Month: February 2015

New Trends for Home Staircases

Staircases are becoming more than just a way for someone to get from one floor of a home to the next. The latest trends are turning stairs into a fashion statement and using them to add to the appeal and design of a home.

  • Glass guardrails allow the stairs to be seen from the lower floor, while also serving as a manner of protection for those traveling up or down. The simple look of glass is perfect for a modern, minimalist home design.
  • Centrally located stairs, encased in a glass box, are another trending design element. The stairs look like they are floating in the middle of the glass space. Switchback stairs are typically used with this design.
  • No longer are all stairs comprised of a simple, single flight of steps. Twisting, turning staircases provide an attractive alternative. Often made from wood, these structures add character to natural homes.
  • Floating stairs, which are supported by metal rods hung from the ceiling rather than structural supports originating on the floor, are incredibly futuristic and innovative.

If you’re interested in working unique stairs into your home design, contact TAB Associates to discuss your plans today.

TAB Associates Tips for Renovating Your Basement

Basement renovations can be challenging because many basements were not built with the intention of them becoming living spaces. Don’t let the challenges keep you from the basement remodel you’ve been planning. Here are a few tips for success:

  • If ductwork or piping means you won’t have enough head space in a remodeled basement, consider digging down to add ceiling height.
  • In older basements, make sure you check for hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead. These can cause harm if you start ripping them up without taking the proper safety precautions.
  • To make sure noise in your remodeled basement does not spread through the home, include sound insulation in the ceiling along with other sound mitigating techniques.
  • Keep exit requirements in mind. Most municipalities require emergency exits, so you may have to include a window in your design that’s large enough to crawl out of.
  • Check for moisture issues before you begin renovating. If there is water seeping into a part of the basement, have it fixed before proceeding so you don’t end up with soggy materials.  This may include waterproofing walls and/or adding a sump pump to extract the water.

Leave your basement remodel to the experts at TAB Associates. Contact us today to learn more about our architectural services.

Design Tips for Working With a High Ceiling

High ceilings in homes are seen as a luxury. However, once you have your high ceiling, designing the rest of the room in a way that takes full advantage of the spacious room’s beauty can be challenging. Here are a few tips to help you create a stunning and grand design in your home with a high-ceiling.

  • Include millwork in your design. Detailed carpentry including broad crown molding and expertly crafted door frames adds texture, which makes the space feel more balanced rather than just roomy and excessive.
  • Use a dark color on the ceiling. It will help balance out other darker elements that are lower in the room. A natural wood ceiling looks lovely, or even a gabled ceiling painted brown or deep gray or red.  A darker ceiling will bring down the space to minimize it from feeling overwhelmingly large.
  • Add structural elements to your ceiling design. Exposed beams are very in-style right now, and they help add character to your high ceiling. There are many different styles and designs to consider, from arched beams to horizontal ones. natural wood beams are perfect for a mountain-style home.  These structural elements create a lower psychological ceiling and can make a space feel more intimate.

For help designing a breathtaking high-ceiling room from the floor up, contact the experts at TAB Associates.

Planning a Home Build? Here are Tips for Deciding Where to Put Your Laundry Room!

When building a home, the placement of the laundry room often gets overlooked. Because a laundry room can be virtually any size, it often gets wedged into an awkward corner or squeezed into the basement. If you take a little time to plan your laundry room placement carefully, you’ll end up with a more functional space. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • If you live in a 2-story home, remember that placing the laundry room in the basement means taking the clothes up and down 2 flights of stairs. You may want to put it on the first floor.
  • In many homes, putting a small laundry room off of the kitchen makes sense. Washer noises are less disturbing near the kitchen than near living rooms and bedrooms.
  • For smaller homes, consider placing the laundry facilities in a walk-in closet off of a centrally located hallway on the first floor. If the closet is large enough, it can be used to store towels and sheets too, making it convenient to put these items away after washing.

Contact TAB Associates if you’re thinking of building a home. We’ll work with you to configure a layout that suits your needs.