Here are a few things that we have done:
Landscaping in front with dry creek bed —- very happy with overall design... notes below
Our builder hauled in yellow-orange muck as fill... we scraped and removed as best as possible... and hauled in good topsoil. Warning!!! We have had several young trees die when the roots hit the compaction layer — a result of cement trucks, construction trucks etc... best bet is to limit when vehicles can drive.
Grass selections — we used a combination of buffalo grass and blue grama. We had our local feed store order two varieties of buffalo grass... also ordered some Sundance online. Really love this grass mixture.
Septic — so we wish the tanks were in a different location.
Propane line for grill — wish it was on east side of porch — not the west
Shop — wish the elevation of the slab was higher.
Attic — our attic access has a major flaw... there is less than one foot of landing space at top of stairs.
Entertainment center and speakers — we ran our own speaker wires...we should not have listened to the audio experts and should have run an Ethernet cable to all TVs in the house and the media center receiver. They talked my husband into a high dollar HDMI cable — the construction crew put a staple through the wire (the media folks should have ziptied cables so the would be out of the way for the builders. They got to replace cable for free!
Master closet — installed motion sensor light... I love it... I feel like a princess when I walk in and lights come on.
Friday, June 1, 2018
Friday, March 18, 2016
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| Exterior LED lighting -- missing sconces on front columns (added later) |
Lighting is lots of fun. Amazingly, we only have one fixture that we wish I had not selected (in the entry way). And I wish that I had selected a chandelier for above the tub in the master bath -- but that can come later.
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| This one is not my favorite |
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| Of course... found it for less on-line |
I suggest making some preliminary selections prior to signing the contract and seeing how far over budget you are.
Our builder was very flexible, so we might have been able to save some money by shopping around. Note: many builders may not allow this -- as they hold the supplier responsible for making sure everything is correct and expect them to make corrections ASAP and provide customer service. The supplier usually orders and holds the fixtures until the builder is ready for them.
There are so many options.... I really wanted my husband to build some fixtures, but he was willing to spend extra $$$ instead. (not to mention he was gone for the last three weeks of the building process for work)
Our guest bedrooms need additional lighting sources, such as lamps. Otherwise -- very pleased.
Bathroom lighting -- we installed sconces.... this was not originally planned, but it looks great. As far as height, I searched internet to make sure the sconces were set at the proper height.
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| Lovely holes in the "painted" wall to pull the electrical for the sconces... |
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| Patched after sconces installed |
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| Guest bath -- Mirror was from Kirklands and then tiled |
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| Finished!!! Mirrors came from Ross -- less than $35/each |
My formal dining room lighting -- my hubby let me splurge and I love it!!! 2020 Note: these lights are a pain in the rear to clean... it takes a magician to put the clamps back together to hold the glass globe!
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| Kichler | Brinley Collection 8 light Pendant | Olde Bronze42890OZ (Olde Bronze) |
**** update*****
So far all good on lights. Just wish I had seen this ceiling fan for my living room... http://wildwestliving.com/western-star-ceiling-fan-cc-kvwst.html
The little things that make it yours
The little touches are what make your custom home unlike the rest of the custom homes built in the neighborhood by the same builder.
Door handles -- we opted for lever style on most of the doors. But for the double doors with dummy knobs into the office and master bath -- we had them install crystal door knobs with plates. Small touch, but it says that we did it
Door handles -- we opted for lever style on most of the doors. But for the double doors with dummy knobs into the office and master bath -- we had them install crystal door knobs with plates. Small touch, but it says that we did it
2020 Update: I would likely use black matte for all the door hardware. Black goes with anything and will never go out of style.
Toilet Paper holder in Master -- I made a double with a shelf (gives a spot to put that phone down) using iron pipe and leftover trim materials
Faux finishes on ceilings -- see earlier post.
Do what is important for you
Toilet Paper holder in Master -- I made a double with a shelf (gives a spot to put that phone down) using iron pipe and leftover trim materials
Faux finishes on ceilings -- see earlier post.
