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  • construction supervision, contractor, alla diy ally, architect-on-demand, advice-without-strings

    Communicating With a Contractor Is Part of Construction Supervision

    Sorry, I haven’t been posting. Was teaching my DIY Like an Architect workshop at Art Center last two weekends. Besides, this project in NY is keeping me very busy. Performing construction supervision remotely — discussing every little detail with the contractor over the phone in addition to emailing a lot of drawings and instructions. Most…

    Read More Communicating With a Contractor Is Part of Construction SupervisionContinue

  • hacking IKEA, limited edition collections, architect-on-demand, advice-without-strings

    Beyond Hacking: IKEA Is Introducing Handcrafted Limited Edition Collections

    I appreciate IKEA’s trend of partnering with various companies to produce limited edition collections. For instance, a “splashy” new line with Dutch studio Scholten & Baijings capitalizing on a beloved DIY pastime of hacking off-the-shelf products. IKEA wants to be part of it too!

    Read More Beyond Hacking: IKEA Is Introducing Handcrafted Limited Edition CollectionsContinue

  • transforming one-bedroom apartment, home, architect on demand, advice without strings

    Patiently Transforming a One-Bedroom Apartment Into a Home in Brooklyn

    Wasn’t I writing a guest post about turning my LES (Manhattan Lower East Side) studio apartment into a home just last week? It feels like that! Well, now I have crossed the bridge and moved to Brooklyn, and this time it’s not just me in a studio… I have a new roommate, my boyfriend. I…

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  • installation, bad experience, IKEA, cabinet installation, architect-on-demand, advice-without-strings

    A Bad Experience with an IKEA Kitchen Cabinet Installation

    I wrote about helping a friend with an IKEA kitchen remodel recently. Unfortunately, it has not gone well. We are very disappointed with the cabinet installation. A problem that could’ve been addressed and resolved on site was ignored. The resulting mistake has not been acknowledged and fixed. Instead of taking responsibility and apologizing, the contractor…

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  • creative process, custom-built, IKEA, kitchen, architect-on-demand, advice-without-strings

    My Creative Process: IKEA Kitchen That Looks Custom-Built

    I’m on a mission to help a friend and do it as efficiently as possible. It’s a personal quest. How quickly can I plan an IKEA kitchen that looks custom-built? Since this blog has become something of a journal, I’ll record the stages of the creative process as it unfolds.

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  • powder room, makeover, custom, vanity, cabinet, architect on demand, advice without strings

    A Powder Room Makeover: Design a Custom Vanity Cabinet

    A couple of weeks ago I wrote about some of my design ideas for a powder room makeover. Aside from a custom wedge-shaped vanity cabinet, I’ve proposed a very straightforward, sensible fix.

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  • redesign, powder room, steps, architect on demand, advice without strings

    How to Redesign a Powder Room in 5 Easy Steps

    My friends are tired of the way their powder room looks and feels these days. They want to freshen it up, change the fixtures, replace a misbehaving pocket door. I think they should also redesign flooring and lighting. No big deal, right? But to them, even thinking about it feels like a huge undertaking. In…

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  • sauna, bathroom, storage, relaxation, architect on demand, advice without strings

    Sauna Bathroom: Providing Enough Storage & Relaxation

    This smallish bathroom is designed to feel as large as possible. It doubles as an entryway to a sauna and has to feel like a sanctuary, a space to unwind. A room for relaxation, it is supposed to be used by a few people at a time. And most importantly, there should be enough storage.

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  • customizing IKEA, wall-mounted organizer, architect on demand, advice without strings

    Customizing IKEA: Wall-Mounted Organizer

    I’ve written about my garage conversion frustrations. I also discussed at length my plans to install Sunnersta mini-kitchen by IKEA. Now that the project is completed, I’m happy to share one of my customizing-made-affordable efforts — a wall-mounted organizer.

    Read More Customizing IKEA: Wall-Mounted OrganizerContinue

  • being my own client, architect on demand, advice without strings

    Being My Own Client Is Nerve-Wracking and Exciting

    On the one hand, I love being my own client. On the other, the experience of building for myself (my family’s own use) is quite unnerving. I live for it, but as soon as I embark on the actual construction of a project, I get anxious. It happens every single time.

    Read More Being My Own Client Is Nerve-Wracking and ExcitingContinue

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