We as a nation have come to believe that the “ Go Big or Go Home” approach is the way to have the best life in general. Not necessarily the truth in all things for sure. Bigger is not necessarily better in all things.

My life and career has taken me through many different aspects to garner attention to my work. I have created very large projects, small ones and very cost efficient ones as well. Which ones were more the most successful, accepted and indeed brought me more attention? I’m really not sure what the concrete answer to this question is. However, I do know without doubt,...

As the rising tide of baby boomers begins to enter retirement and searches for a simpler way of life, the trend towards small home designs continues to gain momentum with a “less is more” mantra. House plan designers today are finding more creative ways to maximize square footage and enable homeowners to live large in a smaller space.

“The main reason why smaller home designs are so popular today is due to the increasing number of empty nesters who want the freedom of independent living but in much simpler spaces,” said Steve Vatter, owner of Legacy Home Plans in Tennessee. “When...

The term “farmhouse” evokes a sense of nostalgia—of simpler times when families gathered around the hearth to relax after a long, hard day working the land. Often considered the backbone of American residential architecture, the farmhouse represents a timeless setting for a comfortable, peaceful way of life. Grounded in simplicity, purity and practicality, farmhouse design features have evolved over time but still adhere to the principle of form following function. Today’s modern farmhouse designs are more popular than ever, characterized by sleek exterior lines, pitched roofs of varying...