Posted on Oct, 17th 2012 By Todd Hallett
If you were ever fortunate enough to have had a pair of parachute pants, checkered Vans or a headband then you probably remember the super sweet 80’s. In this era fads quickly flared up and just as quickly burned out. It was during this time that the English Tudor style became incredibly popular.
Posted on Sep, 11th 2012 By Todd Hallett
“Obsessed by a fairy tale, we spend our lives searching for a magic door and a lost kingdom of peace.” - Eugene O'Neill
Nothing brings up feelings of fairy tale romanticism about a home quite like a turret. With a soaring roofline and endless natural light, it is very easy to fall in love with a
Posted on Aug, 28th 2012 By Todd Hallett
This little plan has really been a high producer. It is simple to build, lean, and has great curb appeal. As a result this plan has sold very well for several builders.
It reminds me of the quote, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” The bits and pieces of this seemingly simple plan
Posted on Aug, 16th 2012 By Todd Hallett
Whether you call them crickets or saddles, the little patch of roof that is bridging water past a chimney or other element obstructing water flow is one of the hardest things for most framers to get right on the roof. Why is this?
It starts with the plans. Many times crickets are left off the
Posted on Aug, 7th 2012 By Todd Hallett
After last weeks blog about the great match up of Lean and custom homes I received the following inspiring "boots on the ground" letter from reader and fellow Leanista Roger Bess:
Todd,
Thanks for the timely post. By coincidence, I had a client with an expensive custom home plan, who was
Posted on Jul, 22nd 2012 By Todd Hallett
I'm a sucker for a good love story. I get emotional at the end of Pretty Woman, and will watch Can't Buy Me Love over and over again. However, one story that really gets me misty is the love story between custom home clients and Lean Design. It's allure is based on the fact that the pairing of the
Posted on Jun, 26th 2012 By Todd Hallett
Professional Builder recently held a survey, and to quote Editor-in-Chief Dave Barista: "When it comes to selecting exterior design features and materials for their new homes, buyers are most concerned with the overall curb appeal of the home's exterior ... More than three-quarters of builder
Posted on Jun, 12th 2012 By Todd Hallett
The title of this blog is tongue in cheek (or maybe foot in mouth) as a follow up to a blog I wrote a while back titled, "Second Floor Laundries are Just Stupid, or are They?"
When this blog made it's way to the pages of Professional Builder in the April 2012 issue my inbox became very active with
Posted on May, 30th 2012 By Todd Hallett
A young doctor was just setting up his first office when his secretary told him there was a man to see him. The doctor wanted to make a good first impression by having the man think he was successful and very busy. He told his secretary to show the man in.
At that moment, the doctor picked up the
Posted on May, 17th 2012 By Todd Hallett
Better bust out the Grey Poupon for this one. Turrets, steep roof, stone and stucco will drive up the cost per square foot a bit on this design. However, as I have mentioned in the past, Lean Design is not about cost, it is about value. Lean Design focuses on eliminating waste and providing maximum
