Our custom residential posts.

Designing a new home: where to start. Solar and wind study example. – Board & Vellum
Ask a Designer, Custom Residential

Where Do You Start When Designing a New Home?

So, you’ve decided to build a new home. Making that decision is a big first step, but what do you do next? Designing a new home is a big effort. Here are the first things that you and your architect need to pay attention to before any of the fun design work begins.

Learn more.
Ask a Designer, Custom Residential, Interior Design

Where Should I Splurge on Design?

Remodeling your home, or building a new one, is an exercise in compromise. There will always be more money you can spend and more things that you want. So, getting the most out of your project involves knowing how to compromise wisely. So, where should you splurge on design?

Learn more.
Ugly House or Awesome House? – Board & Vellum
Custom Residential

Is My House Ugly? If You Love It, Maybe Not!

When you design houses for a living, sometimes, you end up designing things you think are ugly, but you do it anyway because your clients think it's perfect. It's your house, not ours, and at Board & Vellum, we are here to design a home you love, even if we’d do it differently on our own.

Learn more.
How to Create an Outdoor Space you Love – Shallow Areas in Pools
Ask a Designer, Custom Residential, Landscape Architecture

How to Create an Outdoor Space you Love

Sometimes, it takes the quiet moments on a peaceful vacation to remind you of some of the great things back at home. In this case, a trip to Costa Rica reminds Jeff about all the things that come together to create an outdoor room that you love, even in our rainy Seattle weather.

Learn more.
Remodel of a 1960s Home  – Sound Landing: Before & After – Board & Vellum
Custom Residential

Before and After: Sound Landing

We gutted this 1960s home to the studs, opening up the floor plan to take advantage of sweeping views of Puget Sound. Check out the "Before & After" shots to see how this home transformed from "Harvest Gold" and dropped ceilings with wood paneling, into a light and bright home with classic details that will age gracefully.

Learn more.
Mini-Split vs Forced Air – Featured Image
Ask a Designer, Custom Residential

HVAC and the Residential Remodel, Part 1: Treated Air Systems

You might not be Pinteresting HVAC systems for your home remodel, but if you overlook it, you'll regret it! The products might not always be photogenic, but that doesn't mean you don't have some important choices to make. In this installation, Sara Emhoff explores the pros and cons of mini-splits versus forced air systems.

Learn more.

Would you like to learn a little more about us?

We’re pleased you’re interested. Explore more about us and our work via the pages below.

Our Story

Client-centered authenticity is our north star, and we continue to prove that great design doesn’t require great ego.

Best of Houzz 2014: Design & Service

Voted in by our clients and Houzz users for the 1st time, Board & Vellum wins 2014 Best of Houzz awards for Design and Service.

Considering a project, or curious about something?

Say hello, and send us your questions via the form below. We’re always pleased to make new connections, and eager to get to know you, your project, and your goals.

Get in touch.