Slow Home Studio

Design School For Homeowners

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Mike’s Basement Dev...
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15:00:21 05/17/12

John and Matthew discuss their solutions to Mike in Toronto’s basement.

Mike’s Basement Development – Part 2

Added 05/17/12
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Mike’s Basement Development – Part 2

[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 15:00:21 05/17/12
John and Matthew discuss their solutions to Mike in Toronto’s basement.

Mike’s Basement Dev...
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07:00:40 05/15/12

John and Matthew answer a question from Mike in Toronto about the development of his basement. “Hi John and Matthew, I’m currently in the process of developing my ...

Mike’s Basement Development – Part 1

Added 05/15/12
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Mike’s Basement Development – Part 1

[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 07:00:40 05/15/12
John and Matthew answer a question from Mike in Toronto about the development of his basement. “Hi John and Matthew, I’m currently in the process of developing my basement, but I am having some issues and am hoping you can provide some direction. I am having trouble with the layout as I am not sure how to deal with bulkheads for heat supply and cold air returns. Any bulkheads would be along the North wall. I hope to have about 7ft high finished height to the ceiling,(and of course less under the bulkheads). I would like to incorporate a 3pce bath, laundry, utility/furnace room and rec room (and only if possible a second kitchen). The door at the front North side leads into the cold storage room. I am getting good light at the front of the house, but a … Continue reading →

Roger and Zora’s Ca...
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18:56:22 05/08/12

John and Matthew answer a question from Roger and Zora in Georgia who asked the following: “Hi there, We love your website & your philosophy of design. We purchase...

Roger and Zora’s Cabin Dilemma

Added 05/08/12
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Roger and Zora’s Cabin Dilemma

[LESS INFO] 1 VIEWS | ADDED 18:56:22 05/08/12
John and Matthew answer a question from Roger and Zora in Georgia who asked the following: “Hi there, We love your website & your philosophy of design. We purchased our dream property last year, a 16 acre farm in the Blue Ridge mountains. The log cabin, unfortunately, leaves a lot to be desired. After considering adding on a master bedroom with an outdoor kitchen & cold storage located closer to the garden below, as well as enclosing part of the screened porch as a passive solar room, we decided that the kitchen was the priority. kitchen, living, dining are all in one great room. We added a mud room for more storage & as a buffer to the weather. The kitchen dates back to the construction of the house in the mid-80s. The pine cabinets have glass fronts & the … Continue reading →

Rob’s Renovation in...
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15:59:00 05/01/12

This week’s design dilemma comes to us from Rob in Calgary, who wrote: “Hi John and Matthew, I recently developed my basement and added a TV room and kids play are...

Rob’s Renovation in Calgary Part 1

Added 05/01/12
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Rob’s Renovation in Calgary Part 1

[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 15:59:00 05/01/12
This week’s design dilemma comes to us from Rob in Calgary, who wrote: “Hi John and Matthew, I recently developed my basement and added a TV room and kids play area downstairs, and would like to make the main floor more of an adult space, but would still like to have a TV and some storage for a few toys etc. Any ideas on how I can make this happen? Our home is the middle unit of a triplex so we only have natural light entering from the front (east) and back (west) walls of the main floor. The front of the home has a covered porch while an attached garage takes up 60% of the back wall. Subsequently the kitchen is quite dark and natural light is at a premium. We really like the feeling of the open living … Continue reading →

Mike’s Kitchen Reno...
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07:04:13 04/27/12

John and Matthew reveal their redesign ideas for Mike in Pennsylvania’s kitchen. Here’s Mike’s original message to us: “Hi there! I bought my first home about 2 ye...

Mike’s Kitchen Renovation Part Two

Added 04/27/12
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Mike’s Kitchen Renovation Part Two

[LESS INFO] 1 VIEWS | ADDED 07:04:13 04/27/12
John and Matthew reveal their redesign ideas for Mike in Pennsylvania’s kitchen. Here’s Mike’s original message to us: “Hi there! I bought my first home about 2 years ago. I got a really good deal on it, and I adore the neighborhood. Its a very small home on a very long/narrow lot. Unfortunately, it lacks a kitchen. The room labeled as a kitchen contains only a refrigerator and an oven. There are no cabinets (upper or lower). The kitchen sink is awkwardly located in an adjacent space. I am mentally and financially prepared for a full gut to this space and look forward to a redesigned, bright, and modern kitchen area. Luckily, none of the interior walls are load bearing. There is a brick chimney buried in one wall that will need to remain (hopefully expose). There is a home … Continue reading →

Mike’s Kitchen Reno...
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07:00:42 04/25/12

Mike from Pennsylvania messaged us on Facebook recently with the following: “Hi there! I bought my first home about 2 years ago. I got a really good deal on it, an...

