Archive for March 2019
Modernist Houses in Historic Neighborhoods
These days, the commonly accepted approach to “respecting” existing historic architecture when building new buildings in historic neighborhoods is to not try to mimic the traditional styles. I don’t really agree with this philosophy, though. But, if you ask any of the architects or architectural historians who are a part of the “architectural cognoscenti,” they…
Read MoreAdd a Basement Window to Gain Livable Space
Are you thinking about finishing your basement? If so, a great thing to do to make a basement more pleasant and feel less like a basement is to introduce natural daylight. A typical windowless basement room can feel like a cave. If you can find a way to add a window or glass door to…
Read MoreThe Right Bathroom Design Is an Important Part of Your Perfect House
Just like kitchen design, bathroom design has changed dramatically in recent decades. Bathrooms, especially master bathrooms, have become far more than the simple, utilitarian room they once were. They have evolved from simple, white tiled, sanitized spaces into personal retreats and at-home spas. And like everything you might design in your house, designing a good…
Read MoreLet’s Discuss Construction Cost per Square Foot
Let’s talk about the mythical, mystical “Construction Cost per Square Foot” for building a new house or addition. Somewhere in your early planning, you will want to know what your house or addition might cost. This is important information to know since the cost of your project will certainly affect your decisions while creating the…
Read MoreBasement Construction and Structural Design
Good basement construction starts with solid, strong soils. Foundation and building footings must be placed on solid ground, or what’s called undisturbed soil. Undisturbed soil is soil that has been in place for thousands of years. No one has dug it up and filled it back in. It was compacted by Mother Nature with gravity…
Read MoreBathroom Remodeling Will Update Your Home
Costs for a bathroom remodeling project can vary widely from modest and fairly economical to elaborate and quite costly. The budget will be up to you and depend on the scope of the work. A simple remodeling or “sprucing up” of a bathroom could simply be a matter of replacing the sink, faucet, and vanity.…
Read MoreBathroom Remodeling on a Budget
Sure, bathroom remodeling is easy if you have a big budget. Just rip out everything and start over. What if you’re looking at a bathroom remodeling on a budget? What’s a person to do if they have limited funds and a bathroom that is in dire need of a facelift? Well, there are several highly…
Read MoreAdvice for Creating Home Theater Design Plans
You should create a good home theater design plan to guarantee your home theater will turn out perfectly. It starts with the shape and size of the room. Both are dependent on the size of the screen you want, the number of people you plan to seat in the room, and the home theater seating…
Read MoreA Good Sunroom Design Brings Charm and Character to Any Home
A good sunroom design can add a bright and cheery place to any house. This is particularly true in climates where winter can be long and grey. A sunroom will give you a room that feels a bit like being outdoors without the winter chill. And if you position it adjacent to other frequently used…
Read MoreDon’t Make Your Vessel Sink Too High
What height should a vessel sink be above the floor? I was asked that recently. Here’s the question: “What is the recommended vanity and countertop height for a 5 inch vessel sink? The countertop we have is 3/8 inch, but the vanity base the company ordered for us is 34 1/2 inches tall which makes…
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