From the sophistication of Paris apartments to the tranquility of country homes in Provence, and the quaintness of the half-timbered buildings in Normandy, French style house plans are marvelous sights. Think chateaus, rustic country farmhouses, and cottages – and you get the idea of the uniquely eclectic, romantic, and charming style of French home design. Each region in France is known for its own distinctive character – and has inspired countless homes in the United States and Canada.

“And why shouldn’t a woman do as well at this profession as a man?” remarked Fay Kellogg, one of the first women architects in the U.S. Why not, indeed? Well before the phrases “girl power” and Sheryl Sandberg’s “lean in,” these remarkable female architects established the first all-women architectural firms in the country – and made a lasting impact to both architecture and business.

With so many home plan designs to suit your lifestyle and a real estate market that’s easing up, there’s never been a better time to consider a vacation home. Just imagine summer breezes on the front porch, a gentle wind rocking the hammock and swings, and a warm glow from the fireplace in the winter. We’ve come up with our checklist on exactly what you should look for in the perfect vacation home.

Not as grand and stately as George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate or Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and Poplar Forest, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Top Cottage – which sits atop the hills of Dutchess County, New York - is nonetheless as appealing, with its classic simplicity and elegant architectural lines.

The floating spaceship-like oblong structure is known as Whitfield Shore, a condominium located in Guilford, Connecticut, built by well-known modernist residential architect Wilfred J. O. Armster.

Ever sit on your front porch and dream of gentle sea breezes and stunning views of nature and seascapes? You can make that a reality with the modern coastal or beachfront house plan – perfect for waterfront living, comfortable, informal, and built to withstand the forces of nature.

Is your home design emitting positive energy? You may not know everything about Feng Shui principles. But take heart… and follow a few tips to make sure your home is positioned to allow unrestricted flow of energy to bring balance, harmony and prosperity to your life.

When some think of a “Southern” home, the first images that come to mind are the grand plantation style homes from Gone with the Wind, The Help and movies in between where Southern or plantation homes took center stage. Yet true Southern homes are so much more than just those stately facades. A Southern style house plan captures the spirit of Southern living in its elegance combined with comfort, warm interior design and floor plans, attractive exteriors and keenly designed landscapes that embrace the surroundings.

“Less is more” when designing a dream home for an urban or dense suburban environment. With shrinking home lot sizes and a desire to decrease their ecological footprint, potential homeowners are looking at narrow lot house styles; and employing more creativity and imagination to build their homes.

From Florence to Siena and Pisa, the Tuscany region of Italy is filled with quaint villas and homes built on sloping hills. You don’t have to live there to experience Tuscany at its best and most magical. Today, you can recreate the Old World charm and allure of Tuscan style homes in your own hometown.