--- title: "Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/vanney-macswain-home-planning-pfvwus-pf~503825480 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~503825480.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/c593977f01b78d6a_0027-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "3089 Fox Run, Appleton, Wisconsin 54914, United States" latitude: 44.271 longitude: -88.4326 phone: "(920) 606-6699" website: http://www.vanneymacswain.com rating: 4.9 review_count: 14 best_of_houzz_awards: 3 followers: 54 last_updated: 2026-08-16 --- # Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning Original Houzz profile: [Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/vanney-macswain-home-planning-pfvwus-pf~503825480) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Appleton, WI - **Serves:** Appleton, Grand Chute, Neenah, Menasha, Kaukauna, Little Chute, Kimberly, Waupaca, Combined Locks, Sherwood, Hortonville, Wautoma, Chain of Lakes Wisconsin, Freedom, Greenville, Northern Wisconsin, Shawano Lake - **Houzz rating:** 4.9 out of 5 (14 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2016–2018), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves Awarded Best of Houzz 2016 & 2017! Do you want to see your home in 3-D animation? Vanney-MacSwain specializes in construction plans that you can see before they are built. Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning provides new home, addition and remodeling plans and specifications that have been thoughtfully created to have a positive lifetime impact on the families that are sheltered by them and the neighborhoods in which they are built. Cindi MacSwain brings over 30-years of education and experience and a degree in Residential Architecture. Her experience in building material sales, manufactured building components and architectural design and management provide a practical foundation for her creative design solutions. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Floor Plans - Energy-Efficient Homes - 3D Rendering - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Bathroom Design - Green Building - Space Planning - Guesthouse Design & Construction - Universal Design - Multigenerational Homes - Home Restoration - Historic Building Conservation - Handicap-Accessible Design - Basement Remodeling - Mudroom Design - Attic Conversion - Basement Design - Staircase Design - Garage Design - Laundry Room Design - Aging in Place Design - Construction Drawings ### Areas Served - Appleton - Grand Chute - Neenah - Menasha - Kaukauna - Little Chute - Kimberly - Waupaca - Combined Locks - Sherwood - Hortonville - Wautoma - Chain of Lakes Wisconsin - Freedom - Greenville - Northern Wisconsin - Shawano Lake ### Typical Job Cost $400 - 6,000 Cost for planning varies based on type of project and extent of work. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning | | Address | 3089 Fox Run, Appleton, Wisconsin 54914, United States | | Phone | (920) 606-6699 | | Website | http://www.vanneymacswain.com | | Followers on Houzz | 54 | **Social profiles:** - Blog — http://www.homeandremodelingplans.com/netzeroandgreenhomes.html ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/vanney-macswain-home-planning-pfvwus-pf~503825480) - **Website:** http://www.vanneymacswain.com - **Phone:** (920) 606-6699 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - NAHB Certified Aging in Place - NAHB Certified Green Building Professional - Emergency Shelter Fox Valley Volunteer of the Year 2012 - 20+ years as a member of Valley Home Builders Association! - Founder & Community Coordinator E2F (Empty to Full) Pans for Homeless Meals - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2016–2018), for Service. **Affiliations** - [National Association of Home Builders](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/national-association-of-home-builders-pfvwus-pf~562065019) - [Home Builders Association of the Fox Cities](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/home-builders-association-of-the-fox-cities-pfvwus-pf~688271879) - [Winnegamie Home Builders Association](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/winnegamie-home-builders-association-pfvwus-pf~1544552613) - [NAHB Certified Green Professional](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/nahb-certified-green-professional-pfvwus-pf~1100930283) - [NAHB Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/nahb-certified-aging-in-place-specialist-pfvwus-pf~471784673) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5 — 14 reviews** ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Steve Ciccantelli, Sept. 2019** > Cindi’s input in the remodeling of our almost 90 year old lake home. She listened to our needs and wants and designed both the 2nd Story addition and the main floor renovation with our thoughts in mind. > Cindi is a thoughtful listener and she offers innovative solutions to the challenges that come up in renovation and remodeling projects. > I would use her services again should the need arise. **★★★★★ — Holly Van Zeeland, May 2018** > I have worked with Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning for the last 4 years. Cindi has been nothing but professional, helpful, accommodating, and absolutely amazing since we first hired her in 2014. She designed a major home renovation to our 1904 Queen Anne Victorian which included moving the original carriage house and attaching it to the home. This renovation also included a new mud room, kitchen, and bathroom - she designed it seamlessly where one can't tell the old from the new. There was a caretaker's apartment above