Posts Tagged ‘custom home design’
Design to Stay at Home for a Lifetime
I have an article featured in the April 2016 Issue of Beacon DC called, “Adapt Your Home to be Livable for Years”. Here are some tips to help you stay at home for a lifetime. Plan ahead for one floor living. Eliminate tripping hazards Make sure doorways are wide enough, and that hallways and rooms…
Read MoreApron: Word of the Week
Apron– If you think of an apron as something that sits on top of a separate article and hangs down to cover it, you’re pretty much right. An apron in the kitchen is worn to protect the clothes you wear underneath. In architecture, the apron doesn’t really protect what lies beneath, but it does sit…
Read MoreBig Cottage, Little Cottage
I received this email recently asking about what size house qualifies as a “cottage.” Bill: In my recent perusings on “Houzz“, I’ve read that the the term “cottage” properly refers to a single family structure up to to about 1,200 sq. ft. Yet, here we see in “Houzz” a veritable banquet of styles in the excess…
Read MorePocket or Swinging Door for Bathroom?
The master bedroom suite usually includes a master bathroom area. It is likely that you will want to be able to close off the bathroom area for privacy at times. People often think that a pocket or sliding door would be the solution, since it can be open and not be intrusive, and closed when…
Read MoreDoor Dilemma
I recently received a question about how to decide the correct height for an interior door. The home has 9′ ceilings in most rooms, but the corridor connecting them are 8′. They were advised by the door supply company to consider a 7’2′ door to make the rooms appear higher. My response: In rooms/or corridors…
Read MoreDormers Can Transform Useless Attic Space
Dormers can greatly enhance the appearance of a house, while also expanding the useful living space on the second floor. A standard attic that might otherwise be only good for storage can be dramatically transformed into delightful living space that is loaded with character. Rooms carved out of the space under the house roof framing…
Read MoreLiving Small – Efficient House Design
The days of “Living Large” may be numbered. House design is changing. We might soon be bragging that we’re “Living Small.” With the current economic conditions, we are seeing our dreams and desires in a whole new light. High energy costs, environmental concerns, maintenance costs and the cost of the house itself are strong motivators…
Read MoreYour Architect Does Not Need To Be Local
I think that sometimes people are surprised I have done work in many states, including Hawaii. Unlike builders, architects do not have to be located around the corner from the construction site. It is easy to reciprocate my architectural license so as to allow me to practice almost anywhere in the world. This is a nice…
Read MoreHomebuilding Costs – Avoid Electrical Shock
Do you want to control your homebuilding costs? Do you have electrical plans for your new house? Many stock plans show some electrical information, i.e. the location of switches, light fixtures and electrical outlets. Chances are this layout will not meet your needs, if you have a plan at all. One of the primary sources of homebuilding cost…
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