101 things Katie Hutchison Studio (KHS) has learned designing homes, Part ten of ten

Newton Kitchen Renovation/Mud Room Addition: Wood floors work well in almost any space.See the full series here.

91.  Use metaphors to communicate design intent to homeowners.

92.  Avoid granite countertops; they’ve been done.

93.  Lighting with the proper color temperature is critical to how warm or cool a space feels.

94.  Pay attention to scale; right-size it.

95.  Wood floors work well in almost any space. (See Newton Kitchen Renovation/Mud Room Addition.)

96.  Design stairs to serve a use beyond vertical circulation.

97.  Reduce clutter and clean windows to increase spaciousness on a dime.

98.  Don’t conceal windows with overly busy or elaborate window treatments.  Roman shades or interior shutters work well.

99.  Provide a consistent interior trim color or clear finish; vary wall color within a harmonious palette. (See Primer: A Recipe for Architectural Charm.)

100. Maximize daylight. (See Common Sense Green.)

101. Practice forgiveness and gratitude.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

101 things Katie Hutchison Studio (KHS) has learned designing homes, Part nine of ten

Brewster Long House: Include clerestory windows and/or a roof monitor, where possible.See Part eight of the series here.

81.  Recommend that homeowners move out during renovations, if possible.

82.  Consider incorporating renewable energy systems.

83.  Provide a generous mud room.

84.  Edit the program and design judiciously. (See Design Process.)

85.  Include clerestory windows and/or a roof monitor, where possible. (See Brewster Long House.)

86.  Don’t let “the tail wag the dog”. (See Don’t overlook intangible value and cost.

87.  People either love or hate pocket doors.

88.  Dismiss bum clients (Don-Draper style).

89.  Don’t forget to provide egress windows in bedrooms.

90.  Design/build arrangements sacrifice the benefits of the competitive bid process.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

101 things Katie Hutchison Studio (KHS) has learned designing homes, Part eight of ten

Brewster Long House: Include a screen porch where possible.See Part seven of this series here.

71.  Know when a phone call (rather than an email) is warranted.

72.  Attend to air sealing and weather stripping.

73.  Anticipate structural layout/issues from the roof down, not the other way around.

74.  Include a screen porch where possible. (See Brewster Long House above.)

75.  Small projects generally cost more per square foot of construction than larger projects.

76.  Design breathable construction which doesn’t trap moisture.

77.  Neighbors can derail a project; respect them.

78.  Creativity thrives amidst constraints.

79.  The budget can be your friend; respect it.

80.  Ask three general contractors to participate in the bid process.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

101 things Katie Hutchison Studio (KHS) has learned designing homes, Part seven of ten

West Tisbury House: Build second-floor decks into the roofscape, not over open exterior spaceSee Part six of this series here.

61.  Renovation and new construction often approximate the same cost/square foot.

62.  Radiant heat is comfortable.

63.  There are no stupid questions.

64.  Provide pockets of privacy off more public spaces. (See House plans that flow.)

65.  Entice occupants to move from space to space with hints of what lies ahead. (See Reading Review: House Thinking.)

66.  Incorporate a banquette and/or inglenook if possible. (See Designing inglenooks for today.)

67.  Build second-floor decks into the roofscape, not over open exterior space. (See West Tisbury House, above.)

68.  Incorporate fresh-air ventilation when construction is super-insulated.

69.  Work with general contractors who have worked with architects and respect them.

70.  Recycle construction material, appliances, and/or cabinetry where possible.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

101 things Katie Hutchison Studio (KHS) has learned designing homes, Part six of ten

Salem Antique: Kitchen Renovation: Limit overhead kitchen cabinets.See Part five of this series here.

51.  Tell a story with a home’s design.

52.  Bring the indoors out and the outdoors in. (See Manchester Garage/Garden Room.)

53.  Remember that shade and shadow are design tools. (See Brewster Long House.)

54.  Express building structure to enhance building legibility.

55.  Limit overhead kitchen cabinets. (See Salem Antique: Kitchen Renovation, above.)

56.  Include a walk-in pantry, space permitting.

57.  Provide ample open shelves. (See Kitchen storage design solutions.)

58.  Advise homeowners not to be “penny wise and pound foolish”. (See Don’t overlook intangible value and cost.)

59.  Explore, study, and learn from the architectural world around you – near and far. (See Design snapshots.)

60.  Incorporate efficient and high-performance appliances and systems.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast