Design that Feels Right

Have you ever walked through a home and thought, "this feels right"? You may not be able to put your finger on exactly why it feels that way, but there's definitely a sense of comfort and of being "home".What you're experiencing is likely good architectural design, and it's no accident. Good design is a combination of proper scale, proportion, mass, and authenticity that transcends time and trends. Good design also reflects current lifestyle needs both inside and out.
 
We place value on so-called "traditional" homes and we romanticize about living in something historic or "authentic." The truth is, however, that older homes were designed and built for another day, not ours. A well-designed house accommodates the manner in which we live today. A house that clings to past practices can actually reduce comfort and convenience and eventually becomes the object of a remodel.  Again, good architectural design can transform these older beauties into a home that reflects current lifestyle needs without diminishing it’s historical character.
 
Consider, for example, the modern kitchen: It's a blend of kitchen, eating nook, and family room in one big area. A variety of influences have driven that design concept into almost every size and price of home. Arising from a desire to expand the home's natural gathering place, modern kitchens have become a center for casual entertaining as well as a focal point for family activities such as dining, homework and craft projects. These big rooms also provide more natural light and greater access to the outdoors -- subtle, yet critical, changes that create a sense of comfort.
 
Simply put, then, what is authentic is what's current to the times, supplies human scale and proportion and a respect for appropriate detailing. That's just good design.  For examples of good home design check out www.CLDesignBuild.com.