home renovations

Beautiful Bathrooms in Bloom

Beautiful Bathrooms in Bloom

Spring is NOT merely reserved for a week-long break at the beach, planting flowers, pulling out those white jeans and open-toes shoes, the return of pollen and the age-old practice of the big “Spring Clean.” Spring is a time of renewal – making it an excellent time to reimagine key areas of your home, whether for your own enjoyment or to increase its value and appeal to a potential buyer in the near future… or BOTH!

According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report for 2018, a bathroom remodel and/or addition still brings a great return on investment. In addition to enjoying a newly revamped space in which to start and end each day, you can expect to recoup some of the money invested when it comes time to sell. If executed properly with lots of WOW factor, your bathroom remodel could serve as one of the major reasons a homebuyer may want to purchase your home. The Cost vs. Value Reports suggests that a midrange bathroom remodel costing about $19,134 can expect to see a return on investment of right around 70% or $13,422, whereas an upscale bathroom remodel costing about $61.662 can expect to see a return on investment of right around 56.2% or $34,633. In the event that a bathroom addition is required, the margins are a tad closer. A midrange project of $44,717 will likely see 59.9% ROI, and an upscale project of $83,869 will likely see 54.6% ROI.

Planning a bathroom remodel or hoping to make the master bathroom of your new custom home magazine-worthy? You might want to stay abreast of some of the latest trends. The design and construction team at Highlight Homes certainly is!  Here are our favorite Top 5 Trends in Bathrooms today:

1)      Natural Stone Elements – Granite and marble have long been the star of the show in bathroom counters, but more recently designers are really loving the look of natural elements throughout the bathroom – from the shower surround to the walls to the flooring. Not only are they naturally beautiful, but they’re incredibly durable.

2)      Smart Showers and Toilets – From futuristic steam showers with special controls and sensors, to toilets with flushing sensors, heated seats, self-cleaning nozzles, overflow control and smart flush technology for water savings, bathrooms are going more and more high-tech! Many homebuyers/renovating homeowners are also starting to incorporate wiring over the tub for a little TV viewing while you soak – the ultimate in relaxation!

3)      Barn Doors – Barn doors are NOT just for the barn anymore! Often featuring reclaimed wood (or the suggestions of such), these sliding doors have found their way from the outdoors to the indoors and are quickly becoming a hot commodity in bathroom décor.

4)      Subway Tile – Although subways are not always known for their cleanliness, the resurging trend towards the use of subway tile in bathrooms gives the sense of a sparkling clean space of tranquility. Many designers are adding darker grout which – in addition to helping hide any dirt and grime between cleanings – gives bathrooms an undeniable vintage feel.

5)      Sleek and Spa-Inspired – The overall theme for bathrooms these days is uncluttered, utterly refined and absolutely inviting. A blend of textures paired with soothing colors, it’s clear what was intended when the name “rest” room was first uttered.

Whether building a custom home from the ground up or renovating your current home, Highlight Homes welcomes the chance to help you incorporate all of the elements outlined above and so much more into your new master bathroom. To learn more about Highlight Homes and take a peek inside our gallery of projects, please visit us at www.highlighthomesga.com. When you’re ready to schedule a no-obligation consultation, reach out to us by phone at 678-873-9234, email us at info@highlighthomesga.com or fill out our online contact form and someone will be in touch with you shortly!

Top Five Trends for Home Construction in 2018

Top Five Trends for Home Construction in 2018

Whether building your home from the ground up or reimagining your current home with some well-chosen renovation projects, it’s always a wise move to consider the latest trends in home construction. While timelessness NEVER goes out of style, in order to add to the wow factor or benefit from years of trial and error to find what works best – there’s a lot to be said for incorporating the latest looks and reaping the rewards from the most recent advances in home construction. While the trends abound from the interior to the exterior to the inner workings for 2018, here are just a few of our favorites from the team at Highlight Homes…

1)      Homes are Getting “Smarter”:  There is a growing trend toward “smart homes” in new home construction AND in renovations. Whether seeking an awesome security system, a way to control the A/C and electricity in your home with a touch of your mobile phone, a complete home sound system to fill each room with music or all of the above (and so much more), a Smart Home system is undoubtedly the way to go. To learn more about Smart Homes and how Highlight Homes can help, keep reading…

