In the world of architecture and design, we see beyond what is. We see what could be, and we revel in the act of making it so. Here are some insightful and inspiring stories of projects I’ve tackled, lessons I’ve learned, and a little bit of humor to keep things interesting. Because, if you can’t laugh about life and home renovations, then what the heck are we all here for?
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Sometimes property owners don’t need full architectural services, sometimes they just need a little advice.
That’s exactly what the owners of this rural Maine camp needed as they continue to work on a plan for their newly purchased property.
This off-grid cabin has a ton of potential and we got deep into the details of what the owners can do with it during our consultation.
Read MoreHave you been considering a building project lately, but been scared off by high construction prices?
You’re not alone or imagining things. Prices ARE high.
Let’s take a look at why prices haven’t gone down and what you can do to make sure you’re not blindsided by cost when you plan a building project.
Read MoreIs the air inside your house clean? 🤔 As a home enthusiast, I'm always curious about how our daily habits impact our living environment. That's why I got an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) monitor for my 90's house! It tracks temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, chemicals, and particulate matter (PM2.5) to ensure you're breathing good air while at home. And it's super affordable!
Read MoreThe holiday season can be a bit of a handful and as we spend more time indoors, we can’t help but think of clever ways the home can be improved. From design reflections to use projections, Meldrum Design brings 4 reasons your house hated the holidays.
Read MoreWhat's your favorite kind of stove? 🤔 Must have gas? 🔥 Or love the ease of cleaning electric? Or the safety of induction? 🎛 It all boils down (pun intended) to your budget and needs. 🍳
Read MoreAre you a minimalist? Do you know what minimalism is?
To me minimalism is... Purposefully deciding what’s worth your time, money, and space. Designing efficiencies into these things and rejecting the crap that doesn’t serve you. The result is freedom to pursue whatever gives you joy.
Read MoreTime to expose one of my secrets: My online interior design sources! Just in time for your holiday shopping.
Read MoreThere’s no one way to build a house. Actually, there are about a million ways to build a house (give or take). But when it comes to the design process, there are three popular ways to get it done. Guess which way is my favorite…
Read MoreA tour of Meldrum Design HQ in Kingfield, Maine! Check out before & after photos and a video!
Read MoreEver heard of sick building syndrome? It started with tightly sealed buildings. It's a good idea to seal buildings but how do we do it without sending people to the hospital?
Read MoreIAQ. Indoor Air Quality.
It used to be that homes were built to “breathe", but it's very expensive to heat or cool a house that “breathes”.
Now we focus on sealing tight the walls, roof, and foundation. Much better for energy efficiency but it introduces a new problem; now we’re inside with all the fumes and humidity trapped within our home. Sealed homes can have bad IAQ. (If you're designing a new house with me, this won't happen because we'll ventilate properly and use the right materials. But if you're living in an existing house already, it could be an issue.)
Bad indoor air causes allergies, headaches, and respiratory issues like asthma. But there are ways to maintain healthy indoor air in your home. Check out my recent blog post for a few suggestions. [Read time: 5 minutes]
Read MoreRight about now, you may be wondering how to make more money. Whether you’ve been laid off or are concerned about the impending recession, most of us are reassessing our finances.
Well, here’s an idea for you, spend a little money to make a lot more money on a property you already own… build an ADU!
Read MoreI have clients who come to me VERY prepared and others who, well, not so much. If you approach your project with the right information, you can save time, money, and headaches. Here are a few ways to prepare…
Read MoreYou may be thinking… “It costs a fortune to build a sustainable house! I can’t afford that!” Fear not, there are relatively affordable solutions to this problem. And thankfully, some really smart people put it all together and gave it an awesome name… the PRETTY GOOD HOUSE.
Read MoreBehind the Scenes! A series of posts to help you understand what I’m doing back here. You know, behind the scenes. Up next, Interiors!
Read MoreBehind the Scenes! A series of posts to help you understand what I’m doing back here. You know, behind the scenes. Up next, Designing A House!
Read MoreA unique and stunningly beautiful home for this San Diego couple.
I can’t tell you how excited I am to finally publish this project: my parents house!
Read MoreBehind the Scenes! A series of posts to help you understand what I’m doing back here. You know, behind the scenes. Up next, Researching Your Property
Read MoreBehind the Scenes! A series of posts to help you understand what I’m doing back here. You know, behind the scenes. Introducing the first post in my Behind the Scenes series: Finding a Designer!
Read MoreIPD is the simple, common sense way to build.
I’ve written a couple articles about project delivery methods. But there’s one method I haven’t written about yet, which is crazy because it’s my favorite. It’s called Integrated Project Delivery.
Most homeowners don’t even know IPD exists but it’s quickly gaining popularity with building industry pros.
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