Connection to Nature: Designing Indoor–Outdoor Spaces You’ll Love Forever
Experience the joy of indoor–outdoor living in your Florida Forever Home. Thoughtful windows, shaded porches, lanais, and outdoor kitchens create light-filled, breezy spaces for relaxing, entertaining, and connecting with nature.…
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Avoiding Regrets in Your Forever Home: Lessons Learned From Real Projects
Avoid common regrets in your Forever Home remodel or addition. Learn from real projects how thoughtful design — from vaulted ceilings to Florida-friendly storage and upgraded bathrooms — can transform…
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Entertaining in Your Florida Forever Home: A Day in the Life
Experience a day in a Florida Forever Home, from morning coffee on the sunlit lanai and peaceful paddles on the river, to book club lunches with friends, poolside family dinners,…
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Budgeting Construction Costs for Your Forever Home
Planning a remodel or addition for your Forever Home? Start with a realistic budget! Learn how to estimate construction costs early, understand factors that influence price, and make smart design…
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Multigenerational Living — Making Space for Family & Friends
Discover how multigenerational living can be joyful and practical. Drawing on my own childhood and design experience, this article explores bedrooms, bathrooms, storage, and outdoor spaces that balance togetherness and…
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Pick the Right Contractor for Your Forever Home Remodel or Addition
Choosing the right Contractor is key for a smooth remodel or addition. Learn how to research, evaluate, and trust the right professional — with real-life homeowner examples — to ensure…
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Lakefront Green Remodel: A Comfortable, Energy-Efficient Forever Home
Transform your home into a Forever Home! 🌿 This lakefront remodel blends comfort, energy efficiency, and smart design with an Owner’s Suite, Guest Suite, and EnergyStar + FGBC certifications. Discover…
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Tropical Modern: Designing Homes for Florida’s Climate
Discover Tropical Modern architecture for Florida homes — elevated, climate-responsive, and connected to the outdoors. Learn how wide overhangs, large windows, porches, and low-maintenance materials create comfort, light, and natural…
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Modern Meets Vernacular: Building Better Florida Homes
Discover how Florida’s historic vernacular homes — Spanish-Mediterranean, Key West, and Cracker styles — inspire modern designs. Learn practical tips for remodels and additions that respect climate, light, and comfort,…
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Add just the space you need with a custom guest suite or small addition. Learn how strategic placement, privacy, and cohesive design can enhance both daily living and hospitality.
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Design Lines is a blog focusing on Your Forever Home. We think that bigger is not necessarily better, and quality wins over quantity. When you plan to stay in your home for a long time, you consider green or energy efficiency, low maintenance, durability, and aging-gracefully-in-place. If you like our content, don’t forget to subscribe below.
About Me
Cathy Svercl is a licensed Architect in Florida and Virginia. She loves homes, photography, travel, and gardening!
Design Freedom, inc. is a full-service boutique architectural firm promoting sustainable Florida-friendly residential designs including universal accessibility. We value quality materials, modern details, and vernacular design. Serving mainly Tampa Bay, Central & Southwest Florida, and Northern Virginia.
Architectural Licenses FL#AR93491 VA#0407-005832
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