With the rapid approach of the holidays over the course of the coming weeks, there’s simply no time to squeeze in a quick kitchen overhaul, rapid room addition, or brisk bedroom renovation. However, the holidays can be a very revealing time. Take this opportunity to examine your home’s performance with a house full of guests in order to determine the areas that could benefit most from a remodel before NEXT year’s holidays hit. When preparing your home’s “seasonal study,” ask yourself the following questions:
1) How does the overall flow of the home’s layout feel with visitors present? Cramped, cozy or roomy?
2) Does the kitchen function comfortably as a social gathering space AND a food prep area?
3) Is your guest bedroom and bathroom houseguest-worthy? Is it a space in which YOU would feel comfortable?
4) Does your home require more space for entertaining? If so, what kind of entertainment space is the best fit for your family’s collective personality, e.g. media room, bar, sunroom, outdoor living space?
Another great tactic is to ask your family members and guests for suggestions of ways you might improve future visits. Ask for brutal honesty, but be prepared to potentially suffer some slightly bruised feelings. Keep a log book of your impressions and theirs, then list potential home improvements by priority.
The next step is the easiest one of all… call the design-build team at Highlight Homes. During our no-obligation consultation, we can compare your list against the possibilities your home holds and may be able to offer considerations you never even imagined. We can also provide you with an estimate and timeline – giving you ample time to save for your home renovation or apply for a loan. That way, you can make plans to blow your guests away during next year’s holiday season! To learn more about the wide array of services we provide, please visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com.
Call the talented Highlight Homes’ design-build team today at 678-873-9234!
We wish you and yours a very Happy Holiday Season!
In this month dedicated to giving thanks, we at Highlight Homes realize we have much for which to be thankful! Topping that list are our clients and creative partners, who often push us to exceed even our own expectations. We are thankful to have the opportunity and the talent to do what we love for a living – as an added bonus, what we do makes the people we serve happy. Of course, we couldn’t do what we do – day in and day out – without a constant stream of inspiration that comes from the people, concepts, places, and products we discover along the way. As we do every month, we’d like to share just a handful of those inspirations with you!
Forward Progress: The act of making progress is truly inspiration in and of itself! When we think back over the course of a project – whether a home renovation or a custom-built home – we are always amazed at the transformation of the “before” and “after.” A prime example can be found in the home we are currently building in Brookhaven. It went from an outdated ranch to a showstopper in the making in just a matter of months. Take a peek at these “before” and “well-on-our-way-to-after” shots to see what we mean!
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.
Glass Tile Backsplashes: We had heard going into 2013 that glass was going to be big in interior design and home renovations. While we have worked with glass tile in the past, perhaps our favorite project involving the use of it was a kitchen remodel we completed recently in Buckhead. The glass tile reflects light from the opposite windows beautifully – enhancing the use of silver and stainless steel in the hardware, appliances, and chandelier over the dining room table – for a stunning and undeniably glamorous feel.
Carter House Gallery & Framing: No home renovation would be complete without the addition of items that convey the combined tastes, style, and personalities of the family who lives there. Items such as throw pillows, rugs, and object d’art (aka knick-knacks) can only accomplish so much. Great pieces of art or beautifully framed family portraits can set the tone for a room. Carter House Gallery – located in Alpharetta near North Point Mall – not only provides a treasure trove of work from talented local artists, it also provides custom framing. One of the coolest things we’ve seen in a long time – they can create a gorgeous custom frame for your wall mount flat screen TV!
To learn more about Highlight Homes, please visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com! We welcome the chance to inspire YOU with a quality crafted home renovation!
We all strive to squeeze in a handful of precious hours of undisturbed rest before that alarm clock sounds in the morning. It’s not uncommon for one to believe that “sleep comfort” begins and ends with a really good mattress. While that’s a very important component, the overall environment in which one sleeps plays a crucial role, as well. Elements such as soothing colors, de-cluttered spaces, higher ceilings, proper lighting and more can combine to contribute to a restful night’s sleep.
