How to find an Architect: choosing a good one will Increase your Return on Investment.

Today was a great day and not just because it is October 10, 2011, 85 degrees and sunny outside here in the Northeast, but because we received a note from a new client. They write:

“We initially consulted with an architect in 2004 with the thought of making a three story addition. In those days, you could almost be assured of making back any money that you invested in the house, but nowadays I think that the renovations need to be smarter and make better use of the space you have.” ….” We are in Maplewood in part because we love old houses, and would like to work with you (Clawson Architects) because your projects are sensitive to maintaining continuity with the style of the house, but provide improved use of space.”

Thank You!….we are thrilled that you see the value of using an Architect but even more, that you understand that Clawson Architects is different because we deliver so much more than a box on the back. The Star Ledger described the work by Clawson Architects as “smart and unique” and Period Homes wrote a profile about us and our worked titled “Tailoring Tradition,” both articles featured various projects -- all different styles and scales -- and made us very proud. But to have you, the consumer, recognize and tell us why using Clawson Architects for your project is a great way to protect the investment you make in your home is great feedback and confirmation that the word is out and that people can see a difference.

Clawson Architects, LLC prides itself on addressing our clients' project goals while building a sustainable relationship with them and the built environment. We value creativity in our approach to problem-solving; bigger is not always better. With over 60 years of combined experience between the partners, we are qualified to offer innovative architectural design solutions for your property. We utilize a cooperative team approach to designing your project with you. Clawson Architects' years of experience and our established network of professional, craftsmen and vendor contacts has a proven track record in the metropolitan area. Clawson Architects values the opportunity to work with you on your project by designing alterations, renovations, additions as well as new homes that complement your lifestyle, decorative tastes and the architectural character of your property while meeting your financial goals.

Businesses and Sales Coaches often ask, "What is the Value Proposition...what is it that you bring to the table and how is it different?" Clawson Architects has a portfolio of beautiful projects: new home, renovation, and addition success stories. However from a purely numbers point of view, when looking at the Return on Investment (ROI), Clawson Architects has witnessed their clients' homes receive both post-construction appraisals and post-construction sales that deliver an ROI of  22% -200%. Just one more reason to consider Clawson Architects as your Architect in a time when you need an investment you can count on.

Thanks again for choosing Clawson Architects, now lets get to work!

Ranch 'Dressing' Tasteful Home Renovations

So, you bought the ranch.... What now?

Ranches in my town, look out of place among the charming older Victorians or the traditional Center Hall Colonial and stately Tutors. The 1950's Ranches are now known as 'Vintage Modern'. Ranches can be quite chic...with renovations done correctly, paying attention to the original details and doing the best within the existing genre is the secret.

The construction of a 1950's Ranches is solid and adding on or updating the existing is practical. Finishing touches and matching missing hardware or fixtures has been made easier with the help of Rejuvenation a period lighting and hardware online store. Design Within Reach another resource can help you with furnishings.

Let's say, you just can't 'do' your grandma's house. You want to update and bring the house up in time. This can be achieved by changing the 'trim package', updating the floor finishes, the bathroom and kitchen cabinets and the color scheme.

The The typical ranch trim package is a 2-1/2" casings around the doors and 4" baseboards. The doors are usually flat and hollow. By upgrading the trim to a 4" casing and a 6" baseboard you will add some 'weight' to the details.

Selecting a heavy wood door from Simpson and good looking hardware, you will give the home some character and a look that has been coined 'Transitional' ...meaning not historical and not modern. "Transitional" renovations will provide a clean updated look that will hold value in the marketplace. New tile and a new vanity in the bathroom, new wood floors and and an updated kitchen will make your home stylish and simply elegant.

For Clawson Architects most extreme Ranch 'Dressing' that is tasteful and unforgettable check Clawson Architects website to see how the Ranch above became so much more...

Kitchen Addition for This Old House

Beautiful houses were built in the the early 1900's and they were built to last. In meeting with people to discuss their homes and the potential for adding on, the conversations often go in the same direction. "We love the character of the house, we love the neighborhood, we love the details and charm, but there is no family room, and while this dining room is huge, there is only a tiny old kitchen." Often the homeowner has come to some sort of a conclusion to add a family room and to renovate the kitchen.

As Architects we often see opportunities that have not revealed themselves to the homeowner yet. We see space and potential in the existing foot print that perhaps just needs to be re purposed.

Just because you bought a home with a large room that has a chandelier hanging in the center of the space does not mean that it has to be your dining room. We often hear 'we don't want to lower the real estate value' and to that I say, you are not getting rid of the space your are re purposing the space, if the next buyer wants it to be a Dining Room, they can rehang the chandelier.

One of our more creative out of the box clients came to us because they had done just that, they used the existing Dining Room as their Family Room. This space was just off the kitchen, as is typical with most traditional homes. For this family, with three young boys, the 'Dining Room' offered a play space they needed. As the boys grew, the breakfast table in the kitchen was not quite big enough and they felt they would like to have a more formal Dining Room back and add a family room addition onto the house. After looking at the spaces and recognizing the creative side of the client, I suggested that instead of adding a family room that we add a Kitchen to the rear of the house off the Largest Room in the house, the under utilized Living Room. In doing so, we re purpose the existing kitchen as a Dining Room and made the original Dining Room turned Family Room into a formal Living Room. The largest room, that under utilized Living Room, became the Family Room opening up into the new Kitchen. The other benefit to this idea, was that this busy family was able to continue using their existing kitchen until the new one was completed, and then we went to work on creating the Dining Room in the area where the original Kitchen was.

The end results are a home with better circulation, a cozy intimate Living Room, a dramatic Dining Room, a new Butler's Pantry that leads to a new sun drenched Kitchen with views of the back yard, the Family Room, the Sun Room/Home Office and the Front Door. We gained a first floor Powder Room and Laundry Room and one very happy client.

Recap:

Old Kitchen has been re purposed into a new Dining Room

A New Butler's Pantry connects the New Kitchen Addition to that Dining Room.

Original Dining Room Turned Family Room, is now a Formal Living Room.

Old Formal Living Room is now the Family Room.

Addition includes:

New Kitchen, Powder Room and Laundry Room and if that is not enough, the addition structure was designed to receive a second floor Master Suite above, should the owners decide that this is something they would like to add in the future.

Kitchen, Home and Bath Renovations ...could be in the Box!

If you are considering an addition to your home, you may want to stop and think for a moment. As professional architects working on older homes in the tri state area, we find that quite often the answer is "in the box".

Whether it is the need for a larger Dining Room...Achieved by removing a wall and relocating mechanical and structural componets into decorative beams and columns.....

Or a New The Master Bedroom Suite enhanced by relocating closets to the front of the room freeing up the area adjacent to the existing Master Bath so that a once very compact master bath is now spacious with framed views of the city that can be enjoyed from the shower and the rest of the bedroom suite. Pocket doors with antique glass can be used to close off the bathroom while still allowing natural light to filter into the bedroom.

Kitchens can present a real challenge. Relocating doors to redirect traffic away from the 'work triangle' can free up space for the cook while adding storage and comfortable seating within the space at the same time.

Before

Bigger is nice...but in these economic times,

Better may be the right answer for you.