Ask Mason tagged 'design' http://www.remodelrichmond.com Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:20:04 -1800 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Chic-Coutertops-for-the-Granite-Averse.html/Itemid,28/ <p class="MsoNormal">I went shopping today with a client that was disinclined to use granite tops in her new kitchen.&nbsp; As my readers may know, I am a huge fan of the diversity of design possibilities, as well as the fairly indestructible quality of granite countertops.&nbsp; On the flip side, the designer in me loathes the wasted opportunity of plopping-down the same stuff as appears in nearly every other high-end kitchen in town.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNorma [...] Mason Sun, 19 Jul 2009 01:00:00 -1800 remodeling kitchens green granite design countertops http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Lets-Not-Say-Cheap-Rather....html/Itemid,28/ <p>&nbsp;In this economy, many of our remodeling-happy customers have a renewed interest in cost-sensitive improvements.&nbsp; As usual, we ALL want to achieve the greatest impact; the most WOW factor for our investment.</p><p>Regardless the economic situation, some folks just cannot leave things alone, around their homes.&nbsp; We refer to them as serial remodelers.&nbsp; Bless their souls!</p><p>I&#39;ll be posting a series of great ideas along these lines in upcoming pieces.&nbsp; Let&#39;s n [...] Mason Tue, 05 May 2009 01:00:00 -1800 value renovation remodeling millwork design http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Roofing-an-Addition.html/Itemid,28/ <p>Mason:</p><p>I have a house with a slate roof.&nbsp; I am thinking about putting on an addition but fear that continuing the slate would be very expensive.&nbsp; Is there a less-costly alternative that would not look too disjointed?&nbsp; I was thinking of a metal roof of some kind.&nbsp; What do you think?</p><p>DM,&nbsp; Richmond, VA</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Dear DM:</p><p>OK; first... determine your favorite roof song of all time:</p><p>When this old world starts getting me down, and people are [...] Mason Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:00:00 -1800 value roofing remodeling design additions http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Color-My-World---21.html/Itemid,28/ &nbsp; The psychological influence of our environment is undeniable.&nbsp; As the Creator established and continually transforms our natural environment, we designers of city plans, architecture, landscape, interiors and decorative / industrial goods exert a similar influence on the built environment. <p>I will be the first to admit that picking colors is not my primary area of competence.&nbsp; Architectural design, however, is only a piece of what makes our built environment &quot;come alive&q [...] Mason Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:00:00 -1800 remodeling design http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Porch-on-Piers-Better-than-a-Porsche-with-Beers.html/Itemid,28/ &nbsp; <p>Mason,</p><p>I just purchased a home in the Bon Air area.&nbsp; It has a nice screened porch on the back which I simply love.&nbsp; My only concern is that it is built on piers.&nbsp; It appears to be structurally sound but it concerns me that it does not have a complete-solid foundation.&nbsp; Am I over-reacting or is this something I should be concerned about?&nbsp; </p><p>- BP, Chesterfield, VA&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Congratulations on your new home!&nbsp; It is so exciting to mak [...] Mason Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:00:00 -1800 design decks http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Good-Design.html/Itemid,28/ <p>The current issue of dwell magazine includes an essay entitled &quot;What We Talk About When We Talk About Good Design&quot;.&nbsp; What, indeed, is good design?&nbsp; </p><p>The piece aptly points out that the term is as na&iuml;ve as it is loaded (surely, too, the same might be said of &quot;good taste&quot; but we&#39;ll leave that argument to Martha Stewart and Charley the Tuna).</p><p>To prime your pump, quoting from the article:&nbsp; It suggests such an apparent universality that any o [...] Mason Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:00:00 -1800 remodeling remodeling design design http://www.remodelrichmond.com/component/option,com_myblog/show,Good-Design.html/Itemid,28/ <p>The current issue of dwell magazine includes an essay entitled &quot;What We Talk About When We Talk About Good Design&quot;.&nbsp; What, indeed, is good design?&nbsp; </p><p>The piece aptly points out that the term is as na&iuml;ve as it is loaded (surely, too, the same might be said of &quot;good taste&quot; but we&#39;ll leave that argument to Martha Stewart and Charley the Tuna).</p><p>To prime your pump, quoting from the article:&nbsp; It suggests such an apparent universality that any o [...] Mason Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:00:00 -1800 remodeling remodeling design design