home sectionhome section
A large part of selecting clothes to wear involves taking advantage of your natural assets and your figure. Learn about empire waist styles with help from an accomplished designer who has worked for several notable fashion houses and apparel brands in this free video clip.
Building an architectural fascia is an exercise in invisibility. Located at the end of the rafter tails, behind the gutter and around the soffit, the fascias are designed to not be noticed -- but you'll notice if they fail. These simple bands of wood or, more recently, plastic are essential to protecting a house's roof and walls from serious water damage. Correctly built, fascias help keep your house dry. Poorly installed, they can make water damage worse.
Bungalow style homes were introduced at the turn of the 20th century. These homes are usually 1-1/2 stories with low-pitched roofs. Large front porches are also characteristic of the bungalow design. Country style homes are known for their charm and are often found in rural areas. Large verandas or wrap-around porches are one way to identify these homes. This is also where the two styles overlap, which offers a way to give a classic bungalow home a country facade. Using other elements, such as paint and trim, can further create a country style home.
The gambrel roof in U.S. architecture dates to the Colonial era, when Dutch colonists built gambrel-roofed homes on the banks of the Hudson River. Gambrel roofs also appear on Colonial homes from the 17th century in Massachusetts. The later years of the Victorian period saw renewed interest in colonial architecture, including gambrel roofs. Victorians replicated the gambrel's structure but added their own decorations and adornments.
The gambrel roof has been used for decades on barns, sheds and other buildings because it provides more interior space for hay lofts and storage. Often called a "barn" roof, a gambrel roof is distinguished by a center peak with two or more angles of slope on each side. These roofs have also become popular with home builders because of their extra attic space, which can be used for storage or a second-story room. The basic gambrel has two angles, a mild slope at the top and a steeper pitch to the eave.
Neo-eclecticism is an architectural style also referred to as post-modernism. A reaction to modernism, neo-eclectic architecture rejects the modernist need to simplify and innovate, returning instead to traditional architectural precedents for inspiration. The style is known for sprawling, multi-story design, complex roof lines and large garages accommodating two or more cars.
A tree house is a special place that children get to call their own. However, because it is up in a tree, there are certain inherent safety risks involved in a tree house. For parents who decide to build a tree house themselves instead of hiring a professional to do the job, there are a few tips that can make the tree house stable, safe and long lasting.
Back in America's Colonial period there were several types of homes being built based on location, economics and social stature. What most people identify as a Colonial style house is most likely a Georgian style. Two variations of this style are the half-Georgian, which is prevalent in Colonial-era urban areas, and the single-story, hip-roofed style, commonly called a Cape Cod. There are certain distinct characteristics of the Georgia style. Foremost among them is a strict adherence to the classical ideal of symmetry.
A sunroom is a friendly and attractive addition to a home. Since a sunroom receives varying amounts of sunlight during the day, you want to choose a location that suits the layout of your home. If you plan to add a sunroom to the front of your house, several designs will make it a welcoming area for your family and guests.
The bungalow style began to appear in the late 18th and early 19th century and is associated with the Arts and Crafts movement, which is seen as a reaction to the exuberant ornamentation of the Victorian style and the daunting force of industrialization. At the same time, an emerging working class began to look beyond the “workman’s cottage” for housing stock that reflected their increasing affluence. These two forces combined together to generate the bungalow style: simple, elegant, modest, affordable.
Tufting can turn an ordinary piece of furniture into a luxurious piece of upholstered furniture. The process of tufting consists of threading embroidery floss and a large needle through layers of fabric and foam batting to create a pulled cluster effect. The embroidery floss is then held in place by a knot or a button. Tufting is common on bed headboards, ottomans, chairs, couches and even memo boards. It is a decorative craft that has been practiced for centuries, especially among the French, but can also be created by anyone with just a few materials.
Any changes to enhance the exterior of a Tudor-style home must work with the architecture. This will require that you familiarize yourself with the roof styles, windows and materials used in these homes. By learning about Tudor houses, which are centuries-old in design, you can see how timber framing, copper roof areas and windows that open outward are among the many features that give this type of structure its charm. You don’t want to add materials that look inappropriate, such as inexpensive siding.
The Federal style architecture is an amalgam of other architectural styles in the late 17th and early 18th century. Two brothers from Scotland amended the boxy British Georgian style, adding delicate columns, acanthus leaf garlands and curvy windows and fan lights. Americans, flush with independence and federalist idealism, embraced the new style with flourish. Because so many new homes were constructed during this time of the nation's founding, the architectural style became known as Federalist, or Federal style.
A bungalow is a small detached home that is usually one-story. They are perfect for couples, small families or seniors. Occasionally a bungalow is used as a second home or a vacation home. Because they are small they are often easy to decorate and have a quaint feel. Decor should be kept simple and to a minimum. Because the space is small, too much decor can make the home appear cluttered and unkempt.
Points, lines, angles, curves, two- and three-dimensional shapes, volumes and proportions form the basics of home design as well as geometry. The living space of homes contains a wealth of three-dimensional geometry, including square and rectangular cubes, pyramids, cylinders and spheres as well as two-dimensional shapes, such as windows. Many architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright, first explored geometric ideas and building design while playing with building blocks as children.
The architectural style of a home includes features and materials that separate it from other home designs. For example, the distinctive support columns and large porches instantly set apart an Arts and Crafts home from other architectural styles. Also, archways for interior doors and entrances are distinctive architectural elements often used in homes designed to create Old World charm.
Acadian-style architecture is a fairly recent style, originating in the middle of the 18th century. A unique mix of Canadian architecture and southern American practicality, the result of combining these two different points of view into one type of home design is a distinctive, comforting yet practical design that's become popular throughout the country.
French Colonial architecture and decor, also known as French Creole, have distinct characteristics you can easily recognize with the right information. Identifying the style through images can be challenging unless you understand a few basic tenets of the style and foundations of French Colonial architecture. Once you know how to pinpoint the basic elements of this iconic style, you can easily recognize elements in any image you see.
Great home designs will stand the test of time. For example, a cute cottage built hundreds of years ago in Europe still provides visual appeal. Any style of architecture is enhanced by a great roof design. In fact, the shape and slope of one or more roof lines help to define a lot about the home's style. Exterior materials, overhangs and windows will all come into play.
A hurricane can be a devastating natural disaster, particularly for your home. Without the proper preparation, your roof can easily become damaged beyond repair just from the whipping, strong winds that come with a hurricane. By taking the time to reinforce your roof and make sure it's in the best possible condition, you can better hurricane-proof your roof and help protect your home during the storm. This is especially important if you live in a coastal community that sees the most devastating effects of hurricanes.
Victorian address plates come already designed, or you can have one customized with your own idea of a Victorian graphic. Whether you wish to add a Victorian address plate to your Victorian home or to add a taste of Victorian flare to a modern home, Victorian address plates are a finishing detail you can tailor to your personal tastes.
It's important to upgrade a ranch house every few years. Changing the roof line or painting the house in a new color scheme can help. Combining interesting exterior materials gives the home a brand-new look. Upgrading landscaping, exterior lighting and driveway areas will erase an outdated look that might be decades old. Consider whether investing a significant amount of money in the project will have an adequate payoff, however. Make sure you can recoup your investment within a few years, if you put the home up for sale.
The Victorian era saw British explorers tramping new lands, bringing home exotic flowers and plants that can not survive the English climate. To accommodate this tender vegetation, fantastic and beautiful conservatories and greenhouses were constructed, becoming one of the hallmarks of impressive public buildings and wealthy estates. Today's indoor gardener can re-create Victorian beauty by building one of these structures in the backyard, using traditional materials like glass and iron or modern components like PVC pipe and polyethylene film. It's possible to build one from materials found at most home-improvement stores, but complete kits are also available.
Even as the modern world shifts away from an agrarian lifestyle, some homeowners may be interested in preserving the aesthetic and functionality of a farmhouse. The idea of the farmhouse is based around the dictum "form follows function." In a word, the farmhouse is practical. It is simple. It reflects the ancient tradition and virtue of the agrarian life and centers around practicality, labor and family.
The term bagua originates from the book of the I-Ching, a sacred Chinese text. The bagua is an energy map and the foundation of Feng Shui. It is a square divided into nine areas. Each area symbolizes a different energy center or aspect of your life including: career or journey, partnership, family, wealth, Tai Chi, helpful people, creativity, wisdom and reputation. By using the bagua map as a guide, you can clear and reorganize different sections of your home or office and in turn change your life.
When we think of India, we usually think of dense urban populations such as Mumbai where new construction consists mostly of gutting the interiors of existing structures and reconstructing them with modern design sensibilities and conveniences. However, in recent years, with the high technology economic boom that India has been experiencing, there has been a boom in suburban developments with modern homes. In both locales, the fusion of tradition and modernity is expressed by central courtyards and household temples.
Gardens in England during the 16th century Tudor period were very formal and structured, and one of their purposes was to show the wealth and status of the owner. Starting during the time of Henry VIII, the gardens of the nobility reflected the social differences and divisions of the English people and influenced landscaping for the next few hundred years. A Tudor revival took place during the early 20th century in the U.S., and a multitude of traditional Tudor-style houses around the country are well-suited to landscaping of the period.
