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While some home buyers may find the concept of building a custom home from the ground up a little intimidating, there is a way for them to enjoy some of the best aspects of a custom experience – without the headaches of starting from scratch. Often, when a buyer elects to build the home of their dreams – they must contend with finding the right house plan to fit their vision and needs, selecting the ideal location (and making certain that it’s a good match for their house plan), and partnering with the perfect builder (one who is not only reputable, but who is also willing to build the plan of the homebuyers’ choosing on their desired site). That’s an awful lot for many home buyers to bite off from the get-go – thus the wild popularity of spec or production houses. However, if a home buyer is lucky enough to find a semi-custom home in its early stages – that just happens to feature a floorplan they love in a location their family will enjoy – they can still experience some of the great joys and benefits of custom home construction.

1)      Special Touches – Always wanted a window seat for reading, walls of built-in bookcases to house your library, or a window over your kitchen sink for gazing out over the backyard? Special touches like these are fairly simple to incorporate when partnering with a custom/semi-custom builder who already has a house framed out or foundation poured.

2)      All the Bells and Whistles – When getting in on the ground floor of a semi-custom home, you have an opportunity to select EVERYTHING that will make up your home’s interior – from exposed beams and specialty light fixtures in the ceiling, to door knobs and drawer pulls at the surface, to floor registers and hardwoods beneath your feet. You may even wish to kick it up a notch and follow the high tech house trend by integrating a complex system that allows you to control the lights, audio, heating, security and even the TVs in the house with the touch of a button.

3)      Put on a Happy Face – If you get into a contract on a semi-custom home early enough, you may also have the chance to select the materials that will define your home’s exterior – something that should make you deliriously happy every time you pull into the driveway. You may select a combination of stonework, timber and Hardiplank for a look of luxury, a red brick front with pale mortar for a more traditional feel, or a Hardiplank with contrasting trim that pays tribute to the Arts and Crafts movement.

4)      Down and Dirty – Landscaping can enhance or detract from the beauty of a home, and a great backyard can extend one’s living spaces outdoors. While many production and spec builders will supply basic pre-designed landscaping packages that consist of trees and shrubbery available through their supplier, a good custom/semi-custom builder will provide you with an opportunity to have as much say in the look of your landscaping as they will with the actual structure at the heart of it all. Always wanted a potting shed that looked like a miniature version of your home? Good luck getting that from a production builder.

5)      A Chance to Invest More Than Money – Building a custom or semi-custom home can be a major investment of both time and money. However, upon completion – the true rewards are in walking through the door of YOUR home each night, knowing that you had a hand in its creation. There is a part of you in every room – thanks to your partnership with your builder and the direction you provided to him/her. When all is said and done, you can look upon your home with pride and think “I built this!”

Highlight Homes currently has 5 semi-construction projects all over Atlanta – two of which are already under contract. To learn more about the homes we are building or discuss a custom home project on land you already own, we invite you to contact us at info@highlighthomesga.com or 678-873-9234. To view samples of our work as an award-winning luxury renovator and custom homebuilder, we encourage you to visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com.

Highlight Homes was honored to attend the International Builders Show in Las Vegas in February 2014 along with some of the most talented vendors, renovation experts and builders from all over the country. As part of the show, the National Association of Home Builders recognized the winners of its Best in American Living Awards. In addition to the honorees, the organization revealed some of the hottest design trends in the home building and remodeling industries – many of which we are pleased to share with our readers. In a recent press release following the Awards Gala Dinner, the NAHB highlighted the following creative construction concepts. Bear in mind, each of these can be imaginatively interpreted by Highlight Homes for your upcoming remodeling or custom construction projects.

White on White: We weren’t surprised to learn that this trend will continue to remain strong. Highlight Homes was on the cutting edge when we utilized this concept for a kitchen renovation that was featured on the cover of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Homefinder in December 2012. From cabinets and counters to flooring and fixtures, kitchens and bathrooms are trending toward light and bright. According to the NAHB’s press release, in order to “achieve clean lines and a modern feel, designers and builders are selecting European cabinetry, adding shiny surfaces via appliance, backsplash and countertop choices, and incorporating glass walls.”

