Author: admintabassociates

Home Renovation Tips By TAB Associates

These tips will help guide you in the right direction for your home's construction.
These tips will help guide you in the right direction for your home’s construction.

Whether you’re making just a couple of changes or entirely gutting your home, remodeling requires a lot of careful planning and decisions. These home renovation tips will help guide you in the right direction.

  • If you don’t have a lot of experience with a certain aspect of your renovation, such as installing tile or carpeting, hire someone who does. It will cost less to hire someone than it will to make a mistake and have to re-do the entire project.
  • Ensure that your home, one remodeled, does not stand out from the other homes on the block too much. It’s okay to be a touch unique, but you also don’t want to build a mansion in a neighborhood of cape cods.
  • Choose elements that are always in style, rather than the trendiest decor. Doing so will ensure your home doesn’t look outdated when you eventually sell it.
  • Remodel your existing spaces before adding new one, and before finishing unfinished rooms, such as the basement.
  • Use high-quality materials, or you’ll find that you need to remodel again soon.

Are you looking for an experienced architect to help you re-design your home? Contact TAB Associates to learn about our services.

Cabin Homes Interior Design Ideas

A cabin's well-lived-in appearance encourages you to make use of its interior as you please, whereas its too-perfect counterparts can make you afraid of scratching their finish.
A cabin’s well-lived-in appearance encourages you to make use of its interior as you please, whereas its too-perfect counterparts can make you afraid of scratching their finish.

Made using a combination of stone, wood, and other natural materials, cabins can project a cozy and comfortable atmosphere that is sure to soothe even the most frazzled occupants. With cabins as with other homes, good interior design is essential to ensuring their overall success.

Put these interior design ideas for a cabin style home to good use:

  • Much of a cabin’s charm lies in its well-lived-in appearance. This encourages you to make use of its interior as you please, whereas its too-perfect counterparts can make you afraid of scratching their finish. Both weathered surfaces and warm stained wood are useful for creating this impression of casual comfort.
  • Cabins often come with nooks and crannies that can be turned into functional spaces with built-in furniture. Combined with a window to the outside, such locations make excellent work-spaces.
  • Although wood in its natural colors is useful for creating a warm and welcoming impression, some people like to paint it white for a bright and airy look that is well-suited to crowded spaces.
  • Hardwood flooring is a must, but rugs can balance them with softness.

Please contact us at The Architectural Balance to learn more about the latest trends in interior design for a cabin like appearance.

Advice On Hiring an Architect to Make Your Dream Home Come True

If you are thinking of remodeling your home, there’s one step you simply cannot skip — hiring an architect. Those who hire architects to design their homes or help design their remodels are consistently pleased with their results. Here’s why:

architects in vail CO
Source: TAB Associates
  • Someone will need to coordinate the various construction professionals who come together to work on your home. Who better than an architect, who thoroughly understands the ins and outs of your home design?
  • There’s a lot of paperwork  associated with building or remodeling a home. Satisfying building codes and meeting structural demands are not tasks to be undertaken by a novice. Your architect can ensure that these needs are met, and that the resulting structure is also attractive.
  • Architects are trained to see the big picture. You might think that brass doorknobs look good with anything, but your architect will be able to point out potential flaws in ideas like this before you waste your money on designs that don’t turn out to be as amazing as you’d hoped.

Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling and existing one, the architects at TAB Associates would love to help. Contact us to discuss your needs today.

2014 Architectural Trends

When designing your new home, it’s important to consider not just classic designs and structures, but also modern trends. Here’s a look at some of the hottest architectural trends for 2014, some of which you may want to incorporate into your design.

designing a flex room
Source: TAB Associates

Flex Rooms – Flex rooms are rooms that can have a number of uses. For instance, you could use a room as a dining room when you have guests over, and a library during other hours of the day. All you need to make it happen is some ornate bookshelves, a beautiful table, and the right layout.

Health-Conscious Materials – Hypoallergenic materials and materials that don’t release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air are becoming increasingly popular. Wood stains, paints, and synthetic materials are being disregarded in favor of natural materials like wood and stone.

Innovative Storage Spaces – From drawers that pull out of the staircase, to cubbies hiding behind bookshelves, architects are creating clever ways to stash your items out of sight.

Are you looking for an experienced architect to help design the home of your dreams? Contact TAB Associates, Inc. to learn more about our services.

Plans to Build Your Own Home? Follow These Tips to Get Started

If you want to live in a home that fits your dreams and expectations in every way, then building your own home is a great choice. However, the process can be difficult if you don’t approach it in the right way. Follow these tips to build your own home successfully.

3D home rendering
Source: TAB Associates
  • Pick the right land. Consider the school district, access to public spaces, the community, neighbors… anything you’d consider if moving into an existing home. You’ll also need to look at grading and topology to make sure it will work with the style of home you wish to build.
  • Hire an excellent builder. Get plenty of references, and get a few estimates before choosing someone. You need a builder who is easy to work with, and who is clear about what’s included in their services and what is not. Make sure your builder is licensed.
  • Have your plans drawn up by an architect. Even if you choose stock plans rather than custom plans, you’ll know that everything is properly laid out. Choose an architect with plenty of experience designing residential structures.

To discuss your custom home plans and start building your dream home, contact the architects at TAB Associates, Inc.

