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.
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.
Traditional or Modern Style? Can’t Decide? Then Transitional Style Is for You!
This Transitional Style home we built in Clearwater includes quartz countertops, Shaker-style cabinets, unique light fixtures, and a variety of modern and traditional elements.
Are you planning your new home or a major renovation but can’t decide on the style you want? Is it a tug of war between going with a traditional style of comfortable furniture and classic designs or a modern style of sleek, clean lines? You will be happy to learn that you can have them both in the trending transitional style.
The eloquent luxury transitional style gives you the freedom to pick your favorite elements from both traditional and modern resulting in a harmonious fusion that is comfortable, classic and chic.
When well executed, one of the major benefits of building a custom transitional home is the freedom to choose your favorite elements from each style without sacrificing the aesthetic, worth, or quality of the final product.
So, how can you do this and what are the elements to consider?
The Art of Mixing Metals in Your Home
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.
5 Construction Tips When Building or Remodeling Your Home In Florida
When Building or Renovating Your Home in Florida, Consider These 5 tips.
Renovating a house in Florida is not like construction in the rest of the country. Not only do you have to deal with the humidity (hello, mold), there’s also the hurricanes, termites, frequent rainstorms and beating sun (which lead to dry-rot). It’s no wonder the construction industry is so heavily regulated down here.
So what do you need to know to properly navigate the ins and outs of a renovation in Florida? Read on for five important tips.
“Can You Actually DO That?” Tales of Wonder in Construction
From the Great Pyramids of Giza to the cathedrals of Europe, construction over the ages has been a source of wonder and amazement. Whether dealing with plumb-bobs and rugged stone or lasers and steel, builders and tradespeople are viewed with a sort of awe, as they carry a wisdom and courage about the material universe that seems several notches above the average person.
Although we are not building cathedrals or pyramids, today’s builder or remodeler is still accomplishing feats that often go un-acknowledged, because all people see is the finished product. Until one experiences or hears the tale of the barriers one had to overcome (and there are many), it seems that building or remodeling is routine and mundane, as if one need only stack up some lumber and slop on some mortar to build a house. The truth is, no one construction project is the same, especially when it comes to custom home building and remodeling, and we’re here to share some stories (and Before and After photos) of construction projects we’ve done that were, each one, an adventure in itself.
2017 © Nickolas Sargent Photography
How Design-Build Helps You Save Money
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.
New 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.
The Wonders of Natural Stone Flooring
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.
Interior Remodeling – Let’s Talk Paint
The finishing touches on your home mean everything. When it comes interior remodeling, and in this case to paint, you want it to look perfect. But a proper paint job is so much more than a bucket and a paintbrush. Just like an actor on stage has hundreds of moving parts and a team behind him, a well-painted wall will only make its debut if the preparations are done properly – and sometimes that goes all the way back to drywall. Read on to find out what you need to know about painting your walls.
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I would hire Nelson CR again in a heartbeat. No construction new project and/or renovation is without issues. However, if you want a company and a team that will resolve those issues to your satisfaction then NCR is that company. The thoughtfulness, professionalism, quality of work, communication and a resolution oriented team are the best... 
