Meet Our Team – James McDonough

Valerie and I moved from Crystal Lake, Illinois to Eagle, Colorado in 2015.  We came to be closer to our kids. We came to ditch the untenable economy of Illinois. We came without jobs and took time off to explore our new world. We came to get away from urban stress. We came to the mountains.

And we love it here.

I didn’t work for the first year I was here.  I had never taken that much time off, but I fought through the guilt and golfed, fished, babysat my granddaughter and just putzed around the house.  It was great.  In the fall of 2016, I was invited to play golf with a group of guys who I mostly didn’t know.  On our way over Cottonwood Pass the driver, Patrick, pipes up … “so James” he askes “ what do you do?”

“Well I don’t do anything,” (Yea, a smart-ass reply because that was what I was doing then)

“OK, what did you used to do?” Patrick persists.

“I’m an architect” I replied, “I designed and built schools in Illinois for 25 years”

“You have to meet Tab Bonidy! He’s got the Eagle schools”

And so I did.  I met Tab and Greg and started at TAB Associates in December of 2016.  Who would of thunk it?  We quit our jobs, sold our house, picked up all our toys and moved to this incredible place, and I land a job doing what I built my career from and love.  Designing and building schools. Go figure.

In Illinois, I helped Boards of Education and School Administrators through needs analysis, visioning, programing, budgeting and successful community referendums.  From there, I led architectural teams through design and construction of school projects.  At TAB, I provide construction administration for the projects while they are being built;  In the trenches, working with the district and contractors answering questions, reviewing products and helping make the myriad of decisions, big and little, that go into the complex, multi-use and very public building called a school.  It’s the greatest.

Thinking back, there are a lot of favorites:

Niles Township High School: A STEM Lab before STEM Labs were popular

 

Woodstock SD 200: Bringing a second HS to a small town.

 

Wauconda SD 118: The first theater in the community.

Mundelein HSD 120: I must have spent at least 15 years to finally get an addition to their High School.

Now I’m here.  Building the new schools on 3rd street where my grandchildren may attend.  Very exciting.

Valerie and I love living and working in this valley.  We golf, bowl, hike, fish, camp and try to take advantage of all the high country has to offer.  We’ve made new friends and are building new relationships.

Meet Our Team – Rachel Hill

Hello, I am Rachel Hill a Project Manager at TAB Associates.  I have been with the company for a year and a half and adventuring in Colorado for the past five years.  I graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from Mississippi State University. After I graduated I started working for a local non-profit on the Mississippi Gulf Coast teaching under privileged women general construction and trades skills. This experience helped me gain hands on experience with the construction process as well as onsite architectural detailing. It was this unique experience that helped shape me into a well-rounded designer. I am currently LEED Green Associate certified while I am also working towards completing my architecture licensure exams.

I enjoy working on a variety of different architypes throughout my career, which has created a wide range in my design background with a concentration in hospitality and multifamily design in resort communities. I have been a key design team member on numerous resort villages, hotels, condominiums, retail stores, and restaurants. While at TAB Associates I have been focusing on K-12 educational architecture in the High Rockies of Colorado. Most recently, I lead the project team as we wrapped up the design phases for an extensive renovation and addition at Red Sandstone Elementary School (Vail, CO) and will continue to watch the project take shape as it heads into construction. What I find so unique about educational architecture is how rewarding and personal the experience feels. The students, faculty, and staff are so enthralled and excited about the entire experience that their energy really has a way of inserting itself into the design. My attention to detail and organization skills make me an asset to any team especially in the later phases of design and throughout construction. However, it’s really in the conceptual stages of design that I enjoy watching an idea take shape and form into the building it will become.

While not at the office, I enjoy traveling and getting out to explore the wonderful opportunities that living in Colorado provides. While I moved to the Colorado mountains for the winter activities, summer is my favorite Colorado season. My hobbies include hiking, kayaking, skiing, yoga, painting, and eating quesadillas. And you can always find me cheering on my Mississippi State Bulldogs, Hail State!

How to Choose the Right Window Treatments for Your Home

choose window treatments

In general, the homes we design are done so with no window coverings in the main rooms of the home.  We believe the outside environment should be brought inside and that God provides the art, en plein air art, if I may.

