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How HGTV, Pinterest are changing home design
Read More: How HGTV, Pinterest are changing home designBetween 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 smartphones while waiting in the dentist’s office, nary a moment need go by without being…
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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: The value of a remodeling budget, part 2
Read More: Renovation Solutions: The value of a remodeling budget, part 2In 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 meeting and continue throughout the process of both design and construction. Budget constraints are not…
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Renovation Solutions: 3 necessary budget questions to consider before embarking on a home remodeling project
Read More: Renovation Solutions: 3 necessary budget questions to consider before embarking on a home remodeling projectUnless 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 construction process. It is fair to say that almost every client comes in with a…
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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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Home remodels that impact resale value
Read More: Home remodels that impact resale valueThe motivation for a home improvement project can come from a variety of sources. It often occurs at two ends of the home-owning spectrum: We are spurred on to action either when we decide we are staying forever or when we are getting ready to move. It is unfortunate that so many people wait to…
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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: 4 useful traits in a residential architect
Read More: Renovation Solutions: 4 useful traits in a residential architectDuring a home remodel, if you are looking to add on, move walls, windows, or doors, or generally reconfigure or repurpose existing space and structure, then you should consider using an architect. Trina Knudsen, Renovation Design Group We want to help homeowners discover the value of good design and the benefits of using an architect…
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Renovation Solutions: Beyond DIY: Tips from ‘This Old House’ to save on a home remodel
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Beyond DIY: Tips from ‘This Old House’ to save on a home remodelCustom 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 crazy technological world, one of our favorite sources is “This Old House” the television show,…
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When to get a building permit and what happens if work is done without a permit
Read More: When to get a building permit and what happens if work is done without a permitEven 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 get the proper permits for a home remodel. That is not a good idea. But…
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What a building permit is and why it’s needed
Read More: What a building permit is and why it’s neededHome 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 is obtaining a permit. Working with government offices in general can be a little intimidating.…
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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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Renovation Solutions: Contractor explains why it’s worth it to hire an architect
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Contractor explains why it’s worth it to hire an architectJeremy 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. This is the end result of one of the many projects Renovation Design Group…
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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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Creating a plan leads to saving money on remodeling
Read More: Creating a plan leads to saving money on remodelingAt 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 the meantime, the space is being used as storage (Trina Knudsen, photo credit) Before …
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Renovation Solutions: What to consider when adding a pantry
Read More: Renovation Solutions: What to consider when adding a pantryLack 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 a common kitchen shortcoming. A well-designed pantry is a design item that can positively impact…
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Empty nesters find family togetherness in new remodel
Read More: Empty nesters find family togetherness in new remodelAs 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 to sleep. That obviously changes as we get older. Once a person decides to put…
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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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Renovation Solutions: When remodeling, don’t forget interior views
Read More: Renovation Solutions: When remodeling, don’t forget interior viewsIt 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 the exterior, but there are many opportunities to impact the lives of those who live…
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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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Finding more space without an addition
Read More: Finding more space without an additionMost 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 think of an addition to accomplish the goal of adding more space to their house,…
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Renovation Solutions: Couple makes investment in family with remodel
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Couple makes investment in family with remodelWe 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 are coming from a strange position. However, we know a lot of people can relate…
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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: How soggy basement carpet changed 2 lives for the better
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How soggy basement carpet changed 2 lives for the betterMost people think about a home remodel for years before they actually do anything about it. What makes someone take the first step to turn the dream into a reality is different for everyone. For Gayla Black and Teresa Frost, it was a flooded basement that finally did the trick. They came home from a…
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Renovation Solutions: How to make remodeling a smart investment
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How to make remodeling a smart investmentMany 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 house flows and circulates is critical to how it feels and functions. How a house…
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Renovation Solutions: A pellet ice machine might start a big remodel project
Read More: Renovation Solutions: A pellet ice machine might start a big remodel projectWe’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 to the main and upper floors of the house. That simple pellet ice machine would…
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Renovation Solutions: How to get the most out of your kitchen
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How to get the most out of your kitchenA 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 design, equipment and the finishes all impact both the functionality and the aesthetic appeal of…
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Renovation Solutions: How to survive a home remodel
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How to survive a home remodelBy 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 in life, you may encounter some hardships and difficulties during the home remodeling process. While…
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Renovation Solutions: When to hire an architect and how much it will cost
Read More: Renovation Solutions: When to hire an architect and how much it will costAn 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 may be useful to answer that question here for others who may wonder the same…
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Renovation Solutions: Life-centered design improves lives through remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Life-centered design improves lives through remodelingResidential architecture is more than just making a house look pretty. Function is a critical feature of any home and must be given equal or even greater billing than aesthetics. Residential architecture is a unique branch of architecture because clients are also the end users. When designing a large commercial or institutional building, architects have…
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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: Determining if the dining room is right for you
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Determining if the dining room is right for youBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer BEFORE: In the remodel, the dining room and kitchen swapped places and a wall was removed to open them both to the living room. (Kevin Bunnell, Renovation Design Group) All types of design have trends. Whether it is shoes, furniture or interior design, trends reflect a measurable change…
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Renovation Solutions: Designing your home with storage in mind
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Designing your home with storage in mindAs we start another year, it is time to get your life and your home in order. Of course, decluttering and purging is a big part of the organization process. However, once you know what you want to keep, you need a place to put it. Lack of storage is one of the most common…
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Designing your home with storage in mind
Read More: Designing your home with storage in mindThis bedroom remodel added built-in storage at the headboard to create much needed storage and a focal point for the room. Brent Murray Renovation Design Group courtesy As we start another year, it is time to get your life and your home in order. Of course, decluttering and purging is a big part of the…