As you consider doing a new project, buying plans, or just changing your materials in the house with a renovation, the first thing you want to do is hire a contractor. DIY is great for small projects like painting, but much more than that, you will need a licensed professional to hire, trust and do… Continue reading How to Hire and Work with Your Contractor
Tag: Construction
Excel and Pinterest get Married
True, I’m a creative. I’m a right-brained person but I’m also (obviously) “Type A” and enjoy organizing and staying on budget. Excel and Pinterest both work great for me! My intern, Molly, is AMAZING! She also loves Excel. Now, who loves Excel? Honestly, I mean its just numbers, right? But, one weekend I decided that in… Continue reading Excel and Pinterest get Married
There is Nothing Like a Hot Bath
Sometimes, there is nothing like a hot bath to take all the worries away! I find that typically my clients are passionate about their bathtubs if they want one. And now, there are several approaches to purchasing, designs for installing and locations to consider outside of the traditional approach. Let’s discover a few together: LOCATION:… Continue reading There is Nothing Like a Hot Bath
Key Elements to Selecting the Right Cabinetry Supplier
Are you in the market for new cabinetry either in your bedroom, bathroom or closet? If so, it probably means two things are happening: You have a much larger job ahead of you than just selecting a new cabinet. You are in the midst of making a lot of complex decisions in a short amount… Continue reading Key Elements to Selecting the Right Cabinetry Supplier
How to Strategically Place Bathroom Windows
Windows in a bathroom are really important! Why? They create light, feel and fresh air. They must be balanced with privacy. Because I live in downtown Portsmouth, I can sit at my kitchen island and see in 3 different bathroom windows. Honestly, it’s not good. My neighbors all laugh about it but it makes me very… Continue reading How to Strategically Place Bathroom Windows
Building Techniques in India
I recently returned from a trip to India and wanted to share some insight into the building techniques in an absolutely amazingly resourceful country To my surprise, the nicest homes and hotels I have ever been in were in India, counterbalanced by small shacks with tin & rocks for roofs. My brain tried to make… Continue reading Building Techniques in India
How to Transform Your Home with a Truss Roof
Does your home need a significant renovation? When I was hired for this “Ranch Renovation” the existing 1952 home was in desperate need of updating! To begin, the ceiling height was very low at only 7’6” high, which meant that the height of the windows were hung too low. All the windows were single pane… Continue reading How to Transform Your Home with a Truss Roof
Where Old Meets New
We do a lot of additions and renovations! And they are fun! Why…? I love the renovation challenge and no two homes are alike. I love taking an old home with old floor / ceiling joists and pushing the design to adjust to modern dimensions and building codes. Existing foundations and stair codes are rarely met… Continue reading Where Old Meets New
Reality Hits When a Backhoe Shows Up in Your Front Yard
Do you have a backhoe in your front yard? Most people are really excited the day that the backhoe shows up and construction begins… then they are even happier when the contractor’s truck pulls away at the end of a project. The beginning part of a project is not only exciting for homeowners; it is… Continue reading Reality Hits When a Backhoe Shows Up in Your Front Yard
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