Tag Archives: custom

Zhoosh Up Your Décor and Dinner for the Holidays

November 6, 2018UncategorizedAlamo Heights, beautiful, best, Bill Smith, blog, budget, budget friendly, Centerpiece for Table, christmas, custom, custom built, Dominion, fry a turkey, Gingerbread House, green, high end, holiday, holiday decor, holidays, home builder, house, houzz, Jason Gale, Jesse, luxury, new, New Braunfels, Olmos Park, personal, private, real estate, recipe, recommended, reviews, sales, San Antonio, Schertz, Stone Creek Custom Homes, Stone Oak, sustainable, sutapants, Texas Hill Country, Thanksgiving, top rated, upscale, Vintage Oaks, white, Winter WonderlandStoneCreekTX

The holidays are here are again, and this year, it’s time to go all out! If your home is the place to be this Thanksgiving or Christmas, we’ve got some tips to make sure that this holiday season will be one to remember for years to come!

Décor:

It doesn’t take much to transform your home into a Texas winter (we use this word loosely) wonderland!

- For Thanksgiving, make an easy yet beautiful centerpiece on the dining table out of fruit. Fill a decorative bowl full of your fruit of choice (we recommend apples or pears) and attach paper leaves to the stems with messages of “thanks-giving” written on them. You can even ask your guests to write a Thanksgiving message. The same concept can be used as place cards on the table for seating arrangements.

- If it’s a winter wonderland you truly desire, then go for it! White décor is in! Decorate your house with a stunning white fur tree, white walls and, don’t forget, fake snow. Use a bold accent color such as red or blue to complete the look. White lights are also a lovely addition to the tree, if you’re wanting to keep it elegant.

- Decorating on a budget this year? No worries! Simple additions such as evergreen clippings, pine cones and homemade items from the kids, such as candy cane cut-outs and a show-stopping gingerbread house can make your home feel full of cheer. These are also great activities that the whole family can enjoy. Although they now sell kits that are a breeze, here’s an easy “how-to” of a made-from-scratch gingerbread house.

Dinner:

- We know you’ve always wanted to fry a turkey, and not just because it looks dangerous. It’s delicious. Sure, thousands of people burn their house down each year trying to fry a turkey, but it’s not going to be you! Check out this Art of Manliness’ video and be safe!

- Not only is ambiance important during the holidays, but dinner can actually make or break your special day, so we found some yummy recipes to guarantee everyone will go home with a full and happy tummy. We turned to Texas Monthly for something a little different but still with a Texas twist. Instead of the usual sides, why not try making these delicious Sweet Potatoes with Ginger, Pecans and Jalapeños? We bet you won’t be sorry!

- We also love these Cranberry and Pecan Tamales. Even in the tamale capital of Texas (which we assume we are), this is something you don’t often find.

- Oh, and don’t forget to leave some cookies for Santa. Here’s a fun recipe for the kids that’s hassle free for you!

Just make sure to ask Santa for your dream home, but if he doesn’t come through, you can always give us a call at 210-494-5400 or fill out our online form. We may not have any reindeer, but we know how to make dreams come true!

Happy Holidays from our family at Stone Creek Custom Homes!

Autumn Trends To Fall in Love With!

October 3, 2018Uncategorized2018, Alamo Heights, Autumn, bathtub, beautiful, best, Bill Smith, blog, Boca Do Lobo, custom, custom built, Dominion, Fall Trends, Flex Room, floral, green, high end, home builder, home design trends, house, houzz, Jason Gale, Jesse, luxury, Mudroom, new, New Braunfels, new build, Olmos Park, open kitchen, personal, pink, private, real estate, recommended, reviews, sales, San Antonio, Schertz, Stone Creek Custom Homes, Stone Oak, sustainable, sutapants, Texas Hill Country, top rated, upscale, Vintage Oaks, wash basinStoneCreekTX

It’s been a brutal summer in South Texas with 100-degree weather for days on end. Thankfully, fall is finally here! What better way to celebrate this new season than with some exciting new inspirations for your current home or new? Here’s what’s trending:

Kitchen Un-Confidential

New residential construction trends are seeing kitchens built with more open space, which is ideal for folks who love entertaining and inviting friends and family into their kitchens. For many, the kitchen is the new living room. Imagine a kitchen which opens up to the rest of your home showcasing a giant marble counter lined with chairs, so visitors can enjoy some cocktails and appetizers while you prepare the main course. If this is your dream, we want to fulfill it!

