Interior Remodeling

A home is a very complex concept, both psychologically and physically. Psychologically, “home” represents such ideas as shelter, gathering and safety. Physically, the whole is the sum of many diverse elements constituting both the interior and exterior of the structure. When you want to remodel your home, you don’t have to become an expert in…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Our goal is to improve people’s lives through architecture. Having a home that supports your family’s lifestyle reduces stress and contributes to mental and physical well being. It is a fact of life that many lifestyles include pets as important and valued members of the family. From building in-the-wall…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Has anyone ever had too many closets? A need for storage (or possibly hoarding!) seems to be part of the human condition. The old adage “A place for everything and everything in its place” is still good advice. Homes and rooms seem larger when they are not filled with…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Now that our children are gone, we need a bigger house! This is a sentiment we, as architects specializing in residential remodeling, hear a lot. Though it may not make sense on the surface, many “boomer” couples and individuals are experiencing this phenomenon. The actual need is not always…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Who would have thought to use a sidewalk as a kitchen countertop? Well, someone did, because the once drab, gray concrete is now an artistic upscale trend in home design. Today, contractors can transform this typically utilitarian building material into whatever you can imagine. They can make concrete any…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Everyone loves the movie-theater experience. The only thing that would make it better is to be able to have that experience in your own home. In-home theaters are increasingly popular — especially now that virtually everyone covets technology’s next bigger, better and flatter TV screen. More than half of…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon We hang stockings from it, roast chestnuts in it, and cuddle in front of it. With so many reasons bringing us to the fireplace, we thought we would discuss options to remodel yours. Fireplaces are the heart of a home and the focal point of a room. People tend…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon You’ve all heard about the dangers of lead paint, but what do you do if you discover lead paint in your home? It’s a very serious problem that will take time, effort and money to solve. But it’s not an impossible problem. You can successfully free your old home…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Last week we began a discussion about a great mid-winter pick-me-up for your home: paint. It’s a great do-it-yourself home improvement project that doesn’t require nice weather or prolonged upheaval to your home. And a fresh coat of paint can provide an immediate update to any room in the…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Lisa spent a recent Christmas holiday up to her ears in paint. She had a few days off work, and she decided to use it for a little home improvement. Truly there is no better winter home renovation project than a few cans of paint. Lisa was looking to…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Continuing with our theme of doors this month, today we will look at patio doors. These are doors that lead to the exterior and are the kind you would use when you want to capitalize on light and views. When done right, patio doors create a strong connection between…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Last week we began a discussion about doors. We looked at a variety of door types — from traditional hinged doors to nifty pocket doors. This week we look at the different ways doors are constructed. If you understand your options, replacing doors can be a relatively unobtrusive and…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon In the past few weeks we’ve given you tips on how to easily and quickly update your home without a huge renovation. We’ve mentioned carpet, hard flooring, and countertops as minimally invasive ways to spruce up your decor. This week we continue the theme with interior doors. Pocket doors,…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Many homeowners express a desire to add skylights to their homes during a remodeling project. Perhaps it is the same psychological attraction as the sunroof in your latest car. We all know that light cheers us up and makes a space more pleasant. The question in these days of…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Last week we started a flooring theme by focusing on the most commonly used flooring material — carpet. This week we continue the discussion with one of our favorite flooring options: wood. Wood is among the most beautiful types of material available for residential floors. Besides being visually spectacular,…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon We’ve been following the progress of one of our projects for several months. It’s a house that started as a single-family residence and over time was morphed by several additions and remodels into a fraternity house. We were engaged as the architects to bring it back to its life…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon The wiring of a new or remodeled home can look like spaghetti to the untrained eye, like the wires in this former fraternity house remodel – but it will be hidden later. Proper wiring is essential for functionality and safety. Over the past several months we’ve kept you posted…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Last week we started a two-part look at windows. Windows are an important part of your remodel. You may be adding windows to capitalize on natural light or a particular view. You may be replacing old, inefficient windows to save energy costs. Or you may be looking to change…