You know they exist, but you’ve probably never seen them. I am not referring to the rare Orange Billed Nightingale-Thrush, I am referring to the International Residential Code. The 2006 IRC for One and Two-Family Dwellings is the gospel of the residential building industry in South Carolina. Even if you have undertaken a residential building project or hired a contractor to build an addition or renovation for you, you have most likely not read the entire 611 page document and you probably know very little about what is in there. That’s not the scary part though. The scary part is that your contractor has probably not ever read the code either, and even if they have and even if they have followed it to the letter, your project still may not contain the level of quality you expect.

The codes are designed to provide a minimum level of protection and safety. They are not designed to increase your property value, improve your home’s character and function, or guarantee that your addition will not look like an addition at all. The sole purpose of the code is to prevent your home from falling down on top of you, spontaneously bursting into flame, filling with toxic fumes, flooding with electrically charged water, or otherwise presenting itself as a death trap. The codes are concerned with life safety and are written in an attempt to protect the home owner and other occupants from unnecessary injury.

The codes are updated every three years and try to keep up with changes in construction materials, methods, and technology. Typically changes made in the code are a reaction to recurring or catastrophic events. For example, recent code changes include items related to fire safety such as requirements for sprinkler systems. These changes have been on the table for a number of years, but did not gain the support necessary for inclusion in the code until a group of college students recently perished in a fairly new built beach house that caught fire. It is vitally important that the building codes be followed, but it is not enough to guarantee that your project will be built to meet your quality of standards.

Like I mentioned before, the codes define minimum standards. If you think that because your contractor is building your new $500,000 home to “meet code” that you will actually have a home that is worth $500,000; then you would be wrong. Homes built to “meet code” have bounce in the floor, cracks in the sheetrock or brick, little to no sound isolation between rooms, stairs and hallways that you cannot move furniture in or out of, doorways that you cannot fit a wheelchair through, room sizes that would satisfy only the smallest of people, and inefficient mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Your home needs to be designed with greater quality and attention than the IRC requires. To add value and to allow your home to continue to appreciate in value, your home needs to be designed above and beyond what the code instructs. Do not trust one of your largest financial investments to a builder or contractor that promises to provide you with a home that will “meet code”. The only home you deserve and the only home you should ever build needs to exceed code.  It needs to be designed by a professional who knows what TROUBLE is and how to avoid it.

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One of the most common trends in new home design it to make the kid’s rooms relatively equal in size with comparable closet space and equal access to a private or semi-private bathroom. While I have yet to find a study which proves that sharing a bedroom or bathroom with a sibling is harmful, many parents are opting to eliminate a common source of frustration amongst their children and put an end to the fight over who gets the bigger bedroom. Having said that; however, don’t be surprised if your young children prefer to share a room…at least for a little while.

Bedrooms are often spaces where a great deal of personalization takes place. Whether it is through the use of built-in reading nooks, hinged bookshelves that reveal a secret hiding space, or the use of simply unique furnishings, finishes, or lighting fixtures; the bedroom has evolved into a reflection of individual taste and character. The master bedroom often becomes a place of renewal and rest where a couple may retreat after a hectic day. Bedroom orientation, proximity to the street and other ‘public’ spaces, as well as proper proportions and lighting contribute to the success or failure of your bedroom’s ability to provide the character and sense of sanctuary you desire. Remember, bigger isn’t always better. There are spaces that benefit from a more intimate feel and the master bedroom may function better as a space that encourages coming together as opposed to providing more space for you to be apart.

Bathrooms: Of all the spaces in the home to grow in size over the past few decades, the bathroom has probably expanded the most. It is not uncommon for clients to request a “His” and “Hers” master bathroom layout. After all if the master bedroom is a space that encourages intimacy, the master bath is becoming a space that asserts privacy. There is such a thing as too much sharing and the fact that couples are choosing to limit their exposure to each other’s more utilitarian functions is not surprising. The same desire for privacy is also extending to our children and guests. More and more homes now have private or semi-private bathrooms attached to the children’s and guest bedrooms. This arrangement is also more comfortable for homes where grown children return to visit with their families as well. A well designed bathroom can provide privacy without wasting a ton of space. Many builder homes simply spread out all the plumbing fixtures leaving a virtual dance floor in the bathroom which is inefficient, uncomfortable, and difficult to clean. There are much better ways to design bathrooms to have a relaxing feel while also providing an adequate amount of personal space.