Winsome Walls:
It’s easier to enter a dream state when one is surrounded by dreamy, soothing shades. From wall paint to linens, one can literally wrap themselves in colors designed to calm and comfort. According to a recent article by Michele Bernhardt in House Beautiful, light purple evokes a sense of spirituality, light blue brings calm and peace, pink is associated with love, aqua is tied to relaxation, and green is related to health.
Cut the Clutter:
Clutter in the bedroom can serve to clutter the mind. It’s not always easy to kick back and relax when the clothes that are piling up in the chair and papers on the writing desk in the corner keep reminding us that there’s much to be done. A closet renovation or built-in storage spaces could serve to cut the clutter – cleaning up the space and freeing the mind for sweet dreams.
Soaring Ceilings:
Thoughts and dreams can drift up and away into the clouds with the help of a cathedral or trey ceiling. A general contractor or renovation company that specializes in structural engineering can assess a bedroom to see if the ceiling can be raised to accommodate such a lofty goal. For rooms that cannot be made larger with the help of a room addition, some added height will help the room feel larger and less cramped. Higher ceilings may also serve to positively impact acoustics for those sleepers who prefer the accompaniment of a sound machine or white noise device.
Draw the Curtains, Dim the Lights:
The appropriate lighting can definitely impact one’s ease toward dreamtime. Bedtime readers may benefit from a wall lamp that can be dimmed and operated from their bedside – so as not to disturb their sleeping companion. Light blocking curtains at the windows can ensure any plans to sleep in are not interrupted by a particularly vibrant sunrise. The bedroom windows are also an important spot on which to stay focused – a tiny crack in the seal could spell a less-than-restful sleep on a rainy and/or windy night.
Keeping Dreams and Digital Separate:
With so many of us spending the bulk of our waking moments stimulated by digital devices that range from smartphones and tablets to laptops and high definition television sets, it’s wise to keep digital out of the bedroom. For those who prefer to wind down in front of the TV before they go to bed, it might be wise to consider a sitting room addition to the master bedroom – so the TV has its own space and the bed has another. According to an article by Heather Hatfield for WebMD, we need to power down in order to enjoy a power nap. There should be a transition period of 15 to 30 minutes of technology-free time before bedtime to help ensure a good night’s rest.
Highlight Homes welcomes the opportunity to celebrate National Sleep Comfort Month with you! From room additions to trey ceilings, we do it all. To learn more about the services we provide to homeowners throughout Metro Atlanta, we invite you to visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com. Throughout the month of November, we will extend a 5% discount on home renovations of $10,000 or more*. Call us TODAY at 678-873-9234!
*Good for contracts of $10,000 or more. Offer Expires November 30, 2013. Must mention offer at time of consultation/signing of contract in order to receive savings.
While the “norm” used to be that as a family grows, so does its need for more space. A new baby often meant it was time to pack up the moving boxes and move into a larger home. However, a growing trend in both home buying and home building shows an undeniable gravitational pull away from the McMansion and towards a smaller home. Several factors could be at work here:
With so many dual income/activities to the max families out there, fewer folks are spending time actually IN the home.
Smaller homes mean less to clean and maintain.
As the baby boomer segment of our population ages, those homeowners are looking to downsize.
The recent economic downturn that hit the housing market so hard in 2008 was another factor, for certain. While the average home was still a hefty 2300 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ bathrooms in 2012 – according to the National Association of Home Builders – it does give one pause to think “What if I just stay put in my current home and find new ways to use the space?” Chances are, you could not only save a pretty penny and spare the hassle of packing up and moving, but you might also make your home more attractive to a future home buyer.
