You’ve probably heard of some of the latest building trends, including outdoor kitchens, carriage houses and upscale wine cellars complete with tasting rooms. You might be surprised to know that his and hers office spaces are becoming increasingly popular among households with members who work from home. At Tiefenthaler, we stay current with construction developments, and we’ve seen the emergence of the new office environment.

Source: Sycamore Rd via Houzz.com

Couples that telecommute on a daily basis have the advantage of being able to spend more time together than those that work offsite all day or have lengthy commutes. At the same time, each person needs a certain amount of privacy to stay focused on tasks and take phone calls as necessary. The concept of his and hers offices ensure that the work stations are adequately separated, while occupying the same space.

In some spaces, it makes sense to place these desks next to each other. With an extending wall partition, he won’t be running into her chair and she won’t be taking up his workspace with documents or other office supplies. Another popular set up for his and hers office spaces have two desks facing each other and sharing a long table or desk as a work surface.

No matter what desk setup works best for a couple, plenty of storage for office supplies and computer equipment is a must. With two people sharing the space, it’s essential that everything is properly stowed.
If you’d like to hear more about recent home improvement and building trends, please give us a call. Our professionals at Tiefenthaler specialize in all areas of construction, including new builds, historic renovations and outdoor spaces. We have custom millwork experts on staff to transform your interior or exterior into a truly unique space.

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When it comes to a life-changing investment like construction on your new home, you should never settle for anything but the best architect for your budget.

Source: Free Digital Photos

It’s unsafe and unwise to rely on general contractors or other non-certified workers to build your new home. The experts at Tiefenthaler can offer three key reasons why hiring a licensed architect is money well spent.

1. Bringing an architect on board when you’re undertaking new construction or major home renovations provides you with an advocate to help guide you through the process. There are so many different faces you’ll see during this type of undertaking, from builders to landscapers to plumbing experts to municipal code enforcement personnel. An architect is used to dealing with these people and can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed.

2. Professional architects have foresight that you and other members of the building project do not possess. Issues invariably arise related to construction and design, and architects have the expertise to offer alternatives that will keep the project moving along. Builders work from the blue prints they’re given, so they sometimes don’t see problems early enough to avoid them.

3. An architect looks beyond the blue prints to the aesthetics of the building, including the flow among rooms and human components. It’s one thing to properly measure the size of the rooms and choose quality construction materials. However, a true professional has vision related to the scale of a space, its intended functions, and other intangible aspects of a large scale project.

Please contact the Tiefenthaler office to find out more about architects and other construction specialists we partner with for new home construction. We also handle preservation of historic buildings and major home renovations, and have been serving the Fairfield County area for over 25 years.

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When you think of home improvement, you likely conjure up visions of new paint colors, installing cabinetry, putting on an addition, or renovating the kitchen.

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Did you know that, your plumbing might be in need of a makeover before the aesthetic aspects of your home, especially if you live in an older structure? The Tiefenthaler team has extensive experience with historic home preservation, so they can offer a few tips on knowing when you need to replace your pipes.

• If you’re experiencing low water pressure, especially when attempting to use the hot tap, you might have galvanized pipes that have become clogged due to corrosion. In some cases, you’ll need to replace the entire plumbing system which is extremely expensive. Consult with an expert to determine whether you can replace just the corroded sections, and then fix the remaining pipes over time.

• Not all plumbing issues are inside your older home. You might need to replace the sewer line if your low water pressure problems originate in the main pipe that extends from the house, through the front yard, and on to the street. Tree roots can grow into the pipes, or they can be crushed by snow or other heavy objects.

• You might also need to replace the plumbing in your older home if you notice that your tap water is discolored or contains debris. This points to a leak somewhere in the home or main sewer line that’s allowing dirt to enter the supply line.

At Tiefenthaler, our home improvement experience extends from new construction to historic preservation to design of outbuildings and carriage houses. Please give us a call if you have questions on our areas of expertise. We maintain partnerships with the top architects and interior designers in the Fairfield County area, and have custom millwork professionals on staff.

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No matter how gorgeous your home may be on the inside, it’s the curb appeal outside that neighbors and passersby will notice first. The craftsmen at Tiefenthaler recognize that many homeowners want to make an impact when designing their exterior. Our experts can pass on a few ideas on Fairfield home renovations that will really turn some heads.

Source: This Old House

1. Have your painter add a coat of paint to your front door will boost your curb appeal quickly, and it’s easy enough for anyone to do. Red and pumpkin shades are very popular, as these colors are really eye popping when viewed from the street. Make sure you paint the trim around the door when undertaking this type of project, because the new paint makes the old look dingy. Finish off the style with an attractive door knocker for even more elegance.

2. Treat your front porch to a makeover by decorating with potted plants and flowers. It’s simple to create a container garden, and you can even coordinate the pots with your home’s exterior color. Stay current throughout the year by including seasons plants, like holly for the holidays and tulips when spring arrives.

3. Install a brick or stone pathway leading to your front door. More visually appealing than simple concrete, these building materials are durable and require very little maintenance throughout the years. The look is striking and a beautiful way to welcome visitors. Consider adding lights to line the pathway at night. The solar powered type collect sunlight during the day, and will shine for hours after the sun goes down.

Would you like more information on Tiefenthaler’s Fairfield home renovations and exterior work? Please give us a call to speak with a specialist about our areas of expertise, which include outdoor improvements, new construction and historic home preservation.

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