When you purchase a new home, you may want to redo the existing landscaping. Before doing additional construction, especially anything to do with laying pipes or digging trenches, it's good to know what's already there beyond the surface plants. It's ideal to have a landscape design to work with. You can either create the design yourself by taking measurements and drawing it out, or you can work with a landscape architect or designer to get one done professionally. You may also want to contact various agencies to track down existing property plans to work from.
There are five basic styles of lawn shed, varying mainly in roof options. But there are multiple variations within those five basic styles. A simple gable roof shed, for instance, can have single doors or wide doors, doors on an end or on a side, windows, or even a small porch. The style you choose will depend in part of whether you do it yourself or buy a kit.
Upgrading a split-level home will require a fresh curbside look, along with improvements in the home's interior. A split-level typically has three levels. A main living area has five or six steps leading up to a higher level with bedrooms. Basement space is located under the raised bedroom level. Simple changes, such as new colors or taking down an interior wall can make a big difference. However, improving details of the home's lighting, landscaping and layout to make it more contemporary will increase market value of the property.
To maintain your brick home's appeal, consider installing upgrades and refreshing its curbside look every five to 10 years. Planning the renovation calls for dedicated research to ensure an outcome that meets your goals and pleases you. For example, the house may need new trim color for a look that fits into the neighborhood. You might also decide to paint the exterior brick surfaces for a new, revitalized color scheme. Interior changes might include different flooring or window treatments, along with kitchen upgrades. Improving a brick ranch house calls for special curbside appeal to enhance the visual shape of the…
Bungalow-style houses are small-to-medium-sized homes built between 1900 and 1930, according to the website Bungalow Home Style. These open and one-story homes featured a variety of decor styles, including Craftsman or English Tudor revival, to name just two. But basically, a bungalow was defined by three factors: a horizontal orientation in structure, an open floor plan and a large front porch -- at least big enough for a table and chair.
Brick homes may tend to look outdated in approximately 10 years. Unless the home is a classic brick colonial, for example, the brick color or design may start to look out of place in the neighborhood. By freshening the color, adding new materials or changing the design somewhat, you can make the house look newly built. Research materials currently used in upscale neighborhoods and color schemes that work well in today's market. It's easier to plan a new design by driving around to see various homes up close as opposed to researching in books.
Let the architectural lines and features of a Tudor-style house inspire your plant selection and layout when you landscape the surrounding yard. Known for its half-timbered accents on white stucco, reminiscent of medieval English buildings, many Tudor houses also have decorative brickwork. Smaller homes built in the American Tudor revival period of the early 20th century share the architectural features of a gabled entryway, steep roofs, arched front door and elaborate windows. Keep the landscape design at the front of the house simple to accent the features, giving your home distinct curb appeal.
Remodeling a brick ranch house gives this traditional floor plan a new lease on life. Bring in character with architectural details. Choose energy-efficient products in timeless finishes and you'll improve the value of the property at the same time. When making your energy-efficient choices, look for low-maintenance options to save you work as well as money.
People's views of the Victorian style of decoration tend to fall into two distinct camps: they either love it or hate it. You may not like it if you are into minimalism, love light and space and abhor clutter. On the other hand, if you are drawn to history and its architecture and are of a nostalgic frame of mind, the Victorian era may be just for you, with its emphasis on comfort and warmth. Queen Victoria reigned from 1837 until 1901. This period marked the time when the British empire was still strong, but signs indicated that the era…
Whether you use your backyard shed solely for storage or as a workshop for hobbies and projects, its appearance can affect the look of your entire landscape. It may be a functional structure, but that is no reason why it can't have an attractive design as well. One feature that affects the overall look of your shed is its roof. Several different types are available, so you should find the ideal fit for your shed.
Feng shui practitioners often use bagua maps to optimize the energy flow, or qi, of an area. In the compass school of feng shui, the eight bagua areas correspond to the cardinal directions -- north, south, east and west -- and the ordinal directions -- northeast, southeast, southwest and northwest. This type of bagua map resembles a pie cut into eight pieces, with each slice of the pie corresponding to a different area of your life. The center of the map forms a ninth area, the core.
You will need to create good curbside appeal, first and foremost, in connecting an old and new house. Every case will be different, so approach the project with an artistic eye. Make the property as beautiful as possible in every respect. But also consider how the rooms will function and work for a family living there. Try to create a project that is universally appealing, so future buyers will like the remodel. Above all, consider how a bank or mortgage company will view the remodel so future buyers can finance the property.
Various building codes set the baseline standards for the built-environment, whether the buildings are residential or commercial. The minimum standards for railings in the U.S. require a railing on platforms that are over 30 inches above the grade. Stairways that have more than four stairs need to have railings, as well. States, cities, counties and towns can change the codes as long as they strengthen the safety issues, rather than relax them.
When city life becomes city strife and the hustle and bustle is nothing but a hassle, maybe it's time to move -- to a mountain. That's what award-winning author and photographer K.S. Brooks and her partner, builder/carpenter David Rust, did. Since early 2010, the couple has made their home in the mountains of eastern Washington State in a house they built themselves. "We decided to relocate somewhere remote to be out of the 'buzz' of civilization," Brooks said, "which is a better writing environment for me and puts us closer to certain outdoor sports for David. We decided to build…
The bagua --- ba means "eight" and gua means "trigram" --- is a feng shui tool practitioners use to map the energy of your environment, both inside and outside the home. A traditional bagua's eight trigrams, plus the center space, correlate with compass directions. They determine the energy flow, or chi, within your living space and define how to enhance the good and suppress the bad energy. Devoted feng shui adherents plan the interiors of their homes to correlate with the compass directions found on the traditional bagua.
The Gothic era extended from approximately 1150 to 1500 and was named after the Goths, barbarians from the northern countries who raided and ransacked towns and villages in central Europe. Gothic art began and ended in the church, and furniture that originated in the era evolved from simple, hardy, rough-hewn pieces to the pointed arches, buttresses, moldings and pillars found in Gothic revival furniture of the past few centuries. Gothic chairs were introduced late in the era. A medieval home usually had only one chair, and that was for the master, or feudal lord. It was made of oak, and…
The gothic decorating style may bring to mind dark images and designs that mimic a medieval castle, but when it mixes with the Victorian style of decorating, it takes on a lush and romantic theme. Victorian décor uses designs, colors and textures that create the appearance of opulence and comfort. When incorporating the style into a bedroom décor, the end result is a room designed for comfort, relaxation and romance.
Hollywood Regency is a style of interior design that originated in the homes of Hollywood stars during the 1930s. It was a time when American designers, such as Dorothy Draper and William Haines, began decorating rooms to be luxurious showpieces for their celebrity occupants. An influence on modern designers like Kelly Wearstler, Hollywood Regency incorporates elements of Art Deco with eclectic touches of silver screen-inspired glamour.
Use the right pieces to create a goth room to be proud of. Gothic decorating is usually a twist on the decor of medieval times. It often imitates the appearance of cathedrals and castles of the time. Colors are reminiscent of dyes and stains available at that time. When choosing to decorate in this mode, keep costs in mind. Materials and items often used in the genre can be expensive if purchased new. Use recycled or used items when possible.
Queen Victoria reigned from 1837 to 1901 and, during that time, western culture made huge leaps in technology and manufacturing, and witnessed great social changes. Therefore, the Victorian style of interior decorating was eclectic, bold and represented the householder's status in society. It's possible to decorate a modern home to emulate Victorian style in many ways, from plain Folk American to grandly designed interiors based on European palaces.
Designing a home for a desert climate comes with specific considerations. Because deserts are very hot and dry, homes need to be able to stay cool and conserve water. Design elements like thick walls, air-tight window and door seals, and efficient plumbing design can make a desert house more comfortable year-round. Home designers can even take advantage of the climate by installing green building elements like solar panels or rain collection systems.
The Regency period refers to the time when George IV was Prince Regent. Often called Federal style in the United States, Regency follows on closely from the Georgian style and is typified by elegant interiors and vertically striped walls and fabrics. In interiors, harmony and symmetry were prizes, along with a lightness and spaciousness. In valances, this translates to swags and tails, repeated identically in each window of the room, delicately trimmed and elegantly draped.
A real estate tour of most major American cities reveals trendy neighborhood streets lined with charming bungalow-style homes. This modest architecture, while once affordable, now commands a premium price tag. Bungalows have become highly prized among heritage home aficionados across the country. The basic design and construction integrity inherent in bungalow homes makes them a perfect investment for young families and upwardly mobile singles. Their enduring appeal guarantees the humble bungalow a prominent place in the real estate landscape for years to come.
An interesting and easily recognizable colonial house style is the saltbox, a direct adaptation of the basic colonial half-house, resulting in a long roof line sloping gently from the ridge down to the eaves. The house gets its name from the shape of coffee, tea, cracker and salt boxes found in general stores during the colonial period. The long, low roof line at the rear of the house came about by the addition of lean-to structures attached to add living space. Eventually, this feature became helpful in combating the cold winds of New England winters.
Changing the front facade of a split-level home will define its look in a new way. The standard two-level roofline of the 1960s and 1970s can date a contemporary house. A typical house of this style will have bedrooms on the upper level and the living room and kitchen areas on the lower level. From an interior perspective, this works well because it gives sleeping areas privacy. However, actual living space is usually limited in a split-level home. By enlarging the square footage in various ways, you can improve both curbside appeal and roominess for family activities.