Bold Exterior Colors: Move aside humdrum neutrals! Homeowners are beginning to make a statement on both the interior and exteriors of their homes through the use of bold and beautiful colors. Taking a cue from the Arts and Crafts movement, exteriors are given a makeover through “paint, a mix of cladding materials, doors, windows, porches, shutters or trim, an extra layer of drama is being adding to the design of elevations, further enhancing curb appeal.”

Interior Courtyards: Dating back to before 2000 BC, the courtyard was the original heart of the home that served as a meeting place for family members and their guests. Homes in historic Savannah and Charleston serve as inspiration for many interior courtyards in the South, which are experiencing a major resurgence in popularity. Housing peaceful gardens, fire pits, and cozy seating areas, “courtyards provide private and safe outdoor living areas and are being shifted to side yards.”

Specialty Lighting: Another “trend” that Highlight Homes has been incorporating in many of our recent renovation and custom construction projects is the use of specialty lighting fixtures. Pairing form with function, a well-chosen light fixture can serve as an objet d’art and add depth to any room design. The NAHB’s press release reveals that in some projects “lighting is being paired with wood ceiling details to further enhance the room’s design and create a feeling of warmth.”

Historic Style with Modern Flair: Along with the NAHB, we are seeing a “no rules” trend toward an eclectic blend of historic architectural styles – such as Craftsman, Prairie, or Mid-Century Modern – and  modern elements through the use of “color, finish, fixture and lighting selection, while continuing to be influenced by the past through the use of reclaimed building materials and classic proportions and detailing.”

Blurring the Lines between Inside and Out: The incorporation of elements like” moveable glass walls, gourmet outdoor kitchens and interior courtyard pools” serve to blur the lines between the inside and outside of homes.  It’s a great and economical way to add more everyday living space to homes of all sizes. Here in the South, we are seeing more and more requests for show-stealing outdoor hearths, covered porches and weather-proof flatscreen TVs for scenic SEC football-viewing parties.

Dual Master Baths: Just as his and her closets continue to be all the rage in new home designs and renovations, there is a growing trend toward the development of dual master baths. Glamorous with spa influences, this concept is extremely functional – serving the needs of both “masters” of the house – dual baths often feature a sprawling shared shower and individual vanity areas.

If you wish to incorporate any (or all) of the hot trends mentioned above to your upcoming renovation or custom home construction project, we encourage you to contact the talented design-build team at Highlight Homes to schedule a no-obligation consultation. We can be reached via phone at 678-873-9234, via e-mail at info@highlighthomesga.com, or by filling out our convenient online contact form. To view our online portfolio and learn more about the services we provide to clients throughout the Metro Atlanta area, please visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com.  We look forward to hearing from you soon!

The International Builders Show in Las Vegas earlier this month was supercharged with inspiration! Hosted by the National Association of Home Builders, the show featured three days of networking with other likeminded professionals, educational forums, and hall after hall filled to overflowing with terrific exhibitors. Here are just a handful of the companies and concepts that really caught the eye of Highlight Homes’ talented design-build team:

Eaton’s Cooper Lighting – This Peachtree City-based supplier offers indoor and outdoor lighting solutions, as well as controls products specifically designed to maximize performance, energy efficiency and cost savings. Cooper Lighting is “committed to being the leading source of ‘innovation you can rely on’”.  We absolutely love their new square recessed can trims, and you can expect to find them in more than a few of our future kitchen renovations!

Mohawk Industries/Daltile – As the largest manufacturer of ceramic tile and natural stone products used in residential and commercial design and construction across North America, this division of Mohawk Industries unveiled some exciting new ceramic & porcelain tiles that mimic the appearance of wood planks in a variety of sizes. We feel this is a viable and beautiful solution to Mohawk’s ongoing commitment to building a more sustainable world.

Leviton – It may sound boring to some outside the industry, but this provider of Home Automation,  Security, Lighting Controls, and Safety Products debuted a low voltage 4-Port USB charger that plugs into a regular wall plug for energy savings and multiple devices, as well as a number of new low & high voltage options for those who get a real “buzz” out of electricity.

