Despite recent news that Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that can carry Zika, chikungunya and other viruses has spread to 30 states, the majority of Americans have yet to embrace basic recommendations to help reduce the mosquito population at their own homes. That's the result of a new...
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Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, getting ready takes lots of pre-planning. From Real Simple magazine, a moving checklist: Two Months Before • Sort and Purge – Go through every room in your home and decide what you will take and what you will get...
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Metal roofing has many advantages when it comes to energy efficiency—including a recently-added $500 credit for homeowners. Those who are planning to install a metal roof atop their primary residence in 2016, or installed one in 2015, can capitalize on the tax break. “Consumers are making...
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Did you know that the energy used by homes in the U.S. accounts for almost one-quarter of the country’s overall energy consumption? Or that the average household spends upwards of $2,200 a month on utilities? Improving your custom home’s energy efficiency can be accomplished in several...
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Mother Nature is the ultimate exterior designer, and she shows off her chops every spring and summer when backyards come alive with colorful flowers, birdsong, warm breezes and the lush aroma of newly mown grass. Is your custom home deck, patio or other outdoor entertaining...
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Open floor plans, mini-mansions, micro homes — some home design styles and elements shift with the currents of consumer tastes. However, others stand the test of time because they’re enduringly useful. Attics or lofts, for example, are a staple of American custom home design, remaining...
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Today’s garage doors come in so many different and attractive designs that the biggest challenge for new custom home construction is to find the right door that looks best with their home’s unique features. While it’s great to have options, sometimes too many options can...
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There’s no season like springtime to design the interior of your new custom home—and one of the simplest ways to breathe life into it is with a fresh color palette. “Spring embodies the saying ‘Out with the old, in with the new,’ and provides the opportunity...
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Kitchens and bathrooms remain the primary focus for custom homes—and many are introducing cutting-edge features into their designs. These modern appointments, according to the American Institute of Architects (AIA), are mostly centered in the kitchen. “Because kitchens are so central to the home, people feel it’s...
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As more custom home design trends seek to bring the indoors to the outdoors, fireplaces and fire pits are becoming an even hotter commodity — literally and figuratively. Fire pits are one of the biggest trends in 2016 for outdoor living spaces. In fact, landscape architects...
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