| Today the understanding of renewable energy and | | | | A warm, intimate interior - particularly one centered |
| eco-friendly awareness are of the utmost importance | | | | around a fireplace - makes its inhabitants feel cozy |
| to the future of our planet's survival. Many people are | | | | and relaxed. The exterior should make optimal use of |
| starting to realize that the way in which they design | | | | local, indigenous materials. Log cabin home plans are |
| and live in their homes, and the products they use in | | | | an extreme - but quite ornamental and functional - |
| them, need serious re-evaluation in order to prevent | | | | use of this idea. |
| the negative effects of climate change. This includes | | | | The point is that field stone or shingle sidings, and |
| re-evalutating the home as a place to live and grow | | | | cedar shake roofs, are obviously preferable to |
| in, rather than a showcase of one's income and social | | | | earth-friendly living than vinyl siding. Simple living also |
| status to impress other people. The increasing | | | | implies letting one's imagination operate (without |
| awareness for the environment, combined with the | | | | worrying about what impresses other people). Thus, |
| economic uncertainty we face today, has made | | | | well-crafted (and occasionally quirky) architectural |
| simple rather than ostentatious living the order of the | | | | details are favored over clean, sterile lines. Small, |
| day. | | | | sashed windows help to provide a human scale to |
| The Bauhaus dictum "Less is more" has become an | | | | the dwelling from the outside, while giving a feeling of |
| article of faith among an increasing number of home | | | | protection and security to those inside. Simple living |
| buyers and builders. Cottage style home plans and | | | | also implies orientating the house to the sun and |
| other simple, eco-friendly designs are becoming more | | | | building site; also landscaping in an informal, laid-back |
| and more popular as people seek ways to work with | | | | style. |
| nature rather than against it. Simple living also implies | | | | Exterior spaces such as decks, patios, and porches |
| following one's heart rather than seeking to impress | | | | permit the house to engage its natural environment, |
| other people. A person's house is a projection of their | | | | so in nice weather living spills easily outside and back |
| self: people who are unsure of who they are need | | | | in. Other architectural details associated with simple |
| lavish luxuries to make an impression; people who are | | | | home design include high-pitched roofs, low ceilings |
| secure in themselves just want to relax and feel | | | | and cozy nooks, floors of bare wood, and built-in |
| good. | | | | furnishings characteristic of California bungalow house |
| In the first place, simple living implies a smaller dwelling | | | | plans. This "Small is big" philosophy is not just a |
| (perhaps under two thousand square feet in size), | | | | matter of being quaint. Reducing the volume makes a |
| which makes a small footprint on the earth without | | | | building resource and energy efficient, which saves |
| sacrificing the spaciousness needed for comfort. | | | | money and helps save the earth. The money saved |
| Smaller homes are easier and cheaper to heat and | | | | can be spent on higher-quality materials and crafting |
| maintain. An entryway which is human in scale | | | | artful, intimate details both outside and in. |
| provides a welcome rather than an intimidating front. | | | | |