My 6 Rules of Design
1) “Remodel”: Saying this term engages the creative process, where as the terms ‘repair’, ‘replace’, ‘fix’ and ‘work on’ tend to direct our choices to what is immediately available.
2) Budget: The critical boundary, the frame around the picture. Subtract the total costs for planning, permits and desired finish amenities from the budget to find if you have enough to make structural changes. It is far simpler to find alternative finished products than to alter a complete design. Also, reserve an allowance to correct undetected problems, 5% for newer homes and up to 15% for older homes.
3) Design: Without prior experience you can know when a plan works well for you, because it feels right.
A.) A wonderful design owes as much to circumstance and surroundings as it does to the balance of space, light, and the physical elements.
B.) You are not limited to what has been done before, and knowing the tolerances of building materials will in part widen the latitude for design potential.
C.) Proceeding with a balanced design that later has a portion reduced or enlarged later often produces long-term dissatisfaction.
4) As-built (existing plan) Identify:
A.) Structural supports and bearing points
B.) All utility service routes and capacities
C.) Erase non-essential walls, ceilings, cabinetry, etc, that obstructs the view for re-design, thus allowing more room for possibilities.
D.) Verify property markers, local building guidelines, and private neighborhood codes.
E.) Remember to consider how your project will affect neighboring properties.
5) Floor Plan: The key to success. This alone outweighs all of the other features and elements of the home and property combined, and is by far the most expensive to correct. Simply with paper, pencil, ruler and eraser, you can ensure that the arrangement of spaces & traffic patterns, volumes & quantities, orientations, accessibility, and privacy are all accommodated for and relative to your lifestyle.
6) Start: Make 2 lists. I want / I don’t want.
”I want” includes EVERYTHING, regardless of cost.
”I don’t want” includes everything – Remember, what has been tolerated is often forgotten.