Vampire Power. This is not an affirmative action slogan for the creatures of the night that populate the Twilight or True Blood series, but the name for a very real and expensive drain on budgets.

For the last couple of months, treehouses have been a major topic of household conversation.

As I approach the first anniversary of this blog, it seems appropriate to do some tweaking. The new graphic on the right side of the page is a detail from a triptych I created for a visual communications class in graduate school many, many years ago.

Last week, I had the unique opportunity to experience marketing from two opposite sides. On Wednesday, a local coalition of building supply vendors grouped together to present Curtain Call – a full day of continuing education seminars tailored for architects and interior designers.

One of the most memorable features of Atlanta is the remarkable mature tree canopy that shades and cools the inner city neighborhoods.

This year, we opted for a staycation for spring break. To give the kids something to look forward to, we decided to join the newest urban phenomenon sweeping our neighborhood and acquiesce to a request that we raise chickens.

Every now and again, I am asked about “smart house” technology. It is a discussion I’ve followed through the years, sometimes with interest, sometimes with amusement.

“My contractor told me I needed to call you. We know exactly what we want. How much do you charge for the blueprints?”In these cost challenged times, this is a familiar theme.

Every now and then, I come across something that entertains and teaches. Always the best combination!

One of the advantages of my job is being exposed to hundreds of new and often innovative building products.  Of the hundreds of products I come across in my work, most can be consigned to 3 categories.

Accounting for approximately 20% of our national electrical usage, lighting is one of the most critical and difficult parts of a design.

It is January.  The Christmas decorations are down and put away. The house seems to expand and breathe easier with the banishment of the trees and garland.

As 2010 ended, I felt overwhelmed by the volume of “stuff” oozing out of every corner of the house!

The day after Christmas proved to begin very early for me. As is often the case, I took advantage of the quiet time to peruse the blogosphere. I was amused to stumble across the following press release from Pantone…

This is the house that Jack built… in the late 1940s after he returned from the war and started working for his father. It was a smart 3 bedroom house with a side porch designed to appeal to young men like him. It was an optimistic time.

The remarkable thing about the design field is that it is a lifelong journey. When you are young and idealistic, you are insistent that life match your design. As you mature, you come to realize that your design should match life.

Designers are, by nature, a fairly optimistic bunch. It’s kind of hard to be anything else when you live your life looking through the lens of possibility.

I have had a love affair with pattern for as long as I can remember.  Perhaps that is why one of my favorite tasks is being asked to help select the tile for a client’s project.

Technology changes everything. For those in the design profession, the introduction of BIM (building information modeling) software is revolutionizing not only the built environment but the studio environment as well, leaving many to wonder about the future of the profession.