Mike’s Kitchen Renovation Part One

Added 04/25/12
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Mike’s Kitchen Renovation Part One

[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 07:00:42 04/25/12
Mike from Pennsylvania messaged us on Facebook recently with the following: “Hi there! I bought my first home about 2 years ago. I got a really good deal on it, and I adore the neighborhood. Its a very small home on a very long/narrow lot. Unfortunately, it lacks a kitchen. The room labeled as a kitchen contains only a refrigerator and an oven. There are no cabinets (upper or lower). The kitchen sink is awkwardly located in an adjacent space. I am mentally and financially prepared for a full gut to this space and look forward to a redesigned, bright, and modern kitchen area. Luckily, none of the interior walls are load bearing. There is a brick chimney buried in one wall that will need to remain (hopefully expose). There is a home tight to the left/north side of the … Continue reading →

Natalie’s Bungalow ...
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16:21:12 04/17/12

Natalie from Calgary wrote us recently with the following question: “Hi John and Matthew, My house is a 1950′s bungalow and is approximately 1000 square feet. I wo...

Natalie’s Bungalow Renovation

Added 04/17/12
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Natalie’s Bungalow Renovation

[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 16:21:12 04/17/12
Natalie from Calgary wrote us recently with the following question: “Hi John and Matthew, My house is a 1950′s bungalow and is approximately 1000 square feet. I would like to remodel the kitchen and would also like to remove the wall that divides the kitchen from the living room and dining room (basically, it would open up the whole area). A structural engineer told us that we could remove any wall on the main floor without adding a support system. How would you renovate my home?” – Natalie Today’s Slides:

Margaret’s Renovati...
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20:52:51 04/12/12

John and Matthew present the second half of their redesign ideas for Margaret’s home in Ontario. DESIGN PROBLEMS WANTED – Do you have a design problem with your ho...

Margaret’s Renovation Dilemma Conclusion

Added 04/12/12
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Margaret’s Renovation Dilemma Conclusion

[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 20:52:51 04/12/12
John and Matthew present the second half of their redesign ideas for Margaret’s home in Ontario. DESIGN PROBLEMS WANTED – Do you have a design problem with your home that you think would make a good demonstration project for Slow Home Studio? Visit our FACEBOOK PAGE to get started!

Margaret’s Renovati...
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17:02:06 04/12/12

John and Matthew present the first half of their redesign ideas for Margaret’s home in Ontario. DESIGN PROBLEMS WANTED – Do you have a design problem with your hom...

Margaret’s Renovation Dilemma Part 2

Added 04/12/12
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Margaret’s Renovation Dilemma Part 2

[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 17:02:06 04/12/12
John and Matthew present the first half of their redesign ideas for Margaret’s home in Ontario. DESIGN PROBLEMS WANTED – Do you have a design problem with your home that you think would make a good demonstration project for Slow Home Studio? Visit our FACEBOOK PAGE to get started!

Margaret’s Renovati...
0 Views
14:57:56 04/02/12

Margaret from Hamilton, Ontario messaged us recently asking us the following: “Hello John, I have discovered your wonderful Slow Home Studio site and am amazed at ...

Margaret’s Renovation Dilemma Part 1

Added 04/02/12
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Margaret’s Renovation Dilemma Part 1

[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 14:57:56 04/02/12
Margaret from Hamilton, Ontario messaged us recently asking us the following: “Hello John, I have discovered your wonderful Slow Home Studio site and am amazed at the wealth of good ideas there. My husband and I live in Ancaster, a suburban area of Hamilton, Ontario and are in the planning stage of a major renovation to our small 1950s era bungalow. We decided on a floor plan after going over a number of options and want to start work this spring but now I am questioning our choice because of concerns about the number and location of entries. Would you be able to look at the two options we have and provide input on which would work best?” Here’s what John and Matthew think of Margaret’s two redesigns! DESIGN PROBLEMS WANTED – Do you have a design problem with your … Continue reading →

Townhouse Design Qu...
3 Views
14:39:24 03/28/12

We’ve seen what John and Matthew would do to improve the layout of Linda’s potential townhouse, but how feasible is it to actually approach a developer and request...

Townhouse Design Question Part 4

Added 03/28/12
3 Views

Townhouse Design Question Part 4

[LESS INFO] 3 VIEWS | ADDED 14:39:24 03/28/12
We’ve seen what John and Matthew would do to improve the layout of Linda’s potential townhouse, but how feasible is it to actually approach a developer and request these changes? To view the rest of this floorplan along with the townhouse’s site-plan and renderings, visit our FACEBOOK PAGE!

Townhouse Design Qu...
2 Views
16:57:41 03/27/12

As we continue our look at Linda’s potential townhouse, John and Matthew discuss the design opportunities available in this home’s lower level. To view the rest of...

