Making the Most of Small Spaces

In 2024, saving space while staying stylish is everything.  Not only are homeowners looking for practical solutions to maximize every square foot, they are also seeking designs that add an illusion of space and openness.  Read our four top space-saving hacks to transform your small spaces into functional and stylish havens. 

 

Dining nook
We kept it simple for the small dining nook of this custom home we built in Clearwater. Clean lines, neutral colors, and a single pendant create a calm space overlooking the pool.

Continue reading

Should I Use Crown Molding in My Home?

Crown molding in dining room
This historic home we remodeled in Clearwater included crown molding to complement the classic design.

When it comes to home decor and interior design, every detail counts. One design element that has stood the test of time and adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to any space is crown molding. Crown molding is a decorative trim installed where the walls meet the ceiling, and it can transform the look and feel of a room. But is it the right choice for your home? In this blog, we’ll explore the pros and cons of using crown molding in your home to help you make an informed decision.

Continue reading

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.

Continue reading

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.

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:

Continue reading

Keep Your Sanity During Home Remodeling

Home Remodeling issuesHome Remodeling isn’t quite the same as having a new house built from the ground up. Sure, you still feel the excitement and anticipation about having a great new living space, but since most people remain in their homes during a renovation project, there are potential stressors to consider.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and ‘put upon’ when carpenters and other tradespeople are working in your surroundings. You don’t just occasionally drop in at the work site to see how it’s going, then drive away. Your living space is the work site, which will likely be ever-changing throughout the duration of the home remodeling project.

Home Remodeling Inconvenience: This Too Shall Pass

No dishwasher? You can DO it! Think ahead and make adaptations wherever you can. People can get testy when they can’t use their normal water supply in the usual place. Doing dishes in the bathroom sink can be a pain, but it’s manageable. If you have younger children, make it into a “camping” game. Reinforce with the family that this is only temporary, and that the end result will be well worth any short-term inconvenience.
Things you took for granted before; like a fully functioning kitchen or bathroom; will become a longed for memory pretty quickly. Be prepared for the idea that much Continue reading

Open up a Smaller Space with Home Remodel & Design

Home Remodel & DesignThe kids are growing and things are feeling somewhat cramped on the home front. Your house isn’t particularly large to start with, and now you want to create more usable room within the space that you do have. If this seems like an impossible challenge, don’t despair.

A great home remodel doesn’t have to be as major as you might think. You’d be amazed at what the design team of a creative construction company can do when faced with a seemingly impossible idea. The boundaries of reality may be wider than you imagine.

Start with the framework of the available space and work from there. Once a smaller space has been opened up physically, there are also interior design tactics you can follow with to maximize the illusion of even more space. Stretch the limits. Read on to find out how.

Create Extra Space … Like Magic

A good home remodel construction company will have experienced architectural design and renovation staff plus interior design consultants on their team, all with good ideas to take your space from tiny to terrific. Here are some solid suggestions:Continue reading

How to Take the Pain out of Home Remodeling

Home Remodeling
Are you considering a home remodel? Do you have a home improvement project you have been tossing around in your head for years but have never gone through with it?  Are you afraid to get the ball rolling?

A lot of people understandably put off of doing renovations by fear of high costs and contractor hassles.

But it’s not all bad!  Trust me!  There are some very excellent contractors out there and when you find them you can actually achieve what you set out to do without too much hassle.

 

Degrees of Home Remodelling

One thing it is important to realize isContinue reading