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SIPs Coming in from the Fringe of Home Design

Change in any industry can feel sluggish when you have a great idea you want to see catch on. That is certainly true for proponents of structural insulated panels or SIPs for short. In the 1930s, Frank Lloyd Wright experimented with an early prototype that lacked insulation, in his search for materials that were functional,

Eichler vs. Alliance: What’s the Difference?

This post first ran in 2016. Most people who pay attention to contemporary American architecture have heard of Eichler homes. Developer Joseph Eichler’s dream of bringing beautiful, affordable modern design to the masses was spurred by his admiration of Frank Lloyd-Wright’s soaring architectural designs, and the homes he built throughout California beginning in the late

Is Concrete Flooring an Option for Your Home?

Some people think that concrete floors are more likely to evoke industrial spaces, rather than homes. In fact, according to the International Association of Home Inspectors in their history of concrete, the first homes to use concrete were in Yugoslavia in 5600 BC. Home-building and construction techniques have changed a lot since then, but concrete is still

Spending Went Up on Renovations and Remodeling in 2021

That headline won’t surprise many homeowners in the San Francisco Bay Area, especially in Marin. During the pandemic our perspectives shifted radically on what a home should offer. Four bedrooms, three baths and a family room suddenly felt cramped. Where could the home office go? Um, make that two home offices, a classroom for the

What to Look for When Buying (or Selling) a Mid-Century Modern Home

A version of this post first ran in 2016. A few years ago, I asked Marin/Sonoma Realtor Elizabeth Meyers for advice about what to think about when buying or selling mid-century modern homes. The advice she gave still holds true. Special Considerations for Mid-Century Modern Homes While much of the advice on buying and selling

Five Ideas for Cooling Your Mid-Century Modern Home

This post first ran in 2018. Summer is just around the corner, and while many of us are looking forward to lazy days by the pool with a good book (and lots of sunscreen), we’re also thinking about how we’re going to keep cool without breaking the bank or destroying the earth. Cooling