With all the challenges in the housing market, it's clear we need a new vision for the way we design our homes, our communities-and even our lives.

James Hardie(R) siding is a sustainable and marvelous substitute for wood. It's available pre-colored and the finish truly looks like high-grade wood siding. I've used this product line for years, and have been delighted with the results. It's the only product I will consider substituting for wood, and in many climates it's significantly preferable because of its stability.

A Not So Big House feels more spacious than many of its oversized neighbors because it is space with substance, all of it in use every day.

The only way to change the world is to change yourself.

With all the challenges in the housing market, it's clear we need a new vision for the way we design our homes, our communities-and even our lives.

Once you make the unequivocal internal commitment to do something - when you absolutely know this is the time and the place to act - the world around you will shift in all sorts of apparently miraculous ways to make it happen.