Once you make the unequivocal internal commitment to do something – when you absolutely know this is the time and the place to act – the world around you will shift in all sorts of apparently miraculous ways to make it happen.

With all the challenges in the housing market, it’s clear we need a new vision for the way we design our homes, our communities-and even our lives.

Once you make the unequivocal internal commitment to do something - when you absolutely know this is the time and the place to act - the world around you will shift in all sorts of apparently miraculous ways to make it happen.

The only way to change the world is to change yourself.

A Not So Big House feels more spacious than many of its oversized neighbors because it is space with substance, all of it in use every day.

With all the challenges in the housing market, it's clear we need a new vision for the way we design our homes, our communities-and even our lives.

James Hardie(R) siding is a sustainable and marvelous substitute for wood. It's available pre-colored and the finish truly looks like high-grade wood siding. I've used this product line for years, and have been delighted with the results. It's the only product I will consider substituting for wood, and in many climates it's significantly preferable because of its stability.

In the same way that music inspires us to certain feelings, space can do the same thing,

This is what Seattle is doing getting architects, builders, designers, etc., on the same page. This is huge.

Every room -- indeed, every square foot . . . has been designed as everyday living space, ... and the money saved by reducing the volume of space has been invested instead in tailoring to fit its owners to a T: on beautiful design and craftsmanship, on healthy and resource-efficient materials, and on better building practices.