When we decided to add an addition to our existing home, the entire process was new and unfamiliar. We started out talking with a few design and design/build teams. We were frustrated when these firms could not seem to give us clear guidance, designs or cost estimates to help us with decision choices. We continued to look for help.
To our surprise and great satisfaction, we found Don Chemini. Unlike the other companies we had contacted, Don was responsive, clear and assisted us through the process with a lot of give-and-take.
His careful design guidance, and handholding, led us to an outstanding project -- one we couldn't completely visualize until it was finished. Only then did we fully realize how his experience and patience provided the exact addition we needed.
We are very grateful that we came to rely on Don and thank him and his team for the outstanding work.
July 5, 2024. When my husband and I decided to retire, we contacted Don Chemini, to see if he would to take on the task of turning an idea of the type of house, we thought would work well for us on Cape Cod into a reality. Due to the National Seashore regulations, he made some modifications, and designed the perfect , age-in-place home for us now, and for our children and grandchildren in years to come. The house is beautiful, comfortable, energy efficient, to the point that the HERS rating was better than 53% of all comparable new builds. Everyone that has entered the house loves it, and all comment on the beautiful design.
Our historic house in Hopedale, Massachusetts was built in 1890. It’s a great house and we love it, but it never had enough closets and bathrooms. Over the years we have had many ideas about how to resolve these issues, but we did not want to disturb the architectural integrity of this unique house. Now that we are getting older, other issues are emerging. It is two flights of stairs to the laundry and the only bathroom on the second floor, where the bedrooms are, has a tub with a shower. We want to stay in this house, so we decided it is time to seriously explore options.
We have been very satisfied customers of Rodenhiser for plumbing and electrical needs for many years. This past spring we received an email from them announcing a new architectural service and we decided to follow up with them.
Don Chemini came to our house and listened to our goals. He even had a name for what we are trying to do, “Age in Place.” We talked about many options, one of them an addition to include a master suite and laundry on the first floor. We thought we did not have enough land to comply with the town’s requirements. We showed Don where we thought the property line is. He had some tools and was able to check with the records and suggested we might have more land than we believed. He suggested a firm to do an official survey, we hired them, and indeed we do have enough land. We are also adding another bathroom and closets to the second floor. The design is beautiful, and it maintains all the architectural features of the house. In the drawings the addition looks like it has always been there.
The plans are very detailed. It’s like a set of logos with all the components electronically available to the contractors and even the lumber yard. They are amazing and should ensure an efficient and accurate construction process.
Now Don is helping us identify a contractor. We also look forward to his continued assistance as we go through the construction.
We heartily recommend the architectural services of Rodenhiser and Don!
We have lived in Holliston for 30 years, and I have always been able to identify a home or addition that was designed by Don Chemini. It is always just a little more special!!. We had the pleasure of working with him on our screened in porch. He was very helpful in helping us decide how to most effectively use the space without duplicating the function of our large existing family room. We are so pleased with the way it turned out. As predicted, this is no ordinary porch. We love his special attention to detail and his added unique touches. We would highly recommend him!!!
A few years ago, my wife and I enlisted Don’s services in an effort to virtually double the living space of our modest ranch. This major renovation required the obvious addition of a second floor, coupled with a substantial reconfiguration of the pre-existing floor to make it all work. It came to fruition largely in part to Don’s vision, attention to detail and general availability. Importantly, any changes that came up were met with flexibility and suggestions for solutions. Impressive to witness was Don’s blending of art and science, especially in the use of space. The results were a happy marriage of the aesthetic and the utilitarian. Don’s presence, guidance and advice helped facilitate an overall smooth experience in what potentially can be a stressful one. The finished product seamlessly looks like it was always there! We would recommend Don without hesitation.
My husband and I have had the pleasure of working with Don Chemini on two extensive additions to our home, as well as on a remodel of a vacation home. Every time we joined forces with Don he has shared his creative talent, as well as his architectural expertise with us, making the finished product of each project more than we could ever have dreamt of it being. Don's attention to style and detail is second to none and his willingness to stay engaged with us during the building process was so helpful. He took time to collaborate with our building contractor as needed and we always knew we could turn to him if questions arose. We would recommend his services without hesitation to anyone looking to create a space that is as beautiful as it is practical in its design for living.
In todays’ world it’s difficult to find quality people to do a quality job. When it comes to design concepts and control construction you will find no one better than Don Chemini of Chemini Design. I met Don over 20 years ago by coincidence through one of my tenants. Since that time I have used Don exclusively for my projects.
