Tag: Colorado architects

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.

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.

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.

 

Tips for Designing the Perfect Luxury Master Bedroom

Those planning to give their bedrooms some new luxury master bedroom features might be interested in some ideas from TAB Associates. The following are just a few ways that you can add some luxury to your bedroom and give your bedroom an attractive new look:

luxury bathroom design
Source: TAB Associates
  • Regional flavor- Depending on where you live, you might find inspiration for bedroom decor in the style of your region. For example, a Southwest decor scheme could feature an adobe appearance, exposed wood beams, and arched windows.
  • Consider skylights- Lighting features have a significant influence over the look and mood of a room, and incorporating some unique or original lighting methods can add to a bedroom’s visual appeal. Skylights on a sloped ceiling are an interesting way to cast your room in a creative light.
  • Minimal furnishings- According to the 20th century architect Mies van der Rohe, “less is more”. You might find your bedroom to be more comfortable if you cut back on superfluous furniture pieces and decor accessories to allow for more open space and simplicity.

Check back with our blog regularly for more great tips on luxury decor for your home.

Contact us for consultation on your luxury master bedroom design project.

 

What’s Hot In Luxury Home Architecture

Luxury home design trends are in constant flux. One day a certain material is hot, and the next day, everyone wants something different. Here’s a look at some of the hottest current luxury home trends, which we look forward to continue implementing in our designs.

luxury home design trends
Source: saterdesign.com
  • Windows are certainly hot right now. The more windows in a room, the better. This is especially important if you have a lovely mountain view like many of our clients. We love floor-to-ceiling windows that make you feel immersed in nature.
  • Marble has been en vogue for a while, and it’s not going anywhere. From marble bathroom elements to luxurious kitchens, you can’t have too much of this beautiful stone.
  • Outdoor spaces are also all the rage in luxury home design. More people are spending time on their decks than ever before, so it’s becoming common to build decks with roofs. Luxury outdoor amenities like outdoor kitchens, hot tubs, built-in seating areas, and pools, are also increasing in popularity.

At TAB Associates, we take great pride in staying up-to-date with the latest trends. Contact us if you’re thinking of building a new home; we’d love to offer our input.

 

Popular Building Materials for Luxury Homes

Homes can be made from hundreds of different materials, but some are certainly more popular in certain kinds of architecture than others. These luxury building materials are popular choices in our mountain homes and vacation dwellings.

luxury home building materials
Source: TAB Associates

Timber gives homes a very natural look, especially when it is roughly hewn. We love timber for country-style homes with views of the mountains. It fits right in and almost makes you feel like you are stepping back in time.

Lime and gypsum are commonly used to build luxury homes. These natural materials are used to construct masonry, and although the can carry a hefty price tag, they look very sophisticated in a luxury home.

High-alumina cement is an extremely strong type of cement that stands up better to wear and tear than most standard cements. This makes it a common choice for luxury homes, especially in areas where homes must be able to withstand harsh weather.

At TAB Associates, we make homes and buildings in a wide array of styles using a range of materials. If you’re interested in using a material in your home that you don’t see on this list, contact us directly to discuss your project’s needs.

 

Rising Home Trends: Sliding Barn Doors

Many people get stuck on the idea of traditional doors when designing their home, when in fact there are plenty of interesting alternatives. One of the most exciting home design trends is sliding barn doors. Used in your home’s interior, these doors offer many benefits and add a unique element to your decor.

Sliding barn doors allow you to save a lot of space. While traditional doors can take up to 9 square feet of space due to their swinging action, sliding barn doors only take up a few inches. They work well in large rooms where you want to preserve the spacious look. One disadvantage is that they are not as soundproof as traditional doors because they don’t close as tightly, so you’ll want to avoid using them in places where silence is valued.

Sliding barn doors pair well with a rustic home. They can be painted any color you please. Some have vertical panels that look very much like real barn doors, while others are more plain and elegant for your modern home.

Are you looking for qualified architects to help design your home? Contact TAB Associates, Inc. to learn more about our services.

How to Combine Your Laundry, Mud, and Butler Pantry

When building or designing a home, you often have to make compromises between rooms you really want and what’s realistic for your situation. A good way to do this without excluding dreams entirely is to combine rooms into one. Three rooms that you can consider combining are the laundry room, mud room, and pantry.

Everyone tends to want a pantry in their home because of course you need somewhere to store food. Butler pantries offer a great alternative to full-sized pantry rooms, as they’re essentially tall cabinets, and they come in many different varieties. Pick one out that matches your decor, and you’re set to go.

The butler pantry is easily placed within a room that you designate as the mud room and laundry room. Place your laundry facilities on one side of the room, the butler pantry in the corner nearest the kitchen, and use the other side of the room as a “mud room” to store sporting goods, shoes, and more. You just won’t want to get it too muddy since it’s shared use space.

TAB Associates, Inc. is dedicated to helping you find the most efficient designs for your home. Contact our talented architects and designers today.