Why Do Florida Homes Have Textured Walls, and How Do I Make My Walls Smooth?

Smooth Walls In Florida Homes
This St. Pete home we remodeled last year featured smooth finish walls. This made wallpaper application possible in the stairwell and other parts of the home. 

Have you just moved to the Sunshine State from somewhere like California or New England?  Then perhaps you are surprised by the number of homes that feature textured walls.  Whether it’s the small, rough specks on a popcorn ceiling or orange-peel walls, or the more sweeping texture known as knock-down, texture can seem rough and strange when you’re used to smooth finish walls.  So why do so many Florida homes have textured walls?  And how do you make your walls smooth if you don’t like the texture?  Read on to find out.

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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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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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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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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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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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How to Spot and Handle a Sinkhole

 

If you live in Florida even a few weeks out of the year, you know what a paradise it is – endless sunny days, breathtaking sunsets, and soft sandy beaches. And while that beautiful sugar sand feels amazing between your toes, it can become a real liability when it starts to give way under the foundation of a home. Hence, a Floridian’s (and insurance adjuster’s) worst nightmare: Sinkholes.Before you start shuddering at the thought of your home being swallowed up by the earth, know this: there is an exact reason that a sinkhole occurs.  Additionally, if you know how to spot the signs, you will be able to catch it before it becomes a serious problem. We recently completed a major sinkhole repair project in Largo, and we learned a lot! Here are a few things you should know about sinkholes.

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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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What’s Hot – and Not – in 2017 and 2018 Home Design Trends

When it comes to home design, trends can ebb and flow with the predictability of the ocean tides.  Each time, however, cyclical trends come back with new flair and new meaning.  So what innovations does 2018 have in store for homeowners creating their custom homes?  And how does it tie in to the design trends of 2017?  Read on to find out what’s hot – and not – in 2017 and 2018 home design trends.  

Kitchen Design Trends

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