GAF –  With over 125 years in the industry, GAF has become the largest roofing manufacturer in North America. We were thrilled to discover their new Timberline® American Harvest® lifetime shingles (good for 50 years), which will make a terrific addition to the roofs of our higher end, luxury homes.

During the show, we were also drawn to the use of LED tape lights for accent lighting, numerous new showcase-worthy vessel sinks by a number of manufacturers, and terrific new lighting fixtures from a number of manufacturers. We can’t wait to explore each of these options further, and welcome the opportunity to debut them in your upcoming renovation project. To schedule a no-obligation consultation with the design-build team at Highlight Homes, call us at 678-873-9234 or e-mail us at info@highlighthomesga.com. To learn more about Highlight Homes and the services we offer to homeowners throughout the Metro Atlanta area, visit us at www.highlighthomesga.com.

Image Credit: © Oscar Einzig Photography

According to the latest Remodeling Market Index (RMI) from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) indicators from third and fourth quarter 2013 are holding steady at an historical high of 57 – the highest reading we’ve seen since the first quarter of 2004.

But what does this mean? An RMI above 50 suggests that remodeler confidence is high – more remodelers across the nation are reporting an increase in market activity as opposed to a decrease. The overall RMI combines and averages ratings of current remodeling activity with indicators of future remodeling activity – which include calls for bids, appointments for proposals, backlog of remodeling jobs, and work committed for the next three months.

In a recent press release, NAHB Remodelers Chairman Bill Shaw, GMR, GMB, CGP, said, “The remodeling industry ends 2013 on a high note as remodeler confidence holds steady at a historically high level. We expect to keep this positive momentum going in 2014 as more home owners will continue to take on remodels and repairs that had been postponed in the downturn.”

NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe points to steady existing home sales, favorable interest rates for home buyers and rising home equity as just a few of the reasons behind the rising demand for home remodeling and points to a slow but steady improvement in the remodeling market throughout 2014.

Here at Highlight Homes, we welcome this good news! While our production calendar has remained pleasantly full in recent years, we are excited at the prospect of growing our business to serve even more home owners with our signature brand of luxury renovations and quality custom construction. Our talented design-build team is proud to serve Metro Atlanta residents with renovations projects that include:

• Whole Home Renovations
• Kitchen and Bath Remodels
• Room Additions
• Basement Finishing
• Decks and Porches
• Landscaping and Water Features
• And So Much More!

To sneak a peek at our online portfolio, click here!

If you’d like to get on our production calendar for 2014, please call us at 678-873-9234, e-mail us at info@highlighthomesga.com, or fill out our convenient online contact form so we can arrange a no-obligation consultation to discuss your renovation needs. To learn more about our company and the services we offer, please visit us at www.highlighthomesga.com. We look forward to working with you and your family! At Highlight Homes… we don’t just renovate rooms – we create living spaces where you and your family will make memories together for years to come.

Photo credit: Stockvault.net/burki169

Each month, Highlight Homes brings its readers a list of people, places and things that serve to enlighten and inspire us. Some are brand new discoveries we can’t wait to share with you, and others may be tried-and-true partners upon whom we wish to shine the spotlight. This month’s collection features a little bit of both…

The Inspiration Grid: Sporting the tagline “Bringing you the best creative stories from around the world,” the Inspiration Grid features breathtaking images from a number of categories. Most notably for us are the architecture and interior design “stories”. While many of them lean toward the contemporary and away from the classic designs with which Highlight Homes most often follows, we can still appreciate their beauty and artistry. When first contemplating a renovation or custom construction project, we feel The Inspiration Grid is a great place to look for utterly unique ideas or – at the very least – inspiration for a unique idea of your own imagining.

Artisan Custom Closets: This Atlanta company offers customized organizational solutions for closets, offices, garages, pantries, laundry rooms, mudrooms, creativity spaces and more. Their four-step process involves a free design consultation, presentation of customized C.A.D. designs and selection of finishes, completion of your order under the supervision of your own Design Consultant, and installation of your organizational solution. If you find yourself wishing you had more space and getting more organized was on your list of New Year’s resolutions, we highly recommend you contact the talented team at Artisan.

