Giving Thanks to Our Staff and Customers for a Great 2016!

The goal of this Kurk Homes Design & Build Blog was to bring forward ideas to our former, current, and new customers - whether it be by something we get a lot of requests for, or just something some of us find really interesting or useful.

Over the past six months, we've explored farmhouse kitchens, interior masonry, aging in place designs, roof structures, ceiling designs, window architecture and the nomenclature for all of the above. We've also honored our founder and my grandfather, Chester H. Kurk, on his birthday month. 

This month, as we wind down from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I'd like to give thanks to our amazing Kurk Homes team. Our staff consists of 20 amazing people in two main areas in Texas: Greater Houston and the Texas Hill Country. Our clientele range from young professionals to those who wish to age in place and anywhere in between for those who desire to design and build a quality custom home at an affordable price. We've been honored to serve you if we have, and if we haven't, we would be honored to design and build your dream home. 

2017 will mark our 28th year building across Texas, and we are excited about what the future holds in store. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2017 from our Kurk Homes Family to Yours! 

Eyes Of the Home - Clarifying Window Types and Styles

In the living face, eyes are a window into the soul. Similarly, windows are the eyes of the home. There are myriad styles of windows - some architecturally structured while others are just details within the windows themselves. Below are some of our most common types and styles that we see homeowners designing with and around.

Clerestory

A portion of a roof that extends vertically above adjacent rooftops that has windows admitting daylight to the interior.

Clerestory: 

Dormer

A roofed structure containing one or more windows. There are a few different types of dormers: gabled is the most popular in farmhouse styles, as below. A shed dormer can have a few more windows, we add two or three 2' windows to most shed dormers. An eyebrow dormer can have a rounded or a triangular shape as well. 

Gabled Dormers: 

Shed Dormers:

Eyebrow Dormers: 

Cupola

A small enclosed structure with windows or openings that sits above the adjacent roofline. Used as a lookout, lantern tower, or adjoined to a balcony or widow's walk as seen below, a cupola adds vertical architectural interest and function to a home.

Cupola with Widow's Walk:

Bay, Bow, or Boxed Windows

A window, or set of windows, that is projected outward from an exterior wall is referred to as either a boxed, bay, or bow window. While the bay window is typically one window unit that has individual windows connected (or mulled) together, you can also separate the windows to save costs. The bowed window (not shown) is the same as a bay window, but rounded instead of angular.

Bay Window with Non-Mulled Windows: 

Boxed Window:

Window Styles: 

Below are frequent style designs for custom homes. Whether it is adjoining two or more windows together, adding light or interest with various shapes, the windows can be as reflective of taste and design as the homeowner chooses!

Mulled Windows (middle window): 

Butt-Joint Windows: 

Transom Windows: 

Custom Designed: 

Now the question is, what would you do??

© Melanie McGinley Sparks and Kurk Homes, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Melanie McGinley Sparks and Kurk Homes with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Above and Beyond! A Dozen Design Ideas for Your Ceiling

All about Ceiling Design! 

Not only is a raised ceiling fantastic for making the room feel and look larger, it can add character and interest in the way that it is raised. Check out our custom designed favorites and differentiating characteristics! 

 

Groin Vault 

This four sided vault is also called a Cross Vault. The rounded sides join at a lowered point in the middle - what can also be pictured as two barrel vaults intersecting. 

Barrel Vault

As the name describes, a barrel vault is a fully rounded portion of the ceiling - half cylindrical in appearance. Much wider than an "arch" a barrel vault can typically be seen in intricately designed foyers or bathrooms. 

Cathedral Vault

Raised to a top point or ridge beam, a cathedral vault is the highest ceiling design possible. These ceilings have to be specially engineered for wide spans, and can give the illusion that even a small room is quite spacious.

Flat Top Vault

A variation of the cathedral vault, above, this type of vaulted ceiling has a top portion (custom designed in width) that spans across the vault with a joist system in lieu of a ridge beam. 

Shed or Half Vault (one sided slope)

If there is a living area or a need for mechanicals above a portion of the room, a shed or half vault can maximize the height of one side of the room. This type of vault is commonly seen in contemporary plans, but can be used in any style of home to increase the perceived size of the area. 

Domed Ceiling

A fully circular "pop-up" or raised portion of the ceiling is called a dome. Most commonly seen over spiral or rounded staircases, this ceiling design can also highlight the ceiling of a foyer or above a large jacuzzi tub. 

Tray and Double Tray (or Step) Ceiling

Popular in master bedroom suites and family rooms, a tray ceiling is a great way to add vertical height to the room without sacrificing living area or attic space above. Adding rope lighting and crown molding in the double tray, as shown below, is a wonderful way to highlight this architectural feature. 

Sheetrock Design

A sheetrock design can be created in a formal living or dining space by "furring down" the outer edges of the ceiling, giving the illusion of a raised ceiling. Similar to a tray ceiling, a sheetrock design does not take a full foot of lumber, but a sheet of plywood or OSB cut to design and applied to the ceiling. 

Coffered Ceiling

A coffered ceiling has several names throughout the industry: caisson, lacunar, and waffled all point out the same basic structure as pictured. The base height of the room and the decorative "beams" interlace in a grid or tic-tac-toe pattern that can be as deep as one foot, and as little as three inches. 