A home is an investment, whether it be an old home or a newly built one. A kitchen, whether old or new, can drastically affect the value of that investment. For some, this means upgrading to a new, modern kitchen. When installing a new kitchen, there are always pros and cons to weigh, including issues such as cost or the overall style of the home.
In American home architecture, the American Craftsman style is notable for a number of reasons. For one, it was a move away from the predominant Victorian styles of the late 1800s. For another, it was the first real attempt to bring high-quality homes to the middle classes. In particular, single-story and story-and-a-half bungalow styles of Craftsman homes struck a real chord. Many were built from the early 1900s until 1930.
Designing a home is not as hard as it seems, if you know where to begin. The first thing to keep in mind when designing your home is its interior: the arrangement of rooms and traffic flow. The common areas of the home where the family gathers include the living room or great room, the family room, the kitchen and dining areas. Having these in close proximity is important to good overall room-to-room flow. After these rooms, place bathrooms in key positions to the main rooms and for easy access from the bedrooms. Once you get started, the design will…
A brick house that's well maintained will always have great market value. Investing in just the right upgrades to fit your budget is important. By reviewing many options, you can select what will make the most difference in the renovation process. Begin the design planning by choosing everything you would like to change. Next, trim back to spend wisely for making the greatest impact. Try to enhance every room and space in some way, if possible.
Remodeling a raised ranch home, commonly with a foyer with two sets of stairs, will have specific remodeling issues. Many of these homes were built in the 1970s, so colors and materials may be extremely dated. One set of stairs leads to the basement area with a family room, while another short staircase will lead up to living and bedroom areas. Upgrading the house will call for improving every room in certain ways. Some changes will be relatively inexpensive, but a significant investment will be required to improve both the interior and exterior of the house.
Prairie style design became common during the early years of the 20th century. It is characterized by long, horizontal lines, pitched roofs and open floor plans. The style was popularized by architect Frank Lloyd Wright and aims to create buildings that are cohesive with nature and their surroundings. To accomplish this look, homes are accented with overhanging eaves, masonry and stucco. The color palette is generally kept simple, most often utilizing earth tones indoors and out.
Lean into a softly lit mirror and put on those red lips. A Hollywood style bathroom brings in glamour and drama. It focuses on the charm found in the 1920s and 1930s with their sleek designs and luxurious fabrics. It can all be yours--all you need to do is design it.
By using high-quality materials and a detailed design, you can turn a small house into a beautiful space. Try to create an open feeling in certain ways to add roominess. Use colors, light and furnishings in ways that make every section of the house special. Design the décor to look upscale but make sure the home reflects your taste throughout. Be sure to use some informal, as well as formal, touches. Decorate the space with personal collections or artwork you like to give it a cozy feeling.
Gothic architecture is one of the most dramatic and detailed types of architecture that originated in medieval Europe, dating back to the 12th century. As the Gothic architectural style abandoned and ultimately overtook the traditional Roman architecture that had been popular up until the time of the Crusades, it was named "Gothic" in discrimination after the Visigoths, who were instrumental in the fall of the Roman Empire.
An empty room is a lot like a blank wall. You may have dozens of clever ideas for filling it, but aren't quite sure how to approach those ideas. The trick to designing a room you are happy with lies in planning and prioritizing.
One thing world travel has done is to introduce different styles of home design. Mediterranean interior design is all about warmth and comfort. Its colors bring to mind the sea and glittering island life, and its style speaks to the importance of relaxation. Mediterranean decor can be individualized in myriad ways, but a few basic qualities can be found in most Mediterranean-inspired designs.
Spanish style houses are generally found in the Southwestern region of the U.S. where the influence of Mexican culture is deeply ingrained in its history. Spanish styling uses design techniques that integrate everyday living into the climate conditions found in this environment. Historically, it used materials available locally and designs that facilitated heating and cooling. In this sense, Spanish styling is one of the earliest types of sustainable housing.
Artistic or antique cabinets can add visual appeal to any kitchen. Even a high-tech kitchen can utilize an antique cabinet with interesting carvings, glass doors or unique hardware. Treat free-standing cabinets as a work of art that will be incorporated into the overall kitchen design. Sketch the whole room in detail, especially if you plan to install cabinets that are all free-standing. There are endless ways to unify the cabinets, but you want to end up with a kitchen that works well over time.
It's important to remodel a house every three to five years, so that upgrades will support its market value. Any house can start to go downhill if improvements are not initiated periodically. In fact, repairs that involve water leakage in attic areas or foundational cracks may cause almost irreparable damage over time. A periodic home inspection can help keep home improvements on track.
Mission furniture provides an elegant yet simple decor for any room. Mission-style furniture is always constructed of sturdy wood with a simple design and a complete lack of fancy decoration. The construction features straight wood pieces evenly spaced along the sides of the furniture pieces. Cushions for mission furniture are upholstered with leather or quality canvas in single colors, staying true to the minimal decoration. This style is widely available and considered quite versatile for interior design.
Deciding to build or remodel a home? Maybe you are struggling with what exterior you would prefer or how to stay within the exterior's style. First, there are a variety of design options. But take into consideration what you prefer and what other styles of homes are in the area. Traditional exteriors are the most prevalent throughout the U.S. and include Victorian, colonial, cottage, Cape Cod and ranch designs.
The definition of a colonial garden can be as varied as the colonists who grew them. The plans were affected by lifestyles, occupation and income. Form and function also changed in various settings. The plants in the colonial gardens reflected the heritage of the landowner. Many people brought, or had sent to them, plants from their homelands. Colonial gardens can be divided into three basic categories: rural, merchants and townsmen and wealthy landowners.
An impressive front entrance is likely to increase any home's market value. Simple changes such as painting a front door can help, but expanding the makeover to encompass lighting and landscaping really adds curb appeal. Be sure to create the entrance you find appealing, however. Don't make it too elaborate or too far removed from your own personal taste. Spending a lot of money isn't necessarily wise; create an entrance that fits well with other homes in your neighborhood.
Sustainable roofs are those that reduce dependency on unsustainable resources while offering longevity and low-impact sustainably manufactured roofing materials. Ideally, sustainable roofs should lower energy usage and moderate indoor temperatures.
Every ranch house can look more contemporary with exterior upgrades. Changing siding materials, the front facade and landscaping updates the curb appeal. New, contemporary paint colors are important as well. By reviewing new homes being built, it's easier to make appropriate choices for materials and colors. Drive around neighborhoods in your city to see what's current. Notice how brick, stucco and siding are combined in various patterns. Look at special features you find appealing to see if you can incorporate them in your new design.
While roofs are extremely important and help to protect your home, they can also be an expensive investment. Some roofing materials like clay and metal are quite expensive, but others like composition shingles are more likely to fit any budget.
Trusses make roofing much easier. For many years, roofs were framed by cutting and installing rafters on the job site. This required careful calculations and some careful handling. Prefabricated trusses changed that. Trusses are made in factories, where machines cut boards precisely and other machines fasten elements together with steel plates embedded into the boards with long points. Trusses are delivered to the job site ready to install. They are lighter and easier to handle that rafters and make roof framing much simpler and faster.
When a homeowner finds herself short of storage space, one solution is to build a garden shed for all of her outdoor equipment and tools. You need a functional shed, built in a style that complements your home and landscape.
When it comes to designing a house for a beach location or rough terrain, beauty is in the eye of the designer. It becomes a matter of personal taste, functionality, traffic and room-to-room flow. The mistake comes when a person thinks she must design a house on pilings differently from that of another house. Design is only one aspect of building a house -- engineering is another. Design a two-story piling foundation house the same way as you would any other house, then take your plans to an engineer for her to calculate its exact foundation.
House locks have the ability to add character and a definitive personal touch to a home. They prove that even the smallest detail goes a long way in making a house a home. Designing a lock has everything to do with personal taste, style and a sense of fun. Make sure that the lock design blends well with the style and character of your home and before you know it you will have a very personal addition to your home.
By changing the exterior color or siding materials of a ranch house, you can often increase its market value by a significant amount. Changing the landscaping, lighting and walkways will make a big difference. It's important to study the exterior of new homes on the market to see what's in style. Use colors, textures and special touches that look current with what's being sold. Remodel the home to harmonize with the neighborhood or natural landscape vs. having an exterior that stands out too much.
A few important changes should enhance your home's market value. Upgrade in ways to improve the quality of the home's structure, if you plan to live there at least five more years. Do upgrades to stage your home for resale only, if you will place it on the market sooner. Review many options before choosing remodeling changes. Always improve curb appeal, however, because the front of the house should be one of your top priorities. Curbside appeal determines a lot about the home's financial value.
Finding enough storage space is always a problem for a homeowner. Lawn equipment, gardening tools, outdoor furniture, workshop materials and recreational equipment are all items for which he needs to set aside storage space for the winter months or times when they are not in use. Sheds are available in a number of styles to suit particular needs. Pole buildings offer larger spaces that can provide low-cost storage for RVs, automobiles and even animals.
A dramatic and practical house number sign can be custom-designed in a few hours with a few basic office supplies. After the design is completed, it can be executed in small decorative 3/8-inch-square mosaic tiles on a plain piece of wood with mosaic glue and bathroom tile grout. This weatherproof and durable house number sign will make your home stand out from the neighbors. The mosaic house number sign would also make a thoughtful handmade housewarming or holiday gift.