Pretty in Pink

Old-fashioned pink tones are in this season. Done artfully, pink can lend your home both a vibrant, cozy feel. Imagine a dark fuchsia couch contrasted by powder pink pillows, as an example of a stunning use of pink in your home. Pink, of course, is not for the meek. Experts recommend pairing it with metallic, contemporary greys and darker neutrals.

Flower Power

It seems this season is all about celebrating traditionally feminine aesthetics. Another hot décor trend right now is big, bold flower patterns. Before you dismiss this idea, remember flowers can be more than just beautiful. They can be wild and inspiring. Think of the intrepid orchid, of which there are approximately 30,000 species from all over the world. Some look like the creatures that pollinate them, such as the Bee Orchid. When it comes to décor, imagine a giant mural of flowers in dark, rich colors, complimented by dark wood floors.

Bathtub Bliss

If you want a showpiece for your bathroom, look not further than this Boca Do Lobo bathtub:

n’t be afraid to dream, and dream big. This tub also comes with a wash basin, if your truly feeling adventurous.

Mudrooms & Flex Rooms

Be gone are the days of the over-filled hall closet by the front door. Welcome in the days of the mudroom filled with a plethora of storage features, such as cubbies and cabinets. Flex rooms are also gaining in popularity. Typically located near a front hallway or entryway, it’s a room with pocket or French doors that can be used as an office space, library, parlor or other. You decide!

If any of these features sound enticing, please call us at 210-494-5400 to set up a consultation and discuss your vision. You can also simply fill out our online form.

What About the Kids?

September 6, 2018UncategorizedAlamo Heights, art, beautiful, best, Bill Smith, birdhouse, blog, build, bunk beds, custom, custom built, DIY projects, Dominion, fairy garden, green, high end, home builder, home decor ideas, house, houzz, how to, Jason Gale, Jesse, kids, kids room, luxury, mailbox, new, New Braunfels, Olmos Park, personal, play room, playroom, private, real estate, recommended, reviews, sales, San Antonio, Schertz, Stone Creek Custom Homes, Stone Oak, sustainable, sutapants, teepee, Texas Hill Country, theatre, top rated, upscale, Vintage Oaks, wall artStoneCreekTX

When you envision your perfect dream home, make sure to carve out a little dreaming for the kids too! Whether you’re looking to start from the ground up or you just need a make-over, here are some great ideas that will make the kids happy! Some of these are also an opportunity for family bonding.

Wall Art

Give the kids permission to paint on the walls and you’re definitely going to get kudos from the kiddos. Use wainscoting in a room and paint the wall below with chalkboard paint. The kids can pick whatever colors they like and have a blast!

Additionally, removable wall transfers are a great and affordable way to let the kids decorate their own room, knowing that as soon as they’re bored with it, it can easily be changed. These “wall tattoos” come in a variety of styles and patterns.

Playtime

What kid doesn’t want his/her own playroom? Turn that extra bedroom into a mini theatre where your kid(s) can create, imagine and perform. All you need is a mini stage with a curtain, a mic and a few chairs for family and friends to watch… because the show must go on!

DIY Projects for the Kids

Wanting to spruce up your home décor this fall? Get the kids involved and create a homey atmosphere at the same time! Some easy DIY projects might include building a bird house. It doesn’t take much – just a few scraps of wood, some paint and bird feed. You might need a few power tools as well. We like THIS easy to make birdhouse, which claims to take 5 minutes and cost only $5. Check it out:

Other fun DIY projects include painting a mailbox, creating a mini fairy garden in the backyard and making a teepee. If you want a serious project, build some bunk beds, which are perfect for sleepovers and space savers. Who wants a regular bed these days anyway?

We bet you can come up with even more fun ideas to help make your house a home for the whole family! If you’re ready for a new home, please call us at 210-494-5400 to set up a consultation or fill out our online form.

2018 Mid-Year Housing Market Update

August 3, 2018Uncategorized2018, Alamo Heights, beautiful, best, Bill Smith, blog, business journal, custom, custom built, Dominion, green, high end, home builder, house, housing market, housing prices, houzz, Jason Gale, Jesse, luxury, Mid-year, new, New Braunfels, Olmos Park, personal, prices, private, real estate, Real Estate Market, recommended, reviews, Rueters, sales, San Antonio, San Antonio Express-News, Schertz, Stone Creek Custom Homes, Stone Oak, sustainable, sutapants, Texas Hill Country, top rated, U.S., update, upscale, Vintage OaksStoneCreekTX

We’re already over halfway through the year, if you can believe it!? School’s about to start up again, and the holidays seem right around the corner. We decided it was about time for an update on the housing market. If you’re considering buying a new home, here are some things you should know.