But for those rooms which need window coverings, you have so many choices when it comes to window treatments for your home! Rather than letting that overwhelm or confuse you, there are simple and effective ways to narrow down your choices and add much to your home’s décor and functionality through window treatments. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when you’re deciding on window treatments.

Style of Home

Think about the style of your home when thinking about what window treatments would be best for your home. For example, if your home is modern and sleek, you might choose something different than the window treatments in a home that’s traditional and country style.  You may want window coverings that are automated and motorized.  For your best and most satisfying results, work with architects who can help to streamline this process and narrow down your options.

Color of Décor

The color you typically use in your décor, your color scheme, will likely help to steer you toward the type of window treatments that are suited to your home. For example, you might choose a different window treatment if you want bold patterns than if you are using light, subtle and solid colors.

Functionality

What window treatments you choose to use will vary based on functionality, such as if you need window treatments to block out light, provide privacy and just add a special design accent to the room.

Budgetary Needs

You likely have a budget for your decorating and design, including window treatments. First, consider what budget you have to work within when deciding what window treatments would be possibilities for you. There are a surprising number of choices in a pretty wide price range.

With these tips in mind, you’ll likely be more certain about the best window treatments for you. And if you need further assistance with design, call us at TAB Associates, Inc. today to learn how we can design the home of your dreams!

Meet Our Team – Warner Hopkins

My name is Warner Hopkins, Project Manager at TAB Associates with the third installation. I was born and raised in the Roaring Fork Valley, attended CU Boulder, and graduated in 2005. All my life I knew I wanted to continue living in the mountains of Colorado and the Vail Valley was a perfect fit, nestled between where I grew up and cities of the Front Range. Last winter my wife and I welcomed our beautiful baby girl into our small family and most of the past year has been spent enjoying all the joy she brings to our lives. We have put down roots in this community and are looking forward to the coming years.

When I was little we had a class project where we had a map of a large plot of land along a river and we had to lay out homesites along the river and surrounding hills. Over the course of this project I realized what I wanted to be when I grew up. In the summers of high school and college I worked at a local Construction Company, this helped pay for my tuition while also giving me a strong background in how things actually go together. While I had always been able to read maps and understand directions, seeing how all the lines on the paper came together to create a home was experience I will never forget.

In the past few years the main focus of the office has been on the commercial side of the business and this has been a personal learning experience, as up until a few years ago I had been primarily focused on the residential side. One moment I chuckle at was when I realized we had been awarded the project and were about to start work on my old Elementary, Middle, and High Schools back in the Roaring Fork Valley. While circumstances didn’t allow major participation in those projects, I was able to help periodically. With this and all the school work I have done in the past few years, I have a feeling of my story coming full circle with helping to create a learning space for the next generation in the same environment in which I realized what I wanted to be when I grew up. Perhaps we have helped them realize their dreams.

Meet Our Team – Tab Bonidy

Second post in a series introducing me, Tab Bonidy, President of TAB Associates, Inc.  We have three grandkids in Charlotte, NC and one in Bluffton, SC.

This prompted my wife to request we move to the mountains of western North Carolina.  She figured the only way to get me out of the mountains of Colorado would be to move me to more mountains in North Carolina.  So we bought an 18 acres parcel on Bearwallow Mountain six tenths of a mile down a dirt road on Justus Case Mountain Place off Bearwallow Mountain Road.  We built a barn on the property with a one bedroom apartment on the second floor.  We are currently living in the apartment and barn with our two dogs, four birds, two chickens and a rooster.  Fresh eggs are a wonderful thing.  The grandkids want us to get some goats, but that is down the road a little bit.

I designed a home for the property and it is currently under construction.  This is my fourth home I have built for myself including the barn.   I said years ago that someone would have to drag me kicking and screaming to leave Colorado since I have been there since 1984.  You know what they say, the wife has the stuff and I got to follow the stuff.  Well so far it has been a good change.  I am currently opening a satellite office in Hendersonville, NC.  It should be completed by the middle to end of April.   I also fly back to Colorado once a month to take care of the financial end of the business.  So I guess I haven’t left Colorado completely.  I still enjoy my friends and skiing and hunting.

