Custom Building Tips for Spring Cleaning & Organization

Although Texas has been warm for a while, spring is officially here and 'tis the season for refreshing, cleaning, re-organizing, and building anew! Here are some custom organizational ideas and the handy tips for the yearly check-up:

ORGANIZATIONAL BUILT-INS

For all ages, spring cleaning typically revolves around tidying a closet. The easiest place to hide and stash things that don't need to be seen every day, the closet becomes the result of the mass exodus from the clean laundry pile, accumulating en masse until the clean somehow needs to be washed again.

In an effort to help dissuade the chaos, organizational systems have been designed specifically for the clutter-minded, such as huge wall-to-wall built-ins, additional hanging racks, shoe racks, laundry chutes, drop zones etc. Even, as shown below, a hidden door could be built to match the other closet built ins! Depending on the level of finish, built-ins could match the cabinetry throughout the rest of the home, or sport paint-grade pine constructed by a trim carpenter. 

Custom Wall-to-Wall Cabinetry Built-In:

Built-In Shelving and Hidden Door: 

Additional Top Rack for Closet: 

Laundry Chute and Receiving Cabinet: 

Custom Drop Zone: 

MAINTENANCE:

Directly from our Energy Star Partner website: https://www.energystar.gov/

Follow this checklist to ensure your home is ready for the heat surges ahead!!

Maintenance Checklist:

• Check thermostat settings to ensure the cooling and heating system keeps you comfortable when you are home and saves energy while you are away.

• Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe operation of your system and reduce the life of major components.

• Lubricate all moving parts. Parts that lack lubrication cause friction in motors and increases the amount of electricity you use.

• Check and inspect the condensate drain in your central air conditioner, furnace and/or heat pump (when in cooling mode). A plugged drain can cause water damage in the house and affect indoor humidity levels.

• Check controls of the system to ensure proper and safe operation. Check the starting cycle of the equipment to assure the system starts, operates, and shuts off properly.

Cooling Specific:

• Clean evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils. Dirty coils reduce the system's ability to cool your home and cause the system to run longer, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.

• Check your central air conditioner's refrigerant level and adjust if necessary. Too much or too little refrigerant will make your system less efficient increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.

• Clean and adjust blower components to provide proper system airflow for greater comfort levels. Airflow problems can reduce your system's efficiency by up to 15 percent.

Heating Specific:

• Check all gas (or oil) connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchanger. Improperly operating gas (or oil) connections are a fire hazard and can contribute to health problems. A dirty burner or cracked heat exchanger causes improper burner operation. Either can cause the equipment to operate less safely and efficiently.

Actions To Do Yourself:

• Inspect, clean, or change air filters once a month in your central air conditioner, furnace, and/or heat pump. Your contractor can show you how to do this. A dirty filter can increase energy costs and damage your equipment, leading to early failure.

Maintain your equipment to prevent future problems and unwanted costs. Keep your cooling and heating system at peak performance by having a contractor do annual pre-season check-ups. Contractors get busy once summer and winter come, so it's best to check the cooling system in the spring and the heating system in the fall. To remember, you might plan the check-ups around the time changes in the spring and fall.

© Melanie McGinley Sparks and Kurk Homes, 2017. 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 Kurk Homes and Melanie McGinley Sparks with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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From Quarries to Custom Homes - All About Countertops!

Kitchen and bathroom designs can largely rely on the selection of the countertop. Whether your design is contemporary, farmhouse, French country, or Texas rustic - the surface you select for your countertop can either add complexity or simplicity - easing the eye into fun backsplash designs or funky cabinetry. Or, it can all blend like a beautiful ethereal piece of art.

Here are a few options of countertops - split into the natural "rock" formations from quarries and engineered products from manufacturers.

Natural Products: 

Granite

Probably the most well-known countertop surface in homebuilding is granite. Known for its durability and plethora of color selections from white to black and every variation in between, granite is a favorite among customers and builders alike. Although granites are sturdy rocks of countertops, they do require maintenance by sealing the surface as needed. Lighter granites will need more frequent  sealing applications - closer to six months - while darker granites can last a year or longer without re-sealing.

