When I started using Houzz I was amazed at how accurate the results of my searches were (in addition to the size of the photos database). It was a great resource. More recently when I've prepared to undertake projects, I've noticed that I just don't get the same, accurate results. My searches are riddled with results that just aren't pertinent. I think this is due to the incorporation of advertisers from my city and surrounding areas (contractors, builders, and others). There are enough ads (or results that are somehow influenced by someone who has something to sell) now to really hinder the flow of design ideas. I guess many internet sites end up using advertisers but it morphs the user experience. It's really made using Houzz less fruitful.

Ha! I hope this doesn't happen to you either! We're getting prices for pavers now. If we can't afford the whole thing in pavers, we'll do concrete with some kind of nice looking border (stamped or pavers). I have a landscape designer doing the planning so that I don't mess it all up and it ends up looking haphazard. Gotta move some trees, beds, build a new front walk. It's all connected. This mistake has messed up the timing, but maybe it'll end up a good thing; forced me to start the project.

The technology age may be a factor, Mary. I can't access places on Houzz from our older desktop. I certainly can't upload photos from it. Our computer is about the same age as yours. It was a cutting edge Mac at the time. Ha, ha. My husband ran Logic software and recorded music with it. Now it sits around and roars like a T rex, but my husband can still do music production, send emails, etc. There is a Houzz phone number you can call, too. I posted in on "[How to Contact Houzz Support Directly[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/how-to-contact-houzz-support-directly-dsvw-vd~5356515?n=8)." Our desktop runs on Snow Leopard. I think that one is too ancient for Houzz. Carol

I advise you find someone else, regardless of the historical talent of this designer, this is not a good design, and even if this is what you asked for, it shouldn't have been done unless you beat him into submission. I think your best bet is finding an architect that you connect with and whose philosophy you agree with. There are many talented designers out there who are not architects, but honestly, I don't think many consumers can identify them. I do, however, think that the connection is a lot more important than the title, so it is about finding the right person to design your home. --------------- I don't know about awards in home design, however, I restore old houses and I constantly have photo shoots for features in newspapers and magazines. I submit the house with a small (mostly B.S. story) of why the house "needed" the remodel or "spoke to me." The reality is that I remodeled the house for a hobby and a tidy profit and the magazine/newspaper feature is simply a tool for me to increase resale. I suspect that all the "tours of homes," are much the same thing. ---------------- Meaning that you have an unfinancible house. Because no one will loan 1.2M for a one bedroom house. Just because below grade square footage appraises for less than above grade, doesn't mean that bedrooms in daylight basements can't be counted as bedrooms. A bedroom that meets all the legal requirements for a bedroom is a bedroom, and you are not going to find a bank that says it isn't, in fact, you are never going to find a bank who cares. Banks don't care if it is one bedroom or twenty-one bedrooms, appraisers will, for a bank if it appraises, it appraises. In the end, it will probably appraise for less (depending on your locale) but it also costs less to build. Figuring out the net effect of a finished basement on the cost - appraisal equation is something that is going to have to be done by an appraiser in your specific area.