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, Interior Design
Modern Kitchen in a Craftsman Home
The minimalist details of this kitchen remodel and addition complement the detailing of this traditional home — a modern box inserted into a Craftsman home.
Custom Residential
Cabins in Eastern Washington
Two rustic cabins nestled into the land of two Eastern Washington ranches feature carefully-detailed exposed plywood paired with salvaged wood from an 1890s barn.
Custom Residential
Seward Park Gables
Where there once were low, flat ceilings, there are now exposed trusses and metal collar ties contributing to the architectural drama of these newly-opened gabled spaces completely transforming the character of this home.
Custom Residential, Interior Design
Green Lake Second Story Addition
This full-house remodel and new second floor on a skinny, split-level home allowed a formerly-chopped-up main floor convert to an open plan with a warm, contemporary style.
Custom Residential, Landscape Architecture
Shelby House
A new “Modern Tudor” home in a historic neighborhood presents formally to the street, while opening up to sweeping waterfront views off the back.
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.
Our custom residential posts.
Custom Residential, Interior Design
Clever Ways to Increase the Storage Space in Your Home
Not everyone can Marie Kondo all their extra stuff away — sometimes, you just need a little extra storage space, and we don’t mean you should go rent a storage unit. Here are ten ways to maximize the space you already have in your home to find additional (or previously under-utilized) space for storage.
Read more.
Ask an Architect, Custom Residential, Interior Design
Reducing Stress with Good Design
Reducing stress with good design is a thing, we promise. Even if you can’t put your finger on it, sloppy design causes stress. But well-designed spaces make you feel good, often without you realizing. Our goal as architects and designers, is to create those spaces that you love to be in, stress free.
Read more.
Custom Residential, Going Green
Approachable, Sustainable Ideas to Save Money in Your Home
People assume that green building, or using sustainable practices, will cost them more money. But, while some upfront costs may be higher, often, the long-term costs are lower. Here are five approachable and sustainable ideas you can explore to help make your home healthier for you and your family while being better for the environment.
Read more.
Ask an Architect, Custom Residential
Can You Convert Your Attic to Living Space?
Just because it seems like there is enough space in your attic to be converted into a finished room, doesn’t mean it’s actually a good idea to try it. Most of the time, it turns out to be unfeasible, and here are the four main reasons why we usually don’t see these projects move forward.
Read more.
Commercial Office, Custom Residential, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Multi-Family Residential, Retail
Virtual Reality for Architecture: Experience Your Space Before You Build It
Can you visualize a space from floor plans as if you were in it yourself? Don’t worry, most people can’t, and that sometimes makes it hard to communicate design ideas. Virtual reality can help with that — we can spin up a VR model so you can experience it as close to real as it gets.
Read more.
Ask an Architect, Custom Residential, Interior Design
Ten Tips For Designing a Great Small Bathroom
Judging from the number of sub-par small bathrooms out there leaving you wanting more, it must be hard for some people to design them! It's true, it is tricky to design a great small bathroom, but it is completely doable. Here are ten tips to help you design one that feels just right.
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, Interior Design, News
Best of Houzz 2019: Design & Service
At six years, we’ve officially reached more than half a decade winning Best of Houzz badges! Many, many thanks to all our fantastic clients, collaborators, and fans out there — we appreciate your support.
Custom Residential, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, News
Fixr’s Top 200 Experts in the Construction Industry 2019
How do you know who to listen to in a world flooded with content? Fixr is trying to help with their annual list of Top Experts in the Construction Industry, and Jeff Pelletier has made the cut for the last three years.
Custom Residential, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, News
Dwell Best of Design 2018 Awards Nominee
We are excited to see the Backyard Reading Retreat nominated by Dwell as one of the “most inspiring projects featured on Dwell this year,” in the category of “Small Spaces” with five other nominees.
Custom Residential, Historic Preservation, News
Historic Seattle’s 2018 Exemplary Restoration Award
We are honored to accept Historic Seattle’s 2018 Exemplary Restoration Award for the PRAG House, the Colonial Restoration on the Hill.
Custom Residential, News
In the Top 10 of The BOND Custom Top 100
We are excited to share that we are in the Top 10 on BOND Custom’s list of the Custom Top 100 Residential Architecture Firms in North America!
Custom Residential, News, 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.
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.
Aaron Dorn
Associate
Aaron is an Idaho native with a passion for both the built and the natural environments, believing the best architecture requires a carefully-designed balance between the two.
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.
Charles Fadem
Associate | Interior Design
Charles has a passion for interiors, and especially for creating Third Places. When he leaves for the day, you’ll find him ogling classic cars, working on his Mustang, or writing fiction, probably in a Third Place.
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.