How to Turn Your Backyard Into an Oasis During the Sizzling S. Texas Summer!

Custom Home Builder

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As we all know, the summer heat in South Texas can be brutal, but it doesn’t mean you have to give up on your backyard just because you don’t have a covered porch like this one (above) that we built for our client.

With a few simple adjustments, you can turn your backyard into an oasis that you’ll enjoy spending time in all season long.

Minimize Direct Sun on Your Back Patio

One of the best ways to stay cool in the summer is to minimize direct sun on your back patio. There are a few different ways to do this. One option is to install a shade sail or canopy. There are a million options out there, so just search to see all the various designs and find one that suits your style, but the idea is this will provide a shady spot where you can relax and enjoy the outdoors. Alternatively, you can plant trees or shrubs around your patio to create a natural barrier from the sun. Although this might not solve the problem this summer, unless you purchase mature plants.

Add Some Water Features

Adding some water features to your backyard is a great way to cool things down. A fountain, pond, or even a simple water table can help create a more relaxing atmosphere. The water will also evaporate, which will help to cool the air around you.

Install Some Fans

Installing some fans around your backyard can aid in keeping the air circulating and help you stay cool. You can also use misting fans to create a cool mist that will evaporate sweat and keep you feeling refreshed.

Take Breaks in the Shade

If you’re spending time outdoors, it’s important to take breaks in the shade. This will help to keep you from overheating and getting sunstroke. You should also drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. We all know this, but it’s easy to forget to drink enough water in this heat! Along those lines, it’s also important to wear sunscreen when you’re outdoors, even if it’s cloudy. The sun’s rays can still damage your skin, particularly when you can’t feel the heat.

By following these tips, we hope you can transform what might be a dreaded backyard at the moment into an oasis where you can relax and enjoy spending time all summer long. If you need help building a new backyard (along with your brand new custom home), you know where to find us!

Classic Architectural Styles for Your Beautiful New Home!

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Contemporary Sputnik Chandelier with Murano Glass from Pamano.com

Contemporary Sputnik Chandelier with Murano Glass from Pamano.com

As a luxury custom home builder, we understand that one of the most exciting aspects of building a new home is choosing the style and design elements that will make it unique and special. While modern and contemporary styles are popular choices, many homeowners are drawn to classic architectural styles such as mid-century modern, Victorian and Art Deco. Let’s explore these three styles and discuss how you can incorporate classic elements into your new home.

Mid-Century Modern: Clean Lines and Minimalism

Mid-century modern homes were popular in the 1950s and 1960s and are characterized by their clean lines, minimalism, and integration with nature. If you’re drawn to this style, here are some ways you can incorporate it into your new home:

  1. Floor-to-Ceiling Windows: Floor-to-ceiling windows are a hallmark of mid-century modern architecture and can create a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living spaces.
  2. Flat Roofs: Flat roofs are another classic feature of mid-century modern homes and can give your home a sleek and modern look.
  3. Statement Lighting: Unique lighting fixtures such as Sputnik chandeliers or Nelson Bubble Lamps can add a touch of mid-century modern style to any room in your home.

Victorian: Ornate Details and Grandeur

Victorian homes were popular in the late 19th century and are notable for their ornate details and exceptional grandeur. If you’re drawn to this style, it’s easy to understand. Here are a few elements you can add to your home to capture the Victorian vibe!

  1. Turrets and Gables: Turrets and gables are classic features of Victorian homes that can significantly create a sense of grandeur and elegance to your home’s exterior.
  2. Intricate Woodwork: Victorian homes are renowned for their intricate woodwork, such as gingerbread trim, brackets and, of course, spindles. Incorporating these details into your new home can infuse it with Victorian charm and character.
  3. Stained Glass Windows: Stained glass windows are another hallmark of Victorian homes and can add a colorful and artistic touch to any room in your home. Finding a local artist to create a one-of-a-kind piece for you will make it all the more special.

Art Deco: Geometric Shapes and Glamour

Art Deco homes were popular in the 1920s and 1930s and are distinguishable by their geometric shapes, bold colors and glamour. Here’s how you can incorporate one of our favorite classic design styles into your new home:

  1. Streamlined Design: Art Deco homes are largely known for their streamlined and sleek designs. Incorporating clean lines and geometric shapes into your home’s architectural design is what will surely set it apart from your neighbors.
  2. Bold Colors: Bold colors such as black, white and gold are classic Art Deco colors and can enhance that glamour look and sophistication to your home’s interior.
  3. Mirrored Surfaces: Mirrored surfaces such as mirrored furniture or mirrored walls were popular in Art Deco homes and can make your home shine like you’re a Hollywood star!

When you’re ready to build your dream home, we can work with you to incorporate these classic elements into the design to create a true masterpiece that reflects your one-of-a-kind personality!

Stone Creek Custom Homes Wins MYSA’s Reader’s Choice Award!

Custom Home Builder

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Every year, MYSA presents its Reader’s Choice Awards, which highlights San Antonio’s favorites and awards three winners in a whopping 170 categories under 13 different sections.

We are thrilled to announce that Stone Creek Custom Homes won 2nd Place in the “Custom Home Builders” section under “Our City Winners” this year, and we are just over the moon about it!

“We won first place a few years back, so this is the second time we have placed, and we are just as honored to be recognized by our San Antonio community. It means a lot to all of us!” says owner, Jason Gale.

It’s truly a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, who are committed to providing our customers with the best possible experience and the ultimate satisfaction in their new home.