Granite is a natural product, pulled from quarries around the world. Sandstone, that has been melted by the earth's heated core and then cooled, create this multi-dimensional rock; the difference in colors attributed to the minerals (such as iron creating a more red tint) that were trapped during the melting and cooling process. 

Colonial White Granite

Gorgeous slab of Green Labradorite Granite

Marble

One of the oldest known countertop surfaces is marble. Created from massive heat and pressure on limestone over thousands of years, marble has been used to create entire spectacular cities most notably in Greece, Italy, and surrounding countries.

The historic prestige of marble is a draw for many customers and builders, however, the softness of the stone is a drawback. Marble is more porous than granite or manufactured stone, therefore, it can stain and scratch without the utmost care. For that reason, marble countertops are not as popular in kitchens, but still have a frequent occurrence in guest or powder bathrooms. Re-sealing marble is recommended as needed for high traffic areas as much as every few months.

Carrara Marble Vanity Top

Butcher Block

Many people are drawn to the rustic wood look and feel of an authentic butcher block countertop. Whether as a dedicated portion of the island, or using the entire space as a giant cutting board, butcher blocks add texture and warmth to any kitchen. 

Maintenance needs of butcher blocks include sealing and coating with mineral oil, typically every few months. Scratches from knife blades are to be expected, and placing hot pots directly onto the surface should be avoided. It is wood after all!

Beautiful Butcher Block Island

Quartzite

Quartzite is very similar to granite in its creation - differing only in the abundance of quartz in the sandstone. Many people confuse engineered quartz countertops with quartzite, and the distinction should be made that quartzite is a naturally occurring product, while quartz countertops are man-made. See further on for the description of Silestone and Ceasarstone quartz countertops. 

As a natural product, quartzite - not unlike granite - can vary in its character. In the pictures below, the quartzite is the "Super White" selection. However, depending on when the product was harvested from the quarries, as well as the location of the quarries themselves, the color and veining patterns can vary immensely! Although harder than granite, quartzite still needs maintenance of re-sealing every one to two years. 

Lovely Island and Perimeter of Super White Quartzite

Super White Quartzite Island and Perimeter

Engineered Products: 

Quartz Countertops - Ceasarstone and Silestone

Made of a composite of mostly natural quartz with resins, Ceasarstone and Silestone are the least porous man-made countertops of this list with durability that exceeds marble, granite, and quartzite.  The difference between the brands is that Ceasarstone is comprised of over 93% quartz, while Silestone is at 90%. Silestone has more color selection while Ceasarstone has broader options for finishing on edges. 

Both products are consistently patterned throughout, there will not be color variation amidst a slab of manufactured quartz as there would be in granite, marble, or quartzite. For this reason, the selection process can be a simple one - the swatch will match the slab. Also convenient for the homeowner, quartz countertops do not need to be sealed.

Ceasarstone Display at our Kurk Homes Design Center

Blanco Orion Silestone

Silestone "White Platinum" 

Cultured Marble

Cultured marble countertops are made from marble particles mixed with liquid polyester resin. Any shape can be custom made, since the product is molded. Typically coated with clear finish in either high gloss or matte, cultured marble countertops are most popular in bathrooms with recessed sinks. The color selection is endless, as the manufacturer can also tint the product to suit the customers' needs.

With the resin, the cultured marble is a non-porous product that is harder than marble, yet softer than granite. Re-finishing is recommended to prevent resistance to stains and scratches, however, unlike the natural materials, cultured marble can have scratches or abrasions filled relatively easily with a gel compound. 

Platinum Cultured Marble Vanity Top

Solid Surface:

Similar to cultured marble, solid surface countertops are moldable - made of a polyester resin with bauxite filler and pigments. They are stain-resistant and durable in comparison to products that have a seam, thus, they are highly used in the medical field, but residential use is also common. 

The countertops are created to mimic other surfaces, such as wood, stone, quartz, granite, or marble - so the color and pattern selection is endless. Some homeowners prefer the variety of the selections and the cost effectiveness of the solid surface countertop compared to granite or marble.

