I’m often asked about what kind of exterior railings are best, wooden or metal. Like most questions, the answer depends on what your objectives are.

    If you are simply looking for the least expensive railing, then wood is the answer. Most any carpenter can build it and wood is considerably cheaper than metal. Wood might also be your preference if you are looking to create a house in a particular style where wood railings are a key component. But two shortcomings of wood railings are that they require maintenance and they can block the view through them. (more…)

    Have you ever noticed how great athletes make the difficult things they do look so easy? This is what you want to achieve in your house design.

    I have often said that designing a house well is much more difficult than designing an office building, even though a house is much smaller. (more…)

    I was discussing shower seats with a client the other day. We were deciding where they should be and how they should be configured.

    The primary reason my clients give me for wanting a shower seat is so that the woman can put her foot up when shaving her legs! (more…)

    You don’t have to be rich to need a home safe. Lots of people want and need a small safe at home to keep important documents, cherished jewelry, and other valuables safe from theft and fire. Theft doesn’t just happen when a burglar breaks into you house. Unfortunately, a repairman or a maid service can be a source of theft, especially if valuables are conveniently within reach. Locking valuables away when strangers are in your house simply makes good sense. (more…)

    Okay, here’s the answer to “Dream House Fumble #1.”     (more…)

    I promised you a photo quiz from time to time, so here’s your first one. In house design, often, the details can make a decent house awkward and “just not right.” I took this photo of a house I drove by the other day. The question for you is to try to see what I found so bad about these garage doors. I’ll post my answer for you tomorrow.

If you would like to read more articles about house and home design, please visit my other website, www.about-home-design.com.

Bill Hirsch    

www.designingyourperfecthouse.com

www.williamhirsch.com

I realize that the majority of new homes are not designed by architects. But naturally, as an architect I would recommend using one.

But a lot can be achieved by simply doing some homework and thinking through what you want your house to be. Even if your budget can only afford the “cookie cutter” house, it can still be better and more “well-suited” to you and your family. There are a few books out there that can help. Sarah Susanka’s books, my book, and others will offer food for thought. Check out house design magazines for inspiration images to prod your imagination. Visit model homes and look at them critically. Make notes of what you like, what you dislike, and how things feel. Understanding how to create the feeling of a house is the hardest part. That’s where an architect can be an invaluable guide. (more…)

    I often design houses that are the “new old house” type. Those are the ones that are new, but look like thay have been there for many years. I find that an important part of getting the look and feel of these houses right is to pay close attention to the details. (more…)

    Do you want to know that your new house design is “green,” or as I prefer to call it, energy and resources responsible? There is now a way to certify that it is so. (more…)

    A recent and interesting trend in house design is the inclusion of an outdoor fireplace. Sometimes this is a free-standing fireplace on a patio or terrace that might be a part of an outdoor kitchen arrangement. Or, if you live in the land of night time bugs like I do, your outdoor fireplace might be on a screened porch. The wonderful thing about outdoor fireplaces is how they extend the season of your outdoor living spaces.     (more…)