ASID Winner: Singular Residential Space

Marrokal has another ASID winner with John Mills Davies with his design for a Singular Residential Space.
Read the full article here.

Once an unsalvageable 1906 shack that had only front and side yards, the latest design creation of John Mills Davies of Marrokal Design & Remodeling is now a modernist bungalow equipped with a multi-use patio, casual outdoor theatre, and eco-friendly features. The cast-in-place concrete slabs take space efficiency to a new level as they serve as a versatile patio, dog run, and triple-deep off-street parking. In the summer, the side yard is used to project images on the east façade of the house, creating a carefree and relaxed environment for movie watching.

ASID Winner: Specialty Design — Green

John Mills Davies recently won the ASID for Specialty Design. An excerpt from the award comments is below, but read the full report here.

Bamboo flooring, Caesar Stone and Terrazzo were brought in for solid surfaces, and all of the home’s cabinetry was custom designed and built using FSC-certified or eco-wood products. Dual pane energy efficient windows, tankless water heaters and no-VOC paint selections complete the home’s green infrastructure. Strategically placed central skylights provide the residence with stunning natural lighting while simultaneously acting as thermal chimneys to either warm or cool the home. The landscaping was designed to provide drought resistant and energy efficient outdoor living, keeping in theme with the home’s environmentally conscious roots.

Bathroom Remodeling Trends

The days of depending on a luxury resort or hotel for pampering are being replaced. Homeowners are trading this occasional extravagance for permanent innovations in their very own homes. Currently, creating sanctuaries are the new bathroom remodeling trends. Consumers can now enjoy opulence in the privacy of their own homes.

There is no question that kitchens and baths sell homes. Consumers place significant value on large open kitchens and bathrooms with modern conveniences and high-end fixtures. Currently, however, a new trend in bathrooms has been occurring which focuses on the latest and greatest technology in bathroom conveniences.

Previously marketed multiple-head showers have now evolved into elaborate multi-functioning appliances. One of the hottest trends is the steam shower which offers reclining seats, remote controlled massage, electronic temperature and steam generator, and surround sound. This trend is especially important in remodeling because it immediately updates an older bathroom, and additionally provides the homeowner with the convenience of a spa along with the privacy of home.

For added pizazz, there is another new innovation known as the tanning shower. This product allows the consumer to incorporate a tanning unit into an existing or new shower. The unit comes complete with lamps, reflectors, and a double UV filter for optimum tanning. Also included is a high-intensity infrared light marketed to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, aiding in skincare.

Bathroom Remodeling and Rock?

Bathroom remodeling provides an opportunity to go for an entirely new look. For some, bathroom remodeling is a time for an unusual look - something unique.

Bathroom remodeling with rock and other natural materials can give you that unique look. It can give you the feeling of being in a natural retreat, far from the busy city life.

Achieving the Look

Begin your bathroom remodeling project by designing, or finding a design of the finished product. How do you want the bathroom to look when you are done?

For example, suppose you want a relaxing, peaceful hideout. What elements will achieve that look? What tasks will your bathroom remodeling project include?

1. Walls: Picture grasscloth wallpaper in green and tan tones. Grasscloth wallpaper is made of natural grasses, and green shades are not bright. The woven wallpaper has a horizontal line, and will set the mood for your project of bathroom remodeling with rock and natural materials.

2. Floor: A floor of slate or marble, real or imitation will fit your theme and be easy to clean. Use natural hemp or grass mats.

3. Sink: Purchase a rock sink. These sinks are hewn from river rocks, and hollowed with a polished cavity. They have a standard drain hole. Deep or shallow: choose a rock sink to enhance your bathroom remodeling.

4. Vanity: Continue your bathroom remodeling with rock and natural materials by choosing a bamboo vanity on which to set your rock sink. These vanities come in various sizes, and will carry the outdoor theme well. Hang a bamboo mirror / cabinet above the vanity.

5. Faucets: Bamboo shaped faucets will complement your sink well. The type that have an open top at the faucets end will look as though they came right from an oriental garden into your bathroom remodeling project.

6. Bathtub: Yes, you can get a "boulder bathtub" for your natural bathroom. You could probably find a standard bathtub with a marble-like finish, but an actual boulder would be natural. This calls for a large bathroom, and will look cramped in a small space. Add bamboo faucets to match those at the sink. Caution: Please make sure your floor will hold the weight before you order a boulder bathtub.

