California Modern Craftsman House Tags

Turn on any home-design TV show and you’ll repeatedly hear the words “open concept.” Tearing down walls to create open floor plans for the living, dining and kitchen area is what open-concept design is all about. For some, separate rooms still hold their charm. But many homeowners today are taking...

Outdoor Fireplaces. Outdoor fireplaces have reached flashover – taking off throughout the country, even in warm environs. Why? They are an inexpensive way to create a frequently used amenity. We probably do more outside than inside fireplaces, says Binkley, who primarily works in Florida....

Porches are another very interesting option; they can be enclosed, go all the way around the house. They can also be half-enclosed and half-open. They can be reminders of times past. A huge porch reminds me of my aunt's farm years ago. Porches are great for extending family time and...

Many home plans today dispense with a formal dining room in favor of a designated dining space within the great room, as shown here, also in Plan 497-46. That actually makes it easier to seat 10 or 12 people. You can add leaves to the table without running into walls....

modern-wood-open-floor-plan. An open floor plan allows for maximum light in a space. Benefits of Open Floor Plans. Open-concept living is a favorite for many reasons. First, it can make even the smallest space feel bigger and brighter. A small apartment with a tiny, windowless kitchen off the living room can...

Entertaining guests from the kitchen has a downside: If you’re a chef, the idea of a few dirty dishes doesn’t concern you. For those of you that like to entertain without the sight of dirty dishes in the background, an open floor plan may not work for your needs....

Losing wall space for your photos and artwork is another good reason to keep a wall intact. Fewer walls also means fewer electrical outlets; concealing wires in a large, open space can be tricky. Finally, if you hate seeing a mess, open-concept living might not be for you, unless you...

They would be better served by a more intimate home that works for them day to day but is at the same time flexible enough to accommodate the occasional large gathering. The kitchen and great room in particular need to be optimized for family use since those spaces are used...