All The Tools You Need To Design Like A Pro
Helpful Free Guides
A collection of my knowledge in easy to use templates, guides, and reference tools.
The Floor Plan Checklist
The checklist I use when reviewing any floor plan for both functionality and overall design feel.
Home Space Arrangement Template
This is the starting point if you're interested in designing your floor plan from scratch. Room by room sized out in three different sizes for you to play with arrangments on your site.
Design Your Space Template
Trying to create a furniture layout for yourself or a friend? This template has pre-drawn furniture to size and a scaled grid to help you see your layout options.
The Comfortable Clearances Ebook
A cheat book to all the general dimensions needed for a functional home plan based on my personal experiences.
Books to Start With
The following four books are wonderful resources for those more experienced as well as mature designers just getting started. They provide an easy to digest array of information from styles to systems helping you have a full picture of skills needed to really jump into a design.
Each book image is linked to my Amazon shop where I earn a small percentage of your purchase which helps me have the opportunity to keep sharing my knowledge with you :) All of my recommendations are books that I personally own and reference frequently.
American House Styles
A great summary of styles with simple descriptions to help familiarize yourself with the different architectural styles around us.
A Pattern Language
A bible for warm timeless design, this book is a must for every designer. It's even a great read for those outside of the field.
Be Your Own Architect
For someone just starting to dive into residential design, this is a great overview of different variables and considerations.
Furniture Arrangement
Whether you are laying out furniture in space or designing a space from scratch, sizing and flow is important and this book will help guide you.
Designing Supplies
After ten years of trial and error, these are my favorite supplies to use for designing.
Each product image is linked to my Amazon shop where I earn a small percentage of your purchase which helps me have the opportunity to keep sharing my knowledge with you :) All of my recommendations are items that I personally own and use daily.
.35mm Pens
I'm all about a super fine tip pen and these are the best I've been able to find to date.
Trace Paper Pad
Much easier to deal with than a roll. This is the transparent paper I work all my designs out on.
Moleskine Dotted Notebook
I absolutely love dotted notebooks and would not have it any other way. Plus you really can't beat Moleskine quality.
Masking Tape
What you'll be using to hold down all of the layers of trace paper when you're working. And no, regular tape is not the same.
50YD Trace Roll
When you really dive into designing, you'll be flying through this stuff. That's when the roll becomes handy.
Architectural Scale
Not only what you tear trace paper with, but also draw to scale with. This is important for having proper dimensions for all of your designs and is not the same as a ruler.
Books for Design Inspiration
Or just your coffee table :)
Each book image is linked to my Amazon shop where I earn a small percentage of your purchase which helps me have the opportunity to keep sharing my knowledge with you. Most of these books I own, but some are just ones I've come across and enjoyed. Check back for frequent additions to this list as I grow my library and explore more bookstores.
Life's A Beach
An all time favorite simply due to my love of coastal living. It has it all from tropical modern homes to classic cottages and European coastal villas. If you love a natural aesthetic with a touch of fine detailing, this is for you.
House of Joy
This is the book of tasteful colorful homes. Flipping through it makes me feel like a kid again in the best way and also sparks a lot of inspiration on how to introduce more color in my own spaces.
FLW on the West Coast
Frank Llyod Wright's West Coast designs are my personal favorite of all of his designs. The forms more exaggerated and testing all while being more open (in my opinion) than his Midwest work. I love this book dearly.
McAlpine Romantic Modernism
Arguably one of the best residential Architects practicing currently in the United States. Any time I can dive into one of his projects, I do. His detailing and textures are breathtaking and worth giving extra time to.
