Creative Inspiration and Design Musings
How to Select the Right Lighting for Every Room in Your Home
Lighting has the power to completely transform a space. Even if you choose the finest materials and finishes, they can look underwhelming in a space with poorly designed lighting. On the other hand, thoughtful lighting can elevate even budget-friendly materials and make them feel high-end. The right light can make a room feel warm and inviting, or stark and cold, depending on the color temperature and positioning of the light source.
SIPs in Washington: Just the Walls or Go All In?
When building or remodeling in Washington state, you’re not only considering the right layout or finishes, but you’re also planning for diverse climates, energy efficiency, construction speed, and long-term comfort. That’s why we often recommend Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) to our clients—especially those prioritizing sustainability and high-performance year-round.
Saving Energy with Plants
There are many ways to invest in a house to reduce the amount of power and money needed to keep it comfortable year-round such as insulation, airtight construction, and more efficient equipment. However, people sometimes overlook what a well-designed layout of trees, bushes, and other plantings can do to contribute to a passive heating and cooling strategy.
Cabinet Hardware Placement Guide
When designing a kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, or built-in cabinetry, every detail is intentional—from the grain direction of the wood to the texture of the backsplash. One important detail that helps to tie the design together is the cabinet hardware.
Best in the PNW 2025 Winner!
We're excited to announce that H2D Architecture + Design won two awards in the 2025 Seattle Times ‘Best in the PNW’ | People Choice Awards!
Engineered Hardwood vs Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
Flooring is more than a surface, it is an integral part of your home, and the right flooring sets the tone for your entire home. These materials affect not just the look of a space but also how it feels underfoot, and how environmentally friendly your home will be. In this blog, we’ll break down the key differences between LVP and engineered hardwood, including aesthetics, durability, environmental impact, and overall value.
The Power of Trim: How Millwork Shapes Your Space
Millwork, trim, and molding are often subtle, overlooked elements in interior design, but their impact on a space is anything but minor. They play a significant role in shaping the overall character and atmosphere of a space. Whether your home leans traditional, modern, or minimalist, thoughtful decisions about your interior millwork package can elevate your design from basic to beautifully cohesive.
Choose the Best Siding for Your PNW Home
The Pacific Northwest (PNW) is known for its natural beauty, lush forests, and wet climate. While this unique geographical area creates a stunning landscape, it also presents challenges for home exteriors. Choosing the right siding is essential to ensure durability, moisture-resistance, and longevity. Here, we explore our top 3 siding choices that can withstand the PNW elements and enhance your home’s curb appeal.
Universal Design for Single-Family Homes
When planning a home, most people focus on aesthetics, comfort, and functionality. However, as we age and our needs evolve, considering how a home can adapt to changing abilities and different life stages is paramount. Universal design addresses this by creating spaces that are accessible, usable, and adaptable for everyone – regardless of age or physical ability.
Meet Our Team, Claire
Meet our Office Manager + Design Assistant, Claire Prestegard, and discover more about her and her expertise at H2D!
We’re Licensed in Oregon!
We’re excited to announce that H2D Architecture + Design is expanding to provide full-service architecture and interior design services in Oregon state!
As a sustainability-focused, women-owned architecture and interior design firm based in Edmonds, Washington, this milestone marks the start of an exciting new chapter in our firm’s story..
Meet Our Team, Cristy
Meet our Architectural Designer + Project Manager, Cristy Weller, and discover more about her and her expertise at H2D!
Flexible Design Solutions for Open Concept Living
In today's homes, flexibility is key. Over the past decade, there has been a significant shift towards open concept living, which presents the important need of innovative storage space solutions, layered lightning options, and creative furniture placement.
Meet Our Team, Sarah
Meet our Project Architect + Project Manager, Sarah Thompson, and discover more about her and her expertise at H2D!
Swim Spas vs. In-Ground Pools
If you’ve dreamed about owning a swimming pool but also love the idea of a relaxing hot tub, a swim spa could be an ideal choice combining the best of these worlds. The design options are endless and can add value to your home by integrating a swim spa into a revitalized backyard with a new deck or patio, often combined with an outdoor covered living space or kitchen.
Meet Our Team, Lauren
Meet our Interior Designer, Lauren Groth, and discover more about her and her expertise at H2D!
Why Hire an Interior Designer?
Creating a beautiful, functional, and personalized home can feel overwhelming. With so many decisions to make—from choosing finishes and fixtures to selecting furniture and decor—it’s easy to feel stuck or unsure of where to start. This is where hiring an interior designer can transform your experience. At H2D, we specialize in collaborating with our clients to design interiors that reflect their vision, function seamlessly, and enhance the architecture of their homes. Here are the top reasons why hiring an interior designer is worth every penny.
Meet Our Team, Lisa
Meet our Architectural + Interior Designer, and Project Manager, Lisa Montalvo, and discover more about her and her expertise at H2D!
Fireplace Design Guide
As temperatures drop, the fireplace becomes an inviting focal piece in the home. Whether you’re designing a custom home or remodeling an existing space, selecting the right fireplace(s) for your house involves considering factors like aesthetic preferences, environmental impact, and heat output. From modern electric fireplaces with color changing flames to classic wood-burning hearths, we’re here to help you better understand how to navigate the many options to create a fireplace design that enhances your home.
Meet Our Team, Heidi
At H2D Architecture + Design, our team is dedicated to designing thoughtful, sustainable, and sophisticated spaces that reflect our clients’ unique visions. Meet our Owner + Principal Architect, Heidi Helgeson, and discover the brains behind the operation!