the carriage house that we restored in 2016 with Cindi's help. For the past 9 months she has been working with me on a master suite design. I have altered the plan many times, yet she always patiently listens to my requests and provides insight and advice on how best to achieve the desired form and function of the space. Part of this plan also included converting a guest room into a full bathroom and laundry room - again, she presented many options while taking my requests and needs into consideration. I recommend her without any hesitation - she is a highly skilled and professional architect. **Comment from Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning:** > Bringing your family space to this point has been an amazing experience. Thank for your positive comments. On a personal and professional level they mean a lot. It's been a pleasure working with you and I'm so thankful for the opportunity. **★★★★★ — Ellen Beltz, Nov. 2017** > Cindi has been our consultant/architect for all of our home remodeling projects (there have been multiple) over the last 20+ years. From project initiation, attentive listening, creative design, responsiveness to concerns, follow through and monitoring of project progress through completion---- she has no equal. We had many major difficulties with our last project and if it had not been for Cindi's intervention and skills I'm not sure we would have made it through. We give her our highest recommendation and thanks! **Comment from Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning:** > Thank-you! I feel like the fortunate one. I'm looking forward to seeing our latest design work come to life. **★★★★★ — Norman Fox, Nov. 2017** > Cindi was a pleasure to work with. We can to her with portions of two house plans that we wanted to blend into one house plan. She listened to what our priorities and ideas were and then crafted them into a house plan. She was very strategic in space and lighting for the house. Cindi helped us understand her reasoning for why she chose various design options and explained to use the trade-offs in cost vs. benefit of a couple of our design ideas. Cindi met with us that the contractor to get questions out on the table that we had and that the contractor had about the design. This worked well to bring together the designer, the contractor, and the client for discussions. On some of the minor points on construction, the contractor and Cindi had different points of view that we had to work out together. Overall the experience was excellent. We have been in the house now for about six weeks and we are thrilled with the design and construction. **Comment from Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning:** > Thank-you for the kind words. It was great to work with you and Karen. Bringing ideas and craft together to create a home you're thrilled with is extremely satisfying. I wish you all the best as you spend time with family and friends in your new home. **★★★★★ — Nanette Gerrits, Dec. 2016** > Cindi was recommended by a family member. When I first met her, I knew she was a great fit for our project. What I loved most about Cindi was her willingness to truly listen to me. I had a lot of crazy and unique ideas for my home and instead of telling me these ideas were impossible, she embraced them and accepted the challenge. Not only did I have some unique ideas, I was also very picky about certain details of our home. Again, Cindi listened closely and we got every last detail right. She was incredibly patient with me and understood that I did not want my home to be like everyone else's. She took the time to get to know me on a personal level which really helped her to understand what I wanted. She met with me and talked with me through email and over the phone MANY times! I probably drove her crazy! Ha! Cindi stayed in contact with us during the entire build and I actually still have contact with her. She had our best interest at heart and she truly wanted to make sure everything turned out exactly how we wanted it. Cindi is not just an architect, she is an artist. I would hire Cindi for my next project in a heartbeat. I would not even consider another architect. Cindi is wonderful and I consider her my friend. As I am sitting here in my beautiful home writing this, I am so thankful that we found her. THANK YOU CINDI! **Comment from Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning:** > All these words are so generous and kind! It's always inspirational working with someone as creative as you. I truly enjoyed every minute. Paying attention to the details is what makes a home work on the building site and for everyone who lives there. When I meet someone who wants these things too it's amazing and a lot of fun. Thank-you! **★★★★★ — sbishop3848, March 2016** > We were struggling to fit all we wanted in our floor plan for a remodel of a 25 year old house, even building out. Several builders recommended Cindi. She came with our lot map, knowing our property and that the kitchen faced south. Her plans fit everything we wanted and convinced us to get rid of the dining room, which we are glad we did. The plans we not over designed, kept costs down and made everything look like that's how the house was originally built, not a pieced together remodel. She added placed Windows well and added a 3rd patio door panel on the south side to bring in more light. We made only slight improvements to the plans. We really like how it all turned out. **Comment from Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning:** > I enjoyed walking through your completed home remodeling. All the choices