Amy Conner-Murphy, Author at ACM Design Architecture & Interiors

March 11, 2010

[caption id="attachment_603" align="alignright" width="266" caption="Green Plumbing Trends"][/caption] While you have likely heard of Western North Carolina’s HealthyBuilt Home Program, you may have missed the word on green plumbing, including new residential trends like WaterSense homes. It’s no secret that many people are incorporating green features in their new home design in every area of the house from the kitchen to the yard...

Green building design

Best Bang for Your Buck on Appliances

by Amy Conner-Murphy

Home Design Trends, Renovation and Remodel, Sustainability

March 4, 2010

[caption id="attachment_598" align="alignright" width="300"] Stainless Steel is Here to Stay[/caption] Incorporating the right appliances is a great way to add value to your home, but with so many options, it can be hard to know what to look for. By working closely with your home architect, and familiarizing yourself with some of the basics, you can be assured a strong ROI...

appliance trends, custom home, kitchen design

Gold Level Healthy Built Home designed by ACM Design

How to Approach Green Building Costs

by Amy Conner-Murphy

Sustainability

February 25, 2010

Long-term savings make green home includes well worth the investment, but the initial costs can be as much as 10-30% higher than not-so eco-friendly alternatives. Which makes working closely with your home architect in the planning and incorporation of these features essential to saving energy and money over time. Start at the Beginning At ACM Design, we sit down with our...

custom home, Green building design

Top Home Features for 2010

by Amy Conner-Murphy

Home Design Trends, Sustainability

February 18, 2010

[caption id="attachment_590" align="alignright" width="211"] Kitchen Islands Offer Extra Storage[/caption] If you’re building a new home or remodeling your existing one this year, here are five of the top trends you can really get behind. And if there’s one thing that these top home design features have in common, it’s energy efficiency. Smaller Spaces: As the home market begins to show signs of...

custom home, Green building design, home features, home trends

Top Choices in Eco-Friendly Flooring

by Amy Conner-Murphy

Interior Design Trends, Sustainability

February 11, 2010

[caption id="attachment_580" align="alignright" width="200"] Eco-Friendly Hardwood Flooring[/caption] Bamboo and cork flooring are very on trend, but is hardwood or linoleum a better eco-friendly choice for your new home or remodel? You will want to consult your home architect for her extensive knowledge of design and experience in working these materials. It is also important to familiarize yourself with some of the advantages...

flooring, Green building design

Outdoor Kitchen with Pizza Oven, Construction Tour Video

by Amy Conner-Murphy

Renovation and Remodel

December 16, 2009

This is a fantastic outdoor kitchen we designed as part of a major renovation to a home in Weaverville. Two of the most outstanding features include the large stone pizza oven and the timberframed structure covering the entire outside kitchen....

outdoor entertaining, Outdoor Kitchens, pizza oven, video

Bathroom Design Basics

by Amy Conner-Murphy

Home Design Trends

October 19, 2009

[caption id="attachment_515" align="alignright" width="237"] Master Bath design by ACM Design[/caption] Second to the kitchen, the master bath is the room in which homeowners typically spend the most money and aim to marry highly functional design with tranquil, spa-like materials and products. Working with a custom home architect affords endless possibilities to blend unique, custom features with practical and efficient bathroom design. Before...

asheville interior designer, bathroom design

Why I Do What I Do . . .

by Amy Conner-Murphy

Articles

October 13, 2009

As a high school student struggling to find my path for college, I visited an architect's office in my hometown and immediately "knew" that was the job for me. Of course, I had no idea what being an architect really entailed, but the thought of drawing everyday and being outside while the building was being built sounded just right to...

Amy Conner-Murphy, Asheville Architect