Architects in Georges Mills, NH

“"My wife and I had pursued several options as we developed a plan for our home. In many cases we were frustrated with the input we were receiving, so we began looking at timber frame plans because of their openness and creativity. It seemed that an architect familiar with timber framing had a special eye for the type of features we were looking for in our home. We contacted them and we were pleasantly surprised when they informed us that they were happy to assist in designing a home that accommodated our needs. We were frustrated because we had general design ideas but couldn't put it all together and needed the creativity of an architect. Bonin Architects did a wonderful job in working with the best of our ideas. They assisted us with difficult site issues and we are now able to go forward with the construction of the home confident the home is filled with our ideas and their expertise.””

“Smith & Vansant is a phenomenal architectural firm. In fact, working with them renovated not only my house, but my life! After 15 years or so of living with the property more or less as I found it, my tiny 1850 Cape needed long-overdue renovations -- including improvements to all major systems, solutions to a big water problem in the basement, a new kitchen, a new roof, adding working and living space, and a home office, along with extensive site work and landscaping. From a design perspective, they are simply brilliant. They have a fantastic aesthetic sense; know how to integrate old and new in a way that is pure genius; and are skilled problem-solvers. I wanted the house to be more liveable and comfortable, while still honoring the antique details that had drawn me to the property in the first place. Pi Smith and Stephen Branchflower in particular not only listened to me all along the way, but heard me. They gave me exactly what I had hoped for. From a practical perspective, I needed to live in the house while this was going on, and they were sensitive to my need to carry on amidst the upheaval. They worked closely with the contractor, Lud Leskovar, to assure that I was comfortable and inconvenienced a little as humanly possible while the work was being done all around me. Smith & Vansant, Lud Leskovar and I worked closely as a team. The kept me informed as to costs all along the way and helped me make decisions that took into account my both budget and my dreams. They were endlessly patient and always kind. Everyone in this close-knit firm is a pleasure to work with, operates with the highest integrity, and knows what they are doing. I can't recommend Smith & Vansant highly enough. For photos of this project, see "Houzz Tour: Beautiful, Hardworking Cape Renovation" on this site.”

“I renovated my 1905 home in downtown Hanover, NH in 2009. The renovations included new bathrooms, but the challenging changes--and the ones most important to me--were the ones that transformed my kitchen and the adjoining dining area. I hired Haynes and Garthwaite to plan the project, do the drawings, and supervise the work. I worked closely with Andrew Garthwaite. I was, and remain, so pleased with what was done and how it was done that I am hoping to persuade Andrew to do the designs for my condominium in Cambridge, MA. The Hanover renovations achieved what I wanted them to achieve, stayed within the limits of the budget Andrew and I had established, and were more exciting than stressful to live through. Before the work, the first floor of the house was relatively dark. The spaces were cramped and impractical for whatever activity they were supposedly destined (cooking, entertaining...). The kitchen was an awkward L-shaped thing with dreadful cabinets, appliances in illogical places, and basement stairs in an unfortunate spot. The dining room was too small to accommodate even eight people comfortably. I showed Andrew the open-floor layout of a recently-built condo and basically said: reproduce this effect in my house--without destroying the character of the house. Amazingly, that was exactly what he did. A useless outdoor porch became part of my new dining room/kitchen. The basement stairs were moved to an outside wall, where they were out of the way (and also easily accessible, through a new outside door, to plumbers and electricians and other people with muddy boots). Lovely, well-designed cherry cabinets and drawers complemented grey-black granite counters. An island separates the kitchen from the dining area, where I recently fed ten people comfortably. New windows mean that the entire kitchen-dining space catches first the morning and then the afternoon sun; recessed lighting and attractive hanging lamps take over after sunset. I have two armchairs, a coffee table, and a large Bijar rug between the dinner table and the kitchen island. Even though the house has two studies, I now tend to work sitting in one of the chairs in the dining area, simply because the aesthetics of the space are so pleasing. Three old bathrooms--each with its own set of problems--are now thoroughly updated. Everything works, and the bathrooms look attractive. In the bedrooms, closets and built-ins have enhanced storage space without making the house look like a victim of identity theft. Thanks to Andrew's skills and dedication, we started with excellent and precise plans. But Andrew was constantly available during the project, watching for unanticipated possibilities as well as problems. The results were really terrific. I recommend Andrew and his firm without reservation to anyone embarking on a renovation project.”

