This elegant bathroom has it all: an abundance of natural light, a feature ceiling, a free standing bathtub, ample space throughout, an exquisite quilted mirror and matching framed artwork, and dark-stained hardwood flooring. The marble topped vanity states ‘Restoration Hardware’ or better, is tailor-made in top quality and style.

Elegance has been brought in the bathroom by wall paneling below Robin egg blue walls, though window framing plus a vintage chandelier with matching luxurious lampshades. A ornately detailed vintage chair and side table rounds it out. Monogrammed towels is the final touch. In sum: a classic look pulled together to perfection.

Bring in soft bathroom rugs and daily fresh flowers from the garden, and everyone would want to live there.

This bathroom designed by Windsor Smith (and found via House of Turquoise) has it all.

That is, it’s missing this wonderful fluffy bath mat (a DIY project made from recycled towels), but other than that, it’s perfect!

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An online video handbook for anyone interested in studying Architecture.

Here is the video on Youtube:

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The video shows buildings designed by two great architects, Gottfried Semper and Le Corbusier, and the emergence of new designs using a novel modeling system to compute design transformations.

Here is the video on Youtube:

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There’s no one formula for design & this has simply been one way to get to a quick solution.

Here is the video on Youtube:

Advice on Home Repair & Improvement, Home Loans and Mortgages. Copyright ©. All Rights Reserved.

The video shows buildings designed by two great architects, Gottfried Semper and Le Corbusier, and the emergence of new designs using a novel modeling system to compute design transformations.

Here is the video on Youtube:

Advice on Home Repair & Improvement, Home Loans and Mortgages. Copyright ©. All Rights Reserved.

If you’re wanting to have a qualified professional draw your house plans, here are a few tips on what to provide the designer or architect with.

You have probably spent a great deal of time trying to find out what you are wanting. This is only natural as you are wanting your home to be not only functional but to fit your personal needs as well. Don’t hesitate to sketch out ideas on grid paper. This is one of the best resources I’ve received from a client. Think about the size rooms you need as in most homes, each room is specialized with specific purposes. Think about porches and entrances, where you are wanting windows, then note them on your sketch.

If you have already selected a lot, obtain a survey, preferably with topography. A good survey should have existing utilities, right of ways, easements, and even setbacks on it. If not, then it’s probably a good idea to hire a registered land surveyor to provide you with one. If the lot is in a subdivision, most likely this is already completed and available through the real estate agent or subdivision board.

As for the exterior of the home, spend time looking around your area at different homes or look in architecture magazines and books. Take photos or make photocopies of what you like and mark them with the things you liked. Hey, a picture paints a thousand words. Take care not to duplicate a copyrighted set of plans.

And make sure you tell them what your needs are as far as electrical. If they are drawing the electrical plan also, you may wind up with a generic electrical plan. Considerations there are ceiling fans and their locations, more outlets in specific areas, how much exterior lighting you are wanting, etc…

Some of my colleagues are probably going to not like this next paragraph. Oh well. If the truth hurts? I’ve seen many a future home owner not get what they are wanting in a home in place of what the professional wanted through artistic license. Not only for the fact that you are one paying the bill, but also for the fact that you are the one who inevitably has to live with the house after it’s built. Stick to your guns about what you want. The only reason you wouldn’t get what you’re wanting is if it’s either prohibited by code, physically impossible, or it just isn’t in the budget.

Make sure that they spell out what you’ll receive with your plan package from the beginning. That’s generally the case if you’re looking on the internet for the design professional. If they are wanting to be upfront with you, they will spell out on their web site what you will receive and generally how much it will cost.

Most of all, a bit of common sense would be not paying for the entire job until it’s complete. If you make arrangements to pay one third or half up front, that’s fine. But make sure you can see the finished product before you pay the final amount.

Tim Davis has been a professional home designer since 1990. His website is at http://customhouseplans.8m.com and he also teaches architectural drafting at http://houseplandrafting101.net

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For several years there has been a strong movement that grows continuously, involving the manufacturing of modern eco homes. This movement has seen many new and existing companies, mainly located in the United States, which are successfully marketing modern prefab homes to a much wider audience than before.

