The 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
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: What to consider for kitchen remodels
BEFORE: In this kitchen remodel, Renovation Design Group opened up the U-shaped kitchen, creating a functional work and gathering space. AFTER: In this kitchen remodel, Renovation Design Group opened up the U-shaped kitchen, creating a functional work and gathering
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: Solving common house problems with remodeling
As we are architects who specialize in residential remodeling, every client we see has a problem with his or her house. Some of these houses just need a cosmetic upgrade (replacing outdated finishes, appliances, plumbing fixtures, etc., in their current
Renovation Solutions: House design elements to consider for holiday entertaining
A 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
Navigating the great move vs. remodel debate
When 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
Renovation Solutions: What to consider when adding a pantry
Lack 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
Empty nesters find family togetherness in new remodel
As 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
How to stick to your remodeling budget
One 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
Small, smart additions to your home can replace expensive big ones
Small, 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
Renovation Solutions: Couple makes investment in family with remodel
We 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
Renovation Solutions: How soggy basement carpet changed 2 lives for the better
Most 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,
Renovation Solutions: How to make remodeling a smart investment
Many 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
Renovation Solutions: A pellet ice machine might start a big remodel project
We’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
Renovation Solutions: How to get the most out of your kitchen
A 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
Renovation Solutions: How to survive a home remodel
By 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
Designing your own ultimate outdoor kitchen
Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson, Deseret News – ask@renovationdesigngroup.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
Renovation Solutions: Determining if the dining room is right for you
All 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
Renovation Solutions: Determining if the dining room is right for you
By 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
Renovation Solutions: Bigger isn’t always better in home remodeling
When 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
Renovation Solutions: Housing market impacts home remodeling
The 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
Renovation Solutions: 5 signs it is time to remodel
BEFORE: 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
Renovation Solutions: Closed kitchens versus open kitchens
By 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
Renovation Solutions: Considering gathering spaces in your home
One 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
Renovation Solutions: Consider small, creative additions
When 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
Renovation Solutions: Remodeling opens up possibilities
With 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
Kitchens serve as the life of the family, home
By 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
Outdoor kitchens are gaining popularity
People 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
Holiday season tests your home the most and sparks remodeling discussions
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 the most. This is when you learn (or remember) you really could use that
New countertops are quick, painless upgrade
Here’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
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
Renovation Solutions: Carving out a better kitchen
It 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
Defining space with ceiling design
One 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
How to create better interior views
Removing 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
Renovation Solutions: How to survive a renovation
Many 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
Renovation Solutions: Truth about updating kitchen without a full-scale remodel
A 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
Doing a kitchen remodel in phases takes planning
Last 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.
Kitchen remodeling trends for 2012
Last 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