Unless 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
Renovation Solutions: Don’t be your own worst enemy when remodeling
Many 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
Renovation Solutions: Do we stay or do we go?
Many homeowners clearly understand if their current house is not working for them and/or their families. The home may be too small, too large, in need of major updates or repairs, or unworkable in countless other ways. What is not
Renovation Solutions: 4 useful traits in a residential architect
During 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
Renovation Solutions: Hot housing market impacts decision to buy or remodel
There are always areas of a home that have room for improvement. Upgrading one of these areas will improve your use and enjoyment of your home and if done well can also positively impact the value. Trina Knudsen, Renovation
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
When to get a building permit and what happens if work is done without a permit
Even 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
What a building permit is and why it’s needed
Home 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
Education makes the difference with an architect
People are interesting: Sometimes they respect expertise and professional education, and sometimes they don’t. We recently had a conversation on this topic with our associate Shawn Guthrie of USI All-Purpose Windows and Doors in Salt Lake City. “We don’t go
Renovation Solutions: Contractor explains why it’s worth it to hire an architect
Jeremy 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.
Design trends to watch for in 2016
We 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
Renovation Solutions: Home remodeling with pets in mind
When we ask potential clients about the makeup of their family, it is always useful if they include their pets on the list. While goldfish and a parakeet don’t require much special design attention, dogs and cats do. Houzz.com recently
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
Renovation Solutions: When remodeling, don’t forget interior views
It 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
Finding more space without an addition
Most 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
Renovation Solutions: 5 tips to avoiding costly remodeling mistakes
Editor’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
Renovation Solutions: What reality TV doesn’t tell you about home remodeling
Everyone knows reality TV isn’t actually reality, right? We know an hour in real life is never that entertaining. There is a lot of editing, slicing and dicing behind the scenes to put those shows together. However, the pop culture
Renovation Solutions: Guarding your house against floods
In past weeks, we have discussed our valley’s potential for earthquakes and landslides and options to remediate our homes in preparation for a disaster. This week we will consider another issue, namely flooding. Even though we live in a desert,
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: 2014 expected to be a good year for remodeling
With 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
Renovation Solutions: Ways to fund a remodel without equity
Remodeling 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
The question: Remodel or move?
By Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson For the Deseret News If there is something about your location like a great view that would be hard to duplicate, then remodeling may be the right solution for you. Deciding to remodel
10 years later, architects reflect on their story
Annie 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
Renovation Solutions: The problem of asbestos in home remodels
We recently had a reader ask us to highlight the problem of asbestos in private residences, so this is our topic of the week. Asbestos abatement workers contain the area and must where respirators to protect themselves from the harmful
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: An architect’s tale of the Frankenhouses
In 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
Tips for designing a welcoming home
It 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:
Renovation Solutions: Remodeling lessons learned from office renovation
We 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
Bringing light inside the home with skylights
Studies 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
Renovation Solutions: Remember to address air-quality issues inside your home
EnergyStar has become a household term. Everyone knows that EnergyStar translates as energy efficient products or homes. Well, the EPA has taken the EnergyStar labeling program for homes a step further into the green. The EPA has developed a sister
Renovation Solutions: You, too, can now live the ‘Jetsons’ lifestyle
If you have trouble getting a DVD to play or can only use the power, volume, and channel controls on your remote control, you may be amazed and/or terrified at the level of sophistication technology has reached relative to the
Consider a guy’s interests when designing a ‘man cave’
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Just over a week ago, we celebrated the fathers in our lives. Today, in honor of the manly men, we thought we would write about a remodeling anomaly known as the “man cave.” While
Send in your renovation questions
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer We started writing this renovation column back in April 2005. With our five-year anniversary, we wanted to turn our attention to our readers. First of all, thank you for reading. And to the Deseret
Well-landscaped yard boosts value
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Everyone can recognize a well-landscaped yard. It is beautiful, comfortable, functions well, and has a strong connection to the home it surrounds. A well-landscaped front yard adds curb appeal, which translates into increased real-estate
Design guidelines have pluses and minuses
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Last week, we summarized the main governmental and private approaches to preserving and legislating our built environment. Covenants, conditions and restrictions; zoning codes; building departments; the National Historic Register; the Utah State Historical Society
Governments offer various controls on remodeling
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer One of the most unsettling experiences you can encounter is looking out your front window to see a huge Dumpster being delivered in your neighbor’s driveway. This home in the Gilmer Park area of
Outdoor kitchens can enhance backyard barbecues
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon It’s March. The snow is beginning to melt and we are all anticipating spring. Before long we will soak in the sun, watch the flowers bloom and, of course, barbecue. It is hard to
Remodeling offers practical, emotional benefits
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Whether we love our homes or hate them, there is always something we dream of changing about them. As residential architects, we naturally question what triggers someone to turn those remodeling dreams into reality.
Lofts are on the rise in downtown S.L.
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon The dynamics of downtown Salt Lake are really changing these days. Everyone seems to be moving to the heart of the city. Well really, we are just following the trend set decades ago by
Keep house dry to avoid mold
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon If you didn’t have any sleepless nights after we talked about lead paint, let’s see if a discussion of mold will do the trick! We have all heard horror stories about mold taking over