Additions
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Renovation Solutions: Don’t be your own worst enemy when remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Don’t be your own worst enemy when remodelingMany homeowners have a Houzz or Pinterest account full of beautiful spaces, but finding qualified local professionals who can help them determine what is realistic for their space and budget is an essential step to success. Trina Knudsen, Renovation Design Group So, you have finally had it with your house. It is too small,…
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Renovation Solutions: Five basics of home remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Five basics of home remodelingThere are so many moving parts and issues to consider when remodeling a home that today we want to summarize five of the most important items to consider when tackling a home remodel. A home’s style Scot Zimmerman, Renovation Design Group Part of the work for this remodel was to update the exterior of…
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Renovation Solutions: What a remodeling contractor says about architects
Read More: Renovation Solutions: What a remodeling contractor says about architects(before) This beautiful deck and pergola remodel was the result of a great collaborative effort between the architect, general contractor, and steel fabricator. (Kevin Bunnell, Renovation Design Group) Most people who don’t use an architect for a home remodeling project either think the job is too small, or they aren’t educated on the value of…
Additions, Basements & Attics, Bathrooms, Laundry & Mudrooms, Designing Principals, Dining Rooms, Energy Efficiency & Green Design, Exterior Updating, Family, Living, & Great Rooms, Front Porches, Garages, Home Styles, Interior Remodeling, Kitchens, Master Suites & Bedrooms, Materials, Finishes, Appliances & Fixtures, New Homes, Remodeling Tips & Advice, Year – 2016 -
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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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: 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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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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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: 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 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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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…
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Renovation Solutions: Design for everyday homeowners
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Design for everyday homeownersOur message in a nutshell: No, the first step to a remodel is not to call a contractor. Design comes before construction and each professional has their expertise. (Photo by Renovation Solutions) Many of our friends and acquaintances are kind enough to tell us they enjoy reading our columns. Other than that, however, we don’t…
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Renovation Solutions: Holiday season inspires remodels
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Holiday season inspires remodelsEditor’s note: This column was previously published on deseretnews.com and on their website renovationdesigngroup.com. 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. Before: This client who enjoys entertaining converted an office off the entry to a…
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Renovation Solutions: One family’s experience with remodeling a split-level home
Read More: Renovation Solutions: One family’s experience with remodeling a split-level homeLast week we discussed the common issues of remodeling a split-level or split-entry house. The Smiths found that common thread of a love/hate feeling toward their house and their situation. They loved the neighborhood, the lot and the view. Their split-level had appeal, and with a little tweaking of the floor plan, they knew they…
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Renovation Solutions: Consider small, creative additions
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Consider small, creative additionsWhen we say addition, what do you think of? Do you think of an additional structure off the back of the house, a full room? Do you think of the “big box” addition? Well, we are here to say home additions come in all shapes and sizes — and bigger isn’t always better. Large, “big…
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Renovation Solutions: Converting your garage to living space
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Converting your garage to living spaceFinding existing space in your home to repurpose, convert into living space or reconfigure may take some creativity. We started our series on creatively remodeling existing space by discussing attic conversions. This week we are going to consider converting the garage into living space. By moving the garage into the basement, this family was able…
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Tricks to front porch additions
Read More: Tricks to front porch additionsIf you follow this column, you know that for the past month we have been covering house styles. We broke down the history, traditional elements, remodeling challenges and solutions for the Craftsman Bungalow, the Tudor Revival, the Cape Cod and the California Ranch. While this was just a sampling of house styles, we made the…
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10 years later, architects reflect on their story
Read More: 10 years later, architects reflect on their storyAnnie V. Schwemmer, Jared Bulloch, and Ann Robinson reflect back on the beginning of Renovation Design Group as they celebrate its 10-year anniversary this year. Daniel Barton, Renovation Design Group The year 2013 marks the 10-year anniversary of Renovation Design Group. It is a milestone year for us, and we’d like to share our…
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Renovation Solutions: How to survive a renovation
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How to survive a renovationMany of those who remodel choose to stay in their home while it is being renovated. In terms of saving money, this isn’t a bad idea. It is definitely more cost-effective than renting a place for the few months your house will be torn up. However, this decision is not an easy one to live…
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Renovation Solutions: Repurposing a home’s underused space
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Repurposing a home’s underused spaceYour house has a finite number of square feet, and it is incumbent upon each of us to make sure we are using that space to our greatest advantage. A spare bedroom was an underused space that has been transformed into a music room. (Annie V. Schwemmer) Many people come to us thinking they…
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Renovation Solutions: Be prepared for remodeling ‘unknowns’
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Be prepared for remodeling ‘unknowns’One of the common challenges in remodeling is to control the mentality of adding projects in the “while we are at it” category. These additions can quickly add up and scuttle a project budget. On the other hand, there is a logical sequence to many construction scenarios which can save money. The two main rooms…
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Renovation Solutions: Split-level home updated for a more gathering space
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Split-level home updated for a more gathering spaceWhen the Smith’s bought their home in 1995, they had three children and one on the way. They loved the neighborhood and liked the house. It was in fairly good condition, though it had not been updated since it was built in 1973. The home before the remodel. (Daniel Barton) They fell in love with…
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Renovation Solutions: Frankenhouses: horrifying home remodels
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Frankenhouses: horrifying home remodelsHappy Halloween! Multiple additions can create a disjointed feeling and negatively impact curb appeal. Picasa, Annie V. Schwemmer In honor of this ghoulish holiday, we want to tell a scary story: “The Story of the Frankenhouses.” Frankenhouses are homes that have been “renovated” and yet feature things such as pipes running through living rooms, rooms…
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Renovation Solutions: Deciding to remodel or move
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Deciding to remodel or moveIt happens suddenly, over a cup of coffee and the morning newspaper, or perhaps as you make your way across the obstacle course of clutter that was once your living room. Your house doesn’t fit your needs, and you can’t deny it anymore. It’s time to make a hard decision, one that will undoubtedly involve…
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Renovation Solutions: Renovation Solutions: Remodel project moves into construction phase
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Renovation Solutions: Remodel project moves into construction phaseOne of the most exciting and traumatic times of a remodeling project is when construction finally begins, especially if you are tearing off a roof. In March, we introduced you to the design phase of the Caldwell project. Under construction for about a month now, here is an update on the progress. “We set a…
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Creatively add space with purpose
Read More: Creatively add space with purposeBy 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 family. The kids are involved in their schools and the community. They love it there.…
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A neighborhood-friendly remodeling project
Read More: A neighborhood-friendly remodeling projectIf 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 projects on almost every block. “But I see that as a good thing,” she says.…
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Remodel, move both have costs
Read More: Remodel, move both have costsBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Chances are you aren’t living in your dream home just yet. But don’t worry — you’re in the majority. Usually, a home is missing that extra bedroom or perfect kitchen, bathroom or master suite. Maybe it is lacking the space for your growing family or a large area to…
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Detailed planning keeps remodeling on track
Read More: Detailed planning keeps remodeling on trackBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Most clients come to us ready to remodel, but rarely do they come with the project planned. Two years ago, we met a couple who were ready to start the redesign process on their rambling ranch. The major overhaul was divided into three phases implementing six independent projects over…
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Craftsman Bungalow House re-Design: Home remodeling results in new old home
Read More: Craftsman Bungalow House re-Design: Home remodeling results in new old homeBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon We’ve decided to periodically highlight homeowners and their projects to give you a better feel for real-world remodeling experiences. We realize you will never really know what it’s like until you’ve experienced it yourself, but it’s wise to gather as much information as possible because knowledge is power when…
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Blend inside, outside spaces
Read More: Blend inside, outside spacesBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon We’ve run into an interesting design situation quite a lot recently. When a home has multiple stories, like a basement, main floor and second floor, they are typically stacked on top of each other with a roof on top. Sometimes you will find second stories that are smaller than…
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Home takes form with foundation, framing
Read More: Home takes form with foundation, framingBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon We’ve checked in on our former-fraternity-house project several times now. The permits are in place, demolition has happened, and the reconstruction is moving along nicely. Currently two major phases are under way: concrete and framing. These are exciting phases in any project because what you’ve only seen on paper…
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Extend ‘remodel’ to the outside
Read More: Extend ‘remodel’ to the outsideBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Happy National Landscape Architecture Month! You might not have known that April is the month we celebrate landscape architecture, but with a few warm days sneaking in between our April showers, it’s a great time to stop and think about your yard. Remodeling can do a number on your…
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Decks add value and fun to a home
Read More: Decks add value and fun to a homeBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon With the weather we’ve had lately, you may doubt if spring will ever come. But it always does, and it’s never too early to start planning for a spring and summer of outdoor living. Last week we talked about how to prep your existing deck for a summer of…
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Old frat house getting makeover
Read More: Old frat house getting makeoverBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon We have enjoyed writing this column for several months now and hope some of our ramblings have been useful and educational. For those of you still wondering if you have the time, interest, or fortitude to pursue a project as challenging as a home remodel, we thought it might…