A poly house is a greenhouse made with polythene or other plastic sheeting. Poly houses have the advantage of being cheaper and easier to build than glass greenhouses. You can construct your own poly house using basic supplies.
Take in an episode of "The Brady Bunch" and you have a good idea of what a 1970s home looked like when it was freshly constructed. Wood paneling and stonework were prized, along with special features such as a contemporary staircase. Dark cabinetry, wallpaper, appliances in harvest gold and olive green and shag rugs were other trends of the time. If you've purchased a 1970s home, you may appreciate some of its features while wanting to get rid of others. Weigh all your options, and plan well before you undertake your remodeling project.
Building roofs may be the most complicated of all construction projects. There are only about a dozen different roof styles but there are many variations on how to build them. Gable roofs that slope to two sides and hip roofs that slope to four sides are the most common styles. Both of those styles and others can be built with joists and rafters or with trusses. Trusses are most common now. They are less cumbersome to install and offer great strength and stability. Many truss design options are available, depending on the style of roof and finished interior.
Outdated materials on the facade of any home can lower its value. Changing the red brick or brown shingles used decades ago can add significant curbside appeal. Create a new facade that makes your ranch home look freshly constructed. It helps to upgrade the entrance, sidewalk and porch areas. Use quality materials to give the your home a proper face lift. Consider stone veneer and stucco or sections of tongue-in-groove cedar. Ask real estate agents to tell you what appeals to buyers.
Choose improvements that will yield a return on investment when you remodel a brick ranch home. Talk with one or more real estate agents in your area to decide what works. Upgrading a ranch home requires a fresh look for the exterior and interior. Simple changes, such as new shutters and new light fixtures improve curbside appeal. Additional options such as new siding or stone veneer can make the home look newly built. Fixing up the interior might involve only new paint and floor coverings. But also think about major changes, such as vaulted ceilings, if they will pay off.
Design upgrades for an older brick home to make the house look brand new. Options for covering the brick, painting it or combining various materials on the exterior provide many choices. Aside from pleasing the family, an upgraded home enhances property value in most cases. Brick homes require upgrades every few years. If the house is extremely outdated, plan to revamp the interior in dozens of ways. It's best to design a high-quality remodel on paper to begin the process. Start with an ideal plan so that compromises and substitutions create pleasing results.
Design your perfect home by surrounding yourself with things you love. The perfect home for you does not follow strict design guidelines; it is a mix of functional and beautiful spaces and objects that reflect your personal aesthetic. Start with a vision for the type of place you want to live in -- be it a monochromatic shrine to modernism or a warm, weathered country cottage -- then work with the space you have to transform it into the home of your dreams.
You have many different aspects to consider when designing a solar house system. Concepts that will influence your design include conservation, mass, site planning, ventilation, comfort, windows and insulation. It's important to think how heating, cooling and light affect each area. A well-built solar system house will maximize passive solar energy for heating and light, and rely on a solar collection system for additional energy needs.
Designing your earth house starts with knowing yourself, your family and the flow of your life. This is the most important step, to understand what you are sheltering before you design the structure. Make your mistakes on paper. Careful planning is the key to all home design. Earth houses take many forms, such as above-ground made from earth, bermed with earth on one or more sides or subterranean, and they can embrace elements of more than one form. Create a style that suits you.
The bagua is a Feng Shui tool, a "map" shaped like an octagon or a square, that is divided into nine equal sections. Each section corresponds to an energy focus for that area. A bagua is superimposed on a room or on the floor plan of an entire house, and the distinct areas are analyzed and organized to increase the flow of positive energy throughout the space and attract good fortune. To avoid confusion, use a square bagua when comparing it to a house plan. You can easily find bagua maps on the Internet.
Section 8 is a federal affordable-housing program that grants eligible tenants housing subsidies. Landlords wishing to rent to Section 8 tenants must follow certain guidelines. If you're a landlord and you follow these guidelines, including making repairs as a result of a Section 8 inspection, you will get through a Section 8 rental.
A greenhouse can be a good way to save money and promote healthy living. While providing a cost savings on the grocery bill, greenhouse produce supplies organic vegetables brimming with nutrients. Greenhouses also can be used to raise flowers and exotic plants, but they must be built to withstand weather conditions and provide optimal light. In areas with high winds or frigid temperatures, a greenhouse must have sturdy framework and a tough, durable covering. Poly film will greatly increase the efficiency of any greenhouse.
Whether you want to celebrate your own German heritage or are attracted to German art and culture, adding some German furnishings, prints, accessories and ornaments to your home will allow you to travel along a time line from the Gothic period of the 15th and 16th century up to present day Germany. Visit German homes, festivals, art galleries and museums for further inspiration.
The Tudor style for homes, also known as the English cottage style, typically incorporates a cross-gabled roof with details such as dormer windows, many panes within each tall, slender window, roofing that imitates thatching and exposed beams along the facade of the second story. Adopt the Tudor style for your home if you like a cozy, inviting look and if you value decorative detail and a flexible floor plan more than a symmetrical facade.
The term Vastu refers to an Indian science used in architecture and living environments. It is supposed to balance the elements of nature to promote health and happiness. Vastu interior decorators strive to produce a calming interior that creates positive energies. The color choices for wall colors and curtains are a part of the art of Vastu and are generally light.
The architectural term of "lancet" is often mischaracterized as "lancer" when referring to a particular feature in the style of Gothic architecture. The lancet is a narrow window or arch that rises to a point. Lancet arches are common in Gothic era and contemporary churches.
The roof is the most important part of a shed, because it is the part that keeps the rain and the snow off the contents of the shed. In fact, some sheds don't have walls at all, just poles to support the roof. Roofs also determine the visual impact of the shed.
Outdoor lighting is an important aspect of your home's style, appeal and safety. Over the years, older fixtures may have been replaced, resulting in a haphazard mix of sizes and designs. As with a fresh coat of paint or new windows, a unified lighting presentation can quickly update and beautify the look of your house. Whether you're replacing a single fixture or all of them, you'll need to focus on a few key elements to find the best matches for your lighting scheme.
Nice porch railings at a home's main entrance should fit seamlessly with the house design. Use colonial railings for an early American design, or install intricate railings made for a Victorian home. The shape of posts, balusters and handrails must all blend with the architecture. Go online to study railings up close. It's difficult to plan porch railings or interior staircase railings for an entry without reviewing many examples. Look through home design books and magazines, but visit actual homes to look at railing systems up close.
The Tudor rose holds great symbolism in the history of England. It is not an actual plant or flower, but rather a symbol of the royal Tudor family.
Although a shed can be made to look like a miniature version of your house if you wish, most sheds are designed in one of six styles. Often, the shape of the roof classifies the shed's style. The size of the shed comes into play when choosing a style, so consider just what kinds of needs you have before making a final decision on shed style.
Many steps are involved in designing a house. Creating a plan to fit the budget is the most challenging part for a do-it-yourselfer; however, if you start out with the ideal plan, everything can be scaled back to fit. Even a small home can be beautiful and elegant. It's important to build a home that is large enough, and the curbside appeal should be given careful attention, as well. Implementing a well-designed plan is much easier than leaving certain steps to chance after the house is under construction.
With Christmas fast approaching, it's about time you started searching for a tree. Although finding a tree can be straightforward enough, finding a matching stand that fits the size and style of the tree can be a little more difficult. Even if it's just a stand for a garden tree or house tree, consider all the different shapes and types on offer.
In the 1970s, ranch style houses began to be passed over for more contemporary home designs that featured open floor plans, minimal ornamentation and irregular shapes. Vertical siding, made of aluminum or vinyl, was a common design feature of 1970s houses, and the neo-eclectic styles of the late 20th century were also popular.
Greenhouses come in a range of architectural styles, from low-lying tunnels to gothic arched varieties. Regardless of the support structure, all have one design element in common: glazing. The choice of glazing often complements the greenhouse's style--high, arched greenhouses often use glass, while low, tunnel hoop houses are usually equipped with sheeting. Polyethylene sheeting, or film, can be cut to fit any greenhouse structure and can be an economical alternative to glass and polycarbonate glazing.
Beach houses are meant to be relaxing and casual retreats, and beach house design and décor generally takes its cues from the surroundings. Soft colors, durable and comfortable fabrics, and rustic or distressed furniture are commonly found in beach house décor.
If you are replacing a door inside your house or office, it can be helpful to understand the different parts of a door. Knowing door anatomy can prevent improper door installation, and can educate you on how the door keeps the indoor temperature consistent by blocking out hot or cold outdoor air.
Designing a home involves working with a builder, an architect or an engineer. A home design includes drawings and plans that the builder will use to construct the final structure to the architect's or owner's specifications.
Fourteen architectural movements took place in the Netherlands during the 20th century. The early modern and late postmodern periods have been proven the most influential over time.
During Christmastime, many people like to decorate their homes to share their good cheer with guests and neighbors. A string of lights on the porch is one thing, but if you want to have one of the merriest houses in town, plan your decor so it contributes to an overarching holiday theme.
