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Williams S. Briggs, P.L.L.C.

Our new website- http://www.williamsbriggs.com- offers even more inspiration for you as you dream of your new home, next home, or renovating your current home.  

We've worked all around Texas so you'll find examples of our work in neighborhoods like Highland Park, Preston Hollow, Lakewood, Westlake/Vaquero, Graham and more.  

New features include:

  • Pinnable images- save your favorite homes to your Pinterest boards.
  • Portfolio of projects- a sampling of some of our homes. 
  • Projects in-progress- see the action unfold as our projects come to life. 
  • Latest blog articles- insights into design, architecture, and more. 
  • Mobile-friendly- browse on your smartphone with ease.  

William S. Briggs, Architect, PLLC

214.696.1988

William@WilliamsBriggs.com
http://www.williamsbriggs.com

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Entry Way Before Entry way before

Despite the fact that over half my business is ground up new construction, I still love tackling smaller projects such as porches, front entrances, or additions.  As a seasoned architect, it's important to always work with a client's desires and budget in mind.  Smaller renovation or construction projects give me the opportunity to really hone in on the specific design elements that can both enhance and further utilize the space available.  

For example, these pictures show the before and after of a front entrance I worked on recently.  In addition to breaking up the dimension of the home with the addition of stone in the middle, extra natural light was also created through a small dormered window on the second floor.  Changing the front door and window to an arched design adds a somewhat gothic feel to this very traditional brick home.  

If you're thinking about undertaking a small construction project, I would highly recommend consulting with an architect.  Their experience and expertise can help you understand your space better and offer up new ideas for any kind of renovation.  

William S. Briggs, Architect, PLLC
214.696.1988

William@WilliamsBriggs.com
http://www.williamsbriggs.com

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Kitchen- After Renovations

Designing and building a home can be a special experience. Since every homeowner brings unique requirements and experiences to the process, I believe in listening to and incorporating that input into each step of the design process.

In these pictures you can see a kitchen remodel where the owner's tastes and desires are clearly reflected.  Reconfiguring the space made this kitchen a cook's paradise showcasing an open gas range and stainless steel appliances with ample workspace on the marble island.  Updating the backsplash to a shimmering mosaic tile added a modern touch, while the hardwood floors give a rustic warmth to the space.  

We will work together to turn your dreams into sketches, your sketches into plans and your plans into a home of timeless character. Whether it's the front entry, an ideal kitchen, or even the storage in a closet, we want to make sure your needs are met.

William S. Briggs, Architect, PLLC
214.696.1988

William@WilliamsBriggs.com
http://www.williamsbriggs.com

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Over half of all of our projects are new construction and our involvement doesn't end when we hand over the blueprints.  My goal is to make sure that your vision for your home comes to life through the building process.  I work collaboratively with you and the contractors and craftsmen building your home to keep costs down while still achieving exceptional results.  

This four bedroom home in Highland Park is one of our most recently completed new construction projects.  This is clearly not a cookie cutter home.  From the exposed brick walls in the kitchen and dining areas to the vaulted ceilings in the bedrooms, the owner's own tastes and desires were thoughtfully incorporated throughout the home.

William S. Briggs, Architect, PLLC

214.696.1988

William@WilliamsBriggs.com
http://www.williamsbriggs.com

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Your home is probably your most valuable investment. In addition to this financial asset, most families have sentimental and emotional ties to their real estate as well.

That’s why a remodel of your home should not be taken lightly. It may be tempting to make a quick decision, hire a contractor and start knocking down walls. But taking one simple step first will safeguard your investment in your home, while also providing a superior end result. Hire a professional architect.

If your remodeling job is significant in size, or your home is high in value, it is even more critical that you retain the services of a professional architect. In particular, an architect is critical when your project:

  • Costs 5 percent or more of the home’s value
  • Significantly alters the home’s floor plan
  • Makes changes to the building’s exterior
  • Makes changes to a home valued at $500,000 or more
  • Makes changes to a previous renovation.

