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As such, it’s also the best time to think realistically about how you really live in your house.

For example, you might have seen a lot of houses with built-in “cubbies” near the back door where kids can drop their backpacks and sports equipment when they come home from school at the end of the day.

It’s a great feature — if you have school-aged children.  But if you don’t, do you really need this feature?

Would a different built-in serve your family better?  How about a built-in mail center, a built-in shoe cabinet or a custom cupboard that stores cleaning tools or hobby supplies?

Maybe the floor plan of your new house provides for a “butler’s pantry” between the kitchen and the dining room.

Have you taken the time to notice what, exactly, is in there?

Consider:  some houses have butler’s pantries with sinks and dishwashers while others don’t. Are either of these features important to you?

And if no one in your family drinks wine, there’s not much point in having a wine rack or a wine refrigerator in there.  Maybe you’d use the space more if it were set up as a coffee bar.

Here are some resources to help you think about, and envision, the potential for built-ins in your own new house:

–At This Old House .com  you can see a photo gallery of 12 good built-in storage ideas that you might not have thought of.

Check out the open storage unit built in the wedge-shaped space underneath a staircase.

Working with a Hughes-Edwards design professional during the planning stages can help you discover new uses for unused space. For instance, consider using the space between the studs to create storage shelving in a small room.

–If you are trying to maximize space in a bedroom that two children will share, see this Pinterest board featuring a photo collage of built-in bunk beds in different styles, including a set of loft beds with walk-in closets built underneath them.

–On HOUZZ you can find 80 different photographs of custom built-in charging stations for cell phones and tablets.

You’ll see charging stations in open cupboards, in closed cabinets, “garages,” and drawers with racks to hold the phones with power outlets contained inside them. Here is an example of a charging station designed by Hughes-Edwards Builders.

–Visit MSN Real Estate and read “21 Knock Out Built-Ins” with another great photo gallery.

You might be inspired by the built-in entertainment centers.  Be sure to see the built-in bookcases that wrap around and over the windows of a quaint reading room “tucked beneath the timbers” of one house.

–At HGTVremodels.com, the “Broom and Utility Closet Organization” article comes with more than 16 links to other closet-related articles and a closet-planning guide.

For  information on incorporating more functional space into your new home building design in the Nashville TN area please contact us by filling out the form below. [contact-form]

Media Center by Hughes Edwards Builders

There are so many decisions to make while planning a dream home!  At Hughes-Edwards Builders, our expert team of designers and craftsmen can help guide your through the process of building a new home or remodeling your current home in the Nashville, TN area from start to finish. Want to get a head start on the planning? Here are 10 expert articles available on the web that might help:

–“Do I Need An Architect?” by Jackie Craven seeks to help you answer that question by explaining the basics of the residential design world, like the difference between a certified professional building designer and an architect.  Find it at about.com.

–If you’re interested in efficient use of space, check out “The Not So Big Showhouse:  A Virtual Tour” at notsobighouse.com.  The Not So Big House is all about designing rooms that do double- and even triple-duty, like the “away room” that can be a home office, a gaming room and/or a guest bedroom, with a hidden bed in the wall.

–“Top Ten Kitchen Design Trends” at hgtv.com is a photo gallery showcasing color palettes and combinations of finishes for this most important room.

–For even more kitchen inspiration, read “Our Most Beautiful Kitchens” at traditionalhome.com.  The article and photos of these gorgeous cooking spaces are a showcase of different styles, from contemporary to French Country.

–Within the big subject of kitchens, the selection of countertop material is a major decision — there are choices other than granite.

Learn about all your countertops options at the blog, kitchn.com, whose author posted “Kitchen Countertops:  11 Material Choices.”  Each material choice is discussed in a separate little article, so this is a place to find out about the pros and cons of granite versus concrete, quartz, soapstone and other choices.

–What room or rooms in your dream house will have a TV in them, and where will the TV be placed? Confront your TV issues by reading “The TV Dilemma:  TV Over Fireplace?” at  thingsthatinspire.net.

Here, you can ponder your own answer to this all-important question while reading the opinions of design experts and viewing the photo gallery of ingenious TV placement ideas, including one that’s IN the fireplace (instead of a fire).

