Your remodeling questions asked & answered

How does the design process work when it comes to defining a style?

You’ll always have a lead designer guiding the creative direction of the project and helping shape the overall aesthetic inspiration. Much of that process is a collaboration between the homeowner and the designer as we work to narrow down what your style truly is.

Sometimes partners come in with different tastes, which can create some interesting moments during the process. In those cases, it’s often about finding a compromise, or sometimes leaning on the designer’s expertise to guide the space in a direction that works for everyone.

Every project is tailored to the client. Some people come to us with a very clear vision and a detailed list of everything they want. Others feel overwhelmed and would prefer their designer to lead the direction entirely. And of course, many clients fall somewhere in between.

We also look at the architectural style of the home and consider what works best with it. Sometimes the goal is to complement that style, and other times it’s to contrast it in a thoughtful and interesting way.

If someone isn’t sure what they like, we often start by identifying what they don’t like. Knowing what you dislike can be just as helpful as knowing what you love. Throughout the design process we’ll present several options, and inevitably one or two won’t resonate. But those reactions help us refine the direction quickly and move toward solutions that feel right.

How should homeowners think about renovating versus moving?

Over the past five or six years, both the real estate market and renovation costs have been high and continue to rise. For many people, renovating has made more sense than moving, but that balance shifts depending on the market.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal priorities. If you love your neighborhood, enjoy your neighbors, have family nearby, or simply feel connected to the place you live, renovating your home and investing in it often makes sense—especially if you plan to stay for ten years or more.

If you’re someone who enjoys moving frequently or doesn’t feel particularly tied to your location, then relocating might make more sense.

People often get caught up in return on investment and property value—wondering if a renovation will price their home above the neighborhood. But that really only matters if you plan to sell. If you’re staying, the investment is for you, not the next owner. When we approach renovations, our focus is on creating something personalized and lasting for the people who live there now.

Are mini-split systems more affordable than traditional HVAC systems?

It often comes down to price, but mini-splits aren’t always as inexpensive as people assume.

The initial installation—setting up the system and installing the first unit—is typically the biggest investment. Additional heads cost less, but the overall price can still add up depending on the number of rooms.

In many homes, you’ll end up needing a head in each room. In a primary suite, for example, you might be able to use a ducted mini-split system to cool multiple areas like the bedroom, bathroom, and walk-in closet. But in most situations, multiple units are required.

Once you reach a certain scale, a traditional ducted system can actually make more sense financially and aesthetically, since wall-mounted heads also introduce a visual element that some homeowners prefer to avoid.

Can you explain common types of wall and trim molding?

A chair rail is traditionally installed at chair height and historically served to protect walls from the backs of chairs. Today, it’s often used more decoratively and can appear at various heights depending on the design.

Picture frame molding creates framed panels on the wall, while board and batten is typically made from flat stock applied in vertical or geometric patterns.

At the top of a room you’ll often find crown molding, while baseboards run along the bottom of the wall. Baseboards can be simple flat stock or more elaborate multi-stage profiles, which you tend to see more often in older homes.

What’s the difference between a chase, soffit, post, and beam?

A chase runs vertically from floor to ceiling and typically hides pipes or HVAC ductwork.

A soffit runs horizontally from wall to wall, often used to conceal ductwork or other mechanical systems.

Structurally speaking, a post runs vertically from floor to ceiling and supports weight, while a beam runs horizontally from wall to wall.

How do you handle HVAC systems in older homes where there’s limited space?

Older homes can definitely present challenges when it comes to fitting ductwork. A traditional duct usually needs about twelve inches of space, which many historic homes simply don’t have within their walls or ceilings.

There are several solutions. Mini-split systems are one option, though some homeowners don’t love the look of the wall units. Micro-duct systems can also be used, since they require much smaller openings.

Often the best approach is a combination. For example, there might be room for ductwork in the basement or attic, but not on one of the middle floors. In that case, we might use ductwork where possible and mini-splits elsewhere.

Sometimes we also integrate ductwork creatively into design elements. In one barn conversion project, we’re hiding ductwork within built-in bookcases so it appears as part of the toe kick. We’ve also designed window-seat benches that conceal ductwork running across a room.

This is where a design-build approach becomes especially valuable, because we can coordinate the mechanical systems with the architecture and design from the beginning.

When would a spiral staircase make sense instead of a traditional staircase?

In most cases, a traditional staircase is preferred because it’s easier to use and more accessible over time.

However, there are situations where space constraints make a spiral staircase necessary. If the available footprint is very small, a standard staircase might take up too much floor space.

For example, we’re currently working on a project where a new staircase leads to an attic library. Because of the sloped gabled roof and ceiling heights on the second floor, there was no location where a traditional staircase could land with proper headroom. In that case, a spiral stair became the most practical solution.

Spiral stairs aren’t ideal for aging in place, small children, or pets, so they’re best suited for spaces like lofts, libraries, or other secondary areas rather than primary living spaces like bedrooms or bathrooms.

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