In our last column, we discussed the necessity of creating a realistic budget for a remodeling project and that the design and the budget must be properly aligned. We noted that the budget conversation must begin in the first design
Renovation Solutions: Don’t be your own worst enemy when remodeling
Many 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
Renovation Solutions: Five basics of home remodeling
There 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
Renovation Solutions: Couple turns 1880s era Avenues home into a beauty
The empty property in the Avenues was dripping with potential and history. Adam Collings and his wife first saw the distressed 1880s home in 2011. The outside of the house resembled the Addam’s Family house before it was remodeled. Trina
Renovation Solutions: Beyond DIY: Tips from ‘This Old House’ to save on a home remodel
Custom details take a surprising amount of coordination between lots of trades, so designing them in advance is the best way to ensure they out just the way you want them. Trina Knudsen, Renovation Design Group In this
Renovation Solutions: Determining the best architectural options in home remodeling
Home design and remodeling takes planning. Part of that process is determining what works and what doesn’t with the house. Trina Knudsen, Renovation Design Group Architecture is much more than how the building looks from the outside. While that
Weekend projects that can boost home value
Sprucing up the front door can do wonders for curb appeal. Annie Schwemmer, Renovation Design Group Ultimately, a home’s true value is determined by the price someone is willing to pay for it. When deciding whether to remodel
Renovation Solutions: The difference between design, decorating
Our company motto is “Making the world a better place, one home at a time.” We enjoy having a positive impact on our community and in our clients’ lives. We get an occasional “hot mess” to fix up, but more
When to get a building permit and what happens if work is done without a permit
Even bathroom remodels need building permits. (Trina Knudsen, Renovation Design Group) We introduced the topic of building permits last week. Because of the cost involved and apprehension of working with the government, some homeowners are tempted to not
What a building permit is and why it’s needed
Home remodeling is a big endeavor even on a smaller project. Almost every project will need a building permit to ensure it is done right. (Trina Knudsen) One of the most daunting and dreaded parts of a home remodel
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
Things to consider before removing a structural wall
Editor’s note: Portions of this column were previously published on deseretnews.com and on their website at renovationdesigngroup.com. One of the most common requests we hear these days is to design an open floor plan to create a great room that
When, why to involve an interior designer
Renovation Design Group worked with Lamar Lisman, Lisman Studio Interior Design, on this master suite remodel. (Scot Zimmerman) Think about the last time you moved. Your former house has been emptied and cleaned, and all of your possessions are
Education makes the difference with an architect
People are interesting: Sometimes they respect expertise and professional education, and sometimes they don’t. We recently had a conversation on this topic with our associate Shawn Guthrie of USI All-Purpose Windows and Doors in Salt Lake City. “We don’t go
Renovation Solutions: Contractor explains why it’s worth it to hire an architect
Jeremy Jackson knows his way around a home design project. As a partner at the construction company Jackson & Leroy, Jackson has extensive experience with all types of residential projects ranging from estate management to remodeling to new home construction.
How HGTV, Pinterest are changing home design
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
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
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: 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
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
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
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 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
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