The design work’s done, the plans are approved and you’re about to start your Great Falls remodeling project. The construction phase has plenty of challenges. From choosing fixtures and furnishings to having your family’s typical routine disrupted, it’s hard not to feel a little apprehensive. Arming yourself with the knowledge of what to expect will help lessen your fears and make you better prepared for what’s in store.

At Foley, we want our clients to feel they’re always welcome to drop by the site to check on how everything’s going, and to ask any questions they may have. Yes, it’s your home, but the area being remodeled is considered a worksite. For safety’s sake and for keeping the project on schedule and budget, keep these tips in mind when visiting your remodeling project on site.

Establish Open Communication

Over the years, we’ve developed a remodeling process that truly works. Great Falls homeowners who have put their trust in us know our goal is to deliver to them the home they’ve dreamed of. Feel free to ask us about anything you don’t understand or may be worried about. Clear communication always ensures a smooth-running project.

Expect Dust and Noise

Even with the most meticulous preparation, dust can make its way into other parts of your home. You can help control it by closing off the construction area from the rest of the house as much as possible. Air filtering systems can help, as can blocking the warm and cold air returns in the construction area (check with your HVAC pro). What with whining saws, thumping nail guns, and sheetrock sanders, it will be noisy. If you work from a home office near the construction area, you may want to temporarily relocate.

Trust the Point Person

Before your Great Falls remodel begins, someone will be designated as the point person for you to contact when you have questions or concerns. Over the course of the project, there will be different subcontractors coming and going. Let your point person be the one who relays messages back and forth with them and you. This lessens the chance of miscommunication and confusion.

Expect Highs and Lows

There will be times you’re thrilled with the progress. Demolition of dated flooring and cabinets can be exciting, as can installation of state-of-the-art appliances and a beautiful backsplash. There will also be times you just want everything to be done. You want your house back! Those are the times to remember all the highs – trust that your remodeling fatigue will be short-lived and you’ll soon get to enjoy your new space.

Plenty of Decisions

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of decisions to be made. From outlet and light fixture placement to choosing from the multitude of hardware finishes, there will be plenty of questions to be answered.

Change Orders

The goal is always to have as few change orders as possible, but sometimes you don’t know what you want until the project is well underway. If the original plan called for laminate counters, but you’ve decided you absolutely want granite, a change order is – well, in order!

Be Safe

Safety is a big concern on site. Most people don’t keep a spare hard hat in the closet, and you may not be aware of all the dangers involved with materials and equipment. Don’t just “pop in” for a visit, and remember that a distraction can also be risky for the contractor and subcontractors. As much as possible, coordinate all visits so everyone can be prepared.

Have Faith in Your Team

When you choose Foley for your Great Falls remodeling project, you benefit from working with a highly-qualified, experienced team. You can rest assured that your remodeling team is as eager to build your dream space as you are to enjoy it. Work to strike a good balance between engagement and intrusion into your contractor’s work. It will be best for you, your Great Falls remodeling team, and the beautiful new space in your home. If you’d like to learn more about who we are, download our free guide, Top 10 Reasons to Choose Foley, and then contact us to schedule a conversation.

Is Your Home Missing a Powder Room?

Is your Great Falls home an empty nest? Have the kids gone off to college or on a round-the-world trip before they start their new career. If this is you then you may be looking to renovate or remodel your home; make it more relevant to you and spend a little of your hard-earned dollars on the kind of home you really want.

In that case why not take a look at the latest must-have to hit the US – powder rooms. Okay, this may not be a completely new idea – after all powder rooms have been around in one form or another for some time. But for those of you looking to upgrade your smallest bathroom, or maybe even a spare closet (unused now the kids have moved out all their stuff!) now is the time to indulge your inner Hollywood and design your Great Falls powder room exactly in the way you want it.

Any Style, Any Design – the Choice is Yours

Many homeowners tend to allocate the powder room as a guest bathroom. Whether you want to do this or if you want to keep the new addition all to yourself the choice is yours. Either way there are some truly sensational ideas out there for all budgets and the only design limit is your imagination!

Why not go for the whole vintage Hollywood look with rich colors, gilt-edged full length mirrors and luxurious guest toiletries. Or what about a Mediterranean feel with Hacienda-inspired décor and mosaic or mother-of-pearl tiling. Perhaps art deco is more your thing in which case a classic black and white theme will make an absolutely stunning impact. If you are thinking in terms of adding resale value to your home then a contemporary, modern design is the way to play it safe. Mosaic splash-back tiling in muted colors with a stylish glass sink and sleek cabinetry never goes out of style and always makes a positive impact.