Randall Brothers: This well-respected Atlanta molding and millwork company has an astounding history that dates back to 1885. In the current custom home we are constructing in Brookhaven, Highlight Homes has had the honor of working with the crew at Randall Brothers. They have provided the exterior trim, columns, interior trim, doors, windows, door hardware and cabinets for the project – all incredibly beautiful, featuring quality craftsmanship behind which we are proud to put our name.

Need-a-Fence: The name really says it all. If you need a fence, these are the folks to call. Need-a-Fence installs and repairs fences throughout the Metro Atlanta and North Georgia areas. The company specializes in wood privacy and picket fences, decorative wood fences, ornamental aluminum fences, decorative steel fences, motorized gates, chain link fences, pet enclosures, and more.

Once you’ve found the inspiration you need to move forward on that renovation project or custom home construction of which you’ve been dreaming, our experienced design-build team is ready to make your vision a reality. We welcome the opportunity to partner with you and any of the companies listed above to create living spaces that make your house a home. Call us TODAY to schedule your no-obligation consultation at 678-873-9234. To learn more about Highlight Homes and the services we provide, we invite you to visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com.

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The start of the New Year is an exciting time for us all. People all across the nation take a long, hard look at themselves in the mirror (and on the scale) and begin making plans for personal improvement over the course of the next 12 months. It’s a time of hope and great promise.  The same holds true for the home renovation industry. By now, many experts have unveiled their predictions of the top trends over the coming year. Here at Highlight Homes, we’ve done our research and are proud to reveal our picks for the top 5 Home Design Trends for 2014!

1)      Singing the Blues: Although we recently announced that Pantone – the global authority on color for the design industries – unveiled Radiant Orchid as its 2014 Color of the Year, designers everywhere are proclaiming a wide range of blues to be the “it” colors for the year. Navy and turquoise, in particular, both seem to be stealing the spotlight.

2)      Go for Glam: We saw a bit of this in 2013, but expect to see more of a elegance explosion throughout 2014. A throwback to the roaring 20’s and the golden age of Hollywood, design takes on a sophisticated look that embraces a bold blend of vintage décor, metallic accessories, distinctive light fixtures, floral prints and luxury fabrics. We expect to see homeowners embrace glam in every room of the house – including the kitchen.

3)      Let’s Take This Outside: According to Michael Boodro – esteemed Editor-in-Chief for Elle Décor – the line between interior and exterior living spaces gets beautifully blurred thanks to stunning strides made in the design of outdoor fabrics and furniture. This is – without a doubt – one of our favorite trends for 2014. The Highlight Homes design-build team loves creating one-of-a-kind outdoor living spaces that reflect the unique personalities of our clients. Let’s face it, most months – Atlanta climates are ideal for entertaining al fresco.

4)      It’s a Renovation Rumble!: Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine unveils an epic battle between two living spaces for top spot to remodel in 2014. In one corner, we have the bathroom – where we continue to see a trend in spa influences, decked out shower stalls and free-standing tubs continue. In the other corner stands the kitchen, which continues to evolve in exciting ways – from painted cabinets and brass fixtures to distinctive countertops and new trends in appliances. According to a recent study by Hanley Wood, 61% of remodelers polled view the kitchen as one of the hottest renovation opportunities among clients, while  58% view the bathroom as another contender for the hot spot in renovation opportunities for the coming year. We say, WHY DECIDE? Highlight Homes can help you renovate BOTH.

5)      Flex Your Living Space Muscle: More and more homeowners are looking for living spaces that serve more than one purpose – e.g. a media room or home office that can comfortably convert to a guest bedroom in a pinch or guest quarters that can one day serve as a functional living space for aging parents. It’s wise to not tie a room down to just one purpose, and Highlight Homes can help you explore all of the possibilities and solutions for a wide range of uses, i.e. a bookcase that converts easily into a Murphy bed.

