Section · 20 publications
Home Design Studio
Twenty custom-home concept studios in one place. Shape a layout, save a brief, then plan the project.
Open the section →The True Blue publication network
Good ideas.
Better-informed builds.
Explore 100 focused publications for custom homes, building materials and the people who build. Start with a local guide, shape a home concept, or prepare your next material purchase.
100Publications
20Home concept studios
20Buying guides
Interactive concept studyNo. 061
Original schematic illustrationTrue Blue / Minnesota
Planning a custom home? Visit True Blue Custom Homes, or use the studios below to prepare your first brief. Your planning notebook and original resource board keep your saved choices on this browser.
100 of 100 publications
Section · 10 publications
Residential Design Guides
Detail-level residential guides: additions, foundations, drainage, conversions and finish decisions.
Open the section →Section · 10 publications
Local Planning Notebooks
Place-specific notebooks for west-metro Minnesota communities.
Open the section →Section · 30 publications
Materials & Procurement
Buying desks and material specifications, with worksheets for quantities and quote comparison.
Open the section →Section · 10 publications
Field Technology for Trades
Software, devices and data for crews working in the field.
Open the section →Section · 10 publications
Trade Careers & Leadership
Entering the trades, building a crew and leading one.
Open the section →Section · 10 publications
Commercial Execution
Commercial and institutional delivery: coordination, compliance and bid execution.
Open the section →Local planning · 054
Independence Land & Home
Land, outbuildings & flexible home plans
Open publication →Local planning · 056
Maple Plain Infill Notebook
Infill, additions & existing-site coordination
Open publication →Local planning · 058
Plymouth Custom Home Notebook
Custom homes, replacements & major additions
Open publication →Local planning · 059
Orono Home & Landscape Guide
Views, records & site-sensitive design
Open publication →Home concept studio · 061
Modern Farmhouse Studio
A porch-centered home with flexible family space.
Open publication →Home concept studio · 062
Family Rambler Studio
One-level living, clear circulation and practical storage.
Open publication →Home concept studio · 063
Scandinavian Gable Studio
A compact gable with calm, deliberate material choices.
Open publication →Home concept studio · 064
Craftsman Porch Studio
A generous arrival and a carefully proportioned street face.
Open publication →Home concept studio · 065
Modern Prairie Studio
Long views, sheltered outdoor space and horizontal proportions.
Open publication →Home concept studio · 066
Midcentury Courtyard Studio
A quiet street face with an open garden side.
Open publication →Home concept studio · 067
Lake View Home Studio
View-first living with a practical, protected arrival.
Open publication →Home concept studio · 068
Multigenerational Home Studio
Shared living with room for independent routines.
Open publication →Home concept studio · 069
Aging in Place Studio
A flexible home brief for changing everyday needs.
Open publication →Home concept studio · 070
Courtyard Home Studio
A private outdoor room at the heart of the plan.
Open publication →Home concept studio · 071
L-Shaped Home Studio
Two connected wings, with a clearer separation of uses.
Open publication →Home concept studio · 072
Narrow Lot Home Studio
A compact width with a deliberate path through the home.
Open publication →Home concept studio · 073
Two-Story Family Home Studio
A clear divide between gathering and quiet spaces.
Open publication →Home concept studio · 074
Split-Level Reimagined Studio
A level-change concept built around everyday routes.
Open publication →Home concept studio · 075
Walkout Home Studio
A lower-level concept connected to outdoor living.
Open publication →Home concept studio · 076
Barndominium Living Studio
A simple form with clearly defined living and work zones.
Open publication →Home concept studio · 077
Post-Frame Home Studio
A broad-span idea with a complete system discussion.
Open publication →Home concept studio · 078
Compact ADU Studio
A compact living concept with a focused room program.
Open publication →Home concept studio · 079
Timber Frame Home Studio
An expressive structure organized around meaningful rooms.
Open publication →Home concept studio · 080
High-Performance Home Studio
A compact form with a coordinated enclosure brief.