The expertise of an architect is not limited to building design. Architects understand engineering, ergonomics, construction and more. By choosing the right architect, you will also have a much-needed advocate on your side until your remodeling project reaches its conclusion.

Working with an architect will provide key checks and balances for your project:

  • The architect will examine your home and listen to your project needs. Then, he can design a solution that will make your dreams come true within the structural confines of your existing home, with an eye for visual appeal, flow with the rest of the home, ergonomics and more.
  • The architect will work up floor plans or blue prints and provide approximate building costs. If your ideas bust the budget, an architect can help you decide which elements to keep, and where to compromise. His knowledge of energy consumption, building materials and labor costs can help you economize.
  • The architect can help you sort through contractor bids and select the best company.
  • The architect can work with structural engineers to make the permitting process go smoothly and quickly.
  • The architect can visit during construction to serve as a check on the contractor and to ensure that your vision for the project becomes a reality. The best hands-on architects can also serve as a single point of contact for you, so you don’t have to deal with multiple contractors and subcontractors during the remodeling process.
  • The architect can provide feedback, guidance and more to subcontractors, interior designers, landscape contractors and other professionals to ensure that everyone is working from the same concept.

Do you have a remodeling project you would like to discuss? Contact William S. Briggs at 214-696-1988.

 

William S. Briggs, Architect, PLLC
214.696.1988

William@WilliamsBriggs.com
http://www.williamsbriggs.com

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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.com
http://www.williamsbriggs.com

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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: 

  • Where can I keep an eye on my kids while they do their homework?
  • Do I want everyone to see my coffee maker and blender?
  • Can I get to the kitchen in my pajamas without showing my outfit to the neighbors?
  • Where are we going to eat pizza after the soccer game?
  • Where is everyone going to kick off their shoes and drop their backpacks, purses or briefcases?
  • Where do I charge my iPhone?

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, PLLC
214.696.1988

William@WilliamSBriggs.com
http://www.williamsbriggs.com

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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.   

William S. Briggs, Architect, PLLC
214.696.1988

William@WilliamsBriggs.com
http://www.williamsbriggs.com

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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:

  1. Cabinet vendors like to build what they have built before. Innovation may not be their best quality.
  2. Cabinet vendors are great at making cabinets, but are not especially trained in aesthetics or do they always take time to understand your unique storage needs.
  3. Interior designers may understand an overall look to be achieved but typically cannot communicate it accurately and comprehensively to the cabinet guy (by drawings and dimensions).  This puts too much reliance on the cabinet maker without much real control and coordination.
  4. If there is some gap in understanding about the mouldings, cabinets or how the tile or stone is ordered and installed or detailed, the architect is the best source for the resolution, provided the architect has produced the information.
  5. Tile and stone orders will be more accurate, and the details of how the finishes are done will be better refined.
  6. Pricing process of stone, tile, trim and cabinets will be more definitive and accurate.
  7. Scheduling will be much more accurate.

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, pllc
william@williamsbriggs.com
214.696.1988

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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:

  • Renovation Requires Flexibility - Every new home follows a fairly standard construction schedule. Each renovation has a unique schedule and the contractor has to be quick to spot problems and adjust schedules as problems arise.
  • Renovation Requires More Supervision - Contractors are not on a job site at all times. When a house schedule is following a standard plan, supervision can become routine. During remodeling, time is usually much more compressed and scheduling between tradesman is much tighter and more subject to problems. A remodeling job requires a contractor to be on the job site much more than a typical new home.

Some things you should ask a contractor before you give them your remodeling assignment are:

  1. What percentage of your work is new versus remodeling? - If they do little remodeling work, then they will struggle with the transition at your expense.
  2. How much time do you spend on the job site? - The more time on the site, the more a contractor will minimize your costs and time.
  3. How do you handle unknown problems? - The correct answer is to stop, get everyone together and regroup. If a contractor guesses wrong and proceeds, it can be very costly to undo this mistake later.

Renovation is a contracting speciality and just because a contractor has successfully built new houses is no guarantee or remodeling results.

William S. Briggs

William S. Briggs, Architect, pllc
william@williamsbriggs.com
214.696.1988