If you’re considering some changes to your smaller home or wish to purchase a more diminutive domicile, and want to opt for the smartest use of space – you should find a general contractor or renovation company that specializes in structural engineering, like Highlight Homes of Atlanta. A talented design-build firm that has a deeper understanding of the inner workings of the home can actually reroute your floorplan to one that will serve your family’s needs the best. If you have a family that loves to cook and entertain, chances are that you’ll want to open up the kitchen area. If guest room space is an issue, you might benefit from an above-the-garage addition or a finished attic. If your family loves the outdoors and feels cramped indoors, an open air living room might serve as the perfect answer. From an interior perspective, built-in bookcases and walk-in closets could help transform the usability of smaller rooms.
Highlight Homes welcomes the opportunity to help you look at your smaller home through entirely new eyes. To schedule a no-obligation consultation with our talented team of experts, please call 678-873-9234 or send an e-mail to info@highlighthomesga.com. If you’d like to learn more about Highlight Homes and the services we provide to homeowners throughout Metro Atlanta, we invite you to visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com.
Allow us to "enlighten" you - opulence is making a major comeback! Photo credits: Deepu Das/Stockvault
While there is always a great deal of anticipation and excitement leading UP to a home renovation, there is plenty left over for AFTER the renovation company has packed up their equipment and gone. A well-planned home renovation is not only a functional addition to your house, it should also serve as the ideal blank canvas to showcase your unique sense of style and personality. With the help of some of our interior design friends, the Highlight Homes’ team welcomes the chance to see your renovation from start to glorious finish.
Paint
What does one do with a blank canvas? Paint it, of course! Pantone – THE global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries – recently revealed its Pantone®View home+interiors 2014, which highlights some of the coming year’s hottest colors and combinations. Will you identify with the bright shades of Techno Color and Eccentricities, the muted hues of Physicality and Sculpted Simplicity, or one of the other five shade-inspired palettes created by the color experts at Pantone?
Décor
Word on the street is that some of the hottest trends in home décor include a major emphasis on eye-catching art, chevron stripes and honeycomb patterns in fabrics, bright and bold florals, vintage looks, glossy finishes and LOTS of luxury touches.
Furniture
According to Elle Décor, some of the hottest trends in furniture – as evidenced by the inventory at the Furniture Market at High Point, North Carolina – include metallic leather, showy glamorous pieces, tailored looks in upholstery, small space solutions, dining room tables that make a statement, and items that incorporate green design and manufacturing techniques. Some things we like out there on the market include cozy over-stuffed sectionals, painted accent furniture, natural materials and eclectic blends of modern and antique furniture.
Fixtures
From lighting to drawer pulls, we are seeing a couple of exciting trends. With the return of vintage looks, brass and gold are making a bold comeback. Lighting has become just as fanciful as it is functional – from sleek industrial pendant lamps to sophisticated chandeliers.
Special Touches
The most important thing to do when finishing a room is to fill it with things that you love. A country look can become more stylish when a repurposed barn door becomes a sliding door – serving as both a focal piece and a functional room separator. A beachy look can feel trendier with the use of sandy neutrals and subtle enhancements like bleached floors and less is more approach to placing “beachy” items around the room.
Of course, in order to get to the interior design phase of your home renovation – you need to RENOVATE first. To schedule a no-obligation consultation with the talented design-build team at Highlight Homes, call us at 678-873-9234, e-mail us at info@highlighthomesga.com, or fill out our convenient online contact form. To learn more about Highlight Homes and the services we provide, visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com.
Ever since we bid a fond farewell to summer and a hearty “HELLO!” to Fall on September 22, the folks at Highlight Homes have found much to inspire us with what promises to be a beautiful change of seasons. The rainy days of June and July have paved the way for a vibrant palette of colors as the leaves begin to change – and as renovation specialists, change is a subject near and dear to our hearts. In this edition of Shades & Highlights, we’ll share just a handful of the people, places and things that make what we do so exciting!
