Being a condo owner often feels like living in real estate purgatory. On one hand, you’re an owner. The property is in your name, you are responsible for it, pay taxes on it, and have a say on what goes
Renovation Solutions: Creating appealing interior views essential to home design
This client used art and furniture placement to create a pleasant interior view at the end of a hallway. -Annie Schwemmer Last week we discussed the importance of what views you see looking out from the inside of your house.
Renovation Solutions: Capitalize on views by updating windows
Everyone knows that curb appeal, or what you experience as you look at a house from the outside, is an important aspect of a home’s architecture. (See the past few columns for ideas about enhancing exterior curb appeal.) These windows
Renovation Solutions: Deciding to remodel or move
It 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
Architects bring added value to project
Most people have never worked with an architect before. They see them on TV carrying around a set of plans or sitting at a drafting table, but they don’t really know what architects do or what added value they can
Renovation Solutions: Renovation Solutions: Remodel project moves into construction phase
One 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
Renovation Solutions: Want to remodel? Here’s what to do before you get started
If you are considering a home remodel, the planning phase is critical. We have put together a list of some of the basic points to consider as you begin your remodeling project. If you are considering a home remodel, the
Renovation Solutions: Trim work adds beauty and sense of purpose to a room
At Renovation Design Group, we adopt the same theory promoted by Architect Sarah Susanka: “Build better, not bigger.” Susanka’s “Not So Big” concept doesn’t necessarily mean living in small houses, just in houses with the space that you need and
Renovation Solutions: East Millcreek remodel aims for rustic, Southwestern look
Meet Bruce and Nicole Caldwell. The Caldwells are in the middle of a remodeling project to transform their 1950s East Millcreek ranch from its traditional style to a rustic, Southwestern style all their own. Usually, we feature clients in this
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
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
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
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,
Strive for year-round functionality in holiday remodels
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer 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. This is when you learn (or remember) you
Details important when remodeling older, boxy homes
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer We know the little boxy houses of yesterday do not meet the needs of the modern family — and they haven’t for decades. So, it wasn’t surprising to hear that Ty Robbins’ 1937 home
Natural colors often best when choosing paint
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer A room with plain, white walls can be transformed by a simple coat of paint. You can create different feelings and moods in a room just by what wall colors you choose. Because color
Good design transforms home, lives
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer In architecture, the basic building blocks of good design include space, light and order. Good design doesn’t have to be dramatic. It can be subtle and still have a huge impact on a house.
Practical, aesthetic details make home shine
Practical, aesthetic details make home shine By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Architect Mies van der Rohe said, “God is in the details.” Others have said, “The devil is in the details.” We suppose it’s all in the perspective. Certainly
Bungalow transformed into city-style loft
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer The little bungalow in Salt Lake City, Utah looks like any other home in the neighborhood from the street. “It is very deceptive,” says Barbara, owner of the newly remodeled home. “On the outside
Design guidelines have pluses and minuses
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Last week, we summarized the main governmental and private approaches to preserving and legislating our built environment. Covenants, conditions and restrictions; zoning codes; building departments; the National Historic Register; the Utah State Historical Society
Living Room Design: Opening up living space helps entertain guests
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer After 30 years of marriage, Perry and Linda Cunningham had finally made it to their dream neighborhood. The problem was the 1920s craftsman-style house they bought was not meeting their needs. With just the
Design should focus on flow of public, private spaces
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer There are places in your house meant to be public, and there are places meant to be private. When thinking architecturally, there are three levels of interaction in your home, and they need to
Replace windows to capitalize on property’s views
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Everyone knows that curb appeal, or what you experience as you look at a house from the outside, is an important aspect of a home’s architecture. But don’t forget that what you experience from
Multitask your rooms, make better use of space
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Multitasking: the performance of multiple tasks at one time. This word, dating from 1966, describes a lot of our lives. From the dubious practice of talking on our cellular phones while driving to the
Combating McMansion craze
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer In the past 10 years, there have been several trends in the local and national housing markets worth noting: The first is that houses have increased in size. Since 1970, the average size of
Being decisive will help streamline your remodel
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer It is not uncommon to think about remodeling your home for years before taking any action. Once you have decided to actually do something, however, it is human nature to want it NOW. The
Save money tomorrow with a master plan today
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Most have been hit hard by the recent financial turmoil in our country. “We’re going to have to wait on our project.” That’s a phrase we are hearing from a lot of people, and
Ceiling beams and other ceiling finishing touches
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon While we devoted the past three columns to flooring, this week it is time to look up and discuss the project hanging over your head: ceilings. The ceiling is often a seriously overlooked aspect
Homes have public and private spaces
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon There are places in your house meant to be public, and there are places meant to be private. When thinking architecturally, there are three levels of interaction in your home, and they need to
Use color to create a mood
By Annie V. Schemmer A room with plain, white walls can be transformed by a simple coat of paint. You can create different feelings and moods in a room just by what wall colors you choose. Because color is powerful,
Lighting key to comfort, design
By Ann Robinson and Annie V. Schwemmer When it comes to remodeling, sometimes it is the little things that can make all the difference. Today the influential detail we want to discuss is lighting. Changing lighting fixtures as well as
Architects valuable in redesign
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon There is no getting around it: If you are remodeling your home, you are going to need a set of plans. If you know exactly what you want, a drafter can draw the plans
Contractor choice is critical step
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Choosing the right contractor is a critical step in remodeling. No matter how well your architect designs the plans or how vividly you envision the project, the contractor can literally make or break the
Family designs house for casual lifestyle
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon More people are exchanging formal spaces in their homes for more casual and flexible spaces. They realize they use a formal dining or living room only a few times a year. So, they renovate
Analysis comes before remodel
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Wendy Sorenson’s five children used to fit perfectly around the kitchen table in the nook, but she eventually found herself with five teens and no room to breathe. Sorenson’s family was growing, and they
Do homework to help define your style
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Have you ever let a Nordstrom sales associate pick out a new outfit for you with no input at all? Or would you let a hair stylist choose your new hairstyle and surprise you
Elevator can keep home livable
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon As baby boomers age, most have plans to keep living in the homes they have now. And as baby boomers prepare for the future, there has been a rise in the demand for home
Rearranging interior may be best
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon When you are talking home renovation sometimes bigger isn’t better. Sometimes the biggest impacts are the small projects that rearrange existing space. Often times, clients think they have to have a new addition but
Create stunning views inside home
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Most of us have been in homes with fantastic views. We remember homes with majestic panoramas of beautiful mountains or breathtaking vistas with city lights twinkling in the distance. Of course, these views usually
Modernism brought radical new look
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon We need to spend one more week on house styles because we cannot ignore the modernist movement. The very concept of “modern” houses gives some people indigestion. Some feel that this design approach results