Unless money is no object, having a budget is a critical component to every remodeling project. The time to talk about a project’s budget begins with the first design meeting and should continue in some form throughout the design and
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: Tips for choosing an exterior paint color for your house
Choosing an exterior paint color is an intimidating exercise. Looking at those minuscule swatches and picturing what any one color will look like spread over your entire house is tough. It really feels like a make-or-break decision as far as
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
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
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
Tudors or craftsman home styles offer a lot
About once a year, we discuss the importance of understanding the history, style and architecture of your home. This knowledge is crucial when designing an addition or renovation. The popularity of several predominant home styles has endured over the past
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: Tips for a wooden deck addition
A wood deck addition is the second project with the highest return on investment in Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report for 2013-14. The wooden deck is a common remodeling project, especially at this time of year. As the weather
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: 3 common problems and tips to remodeling the split-level home
Owners of split-level homes often have a love/hate relationship with their house. They love the amount of living space provided and the privacy the house design offers. They appreciate that teens can be alone in their bedrooms on the top
Renovation Solutions: Remodeling the split-level house
Split-level homes have made a comeback in recent years. Drive around some of the new “starter-home” neighborhoods around the Wasatch Front and you’ll find many variations on the split-level theme. You’ll also find split-level homes in many older, established neighborhoods.
Renovation Solutions: How to solve common remodeling problems
By Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer Adding more curb appeal to a house is one of the top client requests when they are considering a remodel. While some issues of deferred maintenance need to be addressed on a practical
Remodeling the California Ranch
For the past few weeks we have been discussing home styles in our column. Last we talked about the challenges and solutions in remodeling the Cape Cod-style house. This week we are focusing on another favorite house style from the
Ways to enhance your Cape Cod-style home
Understanding the history, style and architecture of your home — and the other homes in your neighborhood — is crucial in designing an addition or renovation. Ignore this principle, and you’ll end up spending a lot of money to decrease
Renovation Solutions: Dealing with the challenges of remodeling Tudor style homes
Several predominant home styles have evolved over the past century in the United States. You’ve seen them as you drive the streets of Salt Lake City’s classic neighborhoods: the fairy-tale Tudor revival, the classic craftsman bungalow, the charming Cape Cod
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
Built-in seating gets you more out of your kitchen
Last week, we started our kitchen remodeling series in honor of Thanksgiving — the holiday with the most time spent in the kitchen. Beyond Thanksgiving and other holiday gatherings, modern families are actually spending more time in general in the
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
Renovation Solutions: Split-level home updated for a more gathering space
When 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
Renovation Solutions: Frankenhouses: horrifying home remodels
Happy 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
Renovation Solutions: What to do before remodeling a condo
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: Bungalow turned loft: Homeowner wouldn’t change a thing
For this week’s column, we wanted to revisit one of our most unique remodeling projects: the bungalow/loft. While we know that such a contemporary style may not be everyone’s cup of tea, this project shows how bold and creative you
Renovation Solutions: The Cape Cod and the California Ranch
The Cape Cod is typically seen as a cozy cottage-style home. -Annie Schwemmer Understanding the history, style and architecture of your home — and the other homes in your neighborhood — is crucial in designing an addition or renovation. Ignore
Renovation Solutions: Challenges of remodeling Tudors and craftsman bungalows
Several predominant home styles have evolved over the past century in the U.S. In their purest form, Tudors feel like miniature castles with towers, dormers and steeply pitched roofs. You’ve seen them as you’ve driven the streets of Salt Lake
Renovation Solutions: You, too, can now live the ‘Jetsons’ lifestyle
If you have trouble getting a DVD to play or can only use the power, volume, and channel controls on your remote control, you may be amazed and/or terrified at the level of sophistication technology has reached relative to the
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
Modernist architecture can’t be ignored
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer 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
Eclectic movement focuses on being true to earlier architectural styles
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer In our continuing discussion of residential architectural styles, today we will look at the Eclectic movement. Spanning from the late 19th century through about 1940, this was the phase that followed the Victorian period.
Victorian homes are a charming challenge
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Queen Victoria reigned over England from 1837 to 1901, influencing more than just politics. Her reign also influenced literature, clothing, furniture and, yes, architecture. Even today, more than 100 years later, you still see
You can renovate colonial home without losing charm
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer For the Past two weeks we have spotlighted several home types: the craftsman bungalow, the Tudor, the Cape Cod and the California ranch. Of course there are more than just four house styles, so
When renovating, capitalize on home’s particular style
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Understanding the history, style and architecture of your home — and the other homes in your neighborhood — is crucial in designing an addition or renovation. Ignore this principle and you’ll end up spending
Know home style before renovating
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Several predominant home styles have evolved over the past century in the United States. You’ve seen them as you’ve driven the streets of Salt Lake City’s classic neighborhoods: the fairy-tale Tudor revival, classic craftsman
Duplex remodel maintains historical charm
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer The beautiful, brick Georgian house is in Salt Lake City Avenues historical district, and it was important to Jane Beatty to maintain her home’s historic luster. “The bones of the house itself are still
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
Spain, Italy influence Eclectic homes
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon We are continuing our discussion of the Eclectic movement in residential design. The influence of European design is readily seen in many American homes. Today we will see how architecture from Spain and Italy
Eclectic style came after Victorian
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon In our continuing discussion of residential architectural styles, today we will look at the Eclectic movement. Spanning from the late 19th century through about 1940, this was the phase that followed the Victorian period.