Pros Tell What They Learned in 2023
Design and remodeling professionals reflect on their lessons and favorite projects of the year
As an architect, builder, contractor or designer, the end of a year provides an opportunity to reflect on your professional experiences and consider what you’d like to do differently in the year ahead. We asked design professionals to reveal what 2023 has taught them and to share their favorite projects of the year.
2. Bigger and Better Projects
“Business was good for us in 2023, with roughly a 20% increase in revenue compared with 2022,” Medrzycki says. “We did not hit our goal for this year, but we are on track to hit our $4 million revenue mark in 2024.
“In 2024, we will aim for larger projects so we can have ample budgets and longer timelines to complete each project. We will also put more emphasis on preparing for projects and having all details and selections figured out prior to project start.”
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“Business was good for us in 2023, with roughly a 20% increase in revenue compared with 2022,” Medrzycki says. “We did not hit our goal for this year, but we are on track to hit our $4 million revenue mark in 2024.
“In 2024, we will aim for larger projects so we can have ample budgets and longer timelines to complete each project. We will also put more emphasis on preparing for projects and having all details and selections figured out prior to project start.”
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3. Good Design for Every Budget
“This year reinforced for me the idea that design can be affordable and accessible to anyone regardless of price point,” says Daniel Russo, principal designer and CEO at Columbus, Ohio-based design, remodeling and construction firm Daniel Russo Home.
“There’s a huge misconception that design has to be expensive. Some of my projects this year have shown me this does not have to be the case.”
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“This year reinforced for me the idea that design can be affordable and accessible to anyone regardless of price point,” says Daniel Russo, principal designer and CEO at Columbus, Ohio-based design, remodeling and construction firm Daniel Russo Home.
“There’s a huge misconception that design has to be expensive. Some of my projects this year have shown me this does not have to be the case.”
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“Next year, I will continue to educate existing and potential clients on the design process and inform them that anything is truly possible,” Russo says. “I’m also going to continue expanding my own education on new products coming onto the market and the new building techniques becoming available to designers.”
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4. Gut Instincts
“One professional lesson we learned this year is to trust our gut when it comes to taking on certain projects,” says Francisco José, marketing and communications director at Strong Tower Renovations in Houston. “We might have a bad feeling about a project and do it anyway, only to pay a higher price for it later on. Now, if our gut tells us something isn’t right, we listen to it.
“In 2024, we will only be taking on projects that feel right for our brand and team,” José says. “We will focus on projects that bring a spark to our business instead of dull it.”
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“One professional lesson we learned this year is to trust our gut when it comes to taking on certain projects,” says Francisco José, marketing and communications director at Strong Tower Renovations in Houston. “We might have a bad feeling about a project and do it anyway, only to pay a higher price for it later on. Now, if our gut tells us something isn’t right, we listen to it.
“In 2024, we will only be taking on projects that feel right for our brand and team,” José says. “We will focus on projects that bring a spark to our business instead of dull it.”
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5. Laying Down the Lines
“A second lesson we learned this year is to clearly set expectations from the outset,” José says. “We have worked with some difficult clients this year, and had we listened to our instincts about their projects and set clear expectations from the beginning, we could have avoided a lot of stress.”
“A second lesson we learned this year is to clearly set expectations from the outset,” José says. “We have worked with some difficult clients this year, and had we listened to our instincts about their projects and set clear expectations from the beginning, we could have avoided a lot of stress.”
6. Focusing on Joy
“In 2023 I have learned to enjoy each project accomplishment rather than focus on the amount of work ahead,” says Jennifer Birnstiel, principal at architectural practice ArchiPlicity in Plymouth, Massachusetts. “Every time a project goes out and the client is happy, I allow myself to enjoy that moment.”
“In 2023 I have learned to enjoy each project accomplishment rather than focus on the amount of work ahead,” says Jennifer Birnstiel, principal at architectural practice ArchiPlicity in Plymouth, Massachusetts. “Every time a project goes out and the client is happy, I allow myself to enjoy that moment.”
“Next year, I am going to continue to manage client expectations,” Birnstiel says. “The market in this area is very busy right now, and making sure that people are aware of when new projects will start and have a realistic timeline for their individual project through design and construction helps everyone feel more relaxed.”
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7. Preparing for the Next Stage
“2023 has been a year of reflection for me as I prepare to retire in early 2024,” says Julie Deuble, lead designer at Sierra Unlimited Construction in New York. “I’ve been incredibly lucky to be part of a company as it started offering in-house design and custom cabinet fabrication,” she says. “It’s been a great ride for nearly 10 years, and I feel very confident in the future of the company in the hands of the designer we’ve hired to take over for me.”
“2024 will start off with onboarding our new designer and gradually transitioning into retirement for me in early spring,” Deuble says. “It will be a year of tremendous change for me and I am very excited to move into my next chapter.”
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“2023 has been a year of reflection for me as I prepare to retire in early 2024,” says Julie Deuble, lead designer at Sierra Unlimited Construction in New York. “I’ve been incredibly lucky to be part of a company as it started offering in-house design and custom cabinet fabrication,” she says. “It’s been a great ride for nearly 10 years, and I feel very confident in the future of the company in the hands of the designer we’ve hired to take over for me.”
“2024 will start off with onboarding our new designer and gradually transitioning into retirement for me in early spring,” Deuble says. “It will be a year of tremendous change for me and I am very excited to move into my next chapter.”
