Jeff Pelletier
Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, News
All Together Now: Integrated Design at Board & Vellum
The benefit of an integrated practice like Board & Vellum, which offers architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture, is that all the projects we work on get better – even if they don’t involve all the disciplines. Here, B&V principal Jeff Pelletier explains why.
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Other Tangents
Designing a House into a Home
Emotion and personalization turn a house into a home, and when you're talking about designing your living space, this is incredibly important. Read about how our design process at Board & Vellum helps us make the leap from a great design (that is still just a house) to a home that our clients will love.
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The Business of Design
Advice for Young Architects: A Recap from the AIA Seattle Young Architects/Women in Design Happy Hour
Fresh from hosting a successful and lively Young Architects Forum Happy Hour at Board & Vellum, Jeff Pelletier recaps his speech on the theme of "Chance," offering advice to young architects who dream of what to do and where to go next in their career.
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Other Tangents
Should You Pick Your Architect Based on Style or Service?
When searching for an architect, should you pick one based on the architect's style or base on the type of service they provide? As it so often happens: it depends! But, not to worry, Jeff Pelletier breaks it down into pros and cons for each scenario so you can start off your search well-informed.
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News
2016 Highlights and Year in Review
It's that time of year again: time for the Jeff's year-end review! Some awesome things happened in the world of Board & Vellum in this busy and exciting 2016. Now, as the year wraps up, check out the mix of business and personal highlights, and we'll all toast to great new things to come!
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Ask a Designer
Do I Need to Hire an Architect?
Do I need to hire an architect? It's a question we hear a lot out there. If you're building new, of course! But, if you're considering a remodel, addition, or even a new detached garage, we understand that it can be a confusing question. So, let's break it down for you, step-by-step.
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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.
Designing for Natural Light in Your Home
Living through dark Seattle winters makes you appreciate every hour of daylight. From light tubes and transom windows to north light, skylights, and smart landscaping, here are the design strategies I rely on to bring natural light into your home and make it feel bright and welcoming all year.
What Makes a Home Feel Custom?
What makes a home feel custom and worth the investment? The answer changes from one person to the next. From fitted kitchen drawers and hidden shower drains to a secret scullery and a seriously quiet house, here are nine custom home features I’ve seen elevate everyday life at home.
Unlocking Seattle’s New Zoning Code for Homeowners
Seattle’s new zoning code gives homeowners far more options for their own lots. Even with more updates on the way, changes that took effect in January 2026 already allow housing types and design approaches that weren’t permitted before. Here’s what changed, who benefits, and what the new Neighborhood Residential standards allow.
Seattle Ground Floor Retail is a Public Benefit
A recent trip to New York reminded me what thriving neighborhood retail feels like, and how far Seattle has drifted from it. Small, affordable, interesting storefronts are the glue that holds a city together. Here's why Seattle should treat great ground floor retail as an essential public benefit, and two ideas for getting there.
Adaptive Reuse: Getting More From the Buildings We Already Have
Reusing an existing building can cut waste, speed up approvals, and keep a neighborhood's character intact. It also comes with real surprises. Here's how Board & Vellum helps clients weigh the benefits and challenges, choose the right building, and define a scope that fits the budget and the goals.
Why Isn’t Seattle Building Enough Housing?
Puget Sound needs an estimated 275,000 more homes over the next decade, yet permits are hitting new lows. Rising interest rates, slow permitting, and high costs are driving the shortfall. Here's what's blocking new housing in Seattle, and the zoning changes, permitting reforms, and fee adjustments that could help close the gap.
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