Latest Stories

It’s a far cry from the simple cabin on Little House on the Prairie and the handcrafted single-room log house introduced by Swedish immigrants in the 1700s. But the 2016 Cabin-style home plan – with all its modern twists and luxury – continues to captivate with its quaint and rustic charm.

You’ve likely heard that the kitchen is the most important room in the house. But how do you make the kitchen great? Flooring and cabinets are important, but for most people, the “make or break” part of a kitchen is the countertop. Here’s a look at some popular countertop materials.

With spring on its way, our top tips for preparing your home to welcome the new season include banishing dark winter hues, casting out the cobwebs, and filling your shelves with vases of fresh flowers as the sun begins to shine.

Stepping out of the shadows into the limelight, today’s women architects – like their predecessors – are changing the face of house plan design, and forging a legacy for the next generation. As we observe National Women’s History Month, let’s celebrate the remarkable and amazing women architects of the 21st century.

Never has curb appeal been such a hot topic, as homeowners – and “flippers” – are challenged to make a stylish statement with their home’s exterior facade. From the simple and doable to the elaborate and expensive, your house can go from boring to interesting with imaginative improvements to add curb appeal.

From the sun-drenched porch to the casual deck, courtyard garden, cozy outdoor fireplace, quaint tree house, and fire pit in the backyard – outdoor living never looked so good! Get ready for a spring adventure, and prepare to create interesting, appealing, and comfortable outdoor rooms for your new home plan.

Your newly built home is not complete until you dress up the outside with the raiment of landscaping. The bare earth around the foundation and along the walkway and driveway calls out for flower beds and beautiful plantings of shrubs and trees. Here’s what you need to know.

Outdoor kitchens that are as fabulously furnished as their indoor counterparts are today’s “in” spots for house plans where summer entertaining is important. But they’re expensive! Take heart if you have a limited budget. Here are some ideas in putting together a “not-so-bare-essentials” outdoor kitchen that is stylish and appealing.

Designing the best walk-in closet for your master suite is the perfect way to clear away all of your clutter behind closed doors. Whether you're creating separate his and her closets or working with one large space, we have the top tips for decorating and organizing the ultimate walk-in closet.

The wall area behind your kitchen’s countertops – the backsplash – needs to be protected from water spills and other mishaps during food preparation. But here’s your opportunity – and great ideas – to go a bit further than the functional and give your kitchen décor some pizzazz!