Beamed Ceiling - exposed or faux beams and/or trusses

Highlighted with exposed or faux beams and/or trusses, a beamed ceiling can add both a rustic or contemporary flair depending on the type and color of wood selection. Typically, a smooth pine painted or stained a dark color is for more modern or contemporary appeal while a rough cedar stained a natural color is frequented in rustic or farmhouse design.

Tin or Tiled Ceiling

Common in barrel ceilings, as shown, a decorative or metallic tile can add visual interest to a bathroom ceiling. Tin ceilings are a great feature in billiard or game rooms, either a raised portion as in a tray, or throughout the entire room.

Tongue & Groove Pine Ceiling

Frequented in the Texas Hill Country designs, a tongue and groove pine ceiling can bring the warmth of wood into both outdoor and indoor spaces. Commonly seen on large rear porches, the wood ceiling application can also add wonderful visual interest to large family rooms with cathedral vaults.

© Melanie McGinley Sparks and Kurk Homes, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Melanie McGinley Sparks and Kurk Homes with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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Universal Design - Creating a Home for a Lifetime

It's not an easy subject to cover. No one ever wants to think about their parents, themselves, or future generations not being physically able to safely enter a bathtub or walk up a few porch steps. With Universal Design, however, that thought process is taken care of for you - with more items you may not have even thought about.

So, what is Universal Design? And who does it benefit? 

Universal Design is a way of strategizing a plan, or modifying a home, to maximize accessibility for any person that may have physical restrictions in the future. This means elderly individuals, as well as someone who may be short-term, physically injured.

Bathrooms are specifically targeted, as they are the primary source of injuries in the home for any age, with over an astonishing 80% of injuries. Listed below are some alterations to make during the design phase that could ensure your home could really be suitable for a lifetime.

SAFETY FEATURES

BATHROOMS:

• Walk-in bathtub options
• Sloped and recessed (no ledge or step) oversized showers
• Additional hardware "grab bars" in showers and commode rooms

THROUGHOUT:

• Additional lighting, especially in transitions between rooms and differing floor heights
• Sloped or ramped porch entry in lieu of steps
• Non-slick flooring on interior as well as sidewalks and patios

CONVENIENCE & COMFORT FEATURES 

BATHROOMS:

• Handheld shower head & built-in shower seat
• Comfort height commodes

THROUGHOUT:

• Open concept living
• 3'0 wide or larger doors, entries, and exterior walkways
• Lowered countertops, outlets, and switches
• Zoned HVAC, multiple thermostats
• Lever hardware instead of round knobs

Here is an example of an open concept plan with comfort and safety features of Universal Design, designed by Kurk Homes. We originally created this plan with the idea of building a secondary structure on a property so that aging or physically challenged loved ones could have the security of being close by, but still maintain independent living. 

Chris McGinley, Kurk Homes President, was the chair of the 50+ housing council for Greater Houston Builders Association, focusing on universal design and "aging in place." He is also pictured above, with our grandparents and the co-founder of Kurk Homes, Mr. Chester Kurk, honored in our July post.


© Melanie McGinley Sparks and Kurk Homes, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Melanie McGinley Sparks and Kurk Homes with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

7 Ways to Add Texture & Character With Interior Masonry

This month's spotlight is on Interior Masonry. Here are 7 Beautiful Ideas to add texture and character to your home using rugged, typically outdoor materials such as brick and stone!

 #1 - Kitchen Backsplash 

This brick wall surrounding the stainless steel appliance hood and cabinets creates a bold statement, and ties into the gorgeous stained wood of the cabinetry, doors, and trim. 

 #2 - Stone "Kicker" 

If you can picture four kids sitting on stools next to this bar top island, you will understand why we refer to these stone surrounds as "kickers." Much more kid friendly than sheetrock, a stone island surround adds texture and interest to an otherwise ordinary construction detail. 

 #3 - Brick Trim on Niche Walls 

The options are limitless with niches. Some families display artwork, sculpture pieces, or even a built-in bench could fit in this niche. Detailing the edges with brick adds distinct structure without taking away what is showcased inside of the niche.

#4 - Fireplaces 

Masonry fireplaces as focal points of the room provide more than just warmth! The rugged facade of stone, whether a veneer stone or fully dimensional, can really draw the eye in to the structure. Brick or stone fireplace surrounds create an inviting space, encouraging the family to sit for pictures on the hearth!

#5 - Arch above Cooktop

Tying your kitchen to outdoor living is easily done by adding a brick or stone cooktop arch during the design phase.  Coordinating granite and neutral tile backsplash allow this stone veneer to really "pop!"

#6 - Full Masonry Walls 

The quintessential "man cave" above was designed as a Billiard Room, complete with stained glass windows and themed lighting fixtures. The brick walls on all four sides of the room complete the rugged look, and can certainly add some sound-proofing as well!

#7 - Masonry Flooring

Not just for coordinating with the backsplash in a bathroom as a veneer, full bricks or flagstone can be laid in entry ways and lanais for additional texture and interest. Rough surfaces are tougher to clean, but less slippery-when-wet as smooth tile would be. 

What do you think? How would you add interior masonry for a design aspect in your dream home?

© Melanie McGinley (Sparks) and Kurk Homes, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Melanie McGinley (Sparks) and Kurk Homes with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.