Another home may begin on the property you already own. Explore how ADUs and DADUs can support family, smaller living, and thoughtful use of Vashon land.
Choosing a fireplace surround starts with the fireplace itself. Explore material options, design details, and practical considerations for your remodel.
You love where you live. You know the neighbors, you have a favorite spot for your morning coffee, and moving sounds considerably less appealing than staying put. But the house itself is becoming a squeeze.
Before removing a wall, consider what it contributes. Explore how open, closed, and partially open layouts support different ways of living.
If you’ve ever walked into a custom home with flawless tile layouts, whisper-quiet cabinetry, or a thermostatic shower that feels like a spa retreat, you’ve experienced the magic of great interior design.
Because online shopping is so frictionless, it’s easy to assume that when a design firm "sources" products for a custom build or remodel, we’re doing a version of that same thing. You might picture us scrolling through websites, picking out pretty items, sending an invoice, and clicking buy.
In reality? Sourcing and procurement is one of the most intricate, highly technical, and protective services we provide. It’s the bridge between a beautiful concept on paper and a healthy, high-performing home that stands the test of time.
We do not take on projects without an established budget. But, how can one develop a budget without understanding the costs? Well, for starters, whether it is known or not, the budget exists. There is a number that is definitely too high, and there are expectations that would deem a low budget too low.
There are two crucial factors that should be considered before even scheduling that initial consultation. Time and Money. They absolutely do matter in planning a design project. Read on to find out how to develop your budget.
Sometimes, people think that starting the design phase of a new build is just about getting "drawings" on paper; putting down a basic footprint with a box marked for the kitchen, a spot for the bed, and a placeholder for the bath. But if you’re building custom, generic placeholders miss the best part of the process!
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It is one of the most common questions we hear from homeowners eager to break ground:
“Can we skip the design phase [for now] and just have you draw up the permit set so we can get in line with the city?”
The instinct makes complete sense. Permitting takes time, municipal queues can be slow, and the assumption is that permit drawings are simply administrative paperwork—a basic floor plan to satisfy a bureaucratic box while you figure out where the kitchen island goes later.
In the eyes of building departments, however, a permit set is not a sketch of an idea. It is a legally binding, technically coordinated instrument proving compliance with state, structural, and life safety codes.
You cannot draft a permit set without a finished design because a building department will not permit an unanswered question.