To explore these trends with our designers – or toss in a few of your own favorite trends for 2014 – we welcome your call at 678-873-9234 or e-mails at info@highlighthomesga.com. If you’d like to peruse our online portfolio and view our list of services for clients in and around the Metro Atlanta area, please visit us at www.highlighthomesga.com.

Sign a contract* with Highlight Homes by January 31, 2014 to receive a $500 gift certificate to the vendor of your choice:  Home Depot, Lowes, or Bed Bath & Beyond!

* Offer Expires 1/31/14. Good for Renovation Contracts of $10,000 or more. Must mention offer at time of consultation/signing of contract in order to receive gift certificate. Highlight Homes is not affiliated with Home Depot, Lowes or Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Pantone® – the global color authority and provider of professional color standards for the design industries – has announced it Color of the Year for 2014. In the New Year, Emerald Green (PANTONE 17-5641)  – Color of the Year 2013 – will make way for a delightful shade of purple dubbed Radiant Orchid (PANTONE 18-3224).

“While the 2013 color of the year, Emerald, served as a symbol of growth, renewal and prosperity, Radiant Orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute® in a recent press release. “An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”

Although Pantone serves a number of industries – such as fashion and beauty – we in the home design sector look forward to the company’s announcement of Color of the Year each December. Use of color is a major element of the work we do, and the focus on one particular color creates excitement and fosters inspiration. According to the Color of the Year announcement release, the selection process requires careful consideration and, to arrive at the selection, Pantone quite literally combs the world looking for color influences. This can include the entertainment industry and films that are in production, traveling art collections, hot new artists, popular travel destinations and other socio-economic conditions. Influences may also stem from technology, availability of new textures and effects that impact color, and even upcoming sports events that capture worldwide attention.

Use of Radiant Orchid in interior design can help “spruce up interior spaces by incorporating this eye-catching hue in paint, accent pieces and accessories. As adaptable as it is beautiful, Radiant Orchid complements olive and deeper hunter greens, and offers a gorgeous combination when paired with turquoise, teal and even light yellows. Likewise, the vibrant color is sure to liven up neutrals including gray, beige and taupe. Uplifting and bold without being overpowering, Radiant Orchid reenergizes almost any color palette and provides a unifying element for diverse spaces.”

At Highlight Homes, we welcome the opportunity to help you incorporate Radiant Orchid into your upcoming home renovation. To schedule a no obligation consultation with our design-build team, call 678-873-9234, e-mail info@highlighthomesga.com, or fill out our convenient online contact form. To learn more about Highlight Homes and the services we provide throughout the Metro Atlanta area, please visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com.

More information about Pantone and its 2014 Color of the Year is available at www.pantone.com.

Image Credit:  Pantone LLC

As 2013 comes to a close and we wait in anticipation to learn what 2014 has in store for us in the world of remodeling, we’d like to take a look back over 13 of the coolest trends of the year. Wonder which of these will hang on for the coming year? Based on our own experiences over the last 12 months, this is Highlight Homes’ countdown of our favorite renovation projects that were all the rage this year…

1)      Outdoor Living Rooms – From outdoor hearths and kitchens to cozy open air parlors, savvy homeowners opted to extend their living spaces to the exterior of the home in 2013.

2)      Home Theaters and Media Rooms – This trend continues to remain hot as families gather together in their own personal movie theaters and mini-arcades.

3)      Aging in Place Solutions – With more and more folks opting to make their current home a “forever” home, the number of age in place solutions incorporated to renovations has been on the rise. Chief among them have been bathroom modifications and master bedrooms on the main level.

4)      Green Living – Energy efficiency, eco-friendly appliances and use of sustainable materials make this one of our favorite continuing trends. Highlight Homes always uses green construction practices on all of our renovations and custom home construction projects.

5)      Kitchens with Islands and Glass Backsplashes – The kitchen island is LITERALLY central to trends in kitchen design. We can’t remember the last time we took part in a kitchen renovation that did NOT involve an island. They terrific for food prep, homework, entertaining, dining, storage and so much more!  Glass backsplashes would have to run a close second to our favorite trends in kitchens for 2013. We love how they reflect light and add an undeniable sense of glamour to the space.

