Past to Present: Unveiling the Timeless Allure of Powder Rooms
Real estate listings define a powder room, or powder bath, as a bathroom that consists of a toilet and single sink. It is typically located on the main floor, strategically tucked away for privacy while remaining conveniently adjacent to the living room, dining room, and kitchen. Powder rooms are functional, yes, but they also provide the opportunity to make a statement and introduce your guests to the overarching style of your home. History Lesson The term "powder room" traces its origins back to the 1700s when the elite class frequently adorned wigs, requiring regular primping and powdering. During this era, having a dedicated space for such grooming rituals was indicative of social standing and affluence. In the absence of modern plumbing, these rooms typically featured a dressing table, a plush stool, and, notably, a mirror. As plumbing advancements emerged, the room's purpose evolved, and the powder bath gained popularity during the post-World War II construction boom. With the rise of makeup use, the powder room became a sanctuary for a quick touch-up, coining the phrase "powder one's nose." From a privacy standpoint, the powder bath functioned as a dedicated space for guests, sparing them the need to encroach upon the more intimate areas of the home – this remains one of its key features. What Makes a Powder Room so Special? Today, the main components that make up the design of a powder bath include the toilet, sink, mirror, and light fixtures. Beyond these essentials, additional features such as tile, wallpaper, accent paint, wainscoting, and art can be seamlessly integrated to add a layer of intrigue. The allure of the powder room is its compact footprint – this allows a splurge in higher-end materials since the square footage is so minimal. It provides you with a space to create a jewel box within the home that speaks to its overall aesthetic in a more daring way. It can be moody, experimental, colorful, busy – all the things you may be too timid to try in other areas of the home. These design risks are safer done in a confined, capsule-like room. Plus, beauty can take precedence over function here; due to its limited usage, issues like steam, splashes, and other messes are less prevalent. Explore these inventive ideas to add a touch of creativity and charm to your powder bath: Statement Wallpaper: Choose bold, vibrant wallpaper with fun patterns or textures. Lighting: Opt for a pend ant (in lieu of a sconce) and integrate toe-kick lighting for a layered effect. Mirror Magic: Find a uniquely shaped or ornate mirror to serve as a focal point. Wall Treatments: Painted wood shiplap, wainscoting, or wood cladding on the walls will help set the tone of the space. Unique Faucets & Fixtures: Upgrade faucets and fixtures to unique and stylish designs that become conversation starters. Open Vanity or Pedestal Sink: Choose an open vanity or a stylish pedestal sink to give the illusion of more space and add a touch of sophistication. Bold Color Palette: Paint all walls, ceiling, trim, and door in a bold color to transport your guests. Vintage Touches: Incorporate vintage or antique elements such as hardware or fixtures. Considering a remodel that includes a powder bath? Connect with us, and let's work together to turn your vision into reality!
Stair Design 101
Whether you’re building new, adding on, or remodeling a multistory home there’s one element that can have a major impact on your space planning: stairs. With so many options on layouts and styles, this guide will help you get started on thinking about your stairs. Under most circumstances (and in most jurisdictions under the current code) there are a few basic requirements to keep in mind when planning for a new stair in a residential project. Must be at least 36” wide. Cannot have a riser higher than 7 ¾” (residential) The landing at the top and bottom of the stair must at minimum be as wide as the stair and the depth to match the stair width. Must have minimum 6’-8” clear head space between nose of riser and ceiling/finish above. There are a few exceptions for the above for stairs leading to attics and small lofts. Step 1: Stair Shapes There are many different types of stairs with unique space considerations and dimensions to keep in mind. Straight Run: The most common stair type, this stair goes in one straight line typically without any landings other than the top and bottom. Straight run stairs are a great fit for narrower spaces with a lot of length to work with. L-Shape: Much like the name indicates this stair has a landing somewhere in the run with a 90 degree turn. L-Shape stairs are great for small spaces as they can be tucked into a corner and leave a good amount of usable floor space. U-Shape: This stair is similar to the L-Shape but has a 180 degree turn at the landing. This stair is ideal for wider more generous spaces since they tend to take up more floor area than the other shapes. Spiral: A helical/circular stair more commonly used as an accent stair or in very small spaces. These stairs can have a great visual impact to a space but tend to be less safe than the other shapes and not recommended for areas with a lot of foot traffic. Step 2: Open vs. Closed It seems like a simple question, but there are pros and cons to having an open (railings on the sides so you can see into the adjacent spaces) or closed (walls on all sides) staircase. Here is a brief list of pros/cons: Open Stair pros: Visibility and connection into the spaces around the stairs Opportunity to introduce railing or slat wall design into the space Makes the stair an architectural feature of the space Open Stair cons: The