The 1960’s mainstreamed the use of semi-private bathrooms with the birth of the ‘Jack-n-Jill’ bathroom concept. The “Brady Bunch” television series made this concept even more popular and builders and plan book homes have adopted these designs and marketed them as if they were gold. The advantage to a Jack-n-Jill bathroom is that it provides some privacy for multiple users without having to provide completely separate bathrooms for each bedroom. The amount of privacy varies significantly. The layouts generally consist of either two half baths (containing a vanity and toilet) with access to a shared tub/shower room between them or two private vanity spaces with access to a shared tub/shower and toilet room between them. What builders and plan book designers don’t tell you is that a poorly designed Jack-n-Jill bathroom will cost you more than two well designed private bathrooms and will not add the same amount of value to your home in the end. Although, a well designed Jack-n-Jill bathroom can give family members the ability to get ready in the mornings without as much conflict and with additional privacy.

These are just a few of the ways to make your house a home. A home is the place where you spend the most amount of time with the people who mean the most to you. It is generally one of your largest financial investments and most overlooked assets. It can bring you protection, comfort, security, and joy. Your house is a tool meant to be used to foster and encourage a strong sense of family and a place you are proud to call “home”.

Think about it, our homes have evolved hand in hand with our culture. As a migratory species our homes were mobile and temporary. Once we became settlers, they became more permanent too. The size was dictated by our available resources and their design was a reflection of how our families functioned. Families began to labor less and recreate more. Homes began to have spaces dedicated to our leisure rather than our need.

The average house size in 1950 was 1,000 square feet, while the average house size in 2000 had doubled to 2,070 square feet. Likewise, the divorce rate inflated along with the size of homes, quadrupling from the years 1950 to 2000. Is there a connection? Would life be perfect if we all downsized? No, our homes are not solely to blame for the ills of society, but when expertly designed they can help to foster a strong sense of family and encourage neighbors to support one another. Our homes can help or hinder our quality of life. In my opinion, these are some of the elements of a house that transform it into a family home:

The Front Porch: Initially designed as a functional and necessary part of the home, the front porch has been largely eliminated or reduced in modern homes. The advent of central air conditioning made it possible for families to stay in their homes day and night with comfort. There was no need to retreat to the front porch in the late afternoons to escape summer’s sweet heat. We were no longer forced to congregate in rocking chairs and porch swings sharing greetings with neighbors and family members. We were free to stay indoors and sever the ties that bind us to our communities. We became so accustomed to our privacy that we even began building large, ugly fences around our yards just in case a neighbor might be in their yard at the same time we were in ours. Yet we wonder why people can’t just get along. Creative design and integration of indoor and outdoor living spaces is crucial to forming links between ourselves and our community.

The Family Room: Our homes have always been the place where our family comes to gather. A house with a central Family room that encourages congregation, nurtures our need to belong. Most homes have this room. It does not have to be overly large or contain vaulted ceilings and vast expanses of glass, but it does have to be comfortable. It also has to be accessible from the other nurturing spaces of our home, like the kitchen and porch. The beauty of this space can be ruined by too much openness and too much competition. Recent trends in house designs leave all the living spaces open to one another providing visual separation through the use of columns or half walls. The problem with too much openness is that there is no one space where people can gather and connect on a meaningful level without distraction from adjoining spaces. The other problem is too much competition from other gathering spaces such as the media room, playroom, recreation room, music room, computer room, and bedroom. When a home has more gathering spaces than people, there is no need to be together.

The Kitchen: Kitchens have evolved into the heart of a home. They are a magnet for guests and provide ample entertainment for curious toddlers. It only makes sense that the kitchen has become a significant place in our family life. Kitchens serve a very necessary service by allowing us the means to store, cook, and serve our families with basic daily nourishment, but they are also the places where many American families share their heritage and traditions. Passing down family recipes, embellished with stories of the men and women who perfected them in the first place, coupled with exploration of new and exciting dishes or simply popping cookie dough squares from the carton to the oven. All of these activities bring joy to our families and connect us to our roots. Provided with the right design and connection to adjoining spaces, the kitchen can bring a family together like no other place on earth.

As always, I welcome and enjoy your comments. Thanks for reading.

