As more families explore small house design options we want to expand our offering of stock small house plans to meet the varied needs of families when it comes to design aesthetics. We’ve been blessed to work with many families, but there is still a lack of small home designs that are eco friendly and take into consideration daily life needs that occur in a family versus a single person or couple. Raising children in a small house brings about a completely different set of design needs than if you …

This article is by Rhonna Del Rio-Ascolese, a Design and Feng Shui Consultant and owner of otonome.net. Rhonna’s goal is to create a balanced environment that supports the client in manifesting their goals in life by offering Harmony and Balance using Design and Feng Shui philosophy.

I went through a five-year program for Architecture in Cal Poly, Pomona. During these years, I practically lived in my studio. In fact, all my classmates practically did. In order to meet deadlines one after another, we took turns taking a twenty-minute “power nap” on …

Using the sun’s energy to heat a home naturally and lower energy costs is becoming a goal for many home owners. Solar panels are growing in popularity, but the extensive initial cost can be quite substantial and is a turn off for many home owners trying to build or become more eco friendly on a budget.
A Trombe wall is another option for collecting the sun’s heat in a new home. A Trombe wall is built from stone, concrete, metal or other material that acts as a thermal mass that collects …

One of the things clients worry about most when designing and moving into a small house, is storage. By utilizing small areas that would otherwise be empty or dead space, you can add shelves, drawers, and open display areas for prized possessions or things you want to hide.
Closets - The largest impact can often happen in the closet. The old days of one simple shelf and one bar for hanging clothes are long gone. Built in closet systems can be designed to fit your clothing and accessories so there is …

Whether you are thinking about building your first home, or your fifth, creating the custom home design you want can be a difficult process. Working with an experienced architect will help you think about what you want and need in a floor plan, choose materials to fit your lifestyle, and create a finished house plan that will fulfill your dreams, no matter how small or large. Think about these areas when you take your ideas to your architect:
Lot - Take a look at your lot from every angle to find …