There is so much in the design and building industry that is confusing and intimidating. A big part of Abrigo Home is about breaking down the barriers between consumers and professionals. The industry is vast, and there is a reason why it is a significant economic driver. Beyond the designers, builders, and suppliers, there are… Continue reading Breaking Down the Building Barriers: How to Work with Material Wholesalers
Category: Lifestyle
When Buying Plans Online Goes Wrong: A Designer’s Perspective
I often have people contact me about editing or drawing up plans they found or purchased online, and it has never worked out. Ultimately, it costs them much more time and money than they could have imagined. EXAMPLE ONE: One client took a screenshot of the plan, searched for months, and found it online to… Continue reading When Buying Plans Online Goes Wrong: A Designer’s Perspective
Why You Should Consider Online / Remote Design Consultations and How to Prep
Are you considering working on a design project for your home and have no idea where to begin? Or do you simply have questions and want to speak to a design professional? When we created Abrigo Home, it was partly to create a response to the need to bring consultation closer to the consumer. For… Continue reading Why You Should Consider Online / Remote Design Consultations and How to Prep
When should you hire an Architect?
If you are considering a renovation or new construction project, it’s essential to know when to hire an architect. As we launched Abrigo Home, this project was not only the response to a building boom/labor and supply shortage but also the accessibility both financially and availability-wise. Amy Dutton Home is a company that has had… Continue reading When should you hire an Architect?
How to Prep for a Planning Board Meeting
Do you need board approval for the home project that you are wanting to complete? Or, are you confused about what that even means? Here we go, I’ll explain the logic and process and how to proceed forward to build your dream come true. Honestly, it’s probably my least favorite part of my job because… Continue reading How to Prep for a Planning Board Meeting
What’s BUGGING you?
We find remnants of animals and bugs with significant damage in nearly every renovation we do. Either wasp nests in the roof rafters or carpenter ants at the kitchen sink add extra work when renovating your home. But all can be prevented if you are on a good extermination plan. My suggestion is to find… Continue reading What’s BUGGING you?
Spring Decor to Refresh Your Space
By March, we are all anxious to get winter ice and spring mud behind us and move into a season of light and freshness. So, of course, the first thing that I suggest is to give your home a good cleaning, and clean OUT anything that you haven’t used in 2 years (unless, like my… Continue reading Spring Decor to Refresh Your Space
How To Make Your Interior Bright & Beautiful Throughout the Winter
As we begin to hunker down for the winter and resolve to spend more time indoors, I thought I would put together a list of what I do to create a cozy home for the winter. PLANTS: I love gardening and it’s important to me to continue to keep my thumb green. So, I bring… Continue reading How To Make Your Interior Bright & Beautiful Throughout the Winter
Hello December!
This holiday season, we are very well aware of how difficult times are for so many people in our community. We invite you to join us in supporting Crossroads House in Portsmouth, NH, a facility providing transitional housing to those in need. Crossroads House is close to my heart because I have the pleasure of… Continue reading Hello December!
Behind the Scenes of My Design Process
Have you ever wondered about the Design Process? Well, it is exactly that… a process. I work in three primary phases when working on an architectural project. They work fluidly together and are incredibly consistent that my clients have grown comfortable with them. DISCOVERY: In the Discovery Phase, we measure the existing conditions of… Continue reading Behind the Scenes of My Design Process