7 Curved Stairs

Curved Main Stair Curved stairs can be elegant, beautiful, and functional.  We design stairs which are curved from bottom to top as well as stairs which only curve a bit. There are many manufacturers who sell prefab spiral stairs which work well in certain circumstances.  The most common mistake, with those stairs, is to make them too small in diameter, especially in a high traffic location.  We are often asked to replace spiral stairs which are too narrow, with [...]

By |2023-02-25T10:38:23-05:00February 19th, 2017|Categories: Miscellaneous, Stairs|Tags: , , , , |13 Comments

5 Virtual Reality Projects

Project Photo After 3-D Sketch Before The world of computer graphics has changed completely since I started my architectural practice.  We now regularly use computer imaging to make quick sketches of proposed design ideas and use renderings of projects to let our clients know exactly what their home or addition will look like. It is amazing to me how realistic these renderings can be.  Although we are known for our modern versions of traditional homes, sometimes our [...]

By |2023-02-26T12:18:24-05:00October 31st, 2015|Categories: Design, Miscellaneous, New Homes, Renovations, Stairs, Technology|2 Comments

Fine Home Source 2014-Best Ever!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/78wJlDaxrx8 Once again we had the best show ever!  Everyone had a great time with more vendors and visitors enjoying a picture perfect fall day.  This years show showcased everything from Zoe's Ice Cream Barn to a restored 1959 Cadillac Coupe Deville (by CPR).  Free samples included wine from Clinton Vineyards, cheese from Adams, espresso from Decker and BeeBe and Zoe's ice cream. Zoe's Ice Cream Barn Restored Cadillac Don't forget Aspire Magazine who joined us(and who [...]

By |2023-01-25T14:23:28-05:00October 7th, 2014|Categories: Fireplaces, Garages, Gardens, Kitchen, Miscellaneous, Stairs, Technology|0 Comments

Stone Barn Addition-Featured Recent Project

We always love it when our former clients call us back for additional work on their homes. In this case the owners wanted an open room which would be a place to play pool, entertain, and gather with family and friends. They wanted the addition to feel like a stone barn to which the main house was added, and we all agree, it really does feel like the stone addition has always been there. [...]

Fine Home Source 2013-Best One Ever!

We had a beautiful day, 54 vendors(a record) and over 600 visitors-what more can you ask for? Well, we had a late entry of Telescopes of Vermont who showed everyone the amazing Porter Garden Telescope.  People were reading the fine print on a dollar bill almost a block away.  It brought back my amature astronomer's glee. There were vendors like Chris' Coffee showing their amazing Italian espresso makers and handing out free samples to Hudson Company displaying their [...]

Fine Home Source 2013, Sept. 28th

I will be the first to admit, everyone doesn't need a bowling alley.  But if you would like to see the latest in home bowling, come on out to Fine Home Source on September 28th and take a look.  This year we have some of the most broad ranging and professional vendors ever.  You can speak to the experts from Orvis Sandanona about learning how to fly fish or shoot sporting clays then talk to the folks at Dutchess Overhead [...]

Fine Home Source 2013

We are now a little over a month away from our 6th and largest Fine Home Source Home show.  We have enlarged the tent and added vendors and have reached a milestone of 6 years keeping craftmanship and quality design alive.  Join us in the celebration of quality services,craftsmanship, and design on September 28th in Millbrook, New York.  Here are a few of the vendors who will be there: [...]

Adding On (Revisited)

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. Although it is almost [...]

7 Entry Halls

Entering and leaving most homes, we pass through an entry hall that is formal or casual, one that is meant either for guests, family or for everyone. Many homes we design have a main entry which is meant for the arrival of guests with a place to hang their coats, and a ‘mud room’ entry which is for everyday use as well as muddy boots, dogs and gardening apparel. In my house (circa 1790) we have a center [...]

By |2012-05-23T16:50:41-04:00October 26th, 2011|Categories: Design, Miscellaneous, Stairs|Tags: , |3 Comments

Stairs

In my house I am almost always the first one up. As I walk down the stairs to get my coffee it is comforting to know that in the mid 1800s the builders did their job well. There are no creaks when I step (except from me) and the rise and run of the stair are quite comfortable. Friends, family and clients I know aren’t always so lucky, especially if their stairs were built in the late 1700s and early [...]

By |2010-06-03T13:46:42-04:00July 2nd, 2009|Categories: Stairs|Tags: , , |0 Comments