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Customer Stories

Designing Custom Homes: An Intricate Puzzle with a Few Surprises


The exterior rendering of a large home with grand entrance, stone work, and wooden shutters.

Author, Kerry Hansen by Kerry Hansen

Karen Hamilton has been a Chief Architect Home Designer customer since the early 1990s, designing custom homes in the greater Houston and Upper Texas coast since 1978. Recently, Karen won an international design contest, and her tool of choice is Home Designer Professional.

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2022 Design Contest Winners


Modern farmhouse with 3 car garage and board and batten exterior

Chief Architect has monthly contests for customers to show off their work. People with various backgrounds and styles compete in the following categories: Kitchen/Bath and Interiors, Residential, and Remodel/Addition. Please help us congratulate the winners!

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Winners of the April-May Remodeling & Additions Design Contest


The front exterior rendering of a Dutch Colonial home near Boston.

Winning Designs – March/April Residential Design Contest


Rendering of Mediterranean style home with three car garage

The Benefits of Home Design Software


Residential farmhouse design with white board and batten exterior with a gray brick pony wall

By Todd Gillman

There is no shortage of ways in which technology has improved the architectural, engineering, and construction industry. To this effect, one of the most profound ways that technology has added efficiency to building design is through the widespread adoption of building information modeling (BIM) software. With tools that automate and simplify the design process, you can quickly develop a 2D floor plan while the software simultaneously creates a viewable 3D model along with supporting structural components such as a foundation, roof, and framing, without any additional work. This level of automation saves all parties involved a substantial amount of time and money while 3D renderings and virtual tours provide an invaluable communication tool allowing the client and trades to visualize the design. With this in mind, the following breakdown looks at the numerous ways BIM software can help design a home.

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An Interior Designer and World Traveler


Living space with nanawall

Profile image of Danielle Schroeder By Danielle Schroeder

Well-traveled designer, Judi Lee-Carr, settles in the United States and launches her business. She shares her journey becoming an Interior Designer and how Chief Architect helps her business thrive.

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Chief Architect Interior Design Student Wins Gold Medal in National Competition


A Chief Architect rendering of the living and dining room area in Hallie O'Higgins design.

Author, Kerry Hansen by Kerry Hansen

Hallie O’Higgins, a senior at Boerne-Champion High School in Boerne, Texas earned a gold medal in a national Interior Design competition. This year the event, put on by the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), took place in Nashville, TN. 

Hallie has been involved with the interior design program at Champion High School since her freshman year. She was first introduced to Chief Architect during her sophomore year. Hallie credits her love for architecture and design to Chief Architect. “Once I began using the software, I discovered a love for architecture. Designing functional floor plans and decorating multiple spaces became so enjoyable with the Chief Architect software.”

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Turning a Passion for Home Design into a Career


Home Design with entryway trusses

David’s Unconventional Journey to Success


Modern farmhouse kitchen with a tray ceiling and dining nook

The Ultimate Interior Design Duo


Open concept kitchen rendering

Profile image of Danielle Schroeder By Danielle Schroeder

Kendra Steinhaus and Kerra Schroeder are a unique and fun interior design team. Their exceptional communication skills, love for design, and hard work have led them to where they are today!

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