7. Toilet: You may not be able to go this far with your project of bathroom remodeling with rock, but you can camouflage the toilet to make it fit your theme. A dark green or black toilet would blend well.

Great Designs for Bathroom Remodels

Some of the great designs named in remodeling bathrooms that will give you an improved and better space are: the tub is the star, the cantilevered double sink, the bathroom wardrobe, and antique and traditional looks.

Remodeling your bathroom brings out the best of your bathroom space. This will benefit not just the resale value of your home but also the experience of the people using the space daily. Remodeling according to how you want your bathroom to look, will give you extra credit. Make use of the following bathroom designs to help keep your bathroom remodeling project moving:

The tub is the star

The "tub is the star" design focuses more on the surroundings of the bathroom space. The bathroom is used as a utensil for sight seeing. This type of design makes use of the double-ended tub. It is a type of bath tub that enables you to lie on both sides. You can have a warm bath laying against or facing the window. It is mostly used in houses with a contemporary architectural design.

The cantilevered double sink

A "cantilevered double sink" design provides you the advantage of bigger bathroom space. It makes use of a deep-basin shaped sink. The double sink is placed on a cantilevered bathroom counter. Having two sinks in the bathroom will provide you and your partner the time to brush your teeth or wash your face together. This will also save you time. A cantilevered double sink is generally used in a modern home.

A bathroom wardrobe

The position of the tub in this design is placed in the center of the room with one end of it positioned on the wall. The bath tub will cover the pipe on the wall. However, the person will be facing the wall when he or she uses the bath tub. Place a mirror on the wall adjacent to the bath tub to fix this problem. Wardrobe storage is one of the main components in a bathroom wardrobe as well. This will save space in the other part of the house. It will also allow you to directly change or store clothes after taking a bath.

Green Bathroom Remodeling

The green bathroom remodeling advantage that is most talked about is that it saves energy and water resources. It also takes advantage of recycled or refinished materials. Bathroom remodeling makes property attractive to homeowners, hotels or motels, apartments or any other person that has bathrooms that need to be updated. This is especially important in a sluggish economy where prospective property buyers are looking for properties that have energy and water efficient fixtures already installed.

Home improvement adds value to any property. And that is why realtors who know the advantages of remodeling are educating those they are helping in selling their properties that potential home or property buyers are looking for energy efficient fixtures and appliances. Realtors who understand and embrace the this knowledge are using it to sell four times more houses than their competitors.

Bathroom remodeling in combination with refinishing involves the consideration of many factors before the home renovation starts. Whether your motivation is environmental responsibility, or saving money, bathroom remodeling would make you feel satisfied. Your bathroom, is your place of solitude, health, hygiene and relaxation.

Many building materials vendors' are selling bathroom remodeling materials that are made of recycled materials like tile; vanities and flooring for example. Recycled fixtures like refinished sinks, and countertops save money and conserve natural resources. Antique claw foot tubs are becoming popular again. Newer tubs are not as good as the originals, therefore, many home owners prefer the old fashion traditional claw foot tubs.

Environmentally sound bathroom remodeling starts with a good consideration of water resources. How is water used? That means that much consideration should be given to how much water is used while flushing the toilet and also how much water your shower heads use. For instance switching from an old standard toilet to a much smaller, dual-flush toilet, alone can reduce your water consumption by 22 percent.

Bathroom Remodeling Checklist

Careful planning is the key to a successful bathroom-remodeling project. Before you begin any work in the bathroom, create a budget, a floor plan, a list of supplies, a timetable, and important legal considerations. Let's break it down by subject.

First, create a budget. Determine how much money you can comfortably spend, and save about 20 percent for emergencies. Get estimates for the work that needs professionals, and always include electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, and drywall installation costs in your budget.

Second, design a floor plan. Ask yourself, will you be working with the existing space or will you be adding on or knocking down walls? Check to make sure you will not disturb the electrical wiring, plumbing, or zoning regulations. Next, measure the amount of space you have and draw a floor plan. In drawing the plan, first put in all the items that are fixed. For example, if the toilet must be in one place because of plumbing, it is a fixed item. Experiment with how you like your floor plan, using different arrangements, with different types of cabinetry, shelves, or even walls. You might try pocket doors to save space, and corner sinks, floating sinks, or pedestal sinks to save even more space. L-shaped vanities and alcoves also save space. In addition, corner showers conserve space, and clear glass in showers creates the illusion of even more space. You may want to add windows or mirrors to let in light.

