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!

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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.

Lighting—How We Can Make it Work For Us!

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The impact of light becomes increasingly important as the days get shorter. Knowing how to integrate it can make a substantial difference to our health and well-being. Especially in the winter, we crave light, both from the sun and in our homes and businesses. Light does impact how we feel.

Four types of lighting

• Decorative—The purpose of this lighting is to create character or a design element to a room. Whether it is hanging, sitting on a table, or a floor lamp, it’s purpose is to be something your eye is drawn to.

• Ambient—This lighting provides general brightness in a room. Typically, these are recessed can lights, or ceiling fixtures and chandeliers.

• Task—Used along with ambient lighting, task lighting allows you to see better in certain areas. Under cabinet lights, lighting along stairways, or any place you need increased lighting.

• Accent—Flood lights, track lights, and sconces are three good examples of lighting used for focus or to feature a part of a room or area.

Create more natural light in your home

• If possible, design a home with bedroom windows not facing strong outside lights. If you don’t have that ability, get light-blocking curtains or blinds to use when sleeping.

• Choose homes with big windows on all sides to allow natural light in during the day.

• Remove or trim bushes away from windows.

• In rooms with little natural light, hang mirrors across from the windows to reflect light back into the room.

• Use multiple types of lighting to add brightness.

• Use light paint colors in small dark rooms.

• Don’t block the windows with furniture.

• Keep your windows clean!

• Choose lightbulbs that work in each room. Daylight, Soft White, and Warm White are the three types of color temperatures available, as well as decorative colors. Choosing the right color temperature depends on what color temperature you need. Bedrooms tend to benefit from daylight or cool (soft) bulbs and kitchens benefit from all three, depending on the natural light available. Bulbs are available with many wattages and styles, so understanding what you need will involve some sleuthing on your part.

Circadian Lighting

What is it?

• Circadian lighting is a newer technology that can impact our health and circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythms are the mental, physical, and behavioral changes that follow the 24-hour cycle. Think-sleeping at night and awake during the day. And using a computer or phone late in the evening is one thing that can disrupt our rhythms.

• Exposure to daylight is important for our health. We react to the blue wavelengths from the sun, which change in intensity during the day. Blue wavelengths suppress melatonin, which is the hormone causing sleepiness.

• Using the technology of circadian lighting, we can recreate the amount of brightness during the day in our homes with adjustable LED Smart bulbs. In essence, we mimic the daily progression of the sun. In dark, grey winter days, this is especially an interesting idea. But this is not a replacement for exposure to natural light, just a tool to help us.

Photo courtesy of https://www.thelightingpractice.com/what-is-circadian-lighting/

Is it worth the money?

• It can be effective and deliver the right amount of light every day if it is installed correctly and calibrated and programmed for the area where you live.

• If you live or work in darker spaces with little natural light, it can help keep the mind and body alert, making your workday more productive.

• Because it is programmable, once it is set up you don’t need to think about it or adjust it. But getting it set up is a bit of a challenging experience as you need to use on online calculator to find the right intensity and spectrum of light throughout the day.

• Since it works by controlling spectrum, intensity, and timing, it is an expensive system. (Just using dimmable bulbs won’t achieve the same result.)

• While it is a known product, finding a reputable manufacturer will take some research.

• Smart bulbs are expensive and may add more blue light than is needed. Again, research is important.

Lighting is a complex endeavor and requires some time and energy to understand how to light your home effectively. It might take some trial and error on your part to make it work for your needs. Our designers here at RDS are well-versed in understanding how to help you create and maximize natural lights as well as helping your find the right types of lighting for each room in your home. And if Circadian Lighting is intriguing, we are here to help!

2023 - The Year of Color In Your Home

While white kitchens will always stand the test of time, we’re seeing color design in homes moving away from all white kitchens and adding bold colors in many rooms of the home. We’re not denouncing shades of white in a home by any means, as they are timeless and work well in many areas of the home. But color is in and we are excited about it!

Bring in Pops of Color

• If a white kitchen is a must, bring in pops of color with the finishes, a red or blue range or refrigerator, colorful chair cushions, bold backsplashes, and eye-catching curtains or blinds.