Biltmore Estate:Nestled in the stunning landscape of Asheville, North Carolina – Biltmore Estate is not only a terrific destination for leaf season, it’s also a wonderful place to look for ideas. From timeless architectural and interior design inspiration, to landscaping and gardening ideas – no one does it quite like the masterminds behind one of the Southeast’s greatest treasures. We encourage you to take notes and photos while you’re there of the elements that really speak to you so that Highlight Homes can help you incorporate them into your own original renovation. And we highly recommend the wine tasting, too!
Natural Elements: Not only do we love the use of natural elements in our custom homes and renovations – such as heavy timber beams and native stone accents, we also love the infusion of Mother Nature in home décor. Check out this “oldie but goody” that outlines some suggestions for natural elements in your Halloween décor: Going Green for Halloween.
West Elm Fall/Winter 2013 by Sherwin-Williams: The color geniuses at Sherwin-Williams have pulled together a beautiful collection of shades for their West Elm Fall/Winter 2013 paint palette. We really love the warmth of Rugged Brown paired with the richness of Indigo Batik – it’s like wearing blue jeans with a well-worn pair of cowboy boots. Color is still king when it comes to bright shades like Blue Nile, Forward Fuschia, and Heartthrob Red.
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.
Feeling inspired? Give the talented design-build team at Highlight Homes a call in order to bring your visions to light! We look forward to hearing from you and are even MORE excited about working with you. We can be reached by calling 678-873-9234 or via e-mail at info@highlighthomesga.com. To learn more about our services and sneak a peek at our online portfolio, please visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com.
The road through the Fall season can be a smooth one, if homeowners take the steps necessary to prep their homes. Photo credit: Stockvault.net/agphotostock.com
Although Atlanta temperatures remain in the comfortable 70’s and low 80’s for the foreseeable future, the recent official arrival of Fall on September 22 and the occasional ever-so-slight chill in the air let us know that a change of seasons will soon be upon us. Before we know it, the leaves will be changing from their standard shade of green to fiery hues of gold, red and orange – and before we can blink our eyes, they’ll be crackling underfoot during an afternoon stroll. Fashions will change from flip flops and tank tops to boots and sweaters, and summertime picnic fare will give way to heartier meals such as bowls filled with piping hot chili. While it may not yet FEEL like Fall, Fall is coming and it’s time to prepare – not just our wardrobes, but also our homes. Here are a handful of awesome autumn prep tips from your friends at Highlight Homes:
1) Look Before You Leaf
While Fall can be as visually stunning as a ticker tape parade, it can require a similar aftermath with regard to clean-up. If you’re noticing a lot of leaves on the ground, chances are that some of them have made their way into your home’s gutter systems. Although, it’s never fun to clean out one’s gutters, it is a relatively simple maintenance measure that could add years to the life of your roofline. For more helpful information, check out our blog “Fall Leaves Could Mean Full Gutters.”
2) Meet Yer Heater
Many homeowners’ exposure to their heating systems begins and ends with the thermostat that hangs on the wall. No one relishes the idea of climbing the ladder to their attic to come face-to-face with the behemoth that heats their home, but it’s a necessary evil to regularly change the air filters and check for possible problems. For trouble-shooting tips to decide whether or not a visit from your friendly HVAC tech is in order, read our blog “Don’t Get Left Out in the Cold.”
3) Seal of Approval
One of the easiest ways to lose heat and energy to the cold outside is through poorly sealed doors and windows. In the event that replacements are not in the budget this year, a quick fix could be found in a good roll of weather stripping. Weather stripping is a cost-effective way to save on energy costs, improve the comfort of your home by reducing air leaks around windows and doors, and can be easily installed by the homeowner him/herself. This simple tool is available at any big box home improvement store or mom and pop hardware shop for less than $10 for a 10’ strip of high density rubber foam self stick tape. For more information about weather stripping and window/door replacement, check out our blog “Cozy Up to a Warm Interior.”
4) Set a Date to Insulate
Although most insulation is designed to last for decades, it can have a tendency to settle over time and may get damaged from long-term exposure to moisture. The U.S. Department of Energy states that unless your home was constructed for energy efficiency, you could probably reduce your energy bills by adding MORE insulation. For tips on how and why to add insulation to your existing home, check out this article at Energy.gov.