Do what is important for you
Selecting Interior Paint and Budget
After hours of looking at paint colors on rooms in Houzz, looking at color chips, I finally settled on 12 different possibilities. I purchased samples of these and painted them on some extra sheet rock that I had scavenged when they were finishing the sheet rock. I ruled it down to three colors for the main living areas and three colors for the master bedroom, office and one of the guest rooms. I painted samples on the walls and looked at them in various lights and then gave my husband two options. I am sooo pleased with the outcome.
We did go neutral, but we did not go "white" -- which is the "in" color for 2016.
I wanted to paint my doors dark -- a color called Black Fox by Sherwin Williams, but the painter wanted $1,000 to paint them -- so that is a project for a different day. They also wanted $1000 to paint ceilings white in the guest bedrooms
Our color selections were:
SW7546 Prairie Grass -- all other rooms
SW7844 Amazing Gray -- Master, office, Master bath, guest bedroom #2
SW7004 Snowbound -- trim
We have tray ceilings in the formal dining, living, and master bedroom. Our builder allowed us to do faux finishes on these prior to moving in or installing the floors. Fortunately, we had access to scaffolding -- which made this all possible -- as ceilings are 12' or higher in dining and living and 11' in master
For the Dining -- I used Ralph Lauren's Polished Patina in English Earth -- easy to put on and looks fabulous
Master Bedroom Ceiling -- custom mixed the Ralph Lauren Polished Patina in one of the metallic colors "Wedding Bells" -- love it
Living room ceiling -- dark brown faux glaze -- applied with paint brush, dappled 2 coats with plastic bags, brushed final coat; I like the finished product, but it was a pain.
Again, I held my breath and stressed over these selections -- as definitely not anything that I want to redo in the near future. ;)
We did go neutral, but we did not go "white" -- which is the "in" color for 2016.
I wanted to paint my doors dark -- a color called Black Fox by Sherwin Williams, but the painter wanted $1,000 to paint them -- so that is a project for a different day. They also wanted $1000 to paint ceilings white in the guest bedrooms
Our color selections were:
SW7546 Prairie Grass -- all other rooms
SW7844 Amazing Gray -- Master, office, Master bath, guest bedroom #2
SW7004 Snowbound -- trim
We have tray ceilings in the formal dining, living, and master bedroom. Our builder allowed us to do faux finishes on these prior to moving in or installing the floors. Fortunately, we had access to scaffolding -- which made this all possible -- as ceilings are 12' or higher in dining and living and 11' in master
For the Dining -- I used Ralph Lauren's Polished Patina in English Earth -- easy to put on and looks fabulous
Master Bedroom Ceiling -- custom mixed the Ralph Lauren Polished Patina in one of the metallic colors "Wedding Bells" -- love it
Living room ceiling -- dark brown faux glaze -- applied with paint brush, dappled 2 coats with plastic bags, brushed final coat; I like the finished product, but it was a pain.
Again, I held my breath and stressed over these selections -- as definitely not anything that I want to redo in the near future. ;)
Exterior selections
I spent many hours looking at photos, driving around with my husband looking at rock and brick combinations, and researching information. I stressed and held my breath until the final product was actually installed. These are things that once put up -- you are pretty well stuck with until you decide to move.
Rock -- we looked at builder's stone (irregular shaped) in a variety of colors; chopped stone (rectangular shapes -- typical of most Austin white limestone). Bell's Stone was very helpful and gave addresses to go look at for the stone. After looking through 1,000s of photos and 100's of houses, we settled on a stone called "French Country". It has some grays and a bit of beige, and very little yellow. I absolutely love it.
Brick -- Pewitt's Brick from Mineral Wells was fabulous. We selected Claymex's Kansas Brownfield with a Handmade Buff Mortar (they use local sand to give the buff a bit of color)
Paint -- Initially I wanted a different color on the garage door, but it was going to be an extra $400, so we selected HGSW2484 Pebble Pathway and are very pleased with the results.
After days of fretting over these decisions -- I'm extremely pleased with the outcome.