2)      Construction is Growing “Greener”:  If the environment is important to you and you hope to do your part to protect the planet, you’ll be pleased to learn that there are a number of ways to do just that when constructing a new home or incorporating a home renovation to your existing home. From using green home construction practices and incorporating low energy and water consumption elements such as energy-efficient appliances, Low-E windows and low flow toilets, you will be taking effective measures to limit your family’s carbon footprint. Keep reading to learn what else Highlight Homes does to take green construction to the next level…

3)      White is the New Black: For several years, crisp white kitchens have really made a comeback. What we’re witnessing lately is that trend spreading beyond the heart of the home to encompass other living spaces. White adds an air of tranquility and communicates CLEAN and REFRESHING. Mix it with Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2018 – Ultra-Violet – 18-3838 for an air of romance. All colors go beautifully with white if you’d like to add some color. And while we’re on the subject of color, be prepared to see lots of warm, rich colors in accents – from an accent wall to furniture. We’re also seeing a blend of both high contrast (a bold grey wall with pure white wainscoting) or tone-on-tone (where the wall and millwork are painted in the same exact hue) in living spaces – so go with whatever feels “right” to you!

4)      Industrial and Vintage Reign Supreme: From treated concrete floors and countertops to show-stopping industrial light fixtures and deep trough sinks, the “industrial age” rages on in interior design. We’re also seeing a mix of vintage finding its way back in. The vintage feel of subway tile, claw-footed tubs and romantic wallpaper prints are definitely making a very cool comeback.

5)      Textures Take Over the Interior: From highly textured wall treatments – like brick and reclaimed wood – to velvet furnishings and woven accent pieces, surfaces that have a visual and tactile interest are gaining favor among interior designers, home buyers and homeowners.

Long story short, 2018 is going to be a lot of fun! The race is on for the incorporation of technologically and environmentally cutting edge practices and elements paired with a throwback in design using clean colors, industrial and vintage components, and a variety of highly interesting walls and furnishings – making design, construction and the ultimate enjoyment of your new (or newly remodeled) home more rewarding than ever. Contact the talented team at Highlight Homes to help you incorporate any or all of the trends listed above in your custom home or whole home renovation in 2018. To get started, simply call us at 678-873-9234, email us at info@highlighthomesga.com or fill out our convenient online contact form and someone will be in touch with you shortly!  To learn more about Highlight Homes and view our online gallery of work, please visit www.highlighthomesga.com.

Chastain Park

Chastain Park Neighborhood; Photo Credit: Atlanta Trails

Chastain Park Neighborhood; Photo Credit: Atlanta TrailsThe neighborhoods surrounding this 268-acre park in the highly revered Chastain Park area the northern edge of Atlanta boast some of the city’s most beautiful trees and multi-million dollar homes with close proximity to shopping and dining in nearby Buckhead, including Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza. The park itself features jogging paths, playgrounds, tennis center, golf course, swimming pool, horse park, master grill & pavilions, and – the one thing for which it is most commonly associated, the Chastain Park Amphitheater. The Amphitheater is famed for playing host to a series of outdoor concerts featuring internationally recognized artists that include Jimmy Buffett, Sting, Lionel Ritchie, The Temptations, Eric Clapton and more. Seats are available from anywhere from a picnic blanket on the lawn to a table in the pit. The park is also home to the annual Chastain Park Arts Festival – featuring fine art and crafts, a children’s area, live music, and local food & beverage concessions, including wildly popular gourmet food trucks.

Dunwoody

Dunwoody GA

Dunwoody GAWell-known as a “silver spoon” suburb of Atlanta, Dunwoody is situated in DeKalb County, poised between Fulton County to the north and west, Interstate 285 to the south, and Gwinnett County to the northeast. Rolling hills, towering pines and stately hardwoods dot the landscape, as do some of North Atlanta’s finest homes, shops and restaurants. Among one of the city’s most popular draws is Perimeter Mall – which is filled to overflowing with upscale stores such as Nordstrom, Macy’s, Coach, Michael Kors, Von Maur, and Z Gallerie, as well as great dining destinations like Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Goldfish, The Cheesecake Factory and more. Dunwoody also offers close proximity to “pill hill” – a sprawling medical community that includes Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, Northside Hospital, and the award-winning St. Joseph’s Hospital. Community-focused Dunwoody is home to a network of trails and excellent parks, and plays host to a jam-packed calendar of events.