The point we’re trying to make here is that your smallest room doesn’t have to have the biggest budget but you can absolutely push the boat out when it comes to impressing your guests. After all – you have a smaller than usual space to fill so you could maybe spend a little more in the knowledge that it isn’t going to cost you as much as it would to re-model a full sized bathroom.

Pay extra attention to your choice of lighting, too.

If your guests are to be impressed then the lighting has to be just right – not too bright that they need to wear shades to visit the bathroom and not too dim that they can’t find their way out again! Subtle lighting from a couple of wall sconces will illuminate the room in just the right way.

And don’t forget to add shelving for your guests to use; somewhere to place a wristwatch or jewelry for safekeeping is a thoughtful touch.

Look Around for Inspiration

Websites like Pinterest and Houzz are good places to start if you’re stuck for ideas. Why not make a start today on creating a powder room that will have your guests green with envy!  At Foley, we love designing and remodeling homes with great style in mind. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you add that perfect powder room to your next remodel. We also invite you to download our free guide, Top 10 Reasons to Choose Foley to learn more about who we are and what we offer.

Want to make your Northern VA home a healthy one during the coming cold and flu season?  You can show winter illnesses the door by taking steps that keep your home as germ-free as possible. Conventional wisdom offers a lot of great advice for avoiding colds and flus: frequent hand washing, sanitizing light switches and knobs, getting a flu shot, and getting some rest when you’re not feeling well. If you’re involved in building a new custom home – or remodeling your existing one – there are some proactive things you can do with appliances, fixtures, and finishes that will protect your home and help keep your family healthier.

Touchless Faucets

Germs and bacteria spread most easily through contact. One way technology is helping to change the world of plumbing is with automatic, touchless faucets that help eliminate the risk of contaminants through touch. There are many brands to choose from. The faucets are fitted with sensors that turn on with a tap of your finger, forearm or hand, helping to stop the spread of germs. Most touchless faucets are also considered “green,” as they help conserve water and have automatic shut-offs.

Touchless Toilets

For a completely hands-free experience, pair your touchless faucets with touchless toilets. Whether you install a new toilet or convert your current one, touchless toilets are a great way to limit your family’s exposure to germs and bacteria. The toilets are fitted with smart flushing systems that require no touch of any surface to initiate flushing, with most working by waving your hand over a sensor.

Smart Appliances

Smarter appliances let you fight contaminants more quickly. Dishwashers that offer half-load cycles mean your dishes, glasses and silverware will always be spotless, and washing machines with steam technology offer a deep, sanitary clean. Most are quiet and energy efficient, as well. Modern technology can also help you disinfect your home through powerful cleaning. The Public Health and Safety Organization, NSF, offers a list of household appliances, including dryers, dishwashers, and washing machines, that have been certified to be germ-fighting.

Healthy Lifestyle

Don’t overlook the power of a healthy lifestyle to fight off germs. Get plenty of sleep, eat well, drink lots of fluids, exercise, and manage stress to keep your immune system healthy and your family well. In the kitchen, use nonporous materials for your countertops. Bacteria and viruses can live about twenty minutes on fabrics, but survive for a couple of days on the countertop or other surfaces. Quartz is a popular choice as cleanup is easy, preventing the growth of surface mold and bacteria. Other ways to incorporate healthy choices:

• Consider adding a home gym. Exercise is a proven way to build up your body’s germ-fighting systems.
• Instead of packing up and heading for the spa, install a soaking tub and/or steam shower. They both ease body aches and pains, help sweat away the cold, and keep your nasal passages clear. Along with the health benefits you’ll enjoy, steam showers are also a cost-saving option, as there’s no waiting for a sauna to heat up or a tub to fill.
• Heated floors fight off the winter chills Northern VA is famous for. New floor heating solutions are designed for tile, stone, and other floor coverings and offer enhanced comfort and efficiency. Underfloor heating is ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, sunrooms, and entries, as well as basements and garages. There are even products that heat outdoor surfaces like sidewalks and driveways – no more back-breaking shoveling!
• Add an on-demand hot water dispenser for a quick mug of soup or tea.

Healthy Home, Happy Home

There’s nothing worse than the sniffling, sneezing, coughing, and aching misery of a cold or flu. Use these tips to get ready before either strike you or your family. At Foley, we love designing and remodeling homes with a healthy lifestyle in mind. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you protect your family during cold and flu season. We also invite you to download our free guide, Top 10 Reasons to Choose Foley to learn more about who we are and what we offer.

If asked to describe the perfect house, how would you respond? At Foley, the homeowners we talk to and work with tend to describe their dream homes in different terms from one another. Yet what it most always comes down to is that people want a home that their family will enjoy living in for years to come.

