Building a new home is an exhilarating process. Sometimes it’s glamorous, sometimes not-so-much. Most often, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event. So start your home building experience off right by keeping these do’s and don’ts in mind. Planning well and aligning your expectations with the actual experience of building your dream home will make for a much smoother experience all around.

1.) Don’t rush the design stage. Starting with a well-developed plan is crucial. Don’t rush this part along. Spend as much time on the planning and design stage as necessary to make sure a complete plan is in place.

2.) Do choose your team wisely. Select a design and building team whose expertise you feel confident with. We highly recommend not making your decision by “bidding it out.” If everything is bid with honesty and accuracy from the very beginning, there will be very minimal difference in cost. Going through the home building process with a team that you trust will by far be your most valuable asset.

3.) Do seek visual inspiration. Do not expect words to communicate entirely what you want. Find as many photos as you can that speak to different aspects of what home features you like and dislike. Find rooms that inspire you and share these with your designer. Using online tools like houzz.com can be a helpful way to find photos and organize your ideas.

4.) Do focus on the main features of your home. You will spend more time in the kitchen and living areas than in other areas of your new home. These spaces also include more details and finishes. Make sure to spend enough time evaluating all of your options for these rooms to make sure you get what you truly want in the end.

5.) Don’t expect everything to go perfectly. There are 100,000 components that go into building a new home, and dozens of craftsman who play their part in making things come together. Don’t be surprised when problems occur. Rather than expect things to go 100% perfectly, prepare yourself for the emotional ups and downs you are sure to face — from frustration to sheer joy. Be patient, trust your team of experts to handle mishaps with integrity, and go with the flow. As the final selections find their way into your new home, you’ll experience excitement like non-other.

6.) Do view your home as a living thing, adapting to it’s new surroundings. In the first year you might notice that your home will settle a little, and this is normal. Also, as the wood finishes in your home face humidity, they may expand and contract minimally. While you get used to your new home, it will be preparing to provide you with a steadfast place to make a life for many years to come.

HENDEL Homes builds quality, luxury homes with integrity and craftsmanship in the Twin Cities area. If you are interested in learning more about how the HENDEL team approaches the new home building process, please get in touch! We would be happy to share our vision with you.

In a world where our minds are captured from one minute to the next — new ideas, new styles emerging left and right — is it possible to create a home with timeless appeal?  We think so.  Here’s how we see a timeless homecoming together:

Include historical elements.  Historical elements have withstood the test of time for a reason.  They are not part of a fleeting style experiment that will eventually be pushed aside.  Including some elements reminiscent of history will help set the tone for a timeless home.

Create a solid exterior.  Materials like stone, cast stone, and even cedar shake siding, are used because they last.  Combine sturdy materials with high-quality touches (think wood garage door over aluminum) and timeless begins to come together.  As you make decisions, consider how the roof pitch, proportions, trim details, and front door effect the look of the home and what type of appeal they will bring in the long-run.

Emphasize interior detailing.  From the crown moulding to the base trim, these simple but consistent touches play a major role in the feel of a home.  Including built-in cabinetry and furniture is a practical artistry that brings with it long-withstanding value.  Using natural elements, like brick or stone on the walls or near fireplaces, is also a way to include timeless interior appeal.

Decorate in a classic way.  Though your color of choice may change, certain elements of classic style remain.  Pieces with architectural detailing and strong bones work in many different styles of home, but always offer timeless appeal.  Using woods and natural fibers also brings in classic touches.  Don’t shy away from layers and patterns, but use them in a way that emphasizes simplicity and elegance.

Timeless doesn’t have to look the same every time, and it certainly can be suited to your own custom style and lifestyle needs.  But a timeless design will emphasize these elements to create a space that is sophisticated and tasteful, yet not easily outdated.

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We are excited to announce that HENDEL Homes was recently recognized by the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC.org) as the 2014 Builder of the Year!  We are so humbled that our peers, in addition to our homeowners, would recognize the workmanship and high quality design that goes into each of our homes, and award us such a prestigious honor.  Read more about the award here!

