Tag: Architecture advice for Homeowners

How Will Your Dream Home Come Together? Seven Steps

Being able to build your own home gives you the freedom to consider a variety of concepts and designs, but you also have to be realistic about it. Functionality is just as important as a stunning design or impressive layout.

Planning your dream home
Source: TAB Associates

Keep the following steps in mind when planning a new home:

  • List your goals. Figure out how you want your home to look and what features you want to include.
  • Determine your budget. Figure out how much you can spend, and include design fees and other costs of a home building project.
  • Buy property. Choose land that’s in a location you’ll love, such as near water or close to practical places, like work.
  • Hire your team. You’re going to need the help of skilled professionals, including architects and builders, to make your home design dreams come true.
  • Keep planning. Focus on every detail of the project, no matter how minor it seems.
  • Prepare for problems. A few issues are bound to occur, so be prepared to handle them.
  • Appreciate your new home. Explore every inch of your newly built home.

Ready to get your new home started? Contact TAB Associates, and visit us on Facebook.

 

How to Avoid These Common Floor Plan Mistakes

The freedom of being able to choose your own floor plan is one of the best parts of building your home. This decision is an important one, since it affects the way the entire home is developed.

Floor plan mistakes to avoid
Source: TAB Associates

When it comes to home design, avoid making these common floor plan mistakes:

  • Don’t focus on what’s trendy. Instead, focus on choosing a floor plan that best suits your lifestyle. For example, open floor plans are popular now, but this type of floor plan won’t work if you have family members who prefer more privacy.
  • Don’t forget about your budget. You might want a floor plan that’s larger than what you really need, so that you have more space. This could put an unnecessary strain on your finances, though, when you consider that a larger home means higher utility bills. Stick with a floor plan that’s within your budget instead.
  • Don’t forget to take measurements. When you have the dimensions of a floor plan, make sure that your furniture and other home items will fit. Take measurements of these before settling on a floor plan.

Ready to get started on having a home built? Contact TAB Associates, and follow us on Facebook.

Three Ways You Benefit From Hiring a Professional

If your plans include having a new house constructed, hiring an architect is highly recommended. Without one to assist you, your project could end up becoming more costly and complicated than it needs to be. It could also end up taking much longer than anticipated.

Use architects for your home renovation
Source: TAB Associates

These are a few of the most important benefits of working with an architect:

  • High-quality work. Architects have many skills that lead to higher quality work and help the project run smoothly. These skills include knowledge of the construction process, the materials that will be used and the latest technology. Finding this information on your own could take months of research.
  • Fewer mistakes. Architects are experts at turning 2-D renderings into 3-D construction processes. This leads to fewer mistakes and misinterpretations that can result in delays and costly errors.
  • Better communication. Architects can help you out when it comes to any issues you might have with the construction crew, electrician, or other contractors involved with your project. They can also ensure that everything is being done correctly.

Ready to begin discussing your home construction project? Contact TAB Associates to set up an appointment, and follow us on Facebook.

 

Architecture Inspiration: Elements of Ranch Style

Ranches are often thought of as simple, one-story homes, but they can be much more than that. Ranch style homes are typically longer than other single-story homes, such as Cape Cod houses. Although they’re usually only one level, some can be raised ranches, also known as split-level homes.

These are a couple common characteristics of these homes:

  • Plenty of windows. Rooms in ranches don’t benefit from sunlight the way second-floor rooms do, but you can still maximize the amount of natural light you get by having several windows put in. Also, these windows can include transoms to get light deep into the lower level.  You can choose from a variety of styles and have a portico with clerestory windows installed for even more light.
  • Eye-catching entrance. The entrance for a ranch home can be done in a number of ways to boost curb appeal. It might not have a large porch or the impressive height of a two-story house, so it’s important to make the most of the entrance. Dress yours up with side lites or a walkway with a bench and garden.
  • Ranch homes are great for first-time homebuyers or those looking to for simple living.  Click here for a style guide for ranch homes and a pros and cons to assist home buyers in making the right decision.

Thinking of having a ranch style home built? Contact TAB Associates to set up a consultation, and follow us on Facebook.

 

Want to Build a Home? How to Get Your Project Going

Making the decision to have a home built is an exciting one. You might get caught up looking at home designs online, but don’t forget the basics. Once you’ve contacted us, then you can really take a step toward having your new home constructed.

Tips for getting your construction project started
Source: TAB Associates

Use the following tips to help you get the home design process off to a great start:

  • Bring some examples of what you’re interested in: styles of homes or specific photos that you’ve found online and found inspiring. We’ll work with you to develop your ideas further into something that its truly yours.
  • Include as much information as you can in terms of your timeline, and the area you want to build in.
  • Building a home is an investment, so talking about costs early in the process is beneficial. Ignoring your budget concerns only creates problems further down the road. A feasible plan can be worked out right at the beginning.

Ready to start working on your home design project? Contact TAB Associates, and follow us on Facebook.

How to Build Your Home to Display Art

When you have an impressive art collection, it’s important to make sure that your home gives you a good way to display it. Instead of having all the pieces in one room, you can spread them around if you have the right home design.

