In the latest edition of FourPlans from BuilderOnline.com, Aurora Zeledon features four plans with very basic footprints. But just because the footprints lack dynamic elements does not mean the homes do. Each of the four homes includes all of the modern amenities homeowners are looking for, but the footprints practically address smaller lot sizes faced [...]

Perhaps the most encouraging news from the National Kitchen and Bath Industry Show is the welcomed return of innovation. The annual event took place this week in Chicago, and while every attendee has their own list of favorite products, there’s a sense of excitement with the industry. Innovation would appear to be a byproduct of [...]

What exactly is going on with new home sizes? Recently, the prevailing assumption has been savvy buyers desire smaller, more energy efficient homes. The reality is the average size of new homes is increasing once again after shrinking during the recession. Numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau tell the confusing story. From 2007 to 2010, [...]

Now that we’re well into 2012, we’ve compiled a list of top home trends. Are you seeing any of these in your work? Energy efficiency: Americans are looking for superior energy efficiency in every important feature of their home. ENERGY STAR-rated windows, high-efficiency furnaces and air conditioners, quality attic insulation – they’ll all save money and [...]

Shawn Draper at IMRE Build IQ is hardly the average consumer when it comes to building a new home, but his recent experience with an out-of-touch contractor left him wondering if homebuilders are prepared for the modern homebuyer. Draper depicts this modern homebuyer as well-informed on the latest trends, building materials and appliances. The modern [...]

Take a glance at Chicago interior design Summer Thornton’s portfolio and you’ll see daring interiors that carefully blend modern elements with classic sensibilities. Thornton’s fearless design exists in a housing market where safety sells, but check out all the press coverage she’s received and you’ll understand how her bold designs have filled up her pipeline. On [...]

With record-breaking temperatures across most of the country, overzealous homeowners tired of being holed up all winter will again get to enjoy one of the great features of any home — the outdoor space. According to a recent survey from Professional Builder, a growing number of homeowners are investing more in their outdoor living space. [...]

Architects are cooking up new business in the kitchen, according to Matthew Strozier at the Wall Street Journal. Citing a recent survey from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Strozier writes that as kitchen areas are growing and becoming more wide open in nature, architects are seeing steady work from homeowners interested in a kitchen [...]

On Friday, we featured the top five kitchen trends from the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s (NKBA) recently released annual Design Trends Survey, which seeks to identify the materials, product types and styles gaining the most traction in kitchen and bathroom design. A total of 350 NKBA members throughout the United State and Canada participated in the [...]

A few weeks back, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) released results from its annual Design Trends Survey, which seeks to identify the materials, product types and styles gaining the most traction in kitchen and bathroom design. A total of 350 NKBA members throughout the United State and Canada participated in the survey. Today, [...]