–The ancient Chinese concept of feng shui holds that the placement of rooms, windows and doors can affect your well-being.  In our culture, we call it the positive “flow” that some houses seem to have.

If you want good flow in your home design, read “A Good Feng Shui Floor Plan” on about.com, which includes seven specific tips to maximize “good energy” in your new home.

–Closets are so important, and too often, un-premeditated. While planning your new house check out “Readers Choice:  The 10 Most Popular Closet Photos of 2012” on houzz.com, which also contains expert discussions by designers on this critical subject.

There’s a separate gallery of 10 master closets.  (You might want to copy the one with the built-in ironing boards.)

–One brick is NOT like another!  Before you decide how your house is going to look on the outside, read “Choosing Exterior Brick, Stone and Colors” by blogger Joel Luks at joelswelcomemat.wordpress.com.

–If you’re like most homeowners, you want a good outdoor living space. Visit Southern Living’s website, for the article, “71 Breezy Porches and Patios,” and see these porches, patios and piazzas.  Steal-able ideas: the built-in drink ledge, and the porch doors with the shutters.

If you are ready to build your dream home or remodel your existing home we would love to hear from you. Please fill out the form below.   [contact-form]

Locally, the uptick in home improvement projects is already being seen at Hughes-Edwards Builders, which has been renovating and enlarging existing homes for clients for many years, in addition to building new custom homes.

Home before renovation by Hughes Edwards Builders

Home after renovation by Hughes Edwards Builders

The company completed more than 50 different home remodeling projects in the Nashville area last year.

The Houzz survey of more than 100,000 readers shows the percentage of homeowners delaying projects due to the economy has dropped to 45 percent from 52 percent the previous year.

Bathrooms and kitchens remain the most common home renovation projects as well as the most expensive ones, even as most homeowners acknowledge that the family TV room is the place where they spend the most time.

Last year’s survey uncovered the fact that most homeowners are more interested in home improvements to please themselves, and not necessarily the next owner.

Helping people create unique, more ideal living spaces for themselves within their existing home is second nature to a custom design and build company like Hughes-Edwards.

“I’d say that the majority of the people we work with on home renovation projects are doing it to please themselves,” said Hughes-Edwards’ partner Bryan Edwards.

The firm has recently been working with several renovation clients whose children have grown up and left home, creating opportunities to use rooms and spaces in new ways.

Currently, Hughes-Edwards is performing a whole house renovation and expansion project that includes a kitchen and breakfast nook renovation, powder room, family room and pantry addition, new bedrooms, wraparound porches, home technology upgrades and new outdoor living spaces.

But the company is also experienced in smaller home renovations, including bathroom remodels to permit aging in place, and outdoor living rooms with fireplaces.

Homeowners who are concerned about making choices that will help sell their house will benefit from expert advice from Hughes-Edwards’ designers and real estate experts, Edwards said.

These personnel can help figure out what’s appropriate style wise for a house, and help with understanding neighborhood property values, too.

According to the Houzz survey, 58 percent of respondents planning a home renovation project said they will be hiring a professional to help them. Please visit the Hughes Edwards Builders Profile on HOUZZ to read our customer’s reviews and browse project photos. If you’d like to schedule a free consultation about your remodeling or New Build project, please fill out the form below. [contact-form]

Influenced by Edwards’ studies at St. John’s College at Oxford University in England and partner Gene Hughes Carolina background, Hughes-Edwards seeks out refurbished pieces from a variety of sources.

“Gene growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina and studying at the University of South Carolina has had a huge impact on his design aesthetic. I’m a Southern boy at heart too but studying abroad art and architecture in an environment steeped in history has influenced my appreciation for accenting a project with unique architectural pieces,” Edwards said.

Studying at the University of Oxford St. John’s College in England influenced Hughes-Edwards Builders’ Bryan Edwards

Hughes-Edwards 2005 award-winning Parade of Homes entry, Dover Hall, in Gallatin’s Fairvue Plantation is built entirely of reclaimed brick from the Tarbox School in Nashville.

