The gift of special memories: Recent custom home watercolor portraits

The power of giving and of memory

Over the last year or so a number of people around the country commissioned us to paint custom home watercolor portraits as special and unique gifts for their loved ones. I enjoy this creative work as a complement to practicing architecture. I do it because it brings smiles into other people’s lives through the enduring power of art and the positivity of gift-giving to others.

When someone hires me through our Arocordis Design Etsy shop or contacts me directly here through our website I give them the gift of my love of architecture and storytelling in the customized watercolors I paint for them. I also give them the gift of my decades of experience in creating memorable renderings and illustrations for commercial and residential architectural design clients telling the visual stories of the building projects I have had the good fortune to be part of.

A little about me

I have been drawing and painting ever since I was a kid growing up in Essex Junction Vermont in the 1970s and ’80s. My grandmother on my Mom’s side was an oil painter. When I was young, I remember visiting her house in Troy, New York. I was inspired by her busy art studio in a converted study in the family single level apartment in the duplex they owned. It was always piled up with paintings, her easel, and wooden paint box, and countless brushes like flowers in large clear glass jars. The sweet fumes of oil paint wafted from the room. It was a magical place, full of mystery to my young eyes, and surely a creative escape for her from a busy family life raising five girls in the 1950s and 1960s. And for me an ongoing inspiration.

Over time, she filled the walls around her house with large paintings inspired by the beauty of the surrounding Hudson Valley region. Her walls captured an ever-changing feast of meadow and brook, mountains, farms set into rolling hills from around the Albany-Troy area, as well as beautiful still lives she painted sometimes with flowers arranged and cut from her own garden.

In parallel to my practice of architecture for almost thirty years, I continued on her tradition of making art along my way, whether in acrylic or watercolor painting, drawing, or mixed media. Fast forward to today and my own professional art, the below highlight some of my recent watercolor commissions which typically focus on the house, home, and memory.

A porch that inspires

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2179 14th Street - 2019, 11”x14” pencil and watercolor on 140lb cold-press paper

Coming full circle ironically, a family member hired me to paint this porch from her mom’s childhood home, my grandmother’s house. Developed from an old picture recently discovered in a drawer from another aunt, I created a full-color vignette imbuing the porch with the joy of a mid-summer reverie I myself experienced when I was a kid visiting there years ago. I spent many a summer there hanging out on this front porch looking out onto the busy side-street in Troy, New York walking distance from Rensaleer Polytechnic Institute, or RPI as its abbreviated.

The door on the right led to the first-floor apartment mentioned earlier. On the left, the upstairs apartment usually rented to students from RPI. An apartment especially memorable to my aunt because one of those renters she dated and then married in the early 1960s.

I strove to frame the image with the trunks of the tall evergreen and maple trees growing from the skinny area between the slate sidewalks and the street, and around the house. Surrounded by these trees, even though the home was in the middle of the city it sometimes felt like it lay in the middle of a sometimes dark and mysterious forest. This certainly added charm to the home.

Family home on Lake Michigan

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Michmonamac Lakeshort Cottages - 2019, 11”x14” on 140 lb cold-press watercolor paper

I was commissioned to paint this a year ago by a family member for his wife as a surprise holiday gift. Part This home and its cottages on the shores of Lake Michigan have hosted generations of returning customer families and our extended family. Along with the main house view from the street, he asked me to develop and design a collage of special moments dear to her around the home. I chose vignettes from her garden, a typical sunset and beach view, and a favorite board game. To tell that special story, I settled on the composition you see here done with four matte windows below the large one for the main image as part of the completed framed work.

House and garden united, Washington State

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Watercolor and pencil, A birdseye view of a country house and gardens - 2020. 11”x14” on 140lb watercolor cold-press paper.

Here I worked with a customer through my Etsy shop to customize this view of him and his wife’s newly bought home in Washington state. Upon his request, I changed the season of the source photo he provided from late winter to late spring or early summer on a colder day. I added vegetation and leaves to the many trees and bushes to convey a thriving blend of house and garden. Doing so helped unify the image and create an overall sense of place and space.

Helping further frame that story, the background wall of tall trees behind the home embraces the domestic and farm landscape and causing those portions to pop. Adding in dramatic overhead shade and shadow from a diffuse sky overhead helps soften the overall image while further unifying the composition. The softness allows the details of the watercolor to be more apparent, encourages the eye to meander.

To learn more about our watercolor art and custom commission process

We continue to take on custom art commissions throughout the year. Each one is special and unique with its own story to tell. If you have questions about the process please contact me below. Just click on the button and it will take you to an easy to fill out form. Tell us there how we can help you.