biggest con for an open stair is sound travelling between floors and spaces. Open stairs are typically more expensive than closed stairs Closed stair pros: Keeps noise from travelling between floors and spaces Allows opportunity for doors at the top/bottom of the stair to add more security and sound dampening Typically less expensive than open stairs Closed stair cons: No visual connection between floors and spaces Step 2: Stair Construction The construction type of your stair can significantly change the look and style of your space, but it also has the most impact on the cost of your stair. While there are some up-charges to go from a straight run to a spiral stair shape, the construction type will be a major factor when it comes to budget. Here are just a few examples of construction types: Standard wood frame closed riser ($): This is the most common stair construction type. It’s the least expensive and does not require specialty engineering or construction. These stairs can be open or closed and finished with a variety of materials such as carpet or hardwood. Open riser with closed end ($$): An almost middle-ground between a floating stair and a closed riser stair, this option has “floating” treads between two stringers or walls. The stringers or sides of the stair can be wood or metal and will require some additional engineering. Steel stringer floating tread ($$$): One of the most desired modern stair designs we see requested by clients this stair has a single steel beam in the middle with “floating” treads. These stairs are a great feature for spaces but come at a high price and require specialty engineering and construction. Cantilever stair ($$$$): These stairs appear to “float” off the wall with only one side having a hidden connection point. They require meticulous engineering to ensure there isn’t too much flexibility on the ends furthest from the walls. There are a lot of other factors that go into designing the perfect stair for your home. Stay tuned for more blog posts getting into the fine details of stair design coming soon!
Celebrating the front porch
The front porch is not just a place to receive Amazon packages. The front porch is an extension of your home, a connection to the outdoors, and the place where you greet friends and neighbors and welcome them into your home. Life moments happen on the front porch! My kids know the drill… if it’s the first day of school, it’s pictures on the front porch. October 1st means stretching the 8-foot spider web between the porch columns to kick off the Halloween festivities. Strings of lights are hung across the porch roof during the holidays to brighten up the long, dark nights. The American flag waves proudly from the front porch, and if it’s College Game Day, the WSU flag flies. Go Cougs! If your home project allows, a covered front porch adds outdoor living space. Yes, we endure our share of rainy days here in the Pacific Northwest, but we enjoy warm, sunny days as well. Having a deep roof overhang gives protection from the elements almost year-round. Hang a porch swing, stage a couple of Adirondack chairs, make a statement with a custom bench, or if space allows, add a café table and chairs. A small furniture grouping welcomes visitors and says, “stay awhile!” The front door itself says “welcome home!” For added drama, consider an over-sized entry door. One that is wider and/or taller than a standard door. Add windows flanking the door, or a relight above the door, to further open up your space. Maybe you have a view that you want to take advantage of with a front door that is mostly glass. If structural changes are not an option, consider a replacement door in the same opening. A wood door with Craftsman detailing, or a modern, solid slab door will accentuate your entry and should compliment the style of your home. Giving your existing door a fresh coat of paint, with a new pop of color, is another great way to renew the entry to your home. Lighting is a key element in the design of any entry. Porch lighting should be warm and inviting, welcoming visitors to your front door. Wall sconces give good up-down lighting, washing the entry wall with general light. The light fixtures themselves can either be a design statement, an accent to the style of your home, or they can be designed to blend into the architecture of your home. If your space doesn’t allow adding a covered porch, other projects can have a big impact on your existing entry. Expand the approach to your front door by pruning mature landscaping. Install a new stone paver pathway and add pathway lighting – solar powered, for energy savings and ease of installation. Consider landscape lighting as well. Shine a spotlight on a favorite tree or two in the front yard, and when it’s dark the eye is drawn outside giving a sense of spaciousness to your entry. Widen the steps leading up to your front door for a more gracious feel. Don’t forget the details! There are several “smart” doorbells available now with cameras for added security. Consider installing smart outlets on your porch, for things like holiday lights, that can be controlled remotely. Steps illuminated with theater aisle lighting are a welcome feature. Last, but not least, be sure to install your house numbers in a location where they are easy to read. Whether you’re building a new home, planning a remodel or addition, or you simply want to freshen up the look of your space, don’t forget to celebrate the front porch! Written by: Cristy Weller, Architectural Designer at H2D Architecture + Design
How to Find the Balance Between Timeless and Trendy Interior Design
