Christmas #2 in the new house and it's been so much fun to decorate this year - I remember last year, we'd barely moved in and BAM! Christmas was here! I had trouble remembering where I put the boxes - much less what was in them! This year gave me time to be creative and have some fun, especially with the fireplace mantle Christmas decorations. We took most of these photos … [Read more...]
Why Tudor Style is a Great Fit for Small Homes
I've always liked Tudor style homes, but it seems I’m in the minority. In more than three decades of Residential Architecture practice, I've had one client express an interest in Tudor Revival style. One. I've mentioned it to a few other clients over the years, but the reaction I typically get is something along the lines of “yuck”, “ewww”, and “I hate Tudor”. I hear … [Read more...]
Our 5 Rules for Better Home Design
Recently a friend asked me to help him figure out the proper size for a family room addition he was designing to expand his home a bit. He was looking for some "rules for better home design" that would guarantee a comfortable, “architecturally-correct” space – a short cut to good design, because lot of money was at stake and he didn’t want to do it wrong. Modest mansions … [Read more...]
Updating a Master Bath in a Modest Ohio Cottage
Making the most of a small space is something we typically look for in a Modest Mansion, but sometimes, just a little more space makes everything work the way it should. I added a little more space when I designed this project, turning this cute little hall bath into a very comfortable and well-appointed master bath. … [Read more...]
5 Tips For Good Bedroom Design
You'd think that good bedroom design in a new home or remodeling project isn't worth much attention or thought; after all, what's simpler than a bedroom? Door, bed, dresser, window, closet. Done. That's probably why bedroom layouts so often don't seem to work well - they don't rank high enough on The Architect's List of Fun Things to Design. … [Read more...]