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...

Often celebrated as man’s best friend, dogs touch nearly every aspect of the daily lives of their owners, from the moment they wake up to feed and walk their beloved pets to the last scratch between the ears as they say goodnight. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that when dog owners decide to build a new home, their furry four-legged companions factor prominently in the design of the house.

According to Statista.com, there are more than 89 million dogs living as pets in U.S. homes today and most of them are considered an important member of their human family. Rick...

Now that spring has sprung and the days are longer, it’s the perfect time to bring more natural light and warmth into the home whether through new construction or renovation.

“Daylighting” is the practice of positioning windows, skylights, doors and other openings in a building design in such a way as to maximize the natural light from outside. Designers and architects use several tricks for daylighting a home to make it open, warm and welcoming, as well as energy efficient.

“There are a number of ways to let more natural light into your home,” said Rick McAlexander, CEO of...