studiohw | Heather Weiss

Working with Heather for our home renovation was the best decision we made throughout the entire process. We updated an 1880’s Queen Anne Victorian and Heather transformed the interior into a functional and modern space. She was able to change the layout to meet our family’s specific needs, adding an entryway and two bathrooms, renovating the existing two full baths and powder room, updating the laundry space, and designing custom cabinetry throughout. Heather also has an impeccable design esthetic and was an integral part of our material selection process. She was willing to accompany me to tile showrooms and stone yards. She helped with every detail, down to the door stoppers. She was our advocate throughout the entire process with our general contractor as well. Heather is knowledgable, thoughtful, creative, and incredibly patient. I feel lucky every day that we were able to work with Heather; she has my most sincere endorsement.

Our project involved renovating the first floor of our house in Cambridge. It entailed enlarging the kitchen, creating a mud room and adding plenty of storage space. We wanted a contemporary clean look for our 80's built house with a unique feel to it. The finished house came out above and beyond our expectations! Every person that comes into our house is amazed. It is beautiful, functional and original. Our house fits to our needs to the smallest detail!! At every stage Heather was very attentive to our needs, adjusting the plans as needed. Heather has an amazing work ethic and is extremely detail oriented. She was available whenever we needed her, helping us like a good friend at every step of the way. We were out of the country at the stage of finalizing the plans. Heather told me what I will need to do so she has enough information to complete the plans. And she was spot on. Nothing was missing. She connected me with suppliers that she worked with in the past. They were all great, and also all raved about Heather and her attention to details. We continued to adjust the plans, and when that part was over, Heather helped us in interviewing contractors. She gave her honest input which helped us come to a decision of who to hire that will be best suited for our needs, budget and personality. Heather helped with the negotiation and was there at every meeting, talking with the people at the field, making sure problems were fixed and adjusting the plans when needed. Heather's professionalism was clear to all contractors and workers, and they all respected her opinion and input. Even though the process of renovating is hard and anxiety provoking, having Heather around made it easier. She is very honest, helpful, hardworking and trustworthy, and that is on top of being professional and extremely talented. Without changing the footprint of our house, Heather was able to fit it all. The mud room that was created has ample storage: powder room, 2 closets, drawers, bench and a huge cupboard for shoes. Our kitchen, which turned into the center of the house, is very big and contemporary. Every drawer or cupboard was created to fit our exact needs, including storage for our electronics inside charging drawers in the dining room. The living room has a modern design, and is overlooking our back yard. Heather even helped me choose tiles, veneer for the kitchen, backsplash, light fixtures and a carpet that would fit the design. She thinks of details that I would never have considered. The end result is just amazing. All the textures, patterns, colors, and design match in a way that makes me fall in love with the house every day again and again. I am very lucky that Heather took us as clients, and very grateful for her skilled work.

When we first started our kitchen/bath renovation project in 2015, we hired a design-build firm that provided in-house design services. After reviewing their design plans, we just weren’t satisfied with the attention to detail or innovation in the design—something seemed to be missing. At the same time, we were referred to Heather Weiss through a friend in our neighborhood. We toured a full house renovation that she had done and were blown away…it was everything our initial design plan wasn’t. We contacted Heather immediately to design a full kitchen and master bath renovation, as well as to create a space for a powder room on our first floor. As we finish up the project, we could not be more pleased with Heather’s work or her professionalism. Not only was her plan unique and responsive to our needs, but she has also been instrumental in seeing her vision come to fruition by working diligently with our contractor, his subs, and the cabinet maker to find creative solutions to put a very modern kitchen and bath in a very old house. For example, at one point, our contractor informed us that he would have to drop the ceiling height in our kitchen and dining room by 5 inches to accommodate new plumbing runs. We were willing to do this, thinking we had no choice, but Heather was adamant that another solution could be found. She kept proposing different ideas to the plumber, and they came up with a way to get our pipes to the second floor without sacrificing ceiling height. We never would have known to push back on this and are so grateful for her expertise and commitment. Time and again, Heather has provided us with excellent guidance in choosing finishes like lighting, plumbing fixtures and tile as well as in choosing a cabinet shop. Her recommendations have been spot on with both our style and budget. Our project took 6 years of planning and saving to finally make happen, but we are so glad we waited. Thanks to Heather, the end result has exceeded anything we thought possible.