Visit the gallery

Wand to see more of our art just visit our gallery section of this website here. What you see there may or may not be for sale but it shows the breadth and depth of our art. I continue to add to it as I create more pieces. I have many small and large acrylic paintings to include in the coming months. In the gallery you will see the many themes I explore ranging from the custom home or business watercolor portraits to ones of nature, or natural elements, architectural details, ordinary things with a creative twist, and more.

How to achieve success with your new Vermont custom residential architecture design project: The Power of Planning

The Power of Planning: Why Your 2026 Vermont Home Project Starts with Strategy

Welcome to the Arocordis Design blog. Here, we share insights, case studies, and articles regarding our residential architecture practice in Vermont and beyond. This guide, updated for Winter 2026, reflects the current economic, energy, and permitting landscape for high-end residential design.

Building or renovating a home is one of life’s most significant investments. Whether you are a local family or moving to Vermont for semi-retirement, we guide you through the journey. With construction typically taking 1 to 2 years from initial sketches to move-in, careful preparation is the difference between a successful build and a costly setback.

Why is architectural planning essential for a successful Vermont home?

Good design is the foundation of financial and emotional security

Thorough upfront planning with a licensed Vermont architect can save months of delays. In the complex 2026 market, effective planning helps:

• Protect Your "North Star" Vision: We ensure the final build matches your original dream.

• Mitigate Hidden Risks: We identify site constraints, like Vermont's unique ledge or environmental conditions, before they become "change orders."

• Navigate Vermont Permitting: We help manage Act 250 requirements and local municipal approvals in the towns and villages we serve.

• Reduce Construction Stress: Clear documentation means fewer questions for the builder and fewer headaches for you.

How much does it cost to build a custom home in Vermont in 2026?

Understanding the current ~$400–$600+ per square foot reality

For a standard VT RBES 2024 compliant 2,000-square-foot home (3 beds, 2.5 baths), your base investment will likely range from ~$800,000 to $1,200,000, or more. Please note, this does not include professional archictural and engineering, builder preconstruction fees, or other consultant fees, as well as, costs for permits, or other specialized requirements due to your site, location and other local factors.

Pro-Tip: Why the 2024 RBES matters. As of late 2025, compliance with the updated Vermont Residential Building Energy Standards is mandatory for new construction. While it increases upfront costs for higher-performance, but now standard, insulation and airtightness (typically adding ~$20k–$40k), it significantly lowers long-term operational costs and increases home value. This impacts peace of mind.

Key budget factors to include in your planning:

• Site Infrastructure & Permitting: Land clearing, driveways, and septic systems (critical for rural Caledonia or Orange County lots).

• Modern Outbuildings: Custom garages and flex spaces generally run $200–$300/sq ft.

• Energy Performance: Choices between Net-Zero, Passive House, or "Pretty Good House" standards.

• Financial Contingency: We strictly recommend carrying 10-15% cost contingency to account for the evolving 2026 material market and project unknowns.

What factors will shape your residential design and timeline?

Designing for longevity and "Aging-in-Place"

For our clients in or near retirement, we focus on Aging-in-Place adaptive design. This ensures your "forever home" remains functional and beautiful through every life chapter.

High-performance and sustainable building systems

What level of sustainability fits your goals? We help you navigate choices between:

• All-Electric & Net-Zero Ready

• Climate Positive Materials

• Smart Home Integration: Mechanical and electrical systems with internet-enabled controls.

Multi-generational living and flexible spaces

For families in their 40s and 50s, we often design for the "sandwich generation"—creating ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) or guest suites that serve adult children today and aging parents tomorrow.

How can Arocordis Design help make your Vermont dream a reality?

Decades of experience serving the Green Mountain State

At Arocordis Design, we provide full-service architectural and engineering coordination across:

• Washington County: Berlin, Montpelier, Fayston, Waitsfield, Waterbury and Calais.

• Lamoille County: Stowe and Morrisville.

• The Northeast Kingdom & Upper Valley: St. Johnsbury, Burke, Queechee, Tunbridge, and Woodstock.

Your journey starts with a simple conversation

Whether you are seeking a Modern Farmhouse aesthetic or a Scandinavian-inspired retreat, our process is designed to be transparent and rewarding.

1. Define Your Vision: Fill out our Residential Planning Questionnaire.

2. Analyze the Site: Schedule an On-Site Consultation to discuss constraints and possibilities, or a phone or video call.

3. Stay Informed: Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on local projects and Vermont design trends.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website and blog is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute professional architectural, financial, or legal advice. While we strive for accuracy, your specific project requirements may vary; therefore, no architect-client relationship is formed until a formal written agreement is executed.