DESIGN BLOG

Jim Wright 6/11/24 Jim Wright 6/11/24

“The Room Out Back”

This stunning addition, designed by our team and built by Dave Osmond Builders, seamlessly expands our clients' French Country home's outdoor living space. Two decades after crafting their dream home, we were thrilled to work with our clients again on this new chapter.

“The Room Out Back”, as it came to be known, has become quite the talk of the town. It has won the Local and Regional NARI CotY awards, as well as a BIA Annual Big Night award.

A Vision Realized, Together

Imagine this: A charming, separate pavilion awaits, accessible by a picturesque, paved walkway. Envision a place for effortless entertaining, quiet relaxation with a good book, all while surrounded by nature's beauty. Retractable screens ensure year-round comfort, while heat extends the season's embrace. A wood-burning fireplace adds warmth and ambiance, while electrical access allows for lighting, fans, and even smart speakers. The design echoes the original home, creating a cohesive feel as if both were built together.

Bringing Dreams to Life

As showcased in the photos, we, alongside Dave Osmond Builders, successfully translated our clients' desires into this captivating reality. It's easy to imagine the countless moments of joy and relaxation happening within "The Room Out Back.

Ready to Create Your Own Outdoor Escape?

Whether you dream of a backyard oasis like "The Room Out Back" or envision a different outdoor haven, our Residential Designed Solutions team possesses the expertise to bring your vision to life. Let's collaborate! Call us at 614-430-0027 and get started on your personalized outdoor escape.

Jim Wright 10/4/23 Jim Wright 10/4/23

Move to a New Home or Remodel Your Existing Home?

A significant dilemma that some homeowners face is whether to move to a new home or remodel your existing home. Both options have positives and negatives. When our RDS designers meet with clients, some are not sure what they are going to do until we talk through viable options for a remodel design.

This decision relies on several factors that depend on your specific circumstances, preferences, finances, and more.

Factors to Consider for Moving or Remodeling:

Neighborhood and Location: Where your home is currently can play a big part in your decision to remodel or move. If it is in the neighborhood you love with the schools you want your kids to attend, you might not want to move. Your commute to work, nearby shopping, and access to school events may be important for your plans. Is your overall lifestyle what you want it to be? Researching potential new neighborhoods can help you decide if a move will align with your family’s preferences or if you want to stay in your existing home.
Emotional Attachment: The sentimental value you have or don’t have for your home is an important consideration. If leaving too many memories behind is an issue, remodeling can keep the emotional connections you desire.
Budget: Is it cheaper to renovate or move? Compare the costs of remodeling (renovation costs, design fees, permits, relocation costs (if you must be out of your home)) with those of moving (closing costs, down payment, moving expenses. Compare these costs to decide what aligns with your financial situation.
The Market: What is the current real estate market in your area? If it is here in Columbus, this is still a seller’s market. With a low available inventory, selling will be advantageous, but buying could be an issue.
Your Family’s Needs Now and in the Future: Do you need space for a home office, more bedrooms, or a play area for the kids? Does your kitchen function for your family? Anticipating your family’s needs could lead you to your decision.

The Ideal Home Size:

Meeting your needs now and in the future is the cornerstone for the ideal home size. The future growth of your family could sway you from your current home if adding square footage won’t be enough.
Prioritizing functional spaces over sheer square footage is important. A remodel with a nod to focusing on creating functional spaces that serve specific purposes could keep you in your home. On the flip side, a larger home or more square footage might be your ideal size.
Smaller homes are generally more energy-efficient, with lower utility bills and a reduced environmental footprint. Where does your ideal home size fall in this scenario?
A larger home is more maintenance and more upkeep.

Reasons to Upgrade Square Footage:

Lifestyle Changes: A growing family, separate spaces for teenagers, or room for aging parents are all changing family dynamics and are valuable reasons to add square footage to your existing home.
Increased livability: More space equals more comfort, flexibility, better function, and more room.
Home Office or Gym: Work from home is here to stay for many people. As is the home gym. Highlighting the importance of these spaces has brought them back into the home is a big way. Adding square footage can accommodate a well-designed workspace or a home gym.
Resale Value: If done well, adding square footage will add to the resale value of your home. The return on investment is worth considering.

