Topics
Historic & Traditional
We aren’t afraid of crown molding. Or of any of the other delicate and complicated details of older homes and buildings – in fact, we love them! We have a lot of shared experience with older buildings, as well as pairing older construction with a modern counterpoint. So, let us know what you are looking for… we can almost certainly help!
Our historic & traditional 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.
Historic Detailing in a Craftsman Home
Craftsman Bungalow Restoration
A whole-house remodel approached room by room, detail by detail, to incrementally and respectfully restore the classic charm of the home’s historic detailing.
Historic Cape Cod Style Home Remodel
Puget Sound Bluff Home
With a newly-opened plan, this Cape Cod style home has a kitchen worth hanging out in all day, and water views from nearly every room.
Restoration of a Historic Home After a Fire
Colonial Restoration On The Hill
After suffering from fire and the associated water damage, this beautiful, historic Capitol Hill mansion needed careful restoration to return it back to its former glory.
Our historic & traditional posts.
Custom Residential, Historic & Traditional
Navigating Updates to Historic Homes
Are you curious about updating your landmarked home, or your home within a historic district? What kinds of considerations do you need to keep in mind? Is there anything you can’t do? What about things you have to do? These questions might seem overwhelming, but don't worry! We’re here to help.
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Custom Residential, Historic & Traditional
Updating Historic Homes Through Compatibility and Differentiation
When it comes to updating historic homes, there are a lot of routes you can take. Many approaches to designing remodels and additions of historic homes seek to balance two concepts: compatibility and differentiation. Let’s explore what these concepts mean and how do they play out in design.
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Custom Residential, Historic & Traditional
Landmarks vs. Historic Districts vs. Historic Homes
Do you have an older home and ever wondered whether it’s “historic?” There are a lot of phrases thrown around to describe different types of older homes, but what do they mean? And what does it mean if they apply to your home? Here, we dive into the world of historic homes!
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Ask an Architect, Custom Residential, Historic & Traditional, Interior Design
Matching a Historic Feel with Modern Materials
How authentic does something really need to be? When you remodel a historic home, or just love a lived-in look, it can be difficult to determine when (and how) to make a new object or material look original. Here, we’ve laid out a few rules of thumb to follow if you’re ever in this predicament yourself.
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Arts & Culture, Historic & Traditional
Look up! Architectural Terracotta Everywhere
Ever been walking along 3rd Avenue in downtown Seattle and happen to look up and see a bunch of walruses staring back down at you, complete with tusks the size of your head? Seattle is home to many great examples of architectural terracotta, and Robert Mech is here to tell you all about it.
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Arts & Culture, Historic & Traditional
“Off The Hook” – The Etymology of Your Phone Number
Did you know that the digits of your phone number actually have a history linking them to letters? Or, that the concept of “dialing” a phone came way later than the phone itself? Robert Mech explores all this and more in this post about phones, and he most certainly did not “phone it in.”
Read more.Our historic & traditional recognition stories.
Our historic & traditional team team members.
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.
Lance Hayes, AIA
Senior Associate, Architect
Lance’s passion for architecture has allowed him to explore all over the country. The Montana native loves dramatic landscapes (natural and architectural) and enjoys expressing that love through the artistic lens.
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, 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.