Archive for Design Accuracy

I Want to Love My House | A Story of Transformation

Posted by Faith and Hope on

March 25, 2022

Building with Hope and Faith

“I Want to Love My Home”
A Story of Transformation

When we received the initial call from our client, she stated she WANTED to love her house, but “right now it is a big brown box”. She hated the exterior and had a list of what she’d like to see changed.

In fact, the collection of design images she liked was quite extensive and just as varied! Our client didn’t know how all these ideas could be sorted out and even which ones were do-able. She had pictures – but lacked one cohesive vision.

Luckily, we’ve been doing this for over 30 years so we’re well-versed in reviewing a list of disparate design concepts and finding the “string” that ties them all together.

This project was a renovation without additions, except a new front porch. The exterior renovations were done first and have been recently completed. Enjoy the before and after photos! (The interior renovation project will begin soon.)

Exterior Style

In discussing what styles she and her husband liked, we noticed that quite a few of the images she shared with us contained Craftsman style details, so we used this throughout our design.

Roof Details

We added 3 new roofs: over the new front porch; over a new box bay window at the living room; and at the garage doors. For these 3 roofs, we used metal roofing to act as an accent material. Wooden brackets at the garage roof match the posts and beams of the front porch.

Siding

Our client liked different styles of siding and wondered if we could incorporate more than one and still maintain a natural flow. We used clapboard siding along the main level, shingle siding at the upstairs level and board and batten siding at the top levels under the roof overhangs and at the garage.

Windows

One of the first things you would notice on the original house were the narrow windows. Every window was less than 2 feet wide. Replacing these with large windows delighted the homeowner with an abundance of light brightening the interior.

While keeping the overall composition of the exterior balanced, we were mindful that the size of each window matched the purpose of each room. Where we placed each new window would naturally affect the furniture placement in the rooms. We also considered what future design changes we would implement when we worked on the interior.

And speaking of windows, the master bedroom used to have a balcony, but it was too small to even fit a chair. It didn’t serve a real purpose and was never used. It was removed and replaced with large bright windows.

Porch

The entry to the house had just a platform and steps with no roof covering. Our clients wanted an ample porch they could use comfortably. Our 8 ft deep porch design gave them a comfy place to sit and relax, with room for a small table and chairs if they wished to use them. The porch is Craftsman style with stone piers and timber frame construction.

Deck

In the back of the home, they had a two-level deck with an unfortunate placement of the stairs. The stairs to the lower level were way off to the side, creating two disjointed spaces. In our design, we featured a large, centrally located stair that joins the 2 spaces and integrates them, so they work together as a cohesive whole.

Lastly, there was a room off of the deck that had been a screened in porch. We redesigned it as a four-season room they can now use however they wish, all year long.

The big brown box is now a memory, and our clients are excited about the upcoming interior work. It all starts with a phone call – even if you are years away from starting, it’s never too soon to have a conversation.

Your surroundings can totally affect your life,
your spirit, your emotional well being!

Do you have transformational dreams for your house and
simply can’t “see it happening?” Click below to get started.

I would love to talk!

If a friend forwarded this to you, this does not mean that we have added you to our list. However, if you would like to receive our updates, click below.

Yes, send me your design tips.

Categories : Design Accuracy, Exterior Improvements, Renovations, Residential Design, Working with Zimmerman Architects

When It’s Time To Ask For a Design Consultation

Posted by Faith and Hope on

November 14, 2019

· No Comments

Building with Hope and Faith

When It’s Time To Ask For a Design Consultation

We’re often asked how to get started in any kind of construction or renovation project, so we wanted to describe WHY you would want a design consultation, how it works and what you’ll get out of it.

Are you a candidate for a Design Consultation? Here’s how to tell:

Are there certain features in your house that you don’t like, but are resigned to the fact that it’s “just the way this house is”?
Are you planning on a large construction project in the future, and are adding a list of small changes that are going to get done along with the larger project?
Are you planning a kitchen project, but wish you could discuss possibilities for what could also get done in the basement or master bath?
Does your family’s living space allow for connections from the kitchen to adjacent spaces so you don’t feel isolated while cooking?
Is your house configured for ease of entertaining or family gatherings you would like to have?
Do you wish you had more natural light or a better view to nature, or your yard?
Do you know your house doesn’t feel right, wish it could change, but don’t know how it should be different?

Here’s How It Works and What To Expect

If you said yes to any of these questions, you may indeed be ready for a Design Consultation, which, not surprisingly, takes place at the project site (in your home). We walk through and around the house with you and look at what you love, what you hate, and all the possibilities.

