Archives
See our blog for new projects, announcements, and all things TMS Architects.New 2015 Color Trends for Your Home
The results are in and next year’s color trends have been announced by top designers. From deep, rich colors to whimsical, pastel offerings, there’s sure to be a color scheme that will appeal to your sense of style and taste. Get in on these color trends early and be the first of your friends to embrace the hues of 2015.
Read More
What You Need to Know about Restoring a Victorian Home
Restoring a Victorian home can be a seemingly endless undertaking, both physically and financially. However, once your project is complete, you’ll not only have a beautiful home, but you’ll also have contributed to a historic preservation project in New England. While it’s best to hire a licensed architect to help plan your restoration, there are some tips you can follow if you prefer to do the work yourself.
Read More
Unexpected and Clever Home Storage Solutions
While most homeowners would happily add more storage space to their home design, finding innovative ways to increase this space is a major problem for historic homeowners.
Older homes don’t have the same storage needs we do in modern times since people didn’t own as many things that needed to be tucked away out of sight. Since many older homes have clearly defined rooms rather than open concept designs, insufficient storage can make your rooms seem untidy or overly busy. TMS Architects has found some unexpected and clever home solutions that can improve storage space.
Read More
Historic Preservation: Utilizing Sensitive Additions
Historic preservation in New England is tantamount to most owners of the gems of yesteryear. While older construction is generally far superior to the fast-paced construction of today, modern living makes it necessary to increase your living space while maintaining the integrity of your home’s history. Enter the practice of utilizing sensitive additions.
Read More
Bringing a Stylish and Functional Library in Your Home
When you have old leather bound tomes from grandparents, stacks of stories from those years when toddlers still scurried around the home, and dusty hardcovers that you just can’t let go of, there are few household features to store books like a library. If it seems like you have too many books and nowhere to put them, constructing a library might be your best option; however, some advance planning is required before diving into this endeavor.
Read More
A Preview of Oppportunity Works New Building!
The mission of this extraordinary organization, Opportunity Works, is “Empowering people with disabilities to experience the freedom to live, work and enjoy a valued role in society and TMS Architects is proud of the role we have played in their new building under construction in Haverhill, MA.
Opportunity Works is a private, not-for-profit corporation serving more than 216 men and women, ranging in age from 22 years to 75 years, who come from eighteen Merrimack Valley and North Shore communities in Massachusetts. The agency operates with a staff who bring a broad range of experience in working with people with disabilities. OW is headquartered in Newburyport and currently leases a satellite facility in Haverhill , MA. However, this facility does not meet the specific requirements of the Opportunity Works community and it was decided to design and construct a custom facility in Haverhill to meet their needs.
Read More
Sustainable Architecture: Facing Carbon Head-On in the Future
The concept of sustainability dates back to the 1970s when the energy crisis, uncontrolled pollution and environmentally damaging materials made the world realize we couldn’t depend on fossil fuels forever. Fortunately, new studies have unveiled the benefits of renewable resources, recycling existing materials and adopting sustainable practices to help turn things around, and in industries such as organic architecture, professionals of all stripes are trying to do their part to better the world.
Read More
Outdoor Fireplace Ideas That Will Heat Up Any Gathering
An outdoor fireplace can enhance a variety of spaces outdoors and heat up any gathering. From ornate to simplistic in design, the choices are virtually endless. Working with an architect to develop your design is very helpful as there are many considerations to make when adding a fireplace to your landscape.
Read More
Sustainable Architecture: Integrating Bamboo Into a Home
Bamboo is making a greater appearance in modern home design as conscientious owners and sustainable architects are learning more about this material’s great sustainability factors.
As the fastest growing wood producing plant in the world, bamboo is tougher than steel when it comes to tensile and compression strength. It’s also harder than red oak and maple, and isn’t as susceptible to warping from temperature or humidity as conventional wood products. Add to these factors rapid growth, improved air quality and breathtaking beauty, bamboo is truly a favorite material in sustainable architecture.
