Ideas and Inspiration

At some point, every homeowner – and every home – will be faced with some type of severe weather, be it wind, rain, hail or something else. Here are some of the things you’ll need to consider as you choose exterior building materials for your new house.

If you're shopping for a home plan, you likely already have a few favorite styles in mind. Maybe you even have a short list of favorite plans or some ideas about the furnishings you'll use. But have you thought about the more practical side of things?

Did you know that there are three different ways to balance your home? We aren’t talking about ways to perch your home on the edge of a cliff, either! Instead, the different balance styles – symmetrical, asymmetrical and radial – refer to the way your home’s interior, exterior and furnishings are arranged.

If you’ve heard the buzz about green or “living” roofs, you’re probably wondering if this is truly an efficient upgrade. Green roofs may be eco-friendly, but are they difficult to maintain? Are they more or less cost effective than other energy-efficient roofing solutions? Read on to learn whether green roofs are right for your home!

Awesome Dads are great at delivering on all the things kids and mothers want. Smart Kitchens, playrooms, trampolines... but what does Dad say when you ask him what he wants?

The Tudor style has been around in one form or another since the early 16th century. Although this style originated in Europe, it experienced a revival in the United States during the early 20th century and again more recently towards the end of the 20th century.

The key to a smooth, successful home building project is a great working relationship both your designer and your general contractor. Home building is fraught with pitfalls – plans that change, issues with suppliers, approaching deadlines and more. These tips will not only help you choose professionals you can trust, but also show you how to build a strong relationship with them.

On the outside, flat roofs, square designs and multitudes of windows characterize midcentury modern design. Inside, these homes blend form and function with simple, yet versatile open floor plans. Originally hailing from the 1950s and 60s, midcentury modern home designs are becoming popular once again. Here are some of our favorite homes with the midcentury modern look!

When discussing modern design, a number of themes come to mind, from industrial to contemporary styles. Midcentury modern design is one of those themes. In fact, many in the design world view midcentury modern as the precursor to other modern design styles.

There’s more to windows than just the looks. A particular window style might look great with your home’s style, but will it provide enough light or ventilation to the interior of the home? What about privacy? Before you make a final decision on the window styles for your new home, we will show you some of the most important factors to consider.

As the millennial generation comes of age, more and more are buying and building homes. When it comes to designs, this group of people has exacting standards. They like open floor plans, innovative architectural styles, and homes that are both multi-functional and efficient. The following home plans have everything this generation desires and more!

People may disagree about the merits of granite countertops or stainless steel appliances. However, there are a few features that almost everyone would love to have in a new home. From efficient designs to outdoor living areas, here are the features that no homeowner can do without.

Victorian architecture first emerged in the 1830's, and it continued to be one of the more popular building styles through the early twentieth century. This style is named after Queen Victoria who, as the longest reigning Queen of the United Kingdom, ruled from 1837 to 1901. The Victorian homes of her era were fanciful constructions – usually two to three stories high with elaborate interior and exterior designs. We will take an in-depth look at some of the elements unique to this architectural style.

When designing or decorating a home, it’s easy to be caught up in the colors and material choices. However, lighting is even more important than either of these considerations. Designing with light is not about the shape of your fixtures or the lamps and shades that you choose, but rather the color, placement and intensity of your lighting.

This wonderful Portland contemporary home was featured in the hit NBC series 'Grimm' - as Captain Raynard's home. The open floorplan, extensive outdoor areas and clean lines take full advantage of the home's location, which overlooks downtown Portland and the Fremont bridge.

When you think of a lake house, what kinds of images come to mind? Many people think of lake houses as run-down shacks, or luxurious estates. The truth is, your lake house does not have to fit either of these stereotypes. It can simply be a well-designed, modestly sized home that takes advantage of the lovely view of the water.

A part of the Aurea home design (plan 2453), this shelving unit is extremely popular on Houzz.com and has been added to over 150,000 ideabooks! We think you'll like it too, and we also have plenty of other creative home design ideas to share.

What are the popular home exterior styles in your area? Each region has its own preferences, and unless you want your house to stick out like a sore thumb, it's wise to keep them in mind when choosing a home plan. However, it's wide to bear in mind that the exterior style of many home designs can be easily changed.

We have proudly called Portland home since our inception and are now looking forward to a new office location! Beginning July 21st we will be operating out of new office space at 2187 Reed Street, Suite 100, Portland, OR. This new location, not too far from the 405 and our previous location, offers enhanced creative spaces, provides much improved customer parking, and will be a place we can help bring our clients' home design dreams to life.

The NW Natural Street of Dreams is returning July 26th! This annual event brings custom home designs to Portland and allows guests to experience the finest custom homes the Northwest has to offer. One of our home plans will be featured in this year's Street of Dreams and it marks our 32nd appearance in the show.