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Renovation Solutions: Design for everyday homeowners
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Design for everyday homeownersOur message in a nutshell: No, the first step to a remodel is not to call a contractor. Design comes before construction and each professional has their expertise. (Photo by Renovation Solutions) Many of our friends and acquaintances are kind enough to tell us they enjoy reading our columns. Other than that, however, we don’t…
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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: Housing market impacts home remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Housing market impacts home remodelingThe housing market is becoming a seller’s market again. Home values are on the rise and optimism abounds. Actually, according to reuters.com, the housing market saw an eight-month high in July, evidencing that the economic recovery is officially back on track. Experts actually predict the housing market to keep climbing in 2015. Altos Research predicts…
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Renovation Solutions: Understanding the master bedroom madness
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Understanding the master bedroom madnessHome design is where art meets science, function meets beauty and a house becomes home. While the average homeowner can recognize a room that looks and feels good in real life, they can rarely feel what the architect has designed on paper. However, there is a method to the madness. Part of the method of…
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Renovation Solutions: 5 signs it is time to remodel
Read More: Renovation Solutions: 5 signs it is time to remodelBEFORE: This is a good example of how an outdated kitchen can be transformed with an updated style with a remodel. (Dan Barton, Renovation Design Group) AFTER: This is a good example of how an outdated kitchen can be transformed with an updated style with a remodel. (Trina Knudsen) When is it a good…
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Renovation Solutions: How to pull off being your own general contractor
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How to pull off being your own general contractorRecently, we had a conversation with a construction manager for large commercial projects about home remodeling and construction. Shaun Johnson is starting a consulting firm to help homeowners act as the general contractor on their home remodeling projects. The primary motivation for this approach is to save money. The mark-up for a general contractor is…
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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: Three types of home improvements that increase home value
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Three types of home improvements that increase home valueIn addition to making your life better every day, home remodeling projects will ideally impact your home’s value for the better. However, your home’s value is at the mercy of the market and, in fact, some home improvements will positively impact your appraisal more than others. Adding a bathroom is one remodeling project that will…
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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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Remodeling? How long the process should take, tips to speed it up
Read More: Remodeling? How long the process should take, tips to speed it upIt 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 fact of the matter is there are specific phases in this process. They are sequential, and none should be skipped! …
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Renovation Solutions: Organizing, Part 2: A place for everything, everything in its place
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Organizing, Part 2: A place for everything, everything in its placeBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer When organizing children’s rooms, make it easy with one step to put away items. Hooks are easier than hangers, racks are easier than bookshelves, and bins on shelves are a great way to teach organizing and help children stay tidy. (David Price, Renovation Design Group) No matter how…
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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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Remodel to better multitask your space
Read More: Remodel to better multitask your spaceRemodeling doesn’t have to mean expensive additions; it can be more about creatively using the space you have. Multitasking rooms is a great way to use your existing space to its full potential. How do you multitask rooms? Well, you are already doing it. You just need to recognize it and make sure each room…
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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: Remodeling opens up possibilities
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Remodeling opens up possibilitiesWith the Fourth of July, we’ve got freedom on our minds. A very different kind of freedom is found in the process of remodeling when clients become aware that there are many options available to address their particular issues. For instance, needing more space in a family room does not have to mean an addition.…
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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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Kitchens serve as the life of the family, home
Read More: Kitchens serve as the life of the family, homeBy Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson For the Deseret News We recently heard a statement from a woman who was planning a new custom home, and something she said resonated with us: “The kitchen to me is the life of the family.” We think this is true for so many families. The kitchen is the…
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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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New countertops are quick, painless upgrade