A principle tool of feng shui, the bagua, is a an octagonal map to be placed on your entire home or individual rooms. The bagua has nine sections: eight around the map and one in the center. Each section represents an area of your life. Going clockwise from the top are fame and reputation; love; children and creativity; travel and helpful people; career and life path; knowledge and education; health and family life; fortune and abundance; and all over well-being in the center. By enhancing specific rooms employing feng shui techniques, the corresponding areas of your life may improve.
Student housing is an investment opportunity for any real estate owner to earn a reliable income while helping students continue their education while living at a home close to campus. Because student housing is being rented to people who may not have reached full adult maturity, creating a housing unit that is properly planned out and contains durable materials is the key to a good design.
Your headboard might be one of the least utilitarian pieces of furniture in your house, but in terms of design, a headboard fulfills a big job. A headboard's main practical purpose is to support your back when you're sitting up in bed. But because your bed is the largest piece of furniture in your bedroom, the headboard you choose almost always become a focal point, drawing together various elements in the room and helping to set a theme for the rest of the design. Luckily, there are numerous styles to choose from.
Thoughts of peaceful solitude and tranquil mornings watching the sun come up over the water are all associated with the idea of an island house--a romantic idea that brings together nature and comfort in one highly desirable package.
As a style of architecture and a form of house, bungalows have enjoyed popularity in the United States since the 1920s and in Britain before that. Their history goes back more than 300 years.
Before setting out to design stone houses, it helps to research what has already been done. Look at examples of stone-built homes, from do-it-yourself, low-budget designs to more professional, high-end ones. Once you have determined your budget, site and preferred house style, you can begin the design process. You can do a lot with simple technology and a bit of imagination. And you don't have to kiss the Blarney Stone in Ireland in order to receive a gift of design eloquence.
Redwood trees are found on the west coast of the United States, especially northern California. These massive trees, which can grow to over 350 feet tall, have been used for building for years and years. Houses made with redwood can be rustic log cabins or more refined dwellings, like the Craftsman redwood chalet in Pasadena, California built in the 1920s. When you have a natural redwood home, the design of the landscaping must complement the redwood of the house.
A pavilion style house denotes a design based on the simple principle of a strong connection between the interior and exterior of the home. The floor plan is divided into rectangular sections that flow into one another with little impediment. There are entire walls of windows that give the resident constant access to the outdoors from the comfort of the indoors. This type of house in the desert requires particular attention to detail with regard to protection from the elements.
Designing and planning the perfect house is a dream many people share. When you build a house in Ireland, however, you share that dream with the local Planning Authority--the equivalent of an American city or county council--long before you lay your first brick. Gaining its approval is sometimes difficult but absolutely necessary. Appropriate procedures can help the approval process move along without a hitch.
As any doll house enthusiast knows, traditional doll house designs tend towards the antique, not only in house design but also in the decorating of interiors and the selection of furnishings and miniature objects within. Creating a more contemporary doll house design is therefore a good way to be original, but also more challenging in that it requires a hobbyist to think outside the box and look a bit harder for appropriate miniature styles.
The distinctive lines, weight and finishes of Arts and Crafts furniture have contributed to its continued popularity through the ebb and flow of style trends. Since its inception in England in the late 1880s, the style was reimagined by the designers and craftsmen who developed it. Although each designer or craftsman involved in originating and developing the style added his own touch, each remained loyal to a prime tenet of the design--that furnishings, decorations and house construction should form an integrated work of art.
Designing a home, although it requires much attention to detail, can be an ideal way for you to achieve the perfect home of your dreams. Hiring an architect is a luxury that not everyone can afford, and a self-designed custom-built home can be the answer to your problems. Building a home in India requires an understanding of the construction processes and regulations in India. The following steps will aid you in this process.
If you are designing your own home, you likely have many ideas about the color you want to paint your living room, what appliances you want to have installed in the kitchen and putting in a master bathroom. Before you get to these kinds of details, you need to first determine some basic house designs, including choosing a site and position for your house, figuring out your family's space needs, planning how you can maximize natural light in your home and determining where your home should have doors and entry areas.
Building a glass house requires careful planning of how the house will be framed. Large sections of glass must have good structural support in any type of building. Start the design process by sketching a house with lots of glass that is pleasing to the eye. Transfer to graph paper as details are worked out further, and have the design reviewed by a building expert before construction begins. The beauty of glass walls is that a picturesque outdoor setting becomes part of the interior living space. Glass houses work best in milder climates, but you can incorporate special shading and…
Originally, window shutters were operated from indoors, intended to open and close windows conveniently before glass was used. Since the advent of widely available glass windows, exterior shutters have served to protect glass, frame windows visually and filter sunlight. Different shutter styles complement different architectural styles and offer different functional advantages.
Contemporary Irish architecture encompasses a wide spectrum of techniques and styles. In commercial design, sleek, modern forms are often seen, as they are across the Western world. Similarly, domestic architecture tends to emphasize geometric forms and industrial materials, hallmarks of modern architecture worldwide. Specifically, though, Irish architecture distinguishes itself through its embrace of traditional forms. In recent home design, the rugged stone cottage of Irish lore is likely to be found incorporated into the space-age fantasy that contemporary architecture evokes.
Homes made from old barns are charming abodes that appeal to many homeowners who desire an unusual house. Given the the natural, rustic exterior of a barn, the interior also often reflects a more weathered type of decor. Country-style decorating, with its use of muted country colors, simple furniture lines, wood flooring, braided rugs, antique items and homespun window treatments is a perfect choice for the inside space of a barn home. With a few decorating tips, a beautiful country-style interior design is attainable by most homeowners for a home with maximum visual appeal.
A house made of logs creates a nice permanent or vacation home, since log construction can last for centuries. It's important to select proper building methods that yield a desired style, but it's crucial to choose a design that will provide good insulation for energy savings. Logs can be cut round or square and can be installed as half-log construction over a standard plywood wall. Invest time in visiting actual log houses to examine building techniques up close. Relying on websites or printed materials alone is not enough. It's best to see real results so the project can be planned…
With the disappearing of the family farm, old barns have been re-imagined as country homes for vacationing city slickers. The spacious style and simplicity of a barn also has a new appeal for contemporary architects. Not only do they recreate the best features of barn design for their clients, they create modern office and residential spaces for their own families and firms, mixing industrial and rustic materials in distinctly modern barn designs.
Southwestern interior design is a blend of Native American, Spanish and Mexican cultures, and is a decor that is often seen in Arizona and other southwestern regions of the United States. Creating a Southwestern look is fairly simple with a few special decorating techniques and the incorporation of a Southwestern color palette, natural upholstery fibers and rustic wood furniture, wrought iron details, tile or wood flooring, cacti or succulent plants, and Southwestern accessories. The result is a decor that is casual, rustic and stylish.
A traditional Japanese home depends on function for decoration. The frame of the house and the furniture within are sparse and simple. Clean lines and a lack of clutter characterize the traditional Japanese home.
Homes with a contemporary design are suitable for individuals who love bold shapes, open floor plans, natural materials such as stone or cedar and sleek lines. The key is to determine your desired contemporary style--search magazines and real estate books, search online for ideas and establish a budget. As you analyze a variety of contemporary homes to get ideas, write down your own personal list of ideas for your contemporary home. Finally, determine costs.
Beach house design is a particularly relaxed and casual form of interior decorating. Whether you have an actual cottage by the sea or want to create a beach-themed decor in an area in your home, this style of design is beautiful and appropriate for many spaces. By incorporating design elements, such as a beach-inspired color palette, white beadboard, white-washed furniture, canvas furniture slipcovers, airy window treatments, wood floors and seaside accessories, this decor is especially desirable for many homeowners who dream of a cottage by the sea.
It can sometimes be difficult to spot the influences of specific styles of homes in the homogeneous world of suburbia, but the evidence that traces back potentially a few centuries is usually there if you know what to look for. Technological advancements and modifications made necessary by geographical conditions have changed the way these classic home styles have been adapted and most homes today are reveal an eclectic combination of architectural details incorporated from a perhaps a half dozen periods.
The perfect house is the one that is just right for you. Remember back through your childhood to the favorite places you had at your childhood home. Think back to vacation places you had a chance to visit. Maybe your friend had a room that you always liked and thought was the coolest place on earth. You can always scour magazines and websites to find the look you want. Designing the perfect house starts with putting your heart down on paper.
White fences were once seen as the iconic American notion of a dream home. The delicate stature of the white fence surrounding your home leaves a comforting and inviting impression among friends and neighbors alike. There are many styles to choose from when purchasing a white fence. As with many design elements, your fence can suit the house and yard through various decor choices.
Caribbean homes bring to mind a wide range of breezy, colorful beach-style homes. From charming small cottages to sprawling luxury getaways, Caribbean houses are known for verandas and screened porches that invite you to sit back and enjoy the warm breeze. Caribbean homes combine form and function to take advantage of, and protect from, the climate.
If you are creative and handy, doing design and decorating projects are an easy, enjoyable way to spruce up your home. There are myriad things that you can do, depending on your own skill level. Using items such as paint and fabric, change up the look of your living room, kitchen, bedroom or bathroom.
Living in a castle is something many of us dream about, but a real castle usually is left for royalty or the super-rich to inhabit. While a castle on the scale of grandness seen in real castles is out of most people's reach, including castle design elements into house plans is an ideal way to get the look and feel of a castle in a house of manageable size and economy. After all, cleaning a full-sized castle takes a full-sized staff. So, unless you have the cash to go big, a castle-styled house can be the best of both worlds.
