Simply Elegant Home Designs

It's Time to Build! Almost every day I ask myself why more people are not taking advantage of this crazy building market. By crazy I mean this is a ridiculous buyers market. The answer seems to be fear. We can't seem to get away from all the bad news. Just turn on your tv or your computer and you get nailed with it. I cannot say if the fear is justified or not. Each persons situation is unique, and so it is up to them to determine for themselves. But I can tell you that right now there are some really good opportunities for those that choose to pursue them.
If you have been thinking of building a new home or remodeling your existing one I suggest seriously pursuing it. If not, you may just be missing the opportunity of a lifetime. I have been in this industry for more than a few years now, and I cannot remember any time that the market has been more favorable for the buyer / client. Here are a few of the big reasons:Interest rates are ridiculously low.
Contractors and subcontractors are highly motivated. In many cases they are working with little or no profit just to keep their good people busy. And since they are not that busy, they have the time to dedicate to your project. An associate of mine has had a flood of very high quality contractors practically begging to bid on a bathroom remodeling project. I have had numerous local contractors request to bid on a project that is several hours outside of our traditional building area.Lot costs have plummeted. Developers are looking to unload. Indeed the banks now own quite a bit of really nice land. Call up a few of your local banks and ask for their property listings. You might find a great deal by buying directly from the bank.Many material costs are at 10 year lows. Since no one is building demand is very low and inventories are up. Classic over-supply and under-demand.Everyone in the process is open to negotiation. Realtors, Land Owners, Architects, General Contractors, Sub-Contractors, Suppliers, etc. Seriously this feels like the perfect storm - as in the perfect buyers market. A great opportunity to do a beautiful project at the best possible value.
How long will this last?
Nobody seems to know. But statistics are beginning to show an improvement in the sales of existing homes and once inventory is diminished construction costs will begin to rise again. Nobody knows how long this "window" will be open, but we all know it will not be open forever.
Don't Feel Guilty!
It is true that the current market allows the buyer to take advantage of the situation. But at the same time the builders, vendors, designers, realtors that are surviving are truly appreciative of the work. And if you pick the right team they are going to give you their best.
Build Smart!
If you decide to proceed with a project, make sure you do it smart. For instance "McMansions" have a bad name right now and the builders cannot seem to give them away. This might not be the type of home that will be in great demand even after the turnaround. Folks are starting to look for a more modest, smartly designed and quality constructed home. The type of homes as seen below designed by Larson Brenner Architects.

Be Smart!
Utilize the expertise of your professionals (architects / designers, general contractors, realtors, etc.). Don't try to design and construct the project yourself. You will get a better outcome and will carry less burden if you have a good team around you. And besides, right now you are practically getting their services for free!

Defining Space in an Open Floor Plan

Many of today's home designs incorporate open floor planning - with kitchen, dining and living areas all very open to one another. Open planning is great for entertaining and family gatherings because it allows people congretating within these "zones" to remain connected with one another.
One problem with open planning however is that sometimes the combined space becomes too large and begins to lose a sense of intimacy. Also, how about that kitchen clutter? Many clients want to remain "connected" with their guests while in the kitchen, but do not necessarily want all of that kitchen clutter exposed to their guests.
There are a number of ways to combat these issues. I will try to illustrate in the following examples designed by Larson Brenner Architects in Stillwater, MN.

Photo below illustrates dining area and adjacent front foyer. A dropped soffit in the foyer and hallway helps to define the edge of the dining space (ceiling elevation changes are a great way of defining space). Cabinetry placed between the hallway and dining serves as china cabinet and buffet counter. The position of the cabinet also reinforces the edge of the dining area. Windows on two adjacent walls help to define the center of the space, where the dining table is positioned.

Photo below illustrates a dining area and adjacent front entry foyer beyond. The cabinetry is now engaged between walls. This method provides a little more "enclosure" for the dining space. Double thick wall with "bulkhead" opening provides space for ductwork and creates a more dimensional separation from the adjacent kitchen and stair.

Here you can see that double thick wall opening between the dining and kitchen areas. Kitchen island has 3 surface heights. The 42" high eating bar and 48" high display cabinets conceal the primary kitchen work / clutter surfaces behind. The island itself defines the long edge of the kitchen.

In this example a kitchen is separated from the dining room with a full height cabinet. The cabinet has a "hole" in the middle to provide space for a serving counter and to maintain visibility between the spaces. Circulation flows around either side of the cabinet. The cabinet engages at the top with a bulkhead which further helps to define each of the two spaces.

View from kitchen side. Again the raised serving bar helps to conceal kitchen clutter from the adjacent dining space.