 

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Use the following tips to create a home that serves as the ideal setting for your art collection:

  • Let in light. Natural sunlight can highlight your artwork and help draw the eye toward it. Having several clerestory windows installed on the upper part of your home helps let in as much sun as possible. Using as much glass as possible on the walls also helps let in more natural light.
  • Connect the pieces. Your home can be set up similar to a museum, with certain pieces displayed in each room, based on a theme. To make things more coherent, include a way to connect these pieces, such as a central courtyard, surrounded by a gallery area for more art walls.
  • Create good display areas. Add shelving in strategically placed areas to display your artwork. This can work in any room in your home.

Ready to discuss your home’s design with the experts? Contact us at TAB Associates, and stop by our Facebook page.

Three Things That Architects Want You to Know About What They Do

Understanding a bit about how architects work and how you are involved in the process simplifies the home design approach.Working with an architect is a two-way process that involves the homeowner’s input as well.

benefits of using an architect
Source: Shutter Stock
  • We draw on interior and exterior inspiration. Ask any architect, and they’ll tell you that they use the exterior just as much as the interior for design inspiration. Vocalize your ideal exterior to help your architect visualize your ideal interior.
  • Actively participate with us in the design process. The more you participate in the design process, the higher likelihood that you’ll be happy with your home. While it’s the architect’s job to develop the actual design, you should be upfront and sincerely honest about your budget, expectations and feedback. Open and honest communication is key.
  • Tell us your likes and dislikes. If you explain what you like by showing us pictures of what you like, also show us what you dislike.  We need to get into your head and understand both your likes and dislikes.  In this way we can design what you want and stay away from things you do not like.

Are you interested in working with an architect to design your Colorado home? Contact us at TAB Associates.

See Your Home Before You Build It With 3D Renderings

When you’re thinking about and planning your home, there’s only so much you imagine. In fact, there are times when even with the best intentions, you’ll likely be surprised about how your home turns out.

3d printing home models
Source: TAB Associates

One way to eliminate the uncertainty factor from your home’s drawing and plans is to create a 3D rendering of your home’s design. Using computer generation, you can have a chance to explore your home before it’s built and look around to see if you like the look. This will also allow you to experience your home as it will be designed and potentially save you from spending a lot of money on something you won’t be happy with later.

One thing to remember is not to choose an architect solely because he offers 3D renderings. In fact, you should always make it your goal to choose an architect who both does 3D renderings and whose work you love. You can be sure that artists who do photorealistic renderings use the most advanced practice.

For more information about designing and building your dream home, please contact us at TAB Associates Inc. today.

Understanding Balanced Geometry in Architecture

Architecture is much more than slapping on a roof, doors and windows. Visualizing the shapes and forms that go into a home, and keeping those shapes balanced, is an important aspect: balanced geometry, the act of combining various shapes into a collected whole, adds character to the home.

geometry and architecture.
Source: TAB Associates’ Website (Octagon, Gary Residence)
  • Octagons and Rectangles. The 8-sided octagon is the most common shape for a home. In the Gary Residence project, our architects placed a octagonal shape for the Breakfast Nook and Exercise below. For added emphasis, the different shapes also displayed differing patterns, stucco and stone respectively.

    geometry and architecture
    Source: TAB Associates’ Website (Rectangles, Lot 112)
  • Rectangles and squares. Lot 112 features a variety of shapes put together, but the shapes are tempered by the rectangles and squares. The floor-to-ceiling rectangular windows are divided into square panels which enhance the look and feel of the home.

    geometry and architecture
    Source: TAB Associates’ Website (Cylinders, Lot 5)
  • Cylinders, Rectangles and Squares. The Bonidy Residence adds a layer of complexity to the rectangles and squares model by introducing cylindrical shapes on the side and back of the house. The tangentially incorporated circles add interest but don’t overpower the overall design.  This is also exemplified in the Brady Residence.

If you are designing a home and would like to reinforce the building blocks of your home, contact us at TAB Associates, Inc. to discuss your ideal geometric palette.

Featured Artist Spotlight: JD Challenger

A house is a structure that doesn’t become a home until you adorn it in the styles and artistic expressions that reflect your personality. Here in the Rockies, we have a number of talented artists that would be honored to have their masterpieces displayed in your home.

native american artists to hang in your home
Source: TAB Associates’ Website

Among them, JD Challenger stands out as one of the most prominent painters of Native American culture in the country. His paintings, pottery, and sculptures offer a window into the people and heritage that can still be felt throughout our state.

While Challenger’s work is diverse and well recognized, he is most famous for his focus on the Ghost Dance period which defined a large number of the Plains tribes and the experiences they had in the late 1800’s. Indeed, the imagery and stories JD Challenger captures in his paintings show how this religious movement spread across Native American tribes. He also does a masterful job of showing how the ritual itself evolved and was used to unite and unify the many tribes.

For more details about the many American artists who are eager to help decorate your home with unique works of art, contact us at TAB Associates, Inc.