you made enhance the home for family entertaining and day to day living. I know you'll enjoy this for years to come. It was a pleasure getting to know you and work with you. Thank-you! **★★★★★ — ghietpas, Oct. 2015** > Vanney-MacSwain, (Cindy) helped us transform a cottage into a beautiful lake home and it went fabulously well. Cindy was on time, on budget and very easy to work with. It was not an easy project but she made it seem easy. I would give Cindy the highest possible recommendation and urge anyone who wants the best to work with Cindy. **Comment from Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning:** > Working with you to transform your cottage into a beautiful place for family fun was my pleasure. I appreciate your recommendation and thoughtful remarks. **★★★★ — igensak, Oct. 2015** > We chose Cindi MacSwain to design our new home 2+ years ago. She took our thoughts and lifestyle and translated them into a beautiful and very livable green house (~2000sf). No small part of this was helping us negotiate that tricky territory of affordability, which she did both patiently and most competently. Though we might have wished for a bit more guidance on choosing our contractor (the one we chose for the initial build was not a happy fit for us), we were very pleased with both the design of our home and the process of getting it on paper and would recommend Cindi MacSwain most highly. **Comment from Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning:** > I was happy to help you get and keep your home affordable. What a wonderfully, artful home it turned out to be. Your use of repurposed materials is inspirational! I appreciate your comments on my behalf. Working with you was a joy. **★★★★★ — catherinepeters3, Oct. 2015** > Cindi came in with such a vision and turned a worn out home into a vision of excellence and coziness. Her patience in waiting for us to come around has made our house a home. Her vision in design is top-notch--We are a very grateful family! **Comment from Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning:** > Thank-you for the kind words. I loved seeng the transformation. It was a pleasure being part of the team that made this a home your family can enjoy for many years to come. > Sincerely, Cindi **★★★★★ — darren21, Sept. 2015** > We hired Vanney-MacSwain to design a remodel of our main floor bedrooms, laundry, kitchen and pantry. Cindy met with us to discuss our needs and presented several options to choose from. We enjoy every aspect of our new space and feel Cindy helped bring value to the project and our house. **Comment from Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning:** > Thank-you for your wonderful review. It was a pleasure getting to know you & create a design that would give you more function and personal space within your plan footprint. **★★★★★ — houseofjana, Sept. 2015** > Cindi MacSwain was referred to me by my contractor for my home remodel. Cindi exceeded my expectations by providing me with options that addressed what I really hoped to get from my new space. Her innovative ideas helped me create beautiful and highly functional spaces and integrated seamlessly with the rest of my home. It has enhanced the beauty and value of the house. I am planning on working with her again and highly recommend her services. **Comment from Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning:** > I've enjoyed working with you and appreciate your terrific comments. You've made your home is a wonderful part of the environment that it's in. I look forward to our work together. > Sincerely, Cindi **★★★★★ — Julie, Sept. 2015** > Cindy designed a new "carriage house" for us on our existing property. She co-ordinated the design to work beautifully with our existing 90 year old home. She was easy to work with and listened to everything we wanted to accomplish with the structure. **Comment from Vanney-MacSwain Home Planning:** > Thank-you for your wonderful review and the opportunity to be part of this addition. I enjoy driving by the "Carriage House" just to see how charming it looks. > Sincerely, Cindi ## Selected projects - [Siena Stone Lake Side Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/siena-stone-lake-side-home-pj-vj~6164726) - Location: Menasha, WI - Photos: 5 - [Plamann Park Contemporary](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/plamann-park-contemporary-pj-vj~1992557) - Location: Appleton, WI - Photos: 1 - Description: European Contemporary or Mid-Century Modern were the comments made by visitors viewing this at the recent " Parade of Homes". Commercial grade steel siding and soffit materials set this exterior apart. Sealed concrete floors are used throughout. Contemporary line black windows let the southern light shine in. Passive solar features and advanced insulation and air sealing techniques give this home 60% better than average testing values in the "Wisconsin Focus on Energy-New Home Program." - [Front Exterior Home Transformation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/front-exterior-home-transformation-pj-vj~1571475) - Location: Appleton, WI - Photos: 3 - Description: This 2-Story Colonial Built in the 1980's Needed Updating to Match the Style of the Homeowners. Colonial Detailing was Removed and Craftsman Style Details were Added. Dark Blue Siding with Bright White Windows & Trim were Added. Double Hung Windows were Lengthened in the Same Openings. An Large Exterior Porch for Tables & Rockers Was Added. White Tapered Columns were Added on a Stone Base. Accent Gables with Brackets or Corbels were added to the Garage & 2nd Floor. The Overhead Door was