A common concern we hear from our clients is how they can make selections for their remodel that will not go out of style in the next few years. Selecting finishes and fixtures for your home can be daunting and potentially confusing, especially if you’re worried about making smart and timeless choices. Interior finishes and fixtures are like a wardrobe for your house. Imagine if you had to wear the same outfit every day. What would you pick? I bet it wouldn’t be the bright orange and white striped T-shirt, the hot pink shoes, or the sequin sweater. Even if you love those items of clothing individually, that doesn’t mean they’d look good together, or that you’d love them day after day for 10-30+ years. You might, however, consider adding a bold necklace or bright red socks that add little hints of character to a more neutral backdrop. It’s all about balance. Browsing for Inspiration It’s easy to swoon over inspiration photos – we’ve all been there. Something catches your eye and you find yourself daydreaming about living in that space. The aesthetic might be something you haven’t seen before - it might showcase some crazy chandelier or have a bold paint color on the walls. Not to mention, everything in the photo is tidy and organized, brand new, and the budget was incredibly high. Try to see past the shine and notice what it is specifically that you’d like to see in your new space. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself when reviewing inspiration photos: Is there a specific thing in the photo you like OR do you like it’s whole vibe? Is this a style you admire but feels out of your comfort zone? How would your furniture look dropped into this space (if you’re keeping it)? Does it feel like you? Can you see yourself and your household living there? Also, if you’ve been working on a Pinterest board or Houzz ideabook over a long period of time, you may notice that you don’t even like some of the older posts on the page that you were once obsessed with. This is why it’s important to check in with yourself and make sure that what you’ve started liking after spending more time browsing online is still in line with your general style, and not just the latest new thing. Emphasis is Key Find areas where you can have a little fun! Emphasis is key to good design. Rather than picking all unique, brightly colored tiles for the bathroom, use a unique tile just for the backsplash or shower niche against a neutral palette so that it pops. Here are some examples of where it is safer to take risks; most of these items can be swapped out somewhat easily or inexpensively in a few years if you remodel or decide to sell: Cabinet pulls/knobs Paint colors Light fixtures Faucets and shower trim Door levers/knobs Here are examples of where to stick with neutral colors and classic designs: Cabinetry Tile (unless in small quantities) Doors Hardwood flooring Reality Check It might be helpful to contemplate your current or past residences – what did you like or dislike about the design style or selections? Also, think about the logistics of how long you plan to stay in the house. I am all for selecting products that you’re in love with, but consider what the next buyer might think and maybe go more subtle. Most importantly – stick to what feels true to you because it is, after all, your home. Written by: Lauren Groth, Interior Designer with H2D Architecture + Design
Navigating Interior Design Decisions for a Home Remodel
Selecting finishes and fixtures for a remodel is fun and exciting, but it can be very overwhelming if you feel uncertain about the style you are going after. Though many people initially know what they like, there are so many images out there that can pull you in different directions and lead you to feel unsure of how to make those ideas come together cohesively. To make things more complicated, many of our clients are making decisions with their spouse or partner. This can potentially to lead to frustration, but our aim is to help our clients get on the same page and make compromises where necessary so that their completed home will be adored by all parties! Though I’m no marriage counselor, here’s a few steps to help this process go smoothly from the start: Step 1: Individually make a list of needs and wish list items for the remodel. Try to stick to high-level at this point. If you are on the same page, that’s great – but most couples have at least a few discrepancies. Next, you should combine your separate lists into one that captures the items of highest importance from both lists. Step 2: Create a shared collection of inspiration photos using Houzz, Pinterest, or saving pictures in a folder. Try to add notes to the photos you contribute that explain what you like about that space. There will likely be conflicting styles represented in the photo collections, but spending some time reviewing them will help you see what design ideas excite you most. Step 3: Pick a style direction. Although you already have inspiration photos that communicate the design direction you wish to achieve, it is helpful to try to classify the design style with a couple of words as well. Below is a quick style survey you can fill out together and/or separately. Circle your preferences from 1-5 in the categories below: MINIMALIST 1 2 3 4 5 LIVED-IN Clean & utilitarian; you prefer everything to be buttoned up Homey & real; you prefer a space that is allowed to be messy MONOCHROMATIC 1 2 3 4 5 COLORFUL Neutral colors only Color everywhere you look FORMAL 1 2 3 4 5 RELAXED Serious & high-end Casual & approachable CURRENT 1 2 3 4 5 RETRO/ CLASSIC Trendy design with fads & latest technology at the forefront You want designs that reflect a certain time period in design SOFT & NEUTRAL 1 2 3 4 5 RUGGED & BOLD Pale colors and light