Exposed Bulb Lighting – A Very Popular Lighting Choice

Exposed bulb orb pendant lighting over a kitchen island in one of our home remodel projects.

Exposed bulb lighting has become increasingly popular and looks like a trend that is here to stay. Rather than hiding the bulb behind an opaque shade, exposed light fixtures put the simple, sculptured form of the bulb on display, creating an outstanding point of interest.

For those captivated by the look, there are a remarkable variety of options. Pendant lights are one of the most popular and widely available forms.  They are being chosen to replace chandeliers and track lighting and work wonderfully well over kitchen islands.  

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Spring Show Stopping Kitchen Inspiration for 2020

An award-winning show stopping kitchen.

Show-stopping kitchens are the top amenity asked for by homeowners.

Designing a stunning kitchen is more than just updating an old counter-top and appliances and putting on a fresh coat of paint. To truly create a show-stopping kitchen you need to consider all the details that will help bring everything together to make an aesthetic space both you and your loved ones can enjoy together.

And what are “all the details” that you should consider when wanting to create a show-stopping kitchen?  To answer this question, here is a list of some of the top details you can consider adding to your kitchen design.Continue reading

Tips and Pitfalls of Buying Land to Build Your Dream Home

Land for sale
Beachfront Property

Not a week goes by that we don’t get calls from people looking for property to buy so they can build their dream home.  They are hungry for information and want to know what is involved and the process to get their custom home built.

When looking for a vacant lot or land for sale, the following tips will help you make your buying decision. Considering these before you buy can save a lot of unwanted surprises later and make for a happier experience building your new home.Continue reading

How Design-Build Helps You Save Money

Ne;son Construction Design Build

Did you know Design-Build can actually save you money? You have probably heard that if you want to build a custom home, the first place to start is with an architect.  Even Contractors will refer you to an architect if you don’t have blueprints done, because they need plans in order to give you a proper estimate.  The trouble with this is that most architects are going to draw you whatever you want and will not give you much guidance on what things cost.  So if you have a budget, you will likely experience sticker-shock when you bring your completed blueprints to your Contractor and find out it will cost you far more than you expected to build what you want. 

At our company, we saw many tears and much frustration in our conference room when homeowners discovered that they could not afford to build what their architect had drawn them.  Since our purpose is to make the building and renovating process less stressful and more enjoyable for homeowners, we decided there had to be a better way to help our clients create their dream homes within their budgets.  Because, let’s face it, not everyone has the cash flow of Warren Buffett – and even Warren runs a tight budget. That is when we discovered Design-Build. 

What is Design-Build?

Design-Build is a project delivery system in the construction industry in which one entity handles both the design and the build aspects of a construction project.  This means that one company (in our case, the Contractor) runs the design and planning portion of the project in addition to the construction.  Not only does this give both the Contractor and the homeowner more control, it saves the homeowner a ton of money.

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New Air Conditioning Solution for Historic Homes

Air Conditioning Solution for Historic Homes

Solutions for Historic Homes

Every once in a while, we come across a solution for a remodeling historic homes problem that is just too good not to share. 

There is a large inventory of older and historic homes in Pinellas County and the greater Tampa Bay area.  These historic homes are very desirable and hold tons of appeal – from architectural windows and solid plaster walls to marble windowsills, crown molding, pocket doors, arched doorways and in many cases higher-quality materials and finishing touches than are used today.

A potential drawback to these charming homes is that interior rooms can turn into a sauna with our hot and humid summer days. Older homes often don’t have the space to install ductwork for a conventional central air-conditioning system. Attic space is small, many times there is no basement or crawlspace and there isn’t enough room between the outer and inner walls for ductwork. Window units are loud and unsightly.

In recent years, a solution to air conditioning these historic homes is the ductless mini split system that consists of an indoor unit  mounted on a wall or ceiling and an outdoor unit that houses the compressor and condenser. They allow each room to have a different temperature setting. 

The mini split ductless system is efficient; however, they are not always considered aesthetically pleasing by homeowners who may not want a conspicuous wall, ceiling or floor unit competing with their décor.

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The Wonders of Natural Stone Flooring

Marble Tile in Historic Home Restoration Project provides elegance adding to the luxury of the home.
Elegant Marble Tile in This Historic Home Restoration Project

Finding the Right Stone Flooring

Natural Stone flooring is a wonderful choice for Florida homes.  Not only is its cool temperature perfect for withstanding the heat and humidity, it also adds a feeling of luxury that’s hard to find in other materials.  It is eco-friendly, as it is mined from the earth in various locations around the globe, and today’s selection offers fantastic variations in color and quality.  But with so much variety, how do you choose?  Where do you even start? 

We thought we’d simplify it for you.  Read on to learn more about stone flooring and which kind might be right for your home. 

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Choosing Custom Cabinets: Let’s Break It Down

Millwork custom cabinets

We love cabinets.  Aside from their practical use (they store things, organize our spaces, hide items that might otherwise be clutter), they can be the most beautiful part of a kitchen, bathroom or bedroom.  But not all cabinets are created equal, and stock cabinets can sometimes have a negative effect on a room, making it look cheap and cluttered.  That’s why we prefer semi-custom or custom cabinets.  Not only can the layout be designed to best fit your life, you can choose every detail from the style to the finish.

Millwork custom cabinets
     Kitchen Cabinets in a Whole Home Remodel

  But so many choices can make you dizzy trying to decide which ones are right for you.  Where do you even start?  Let’s break it down.  Read on to learn the basic types of cabinets and how to choose the style that’s right for you.

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How to Add Texture to a Room

Using natural wood to create fireplace accent wall
Using natural wood to create fireplace accent wall
This remodel we did in 2017 included a customer fireplace with wood paneling and a large beam to create texture in the room.

We LOVE the current trend toward open-plan living.  Who doesn’t want wonderful large gathering spaces in their home?  The only downside is that spaces with an open floor plan can typically feel cold and empty.  One way to fix this is by adding texture to bring a little interest – and a lot of personality – to the room.

Texture can be added to floors, ceilings, walls, doors and windows.  A wide range of materials can be used including reclaimed wood, natural wood, stone, brick, paint, metal, molding and more. Here are a few ways you can add texture to your home.

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Is Beige the New Gray?

Beige Bathroom

 

Beige Bathroom
The master bathroom of this whole home renovation we did on Island Estates has a beautiful, warm color palette.

In the world of home design, trends ebb and flow almost as fluidly as the fashion industry.  They may come and go and come back again, but they always return with a new vibe, as cultural changes ripple through homes, businesses, restaurants and cafes, bringing new inspiration to homeowners, designers, architects and contractors alike.  Recently the tides have begun to turn again, and – as controversial as it may seem – beige is making a comeback.  Don’t worry, this is not the old-fashioned obsession with shades of brown and orange.  Beige is returning with a subtle warmth and elegance that is giving the ever-popular gray palette some stiff competition.  Read on for some cutting edge advice on incorporating beige into your home design.

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What We Can Learn from American Architecture

American architecture is as diverse as its culture – from the Spanish adobes and plantations of the South, to the colonial saltboxes and industrial styles of the North. When building or remodeling your own home, you may choose a design that aligns with the style of your location – or, since freedom of expression is the very woof and warp of the American culture, you may opt for something completely unique and different. Read on to learn about the history of American architecture and the styles that may inspire you on your next custom home project.

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