Bringing the countryside into the contemporary landscape is a popular motion, both in city planning and also in garden layout — the magnificent opening ceremony at last year’s London Olympics even included an idyllic pastoral scene with sheep, cattle and meadows set in the rolling English countryside. There has been great interest in returning to […]
Author: Wiliat
Contractor's Tips: 10 Things Your Contractor Might Not Tell You
A builder and a client may have a complicated relationship. When you’re dealing with your home, sensitive and incredibly important issues arise. While communication is key, there could be a few things we builders are not saying. Sometimes there isn’t time to describe, sometimes we’re worried you’ll take it the wrong way, and at times […]
A New Layout Opens an Ranch House
A dim, closed-in ranch house with a chopped-up layout was less than perfect for two graphic designers with contemporary tastes. After a few years of living in the house and considering what they wanted, they hired Clayton & Little Architects to complete a complete design-and-build remodel. “The layout was really weird and was not working […]
Color Magic: Tap Into Psychology to Better Use Blue in Home
Several paint companies have suggested some shade of blue, from aqua to indigo, as a favorite color for 2013. The color that’s cited most often as a favored, blue represents calm, serenity, stability, conservatism, ability (that is the reason why it’s a favorite choice for uniforms), wisdom, honesty and loyalty. Some blue tones may also […]
Bathed in Colour: When to Use Blue from the Toilet
Blue hues that remind us of the sea and sky can offer instant relief from life’s numerous stressors, which makes them perfect for a relaxing vibe on your toilet. If you favor lighter colors but do not necessarily wish to be surrounded by baby blue, then I suggest choosing a shade which has a bit […]
3 Exterior Paint Dilemmas
Frequently overwhelmed by choosing exterior paint colors and by coordinating the siding color with doors, roof and trim, many homeowners drop back on white or shades of tan. There is nothing wrong with these colors — they’re classic colors that may work well on any house. But I am a fan of bold color and […]
6 Places to Boost Your Spirits
It has been a tough, odd week for many people across the States. Hurricane Sandy ravaged the Eastern Seaboard, leaving thousands of people at the mercy of nature. Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, while my household rejoiced on the Giants’ becoming Major League Baseball’s champions after their World Series sweep, we nursed a […]
Your Easiest Fall Decorating Ever
Fill a basket with a range of pumpkins and gourds from the market or pumpkin patch, and you will have everything you need to welcome autumn holidays with style. Afterward, when Thanksgiving rolls around, you can turn any edibles one of your decorations into sausage sandwiches, squash soups and casseroles, clearing the way for winter […]
Layout Icons: Thomas Dolliver Church
Iconic modern landscape architect Garrett Eckbo explained Thomas Dolliver Church as “the last great traditional designer and the first great modern designer.” Church was instrumental in pushing landscape design into the modern motion. His first gig was a terraced garden for his mom, a job he finished at age 12. Educated at University of California, […]
Things to Look for in the Deal of a Contractor
A contractor without a contract is just a worker and their word. The most honest person will be hard-pressed to keep track of all of the conversations that go into going for the ordinary building project. That’s where a good contract comes from. A lot of a battle could be avoided if the two parties […]