But why would anyone buy modern prefab homes when so many preconceived prejudices make them unattractive? Simply because it is more profitable not just economically, but also environmentally. Modern prefab homes can reduce construction costs while lessening the environmental impact of construction projects.

These modern eco homes are designed by professional architects, many of whom previously only worked in traditional construction, but now find themselves drawn into this more eco-friendly and flexible building.

One reason these architects are turning to this construction method is the amount of control they can have over every aspect of construction. It is far easier for them to oversee every detail in a controlled environment, like a prefabricated home construction centre, than it is on a cold, wet traditional on-site building location.

Another reason is that a house may look fine on paper, but as construction continues problems may arise in terms of practical design or a feature that is unappealing to the eye, it is a much simpler and cost-effective to alter the design in this situation, than it is out on a construction site.

Modern prefab homes are also intended to be reproduced multiple times with slight variations, as opposed to a one-off construction on the site. Therefore, it is far more practical to make changes to a plan when the same design may be used multiple times, rather than it is when you are dealing with a single unit.

Eco friendly prefab homes are beautifully adapted for modern life, and it make sense from a financial point of view, because of the lower cost of construction. Also these prefabricated houses are of superior quality because it is easier to control the quality of work in a factory than on a construction site.

This modern eco homes movement was born from the needs of ordinary people for affordable housing. Typically, modern houses are too expensive to build for many peoples pockets; modern prefab homes offer an affordable, quality alternative to traditional construction methods.

One reason is the care and craftsmanship that is needed to build modern-style prefab homes compared with a traditional-style, on-site built house. For example, the architecture of the modern-style house often needs a backbone of steel or concrete, which costs far more than modern wooden frames.

The prefabricated house is an option for ordinary people to have access to modern eco homes in an architect designed style that works in harmony with nature, rather than abusing it.

Kristen Sky is founder of Modern Eco Homes dot com, which sells a wide range of environment friendly
prefab homes, certified organic pet furniture and indoor and outdoor eco-friendly furniture

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Decorative crown molding has changed over the centuries. Crown molding has a rich history which dates back to the second millennium B.C. and was often found in palaces. It has evolved from the beauty of the Greek forms to the simple curves of the Roman era; from the flowers and vines of the Gothic rounds to a return to the simple forms of the Romans during the Renaissance. Today, crown molding can be found in just about any type of material. So what’s appropriate? Which one should you use? There are so many, it can be a little daunting. So let’s take a brief look at the different kinds of materials that crown molding is often crafted from.

Traditionally, crown molding has been made from milled hardwood and plaster. Wood crown molding can be found and made from several hardwoods such as hickory, ash, poplar, alder, cherry, maple, mahogany and oak. Wood crown molding enriches the character of any interior as it frames your ceiling and complements your decor. There are many styles available and you can find many of the traditional styles, such as acanthus, grape and oak leaf motifs and shell. Wood crown molding will certainly add classic detail to any room.

On the down side, hardwood moldings can be quite expensive. Forest resources are limited. The softwood moldings require more time and care to install and finish, although it is less expensive than hardwood. Wood moldings shrink and swell with humidity, they can be damaged by water, it is combustible, it can be damaged by rot and insects, it can crack, it requires mitering and coping skills, it may split and splinter when nailed or cut, and wood molding must be sanded and primed prior to finishing. These disadvantages may outweigh wood’s good points for many.

Renewed interest has been growing in decorative ornamental plaster. Decorative plaster molding can be found in all styles. Ornamental plaster crown moldings do not shrink, burn, warp or produce toxic fumes. Ornamental plaster can be formulated in a wide range of compositions to yield finished products which include a range of properties. They are versatile, safe, stable and economic. Ornamental plaster, although an excellent product, can be costly to install. Although it is no longer required to be manufactured in place, skilled craftsmen are in short supply and it has become almost a lost art.

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