The decision to move or remodel is a personal one, influenced by factors like your budget, lifestyle, and long-term plans. Our designers are here to design a new home or make your existing home what you envision it could be. Whether you choose to move to a new home or invest in upgrading the square footage of your existing home, remember that the ultimate goal is to create a home that aligns with your needs and lifestyle.

Jim Wright 9/15/23 Jim Wright 9/15/23

What We Know and are Learning About Intel and its Impact on the Surrounding Communities

We are learning a great deal these days about the impact of Intel (an American manufacturer of semiconductor computer circuits) and what it means for development. As home designers at Residential Designed Solutions, we have a vested interest in understanding development needs so that we are able to service the incoming teams from Intel, Amazon, Facebook, and Google. While we can’t see into the future, we’ve been reading, listening, and paying attention. In some way, most of us will be impacted by Intel.

Projections as to where Intel will impact the central Ohio landscape are wide reaching, but we do feel certain communities will be the ones that will feel the most impact. As you can see from this map, we placed Intel and foresee impacts to these communities at least 45 miles away from that development.

While many people here in Ohio will be talking in terms of job opportunities—at RDS we are looking at the impact on housing. How many new employees will move to the area? What type of relocation incentives will be offered? How much development will be needed?

What we know:

Executives relocating here are going to be accustomed to long commutes
School systems and the quality of life are critical to the decisions of where people want to live
Every person/family will have a distinct set of goals and a unique perspective on what their idea of home will mean

What we need to address as a region to sustain and deal with the growth:

Planning
Zoning—where can new houses be built
Economic development
Transportation and road infrastructure needs
Water and sewer issues
Understanding the communities’ values and how these can be maintained and understood

Who we are learning from:

1. Columbus Business First

Per a recent article from Columbus Business First, at a recent presentation hosted by MA Design, an interesting stat was presented. “The Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) project is the largest economic development win ever in Ohio and comes with an initial $20 billion investment, 3,000 direct jobs, a7,000 construction jobs and an estimated $405 million in annual payroll.” In addition, it states in the article that Intel may grow to over eight facilities.

2. Betsy Goldstein

Betsy Goldstein, director of business development for MA Design and owner of Betsy Goldstein Consulting, is one the most knowledgeable people speaking about Intel right now. She is instrumental in helping leaders around central Ohio prepare for growth.

Her presentations, “Intel on Intel” have been providing updates and information people need to know. These are some of the takeaways we have culled from her various presentations and videos in the past few months. We encourage you to seek out her presentations to learn more. This video is thorough, interesting and worth watching.

One of the reasons this site was chosen is because there has never been a seismic event in the area and building microchips need to be created in a completely stable and precise area.
There is a new airport in the planning stage, and the construction of it has moved to the forefront with the building of Intel. This should happen within the next decade.
Commute times will be longer.
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) believes the central Ohio region is on track to reach 3.15 million residents by 2050. This equates to about 726,000 more people.
Landowners are under some pressure to sell their land and their decision to sell or not, with mounting pressure, especially with the land near Intel’s site.
Sections of roads will be widened and connected to other roads to create better access, which will impact various communities. While there is talk of an I-370, at this time, that does not appear to be in the works.
There will be an educational investment from Intel of $100M. They want students to be future Intel employees. The arts, sciences, and math will all be impacted. They also have relationships with higher level learning.
There are 2 FABS (Fabrication facilities) to make microchips, (which are in everything) planned for now, but that number should grow.
The landscape in central Ohio will change.
The site will be beautiful, filled with amenities, and pleasing to the eye.
Housing, schools, retail, and healthcare will all grow because of Intel.
People will want to live near the Intel site and will want amenities.
What Columbus looks like today will be vastly different in the future.
SR 161 will be widened between Interstate 270 and US Route 62.
The average salary of an Intel employee is around $130K and most will be younger and tech savvy.
There is a serious need for affordable housing in the areas we know and love.

This article might be of interest to you as well.

3. Neighborhood Strategies

Neighborhood Strategies is helping Licking County communities impacted by Intel to understand, build, and create economic development, planning, and zoning. This is such an evolving project that no one knows all the impacts and how far-reaching this project will go, but their goal is to provide impactful strategies for community development. This team, led by Jim Lenner, is working closely with Etna Township, Hanover Township, Hebron, Madison Township, and Perry Township, developing comprehensive plans to help them grow and understand what is coming their way. Their website might be a useful source for you as a homeowner, someone moving to the area, or a business, to check on their strategies and progress as this development unfolds.

