Marcia Lyon

Marcia has developed her own architectural niche - remodeling design. While most other architects concentrate on commercial projects, or large custom homes, she offers a unique service which gives remodeling homeowners just what they need - design and direction. "I produce conceptual design in a single session", explained Marcia, "I visit with the homeowners, help to define their needs, and then create the needed space in ingenious ways, sometimes without an addition. I create the conceptual design with the homeowner's input. Saving construction dollars is my goal."

These are some of what she is famous for:

Referring to how to go about a remodeling project, she said, "There is a real need for this information. I show the possibilities to the homeowners. There is no short course teaching this and remodeling is usually a big undertaking and investment for the family involved and their construction dollars are very dear"

Marcia has been in private practice since 1977 with her firm Creating Spaces, and travels often to consult for average homeowners across the US and Canada. She has written a book to share her remodeling design experience called The Essential Planner for Home Remodeling. Her second book is called The Non-Addition Addition. Public speaking and appearances fill the balance of her schedule. "I still have time to do small projects, in fact, I thrive on them. My work is so enjoyable, everything I do is fun."

Throughout the 70's, 80's and 90's, many of Marcia's projects were featured in major home magazines in the US such as Better Homes and Gardens, Home Plan Ideas, Country Home, and others. The collection of published magazine works is sizeable.

A particular honor was judging the Better Homes & Gardens Home Improvement Contest since its inception for the first ten years, until it was judged in-house. The first contest drew over 13,000 entries nationwide.

Marcia did some special projects for Maytag Corporation including the overall design package for the Maytag Home Appliance stores.

Besides her consulting service, Marcia also produces a weekly, nationally syndicated newspaper column called CREATING SPACES. Each article features the Problem and Solution to various remodeling dilemmas, fitting each particular homeowner's needs. These projects range from a one-bedroom condominium to tripling the size of a house, but most of them are typical, space bound bungalows and uninspired ranch homes.

She also reviews and improves builder plans to make new houses for homeowners ‘tailored' for their lifestyles.

Creating Spaces  tm
Des Moines, IA
515-991-8880
marcia@creatingspaces.net