Open publication →Materials & procurement · 081
Framing Lumber Desk
Grade and species specified by the designer
Open publication →Materials & procurement · 082
Engineered Floor Desk
Manufacturer, series and depth from the engineered layout
Open publication →Materials & procurement · 083
Sheathing & Subfloor Desk
Panel application and performance category
Open publication →Materials & procurement · 084
Foundation Concrete Desk
Mix designation and performance requirements from the project documents
Open publication →Materials & procurement · 085
The Window Buying Room
Opening number, size and operating type
Open publication →Materials & procurement · 086
The Exterior Door Buying Room
Opening dimensions and wall depth
Open publication →Materials & procurement · 088
Roofing System Desk
Measured roof surface area rather than home floor area
Open publication →Materials & procurement · 089
The Insulation Buying Room
Assembly location and design requirement
Open publication →Materials & procurement · 090
Air & Water Barrier Desk
Barrier product and permitted substrate
Open publication →Materials & procurement · 091
Drywall & Finish Desk
Panel type and thickness for each location
Open publication →Materials & procurement · 092
The Wood Floor Buying Room
Solid or engineered construction and product dimensions
Open publication →Materials & procurement · 093
The Resilient Floor Buying Room
Product construction, thickness and intended use
Open publication →Materials & procurement · 094
Tile & Waterproofing Buying Room
Tile dimensions, finish and application suitability
Open publication →Materials & procurement · 095
Kitchen Cabinet Desk
Cabinet dimensions and item numbers
Open publication →Materials & procurement · 096
The Countertop Buying Room
Material and selected finish
Open publication →Materials & procurement · 098
Heating & Cooling Desk
Load calculation and design conditions
Open publication →Materials & procurement · 100
The Decking Buying Room
Board profile, color and usable coverage
Open publication →Construction technology · 001
Field UI/UX
Field UI/UX resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Construction technology · 002
React Native for Trades
React Native for Trades resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Construction technology · 003
Zod Bid Validation
Zod Bid Validation resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Construction technology · 004
FastAPI Scaling
FastAPI Scaling resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Construction technology · 005
Tech-Native Crew
Tech-Native Crew resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Construction technology · 006
Connectivity
Connectivity resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Construction technology · 007
Escrow
Escrow resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Construction technology · 008
Multi-Tenant SaaS
Multi-Tenant SaaS resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Construction technology · 009
Estimating AI
Estimating AI resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Construction technology · 010
Foremen Tablets
Foremen Tablets resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Build materials · 011
Wedi / Schluter Waterproofing
Wedi / Schluter Waterproofing resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Build materials · 012
High-Durability Coatings
High-Durability Coatings resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Build materials · 013
Resilient Rubber Baseboards
Resilient Rubber Baseboards resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Build materials · 014
Aluminum Railings
Aluminum Railings resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Build materials · 015
ICF Foundations
ICF Foundations resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Build materials · 016
LVP
LVP resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Build materials · 017
Surface Finishes
Surface Finishes resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Build materials · 018
Structural Adhesives
Structural Adhesives resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Build materials · 019
Millwork Tolerances
Millwork Tolerances resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Build materials · 020
Advanced Fenestration
Advanced Fenestration resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Trade & leadership · 021
Blue-Collar Renaissance
Blue-Collar Renaissance resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Trade & leadership · 022
Tech Mentorship
Tech Mentorship resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Trade & leadership · 023
Safety Codes
Safety Codes resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Trade & leadership · 024
Next-Gen Builder
Next-Gen Builder resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Trade & leadership · 025
Execution
Execution resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Trade & leadership · 026
Mental Wellness
Mental Wellness resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Trade & leadership · 027
Digital Tools
Digital Tools resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Trade & leadership · 028
Apprenticeship to Architecture
Apprenticeship to Architecture resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Trade & leadership · 029
Trade School Alternatives
Trade School Alternatives resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Trade & leadership · 030
Trade Economics & Wages
Trade Economics & Wages resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Commercial construction · 031
Retail Buildouts
Retail Buildouts resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Commercial construction · 032
Site Prep Regulations
Site Prep Regulations resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Commercial construction · 033
Dispensary Compliance
Dispensary Compliance resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Commercial construction · 034
Multi-Trade Coordination
Multi-Trade Coordination resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Commercial construction · 035
Office Demo
Office Demo resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Commercial construction · 036
High-Traffic Surfaces
High-Traffic Surfaces resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Commercial construction · 037
Turnkey Proposals
Turnkey Proposals resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Commercial construction · 038
Concrete & Structural
Concrete & Structural resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Commercial construction · 039
Heavy Framing
Heavy Framing resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Commercial construction · 040
VA / Institutional Bids
VA / Institutional Bids resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Residential architecture · 041
Farmhouse Frost-Line Specs
Farmhouse Frost-Line Specs resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Residential architecture · 042
ADU Layouts / Zoning
ADU Layouts / Zoning resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Residential architecture · 043
Lean-To Additions
Lean-To Additions resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Residential architecture · 044
Layout Conversions
Layout Conversions resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Residential architecture · 045
Seamless Gutters
Seamless Gutters resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Residential architecture · 046
Retaining Walls
Retaining Walls resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Residential architecture · 047
Cabin Ecosystems
Cabin Ecosystems resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Residential architecture · 048
Post-Frame Dynamics
Post-Frame Dynamics resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Residential architecture · 049
Interior Demo
Interior Demo resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →Residential architecture · 050
Architectural Harmony
Architectural Harmony resources, interactive planning models and practical reference links.
Open publication →