We’ve been saying for a while now that there’s no better time to buy a house than right now, and that statement has never been more true. According to the San Antonio Business Journal, home sale prices in San Antonio are still on the rise.

The good news is if you’re looking to sell your current home, before investing in your new dream home, it’s currently a seller’s market. The average sales price per year is increasing by approximately 6 percent. Primarily, homes being sold range from $200,000 to $500,000.

With the market being so hot right now, it makes even more sense to invest in building a home designed specifically for you and your family’s needs – one that will last a lifetime. At Stone Creek Custom Homes, we also go above and beyond to help you find just the right property. Why not start from the ground up, instead of moving into a pre-built home made for somebody else’s family, where you don’t really know what you’re getting into?

With us, you will know exactly what’s going into your home, from the quality of the materials to the expertise and dedication. We work with our customers every single step of the way, so there are no surprises.

According to the San Antonio Express-News, builders aren’t constructing enough homes to keep up with the demand – yet another reason to work with a personalized company such as ours. You’re not just a number in a long line of home owners.

On a national scale, U.S. house prices are expected to rise at twice the speed of inflation and pay, according to a Reuters poll. House prices have been rising more than 5 percent over the past few years – driven again by the shortage of affordable homes in the U.S.

It’s clear San Antonio will continue to grow as well. It’s already considered one of the best places to live in America for a variety of reasons, and we agree. When you’re ready to bring your dream home to life, you know we’ll be here for you! For a consultation, please call at 210-494-5400, or fill out our online form.

Life Gets Sweeter with Local Honey

July 10, 2018UncategorizedAlamo Heights, beautiful, best, Bill Smith, blog, custom, custom built, David Holdman, Dominion, green, high end, Holdman Honey, home builder, honey, house, houzz, Jason Gale, Jesse, local, luxury, new, New Braunfels, Olmos Park, Pearl Brewery, pearl farmers market, personal, private, pure, raw, real estate, recommended, reviews, sales, San Antonio, Schertz, Stone Creek Custom Homes, Stone Oak, sustainable, sutapants, Texas Hill Country, the bee place, top rated, upscale, Vintage OaksStoneCreekTX

Holdman Honey

Local beekeeper, Gary Rankin of The Bee Place, teaches us that bees can do far more for us than make delicious honey. Gary’s primary focus is on supplying new beekeepers with the education and tools to help take care of the bees. Perhaps more importantly to homeowners or property owners, Gary can show you how bees can save you a substantial amount on property taxes. He offers a service for folks who want to lease honey bees from him for the purpose of qualifying for ag valuation on their property. To qualify, you must have 5 to 20 acres of land (minus a house). With a house, you must have 6 to 21 acres of property. Gary was able to save one of his customers in Lockhart over $10,000 in taxes a year. While there is a fee for Gary’s services, you can bet it’s worth it! Still, there’s no denying that there’s nothing sweeter than Texas honey. Although Gary’s mission isn’t to harvest and sell honey, he works with a guy who does! Introducing David Holdman of Holdman Honey. Located in Seguin, David and his family manage 800 hives around Texas. He sells several different kinds of honey, which are named after the counties the bees live and thrive in: Guadalupe, Bexar, Wilson, Medina, Gonzales and Atascosa. “Our honey is local, raw honey, which means it’s just pure honey God gives us through the bees,” said David, humbly. The flavor of the honey depends upon the types of blooming plants and trees in the area, and interestingly, there are seven different colors of honey. “Out in Medina, the honey is a lot lighter and has a smoother finish versus the Atascosa and Bexar county honey, which are a little stronger,” explained David. Perhaps one of the best things about eating local honey is the benefits it offers people who suffer from seasonal allergies. It’s no myth that eating honey on a regular basis that is harvested (not processed) from bees within approximately a 100-mile radius will help those who suffer from dreaded allergies, such as cedar fever. David’s own son, who had allergies when he was quite young, kicked those allergies by eating delicious peanut butter and honey sandwiches for lunch every day. Although you can find Holdman Honey in stores all over Texas (see their website for details), our favorite place to find them is at the Pearl Farmers Market on the weekends. You can meet the beekeeper himself and learn all sorts of sweet stuff! For more information on beekeeping classes and “bee leasing,” email Gary at beekeeper@thebeeplace.com. Of course, if you’re looking to build a gorgeous custom home to make your bees happy, call us a call at 210-494-5400.

San Antonio Custom Home Builder Stone Creek Custom Homes

Best Custom Home Builder in San Antonio, Texas