There was a pretty good showing for Using Design to Compete With the Big Guy Builders. The Big Guy is not a bad guy, he’s just tough to compete against on cost (the analogy of Target not competing with Wal-Mart on Cost, thus competing on design was used).

Architects Cheryl O’Brien, Jeffrey Lake, and designer Barbara Anderson had worked out a good presentation that moved faster than most, and offered good insights. Build a design team from the start and concentrate on details and execution, say these three enthusiasts for little guy builders.

What’s hot in design, what’s new, what’s old that is new again came up frequently. Advice included get creative with the old split-level. Pay attention to the lower level, opening up stairways and space. Use materials to bring the outside inside down in the lower level.

Let’s see, it’s not “media room” any more; it’s “Audio Visual Lounge.” Some other rhetorical changes you may want to adopt: it’s not a deck, it’s a Viewing Deck (and put an exterior fireplace in it and some nice furniture on it); the old parlor is now an Evening Room; the standby kitchen may become a Gourmet Gallery; a study is a Creative Enclave. I’m sure you can come up with your own (my bedroom will now be known as my Restorative Chamber).

Aside from inventive nomenclature, these three had some great advice. I’ll dole out more details later.

I can report that it is possible to get from the South Hall to the West Hall in 6 minutes without breaking into a run. I’ll hit the 5-minute mark before this thing is over. For now, back to the South Hall. I have a full 14 minutes to get there.