ABOUT

We offer services ranging from super basic and quick to super detailed with a lot of design work.  Where we really shine is right in the middle.  Most of our clients have a good idea of what they want, have a sketch and pictures to draw inspiration from, but need some help with the particulars.

We usually have a waitlist for our more time intensive services, but that's because a lot of folks out there feel it's worth the wait.  If you're not sure what you want, find the whole prospect of building a home overwhelming, want to make sure you really get it right from the beginning to keep changes to a minimum during construction, or if you just really find the whole 3D thing super cool . . .contact us.

WHY BUILDING 313?

Multiple Options

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Check this out . . .

Need something like a closet redo? Not sure exactly what you want? Not a problem. . . We can show you a variety of options and you can choose what you like best.

Like part of one and part of another? That's fine, too.  Just give me a little bit of time and I'll work my magic to create a smash-up that is all you.
The pictures above show nine options for one closet.  This is a long, narrow (and tall!) closet shown with the front wall removed.  There are endless possibilities for what to do with any space, but this just shows how we can come up with several different solutions for any given space.  Just give me a list of the things you need, want, and don't want.  Prioritize your list and I'll do my best to give you as many things on your wishlist as possible!  (Click on any of the pictures on this page to see a larger version.)

FYI:  The closet above was in a historical home.  It was originally two smaller closets.  The intention was to take the wall out between the two small closets and make it one larger, well functioning space that was also in keeping with the feel of the rest of the home.  There were tight parameters regarding the walls not being moved, hence the need for very detailed plans that gave as much storage as possible, while still allowing room to move in the space.

The images to the right show one of the above design options from several different angles, including inside with the front wall shown.

We can do any level of detail, from super basic, to extremely detailed and look at it from almost any angle.

Customized Level of Detail

Don't need all that "fancy" stuff?  That's fine . . .we can keep it simple.  Just need a floor plan put to scale or to see if it will work?  That's fine, we can do that.  We can do a really basic plan that just covers your needs, if that's what you want. 

However, there may be times when you really value a higher level of detail . . .

Have a problem like the one above that needs solving?  A tight constraint on the amount of space available for something?  If you're wanting to make sure something looks just right, or to eek out every amount of possible storage space tailored just to your needs, then taking the time to work it all out is well worth it.

Are you building your "forever home"?  When you plan to live and function in a space for the rest of your days on Earth, you usually want to make sure it's exactly what you want.

Many of our clients are also thinking ahead to their later years.  Aging in place is continuing to gain popularity.  Many people would rather stay in their own home as long as they can, so many of our clients (even if they're relatively young) are considering things like wheelchair accessibility.  That doesn't mean that they put in super wide doors everywhere and make the whole home look like a hospital.  However, it means that they give the design of their home certain considerations.  There are choices we can make that can make conversions easier later on down the road. 

Kitchens and bathrooms.  People usually spend a LOT of time in their kitchens and bathrooms (plus that's where a large percentage of your money goes when building) so they really need to be well thought out.  They also need to look how you want them to look!  There are certain decisions that shouldn't be left up to chance.  I can help you wade through all the possibilities and pin down something that is perfect for YOUR space.  Not just what got stuck in there or something "that will work" or is "just ok".  

A Personal Designer

Most of you will be working with me (Megan) . . . I'm ridiculously passionate about what I do and won't stop until everything is just right!  From the big things to the small things, I feel very strongly about the look, feel, and function of a home.  I treat every project as if it were my own.  I like to have homeowners be as involved as possible . . .I don't see it as me designing something FOR you.  I see it as us designing something TOGETHER.  There's a big difference.  Now, if you simply want me to design something for you, I can.  However, the magic really happens when we work together.  I feel like every home has its own personality and that it reflects the owners, the ones that occupy it.  That goes for new construction projects and existing homes alike.  There's something that the space wants to be, and there's something that you want it to be . . .when we find the perfect blend of those two, it's golden!

The fact that I cater the level of detail and service to what every client needs and wants means there's nothing cookie cutter around here.  Every single project is different.  Just as each house is different and each client is different.  This isn't a one size fits all, it's what do you need and want and I'll do my best to make that happen for you.

I work very hard to create a space that you're in love with.  That doesn't mean that you always get everything on your list!  Unfortunately compromise is something I have to deal with way too often.  (Compromise is my biggest four letter word.)  The struggle is real!  However, I encourage all of my clients to prioritize their needs and wants so I can give you as many things as possible. 

I'm very big on communication.  I might ask a million (or so it seems) questions and some of them might not seem related to what it appears I'm working on.  A lot of times I'm simply trying to get a picture of how you live and what you like.  This is most true for kitchens!  There are a lot of choices to be made.  I know people hire me not only for my skills with my software, but also for my professional opinion.  Since there are many decisions to be made, I try to balance having you be as involved as possible, with helping take as much load off your shoulders as possible.  I have many times told a client I was working on such and such space and asked if they had an idea for what they wanted there or if they wanted me to just do what I would do if it were my house and go from there.  I think probably 99% of the time that's what we do.  It gives us a place to start and usually we are able to get where we need to go with just a little bit of tweaking.  Sometimes it takes a little bit more work, and we go in a different direction that we wouldn't have found had it not been for the first attempt.  That's ok, as long as we end up at the happy place in the end!

And that's my big goal . . .end at the happy place!  I think you'd be hard pressed to find someone out there with my combination of passion, skills, and desire to make the spaces I design just right for YOU. 