• Install a countertop featuring pops of color.

• Is it time for an island with a saturated bold base?

• Plants create color with minimal changes—just remember to water them. Put them in colorful pots and bingo—you have even more color.

• Embrace an interesting color palette with floor tiles that features some color.

• Wallpaper is everywhere and is a straightforward way to add some color to a feature wall, a powder room, or the ceiling in the laundry room.

• And speaking of laundry rooms, this a fun room to go wild with color and patterns. We don’t love doing laundry, so why not make the room fun and exciting?

• One stand-out cabinet is a fun way to add a pop of color without painting all of the cabinets.

• Want to keep it mostly neutral? Paint just the ceiling in a hue that complements the lighter wall color, but creates a bit of intrigue.

• Not ready for much color? Paint the front door or garage, the inside of some bookshelves, or hang some colorful artwork.

Paint Colors for This Year

This year’s paint colors are filled with both subtle and dramatic hues. Repainting a room, kitchen cabinets, or a feature wall makes a big change without a great deal of effort, especially if you have someone paint it for you!

Photo: Courtesy of Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams’ color of the year is Redend Point, a subtle earthy pink.

Photo: Courtesy of Behr

Behr’s color of the year is Blank Canvas, a creamy white.

Photo: Courtesy of Valspar

Valspar’s color of the year is a combination of 12 comfortable, livable paint colors, featuring hues of greens and blues, pastels, and soft neutrals.

Photo: Courtesy of Pantone

Pantone’s color of the year is Viva Magenta 18-1750, a bold pinkish red.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore’s color of the year is Raspberry Blush, a vibrant red-orange.

Photo: Courtesy of Dunn-Edwards

Dunn-Edwards’ color of the year in Terra Rosa, a deep rosy pink.

Photo: Courtesy of Dutch Boy

Dutch Boy’s color of the year is Rustic Greige, a blend of beige and gray.

Photo: Courtesy of Glidden by PPG

Glidden Paint by PPG & Glidden’s  color of the year is Vining Ivy, a deep shady aqua.

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Take a chance and brighten up a room in your home this year. Creating a cheery, warm inviting feeling might just be what your home needs! Our designers here at RDS can help guide you on color choices for every room of your home, be it a new build or a renovation to a room or rooms in your existing home.

Builders - What to Anticipate in Home Construction in the Second Half of 2021

Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay

They say the only constant is change. And over the last year and a half, in the building industry, we’ve known this to be true. Some builders locked in prices for their clients, so that even as prices rise and fall, the price quoted to the client remains the same. Others have absorbed some costs, passed some costs on, or are somewhere in the middle. It’s important to remember we are all in this together–no matter how we are dealing with these unprecedented times.

A few months ago, we wrote a blog, Construction Lumber - Demand, Pricing and Reducing Use. While costs for most products are still high, we are starting to see some changes. However, lumber demand and prices aren’t the only issues affecting builders here in central Ohio.

So, what are we to expect in the building industry for the rest of 2021?

Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay

Shortage of workers
As home construction companies, we understand this all too well. We are all searching for skilled construction trade workers. Some of us are well staffed, but many of us are searching for qualified employees. And with that, the pool of available workers lowers and we all compete for the same people. The direct result of fewer employees–it takes us longer to get homes built, which affects our timelines and our ability to take on new projects.

Projects Are Moving Forward
This article from Cleveland Building & Construction shares the significant number of projects underway around Ohio. Columbus is leading the way with many massive projects occurring now. And the housing market continues to show no signs of slowing down. While we are still in a housing shortage, more homes were built last year than any year since 2006, says this article from The Columbus Dispatch.

According to this article from Columbus Underground,  we do have the fastest selling housing market! With homes selling quickly, many people are planning on building new homes. How has this affected your build timelines?  

