Friday, December 14, 2012

Tips on Building a Custom Home...

The Idaho Home tour has come to a close. Today, I am posting my Q & A with my client about the process of building a custom home.  I think there is some helpful tips here and interesting details about the process.  I know this will help some of you considering this route with their next home. 

Q:  What was your favorite aspect of building a custom home and your least favorite?
A:  My favorite aspect of building was being able to customize our home to fit my family's specific needs. For us, it was really important to really use the space we had wisely. We are not a very "formal" family and I'm not a fan of formal living and dining rooms that rarely get used. Because of this we were able to eliminate space that people might typically dedicate to formal spaces and expand the areas we spend the majority of our time in. 
I also have to say that I really enjoyed working with our contractor, Richard Hanks and his sub-contractors. It was fun to get to know such an eclectic group of people! I actually miss seeing and talking to them!
My least favorite part was probably just the stress of it all (mostly self-inflicted). Luckily, my husband and I agreed on 99.9% of things so when certain parts got too overwhelming for me, I was able to hand them over to him him and vice versa. 
Q:  Was the overall process worth the outcome?
A:  The overall process was definitely worth the outcome! 100%!!!
Q:  What was the most helpful resource to gather ideas for your new home? Did you tour other homes, pull pictures from the Internet, etc?
A:  The most helpful resource for gathering ideas was definitely the internet. Specifically websites like Houzz, Pinterest (which is where I found Alison!) and different interior design websites and blogs.
I asked people to tell me things that they liked or disliked about their homes. I would take polls among my friends about things like whether or not they liked their central vacuum systems, built in sound systems, different hardwood floor types, laundry systems, etc. I got some great feedback and avoided a few mishaps and mistakes by just talking to people.
I also have a friend who has built a few houses that gave me some great advice as far as layouts, floor plans and window placements. People who have been through the process a time or two are great resources!

Q:  What was the biggest lesson you learned with this process?
A:  I guess the biggest lesson I learned was to make sure that you are communicating with people that you are working with constantly. We had a few surprises along the way that were due to unclear expectations and lack of understanding. I guess I learned to ask a lot of questions even when it was uncomfortable for me to do it.
Q:  What would you do differently if you had to do it all again?
A:  I don't know that I'd do a whole lot differently. There are a few minor changes here and there but overall, I think I'd probably just try to tell myself to relax and enjoy the process a little more.

Q:  What tips/advice would you give someone who is thinking of building a new home?
A:  -Find a contractor that you trust! We were lucky to have someone who has been building homes in our area for over 30 years with a great reputation. His experience, knowledge and connections in the community were invaluable throughout the whole process.
-Be prepared to visit the job site almost daily if possible. If you are building a custom home, there can be a lot of misinterpretation and miscommunication.
-Always make sure you know ahead of time what's coming next in the building process. You don't want to be scrambling at the last minute to find the perfect bathtub or light fixture and end up settling for something you're not 100% happy with.
-Don't cut too many corners. Doing it right the first time saves money in the long run. 
-Be organized! I kept a binder full of notes, pictures, receipts, reminders, etc. with me all the time. 
-As far as the design process, know when you're in over your head and hire a professional if you're able to. We absolutely love everything Alison did and it took a huge load off of my shoulders. It was money very well spent as far as I'm concerned!

-If at all possible, do not work with close family or friends! If something doesn't go well, it can get really awkward.
-Know that you might make some mistakes and be OK with it (this was a hard one for me).
-Take your time, don't rush the process. 

-If you have a budget, be prepared to go over it.
A BIG thank you to my client for taking the time to answer these questions and for the beautiful photographs!  I had a great time with this project!
From my experience working with new construction I have to say interviewing several contractors and working with referrals is imperative!  Also, expect to pay more than you planned and for it to take longer than you expected.  It is a process that requires patience, communication, research and Xanax! haha!  The end result, however, is worth it!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Idaho Project: Beautiful Details

I have loved posting these beautiful images by Leah Stallings of this home built by Richard Hanks Construction in Idaho Falls.  I had such a great experience working with this homeowner!  They clearly had a great design concept in mind and worked with a talented team to complete their vision.  There are so many details that go into building a home and you can tell this home was thoughtfully pieced together.  This post focuses on some of the smaller areas that highlight more of the details specified in this home.