Built in the 1880s, brick from this Nashville elementary school stood the test of time and was used on the 2005 Parade of Homes entry by Hughes-Edwards Builders. (1932 Photo by Wiles, Nashville Public Library)

It was close but the 2005 award-winning Dover Hall’s exterior is made entirely of Tarbox School repurposed and built by Hughes Edwards Builders on the scenic Fairvue Plantation in Gallatin, TN.

The New Mexico style restaurant Sopapillas is the latest Hughes-Edwards’s project to weave in old with the modern. Hughes-Edwards build-out of the new restaurant in the Streets of Indian Lake in Hendersonville has a pretty reclaimed wood feature. Sopapillas’s owner Steve Dale found reclaimed barn wood via Natural Design from Thompson’s Station, Tennessee. Already using barn wood as a table in their popular Franklin Sopapillas, Dale has repeated this unique piece of furniture in the Hendersonville locale destined to be a conversation piece.

The custom crafted dining room table was created for Sopapilla’s new Hendersonville restaurant from reclaimed barn wood.

“Visualizing beauty and seeing potential reflects the building principals of our company. This many times takes ingenuity and creativity. We like to be able to help clients bring to reality their dreams. Accenting with vintage pieces is the icing on the cake,” Edwards reflects.

Contact Hughes-Edwards today if you are contemplating remodeling or building your dream home project. [contact-form]

Old World style home by Hughes Edwards Builders

There are lots of decisions to be made along the way from which builder you choose to what type of tile to use in the bathroom. Hughes-Edwards Builders is an award winning Design Build firm that can take the reigns of your dream home project and make it a reality. If you are wondering where to start, here are some of our most Frequently Asked Questions by our new customers.

1. Why should we choose Hughes-Edwards to build our new home? The home building process with Hughes-Edwards is begun upon a foundation of trust and craftsmanship. We have been in business for 25 years. We have survived and thrived in the most difficult economy and home building market this country has ever seen. We are financially solid. Our past customers love us. As a matter of fact, we have an open door policy with many of them. They invite us to bring potential customers through their homes to view Hughes-Edwards completed projects. Another reason to choose Hughes-Edwards is because we are award winning builders known in the community for our expert craftsmanship. We work with the area’s top local tradesman and effortlessly complete features like groin ceilings, intricate tile patterns, decorative painting projects and gorgeous kitchens and outdoor living spaces. We are constantly in communication with our home owners. Your point of contact will be one of the owners, Gene Hughes or Bryan Edwards, not a job site foreman. Our building process is about close, personal contact with our home owners.
2. How much does it cost per square foot to build a new home? This is a question we get a lot that is not easy to answer. Ranch style homes cost more than two story homes because the roofing costs and foundation costs are more for the wider ranch style homes. The tricky part of calculating square foot costs comes in the area of upgrades and fixtures. For example, wood flooring will add more $ per square foot than carpeting. The type of windows selected will have a significant bearing on the $ per square foot. Custom kitchen cabinets will add more money than stock cabinets. Multiple bathrooms will also add to the overall cost. With that being said, we are currently building homes for $150 a square foot and up.
3. How long does it take to build a home? There are a lot of factors that can influence the timeline of building a home. Luckily, Middle Tennessee has pretty mild weather for building homes. If materials are available and the buyers are able to make decisions on schedule the estimated time right now to build a 4000 square foot home in the area is approximately 6  months. Larger homes require additional time.
4. Who carries the construction loan? How does the financing work? The homeowner obtains the construction loan. The amount of money borrowed would be paid out to the builder in stages. The lender releases a percentage of the money to the builder for each phase completed such as laying the foundation, putting up drywall, installing the roof, etc. The lender, the homeowner and the builder work together to establish a “draw schedule” of four/five installments with the final payment made to the builder when the home is awarded a certificate of occupancy. During the building and “draw schedule” phase, the homeowner pays the interest on the loan amount. Once the home is completed the loan will be converted into a traditional mortgage.

We hope that answers some of your questions on the home building process in Middle Tennessee. We would love to talk with you in person and answer any additional questions you may have. Please contact us by filling out the form below.

Most of us don’t and that can muddle the quest to build your dream house, which can only get started after you have a plan.

Custom Home by Hughes Edwards Builders

If you are looking for a way to organize your favorite features, products, styles, finishes and “wish lists” you might want to check out Houzz.com.

