Good Design, Good Vibrations
I have a talent for stating the obvious, so I might as well tell you right now that when I visit a well-designed community, it just feels right.…
The Custom Side of Manufactured Housing
I sang the praises of Grass Valley, Calif., in an earlier blog, so I…
Downtown Delights: Urban Infill Housing
Urban infill housing continues to follow a growth trajectory as builders seek out locations that are close to life’s necessities
Think Smaller: Singles as an Emerging Niche for Home Builders
With their laser focus on the 55-and-older market, I wonder if home builders and developers might be overlooking an emerging niche: singles (photo…
Smart homes versus smart gadgets
The cover story of Time’s July 14 issue is a 39-page special report, “The Smarter Home.” Naturally, I had to read it. There’s a lot of…
My ideal home office
A recent blog post on the Estes Builders website got me thinking about what my ultimate home office…
Great books for home design
Back to the Cabin: More Inspiration for the Classic American Getaway. This companion piece to 2001’s “The Cabin” is a collection of 37…
Don’t let setbacks get you down
I’ve been talking to builders lately about coping with tight lot setbacks. Some build in the city, where it’s commonplace to see a new home…
Home as the realm of the senses
Remember when interior designer Carole Eichen coined the term “merchandising” to describe her approach to model homes? I’m not sure how many…
Mid-century modern stirs passions
Where do you stand on mid-century modern design? Do you love it or hate it? In the San Francisco Bay area, a resurgence of interest in Joseph…