Building Designers in Middlebury

“Nancy Leary did a beautiful redesign on my 1850's VT farmhouse. She seamlessly incorporated all my needs, in a fashion that was respectful of the original character of the house, but which also managed to incorporate all the conveniences of the 21st century. The project included: restoration of original front porch, design and installation of a new, modern kitchen, total LR redesign including: creation of stove fireplace and appropriate flanking built-in bookcases, design and installation of new windows and exterior door in LR, relocation of front door, and realignment of beams under original pine plank flooring to eliminate serious buckling and slant. Besides doing a basic basement rehab, a including a new concrete floor, new windows and insulation, upstairs Nancy also did a new insulation of many exterior walls, and in the master bedroom, the installation of new gas fireplace and incorporation of old mantel . Her attentiveness, humor and care throughout the project made her a pleasure to work with. I recommend her highly.”

“Working with Kristen L'Esperance was a great pleasure. She helped me hone in on new ideas and concepts for our addition that I had never even considered. She's extremely professional, creative, and a real outside-the-box kind of thinker - just what I was looking for. I would recommend her to anyone who is looking for a great designer with a real eye and practical, simple solutions that fit your everyday life. Couldn't recommend her more!”

“Elizabeth Herrmann's attention to the soul of her work and the spirit of the homeowner is a strength she possesses effortlessly. Add to that her eye for beautiful, efficient, unique detail and expert knowledge. Elizabeth is extremely pleasant to work with, as well.”

“Steve Frey of Arocordis Design worked with me through a year and a half of hard decisions and amazing outcomes. We began by discussing plans to build a home out of shipping containers. He researched and incorporated green building techniques to keep within my low budget of 150K-200K. When the designs were in their first stages, he shopped them out to a couple known shipping container builders. He gently broke the news to me that getting the containers to Vermont was cost prohibitive used too much energy, defeating the purpose. We moved onto a simpler wood construction and through a few sit-down meetings we collaborated on the design, wants and don't really need kind of stuff , to establish a full blueprint. During this time he found my Realtor and set up interviews with 3 builders (newer guy into green building, established middle of the road kind of guy, and a top green builder). The only hitch was not being able to find a reasonable bit of land for the right price in the right spot. Steve was great at letting me know when it was time to take a break, give it time, and move on the next opportunity. I eventually decided to buy an existing home, an 1840's farmhouse, that need work, but had great bones. Steve went back to the drawing board and did 4 elevations, an addition design, and reworked the interior for more open concept. Since I had decided to partner with Jacob Rogen at Rogen Design Build initially, Steve graciously handed the reigns over to Jacob, who has done a masterful job during the 1st phase of renovations. I thankful for Steve's support and professionalism throughout this process. He knows his industry and is constantly looking to learn more and keep on top of new discoveries. Our time during the design phase was so productive and he listened to what I needed. He took what I had to say and interpreted it in the designs with perfection.”

“This has been a great company to work with. Very knowledgeable in all types of building, from residential to large commercial and development.”

“Cushman designed and oversaw construction of my small inn, sterling Ridge Inn. The design was economical and sited perfectly with the natural beauty of the meadows, woods, and spectacular mountains. Inside, on the porches, or in the grounds, one felt comfortably connected to the nearby natural beauty. Everything, from the convenience of the kitchen to the light and comfort of the cathedral ceiling living room gave great comfort to the inkeeper (me), as well as my guests.”

“When adding a new addition to our traditional farmhouse, MaryBeth did an excellent job addressing our concerns of keeping the historical aesthetic . Easy to work with, creative and professional, we'd definitely recommend her to others who are looking to add onto an existing home and wondering how they can remodel and not lose the "feel" of their original house.”

“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.”

“This review comes from Guy and Shari Violas-Guy has sold 1200 plus homes in Los Angeles over a 30 year career and Shari Insures hundreds of Celebrity Clients homes around the Globe. In my humble opinion, Pete designed the most Amazing Lake Front Home of its' size on Canandaigua Lake, Western New York. Pete is extremely calming, very thorough in his approach in designing a home with timeless elements and character. He is honest, cultured and a pleasure to work with. Rock Star!”

“Our company has had the pleasure of partnering with Andrew Volansky on multiple construction projects, residential and commercial, and most recently with the Volansky Studio, on a lakeside traditional Scottish style cottage. Andrew’s attention to detail and open-minded approach to design, guided the project, along with his ability to problem solve and communicate effectively. Upon completion, the home’s fine architectural details and finishes, combine modern convenience with cozy 17th Century charm. We hope to continue collaborating with the Volansky Studio on future projects and highly recommend their professional services to home owners.”