Working with a contingency fund
Most remodel and even new build jobs end up costing more time and money than expected. Set a realistic budget for labor and supplies, and add on an extra 10-20% contingency so that if/when anything comes up, you are covered.

Alternative living space
Remodeling is expensive, and moving out just adds to the cost, but renovations can stretch over longer periods than you originally expect, and major remodels in bathrooms and kitchens can be stressful. If you can’t move out for the whole job, try to schedule some time away or even schedule a remodel during a mini-vacation where you and your family can retreat to as an alternative to a construction site.

Design ahead
Some projects require an architect, an interior designer, a builder , or sometimes all three, but a good solid team will help you come up with a good plan for your remodel. Begin with a detailed floor plan and conduct advanced research before beginning a project so that your brilliant design idea doesn’t come after the project is complete!

Be Careful About Financing.  If you’re financing the project, you want the lowest rate possible and you want the interest to be tax deductible.  However, only certain types of loans will give you an interest deduction so be sure to do some research.  In some cases, refinancing your mortgage can be the best bet.

The club also offers tennis, fitness, swimming and social amenities for private club members. We expanded the main building, remodeled the men’s  locker room, and upgraded spaces for the ladies. The bar, kitchen and dining areas are new, with high ceilings, and modern amenities that guests are already enjoying.

See our photo slide show below, and visit The Hills Country Club website to find out more about membership opportunities.

The flowers and shrubbery are still alive and colorful, and it provides an inviting oasis for song birds too!

It is a lovely piece of paradise even this fall and winter!

What is a good design for our needs? Do we need all the extras and gadgets?

What is a building code? Does it affect us? How does it work? What doesn’t it do?

What are good sizes and proportions for rooms? What style do I want?

How are contractors chosen?

Who is responsible, overall, for my building project?

What problems do I have in my current house that I don’t want to repeat?

Where can I find answers and help?

What are specifications? Does the builder write and provide them?

Can I change things? What are my options?

When will the house be finished?

What is considered “an extra”?

How do I know which material is best for my needs?

Is landscaping included? Sod? Seed? mud and rocks?

Am I allowed on the job site to check on the house’s progress?

I found inspiration- how do I incorporate this into my new home?

Should I close on the mortgage and pay the builder in full? I have several items that I don’t like – must I still close?

Windows are important architectural features, which give us insight to the social history of towns and villages. But window glass was actually more of a luxury until the 17th century. Medieval doors and windows were heavy and defensive in style and character. Heavy oak planks covered open spaces and were fastened with wooden pegs and iron studs to add strength. More specifically, windows were small openings used only to allow light into large medieval halls. During the 17th century, windows were made of small squares, rectangles or even diamonds or blown glass, held together with lead work and situated in holes within stone walls. Sliding windows were not developed until the early 18th century!

Windows were also designed more horizontally than we are used to seeing these days, probably due to low ceilings or small buildings. Today, they are designed more vertically to make rooms seem bigger. They were considered a cherished personal property, apart from the rest of the home, and designed so that they could be removed and stored for safety reasons.

Because of their uniqueness, homeowners should take care to preserve the windows in their historic homes. They should be regularly maintained, and particular care should be given to areas where water may stand or where decay may build up (such as window sills and bottom rails). Draught proofing and weather stripping can be effective to provide additional thermal and sound insulation without dramatically changing the look of the window. Have you owned a home adorned with historic windows?

Before ever starting your remodel, it is important to prioritize what you want- which rooms are more important? What look do you want to attain? What is your budget? About 20% of your budget should be reserved for unexpected expenses that almost always occur during renovations, and expecting this up front will minimize stress of extra expenditures. Make sure beyond this that you stay within your budget.

There are some ways to reduce your remodeling budget by preserving the current structure of your home and working around it. For example, maintain the location of major gas, plumbing and electric outlets instead of installing new ones in new places. Another option would be to re-glaze a bathtub instead of replacing it completely. Use fiberglass or marble sheets instead of ceramic tiles, reducing labor costs. Of course, don’t give up important style and convenience options- these must also be considered. You are remodeling your space to be more accommodating to your tastes and needs.

When looking for inspiration, visit other homes that have recently been remodeled, create Pinterest boards, tour a Parade of Homes, go to open houses, and scour the pages of Houzz. I’ll admit, I spend hours doing this, and I think I have enough inspiration to create an entire neighborhood, not just a house! You should also visit stores that sell home remodeling products, and make note of the different flooring, lighting, kitchen and bath options available.

You are probably familiar with LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, which provides building owners with a framework identifying ways to implement practical and measurable green build design, construction and operation solutions. Over 9 billion square feet of building space participates in LEED’s rating system, and about 1.6 million square feet are being certified per day worldwide, transforming the standards at which buildings are designed and constructed.

In 2011, LEED’s growth was only at about 3%, with about 649 million square feet of high-performance new construction projects, and 675 million square feet worth existing building and maintenance projects, but this number is expected to steadily rise with green efforts and options.

There is a huge trend right now among hotels, grocery stores, hospitals and retail centers investing money in building improvements, giving them the ability to market their eco-friendliness. Even single projects, such as using certain paint or incorporating solar panels to their roofs shows a business’s dedication to improving their building’s quality.