wood tones, spa-like Deep/rich colors, dark wood tones, textural GLAM 1 2 3 4 5 UNDERSTATED Shiny & showy; think fancy chandeliers Design that doesn’t call attention to itself; somewhat utilitarian URBAN 1 2 3 4 5 RUSTIC City loft, sleek, youthful Cabin or farmhouse, raw materials MODERN 1 2 3 4 5 TRADITIONAL Clean-lined & simple, utilitarian design Ornate details and classic inspiration Step 4: Let us work our magic! We will utilize your lists, photos, surveys, and n otes to come up with the best design possible. We can provide 2-3 schemes to help you explore different aesthetics for each space; this is especially helpful if you’re stuck between two opposing styles, or would like to see a couple different ways one style can be expressed in your home. From that point on, we work together to fine tune the actual selections you would like to go with. If you are a couple, this is where that compromise comes into play again. All said and done, our goal is to give you the process and tools to bring your dream home into reality in a stress-free, organized, and enjoyable way. Written by: Lauren Groth, Interior Designer with H2D Architecture + Design
Attic Renovation Checklist
Attic Renovation Checklist Converting attic space to living space is a fantastic way to add living space to your home within its existing footprint. It sounds simple enough, but there are quite a few factors to consider when exploring an attic renovation design: Roof Framing: Converting an attic to living space almost always requires some structural work to meet minimum ceiling height codes (item #2 below). If your current attic has trusses, it makes things a bit more complicated but not impossible. The trusses will need to be replaced with new framing per a structural engineer’s requirements. If your attic is already stick-framed, an engineer will evaluate the existing framing and make suggestions to either use what is there or install sister-framing to the existing. The exact framing requirements will vary per project. Interior Space Dimensions: Codes will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but you find that all will have minimum requirements for a live-able attic space regarding ceiling heights and floor area. City of Seattle for example requires that at least 50% of the space having ceiling heights of 7’-6” or greater and the space shall not be less than 7ft in any plan dimension. If your existing attic space does not meet these requirements a dormer may be necessary to gain additional ceiling height and/or floor space. Access: Most attics have a hatch with a ladder for access. If your attic is converted to living space a code-compliant set of stairs will be required. Minimum requirements for a stair are: minimum 36” wide, minimum 6’-8” of clear headroom the entire walking length of the stairs, 10” deep treads, maximum 7 ¾” risers. Floor Joists: Most attic spaces are not designed to handle people walking on the floor. Often times with an attic conversion a new floor system will be required to handle the new loads (people, furniture, etc). This additional framing space needs to be accounted for when calculating stair requirements, ceiling requirements, and feasibility. If you’re thinking about an attic conversion project and want to discuss feasibility - contact us! We are happy to walk through the requirements and the possibilities your space has to offer.
Tips for a home office
The necessity of a home office is growing with many people working from home as a result of the development of virtual conferencing, telecommunications technologies, and more recently Covid-19. It is important to have an efficient space that helps maintain focus and concentration. The need for good lighting and appropriate furniture is also key for success. A guest room, an attic space, a nook under the stairs, or another empty corner in the house can become a nice space to set up your home office. An area close to a window can provide natural light during the day to help keep you motivated. If a window location is not possible, a good table or desk lamp will also be a good alternative. Choose a quiet location or a space where distractions will be kept to a minimum. If you are frequently on calls or video conferencing, a quiet space will be important not only you, but also others in the home that you might bother during the calls. In addition to the location in the home, it is important to focus on surroundings and furniture to create an adequate work space. Among the innovative options for office furniture, the addition of a stand up desk is interesting because it encourages ergonomic best practices by allowing you to both stand and sit during the work day. A comfortable chair that provides adequate support is also important for you to maintain proper posture while sitting at a computer. In combination, choosing the right chair with an adjustable desk can consistently provide comfort throughout the day by allowing you to change position while keeping a computer and the desktop at an adequate level. Small details like boards and planners on the wall are a good idea to track work progress and schedules. If your table is small and does not have a drawer you can try to use shelves to organize papers and books. Lastly, a cup of coffee or tea is always welcome. For these and other design ideas you can follow us on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/h2darchitects/ Written by: Maria Ribeiro, Architectural Designer at H2D Architecture + Design
Before and After
We always love a good 'Before and After' comparison once a project has been complete. Here are a few before and after images of some of our recent projects. Enjoy these amazing transformations!
