What Makes a Home Custom? Its Features!!

Here is a list of just a few of our favorite features when we design custom homes or renovations:

Whole Home Automation System by Control 4 – This system can automate and control everything from surround sound, sprinklers, pool equipment, lighting, window treatments and more…all from your iPhone or iPad!

(Chapel Creek Estates New Home Construction Interior)

Layered lighting – We love to ensure there’s sufficient light for any need. Can lighting is typically our first pass for overall light in a room. We then layer on decorative ceiling lights and wall sconces to zone a space and bring in personality. Lastly, under and over cabinet lighting is great for kitchens, bookshelves, or other areas where light is desired but its source should remain unseen. Don’t forget backlit LED mirrors in bathrooms for the most effective shaving and makeup views. We also like layering those along with wall sconces when we need to soften an otherwise modern look.

Motorized shades and draperies – Who doesn’t love the luxury of just pushing a button on a remote and watching your window treatments open wide to let in the daylight? This is a real treat, particularly when multiple windows need to be opened and closed regularly. It takes a little planning ahead for all this to work, but is so worth the investment!

Marble (you truly can’t have too much of this!) – Kitchens, bathrooms, entries…and the list goes on! Use this timeless, classic material in bold or subtle ways, depending on the stone. Although it requires a bit more care than other surfaces, its elegance and beauty are truly unmatched.

(Turtle Creek High-Rise Condominium Renovation)

Secondary kitchens, back kitchens or sculleries – These serve as a great space to house appliances, store items not needed daily and/or keep items that are necessary to have in the kitchen but aren’t as visually desirable. It’s a great place for a second refrigerator, oven or, depending on its location within the floorplan, a great transition to a mud room.

(Colleyville New Home Construction and Furnishing)

Double kitchen islands – when one island isn’t quite enough, why not have two? One can serve for seating and entertaining, while the other can serve more functional needs like housing a microwave, under-counter fridge drawers, an icemaker and the list goes on… Plus, doubling the surface space is so dreamy!

(Chapel Creek Estates New Home Construction Interior)

Cabinetry with lots of custom features – Pullout features in cabinetry make otherwise hard-to-reach places very accessible. Vertical, horizontal and swing-out options offer limitless possibilities to maximize every cubic inch of precious cabinet space. Pocket doors incorporated into a modern-day “appliance garage” and adding electricity in the wall behind these can also afford the opportunity to keep appliances in place without having to plug/unplug them each time they’re used. Probably our most-requested item is the pop-up mixer tray so no one has to lift the heavy stand mixer any longer!

(Dallas Transitional Kitchen Renovation)

The Shower – A steam shower is a popularly requested feature when a spa experience is desired. Body jets, a rain head and hand wand sprayers are always at the top of the list!

The Tub – Consider incorporating a large enough tub (maybe for two?), complete with air jets, seltzer bubbles and colored lighting to set the mood just right!

(University Park Timeless Traditional Interior Makeover)

(Colleyville New Home Construction and Furnishing)

Staying Warm – Fun features for cooler-natured folks are heated floors, heated towel warmers and built-in saunas.

The Vibe – Dimmable lighting and surround sound speakers hooked into iTunes are key in these spaces to keep just the right mood.

Hydration – Install a beverage fridge nearby to keep cool drinks easily within reach.

Of course, there are certainly many more we could list. However, since each person is different, we love spending time with our customers, learning all about them…and the favorite features they appreciate most in their lives. Then, we make it happen! Treat yourself to working with Nicole Arnold Interiors and experience the difference! Contact us today for a consultation!