5) Be the Host With the Most (or Hostess With the Mostest)
With Fall comes the advent of Thanksgiving… and shortly thereafter, the holidays. So, too, come the houseguests. Take a good look around to see if there are simple ways you can make your home more “houseguest-ready” in time for any gatherings. Read up on a few possible inspirations in our blog “Home for the Holidays.”
About Highlight Homes:
Highlight Homes, LLC was established in 2005 by builder, developer and architect, Anthony F. Pourhassan. The Atlanta-based company is founded on the core belief in the significance of what they are creating, firmly based in their lasting dedication to the clients they serve, and continually growing as word spreads of their unswerving commitment to quality. Because Highlight Homes, LLC is family-owned and operated – they truly care about their clients and their families. They listen carefully to their clients’ wants and needs, then design and implement plans to fit both their vision and their budget. Each Highlight Home contractor is fully licensed, registered and insured, and is well prepared to tackle projects of varying size and scope – from a luxury custom estate in one of Atlanta’s trendiest neighborhoods to a cozy, bungalow-inspired home in the sprawling suburbs.
After nearly three decades of experience in architectural design, construction, and development, Anthony Pourhassan and Highlight Homes have the know-how to take any project from concept to completion. They keep a steady pace with other leaders in their field through continued education and certification, as well as via affiliations with top-notch professional organizations such as the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, Certified Professional Home Builders of Georgia, National Kitchen & Bath Association, and National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Highlight Homes is proud to be a Better Business Bureau accredited business, as well as a certified Earth Craft House Builder, Energy Star Partner, and LEED Certified Home Builder.
Highlight Homes sets itself apart from the fray of other builders in the market through their attention to even the smallest detail, paired with their trademark of infusing unexpected touches and luxury finishes into every project they complete – at surprisingly affordable prices. They stand by every house they build by extending a one-year follow-up maintenance call to their homeowners, as well as a one-year full service warranty and an astounding EIGHT-YEAR structural warranty – all at no additional cost. In response to a growing need in Atlanta, Highlight Homes launched their renovation division in 2009. To learn more about Highlight Homes, please visit www.highlighthomesga.com or call 678-873-9234.
Ever since the housing crash of 2008, home builders and renovation companies nationwide have put on a brave face. Some managed to weather the storm, while others quietly faded into inexistence. With the apparent resurgence in the housing market back on the rise (thank goodness), builders face a new issue – lack of inventory and, in some cases, shortages of land on which to build. While new home builders struggle to keep up with demands from a new generation of home buyers, renovation companies are experiencing higher levels of confidence as projects roll in from existing home owners, sellers wishing to bring their properties up-to-date for potential buyers, and home buyers who could see the potential in an ugly duckling property.
According to the most recent National Home Builders Association’s Remodeling Market Index (RMI) – a measure of current remodeling activity and future market indicators such as calls for bids, appointments for proposals, work committed for the next three months and backlog of remodeling jobs – confidence levels are at their highest since the first quarter of 2004! Minor additions & alterations (projects under $25,000) in owner-occupied properties are leading the way, with major additions & alterations and maintenance & repair projects following closely behind. The key future market indicator is calls for bids showing the promise of work from potential clients, as well as work committed for the next three months in owner-occupied properties.
In our own market, Atlanta-based custom builder and renovation company, Highlight Homes is experiencing these same levels of renewed confidence that the market is clearly recovering. While our dance card is filling up nicely, we are still taking on projects through the remainder of 2013. Our services include:
Highlight Homes’ talented design/build team welcomes the opportunity to partner with you on a renovation project that will transform the look of your home. By the time we’re done, we’re confident that you and your family members will be the ones wearing the happy faces. If you’d like to schedule a no-obligation consultation, we can be reached via e-mail at info@highlighthomesga.com, by phone at 678.873.9234, or through our convenient online contact form. To learn more about Highlight Homes, view a complete list of services we provide, and sneak a peek at our online portfolio, we invite you to visit us online!
