Tag Archives: 2017

Fall Inspirations for Your Home

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As the seasons change, so do we cycle through trends and what’s “in fashion,” – more quickly, it seems, than ever before. When it comes to home design, from wall colors to appliances, it’s not as easy or financially realistic as changing out your ties and shoes. Still, there’s something to be said about these fall inspirations… see if any of them stick. Most importantly, however, is that you love it, whether it’s trendy or not!

Create a Tech-Free Zone

Have an unused room or corner space? You can easily create a haven from all the digital madness by creating a cozy nook. All you need is a comfy chair or hammock, some pretty pillows and lacey curtains hung from a faux wooden beam. Add a small bookcase filled with those vintage items (yes, books!), a cool lamp and piece of artwork, and you have yourself a little getaway. Leave your phones at the door.

White is Out; Color is In

Although white will always be a great accent color, all-white, or gray, interiors are fading into the background. This fall, expect to see rich browns, greens, blush and even black. Dark green (we used to call it Hunter Green), is being noted as a popular color choice by trendsetters. When accented with natural wood, leather or brass, it makes for a striking look. Jewel tones, used as accent colors in things like pillows, are also hot right now.

Past & Present

It’s fair to say the future of home décor is eclectic. With so many different eras to choose from, the desire to furnish a home in the same period is considered aesthetically unimaginative, and just isn’t done anymore, according to housebeautiful.com. Instead, people are filling their homes with a mix of old and new – vintage, retro, and modern. The sky’s the limit! They suggest starting with a favorite period of your choice and then working from there. Find yourself a gorgeous vintage armoire, for example, and pair it with a custom-made bed. You can find a handful of very talented woodworkers and metal artists in Texas. Here’s a local metal artist that stands out:  http://www.schroederart.com.

Smart Furniture

While we’re looking for ways to disengage from technology, designers are finding new ways to incorporate it. Keep an eye out for even more clever charging docks – ones that are actually built into the furniture, so you don’t have to have those clunky eyesores in every room. Check out IKEA’s SELJE nightstand, as one “smart” example.

At Stone Creek Custom Homes, our passion is helping our customers define and build their dream homes from the ground, up. Give us a call at 210-494-5400 for a free consultation. You can also fill out our online form to request more information.

 

Hot! Hot! Hot! in San Antonio – Mid-Year Market Update 2017

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It’s not just the weather that’s got us burning up – the local market is also hot as ever! The housing market in San Antonio hit record sales in 2016 with almost 30k homes sold, an 8.2 percent increase. So how are things looking now?

It’s no surprise we’re still seeing a lot of New York and California plates all over town. San Antonio also leapt into the top 20 “markets to watch,” according to Urban Land Institute.

With the continued low cost of doing business as well as the low cost of living, especially compared to other metropolitan cities, San Antonio is holding strong as a highly appealing place to live. The prediction is San Antonio will continue to rise to the top. Median home prices in San Antonio are $198,000, compared to the national average of $231,000.

Just last month, 2,981 homes were sold in the San Antonio-New Braunfels metro area, according to our own San Antonio Express-News. This is a 5.6 percent increase from the previous year.

Home sales are in line with national averages, but the good news for San Antonio dwellers looking to buy, appreciation rates are not as high as other cities, making it more affordable to buy or build a new home.

We’ve also seen fixed mortgage rates in the entire U.S. hitting a new low in 2017. According to Freddie Mac News, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.88 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending June 29, 2017. However, as the market is always fluctuating, you should do your own research to determine the best time to invest in a new home.

At Stone Creek Custom Homes, we are extremely proud to live and work in one of the best cities in the United States. We work closely with all of our customers to make sure they’re always getting the most bang for their buck, from the light fixtures to the foundation.

If you’re looking to build a custom home in this strong-as-ever market, give us a call at 210-494-5400 for a free consultation. You can also fill out our online form to request more information.

 

Add Some Spring Style to Your Home!

