’ 1937 home

rdgNovember 2, 2009 Designing Principals, Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2009 Read more

Green building’ tips for remodeling

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer It is all the rage to talk about “green building” and “sustainable design,” but what do these buzz words really mean and what difference does it make to you? They essentially mean the same

rdgOctober 26, 2009 Energy Efficiency & Green Design, Materials, Finishes, Appliances & Fixtures, Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2009 Read more

Home should be checked for radon

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer All of us face a variety of risks to our health as we go about our daily lives. Driving in cars, flying in planes and being exposed to environmental pollutants all pose varying degrees

rdgOctober 20, 2009 Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2009 Read more

Easy ways to lower your heating bill

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer The weather is starting to change, and winter chills and high energy bills are on their way. You are probably just turning the furnace on for the first time, but after the heating bills

rdgOctober 19, 2009 Energy Efficiency & Green Design, Year - 2009 Read more

Natural colors often best when choosing paint

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer 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

rdgOctober 12, 2009 Designing Principals, Year - 2009 Read more

Good design transforms home, lives

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer In architecture, the basic building blocks of good design include space, light and order. Good design doesn’t have to be dramatic. It can be subtle and still have a huge impact on a house.

rdgOctober 5, 2009 Designing Principals, Year - 2009 Read more

A neighborhood-friendly remodeling project

If you want to live in an established Salt Lake City neighborhood, the houses often are either too small or expensive fixer-uppers. The nature of a typical city neighborhood breeds remodeling. In Holly Morham’s neighborhood, she says she sees remodeling

rdgSeptember 27, 2009 Additions, Year - 2009 Read more

Practical, aesthetic details make home shine

Practical, aesthetic details make home shine By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Architect Mies van der Rohe said, “God is in the details.” Others have said, “The devil is in the details.” We suppose it’s all in the perspective. Certainly

rdgSeptember 20, 2009 Designing Principals, Year - 2009 Read more

Bungalow transformed into city-style loft

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer The little bungalow in Salt Lake City, Utah looks like any other home in the neighborhood from the street. “It is very deceptive,” says Barbara, owner of the newly remodeled home. “On the outside

rdgAugust 31, 2009 Designing Principals, Home Styles, Year - 2009 Read more

If design is right, outdoor areas can be living space, too

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer People tend to look at homes from wall to wall, considering only the inside space as liveable area. Many often neglect to consider the outdoor spaces, never stepping foot in them let alone using

rdgAugust 24, 2009 Exterior Updating, Year - 2009 Read more

The construction phase is critical

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Last week we discussed Lucynthia Knudsen’s remodeling experience, but there’s another aspect of her project that we would like to discuss. Knudsen’s story is intriguing, but it was actually a record project for us

rdgAugust 16, 2009 Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2009 Read more

Breaking remodeling job into phases helps budget

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Last week, we discussed saving money on your renovation by being your own general contractor. Well, not everyone has the skill set, time or patience to do that. So this week, we have a

rdgAugust 13, 2009 Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2009 Read more

Renovation turns ordinary house into something inspiring

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer The old family house on the east bench of the Salt Lake Valley turned 83 this year. When Lucynthia Robbins Lines Knudsen received the deed to the house, she couldn’t bear to sell it.

rdgAugust 10, 2009 Family, Living, & Great Rooms, Interior Remodeling, Master Suites & Bedrooms, Year - 2009 Read more

Be remodel’s boss and save money

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Right now it seems frugality is back in fashion. Everyone is giving tips on how to save money and make your dollar stretch further. Even when it comes to remodeling there are ways to

rdgJuly 27, 2009 Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2009 Read more

Modernist architecture can’t be ignored

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer 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

rdgJuly 20, 2009 Home Styles, Year - 2009 Read more

Eclectic movement focuses on being true to earlier architectural styles

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer 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.