Third, make a list of the supplies you'll need and make sure they are available when you need them. Some typical supplies include sinks, flooring, wall tile, countertops, lighting, medicine cabinets, showers, bath tubs, cabinets and cabinet handles, toilets, extra storage, faucets, toilet paper holders, paint or wallpaper, chairs, accessories (like storage containers and/or artwork), as well as tools you have or can buy.

Transform a Pation into an Outdoor Living Room

Patios these days are becoming so much more than just a place to barbeque on the weekend... They're becoming more like outdoor living rooms. Now is the perfect time to convert your tired old concrete slab patio into a place where you can truly appreciate outdoor living at its finest.

Start by putting some effort into decorating and furnishing your patio using the latest décor and furniture. Gone are the days of cookie-cutter patio furniture. Patio furniture really has morphed to fit the needs of the consumer.

Now days, you'll find plenty of styles beyond the basic table and chairs. Available in many stores are bars and bar stools, low chairs with cushions that are designed to be placed around an outdoor coffee table. Benches, luxurious loungers, and pillows made of special fabric that is made specifically to hold up to outdoor weather are popular additions to many patios.

Add to the atmosphere of your patio by applying some of the same decorating ideas you'd use inside your home. For example, you can purchase outdoor curtains made from weather friendly materials to provide privacy and create the perfect mood. Make your new outdoor living room even cozier by using a nice outdoor rug that'll allow you to kick off your shoes and relax.

Lighting makes a great impact on the overall feel of your patio. Companies are now making outdoor lamps that can be plugged in to an outdoor outlet making guests wonder if they are in your living room or on your patio. It's hard to beat the ambiance of candle light, but if you don't want to mess with the hassle of candles blowing or burning out, then these outdoor lamps might be perfect for you.

Designs for Outdoor Living Rooms

1) Be realistic.

There are many possible options: pool areas, Zen gardens, outdoor lounge areas, playground areas, outdoor hot tubs, etc. It depends not only on your space and investment, also on the needs of inhabitants of your home. For instance, if you have a dog will be difficult to maintain a Zen garden. If there are small kids, you probably will think in them providing safety areas to play

2) Choose proximity.

Locate your outdoor living room area in direct connection with your living room. In that way, it will be an extension of it, you will improve the views from indoors, and it will have an easier flow of traffic between spaces. The same if you are installing a barbecue or a picnic area, it should be close to the kitchen. Pool areas should have access to a bathroom without crossing the entire house.

3) Define the dimensions.

Being in an outdoor living room doesn't mean it have to take the entire space of your backyard or terrace. As in any other space, define "walls" and "floors", and even "ceilings". The floor should be easy to clean and low maintenance, a good choice is colored concrete or stone tiles. A teak deck outstands for its elegance, durability and low maintenance.

For the "walls", consider lower vertical elements that may be more attractive/functional, as raised beds, container gardens, or hedges. If you don't want to wait for hedges to get tall enough to afford privacy, install lattice screens, instead. To satisfy your requirement for plants and provide further privacy, train vine plants to grow up the lattice.

The "ceiling" is very important to provide shade and shelter from rain. A vine-covered arbor may be more inspiring to gaze up at than a lawn umbrella, but the latter will keep you, and the books you may be reading, dry. If you'd like something more solid than an umbrella, consider installing a pergola and covering it with fiberglass.

Modern Outdoor Rooms

Have you ever seen pictures of outdoor living rooms in magazines? They have utilized outdoor space for additional recreation, eating, and living opportunities and added a beautiful amenity to the garden. The move outside can be used to its fullest in mild to moderate climates, but taken advantage of several seasons during the year everywhere else.  Paving materials should complement the house and existing landscaping styles. Bluestone or travertine pavers are an attractive choice for outdoor living spaces, as are concrete pavers.

An outdoor fireplace or fire pit offers function and a place around which family and friends can gather as the weather turns cooler. Fireplaces can be stand alone or be built in to the kitchen island. Fire pits are often a focal point within the living space. These can be wood-burning or run on gas. There are even some that incorporate a water feature into the fire pit!

Do you want your outdoor living room to be open-air or covered? That will depend on your region and climate, but options for either are nearly limitless. Pergolas offer a more open roof. Solid roof coverings can also be created.  Depending on the layout and size of your yard, an outdoor living room may contain water features such as fountains or ponds. Think about creating shade. If it is hot and uncomfortable, there is less likeliness that you will use the space.  Outdoor living spaces can can utilize kitchen islands, outdoor gas grills, and even such things as outdoor rugs. Weather resistant outdoor furniture should be used, but there are many comfortable choices available.

