PPDS

Throwback to The Atwater Clear Lake apartments, installed in 2020. This project is defined by clean lines, layered textures, and a calming palette of cool blues and soft neutrals. Vast windows and ceiling heights enhance the openness of the space, while intimate seating zone invite connection and relaxation. It’s just the right blend of sophistication and comfort!
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Happy Birthday to Senior Project Manager, Missy Sheratt! We hope your day is full of the same joy and laughter you bring to the office.
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Happy 1-year anniversary to Junior Designer Grace Falley! It has been a joy to have you on our team, and we look forward to watching you continue to grow as you gain new experiences and opportunities.
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The Anatomy of a Dwelling Unit
The living room and kitchen must be carefully proportioned in relation to one another. Ideally, these spaces should be allocated on a 50/50 basis, although the living room can be slightly larger. The kitchen should never exceed the living room in size.
There is always a push and pull between the importance of these two rooms. However, when the living room is compromised to enlarge the kitchen, the functionality of the home suffers. If residents cannot comfortably live in the living room, the design has failed.
The living room typically occupies the most desirable location within the unit. Whether overlooking a city skyline, courtyard, water feature, or natural landscape, the best views are often reserved for this space, emphasizing its significance as the primary gathering area of the home.
Furniture has evolved considerably over the years. Sofas are larger, televisions have increased in size, and residents expect greater comfort. Today's living rooms should accommodate an eight-foot sofa, making uninterrupted wall space a premium for both seating and television placement.
Bedroom doors opening directly into the living area present additional challenges. Not only can television noise easily travel into sleeping spaces, but door locations often disrupt furniture arrangements. In one apartment, we were forced to float a sofa perpendicular between two bedroom doors because there was no other viable placement option. While creative solutions can work, they are rarely ideal.
The relationship between the sofa and television wall is equally important. Adequate depth must be provided for the sofa, cocktail table, and entertainment console. As a general guideline, the ideal viewing distance is approximately 1.5 to 2 times the diagonal dimension of the television screen. For most households, this results in a preferred viewing distance of approximately six to eight feet.
Circulation must also be carefully considered. In many apartment layouts, access to the patio or balcony occurs through the living room. Designers must ensure that pathways to exterior spaces do not interfere with seating arrangements or diminish the functionality of the room.
Ultimately, the living room remains the emotional center of the apartment. It is where residents gather, entertain, relax, and enjoy the views that define their home. Designing this space properly is not a luxury—it is essential.
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Anatomy of a Dwelling Unit – Powder Room
The powder room may be one of the smallest spaces in the apartment, but it can have a surprisingly large impact on the resident and guest experience.

This room does not need to be large. A simple layout with a toilet and sink is often all that is required. However, thoughtful details can elevate the space considerably. A beautiful vanity light, quality mirror, and carefully selected finishes can make even the smallest powder room feel intentional and inviting.

One of the most important considerations is location and sightlines.

Make sure the entry to the powder room is tucked away. Guests should not be staring directly at the toilet when the door is open. Yes, I have actually seen powder rooms located directly off the living room and positioned directly across from the sofa. Needless to say, it is not the view anyone wants while relaxing or entertaining.

The powder room should feel discreet and private. Good design considers not only the room itself but also how it is experienced from adjacent spaces.

Sometimes the smallest details make the biggest difference. A well-located powder room quietly enhances daily living, while a poorly positioned one becomes something residents notice every single day.

In apartment design, privacy matters. Even in the smallest rooms.
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Installation days involve coordination with the warehouse, custom vendors, and installers to ensure all furniture, art, and accessories arrive to the project site undamaged, and that they are placed in the correct locations. This is the decorating stage where our design comes together in full.
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Happy World Photography Day!
Photography plays an important role in both our design and marketing process. During design, photographs are one of the many mediums of art we can purchase for our client. On the marketing side, once a project is complete, we depend on photographers to capture images of the finished space for our social media platforms.
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Happy birthday to PPDS president and founder, Janna Paulson! We continue to be inspired by your boldness and influence. Here’s to many more years!
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We are looking to add a talented Project Designer to our Austin Team!

Ideal candidates will bring 3+ years of experience to the table with relevant industry knowledge to Multi Family design.

If you are interested, we would love to meet you! Please send your resume and portfolio to [email protected] or the link in our Bio.

Accent lighting plays a significant role in creating focal points. See how decorative fixtures in the following images add to the overall impact of the spaces pictured?
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