Painted… - [Contemporary Transition Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-transition-home-pj-vj~1570538) - Location: Appleton, WI - Photos: 21 - Description: Stone & Vinyl 2-Story Home - [Lakeside Modern Mediterranean Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lakeside-modern-mediterranean-farmhouse-pj-vj~5501970) - Location: Neenah, WI - Photos: 1 - [Sheboygan Hillside](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sheboygan-hillside-pj-vj~1571404) - Location: Sheboygan, WI - Photos: 18 - [North Appleton Walkout](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/north-appleton-walkout-pj-vj~2458057) - Location: Appleton, WI - Photos: 1 - [Lake Home Extraordinaire](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-home-extraordinaire-pj-vj~1571496) - Location: Oshkosh, WI - Photos: 9 - [Kimberly Southern Ravine Walk-out Ranch](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kimberly-southern-ravine-walk-out-ranch-pj-vj~1137876) - Location: Kimberly, WI - Photos: 2 - Description: This home was a customized, ranch style home on wooded, south facing, ravine lot. - [Neenah West Wind Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/neenah-west-wind-home-pj-vj~1137872) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - [Cecil's House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cecil-s-house-pj-vj~2458045) - Location: Neenah, WI - Photos: 1 - [Door County Sturgeon Bay Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/door-county-sturgeon-bay-home-pj-vj~2458050) - Location: Sturgeon Bay, WI - Photos: 1 - [Lakeside Tri-Level Transformation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lakeside-tri-level-transformation-pj-vj~1571677) - Location: Menasha, WI - Photos: 4 - [Sherwood Golf Course Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sherwood-golf-course-home-pj-vj~2458055) - Location: Kaukauna, WI - Photos: 1 - [Casaloma Country French Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/casaloma-country-french-home-pj-vj~1137875) - Location: Appleton, WI - Photos: 2 - Description: VHBA Parade of Homes Entry - [Fox River Contemporary](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fox-river-contemporary-pj-vj~1573191) - Location: Appleton, WI - Photos: 3 - [Lake Winnebago Oshkosh Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-winnebago-oshkosh-home-pj-vj~1118658) - Location: Oshkosh, WI - Photos: 1 - [Minocqua Lake Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/minocqua-lake-home-pj-vj~1137867) - Location: Minocqua, WI - Photos: 2 - [Antigo Lake Home Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/antigo-lake-home-remodel-pj-vj~1137863) - Location: Antigo, WI - Photos: 1 [See all 19 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/vanney-macswain-home-planning-pfvwus-pf~503825480) ## Ideabooks - [Winneconne Wolf River Home](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/132080605/list/winneconne-wolf-river-home) — 2 ideas - [1663 Pro](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/122052516/list/1663-pro) — 17 ideas - [Picket Porch Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/121559258/list/picket-porch-remodel) — 8 ideas - [905 Bayview Pro](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/120461054/list/905-bayview-pro) — 10 ideas - [LakeFly Pro](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/110490076/list/lakefly-pro) — 22 ideas - [B & S Ravine Lot Ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/108310225/list/b-s-ravine-lot-ideas) — 1 idea - [Forest Ave Master Bath Sauna](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/94797429/list/forest-ave-master-bath-sauna) — 4 ideas - [Vanney MacSwain Craftsman Style Looks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/64358139/list/vanney-macswain-craftsman-style-looks) — 3 ideas - [B&S Ravine Contemporary](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/90385308/list/b-s-ravine-contemporary) — 2 ideas - [Bayview Home Exteriors](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/92688994/list/bayview-home-exteriors) — 22 ideas - [Bayview Home Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/93004801/list/bayview-home-kitchen) — 4 ideas - [C&B Dream Book](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/63267774/list/c-b-dream-book) — 4 ideas - [Katie H Lofts from Cindi](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/97469415/list/katie-h-lofts-from-cindi) — 5 ideas [See all 13 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/homeandremodelingplans) ## Community Q&A **Q: dbrill\_home@yahoo.com** *(in Photo Questions)* what color is exterior paint A: This is Certainteed Monogram XL Vinyl siding in Pacific Blue. **Q: What brand and material is the window trim?** *(in Photo Questions)* I like the simple thick trim, but want brand is it? A: The siding is Certainteed Monogram Pacific Blue w/Azek Trim **Q: How wide are the window moldings?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: It's Certainteed Monogram Vinyl Siding in Pacific Blue. **Q: Shutters on front only?** *(in Design Dilemma)* Just had house re-sided in a medium grey and a red front door. Really happy with how it is turning out.I plan to get black shutters. My question is whether I should shutter the side of the house that faces the main road, or just the front. (Back of the house has oddly placed windows and I don't think lends itself to shutters) A: You can purchase shutter hardware that looks more authentic. This would also make it look less 1979. Front porch improvements would also change the "dated" style. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-16.*