If you would like to see more of this project click here for the Great Room & Dining Room, click here for the Office, here for the Kitchen, here for the kid's rooms and here for the Master Bedroom & Bath.

 I really love all of the window treatments by Laurel Hall of High Country Creations.  The soft roman shades are beautifully made.







Isn't this house so pretty?!!

Check back on Friday...I'll be posting my Q&A with the homeowner about the process of building a custom home.



Monday, December 10, 2012

Idaho Project: Master Bedroom & Bath

Happy Monday!  I hope you all had a great weekend. 
This is the last week of posts from the Idaho custom home I worked on via eDesign.  Stay tuned for my final post which will include a Q&A with this client about the ups and downs of building a custom home.  If there is anyone who has ever considered going this route or just plain curious of what's involved, you will want to read this post!   
This Master Bedroom and Bath is a soothing retreat for this busy family.  It features some of my favorite things...all white bedding with soft accent pillows, neutral colors (which I feel is the best color scheme for a Master), big windows with lots of light streaming in and beautiful mill work to finish it off.  The Master Bath is my dream bath!!  I'm sure you will agree!!  Enjoy...

Master Bedroom


Master Bath







Friday, December 7, 2012

Idaho Project: Laundry Room


Happy Friday!!
I hope you have been enjoying the photos from the Idaho project.  Next week, I will be sharing the Master Bedroom and Bath as well as other details around the home.
I'll leave you with their beautiful laundry room!!  I am loving everything about this space!!  I think I would actually be happy doing laundry in here! :)


Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Idaho Project: Kid's Rooms

The Idaho Home Tour continues today with the bedrooms of my clients three children.  First, is their
two adorable little girls rooms.  These two girls are close in age and share a Jack & Jill bath.  I thought it would be fun to make their rooms different but make fuchsia the common theme.  After the girls rooms you will see photos of their son's room.  As you can see, I tried to carry a few similarities of the girl's rooms but with a different color scheme.  Enjoy :)

Room One



Room Two


Boy's Room


Monday, December 3, 2012

Idaho Project: Kitchen

Welcome to this gorgeous kitchen! 
The Idaho home tour continues with this spacious, bright and lovely kitchen.  If you would like to see photos of the Dining Room & Great Room click here, for the Office click here.

Kitchen
Notice the details!  The different colored cabinets, with different counter tops.  The built-in banquet with custom table, the molding, the hardware...etc.  So many great features and special touches.








 I selected an indoor/outdoor fabric for the bench. I also wanted a busy pattern to help hide food spills.  The solid navy pillows have a chartreuse solid welt.








photos by:  Leah Stallings

Up next for this home tour, I will feature the three adorable kids rooms! 

Have a great week!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Idaho Project: Office

Today, I am featuring the Office from the Idaho eDesign project I recently completed.  This room lends itself to a more masculine feel with its clean lines, worn leather and found objects.  It is a quiet retreat from the home and a perfect space to work.

Office


 This built-in desk is so nicely done.  I love the look of the white cabinets with the wood stained desk top.

I found this grasscloth and loved the warmth it would bring to this office as well as bringing in the Navy color from the rest of the home. 

My client liked the idea of painting the inside of the coffered ceiling to coordinate with the navy paper.  It was another way to make this room feel warm and cozy.

I would love a space like this to work in, wouldn't you?!
Next up on this home tour will be the kitchen, one of my favorite rooms in this home!

Monday, November 26, 2012

HOME TOUR: Idaho Project

 This next week or two will be filled with pretty photos from my eDesign project in Idaho.  This was such a fun project to work on because as you can see, this custom home by Richard Hanks Construction, is filled with amazing detail.  My client made some wonderful selections that I just helped tie together with fabrics, paint, wallpaper and various miscellaneous details. At the end of this home tour, I am excited to share a little Q&A with this client about her journey and experience building a custom home.

Great Room & Dining Room

The wood work in this home is incredible.  I love the attention to detail.  



 We decided on a Navy blue, chartreuse and grey color palette for this home.  



 I love lots of natural light in a home.  These big windows are perfect for this space.

Details.

 The Dining Room shares the relaxed feel of the great room.


There are many more photos of this home to come!  I will be sharing the Office, Kitchen, Master Bedroom, kids rooms and other details of this home.  Stay Tuned!!

All photos by: Leah Stallings







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