Considering home renovations, we are usually about six months off schedule.

For instance, when is it that we think we would love to have a pool? In the Summer, when it’s too late to install a pool (at least for use that Summer). And when do we wish we had a nice, cozy fireplace to gather ‘round? In the Winter, of course, and while it takes a lot less time to install a fireplace than it does a pool, it is probably still too late to get on anyone’s schedule in time to enjoy the warmth and comfort of the fire before the azaleas start to bloom. So, for our April blog post, we’re highlighting fireplaces!

It might be hard to put yourself into the mood with the thermometer just beginning to read comfortable temperatures outside, but now really is the time to start planning. There are so many options available these days, it might take til Winter just to decide which one you want.

The selection process usually begins with the choice between gas logs or wood-burning, though there is an in-between option: wood-burning with a gas starter. Then there is the unit size, the decision of which needs to take into account both the dimensions of the room and, often, the size of the flat-screen TV that will be mounted above the mantel. As 99.99% of new fireplaces are insert units (very few true masonry fireplaces are built for any but the most expensive homes, these days), the next selection stage is the veneer – the finished look. This is where a good design eye is very beneficial, since the fireplace that looks so great on Houzz or in the magazine might not blend at all with the style of your home. In-line fireplaces are very contemporary and not the best look for the living room of a Georgian style colonial or a Craftsman bungalow. Stone and cultured stone veneer is beautiful, but more suited to a lodge or farmhouse style than a traditional home. A great fall back is wood trim, but even here one must fit the finish – decorative built-up trim or shiplap – to the overall look and feel of the home.

It takes planning to get all of these decisions to coalesce into a fireplace installation that not only provides the coziness and warmth desired, but that looks like it always belonged there. As a design/build collaboration with 19 years of experience, Designed for Downtown and its sister companies AJH Renovations and AJH Custom Homes are here to help you make the right choices, even for something as seemingly simple as a fireplace. Give us a call today to start the conversation, and be ready to come in from the cold next Winter.

We at AJH Renovations, LLC and Designed for Downtown, LLC, specialize in completely reworking mature homes into modern homes, Turning a 20th Century House into a 21st Century Home. It is often a very challenging prospect, especially as we try very hard to maintain at least some of the ambiance of the old house in the renovation of the new. One of the design features that must always be considered is ‘Sight Lines.’ These are, as the phrase implies, the paths our eyes most naturally take when we enter a building. Medieval European cathedrals, for instance, instantly draw our eyes upward, as the sight lines follow the ornate columns, soaring buttresses, and vaulted ceilings. The architects intended that to happen, to draw both our eyes and our thoughts to heaven when we entered a building designed for worship. On a standard residential project, however, there is rarely a call for soaring buttresses. Nonetheless, vertical sight lines are important to consider. For instance, with the modern desire for the ‘open floor plan,’ the designer must consider the height of the ceiling: a wide room with a low ceiling will feel like a cave, like the ceiling is coming down on top of you; that’s not a good look or feel. Conversely, vaulting the ceiling in a narrow room can result in what appears to be a crevice; again, the feeling that the walls are coming in on you is disconcerting. And the long and narrow plan needs to be avoided in all designs other than a bowling alley.

Sight Lines are also important within individual rooms. In older homes, especially, there is often an existing feature that draws one’s attention – an old fireplace, for instance, or classic interior French doors. With the large kitchen becoming a standard feature in modern renovations, it is important to have a focal point, a line of sight that draws the eyes to a wide window over the sink or a tile mosaic over the new range. Sometime these elements can be combined, as with an exposed old brick chimney giving a nostalgic cameo appearance in a new kitchen. It takes vision and experience to be able to follow sight lines that have not been constructed yet, and that is what the design/build process at AJH Renovations, LLC and Designed for Downtown, LLC brings to your renovation process.

Give us a call today to start the conversation!

We all admire a good piece of trim work. It elevates a room above the ordinary, and reveals a little more about the owner’s tastes. But good trim often gets sidelined in the process of designing and building houses. Most of us are stuck with bland, flat trim that does little to spark excitement.

If you’re in this boat, these design ideas will get you excited about your house's potential again! Gain some ideas and goals for your next project, be it small, like DIY bookshelf trim, or a major rework of your entry way. Either way, please let us know what you think!

Top photo: Ceiling trim in an arched hallway.

This deceptively simple look adds an extra layer of fancy to an arched ceiling. It frames the front door and puts a little space between the living area and the entryway.

Second photo: Dentil moulding and full wall wainscoting.

Smooth wainscoting on the walls balances the heavier mantelpiece and crown trim. Both wainscoting and dentil trim are old classics that help tie together the room’s other design elements. Painting them a neutral tone lets them harmonize with the modern lines of the coffee table, lamp, and light fixture.