Once reserved for private estates and farmland, fences now are commonplace in residential yards throughout America. They are used to keep pets in, keep unwanted neighbors and animals out, block an unsightly view or provide privacy from passers-by.
Designing a house yard can be a rewarding experience, though bringing your design to life is usually labor-intensive. It is one thing to sketch out on paper what you think will be attractive and useful. It is quite another to invest the money, time, energy and effort to get your design in the ground and on display. Maintenance and labor to make sure your creation retains its beauty are also major considerations. Follow a few common-sense guidelines to minimize costs and effort while getting the most enjoyment out of your yard.
Windows are found in most homes and allow natural light to enter the rooms. When a home is built, architects and builders will create a window plan for each room. The window styles they choose to use will reflect the design and architecture of the house. Windows come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from large bay windows to small awning windows.
In the 1860s, the Arts and Crafts movement swept through the art world in America and Europe. Proponents of the new style, influenced by political philosophies like socialism, rejected the ornate and manufactured, preferring instead simple styles and hand workmanship. The Craftsman architectural style was a direct offshoot of this movement, and was shaped by a single magazine, the Craftsman, published from 1900 until 1916.
Spanish colors are derived from the organic minerals and pigments in the environment. For example, red-orange hues found in ceramics and Spanish tile roofing come from earthy materials and dirt; gold and yellow shades are inspired by sandy beaches; creamy whites are inspired by seashells and pebbles; and the rich variation of ocean and sky inspires blues and greens. Spanish style colors cannot be compromised to obtain the full effect of Spanish decor in your house.
Designing a dream home with kids in mind will help liven up your environment and keep it family-friendly. By incorporating special touches that your kids will enjoy, you will create a home they can bring friends to and celebrate special events in. The only problem will be trying to get them to move out when they turn 18. With a generous budget and an adventurous imagination, your home will be a playground for kids young and old.
The houses that were built in Thailand for centuries achieved a harmony with their natural settings. Constructed of the woods that were once abundant there, particularly teak, they featured a design that facilitated air circulation through open windows and walls. Although some design distinctions varied by region, traditional Thai houses shared three characteristics: elevated floors, a steeply pitched roof with long overhanging eaves and an open central terrace. As energy costs rise and it becomes more expensive to cool modern concrete Thai structures on lots where shade trees have been cleared, some Thais are looking favorably at the old-style construction.
Creating a hideaway for adults or children up in the trees may bring to mind Tarzan or Swiss Family Robinson. In reality, tree-top observatories can be designed as offices, residences, or as a simple raised platform with a railing. Basic carpentry skills, tools and various techniques can result in creating an escape from the rat race to the sky.
A-frame houses were "invented" in the 1960s and are a contemporary style that is popular in rustic settings such as the mountains and by the lake. Their gable roof, which extends nearly to ground level, is practical in snowy settings because the snow will slide right down it and remove the pressure off the roof. The gable ends frequently feature a wall of windows, and they often include a loft. Floor plans are readily available online.
The word bungalow conjures up small, cozy houses with pitched roofs and porches. There are fabulous craftsman bungalows, built from 1900 to 1930, by such architectural luminaries as Frank Lloyd Wright and Gustav Stickley. There are also the factory-made, mail-order bungalows that arrived in a kit from Sears and Montgomery Ward--high-quality, low-cost standardized homes for middle class Americans--highly prized today. One distinctive bungalow characteristic with several interpretations is the slanted roof line.
While the website Antiquehome.org values brick homes as having a sense of timelessness and permanency, such an opinion doesn't acknowledge the variety of style and color that brick can bestow on a structure. A brick house can give you a home with lasting appeal that comes in both antique and contemporary designs.
The decision to build your own home is momentous and stressful. You can spend months looking at house plans in books and online, only to discover that you cannot find that one plan you and your family want and need. To ensure that you get just want you want, combine parts of plans that you like to design a house that's right for you. Although you need an official blueprint before you can start construction, you can design the layout of your future home on a simple sheet of graph paper.
Bathroom design has come a long way. There are several possibilities when deciding how to decorate a modern bathroom. Most likely the smallest room of your house, a bathroom can be quickly updated with a few choice accessories, storage units or fixtures.
Oftentimes, there is a gap between what an architect or designer envisions for your new space and what you have in mind. He or she may not understand what you need. Designing your own home or room addition guarantees that you get exactly what you want.
Hollywood Regency Style includes both architecture and interior design. It harkens back to the Golden Age of Hollywood, when movie stars exuded glamour and sophistication and is reminiscent of the sleek set design of the Studio era. It is currently making a comeback. "Hollywood Regency has spiked in sales," said E-bay's Design Director, Chris Henderson (HGTV). Perhaps the reason is that this eclectic, glamorous style is available on any budget and has a loose, indefinable quality to it.
A house makeover can be a very involved project or a superficial facelift. It's always easier if a budget is not particularly limited, but homeowners can improve a home on a tight budget by figuring out changes that make a large impact. Before you make final decisions, do a lot of research on home improvements and house makeovers. You want to remodel your home in ways that will look good for years and will add to the market value of your home.
For purposes of protection and visual appeal, the roof is one of the most important outer features of a home. When it comes to repairing an existing roof or constructing a new one, special consideration should be paid toward what type of shingles should be used. Different factors, such as economy and aesthetics, have varying degrees of importance, depending on the buyer. Fortunately, there are several styles of house shingles to choose from.
Human history presents an immense variety of housing styles, some borne from necessity and some from artistic expression. From ancient rammed earth houses of dirt and gravel to opulent manor homes, house construction styles vary greatly, with defining characteristics depending on location and era. Despite this variety, each construction style exhibits its own brand of architectural ingenuity.
The term "Section 8 Housing" refers to the Housing Choice Voucher Program, a federal rental assistance service the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers to low-income families. To rent to a participant, landlords need to provide units that meet HUD's minimum housing quality standards. Before a program participant signs a lease, an inspector who works for the program must inspect the unit and sign off on it. These federal housing design requirements exist to safeguard the tenant's safety and health.
Even if you like your neighbors, today's smaller yards and houses built shoulder-to-shoulder can leave you wanting a little privacy to enjoy your backyard. Whether your lot is small or large, you can gain privacy by installing a natural or man-made screen around your yard, patio or deck. You have a number of options, but there are a few things to consider in deciding what type of screen will meet your privacy needs.
Victorian Gothic homes reflected earlier architectural traditions through an inventive, adventurous spirit. Their grand scale design and focus on elaborate details, highlighted the era's expanding, imaginative and inventive home development.
Houses come in many different styles. Housing designs may vary greatly from state to state. Some houses consist of a single story. Others may have two or more levels. A housing style may be based on a design that is hundreds of years old or one that only become popular in the last half century. Whatever your preference, you can find the right house design to suit your own personal taste.
From Native American mud and pressed dirt dwellings to the hip mid-century modern architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, desert home design draws from natural materials and the surrounding landscape for its features. Contemporary architects sample from the popular green design movement in creating desert homes that make the most of limited resources and extreme weather conditions. Desert landscaping and gardens serve as an integral element of desert architecture with inner courtyards, terraces, out buildings, decks and patios interspersed with plantings of native species.
Designing a home addition will give you an idea of where windows, doors, outlets, lights, air vents and even plumbing will be located in the new living space. Designing prior to building will also give you an idea of budget. How you design a home addition will depend hugely upon the type of room you are adding to your home as well as your preferences, budget, construction needs and the space you are working with.
There are seemingly endless design options when it comes to what type of house to build. Different centuries have produced distinct styles that are still popular among today's American homeowners and builders. Consider the materials used, surrounding architecture and the region in which you live when deciding on a design.
A bungalow is a single-story house, the design of which originated in India. It is usually small and has a roof of straw, palm leaves or a similar natural material; most also feature a veranda. The British adopted the style into their summerhouses in the 1600s and the bungalow later became famous in America with a high-status connotation. The bungalows of today have evolved: Although the houses in the early decades were big, modern bungalows typically feature smaller living spaces. Bungalows offer many advantages to the occupants of these distinctive homes.
Although trim fashions have changed throughout the years, exterior door and window trim is still used frequently to add variation to the front of a house or to match with other exterior features. Exterior trim could also be installed to give your house a historical look. With so many combinations of types, materials and styles of trim, make a list of your design preferences, budget and maintenance needs and research your options before deciding.
The exterior style of a house can greatly affect the value of the property. If building a house from the ground up, to preserve the resale value of your home, the exterior should complement the style of the homes surrounding it. Knowing the different styles of house exteriors can help you achieve this goal.
Just what defines a "Futuristic House" remains debatable. So much changes in western design concepts so quickly, and so many notions in the past about what the "home of the future" might look like have proven wrong, that it is difficult to say just what a "futuristic" home might look like to you. But there are some concepts about futuristic housing that you can use as you explore your home designs.
Early American colonial houses are characterized by common construction elements: They are rectangular or square shaped structures with pitched roofs. Symmetry is an important aspect of the American colonial house. The front door is centrally located with the same amount of windows on either side. Inside an American colonial house a central hall separates an equal number of rooms and the same amount of rooms exist on each floor. Over time some American colonial details changed, such as the placement of the door or chimney, but overall colonial structures retain some prevailing features.