Building your dream home is a huge investment, and we believe that what makes us special is our commitment to complete customization. We offer our customers the opportunity to design their home from the ground up, with no detail too small. We work with our customers every step of the way to ensure that their vision is fully realized.

We are also proud of our dedication to quality. We use only the finest materials and construction techniques, and we take great pride in our work. We want our customers to be happy in their homes for years to come. We are so grateful to all of our customers, vendors and staff for their support. We couldn’t have won this award without you.

If you, too, are looking for a truly one-of-a-kind custom home builder in San Antonio or the surrounding Texas Hill Country who will go above and beyond to build your dream home, then we encourage you to contact us today at 210-494-5400. We would be honored to partner with you on this momentous journey.

Thank you, San Antonio!

More Than a Bathroom, It’s a Sanctuary!

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As a Texas custom home builder, we know that the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in any home. It’s a space where we begin and end each day, so it’s important that it’s comfortable, functional and luxurious. With that in mind, we’ve put together some of the latest trends in bathroom design to help you create a unique and luxurious space in your home, and we’re always here to help!

Master Baths: A Private Retreat

Master baths are no longer just a place to wash up and get ready for the day. They have evolved into luxurious retreats where homeowners can unwind, relax and rejuvenate. Some of the latest trends in master bath design include:

  1. Spa-Like Features: Homeowners are incorporating spa-like features into their master baths, such as soaking tubs, steam showers and heated floors.
  2. Statement Lighting: Unique lighting fixtures can add a touch of glamour and drama to your master bath. Pendant lights, chandeliers and sconces are all popular choices.
  3. Unique Materials: Incorporating unique materials such as marble, onyx, and quartzite can add a touch of luxury and sophistication to your master bath.
  4. Heated floors: We know you don’t always need this feature in S. Texas, but it’s a wonderful addition on those chilly winter mornings and nights.

Guest Baths: Style and Functionality

Guest baths are an opportunity to showcase your style and hospitality to your guests. Here are some of the latest trends in guest bath design:

  1. Bold Wallpapers: Bold and graphic wallpapers are making a comeback and can add a fun and playful touch to your guest bath.
  2. Vintage Fixtures: Vintage fixtures such as clawfoot tubs, pedestal sinks and brass faucets can add a touch of character and charm to your guest bath.
  3. Floating Vanities: Floating vanities are sleek and modern and can make a small guest bath feel more spacious.

DIY Projects: Personal Touches

If you’re feeling creative and want to add a personal touch to your bathroom design, here are some DIY projects to consider:

  1. Painted Tile: If you have plain white tiles in your bathroom, consider painting them with stencils or patterns for a unique and colorful look.
  2. Custom Shower Curtains: Custom shower curtains can add a personal touch to your bathroom and can be made with a variety of fabrics and trims.
  3. Repurposed Furniture: Repurposing an old dresser or console table as a vanity can add a rustic touch to your bathroom design.

The latest trends in bathroom design are all about luxury, originality and, of course, functionality. Whether you’re designing a master bath or a guest bath, there are plenty of options to help you create a unique and stylish space that’s so much more than just a bathroom. As a Texas custom home builder, we can help you incorporate these trends into your custom home design to create a bathroom that is both beautiful and functional. Give us a call and let’s get started!

The Board and Batten Fad!

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If you’re a fan of rustic or farmhouse-style design, you’ve probably seen board and batten accent walls popping up all over Pinterest and Instagram. It’s a look that’s really in style right now, according to Jason Gale, owner of Stone Creek Custom Homes.

“What I find funny is everyone used to put the siding on the back in subdivisions where you have to have 75% masonry to hide it. Nowadays, people are putting it on the front and doing rock or stucco in the back because that’s the look they want!” he said.

But what exactly is a board and batten accent wall, and why is it such an exciting trend in home design?

As a Texas-based luxury home builder, we’re here to answer those questions and give you some ideas for incorporating this trend into your new or current home.

Board and batten is a type of siding that’s been used in traditional American architecture for centuries. It consists of wide, vertical boards (the “boards”) with narrow strips of wood (the “battens”) covering the gaps between them. This creates a textured, three-dimensional look that can add visual interest and depth to any wall. It’s becoming a more popular choice as opposed to using paint or wallpaper on an accent wall.

Of course, we love to incorporate this imaginative style into our client’s new custom homes, but you can also add one to an existing home, if you like to DIY! To create a board and batten accent wall, you’ll need to start with a smooth, flat surface. You may need to remove any existing trim or molding and use drywall to smooth out the surface.

Once you have a smooth surface, you can start adding the boards and battens. You can use pre-made board and batten siding, or you can create your own by cutting the boards and battens to size. The boards are usually 6-8 inches wide, and the battens are 1-2 inches wide. You can space the boards and battens however you like, but the most common spacing is about 12 inches between each board.

Now comes the fun part – choosing a design for your board and batten accent wall. You can create a simple, classic look with straight boards and battens, or you can get creative with different shapes and patterns. Some popular designs include X-shaped patterns, chevron patterns, and even diamond-shaped patterns. Truly, sky’s the limit here!

Incorporating different colors and finishes can also add visual appeal. You can paint the boards and battens different colors, or use different stains or finishes to create a textured, multi-dimensional look.

Whether we’re building a beautiful new dream home for you or you’re simply wanting to update your current space, a board and batten accent wall is a trend worth exploring. It can add character and charm to any room, and with so many design options, it’s a great way to express your personal style.

At Stone Creek Custom Homes, we’re always excited to incorporate unique and original design elements into our homes, and we think board and batten accent walls are a perfect example of that.