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Medrzycki’s Favorite Project of 2023
“Our favorite project of the year was an interior renovation and addition to a home in Old Metairie. We had a great client, a generous construction budget and were using high-end finishes,” MLM’s Medrzycki says.
“The house was originally built in the 1930s and had gone through multiple partial renovations since. The ground floor was low, so we needed to raise the ceiling heights. We also added to the back of the property, completely renovated the interior and created a wonderful open floor plan.”
“Our favorite project of the year was an interior renovation and addition to a home in Old Metairie. We had a great client, a generous construction budget and were using high-end finishes,” MLM’s Medrzycki says.
“The house was originally built in the 1930s and had gone through multiple partial renovations since. The ground floor was low, so we needed to raise the ceiling heights. We also added to the back of the property, completely renovated the interior and created a wonderful open floor plan.”
The striking “after” results, seen here, made this project particularly special for Medrzycki. “Originally, the house was completely compartmentalized, with no flow and odd rooflines,” he says. “All these problems have been rectified and the rooflines reconfigured.
“With all these changes, we managed to achieve a very cohesive look, with no signs of addition, creating a seamless transition between old and new.”
“With all these changes, we managed to achieve a very cohesive look, with no signs of addition, creating a seamless transition between old and new.”
Russo’s Favorite Project of 2023
“I took over this project in Dublin, Ohio, from another designer and contractor when I was called by the client to fix some previous missteps,” says Russo of Daniel Russo Home.
“I reworked almost everything in the house, including a new kitchen, two new bathrooms and refinishing the flooring, as well as all the furniture, lighting and art across the home’s two stories.”
“I took over this project in Dublin, Ohio, from another designer and contractor when I was called by the client to fix some previous missteps,” says Russo of Daniel Russo Home.
“I reworked almost everything in the house, including a new kitchen, two new bathrooms and refinishing the flooring, as well as all the furniture, lighting and art across the home’s two stories.”
“Our client respected the design process and listened to my suggestions,” Russo says. “They were patient, appreciated my input and expertise and were very easy to work with. The results are stunning.
“When I finished the project, the client said she was so happy with the outcome she nearly cried.”
“When I finished the project, the client said she was so happy with the outcome she nearly cried.”
José’s Favorite Project of 2023
As for José’s project pick of the year for Strong Tower Renovations, it was this glass-enclosed yoga studio, built out of an old pergola in his customer’s backyard. “It was such a fun and unique project, with so many different elements, all of which came together just right,” he says.
As for José’s project pick of the year for Strong Tower Renovations, it was this glass-enclosed yoga studio, built out of an old pergola in his customer’s backyard. “It was such a fun and unique project, with so many different elements, all of which came together just right,” he says.
“Working with the homeowner on all the unique design elements they wanted was very special,” José says. “For example, they wanted a huge betta fish enclosed in a glass box in the floor, along with a running fountain. It was beautiful.”
Birnstiel’s Favorite Project of 2023
The ArchiPlicity project Birnstiel loved the most in 2023 was this house renovation and addition in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. “I designed the additions and renovations as well as the interior millwork and floor finishes,” she says. “We worked with the interior designer on custom cabinets and bathroom layout and fixtures, among many other details.
“Collaborating with interior design firm MJ Berries Design and the contractor, AP Construction, is what made this project special. We work very well together and our collaborative ideas create a great project and an enjoyable experience.”
The ArchiPlicity project Birnstiel loved the most in 2023 was this house renovation and addition in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. “I designed the additions and renovations as well as the interior millwork and floor finishes,” she says. “We worked with the interior designer on custom cabinets and bathroom layout and fixtures, among many other details.
“Collaborating with interior design firm MJ Berries Design and the contractor, AP Construction, is what made this project special. We work very well together and our collaborative ideas create a great project and an enjoyable experience.”
“We are working on the adjacent guest house right now and it has been a true collaboration on the interior design, architecture and building,” Birnstiel says. “Being part of the entire process and working together with a good team is how we achieve the best projects.”
Deuble’s Favorite Project of 2023
A project involving “several rooms in a lovely older couple’s home in Buffalo” was the project Sierra Unlimited Construction’s Deuble enjoyed most in 2023.
“Our scope of work included a complete kitchen and half bath renovation, a new mantel and built-ins in the living room, new flooring in the dining and living rooms, a built-in closet storage in one son’s room and a facelift of an existing full bathroom,” she says.
A project involving “several rooms in a lovely older couple’s home in Buffalo” was the project Sierra Unlimited Construction’s Deuble enjoyed most in 2023.
“Our scope of work included a complete kitchen and half bath renovation, a new mantel and built-ins in the living room, new flooring in the dining and living rooms, a built-in closet storage in one son’s room and a facelift of an existing full bathroom,” she says.
“The homeowner is a friend of mine and it was an absolute delight to work with her and her husband to update their home,” Deuble says. “Taking a poorly designed and dated kitchen and transforming it into a beautiful modern living and working kitchen was an absolute delight.”
Tell us: What professional lesson did you learn in 2023? Please tell us in the Comments.
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Tell us: What professional lesson did you learn in 2023? Please tell us in the Comments.
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in pro-to-pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
The main lesson Machi Medrzycki, general contractor at MLM in New Orleans, took away from 2023 was how crucial it is to build close connections with clients.
“The construction landscape is fiercely competitive amid high costs and a sluggish economy. Projects require top priority, timely completion and adherence to the original budget. In 2024, we will be smothering clients with more love and attention than ever,” Medrzycki says.
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