There was SO much to do and see on our trip to Savannah, Georgia this summer – we’re going to have to go back to see everything we missed! Everywhere we went in the Historic District, we couldn’t help but notice unique, beautiful stairways, outside and inside. Savannah’s location and climate meant builders had to raise homes up off the ground, so the streets are lined with … [Read more...]
What is an “Open Concept” Floor Plan?
It seems like almost everyone on those HGTV shows wants an "open concept" floor plan, doesn't it? “Open concept” sounds like a new idea, but is it? What is an "open concept" floor plan, anyway - and how is it different from a floor plan that isn't "open"? The first American homes were built in the 18th century, when home design was restricted by technology and fashion. … [Read more...]
Tudor Revival Style is a Great Fit for Small Homes
I've always liked Tudor Revival-styled 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 … [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 of thumb" 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 owners want that, … [Read more...]
Five Strategies to Make the Home You’re Designing More “Green”
It takes a little science and a little art to design a beautiful, livable new home that’s energy-efficient, uses less material to build, and connects with its building site. Those are some of the major ingredients of good design - and essential ingredients of "green" design. … [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...]
“Master Plan” Your Project When You Can’t Do Everything Right Now
Sometimes it's not possible to do everything on your renovation wish list right away. Money's usually the immediate issue, but if you don't plan the whole project out now, you might waste it anyway, down the road. You don't want to have to significantly renovate "phase one" in order to build "phase two" a few years later. Avoid that by "master planning" the whole project … [Read more...]
House Style – Craftsman Bungalow
Craftsman/Bungalow Home Style – What’s It All About? Sometime in the early 2000’s my residential architecture practice got our first request for a “Craftsman” home, a trend that’s grown considerably since. I was already somewhat familiar with the style back then – I’d studied the landmark Gamble House in school – but I took some extra time to find more about what exactly … [Read more...]
American House Styles – Just the Basics
“What style is my house?” - that's a question real estate agents, architects, and contractors hear a lot. It's also a question we hear all the time from Modest Mansion homeowners. Figuring out the "correct" house style is both easier and harder than you might think – easier, because older homes often fall very clearly into one specific style – and harder, because generally, … [Read more...]
5 Tips For Better Bedroom Design
You'd think designing a decent bedroom 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...]