By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Energy efficient updates are a good idea any time of the year. However, as the season changes there is a more measurable and meaningful reason to go green. You can ease the pain of
Avoid pitfalls of overbuilding for your neighborhood
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Overbuilding is one of the major mistakes people can make when remodeling their homes. So much so that real estate agents refer to it as the most commonly broken real estate commandment: “Thou shalt
In child’s room, focus on lighting, shelving and the bed
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Summer is winding down, and it is almost time to send those little darlings back to school. With just days remaining before the first day of school, you might be able to sneak in
Swamp cooler is an inexpensive way to beat the heat
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Last week we discussed the basics of cooling system upgrades in regard to central air conditioning. However, in this dry, desert climate, central air isn’t the last word on effective cooling systems. Another natural
Time for cooling-system upgrade? Here are the basics
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Well, summer finally came, and more hot days are in the forecast. While most Utahns have some sort of cooling system in their homes, some yearn for a system upgrade. Here is a basic
Be prepared with your kitchen appliance choices
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer One of the most exciting and challenging parts of the remodeling process is choosing the finishes, fixtures and appliances. While selecting asphalt shingles, furnaces and the type of insulation that will go into your
Well-landscaped yard adds beauty and value to home
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer When you think of remodeling to increase the resale value of your home, you might think of updating the kitchen or adding a master suite. But according to a new study from Michigan State
Working with experts makes window shopping easier
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Remodeling can be an overwhelming process. There are just so many options. Take windows for example: There are hundreds of shapes, sizes, styles, colors and features to choose from. These doors and windows open
Consider a guy’s interests when designing a ‘man cave’
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Just over a week ago, we celebrated the fathers in our lives. Today, in honor of the manly men, we thought we would write about a remodeling anomaly known as the “man cave.” While
Creatively add space with purpose
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Meet the Schwartzes: A family of eight with six children ranging from one in the crib to junior high. They live in an East Millcreek neighborhood that is close to work and to extended
Choose your architect wisely
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer We have often touted the value of working with an architect on your home remodeling project. However, before you can pick an architect, you have to know where to find one. You can begin
Gather plenty of information to prepare for your remodel
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Our most efficient clients are the ones who come in knowing what they want. With so many options available for residential design and remodeling today, smart clients do their part to formulate an idea
Send in your renovation questions
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer We started writing this renovation column back in April 2005. With our five-year anniversary, we wanted to turn our attention to our readers. First of all, thank you for reading. And to the Deseret
Before remodeling, get professional plan and real budget
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer It seems the economy is finally on the mend. Though concerns and worries still abound, things are looking more positive. A master plan is especially crucial before remodeling project is started. The worst thing
Plan for future, efficiency with your bathroom design
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer American consumers are choosing a little bit of luxury mixed with practicality and efficiency when it comes to bathroom remodels. That is according to The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Design Trends Survey, compiled
Recycling centers, pantries among top kitchen upgrades
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Every quarter, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) surveys 500 architects across the country to discover the latest design trends in kitchen and bath remodels. According to the 2009 survey for the fourth quarter,
Solar water heaters add to home’s energy efficiency
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Recently, we wrote about tankless water heaters. Following its publication, we were contacted by a nice gentleman named Larry Wilkins. Wilkins has been in the tankless water heater business for many years, and operates
7 steps to a net-zero home — start with conservation
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer One of our favorite home-improvement publications is Fine Homebuilding magazine, published by Taunton Press. It is the largest residential construction magazine with informative how-to articles written by the “guys who swing the hammers.” The
3 tips on house remodeling, to ease the pain
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer While experience may be the best teacher, remodeling a house is not an experience that most (sane) people undertake repeatedly in their lifetimes. Therefore, it becomes critical that you benefit from others” experience, both
New EPA rules affect renovations
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Starting April 22, the Environmental Protection Agency is mandating all renovation contractors who work on pre-1978 homes be certified to properly handle lead-based paint to avoid environmental contamination. Lead-based paint was used in more
Finding your own design style is a revealing process
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer A person going through the process of finding a design style may be surprised at the types of items selected — people tend to be eclectic. A person’s design style is as unique as
Tankless water heater nice for Earth and you
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Having hot water available at our fingertips has to be one of the great inventions of the past few centuries. Credit goes to Edwin Ruud, a Norwegian mechanical engineer, as the inventor of the
Building home a big task, but you get what you want
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Very rarely can a family find everything they want in a house on the market ready for them to buy. Families usually have to remodel or build new in order to get their dream
Remodel fireplace to enhance its charm and safety
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer A fireplace is one of the most satisfying, romantic and rewarding aspects of a home, especially this time of year. It should be the focal point of a room and reflect the style of
Consider future when remodeling (not-so) empty nest
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer One of our clients recently referred to his remodeling project as transforming his “home for raising kids” into “a place for gathering.” “We are entering a new phase in our family,” he said. “Our
Building from ground up has plusses, minuses
Even our most experienced homeowners find a challenge when they choose to tear down their home and rebuild from the ground up. Just ask Chris Burckle and her family. This was their third remodeling project on three houses in Salt
Architect provides solid foundation for remodel project
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer There is no getting around it: If you are remodeling your home, you are going to need a set of plans. Plans will be required for municipal review prior to issuing a building permit,