Selecting Exterior Paint Colors
Choosing or changing the exterior color of your home can be overwhelming with so many color options available. It’s great to get ideas from magazines, websites, etc. but what looks great in a photo may not work on your own home. There are multiple factors that come into play that will affect how colors change in appearance from house to house. Keep the following tips in consideration when making your decision will help in picking the right color: Consider your surroundings. Sunlight and vegetation vary from region to region and will have an effect on the appearance of paint colors. The warm desert sky works great with bold orange, yellow, and red paint colors but those same colors in the gray skies of the Pacific Northwest with towering evergreens have a different appearance. Consider your region’s sunlight and vegetation and choose colors that reflect the either warm or cool tones of the light. Note that all colors have warm and cool variations; for example reds can have warm undertones with hints of orange/yellow or cool undertones with a blue/purple undertone so if you love red and live in the Northwest you’re not out of luck! Take into account your home’s architectural style. Whether you have a Midcentury Modern, Cape Cod, or Crafstman home a little research on the era will show an array of palettes that are appropriate to the style. Many paint companies have historical collections which can be a great start to choosing your palette! Three color approach. Ideally your exterior scheme will have 3 colors, although there’s no “rule” against having more or less. Your first color will be your field color, the primary color of the house. Second, an accent color which can be found on doors, small areas of siding, etc. Last is the trim color. The trim is a great way to make a bold statement and add contrast to your home. When you’ve selected a field color you love keep an open mind to a variety of trim colors to find the one that suits your style and vision the best! Test your colors! As mentioned earlier, you can’t rely on photos/paint chips to know how a color will look on your unique home. When you’ve narrowed down your colors grab some samples from the paint store and paint a 2’x2’ square in a discreet location of your home. Check the swatches during different times of the day and under different weather conditions to see how the colors look and change. Written by Lisa Kramer, Designer at H2D
Living Room 101
The living room is the social gathering space in your home and the design should encourage conversation, create a relaxing atmosphere, and function well for both social occasions and family down-time. Typical living rooms are square or rectangular in shape and vary in size. The following design guidelines apply to all room shapes/sizes to create the perfect living room space! Measure, measure, measure! Write down the dimensions of your room and bring them with you while furniture shopping. If you have your eye on a furniture item you can use string, tape, cardboard, etc. to “mock up” how it will fit and feel in your space. Select furniture that fits the scale of your living room and that work well together. A sectional sofa would overpower a small living room, but is great to break up a large space. Keep the overall scale of your furniture pieces proportionate to one another such as multiple small-scale chairs or a few large items. Similarly scaled pieces create a calming atmosphere. Arrange furniture to promote conversation and invite guests into the space. Furniture pieces should be facing each other as opposed to a media center. Love movie nights? Choose smaller, moveable pieces to allow for re-arranging based on what you’re hosting. To create an inviting space, arrange furniture that allows you to walk directly into the space. It’s best to avoid having the back of a sofa or chair facing the room entry. Built-Ins are a fantastic addition to a living room. They create visual interest and can help keep your space organized. Some great examples of built-ins are a bay window seat or shelving and cabinets around a fireplace. Last, but not least: Lighting! Since our living rooms are used for several purposes it is important to have adjustable lighting levels. An affordable way to add this to an existing space is with dimmable floor/table lamps. If you’re building new, add dimmers to the ceiling lights. Dimmers help to create that great “warm” evening lighting! Try to avoid direct fluorescent light as much as possible. They are cooler in color and can make spaces feel cold and unwelcoming (think big box supermarkets!). LEDs are a great alternative as well as a simple change in lampshades to something with a tan/brown/orange hue to it. This will diffuse the light and give your space the warm glow without sacrificing energy efficiency! Now that your living room is perfectly scaled, arranged, and lit; create a character in your living room that reflects your personality. Use area rugs, pillow, lamps, books/shelves, photographs, and art to bring it to life and make it your own! By Lisa Kramer, Interior and Architectural Designer at H2D Architecture + Design