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: 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: 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
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
Design trends to watch for in 2016
We love the fresh start, potential and possibilities that a new year brings. There is an impulse for change and embracing something new. This phenomenon happens both individually and as a society. Pop culture, design and fashion trends renew every
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
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
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
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
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
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: 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
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: Four examples of how to remodel for gathering spaces
Editor’s note: Portions of this column were previously published on deseretnews.com and their blog at renovationdesigngroup.com. As we enter the entertaining season, starting with Thanksgiving next week and moving into the party season of Christmas, New Year’s and the Super
Renovation Solutions: Holiday season inspires remodels
Editor’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.
Renovation Solutions: What reality TV doesn’t tell you about home remodeling
Everyone knows reality TV isn’t actually reality, right? We know an hour in real life is never that entertaining. There is a lot of editing, slicing and dicing behind the scenes to put those shows together. However, the pop culture
Renovation Solutions: Architects’ three tips for a great design
Editor’s note: Portions of this column have previously run on the writers’ website at renovationdesigngroup.com and in a previous Renovation Design column at deseretnews.com. These French doors and windows, visible from the home’s entry, provide lots of natural light to
Renovation Solutions: Plan your home remodels with your life in mind
Last week, we talked about the move-versus-remodel debate. That is the first decision you have to make when you accept your house isn’t working for you and you need a change. If you decide to stay put and that remodeling
Renovation Solutions: 2014 expected to be a good year for remodeling
With housing prices remaining steady, interest rates low and contractors back in full swing, this is a prime time for home remodeling. The remodeling market is confident, and the economy is holding. The experts in the market analysis world say
Renovation Solutions: One family’s experience with remodeling a split-level home
Last 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
Renovation Solutions: The power of color choice
Color is a powerful element in both interior and exterior design. A room with nondescript walls can be transformed by a simple coat of paint. You can create different feelings and moods in a room just by what colors you
Renovation Solutions: Ways to fund a remodel without equity
Remodeling is a big decision. The process will impact several areas of your life and be influenced by many factors, one of which is your project budget and how you will fund your project. In years past, the financial option
Renovation Solutions: New Year’s series: Breaking down organizing in manageable steps
The University of Scranton’s Journal of Clinical Psychology did a survey to discover the most common New Year’s resolutions. Losing weight was No. 1, and No. 2 was getting organized. While we can’t really help you with the first one
Renovation Solutions: Considering gathering spaces in your home
One of the joys of the holiday season is getting together with family and friends. Determining where to hold the holiday party usually consists of evaluating the potential hosts’ gathering space. What makes a good gathering space? Architecturally speaking, the
Renovation Solutions: Converting your garage to living space
Finding 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
Renovation Solutions: Liven up your home with color
The sea of ivory-colored homes with white walls and beige carpet is evidence that people are generally afraid of color. But really they shouldn’t be — at least not for architecture’s sake. The soothing and relaxing tones in this room
Renovation Solutions: Finding the best remodeling contractors for your project
By Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer This entry remodel shows the dramatic impact a remodel can have on a house with the help of a well-selected group of professionals. (Annie Schwemmer, Renovation Design Group) Many of our clients come
Homeowners dodge awkward basement remodel
Finishing the basement may not be a project that most people think would need an architect. Whether or not there is a “need” depends on a variety of factors. once dreaded, partially finished space in the house is now a
10 years later, architects reflect on their story
Annie 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
Holiday season tests your home the most and sparks remodeling discussions
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 the most. This is when you learn (or remember) you really could use that
Defining space with ceiling design
One of the main goals of architecture is to clearly and beautifully define and differentiate space in a home. While adding a wall is one way to do that, it is not the only way. Today’s families want houses that
How to create better interior views
Removing a section of wall and adding a window in the wall behind it made this space feel much more open and inviting. (David Price, Renovation Design Group) Architecture is often associated with how the home is viewed from
Tips for designing a welcoming home
It is difficult to put into words what it feels like to come home. “Home” looks and feels different for everyone. However, there are similarities in the elements of architecture that create that welcoming feeling of “Ahh, we’re home.” Before:
Designing the perfect ‘away room’
Because our homes are filled with electronics, televisions, computers, appliances and people, our homes are filled with noise. When a majority of the public space in a home is open, it is helpful to maintain a small space that can
Remodeling should focus on comfort, not size
So many times, clients come to us asking for more space. However, most of the time it is not more space that they actually need. It is better space. Do you use every room of your house every day? How
How architecture can change lives
Happy clients are the measure of our success. We enjoy having our work published and earning design awards, but we get our most direct rewards from our happy clients. Nothing is more rewarding than to hear how our work has
Renovation Solutions: Navigating technical aspects of a remodel
Last week we discussed what is involved in removing structural walls. But there are more aspects of construction that you need to deal with in a more major remodel. Believe it or not, the technical aspects of the remodel impact