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How do I design a home that I can afford?
Costs of construction and materials are on the rise, so the biggest return on your money is to be conscious of the size of your home.

How do I design a home that I can afford?
Costs of construction and materials are on the rise, so the biggest return on your money is to be conscious of the size of your home. The design of your home is crucial to this. Ask yourself "How do I really live?" and "What do I need in my home and what do I want?" In many cases you may find that some of your wants can combine with some of your needs. In stead of having formal and informal dining areas, you may create an open kitchen -- dining area that suites your entertaining needs. Or you may desire to have a library and a home office. A creative design may work this into a hall way with a row of bookshelves on one side and a hideaway office nook on the other. These kinds of space saving solutions will save you far more money than your choice of materials. With a quality design team, you can have a beautiful, spacious, square footage conscious home that doesn't break the bank!

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Resources

CDS Newsletters

2011

January      A New Life in Furniture

February    De-cluttering!

May            Manual J for a Proper Fit

August       Keep Your Water!

September Surviving a Wildfire

December Green December

2010

January      Manage Your Energy!

March        The Magical Power of Electricity!!

April            Building Performance with Intention

July              Energy Audit Basics

August          The Ins and Outs of Ventilation

September  The Way to Weatherization

October        Insulation - It's HOW You Use It

2009

January       What's Green in Realty?

February     How Green are your Kitchen Cabinets?

March         Choices...Dimentional Lumber - "Sticks or Bricks"?

April            Choices...Living Roofs

May             Green Your Home

June             Case Study - Rain Screen

July              Radiant Barrier - Either Here or There

August       Beyond the 3 R's

September  Open or Closed? - The best insulation for you

October       Choices...SIPs Building Systems

November    Solar Power - Change is Good

2008

January       Living Green in the New year     

February     Lighting Your Home Naturally!        

March         Who came First?                   

April           Permitting your project                 

May            The Impact of Design on "Green"       

June            Proper Insulation Means a Dry Home                       

July             Choices...Geothermal Heat pump

August        McMansion And F.A.R.?

September   Because Austinites love to recycle!!!

October       Choices...Solar Power

November   Green Interiors

 

2007 Newsletters

 

2006 Newsletters

 

Green Building Links:

affordable comfort, inc.

American Institue of Building Design

Austin Energy Green Building Program

National Council of Building Designer certification

Texas Institue of Building Design

 

services:

CLARKE KENT PLUMBING                    


DAVID VENHUIZEN P.E.                     

More>

 

Landscaping Companies:

Ann Coleman             

Office: 512-476-2090     
Cell: 512-751-2090

B Jane Landscapes        

Cell: 512-913-4868                                                       

Ground Exchange        

Contact: Kyle Florio                
Office: 512-785-7850

More>

 

BUILDERS and ENGINEERS:

Contact us for a recommendation

 

Photography by Alicebeth:  mobile- 512-292-4792