Design to Stay at Home for a Lifetime

Window View

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…

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A “Magic Corner” Makes Kitchen Corners More Usable

Kitchen Cabinets

Ugh! I hate wasting that space in the corner base cabinets in kitchens. The term “base cabinet” is the term the kitchen industry uses when referring to the cabinets below the counter top. When base cabinets are arranged in an “L” configuration, you end up with a “dead” corner with no easy way to access…

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Wood Flooring in Older Homes

Old Wood Floor

Renovating an old house can have its challenges, but it can be very rewarding. In many cases, the usual rules about the way to do things is not always the best solution. One thing I have learned is that when it comes to old houses is there really are no set “rules”. A reader sent…

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Door Dilemma

Door 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…

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Your House Design Style Needs to Be Consistent

Consistent Home Design

This Farmhouse Style House Design Fails Due to Inconsistent Elements and Details Some house designs start out in the right direction but manage to veer off the road and end up in a ditch. I noticed a house that once appeared on the HGTV Facebook page recently. The architect (or house designer) who designed this…

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Dormers Can Transform Useless Attic Space

Dormers

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…

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House Dormers – Delightful or Hideous

A large dormer can allow you to add a significant amount of second floor space without having to lift the roof and add a good deal of construction cost. And properly proportioned dormers will add character and style to your house. But a badly designed dormer can be like a wart on the Mona Lisa.…

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Learn How to Calculate Square Footage in a House Plan

Calculator

It is critically important to know how to calculate square footage when you are designing your new house or addition. What parts of the house count in the calculation and what parts do not. The most commonly used formula for calculating square footage, and the one used by real estate appraisers, is to include only…

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Home Remodeling Turn Your Old Home into Your Dream Home

Dream Home

Sometimes, a home remodeling project can make more sense than building a new home. It can be a better investment and it can also be a better lifestyle choice. Instead of selling what you have and building your dream home, why not turn your house into that very dream house. If you’ve out-grown your current…

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