Between all the design shows on HGTV and the hundreds of thousands of images on Houzz.com and Pinterest.com, we are fortunate to have design tools at our fingertips. Whether we are watching on a 70-inch TV or squinting at our
Renovation Solutions: Solving common house problems with remodeling
As we are architects who specialize in residential remodeling, every client we see has a problem with his or her house. Some of these houses just need a cosmetic upgrade (replacing outdated finishes, appliances, plumbing fixtures, etc., in their current
3 more home design areas to address for holiday entertaining
Like we said last week, you never should design a remodel for a once-a-year event such as Thanksgiving or Christmas. However, having the ultimate entertaining house that functions just as well on special occasions as it does every day will
Renovation Solutions: House design elements to consider for holiday entertaining
A line we use with most clients is, “We aren’t going to design for Thanksgiving!” (Trina Knudsen, Renovation Design Group) When designing with the holidays in mind, it is hard not to consider the kitchen and food preparation when
Navigating the great move vs. remodel debate
When your house isn’t working for you anymore, the great debate begins: Do you move or remodel? There are many factors to consider. First, take a look at your existing house and determine what needs to be done to make
Renovation Solutions: Budgeting, repurposing can create savings on remodeling
Last week, we started the discussion on home remodeling budgets and saving money on the remodel. Like we said last week and many other times, the key to saving money on your remodeling project is planning ahead. The more you
Creating a plan leads to saving money on remodeling
At the homeowners request, this toilet room in the master bedroom, shown after renovation was designed to accommodate a future walk in tub. The required plumbing was installed behind the walls and floors to make future installation easy, while in
Renovation Solutions: Home remodeling horror stories
Editor’s note: Portions of this column were previously published on deseretnews.com. Happy Halloween! In honor of the scary holiday, we want to discuss some of the most common remodeling nightmares: total budget annihilation, the great disappearing contractor, and the never-ending
Renovation Solutions: Home remodeling with pets in mind
When we ask potential clients about the makeup of their family, it is always useful if they include their pets on the list. While goldfish and a parakeet don’t require much special design attention, dogs and cats do. Houzz.com recently
Renovation Solutions: Tricks to front porch additions
When clients come to us looking to enhance curb appeal, we often recommend a front porch addition or upgrade. A front porch can do wonders for the look and feel of a house. In addition to helping define the style,
Renovation Solutions: What to consider when adding a pantry
Lack of sufficient storage is a common kitchen shortcoming. A well-designed pantry is a design item that can positively impact your life on a daily basis. The pantry is a coveted function in any home. Lack of sufficient storage is
Empty nesters find family togetherness in new remodel
As we move through life, we need different things from our houses. Different ages and stages bring different expectations, needs and wants. College campuses have dorm rooms because all a young college student needs is a place to study and
How to stick to your remodeling budget
One of the most common fears of remodeling is a project snowballing out of control. It is true that when remodeling there will always be unforeseen items that will impact the budget. Most situations can be anticipated by working with
Renovation Solutions: Key to a successful DIY home remodel is a master plan
By Ann Robinson and Annie V Schwemmer Published: Sept. 4, 2015 Editor’s note: Portions of this column were previously published on the authors’ blog. We would like to preface this column by saying that we are not automatically opposed to
Renovation Solutions: When remodeling, don’t forget interior views
It is preferable to see something beautiful at the end of a hallway, like a strategically placed piece of art, as opposed to something like an open bathroom door. Architecture is often associated with how the home is viewed from
How to design a comfortable home for guests, residents
This renovation included adding doors to the office off the entry, so that business related guests didn’t have to traipse through the house to get to the husband’s office (Kenin Bunnel Renovation Design group courtesy) With the social movement toward
Small, smart additions to your home can replace expensive big ones
Small, 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
Renovation Solutions: Converting garages to living space
Editor’s note: Portions of this column were previously published on deseretnews.com. Finding existing space in your home to repurpose, convert into living space or reconfigure may take some creativity. Last week, we discussed how to creatively remodel existing space with
Finding more space without an addition
Most 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
Renovation Solutions: Couple makes investment in family with remodel
We 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
Renovation Solutions: Retirement living with Cape Cod style, flair
Jill 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,
Renovation Solutions: Whether home is a Cape Cod or California ranch, remodel to capitalize on home’s style
Editor’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
Tudors or craftsman home styles offer a lot
About 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
Renovation Solutions: Common oversights when remodeling
Editor’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
Renovation Solutions: 5 tips to avoiding costly remodeling mistakes
Editor’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
Avoiding common home remodeling mistakes
Part 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
Renovation Solutions: How soggy basement carpet changed 2 lives for the better
Most 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,
Renovation Solutions: How to make remodeling a smart investment
Many 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
Renovation Solutions: 5 signs it is time to remodel
There 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
Renovation Solutions: Three renovation projects to make a home more energy-efficient
Before: 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
Renovation Solutions: A pellet ice machine might start a big remodel project
We’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
Renovation Solutions: How to get the most out of your kitchen
A 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
Renovation Solutions: How to survive a home remodel
By 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
Designing your own ultimate outdoor kitchen
Annie 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
Renovation Solutions: When to hire an architect and how much it will cost
An 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
Renovation Solutions: Life-centered design improves lives through remodeling
Residential 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
Renovation Solutions: Determining if the dining room is right for you
All 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
Renovation Solutions: Planning the spring projects
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
Tips for remodeling a bathroom
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
Designing your home with storage in mind
This 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