By design. Designing for our human scale -- How much space do you really need? -- What is an open plan and why does it work? -- Let there be light -- Where does the garage belong? -- Room by room. The new heart of the home -- Rethinking the informal eating area -- Rethinking the formal dining room and living room -- Designing an away room -- Designing a comfortable guest room -- Attention to detail. Column proportion : bigger is usually better -- Unifying an interior with horizontal trim -- Fixing a room that is too tall -- Improving a McMansion with ceiling height variety -- Making a zero-clearance fireplace look real -- Locating smoke alarms and security-system sensors -- Making it personal. Designing a welcoming front porch -- The importance of a front entry -- Designing a breakfast nook -- Make your house an expression of yourself -- Using color effectively -- Practical matters. Where to put the TV -- Designing a kitchen island -- Squeezing in a half-bath -- Getting creative with the bathtub and shower -- Designing a laundry room that works --Living in the real world -- Making room for privacy -- Living with extended family -- Good additions make good neighbors -- Changing the face of teardowns.