Vail architects | Page 8 of 10 | TAB Associates Blog

Architect’s Toolbox: Creating In-Between Spaces

At TAB Associates, we love the creativity that goes into our work. Unique, traditional, and modern ideas are what bring our projects to life. One of the architectural design trends great for homes is an in-between space. It is an area that bridges the indoors and outdoors for a place to relax and enjoy the scenery.

bridging indoor and outdoor spaces — Source: TAB Associates’ Website

A patio or balcony is the perfect spot to create an in-between space. The photos show how opening or sliding doors create the walkway. With a table and chairs, you can sit take in amazing views of surrounding nature.

In-between spaces are most ideal in the bedroom because they create a peaceful entry to take in the outdoors.

An in-between space doesn’t have to be large. A small area with just a few feet will do. Something that is simple, yet elegant, can be just the space you need to create a relaxing spot for a good read to simply enjoy nature’s beauty.

Creating an in-between space for a home is a terrific addition, bringing style and comfort. For more information on TAB Associates, contact us online.

Elements of Architecture: the Tudor Style Home

It’s been a long time, but the Tudor dynasty is still going strong and can be seen in neighborhoods across America. Originating in the 1600’s, the architectural styles of the Tudor home still exude a sense of elegant refinement.

tudor home style — Source: Tab Associates’ Website

The Tudor home stands out with its exposed beams, white stucco walls, and either stone or brick facades supporting the structure. Steep rooflines and dormer windows highlight the outside appearance to create a genuinely classy home.

Tudor homes are also well known for their incorporation of casement windows and elegant chimneys that provide unique accents and decoration to the home. However, it is the entryway that is the most often noticed feature as it is often arched and embellished with medieval-appearing hardware and hinges that make you feel as if you are entering a castle.

Finishing the look is of course the landscaping that often incorporates simple brick or stone patios beneath tall trees that provide a perfect place for relaxation and entertaining guests on a lazy afternoon.

For more information about the latest architectural styles and how to incorporate them into your structure, contact us at TAB Associates, Inc today.

Distinguishing Modern and Contemporary Architecture

Architectural styles are constantly changing and evolving. Many times, it can be difficult to determine whether a style is modern or contemporary because they are so similar in their appearance. In fact, their differences really come down to semantics.

Contemporary

Contemporary architecture is essentially architecture that is being produced right now. Its lines and features are typically common and can trace their roots all the way back to the Industrial Revolution when the American home began to change and evolve. Contemporary homes are often simple designs with square lines, white stucco walls, and few adornments.

Modern

Comparatively, modern homes may feature these elements, but they’re also not afraid to break from tradition. Hence, they will often feature more glass and more open space. They may or may not be whitewashed, and are designed to challenge the traditional notions of design. Most importantly, modern homes take great care to incorporate the very latest advances in engineering and material design within the structure.

For more information about the latest architectural styles and how you can incorporate them into your designs, contact us at TAB Associates and we will be happy to go over some ideas with you.

How to Properly Utilize Scale and Proportion

With the mountains in the background and the wide open sky above our heads here in Colorado, finding the right scale and proportion for your new home can be a bit tricky. Getting both right will not only help your home blend into the landscape, but it will make it a much more comfortable place to live.

golden rule in architecture — Source: TAB Associates Portfolio

As architects, we use the golden ratio when designing a home. This system is applied to everything from the rafters to the light switches and makes it possible for all the pieces of the home to fit together in an aesthetically pleasing and functional manner.

To establish the right dimensions for a home, we use everything from different finishes to trim, moldings, stone, and brick to provide depth where it is needed, and to scale areas to create proportions that are spacious and comfortable, yet not overwhelming. The end result is a home that is built around a “human” scale that will leave everyone who enters your home content and thrilled.

When you are ready to begin designing a home here in the Rocky Mountains, be sure to contact TAB Associates, Inc. by sending us a message.

How to Work With a High Ceiling

As the ceiling in your home reaches for the sky it can be difficult to determine the proper way to decorate it, and make all the pieces in the room fit together to create a comfortable ambiance. When working with high ceilings, you should consider the following tips:

Working with high ceilings — Source: TAB Associates

To make the room feel cozier, bring elements down from up high. Long curtains, chandeliers and hanging lights should be used to fill the space so that it doesn’t feel empty.

Splurge on carpentry and decorative features. These provide texture and a sense of balance to the room. They also help to break up the space and make it more inviting. Integrating exposed beams, arches, trusses and other elements into the home design is a fantastic way to accentuate your personal style and complete the space. These also bring the virtual ceiling down to a more intimate level.