Rock -- we looked at builder's stone (irregular shaped) in a variety of colors; chopped stone (rectangular shapes -- typical of most Austin white limestone). Bell's Stone was very helpful and gave addresses to go look at for the stone. After looking through 1,000s of photos and 100's of houses, we settled on a stone called "French Country". It has some grays and a bit of beige, and very little yellow. I absolutely love it.
Brick -- Pewitt's Brick from Mineral Wells was fabulous. We selected Claymex's Kansas Brownfield with a Handmade Buff Mortar (they use local sand to give the buff a bit of color)
Paint -- Initially I wanted a different color on the garage door, but it was going to be an extra $400, so we selected HGSW2484 Pebble Pathway and are very pleased with the results.
After days of fretting over these decisions -- I'm extremely pleased with the outcome.
Kitchen -- Upgrades and considerations
I'm planning to post some photos soon, but for now, just trying to get thoughts down....
Kitchen sink -- I ordered an amazing copper sink off of eBay for $700. So far -- I love it. Note: be sure to visit with your builder if you do something like this
Trash bin cabinet -- my husband requested a sliding cabinet trash bin -- it is Fabulous
Drawers and doors -- I wish we had upgraded to soft close doors and drawers
Vent hood -- be sure to specify how the vent hood should mount -- in our case the cabinet maker did not recess the bottom of the cabinet, so did a retrofit that looks great, but much easier if it had just been recessed to begin with
Appliances -- Know if you need to add extra $$ into the contract for upgraded appliances. The KitchenAid double oven with convection was a $900 upgrade over the Whirlpool double oven.
Microwave -- we chose to have a microwave shelf built -- Now I would have done it a bit different -- live and learn... some homes are lowering the double ovens and placing the microwave above the ovens. They also make microwave drawers.... I'd like to know if people like them or not.
Drawer depths -- Some deep drawers are great, but plan out what you need and what depths are realistic for your stuff
Pantry -- specify how the shelves will be laid out and installed
Kitchen faucets -- verify that the builder's budget will account for your selection. Our facet was an extra $90 (but cheaper than having to go back and buy another one)
Kitchen Paulette backsplash -- interchangeable design -- $450
Back splash -- upgrade to Silver Travertine -- $100-200
So... kitchen upgrades: $600 for dishwasher; $700 for sink; $900 for double oven; $600 for backsplash upgrades; $350 for granite upgrades; $200 for microwave... total of over $3k out of pocket for the upgrades (not including bar light upgrades)
Still need to purchase and install cabinet knobs or pulls (guessing another $200)
I will post photos soon!
Kitchen sink -- I ordered an amazing copper sink off of eBay for $700. So far -- I love it. Note: be sure to visit with your builder if you do something like this
Trash bin cabinet -- my husband requested a sliding cabinet trash bin -- it is Fabulous
Drawers and doors -- I wish we had upgraded to soft close doors and drawers
Vent hood -- be sure to specify how the vent hood should mount -- in our case the cabinet maker did not recess the bottom of the cabinet, so did a retrofit that looks great, but much easier if it had just been recessed to begin with
Appliances -- Know if you need to add extra $$ into the contract for upgraded appliances. The KitchenAid double oven with convection was a $900 upgrade over the Whirlpool double oven.
Microwave -- we chose to have a microwave shelf built -- Now I would have done it a bit different -- live and learn... some homes are lowering the double ovens and placing the microwave above the ovens. They also make microwave drawers.... I'd like to know if people like them or not.
Drawer depths -- Some deep drawers are great, but plan out what you need and what depths are realistic for your stuff
Pantry -- specify how the shelves will be laid out and installed
Kitchen faucets -- verify that the builder's budget will account for your selection. Our facet was an extra $90 (but cheaper than having to go back and buy another one)
Kitchen Paulette backsplash -- interchangeable design -- $450
Back splash -- upgrade to Silver Travertine -- $100-200
So... kitchen upgrades: $600 for dishwasher; $700 for sink; $900 for double oven; $600 for backsplash upgrades; $350 for granite upgrades; $200 for microwave... total of over $3k out of pocket for the upgrades (not including bar light upgrades)
Still need to purchase and install cabinet knobs or pulls (guessing another $200)
I will post photos soon!
