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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Have 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 MoreHiring a skilled designer or architect is crucial in key situations. Check out this newsletter to learn when professional design is an essential investment for success.
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 MoreEver have trouble getting in touch with a contractor? No response to your voicemails and emails? I know what you're doing wrong and the changes to make.
Read MoreWhere do you want to live when the apocalypse is here? And by apocalypse I mean infrastructure disintegration. It's coming and you should be ready. I know I sound crazy but I’m only partially kidding.
Read MoreIt’s a complicated answer but I’m going to try to keep it SUPER simple! There are two main ways for an architect to charge.
Read MoreWhat should a set of plans (aka blueprints) look like?
Trick question! There's no standard! Each architect or designer has their own style.
Read MorePrices are incredibly high, builders and designers are incredibly busy. Would it be silly to start a new project right now?
It’s a tough question. It’s a personal question. My friend Ed Earl and his colleagues give us a little reality check…
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 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 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 MoreHere’s a (very) quick breakdown of Contractors and Builders. I also threw in a little bit about Subcontractors. Read time: 5 min. Enjoy!
Read MoreRunning Meldrum Design is one of the highlights of my life. I love it. In the last six years I’ve researched the heck out of running a remote, very small business. I’ve experimented with different methods, systems, software, and hardware. It took lots of energy, money, and time. So I thought I'd save you some of that and share what I've learned.
Read MoreSometimes people are curious about what an architect actually does. The people who think they know are surprised when they hear the truth.
And, while this profession can come in MANY different forms, there are an increasing number of one-person architecture companies like Meldrum Design. So here’s a quick (and aesthetically pleasing) breakdown of what I (and many other architects) do all day. INCLUDING an exclusive and very real photo of me and Sunny in my office!…
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, Build Your Team!
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 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!
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