As we shared last month, designing and building a home involves thousands of decisions, each one layered upon the decision before it.  Which ones should you focus the most time on?  —  Here’s what we think:

Exterior Detailing — Why go to all the trouble of building a home if it’s not going to make a statement?  Exterior detailing gives your home the custom beauty that makes it one of a kind, as unique as your family and your name.  Consider accentuating your windows with beautifully styled transoms and mullions, or adding architectural interest with corbels, arches, and a front entryway that coveys the heart of your home.

Cabinetry / Millwork –  Your cabinetry and millwork, whether it’s in your kitchen or as part of built-in features in other areas of the home, should have a specialty feel that is akin to a second-skin for the home.  But beware of the term custom when it comes to cabinetry.  While many so-called custom cabinet makers will create to your taste, the quality of work is often well below even off-the-shelf cabinetry.  What your home needs is high-quality cabinetry that is as artisan as the pieces you’ll put in it.  Additionally, don’t neglect the need for detailed built-in features in the dining area and great room.  Including pieces that appear like purchased armoires for instance, but that are built specifically for the space, takes all of the complicated guesswork out of finding the right furniture for the room later and become part of the triumph of the home.

Flooring – When weighing wood floor options you’ll need to consider not only the wood species you want to use, but also the floorboard width.  And in the case of wood floors, the finish can make all the difference in the appeal of a room.  So spend a lot of time visualizing different finishes with your designer.  The wide range of tile and carpets too mean you’ll want to ensure you select a material and style that will stand the test of time.

Lighting — What might seem like one of the most simplistic decisions can have a huge effect in the ambiance of your new home.  Though recessed lights are ever-popular, the placement of utilizing them is a key factor.  Ideally, each room will feature a mix of lighting options, from can-lights to pendants to lamps, that will coordinate intricately with the furniture and layout of the room.

With these features in mind, the specific rooms that you want to bring the most attention to are:

• the kitchen
• master bedroom and bath combo
• great room

Pour more of your resources into these inviting spaces rather than try to spread them out evenly amongst every room.  Not only are these rooms where you’ll spend most of your time enjoying your home, they’re also the spaces that guests will likely appreciate as well.

With that said, a well-designed home with exquisite features is nothing without quality bones.  Selecting a builder that values structure and high-quality building materials is always the key start.

Decisions must be made, but with the right designer at-hand and a list of priorities, you’ll be well on your way to creating a one-of-a-kind home that suits your lifestyle and exemplifies long withstanding beauty and strength.

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HENDEL Homes is a an architectural home design and build team in the Twin Cities MN that focuses on home building with customization and detail.  With personal care and collaboration, we are with each client throughout the entire process, from initial design plans to finish details, and we remain a resource to them for years to come.  Contact us today!

In Europe it’s not uncommon that homes hundreds of years old are still standing and occupied.  Why?  For one, they’re valued for their look and their heritage.  And two, they were built right the first time.

We too believe that a home should be built right the first time.  A solid foundation is important not only physically, but also as the heart of history yet to unfold.  A home may age, and renovation may become necessary, but the bones should stay strong.  Tearing down a home is like tearing out the pages of a book — a story goes missing.

The marks of a home built to last include:

1. Strength and quality.  High standard construction in the bones of a home keep it strong, able to endure age and weather.  There is a significant difference in the materials that a mass producing home builder uses versus what a custom builder selects.  A builder who knows their product well understands and values the nuances of insulation quality, spray foam vs fiberglass, material thickness and more.

2. Details and planning.  Uniqueness shows up in the well-planned details, and storage space doesn’t go out of style.  Implementing built-in cabinetry and fitted furniture is a resource for the long-run.  Woodworking and crown or cove moulding are important details that give a home depth.  Creating a plan that gives a home originality is important in building a home that will live on.

3.  Character and beauty.  Designing a home with layers creates beauty worth holding onto.  Using exterior design aspects, such as a slate roof and stone or brick accents, will take the home beyond cookie-cutter and turn it into a piece of art.  Small distinctions add up, filling a home with character and a story of its own.

If you’re ready to design a new home — one worth holding on to for years to come — connect with us here at HENDEL Homes.  Building fine homes since 1997 in the Wayzata, Minnetonka, and western Twin Cities area.