Stair railings are a prominent feature in many of the homes we build here at Collins Builders. Choosing the right style for your custom home can make a large design impact in all the formal areas. There are 3 main components to the railings: the newel posts, the balusters, and the handrail. Each of these come in several different styles and materials and can be mixed to create a unique staircase that reflects your style. Often, we start with the balusters and then add in the newel post and handrail to complement them.
Frameless cabinetry is relatively new to the mainstream market in the United States. It is sometimes called “full access” or “European” cabinetry. Traditional cabinets in America have a face frame on the front of the cabinet box that the doors attach to, where frameless, as the name implies, does not. This change in construction offers some unique advantages Collins Builders have helped clients use while designing their new home, and might just be the perfect option for your new kitchen.
Patterned floor tiles have exploded in popularity in the last year. We can now mimic the look of expensive (and hard to maintain) cement or brick tiles, with mosaics in every possible shape, size, and color. With so many choices and such a bold floor, choosing where and how to use patterned tile can seem overwhelming. However, there are a few tried and true spaces where patterned tiles always look great, and may be the perfect way for you to incorporate them in your new home.
In the past, modern architecture was a clearly defined genre with flat planes and minimalist details. Today, there are modern versions of almost every design style, with Modern Farmhouse being the most well known. So what exactly are these new types of modern architecture?
The modern farmhouse style is a fresh take on the traditional low country farmhouse. The rooflines will often have sharp, tall gables instead of long straight lines. The front elevation will be mainly one dimension, with just a few bump-outs for interest. To keep the farmhouse feel, wood accents on columns, shutters, or beams dress up what is almost always a white exterior. Black accents on the windows and roof create a clean, minimalist palette, true to modern design. Board and batten or painted brick exteriors complete the look.
We’ve all heard the phrase, “the kitchen is the heart of the home,” and with today’s open-concept layouts, that has never been more true. Our kitchens are where family and friends gather to talk, eat, and even do homework. While a kitchen that looks beautiful is important, a kitchen that functions well is what makes creating all those meals fun instead of a chore. The first step to a functional kitchen is of course proper layout with a good work triangle. Once all your cooking, prep, and cleaning zones are lined out, the next focus should be cabinet organization. There are hundreds of different types of pullouts and inserts that can make your kitchen truly work for you.
Many of the custom homes that we build here at Collins Builders include a Powder bath with a pedestal sink. These little spaces are the perfect place to infuse your design style in a bold way. Shiplap walls and mosaic tile floors really shine in a powder bath, but it’s important not to overlook the main feature of the room – the sink. There are several ways to turn the ordinary pedestal into a fun, yet functional centerpiece of the bathroom.
Choosing paint colors for a new home can be one of the most challenging things for our clients to do. On the exterior, there is so much wall space, and often times it’s hard to know how a small sample is going to look on the outside of a new home. On the inside, you want a color that will accentuate your other selections, while still giving you the freedom to decorate with your favorite pieces. So how do you narrow down the thousands of choices? Sherwin Williams has created some fun and helpful tools to help guide you through the process.
Many of the homes we build today include a dedicate space for a home gym. This allows you to keep your bedrooms available for guests and eliminates the need for monthly memberships to get your workout in. As with any area of your new home, there are a few considerations when planning your gym that will help you create the perfect space for your needs.
The new golden hues of brushed gold, burnished brass, and brushed bronze are everywhere in design today. These are not the bright brass fixtures we grew up with, but a fresh and modern way to warm up your interior design. Adding intentional touches of brushed gold can add a tremendous wow factor to your space and truly elevate the design. But what are the best ways to incorporate it?
