TAB Associates Blog | Page 23 of 28 | TAB Associates Architecture Blog

Bring Beauty Into the Home with Stone

There is no denying the beauty of stacked stone walls. Used for both the interior and exterior, the subtle colors and expressive texture of the stone create a visual and expressive design.

Stacked stone is unique in its 3-dimensional composition. Expressive stones of various colors and textures are created as modules, attached to backing and can be installed much like tiles. There is no need to grout dry stacked stones which results in smooth, uninterrupted lines.

Traditional Kitchen by Edwards Architects & Designers TAB ASSOCIATES INC via Houzz

The uses and locations for stacked stone is limitless when creating or redesigning a specific area. The modules make a dramatic backdrop to focal points in the home such as a fireplace or a kitchen stove surround. The stones also serve as a stand alone accent wall to enhance the texture of decorative accessories emphasizing wood, glass or metal fixtures.

Used to create a wall in a luxury bath, stacked stones add an element of relaxation and serenity when coupled with soothing hues from the palette.

From bold stone columns to colored stones that reflect the golden glints from the sunlight, stacked stones add the finishing touch to any design.

Clients can rely on the more than 30 years of experience at TAB Associates, Inc to design and construct projects on time and on budget.

The Philosophy Behind TAB Associates

When the services of an experienced Vail Valley architect are needed to bring a vision to life, the designers at TAB Associates, Inc. have the insight, energy, one-on-one understanding of a client’s desires and an extensive creative palette to do a thorough job.

Traditional Exterior by Edwards Architects & Designers TAB ASSOCIATES INC via Houzz

TAB Associates goes above and beyond the norm to provide their clients with every possible need involved in planning, designing and building what the client wants, not what the architect wants. There’s no room for egos at TAB as the responsibility of the architect is blending the client’s desires with a doses of artistic expression brought to the table by the designer. There is also the scientific side of the equation, the technology that TAB brings to the table. These include building skin, insulation systems, glazing options, daylighting, solar, geo-thermal, HVAC systems, A/V systems, building automation, etc.

By listening to each client and keeping them involved in the project, every step of the way, TAB architects are able to balance the design with the program and construction ultimately finalizing the project by balancing the cost and budget.

TAB Associates is responsible for developing multiple properties including single homes, multi-family residences, resorts, and spiritual, medical, institutional and commercial architecture that met the needs of their clients.

With more than 30 years of experience, the architects at TAB Associates, Inc. have the know-how to turn a client’s dream into an innovative and realistic design.

Tips to Winterizing Your Home Before the Winter Cold Arrives

The seasons are slowly changing and that means it is time to start getting ready for much cooler temperatures as winter begins to arrive. While we think about reorganizing our wardrobes and having our vehicles inspected in anticipation for the colder season, we shouldn’t forget about our homes in the midst of our annual preparations.

Traditional Bathroom by Edwards Architects & Designers TAB ASSOCIATES INC via Houzz

Here are tips for winterizing a home that will help you get your house ready to face the snow, freezing rain, and plummeting temperatures:

Keep your gutters clean to prevent snow from accumulating where it can thaw and re-freeze. This allows it to seep into your roof.

Check doors, windows, ventilation ducts, electrical outlets, and other spaces for air leaks. Then seal them properly.

Have your furnace cleaned and inspected to ensure that it is working properly.

Make sure your plumbing is well-insulated to prevent freezing pipes when the temperature drops.

Take your hoses off the outside faucets (or sill cocks) so the water can drain from them and not freeze back in the wall. This will burst the pipe in the wall and when you turn the outside faucet on next spring, you will have a very wet inside wall.

If you wish to learn more about winterizing a home, our consultants at TAB Associates are available to answer your questions and offer suggestions. Contact us today and let us work with you to meet all of your architectural needs.

TAB Spotlight: The Catlin Residence

One of the projects that we here at TAB Associates have completed with pride is the Catlin Residence in Bachelor Gulch. Situated on a ski-in, ski-out lot, the 10,000 square foot house has breathtaking views of the mountains.

mountain home builder — Source: TAB Associates’ Official Website

With eight bedrooms, eight full baths, two half-baths, there are plenty of spaces in this open floor plan to enjoy, yet still maintain privacy throughout. The exterior features a heated in-ground pool and spa, fire pit, and water feature, and gas heat from overhead on most decks allows for outdoor activities in cool weather.

The interior boasts a wine room, hearth room, ski room in addition to the standard rooms in homes. The family room hosts a built-in bar, pool table, and large sitting area. Because of the open floor plan, it’s an ideal place for entertaining guests.

Unlike many homes in Bachelor Gulch which house the Master Bed suite on the Main Level, the Catlin Residence has its Master Suite including Master Living, Master Kitchen and Master Study in the Penthouse location with commanding views of the Gore Range and Beaver Creek Ski Mountain. In this way, the couple has every thing they need on their own level of the home up and away from the rest of this spectacular home.

The Catlin Residence is just one of our many home construction projects that demonstrates presenting what our clients want in an aesthetically pleasing manner, and helping to make each residence a dream home come true.

If this residence interests you, and you would like to learn more about TAB Associates, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

Why You Should Include a Radiant Heating System in a New Home

Modern Kitchen by Kansas City Design-Build Firms Hufft Projects via Houzz

A popular trend for new construction is radiant heated homes — and it’s easy to see why. If you’re considering a new construction, keep in mind the cold winter months, and the benefits that radiant heating systems can bring.

