Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Austin McMansion Ordinance

BEFORE







Rob Sanders Custom Home & Building Designer recently completed work on two projects under the City of Austins "McMansion Ordinance" requirements. The first project (4514 Depew Avenue) is a 1-story home with a 2-story garage apartment behind it (facing an alley). The second project (4810 Rowena Street) is a new duplex in Hyde Park. This duplex was designed on a previous single family lot. The lot slopes with many trees that had to be saved. This was achieved, along with meeting the proper guidelines for Impervious Cover, F.A.R. (floor to area ratio), and Setback/Articulation as required by the Austin McMansion Ordinance. The project also met the rules of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association. If you fall under the McMansion jurisdiction (Central Austin) and need plans for a new home, remodel or addition, please consider the services of Rob Sanders Design.



AFTER





Austin McMansion Ordinance

BEFORE







Rob Sanders Custom Home & Building Designer recently completed work on two projects under the City of Austins "McMansion Ordinance" requirements. The first project (4514 Depew Avenue) is a 1-story home with a 2-story garage apartment behind it (facing an alley). The second project (4810 Rowena Street) is a new duplex in Hyde Park. This duplex was designed on a previous single family lot. The lot slopes with many trees that had to be saved. This was achieved, along with meeting the proper guidelines for Impervious Cover, F.A.R. (floor to area ratio), and Setback/Articulation as required by the Austin McMansion Ordinance. The project also met the rules of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association. If you fall under the McMansion jurisdiction (Central Austin) and need plans for a new home, remodel or addition, please consider the services of Rob Sanders Design.



AFTER





Friday, August 22, 2008

click on images for larger view









Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Design Interior Living Room

When you want to make your home look nice in decoration model or design, try to make your living room more comfortable as you wish. To make this easier, it is important to have a simple plan to follow each time you feel like changing everything around. Here’s some tips on how to build your decor so you can change it at any time, without having to spend a bundle of money.


  • Backdrop the living room in pretty neutral design

  • Start with a neutral palate if you want to change the look of your living room.
    No need to keep all of the walls white and the couch cream colored, better to keep them in the pretty neutral design. There are many color you can choose to paint the walls of your living room such as white and the couch cream, or choose browns or greens if you want color, but avoid anything to bright or flashy. As long as you stay away from patterns however, you should be able to have several different choices for your decor.


    If you keep the big things like furniture, walls and flooring in neutral tones, you’ll be able to change out the theme of your living room interior decor by adding accessories like rugs, pillows and wall art in the colors that you want. Another great ideas for sofas and chairs is to buy slipcovers - you can actually buy furniture that is meant to be slip covered, then simply get new slipcovers to go with whatever decorating plan you have in mind for the season!

  • Design your living room with accessories

  • When you have a neutral palate in your living room design, you can change the way your room looks just by replacing a few basic items. For instance, you should only need to change your curtains, pillows, and a few room accessories when you get the urge to switch things around. You can add sheer curtains, flowered pillows, and a vase of fresh flowers for a quick change if you want your living room interior decorating to be a little lighter for spring.


    Especially for a warm winter look, bring in deep reds, golds and greens in heavy fabrics like velvets and chenille’s. try some oriental rugs on the floor and oil paintings on the walls. Adding some candelabras and candle holders around the room will help to give it a cozy look.

  • The arrangement of room light

  • Prepare all your new lights or use lights that have neutral bases and change the shades out depending on the look you are going for. While track lighting and chandeliers can’t be changed easily, you can change out your lighting to go with your living room interior decorating plan. If need a fresh look for spring? You can use plain white shades. But if you want to design your living room like a safari look, Get shades in an animal print. How about a romantic look? Try putting on shades that have a floral print with some dankly fringe. Well, You’ll be surprised how much changing the shades can transform a lamp.


    If you love to keep your living room interior decorating plan flexible, you must be sure you never commit to something difficult to work with, such as a patterned couch or a bright chair. Don’t be afraid of color, but add it to your room with accessories that can be replaced when you want something a little different. It really doesn’t take a lot of money to get a new look, just a little creativity.

    Saturday, August 2, 2008

    MODERN VANCOUVER - part 2 (Life in Gastown)

    Medula
    Mandula
    Medula
    Photography by Evan Haveman
    Interior of one of our favorite fashion designers 

    I am inspired by Hajnalka's energy, a fashion model now designer sharing her dream of design in this beautiful shop off Abbott Street. "Fashion with soul and clothing that speaks one of a kind" - are my first thoughts walking into Mandula.  A beautiful boutique that reminded me of the sophisticated subtly of natural materials layered with unconventional detailing. It is the detailing of these clothes that caught my attention.  Love the creative and the beautiful fashionista behind these unique pieces.  From designer to clothing and presented in one of my favorite boutiques here in Gastown.

    Living in Historic Gastown has been a wonderful experience; it reminds us a bit of living in our favorite city, New York.  This community contains a mix of cool boutiques, great restaurants and a collection of creative studios which form some of my favorite sources of inspiration.

    I think many have a false perception of Gastown and may consider it a somewhat undesirable less polished neighborhood.  The series of articles to follow, I plan to share with you this gem of a community. I live in a work live building called Koret Lofts - open concept suites where the only enclosed rooms are the storage room and the toilet room.  A modular white galley kitchen with a glass surround Duravit tub and open shower ... best of all, I feel lucky to have one of few suites with exposed concrete walls.  For those who in contrast live in small sub-divided boxes, there is something to be said to live in an open plan ... I am grateful to live in 1,000 sq.ft of open space.  

    Once again - thank you to all the readers who send me their heart filled emails and to online networks who have asked me to join their team of writers. I plan to start writing again in collaboration with the people who value the sharing of resources and inspire individuals like myself to be an active part of making Vancouver a leader in modern design. Cheers to the days ahead of sharing what we love most - a passion for pushing the boundaries and believing we are an integral part to making a difference.