6)      Transitional Style – This eclectic blend of traditional and contemporary design has really taken off, and serves as a perfect fit for our combined tastes here at Highlight Homes. The result is a timeless look that suits a wide variety of personalities.

7)      White Cabinetry – Crisp, clean and dreamy – we continue to be BIG FANS of this ongoing trend in kitchen renovations.

8)      Dual Master Suites – This trend first entered our radar towards the end of 2012 and continues to maintain steam due to the number of friends who choose to cohabitate, adult children who move aging parents into the home, and spouses who opt to have a room of their own.

9)      Open Floorplans – Long gone are tight cramped spaces! Homeowners today long to breathe free, and will often opt for the removal of walls and a shift in their original floorplan. If you are considering a move like this in your own home, don’t grab a sledgehammer! Instead, seek the assistance of an expert who specializes in structural engineering so you don’t harm the integrity of your home’s construction.  FYI – it just so happens that Highlight Homes specializes in structural engineering!

10)   Unique Touches – One of our favorite aspects of any home renovation is that one element or design touch that makes a living space unique to the homeowner and their family. We once ordered a hand-painted “Tree of Life” tile mosaic from the oldest tile maker in Jerusalem – it completed the project beautifully and serves as a focal point for everyone who enters the kitchen where it hangs.

11)   Sleek and Refined – This trend serves as a nod to old Hollywood glamour, and is particularly true of bathroom renovations. Where spa influences have been huge in recent years, a growing trend toward luxury and good old-fashioned glitz is slowly taking the lead.

12)   Engineered and Hardwood Flooring – More and more homeowners are opting to step away from carpet in favor of hardwood or engineered flooring. They are easier to maintain, add a touch of luxury to any room, and can be visually enhanced with a beautiful area rug.

13)   Pale Walls with Splashes of Color in Décor – The bulk of our renovations in recent months have called for pale hues on the walls with splashes of vibrant color in the décor. Soft greys reigned supreme throughout 2013, which worked beautifully with pops of red, purple, orange and turquoise.

To be among the first to SET the trends for 2014, Highlight Homes invites you to contact us to schedule your no-obligation consultation. Our talented design-build team welcomes the chance to help you create living spaces that will renew your family’s love for your home, and potentially add to its allure and value to potential buyers when it comes time to sell. We can be reached by calling 678-873-9234 or e-mailing info@highlighthomesga.com.  To learn more about Highlight Homes and the many services we offer, please visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com.

In this month’s nod to the people, places and things that inspire the team at Highlight Homes, we take a look back over the past year and bring back a handful of oldies, but goodies…

enLIGHTenment  magazine: Writer Linda Longo “shines a light” on the latest trends in her interview with award-winning Northwest design firm Neil Kelly for her article “Top 10 Home Design & Remodeling Trends For 2013.” Again, we’re not about to steal Longo’s thunder – but we ARE particularly fond of Top Trend #2: Living in Your House Longer.  As an Atlanta-based design-build renovation firm, that’s music to our ears. (Shades & Highlights January 2013) It will be interesting to see how many of these trends flow into 2014!

Outdoor Oasis: When you dream of spending time in the Great Outdoors, what do you envision?  If it’s a sprawling deck for countless dinner parties under the stars, a tranquil koi pond surrounded by lush landscaping, or an open-air kitchen where you can awaken your inner chef to the delight of your guests – Highlight Homes can help you make those dreams come true! (Shades & Highlights February 2013) NOW is a great time to start planning and preparing for your outdoor living space remodel!

