In the world of architecture and design, we see beyond what is. We see what could be, and we revel in the act of making it so. Here are some insightful and inspiring stories of projects I’ve tackled, lessons I’ve learned, and a little bit of humor to keep things interesting. Because, if you can’t laugh about life and home renovations, then what the heck are we all here for?
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Have you been considering a building project lately, but been scared off by high construction prices?
You’re not alone or imagining things. Prices ARE high.
Let’s take a look at why prices haven’t gone down and what you can do to make sure you’re not blindsided by cost when you plan a building project.
Read MoreIs the air inside your house clean? 🤔 As a home enthusiast, I'm always curious about how our daily habits impact our living environment. That's why I got an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) monitor for my 90's house! It tracks temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, chemicals, and particulate matter (PM2.5) to ensure you're breathing good air while at home. And it's super affordable!
Read MoreEver have trouble getting in touch with a contractor? No response to your voicemails and emails? I know what you're doing wrong and the changes to make.
Read MoreWhere do you want to live when the apocalypse is here? And by apocalypse I mean infrastructure disintegration. It's coming and you should be ready. I know I sound crazy but I’m only partially kidding.
Read MoreIt’s a complicated answer but I’m going to try to keep it SUPER simple! There are two main ways for an architect to charge.
Read MoreWhat's your favorite kind of stove? 🤔 Must have gas? 🔥 Or love the ease of cleaning electric? Or the safety of induction? 🎛 It all boils down (pun intended) to your budget and needs. 🍳
Read MoreWhat should a set of plans (aka blueprints) look like?
Trick question! There's no standard! Each architect or designer has their own style.
Read MorePrices are incredibly high, builders and designers are incredibly busy. Would it be silly to start a new project right now?
It’s a tough question. It’s a personal question. My friend Ed Earl and his colleagues give us a little reality check…
Read MoreAre you a minimalist? Do you know what minimalism is?
To me minimalism is... Purposefully deciding what’s worth your time, money, and space. Designing efficiencies into these things and rejecting the crap that doesn’t serve you. The result is freedom to pursue whatever gives you joy.
Read MoreTime to expose one of my secrets: My online interior design sources! Just in time for your holiday shopping.
Read MoreThere’s no one way to build a house. Actually, there are about a million ways to build a house (give or take). But when it comes to the design process, there are three popular ways to get it done. Guess which way is my favorite…
Read MoreEver heard of sick building syndrome? It started with tightly sealed buildings. It's a good idea to seal buildings but how do we do it without sending people to the hospital?
Read MoreIAQ. Indoor Air Quality.
It used to be that homes were built to “breathe", but it's very expensive to heat or cool a house that “breathes”.
Now we focus on sealing tight the walls, roof, and foundation. Much better for energy efficiency but it introduces a new problem; now we’re inside with all the fumes and humidity trapped within our home. Sealed homes can have bad IAQ. (If you're designing a new house with me, this won't happen because we'll ventilate properly and use the right materials. But if you're living in an existing house already, it could be an issue.)
Bad indoor air causes allergies, headaches, and respiratory issues like asthma. But there are ways to maintain healthy indoor air in your home. Check out my recent blog post for a few suggestions. [Read time: 5 minutes]
Read MoreRight about now, you may be wondering how to make more money. Whether you’ve been laid off or are concerned about the impending recession, most of us are reassessing our finances.
Well, here’s an idea for you, spend a little money to make a lot more money on a property you already own… build an ADU!
Read MoreI have clients who come to me VERY prepared and others who, well, not so much. If you approach your project with the right information, you can save time, money, and headaches. Here are a few ways to prepare…
Read MoreHere’s a (very) quick breakdown of Contractors and Builders. I also threw in a little bit about Subcontractors. Read time: 5 min. Enjoy!
Read MoreRunning Meldrum Design is one of the highlights of my life. I love it. In the last six years I’ve researched the heck out of running a remote, very small business. I’ve experimented with different methods, systems, software, and hardware. It took lots of energy, money, and time. So I thought I'd save you some of that and share what I've learned.
Read MoreSometimes people are curious about what an architect actually does. The people who think they know are surprised when they hear the truth.
And, while this profession can come in MANY different forms, there are an increasing number of one-person architecture companies like Meldrum Design. So here’s a quick (and aesthetically pleasing) breakdown of what I (and many other architects) do all day. INCLUDING an exclusive and very real photo of me and Sunny in my office!…
Read MoreYou may be thinking… “It costs a fortune to build a sustainable house! I can’t afford that!” Fear not, there are relatively affordable solutions to this problem. And thankfully, some really smart people put it all together and gave it an awesome name… the PRETTY GOOD HOUSE.
Read MoreBehind the Scenes! A series of posts to help you understand what I’m doing back here. You know, behind the scenes. Up next, Interiors!
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