Family, Living, & Great Rooms
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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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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: Couple turns 1880s era Avenues home into a beauty
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Couple turns 1880s era Avenues home into a beautyThe 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 Knudsen, Renovation Design Group “We were actually at a friend’s barbecue when he pointed it…
Bathrooms, Laundry & Mudrooms, Designing Principals, Dining Rooms, Exterior Updating, Family, Living, & Great Rooms, Features Posts, Front Porches, Home Styles, Interior Design, Interior Remodeling, Kitchens, Master Suites & Bedrooms, Materials, Finishes, Appliances & Fixtures, Remodeling Tips & Advice, Staircases, Teardowns, Year – 2016 -
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 -
Things to consider before removing a structural wall
Read More: Things to consider before removing a structural wallEditor’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 houses areas for the kitchen, dining and living areas. Such a request generally involves removing…
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Design trends to watch for in 2016
Read More: Design trends to watch for in 2016We 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 year. The home decor industry is already filling this clean slate with trend predictions for…
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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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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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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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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: 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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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: Four examples of how to remodel for gathering spaces
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Four examples of how to remodel for gathering spacesEditor’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 Bowl, we are reflecting on the many gathering spaces we have helped create for our…
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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: What reality TV doesn’t tell you about home remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: What reality TV doesn’t tell you about home remodelingEveryone 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 of home-remodeling reality shows has a lot of people believing that the TV version of…
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Renovation Solutions: Architects’ three tips for a great design
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Architects’ three tips for a great designEditor’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 the space and also offer an inviting view of a covered deck and beautiful back…
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Renovation Solutions: Plan your home remodels with your life in mind
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Plan your home remodels with your life in mindLast 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 is the way to go, the next phase of the design process is programming. …
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Renovation Solutions: 2014 expected to be a good year for remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: 2014 expected to be a good year for remodelingWith 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 2014 is a good year for the remodeling industry. The fireplace becomes a nice focal…
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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: The power of color choice
Read More: Renovation Solutions: The power of color choiceColor 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 choose for the walls, furniture and accent pieces. Because color is powerful, you may feel…
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Renovation Solutions: Ways to fund a remodel without equity
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Ways to fund a remodel without equityRemodeling 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 of choice was a home equity line or loan. During the past several years —…
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Renovation Solutions: New Year’s series: Breaking down organizing in manageable steps
Read More: Renovation Solutions: New Year’s series: Breaking down organizing in manageable stepsThe 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 unless you want to come to the gym with us after work, we thought we…
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Renovation Solutions: Considering gathering spaces in your home
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Considering gathering spaces in your homeOne 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 best gathering spaces have flow, order and connectivity. Gathering space is important in any home.…
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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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Renovation Solutions: Liven up your home with color
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Liven up your home with colorThe 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 tie in the furniture and art with slight variances in wall, ceiling and trim colors.…
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Renovation Solutions: Finding the best remodeling contractors for your project
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Finding the best remodeling contractors for your projectBy 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 to us wondering how they can ever find a contractor who can get their job…
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Homeowners dodge awkward basement remodel
Read More: Homeowners dodge awkward basement remodelFinishing 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 beautiful, bright favorite area where a young family spends most of its time. (Kevin Bunnell,…
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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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Holiday season tests your home the most and sparks remodeling discussions
Read More: Holiday season tests your home the most and sparks remodeling discussionsThe 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 extra bedroom for house guests, your dining room isn’t quite big enough when you add…
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Defining space with ceiling design
Read More: Defining space with ceiling designOne 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 accommodate their lifestyles, which tend to be less formal than they were in the past.…
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How to create better interior views
Read More: How to create better interior viewsRemoving 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 the exterior, but there are far more opportunities to impact the lives of those who…
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Tips for designing a welcoming home
Read More: Tips for designing a welcoming homeIt 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: while tiling an entry area helps, it is still awkward to walk directly into a…
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Designing the perfect ‘away room’
Read More: 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 be closed off to contain or seal out noise. (Brent Murray, Renovation Design Group) Noise…
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Remodeling should focus on comfort, not size
Read More: Remodeling should focus on comfort, not sizeSo 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 are you using those rooms? Are feeling cramped in your current house? Is there wasted…
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How architecture can change lives
Read More: How architecture can change livesHappy 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 truly improved our clients’ lives. Before: In this project, we removed a wall to open…
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Renovation Solutions: Navigating technical aspects of a remodel
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Navigating technical aspects of a remodelLast 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 the final look, flow, function and design of your project. These aspects fall into three…