The Benefits of a “Whole Home Design” Approach

Why a holistic strategy delivers the best in architecture, interior design, and landscape for a connected whole home design When I’m starting a new whole home design project it feels like Christmas Eve – every time I am SO excited! There are so many possibilities, each more thrilling than the next. These beginnings are always… Continue reading The Benefits of a “Whole Home Design” Approach

Finding Simple & Functional Designs in New Zealand

New Zealand Travel I find New Zealand to be an incredibly powerful, spiritual and simple country. The Maori Culture is alive and well and integrated with the British influence. These native Polynesian heritage people fought hard for their rights and land so they still strongly influence the country. Sheep, greenery, mountains and ocean are visible… Continue reading Finding Simple & Functional Designs in New Zealand

How to Create a “Forever Home”

Are you tired of moving? Are you looking for the opportunity to design your “last” home? Ironically, I have two of these projects on my boards right now. Life is life and is, of course, very unpredictable. But while you can’t control the circumstances and outcomes of life, we still owe it to ourselves to… Continue reading How to Create a “Forever Home”

The Design Process

Are you looking for a designer for a future project? I thought I would fill you in on a few key aspects of the design process at amy dutton Home. We work in phases throughout the project: Discovery, Schematic, and Construction Drawings. At the end of each of these phases, I work with one or… Continue reading The Design Process

How to Select the Right Window

Are you in the market for new windows? If so, it is indeed a confusing and expensive process. I was talking to another designer the other day and we both agreed that about 30% of our time on a project with windows is spent on windows. That also translates to the amount of time that… Continue reading How to Select the Right Window

COVE is coming to Portsmouth, NH

COVE is coming to Portsmouth, NH located at 30 Maplewood Avenue, it was designed by Jen Ramsey of Somma Studios. The building that houses COVE Workspace has been under renovation for the last few years and as has a nice modern, updated yet respectful historic balance of architecture. COVE Workspace stands for ‘Cooperative Venture Workspace’. They are… Continue reading COVE is coming to Portsmouth, NH

How to Establish a Project Timeline

Are you thinking about starting a new home project? If so, I encourage you to consider the timeline. Typically, for a larger project, I try to allow for 6 months of design. This gives a nice window of exhaustive schematic design. A solid design ultimately saves my clients money during construction because there is less… Continue reading How to Establish a Project Timeline

Why do you need a Site Plan?

Do you have a site plan of your property? If you haven’t had one professionally done, have you sketched something out? The purpose of a site plan is to communicate what you want or need to happen with your property. Typically, a formal site plan is done by a civil engineer. The plans include  roads,… Continue reading Why do you need a Site Plan?