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Welcome to the Board & Vellum blog.
Our blog is a resource for anyone wondering how to approach their project, seeking answers for their design questions, or simply eager for a peek inside our world. It’s a friendly resource from the design team at B&V.
Advice for Young Architects
Arts & Culture
Ask an Architect
Building Green
Civic
Commercial
Custom Residential
Events
Firm Culture
Historic & Traditional
Interior Design
Landscape Architecture
Multifamily & Mixed-Use
News
Other Tangents
Seattle Design Community
The Business of Design
Third Places
Arts & Culture, Seattle Design Community
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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Events, Seattle Design Community
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 an Architect, 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 an Architect, 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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Arts & Culture, Historic & Traditional
“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!
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Advice for Young Architects
What Does It Take to Become an Architect?
So, what does it take to become an architect? Just like everything else, there is no clear answer to that question. The real answer: "It depends." The details keep changing, and they vary by location! Ryan Adanalian breaks it down for you, at least how it works right now, in 2015 in Washington.
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News
Revit: The Next B&V Frontier
It's happening, Board & Vellum is taking the leap into adopting Revit, a BIM software. So, what is that, and what does it mean, Sara breaks it all down for you here.
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News
How to Hide a TV: Jeff Gives Tips in this Seattle Met Magazine Feature
Jeff was recently asked to contribute to an article for Seattle Met magazine, by Angela Cabotaje, about how to hide a television screen. It's a common design challenge, and if you're looking to solve it at your place, you might find the tips helpful. Check it out on the news stands!
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Arts & Culture
Photography + Promotion
Tina, our Marketing Coordinator, delves into how much fun it is to tag a long with a professional photographer on a photo shoot, and explores how marketing something really can be genuine, as long as you are.
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News
2014 Highlights
2014 was a wild ride! From the personal to the professional and back again, or all mixed together, Jeff takes a breather to recap what actually happened in this blur of a year.
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Arts & Culture
Edifice of Sound
Inspired by a Robert's recent post about what architecture sounds like. Ben explores how sound translates to space.
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Events, Firm Culture
Chorizo Stuffing, Whiskey, a Duck and Two Flasks
So, what happened at the first annual Board & Vellum Holiday Party Extravaganza? Glad you asked, because it was a ton of fun! From food, to drinks, to white elephant gift hilarity, we had a fantastic time, and it's going to be a staple event, for sure.
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Ask an Architect, Custom Residential
Living Through a Remodel
What is it like to live through a remodel? It's a question worth asking, whether you ultimately chose to stay or move out while your house is under construction. Brian and his family stayed put, and he breaks it down so you know what to consider when it's your turn to make the call.
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Building Green, Events, Seattle Design Community
B&V Slams with NW EcoBuilding Guild
They call it a slam, but it's not a competition. It's a celebration of green building in the Pacific Northwest, and Board & Vellum was there. 10 Projects, 10 Slides, 10 Minutes: It's the Northwest EcoBuilding Guild's annual Green Building Slam!
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Arts & Culture
Music and Architecture
What do buildings sound like? We don't mean literally; we don't mean acoustics. Robert explores what it would mean if architectural wonders, or even just the most basic of buildings, were translated to music.
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Events, Firm Culture
Board & Velluween
Did you really think we wouldn't go all out for Halloween? Of course, we go all out, typical B&V Style! Check out this picture-laden post full of all the crazy we go into.
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Building Green, Events
Ten Projects. Ten Slides. Ten Minutes.
Board & Vellum is once again sponsoring the Green Building Slam, plus we're presenting! Come see it all go down at the University of Washington's Kane Hall.
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Commercial, Other Tangents
Love and Capitol Hill’s 15th Ave. District
Board & Vellum loves 15th Avenue on Capitol Hill – it's our home! Here, Sara gets into the details of what really makes it great for her.
