Year – 2015
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How HGTV, Pinterest are changing home design
Read More: How HGTV, Pinterest are changing home designBetween 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 smartphones while waiting in the dentist’s office, nary a moment need go by without being…
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Renovation Solutions: Budgeting, repurposing can create savings on remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Budgeting, repurposing can create savings on remodelingLast 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 plan, the more you can save. Your contractor needs detailed design plans in order to…
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3 more home design areas to address for holiday entertaining
Read More: 3 more home design areas to address for holiday entertainingLike 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 make the quality of life for the holidays just a little bit brighter. While your…
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Renovation Solutions: House design elements to consider for holiday entertaining
Read More: Renovation Solutions: House design elements to consider for holiday entertainingA 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 so much of the holiday experience is centered on food. Meaning, we typically don’t need…
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Navigating the great move vs. remodel debate
Read More: Navigating the great move vs. remodel debateWhen 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 it function well for your family. Consulting with an architect at this point will help…
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Creating a plan leads to saving money on remodeling
Read More: Creating a plan leads to saving money on remodelingAt 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 the meantime, the space is being used as storage (Trina Knudsen, photo credit) Before …
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Renovation Solutions: Home remodeling horror stories
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Home remodeling horror storiesEditor’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 project house. The good news is these remodeling nightmares can be avoided with careful planning…
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Renovation Solutions: Home remodeling with pets in mind
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Home remodeling with pets in mindWhen 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 published a report on a pet survey it has taken. Besides confirming that pets generally…
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Renovation Solutions: Tricks to front porch additions
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Tricks to front porch additionsWhen 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, the front porch also serves to add to a home’s functionality for residents and guests…
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Renovation Solutions: What to consider when adding a pantry
Read More: Renovation Solutions: What to consider when adding a pantryLack 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 a common kitchen shortcoming. A well-designed pantry is a design item that can positively impact…
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Empty nesters find family togetherness in new remodel
Read More: Empty nesters find family togetherness in new remodelAs 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 to sleep. That obviously changes as we get older. Once a person decides to put…
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How to stick to your remodeling budget
Read More: How to stick to your remodeling budgetOne 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 architects and contractors experienced in the remodeling process, but surprises can be lurking behind Sheetrock…
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Renovation Solutions: Key to a successful DIY home remodel is a master plan
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Key to a successful DIY home remodel is a master planBy 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 do-it-yourself remodels. We have seen some beautiful homes remodeled by homeowners acting as the contractor…
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Renovation Solutions: When remodeling, don’t forget interior views
Read More: Renovation Solutions: When remodeling, don’t forget interior viewsIt 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 the exterior, but there are many opportunities to impact the lives of those who live…
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How to design a comfortable home for guests, residents
Read More: How to design a comfortable home for guests, residentsThis 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 more casual, open floor plans, it is important to consider issues related to privacy when…
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Renovation Solutions: Converting garages to living space
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Converting garages to living spaceEditor’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 attic conversions. This week, let’s talk about converting a garage into living space. The original…
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Small, smart additions to your home can replace expensive big ones
Read More: Small, smart additions to your home can replace expensive big onesSmall, 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 We have talked about reconfiguring and repurposing existing space to change your home and life…
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Finding more space without an addition
Read More: Finding more space without an additionMost 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 think of an addition to accomplish the goal of adding more space to their house,…
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Renovation Solutions: Couple makes investment in family with remodel
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Couple makes investment in family with remodelWe 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 are coming from a strange position. However, we know a lot of people can relate…
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Renovation Solutions: Retirement living with Cape Cod style, flair
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Retirement living with Cape Cod style, flairJill 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, they wanted a home that had the New Englander flare they were used to. Annie…
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Renovation Solutions: Common oversights when remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Common oversights when remodelingEditor’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 section. Portions of this column were previously published. This month, we are discussing common home…
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Renovation Solutions: Whether home is a Cape Cod or California ranch, remodel to capitalize on home’s style
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Whether home is a Cape Cod or California ranch, remodel to capitalize on home’s styleEditor’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 addition or renovation. Ignore this principle and you’ll end up spending a lot of money…
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Tudors or craftsman home styles offer a lot
Read More: Tudors or craftsman home styles offer a lotAbout 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 few centuries in the United States. They include the fairy-tale Tudor revival, classic craftsman bungalow…
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Renovation Solutions: 5 tips to avoiding costly remodeling mistakes
Read More: Renovation Solutions: 5 tips to avoiding costly remodeling mistakesEditor’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 week, we started a discussion on common remodeling mistakes. This week we will continue by…
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Avoiding common home remodeling mistakes
Read More: Avoiding common home remodeling mistakesPart 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 a thousand projects, and that gives us a leg up in the experience department. Therefore,…
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Renovation Solutions: How soggy basement carpet changed 2 lives for the better
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How soggy basement carpet changed 2 lives for the betterMost 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, it was a flooded basement that finally did the trick. They came home from a…
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Renovation Solutions: How to make remodeling a smart investment
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How to make remodeling a smart investmentMany 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 house flows and circulates is critical to how it feels and functions. How a house…
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Renovation Solutions: 5 signs it is time to remodel
Read More: Renovation Solutions: 5 signs it is time to remodelThere 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 for college), while others may just feel it is finally time to execute the dream.…
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Renovation Solutions: Three renovation projects to make a home more energy-efficient
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Three renovation projects to make a home more energy-efficientBefore: 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 to be beautiful and functional, stylish and timeless, solve problems and fulfill dreams. One common…
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Renovation Solutions: A pellet ice machine might start a big remodel project
Read More: Renovation Solutions: A pellet ice machine might start a big remodel projectWe’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 to the main and upper floors of the house. That simple pellet ice machine would…
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Renovation Solutions: How to get the most out of your kitchen
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How to get the most out of your kitchenA 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 design, equipment and the finishes all impact both the functionality and the aesthetic appeal of…
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Renovation Solutions: How to survive a home remodel
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How to survive a home remodelBy 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 in life, you may encounter some hardships and difficulties during the home remodeling process. While…
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Designing your own ultimate outdoor kitchen
Read More: Designing your own ultimate outdoor kitchenAnnie 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 hard to imagine spring and summer without a little outdoor cooking. Eighty percent of all…
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Renovation Solutions: When to hire an architect and how much it will cost
Read More: Renovation Solutions: When to hire an architect and how much it will costAn 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 may be useful to answer that question here for others who may wonder the same…
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Renovation Solutions: Life-centered design improves lives through remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Life-centered design improves lives through remodelingResidential 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 are also the end users. When designing a large commercial or institutional building, architects have…
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Adding curb appeal to your house
Read More: Adding curb appeal to your houseReal estate professionals say it time and time again: Curb appeal (or the lack thereof) can make or break a deal. They say potential buyers form their opinions about a given property within the first 15 seconds of viewing a house. Whether you are selling your house or not, curb appeal is important and can…
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Renovation Solutions: Determining if the dining room is right for you
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Determining if the dining room is right for youAll 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 it was, so the next trend is to bring it back. Take, for instance, the…
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Renovation Solutions: Determining if the dining room is right for you
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Determining if the dining room is right for youBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer BEFORE: In the remodel, the dining room and kitchen swapped places and a wall was removed to open them both to the living room. (Kevin Bunnell, Renovation Design Group) All types of design have trends. Whether it is shoes, furniture or interior design, trends reflect a measurable change…
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Renovation Solutions: Planning the spring projects
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Planning the spring projectsBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer 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 plan your spring projects. Along with the normal…