Architecture

Ranch-style homes came into popularity during the mid-20th-century, as postwar America sought practicality, functionality, and affordability in their homes’ designs. Prominent architects like Cliff May maximized the style, designing Ranch homes that optimize the flow and activities of daily living. 

As a result, most Ranch-style homes feature one story and expansive open floor plans that serve as decorative blank slates. And while a blank slate offers boundless style opportunities, all of those options can make it really difficult to figure out where to start and how to finish. That’s why we pulled together the following tips that offer all of the guidance you’ll need to enhance the interior design of this iconic architectural style, no matter your

We make no secret of our love for mid-century modern architecture, always looking for and sharing about the latest ways to make mid-century style sing. But when you're considering how to refresh (or transform) your own interior using mid-century style, sometimes it helps to see what others are doing to make it all come together. So, we rounded up some beautiful abodes on Instagram that are flawlessly rocking mid-century style to meet all of your inspiration needs.

The following interiors pay homage to the timeless style while infusing it with contemporary twists that make the spaces feel just as fresh as they do nostalgic. If you’re looking for inspiration to update your own abode, then give the following accounts a follow. 

This month, the first net-zero energy and LEED Platinum-designated building in Orange County will open at the ENC Nature Preschool, a school designed to educate children, engage parents, and provide a research forum for early childhood and environmental education. 

Housed adjacent to the Environmental Nature Center, the preschool is one of only three preschools in the world that's LEED Platinum Certified, the highest designation that a building can receive for sustainability and energy efficiency. The Newport Beach-based school is also planning to participate in the Living Building Challenge.  

The Living Building Challenge is, "a green building certification program and sustainable design framework that visualizes the ideal for the built

Source: mak.at

Rudolph Schindler is among the most prominent Southern California architects in history, famous for his innovative contributions to modern architecture. He was born in Austria to a father who was a wood and metal craftsman and a mother who was a dressmaker. He studied architecture at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts, graduating in 1911 and becoming inspired by the foremost modern architects of the early 20th century, like Otto Wagner, Adolf Loos, and Frank Lloyd Wright. 

During his time at the university, Schindler met Richard Neutra, who would become a lifelong friend and friendly design adversary. Both architects followed similar career trajectories, moving to Los Angeles and becoming among the most important architects who

Source: la.curbed.com

HGTV acquired the original Brady Brunch house after getting into a highly publicized bidding war for it with Lance Bass of *NSYNC fame. The network made plans to renovate the house for an upcoming mini-series that features the whole process in addition to cameos from six of the show’s original stars. 

Susan Olsen (Cindy), Mike Lookinland (Bobby), Eve Plumb (Jan), Christopher Knight (Peter), Maureen McCormick (Marcia), and Barry Williams (Greg) will accompany TV personalities from “Property Brothers” and “Good Bones” in an on-camera walk-through of the home, sharing their memories and commenting on the home’s updates. 

Last November, HGTV programming executive Loren Ruch shared his enthusiasm for the renovation: “What’s so

Source: East Side Costa Mesa Cliff May home, represented by Todd Bousman

Cliff May is an American architect who famously pioneered the California Ranch House. May was born and raised in San Diego, where he began designing and building Monterey-style furniture. Without a formal architecture education, May began designing homes, completing his first home in 1931 at the age of 23, which was a one-story tile-roofed house with a courtyard inspired by his family's adobe ranch house. 

Despite the Great Depression, May quickly sold his first design and continued to develop his groundbreaking style. May’s designs emphasized livability over facade. He sought to create homes in perfect harmony with the way that people wanted to live, maximizing the experiences

There are boundless benefits to living in a high-rise condo or apartment. To start, many high-rises are right in the heart of a city, keeping you within walking distance to great places to eat, shop, and experience. They also often come with sweet amenities, like 24-hour gyms, pools, and front-desk security. Plus, the nature of a high-rise home is that it’s, well, high, so you typically have a stellar view of your surroundings. 

If you currently live in a high-rise condo, then chances are you’re reaping all of those benefits and then some. However, they do come with a few drawbacks, such as less square footage than a typical house, potentially noisy neighbors, and limitations when it comes to construction and renovations. Fortunately, by applying a few

Source: @CrestwoodHills

Crestwood Hills is an LA neighborhood that was developed in the Santa Monica Mountains above Sunset Boulevard in 1946. The way it came to be makes Crestwood Hills among the most unique neighborhoods in California. In postwar LA, four veterans and musicians decided to pool their money to buy an acre of land and build homes on each of the four corners surrounding one communal pool. 

The idea of these friends coming together as a community to afford land and amenities that they couldn’t afford alone caught the interest of more and more people. What started as four friends grew to include 500 people, many of whom were artists of various types, who wanted to create a sort of utopian commune. These 500 people came together to form

Source: futuristarchitecture.com

The unique silhouettes, inventive details, and typically eco-friendly designs of contemporary architecture draws many to this architectural style. Unlike traditional architectural styles, contemporary architecture doesn’t adhere to one particular aesthetic; instead, it can include any elements that are new or trending, resulting in uniquely innovative designs that reflect the decade and culture that they’re in. 

If you love contemporary architecture, then chances are that you’re also into contemporary interiors. But loving contemporary design and actually achieving it are two very different things. The fluid, evolving nature of contemporary style means that there are no set rules to follow to achieve the look;

Source: trulogsiding.com

Log cabins have been an American staple for centuries, and given their straightforward construction and unparalleled cozy feel, it’s easy to see why. No matter where they’re located, log cabins instantly provide a refuge from the crazy world outside, and entering them can feel like you’re being wrapped in a big, warm hug. 

But developing a warm and inviting interior aesthetic that aligns with the cozy vibe of this architecture takes a little bit of thought and consideration. If you’re the proud owner of a log cabin (or you hope to be one in the future), then check out the following tips to maximize this charming architecture’s interior style. 

Add Artisan Accents

Hand-Carved Giraffe, $99+

Log cabins have a