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Firm Culture
Lego the Logo
If you've been to our office, you've seen our logo, customized in a giant Lego banner, spanning two walls. David Litzler is the metal craftsman behind it. Here, David explores the details of how it was realized, from design to fabrication.
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Custom Residential
A Modern Farmhouse
When clients approached us to design a permanent home in their favorite family vacation spot, it struck a chord with all of us. We loved the idea of creating a permanent residence for grandparents where they can share long-standing family memories with their future grandkids. This is some of the design history of the Modern Farmhouse.
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Ask an Architect, Custom Residential
The Ups and Downs of Staircase Design
Stairs can literally be the great uniter. Unfortunately, they’re also the great divider in so many older homes and an area ripe for improvement. If you do decide to tear out and replace a stair, what should you consider for the new design? Here are a few guidelines to consider.
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Firm Culture, News
Expansion Exhibition
Perhaps you’ve noticed: we’ve hired a few new people, and we aren’t even quite done with our office expansion! Luckily, we’re close to being finished and we had a great team of people keeping everything moving along. Check out what the final result will be, and a little of the inside story, in this post.
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Arts & Culture, Historic & Traditional
Tournament of Ornament
Ben shares the details about his recent trip to San Francisco, discussing the role of buildings in terms of whether they are monuments or part of the urban fabric.
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Ask an Architect, Custom Residential
When Baby Makes Three…
For many of us living in the city, space is at a premium. So, when you're about to grow your family, what do you do? The answer doesn't have to be that you need a bigger home. Here, Anne walks you through how to solve for three, without moving to a bigger house.
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News
Jeff Pelletier’s “40 Under 40” Article
Our very own Jeff Pelletier made the "40 Under 40" cut! It's now in print, so go check it out, or read it (and giggle at the funny pictures) online.
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Arts & Culture
A Hankering for Hexagons
Hexagons are pretty awesome, you've gotta admit. Bees have certainly made fantastic use of them. But what about us humans? Here, Ben explores the pros and cons of using hexagons in architectural design.
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Custom Residential
A Modern Marvel Rises Above Puget Sound
Brian gives us an update on the construction in progress at out Modern Cantilevered Residence project, rising up with a spectacular view of Puget Sound.
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News
Jeff Pelletier Honored as One of PSBJ’s “40 Under 40”
Exciting end-of-week news: Jeff Pelletier, our owner and principal, has been honored as one of Puget Sound Business Journal's 2014 "40 Under 40" list! More details to come later!
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Events
Dinner Party at Miele Showroom
Last week, Board & Vellum enjoyed a wonderful cooking demonstration by Julianne at the Miele Showroom to experience the Miele difference. We were impressed! Here's a little summary of what we cooked and what the appliances were like to use.
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Historic & Traditional
Everyday Heroes of the Built Environment
Whether you are pro-density or a full-blown BANANA (a step beyond the ubiquitous NIMBY), you probably have an opinion about how the fabric of Seattle is evolving as the city grows. In this post, Anne explores her thoughts on it, offering praise for the Everyday Heroes who care for our urban fabric.
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Events, Historic & Traditional
Docomomo-WEWA Night at the Museum
You don't have to be a member of the "DOcumentation and COnservation of the MOdern MOvement - WEstern WAshington" (Docomomo-WEWA for short) in order to see a great exhibit at the Nordic Heritage Museum, going on now. Check it out!
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Building Green, Events
The Bertschi School Field Trip
Last week we were fortunate to be invited to tour Capitol Hill’s Bertschi School, specifically the Living Science Wing of the Bertschi School. What an amazing experience this was!
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Firm Culture
“Pellepeering” is Sweeping the Nation
If you’re not new to our blog, or us, you’ve probably seen or heard us use the term “Pellepeering” and wondered what we are even talking about. Well, you’re in luck because here, Ryan will clear a little of that up.
