On the Drawing Board

Great Barrington Major Addition Almost Finished It is always exciting when we reach the end of a project because we see the fruits of many people's labor. At that point, our job as architects is to make sure everything is perfect for the homeowner.  This includes a detailed punch list noting any imperfections in the paint, cabinets, flooring, etc., that the contractor must correct and make perfect.  We also ensure everything works as expected, like windows, appliances, and [...]

Warm Kitchen In our family, the kitchen is more than a room—it’s the place where life happens. Especially during the holidays, the kitchen becomes a hub of activity and joy. Someone is always whipping up cookies, stirring a pot of soup, or prepping ingredients for the next delicious creation. It’s where we connect, laugh, and spend more time together than anywhere else in the house. For me and many of our clients, the kitchen truly is the heart [...]

Cocoa and Espresso Enjoying the Grass Hay Every morning, my wife and I take a walk up to the barn to feed the animals. We bring the dogs after they’ve had their breakfast, and it’s always fun to watch them run around and interact with the sheep, who know it’s feeding time. This whole routine is surprisingly refreshing and really helps clear my mind. The other day, our vet, Dr. Ferguson, came by with her sonogram machine and [...]

  With and Without a Porch It has been almost 20 years since Taunton Press asked my colleague, Sandee Mahoney, and me to write a book on porches.  Although we loved and still love porches, we were reluctant to take on a significant project like writing a book while running a busy architectural practice.  Ultimately, we made the right choice, and On the Porch was born.  At that time, book publishing had big budgets, so we had the [...]

Historic Home with Shutters We often use shutters in our projects for their historical accuracy and the beauty and proportions they lend to a home's facade. When we design a window with shutters, we detail the hardware so they can be closed if necessary.  In the United States, historically, shutters were used to control sun exposure, ventilation, privacy, and security.  A good example of shutters for sun control is shown below on the New Iberia, Louisiana home, Shadows [...]

4 Chairs Facing the Window If I am not cooking, my favorite spot in the kitchen is sitting at our island, helping prep dinner or adding to the conversation.  The separation between active chefs and the support/cheering section is essential.  As they say, too many cooks can spoil the porridge, and when hot pans are moving quickly between stoves and sinks, it can get downright dangerous. Leather Stools Curved Seating Area Chairs Facing [...]

Living Room as Sunroom Adding enough windows can transform a living room into a sunroom. At the same time, if you insulate and heat a three-season room properly, it can become a full-time sunroom. The best time to enjoy a sunroom can be the middle of winter.  While we always think of sitting in a sunroom looking out over a lush garden, the time when we need the sun the most is when those plants are well below [...]

Our Nephew (7 years old), Willy Wonka, With Golden Ticket Sheep Raising a flock of sheep is a family affair and more complicated than most people think. Strategies exist for breeding, feeding, shearing, training, and showing sheep, as well as keeping the sheep healthy and properly exercised.  As 4-H members, young people are expected to raise and care for their animals as well as learn the fundamentals of animal husbandry.  They present before an audience of their peers [...]

Mud Room/Laundry Room It is often true that the simple things in life are the ones that make us the happiest. In our homes, the unsung and hardly glamorous laundry room serves to keep the engine of our lives running smoothly. Though clean socks may not guarantee happiness, it is a start. No two families are the same.  What works perfectly for one rarely is ideal for another and those needs change over time. Speaking as a father [...]

Rustic Family Room Family rooms are the place we gather with friends and family.  They come in all sizes, shapes, and decors and are as diverse as families themselves.  In my living room, it is not uncommon for us to light a fire in the fireplace, which is in front of the couch, and then watch our TV, which is in the corner of the room.  It is not a perfect setup, but my home is an old [...]