Interior Design Trends for 2014

Just like personal style, interior design is always changing. New trends are emerging and allowing homeowners to create looks that are truly their own. Here’s a look at a few design trends for 2014 that you may want to consider incorporating into your home.

2014 interior design tips
Source: TAB Associates

Vintage Decor – Unique, vintage furniture and decorations are more popular than ever. There’s just something special about having a chest or chair that you know no one else has — especially when it matches your decor perfectly.

Plenty of Color – Neutral, beige tones are out — at least when they’re not paired with brighter, flashier colors. Loud tones like bright cobalt blue and yellow are very popular right now.

The Rustic Look – From exposed wooden beams in the ceiling, to bedrooms that feel like they’re in a mountain retreat, the cabin-style, rustic look has gained a lot of footing in 2014.

Spa-Style Bathrooms – From walk-in showers, to ornate tile and heated floors, bathrooms are becoming a true place of luxury. Many are made to resemble mountain resorts with natural stone and wood used throughout the designs.

For help incorporating these home design trends into your building plans, contact TAB Associates, Inc.

Tips for Building a Cabin Home

Whether you plan to use it as a vacation home or as your primary dwelling, a log cabin home can create feelings of comfort and warmth. Use these tips when building a cabin home that’s perfect for your family.

building a log cabin
Source: TAB Associates
  • Don’t overlook the importance of log selection. All wood is not created equal. The better the logs you use to construct your cabin, the more attractive it will be and the longer it will last.
  • Remember to account for the settling of the wood when planning keyways, slip joints, and window installations.
  • Wiring a log home is not exactly like wiring a traditional drywall home. Hire an electrician who has experience working with log cabins for best results.
  • Get off to the right start with the right buildings plans. Work with an experienced architect to design a custom cabin, or purchase pre-made plans.
  • Remember that building codes may specific what you can and cannot do with your cabin’s structure. If you work with an architect who has experience building cabins, he or she should be familiar with these restrictions.

Contact the experts at TAB Associates, Inc. if you’re looking for help designing the perfect log cabin home.

How To Build A Fire Pit For Your Yard

On cool fall and spring nights, sitting around a campfire with family and friends is incredibly relaxing. Having a fire pit in your backyard is sure to prove worthwhile, time and time again. Follow these simple tips when building a firepit.

outdoor firepit
Source: TAB Associates

 

  • Choose a site that’s located far from buildings and trees. Make sure the ground is level for easy building.
  • Check your local building codes. Some require that the fire pit is surrounded with sand or gravel.
  • Design your pit. Traditionally, they are cylindrical, and about 2 feet tall with a 5-foot diameter. However, you can make a bigger or smaller pit depending on your needs.
  • Dig the ground out and create a concrete foundation for your fire pit. You’ll also need to create a drainage area in the center.
  • When the foundation is formed and dry, lay the stones. If using natural stones, you may need to chisel them slightly to create attractive shapes. Seal them together with mortar, smooth it out, and seal it. You’re done!

At TAB Associates, our talented architects and designers are always happy to help you design the home of your dreams. Contact us to discuss your building plans today.

Ideas for Building in the Charming Rustic Cabin Style

Rustic cabins are quaint, charming, and homey. If you’re thinking of having your own cabin built, either as a retreat or a primary home, keep these ideas in mind as you plan your floor plan and architectural design:

cabin style decor
Source: TAB Associates
  • Open lofts are the perfect complement to a rustic cabin home. You can use your loft as an extra bedroom, a relaxing library, or even a TV room.
  • While wood is the traditional choice for cabins, remember that you can work stone into your design. A beautiful stone chimney can make your cabin seem even cozier.
  • Cabins are places for families to spend time together. An open floor plan makes this easier, promoting conversation and interaction.
  • You’ll want to spend plenty of time relaxing outside when you’re at your cabin for a retreat. A spacious, wrap-around porch makes this possible.
  • Incorporate plenty of rustic wood into your interior to maintain the cabin-look indoors.
  • No cabin is complete without a beautiful mantle to display family heirlooms and treasures. Rustic brick and stone are great materials for your fireplace and mantel.

If you’re interested in building a cabin style home, contact TAB Associates, Inc. to learn more about our architectural services.

 

Ideas for Adding a Luxury Pool to Your Dream Home

A luxury swimming pool is an important feature of many people’s dream home. If you are adding an outdoor pool to your home, you have a lot of different pool design options to choose from, and many options contribute additional luxury to your home’s exterior. Our clients at TAB Associates can consider the following suggestions to find the right luxury swimming pool solutions for their homes:

luxury pool design
Source: TAB Associates
  • Working a pool in with landscaping– If you add landscaping to your yard when you have your pool put in, you can create an entire outdoor space that caters to the needs of your home’s residents and guests.
  • A pool and pergola– A patio surrounded by a pergola is an elegant place that can allow for relaxation after a swim.
  • Add a fountain– Water features such as fountains and waterfalls are great additions to a yard that complement a swimming pool.

Keep in touch with us at TAB Associates for more great design ideas for the home. We’re on Facebook and Twitter, so connect with us via social media or follow our blog to learn more!

If you’d like to learn more about luxury pool design possibilities, contact us at TAB Associates.