In our last column, we discussed the necessity of creating a realistic budget for a remodeling project and that the design and the budget must be properly aligned. We noted that the budget conversation must begin in the first design
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
Home remodels that impact resale value
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: Five basics of home remodeling
There are so many moving parts and issues to consider when remodeling a home that today we want to summarize five of the most important items to consider when tackling a home remodel. A home’s style Scot Zimmerman, Renovation
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: Beyond DIY: Tips from ‘This Old House’ to save on a home remodel
Custom details take a surprising amount of coordination between lots of trades, so designing them in advance is the best way to ensure they out just the way you want them. Trina Knudsen, Renovation Design Group In this
Renovation Solutions: Tips for choosing an exterior paint color for your house
Choosing an exterior paint color is an intimidating exercise. Looking at those minuscule swatches and picturing what any one color will look like spread over your entire house is tough. It really feels like a make-or-break decision as far as
Renovation Solutions: Determining the best architectural options in home remodeling
Home design and remodeling takes planning. Part of that process is determining what works and what doesn’t with the house. Trina Knudsen, Renovation Design Group Architecture is much more than how the building looks from the outside. While that
Weekend projects that can boost home value
Sprucing up the front door can do wonders for curb appeal. Annie Schwemmer, Renovation Design Group Ultimately, a home’s true value is determined by the price someone is willing to pay for it. When deciding whether to remodel
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
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
Things to consider before removing a structural wall
Editor’s note: Portions of this column were previously published on deseretnews.com and on their website at renovationdesigngroup.com. One of the most common requests we hear these days is to design an open floor plan to create a great room that
When, why to involve an interior designer
Renovation Design Group worked with Lamar Lisman, Lisman Studio Interior Design, on this master suite remodel. (Scot Zimmerman) Think about the last time you moved. Your former house has been emptied and cleaned, and all of your possessions are
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
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: Budgeting, repurposing can create savings on remodeling
Last week, we started the discussion on home remodeling budgets and saving money on the remodel. Like we said last week and many other times, the key to saving money on your remodeling project is planning ahead. The more you
Creating a plan leads to saving money on remodeling
At the homeowners request, this toilet room in the master bedroom, shown after renovation was designed to accommodate a future walk in tub. The required plumbing was installed behind the walls and floors to make future installation easy, while in
Renovation Solutions: Home remodeling horror stories
Editor’s note: Portions of this column were previously published on deseretnews.com. Happy Halloween! In honor of the scary holiday, we want to discuss some of the most common remodeling nightmares: total budget annihilation, the great disappearing contractor, and the never-ending
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
Renovation Solutions: Key to a successful DIY home remodel is a master plan
By Ann Robinson and Annie V Schwemmer Published: Sept. 4, 2015 Editor’s note: Portions of this column were previously published on the authors’ blog. We would like to preface this column by saying that we are not automatically opposed to
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
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: Converting garages to living space
Editor’s note: Portions of this column were previously published on deseretnews.com. Finding existing space in your home to repurpose, convert into living space or reconfigure may take some creativity. Last week, we discussed how to creatively remodel existing space with
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: Whether home is a Cape Cod or California ranch, remodel to capitalize on home’s style
Editor’s note: Portions of this article have been previously published on the authors’ blog and on deseretnews.com. Understanding the history, style and architecture of your home — and the other homes in your neighborhood — is crucial in designing an
Renovation Solutions: Common oversights when remodeling
Editor’s note: This is the third in a series about avoiding common remodeling mistakes. The first is “Avoiding common home remodeling mistakes” and the second is “5 tips to avoiding costly remodeling mistakes.” Both are on deseretnews.com in the Family
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: 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: 5 signs it is time to remodel
There are many factors that might motivate a person to take on the challenge of remodeling a home. Some homeowners may have a specific event that finally pushes them over the edge to remodel (such as the last child leaving
Renovation Solutions: Three renovation projects to make a home more energy-efficient
Before: To make their home more energy efficient and yet preserve some original charm, these clients sandwiched their original leaded-glass windows panes into new Pella Wiindows frames. A home remodeling project may have several goals. We want our finished project
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
Renovation Solutions: When to hire an architect and how much it will cost
An old high school teacher used to say if one student has a question, others probably have the same question. A few weeks ago, we had an inquiry on our Facebook page about how our process works. We decided it