Smart Design Decisions

Featured
4 Red Flags When Hiring an Architect
Smart Design Decisions
4 Red Flags When Hiring an Architect
Smart Design Decisions
Smart Design Decisions
We Treat Our Tomatoes Better Than Ourselves
Smart Design Decisions
We Treat Our Tomatoes Better Than Ourselves
Smart Design Decisions
Smart Design Decisions
Why Waterfront Remodels Need Feasibility Before Design—And What That Actually Means
Smart Design Decisions
Why Waterfront Remodels Need Feasibility Before Design—And What That Actually Means
Smart Design Decisions
Smart Design Decisions
The "Thanksgiving Test": Designing a Hood Canal Retreat for 2 People... and 20.
Smart Design Decisions
The "Thanksgiving Test": Designing a Hood Canal Retreat for 2 People... and 20.
Smart Design Decisions
Smart Design Decisions
Is $1.5M Enough? The Real Cost of Building a Custom Home in Fox Island (2025)
Smart Design Decisions
Is $1.5M Enough? The Real Cost of Building a Custom Home in Fox Island (2025)
Smart Design Decisions
Smart Design Decisions
General Conditions - the invisible and essential line item in a home build
Smart Design Decisions
General Conditions - the invisible and essential line item in a home build
Smart Design Decisions
Smart Design Decisions
A Tale of Two Clients
Smart Design Decisions
A Tale of Two Clients
Smart Design Decisions
Smart Design Decisions
Should You Hire a General Contractor or Be Your Own?
Smart Design Decisions
Should You Hire a General Contractor or Be Your Own?
Smart Design Decisions
Smart Design Decisions
Architect, Design-Build, or Draftsperson: Who Should Art Lovers Hire to Design Their Dream Home?
Smart Design Decisions
Architect, Design-Build, or Draftsperson: Who Should Art Lovers Hire to Design Their Dream Home?
Smart Design Decisions
Smart Design Decisions
Avoid This Common Lighting Mistake in Home Design
Smart Design Decisions
Avoid This Common Lighting Mistake in Home Design
Smart Design Decisions
Smart Design Decisions
Custom vs. Personalized vs. Spec Homes: Which One is Right for You?
Smart Design Decisions
Custom vs. Personalized vs. Spec Homes: Which One is Right for You?
Smart Design Decisions
Smart Design Decisions
The Questions You Didn’t Ask (But Wish You Had) When Hiring an Interior Designer
Smart Design Decisions
The Questions You Didn’t Ask (But Wish You Had) When Hiring an Interior Designer
Smart Design Decisions
Smart Design Decisions
Choose the Right Waterfront Property in Puget Sound
Smart Design Decisions
Choose the Right Waterfront Property in Puget Sound
Smart Design Decisions
Smart Design Decisions
Green Is The New Grey, Surprising Illusions, & The Risk Of Being Agreeable
Smart Design Decisions
Green Is The New Grey, Surprising Illusions, & The Risk Of Being Agreeable
Smart Design Decisions

The Case for Ditching Agreeable Gray

People are also afraid. Homeowners don’t want to be repaint after going too far off ‘normal’. Sellers want the house to sell fast. Flippers know what worked in the previous house, or what some other flipper did. So they do the same. And so the trend multiplies.

Smart Design Decisions
What is the best countertop material for my kitchen? Expert Advice
Smart Design Decisions
What is the best countertop material for my kitchen? Expert Advice
Smart Design Decisions

Selecting the perfect material for your countertops is a crucial decision that can significantly impact both the aesthetics and functionality of your kitchen. We're here to shed light on the pros and cons of some popular countertop materials, ensuring you make an informed decision that suits your needs.

This article covers engineered stone, agglomerate marble, marble, laminate, soapstone, sintered stone, and wood.

Smart Design Decisions
Louis Kahn and the LVP Buying Guide
Smart Design Decisions
Louis Kahn and the LVP Buying Guide
Smart Design Decisions
Smart Design Decisions
What's the Difference Between an Architect and Engineer?</a>
Smart Design Decisions
What's the Difference Between an Architect and Engineer?
Smart Design Decisions
Smart Design Decisions

Building Within The Lines

Featured
Beyond the Backyard Cottage: The "Missing Middle" Gold Rush
Building Within The Lines
Beyond the Backyard Cottage: The "Missing Middle" Gold Rush
Building Within The Lines
Building Within The Lines
The Hidden "Third Way" to Sell Your ADU in Tacoma
Building Within The Lines
The Hidden "Third Way" to Sell Your ADU in Tacoma
Building Within The Lines
Building Within The Lines
Buying Land for Your Toys?
Building Within The Lines
Buying Land for Your Toys?
Building Within The Lines
Building Within The Lines
The Teardown Trap: When a "Remodel" Legally Becomes a New Build
Building Within The Lines
The Teardown Trap: When a "Remodel" Legally Becomes a New Build
Building Within The Lines
Building Within The Lines
The Bedroom Cap: Why Septic Rules Dictate Home Size on Fox Island (And nearby)
Building Within The Lines
The Bedroom Cap: Why Septic Rules Dictate Home Size on Fox Island (And nearby)
Building Within The Lines
Building Within The Lines
Buying Land in Gig Harbor or Fox Island? 4 Hidden "R10" Zoning Rules That Dictate Your View
Building Within The Lines
Buying Land in Gig Harbor or Fox Island? 4 Hidden "R10" Zoning Rules That Dictate Your View
Building Within The Lines
Building Within The Lines
The NYC Renovation Gauntlet: What Your Broker, Contractor, and Co-op Board Aren’t Telling You
Building Within The Lines
The NYC Renovation Gauntlet: What Your Broker, Contractor, and Co-op Board Aren’t Telling You
Building Within The Lines
Building Within The Lines
Tacoma's New Urban Forest Manual: What Developers and Homeowners Need to Know
Building Within The Lines
Tacoma's New Urban Forest Manual: What Developers and Homeowners Need to Know
Building Within The Lines
Building Within The Lines
Home in Tacoma: New Updates and What They Mean for Discerning Property Owners in 2025
Building Within The Lines
Home in Tacoma: New Updates and What They Mean for Discerning Property Owners in 2025
Building Within The Lines
Building Within The Lines
How Tacoma’s New Zoning Laws Impact Homeowners and Developers
Building Within The Lines
How Tacoma’s New Zoning Laws Impact Homeowners and Developers
Building Within The Lines
Building Within The Lines
Do You Need a Permit to Renovate in Gig Harbor, WA?
Building Within The Lines
Do You Need a Permit to Renovate in Gig Harbor, WA?
Building Within The Lines
Building Within The Lines
Transform Your Tacoma Backyard: The Ultimate Guide to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Building Within The Lines
Transform Your Tacoma Backyard: The Ultimate Guide to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Building Within The Lines
Building Within The Lines
Bellevue Renovation Permits: What Most Homeowners Get Wrong
Building Within The Lines
Bellevue Renovation Permits: What Most Homeowners Get Wrong
Building Within The Lines
Building Within The Lines

Thinking Out Loud

Design Pilgrimages