HOUSEBABY

Designing our dream home in New England meant deciding between a ranch layout and a multi-story home. This post compares both options through accessibility, cost, energy efficiency, and land use, and explains why we ultimately designed a hybrid layout that blends the best of each for long-term comfort, efficiency, and resale value.

Our goal is to create a space that not only meets the needs of our family but also supports our lifestyle for the long term. Through thoughtful architectural programming, we're defining essential spaces and ensuring each one has a purposeful role in the layout. While we’ll likely make adjustments as we consult with a contractor, this is the exciting starting point of our dream home; where everything on the wishlist is possible, and the focus is on crafting a functional, famil

Few names in American design, lifestyle, and homemaking hold as much weight as Martha Stewart. For decades, Martha has been synonymous with gracious living, thoughtful design, and effortless style. But on the cusp of 2026, we are witnessing something remarkable: a full-fledged Martha Stewart renaissance. From interior design and color palettes to kitchen trends, kitchen-centered entertaining and gathering , and garden-inspired living, Martha's influence is more relevant than

A Room-by-Room Guide to Designing a Right-Sized, Flexible Dream Home When we started designing our dream home, one of the biggest questions was: How big is too big? We wanted enough space to live comfortably but not so much that we'd be maintaining or heating rooms we rarely use. Striking that balance meant asking tough questions about lifestyle, long-term needs, and how we actually use our home. In this post, we’re walking through our full process for determining the ideal s

Designing a home as an architect is both an exciting opportunity and a unique challenge. Unlike designing for a client, where the needs and preferences are defined externally, this process requires deep introspection—translating personal habits, lifestyle, and aspirations into a physical space. Every decision, from the overall layout to the smallest material detail, becomes an exploration of how our family foresees living, working, interact with our surroundings, and most imp

Winter is the perfect season to cozy up indoors, get creative with your little ones, and inspire new activities. If you're looking for...

When we renovated our 1920s home, one of the quickest ways we added character and value was through architectural details, especially wall paneling. It immediately made our rooms feel more intentional and elevated, and it is a design strategy we carried with us into our Dream Home project. Whether you are updating an older home like ours or planning a custom build from scratch, the right paneling can dramatically increase both visual appeal and home value. Wall paneling consi

Ever see the Portlandia sketch called "Put a Bird on It?" It humorously satirizes a popular trend in arts and crafts culture, where...

Lighting plays a critical role in interior design, influencing the ambiance, functionality, and aesthetics of a space. Here's a general...

Before buying that first bucket of paint, there is an incredible power in thinking carefully about a cohesive color scheme that works...

The choice of the best interior paint color plays a significant role in setting the mood, ambiance, and overall aesthetic of a space. ...

At the foundation of design, it is critical to understand how to unleash the power of color. At the cross section of science and art, you...