Corian Linen Countertop

Which ones would you choose for your home? 

As always, if you would like to learn more about Kurk Homes and what we can offer our customers, please visit our website at www.KurkHomes.com or call us at 1-800-749-KURK. Thanks for stopping by! 

© Melanie McGinley Sparks and Kurk Homes, 2017. 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 Kurk Homes and Melanie McGinley Sparks with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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Spotlight on Home Design: The 8 Most Requested Architectural Styles

We always love to get the question "Can you change this?" while we are under design. Yes, we can! We love to. Our designers' goals are to pull the visions from our customers and create a plan that we can build. Some customers have dreams of a quaint farmhouse overlooking a beautiful garden, while others want the full metropolitan lifestyle of a more contemporary home. Whatever the customers' vision, a design/build firm like Kurk Homes can capture it.

While categorizing homes into styles can lead to muddy waters (such as transitional that incorporates contemporary, traditional, and sometimes mediterranean or craftsman elements), we've most frequently incorporated the following eight design styles.

Here are our 8 most popular requested home design styles (in no particular order):

RANCH: 

Maybe it's about designing and building in Texas, but ranch styles are very prevalent on wide lots or acreage. The sprawling, typically one-story construction has many architectural features of interest - window overhangs, faux trusses, shutters, and gables. We've seen brick and stone, sometimes combined with Hardie plank, as well as metal and shingle roofs.

FARMHOUSE:

The farmhouse is usually smaller than a ranch and typically uses more Hardie plank than masonry. Farmhouses are known for their large-scale porches, and appeal for smaller properties with a second story view. Many times these homes are on piers, with steps leading up to the expansive front porch as this plan above.

CRAFTSMAN:

Also referred to as "Bungalows," the craftsman style home originated in the 19th century, and really became popular in the early 1900s as a kind of architectural revolt against the industrial era. The highlights of the home became the intricate handcrafted details, natural elements added to the style, and decorative trim in contrasting paint or stained wood. Many older neighborhoods still have these full-of-charm homes, and newer homes are designed to incorporate that same antique appeal.

ACADIAN:

Frequently seen in Louisiana and derived from the original French Country style, Acadian style homes focus primarily on the outdoor living aspect typical with a plantation home. As its parent origin, Acadian homes have brick, Hardie, or stucco exteriors, with tall and thin windows flanked by shutters, a steep roof with dormers (either rounded or square), and a large front porch area with columns.

MEDITERRANEAN:

Based off the architecture visible in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, Mediterranean homes feature an exterior combination of stucco and stone with the occasional tile roof, courtyards, and balconies. Homeowners may want to add large wooden or iron doors with ornate detail and most of the homes have a low pitch to a flat roof style.

CONTEMPORARY:

The modern feel of a contemporary plan with large open windows and various angles and slants of a roofline has its place both in rural and urban areas. Most commonly, the exterior is a combination of natural and manmade elements - metal roofs and cedar or Hardie trim, sometimes with thin ledge stone. Contemporary homes showcase simplistic elevations with natural lighting while maximizing the interior livability of open concept floor plans.

TRADITIONAL:

American Traditional homes host an exterior of mainly brick, typically a reddish tone, with a lighter colored Hardie plank on the rear elevation. Composite shingle roofs in darker colors in varying roof pitches are commonly seen, as well as a symmetrical front elevation with multiple gables.

TRANSITIONAL:

The fusing of multiple styles into one home is referred to as "transitional". Many homeowners desire to merge their two favorites into one - we've most commonly combined contemporary and traditional styles together. This design blends the sometimes cold lines of contemporary with the ornate traditional, creating a new exterior that hosts the benefits of both without entirely checking either box.

Which style, or combination, would you choose for your home? 

© Melanie McGinley Sparks and Kurk Homes, 2017. 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 Kurk Homes and Melanie McGinley Sparks with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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.

Interior Design - 7 Ways to Custom Design A Farmhouse Kitchen

The "farmhouse" look has become a favorite of many, especially as it has recently been made even more visible in current interior design/ remodeling shows. Farmhouse style first exclusively was the architecturals, the outside of the house, and originated simply by location. A home on a ranch or a farm, despite what it looked like, was called a farmhouse.