The three fundamentals of our business is why I started TAB Associates, Inc.  They are to create good architecture, to make money and to have fun.  The third reason is probably the most important of the three.  We make it our mission for us and our clients to have fun in the process.  It is most instrumental in our process. If you ask any of our clients, they will tell you how they enjoyed the process and the final results.  Their final joy is to live in the results of the process.  They were part of the entire process from Conceptual Design through Construction Documents.  They therefore understand why the built environment is what it is.  This is all part of the success over the years of TAB Associates, Inc.

Meet Our Team – Greg Macik

This is the first post in a series about TAB Associates, Inc team members and current projects. I am Greg Macik managing principal of the Edwards office and have been with TAB Associates since day one and before. I met Tab in May of 1997 at a previous firm. When Tab decided to open TAB Associates in December of 1997 it only made sense to join him. I grew up in Galveston, Texas and went to College at Texas Tech where I received my Bachelors in Architecture and Masters in Architectural Historic Preservation. After a number of years in south Texas and Kentucky I decided to move to Colorado to pursue my love of the mountains and skiing. After 20 years in the Valley I still cannot imagine living anywhere else. But, I still miss the beach!

I have a family of 6. That’s, my wife, daughter of 14 years, a dog and two cats. When I do get out of the office I spend a lot of time in our jeep and when my wife lets me, I play golf. Living in Colorado has afforded me and my family many opportunities to really enjoy the outdoors. I still have a hard time thinking about living in a big city away from our beautiful valley.

With Tab’s guidance over the last 20 years we have become a successful and respected firm in the Eagle Valley. We have always remained small so our leadership can continue to guide the direction of the firm and our team members can learn from the collective. Tab has begun to open a new office which should be open in April in Hendersonville, North Carolina. I am excited about this new opportunity to manage the Edwards Office and continue to provide the Valley with quality service and design.

Currently we are 8 strong in Edwards having doubled our size in the last year. Successful projects of over $140 million in the Eagle County Schools and $30 million in the Summit schools has kept us very busy. With this strong team we are situated now to continue to be able to staff new projects. We are also currently working on projects ranging from a planning project for new housing in Gypsum, a 80+ unit condo project in Avon, 7 Wendy’s restaurants, a reskin of Lake Creek Apartments and other projects.

We are always looking for a new project in the Valley and elsewhere in the State.

Stay tuned to our sites as the rest of our team introduce themselves and present the exciting projects we have in the office.

How to Decorate Your Fireplace Year-Round

decorate your fireplace

The hearth has long been a symbol of what home was. The comfort of a fireplace, even if seldom used, conveys a homey feel. This sentiment is one that has withstood the test of time.

This makes it even more important to make sure that your mantel not only represents your personality but the vibe that you want your home to give off. Check out these 5 ways to spruce up your mantel and achieve that finishing look to your home.

How to Decorate Your Fireplace Year-Round

  • Bring in a Little Bit of the Shoreline: For a year-round summer feel for your mantel, you can adorn it with unique pieces of driftwood, shells collections, and nautical ropes or lanterns.
  • Immortalize Your Favorite Verse: Have a favorite poetry verse or family saying? Put it on display on a chalkboard atop of your mantel, flanked by some varying sizes of candles to create a unique and a daily motivational piece.
  • Resurrect Some Silver Serving Trays: If you have some serving tray pieces that have been collecting dust waiting for the perfect occasion to use, you can repurpose them as mantel decoration. Their reflective quality adds a unique look to any fireplace.
  • Add Some Favorite Florals: Find some beautiful live (or silk) flowers that provide a pop of color that goes with the room. If you have a more neutral color palette, you can always go with a classic bouquet of white.
  • Provide Some Additional Room Lighting: Depending on the size of your mantel, you can decorate and provide some additional light to low-lit rooms by placing decorative lamps on each edge. Lamps also create spotlighting for mantel pictures as well.

If you are looking for an architectural firm to help design your house to truly become your hearth and home, contact TAB Associates today to schedule your consultation.

Choosing Wood Accents to Beautify Your Home

wood accents

Wood is undeniably one of the most versatile materials used to achieve architectural balance in a home. Homeowners that partner with an architectural firm in Vail Valley can expect a pleasing selection of interior design elements to create a contemporary, minimalist, modern, or Scandinavian decor. The success of any decorating scheme will ultimately depend upon the right architectural balance of textures and beauty, which TAB Associates can help you achieve in your own home.