Townhouse Design Question Part 3

Added 03/27/12
2 Views

Townhouse Design Question Part 3

[LESS INFO] 2 VIEWS | ADDED 16:57:41 03/27/12
As we continue our look at Linda’s potential townhouse, John and Matthew discuss the design opportunities available in this home’s lower level. To view the rest of this floorplan along with the townhouse’s site-plan and renderings, visit our FACEBOOK PAGE!

Townhouse Design Qu...
2 Views
14:57:40 03/26/12

In part 2 of this 4 part series, John and Matthew show Linda what could be done to the kitchen space of a townhouse she is looking to buy. To view the rest of this...

Townhouse Design Question Part 2

Added 03/26/12
2 Views

Townhouse Design Question Part 2

[LESS INFO] 2 VIEWS | ADDED 14:57:40 03/26/12
In part 2 of this 4 part series, John and Matthew show Linda what could be done to the kitchen space of a townhouse she is looking to buy. To view the rest of this floorplan along with the townhouse’s site-plan and renderings, visit our FACEBOOK PAGE!

Townhouse Design Qu...
2 Views
19:34:35 03/23/12

Linda from Calgary wrote us recently asking the following: “I’m looking at buying a new townhouse, and as construction has yet to begin, I’m just wondering what mi...

Townhouse Design Question Part 1

Added 03/23/12
2 Views

Townhouse Design Question Part 1

[LESS INFO] 2 VIEWS | ADDED 19:34:35 03/23/12
Linda from Calgary wrote us recently asking the following: “I’m looking at buying a new townhouse, and as construction has yet to begin, I’m just wondering what minor changes could be made to this floorplan that would make it that much bet…ter? Also, as it’s a developer – ‘cookie cutter’ house, do I have any say if I want any of these changes made?” – Linda Thanks for your question Linda. We’ve taken a look at your plan, and have shot a couple of videos that’ll hopefully answer your question! To view the rest of this floorplan along with the townhouse’s site-plan and renderings, visit our FACEBOOK PAGE!

Best of Slow Home S...
15 Views
15:30:52 03/21/12

In response to a viewer question, we are zooming in one more level with fireplace design and looking at the best way to layout the finishing tile and position the ...

Best of Slow Home Studio: How To Layout Fireplace Tile

Added 03/21/12
15 Views

Best of Slow Home Studio: How To Layout Fireplace Tile

[LESS INFO] 15 VIEWS | ADDED 15:30:52 03/21/12
In response to a viewer question, we are zooming in one more level with fireplace design and looking at the best way to layout the finishing tile and position the grout lines. This is more critical with larger format tiles as the grout line locations can have a major impact on the completed visual effect of the fireplace detailing. The basic rule of thumb is you want to maximize the use of full tiles. If your tile size is 12 X 24 inches, then you want to use as many full tiles as possible, keeping the number of cuts and grout lines to a minimum. If possible, try to avoid having a “sliver” or short-cut row of tile anywhere in your layout. If you do have a short-cut row, try shifting the entire tile layout up or down to distribute … Continue reading →

Best of Slow Home S...
5 Views
07:00:13 03/19/12

San Francisco based design firm Terry & Terry Architecture have included some very innovative small bathroom design details in a recently completed remodel of a mi...

Best of Slow Home Studio: Innovative Small Bathroom Details

Added 03/19/12
5 Views

Best of Slow Home Studio: Innovative Small Bathroom Details

[LESS INFO] 5 VIEWS | ADDED 07:00:13 03/19/12
San Francisco based design firm Terry & Terry Architecture have included some very innovative small bathroom design details in a recently completed remodel of a mid-century ranch house. The first idea worth noting is the use of a frosted glass partition panel as the diving wall between the toilet and the shower stall. This increases the amount of room in the shower because the glass wall is much thinner than a framed or tiled partition wall. The second detail to look at is the teak decked floor in the shower. This removable grate fits over the entire shower base and seamlessly blends the shower stall with the hardwood in the rest of the bathroom. The third detail is the use of an operable window in the shower stall. By using a metal clad frame and then installing a powder coated … Continue reading →

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The Best Height For Your Light Switches

Show: Slow Home Studio

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The Best Height For Your Light Switches
08/26/11

In many houses, there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the placement or height of the light switches. Too often, they are installed where it is convenient for the electrician to run the wiring without much thought for optimizing home owner functionality and visual continuity. Standard light switch height in North America new construction is 48″ to the top of the switch. We think this is too high. At 48″, it is in the primary visual field of the wall and if not perfectly placed, may impede art work placement or just look distracting. We think the standard height should be lowered to 32″ to the top of the switch. This is what we install as standard on all of our projects at Housebrand. While this may seem really low, this height will allow art work to be … Continue reading →