The good word for today is that the government is working on keeping folks in their homes in several states and with the IRS, as well. I happened to find out about the program through a local tile shop owner, Pete. I went in to coordinate the tile selections for one of our clients. He let me know about a new program that gives up to $6500 in tax incentives to add zero entry showers (among other things) into home renovations. Effectively allowing homeowners to "age in place" w

One of the biggest pitfalls some homeowners face is creating a reasonable timeline for the new design for their home or business. This is especially true for those who are unfamiliar with the construction industry. In general, many people underestimate how long the design phase can take, before they want construction to begin. This is normal! Although this is normal, unfortunately this just happens to be crucial timing because if you begin designing too late you will not sta

An Honest, Homeowner-Friendly Guide. If you’re planning a renovation, addition, or even a new home, you’ve probably asked yourself this question (or typed it into Google late at night): “Do I really need an architect? Or can I just figure this out as I go?” You’re not alone! Many homeowners feel unsure about whether hiring an architect is essential, or if it’s just an added expense. The answer, of course, isn’t one-size-fits-all. However, a good architect will help you figu

A Friendly Guide for Homeowners Who Just Want Clarity, Confidence, and a Smooth Design Journey Starting a home renovation or new build is a lot like planning a road trip: You’re excited, a little nervous, and praying your GPS doesn’t bail on you halfway through. Your architect? They’re your guide through the design journey....the person who helps you dream big, and yet still keeps everything grounded in budget, timeline, and reality. But, here’s the secret: The final quality

Dive into the design process that led The Point Church's Ridge Street Campus from a concept to reality.

Planning a renovation is one of the most effective ways to enhance the function, comfort, and value of your home. In Charlottesville and the surrounding Central Virginia area, renovations can range from modern kitchen remodels to sensitive updates of historic properties. Regardless of scope, proper planning is essential to avoid delays, unexpected costs, and disappointing results. Lamplight Design Studios renovated a small space turning it into a cozy office and library. See

There’s nothing quite like the charm of a historic home. They’re all over the place in Charlottesville, and especially throughout Central...

In one of our projects, a small addition, we're gutting and reconfiguring most of the existing basement level. As construction progressed...

During our short tenure here in Charlottesville, we’ve come to specialize in historic preservation. Old structures can have a lot of...

One of our team recently had a death in the family. Their father, once a prolific part of their life and instrumental in their...

As we delve headlong into the holiday season here in Charlottesville, Virginia, I can't help but remember Christmases past and as a...

Seeing ghosts is not simply a nod to the 'may or may not be' haunting of the historic properties we feel grateful to design. Although,...

How a bathroom door created a design nightmare in a new hotel and illustrates the power of design in a different way. My friend Jarvis*...

One of the best feelings as a designer is creating a space that a family truly loves. When it came to the design hopes and dreams of...

It's easy to get lost in the routine of an architecture business. Between producing drawings and renderings, coordinating meetings,...

A well-executed design can be exactly what a business needs to spark renewed interest from the community. For businesses facing a decline...

Sometimes a project comes your way that seems to be a great opportunity. At first glance, it seems too good to pass up. Maybe the project...

In our blog posts we have been focusing on what can go wrong in order to help our intrepid readers navigate the landmines of dealing with...

I cannot stress enough how highly important it is to hire highly skilled contractors. As designers we have seen a lot of...interesting...design decisions made, and at the end of the day our designs, and our drawings, mean nothing without the skilled labor necessary to bring them to life. It goes without saying that hiring the wrong people can destroy your design and cost you so much money. To truly illustrate the point, allow me to show you just how wrong a project can go wit

Good subcontractors are great to work with. When the contractor has an array of good subs coming in and out of the site, construction...