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.
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.
Kitchen Remodel & Addition
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.
Vaulting Ceilings into Former Attic Space
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.
Our custom residential posts.
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.
Read more.
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.
Ask an Architect, Custom Residential, Interior Design
Do I Have Space for a Kitchen Island? (And Other Kitchen Island Questions)
Contrary to what you might read elsewhere, you can actually fit a kitchen island into a tighter space — you just have to design for it. Here are the details to keep in mind, as well as questions you’ll need to answer whether or not you have a small space to work with.
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.
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.
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.
Seward Park Gables Wins Two 2019 REX/T-REX Awards
Our Seward Park Gables project takes home not one, but two REX/T-REX Awards: for bath excellence and major remodel excellence.
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.
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.
Aaron Dornsmith
Associate | Architecture
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
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.
Christopher Palms, AIA, LEED AP
Senior Associate | Architect
Christopher is an experienced architect with lifelong interests in photography and music that have led him across the globe exploring how culture, buildings, language, and art unite us all.
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.