Misc.

Dog-Friendly Home Ideas

Posted on December 15, 2021 by - Misc.

Any house plan can be dog-friendly with a little creativity, planning, and design!

From small space savers to over-the-top suites, there are many creative ways to incorporate living space for your Best Friend into your new home. Especially when it comes to the mud room or utility room. Here are 5 ideas from around the web to inspire you:

1. A pet spa in the utility room
A dog spa like this one makes bath time easy…no bending over, and a handheld hose for rinsing. Having bath time in the utility room keeps messes out of the bathroom and makes for simple clean-up.

Dog Spa in the Utility Room

dybdahldesign.com

2. Built-in feeding bowls
This idea is perfect for taking advantage of the unused space at the bottom of kitchen or utility room cabinetry. Install it under the cabinet where you plan to store dog food and other supplies to save time in your daily routine.

Cold Weather Maintenance Checklist

Posted on November 10, 2021 by - Misc.

Prevent winter damage and boost energy efficiency by ticking off this cold weather maintenance checklist before inclement weather hits.

Cold weather maintenance checklist - The Mitchell house plan 1413-D

The Mitchell House Plan 1413-D

Fall is time to take care of big home repair projects before shorter days and bad weather make outdoor work too difficult. You can also take steps to improve energy efficiency throughout your home. Laura Gaskill with Houzz walks us through Your Fall Maintenance Checklist.

How To Take Beautiful Home Photos

Posted on November 2, 2021 by - House Plans, Misc.

Check out these tips and tricks for taking the best photos of your Don Gardner home.

Photos of The Rogers house plan 1383.
The Rogers House Plan 1383

Tips for Exterior Photos:

  • Be aware of sun and where shadows are cast on the home. You want to take the photo when the facade is shown in the most flattering light, with few harsh shadows. Especially note if covered porches are dark – turning on the porch lights can make a huge difference in the shot.
  • Make sure you aren’t including extraneous items in the shot, such as cars in the driveway, trash bins, or a mailbox or tree branch that blocks the view of the home. Also – it’s best if there are not seasonal decorations visible on the home when you take the photo.
  • Don’t crop in too closely so that you cut off part of the house. Try to get the entire home into the frame with space around it on all sides whenever possible.
  • Landscaping is important – a photo during spring or summer when leaves are on the trees and the grass is green will generally be more appealing than when the grass is dormant and leaves have fallen.