Architects and Designers

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    Lighting is an Integral Part of Any Design

    In the beginning, there was light, and that is how it should be. “Lighting design shouldn't be an afterthought,” says Kathy Presciano, a lighting specialist with GE Consumer & Industrial, and a former commercial interior designer.

     
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    Ranch remodel reclaims open space

    It wasn't the size of the 1950s ranch house that proved to be the problem for the new owners. The couple bought the property in the older Milwaukee suburb of Elm Grove, Wis., for its prime location and large lot, wanting the space for their two young children. But the home's dated, dark, cramped...

     
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    Dramatic renovation transforms European cottage

    Perched on a high hill in Greenwich, Conn., this beautiful property finally has a house worthy of its location.The original house was large but lacked presence. Though the architect's first thought at seeing the 1958 house was that it should be torn down, the owner liked the U-shaped floor plan...

     
  • Remodeling designs as intellectual property

    Architect Alan Freysinger was far from pleased when a design review board in Whitefish Bay, Wis., raved about his plans for an extensive home remodel in the wealthy Milwaukee suburb. That's because the homeowner — Freysinger's ex-client — was passing off Freysinger's work as his own.

     
  • Historic consultant helps remodelers

    Built in 1922, the Orlando, Fla., home was located a few blocks from the city's historic section. The homeowners wanted to add modern conveniences and decor, yet retain the home's original look and feel. They tapped Victor Farina, president of Farina and Sons, in Orlando, to find a way to mesh...

     
  • Designing your landscape

    What do we mean by the landscape of home? It's not only the gardens, but also the views and vistas, and the walkways and thresholds that let you feel at home on your land. Of course, your house is part of this landscape, too. How do you decide when to use these elements? You begin by realizing that...

     
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    Fast track design and construction process

    We recently tackled the largest project in our firm's history, the renovation of an 11,000-square-foot house. The challenge: to condense a project with a 6-month design process and a 14-month construction process into 9 months.

     
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    Architect design experience

    An architect's job is a cross between a counselor and a tailor. To put us in the right frame of mind — to design for clients instead of ourselves — we need to get inside our clients' heads. We have to understand not only who they are, but how they live in their home and why things work or don't...

     
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    In Focus: Chief Architect, Master Builder, and other software.

    Specifically designed for residential and light-commercial construction, Chief Architect X1 helps enhance productivity and offers users photorealistic 2-D and 3-D plan views.

     
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    Innovative Dining Table Design

    As part of this kitchen remodel, project planner and designer Adrienne Morgan of Mosby Building Arts, in Kirkwood, Mo., designed a dining table with a lighted pedestal to provide the clients with a place to entertain and to display their collection of Lalique glass.