SHKS Architects

Over the last twelve years, we’ve worked with Theresa at SHKS to finish our basement and our attic, remodel a bathroom, rework some bedroom closets and completely redo our kitchen. Our house dates from 1911, so we’re always asking for solutions that fit both the look and feel of the house, and work with our busy family life. We don’t want to live in a museum, but we’ve seen a lot of “updates” that don’t have much character. Theresa has a real appreciation for the period detail that makes the house special, and a good sense of how to echo that detail in new additions and scale it to the space in question. For example, the molding and wainscoting in our basement is very similar to that which is “original” in the rest of the house, but because the basement ceiling is low the woodwork is scaled down so as not to overwhelm the space. Theresa starts with a good understanding of how we want to use the space and how we want it to feel, and she consistently surprised us with design ideas we wouldn’t have thought of, that really work. The half wall and columns in our basement room define the room and make it feel cozier, while effectively hiding the support beam we had to install. Moving a closet wall made a spacious shower in what was a very small bathroom. In reworking some awkwardly shaped bedroom closets, Theresa created an alcove that brought a formerly useless window into the room and made space for a built-in bureau, transforming the whole room. Theresa is a pleasure to work with. She listens well and communicates very clearly. She got to know our tastes and needs quickly, and her designs were beautiful, made great use of space, and conformed to the way we live. She took the time to discuss every detail with us both in finalizing the design and throughout construction, so that we were always on the same page, and could deal with any questions or problems together. Our kitchen was the real tour de force. Theresa advised removing a small pantry to open up the room, and although we were uncertain about losing the storage space, it really improved the traffic flow and we have increased storage in our drawers and cabinets, as promised. She also talked us into raising the ceiling, which didn’t seem necessary, but again really transformed the space. We had never thought of tiling one wall, but it’s beautiful, and the stained glass in the cabinets (designed by Theresa and created by a local artisan) echoes other stained glass in the house and is the focal point of the room. We get a lot of compliments on the kitchen for how beautiful and unique it is—here, as in all the rooms she’s designed for us, Theresa was able to address all the details, helping us pick the right tile, fixtures, paint colors and wood to make a warm, inviting space that really reflects our personal taste. We spend more time in our kitchen than in any other room of the house, so we love that it’s a bright, beautiful, comfortable room that accommodates lots of bodies cooking, eating, doing homework, using the computer, and reading under the skylights where the light is best. Our house is a big, old house with a lot of period detail, and it could easily feel too formal to be cozy, but people consistently tell us how warm and comfortable they find it. I think that is a function of good design. We’ve had consistently great experiences and great results working with SHKS.

Kevin Kane of SHKS provided remodel architect design services for my mid-century modern home. Kevin is a creative architect with experience on a wide range of structures / materials and he is extremely easy to work with. He listens very carefully and he incorporates your ideas into the design. Kevin also worked hard to develop a scope of work that met my budget while accomplishing my goals for the project. I couldn't he happier with the outcome. I get so many compliments on my house. Thanks again Kevin and SHKS!

I hired Theresa Freeman to design my kitchen, bath, laundry and entry and to relocate my basement stairs. Theresa drew preliminary drawings for me and after I chose the general layout continued to work with me on the details. Even when I changed my mind she patiently adjusted the drawings. She met with me and three contractors she had recommended. (I could not be happier with the contractor I chose.) She seemed to share my vision for my project. She was responsive and sympathetic. She was also my advocate. I depended on her expertise quite a bit from general design to little details. She is sweet but knowledgeable and appropriately resolute. How many people can say that their remodel was a happy experience?! I can.