Read More: New countertops are quick, painless upgradeHere’s a quick and easy way to upgrade your home: Install new countertops. Installing new countertops does not require moving walls, making structural changes or imposing drastic disruptions to your life. The actual disruption can be limited to just one day of switching out the old and new. New counters can be considered for bathrooms…
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Built-in seating gets you more out of your kitchen
Read More: Built-in seating gets you more out of your kitchenLast 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 kitchen. The kitchen has become command central. It is not only a place to store…
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Renovation Solutions: An architect’s tale of the Frankenhouses
Read More: Renovation Solutions: An architect’s tale of the FrankenhousesIn honor of this ghoulish holiday, we want to resurrect a favorite scary tale: “The Story of the Frankenhouses.” Spooky decorations may add some Halloween flare to this recently remodeled porch, but nothing is scarier than An Architect’s Tale of the Frankenhouses. Daniel Barton, Renovation Design Group Frankenhouses are “renovated” homes that feature things…
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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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Using design elements in your home can renew life : By Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson For the Deseret News
Read More: Using design elements in your home can renew life : By Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson For the Deseret NewsArchitects have numerous design tools at their disposal to evoke positive emotions. Good architects know when to use each one and can expertly apply combinations of them to change the lives of their clients. There are three general areas of impact to a client’s life: The natural light from the window and the skylight…
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Renovation Solutions: How to survive a renovation
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How to survive a renovationMany of those who remodel choose to stay in their home while it is being renovated. In terms of saving money, this isn’t a bad idea. It is definitely more cost-effective than renting a place for the few months your house will be torn up. However, this decision is not an easy one to live…
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Renovation Solutions: Remodeling lessons learned from office renovation
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Remodeling lessons learned from office renovationWe recently renovated a space and moved our office. This has been a good experience in the same way that a surgeon should occasionally have an operation. We are in the business of uprooting people’s lives, temporarily, and telling them that the pain and stress are all worth it. We assure them that they will…
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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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Bringing light inside the home with skylights
Read More: Bringing light inside the home with skylightsStudies show that when people live and work in a well-lit environment, they are happier, healthier and more productive. Natural lighting can also be another way to save on electricity, since it provides free light and warmth. This design technique is called daylighting. A solar tube skylight was added in a mudroom as part of…
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Renovation Solutions: Truth about updating kitchen without a full-scale remodel
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Truth about updating kitchen without a full-scale remodelA full kitchen replacement consists of demolishing and removing everything in the room, including the sheetrock, so that the walls are open and the plumbing piping and the electrical wiring are exposed. When the work crews cut into the wall for a new pantry door, above, in this small-scale kitchen remodel, they found pipes,…
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Doing a kitchen remodel in phases takes planning
Read More: Doing a kitchen remodel in phases takes planningLast week, we began a discussion of how to tackle a major kitchen overhaul in several stages to try to defray some of the cost of such a major undertaking. As we noted, according to Remodeling magazine’s 2011 Cost vs. Value Report, a major, 200-square-foot kitchen remodel costs about $58,000, with a 65 percent return…
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Adding central vacuum system to the home
Read More: Adding central vacuum system to the homeWhile we often think about the aesthetics of our dream houses, we may not spend enough time researching some of the more technical/mechanical elements that could contribute to making our daily lives easier. No matter how beautiful a home is, it still needs to be cleaned. A built-in central vacuum system will make the not-so-glamorous…
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Finding a design style is a revealing process
Read More: Finding a design style is a revealing processA person’s design style is as unique as his or her own personality. It may not be what is advertised on the billboards or what you grew up with, but rest assured that you have a style — you just have to find it. The trick is to shut out the loud trends and prevalent…
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Renovation Solutions: Expert advice on creatively maximizing your space
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Expert advice on creatively maximizing your spaceMultitasking: the performance of multiple tasks at one time, describes a lot of our lives. From the dubious practice of talking on our cellphones while driving to the mom trying to feed the baby while getting the other children out the door to school, we are trying to accomplish more in one day than the…
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Renovation Solutions: Top home-improvement trends of 2012
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Top home-improvement trends of 2012At this time of year the design community starts the trend talk, discussing home-remodeling trends they foresee for the coming year. Most trends are dictated by consumer priorities, lifestyles and the economy — in other words: demand. Other trends are more about the aesthetics of a home. These trends are usually more short-lived and somewhat…