This inspirational site is devoted to home design, decorating and remodeling and has more than a million photographs, along with informative articles that can help you plan a project.

Custom kitchen by Hughes Edwards Builders featured on Houzz.com

If you visit the site, Houzz will eventually ask you to establish a user name and a password, but there’s no fee to access this wealth of home intel.

Here are five ways you can use Houzz to help you with your homebuilding project.

• Figuring out exterior home styles, and which one is yours.  Most of us aren’t all that familiar with architectural terms and that can make it harder to communicate your vision to your builder.

A section of Houzz is devoted solely to exterior home styles separated by very broad understandable categories like “contemporary”  and “traditional.”

Old World style home by Hughes Edwards Builders

You can peruse the pictures and save the ones you like to show your buider.

• Organizing your dreams.  Houzz users can create their own private ideabooks with the content they see on Houzz, whether it’s a picture of a kitchen countertop or a wall color, all of which you can share with your builder.
• Planing out your specifics.  The wealth of material on this website includes whole sections devoted to such topics as kitchen backsplashes, which are the kind of thing that can become unexpectedly complicated when you are trying to make a selection that complements your countertops, cabinets, and kitchen wall color.
• See cool products you didn’t even know existed. You might not want a Japanese soaking tub but maybe you ARE interested in the hidden power outlets or the oversized ruler growth chart.  Each product shown has a link to the seller.
• Find local pros.  Houzz can connect you with hundreds of businesses related to the home in your geographical area.Their links include artists, kitchen and bath designers, interior designers, pool and spa designers, landscapers and custom home builders, to name just a few categories. Here is a link to Hughes Edwards Houzz profile.

If you are considering building your dream home or a remodeling project in the Nashville TN area we would love to help you make your dream a reality. Please contact us by filling out the form below.  [contact-form]

Long-time, award-winning Nashville area builders Hughes-Edwards, takes the time to sit down with clients, bearing binders full of great ideas, to help them prioritize their building plans says Bryan Edwards, president of Hughes-Edwards Builders.

From binders full of magazine pictures to Pinterest boards, find a builder who can help your prioritize your building project.

“It is daunting beginning a project which can be one of the biggest undertakings of your life. We like to help clients get centered and focused before heading into this important and exciting challenge. Having someone to help you shift through the mountain of details and lead you forward is crucial,” Edwards reflected.

Here is how to begin a custom home building or remodeling project.

From securing a home plan or finding a building lot to setting a budget and selecting a team, it is important to find a reputable company with a proven history and good references to help ensure your project is successful.

If you have any questions about home building or remodeling, fill out this form and we will contact you immediately!

The New Mexican style restaurant currently has a popular Franklin location in the Moore’s Lane area and owners Steve and Emily Dale said north of Nashville diners have been encouraging the second location.

Hughes-Edwards has been selected as design-build contractor for Hendersonville’s new Sopapilla’s restaurant in The Streets of Indian Lake opening in March 2013. Pictured H-E president Bryan Edwards with Sopapilla’s owner Steve Dale.

“We are excited that Hughes-Edwards Builders is helping us transform the former September’s restaurant across from the AMC Theater into a cool chic atmosphere but warm and inviting as we did in our first location. I like their work and they did the original build out of this site. They’ve been wonderful to work with and are helping us create our own slice of New Mexico decor,” Dale said.

Bryan Edwards, president of Hughes-Edwards Builders, said the 5,400 square foot space will have several intriguing design elements including a double-sided fireplace, concrete finish bar, area barn wood repurposed dining table for their VIP Room and impressive wood and stone elements wrapping the entire restaurant setting.

“The Dales are doing a great job of weaving wood embellishments, pretty finishes and lighting to create a sophisticated minimalist backdrop for their delicious fusion of Spanish, Native American and Mexican foods created by Steve Dale, a former member of the country music band, Little Big Town. Sumner County is going to love having this fresh, new dining option,” Edwards said.

Known for their delicious blend of spices, the New Mexico inspired restaurant Sopapilla’s Hendersonville restuarant is being constructed by Hughes-Edwards.