Here are three reasons why you should include radiant heat in your new home:

Reduced energy consumption. Because the system heats the whole house, rather than trying to force hot air from one small section of a room to another, it heats evenly and efficiently.
Quiet running. The system will run so quietly, the only way you’ll know it’s working is that you feel nice and warm throughout the entire house.
Reduce dust and allergens. Because the system doesn’t depend on forcing air through the house, there is no kicking up of dust or allergens throughout, leaving you room to breathe.

Radiant heated homes are a popular choice when constructing a new home, and it’s much easier to include this in planning than it is to retrofit in many cases. Consider this option in your new house to help you easily endure the coldest winter day.

If you’re searching for a Colorado architect for your next home project, make sure contact us here at TAB Associates, today!

Important Tips to Remember When Designing a Home Theater

Planning out the many rooms of a home calls for architectural balance — knowing the balance within the design itself. One of the best elements to add to a new home is a media room. Yet, home theater design can be tricky when it’s not properly planned.

Here are a few tips to remember when designing your home theater:

Whether you’re redoing a basement or adding a completely new room, consider how much room you’ll need for all of your home theater equipment and how many people you wish to accommodate for a movie night.
Make the room tidy by designating a special storage area for all the equipment — DVD and Blu-Ray players, audio controls, etc. In other words, create a small ‘master control room’ for a streamlined look to the space.
Decide on what kind of seating you like, and stick with it. Keep in mind that some people prefer movie theater-style seating, while others want to get comfy and curl up on a sectional couch.
Decide if you want any special effects for gaming in your room, requiring additional monitors to appear from the backs of the seats and in front of each seating row.

Enjoy having a room dedicated to movie nights and entertainment that’s built to your needs. Use these home theater design tips to achieve the media room design you’ve always wanted in your Colorado home.

The Elements of a Good Mudroom

A big part of good home design is knowing what elements go into each room. There are quite a few considerations for mudroom design — which is often one of the most neglected rooms in the home and needed in almost every Colorado home.

Here are three of the biggest “dos” for designing a mudroom:

Ensure the room is what you need for your lifestyle. If you have pets and children, that will change the room’s function based on their activities and routines. If it’s just a two-person home, the mudroom will take a completely different shape.

Give your area plenty of room to come in and settle down. It doesn’t have to be a sprawling room, but there should be enough space for maneuvering comfortably.

Keep storage space in mind. Coats, boots, backpacks, rucksacks, umbrellas, outdoor and sporting equipment all need a place to go neatly once you arrive home. This means the proper closet space that possibly includes cubbies or built-in cabinets. Make sure you have room for yourself and your belongings so the area won’t look cluttered.

Save your floors and entryways with an excellent mudroom design, and use these ideas to help you get started on placing this crucial home element into your residence.

If you’re looking to add a mudroom, contact us at TAB Associates and we will be sure to answer any questions you have about a new addition to your home!

Advantages of Building Your New Home

When it comes to the choice of a resale, or building a new home, there are many benefits that come along with building a home to your liking. Although resale has its conveniences, nothing is quite like having a dream home built just for you and your family.

Here are the advantages of building a new home over a resale:

Customization. You can build a dream home with things the way you want them, rather than try to find a pre-made home that fits your needs and wants.
Lower maintenance. New homes, custom built, are designed with materials and engineering designs that need far less maintenance than you might find with a resale. This can be from not having to paint an exterior, to ensuring the roofing is done with low-maintenance in mind.
Avoid resale repairs. Having a newly built house will help you avoid potentially costly repairs over having an older home.

When you consider the benefits of building a home from the ground up, one must often weigh whether or not to purchase a resale. Get what you want from your property, and build your dream home with the help from TAB Associates, Inc.

Moving the Master Suite to the Attic

When you have the luxury of an attic with ample floor space and workable ceilings, it opens up numerous options on how the space can be converted from storage space to a livable environment. With the help of an experienced architect, redesigning your attic can not only add more floor space to your home; it also increases its market value.

The ideas for attic conversions are many. Just a few examples include adding a mini apartment for a college student, a spare bedroom for guests, an at home office, an in-law suite or a craft, hobby or sewing room. Part of the fun is in planning and designing the layout then watching as the attic takes on a life of its own.

Another option for homeowners is to turn the unused space of the attic into a gorgeous master suite. With careful planning, the attic can be turned into an oasis of privacy in the treetops. Utilizing every inch of space, adding a dormer, skylights or large windows, even a small patio, can turn your attic into a luxury suite.

TAB Associates has provided its expert services in planning and interior professional design to commercial and residential customers for over 30 years.

Home Additions That Pay Off the Most

There are many different ways to add value to your home, but sometimes, it’s hard to sort through just which home additions will add the most equity. If you’re sorting through your options, here are a few pieces of advice from the experts on which improvements will pay off the most:

The kitchen may be the easiest room in the house to upgrade in terms of new appliances, wallpaper, paint, and flooring, and it pays off a great deal. Most people consider the kitchen to be the life of the house, so it’s a perfect place to start upgrading.

New additions are also a great value to include. That can be anything from converting the basement into a rec room, to building a new den. An extra bathroom, done well and completely, can just about pay for itself.

A brand new deck not only adds square footage to your home. It also adds an extra area that many people can enjoy, and it adds a great deal of value to your home.

Choose the ways to add value to your home that are the most cost-effective and painless, and reap the benefits of a good payoff when you’re ready to sell your property.