Why be satisfied with that cracked patio when you can create a truly unique and enjoyable outdoor living space in the same area?

Creating Your Outdoor Living Room

Once you have decided on where to site your new outdoor living room, and those with those tiny yards may not have a choice, you can work on how to create the "walls", "floor", and even a "ceiling". Your project has now become landscape design! You may need the advice of a garden designer at this point, or some great books on the subject to understand the materials that are used in building landscapes and how to use them to create enclosure, privacy and beauty.

Once you have supplied the "floor;" normally a wooden deck or a stone, brick or even concrete patio or terrace, and some "walls;" typically a formal hedge, loose hedgerow, wall, or fence, and maybe a "ceiling"; a sloping roof or retractable awning or parasol attached to the house, you can go crazy furnishing your new outdoor living room. Consider some sort of heating element such as a wood burning or gas fireplace, fire pit, chimney, or portable patio heater to enable to use your new "room" all year round.

Furnishings like benches and tabletops can be made out of say, cast concrete for a real permanent feel, or obtained from a myriad of sources. Manufacturers are offering many new choices for furniture and lighting designed specifically for the outdoors as well as much better selections than ever for tough but nice fabrics for outdoor furniture, cushions, pillows, rugs and shades. Almost anything you can dream up as a way of making your outdoor living room more comfortable is now available for purchase online and off.

Outdoor Licing Rooms Explained

Considering a garden as an outdoor room is nothing new to garden designers. The concept is just now making its way into the public consciousness. But just what are outdoor living rooms? Are they places where you try to recreate your indoor living room outdoors? No, not exactly. Are they places like your deck, patio or terrace where you just plop down a set of furniture and hope that you'll feel like spending time out there? No, that won't do either. An outdoor living room is a space outside of your house, built with materials suitable to the outdoors, where you will actually want to spend time! It's also a state of mind, the idea of living life outdoors.

Now for your frame of mind: stop separating the outside of your house from the inside of your house, try to think of your property as all one place. Look at your outdoor space, look at your yard and take inventory of what you have naturally in that space. What has mother nature already provided for you? Hopefully you have some kind of natural elements that can be the focal point of your new outdoor living room such as a large tree, a hedgerow, a nice slope, or a beautiful view. In urban locations, your yard could be a barren rectangle, with nothing in it but some dirt and weeds, but there may be other qualities you could start with, such as a lovely angle of morning sun, maybe a nice brick wall on one side creating a microclimate, or even an interesting urban view of some kind.

Spend some time out there and identify just what are feels the best to you. Bring a chair outside and just sit in it in different spots until you get a feeling of being in the right spot. Then you must ask yourself, can this spot be turned into an outdoor living room? How will you connect it to visually to your house? Are there interior elements of your home that you can repeat outside? How will you connect your new outdoor living room physically to your house? How will get there from inside your house? There must be an easy way to go from inside to outside and back inside.  Smooth transition between inside and out is how you start feeling like your outdoor living room is really just another room of your house; an extension of your home.

Getting the Right Design for Your Home

The right design is among the prime ingredients to achieving home improvement project success. A crucial product of the planning stage, failing to realize its importance would surely bring great frustrations and a waste of resources by the time the project takes shape.

Inject Your Personality into the Design

No matter the yearly trends when it comes to remodeling project designs, one thing has strongly influenced the trends throughout the recent decades and this is tending towards personalization of space. More and more homeowners are finding comfort in going home to a place that they can truly call theirs. The ambiance, the mood and the design in general can tell so much about the personality of the homeowner.

Complement

The right design makes your remodeling project complement the overall look and boost the appeal of your home. Though every room should have an interesting personality on its own that emanates with a sense of creativity and its true purpose, the homeowner still should be able to maintain that thread of harmony to make the home improvement finish feel like a part of the home.

Match Lifestyle

The right design will result to a home remodeling project finish that is ideal for the homeowner as well as the rest of the household. Childproofing measures should be implemented if there are small children in the house. Make the rooms and your entire home handicap-friendly for easy navigation if one of the family members has a disability. Finish the basement into a recreational area or home theatre for your young teens to enjoy with you and their group of friends.