Choosing Wood Accents to Beautify Your Home

Wood accents are perfect for adding beauty and warmth to a home, while also providing the right balance of texture. Soft surfaces like upholstery and carpeting benefit from a good balance of wood accents. Here are three wood accents that will add architectural balance to your home:

  • Natural Wood Interior Trim – Instead of painted wood at baseboards, choose a wood stain that contrasts or blends with the surrounding decor to immediately create visual interest or contrast with a touch of warmth.
  • Chair Rails and Crown Molding – This will break up the areas of monotone, especially in larger rooms such as dining room and great rooms. Either of these wood accents can be used create divisions between different wall colors or textures—such as a transition between a painted surface and wallpaper.
  • Wood Mantles and Built-Ins – Choosing wood for mantles as opposed to stone or brick versions will usher in a traditional feel and add contrast to contemporary decors. Built-in entertainment centers and bookcases which feature warm wood species will help minimize the visual transition.

Discover the difference an architectural firm can make by creating a distinct balance utilizing the form, function, and beauty of wood accents. TAB Associates have over 30 years of experience in the planning and design layout of residential and commercial interiors and exteriors in Vail, Colorado.

How to Choose the Right Rug for a Room

bedroom with rug

Whether you’re moving into a new home or you simply want to spruce up an old room in your house, a rug is a great way to add a nice touch to just about any room design. Unfortunately, if you’re not an interior stylist, it can be difficult to select a rug that truly suits the aesthetics of a room. Here are a few tips that should help you choose the right rug for your home.

Consider the Floor Plan

When buying a rug, the first thing you should consider is the floor plan of the room. Based on the floor plan, you should choose an appropriate size and location for the rug. Some common layouts for a room include the classic layout, the floating layout, and the dining layout.

For example, a room possesses a classic layout if the sofa and chairs are against the wall. For this layout, it is ideal to purchase a rug that is large enough to fit under the front legs of all the sofas and chairs. It may be necessary to rearrange the furniture in your room to achieve the desired look with the rug.

Think About Foot Traffic

You should also think about how much foot traffic the room receives. Different materials offer different advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, the material you decide on for your ideal rug should be based on the type of room the rug is intended for as well as the amount of foot traffic said room receives.

Due to low foot traffic, rugs for dining rooms and bedrooms typically don’t need to be as durable. On the other hand, rugs in the hallways should be both durable and dark in color due to high foot traffic.

As you may know from experience, choosing the perfect rug for a room can be an ordeal. For more information about room and home design, you should consider reaching out to TAB Associates, an architectural firm that can help with the home of your dreams!

How to Use Stacked Stone in Kitchen Styling

Stacked stone in a kitchen gives a room character and dimension, and it’s become a popular choice when it comes to remodeling a space. You can buy stone in a variety of textures, colors, and shapes to customize the look you want, though it helps to understand stacked stone and its decorative properties before jumping in.

Composition and Tone

Stacked stone won’t give you smooth, polished walls, but it will give you a multi-dimensional kitchen with real charm. The stones have varying colors, sizes, and depths to create an interesting focal point in the kitchen, and they provide a rustic quality (similar to what you might on the outside of a storybook cottage.) They can be made from a variety of natural elements, such as quartzite, and are roughly shaped like bricks. The color variation of each stone can be high, so it’s important to be on the lookout for stones that don’t fit your palette.

How to Use It

Most people use stacked stone in a single part of their kitchen to highlight a specific area. We typically use it to surround major appliance pieces, such as cooking ranges.  Decorators will tell you it works best if the stone is set closer to the ceiling to draw the eye upwards, but it can also be used between cabinets or as a backsplash. Under-cabinet lighting can be an excellent way to call attention to the wall, while decreasing potentially dangerous shadows at the same time. Stone will last for quite some time, even when under constant duress, but it will need grout and sealant for reinforcement and protection.

If you’re looking for architects , it’s time to give TAB Associates a call. It’s our pleasure as architects to help you discover the right type of stacked stone for your kitchen. This material is not only inviting and warm, it’s also a lot of fun to style. Let us help you figure out the best route to your dream kitchen today!