This spring, Board & Vellum is moving to Seattle’s iconic Smith Tower in Pioneer Square. Learn more.
How to Create an Outdoor Space you Love – Shallow Areas in Pools
Ask a Designer, Custom Residential, Landscape Architecture

How to Create an Outdoor Space you Love

Sometimes, it takes the quiet moments on a peaceful vacation to remind you of some of the great things back at home. In this case, a trip to Costa Rica reminds Jeff about all the things that come together to create an outdoor room that you love, even in our rainy Seattle weather.

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What height of stool do you need? – Board & Vellum
Ask a Designer, Interior Design

What Height of Stool Do You Need?

What’s the difference between table height, counter height, and bar height stools? What does that mean in inches? You’ll be forever kicking yourself if you buy the wrong height stools, so make sure you follow these rules to get it right so you can still comfortably.

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Is Moonlighting Worth It?
The Business of Design

Is Moonlighting Worth It? Probably Not, But We All Try.

We've all been there – when moonlighting on an architecture project seems like a good idea. But most of us who've tried it over the years know: it's just not worth it to wear yourself out working at night on the type of project that just goes more smoothly during business hours.

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A Top Place to Work: Board & Vellum – Seattle Business magazine Washington's 100 Top Places to Work
News

We’re One of Washington’s Top Places to Work! Join Us?

We are so excited to be honored by Seattle Business magazine as one of Washington's top ten small businesses to work for, for the second year in a row. We all work hard to create and nurture the B&V culture. If that sounds good to you, too, check out our careers page: we're hiring!

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Board & Vellum Company Retreat 2017 – Team pointing at the camera.
News

B&V Retreat 2017: Recap and a Competition-Winning Recipe

For the 2017 B&V Company Strategic Planning Retreat, we packed up and hauled off to camp at Rasar State Park. Even through sickness and rain, we not only set out our 5 and 10-year goals, but we wrapped up the day with an Iron Chef competition. And bonus, we’re sharing one of the winning recipes with you!

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Mentoring with Anecdotes vs. Creating a Culture of Trust – Company Retreat 2016
The Business of Design

Mentoring with Anecdotes vs. Creating a Culture of Trust

What’s the best professional advice you’ve ever received? Jeff Pelletier looks back to his first design job, and finds that great mentorship doesn’t always come in the form of sharing pre-packaged nuggets of wisdom. Sometimes, it’s about trusting and empowering young employees, and Jeff’s been paying it forward ever since.

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Would you like to read more from the team?

If you enjoy reading our blog as much as we enjoy writing it, that simply makes our day. You may also enjoy a few of the related posts below.

Tanager Apartments – Board & Vellum
16x9-euclid_union-rendering-view_6-night

Tanager Apartments | Rendering by Board & Vellum.

What to Expect in Your Multifamily Feasibility Study

If knowledge is power, a feasibility study is an invaluable investment in your potential multifamily project. A comprehensive feasibility study should give you the important, foundational information you need to make informed decisions about your project early. Thorough and efficient, so you can move forward with confidence and clarity.

Office-to-Residential Conversion, Commercial Conversion, Office to Housing Conversion, Office Space to Multifamily Apartments Conversion: Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture by Board & Vellum (Rendering of Stream Queen Anne, the first office-to-residential project permitted in Seattle after the pandemic.)
Exterior Updates

Strategic updates to the building’s exterior — like a high-contrast paint upgrade — celebrate its commercial origin while bringing it into the 21st century with a new use. Queen Anne Commercial Conversion | Project Rendering by Board & Vellum

Your Guide to Multifamily Feasibility Studies

If you’ve been thinking about developing a multifamily project, whether it’s new construction or a conversion, apartments or townhomes, you’ve probably heard someone mention the need for something called a “feasibility study.” But what exactly is a feasibility study, and why is it such a crucial first step?

Aerial view of a single-family residential neighborhood for a blog post on middle housing.

The Middle Housing Bill FAQ

Washington State’s HB1110 — also called the Middle Housing Bill — is setting the stage for big changes to code and zoning in Seattle. But what is middle housing? And what is the “missing middle” HB1110 seeks to fill? You have questions and we have answers based on our best, current understanding of this landmark legislation.

Cantilevered Home – Modern Cantilevered Residence – Board & Vellum

Do I Need a Feasibility Study?

A lot of questions come up before embarking on a design project! A feasibility study, especially for complex or potentially complicated sites or projects, might be just what you need to kick off a successful project.

Growing in Place – Board & Vellum

What To Consider When Future-Proofing Your Home

How long do you plan to stay in your current home? If you’re considering staying in it through your golden years, you’ll want to start thinking about future-proofing. Confused? Don’t worry! Here, we’ll walk you through the four basic principles to follow when you’re planning to age in place.

Four chairs encircle a round coffee table. In the background, a large window looking out at Puget Sound is flanked by two built in book cases.

How to Design to a Concept Instead of a Theme

Concept vs. Theme. Maybe you’ve never thought about the difference between these approaches to design. Maybe you didn’t even realize they were related to design! The difference is subtle, but being able to tell them apart could be what keeps you from taking your design vision to an unpleasant extreme.

Considering a project, or curious about something?

Say hello, and send us your questions via the form below. We’re always pleased to make new connections, and eager to get to know you, your project, and your goals.

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Board & Vellum receives Just label from the International Living Future Institute, a voluntary reporting tool for social justice and equity indicators in the workplace.

Achieved a Just label from the International Living Future Institute in 2023.

Board & Vellum is honored to be a Gray Awards Finalist for landscape design, earning the recognition for the rooftop garden at the Lucille on Roosevelt.

Honored as a finalist for residential landscape design.

LEED Certified in White

Our team includes LEED-accredited professionals.

Certified Passive House Consultant in White

Our team includes certified Passive House consultants.

NGLCC Certified as LGBT Business Enterprise – Board & Vellum Recognition

A Certified LGBT Business Enterprise Since 2016.

PSBJ’s Top 25 LGBTQ-Owned Businesses 2016 in White

Honoring companies that lead in promoting equality.