Information on home design, including new home design, remodeling, mid-century modern architecture, sesimic upgrades and other home improvements.
Think short order cook to chef – both have important jobs to do but they differ. If you are up for grabbing a quick bite to eat and don’t have time to dawdle, a diner might be your first choice. But if you are invested in the getting the best meal, and want to enjoy
Of all the modifications to make for successful aging in place in your home, the kitchen retrofit is probably the most extensive and potentially costly. Most homeowners will only undertake a kitchen remodel once or twice, which means you may need to think about retrofits for aging in place long before you reach retirement age.
During the last year, our homes held our sequestered world in spaces designed for pre-pandemic days. The idea of remodeling took on an urgency that could not be realized while the lockdown kept people apart. As our lives return to what some have dubbed the “new-normal,” the desire to redesign our home environments remains strong
Many of us will need to consider making wheelchair retrofits to our homes if we plan to remain in them as we age. According to a 2014 U.S. Census Bureau report, about 10 million people – 66.5 percent of the country’s population over age 65 – have difficulty walking. The number climbs with age, and
As it turns out, you need both, for different reasons. If you are considering remodeling or adding an addition to your home, your architect can tell you what type of fire safe material is best for your specific building design and location. But can they help you with a fire safe landscape design? Marin, Sonoma
Let's talk about housewide retrofits for aging in place – those items you’ll want to take care of around your entire home to make it ready for a time when you or a family member may have physical disabilities associated with aging. This week, we’ll cover a few simple items that can be accomplished in
With all the praise and enthusiasm for Accessory Dwelling Units today, you might be surprised by their history. Commonly referred to as in-law units or granny flats by some and infill apartments by affordable housing advocates, they were once highly restricted and outright illegal in many municipalities. In 2017 a California law (AB68) was enacted
This post first ran in 2019. With the drought, the 2021 wildfire season in California is set to be one of the riskiest in years, and it’s a sad fact of life that we all need to be prepared in case we get the unwelcome message that a fire is heading our way. As an
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
A version of this post first ran in 2016. With Covid-19 restrictions, lots of people are reassessing their housing needs, and either remodeling or up- or downsizing. 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