Base molding is used to connect and separate the wall and floor at the same time, while serving as a complement to the architectural design of the house. Base molding comes in many styles and sizes these days and is used as an accent as well as adding a finishing touch to tie a room together.
Stucco adds interest and durability to the exterior of your home. Stucco is also incredibly versatile, with the ability to create a number of different styles, patterns and overall looks. You can tint stucco any color that suits your fancy and use a wide array of finishing touches. You can come up with your own unique stucco pattern or choose from a variety of popular styles.
Many homes designed by renowned architects have become a part of architectural history. Some of these homes are well known for their architectural design and attract a steady stream of onlookers.
There are a number of things to consider when designing a house, including the number of rooms, the lighting and layout of the rooms. All of these things should be taken into account during the design process so that the construction yields the best results.
A cupola is a dome-shaped architectural element installed in the roof of a building, or sometimes used as a freestanding shelter, similar to a gazebo. Historically they were popular in ancient Greek and Roman architecture. However, these days, they can be used to give a period feel to almost any buildings. Cupolas have the benefit of introducing added light and ventilation through the roof. Designing your own cupola is simple if you follow these basic guidelines. Always consult a licensed architect or engineer to check whether your cupola is structurally sound.
A two-story home design or plan is one that would have two levels, excluding the basement. Many people choose to build two-story plans, as opposed to a one-story plan, because they are more economical than one-story plans. Two-story plans are more economical to build than a one-story home with the same square footage because the footprint of the house is reduced. When deciding on a two-story house plan, you need to consider the square footage, number of bedrooms, other floor plan specs and what architectural style you want to go with.
You can build a fairly large house on a small lot if you design a two-story house. It’s fairly simple to create a house with a square design that will work for two floors. Plenty of older homes are built in a square fashion in inner city areas. Typically, a house must be at least 22 feet long by 22 wide to have sufficient floor space. Many older homes have these exterior dimensions. In today’s market, a homeowner might consider building slightly larger than this. Most families want extra bathrooms and family rooms in their plans.
Earth-sheltered homes are sustainable and green, costing less to heat and needing less maintenance. They are more compatible with solar energy and provide a more durable framework than above-ground homes. Companies that specialize in this type of construction use concrete and steel to build the frames, which can stand up to natural disasters like earthquakes, tornadoes, floods and hurricanes. Contrary to popular belief, earth-sheltered homes do not have to be dark, dreary and damp. Homeowners can work with a contractor to design an earth-sheltered home that meets their needs and desires.
A simple house is a house with few exterior corners. Every house corner beyond a simple box will add roofing complications and increase the cost of building the house. The simplest house is a square or rectangle. Reducing the number of interior walls will also reduce the cost and complexity of a house. This doesn't mean that a simple house is boring or ugly; it often means that space is used more effectively.
When you are building a new home or renovating an older one, deciding on the trim can be important. The trim should match the architecture of the house or, with a new house, tie in with the overall architectural design. When considering trim work ideas for your house, it's helpful to know some of the main styles of trim so as to pick the one that will best match your house.
Have you ever fantasized about living in a Gothic home? Imagine a large impenetrable structure standing with two towers, and surrounded by a moat. Picture a castle made of stone and intricate wrought iron gates. Inside there are large rooms covered in rich mahogany wood paneled walls and large fireplaces the size of small porches. Colossal stained glass windows glow with sunlight, casting prisms of color across the hardwood door and throughout the room If given the challenge and financial ability, is this architectural style remotely possible? Yes, indeed.
Designing a house to accommodate the disabled can benefit everyone. Many of the design elements useful to the handicapped include ease-of-use and safety features, such as gently sloping ramps and curb cuts for entry and exit. Though some design approaches may be very specific, others, like sand-grit strips on slippery surfaces, are helpful to the general disabled population. Create your design with accessibility, safety and ease of use in mind.
If you have ever thought about designing a house, you need to understand a few basic rules. Keeping those guidelines in mind as you sketch your dream home will prevent you from having to go back and make adjustments to the final product to meet unavoidable requirements. Once you understand the basic rules in designing a house, you can add all the details you desire!
Households can be dangerous places for people who are visually impaired. For this reason, implement principles of accessible design when designing a house for someone who is blind or has trouble seeing. Include ample storage space, open walkways and easy-to-use wall sockets.
Building a glass room creates a living space that's very special. Such a room is ideal for dining or just enjoying the view. Special heaters or gas fireplaces help make a glass room livable on more days of the year. Good planning and sufficient insulation help. Many people use a glass room as an entryway and exit for their homes. The best part of a glass room addition is enjoying the feel of being outdoors even when the weather is bad.
Though our modern homes are swaying from the adopted English design, these time-honored homes can still be seen throughout the nation. From a one-room log cabin high in Appalachia to grand Victorian homes, each has been treasured, preserved and replicated by Americans for centuries--keeping our ancestral homes from being an extinct part of our history. Each design holds a story of its era, told by its material, design, shape and décor.
Programs to design a house online, even paper and magnetic systems, are typically costly. Designing your home on the Internet with SmallBluePrinter.com is the key for your home interior and exterior design project, and best of all, it's free. Whether you want to replicate your home's design to plan for furniture purchases or create a model of your dream home, you can do it easily and accurately. Leasing professionals will also appreciate this program as a selling tool, as they can design a floor plan using the program, then let a potential tenant see how their furniture can be arranged…
Whether it be Georgian, Queen Anne (also known as Victorian), Greek Revival, or the Bungalow (also known as the Craftsmen), architectural style says a lot about a classic house. Each with its own set of signature features, interesting architectural elements of different styles of classic homes are easy to identify once you know what to look for.
The two greatest dangers to a house in a hurricane are high winds and flooding. Flooding comes from two directions. The roof can be blown off, letting in torrential rain, or flooding can come in through windows and doors, especially from storm surge. All of these can be addressed in designing a hurricane-proof home.
French Acadian designs get their influence from the quaint cottages found in France's countryside. They portray a simple living while using masonry, wood siding and slanted roofs. Its French origins explain why you see this style dominate more in certain parts of Louisiana and in the french provinces of Canada.
Bali houses are constructed using simple materials, and are meant to blend in with nature. Large windows allow the resident an uninterrupted view of their beautiful surroundings. Incorporating Balinese design schemes into your home allows you a piece of paradise and tranquility no matter where you live.
A courtyard is a secluded area with at least three walls, usually on the exterior of a house near the front entryway, but some of the most spectacular courtyards are inside the house, surrounded on all sides. These inner courtyards provide complete privacy, while bringing the outdoors inside. Designing a house around a courtyard provides a green living space in homes on small lots and provides light for interior rooms that have no outside walls.
The latest trends in home design not only bring aesthetic appeal but also can add value to your property. However, with so many products on the market, identifying and executing these trends can be confusing and costly. If you have an understanding of the basic trends, your home can be a reflection of creative and practical decor.
If you think modern house design is limited to stainless steel cube construction and designer paint colors, think again. There are many influences on the modern design aesthetic, from the midcentury modern designs of Frank Lloyd Wright and Charles Eames to contemporary eco-design visionaries who integrate natural finishes, repurposed items and indoor/outdoor spaces into their structures. Modern design infuses everything from furniture hardware to window frames, so it is relatively simple to give a current home a modern makeover.
A bagua (pronounced "bagwa") map is a diagram used in Feng Shui. The map shows eight topics that reflect different aspects existing in a person's life---career, knowledge, helpful people/travel, family/ancestors, fame, relationships/marriage, wealth/health, and children/creativity. Baguas can be used to help enhance a home's energy during the building process. Use the bagua to identify areas of weakness, lack of development or missing pieces in the structure of the home by combining it with a floor plan of the home.
Vatsu expert Sherri Silverman defines Vatsu as "the system of architecture, design, and sacred space from ancient India's Vedic tradition." At its core, Vatsu attempts to balance a home based on five elements: earth, water, air, fire and space These elements are strategically distributed through a home's nine zones: north, northwest, northeast, south, southwest, southeast, west, east and center. These concepts can be applied to an existing home but are better suited to a home designed for Vatsu.
Home designers focus on creating a coherent design inside and out that is pleasing to the eye. In order to accomplish this task, focus on the details, both large and small. This will help create a unified whole. Think closely about every aspect of the design. The exterior materials being used should blend harmoniously. Landscaping and outdoor spaces adjacent to the home should flow together.
Developed in England during the late 1400s, Tudor style homes became popular during the 1920s and 1930s, especially in the suburbs. Known as Tudor Revival but sometimes referred to as Elizabethan or Half-timbered houses, most homes were estate houses or suburban homes. Some Tudor houses are inspired by medieval cottages and medieval palaces. There are many characteristics that make a Tudor house unique both in the exterior and interior design.
Mediterranean style architecture, reminiscent of villas on the Mediterranean coast, can be found throughout the world. The style is inspired by Spanish, Moorish, Tuscan and French architecture and has many distinct features. You can design a Mediterranean home for a relaxing yet elegant atmosphere by learning about both its exterior and interior characteristics.
It is easier to reduce energy needs than to use alternative sources to provide the energy. For example, reducing energy use by 75 percent makes sustainability with alternative energy sources much easier. Therefore, improving efficiency is the greatest tool to designing a sustainable or off-grid house.