Image by sawaeng wonglakorn from Pixabay

Lumber and Other Supplies
Lumber prices and supply has had a significant impact on builders here in Columbus. We are seeing positive changes as lumber prices are beginning to come down-slowly. Sawmills are beginning to increase production and people are returning to work (therefore not doing as many home renos and DIY projects). NAHB has been instrumental in working with the government to boost domestic lumber production, try to bring prices down and the get Canadian lumber supply lines back open, but it’s been an uphill battle so far. But as this article from NPR points out, it could take weeks or months for price reductions to take effect and prices probably won’t fall to pre-pandemic levels. But there is hope!  

Iron, copper and steel tariffs are still expensive, and we know builders are trying to find ways to utilize less of it and find other ways to build homes using other products. This article from Construction Dive explains the ripple effect of these price increases. Steel for home construction (which includes studs, ductwork, beams, and some light fixtures), copper, vinyl siding, concrete, and gypsum, all continue to suffer from supply chain issues. This has continued to drive up the price, as well as the time to get supplies to the job site. Builders are looking at the use of insulating concrete forms, instead of wood framing. Structural insulated panels and steel frame construction are other framing methods utilized by some builders, hoping to keep costs down. But as we know, there are times when only iron and steel will do. 

Supply changes are impacted worldwide, so many items are in short supply for home construction. You might get a home almost completed and then not be able to outfit it with kitchen appliances, windows, or other materials.

This article, from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce paints a rather dire picture (while giving us some hope), but we recognize we are luckier than most in Columbus. But if you have clients that do not understand what is happening, this might be worth having them read.  

The challenge? Creating viable timelines, costs (what you pass on and what you absorb), waiting for prices to go down, finding skilled workers, and keeping your clients happy! What is working for you? What can we all learn from one another?

In Other News:

2019 BIA Parade of Homes, SIerra Custom Homes

BIA Parade of Homes
In case you haven’t heard, it is back! Are you participating or just going to see what others have been up to this year? There is still time for your home to be featured as an on-line Virtual entry. Click here!

At RDS, our designers are here and ready to help you create the home construction design your clients are asking for. Give us a call and let’s work together!

Welcome Our New Administrative Manager, Tammy Howard

Beginning May 17th, 2021, we turned a new chapter here at RDS with a new Administrative Manager. Tammy has started this job with a bang and has quickly become part of the team. As she is the first person you will see when you walk through our doors, we thought you would like the opportunity to get to know her a bit, in her own words. We know you’re going to really like her, just like we do!

How would you describe your job and what you do?
As the Administrative Manager, I am in charge of accounts payable and receivable, ordering, invoicing, answering phones, greeting clients, preparing reports for meetings, payroll, HR functions for the office, as well as filing and other general office duties.

Where else have you worked?
I have had a storied career. I’ve worked at Allied Universal Security Services, Capital City Awning, University of Cincinnati in the Department of Plastic Surgery, and Nuance Transcription Services. When dinosaurs roamed the Earth, I worked at various doctor’s offices.

What colleges did you attend and what training have you received?
I attended Baker Junior College after high school. Most of my training has been on-the-job training.

How would your friends describe your personality or character?
I laugh hard and love harder! I am open, friendly, and funny. As I love to say, “I don’t know how to act my age. I’ve never been this age before!”

What is your favorite quote?
“Don’t take life too seriously. You’ll never get out of it alive.” ~ Elbert Hubbard 

What are a few interesting facts we should know about you?
In my early 20s, I saved a man using the CPR training I learned in 7th grade. I love taking rides with my boyfriend, Pete, and finding little out-of-the-way restaurants. I’m also a singer and have always wanted to compete on America’s Got Talent. I am writing my first novel, as well. My most noteworthy achievement to date? The day I became a mother!

What makes you amazing at your job?
I am a people person who loves to make people feel good about themselves. I excel at paying great attention to detail, a major benefit for my job!

We are so excited to have Tammy join us here at Residential Designed Solutions. Stop in and say hi to her!

Happy Retirement, Barb Marquis!

An ad in the local newspaper 18 years ago led to one of our greatest joys – hiring Barb Marquis as our administrative manager here at RDS. We are so very happy that Barb has been a part of our family at RDS for so long. While we are sad to see her go, we are thrilled she is able to retire and start the next chapter of her life.

