We often hear from clients who would like to start building a custom home in the spring. Spring is a popular time to start building, however in most states (Colorado included) builders work year-round. Seasonal weather has a definite impact on construction schedules, but due to the unpredictable nature of Colorado weather, there is no… Read more »
Why Wellness? Simply put, our current built environment is working against our health and wellness. According to the Global Wellness Institute’s 2018 report “Build Well to Live Well,” the greatest health risks we face today are a result of sedentary lifestyles and lack of exercise, poor diet, stress, pollution, loneliness and alienation. Chronic disease now… Read more »
We recently sat down with Laura Swartz, Communications Specialist for Denver’s Community Planning and Development department, to talk about the permitting process and how best to navigate it. Our biggest takeaway? While the permitting process has historically gotten a bad rap, it doesn’t have to be that way. They have been hard at work streamlining… Read more »
Selecting an architect is an important decision. Most people interview 2 to 3 architects before making a choice. We are all familiar with the basic questions to ask, such as for references and portfolio examples. But sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know! In order to help you dig a little deeper, we’re here… Read more »
Remodeling a home is an exciting process that breathes new life into old living spaces. With the right design and construction teams in place, the results of this transformation can be astounding. But, while you’re choosing new color palettes or kitchen and bath layouts, don’t forget about the critical role that technology can play in… Read more »
What is the cost of building a custom home? This is a common – and important – question that homeowners ask when considering building a custom home. There is no simple answer – the answer is always going to be, it depends. As you go through the process of building a custom home, there are… Read more »
Building a custom home or remodeling your current home is an exciting, fun, challenging and sometimes scary process. Our homes are extremely personal to us. Home is where we spend time with our loved ones, raise our children, entertain, work, play…the list goes on. After having parts of my own home remodeled multiple times, working… Read more »
Designing and building a custom home – your dream home! – is an epic journey. It starts with a vision, often years in the making, of the perfect home in the perfect location. When the time is right, the stars are aligned, and you are finally ready to build your custom home; what next? Where… Read more »
Over the last several years, homeowners have gone from taking note of, to fully embracing, the organic modern kitchen. As kitchen designers, especially in Colorado, nature reigns supreme. I’ve been designing kitchens for over 20 years, and love how the Colorado organic modern kitchen presents both the opportunity and challenge to combine technology with the… Read more »
When it comes to crafting today’s living spaces, the integral role played by home technology is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Whether you’re looking for enhanced security, greater convenience, or the most impactful ways to entertain family and friends, there are no shortage of solutions to choose from. This abundance of options was clearly illustrated… Read more »
The Master Bath is full of opportunities for “I deserve it” features. From luxurious over-sized showers to sleek and sexy free-standing tubs, here are some of our favorite “I deserve it” features to turn your master bath into a relaxing sanctuary. Showers vs Tubs Showers are beginning to compete with the tub as the primary… Read more »
The kitchen is the perfect place to continue our conversation on “I Deserve it Features”. No surprise, the kitchen continues to be the hub of activity in the home. Cooking is fast becoming America’s favorite family hobby. Consider the popularity of shows like Master Chef and Chopped, and the ever increasing number of food blogs… Read more »
At KGA, we love incorporating “I Deserve it Features” into our home designs! From simple details to one-of-a-kind custom designs, “I Deserve it Features” take on many shapes and sizes. Over the next couple of months, we will be looking at 3 common places that “I Deserve it Features” can be incorporated into the home,… Read more »
In the first part of this blog we looked at different ways that architects charge for design services (if you missed it, you can read it here). Today we’re going to take a deeper look at the way we structure our fees at KGA. For custom homes we typically charge based on the square footage… Read more »
Net-Zero Energy homes are a hot topic these days, especially as prices for rooftop solar photovoltaics and LED lighting continue to plummet. More than ever, net-zero homes can be built for little to no added expense, and are often cheaper when considering the “monthly nut” (the total monthly cost, including mortgage, utility bills, and maintenance)…. Read more »
Architectural fees are a big concern (and rightly so!) for many homeowners planning to build a custom home or remodel their existing home. Fees vary per project and are influenced by a number of factors including: size, scope, site, specifications, etc. Generally speaking, there are 4 common methods architects can use to calculate their fees:… Read more »
We’re excited to share with you that the cover of the January/February issue of Colorado Homes & Lifestyles features a KGA designed remodel! Located on a large lot in an established neighborhood near sought after schools, the homeowners fell in love with the property’s large trees and mature landscaping, but knew that the existing 1960’s… Read more »
Every industry has terms and phrases that are specific to it; architecture is no different. When designing a custom home or remodeling an existing structure, you will hear a lot of terms which are important to understanding the process. Some are especially fun as they describe elements of the design; i.e. quoin, pergola and oriel… Read more »
Remodeling your home is fun, time-consuming, complicated, messy, and hopefully, quite gratifying. (For an inside look at the process, follow KGA’s Jennifer Williams as she plans her remodel of a 1940’s Cory Merrill home). Whether you’re planning to remodel your kitchen or your entire home, here is our list of top things to consider when… Read more »
The Kienast/Williams family currently lives in a 1923 Bungalow style duplex in West Wash Park that boasts 932 square feet on the main level. What it lacks in size it more than makes up for in character and location; just blocks from Whole Foods, the center light of Wash Park, and steps from light rail,… Read more »