Architect Arrol Gellner’s essay in the L.A. Times Real Estate section explains that architects don’t generally know much about construction. Surprised? Here’s what he says: If there’s one complaint I hear again and again from contractors, tradespeople and anyone else involved in the practical end of building, it’s this: "Why don’t architects have to serve…
When students imagine the future of housing, it’s not surprising their visions are influenced by computers, RFID tracking chips and cars. That seems to be the trend in a competition that asks students (as well as professionals) to come up with ideas for future housing that figure deconstruction and reuse into their plans. The winners…
Back in November 2006, writers Paul B. Brown and Allison Davis set out to build their dream home. How hard could it be? Trouble is, they live in Massachusetts and their dream home is on a tiny island in Florida. And, they have never done this before. So, yeah, the learning curve has been great.…
August 2007 A bamboo sink? Uh, I dunno . . . Have a hard time picturing new space? Get a scale model made Young designers learn the facts of remodeling life Is a down real estate market the best time to remodel? Who do you recommend? ‘Not So Big House’ DVD now available Dear Green…
When John Park (shown here with daughter Bea) did an addition to his Burbank home, he created a blog, Park Haus Addition, to share his adventure with the world. We wanted to know his motivation: Why did you decide to blog about your addition? One, we wanted to share our designs with friends and family.…
• • 2008 SoCal home improvement calendar • • • • Kitchens • • Baths • • Polls • • SoCal remodels • • • • Contractor issues • • Check a contractor’s license • • • • Green remodeling • • Q&A • • Design • • New products • • • • The…
Park Haus Addition Following a Burbank home addition. Our Cosmetic Fixer Jason and Lori discover that their 1926 Spanish home in Los Angeles needs more than paint. 1921 Bungalow Where the Los Angeles homeowners wax lyrical about their old/new home. Our 1916 Craftsman Bungalow An eclectic house blog of a young married couple and their…
After covering home improvement for most of the past two decades, and writing profiles of nearly 600 projects, I know one thing for sure: A person who undertakes a remodel — allowing workers with sledge hammers and reciprocating saws and nail guns into one’s sanctuary in the hope for a better future — truly lives…
Do we really need another book on how to get through a home remodel? I mean, people have been remodeling since they started hanging pelts over cave openings, right? And it’s pretty much the same as it’s always been: Figure out what you want, find someone to do it, pay a lot of money, rip…
I am looking for an upcoming Southern California kitchen or bath remodel to follow on this blog. Here’s how it works: If you and I decide your project would be a good one to blog about, you write a few diary entries per week and take a few digital photos that I would post, and…