Model: Cascade Traditional. This traditional, 378 square-foot Kabin has a laundry room and a fully vaulted loft. It also features a common room with a vaulted ceiling to maximize space, 1 bathroom, and a 40 sq. ft. covered porch. This backyard cottage is constructed to Built Green’s 4-star standards.

Model: Cascade Traditional. This traditional, 378 square-foot Kabin has a laundry room and a fully vaulted loft. It also features a common room with a vaulted ceiling to maximize space, 1 bathroom, and a 40 sq. ft. covered porch. This backyard cottage is constructed to Built Green’s 4-star standards.

Model: Cascade Modern. This modern, 378 square-foot Kabin features a laundry room, partially vaulted loft, a common room with vaulted ceiling to maximize space, 1 bathroom and a 40 sq. ft. covered porch. This backyard cottage is constructed to Built Green’s 4-star standards.

Award winning project by Shane Cook Designs. The Oxford Shipping container won first place by Paper City Magazine in 2013 for Best Use of Green/Sustainable Design. The pair or reclaimed shipping containers were set in the beautiful Heights historic district bungalow home. with a total size of 496 sqft the Oxford Shipping Container Home is another win for Shane Cook designs in the fields of interior architecture, adaptive reuse, and sustainability. Image by: Aker Imaging

Building The In-Law Suite: A well-designed in-law suite can offer the entire household a comfortable and welcoming space for everyone in the family. Primarily due to the aging "baby boomer" generation, the in-law suite has increased in popularity. A 2013 National Association of Realtors® survey of home buyers shows that 20 percent of buyers would be willing to pay more for a home if it had an in-law suite. But before getting started, it’s important to check local codes to see if there are any restrictions. Some municipalities prohibit a single-family home from having two full kitchens or a suite having a separate entrance. Other municipalities will allow these options, but only with confirmation from homeowners that the relative is currently living in the space. Privacy is the most important design feature. A home that provides private spaces for each generation and has a comfortable, common gathering area works best. Other design and construction features would be extra space around the toilet, a no-threshold, trackless shower, a vinyl or linoleum flooring and rounded corners that will reduce the possibility of injuries. When designing and constructing an in-law suite, make sure it will be flexible in future re-purposing of the space; perhaps it may be used as a guest suite, a home office or a master suite. Designing an in-law space that is not specialized will help the home’s future resale value. Vanco Construction is a building expert and adviser for constructing in-law suites and is ready to discuss your vision for building this new addition. Give us a call at (973) 994-0616. Ask for Michael.

"The Cheyenne" was custom built by Jack H. Wieland Builders for the 2014 Homearama Show. This is a beautiful ranch style plan that carries the rustic and lodge theme throughout.

Model: Cascade Traditional. This traditional, 378 square-foot Kabin has a laundry room and a fully vaulted loft. It also features a common room with a vaulted ceiling to maximize space, 1 bathroom, and a 40 sq. ft. covered porch. This backyard cottage is constructed to Built Green’s 4-star standards.

Model: Cascade Modern. This modern, 378 square-foot Kabin features a laundry room, partially vaulted loft, a common room with vaulted ceiling to maximize space, 1 bathroom and a 40 sq. ft. covered porch. This backyard cottage is constructed to Built Green’s 4-star standards.

The in-law suite kitchen could only be in a small corner of the basement. The kitchen design started with the question: how small can this kitchen be? The compact layout was designed to provide generous counter space, comfortable walking clearances, and abundant storage. The bold colors and fun patterns anchored by the warmth of the dark wood flooring create a happy and invigorating space. SQUARE FEET: 140

Model: Cascade Modern. This modern, 378 square-foot Kabin features a laundry room, partially vaulted loft, a common room with vaulted ceiling to maximize space, 1 bathroom and a 40 sq. ft. covered porch. This backyard cottage is constructed to Built Green’s 4-star standards.

Model: Cascade Modern. This modern, 378 square-foot Kabin features a laundry room, partially vaulted loft, a common room with vaulted ceiling to maximize space, 1 bathroom and a 40 sq. ft. covered porch. This backyard cottage is constructed to Built Green’s 4-star standards.

Model: Cascade Modern. This modern, 378 square-foot Kabin features a laundry room, partially vaulted loft, a common room with vaulted ceiling to maximize space, 1 bathroom and a 40 sq. ft. covered porch. This backyard cottage is constructed to Built Green’s 4-star standards.

Model: Cascade Modern. This modern, 378 square-foot Kabin features a laundry room, partially vaulted loft, a common room with vaulted ceiling to maximize space, 1 bathroom and a 40 sq. ft. covered porch. This backyard cottage is constructed to Built Green’s 4-star standards.

Correct foundation problems. If your foundation is failing and must be replaced, that’s a great opportunity to create or upgrade a basement in-law. A structural engineer can assess the foundation and design its upgrade, but some common signs of foundation failure include large (1⁄2 in. or wider) vertical cracks through the foundation, foundation walls bowing in, sinking foundation corners, and flooring in the rooms above that crowns above a girder. If your house is on a sloping lot, there’s an interesting upside to enlarging the space under the house. The downhill face of a basement unit will be aboveground so on that side, you can create a whole wall of windows. You may need to scoop out a lot of earth, build a retaining wall, and augment the foundation-all big undertakings-but the in-law unit that results will be sunny, spacious, and very un-basement-like.

My brother-in-law needed wall art for his new home and he liked our large 3 piece canvas prints, but he would like some local pictures, so he asked my husband if he could take some photos in Boston the next time he visited. My husband shot this beautiful autumn photograph in Boston Common for him and it looks great over his dresser in the master bedroom.

The best of past and present architectural styles combine in this welcoming, farmhouse-inspired design. Clad in low-maintenance siding, the distinctive exterior has plenty of street appeal, with its columned porch, multiple gables, shutters and interesting roof lines. Other exterior highlights included trusses over the garage doors, horizontal lap siding and brick and stone accents. The interior is equally impressive, with an open floor plan that accommodates today’s family and modern lifestyles. An eight-foot covered porch leads into a large foyer and a powder room. Beyond, the spacious first floor includes more than 2,000 square feet, with one side dominated by public spaces that include a large open living room, centrally located kitchen with a large island that seats six and a u-shaped counter plan, formal dining area that seats eight for holidays and special occasions and a convenient laundry and mud room. The left side of the floor plan contains the serene master suite, with an oversized master bath, large walk-in closet and 16 by 18-foot master bedroom that includes a large picture window that lets in maximum light and is perfect for capturing nearby views. Relax with a cup of morning coffee or an evening cocktail on the nearby covered patio, which can be accessed from both the living room and the master bedroom. Upstairs, an additional 900 square feet includes two 11 by 14-foot upper bedrooms with bath and closet and a an approximately 700 square foot guest suite over the garage that includes a relaxing sitting area, galley kitchen and bath, perfect for guests or in-laws.

Example of a mid-sized country 3/4 cement tile floor and white floor alcove shower design in Austin with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, blue walls, an undermount sink, granite countertops, a hinged shower door and black countertops

Paul Kivett
Example of a mid-sized classic u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Kansas City with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Great room - tropical great room idea in Miami with white walls