While building an entirely new “green” structure may be an option, it is not as favorable as steadily adding “green” features to an already-existing Energy-star rated building or home. The market is leaning towards growth for green builders, so if you go green, you are already at a steep advantage over others who have not started offering this to their customers . It may be a slow, steady process, integrating eco-friendly materials into design and build companies, but those who are making even small changes are making a huge impact in their communities.

Have you implemented any “green” changes to your buildings or your design structures?

Austin is the 9^th fastest-growing metropolitan city in the country, gaining 151 new residents every day. Over 55,000 new residents were recorded from July 2010 to July 2011, according to the US Census Bureau, and this number continues to increase this year.

Home loans in foreclosure has decreased by 0.04% in the last year, and in March of 2012, it was recorded again that Texas was doing better collectively than the majority of the country with delinquent loans at 1.43%, whereas the national number was at 4.72%.

Home builders are benefiting from the increase in Austin residents and the steady recovery from a few slow seasons of building. Business for builders in Austin has not only seen a rise in home-building, but because of new residents, new jobs and commercial business expansions, commercial builders have been awarded new projects. We have seen that the commercial and office real estate market is strong, especially in southwest Austin as more retailers move in, remodel current spaces or build completely new spaces (according to the Community Impact Newspaper).

Triton Austin is thrilled to be a part of such growth. Our projects, both commercial and residential, are excelling, and we continue to satisfy our clients with the most efficient, high-quality home and commercial spaces the industry has to offer. We are looking forward to being a part of what makes Austin such a desirable place to call home.

Your home is your sanctuary, where you come to regroup, recharge and relax. But sometimes sitting outdoors is even more wonderful, as outdoor living spaces have become a heavenly extension of the home.

When designing your outdoor living space, there are a few things to keep in mind. Writing down what you want or expect out of the finished product will be key in the designing process. Be sure to group pieces together in a way that encourages comfort, conversation and a good view of your property or nature.

Finding inspiration can be the most exciting part. We know you scour the internet, various home design websites, magazines and of course, the new leading visual social media site, Pinterest! Pin or organize your ideas and decide what would be best for your space and budget.

Choosing furniture, pillows, candles, rugs and other accessories should create continuity in your design but also make it come alive! Choose 3 or 4 colors for your theme and try to stick to these when choosing fabrics and textures. Reds, blues, neutrals and garden greens are top picks for the season, and metallic finishes are also very popular for outdoor spaces.

There is nothing quite like an outdoor bonfire, so incorporating your very own fire pit in your outdoor space is a wonderful way to create a relaxing, reminiscent mood for your evenings with friends and family. Choose a fire pit that is stylish and useful during all seasons- in the warmer months, it can be a fun way to star-gaze while roasting marshmallows and bringing a bit of warmth to a chilly evening; when the weather cools down, you can all throw on your favorite jackets and gather close to keep warm, while breathing in the crisp fall air.

In addition to the beautiful light a fire brings, it is encouraged to consider other means of lighting your outdoor living area. “Lightscaping” the art of creating the perfect ambiance through various lighting sources in your space, can bring just the right amount of illumination to amaze your family and guests. When planning this portion of your design, try to use as many “green” or eco-friendly lighting sources as possible. Your electric bill will thank you!

Most importantly, make your space a reflection of you. Create it to be a place where you can enjoy the people and fresh air around you! We would love to see your outdoor living spaces- post pics on our Facebook page.

How could a home boast vintage accents, be composed of bold contemporary lines, and yet encompass glamour from the inside out? Triton Custom Homes seems to have mastered this style combination, creating a unique paradise in the Rough Hollow Community.

From the beginning, the vision of this home was to create an open floor plan with ample natural light, while using an inviting outdoor space and pool as its focal point. As you enter through the asymmetrically hinged front door, the fountain beckons you toward the courtyard. At the same time you are enchanted by the limestone plank floor pattern, the home’s crisp lines, high ceilings and expansive glass areas leading to the outdoor space, which is the heart of the home. This 850 square foot area is complete with a covered patio, geometric-shaped pool, which repeats the motif expressed by the interior stair, a grilling area, an outdoor kitchen and a suspended bed, making it the perfect place to entertain or relax.

Though the outdoor living area is beautiful, the indoor space is equally striking. Mosaic tile wall features and custom wood floors throughout the home give it an older, vintage feel. You are also sure to be drawn to the luster of the contemporary chrome accents and hardware and the sleek lighting fixtures. These features, matched with the home’s dark wood tones and cabinetry, natural light streaming through the tall windows, and an inviting fireplace give it a warm, welcoming feel, while still maintaining its sophisticated appeal.

The main living area is open to the dining area and kitchen, which features dual marble countertops and an island, and a gorgeous hill country view from the kitchen sink. The hand-scraped, custom wooden floors lead to the study and the luxurious master bedroom and bathroom. Guests are welcome to stay in a private suite open to the outdoor courtyard.

Encompassed within the walls of this 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom, 4,237 square foot home is a study, a wet bar, a 1000 square foot garage with contemporary metal and glass doors, easy access to a spacious attic, walk-in closets in each room, an upper level media and game room, and of course, glamorous, vintage touches throughout. This home embraces its outdoor space, and you are sure to be enchanted with its inviting openness and its unique combination of past and present style inside and out.