Issue 278 – Oct/Nov 2018

Bring in fresh air through venting drip edge.

Drywall backing speeds the way to a textured, durable, old-world finish.

This one-coat, environmentally and budget-conscious wall finish has a lot to offer.

The hand-sculpted textures of lime plaster bring warmth and depth to a midcentury ranch.

A handful of tools smooth the way to a beautiful, custom finish.

There’s more than one way to color lime plaster.

An in-depth look at mixing hydrated lime to create plaster.

In order for a tiny home to meet code, it has to get some favors from the IRC for provisions like ceiling height, stairway geometry, and use of ladders.

We tested 16-in. cordless chainsaws from DeWalt, Makita, and Milwaukee, and the best choice depends on whether light weight or total runtime is more important to you.

The PLS 480 and Red System kit is a crew favorite in the field

Skilsaw’s 13-amp corded reciprocating saw with vibration-reduction technology

This sturdy, self-retracting chalkline is tough to beat.

Bay windows have many benefits but also the potential for design mishaps; Marianne Cusato explains how to get bays right.

See additional photos from HOUSES by Design issue 278: Wade Design Architects responds to the lay of the land for this Napa Valley home.

See additional photos from HOUSES by Design issue 278: Taproot Architects uses reclaimed materials to customize a Whidbey Island straw-bale home.

See additional photos from HOUSES by Design issue 278: ZeroEnergy Design revamps a summer cottage to accommodate aging in place.

If you want to paint your siding a dark color, you have to select the material carefully or it may not perform as well as you expect.

As-Built: The History of Home Building

Joseph Clayton Castille, Jr. — Draftsman, LaFayette, LA