I have known Heather since December of 1995, when we were both new-hires at an architectural firm in New York City. Through the years, I have got to know her very well at both professional and personal levels. Heather has a design sensibility that comes naturally from her love for architecture, art and design. She is extremely detail-oriented, and takes care of a project in the most conscientious manner regardless the scale of a project. She listens to the clients well, yet is also able to suggest her own ideas that are sensible to the project. She can transform ideas into realities that are not only functional but also visually beautiful. She would also take time painstakingly explaining the design intents and details to the contractors to ensure the designs are executed with high level of workmanship. I have always liked Heather's designs; therefore, I recently collaborated with her on the renovation of my own apartment. No matter how busy she was, she would always find time to review the drawing/images, and share her comments and ideas. Her knowledge of trades and resources also helped expediting the product research and selections. Her professional and emotional supports made a very stressful process bearable; I could honestly say that the project would not have turned out so well without her invaluable inputs. To this end, I can also attest her to be a true and loyal friend! I would highly recommend Heather without reservations - for her talents, professionalism and integrity!

Heather worked with us on our kitchen renovation. She was extremely thorough, knowledgable, responsive and easy to work with. She oversaw the project from start to finish. She suggested very clever structural changes, drew extremely detailed plans, solicited bids from contractors, helped pick finishes and oversaw the contractors. Working with her was an excellent experience beginning to end, and we would hire her for any future projects we might have.

My wife and I hired Heather Weiss to guide us through a modern renovation of a turn-of-the-century Victorian in Boston. Heather developed a plan to bring symmetry, openness, light, and livability to an otherwise asymmetrical, cluttered, and dysfunctional space. It was an extensive project -- more than anyone expected. The renovation turned into a yearlong job and ended up requiring a complete overhaul of the home -- all new mechanicals, new roof, extensive demolition, and structural upgrades. Heather provided complete architectural and design services. She helped us navigate all aspects of the job -- never overlooking any detail -- and worked with us to select fixtures, materials, surfaces, lights. All the while, she helped us stay within budget, always showing us options at various price points. What's more, Heather was a constant advocate for us when dealing with the building contractor and subcontractors. Her judgement was spot on every time, and she always demonstrated an understanding of the latest construction techniques. The end result is amazing -- a space that is both modern and comfortable, that is full of light and life, and that our family will cherish for decades to come. We'd hire Heather again in a second. Anyone venturing into a renovation or new building project would be fortunate to have her on their side.

I've worked with Heather Weiss on a couple projects in NY and highly recommend her. Her drawings are very clear and complete, which I appreciate as a General Contractor. She is a talented designer, has a lot of experience, and is very easy to work with. She listens to her clients and is sensitive to their budgets. Highly recommend!

I strongly recommend studio hw and Heather Weiss architect. She is incredibly detail oriented. She is extremely intelligent and professional and has a very impressive portfolio of work. She has an extensive and broad based knowledge of all types of building products. She works very well with contractors. Most importantly, she listens to her clients needs, design objectives, timelines and budget constraints and incorporates them in her work. Our site had many obstacles to overcome such as lot size, zoning set backs, height constraints, conservation issues. Heather was able to overcome these obstacles with ease. As a direct result of her hard work we were able to construct our new home on time and on budget.

Heather's a wonderful architect. We worked together closely designing a house in Westport, MA (see: http://eastbranch.net/ ). She's clearly inventive but at the same time extremely careful about how everything fits - the continuity of the design, how the parts work together, the circulation and the house's relationship to the site. Heather's clarity was a benefit during construction and she was steadfast holding the contractors to the plan, and great negotiating changes. We just hope we get the opportunity to work with her again.