The Architecture Happy Hour

Our prefabricated home build FAQ answers common questions about modular and panel home builds and prepares you to meet your builders.

In this podcast, architect Laura discusses designing a modular home with a very special guest. This is the first in a series on modular and panel builds.

In this podcast, Laura and Holly discuss protecting your current home from freezing temperatures as well as designing a new build to survive extreme weather.

The holidays and our New Year’s resolutions are distant memories. Spring Break is still a month away. It’s too cold to go outside, and we need a distraction from eating Girl Scout Cookies. So, let’s make the best of it and refresh your home for spring. By embracing the moment now to make your home look and feel its best, all will be completed by the time the tulips peek their sunny little heads out of the soil. Let’s take a look at twenty excellent ways to refresh your home for spring: Refresh Your Home: Happy Rearrange furniture to work better for your lifestyle. Believe it or not, it makes a huge difference in your productivity and peace of mind. Clean out kitchen cabinets and only put back items you use and love. Still have some holiday serving dishes to store? This is the perfect time to clean out your cabinets as well. Purge old linens. Look for kitchen dish towels that have seen better days; bath towels that should be downgraded to cleaning rags; and bed sheet sets that are mismatched and well-worn. Donate clothes, toys, and furniture that do not bring you or your family joy. Print and frame those family pictures that have been living on your phone. Refresh Your Home: Healthy Steam clean your carpets and rugs. And if you have pets or children, you might want to deep clean the upholstery on your furniture, too. Deep clean bathrooms and wipe down doorknobs, light switches and other “germy” surfaces, like the remote control. Get your air ducts professionally cleaned. Can’t remember the last time you did this? Then it’s definitely time. Install smoke detectors, if you don’t already have them. Place inside each bedroom and in the hall outside the bedrooms. Plus, add a carbon monoxide detector. Add a water filter to your kitchen sink and change the internal filter in your refrigerator. Refresh Your Home: Efficient Change the air filter in your furnace. Switch to LED light bulbs. Look for Warm White (2700K-3000K) color temperature. Install a programmable thermostat. Install new energy efficient windows. Increase the insulation in the attic. Refresh Your Home: Beautiful Re-paint the walls in the rooms where you spend the most time. Either freshen up your current color or try something totally new. Remember to choose low or no-VOC paint formulas. Add new accessories for a pop of color. Think pillows, a rug, art or stack of coffee table books. Add green plants or cut flowers to freshen your rooms. Power wash the exterior (but save this for the spring or a warm winter day if you are in a cold climate). Update light fixtures and cabinet hardware to be more current. They’re like jewelry for the home! Even if you simply choose to do one thing from each category, it will go a long way to making a more happy, healthy, efficient and beautiful home. After all, home is where the heart is. Why not make it the best it can be?

Listen to our podcast about how might coronavirus change home design and adapting the way we live and planning for the new normal.

Home design budget considerations as well as understanding the difference between your home design needs and things you want but don't really need.

If you are thinking of starting a new home design project but you're not sure where to start, these 7 essentials will get you on the right path.

Residential architects in Dallas, Texas, Laura Davis and Holly Hall share the best time of year to buy things for your home.

Dallas architects, Laura Davis and Holly Hall talk about ways you can help your home be more healthy, better organized, and budget-smart in the new year!

Front porch design involved style, hospitality, and security. In Episode 86 of The Architecture Happy Hour podcast, co-hosts and architects, Laura Davis and Holly Hall talk about front porch design and what steps you can take to turn your porch from outdated to updated.

In this home design podcast we talk about how designing a home based on where you are designing it and what style you like?

In Episode 84 of The Architecture Happy Hour podcast, host and architect, Laura Davis shares her favorite trends in home decor.

We are so saddened by the Notre Dame fire. In this podcast we express support the millions of people around the world who love this building.

Is it time to change your bachelor pad into a family home? Here are some tips for decorating and remodeling that will help you make that transition.

Podcast: Saving the Oldest Church in Paris interviews David Sheppe, President of the American Friends for the Preservation of Saint Germain des Prés Church.

Can regular homeowners expect to succeed in Tidying Up with Marie Kondo's KonMarie Method - what are the expectations and realities?

Dallas Architects Laura Davis and Holly Hall share great ideas for the best gifts for future architects.

In architectural podcast: Property Secrets You Need to Know, host Laura Davis will walk you through how to research a property for deal breakers.

Is your stuff stressing you out more than it brings you joy? In this podcast, Laura Davis shares tips on how to start decluttering to re-imagine your home.

Saving Alexander Mansion, Laura and Holly walk you through the steps they are following in the restoration in association with the Dallas Woman's Forum.