An Architect's House Full Of Ideas

The Saga Continues
As expected, this energetic couple stays on the go. Louis also keeps busy with photography, furniture-making, and freelance work. Lucky for us, his commitment to learn--and to educate--has never stopped.

DECORATE WITH SUCCESS
Keep these pointers in mind whether you're restyling a kitchen or designing your dream house.

• Talk often with your builder and designer. Chat on the phone, or fax sketches and photos from books and magazines.
• Spend time at the location. "Gaye and I walked through our house while it was under construction," says Louis. "We got a feel for the space and how the light changed. We took folding chairs and sat in various places to get different perspectives."
• When in doubt, mock it up. The couple created a kitchen island with sawhorses and plywood to verify its size and location before the real thing was built.
• Look beyond books. Often, you can find great ideas while watching a movie or TV. Also, stroll through furniture stores and pay attention to displays. 

This article is from the Favorites 2005 issue of Southern Living.