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.
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.
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.
How to Create a Custom Range Hood in Your Kitchen

The custom range hood of this black-and-white kitchen in one of our custom home remodels is the perfect focal point for the room.
More and more homeowners are steering away from industrial-grade, stainless steel range hoods and are opting for custom millwork to complete their kitchens. If your stove is the focal point of your kitchen, then the range hood should complement it accordingly. But installing a custom range hood is not just a matter of building a wood box and painting it. As in all things construction, you can’t forget about the logistics behind the finish piece, and that often involves multiple trades. Here are a few tips to help you when considering a custom range hood for your kitchen.
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.
Nelson Construction and Renovations Wins 2 Coty Awards at the 2019 NARI Tampa Bay Evening of Excellence

M.C. Jeff Baughman, Dominique and Greg Nelson Owners of Nelson Construction & Renovations, Inc.
Excitement was in the air at the 2019 NARI Tampa Bay 25th Anniversary Evening of Excellence as members gathered at The Birchwood in St. Petersburg, FL for dinner and the presentation of this year’s CotY (Contractor of the Year) awards.
NARI (the National Association of the Remodeling Industry) Tampa Bay members are professionals in the remodeling industry. The association includes professional remodeling contractors, product manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, trade and consumer publications, along with utilities and lending institutions.
Tampa Bay remodelers submit their completed projects to a variety of categories such as Entire House Remodels, Historic Home Remodels, Residential Interiors, Residential Exterior, Residential Additions, Universal Design, Commercial Interior, Outdoor Living and more.
Our projects are on the larger side of home additions, entire home remodels, and large remodels. We submitted two projects for consideration.Read More »
Is Beige the New Gray?

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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