You bought a charming home on the edge of the historic district and you fell in love with its character and spirit. It was wonderful when it was just the two of you, but now that you have kids your priorities have shifted. Now you worry about the lead based paint, steep stairs, small bedrooms, and tiny bathroom. Should you stay or should you go?

Perhaps your kids are getting older and that bonus room over the garage was fine for elementary age kids, but now that they are maturing and the bonus room is right next to their bedrooms you’re not sure it’s the best place for them to hang out. You want your kids to have a place to bring their friends with some privacy, but not too much. Should you stay or should you go?

Your father passed away three years ago and your mom really could use some extra care, but your guest bedroom is on the upper level of your house and there isn’t enough space for you and your spouse to move to one of the upstairs bedrooms. You don’t want her to go into full-time care. You would like to have a suitable place for her to stay with you and still allow her some independence. Should you stay or should you go?

One of the most common dilemmas faced by a homeowner is deciding whether to stay in their current home and renovate or look for another one. We all pass through a myriad life stages that require our homes to fulfill various needs. More often than not, if we stay in a home long enough, it will require some modifications or up-fitting. If you find yourself wondering if you should stay or if you should go here are some things to consider:

• How long do you plan on staying in this house?
• Do you like the area you live in and the school district?
• Would it be possible for you to move out of your home temporarily if necessary?
• Are selling prices in your area too low right now?
• Would it be possible for you to refinance your home and use the cash to remodel?
• Is your need for more space temporary? For example, do you want to add more bedrooms for your kids who will be away at college in six years?
• Would a new house solve all your problems or would you still need to renovate anyway?
• What would your “dream” home have that your current home doesn’t?

The truth is there is not an easy answer for these questions; however, many homes are not utilized to their potential. The extra space you need may already exist, but your current floor plan is inefficient. You may not need as much new space as you think or it may be easier to add a clean addition instead of renovating the existing space. The options available to you are infinite, but you need to find a professional to help you realistically assess the potential of your home.

On the other hand, if you are thinking about removing more walls than you are keeping, moving may be a better option. Renovations can be stressful, especially if you plan on living in the house while they are being completed. The key is in finding a home or building a custom designed home that will fulfill all your current and future needs. As a professional designer, it is my job to help you resolve your questions and provide you with answers so you will know if you should stay or if you should go.

Email me at kwkerl@aol.com if you have any questions you would like to see addressed in a future posting.

I figure a good place to start this thing is at the relative beginning. I wanted to be an architect for as long as I can remember. My dad was an engineer and my mom was an artisan…architecture seemed to be an ideal fit. I attended the college of Architecture at Clemson University in Clemson, SC. The studio is where we lived while we learned the creative process of design. The lights in the studio were never turned off and the doors were never locked, because you can’t put a limit on creativity and we artistic types are known for our inability to stop once we get going. It was a great experience and helped shape and tone my creative muscles.

During my senior year I interned with a local architecture firm and they hired me on full-time when I graduated. That is when the real education began. Deadlines, building codes, corporate presentations, sections, details, finishes, budgets, and on and on. I worked on exciting projects like school buildings, churches, assisted living facilities, and homes and schools for kids without families. I ran my own projects and trained interns. It was a challenge I looked forward to meeting each day.

Seven years later, I decided to return to school to obtain a graduate degree that would allow me to complete the Architectural Development Program required by the state to take the Architectural Registration Exam. I attended UNC Charlotte and earned my Bachelor of Architecture degree.

It was at this time that I felt the pull to specialize my design efforts in the area of residential design. I also wanted a career path that would leave me more time to devote to the really important projects in my life, my husband and kids. I decided not to return to commercial architecture. I wanted to focus on the more personal aspects of designing homes and home renovations and additions. For over ten years, I have worked exclusively in the residential design field. Although I qualify to sit for the Architectural Registration Exam, I am not a registered architect.

I am a professional residential designer. I specialize in learning about you, your family and your unique needs and desires. I translate what I learn into custom designs that fit your life, your budget, and your dreams. When I have the design just right, I produce the construction documents necessary for a contractor to build your project. I am involved every step of the way, guiding you, protecting you, and providing professional insight and direction. I love what I do and I pride myself on doing it well.

So, when you read my future posts and you wonder just where in the world I’ve come up with these ideas and suggestions; you can start here…where it all began.