That’s spot on. I’d add—once you have your list, start looking at local designers’ portfolios. Don’t just go by their websites, either. Drive by a few...

Estimating Building Expenses: What Tools Or Sites Do You Trust? Totally get where you’re coming from on the permit fees—those calculators are rarely ...

TALKING TO YOUR TV STILL FEELS WEIRD SOMETIMES Totally get that. I’ve caught myself waving my arms at the TV like I’m flagging down a bulldozer, on...

Building On Level Ground: Step-By-Step Tips For Making The Most Of A Flat Lot Yeah, I’ve found the same thing—no need to go overboard with a massive ...

WHEN THE NIGHT SKY TURNS TO DAY: WHAT IF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WAS LIT UP 24/7? I’ve actually run into this exact debate on a couple of projects. One nei...

SINK FIXTURES DRIVING ME NUTS LATELY That line cracked me up—couldn’t agree more. I’ve walked through so many model homes where everything looks pr...

Honestly, I’ve run into the same thing on a few projects. Some of these water-saving toilets just don’t have the “oomph” you expect, and double-flushi...

DIGGING INTO PROPERTY EASEMENTS—ANYONE ELSE FIND ONLINE TOOLS CONFUSING? Those GIS layers are wild, right? I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had...

Yeah, I've seen this happen more times than I care to admit. Designers often lean towards aesthetics first, but practicality should never be an aftert...

I've had decent luck with Henry's adhesives as a cheaper alternative. Used it on a smaller residential project last year, and so far it's held up pret...

Good points about layering lighting, but honestly, sometimes just rearranging furniture can totally transform a space without touching a single fixtur...

Same here—first time I did a deck extension, I thought my cordless nailer would handle everything. Worked great at first, but once I got to those jois...

From what I've read, the Romans mostly used linen or canvas fabrics for their shade structures. They'd stretch these materials across wooden frames or...