Information on home design, including new home design, remodeling, mid-century modern architecture, sesimic upgrades and other home improvements.
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
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
Solar tubes, also known as tubular skylights, sun tunnels, or light tubes, are a great way to bring more natural light into your home, particularly to dark rooms or areas that might otherwise miss out on the benefits of sunlight. What Are Solar Tubes? A solar tube is a metal tube that runs from your
When you start to visualize new opportunities for your home, surfaces and finishes many not be the first thing that comes to mind. You might be thinking instead of: A new kitchen design, A garage turned ADU, The creation of new family room. The possibilities are only limited by your budget, lot size (and local
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.
Are you looking at your home in a new light, after spending so much time in it? You wouldn’t be alone if you are. The remodeling trend of 2020 is not slowing down in 2021. Many of the projects have focused on making a home more livable. Kitchen remodeling is high on the list. How
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
The rapid changes we’ve experienced in our home and work environments are causing a shift in the way we see the world. If the work from home (WFH) phenomenon is here to stay, how will it impact plans for future housing? If the office buildings don’t fill up again, it is possible that those sites
After tackling your layout, cabinets and drawers, the next step in your kitchen retrofit for aging in place is planning your countertops, sinks and floors. The right countertops, sinks and floors can provide added accessibility and enhance food safety and fall prevention efforts for those with mobility or vision problems. Kitchen Countertops Height To make
Despite the challenges, the building trades have experienced a decided uptick in activity in 2021, according to the Houzz Barometer. Professionals in the residential design and construction field seem confident that the trend will continue. As we pointed out in an earlier post, the pandemic has forced homeowners to rethink essential home design. A study