Hidden Spaces: As though inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett’s Secret Garden, we love to find tucked away spaces and turn them into something beautiful. A hall closet door can become a sunken doorway bookcase, the space under the stairs can be opened up and transformed into a highly functional storage space or an indoor dog house, a little used corner can become a book nook, a guestroom closet can become a home office… the possibilities are endless!  With Highlight Homes’ extensive knowledge of structural engineering, we may be able to see the possibilities in your home that you may have overlooked. (Shades & Highlights March 2013)

Sunrooms: With the wonderful arrival of Spring each April, so follows the onset of pollen season. That yellow stuff that dusts the windshields of our cars and leaves its mark on the patio furniture in the backyard makes it nearly impossible for many Georgians to breathe deeply without sneezing and wheezing. Still, the grass is greening up, leaves are reappearing on the trees, and flowers are filling the gardens. It seems a shame not to be able to enjoy Mother Nature’s splendor this beautiful time of year just because of a fine yellow powder. Pollen poses an excellent argument for the incorporation of a sunroom filled with windows for the four-season enjoyment of the Great Outdoors.  It just so happens that sunrooms are one (among MANY) of our specialties here at Highlight Homes. To schedule a no-obligation consultation to discuss the incorporation of a sunroom addition at your home, call our talented design-build team at 678-873-8234 TODAY! (Shades & Highlights April 2013)

Never the Rock Photography: Sarina Roth, owner of Never the Rock Photography, is someone Highlight Homes looks to regularly to capture our home renovations. Her work is sublime and has graced the pages of a number of magazines. For motivated sellers who wish to place incredible photos of their home in the blog-o-sphere or families who love their home so much, they wish for it to play a starring role in their family portraits – we highly recommend you reach out to Sarina at Never the Rock. (Shades & Highlights May 2013)

True Source Cabinets: This Atlanta-based wholesaler provides a wide variety of cabinets from budget and upscale manufacturers, such as Omega –  the #1 rated custom manufacturer by Consumer Reports, Kemper – which was recently featured in the Street of Dreams Luxury Home Show, KraftMaid – the country’s largest manufacturer which has often been featured on Extreme Home Makeover, and more. The proper selection of cabinets is an integral part of any Highlight Homes’ kitchen or bath renovation. (Shades & Highlights June 2013)

Sunshine:  The 30-year average for rain fall in Atlanta during the month of June is less than 4 inches. This year, Atlantans saw more than 9.5 inches fall during June alone – spoiling countless pool days, parades, and picnics. Highlight Homes would like to say “Thank You” to our clients for understanding that we have no control over the weather. One of the benefits of working closely with a company like ours is that when Mother Nature has other plans on the days when we are scheduled to be working outdoors, we can adjust our construction schedule to tackle indoor renovation projects until the sun shines once more. (Shades & Highlights July 2013) Rain has continued to plague us in November and December. We recently had an unplanned “mudbogging” adventure at the construction site of our custom home in Brookhaven!

The Nest: Brought to you by the same folks who publish The Knot and The Bump, The Nest is a website devoted to all things “home” – from helpful tips like “How to Prepare for a Renovation” and “How to Finance Your Renovation” to a treasure trove of décor photos intended to enlighten you to the latest trends and inspire your own unique interior design. Be sure to flip through the pages of the digital magazine and check out their articles devoted to green living, organization, and (of course) renovating. (Shades & Highlights August 2013)

Architizer.com: A social network designed for architects, Architizer is also a great resource for anyone with a particular fondness for architecture in its many varied forms. Consumers considering a major overhaul renovation or building a new home from the ground up can find all kinds of inspiration from the ultra-modern and uber-cool designs displayed under the “Explore Projects” tab. (Shades & Highlights September/October 2013)

GE’s New Slate Appliances: Stainless Steel has ruled the kitchen appliance market for years and it’s a popular choice among many of our kitchen renovation clients. However, appliance powerhouse  – General Electric – debuted a new line of appliances in a low gloss finish they call “Slate” in September 2012 and it’s just now starting to generate a buzz as a possible successor.  It’s a soft and sophisticated charcoal grey – making it a nice marriage between black and stainless steel. We predict these products will continue to do well, particularly with the rising popularity of the use of varying degrees of grey paint on the walls as one of the new neutrals both designers and consumers are loving. (Shades & Highlights November 2013)

A very special thank you to all of the vendors and clients who have made 2013 such a great year! May 2014 hold great promise and happiness for us all!