Now, the term has taken on a much different design element - as both exterior and interior has been further defined. As the kitchen is deemed the heart of the home, creating a farmhouse kitchen adds warmth and functionality with crisp colors and fun antique accents.

7 Ways to Custom Design Your Own Farmhouse Kitchen:

1. Open Concept 

The status quo for house layouts, as the farmhouse style alludes to family and functionality.  The place to gather, to eat together, pray together, and admire your grandmother's cooking and your spouse attempting to emulate grandmother's cooking! If you can, create the space that is open from the kitchen to the breakfast/dining areas and the living/family room.

Dropping the formals are optional. You can still have a farmhouse kitchen with a formal dining, whether or not that is close to the kitchen depends on if you can use the room for another purpose, and if you have the space to use it. Our customer base varies between formals and non. Typically, young or growing families want to have a more informal, breakfast area approach, or create a large Great Room from the kitchen through the dining to the family.

2. Raise that ceiling! Vaulted ceilings have so much visual interest, if you have the space to lift it, a 14' or higher vault will make the room feel huge. A pop up or tray ceiling in a 9' or 10' plate allows you another foot without the additional expense of raising the full plate of the room. Even more flavor can be added to the vault or tray by installing faux beams in various patterns. Interior wood is great to add a cozy feel to any space - cedar wrapped faux beams have almost a meatier grain, while pine wrapped would be for a crisper look.

3. Square Off. Trim and interior millwork is typically square in a farmhouse kitchen; this is probably the biggest difference between French Country and Farmhouse interiors, square trumps round in farmhouse style. Rectangular subway tile in glossy white or grey is a common selection for kitchens, and can be detailed such as a houndstooth pattern above the cooktop for added interest. 

Beadboard details on the back of islands, cabinet door styles or full pantry doors - or even as a wainscot wall - can be indicative of the farmhouse style. Rectangular baseboard, a plain 1x6 is perfect and inexpensive, double crown moulding and cased windows are wonderful trim details in a bright glossy or semi gloss white to add contrast to the wall color. Speaking of...

4. Be Cool with Color! Cool neutral walls* are "so hot right now" (in my best Zoolander voice) in greys, light blues, and the ever so popular MINT. I went with a Sherwin Williams Functional Grey with Extra White trim for my farmhouse kitchen. I'm not going to lie, I was so excited to see a fresh palette of color after years and years of builder beige. Add pops of color with a small accent wall or fun pottery/paintings/decor in bright greens, yellows, and blues.

*There is a transitional wall color if shades of grey instill fear. I actually convinced my husband to paint our powder bath this color, called Greige. Greige was the IT color as the "I may be scared of grey, but I'm sick of beige" neutral that could cross the temperature barrier as either warm or cool.

5. Expose the Shelves. Cabinetry in a farmhouse kitchen includes open shelving which can be functional or decorative, depending on the amount of storage. Colorful pottery or all white dishes and pitchers would both be great options for filling the shelves. 

Hanging coffee mugs on wall racks is both convenient and adorable, glass doors and chicken wire has also made an appearance in exposing shelves in either the pantry or the main kitchen cabinetry.

6. Antique the Sink! And Plumbing! Apron sinks, which is defined by the front portion of the sink extending slightly further than the cabinetry, like an apron, add a great dimension to the farmhouse kitchen. The sinks can be in either stainless steel or white porcelain, and are frequently one large bowl but can also be split, or partitioned, depending on personal preference. 

The vintage look on the faucet can be achieved by selecting a bridge style of faucet in chrome or stainless with cross or lever handles and a sprayer. Moen has some great vintage fixtures:

7.  Let there be Edison light. A vintage touch to lighting can be easily added using plain hanging pendants, but installing an Edison lightbulb in lieu of a regular fluorescent bulb. 

The distinguishable glowing filaments add old-time character. Selecting out of the ordinary lighting fixtures with mason jars, chicken wire, wagon wheels and rope are some more fun ideas to add quirky farmhouse fixtures above the island or sink without breaking the bank.

