Our custom residential services.
Remodels, Additions, New Construction
Custom Residential
From small remodels to the construction of new homes, single-family residences are somewhat of a signature around here. We love working with clients to bring their dreams to life. Whether you have an older home or a modern marvel, or whether you prefer a contemporary or traditional style (or both!), we’ve got the team for you.
Learn more.Our custom residential portfolio projects.
Custom Residential
Leschi Lookout
A second story addition and full-house transformation to convert a short Cape Cod home into a Pacific Northwest Modern house with a fantastic view of the lake.
Custom Residential, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture
Backyard Reading Retreat
This petite backyard shed and yard are an urban oasis: the perfect place to relax and recharge in the busy city with a great book.
Custom Residential
Classical Rooftop Conservatory
This rooftop conservatory is a hidden jewel box on the roof of an older condominium building in Seattle, featuring a penthouse and deck with a spectacular view.
Custom Residential, Interior Design
Woodinville Pivot
Bold artwork and bright accents paired with a calm and natural supporting palette give this ’70s-era home a bright, light, and balanced contemporary look.
Custom Residential, Historic Preservation
Colonial Restoration On The Hill
After suffering from fire and the associated water damage, this beautiful, historic Capitol Hill mansion needed careful restoration to return it back to its former glory.
Custom Residential, Interior Design
Morning Light Tudor
Tucked under the eaves of this Tudor home, a master suite, two kids’ bedrooms, and a hall bath feature calm, soothing finishes paired with crisp black accents.
Our custom residential posts.
Ask an Architect, Custom Residential
What’s Harder: Designing a New House or Remodeling an Existing Home?
Remodeling vs building new: is one harder than the other? It’s very difficult to compare the two, as it’s not apples to apples. While they do share some of the same approaches, they are different challenges that require careful thought. Here are a few of the things to keep in mind when remodeling your home.
Read more.
Ask an Architect, Commercial Office, Custom Residential, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Multi-Family Residential, Retail
Hourly vs. Fixed-Fee Billing: What is the Difference?
How do you decide between hourly vs. fixed-fee billing? People really don’t like to talk about money, but you need to talk about it enough to make the right choice about how you would like your project billed. Here is how these two billing methods work, and why you might prefer one over the other.
Read more.
Ask an Architect, Commercial Office, Custom Residential, Landscape Architecture, Multi-Family Residential, Retail
How Long Does It Take to Get a Full Building Permit?
If you need a full building permit for your project (rather than an “over-the-counter” one) you need to include the additional time it takes for permit review in your project schedule. How long does it take to get a full building permit? It varies, but here is what you can expect in Seattle.
Read more.
Custom Residential
What Not to Forget When Designing a Vacation Home
When it comes to vacation home design, there are some things that are decidedly different from a typical home design: features you need in a vacation home that you don’t need in your main home. But what are they? Here are five features you should make sure you include when designing a vacation home.
Read more.
Ask an Architect, Custom Residential, Interior Design
How Do You Get Great Design on Your Project?
Great design takes patience. So, if you want your project to look and function like it was designed really well, you need to invest in design, and that takes time. There are several later phases after the design concept is formed that are crucial to your project’s success. Here’s a quick review of why.
Read more.
Ask an Architect, Custom Residential, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture
Tips for Communicating with Your Architect, Interior Designer, or Landscape Architect
Communicating with your architect or designer is crucial to the success of your project. How do you prefer to communicate? Great professionals will strike a balance between their communication preferences and yours. Here are ten tips to help you find that balance and ensure you and your design team are on the same page.
Read more.Our custom residential sustainability practices.
Custom Residential
Built Green Member
Board & Vellum is a proud member of Built Green, and we’re thrilled to announce that our Ballard Locks Residence is certified 4-Star Built Green.
Custom Residential
Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC)
Board & Vellum principal Jeff Pelletier is a Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC). Passive House is a science-based approach to sustainable design.
Commercial Office, Custom Residential, Multi-Family Residential
LEED Certified by the U.S. Green Building Council
Our team consists of several LEED-accredited professionals who possess comprehensive knowledge of contemporary sustainable practices.
Our custom residential recognition stories.
Custom Residential, Retail
#1 Best Residential Architect & #5 Best Restaurant Architect in Seattle
Seattle Architects ranks Board &Vellum as #1 on their list of Best Residential Architects, and #5 for Best Restaurant Architects in Seattle.
Custom Residential, Interior Design, News
Best of Houzz 2018: Design & Service
Best of Houzz 2018: For the fifth year in a row, Board & Vellum has earned “Best of Houzz” awards for both categories: Design and Service. We are so excited; thank you, everyone, for your continued support!
Custom Residential, Interior Design, News
Best of Houzz 2017: Design & Service
Voted in by our clients and Houzz users for the 4th year in a row, Board & Vellum wins 2017 Best of Houzz badges for Design and Service.
Custom Residential, News
Best of Houzz 2016: Design & Service
Voted in by our clients and Houzz users for the 3rd year in a row, Board & Vellum wins 2016 Best of Houzz awards for Design and Service.
Custom Residential, Interior Design, News
Best of Houzz 2015: Design & Service
Voted in by our clients and Houzz users for the 2nd year in a row, Board & Vellum wins 2015 Best of Houzz awards for Design and Service.
Custom Residential, Going Green, News
Built Green Certified 4-Star Rating for Ballard Locks Residence
Our Ballard Locks Residence is now Built Green Certified with a 4-Star rating. Many thanks to wonderful clients and the team at Hammer & Hand!
Our custom residential team members.
Jeff Pelletier, AIA, CPHC
Principal | Architect
In 2011, Jeff founded Board & Vellum in his attic and has forged ahead with excitement ever since. Architecture aside, he is a huge advocate for traveling, and takes LEGO really seriously.
Breanna McBride, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
Associate | Architect
With a love of art and math, Breanna enjoys both the aesthetic and the technical sides of architecture. When she’s away from the office, she loves to travel, cook, enjoy the outdoors, and to curl up with a great book.
Brian Baker, AIA
Associate | Architect
Brian has over a decade of residential design and construction experience. Beyond architecture, Brian is our resident music fanatic, and a Vienna Secession art and design obsessive.
Fabiola Vargas, Associate AIA
Associate
Fabiola has been passionate about architecture and the arts since the age of 12. When out of the office, she volunteers with the AIA, the Seattle Architecture Foundation, and the Fremont Arts Council.
Would you like to learn more?
We’re thrilled that you’re interested!
Our Process
Bringing your project from “idea” to fruition is a little different at Board & Vellum. We give personal care to each of our projects, and you’ll be in the loop every step the way. The bonus: we are an integrated firm, so each project has access to plenty of great knowledge — and that leads to better design.
Considering a project? Or, just curious about something?
Send us your questions about design, architecture, interiors, landscape, third places, 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.