Posts Tagged ‘home design ideas’
Big 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 MoreDesign the Perfect Home Theater TV Room
Sometimes the Home Theater becomes the center of family life in your home. Pay attention to the details to home theater room that reflects your wants and needs.
Read MoreSmall Kitchen Design is a Puzzle Waiting to Be Solved
A small kitchen design is a tough challenge. The kitchen is the most complicated room in any house. Small kitchens should still follow the planning principles of any good kitchen design. They must hold many different items, such as appliances, sinks, work surfaces, eating areas, and storage cabinets. They need to be workable and facilitate…
Read MorePay Your Builder To Break Your Glass
In these uncertain economic times, more and more builders find themselves faced with the problem of getting paid. When the work is complete, some homeowners are slow in paying the last bill. This could be for a good reason. There might be unfinished or improperly done work. If non-performance is an issue, a surety bond can…
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 MoreMake It Your Home and Not Just a House
Good design must have an organizing concept. But even with a good concept, a house can have all the right finishes, the best materials, the finest appliances, everything can be as perfect as it can be-and yet, the house still doesn’t feel right. Why doesn’t it feel like home? All architecture is shelter, all great…
Read MoreA High Ceiling Problem
I recently was asked a question from a person in Philadelphia about how to deal with a very high ceiling in a living room. Here’s the question: My nineteen-eighties condo has a 19′ ceiling in the living room that merges with the dining area where the ceiling drops to eight feet. The 19′ fireplace wall…
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