All things electrical (not lights) + water lines
We did lots of things correctly -- but electrical items are EXPENSIVE to change or modify... so if at all possible -- include them in the contract with your builder.
Barn -- remember that slab for a barn/shop -- we forgot that we would need to run electrical, as well as water to the barn. The extra breaker and drop for the barn -- 100 Amp Circuit -- $400
Special outlets -- we added some isolated ground circuits for the TVs and computer plugs
Additional outlets and TV Cable -- we added extra outlets at the far end of the porch
Surge Protection -- we did not do this, but I would recommend looking into Whole House Surge Protection -- yes, warranties and insurance may cover a lightning strike, but the headaches of replacing that stereo speaker that took hours to set up... just some food for thought... it is an extra $700-$1000
Water lines -- to add an extra refrigerator line in the garage -- add $100
Add two duplex outlets above kitchen cabinets wired to switches for later use for cabinet lighting -- $50-100
When you do a walk through with the builder on electrical -- and preferably include extras in the initial contract.... things to consider:
Bathrooms
Barn -- remember that slab for a barn/shop -- we forgot that we would need to run electrical, as well as water to the barn. The extra breaker and drop for the barn -- 100 Amp Circuit -- $400
Special outlets -- we added some isolated ground circuits for the TVs and computer plugs
Additional outlets and TV Cable -- we added extra outlets at the far end of the porch
Surge Protection -- we did not do this, but I would recommend looking into Whole House Surge Protection -- yes, warranties and insurance may cover a lightning strike, but the headaches of replacing that stereo speaker that took hours to set up... just some food for thought... it is an extra $700-$1000
Water lines -- to add an extra refrigerator line in the garage -- add $100
Add two duplex outlets above kitchen cabinets wired to switches for later use for cabinet lighting -- $50-100
When you do a walk through with the builder on electrical -- and preferably include extras in the initial contract.... things to consider:
Bathrooms
- Add an outlet that is close to the ground in the bathrooms (if permitted by code) for a motion sensor LED light
- make sure that the plugs near sinks make sense and won't be under the towel holder or in the way if you are installing framed mirrors
- Decide if you want sconces (these are recommended to make us look our best) or overhead bar lights -- electricians poke lots of holes if they have to change -- just believe me on that one
Garage
- Do you have special welders, refrigerators, or other equipment that needs a special circuit
Walk-in Closets
- Automatic switches that turn on and off when you open doors -- we had them and oh how I miss them -- particularly on the pantry -- where the switch is in the wrong place
Switch Locations
- Make sure that they are where you want and expect them
- example: guests staying in the front two bedrooms have to walk through the living room to get to the light switch
- There are two sets of switches on one wall and on the other wall, there is only one set of switches
- Kitchen lights over the bar -- the switch is in a unique location
- Master bathroom switch -- it is on the wrong wall
Just a bit of a reach.... - Light fixture locations -- identify where and make sure they make sense
Dimmers
- Consider adding dimmers for your recessed lights. When LEDs are dimmed, they use significantly less energy -- LEDs must be dimmable and the switch must be compatible with LEDs. On a side note -- install the same brand, type, and wattage of LEDs for all that are on the same circuit (light switch). Different manufacturers use different drivers for the luminaires (bulbs) so they may dim at different rates.
Smart Lights
- This will likely become more popular in the future... we bought one that changes colors and plays music (rather poor music quality) just to check it out. Light is cool -- music not so cool -- but light can change to the beat and tone -- so that is cool
- UPDATE 2020: We have added three Caseta switches in our house. For the front lights -- we have two smart switches -- one for the uplights and one for the front porch lights. These are currently set to come on at sunset and off at 11 p.m. Can also program them to come on when your cell phone gets close (fence setting). We also have one in the master bedroom that is also a dimmer.... so cool --- lay in bed and ask Alexa to turn off the lights.
Walk through
Double check and bring the most anal person you know to help you walk through before the sheetrock goes up. We were missing the lights on the front columns and did not notice until after rock was up.... OOOPS! And now they are unlevel!
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