This post first ran in 2018. In my 30-plus years as an architect, I’ve dealt with almost every kind of building project mistake. There are a few that come up over and over, delaying projects, frustrating clients and costing them additional money. These problems tend to arise from a few basic misconceptions. Here are seven
This post first ran in 2018. If you have a beautiful garden, outdoor living space or a great view, one of the best upgrades you can make to your home is to add a retractable glass wall. Adding a retractable glass wall can make the indoor/outdoor living so many of us in the Bay Area
This post first ran in 2018. Hardwood flooring is becoming the most popular floor option, eclipsing carpeting and laminate in the Bay Area, according to Bill Powell, of 123-Floor, a Marin flooring expert with 24 years of experience. Hardwood is popular for good reason. “I look at hardwood as an asset in the house,” Powell
A version of this post first ran in 2017. I love my radiant heating. There’s nothing cozier on a chilly winter morning than a toasty warm floor greeting your cold feet. More and more, clients are asking me about radiant heat for their homes. What used to be thought of as a luxury is going
This post first ran in 2018. As an architect, I like to think of remodeling and building projects as a symphony. All the sections of the orchestra – the strings, the brass, the percussion – use their unique skills to work on their separate bits of music, yet somehow, everything comes together to create something
This post first ran in 2017. In the mid-20th century, there seemed to be little reason to insulate a new California home. Mild winters and summers, combined with seemingly plentiful, inexpensive energy meant homeowners could crank up the heat without breaking the bank or worrying about their carbon footprint. In the 21st century, however, we
This post first ran in 2017. In a 2017 post, I mentioned converting to LED lighting as a simple way to improve your home's "green quotient." Today, I'll take a more in-depth look at LEDs and what you need to consider when converting from incandescent or CFL to LED bulbs. Why
This post first ran in 2016. When planning a kitchen remodel, nothing seems to stress my clients out more than selecting a kitchen countertop. And no wonder – the countertop not only defines the style of your kitchen, it also serves as its primary workhorse, sometimes acting as food prep surface, sometimes as trivet, storage
This post first ran in 2016. Mid-century modern homes have been enjoying something of a renaissance over the past few years. Originally intended as functional, affordable family homes, they’ve become sought-after properties, thanks to their unique style and their location in some of the Bay Area’s most desirable communities. If you’re lucky enough to own
Thanks to new laws that went into effect January 1, 2020, building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) – also known as a “granny unit” or “in-law unit” – is a more attractive option than ever for California homeowners who want to gain a little additional living space or get some rental income. Maybe it’s the