Want to Add a Wine Cellar to Your Home?

If you're running out of space to store your wine, you may have considered building a wine cellar in your home. However, wine cellar design involves many steps and you'll have to work closely with your contractor and builder to find a solution that works best for your space. Here are a few things you'll want to think about.

The wine cellar should have the right temperature and environment to house the wines that are part of your collection. This means that the cellar will be considerably colder than the rest of your home, and should be built in a basement area. You will have to figure out your wine cellar design based on the amount of space you have to work with, so do your best to plan accordingly even before you meet with your contractor. Take a look at the wine racks that will fit into your space, you can do research online for more ideas and then draw up your plans accordingly.

Your wine cellar design will also need to include seating if you plan on having guests use the cellar for a wine tasting. The right flooring, as well as door plans should also be considered since want to make the space as inviting as possible. You will also have to include certain electrical features if people will be in the cellar for more than a few minutes at a time, so your electrician and plumber will have to come out and give you an estimate based on the size of the property and complexity of the job. You may also want to talk to your contractor about cooling units that you can purchase to keep your wine at the right temperature.

Getting the Highest ROI on Your Remodeling Porject

Many a homeowner spends thousands of dollars on a home remodel only to find out that in reality it has not changed the value to their house. Unless the remodeling project is designed to fix a structural problem or flaw it is often unlikely that the homeowner will make a profit aside from the pleasure in having the house enhanced to fit their liking.

1. Location
A common mistake among homeowners is to improve their house more than that of the neighborhood it is located in. While the more improved house might possibly receive more interest than others in the area marketed it is unlikely to command a premium well above the average selling price of homes in the neighborhood. A little known fact is that market price is held in check by the lowest-priced homes in your neighborhood and not the other way around.

2. Time
While you may not be planning on moving houses immediately after a home remodel, time does impact the ability of a remodel to increase a houses value. Structural or design improvements such as an addition or completed basement will add value for a longer period of time than updates to a kitchen or bathroom or even technological improvements such as a new furnace or air conditioning system.

3. Consider the cost - and the return of your investment
Did you know that there are several sources that can give you insight into the expected payback for home improvement projects? Realtor magazine publishes an annual "Cost vs. Value" report that compares the cost of common remodeling projects and shows the payback that homeowners can expect.

Let's Add a Sunroom or Outdoor Living Room

Sunrooms have become one of the most popular home additions, popping up in all sorts of homes. A sunroom can dramatically enhance the value of your home, while providing additional living space for you and your family. If you think adding a sunroom to your home is out of your price range, you might want to think again.

Though popular among nature lovers and gardeners, sunrooms are increasingly becoming in demand for those of us who love the beauty of the outdoors without the nuisance of insects and inclement weather. Many people add sunrooms to their homes to house spas or hot tubs. Imagine relaxing in your spa in the evening after a rough day at work. To top it all off, if designed and built properly a sunroom can be used all year round, even in the nastiest of weather conditions.

A perfect sunroom addition allows you to experience all of the enjoyment of the sun and benefits of being outdoors, without any of the drawbacks. An important thing to remember when dreaming up your new sunroom is design! Windows are an obvious important design element and should be considered carefully. Window glass should be of high quality for insulation purposes, as the point is to enjoy the outdoors year-round, and through the worst of weather scenarios.

You will want to research insulation and tints for your windows to help alleviate summer heat, or the chill of cooler months. Your best bet when choosing your windows would be windows specifically made for sunrooms. They are made stronger and thicker than traditional glass and are available in both single and double paned. Sunroom windows should also reduce glare, as this will bring much enjoyment having the unrestricted view of the outside.

Surviving Your Home Remodel

The good news is that you're finally getting the house of your dreams. The bad news is that you need to live through months of remodeling to get there. Living in a house that's being remodeled is stressful, but if you're prepared, you can make it easier on the whole family.

Plan Ahead: Find out how long the home remodeling project will take. Consider how the work will disrupt your life and make contingencies for it. Also make plans in case something goes wrong. A power outage or plumbing emergency might necessitate decamping for a couple of days.

Establish Ground Rules: Talk to the contractor about what hours and which days of the week the crew will work. That will make it easier to plan your life around the renovation. Consider getting a portable toilet for the workers so yours will still be available. Tell them where they can park their trucks and establish how they will clean up the work site.

