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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The Art of Mixing Metals in Your Home

Brass and stainless steel fixtures
Brass and stainless steel are the perfect combination in this custom kitchen in Harbor Oaks. Glass cabinet knobs add even more elegance and texture.

We love to see more and more homeowners jumping on the mixed metals bandwagon.  Gone are the days of monochromatic finishes, when interior designers and homeowners were limited to a single metallic finish in their faucets, light fixtures and hardware.  Combining a variety of metallic hues like copper, bronze, gold and silver is a trend we can definitely get behind, for not only does it add texture and depth to a space, it gives us a diverse color palette with a ton of room for creativity.  Like anything, though, this design technique can be misused and end up looking more like an afterthought than an aesthetic feature.  Here are some guidelines to help you understand the art of mixing metals when selecting the finishes and fixtures on your home.

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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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How to Choose the Right Flooring for Your Home

It isn’t always easy selecting finishes for your home.  For many homeowners, one of the most difficult items to choose is the flooring.  There are so many options on the market, how do you know which one is right for you?  How do you ensure you make the right choice for your budget, your design, and your own personal comfort?  We’ve helped select and install many different types of flooring over the years, and we’ve learned a lot of the pros and cons of each.  Here are a few key things you need to know about how to choose the right flooring for your home.

Tile floor
Our clients selected a unique ceramic tile for the back entry and mud room of their home in Clearwater.

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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

3 High-Tech Features for Luxury New Homes

custom home buildersThese days, homeowners have a real array of must-haves when it comes to dreaming about their luxury new homes. And why not? With today’s sophisticated technology, having your custom home builders incorporate some well-chosen high-tech features into your home design is easier than ever. There may be some cool space-age controls out there that you haven’t even thought of!

Luxury new homes say that it’s time to treat and pamper yourself in elegant, top-quality surroundings. You want an ultra- attractive environment that practically runs itself, letting you enjoy touch-button, ultra-modern convenience.

Fun and Terrific High-Tech Features to Consider

Yes, fun! Because in addition to the appeal of practically effortless control over your custom-designed private surroundings, these great gadgets will make you feel futuristic and all-powerful.

1.      Multi-Room Audio-Visual Control

An impressive item to opt for in any luxury dream home is a multi-room, audio-visual control system. This allows you toContinue reading

Features for Luxury New Homes in Clearwater, Florida

luxury homesClearwater, in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, is a very accessible 20 miles from Tampa International Airport and an ideal area to site luxury new homes. What a treat to live year round in this gorgeous destination spot, which features miles of white sand and sparkling blue waters, marinas, great restaurants, nightlife and plenty of other attractions. Clearwater offers something for everyone, from families with children of all ages to couples young and old. If you are looking for the ideal permanent or supreme getaway living space, consider the lure of luxury new homes in this dynamic area.

Luxury homes bring you a no holds barred approach to creating your personal paradise, especially if you have good custom home builders on board with the talent, skills and experience to bring you just what you want, indoors and out. Owning luxury homes in Clearwater, Florida has even more to offer. Not only will you have the house of your dreams, but one situated in an enviable location where sunny skies and beautiful beaches abound.

Fitting Features for Luxury Homes

When hiring a reliable and innovative company that builds luxury homes, think deluxe. Remember that with the expert help andContinue reading

Formal Dining Rooms in Luxury New Homes: Hot or Not?

Luxury New Homes - Nelson Construction & Renovations Inc.Modern-day living has become a lot more relaxed, with a trend towards the casual. In keeping with that attitude, home design has also undergone a shift to a more laid-back style, which is seen even in the layouts of luxury new homes. If you prefer the ambience of candlelight and a glittering chandelier in a formal dining room, however, this doesn’t mean that you should completely eliminate one from your plans.

Are Owners of Luxury New Homes Opting for Less Formal Dining?

These days, very often the answer is absolutely! The choice to do away with formal dining is influenced byContinue reading