We are excited and intrigued by all the potential possibilities Intel brings to our communities and homeowners in central Ohio. Our design professionals are ready to help you visualize your dreams for a new home, addition, or renovation. Contact us today at 614-430-0027 or via our website.

Jim Wright 7/11/23 Jim Wright 7/11/23

Remodel underway in Upper Arlington

This Upper Arlington home had been added onto multiple times over the years and had turned into a hodge-podge of spaces that didn’t flow. The owners wanted to open the main living spaces to the exterior living area and the incredible views. A second story was added to increase the number of total bedrooms. One additional goal: give this home a new, contemporary identity.

The new entryway takes FULL advantage of the light and lot views.

After | Owner’s Study, Family Entrance/Mudroom (to the right)

This beautiful view is one of the reasons the owners fell in love with the property.

In Progress: Living area, with views of the back patio and yard

In Progress: Living area with dining beyond

We can’t wait to update you on this project! Stay tuned for some posts on social and another blog post!

In the meantime, if we can help you with a project please let us know! Drop us a line on our website or give us a call at 614.430.0027. We’d love to chat.

Jim Wright 2/16/23 Jim Wright 2/16/23

This Project Led to a CotY Win!

Great things not only happen when we work alone, but also when we work together. That was the case when we partnered with Anne Rogers, Anne Rogers Interiors, to help design a remodel of this historic farmhouse. We were asked to help with some issues with the first floor and create an addition of a second story owner’s suite.

While we weren’t initially involved in this project, when Anne called, we were intrigued. We’ve worked with Anne on many projects over the years and have a quality working relationship.

What you may not know is that this farmhouse remodel recently was awarded the 2022 NARI of Central Ohio (CotY) Residential Historic Renovation/Restoration! We were thrilled to receive this award along with Anne Rogers Interiors. Great things happen when we work together.

The historic home is over 150 years old and has been in the same family for 7 generations. A huge 2-story addition was added in the early 1900s and it was changed to the American Four Square style it is today with wraparound porch at that time. There were structural issues in the 1900 addition that we addressed. The removal of an existing attached shed allowed us to reconfigure the first floor and create a second story owner’s suite. The new first floor now offers a half bath and has a large new kitchen and dining area with built-in banquet.

The homeowners wanted to retain as much of the charm and character of the home, while updating it and creating better function for this busy family.

Take a moment to view these photos and appreciate the history of the home.

Are you searching for a design team to help you and your clients reconfigure space and create better flow and function for their home? Our team would be honored to work with you on your client’s next project. Contact us here or call.

Photography by KMiller Photography

Jim Wright 2/15/23 Jim Wright 2/15/23

A Winning Team—Anne Rogers, Anne Rogers Interiors and Jim Wright, RDS

Collaboration is the key to success for many people. This was the case with a Historic Farmhouse project that Anne Rogers, of Anne Rogers Interiors, had spent several years meeting with the client and planning the remodel. But when there were some issues, Anne called Jim for his guidance and help with the plans.

The result, a gorgeous remodel that pays homage to the 200-year-old farmhouse and a NARI of Central Ohio CotY Contractor of the Year Award: Residential Historical Renovation/Restoration win!

We asked Anne to share a bit about the project and why she collaborates with Residential Designed Solutions.

How did you come to be working with RDS for this project?

I’ve known Jim for a long time. For this farmhouse renovation, I met with the client (who is a 7th generation owner of the home) over a period of several years to discuss this renovation. There were some issues with the house, and I decided I needed to bring in an architect to help with the plan. I asked Jim, owner of RDS, to work with me on the project. We both met with the client, and everyone hit it off well. Jim took my vision and was able to create the perfect additions and changes to the home. We added a bump out addition in the dining room with a big bank of windows and other changes to the first floor. While his original design didn’t include the 2nd floor on the top of the new addition for the main bathroom and closet, I had him design that as well. It was the perfect change to the original plan.

Jim is very easy to work with! Over the past thirty years we have worked together on many projects.

What was your favorite part of this project?

This project was so interesting because of the history of the home. I got to restore history by taking something the client loved and making it more functional and more beautiful.