Above, Custom cabinetry with moulding detail.

This bar mimics the clean lines of its glassware, slim and minimal, but obviously well stocked. It lets the drinks do the talking, but note the detail on the toe kick; it isn’t all plain!

Library with wainscoting and tray ceiling.

This library, painted in a calming shade of green makes great use of decorative trim around the bookcases and fireplace to soften the linear effect of the bookshelves. The wainscoting ties the three pieces together, creating visual harmony. A little detail is in the moulding on the tray ceiling, drawing the eye up and softening the transition from the wall.

Dining room with coffered ceiling and wainscoting.

Another pairing of wainscoting and ceiling trim, this one makes use of stained trim to add a strong visual element to the ceiling. Using the same trim on the windows and doors keeps it from being a one-off detail, and the wainscoting ties the whole room together. They get bonus points for a cool light fixture, too.

Bedroom with directional wainscoting.

This bedroom takes your typical vertical-horizontal wainscoting to the next level by rotating it 45 degrees. It creates a strong center of interest above the head board, giving a lift to what might otherwise be a bland room.

Bar and arched door trim.

More arches, but this time the emphasis is around the doorways and on the ceiling. The grey-blue of the trim unifies the cabinets with the slim coffering. Perhaps the neatest aspect, however, is the paneling under the ceiling trim.

Dining room with wainscoting.

This dining room only has one thing in common with the last dining room we looked at: the wainscoting. While some of the previous rooms have been trim heavy, this one uses moulding as a light detail to mimic the modern style of the furniture. It is best defined by the saying, “less is more.”

Mudroom with colorful millwork.

This mudroom plays with color as well as moulding style, painting the doors, cabinets and casing all same blue. The single color draws the eye, and adds a much needed pop of color to a usually drab room.

Inspired? Give us a call, and let’s start designing!

When your life changes, what was once your perfect abode may now be in need of a makeover. Whether you started working from home, got married, or started a family, your house will probably need a redesign to fit your new activities and better accommodate your and your growing family’s needs. Here are some ideas for transforming your living space into a great place for work, play, and relaxation.

If this sounds like you, let us know how we can help!

Room for Work

Over the past year, many of us have had to start working from home. If you don’t have a dedicated home office, den, or spare bedroom to work out of, you may have had to create an office space in your living room by rearranging the layout and furniture. If you don’t have an actual door or wall setting your office space apart from the rest of the room, you can add a partition such as a large screen or a tall bookshelf to define the space.

Putting out an area rug can further demarcate your working space. Tall plants may also be useful in keeping your work area well defined, and they have the added advantage of purifying the air inside your home. Moreover, a 2015 study found that interacting with indoor plants could reduce psychological and physiological stress, which makes plants all the more important in your home office—and in your life!

Room for Play

The arrival of a baby means new furniture (e.g., crib, changing table, high chair, etc.) and a myriad of toys and tiny clothes. Corralling all that extra kid stuff can become a challenge, especially if your child’s bedroom is too small to contain it all. And if you like to keep an eye on your little one playing while you’re making dinner, your kitchen might start to look like a miniature playground.

If you have some shelf space available, a few stylish baskets will provide great storage for toys and craft supplies that will stay hidden from view when not in use. Living room furniture can also double as storage space, such as ottomans and lift-top coffee tables. And thanks to the latest technology and streaming services available, you don’t need a massive entertainment center to hold a large-screen TV and your collection of DVDs. Make more room by mounting your flat- screen TV on the wall, and select comfortable seating options for a cozy movie night.

Room for Relaxation

Even if your home is now housing your office, you can still keep your business and personal life separate. If you don’t have a spare room to use as a designated home office, and if you want to be able to relax and unwind after a long day in front of your computer, find a storage solution that will conceal your equipment, office supplies, and documents; a desk with a hutch or an armoire desk may be ideal.

Take advantage of the natural light in your house or install some mood lighting of your own and create a cozy sanctuary by adding a plant garden to your interior. Choose fabrics and colors that inspire you and help you relax, and set some throw pillows and blankets on your sofa. And don’t forget to make your patio or balcony an inviting space, too! Outdoor patio furniture can be comfortable, stylish, and even offer storage solutions for extra pillows and blankets.

If you have a fireplace in your home, building a fire can add ambiance and help you relax, but you’ll need to ensure your chimney is clean so you’re not putting your home and family at risk. You can find dependable chimney cleaners by Googling “chimney services near me” and choosing the best-rated contractor. If you also need your chimney inspected, you’ll have to budget for the additional cost.

As our lives change, so should our homes. Today’s furniture and decorating options are endless. So, make your home a cozy spot for working, entertaining, and relaxing. Gather your family, invite your friends and share your new, redefined space!