My wife Susan and I recently returned from a long weekend trip to San Francisco and Carmel. As always, both the city and the countryside were breathtaking and the weather was ideal. One reason for our visit was to consult with long-standing clients who are building a home in the Carmel area. Their site is a dream–on a mountain cliff overlooking Pebble Beach and the Pacific Ocean. And their home-building story is not uncommon. They initially worked with another architect to create the design. However, once construction began, they realized that some aspects of the design did not take advantage of the spectacular views their lot afforded them. Our changes will bring those views to center stage, as we relocated the master suite to take in the view (previously was centered around the pool) and changed a patio area into an outdoor room for year-round use. These tweaks will make a big impact in how they’ll eventually enjoy this home, and it’s a great example in how important it is to consider the placement of the design on your specific lot. A side note: we stayed at the fabulous Bernardus Lodge (http://www.bernardus.com/) in Carmel. I cannot say enough about this fine resort (spa, golf and winery are also on the property). From the customer service to the landscaping, architecture and attention to detail, Bernardus will not disappoint you.