Tag

renovation

architecturebusiness

Picking Up the Pieces

Never fire your contractor. Unless, of course, you absolutely have to. I was reminded of this in a recent conversation with a contractor/friend who I’ve worked with on past projects. He had been brought in about halfway through an extensive home renovation to pick up the pieces and finish the…
jwa
September 17, 2021
architectureLGBTLiferenovation

That Was Unexpected

A few years back, the host at a neighborhood July 4th party shared how she handled the inevitable “What do you do?” while traveling for work. With each conversation, her answer changed and was always something quite out of the ordinary. Her most recent trip had involved a story about…
jwa
August 27, 2021
architectureFood for thought

The Higher the Hair

Homebuilders in the South (or at least in my part of it) appear to be operating under the old adage: “The higher the hair, the closer to God.” I was reminded of this recently while working through renovation plans for an existing home in one of Dallas’ suburbs. In addition…
jwa
May 21, 2021
architecturebusiness

What Lies Beneath

I always tell clients to be ready for a surprise any time they’re doing a renovation. You never know what the previous owners have done during their own renovations. Or the people before them. But always expect something. Entire windows left inside walls. Flooring on top of flooring on top…
Clint Thomson
September 18, 2020
architecturerenovation

Cheap, Cheap

One of the best parts about my job is the privilege of seeing other people’s homes. And seeing some spectacular homes at that. From the time I started architecture school (and even before then), I knew I wouldn’t be designing high rises or hospitals. Work for me was always going…
Clint Thomson
August 28, 2020
architecturerenovation

I Said No

My publicist bought his first house last year. And in short order was on the phone with me asking if I could help him change the unflattering lighting in his Master Bath to the softest lighting known to mankind. A girl has to look good, right? Even if it is…
Clint Thomson
May 11, 2020
architecturebusiness

Zoom Zoom

That was weird. I had my first new client meeting via Zoom this week. Or potential client meeting. First meeting. Whatever. But it was weird. I have been architecting long enough to have plenty of first meeting experiences. Some where you know right off the bat it’s a mistake. And…
Clint Thomson
April 27, 2020
architectureLife

Danger, Will Robinson!

Architects always design. I don’t care where they are or what they are doing, the wheels keep turning. At the lake – where’s a good place for a house and how best to orient the rooms? At a friend’s home – you know the kitchen would work better if… At…
Clint Thomson
April 20, 2020
architecturerenovation

Walk of Shame

One benefit of being pretty much stuck inside all day is that I find myself outside walking through the neighborhood. Which means I’m actually walking and not just pretending I walk. James has been doing the same and came home one afternoon to ask if I’d been down a street…
Clint Thomson
April 13, 2020
Uncategorized

Vacation Finds

It’s December, which means two things: One – Christmas is just around the corner. This year, my sisters voted to have James and I host the family Christmas Eve get-together. And no, we didn’t get a vote. Two – our annual trek to Key West is almost here. This year’s…
Clint Thomson
December 6, 2019
Spotted Dog Architecture