Latest Stories

A shed is a versatile addition to your home's yard, serving many purposes: a storage space, a workshop, or even a getaway, like a She Shed. Whatever the purpose, you'll want to make sure to build the shed correctly. Here’s everything you need to know!

Tracing their origins from the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Asia, classic columns and pillars give the exteriors and interiors of contemporary homes impressive and stylish looks. We focus on columns, posts, and railings and how they transform and enhance the look of the 21st century home.

Traditionally, a cabin is a small house – situated on a lake, in the woods, or in a mountain setting – built from logs or lumber and simple tools. While the first cabins were not stylish or sophisticated, the 21st century cabin home can be designed and built with all the architectural flourishes.

From the gorgeous landscapes, picturesque mountains, and rustic villages of the French countryside emerged what is defined as the French Country style. A mix of Old World charm, the rustic and fancy, this architectural design is a balanced combination of the simple, comfortable, and graceful. In this article, we learn more about the origins and elements of French Country style.

While ranches, Spanish-Mission homes, and mansions are associated with Texas, a different style has permeated the Lone Star State. Known as Texas Modern, it is architecture embedded in the history, climate, topography, traditions, economy, and culture of Texas. Let’s focus on Texas Modern’s attributes and why it’s adapted to the state’s terrain and climate.

It’s all in the pitch – roof pitch, that is. One of the most visible aspects of a roof and a home, roof pitch matters in terms of the safety and aesthetic appeal of a home. We explore this feature, its importance, the varying degrees of pitch possible, and how it affects the roofing system.

When building a house, it’s important to track your costs throughout the project. So how do you know if you can include your favorite designs, materials, and other elements? By using The Plan Collection’s Cost-to-Build Report, you can create a realistic building budget for your dream home.

From sketchbooks and blueprints to today’s building-design software, architectural drawings have undergone an evolution. As digital technology permeates the architecture and home building fields, computerized images are slowly but surely replacing hand drawings. We focus on computer-aided design (CAD) and how it is changing the house plan industry.

From The New American Home 2021, with its innovative design concepts, to the creative use of features in home spaces, the International Builders' Show highlighted some key trends that are likely to resonate in the architectural residential market. Here are home-building-design and product trends gleaned from virtual sessions at the IBS Show.

From lavish chandeliers and pendant lights to sconces and wall lamps, lighting your dream home can be tricky and challenging. Illuminating the home is part of its design and should figure into the building plan from the outset. We look at common lighting pitfalls and how to avoid them.