Largely overlooked since their popularity in the 1980s, glass blocks are making a comeback as a way to enjoy light with privacy, improved security, and an upscale ambiance. Reinvented in fresh, modern ways, they’re showing up not just as exterior windows, but also in partition walls, showers, and other interior features. These blocks, also known […]
Home Trends
Adirondack Architectural Style
Imagine a little log cabin in the woods, and chances are the Adirondack architectural style will be what comes to mind. Born of the wealthy elite’s longing for nature, it’s an approach that blends luxury with rustic simplicity into a style anyone who loves the wilderness can appreciate. Rediscovering the Wilderness Until the late 1800s, […]
French Eclectic Architectural Style
French architecture has influenced American building design since Colonial times, but the French Eclectic architectural style breaks from tradition by offering options accessible to the average homeowner. The movement emerged in the early 20th century from the public’s growing familiarity with French countryside homes and developed into a style that blends rustic simplicity with Classical […]
Storybook House Architectural Style
True to its name, the Storybook or Fairy Tale House architectural style evokes an air of whimsy, playfulness, and Old World charm. It’s defined not by strict rules, but by an overall atmosphere. The birthplace of the style, however, is far removed from the picturesque villages Storybook homes imitate. Rural Romanticism, Hollywood Style Architects […]
The Homeowner’s Guide to Spec Homes
While there are advantages to having a home built to your exact specifications, the long wait to completion isn’t one of them. Spec homes, also called inventory, feature or move-in ready homes, solve that problem. “Spec” is short for “speculative,” meaning the builder builds the house based on market demand speculating that someone will want […]
French Creole Architectural Style
Spacious wrap-around porches, intricate ironwork railings, high windows, and French doors lend the French Creole architectural style a characteristic look that’s a fundamental part of Louisiana’s ambiance. As recognizable as it is, the style defies precise definition and is better understood in terms of its evolution. A Blend of Practicality and Tradition The exact origins […]