Use colors carefully. Darker colors nearer the ceiling will provide a sense of depth to the room, while floor to ceiling coloring can be used to create a contrast that gives the room definition.

For the finest home design services in Colorado, be sure to contact us at TAB Associates, Inc. today.

Keys to Designing a Small Bathroom

A small bathroom space can be challenging. There are a variety of ways to make your small space seem bigger.

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

When it comes to small bathroom designs windows are an option, if your willing to use heavily frosted glass. However, if your bathroom is located on the top floor, you should look into having a skylight installed. The skylight provides you with natural light and creates the illusion of space. If the skylight is operable, even better. This is the best way to get rid of shower mist. If it faces south it is a great way to get some free heat from direct solar gain. This is especially beneficial during the winter months; otherwise, it may need a shade on it.

If a skylight isn’t an option, you should consider the possibility of having a coffered/tray ceiling placed over the space. This type of ceiling makes the room feel bigger and helps with air flow, if the tray is vented to the attic.

When working with small bathroom designs, resist the impulse to place the bathroom sink right in the middle of your counter space. By utilizing a corner sink, the bathroom will feel less cramped and more counter space will be created. The best sinks will be ones that have deep basin and plenty of under cabinet storage.

When it comes to tiling the tub/shower space, glass tile is your best choice. These tiles make the space look bigger and brighter than it actually is.

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.

The Latest Lighting Trends for your Home or Business

Selecting lighting is a major decision when updating a home or office. With the many innovation choices in lighting and light sources available, homeowners and business owners have a plethora to choose from when it comes to assorted styles and sizes.

For 2013, lighting trends focus on several areas of home decor, from color to energy efficient bulbs. The main trend for lighting is the finish with this year focused on polished nickel and chrome.

Energy efficiency is also a focus. Along with a decrease in any electric bill, halogen, xenon, fluorescent and LED lights provide more luminescence and efficiency than incandescent bulbs.

Recessed and track lighting primarily in the living room, kitchen, bedroom, dining room and family room are current trends. Track lighting offers flexibility in movement while recessed lighting adds a soft ambiance.

Light fixtures are abundant and designers want to make a statement with unique pieces such as chandeliers. The intricate and ornate design makes them a piece of artwork worthy of use in any room, including the kitchen.

Trends say standard lighting with no pizzazz in the kitchen is a no-go. Incorporate LED lights in dark areas.

TAB Associates has provided expert design and quality construction services for over 30 years. Whenever it’s time to redesign your home, call on TAB’s professional architects to fully outfit your home in style.

The Elegance of Wooden Ceilings

At TAB Associates, we like to keep up to date with the latest in architecture and design trends, and there’s one Colorado home design trend that’s really grabbing our attention — wooden ceilings.

Wood plank ceilings are a popular choice for a wide variety of reasons. They not only add an element of elegance to a home, they also are practical, can be sustainable and ecologically sound, and can go along with different design varieties. From the planked ceilings of a rustic log cabin, to the high gloss of a dramatic vaulted ceiling, wood is one of the best media to use in designing an interior.

Different types of paneling can add different textures and moods to a room — dark woods, light woods, and everything in between can help you create the atmosphere that you want the most in your home. From a rich dark wooden ceiling to create an intimate dining room, to a bright, high gloss wood to create an open and bright space in the living room, this material is ideal.

Consider using wooden ceilings for your next remodeling project — this is a Colorado home design trend that’s popular because combines form and function!

Image courtesy of TAB Associates

Learn More About Our Philosophy Here at TAB

Colorado has numerous outstanding buildings, resorts and accommodations designed by talented individuals from Colorado architecture firms such as TAB Associates, Inc. These architects are master artists when it comes to creating a vision based on your needs.

At TAB, the goal is all about designing what the customer wants while maintaining balance between the design itself and construction, along with the cost and budget. It is a team effort between the client and the architect to fashion exactly what the client envisions while keeping true to construction requirements and financial guidelines.

From start to finish, TAB Associates takes the client through each step of the planning and interior design, all the while listening to what the client has to say. Communication is key between the architect and the client, and TAB Associates support this every day of the project.

With over 30 years in the business of architecture, TAB Associates is dedicated to providing the utmost in professional architectural services from day one to ensure that the end project is the complete picture of what the client had in mind.

For your current or future architectural needs, contact TAB Associates, Inc. at (970) 766-1470 and speak with one of the experienced staff who will help turn your vision into reality.

Image courtesy of TAB Associates, Inc.