We ask tons of questions, and often questions you have never even considered. We discuss and weigh the merits of various possible design solutions. And we ask more questions. We LISTEN! Your ideas are tossed around with our ideas. We offer our knowledge and our expertise and possibly alternate options.

The Design Consultation could lead to a master plan for projects to be done over time, or it could lead to a small project to hold you over, or it could lead to that amazing full transformation of your house that you have been dreaming of for years.

It all boils down to this one BIG question: Are you ready to LOVE your home?

This is what we do – we make you fall in love with your home as if you’re seeing it for the first time; because in a sense, you are. It may not be the house you purchased, but it will be the house you’ll love coming home to, each and every day.

Your surroundings can totally affect your life,
your spirit, your emotional well being!

Do you have transformational dreams for your house and
simply can’t “see it happening?”
Click below to get started.

I would love to talk!

If a friend forwarded this to you, this does not mean that we have added you to our list.
However, if you would like to receive our updates, click below.

Yes, send me your design tips.

Categories : Design Accuracy, Exterior Improvements, Pergolas, Renovations, Residential Design

Are Design TV Shows Close to Reality?

Posted by Faith and Hope on

October 14, 2019

· No Comments

Building with Hope and Faith

Are Design TV Shows Close to Reality?

Everyone has their favorite design TV shows. It’s fun to watch the grand make-overs. While the clients seem to get a dramatic improvement on their living environment, not everything is what it seems.

We love how these shows inspire you to what’s possible, but we worry that you are being led astray by misinformation. So, here are some Design TV “Myths” that we are going to dramatically reveal for you now! Let’s pull back that curtain!

Do You Stay Or Do You Go?

On TV Shows		In Reality
The family must move out of their home because the final design is a dramatic (and tear-filled) reveal. The homeowner has little to no idea what the design will be like, right down to the color of the paint or type of flooring! Will that wall be there when you move back in? Can you imagine how nerve wracking it must be not to be able to live at home or have no idea what it’s going to look like?		We don’t make you move out of your home (but sometimes you’ll want to). And you’ll be pleased to know that you won’t stay “in the dark” about what the design will be. We involve you every step of the way. We want to hear about what you like and need and want. We show you our ideas and design before construction begins. We’re very accessible throughout the whole project for any question or concern you may have.

Whose Design Is It?

On TV Shows

In Reality

The design is THEIR design, their ideas. Which means you get what you get, and it’s usually

a) whatever happens to be in style right now; and

b) a cookie cutter template of the design they do on lots of homes.

Let’s face it, they feature their own style and typically must use their sponsors’ products.

We’ve seen shows where they purposely ignored the requests of the client because it wasn’t the latest style!

Because we work very closely with you during our design consultation, we’ve taken a walk through your home, and we’ve asked a ton of questions, we seek to have a clear understanding of the way your family wants to use the spaces in the house.

The resulting design is a gorgeous mix of your desires and our expertise. Together, we make a unique recipe for the design of your home renovation or construction.

Since we don’t even bake cookies, our projects are not designed with cookie cutters either!

How Long Will The New Features Last?

On TV Shows

In Reality

Every shelf, every cupboard, every door, every window, down to the last candle and picture frame is there for show. Typically some of the features are only temporarily placed in the client’s home. Once the episode is completed, quite a few items are likely removed (and used in other projects) and the clients’ real stuff comes back.

Also, very often the work is done hastily to meet the show’s deadline. Some items must fall apart because the proper procedures weren’t followed. It’s meant for TV, for entertainment. Not forever!

Every shelf, every cupboard, every door, every window is the real deal. Every nail and screw is tightly in place and is meant to stay there for decades to come (or until you want a change).

When we design your new doors or new wall or nook, the construction crew will take as long as they need to ensure the home is safe, and you’re happy, for years to come.

It’s meant for you, your family, your guests, for years and for decades, NOT for show!

We hope those shows INSPIRE you and show you the POSSIBILITIES. But if you want real design customized for you and your family, come to us, and we’ll make it happen for YOU, not a TV audience!

Your surroundings can totally affect your life,
your spirit, your emotional well being!

Do you have transformational dreams for your house and
simply can’t “see it happening?”
Click below to get started.

I would love to talk!

If a friend forwarded this to you, this does not mean that we have added you to our list.
However, if you would like to receive our updates, click below.

Yes, send me your design tips.

Categories : Design Accuracy, Working with Zimmerman Architects