Information on home design, including new home design, remodeling, mid-century modern architecture, sesimic upgrades and other home improvements.

Essential Earthquake Retrofits for Your Older Home

Earthquakes are a fact of life in the Bay Area. The same geologic features that create our dramatic mountains-meet-ocean vistas mean we have to live with a little bit – or sometimes a lot – of shaking. California’s building codes are continually updated based on emerging research and lessons learned from each quake to make

Eichler vs. Alliance: What’s the Difference?

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

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

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

Renovating Your Mid-Century Modern Home – Advice from a Realtor

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