Windows

So What Is A Passive House?

  • Posted on Nov 9, 2016

Way back in 2012 we moved into our newly renovated townhouse here in Hoboken.  It was built to the Passive House standards and I had planned to do a post about this type of construction… well, better late than never! Here are three Passive house projects we have currently in the works…yes, THREE!   We’d like to ... Read More

Small Space… Big Character! Week #5

  • Posted on Sep 14, 2016

Staying on the house we’ve been looking at for the last few posts, this week we have what seems like a no brainer but takes some effort and planning.  The big ideas is… the less sheetrock the better! Any time we can showcase more interesting building materials, we seize the opportunity. [Mowery Marsh Architects, Photo ... Read More

So What’s The Big Idea? Week #2!

  • Posted on Aug 21, 2016

Let’s look at the same project as last week with another planning trick to make what would be small rooms feel more spacious and airy.  It’s an en suite bathroom that can be fully open to the bedroom. Not just a dinky little doorway, but a full-on glass wall of sliding doors so these separate ... Read More

Hoboken Brownstone: Demolition

  • Posted on Jan 22, 2012

This is the second post in the series, Hoboken Brownstone.  I plan to document the entire construction process so we’ll start with the not so glamorous stuff… demolition!   But first, we needed to do some exploratory work at the basement slab to finalize the drawings for the building department… and in our case zoning approval.  ... Read More

Back On Bloomfield!

  • Posted on Nov 21, 2011

I can’t believe it’s been a year since my last post…and what a year it has been!  Last September we were knee deep in our own renovation, living in my sister-in-laws house… all 4 of us bunked in one room.  It was quite the bonding experience and we owe Karen the world! And we said what everyone says… “Let’s ... Read More

Not Exactly A Farmhouse

  • Posted on Sep 11, 2010

I’ve been meaning to write the second half to my previous post:    New Windows: Part I.   Well, here it is!  I’m sure you’re excited, so let’s have at it… I have a project that is just finishing up (and for sale) and it dawned on me that it’s a good case study on how to ... Read More

Splitsville

  • Posted on May 14, 2010

I’m really excited about a current project of mine…but you might think I’m joking, ’cause it’s a split-level!  Yes, that ubiquitous housing type that was created during the suburban sprawl boom of the 50’s and 60’s.   Here’s one we all know and love… Brady Bunch house as of 1995 Photo: Flickr Actually this house is much more interesting than the split-levels we ... Read More

Wall Of Curtain

  • Posted on May 7, 2010

I took this photo the other day of the kids hanging out in the windows.  It’s their favorite spot and rightfully so.  Even though I snapped it on a whim to capture a childhood moment, it also happens to document the first ‘design move’ I made on our house.  It’s a simple one, but bears mentioning… ... Read More

New Windows: Part IazXC

  • Posted on Mar 3, 2010

In a previous post, I showed some images with black window sashes… and that got me thinking about windows.  I like a window sash that contrasts with the trim and the walls… windows are such a great detail feature, why not make them stand out.  Like we did here with stained Douglas fir windows… But before I ... Read More