With St. Patrick’s Day coming up, what better way to celebrate than with an article on the ways the Irish have influenced American architecture? From the Gothic Revival style of churches to the Victorian-era row houses, Irish architects and builders have left their mark on the American landscape. Even iconic buildings like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building were designed by Irish-American architects. The Irish have influenced the United States in so many ways, affecting our politics, industry, organized labor, religion, literature, music, and art. A less-known contribution is their architectural influence.
2023 Interior Design Trends
What are the interior design trends for 2023, and why is everyone talking about them?
The years of 2020 through 2023 saw a considerable amount of global upheaval. Coming into 2023, people want a fresh start. To feel like the world is finally righting itself, many have turned to interior design trends to help them find a sense of balance and beauty. That is what the design trends this year are trying to accomplish.
Here are a few of this year’s design trends.

This home addition we did on Island Estates in Clearwater included a number of 2023 design trends, including warm earth tones.
Why Are So Many Florida Homes Built With Concrete Block?

These five duplexes we are building on Indian Rocks Beach consist of a foundation and first floor made of concrete and masonry, with the second and third stories constructed with wood framing. This is common building practice in Florida.
In most parts of the country, structures are built primarily with wood framing from the foundation to the roof. In Florida, however, it is very common to see homes built with concrete block. It is done minimally on the first floor, but sometimes the entire structure is built out of concrete masonry units (CMU). We are asked often why it is done that way down here. Is it required by law? Do Florida contractors just like to go the extra mile? Is there simply an over-abundance of masons?
The answer is, none of the above. Building code allows for both concrete block and engineered wood framing down here in Florida, as long as they comply with hurricane codes. However, there are many reasons why concrete block is the more popular building choice. We’ll discuss a few of the main ones here.
What to Do About Supply Chain Disruptions

The pre-construction period on this project we are doing on Indian Rocks Beach involved meticulous planning, which helped us avoid delays due to supply chain issues. We are building six new luxury townhomes near the beach.
Are you renovating or building a home and pulling your hair out because of materials delays? Does it feel like prices seem to fluctuate by the hour? Supply chain disruptions have been problematic in the construction industry for a couple of years now, and we’ve had to deal with a lot of issues, from soaring lumber prices to months’ delays on windows and doors. Here are a few suggestions to help you keep your project on schedule despite supply chain disruptions:
The Difference Between Lump-Sum and Cost-Plus Construction Contracts

Our team does in-depth planning and design before pricing a project and presenting a contract to our clients. In order to present an accurate cost, we must have all the planning done and included in the scope of work.
We get a lot of questions from homeowners about how to price their construction project. When it comes to custom home building, there is no “one size fits all,” cookie-cutter costing system. Every single project is unique and different – which means it involves its own design, its own construction practices, and thus its own unique price. But did you know that there are many different ways to get bids on your construction project? In this article, we will discuss two of the most popular kinds of construction contracts: lump-sum and cost-plus. It is important that you understand the difference, including the pros and cons of each, so that you can make the right decision when it comes to requesting financial information on your project.
Five Tips For Working with a Custom Home Builder

A custom home built by Nelson Construction and Renovations.
When building a custom home, nearly everything pivots on your relationship with your builder. You need someone who is more than just a contractor or designer – you need someone you can trust. Reversely, your builder will rely on you for many things throughout the course of the project. Understanding the relationship and working together as a team will determine how smoothly your project goes. To help you with this vital aspect of your project, here are five tips for working with a custom home builder.
5 Design Tips for Creating a Modern Kitchen
Whether you love a clean, minimalistic design or you’re the crossover type going for a transitional style, you need to know what makes a modern kitchen. It’s not just cutting-edge technology, and it’s not even straight lines and minimalism. Modern design is a philosophy centered on function. This could never be truer than in a modern kitchen, which tends to be the center of the home, where function and flow lines are absolutely essential.
In addition to function, there are a few basic design elements that can make a kitchen feel more contemporary. This can help you steer your design in the direction you want, so read on for our top 5 design tips for creating a modern kitchen.
Why Do Florida Homes Have Textured Walls, and How Do I Make My Walls Smooth?

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.
The New Shape of Home Design: 2021 Design Trends We LOVE
When it comes to home design, 2021 is the year for turning a new leaf. Favored design trends from the last decade are fading fast, being replaced by a bold sense of adventure in color, texture and style. Read on to find out what’s “in” and “out” in 2021:
How Design Trends Have Changed in 2020
A lot of things have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, and construction and design are no exception. Here are three ways that design trends have changed in 2020.
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