Blog
See our blog for new projects, announcements, and all things TMS Architects.
Ocean Outlook Home Refreshed with Stained Glass Window
Stained glass is more versatile than you might think, and the visual effect it has on living spaces is incomparable. Take advantage of natural light and let stained glass windows produce luminous color and create an ethereal feel. Here are some of our favorite design ideas for incorporating these artful architectural features.
Read More
A Kitchen Worth the Wait – Before Pictures
View our before pictures prior to the renovation below. Dated with a lack of function, the new kitchen opened the home up to its natural environment. See the project page and photos from after the TMS renovation here.
Read More
Infusing Fun, Chic Color Into Kids’ Bedrooms
A child’s bedroom is a space for dreaming, playing, creating and using one’s imagination. So why not design it this way? Nurture, encourage, and inspire your child with a bedroom design you both love. A little color can go a long way in a kid’s bedroom design. When done right, you can still achieve a beautiful space that can grow and change with your child’s age without having to repaint. Here are some of our favorite paint colors for adding fun and enduring style and personality to kids’ bedrooms.
Read More
Sleek, Savvy Design of The Music Hall Loft
It was once said that architecture is music frozen in time. We couldn’t agree more. Here at TMS Architects, a beautiful architectural detail is like a perfect harmony. It’s music to our… eyes.
Read More
Modern Wood Paneling Adds Warmth, Comfort
Are you searching for a way to introduce simple style into your home? Create a warmer atmosphere? Or, are you simply looking for a change from mundane, white surroundings?
Read More
Revamp Unused Space for a Mudroom
Would you like your home to work harder for you? If you have unused space near an entryway, consider converting this area into a beautiful and functional mudroom. Think about all the items that collect by the door – shoes, coats, bags, umbrellas, keys, mail. The list goes on! A thoughtfully-designed mudroom can not only contain these items and help keep common areas tidy, but it can be customized to add comfort, convenience and efficiency to your daily routines.
Read More
Saltbox Homes Popular in New England
Historic saltbox homes are a regular part of the landscape here in New England. Originally borne of necessity, saltbox home designs became so popular and functional that what started out as an add-on became a staple feature in new home designs of the 18th century.
Read More
Design Details: Integrating Cupolas Into Home Architecture
Are you considering integrating a cupola into your home’s architecture? First, make sure that what you envision is truly a cupola (pronounced CUE-puh-lah). In fact, many of the structures our clients bring pictures of are actually belvederes or lanterns, rather than bona fide cupolas.
Read More
Motor Court Designs that Highlight a Historic Home
Parking courts and historic homes go hand-in-hand. Consider that many historic New England homes were built when horses, carriages and buggies were the norm, which meant homes were designed with wide, sweeping exterior entryways. You can recapture the essence of your historic home’s “first impression” by using parking court designs for historic homes.
Read More
What is a Cupola?
Most of us are familiar with the iconic silhouette of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. So let’s move on to something a little closer to home here in New England – the Massachusetts State House in Boston. What do these two structures have in common? Cupolas!
Read More
Historic NH Grand Hotels Exude History & Splendor
We appreciate modernity, but there is something magical about renovating a historical home or commercial property in a way that preserves its historical panache while embracing contemporary accents that make the space comfortable and energy efficient.
Read More
Opportunity Works Partners with TMS Architects for New Project
One of the missions of TMS Architects is to, “…embrace our clients’ visions and translate them into buildings that are beautiful, functional, and sensitive to their environment.” Recently, we’ve had the opportunity to do just that while partnering with Opportunity Works on the design and build-out of their new 37,000 square foot facility.
Read More
A Kitchen Worth the Wait: TMS Kitchen Remodel
Once you decide to commence with a kitchen remodel, it can feel like things can’t move fast enough. In truth, it’s much safer to take your time and thoughtfully plan each and every detail to ensure your kitchen is as personally functional for your household as it is aesthetically pleasing. That’s what our Portsmouth, NH clients did and the results were stunning and well worth the wait.
Read More
Create Gorgeous, Safer Stairs with Stairway Lighting
Stairways are frequently afterthoughts in the home even though they are invaluable passageways that allow us to get from here to there. As well as serving a practical purpose, stairways also provide architectural interest and can really define a room. Whether you’re considering giving your stairs a makeover or building an entirely new stairway, you will want to consider both safety and looks.
Read More
Festive Holiday Decor Ideas for Entryways
Make a good first impression this holiday season by adding festive decor to your entryway. Guests will instantly feel welcomed when greeted by such touches as wreaths, garlands, and luminaries. You’ll also boost your home’s curb appeal in the process.
A festive wreath hung on the front door is always a staple for a well-decorated holiday entryway. Whether you make a wreath yourself or buy a pre-decorated or, even better, a fresh evergreen wreath, you should choose a style that matches well with your home’s exterior as well as other holiday decor outside and inside the home. You can even get creative with how you hang your wreath, opting for a ribbon instead of the traditional door hanger.
Read More
Festive Wood Burning Stove Decoration Ideas for the Holidays
There is nothing more comforting than curling up next to a warm fire on a cold winter’s night. During the holiday season, it is especially important that your home feel warm and comfortable.
A wood-burning stove can really help set a festive mood while also warming your home. What’s more, you can incorporate your wood-burning stove into your holiday decor. Here are some ideas to try this year:
Read More
Elegantly Decorate Your Christmas Tree for the Holidays
As the focal point of your holiday decorations, decorating your Christmas tree is an important task for setting the tone of your home this season. From setting the tree up to stringing lights to adding ornaments and wrapping the bottom with a tree skirt, trimming your tree may be time consuming, but it doesn’t have to be hard. By planning ahead, you can create an elegant Christmas tree that is worthy of any store window.
Read More
Get Decorative with Your Holiday Mantle
Your home’s fireplace is sure to be a popular gathering spot for friends and families this holiday season. A creatively decorated mantle will help set a festive mood and spread cheer throughout the home. Whether your tastes are rustic, traditional, or eclectic, you can personalize your mantle decor to suit any holiday style.
Read More
Visit The Music Hall This December for the Holidays
Several years ago we worked on the historic renovation of The Music Hall theater in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The renovations breathed new life into the architectural gem, which remains a fixture of the local arts scene and community. If you haven’t visited since the renovation, the holiday season is a great time to have a look while enjoying a play, concert, or other event at the theater this December.
Read More
Visit the Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Bank Museum
One of the specialties of our architecture firm is historic preservation, so we have an interest in historical activities and events in our community. From historic homes and building projects to the sense of nostalgia we feel as a result of fond memories, history plays an important role in everyday life. The holiday season is the perfect time of year to look back on history and celebrate days of old.
Read More