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

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

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

Time to Replace Your Woodburning Fireplace?

If you, like me, are a certain age, smoke curling from chimneys and the earthy smell of woodsmoke from fireplaces and stoves represent the glories of winter. Unfortunately, they also represent a threat to health and safety, which is why it may be time for all of us to think about replacing our woodburning fireplaces