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What better way to embrace the new season and step out of the (not so) wintry gloom than by zhushing up your home with some spring-centric décor? Here’s what’s hot in home décor right now:

  1. Nothing says spring like a rich, verdant color palette. If you’ve never seen a bold green used as a wall color, you’re missing out. According to color psychologists, green is the color of growth, harmony and balance. If done properly with complementary design accents, such as patterned curtains and a funky chandelier, you can really make a room pop.
  2. Make a spring statement with flowers. Instead of going the traditional route by putting those flowers in a vase, why not create a hanging flower chandelier that can be the centerpiece of your living room, dining room or kitchen? First, you’ll need a structure, which can be a pre-made chandelier or one custom-made to your liking. You can use something as simple as a hoola hoop or a lattice made with reclaimed wood. By using an assortment of fishing line, florist tape and florist wire, you can attach and arrange the flowers however you see fit. Although fresh flowers would be stunning, they are difficult to maintain, so you might consider using some high end silk flowers instead. Check out this link for inspiration.
  3. Acrylic. According to Elle Décor, acrylic is in this season, with searches for acrylic décor increasing by 50%. Think tables and floating frames that bring your home into the future. As it’s compatible with any color scheme, acrylic can be a great addition to any room.
  4. Bronze. Across the board, bronze is being touted as the new black, so to speak. It can be used in a myriad different ways to enhance a space. The naturally warm tone lends the room a classic look that can be something you will enjoy for a long while. Sometimes, it’s nice when trends aren’t too outside the box, especially if you’re planning on spending a significant amount of money on redecorating.
  5. However, if you are willing to go big, butterflies are in this season in a beautiful way – from butterfly wallpaper to accent pieces. It might just be the season to inspire some spring bliss! Check out these clever butterfly containers for inspiration:

We would love to visit with you about the other home ideas you may have. You can give us a call at 210-494-5400 to set up a free consultation or fill out our online form to request more information.

 

Increase the Value of Your Home

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You may be well on your way to achieving your new year’s resolutions, but what about resolutions for your home? Have you been putting off those remodeling projects for so long you forgot what you were even planning on doing? Here are some ideas that will help your house feel more like a home and also increase its value.

  1. Kitchen Remodel. Of course, you can easily spend thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars on a new kitchen, and perhaps this is something you’ve been wanting to do. However, be careful not to install a kitchen that outshines the rest of the house. Get the biggest bang for your buck by simply updating the paint color.

2017 trends are seeing bolder, more dramatic, colors in the whole house, including the kitchen. Also consider replacing old, worn out appliances with energy efficient ones. This attribute is definitely a plus, especially for potential buyers.

  1. Add a new Bathroom. According to HGTV, investing in an additional bathroom in your home can recoup you 80-130% when you’re ready to sell. It sounds like a great idea, right, but first you need to figure out where to put it. A half-bath requires at least 18 square feet of space and you’ll need at least 35 sq. ft. of space for a full bath.

What you do with that bathroom next is up to you. Prices vary greatly depending upon what kinds of fixtures and accessories you plan on using. The choices these days are virtually limitless. As far as overall style, vintage is in, but is it ever really out? Freestanding roll-top baths and classic brass fittings are hot items right now. If you’re on a budget, you can sometimes find them from salvage yards, restoration specialists or auctions.

If you want to try something completely different, play with a Mediterranean-inspired design. Think Spain, Portugal or Morocco and create a stunning room with hand-painted terra cotta and modern metallics.

  1. Repurpose a Space. Do you have a basement that’s been sitting empty and unfinished for years or perhaps an attic room or third bedroom that’s just become something of a hoarder’s nightmare? Then now’s the time to think of how you can best transform that space into something beautiful, livable and ultimately sellable.

A basement remodel can cost you an average of $64,000, according to Remodeling Magazine. However, imagine having your own in-house wet bar, gym, game/movie room. You might never want to leave the house. An attic or other unused room can be easily made into a craft room, office, yoga room or kids play room.

  1. Energy Efficiency. If you’d rather invest your dollars in ways to improve the value of the house without messing with the aesthetics, consider installing energy-efficient windows and insulation. You can save up to $2,500 each year, and the investment can be minimal. Extra insulation to your attic will only run you around $200 (depending on the size of your home), but will save you some serious green.

If you’re looking, not just to transform your current space, but build a new one, please call us at 210-494-5400 to set up a free consultation. If you wish to be added to our private email list for our newsletter, please sign up here.