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Buffalo, New York
Column appeared regularly in the following newspapers:
Published projects and articles in these magazines:
While most other architects concentrate on commercial projects, or large custom homes, Lyon has developed her own architectural niche – remodeling design on a reasonable budget. Working with her firm, Lyon travels often to consult for average homeowners across the U.S. and Canada. She offers a unique service that gives remodeling homeowners just what they need – design and direction.
View Archives & All Publications Here
View Archives & All Publications Here
Our Remodeling Design Includes:
This unique design service is what you need BEFORE you call a contractor.
We offer a distinctly personal service to determine the scope of the project and give contractors something to bid on, other than something verbal, undefined and perhaps vague.
With a budget minded approach, the only real way to know what your project will cost is to get competitive bids.
We have produced many innovative home remodeling designs for homeowners in Des Moines and the surrounding areas, even in places across US and Canada.
Consult Our Remodeling Expert
Marcia Lyon has been in private practice for 38 years, with experience working with homeowners and supervising construction. For more information, feel free to call us at (515) 991-1300. We are more than happy to serve you.
Marcia is also available for In-Studio Consulting.
To view options, requirements and apply click here.
We currently serve in markets across the USA and Canada.
If you don't see your town listed simply suggest your city here
Our Current Markets:
Buffalo, New York
Chicago, IL
Minneapolis/Saint Paul, MN
Kansas City, MO
Omaha, NE
Des Moines, IA
While most other architects concentrate on commercial projects, or large custom homes, Lyon has developed her own architectural niche – remodeling design on a reasonable budget. Working with her firm, Lyon travels often to consult for average homeowners across the U.S. and Canada. She offers a unique service that gives remodeling homeowners just what they need – design and direction. She turns those experiences into her column, accompanied by Before and After floor plans, to help other homeowners. “Saving construction dollars is my goal” says Lyon. Her consulting talent successfully translates well to the internet. She offers Studio Consulting’s, performing her service without even having to visit the house. READ MORE
PROJECT: TIME TO RE-THINK THE STATUS QUO
The typical traditional floor plan doesn’t really work anymore. Formal spaces are by in large, unused. They tend to be static, with nothing to draw the family to ‘live’ in those spaces. Now we like a good connection with an open kitchen, with easy flow. Outdoor spaces are important and can be marvelous extra “rooms” to live and entertain in. The family entry us used more than a foyer and demands more attention in the planning stages.
PROBLEM
This two-story colonial had a large foyer (A) which features the stairway (B) to the second floor. The living room (C) is through French doors and is a long narrow room that has the dining table (D) at the end.
The kitchen (E) is in the center of the back of the house. It is large, but not a great kitchen. It has an opening above the sink into the family room (F). A breakfast table is slightly recessed in a bay window. It is the table that is used all the time for all of the meals.
The family room (F) is has actually only one wall (G) for furniture and all traffic passes through from the garage (H) to the kitchen (E).
The family entry (I) is just an uninspired hallway.
There is a half bath (I) and a laundry room (K) off this hall.
There is no way to access the backyard, and no outdoor entertain space.
The family wanted a better, home-centered kitchen, a desirable dining room, and a comfortable and inviting family room. They asked for more storage on the first floor and a deck off the back of the house.
SOLUTION
Starting with the family entry (L), we bumped into the garage (H) slightly to create a shoe tower (M). Two new back to back closets (N) add function and conceal the family entry (L) from the foyer (A). We’ve added a generous “To Go” shelf (O) for items coming and going. Phone chargers can be stored here, as well as purse and or briefcase. This is an idea place for the grocery list and calendar.
A brand-new kitchen (P) takes over the space that was the family room (F). It is fine that the fireplace is where it is. Now the sink is under a window. There is loads of counterspace including a wonderful eat-on island. There is a glass door (Q) that makes easy access from the kitchen to the deck (R).
The ample dining room (S) is centrally located and one whole wall is lined with closets and pantries. The existing bay window offers lots of light and a nice view from the dining table.
The former living (C) and dining room (D) forms the basis for a new living/family room (T). We needed to improve the proportion of this room so a bump-out (U) was needed. The center space of this new room is more square and ideal for various furniture arrangements. The back wall has French doors (V) to invite people out to the deck (R) and visually enlarge the space. The front of this room is a perfect niche for a computer desk or a built-in window seat.
Read the testimonials of our incredibly happy clients here.
To submit your testimonial please email it to: archimeatus@gmail.com
CONTACT
Marcia
With Marcia Lyon