“I have had the pleasure now of working with Merrimack Design on three projects now. They have the ability to really understand the desires of their clients and execute accordingly. Greg and Eric work remarkably well as a team and their work speaks for itself. As a developer I look for clean, effective and efficient work product that they provide. I would not hesitate to recommend Merrimack design to anyone hiring an Architectural firm knowing they will handle their residential design challenges with great ideas, work product and technical ability.”

“Chris brings a brilliant approach to home design. He quickly delivers a plan by capturing the desires of the owner. His design signature is unique and a breath of fresh air to the custom home market.”

“We had Randall Mudge & Assocs. design an extensive new master bath and closet for our existing home. Construction has not yet been undertaken, but we were very pleased with their work. It was innovative and carefully thought out.”

“Thank you Kate for helping us to brainstorm ideas, design and assist in creating our forever dream home with your thoughtful and mindful architectural suggestions! You listened intently to our vision to produce a structural design that would work with our existing home, built in 1985, and stay within waterfront protection restrictions and open up striking views of the water from nearly all directions. With new windows and wall of glass sliding doors, we can’t believe how much natural light has been added to our home. We wake every morning seeing and feeling the warmth of the sunrise to start our day peacefully, calm and stress free. We now feel so connected to the outdoors, being able to view all the wildlife in their natural habitat. Many of our neighbors also comment on how beautiful and tastefully done the exterior of the home is and how it continues to fit into the charm of the Henniker area despite the large additional footprint. You are an extremely talented and trusted local professional gem who is creative, easy to work with, and very responsive given the timeline and budget for our project. We are very proud of and love the work you did and highly recommend you to manage any project large or small. You proved to us and the contractor that you are able to successfully handle any challenges, changes, or curve balls that come your way and make it all work out beautifully.”

“Studio Nexus designed an interior renovation of a large part of our home (kitchen, baths, living areas, master bedroom), as well as an outdoor deck/roof overhang. I would strongly recommend them. They are highly qualified architects whose range of experience encompasses thoughtful renovation of existing residences. One of their great strengths was interpreting our goals for the house renovation into creative design solutions. Studio Nexus understood the bones of the house and what design concepts we found important. We wanted as many windows as possible, and as open a space as possible. They designed a kitchen/living area that met these requirements elegantly and fit within the modern lines of the original home. It is the true heart of our home, and the space that we spend most of our time as a family. Studio Nexus uncovered our house’s potential, creating a light, bright and welcoming living environment. They accomplished all this while being mindful of our budget.”

“I have wanted a kitchen for years that represented my Victorian home. The design work and construction was meticulous. The time spent gathering together all elements of the project was done professionally and encompassed areas beyond my range of knowledge. My questions and concerns were listened to with an excellent attitude and explained to the fullest. The functionality of the kitchen is amazing. The work was done to our agreed time frame and within our budget. Gosselin Design worked with all the vendors in a professional manner and acquired the products we ordered as timely as possible. They dealt with issues beyond our control. I am very pleased with the exceptional work done on my project.”

“I worked with Anita on interior design/decorating decisions after buying a new house. This included selection of interior paint colors, furniture, upholstery, and light fixtures, as well as furniture placement. She was professional and thorough and most importantly very attuned to not only my style and taste but also to my needs as a mother of small children. I also appreciated that she helped me source almost every item locally and was sensitive to the budget. I will definitely be working with her again in the future.”