From their beginnings during the “gold rush” of the 1800s, the Painted Ladies endured earthquakes, the hardship of wars, the postwar modernist “urban renewal,” and a Victorian renaissance. The Victorian homes stand today as a colorful witness to the perseverance of graceful architecture, beautiful design, and great workmanship in housing.

Influenced by French-speaking Canadian immigrants as well as Spanish, Latin American, and Caribbean traders, the U.S. coastal section along the Gulf of Mexico features a number of intriguing vernacular, classical, and contemporary house forms. Here’s a guide to Gulf Coast residential styles from the late-18th century to the present.

Looking for house plans with stylish kitchen designs? Thinking about making some possible renovations to your current home? Today’s modern kitchen is an exciting mix of cutting-edge technology with more traditional layouts that emphasize open communication and enjoyment. It might be the perfect solution to all of your family’s needs.

Everything homeowners need to know to add a swimming pool to their new or existing home: What are some standard sizes? Where do pool designs come from? When should you dig; what permits are needed? We answer these questions and more so that you can install an aboveground or in-ground pool properly, safely, and legally.

Far from old-fashioned and unsophisticated, the country kitchen design is very appealing and attractive. With its delightful charm, warmth, and homey feel, it is a popular choice with today’s homeowners. The country kitchen’s quaint features and clean, mostly simple lines are adaptable to any house plan.

Semper Fi Fund is an amazing charity that helps post-9/11 injured/ill veterans and their families with the road to recovery. It goes above and beyond to ensure that our heroes get the proper care and support they need. Join us at The Plan Collection to make a difference by donating to Semper Fi Fund.

Have you been hearing about the “tiny movement”? Want to learn about the differences between tiny houses and small homes, the benefits of each, and which option might be right for you? If you’ve been dreaming about a minimalist lifestyle, then a small or tiny house might just be your “right” next move.

As we close in on the last several weeks of 2017, we can’t help but wonder what the new year will bring in home décor trends. What will be the popular paint colors? How will kitchen finishes change next year? What hot item will you see in all the home design stores?

As the kitchen continues to be a focus of architectural and interior design ideas, the eat-in kitchen has been “reinvented” as THE place for casual dining. With modern families’ busier lifestyles, an eat-in kitchen – where everyone can gather while meals are being prepared and then eat – is convenient and practical.

Imagine walking amid waterfalls and lakes in Texas ... hosting a ball in the Grand Salon of a Bel Air mansion … savoring fine wine in a Tuscan villa … or enjoying London on the roof terrace of a Regency townhouse. Dreams can come true. But there are intriguing simple pleasures within your reach.