Custom Home Services in Walpole, NH

“LKM Design completed a whole house renovation (and major addition) with us. I say "with us" versus "for us" intentionally. She listened to all of our thoughts , comments, concerns during the design process. In turn, this lead to a very smooth construction process. She was a true professional, as was her staff. I would highly recommend her for any project!”

“We had long admired the work of this talented duo (Ann McCallum and Andy Burr) and had especially enjoyed the success they had creating the Porches Hotel in North Adams, MA, which had a decidedly Mid-Century vibe. When we bought our little 1950's Cape in Williamstown we knew they'd be the perfect choice to update the house and convert it into an idyllic weekend and Summer retreat. Our goal was to remain true to the building's original mid-century roots and add a contemporary vibe at the same time. Working with a very modest budget, Burr & McCallum came up with a wonderful (and affordable) way to add a shed dormer, open up the interior, create a master bath and utilize standard materials (like Pella windows and IKEA kitchen cabinets) that gave us the look we wanted, yet stayed within our agreed to budget. They helped us identify and work with a great local contractor (Vince Martel) and were shoulder to shoulder with us throughout the process. They even brought a colorist in to ensure we got the bright, fun, cheery palette for the house that we desired. It was a really great collaboration -- they were wonderful listeners and always found a way to take our input and ideas and make them even better. In the end we got exactly the house we had hoped for and we credit that to the vision, talents and thoughtful approach that Ann and Andy use. I'm pleased to say that even though the house is a renovation and very modest in size and scope, it's been featured in Boston Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens and elsewhere. We can't say enough good things about this firm and recommend them highly.”

“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.”

“"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.””

“Greg and Cliff did a spectacular job from start to finish. Greg's design of the mud room addition and garage brought out the best of the original house and provided a very functional, inviting and warm curb appeal. They were always punctual and met deadlines. Attention to detail and follow up was phenomenal. Having the architect oversee the job in every phase of the build is tremendously valuable.”

“CMK Architects is an incredibly talented firm with a diverse portfolio. Their designs are both environmentally friendly and visually stunning. CMK Architects has the ability to create both functional buildings such as schools, firehouses and police stations as well as impeccably crafted private homes. CMK Architects has a vision that blends creativity and logic. I would highly recommend CMK Architects to anyone who is looking to create a unique space.”

“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.”

“Ramsay is a consummate professional- he is a pleasure to work with. We collaborated with Ramsay on some customized table lamps that he designed. He was practical, respectful of our time, willing to listen, thorough in his research and knowledgable regarding design and manufacture challenges- we would be thrilled to work with him again. Ramsay is invested in his work beyond what is simply required- he is motivated by passion and personal integrity which makes for challenging collaborations and beautiful results. Respectfully submitted Michael Krauss/ Maria Peragine Owners -Authentic Designs inc.”

“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.”

“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.”