Barb made everyone feel welcome from the first moment they stepped foot into our office. Her friendly smile, cheery attitude, hugs, sense of humor, laughter, and upbeat attitude has been a major part of our office, for us and our clients.

Barb’s years of experience in finance and administration, as well as her ability to keep us on track and answer any questions she received from clients, or us, made her a key member of our staff. She handled everything required of her with poise, adeptness and a positive attitude.

Barb plans to travel with her husband, Larry, visit friends and her 5 children and many grandchildren, and take care of her mom. We know she will be busy visiting with everyone, but we hope she takes some time for herself, as well.  

We wish Barb the very best and thank her for being such an integral part of RDS. Barb, you will be missed!

A Big Welcome to Erik English, Project Development

Erik English joined our RDS team on April 7, 2021. With 20 years of experience in the field, we were thrilled when he answered the call for a job! He is a true team player and has acclimated quickly into our team. Erik is doing amazing work. As he is someone you might work with, we thought you would like the opportunity to get to know him a bit, in his own words. We know you’re going to really like him, just like we do!

How would you describe your job and what you do?
I transform initial conceptual designs and basic project information into Design Development Documents and/or detailed Construction Documents of a project.

What is one of your noteworthy achievements?
I have a Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Design in Architecture, from Miami University.  

How would your friends describe your personality or character?
My friends would describe me as responsible and easygoing with a good sense of humor.

What are two interesting facts about you?
I have a substantial vinyl record collection. Every day is made better by music! I love to hike and spend time outdoors.  

What is your favorite slogan?
Keep on keeping on!

What makes you amazing at your job?
I enjoy incorporating creative thinking and problem solving into my design process. I find it easy to work alongside a professional team to produce quality projects.

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We are so excited to have Erik join us here at Residential Designed Solutions. We know you’ll be impressed with his work!

The CPBD Difference: Why Does This Matter to You?

A certified designer specializing in residential design is always the best choice when designing any type of home or renovation. Certified designers develop the plans for your clients by visualizing the design of a home through form, scale, and balance. More importantly a Certified Professional Building Designer (CPBD) knows and understands all facets of the building trade. This is critical for you as it always impacts the costs and ease of approval of any design.

As a residential designer, we have the opportunity to earn a CPBD credential. A designer must meet the National Council of Building Designer Certification’s strict standards of professional experience:

• 5 years of educational and professional experience

• Study and experience in a broad range of design and building subjects and

• Pass a rigorous comprehensive certification exam.

This credential signifies the highest classification you can earn from the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD). We are proud to announce our very own Dominic Luppino, one of our valued designers, recently earned his certification. Dominic has been a vital part of our RDS design team since 2014, with 33 years of experience both in the office and field.

Why Choose RDS for Your Home Design Needs?

With four Certified Professional Building Designers on our staff, you know RDS is a company you can trust. We’re not architects – we’re so much more. As CPBDs, we not only develop the plans to make your vision real, but we also make sure all local codes are followed so there are no surprises or costly upgrades later. As true certified professionals, knowing the building trade inside and out, developing creative designs and accurate construction documents, our residential designers always represent the particular needs, lifestyles, and budgets when creating plans for clients.

Do you have clients in need of designers? Are you, as a builder, seeking for a partnership with a residential designer? Our Residential Designed Solutions CPBD staff will create and execute residential design home plans tailored for your needs. We are the company you can trust.

Join us in congratulating Dominic on his accomplishment. Read more about him here. We’d love to discuss working as your home designer and part of your team. Contact us at 614-430-0027 or on our website.

NARI ACE Award 2020

We would like to take a brief moment to thank you for the opportunity to work with you this past year.

It is always our goal to provide the highest level of design and service to each and every client we work with. To that end, we ask that you take a minute to complete this survey and review our services. There are just four multiple choice questions and an opportunity to add a comment if you’d like.

NARI, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, has developed this Achievement in Consumer Excellence (ACE) program to rate their members services, so other consumers can have confidence in choosing a professional for their construction needs.

Thank you again!