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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: 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 -
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: 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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How to stick to your remodeling budget
Read More: How to stick to your remodeling budgetOne of the most common fears of remodeling is a project snowballing out of control. It is true that when remodeling there will always be unforeseen items that will impact the budget. Most situations can be anticipated by working with architects and contractors experienced in the remodeling process, but surprises can be lurking behind Sheetrock…
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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: 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: 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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Designing your own ultimate outdoor kitchen
Read More: Designing your own ultimate outdoor kitchenAnnie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson, Deseret News – as*@*******************up.com Mar 22, 2015 The outdoor entertaining season is almost here. Even with the occasional spring showers, the pleasant weather lately is practically begging us to take dinner parties outside. It is hard to imagine spring and summer without a little outdoor cooking. Eighty percent of all…
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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: Bigger isn’t always better in home remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Bigger isn’t always better in home remodelingWhen it comes to home remodeling, we stand by the saying: “Bigger isn’t always better.” We have said it before and we will say it again: Good home remodeling is about function and design, not about size. We have seen small homes with much better style and function than homes with double the square footage.…
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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: 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: Closed kitchens versus open kitchens
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Closed kitchens versus open kitchensBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer When seeing a new house or newer apartment, it will most likely include an open concept kitchen in the design. Many people love the idea of an open kitchen that isn’t separated from the rest of the living space and may be part of a great room. They…
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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: Consider small, creative additions
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Consider small, creative additionsWhen we say addition, what do you think of? Do you think of an additional structure off the back of the house, a full room? Do you think of the “big box” addition? Well, we are here to say home additions come in all shapes and sizes — and bigger isn’t always better. Large, “big…
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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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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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Outdoor kitchens are gaining popularity
Read More: Outdoor kitchens are gaining popularityPeople enjoy a good old-fashioned barbecue. On a beautiful sunny day, people just love to cook and eat outside. For some reason, food cooked outside just tastes better. It might have something to do with the mouth-watering scent filling the air for miles or the chef escaping from the walls of the kitchen and becoming…
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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: Carving out a better kitchen
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Carving out a better kitchenIt is hard to believe it is already November. Now that the election is over, everyone can all start thinking about the next big event in November: Thanksgiving. With its focus of a wonderful, home-cooked meal, there is no doubt that Thanksgiving wins as the holiday with the most time spent in the kitchen. What…
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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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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: 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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Kitchen remodeling trends for 2012
Read More: Kitchen remodeling trends for 2012Last week we discussed design trends for the whole house. This week we will focus on the 2012 trends for the kitchen. Before and after photos of a recent kitchen remodel. Major kitchen remodels have a 68.7 percent return on investment. (Annie V. Schwemmer) Kitchen updates rank among the most popular home improvements. The reason:…