I came across this amazing photo project via apartmenttherapy.com - 100 residents photographed within their 100 square foot living spaces in China's oldest public housing estate. So fascinating!Monday, November 30, 2009
100x100
I came across this amazing photo project via apartmenttherapy.com - 100 residents photographed within their 100 square foot living spaces in China's oldest public housing estate. So fascinating!Saturday, November 28, 2009
Let the Holidays Begin !
Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving, I am in Dallas and will return home on monday. Time to start decorating for the holidays !
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Family Rooms
They may be on the small side but that did not make these homeowners shy ways from bold color...Loving the round table-ottomans, great when you have little space !
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Country Christmas
I get some of my best Christmas decorating ideas from small things I see in decor photos. A wreath hung in the kitchen, s small pine tree in a red pot. In the weeks leading up to the holidays I will post pictures of different styles hopefully to inspire you for your holiday decor !
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Room Painting Ideas - 32 Pics
Beautiful color combination for your room paintings.
While most of us may not spend a lot of time thinking about color, it affects every day of our lives. Color can influence our mood and our thoughts. Colors affect people in many ways, depending upon one’s age, gender, ethnic background or local climate. Certain colors or groups of colors tend to get a similar reaction from most people - the
While most of us may not spend a lot of time thinking about color, it affects every day of our lives. Color can influence our mood and our thoughts. Colors affect people in many ways, depending upon one’s age, gender, ethnic background or local climate. Certain colors or groups of colors tend to get a similar reaction from most people - the
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Efficient Framing for House Plans
- use 2x6 wall framing at 24" o.c. (in lieu of 16" o.c.)
- use 1" rigid foam insulation in lieu of traditional sheathing
- eliminate headers where they are not necessary structurally - where they are necessary size them properly (it is common practice to use the same size header throughout)
- eliminate all the corner framing - let the drywall hang loose or use clips
- use header hangars in lieu of jack studs
- eliminate one of the top plates
I happen to agree that all of these ideas are good energy savings tips. Some builders however would argue that they are not necessarily cost savings. For instance eliminating one of the top plates may complicate the drywall installation. Eliminating the wall sheathing means using other methods to ensure shear strength. So before you implement any of these ideas on your new house make sure you talk through the implications closely with your builder. I also suggest having a residential structural engineer look at your new lightly framed house to make sure it won't tip over when the big bad wolf blows on it.
You can see the entire fine homebuilding article at "The Future of Efficient Framing"
Friday, November 13, 2009
Design Challenge for a 2000 SF House Plan
Lately I have been getting inquiries for modestly sized new home designs that feature main floor master bedrooms. A search of the web reveals a gazillion main floor master bedroom plans - but most are massive or ugly or both. So I decided this might be a good opportunity to design a new plan fitting this unique need, and to illustrate for you a little bit of the design process at the same time. So let's get started.
The design process I use typically involves the following phases:
- Programming
- Schematic Design
- Design Development
- Construction Documents
Today we will start with Programming. Programming really means just identifying a list of functional needs and qualities that you would like to see in your home. I'll start with a list that reflects the kinds of requests I have been receiving.
- Modest plan size - as close to 2000 square foot as possible.
- Open floor plan - Living, Dining and Kitchen spaces very connected with each other.
- Mudroom with space for hanging coats and sitting for putting shoes on.
- Laundry space should be on the main floor.
- A main floor master bedroom with walk in closet and bath. The bath should have a walk in shower, but not necessarily a tub (the days of the jacuzzi tub seem to be over).
- Spaces that are functional, but not over sized.
- A reasonable sized entry porch.
- A screen porch with spaces for eating and sitting.
- A main floor powder room.
- Possibly a den or away room - if space allows.
- An attached 2 car garage - possibly with some additional storage space.
- 2 additional bedrooms on a second floor.
- A shared bathroom for the 2 upstairs bedrooms.
- A basement that could allow future expansion space.
- Beautiful home but not overly complex. Should be reasonably economical to construct. The house plan should be simple, yet unique.
That's a pretty good list for now. But I wanted to leave room for your thoughts. So please feel free to comment. Did I miss anything? Throw your 2 cents in.
Next posting I will update the program with your relevant comments - and we'll see some initial design thoughts.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Look for Storage Everywhere !
When space is at a premium, that usually means storage is too. Here are some simple ideas you can use in any space. Some cubbies over your dresser, s shelf under your mirror in your bathroom or just some benches stacked up. You can use that for extra seating when you have extra guest. Look at your space with a new eye !
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
How to design a bay window!
I have had many clients in the past tell me they want a bay window. Sometimes I have been a bit reluctant to the idea because I have seen so many bad examples. The image below is a very typical example of the contemporary application of the bay. To me this just looks like they cut a hole in the wall and slapped on the window unit. It just doesn't look integrated.
Don't do this!
On the other hand my recent trip to the Napa Valley area reminded me that the bay window can be a beautiful design element when properly integrated with the architecture of the house plan. Here are a few examples on mostly craftsman style houses - all discovered in the town of Napa.Square box bay instead of the typical angled sides. Simple shed roof with exposed rafter tails and supporting brackets. Shingle siding wraps the box out.
Here the bay walls simply extend up until they meet the roof overhang, which is deep enough to receive them. The continuous trim above the windows and the cedar shingles also help to integrate the bay properly with the house. The brackets below help to give the bay a sense of support.
Here is an angled bay window fitting below a square gabled form. This gable integrates with the house in much stronger way than our "don't do this example". Also note the small window below the bay. This completes the composition and reinforces the idea that the bay was not an afterthought.
My favorite bay window example in Napa. You can tell the designer spent a lot of time studying the form and detail to properly integrate with the house. Beautifully executed!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Dream Spaces
Nothing like a white/cream bedroom to set the mood for a good night sleep. Unclutter your mind for a relaxing night of sleep. Whites and creams are excellent choices for the small place dweller. The middle picture is not a small space but the bed and white/cream combinations are wonderful.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Open or Closed Storage ?
Everything needs a place. Putting your things away is key to small living. The very first thing you should consider is open or closed storage. I tend to lean towards closed, because, well, I'm a messy person. Don't get me wrong. I love the look of open storage, I just know my limitations :). My best advice is, if its pretty and you like to look at it, open storage. Otherwise, hide that stuff !!