Hughes-Edwards Builders, a long-time Middle Tennessee custom homebuilder and remodeler, is serving as the design-build general contractor working with interior designer Jo Ella McClellan. The restaurant is slated for opening mid-March.

Granite kitchen island by Hughes-Edwards Builders

Well, we couldn’t agree more. Whether you are making design decisions for a new custom build or remodeling an existing kitchen, choosing the right countertops is a huge decision in the design process. This decision needs to be made for your family and the way you live and use your kitchen while keeping in mind the next family that will be living in your house making it easier to sell when the time comes.

A good rule of thumb is that you should update your kitchen every 10 years. You want to make design decisions that are timeless and not trendy. If the home you are building or own is valued over $250,000 you should consider upgrading to granite or marble countertops. Today’s home buyers in the $250,000 and up price range  in Middle Tennessee EXPECT granite or marble countertops. As a matter of fact, if you don’t have them listed on the MLS, you are going to miss a big percentage of home shoppers.

So how do you decide between granite or marble? Both are natural stone products with variations in color and pattern. Both are heat resistant. Below is a comparison to help you narrow down your options.

GRANITE

Granite

• Hard/strong resists impacts and scratches
• When sealed resists acids like tomato juice, lemon juice, soda and vinegar
• Complex patterns and lots of movement in the design with larger crystals
• Works for modern and traditional kitchens
• Wide variety of colors and patterns
• Wide variety in prices starting about $40 square foot

MARBLE

Marble

]]> http://www.hughesedwards.com/blog/kitchen-countertops-marble-or-granite/feed/ 0 http://www.hughesedwards.com/blog/designing-a-home-project-here-are-some-inspiring-sources/ http://www.hughesedwards.com/blog/designing-a-home-project-here-are-some-inspiring-sources/#comments Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:49:38 +0000 Bryan Edwards http://www.hughesedwards.com/blog/?p=376 Do you have a three-ring binder or a folder crammed full of inspiring home ideas? The way in which we find home inspiration these days has changed dramatically. In addition to magazines we couldn’t live without, here are some websites, blogs, Facebook pages and  several magazines that continue to inspire our custom home building projects. We find ourselves sharing them on Pinterest and our Facebook pages pretty regularly. Check them out.

Who doesn’t love HGTV magazine?  Hughes-Edwards Builders President Bryan Edwards home is highlighted in a full page feature with his family for the December issue’s “What life costs in…”

Photo Shoot for HGTV Magazine’s December 2012 issue features the gorgeous French Country home built by Hughes-Edwards Builders for company president Bryan Edwards and his family outside Nashville, Tennessee.

“Architectural roof with curved detailing, mortar rub finish, copper gutters & lanterns, board & batten shutters and beautiful stack stone create a striking French Country exterior.” This is the Pinterest description of Hughes-Edwards French Country style home, the  #1 Pinterest pin for Hughes-Edwards Builders. Check out the Pinterest boards for your own inspiration.

Hughes-Edwards design roots have been strongly influenced by Carolina architecture, with partner Gene Hughes raised in Charlotte, North Carolina and a graduate of the University of South Carolina. Here are some Carolina architects of note we like to follow:

Herlong Architects always has inspring photos and projects on their website.

Another impressive southern architect of note is Christopher Rose Architects whose Facebook page has some great project info including their work on HGTV’s 2013 Dream House project.

The Facebook page of architect Christopher Rose always includes great inspiration.

We find great inspiration from several websites and blogs including Houzz, House of Turquoise, The Decorologist, Julie Couch Interiors, Jamie Beckwith, Elle Décor, Bella Tucker Decorative Finishes and Hughes-Edwards Builders!

Here are some of the Facebook pages we love to visit daily:

Landmark Booksellers, Interesting Buildings, Yahoo Homes, Recycled art Foundation and Hughes-Edwards Builders!

At the end of the day, we are still very tactile and like being able to hold a magazine article or photo in our hands. Here are some of our favorite magazines which we would not live without. Magazines we love include HGTV Magazine, Garden & Gun Magazine, Traditional Home, Architectural Digest and Southern Living.

What are your inspiring home sources? Be sure and share with us here and on Facebook your inspiring sources and if you want to talk with us more about your building project, contact us by filling out the form below.  [contact-form]