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A residential design firm dedicated to improve home improvement with efficient, effective communication. |
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Finally! A portfolio of past projects is available. You can see a creative and varied set of projects from porch additions to bath remodels to new construction, AND the kitchen sink.
Check out the Portfolio Page here.
In the world of Reality TV, Virtual Reality, and the move to “Keep it Real”, there seems to me to still be a lot of confusion and ambiguity. I’ll give one illustration.
I love watching Gordon Ramsey’s shows. There’s Kitchen Nightmares, Hell’s Kitchen, Master Chef, The f-Word (F stands for Food, what did you think it was for?), and Hotel Hell. (I really wish Hotel Hell would come back.) My illustration comes from Kitchen Nightmares. I do believe that much of it is real, but sometimes, I wonder if the owner’s attitudes are a bit embellished for ratings sake. I mean, they did ask him to come help them fix their restaurant, right? They’ve seen the show, right? Why do they insist on their food being 8 or 9 out of 10?
Well, we work in the reality world here too. But this is the Word on Master Remodeling Hell Nightmares. (Ok, that show probably won’t fly with Fox.)
Last month, I wrote about the apps that I’ve found useful for my new iPad and iPhone. Since then, I’ve found a few more that I wanted to share.
Have you found any good ones recently?
A current client has assigned us the task of designing their new home. During a recent design meeting, the topic of their front entry was being reviewed and discussed. As the basic manikin had been laid out, the task was to add the dress and jewelry.
As happens in many design presentations, there is much discussion and reviewing over the function of the space as well as the features and beauty it will provide for the family that will live there. There is also much to say about the statement the space will make to guests.
This entry is no exception. Being the first impression on guests; a source of personal accomplishment; and the best way to set the tone of your home, the entry deserves more than cursory attention.
This client wanted to make a grand statement about their home. The basic manikin started like this…
They wanted a feeling something like this picture (this picture came direct from them)
And, while it isn’t quite complete, this is what the model looks like thus far.
I’ll post some renderings when it is complete.
We recently purchased some new technology to expand our capabilities and options for communicating our passion for good design and good business. This new direction has placed me square in the middle of a black hole of options now. Who can I follow? Where can I follow them? What is going to be my practice so I don’t fall into the black hole of social media wherein one can waste so much time?
Searching for articles on iTunes apps for designers and business has yielded few results. I’ve even suggested this topic to a magazine editor today. Then, the thought flew into my mind, “Why don’t you write down what you’ve found in your searching, and list the few that look like they could help?”
…continue reading Making Technology Work for You »
Literally, we raised the roof, and the whole house.
A client of ours needed a new home and wanted to find one in which they could make their mark. They found a humble, one-story, brick ranch-style home and came to us to see what they could do.
This is what we came up with thru the design process. This project gives a new light to home remodeling!
It isn’t often that we are asked to stretch the design envelope for a remodeling project. This project was different. In a recent article about about chic design, we included a picture of a very cool stair system which needed to be rendered.
This article shares what came of the 3D model. I am proud of how it turned out.
…continue reading Presenting: Stretching the 3D model »
I enjoy making people happy. I enjoy great design. I enjoy building homes. Marry those three together, and I enjoy my work.
Recently, a client came to us and asked to see the possibilities of a unique stair system that is clear, slim, and chic for their home. This is not a typical home either. Split level entrance with a foyer that is open from basement to 2nd floor. It is also tricky because the stair is going to be supported by nothing between first and second floors, while walking out over the foyer.
So, we got looking for ideas of glass stairs…
…continue reading The joy of designing »
Consider this. If every contractor would buy just 5% more American Made products, there are claims that it would add 220,000 jobs right now! It costs about 1% more than foreign counterparts, and many items work better than their competitors.
…continue reading Buy American »
I was recently designing a guest room and we discussed the option of a murphy bed with the owners. Crazy enough, I received an email with a link to this video. Who knew? Murphy beds are making a comeback. The Wall Street Journal even noticed with this video.
Just one quick internet search yielded this website that has some great looking murphy bed designs and options. http://www.morespaceplace.com/murphy-beds/.
Maybe you too will want to save some space in your room.
We’ve been working on some home projects for a long time. Yes, it’s like the cobbler’s children that have no shoes, but our projects are finally getting resolved.
This last weekend, I completed installing the boys bedroom flooring. Then we sanded and finished with polyurethane. The last coat went on last night.
I would encourage anyone to try projects out, but if you’re not confident about it, hire a professional.
We used Lumber Liquidator’s utility flooring. To use this, you either need to increase your waste calculations, or have a woodshop nearby. We were able to re-work quite a bit of the wood, and for us it was worth the extra work.
We don’t mind the look that some of the boards give. A few places have blemishes and isn’t just perfect. Some holes I filled with a two-part wood filler.
We are completely happy with the end result.