Never underestimate the value of a good eye!  If that makes no sense to you and I'm speaking Greek . . .what that means is I know when something looks good, and I know when it doesn't look good.  What that means for YOU is that you end up with things that look GOOD.  Window proportions look right, spaces with cabinetry feel balanced, etc.  You might not feel that's something important to you (it is to most people, but not everyone), and that's ok.  But you're the one that will be functioning in the space every day . . .wouldn't you rather have it look "right" as opposed to not?  You are the one who will be looking at it! Every time you walk into a room, I want you to think, "Man! That looks gooood!"

HOW DOES IT ALL HAPPEN?

Revit

I use special software designed just for architecture, that allows you to see your project from any angle, inside or out.  This is a tremendous tool that really gives you an advantage.  Some people can look at a floor plan and visualize what that will look like in real life.  Some people can't.  And that's ok.  I use this in both a technical manner, to pull information like dimensions from floor plans and elevations, and in an aesthetic manner, to look at 3D and perspective views to simply get a feel for a space.  Want to know how far it is from this wall to that one?  No problem.  Want to see how much head room there is under your stairs to see if you can squeeze a closet under there?  Or put a mechanical component?  No problem.  I can show you what any area of the house looks like to help you see what it will look like when finished.

Meetings and Communications

​I work from home, and while I do have a home office where clients can come to meet with me, most of the conversation happens online.  While it's often not necessary for us to meet in person, designing a home is a very intimate and involved experience.  Creating a space where you live your life is deeply personal and I tend to become friends with most of my clients.  For that reason, I do like to meet with you in person if possible!  Usually, clients will come to my office for their initial consultation, and then we may not see each other in person for the remainder of the project.  If you aren't able to come meet with me because you don't live in my area or because your schedule just doesn't allow, don't stress it.  We can also do our initial consultation over the phone.  In our initial meeting we'll discuss what you're wanting to do, what you need my help with, the different ways I can help you, and us getting to know each other a little bit.  We might be doing our conversing over the phone or online, BUT we do work pretty closely together and sometimes I speak a "strange" language . . .we need to get along!  Obviously, if you're doing an addition or a remodel, I need to come see the space, so if it's necessary for the project I will come to you.  I do this for projects that are relatively local to me.  I handle those outside my local area on a case by case basis.  It is sometimes possible to obtain what I need through pictures and your measurements (or those of your builder).  Not sure?  Just ask.

So after that first meeting, I really normally send a lot of e-mails . . .and ideally you send me a lot back.  See, it's the feedback I get from YOU that makes the house we design your home.  I'm doing my best to tailor your spaces to you, so I want to know what you think.  I'll send a lot of pictures of things like floor plans, elevations, and 3D views.  I usually explain anything that needs explaining, and will ask you what you think . . .or I'll give you a few different options and see which you like the best.  We work back and forth like this during the entire process.  If you don't live too far away, you're welcome to come by my office for pit-stops along the way.  It's really helpful to see the project in the computer and usually if we sit down at the computer with you right next to me, I can tackle a few issues quickly while I have instant feedback.  If you don't live near me, or you just can't get over here, we can also simulate this experience by doing a video conference of sorts.  I can share my computer screen with you (I send you a link to click) while we can talk on the phone.  It's the next best thing to looking over my shoulder, and it can even be done while we're both in our jammies!  (Seriously, have done this multiple times in pajamas.)

So as you can see, this is a process that takes a LOT of communication.  However, I know you're busy (so am I!), so I do my best to make it easy on you.  When I started this business I wanted to do most of my correspondence by e-mail because I didn't have an office space set up for clients to come to me.  I had to go to them, so obviously, I didn't want to impose on them every time I needed to show them something.  Well, I quickly discovered that most people prefer it that way!  I don't know why I was so surprised, but people these days are B-U-S-Y.  It's much more convenient on both ends to e-mail.

I do my best to find a flow of communication that works between the two of us, but the important thing is that we DO communicate!  It does save a lot of time for us to communicate by e-mail, so you don't have to come by my office every couple of days.  However, you do need to be able to dedicate the time to be able to review the information I send you and get back with me.  It doesn't have to be immediate, and I understand that you need time to review and think things over.  I usually have other things I can work on in the meantime.  However, sometimes I reach a point where I absolutely need you to make a call on something and I can't move forward until I have that answer.  I will always tell you when I reach that point on anything!  Just keep in mind that when you get back with me in a timely manner, and you really go over everything I send you so you give me solid answers it helps the project to move forward more quickly AND it helps us to avoid changes later on.  Late changes can take me a lot of time, and I usually have to charge extra if we have a lot of them.  The best way to avoid this is simply to be thorough with what I send you and do your best to answer all of my questions.  I say this so you can make a decision as to whether this is a good time to work with me or not.  People often ask me how long it will take to complete their project.  I can't ever say for sure, but I CAN say that a lot of it depends on how quickly and completely you get back with me.  So if you're thinking about starting a project, but just don't have the time to dedicate to it . . .no worries, just wait for a time when you can give it the proper amount of attention, and when you're ready, give me a call.  I'll be here.

Putting It All Together

​So you can see it's the combination of the technology as well as the communication heavy process we use that gives us that end product that is typically quite great.  When we complete the process you'll have a design that should meet your needs and that you love as well as a set of construction documents that will have everything you need to get started building.


​Former Clients

Don't just take my word for it.  If you'd like to see what a few of my past clients have to say about working with me, go check out the reviews on my Houzz page.  If you'd like to call some references before working with me, not a problem.  Just ask and I'll be glad to give you the names of a few of my past clients whose projects would be a good point of comparison for you.  Please be respectful of these good folks who are generous enough to take the time to discuss their personal project with potential clients of mine: Serious Inquires Only.
Houzz