Blog
Learn more about architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture from the B&V Team.
Our blog is a friendly resource for anyone wondering how to approach their project, seeking answers for their design questions, or simply eager for a peek inside our world.
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Arts & Culture, Historic & Traditional
Look up! Architectural Terracotta Everywhere
Ever been walking along 3rd Avenue in downtown Seattle and happen to look up and see a bunch of walruses staring back down at you, complete with tusks the size of your head? Seattle is home to many great examples of architectural terracotta, and Robert Mech is here to tell you all about it.
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Ask a Designer, Custom Residential
ADU and DADU
What is an ADU, and what is a DADU? Ryan Adanalian explains the ins and outs of Accessory Dwelling Units and Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (according to the City of Seattle), with an example of a DADU by Board & Vellum featuring a sliding wall to help solve the many challenges of a small space.
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Arts & Culture
Local Art
It’s time for the First Thursday Art Walk again! Does seeing all the local art is get you inspired to create some yourself? Wonderful! Lucky for us Seattle dwellers, this town has a ton of great resources to help you out along the way. Check out a few of them here, curated by David Litzler.
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Other Tangents
2015 Seattle Home Show
The 2015 Seattle Home Show is on, and this year, Board & Vellum had partnered with AIA Seattle to populate their booth, “Ask An Architect First.” If you’re thinking about remodeling your home – or building new – wouldn’t it be helpful to get the perspective of an architect before you hire an architect? Come say hi!
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Other Tangents
A Visit to the NUCOR Steel Plant
A crew from Board & Vellum took a trip to tour Seattle’s NUCOR Steel plant recently to understand what goes into this critical building material that keeps our buildings standing up while almost never being seen. Jeff Sandler reports back with all the details from this illuminating trip to Seattle’s “Little Pittsburgh.”
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Ask a Designer, Custom Residential
Dreaming Big for Your New Dream House
When you imagine your “Dream Home,” what is it like? Some of us start dreaming from childhood, others as adults, and it’s easy to dream big, and then fear that it can only exist as a dream. But, don’t worry, with these tips we can help you convert your dream into an attainable reality.
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Ask a Designer, Custom Residential
How Much Does an Architect Cost to Design a Remodel?
One of the most common questions we hear from potential clients is, “What are your fees?” Many architects keep this a mystery to the general public, and it harms the perception of our profession. Step in: Board & Vellum! Here, Jeff Pelletier pulls back the curtain on architectural fees, and makes architecture approachable.
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Other Tangents
“Off The Hook” – The Etymology of Your Phone Number
Did you know that the digits of your phone number actually have a history linking them to letters? Or, that the concept of “dialing” a phone came way later than the phone itself? Robert Mech explores all this and more in this post about phones, and he most certainly did not “phone it in.”
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News
Best of Houzz 2015
For the 2nd year in a row, Board & Vellum has been awarded “Best Of Houzz” for Design & Customer Satisfaction by Houzz, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. What’s even more satisfying, is that we managed to maintain this level of excellence, all while growing the firm about 200%. Many thanks to everyone!
Learn more.Or, if chronology isn’t your thing…
Here are a couple of posts to get you started. Of course, it’s hard to choose, so feel free to poke around; we hope to have a little something for everyone. And, if you have a burning question you’d like us to cover in a future post, please let us know!
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.
Honored as a finalist for residential landscape design.
Our team includes LEED-accredited professionals.
Our team includes certified Passive House consultants.
A Certified LGBT Business Enterprise Since 2016.
Honoring companies that lead in promoting equality.