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Wine cooler favorite addition in house remodel
A couple purchased a home that I originally designed for another family years ago. While it’s a spectacular house, they asked me to make some changes to meet the needs of their busy family. They added a dedicated game room and an office for the husband’s business, among other changes. But I have to say [...]
What to consider when selecting a lot for your home.
I often assist clients with selecting a lot, or at least giving them feedback on a lot they are considering. Location, size and price are obviously first and foremost in the decision process. The shape of a lot can also impact the eventual design of the home–both good and bad. Topography is something you can’t [...]
Advantages of letting the architect design your pool.
As the heat in my city remains locked at above 105 degrees, it’s tough not to think about how much a pool alleviates the dog days of summer. Right now I am working with three clients on how to incorporate their pool into the overall design of their home and back yard space. Working with [...]
Florida beach house big on style, small on size
I wanted to share with you some photos of a beach house I designed for a family who wanted a vacation place on the Florida Gulf coast. This is near Seaside and Rosemary Beach, if you’re familiar with that area. While the home is only around 2,000 square feet, my wife Susan (interior designer) and [...]
This couple finds their “Dream Home.”
Talking to homeowners and potential clients is one of the best parts of my work. I recently received a call from a couple who, after years of research, planning and dreaming, had just purchased one of my homes. After many years of relocating for the husband’s job, they decided to put down roots near Tulsa [...]
Put roof material selection at the top of your priority list.
I wrote about the importance of roof material selection on this blog a few years ago–but we’ve all slept since then and this important topic bears repeating. I just can’t emphasize enough how critical it is to get this part of your home right. Your roof is one of the largest architectural features on the [...]
When you love the lot, but not the house. Remodel or build new?
It’s a dilemma many of my clients have encountered. They love their lot, the street, the neighborhood. The home is close to their schools, favorite shops and their friends. But the house just isn’t working. Two clients in particular faced significant drainage problems due to the topography of their site. After years of battling it, [...]
Add a screen porch for more outdoor living flexibility.
Lately I’ve had more and more clients asking about including a screen porch in their new home. They are especially desirable in parts of the U.S. where insects are a big problem (mosquitoes and flies in the South and Southeast, bees in some mountain states). I’ve even had a client in Florida who wanted to [...]
Carmel project offers lesson in site usage.
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 [...]
This English Country home is turning out spectacular.
Here’s a recent photo of a custom home I designed a few years ago. Now, with mature landscaping, it is really looking terrific. This is a good example of how English Country design can look with a more streamlined approach, which is a great fit if you are leaning toward a more modern interior. More [...]
