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.