Every time we open the guts of a home, we never know what we will find. The owners wanted to keep the home as true to its history as possible. When we demoed, we salvaged the original oak 2x4s for various projects including countertops and a 10-foot kitchen table. We took reclaimed wood and built a new mantel for the fireplace. When we did the addition on the house, we tore off the porch but kept the old siding to make the barn door for the main closet. We also used old fencing as shiplap in the back hallway. We matched the original casings and created a second newel post to match the original newel post. New windows were made to replicate the existing (still in use) original windows.

We exposed the original exterior brick (with the homeowner’s help), now part of the interior of the house on the staircase, the living room, guest room, and the main bedroom.

Back in the day, they threw bottles, tools, and crockery over the hillside and around the foundation. The homeowners had found of these items over the years as we were digging. I asked if we could use items from their collection. We even found some when we were digging around the foundation for the new addition. We cleaned them up and used whatever we could to keep the history alive in the home. Some bottles went on the table, crockery has flowers in them, and the original farm sign is hanging in the kitchen. They have dishes and glassware from her aunt, who previously owned the farmhouse, so if we were able to find a place for them, we have them displayed or in use.

We were grateful to have the owners take part as well. The homeowner did a lot of the work by helping with demo, prepping areas, landscaping and other outdoor work, and was there every day.

We took away the ugly, added many beautiful elements, and stayed true to the farmhouse’s history and the fact it is still a farm.

How was your overall experience when working with RDS?

It is always a great process. The designers at RDS are incredibly talented. The documents I receive are always very accurate. They first sketch the design, and once we decide on the sketch plan, then it moves onto a blueprint—this can make it a lengthy process, but it works. The preliminary sketches don’t ever take us down the wrong path and corrections can easily be made before the work moves to the blueprints.

What type of projects does Jim complete for you and your clients?

We recently finished a new build in Evans Farm. Jim was the [residential] designer on it, and I was hired as the designer by the client to take them though the build out process. I hired RDS to help me with a “detached” office project that needed to connect to a breezeway, working with them to figure that out. Ultimately, we didn’t do that project because of the price to do it, but the collaboration was spot on. I’ve worked with Jim many times over the years with new builds where he is the architect/designer and then I come in as the interior designer. Now I bring him in on my renovation projects as needed.

What services do you appreciate that RDS provides?

The reason I continually choose them is that they are all very creative. They work well with us as a team, they listen to me, and when I bring specs with what I need in a design, the documentation is always excellent. They are great communicators, which I feel is really important. I like their style and the way they do things.

Would you use RDS again?

Yes absolutely. They are one of my first go-to groups!

If you are a designer, contractor, builder, or remodeler, we would be excited to collaborate with you on your next project. Reach out to us here or give us a call at 614.430.0027.

Jim Wright 9/8/20 Jim Wright 9/8/20

1970's Contemporary Transformed

Small project turned giant undertaking: a remodel of our client's entire house! Stripped down to the footers, this cold, 1970's contemporary was built up into a warm and welcoming craftsman home.

Sometimes what a client thinks they want doesn’t become what they envisioned—it becomes so such more! Our clients were imagining an updated and opened up sunroom on the back of their home. But this cold, 1970’s contemporary home took on a life of its own and turned into a giant undertaking: a remodel of the ENTIRE house. What started as a conversation about the sunroom became a series of “What if?” questions and we were happy to oblige. The house was taken down to the footers and built back up into a warm and welcoming craftsman home.

Our clients wanted an entry porch with open beam work, similar to something we’d created for a neighboring home. But because of the u-shape of their home, there wasn’t a way to capture the look they were after without floating the porch between the guest wing and garage like the option that was ultimately chosen.

Some of the most used spaces in the home went from being separate rooms to utilizing open plan living, with each room delineated with furniture and decor, and the spaces all open to one another.

The footprint of the owner’s suite didn’t really change, but the details and finishes were updated and amped up to help create a peaceful, cozy feel.

We can describe each room and space in detail but would rather leave you to enjoy all the photos and experience the home for yourself.

If you’re considering building a new home or remodeling your current one, we’d love to be part of your team. We love to have these “what if?” conversations and create more than you had even contemplated. Please reach out today to get the process started.

Builder: Timbercrest Custom Homes
Interior Design: Cynthia Trucco Interiors
Photography: ARC Photography