Today more than ever, my clients want a home that is customized for their specific needs. Details both large and small make a home more personal and thus more of a comforting retreat for every member of the family. Clients typically come to me with a scrapbook full of magazine clippings showcasing ideas they like. They’ll even ask me to watch a particular movie just to show a home they found inspiring. More than anything, clients want features that fit the way they live. For example, a family I worked for in Wisconsin needed indoor activities for their kids during the harsh winters there, and so we added an indoor basketball court, a media room and a golf simulator/ workout room all in the basement! One client who is an avid sportsman took his multiple-car garage to a whole new level, complete with gathering area for his friends (fireplace included), a bathroom, and storage areas for his golf, ski and hunting equipment. Travel provides another source of inspiration for clients. Whether it’s an outdoor shower they used while in Mexico or the spa-like bath at a luxury hotel, travel amenities play big into what clients can envision for their new home. If you’re planning a new home or a remodel in the future, keep a notebook of ideas to share with your architect. These visual aids will help him or her translate them into a home you will cherish.

A large-scale remodel I did for a client in Virginia a few years back, with some wonderful courtyards and outdoor areas on the rear elevation.

Another photo of the rear elevation. This home was truly transformed and the homeowner now enjoys a great view of his backyard from the extensive decks.