rdgJuly 13, 2009 Home Styles, Year - 2009 Read more

Victorian homes are a charming challenge

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Queen Victoria reigned over England from 1837 to 1901, influencing more than just politics. Her reign also influenced literature, clothing, furniture and, yes, architecture. Even today, more than 100 years later, you still see

rdgJuly 6, 2009 Home Styles, Year - 2009 Read more

Welcome spring with porch remodeling

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer It’s spring and our thoughts turn to outdoor living. We long for the days soon to come when we can sit on our back porch and relax outside, and our mouths are already watering

rdgJune 30, 2009 Exterior Updating, Year - 2009 Read more

You can renovate colonial home without losing charm

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer For the Past two weeks we have spotlighted several home types: the craftsman bungalow, the Tudor, the Cape Cod and the California ranch. Of course there are more than just four house styles, so

rdgJune 29, 2009 Home Styles, Year - 2009 Read more

When renovating, capitalize on home’s particular style

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer 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

rdgJune 22, 2009 Home Styles, Year - 2009 Read more

Know home style before renovating

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Several predominant home styles have evolved over the past century in the United States. You’ve seen them as you’ve driven the streets of Salt Lake City’s classic neighborhoods: the fairy-tale Tudor revival, classic craftsman

rdgJune 15, 2009 Home Styles, Year - 2009 Read more

Well-landscaped yard boosts value

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Everyone can recognize a well-landscaped yard. It is beautiful, comfortable, functions well, and has a strong connection to the home it surrounds. A well-landscaped front yard adds curb appeal, which translates into increased real-estate

rdgJune 8, 2009 Miscellaneous, Year - 2009 Read more

Duplex remodel maintains historical charm

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer The beautiful, brick Georgian house is in Salt Lake City Avenues historical district, and it was important to Jane Beatty to maintain her home’s historic luster. “The bones of the house itself are still

rdgJune 1, 2009 Home Styles, Master Suites & Bedrooms, Year - 2009 Read more

Design guidelines have pluses and minuses

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Last week, we summarized the main governmental and private approaches to preserving and legislating our built environment. Covenants, conditions and restrictions; zoning codes; building departments; the National Historic Register; the Utah State Historical Society

rdgMay 18, 2009 Designing Principals, Miscellaneous, Year - 2009 Read more

Governments offer various controls on remodeling

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer One of the most unsettling experiences you can encounter is looking out your front window to see a huge Dumpster being delivered in your neighbor’s driveway. This home in the Gilmer Park area of

rdgMay 11, 2009 Miscellaneous, Year - 2009 Read more

Remodeling Tips: Remodeling Contractor, Architect saves money on remodeling

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer For many of our clients, when they finally sit down with us, it isn’t their first remodeling endeavor. Often times, their first go-round was years ago when they tried to tackle the project by

rdgMay 4, 2009 Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year - 2009 Read more

Open design: Kitchen design reignites owner’s love of cooking

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Any man can understand how difficult and frustrating it is to try to complete a project without the right tools or the proper work space. The same principle applies to the kitchen. Martine Smith

rdgApril 27, 2009 Kitchens, Year - 2009 Read more

Living Room Design: Opening up living space helps entertain guests

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer After 30 years of marriage, Perry and Linda Cunningham had finally made it to their dream neighborhood. The problem was the 1920s craftsman-style house they bought was not meeting their needs. With just the

rdgApril 20, 2009 Designing Principals, Interior Remodeling, Kitchens, Year - 2009 Read more

Garage Renovations: Remodel garage and simply organize to best use space

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer When you live in the Rocky Mountains, a good garage can significantly improve your life. If you have ever faced early mornings scraping the snow and ice off your car, you know the advantages

rdgApril 13, 2009 Exterior Updating, Garages, Year - 2009 Read more

Improving and enjoying outdoor living spaces

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer With the advent of spring, we enjoy reconnecting with the outdoors through hiking, biking, golf or puttering around in the garden. Have you ever considered how well your home connects with your outdoor living

rdgApril 6, 2009 Exterior Updating, Interior Remodeling, Year - 2009 Read more

Welcome spring with porch remodeling

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer It’s spring and our thoughts turn to outdoor living. We long for the days soon to come when we can sit on our back porch and relax outside, and our mouths are already watering

rdgMarch 30, 2009 Exterior Updating, Front Porches, Year - 2009 Read more
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Recent Posts

  • Renovation Solutions: The value of a remodeling budget, part 2
  • Renovation Solutions: 3 necessary budget questions to consider before embarking on a home remodeling project
  • Renovation Solutions: Don’t be your own worst enemy when remodeling
  • Renovation Solutions: Do we stay or do we go?
  • Home remodels that impact resale value

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