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

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

Case Study: New Garage with Accessory Dwelling Unit

Current Situation Client: Woman about to retire Need: Current and future income; future living space Budget Level: Medium The client is a single woman who is planning to retire in two to three years. She would like to realize a moderate increase in income during her remaining working years with the possibility of further increasing

Case Study: Master Suite & Bath Addition

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be posting case studies from my project files to demonstrate how clients can renovate and make home and office improvements. The cases are meant to illustrate some of the best ideas for maximizing the comfort, utility and cost-effectiveness of clients’ living and working spaces. Current Situation Client: Working professional

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

What’s In an Architectural Style?

If you’ve done any house-hunting in the Bay Area, you might have heard the terms Art Deco, Arts and Crafts Style, Bungalow, Modern, Contemporary, Mid-Century Modern, Cape Cod Style, Colonial and Victorian – to name a few of the architectural styles. The problem is, some of these terms are used interchangeably, when they are distinct.

What is SB 9 and Why Should I Care?

SB 9 signed into law by Governor Newsom in September  SB 9, dubbed the California HOME (Housing Opportunity & More Efficiency) Act, sponsored by State Senator Toni G. Atkins, is a part of the Senate’s Building Opportunities for All housing package. According to Senator Atkin’s fact sheet, “The bill establishes a statewide path for homeowners