Set up a Living Area: Cover the entrances to the work area with plastic to avoid getting dust in the rest of the house; this will also establish a living area. If you're having a kitchen remodeling job, set up a temporary kitchen with a microwave and hot plate, and designate a sink for washing dishes. Stock up on bottled water and paper plates and cups. You'll need them if you lose the use of your plumbing at some point.

Store Your Belongings: Put away anything breakable and delicate. Even if your china cupboard isn't in the work area, the vibrations from the machinery can cause things to crack or fall. If you can't move some pieces of furniture, cover them with drop clothes so they won't get coated in dust.

A Sample Checklist Before Your Kitchen Remodel Begins

You are ready for a new kitchen and cannot wait for the remodelers to come in and start ripping out all those old cabinets and counter tops to replace them with something newer, more elegant and far more functional. Before they do arrive though take one last look at your kitchen design plans, as there are several factors that homeowners can often overlook, especially if they have done much of the planning work themselves.

Some points you should definitely consider in your review of your kitchen remodel include the following:-

• Is there going to be enough room to open all the drawers and cabinets in your new kitchen properly?
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• Is there going to be adequate counter top space between the sink, stove and refrigerator?
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• Is the microwave going in right place? If there are kids in the house is it low enough for them to use safely?
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• How well will your new kitchen flooring match with that in adjoining rooms?
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• Do you have enough lighting planned? Under cabinet lights are often overlooked but they are incredibly useful in most kitchens and really should not be forgotten.
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• Is the work flow between all the appliances going to be smooth? Transit between them all, including the dishwasher should be as easy and clutter free as possible.
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• Will you have enough storage space?
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• Are you really happy with the overall design plans?

If, after you have asked yourself all these questions, you are still happy with the planned design that is great, let the work commence.  However if you have any nagging doubts, even if the kitchen plans were drawn up by a kitchen remodeling expert, voice them now.  Changing something mid project can be an expensive headache and derail the project's timeline by days or even weeks. It is your kitchen, your money and ultimately it is up to you to make sure that the design is exactly what you wanted it to be.

Don't Settle for Cookie Cutters! Get Custom Home Design!

It seems like more and more developments these days are filled with look-alike homes. From identical facades to cookie-cutter floor plans, these homes are designed to suit the average family... But your family isn't average-you have particular needs, desires, and wants. So why settle for cookie cutter house plans when you can get a custom home design that suits your family's specific needs!

From architectural tastes to family size to your specific lifestyle, your family is unique. So why cram your five-person family into a three bedroom house or settle for a tiny galley kitchen when you love to cook. Custom home plans are your answer for getting the beautiful, functional house that's perfectly suited to your family. Your local home designers can integrate your personal needs into a standard house plan or create a one-of-a-kind home from scratch. They'll work with you to identify the features, flow, and format you need in a home and then create the plans for a beautiful house that incorporates all of these things. When you're going to the expense of building your own home, why settle for anything less than perfect. Get the home of your dreams with custom home design today.

Keep in mind that top-quality house plans can make a huge difference in the entire process of building your new home. Helping ensure the construction process stays on schedule and within budget, detailed, accurate blueprints and house design plans can help ensure you get the home of your dreams. On the other hand, incorrect or error-filled plans mean a chaotic, problem-filled build and a less-than-ideal house. That's why it's so important to ensure your house designers [http://par-homebuilders-nola.louisiana-biz.com/] are qualified, skilled experts. By choosing professional home designers, you can help guarantee you get the custom plans you need to take your visions of a new home from paper into reality.

Design That's In in 2011

Smaller Homes

For those families purchasing new homes, many are looking for more modestly sized properties than the McMansions of the past. Being more attracted to the space they need rather than the space their ego wants - is on today's agenda. It's all about being more value conscious and living authentically. Although some newly built homes may be shrinking in size - by only about 10-15% (reducing overall room sizes), the high-end materials and finishes are in no way compromised.

Greener, Healthier and Smarter Homes

The current scene is definitely green. Energy efficiency is fast becoming the hottest and most desirable remodel trend or "shift" in the home design and building industry.

Universal Design

Renovating your existing home and removing interior walls creates an open, spacious and more flexible floor plan. This immediately improves the layout and flow of the home and makes it more comfortable and versatile for families who love to entertain.

Work Spaces

The homeprenuer trend is not just growing - it's intensifying. With an unstable economy comes the opportunity for more people to work from home either part time or launch home-based businesses. Today's technology makes it easy to be as productive at home as in an office-based location.