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For years people have bought a house based on a number of bedrooms, school district, commute to work, or a price point.  All logical reasons to include when purchasing a house.  Perhaps put a coat of paint on the walls and, the next thing you know, the moving truck arrives.  I had a client say…

Split-Foyer Transformation

Do We Move or Stay? Question Leaps Barrier at Couple’s Heart “It was spectacular,” Gini says. “We had an ugly house, and it was as nice and ugly as it could be, but spectacular because it had the proper number of bathrooms to support 200 people at our reception.”  “We’ve made the decision to stay…

5 Essential Guidelines to Designing With Purpose

Build vs Design Approach Why approach the design with purpose?  Often a remodel starts when something breaks, doesn’t work quite right, or you want to improve something (whether it’s a specific function or cosmetics).  If you were looking to remodel a kitchen, for instance, from what I refer to as a “build” approach it may…

Thriving in Place for Mom

I remember my childhood home.  A typical split-foyer found in almost any Northern Virginia neighborhood built between the 50s and 80s.  I remember scaling the upper level railing, hanging over the foyer, as I played Barbie and pretending to be falling off the “cliff” during – what I referred to as – my jungle Barbie…

Understanding Holistic Design

For years, the majority of folks have been obsessed with how a space looks and functions. We are pivoting to a time where we want to live in spaces that support us not just from a functional and visually appealing way but to a space that can also support our inspirational desires. We want to…

Guide to Aging in Place Home Remodeling: How to Enjoy Your Home in Your Golden Years

At Sun Design, we believe the best way to enjoy your golden years is in the comfort of your own home. This allows you to live independently in a place that lets you feel like you. In this month’s blog post, we’ll outline everything you need to know about the best way to make this…

Start the Conversation: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

  “Should I stay, or should I go?”   Without a doubt, this is a favorite topic with both clients and friends who are questioning the meaning of “what’s next” in their lives. Whether seen as daunting or exciting, the path on this new adventure can definitely be broken down into bite-size pieces for consideration.…

Why We Love Open Floor Plans… And You Will, Too!

Open floor plans are a trend we love. In fact, we wouldn’t even consider them a trend anymore. They’re a staple in modern home remodels and a great way to improve nearly any space. In today’s post, we’ll talk about the best aspects of open floor plans. We’ll also share a few of the most…

Creative Problem Solving: More Than A “Kitchen Remodel”

  Christopher and Cynthia Heimann purchased their 1950s home over 15 years ago.  Like so many of our clients they love where they live with family and friends nearby. Cynthia explained, “Chris’ family lives in Arlington, so dinners of 6-10 people are not uncommon.” However, the layout of their home just did not accommodate their…

THRIVING IN PLACE: Main-Level Living, Not Just for the Elderly

What components make for main-level living? Most think of the kitchen, living/family rooms and dining room – but what about the master suite, laundry room, and the hallways? Make access simple and safe for everyone by locating everything necessary to daily life on the main level of your home. Aging in Place, or what we…