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Whether you are moving into your first or tenth house you’ll always get butterflies when you open the front door. This is when you realize “This is all mine.” Your priorities are probably different when purchasing a house than they might have been several years back. Now it isn’t just for a quick profit so you can move up the housing ladder. It’s about creating a genuine home.
All your hopes and dreams are found in your home. This could be the place where you see your children grow up, where you and your spouse will grow old together and where you will entertain friends and family during the holidays. You want to create a home that is both functional and cozy, welcoming to your guests and most of all a place where you can unwind. When you see the kitchen you want to be able to imagine gathering around it laughing and celebrating, and not just a place you walk through on your way to work.
When you are designing your home so many of your hopes and dreams for the future go into it. You want it to be perfect. You want it to represent you. You’ve worked hard to have the house of your dreams and it now represents so much more than just a place to hang your hat. It can represent how you want to live your life and the plans you have for the future.
In these crazy economic times it is reassuring to come home to a true home. A place where you can get away from the chaos and feel like yourself. If you know you’re going to be staying put in the same house for a while, why not put your whole heart and soul into it.
At William S. Briggs we want to help you create a home for those lasting memories and make those hopes become a reality.
William S. Briggs, Architect, PLLC
214.696.1988
William@WilliamsBriggs.comhttp://www.williamsbriggs.com
Walking into a new home is always fun, that’s why almost all of us, at one time or another tour homes we don’t intend to buy. New homes appeal to our sense of family, tranquility and of course ego. When trying on a home, we often imagine ourselves entertaining, showing the house to our friends and watching our kids play with their friends. When we envision these activities, homes with an elegant entry, formal areas, wood floors, granite counters, a spacious family room and a backyard show very well.
But, a house we live in sees these activities for just a few hours a week or sometimes just a few hours a month. A house we live in most likely sees older kids doing homework, younger kids with toys scattered all over the floor, families grabbing a quick meal before or after a soccer game, tired parents in their pajamas sipping coffee in the morning or a rare occurrence when everyone gathers in front of the TV for a movie. A “living” house is quite different than a “showing” house. So which do you choose? A house that works for a few hours a month or for most hours every day? I’m not a fan of making that choice. I think homes need to do both and do both well.
Elegance comes from materials and visual layout. Livability comes from the floor plan. When you combine these elements, you have a home that is both great to entertain in and to live in. Proper design and detail enhances elegance and livability. Well-designed cabinetry can hide the clutter of living while still presenting a striking impression to guests. The right sized rooms provide space for family living without chopping the house into small areas that will not see much use or large areas that will be seldomed used. Art spaces provide room for showcasing taste while also protecting items from young hands.
The next time you visit a new home ask yourself some real-life everyday questions:
When there are good answers to these questions, the house is a pleasure to live in.
Interested in building a new home or remodeling your existing one? Give me a call, I’d love to discuss how you can have a home that shows well, entertains well and lives well.
William S. Briggs, Architect, PLLC214.696.1988
William@WilliamSBriggs.comhttp://www.williamsbriggs.com
There are few purchases in life that are truly meant to last a lifetime, but a custom built home is certainly one of those purchases. As important as it is to build the house of your dreams, it is also important to ensure the architectural design of the home will last for generations to come. Many of the homes in the Park Cities and surrounding areas (i.e., Lakewood, M Streets, Bluffview and Preston Hollow) were built in the 1920s. And while the kitchens and bathrooms have certainly undergone renovations (probably several) in the past 90 years, the architectural structures of these homes have remained intact.
Much like the classic “little black dress” found in the closets of most women or the classic men’s navy blazer, classic architectural design never goes out of style. Rather, it serves as the foundation from which interior design trends may be showcased. As design trends come and go, classic home architecture remains steadfast, protecting the architectural integrity of the neighborhood, the livability of the home and the buyer’s investment. Just as a new necklace and trendy shoes transform the little black dress, trendy interior design updates transform the classic architecture of a home, keeping it fashionably current from one decade to the next.
Employing an architecture firm to lead the design-build process of a new home assists in achieving a classic design that maximizes the buyer’s initial investment. Entrusting the renovation and updating process of an older home to an architectural firm ensures the integrity of the home’s design remains intact and all updates are consistent with the home’s architectural structure. Hardware updates such as doorknobs, kitchen and bath faucets, cabinets and molding should complement the owner’s personal style as well as the style of the home.
Having nearly 20 years of practice in the Park Cities and North Dallas, William S. Briggs, Architect, PLLC understands the unique character and charm of the area. From initial sketches to the placement of the last doorknob, William Briggs remains involved in the design-build process, ensuring clients are accurately represented in the construction process and that the architectural design is accurately interpreted as building progresses. William Briggs works diligently with the contractor, craftsmen, city officials, landscaper and interior decorator to see that all design details are effectively and cohesively executed. Design fads come and go; classic architecture is designed for now and later.
How many times a day to we say "look in the cabinet"? Cabinets are one of the most used and visible features of any house. Getting them right in terms of storage needs and design makes a house not only better looking but more livable as well. Here are some quick thoughts on why you should work withe architect to develop the cabinet designs, the trim, and the finish details:
A real custom home suits the needs of its owners. Hobbies such as cooking or sewing or office needs carry with them some unique needs and require the right cabinetry. Without the right cabinets, a beautiful home is often cluttered with the stuff that doesn't have a place.
William S. Briggs
William S. Briggs, Architect, pllcwilliam@williamsbriggs.com214.696.1988
Choosing the right contractor for your remodeling project turns out to be a much bigger challenge than choosing a contractor for your new home and here's why:
Some things you should ask a contractor before you give them your remodeling assignment are:
Renovation is a contracting speciality and just because a contractor has successfully built new houses is no guarantee or remodeling results.
The short answer is yes, for a while. But...
It takes a good understanding of the short and long term tradeoffs in the choices that you make. Some things you need to think about when balancing your choices are:
One last thought. Extra costs for quality materials typically end up in the mortgage. Costs for repair and maintenance often come at the worst possible time.
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