January is typically a time to take stock of ourselves and our goals. Many of us ask ourselves, “What do I want to achieve this year?” Along with going to the gym five times per week, eating less meat, or finally finishing that novel sitting in your desk drawer, why not commit to making your
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 1940s through the ‘60s have become
In my last post, I talked with Realtor Pam Theroux about renovating and updating mid-century modern homes. This time, I asked Marin/Sonoma Realtor Elizabeth Meyers, of global real estate firm Engel & Völkers, for advice about what to think about when buying or selling mid-century modern homes. Special Considerations for Mid-Century Modern Homes While much of the
Photo by Becky Snyder/Flickr/CC-By 2.0 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 a
There's a good Q & A on solar energy in the Sept 30 New York Times: What You Should Know Before Going Solar
A major remodeling project brings with it lots of different emotions. Excitement. Frustration. Anger. Elation. If you’re doing a major building or remodeling project, chances are you’ll experience all these emotions – and more – during the process. As an architect, I’ve seen it time and again, and each time I’m right there with the
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 area or even dining table. Not
Starting a large building or remodeling project can seem intimidating, especially if you’ve never worked with an architect before. You’ll probably have lots of questions about timing, process and cost, and a host of others are bound to come up as your project progresses. To take some of the mystery – and, hopefully, some of
Solar shading is a system of controlling the effects of the sun’s heat and light for your home or office. It allows you to make the most of natural light, heat, and shade for a more comfortable, eco-friendly environment. Benefits A well-designed solar shading system helps you regulate the amount of sunlight and heat entering
While spring storms have eased California’s draught worries a little, it’s still good practice to conserve water wherever we can. Using graywater (sometimes spelled greywater) to irrigate your landscaping is an excellent way to reduce your water use. What Is Graywater? Graywater is water generated from household use that would otherwise go to waste. Water