Read more.Events, Seattle Design Community
Happy Hour with Curran
We recently shared a great happy hour with local company, Curran, offering furniture, floor coverings, and accessories. They are doing great things and we totally recommend you check them out.
Read more.Arts & Culture, Historic & Traditional
Moderne Art Deco Modern Atomic
Moderne vs. Modern. Art Deco? Atomic? Modern Atomic? What do all these words mean? We know, it can certainly be a bit confusing or overwhelming. Fortunately, we have resident historic-ophile Robert on hand to explain it.
Read more.Building Green
Almost “Passively” Green
While you have to be careful about greenwashing, it's not a bad thing that being green is now trendy: if that's what it takes to get more people into green building, that's fine with us. But, we are taking it further, and three of us are now on our way to be Passive House certified!
Read more.News
We Are Small Business Proud
We are excited to announce that Board & Vellum is featured on a new web film, Small Business Proud, about the journey of small business owners from Washington to Georgia. Plus, if you get the chance, pop by and hear Jeff speak on a panel with fellow small business entrepreneurs, Matt Dillan and Liz Dunn.
Read more.Firm Culture
10 B&V’ers + Remote Cabin = 1 Surprisingly Productive Good Time
Ben summarized all the fun things these B&V'ers learned about themselves while taking a break over a couple of days at the annual Board & Vellum summer retreat.
Read more.Firm Culture
Our Painted Picture and a Recap of our Planning Retreat
Every year, Board & Vellum takes some time off from our regular work week and travels somewhere out of town (usually the woods) where we can spend some time relaxing and planning our goals for the upcoming year. This is a recap of this year's accomplishments.
Read more.Events
Come Hear Jeff Speak on a Panel Celebrating Small Business
Board & Vellum principal and owner, Jeff Pelletier, is speaking on a panel celebrating small business, sharing the honor with Liz Dunn and Matt Dillon. Come listen and participate at the Sole Repair Shop at 1001 E. Pike Street in Seattle.
Read more.News
Awards and Press for Ada’s and The Seattle Box
It's been an exciting week for news at Board & Vellum, as we've just heard about winning a lot of awards for our work at Ada's Technical Books & Café and the Seattle Box Remodel. Rather than spread it out, we'll just announce it all at once, right here.
Read more.News
Ada’s Receives a Citation in the 2014 Residential Architect Design Awards
We are very excited to announce that our work at Ada's Technical Books & Café has been nationally recognized with a citation in the category of "light commercial" for the 2014 Residential Architect Design Awards!
Read more.Ask an Architect
What to Expect at the First Design Meeting with an Architect
So, you've decided to hire an architect. Are you curious about what that first design meeting will be like? It can certainly vary greatly depending on who you've decided to work with, but at Board & Vellum, we shelve our egos and work with you to create the design that works best for your project.
Read more.Commercial, Interior Design, Third Places
Ada’s: A Burst Of Light and a Custom Mobile
Ada’s Technical Books & Café is a project that will always be near and dear to us. And, one of our favorite details (both to design and to make) is the custom mobile of book pages. This is the story of how it came to be.
Read more.Ask an Architect
What do Architects’ Acronyms Mean?
While our policy at Board & Vellum is to avoid using acronyms whenever we can, sometimes it's just unavoidable in architectural drawings. While contractors typically know what they all stand for, clients often do not. So, here is a handy (if limited) guide to some of the acronyms you'll see the most frequently.
Read more.Firm Culture, News
Celebrating Three Years of Board & Vellum
It's been an amazing three years at Board & Vellum. We've grown from just Jeff working hard in his attic, to a team of seven working hard together in the (now) expanded Board & Vellum offices. Here, Jeff looks back at the last three years, and ahead to the next three.
Read 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, just curious about something?
Send us your questions about design, architecture, interiors, landscape, LEGO rooms… Anything, really. We’re always eager to meet new people, and we’d love to get to know you, your project, and your goals.
On the list for small business for the 4th year in a row!
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.