Whether it's new construction or something much older, a Victorian-style house can be a haven for both history and a modern family. Victorian houses are detailed, ornate, stately and inviting, designed for formal and informal living in a more polite time.
Designing a poultry house can present unique challenges over the simple chicken coop because "poultry" is a designation for several types of birds that have different space requirements. Ducks, geese, quail, and chickens are some of the fowl that are raised in a poultry house. Because the physical layout and design of a poultry house can take on many different shapes, let's take a look at the basic requirements and leave the final design up to your own imagination.
Many factors influence the design of a new house. Deciding on a specific design can be one of the most difficult tasks. By choosing a particular type of design to follow, you are essentially creating the vocabulary for the various style choices that you need to make during the design process. Different architectural designs will lead you to choose certain features so that the house conforms to the specific design you envision.
Every architectural design needs to have a set of blueprints to help in the construction process. Blueprints tells others how to execute the design for your house. Even if you are dealing with an existing house that you want to remodel, blueprints will help you test the feasibility of your ideas. Drawing blueprints are necessary for new construction or remodels. They are guidelines on how you want to execute the design of the project. If you are dealing with a new construction project then you do not have to do the steps associated with an existing structure.
Shutters are used primarily as decorative fixed panels to bring an accent color to windows. In most modern applications, shutters are used on the front of the house to enhance curb appeal. Heavier shutters can be used during during storms to protect the windows from flying objects. Older homes are more likely to have functional shutters, although some people are taking a look at this older form of shutter as costs from storm damages have brought a greater awareness of the simplicity of this traditional home feature.
Ireland boasts rich history and heritage. Consequently, it has its own sense of style, decoration and flair representative of its region and steeped in cultural history. Designing a home with an Irish décor style is a way to adorn your house with an ancient highland theme or to proudly display your ancestry if you hail from the country.
The word Zen has come to represent much more than a kind of Buddhist thought. Zen design applies elements from the philosophy into interior surroundings. Zen focuses on mindfulness, and the same goes when you design a Zen house. You need to be mindful of every element in the rooms and know their purpose. It is a calming decor that can bring peace to your hectic life.
Ranch style homes provide excellent opportunities for landscaping because the scale of the house is lowered to be more in touch with the shrubs, flowers and trees that are planted. They can also be challenging if the ranch style home is long and wide across the front. But, with a little careful planning your ranch style home can have a landscape you will be proud to show off for years to come.
One of the first things to greet visitors when they approach a house in the evening are the exterior light fixtures, the house lights. Often these lights are ignored or overlooked, fading into the background after a homeowner gets used to their house, only becoming noticed if a bulb burns out or during cleaning. They are also one of the ways that a house can look dated or portray the idea that it isn't well maintained. Enhancing curb appeal and the value of a home is as easy as designing and installing new house lights.
Farm houses are unpretentious country homes designed to meet the needs of the farm family. They are usually two-story buildings with all the bedrooms upstairs. Fireplaces are used for heating, and porches are gathering places and offer respite on hot days. Start with these basic design elements, then customize them to meet your family's needs. Make substitutions for traditional design materials to make the house more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
Drawing your own custom house plans can give you a lot of freedom when designing a home. If you have never used professional home design software before, there are simple design programs that make drawing house plans easy to accomplish, even for the beginner. Once completed, custom house plans can be taken to an architect or a building inspector to get a stamp of approval.
Twentieth century design (1900-99) encompasses a broad range of industries and products. The influence of this period of design can be seen in architecture, home furnishings, decorative arts, clothing and graphics. There is not one design look or style for the 20th century, but a series of overlapping styles that represent the arrival of the modern world. Architecture provides a visual catalog of 20th century design.
Whether you intend to build a lake house getaway or full-time residence, the basic considerations for lake house design tend to be the same. Being one with the water and outdoors without sacrificing creature comforts involves planning open spaces, lots of glass, simple traffic patterns, easy access to the lake and accommodating limited lot size in coveted lakefront real estate. Gone are the days of cramped cottages with minimal services and sleepers packed in bunk beds dormitory style. Home theater, broadband Internet access, A/C and heating that incorporates environmental and ambiance considerations are as much of the planning as lake,…
A unique house can express your character, make a statement or be an inexpensive alternative to traditional home design. Re-using materials and spaces creatively is an imaginative way to build an environmentally friendly structure. Not all unique houses are green so if being energy conscious and responsible is important to you, choose a plan that puts those elements at the forefront. Take the topography of your building lot into consideration. Some unique house designs require a flat lot while others work well on sloped properties.
Have you ever wished you could just pack it all up and move to the beach? Not everyone is lucky enough to live with an ocean view. It's no surprise that the beach house style of decorating is popular. The colors, sounds and sights of the beach are naturally calming, a feeling many of us would like to carry into our daily lives. Luckily, you don't have to live on the coast to bring the beach home with you.
Round houses are fairly uncommon because people want straight walls to hang pictures on and square rooms to furnish. But from the yurt to the geodesic dome, round homes have remained popular despite the need to literally think outside the box. A few adjustments to your notions of what a house should be like might lead you to appreciate the homeowners who spend their time in round houses. Start with these basic plans to design a round house, and customize it to suit your needs.
Colonial style architecture was developed in America from the early 1600s through 1850. There is not one specific Colonial style when it comes to architecture, but rather many different types of Colonial style. From Georgian Colonial to Spanish Colonial, Colonial style architecture is found from coast to coast and from north to south in in the United States.
The sod house, or soddy, is said to have been "dirt cheap," literally. Large rectangles of sod were dug from the ground and stacked like bricks, grass side down, to form the walls of the house. The traditional sod measures 12 by 15 feet on the inside, so your drawing will need to be larger to compensate for the two foot thickness of the walls. The only cost of a sod house was the addition of doors, windows, and wood roofing materials for the roof. Most roofs were thatched and covered with sod. Since the technology is minimal, designing a…
Carriage houses, also known as attachment dwelling units or garages, are typically designed to complement the main dwelling. When designing a carriage house, it is important to have a visual reference to understand how large to make it and where the entrances should be located. You can design your own carriage house on your PC computer using the 3D Home Architect program, which allows your carriage house design to easily be transferable to any architect or building codes administrator. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you design a carriage house on 3D Home Architect.
A good hoop house design keeps plants warmer and stands up to violent weather. Design and build a hoop house with a professional organic farmer in this free gardening video.
Every house that is built has a design that was followed. There are many things that go into designing a house. It will save you many problems during construction if you take some time to thoughtfully create your house design. Here are a few design techniques that will help you in creating your house design.
Mission style furniture embodies the concept of form following function. With its clean lines and handcrafted appeal, mission style furniture is designed to fulfill its purpose with as little fanfare as possible. Its simplicity is striking in its elegance.
An underground house offers significant advantages over a conventional above-ground home. It requires no air conditioning and is very cheap to heat. Underground houses are also largely fireproof and have effective natural soundproofing against outside noise. Another plus is that you never have to reshingle the roof (though you may have to mow it, depending on what you plant on top). However, because underground homes are unconventional, each one must be custom-designed, and certain aspects of the construction can be more difficult and expensive than in conventional homes. Therefore, if you want to build one, a great deal of research…
From 1890 to 1940, the Tudor, or Tudor Revival, style of architecture was popular in the United States. The earliest houses were quite grand and modeled after English Medieval-based structures from the Renaissance period. These first examples of the Tudor style were sometimes called "Jacobethan" after the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods, when the style was popular in England. Later on, the houses in America were smaller and took on fewer Renaissance characteristics. Still, they continued to be very stylized, if rambling, designs.
The prairie style of architecture began in the United States and is considered as American as baseball and hot dogs. From 1900 to 1920, Wisconsin-born Frank Lloyd Wright and his followers designed houses in the prairie style, the name referring to how suited these edifices were to the prairie regions around Chicago and the Midwestern United States. Although the prairie style waned in popularity after the 1920s, the style continued to influence American house designs, especially suburban houses all over the country.
Everyone could use a few extra dollars in the bank. While some people are working extra jobs or trying Internet auctions, others have learned how easy it is to sell at consignment shops. Consignment shops are stores that hold items for a specified period of time in their store. If the item sells, you get a portion of the sale price. If the item doesn’t sell, then you can take them back. This can be a great and easy way to make a little extra money.
If you outgrow your house, you have two options: move to a new home or build an extension onto your existing home. While moving may be easier, an extension adds value to your home as well as space. Additionally, you get exactly what you want. Follow the steps below to design an extension for your home.
Small Blue Printer allows you to design your dream house online. This free site gives you all the tools to design a viable home blueprint and manipulate placement of all the elements--walls, windows and doors--until you have them right where you want them. Once your online home design is complete, Small Blue Printer converts your design into a 3D walkthrough so you can experience the design from inside its walls.
Love wood? Real wood such as pine, not wood veneer? Or perhaps you'd just like to revisit your German roots? Germans and German-Americans have a reputation as fine carpenters; witness the practical yet wonderfully clean lines of Shaker furniture. Research traditional or modern German decor for some neat and practical ideas for the home and patio. Read on to learn how to furnish your house German style.
Old World style reflects European antiquity but is not limited to a single period in history. Here are some clues to identifying the look.