In our humble opinion, Highlight Homes believes Atlanta is #1!
At the beginning of September 2013, Harris Interactive – one of the world’s leading market research firms – placed Atlanta as thethird “happiest” metro area in America in its Harris Poll of Happiness Index. Dallas/Fort Worth snagged the top slot at #1, with the fellow Texas metropolis of Houston not far behind at #2. The people of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania indicate that they are just as happy as the Georgia Peaches of Atlanta, so – being the bastions of Southern Hospitality that we are – we share the coveted #3 position. As far as reasons for this happiness go, Atlanta beats the rest of the contenders out with our number of respondents who feel optimistic about the future at 81%.
Harris Interactive isn’t the only organization that finds Atlanta a great place to live – statistically speaking. Our fair city has made the cut on these lists recently, as well:
#1 on Penske Truck Rentals “Annual Top 10 Moving Destinations”
#4 on Movoto’s List of “America’s Smartest Cities”
#17 on Sperlings Best Places List of “Most Playful Cities in America”
#21 on the American College of Sports Medicine’s “Top-50 Healthiest Cities”
#22 in Forbes Magazine’s “Best Places for Businesses and Careers”
Here at Highlight Homes, our design-build team places Atlanta at #1 of greatest cities to live. That’s why we regularly assist homeowners with thoughtfully designed and masterfully implemented renovations to make their home a place with which they can fall in love all over again. We also offer semi-custom and custom construction homes, so homebuyers can build the house of their dreams right here in Atlanta.
If you would like to begin construction on your new Atlanta home OR you currently own a home anywhere in the Metro Atlanta area and wish to stay put and renovate, we encourage you to contact us TODAY for a no-obligation consultation. Our design-build team looks forward to your call at 678-873-9234. We can also be reached via e-mail at info@highlighthomesga.com or our convenient online contact form. For more information about Highlight Homes and the services we provide, please visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com.
Well-chosen fixtures can serve as a light source, AS WELL AS an artistic decorative touch.
With the kids back in school and the holidays just around the corner (gulp!), you might be in the mood to make a few changes around the house. But where do you look for ideas and inspiration? Why not look to some of the same sources of inspiration that professional renovation companies – like Highlight Homes – occasionally look to for ideas and industry insights? Below are just a few of the people, places and companies that have motivated our work this month:
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.
Decorative Lighting
This oft overlooked item can add quite a bit of a homeowner’s distinctive taste and personality to a room. If chosen properly, a great fixture serves as far more than a source of light – it can moonlight as an eye-catching work of art! Highlight Homes has several wonderful vendors to whom we look for extraordinary fixtures.
Listed among the “10 Home Decorating Trends That Will Be Hot in 2013” by House Beautiful’s Mimi Read*, modern man caves with a hint of sophistication are a far cry from a dark, dank unfinished basement sporting furniture from your college days or a garage with a dart board on the wall, a cooler within easy reach, and cornhole on the floor. Envision instead a full-size bar with beer taps and flat panel TVs hung overhead, a supreme “sky box” with an enormous big screen TV at center stage and huge overstuffed sofas on which to watch sporting events to your heart’s content, or a veritable sound stage with lighting and speakers where you can revisit your garage band days in style.
The sight of school buses ambling along country roads and the sound of drums echoing from high school stadiums on Friday nights reminds us that fall is just around the corner. The recent release of the Pantone Color Report for Fall is a colorful reminder, as well. We are particularly fond of bright and happy shades like Emerald Green 17-5641 (Pantone’s Color of the Year), Mykonos Blue 18-4434, Acai Purple 19-3628, Samba Red 19-1662, and Koi Orange 17-1452.
To learn more about Highlight Homes and the services we provide throughout the Metro Atlanta area, visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com.
