My office frequently gets questions from clients regarding why I use stucco so often on our homes and why I recommend true cement stucco rather than synthetic products. Real stucco offers an authentic old world appearance that lends itself well to the style of my homes. Over time, an uneven color palette and some staining develops and adds to the home’s charm and beauty. It’s virtually maintenance free and can be applied to areas such as dormers where stone or brick is not as feasible.

True stucco is a three-layer process that includes setting expansion joints to minimize and control cracking. While the synthetic stucco products on the market today are cheaper and faster to apply than traditional cement stucco, synthetic stucco or EIFS (exterior insulated finish systems) have inherent disadvantages that make me opt for true stucco. Like other home building short cuts that appear less expensive on the front end, fake stucco can actually cost much more than if the superior product had been installed from the beginning. The stucco we use on our homes is supplied by LaHabra Stucco . We typically use a custom stucco mix ratio from their color palette.

Some of our most commonly used LaHabra colors include Chablis, Fallbrook, Misty, Eggshell, Hialeah, Beaufort and Trabuco, or a mixture of two of these colors.

Today you’ll find a wide variety of “off the shelf” or stock house plans on the market in almost any style of residential architecture. While not a true custom home, such plans do offer many advantages at a big savings in design fees. First, these plans can be modified to a certain degree to meet individual family needs, such as an additional bedroom, larger garage or master suite. Such changes can often be made by the company selling the plans or by a local architect in your area, but will incur extra time and expenses to make those changes. An off-the-shelf plan also can offer a high-end custom look, depending on the quality of the design, materials used and construction methods. We advise our clients to find a quality, detailed plan that fits their needs and/or site requirements and to hire a builder that has a good reputation for quality in their area. Clients who do not wish to spend the time or the expense on custom home design often are delighted with a plan from a portfolio of plans, such as the ones I offer through my website. We receive countless photos from clients who are thrilled with the home they purchased from us. Not all house plans are created equal, so find a company that sells detailed plans with clear instructions so that contractors can execute the home you and your architect imagined.

There’s no doubt that in today’s homes, the kitchen is both the highlight and the hub. While endless options for cabinetry, appliances, countertops and lighting abound, I’d like to share some of my favorites. In my own home, we mixed old world cabinetry with both marble and stainless countertops. I love a touch of stainless on counters because you just don’t have to worry about them—heat, spills, scratches–they can stand up to a lot of use and abuse. I prefer larger sinks, and one big sink over divided sinks for washing large pots. Farmhouse sinks are also popular and practical, as it sits closer to the body. Pot filler faucets that attach to the backsplash of a range have been popular in recent years, but are not always practical unless you boil lots of water for pasta, lobster and the like. Today I see husbands as interested in kitchen design as their wives are–definitely a sign of modern times. My design mantra applies equally to the kitchen: keep it simple. I see too much carved wood, shiny surfaces and extraneous flourishes in homes that really detract from good design. Prep rooms or sculleries are becoming popular as an area to hide (often multiple) dishwashers, sinks and unsightly messes that crop up in food preparation. In eating areas, I love the use of cozy banquettes, though for some clients they can be difficult to maneuver in and out of. Appliances are certainly more sophisticated and pricey than ever before, and some clients want them hidden behind cabinetry while others want to show them off. The great news for today’s homeowner is there are countless design combinations for kitchens. With some great planning and by following the rule of simplicity, you can create a place everyone wants to gather.

I recently took a 10-day trip to Tuscany to refuel my design senses. If you’ve never visited this region, I highly recommend it. From an architect’s perspective, it was truly a feast for the eyes. Italians have a way with stone, and I took in at every turn some unique application of pavers, masonry and plaster. Vaulted masonry ceilings that seemed to defy the laws of nature, and paving stones that beckoned us to journey its path were some of my favorites. I also loved the gardens there, the use of cypress to define a space and provide privacy is something I do in my own work. I enjoyed the contrast between the countryside and the city–in Florence, a much more cosmopolitan and formal air prevailed as opposed to the relaxed elegance of the country home where we stayed with friends (playing chess became a favorite pastime for us!) I loved simply sitting in the open squares sketching the buildings I saw, where more than one passerby probably thought I was a street vendor selling my drawings! The color, texture and detail of this area truly inspired me to incorporate more of their lifestyle here in America. It’s a lifestyle truly worth living.

Today there are an abundance of roofing materials available on the market. At my office, roofing choices are probably the number one question we’re asked by clients. No surprise, as a roof is one of the most important and most costly exterior features on a home. Choosing materials wisely is key. Building codes in many areas often dictate what’s acceptable overhead–for example, wood shake is often prohibited because of fire hazards. Weight of the roofing material must also be considered from an engineering perspective, as slate, concrete or clay roofs weigh nearly five times more than a wood shake or composite roof. Many imitation materials are available today, but I have not found an imitation shake or slate that I think is an acceptable substitute. Clients consider them because they weigh less, cost less and look pretty good. However, in my opinion, these synthetic materials can detract from the look of the home rather than enhancing it. And many of the higher end imitation materials cost as much as the real thing. When choosing roofing materials for your home, choose the authentic product–don’t settle for impostors.