Renovations | On the Drawing Board

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One Addition in the Berkshires

Addition to Home in the Berkshires New Entry Doors We are primarily known for our new homes that respect the region's vernacular architecture and tasteful additions, which often meld seamlessly with old homes and feel like they have always been there. When our client in the Berkshires asked us to design an addition that would contrast with her Classical Revival brick home, we were happy to accommodate her. We were asked to create a kitchen and butler's pantry, a living room, [...]

By James Crisp|2026-06-24T13:36:06-04:00June 23rd, 2026|Categories: Miscellaneous|Tags: dining room, Family Room, Great Barrington, Great Barrington Addition, Kitchen, renovation, Renovations, traditional design|0 Comments

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Under Construction March-2026

Sandisfield Major Renovation This is a muddy March like so many before it. We always have a mix of projects in the design and construction document phases, but those under construction are dealing with the mud season. Our first project, shown above, in the Berkshires, is very close to completion. If you would like a taste of summer, please take a look at the Breathtaking Berkshire Pool House, which was our original project on this property. Berkshire Family [...]

By James Crisp|2026-03-25T20:03:04-04:00March 23rd, 2026|Categories: Additions, Miscellaneous, Renovations|Tags: Boothbay, Dover Plains, Dutchess County, farmhouse, Kinderhook, Kitchen, millbrook, porch, renovation, Renovations, Sandisfield, Shefield, traditional architecture, traditional design, Ulster County, Under Construction|0 Comments

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Under Construction October 2024

New Home in Columbia County As I have said before, one of my favorite tasks is visiting job sites in the fall. The air is crisp, and the leaves are turning. There is an urgency on job sites to get everything enclosed or painted before the harsh weather arrives. We usually don't have to worry about mud or slush or snow yet and driving through the countryside reveals one amazing view after another. New Home in Columbia [...]

By James Crisp|2024-10-15T18:28:55-04:00October 10th, 2024|Categories: Construction, Design, New Homes, Porches|Tags: additions, new homes, Renovations|2 Comments

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4 Brilliant Outdoor Living Spaces

Outdoor Living and Dining In the northeast, we don't have a whole lot of warm weather suitable for outdoor entertaining, so we celebrate those perfect days in any way we can in our outdoor living spaces. We are lucky to be able to collaborate with talented landscape architects and designers including Conte and Conte, Renee Byers, Judy Murphy of Old Farm Nursery, and Rob Adroyd of Greylock Design Associates respectively. Outdoor living spaces impact the design of our [...]

By James Crisp|2024-02-01T18:04:33-05:00June 19th, 2022|Categories: Accessory Buildings, Fireplaces, Gardens, Miscellaneous, New Homes, Patios, Pool Houses, Porches|Tags: outdoor cooking, outdoor dining, outdoor fireplace, outdoor kitchens, outdoor living, Renovations|0 Comments

7 Delightful Additions
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7 Delightful Additions

Addition to Old Home About half of the work in our office is new construction and half renovations and additions. When designing a home from scratch some of the most important elements to study(besides the clients wishes) are views, site features, sun and wind direction, and the approach to the site. The most important single element in an addition/renovation is the existing building. Sometimes the portion you save and restore is key to the rest of the project. [...]

By James Crisp|2023-02-11T19:01:54-05:00April 16th, 2018|Categories: Additions, Miscellaneous|Tags: adding rooms, additions, Renovations|0 Comments

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4 Kitchens Before and After Renovation(Updated)

A new kitchen can be one of the most dramatic changes to a home and a homeowner’s lifestyle. When my wife and I renovated our kitchen, we went from wincing every time we cooked a meal to really loving to spend time there. The new kitchen is the heart of our home. It is where our family eats breakfast, does homework, gathers with friends and of course cooks. The layout of a kitchen is critical to [...]

By James Crisp|2021-03-26T18:42:45-04:00October 5th, 2013|Categories: Design, James Crisp, Kitchen, Miscellaneous, Renovations|Tags: About Us, appliances, backsplash, before and afters, countertop, farmhouse, flooring, home design, Kitchen, kitchen dining, new home, painted cabinets, Renovations, table, traditional, updated|3 Comments

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6 Renovations That Can Change the Way You Live in Your Home

I have renovated and added to my own home for many reasons, including the fact I hated the existing kitchen. I added a porch and a bedroom because I love porches and my oldest daughter needed a room of her own. Many people renovate a home because no one thought to incorporate light or views in the original design. Sometimes the existing home is outdated, dark, too small, poorly laid out, or all of the above. In any case, some [...]

By James Crisp|2011-01-12T14:27:26-05:00January 7th, 2011|Categories: Additions, Basement, Garages, Kitchen, Miscellaneous, Renovations|Tags: breakfast room, Kitchen, porch, Renovations, sun room, wine cellar|0 Comments

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Porch Renovation

Older homes have a character that often is impossible to replicate. A 200 year old home has traces of daily life so different from our world today.

By James Crisp|2010-06-03T13:20:51-04:00May 10th, 2010|Categories: Porches, Renovations|Tags: pond, porch, Renovations|0 Comments

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Buy, Build, Renovate-Why Now is the Time

I would never advise anyone on their personal investments in real estate or otherwise. I will only comment on the current market conditions I am seeing. Rarely in my career as an architect have I seen the economic conditions align so strongly in favor of the consumer.

By James Crisp|2010-06-03T13:22:12-04:00May 10th, 2010|Categories: New Homes, Renovations|Tags: construction costs, new home costs, Renovations|0 Comments

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Before and After

Before and After photos are always a lot of fun. We go out of our way to find the worst before photo and pair it with our favorite after shot. As architects, we are accustomed to imagining the potential of an existing home that needs work. The before and after photographs greatest value to our clients is to show how a room or a whole house can be transformed through thoughtful design and quality construction. [...]

By James Crisp|2010-06-03T13:49:07-04:00May 22nd, 2009|Categories: Renovations|Tags: before and after, Renovations, restorations|1 Comment

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