Read More
“Field of Dreams”
We just finished photographing this beautiful TMS-designed home and wanted to share some of the photos with you. This was a dream house for the homeowners, idyllically sited in a beautiful New England meadow. The exterior massing of the house respects the style of the surrounding neighborhood as well as grounding the home to the site more naturally. Large overhangs, material choices and low slung rooms help create horizontal datum bans that connect the massing of the home attractively to the site, overlooking the meadow as it rolls towards the rear of the house.
Read More
It’s All in the Details in a Modern Bathroom
If you’re upgrading an historic home or searching for new home design ideas for a future project, there are plenty of themes and styles to help guide your way during the process, especially when it comes to the bathroom. Whether you’re upgrading to increase your home’s value or to create a spa-like retreat for your own enjoyment, a successful project is all in the details. Many people overlook easy-to-miss details that can make a big impression on guests and homeowners alike.
Read More
What You Need to Know About Hardscaping
Hardscaping is an excellent addition to any home or commercial property in need of an uplift or boost in value. There are many considerations when developing a plan for your project, and working with an architect is a great way to ensure your money is well spent and that your project will not cause damage to your home’s existing facade.
Read More
Modern Designs That will Help an Old Fireplace Standout Again
Has the fireplace in your home seen better days? Do you have a historic home that needs a pop of new life as the weather cools off? If you’re still staring at that old, plain fireplace with a grimace, you can get an architect to give it a face-lift. But until you find the right architect to work with, view a few of these fireplace designs for a bit of inspiration.
Read More
Illuminate Dark Corners with Contemporary Hall Lighting
Hallways are often overlooked when designing and creating focal points in a home. Whether your hallway leads to a living or private quarters, there’s ample opportunity to turn this space into one that enhances your home’s aesthetic and expresses your sense of style.
One of the most important facets of designing a hallway is the lighting. Not only is adequate ambient lighting needed for safe passage, but it’s also a great way to showcase important design elements as well.
Read More
Warm-Up a Home with a New Fire Pit
Are you looking to customize your home? Do you want to bring character to an open, spacious backyard? When flower gardens and pools just aren’t cutting it anymore, and you want something that draws people toward your home, like a moth to a flame, you should consider installing a fire pit.
Why are they so popular? Unlike other household amenities, fire pits can be used throughout the year. During the winter they can be used as a source of heat, and in the summer, they can serve as the perfect hangout for cocktails and entertaining. All you have to consider is how it’ll fit in your home design plans.
Read More
Enhance a Historic Home with Garden Lighting
When you have great focal points in your landscape, garden lighting will help draw the eye and showcase these features. Your home’s first impression is reliant on its curb appeal, which includes a beautifully landscaped yard, a well-kept exterior and attractive lighting to enhance an historic or modern home. Not only will you impress your guests with stunning lighting, you’ll also increase your home’s resale value.
Read More
Sustainable Architecture: Can a Building Make Its Occupants Happy
Our earliest ancestors understood the concept of sustainable architecture without realizing there was a name for it. They set up home in savannas, woodlands and caverns that provided the proper amount of natural light, protection from weather extremes and plenty of plants and vegetation to survive and barter. Unfortunately, centuries passed before we began to consider these benefits of biophilic architecture.
Read More
Utilize the Energy Star Light Bulb Guide When Seeking New Lighting
An important facet of sustainable architecture is to reduce energy consumption and your carbon footprint. Although it may seem insignificant, something as simple as replacing ordinary incandescent bulbs in your home with Energy Star-rated products can add up to substantial savings on both your energy bills and your home’s carbon footprint.
Read More
Adding an Addition to Your Historic Home
Historic preservation is an aspect of Americana that can be seen in New England and communities both small and large. And, this is one of the driving factors that keep some homeowners in their historic home from one generation to the next, leading some to add an addition. But with tight regulations that ensure the integrity of original structures, this is not a project homeowners should take on without the advice and design skills of an experienced architect.
Read More
Style and Function: Planning Outdoor Lighting
The exterior of your home sends a message to everyone who sees it. You want it to appear warm and inviting to your family and friends, while giving an impression of security to prowlers and miscreants. Fortunately for homeowners, selection of the design and landscaping of a home can broadcast the message you want to send, whether it’s in an aesthetic or protective sense.
When used properly, outdoor lighting can not only make your home more attractive, it can also transform your home into a safer, better functioning environment for you and your family.
Read More