Architects Portsmouth New Hampshire
See our blog for new projects, announcements, and all things TMS Architects.Exposed Beams Add Natural Beauty and Interest to Ceilings
Exposed beams are no longer only for log cabins and industrial lofts. This design technique can add warmth, interest and raw, natural beauty to nearly any style home. Whether you have high ceilings or you simply want to take the architectural appeal of your home to the next level, exposed beams can be a wonderful way to enhance the aesthetic value and add unique appeal.
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Form Meets Function & Style in Architecturally Beautiful Staircases
The meticulous planning and engineering that goes into designing staircases is sometimes overlooked. While they are a necessity in any multi-level structure, staircases can also be designed to become aesthetically significant architectural features.
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Wainscoting Adds Depth & Texture to Interior Walls
Interior architecture is just as important as exterior architecture, and one way to add a little to your home is with wainscoting. Wainscoting is described by one historic preservation group as “the wood covered lower portion of an interior wall, usually topped by a chair rail.” What makes wainscoting a great material for architectural interest in interiors is how it can be used in a variety of ways.
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From Sunny Skies to Starry Nights, Skylights Add Magical Ambiance
Skylights open your home to beautiful blue-sky days and luminescent night skies, adding ambiance unmatched by other architectural features. They are ideal for opening and brightening spaces where conventional windows may not be applicable. Skylights can also be a wonderful way to bring the outdoors in without sacrificing privacy, nor do they compete with fireplaces, furniture or appliances.
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A Look at Gables
Perhaps one of the most well-known examples of gables can be found at Green Gables, the home and farm site that inspired the author of the novel “Anne of Green Gables.” And, yes, if you were wondering, Green Gables, which is located on Prince Edward Island in Canada, does indeed have a green gable roof.
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Portico Perfection
Porticoes are not only stylish additions to the front entrance of a home, but also functional. A portico is defined simply as “a small entrance porch” by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, while Houzz describes it as a roof supported by columns that create a covered porch, entrance or walkway. It’s the spot outside an entrance where you can seek shelter from the elements while finding your key or greeting guests. Porticoes also offer protection to the home itself, keeping rain, snow and wind off of the door, hardware and stoop.
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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!
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Topping it off with Turrets
Even if you are not familiar with the term “turret,” you’ve most likely seen a turret that has turned your head. They are hard to miss! A turret is simply a small, circular tower attached to a larger structure, usually on a corner or angle. The difference between a turret and an actual tower is that turrets typically don’t start at the ground level and, rather, cantilever out from another upper level.
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Architectural Details: Columns and Pillars Offer More Than Support
The pillars of England’s Stonehenge, 2900-1400 B.C., might be the earliest example of sophisticated column design. These primitive pillars did not serve a structural purpose, rather, they were used to tell time and track celestial paths. The Egyptians are accredited, however, for carving the first true column out of stone. The Egyptians used columns, including fluted designs, to support and adorn pyramids.
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TMS Architects 2013 Year in Review – Part 2
As 2013 comes to an end, we’re enjoying a look back at some of our most popular blog posts of the year. As promised, today we’re rounding out the top 10 posts of the year with a look back at five more posts readers found the most enjoyable!
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TMS Architects 2013 Year in Review – Part 1
In addition to taking a look back at some of our most popular pins of 2013, we thought it would be a good time to also take a look back at some of our most popular blog posts of the year. We hope you enjoy our year in review and gain a few home design ideas to include in your 2014 remodeling plans.
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TMS Architects’ Top Pinterest Pins of 2013
Architectural Digest just released its list of the most popular Pinterest pins of 2013, and House Beautiful also made sure to showcase their photos that received the most re-pins this year. We couldn’t help but be inspired, so we decided to share some of our own top pins from the past year. In case you missed them, here’s your chance to savor some home design eye candy from TMS Architects.
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Functional, Efficient and Stylish Laundry Rooms
Cold Weather + Extra Layers = Gargantuan Piles of Laundry. Is your home prepared for the onslaught of wet and muddy cold weather gear this winter with a laundry room that will allow you to work efficiently? Or, do you find yourself dreading the idea of another afternoon spent in a cramped and dull laundry room? If so, a functional, efficient, and stylish laundry room it what your home needs to make the task quicker and less boring!
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Fireplaces Through the Ages: Arts & Crafts
As most of us will be gathering around our fireplaces with our families for the holidays, we wanted to add another style of fireplaces to our series on fireplace design. As you’re enjoy the warm glow of your fire, we hope you’ll also enjoy this look at the Arts and Crafts style!
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Ideas to Consider for Your 2014 Remodel
According to a new report by Builder magazine, “There are clear trends in house plans.” Top-selling homes are revealing that homeowners are favoring larger floor plans with first-floor master bedrooms and home offices, among other features. Looking at these top trends can help homeowners decide how to infuse their existing homes with the most value possible during 2014 remodels.
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Fireplaces Through the Ages: The Edwardian Period
If the nineteenth century fireplace was the cast iron design, then the twentieth century fireplace was the tiled design. It was towards the end of the Victorian period that fireplaces took on new stylistic features, including tiles and simpler patterns, that later became characteristic of the Edwardian Era.
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Built-Ins Made Just for Pets
They work with you, they play with you and they sometimes even eat with you. Dogs are more than pets; they are a part of the family. But if you are tired of messes from tripping over dog bowls, a built-in feeding station may be just what your household needs.
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Kitchen Design Ideas You Haven’t Thought of Yet
As we open our homes to welcome family and friends in for holiday celebrations, it’s often during this busy season that we notice little improvements or details that may have been left out of the original design. Little changes that make a room more functional or those that add visual interest or complete the room’s look are equally as important and, although seemingly miniscule, can be the finishing touches your space needs.
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Design Details: Ceilings
Much like walls, ceilings hold tremendous design potential. However, far too often, they remain a blank canvas. As Melissa Destree shared with Houzz, “The ceiling is the surface that is most ignored. But its design is a critical element to create the mood in a room.”
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