10 best ways to improve your home in a recession

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Want to improve your home to prepare to sell or just to make your home more comfortable for your own family? Find out what upgrades are the most beneficial.

10 Things You Must Put in Your Next House

Monday, June 22, 2009

"As long as an item or service has a high perceived value to people, there's a good chance they'll choose to buy it.

With that in mind, here are 10 items to put in your next home to create real and perceived value for your buyers."

Kitchen makeover on a budget

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Want to treat yourself to a kitchen makeover? On a budget? Find out how two Texas designers gave this featured kitchen a fresh face without spending a fortune.

10 Luxury Products Worth Seeing: 2009 Kitchen and Bath Show

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Although interest in luxury kitchen and bath products is waning, demand for eco-friendly specialty features has remained secure. At the National Kitchen and Bath Association's annual Kitchen/Bath Industry Show last month, companies introduced cutting edge products from high efficiency toilets to environmentally friendly countertop. Find out which products are worth a second look.


10 Earth-friendly kitchen counters

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Looking for a smart and earth-friendly kitchen countertop option? View ten countertop choices that use "green" products.

Designs Direct Announces Launch of Drawing Board Newsletter!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Designs Direct Publishing, LLC is excited to announce the launch of Drawing Board, the Home Plan Newsletter. Drawing Board's first issue highlights The Drayton Hall and includes a photo tour of The Valdivia.

Read Drawing Board's June Issue.
Want to receive Drawing Board's next issue? Send us your information!

New Home Builders Start Up When Market is Down

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

In the midst of the economic crisis, new home building companies are popping up, enjoying the current low overhead and optimistic about the future.

Learn more about new home builders.

Find Your Perfect Floor Plan in Four Easy Steps!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Looking for the perfect house plan for your family? Find out how to recognize what features are important to your family and learn how to incorporate each into your house plan choice.

Search for the perfect house plan at Designs Direct!

The Construction Process: What You Need to Know

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Have questions about your home building process? Want to know what to expect from your builder? This article walks you through each step of the construction process.

8 Secrets for More Storage in Your Home

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Find out how to make the most of the storage space that you already have and how to create new storage space.

Learn secrets about storage.

Hot Kitchens and Bath Trends that will appeal to Buyers

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Trying to sell your house in the current market? Find out what kitchen and bath features will attract buyers to your home. Learn more.

User Friendly Kitchen Designs

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Wondering where to position your dishwasher or where to put your refrigerator? Find out what to take into consideration when making design descisions for your kitchen.

Read this list of kitchen design tips.

Home Not Selling? Top Tips To Get Your House in Tip Top Shape

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

CHARLOTTE, NC - As the all-important spring selling season approaches in an historically slow housing market, sellers need to do all they can to market their home - and that includes staging it to attract and "wow" potential buyers. Home stagers know just the right moves to make to take a house from bland to grand and bring home the biggest return on investment.

"Attention to detail throughout the home can make the difference between a house that sells and one that sits on the market," explains Kate Hart, one of America's top home stagers and owner of Hart & Associates Staging & Design. "In particular, improvements to the kitchen and bath - the two rooms that sell a home - will always help bring in the buyers."

Below, Kate Hart shares some easy, effective home improvements and tricks of the trade that can make a big change without breaking the bank, and all the difference in selling a home - as well as enjoying one.


The Benefits of Sunrooms

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

The sunroom goes by many different names, but it's benefits are clear. A room in your home that allows you to enjoy the outdoors no matter the season or the weather can be a relaxing space or an extended space for entertaining. This article discusses the many benefits of a modern sunroom.

Granite Sinks: Products for the Ages

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

While many homeowners are choosing granite for their countertops, some homeowners are even using granite for their sinks. Granite is not only durable and beautiful, but no 2 sinks will be the same! This article discusses the pros and cons of granite sinks.

Learn more about granite sinks.

Kitchen Waste Management Done Right

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Whether you are concerned about the environment or you just want everything in it's place, even the trash in your kitchen can be carefully planned to make your life easier. While you are building your new home, consider how you handle your kitchen's dirty work!

Learn more about kitchen management.

A Guide to Making Energy-Smart Purchases

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

While choosing products for your new home, you may want to consider purchasing energy-efficient appliances. Whether you are considering the environment or saving money, choosing these types of products is a smart purchase!

Learn more about going green!

How the real-estate collapse can benefit you

Monday, March 02, 2009

"Across the country, a small but savvy cadre of homeowners is discovering the ultimate answer to a bleak housing market: Build your own."

Find out how the real estate collapse can benefit you.

Roofing Materials

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Choosing a roof for your new home isn't as simple as it had been in the past. There are a plethora of options to reflect not only your practical needs, but your tastes as well. This article discusses ways to choose your roofing materials that will not only suit your tastes, but will be economical as well.

Learn more about roofing materials.

How the real-estate collapse can benefit you

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

"For-sale and foreclosed homes aren't the only thing sitting around. So are contractors. And building materials. As a result, this is a very good time to have a house built for you."

Learn more about making the most of the real-estate collapse.

The Benefits of Sunrooms

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

The sunroom goes by many different names, but it's benefits are clear. A room in your home that allows you to enjoy the outdoors no matter the season or the weather can be a relaxing space or an extended space for entertaining. This article discusses the many benefits of a modern sunroom.

Learn more about sunrooms.

Check the Label: A Guide to Green Designations for the Home

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

If you are building a new home and you are considering your green building options, the multitude of organizations and green designations can be overwhelming. This guide offers information on the most popular green building organizations and their standards.

Learn more about Building Green

What is Universal Design?

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Universal design has become a popular topic in the housing industry. With an intent to accommodate not only boomer homeowners, but disabled homeowners, universal design offers livability to a broad range of homeowners.

Learn more about universal design.

Choose Your Lot Wisely

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Before building your home, you must choose a lot! The house plan that you choose must suit your lot. Each lot has a different shape and grade. This article discusses different types of lots and how to make the best decision about your lot.

Learn more about choosing your lot.

Affordable Alternatives for Luxury Must-Haves

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

While building your new home, you might be tempted to include the best of everything. Who wouldn't? But, if your budget won't allow it, check out this article that gives ideas for creating top of the line luxury in your home for an affordable price.

Learn more about luxury must-haves

Creating Your Home Office Plan

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

If you work from home or you need a room in your new house plan for your desk, computer and files, a study or home office is a great solution. Once you have chosen a room in your home for your office, you'll need to plan the layout for it's most efficient use! This article gives step-by-step advice for planning the layout of your home office.

Learn more about creating a home office.

A Quest for an Energy-Efficient House

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Many homeowners are considering different options to save money while being sensitive to the environment. If you choose to build a green home, you may consider an energy audit. These evaluations determine whether and how much energy is wasted in your home. This article follows a homeowner who weighs the pros and cons of different evaluation systems.

Learn more about energy efficiency.

Color Trends for Custom Homes

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

This article discusses the colors that are appearing in more and more new homes, as well as other custom home trends. The article also offers several photos to illustrate their color suggestions.

Learn more about color trends.

A Cool, Recyclable Roof is the Greenest Choice

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Saving energy and keeping your home cool can be dramatically affected by your choice of roof materials. This article explores the different materials used for roofing and what to look for to ensure that your roof will save energy.

Learn more about roofing.

More Than a Laundry Room: The Family Studio

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

More and more homeowners are searching for home plans with larger utility rooms. These expanded spaces are used as hobby spaces, combination mud rooms and more. Why should chores be confined to small spaces? This article discusses different uses for this enlarged space!

Learn more about family studios.

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