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
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
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, 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
What to Think About When Designing a Cabin
When designing a cabin, what should you think about? What happens behind-the-scenes during the design process that results in a cabin that simply “feels right”? Read on for a bit of a peek at what guides us when collaborating with clients on a cabin project.
Read more.
Custom Residential
Bold & Colorful Exterior Paint for Your Craftsman House
Thinking about painting your house? Considering going with something other than a neutral shade? There are a ton of great colors out there for you to choose from, but it can be hard to know where to start. Here are some ideas to get you thinking about different families of colors you might choose.
Read more.
Ask an Architect, Custom Residential
Why Custom Construction Details are Worth It
When you find yourself in a space that really feels amazing, take a moment and study how the details come together. These custom details take time and skill to produce, typically done during the construction documents phase, and the details are what take a project to the next level.
Read more.
Ask an Architect, Custom Residential
Should You Remodel, or Tear Down Your House and Build New?
So, your house isn’t meeting your needs. How do you decide what to do? Should you remodel or tear it down and build your dream house? Or, should you leave the house alone and move instead? Here are six areas you need to consider to help you make this complicated and delicate decision.
Read more.
Ask an Architect, Custom Residential, Interior Design
Do I Need to Permit My Remodel?
More than likely, if you’re remodeling a home in the Seattle area and wondering if you need a permit, the answer is, “Yes.” The real question is, “What type of permit do you need?” Of course, we can help you figure that out, but here’s a quick preview to get you started.
Read more.
Ask an Architect, Custom Residential
Enclosing Your Patio: Is It Feasible?
Is your patio feeling a little neglected? Have you day-dreamed about enclosing your patio? Sometimes, it’s the perfect solution and relatively simple to pull off; but, other times, depending on your context, it can be quite a bit more complicated. Here‘s what you need to keep in mind so you can make the right call.
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.