© 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.

Demo VS Remodel - What is better for you?

Location Location Location!
The first rule of real estate is a doozie. If you love your home, and can't imagine getting old(er) in another one, you may want to visit the idea of remodeling or demo'ing. Channeling my inner nerd to give you an unbiased assessment in the form of a pro con list:

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REMODELING YOUR HOME:

Pros:

- Lazy factor. You don't have to move ALL your stuff. Just most of it in strategic areas.

- Ease of change. Your home is still your home, just with some improvements. It is refreshing, or should be!

- Pocketbook friendly. In general, remodeling specific rooms of a home is less expensive than building an entirely new one.

- Fewer days. Time is saved by not starting anew. You'll probably still need to acquire permits from a building official if it is a significant alteration, possibly community/municipality approval as well.

Cons:

- Open up a can of worms! If your house was built before the internet, you may be opening up the walls to rotted insulation, corroded wires, that dirty word "mold"... remodeling is not for the faint of heart. What started off as a simple make-the-onebutt-kitchen-into-twoandahalfbutts may turn into a complete re-wiring, re-insulating, and de-humidifying chore. This would make the cost jump dramatically, these priorly unforeseen issues can wreak havoc on your savings.*

- You live in a construction zone. Depending on the scope of the project, bathrooms or kitchens are inaccessible, entire rooms or floors are open to the elements, and a roof replacement could open you up to Miss Unpredictable: mother nature.

- No kids/pets allowed. Four-legged and two-legged children need to be elsewhere during a remodel. Too many things to step in - or eat.

- And you may want to make sure all of the "unmentionables" are put away. You'll have a construction crew there that will be all over your home, and your days of the week underwear from your Mom are probably best left in your drawer.

* This is actually be a pro in the long run. If you have mold or shoddy wiring in your home, the sooner you find out about it the better. It's just an expensive discovery that you need to prepare yourselves for if you are in an older home.

Your new remodeling housemates! Photo Credit: Kurk Homes

DEMOLITION OF EXISTING HOUSE & BUILDING A NEW HOME: 

Pros:

- Still your favorite location! School drop off, work commute, that shady bar that you love.. still at the same distance. No relearning "scenic" shortcuts!

- New home, starting fresh. When you demo the older home, you take with it all of the issues within the structure as well as the flow. Now you can make that open floor plan without having to add a million lam beams. Seriously, lam beams are more expensive than you would think!

- With new IRC codes and energy efficiency standards, new homes will be more efficient. So you'll save on those monthly energy bills - unless of course, you were living off the grid beforehand.

Cons:

- Permits can be a bit process to obtain. City permits may take upwards of 6 weeks. You'll need approval from all the governing jurisdictions for utility shut-off and transfer, temporary to permanent power, moving water and wastewater lines, etc. Some cities also require you to use only their approved contractors, which may or may not be better than your builder's approved contractors. This can be a headache and a delay - but many contractors help you obtain the necessary permits. Chances are, they've done this a time or two and know the process.

- Time. Design time, demo time, build time, and two moves. Demo'ing and building a new home takes a significant amount of calendar days. Do you have the time and the place to move for the 6 months (in a perfect world) to 18 months or longer if the weather misbehaves?

- Cost. Another significant investment is in your bank account. Can you afford to demo the old house and build fresh? A remodeling job can range from less than $20,000 to over $200,000 but a demo/rebuild is going to start around that $150,000 and increase from there depending on square footage and amenities.

Going, going, gone! Demo in the City of Houston. Photo Credit: Kurk Homes

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SO WHAT NOW? 

Get assistance from builders and contractors to evaluate your options within your budget. You should be able to decide whether you want to demo or remodel first, that will keep your list of contractors to vet down since some builders don't remodel and vice versa.

Talk to your trusted contractors and get an inspection to uncover some of the mysteries behind the walls.

Check out your governing jurisdictions for permits - think of your deed restrictions, current survey of your home and property, utility easements, driveway easements, architectural control committees, etc. Everyone just might have an opinion, and an approval process to follow.

That at least will give you a headstart in the process!
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