His ability to develop a creative concept, take it to design and bring it to the final stages of construction is an ability that I could not find in other architects. In working with Don I have learned how open minded and creative he is in working different designs with unique situations.
When it comes to budgets Don understands the value of a dollar but is clear in expressing what type of budget you will need to complete a project. He’ll have options, if they are available, to keep you on target and on time.
Another advantage with Chemini Design is his ability to do both commercial as well as residential design. Again working with someone who is open minded and creative makes the project more enjoyable and less stressful. Don is the only architect I trust, respect and believe in that can do the job and do it the right way!
Over the past 15 years, we have used Don’s architectural services for 3 different major home construction projects. We own an old historic home in downtown Holliston, so it was extremely important to us to match the existing look and feel of the 100-year old home to keep it looking “period correct”. In other words, we wanted the newly built portions of the house to match what was already there. Don was perfectly in tune to what we wanted and always delivered MUCH more than what we were hoping to achieve. His insights and expertise were invaluable to us during the planning and constructing of these various projects. In 2004, Don designed an attached 2-car garage with a large “great room” for the family above it. In 2012, he drew up plans for us to build a detached poolhouse/cabana structure (with an additional garage bay) that we wanted to shoehorn into the far corner of our property. Finally, in 2018 we had our original (but deteriorating) front porch demolished and then rebuilt from scratch. In each instance, we were thrilled with what Don designed for us. All 3 projects exceeded our expectations. Don’s attention to detail helped us “get it right” and we couldn’t be happier with his work.
Thank you!
We had a major project. A steep hilled driveway that we wanted gone and a natural looking expansion of our ranch. Don was efficient, responsive and did an amazing job. Best money we spent. I was very concerned that an addition was going to make the house look like a box or have an obvious addition. The house looks like it was always like this. We get compliments all the time about how beautiful the house is. The little design touches, including the roof over the front door and the oval window in our laundry room made a huge difference in the natural look of the house. Couldn’t be happier...
Don Chemini has done terrific work at two of our residences. Excellent listener who took great care to understand our needs and wants in major renovation projects. Had the vision to develop a complete reimagining of our Holliston home, and did so at a reasonable price. Don also made a very positive impact at our second home with a beautiful design in a modest-sized space. We recommend Don highly to clients seeking fresh thinking in their home designs.
January 6, 2020
We met Don twenty years ago, when we gave him a basic drawing of a house. He gave us our dream house. The design and the use of space was perfect for us. We used Chemini Design again a few years later, when we wanted a garage that went with the layout of the house. Don’s designs were great. The garage looks like it was built with the house. Recently, after a fire at my parents house, we went to Don again. Using the existing foundation, he designed a new house for them. Again, he kept their needs in mind, and came up with a perfect house. My parents were thrilled with the new house.
We have found Don Chemini easy to work with. He listened to our ideas and wishes, and was timely with his plans. We would not hesitate to use Chemini Design again.
We are very pleased with the design services we received from Don. Our home is about 200 years old and we needed to replace a portion of the structure that was failing. Our project evolved over a number of years as our needs and the scope changed, and Don was supportive and creative during the process, effectively marrying up the old and new portions of the house in a seamless manner. We were able to keep the character of the original house intact while incorporating modern features (kitchen, bath, garage, second floor laundry) that have increased the usability of the total space. The construction drawings he prepared for us were complete and simplified the construction process for our builder. We have received many compliments on the total appearance of the renovation and that it looks like it absolutely belongs there, adding what several people have described as a majestic aspect to the house. We would highly recommend Don for your design needs.
Chemini Design is attentive and imaginative. Don really cares about your home and how you feel in it. We enjoyed the process so much, it wasn't even a question to use Don's creativity for the second phase of our renovation.
We worked with Don on the design of our waterfront home in Falmouth in 2014. Throughout the process Don worked closely with my wife, who has excellent overall design sense (she is a professional landscape designer), making various adjustments to accommodate her tastes while offering reasonable guidance on what really works. In the end what we got was a perfect house for the wonderful piece of land we'd purchased on one of Falmouth's saltwater inlets. The work was tricky, too, as Don had to navigate the rules, regulations and 'moods' of the town's Conservation Commission, which governs a lot of construction and design when the home is close to the water, as is ours. We are very happy with our home, and the many guests that have visited and stayed overnight are always highly complimentary of its overall inviting look and wonderful family feel.
