Topics
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.
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.
Preservation & Modernization of a Historic Home
Craftsman Manor Resurrection
After decades without an update, this old Craftsman home is restored, both with some modern adaptations and some beautiful original details.
Full Interior Remodel & Penthouse Addition
Minecraft House
Once a home that screamed “Late ‘80s” — this interior remodel with a penthouse addition transformed dated spaces into an open and airy interior designed for modern living.
A Seattle Green Home with Midcentury Cali Vibes
Fremont High-Performing Home
This sustainably-minded home features solar panels, a rainwater cistern for graywater irrigation, sheep's wool insulation, passive cooling strategies, and more.
A Small, Highly-Functional Kitchen
Petite ADU Kitchen
With an integrated kitchen cabinet system from Henrybuilt, this kitchen has not only clean lines, but is highly functional, even for an avid home chef.
Our custom residential posts.
Custom Residential, Interior Design
How To Set Up Your Space to Work from Home
Never worked from home? Setting yourself up for success can be a challenge, especially if you’re trying to be productive from a space you’re used to relaxing in. Don’t fret. We’re here to help with some tools for how to turn your cozy pad into an effective office — hold the actual office.
Read more.
Custom Residential
Is Exterior Shading Right for My Home?
Though still more common in Europe, we are finally starting to catch up across the pond, as it is becoming more common to add exterior shading to homes. The science is sound, and there are plenty of clear benefits. So how do you decide what type of exterior shading system would be great for your home?
Read more.
Custom Residential
Designing for Fire
Gathering around a fire is an ancient human activity that maintains its magnetic attraction, even now. As a feature that so viscerally attracts us and so often is the backdrop of our favorite memories, why not design more than one location in your home or yard where you can encourage the comfort of a fire.
Read more.
Ask an Architect, Custom Residential
How To Pay For, Or Finance, a New Custom Home
Whether modern or traditional, a custom home can be designed to meet your family’s needs. You’ve just got to find a way to pay for it! Here is a look at a few of the options available for paying for — or financing — the construction of a new custom home.
Read more.
Ask an Architect, Custom Residential
Should I Dig Out My Basement?
Digging out your basement seems like an attractive solution to gaining more useable space in your home, but it’s complicated to do and can be quite expensive. These are a series of questions you should consider when weighing whether or not to excavate the basement in your home.
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Custom Residential, Going Green
Designing a Sustainable Remodel
Designing a high-performance new home is straight-forward and time-tested. Designing a high-performance remodel can be a bit more complex and nuanced. Here are areas in which to focus your efforts so you can maximize the sustainable impact of your project, remodeling your space into a beautiful and high-performing home.
Read more.Our custom residential sustainability practices.
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.
Our custom residential recognition stories.
Best Architects in Seattle: Expertise’s 2020 List
Expertise examined 138 architecture firms in the Seattle area and selected only 19 to make their list of Best Architects in Seattle, including Board & Vellum.
Best Seattle Architects: Fresh Chalk’s 2020 List
Board & Vellum comes in at #3 on Fresh Chalk’s 2020 List of Best Seattle Architects.
Best of Houzz 2020: Design & Service
We are so appreciative of our fantastic clients, collaborators, and fans — with your support, we are excited to have been recognized for the 7th year in a row for Best of Houzz awards for both Design and Service. Thank you!
BUILD Sustainable Building Awards 2019
We’re honored that BUILD magazine has named us the "Architecture & Interior Design Firm of the Year" in Washington state in their Sustainable Building Awards, 2019.
Our custom residential team 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.
Sara Emhoff, AIA
Director, Residential Studio | Architect
Sara has extensive experience with the unique challenges of single-family residential projects, having honed her practice on homes across a wide spectrum of sizes, styles, and budgets.
Zack Thomas, PLA, LEED AP ND
Director, Site Design Studio | Landscape Architect
Zack co-launched B&V’s ”Site Design Studio,” and is excited to take on landscape projects of all shapes, sizes, and scales. He loves to get out of the city on weekends and makes a point of traveling to another country each year.
Brian Baker, AIA
Senior 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.
Would you like to learn more?
We’re thrilled that you’re interested!
Our Story
Board & Vellum is a young and vibrant firm built on the idea that an informed and engaged team leads to better design and happy clients. We wouldn’t be where we are today without passion and hard work, and those same two things keep us going strong today.
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.