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?
•••
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 MoreReady for a peek at a Maine family's slopeside sanctuary? Get cozy as we explore their 6200 square foot winter wonderland, complete with a nifty 2000 SF addition that blends seamlessly into its surroundings. With a mix of mountain magic and architectural acrobatics, this beautiful home is all about embracing authenticity. From daring rooflines to the ultimate stairway challenge, we'll uncover how every nook and cranny got its dose of slopeside charm.
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 MorePro photos of this stunner are finally here! An extensive remodel of this family's mountain home. We revamped the kitchen, dining, living room, bathrooms, flooring, and lighting.
Read MoreYou may remember that I wrote about a few of these micro-apartments last December. Seven units squeezed into a 200 year old brick mansion.
Well, we finally got back on site to finish up the photo shoot. Once again, the before/ afters are MIND BLOWING.
Plus, units 2 and 7 are furnished! It’s cool to see how tenants are actually living in the spaces…
Read MoreAfter two years of design & construction, the Sugarloaf remodel "after" photos have arrived! We turned this home away from home into a functional mountain retreat for THREE generations of family members.
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 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 MoreThe transformation of a 200 year-old brick building into seven tiny, modern apartments.
My friend Ben bought a big brick building in very rough shape. He wanted me to be the architect on a massive renovation and I jumped at the opportunity. Despite its deteriorating condition, the bones of this place were spectacular, the potential was enormous. Huge windows. Fancy, hand carved exterior molding. It was built circa 1830 for a wealthy merchant family. 1830! After 2.5 years, I finally “after” photos. YIPPEE! Here’s the full story and LOTS of photos…
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 MoreA whole house interior remodel finds space for this energetic family.
This remodel was centered around this Texan family’s minimalist priorities and athletic lifestyle. Right up my alley! Read on for more details and photos…
Read MoreAs you cook up a storm this holiday season, the yearning for a new kitchen probably feels stronger than ever.
How long have you dreamt of a pristine, sparkly, inspiring kitchen? If only it weren’t for that silly little obstacle: money.
The good news: you don’t have to deplete your bank account to get what you want! There are simple ways to keep your costs low and your satisfaction high.
Read MoreThe good and bad of the most popular water heaters.
With every new project I ask: What type of water heater would you like, tank storage or tankless? And over the last three years homeowners’ answers have been varied, but most people just seem confused. Here are the pros and cons to clear things up.
Read MoreThis client's DIY remodel increased his home's value by $120k!
Blair remodeled his kitchen with his own two hands. He wanted a new space AND a higher home value. After two years, thousands of dollars, countless late nights, and missed weekends the project was complete. During a recent refinance, Blair's home appraised for $120k more than the purchasing price. It was all worth it.
Read MoreA beautiful kitchen remodel for a young and lively family.
One day Maggie, my social media guru, asked for advice about remodeling their new kitchen and dining room. Her young family soon became clients and one year later, their house is midcentury modern and gorgeous! Read on for photos and details...
Read MoreA beautiful living room and bathroom remodel for a fun-loving South African family.
At our Christmas party two years ago, I was approached by close family friends. They were tired of their cramped, non-functional living room and bathroom and wanted some ideas of how to rearrange the space.
We came up with a design that made the living room feel open and continuous with the deck; welcoming and hospitable for gatherings large and small. We also gutted the upstairs bathroom to give the client a huge shower and beautiful, usable vanity.
Read MoreA stunning transformation of this apartment building into a contemporary heaven.
This client bought a four-unit apartment building in very rough shape. His goal: develop into modern, rentable apartments. Together, we designed and permitted a complete remodel. Read on for more photos of this Modern Coastal historical apartment building!
Read More
