A Blue Ridge Mountain Dream Called “Home” When Marcus Katz and his wife, Pearl Baker Katz, decided to create their dream home in Western North Carolina, they initially set their sights on a small renovation. As they worked with Asheville Architect, Amy Conner-Murphy, owner of ACM Design, the vision they had for their dream home began to take shape – and transformed...
As professionals in the housing industry, architects often ask, “What do homeowners have planned for their home this year?” This seemingly simple question should have a straightforward answer, but there are many directions a homeowner could follow based on a variety of factors. The economy, family structure and dynamics, as well as the local housing market all play a role...
If you're considering working with an architect, the custom residential architects network, CRAN, which is part of the AIA (American Institute of Architects), has prepared a video series about working with an architect for your home project which may provide some insight to help you make your decision. Check out the video below....
Here are some of the design trends being forecast for 2014. Colors Black and Jewel Tones: While gray was a big color in 2013, a new color is gaining popularity in 2014. Black is being utilized in various ways, not only to spruce up an interior space, but also to add a touch of modernization to the exterior of homes. In...
Light Your Home Like a Pro! Lighting can impact various aspects of our home. From affecting the mood of a room, the color of the walls and even the direction our eyes follow, lighting sources and selections are important to the overall design of a home. From bathrooms to kitchens and great rooms, homeowners should consider light placement as an essential...
One of the most common questions posed in the home design and build industry is “Why do I need to hire an architect?” Those who have previously worked with an architect understand firsthand the importance of retaining an architect to design a new home or renovation. For someone who is new to this idea, here’s a list of the top...
Over the past weeks and months, Western North Carolina has seen its share of rain. With accumulations of over 45 inches of rain/precipitation so far this year, this amount exceeds the levels that we often see over an entire year for rainfall totals. It is obvious weather affects many areas of our lives such as outdoor activities and even our...
For many, designing the home of their dreams can be an overwhelming task. In fact, merely redecorating a room can cause some homeowners stress. Hiring an architect and/or interior designer is a great first step to alleviate some of the pressures associated with the early stages of design, but there are a few online resources that are emerging as great...
If you’ve ever driven the Blue Ridge Parkway and dreamt of living in the Smoky Mountains or the Southern Appalachians, we’ve compiled a series of complimentary guides rich with information about designing a mountain home. Informed by our decades of experience as mountain home architects, we share expert advice about topics like building on steep slopes, terrain-specific building costs, and materials suited for withstanding the mountain weather. Our passion for creating personalized and heartfelt homes is apparent in all of our work and it is our pleasure to share our expertise with you in these free and informative guides.
