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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Four Reasons You Should Not Always Go With the Lowest Price With Your Next Remodel

Dream home
A home addition and remodel we completed in Brandon, Florida in 2017.

Whether a new build or remodel, going high-end luxury or minimalist, budget is important to you. However, it is important to look at all the factors when deciding on the right Design-Build Contractor to create your dream home. Here are four reasons you should not always go with the lowest price.

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The Best Countertops for Kitchens

Marble Countertops

It can be tricky to select the right countertop for your kitchen. You want to balance practicality, beauty and budget – but you’re probably buried in the variety of options out there. We decided to simplify things and break it down into the most common pros and cons of each material. Read on to discover the best countertops for your kitchen.

White kitchen countertops

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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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Our Favorite Kitchen Trends

For most homeowners, the kitchen is the heart of the home. When it comes to your remodel, home addition or custom new home, it is likely the first interior element you will be designing. So where do you start? Here are some current kitchen trends that we LOVE, to help you get started with some inspiration.

This black-and-white kitchen was part of a whole home remodel and home addition we completed last year.

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4 Ways to Jazz Up Your Front Entry

Front Door

Tired of the same old song and dance when you arrive home every day? A simple but effective way to change the rhythm of your home design is to renovate the front entry. This can be done in a BIG way, with lighting and raised ceilings and high-end finishes, or with just a few simple changes. It all depends on your budget and the style of your home. Here are 4 ways to jazz up your front entry.

Front Door
This front entry was part of a home addition and whole home remodel we recently completed in Brandon, Florida.

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Fireside Chat: What Kind of Fireplace is Best for Your Florida Home?

Luxury Homes in Florida
Fireplaces in Florida
                             A custom gas fireplace we designed and built on Island Estates as part of a whole home remodel.

Are you a fan of the hearth? Do you love the idea of curling up next to a fireplace with your family, telling stories or playing games? Or perhaps a quiet evening warming your toes, watching the sun set? The idea of a fireplace in a sub-tropical climate may seem contradictory, but it’s very common to see both wood-burning and gas fireplaces in Florida homes. But how do you get started? What if you have an existing fireplace that doesn’t fit your style? Read on for some design and construction advice on installing the right fireplace for your home.

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How to Avoid Change Orders

Surprises are great – most of the time. We all love those unexpected moments for birthdays, anniversaries, and Valentine’s Day.

But when it comes to building or remodeling your home? The last thing you want during a custom home project is a long list of surprise charges after you’ve been given a price – also known as CHANGE ORDERS.

Unfortunately, many dishonest contractors have given Change Orders a bad rep because their modus operandi is to give their clients a low bid in order to be competitive, and then once they have the job, they “walk it up” with Change Orders. We’ve met many homeowners who were given a price for a remodel but when it was all said and done, they paid more than 75% of the original bid because of Change Orders for things the contractor had “forgotten” to include in his bid.

So how do you avoid these horror stories? There are two parts to this. Read on to find out how to avoid Change Orders on your custom home project.Continue reading

Five Ways to Make Your Custom Home Project Cost More – and How to Avoid Them

 

Custom Home

When you’re building or remodeling your home, you’re not buying towels or dishes.  In most cases, it’s one of the most costly purchases you’ve ever made.  So when it comes to budget, you probably want to figure out the best places to save money right off the bat.

There are many parts and pieces to a renovation or a construction project, and many ways to save money.  That’s the beauty of working with a qualified Design-Build company, as their professionals usually have years of experience on pricing and can guide you in the right direction on which design items to select to stay within your budget.  We often save our clients thousands of dollars by finding them finishes and fixtures that still look good and are in keeping with their tastes, but are far less expensive than what they might find on their own, as a consumer.  

When we sit down with our clients for their initial design consultation, there are five major areas we like to discuss before we proceed.  These big-ticket items can make or break the bank when it comes to a custom home project, and the direction we take depends on finding that balance between budget and aesthetics.  You have to decide – are these items so important to your custom home that you are willing to stretch your budget a little?  Or does budget take priority?  Is there a middle ground in any of these areas?  These are all important aspects of the design and planning process.

Here are five places where you can sway your budget considerably on a custom home project:

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