The “perfect” home, then, is made up of features that fit your family’s particular needs. What qualifies as good Northern VA home design hasn’t changed much over time. No matter where you build a new custom home, or how big or small a potential remodel, if you keep these 10 essential timeless elements in mind, your home will continue to deliver value and livability.

Good Northern VA Home Design

Good home design:

1. Takes its cue from the family that will live in the finished home. Your family’s lifestyle and how you plan to use the home defines your living experience. Size, shape, where rooms are located in relation to each other – all come together to create your perfect home.
2. Recognizes and adapts itself to its surrounding environment. Climate, neighborhood culture, lot topography, solar access, and more all influence a home’s floorplan and orientation.
3. Reflects the local neighborhood’s character and retains, interprets, and uses local history and customs to help create and maintain a sense of place. When your home complements (not copies) the homes around it, it helps build the community itself.
4. Makes efficient and responsible use of building materials. Often referred to as green building, a successful home design is one that uses the minimum materials required without compromising function or aesthetics.
5. Uses principles of scale, texture, and massing to create harmony. Visual harmony creates beautiful homes that stand the test of time.
6. Is authentic. What does that mean? Not using vinyl siding finished to look like it’s wood, or window shutters that aren’t functional. Fake columns, cheap roofing materials manipulated to look like wood shakes, and stucco desperately trying to look like stone all qualify as less-than-honest home design elements.
7. Embraces innovation but doesn’t lose sight of what has always been true. There’s a reason most homes share so many common basics – they work!
8. Is intuitive. You know that feeling you get when you walk in the door and immediately feel at home? That’s intuitive design at its finest: less about art and more about livability and comfort.
9. Adapts to your family’s evolving needs and lifestyle changes. It plans from the start for future demands or surprises. Multigenerational living and aging in place are two great examples of adaptable design.
10. Knows that quality wins every time. Quality workmanship, design, materials, finishes, furnishings, and other details enrich your family’s life and ensure your home will last longer and be an asset to the community.

Perfect is Relative

Every homeowner wants the nicest home on the block, complete with perfect finishes, amazing natural light, the latest innovations, and more. At Foley, we’re committed to the idea that good Northern VA home design means making sure each family we work with feels that way about their newly built or remodeled home when the job is completed.

No home is without small imperfections here and there, but that’s actually a good thing. Those quirks give your home its unique personality and keeps it from being just another cookie-cutter design. If, at the end of the day, your home expresses who you are and meets your family’s needs, you’re going to love it. And that is the true definition of good design and the perfect home.

10 Principles, 10 Reasons

If you’re ready to start designing your Northern VA custom home, remodel your existing home, or just want to know more about the principles of good design, schedule a conversation with us today. We also invite you to download our free guide, the Top 10 Reasons to Choose Foley to learn more about who we are and how we can help.

At Foley, we know the thought of building on your own Great Falls lot can be equal parts exciting and overwhelming. It’s a process that requires skill and craftsmanship, two traits we’ve been bringing to Northern VA homeowners for more than three decades. While we didn’t invent the idea of building on your own lot, we work hard to make it the most customer-oriented process possible. Our clients tell us we’re succeeding.

The Right Lot for Your Custom Home

Many of the homeowners we talk to have a vision of what they want their new custom home to look like, but they don’t know where or how to get started. We specialize in helping clients find the “perfect spot” for their dream home. Whether your already have your lot picked out, need help finding a location, or have questions about a property you’re considering, we’ll supply the guidance and support you need to help you make the right decision. We know lot selection is about much more than finding a piece of land. There are:

• Zoning and building regulations.
• Demolition requirements.
• Septic, sewer, water, and utilities considerations.
• Permits.

And the list goes on. The Foley team will help you find a lot that is not only beautiful, but also suitable for building and well-priced.

How Foley Helps You Find the Perfect Lot

There are a lot of beautiful lots in Great Falls, but not all of them are suitable for the home you want to build. That’s where we can help. Some benefits of working with us to find the right lot include:

A Home with a View: Most of our clients want the same thing – to find an area in which to build that is beautiful, safe, and suited to their family’s lifestyle. We focus on locating the ideal lot that complements the custom plan we design for you.

Meeting Requirements: Every lot has local requirements and regulations that come with it. Since the lot purchase is typically between 25% to 50% of the overall price of your custom home, it’s important to know that it’s suitable for building. The Virginia residential building code has over 50 categories, including height, basement, bedroom, and bathroom constraints. There are also restrictions on how much of the lot can be dedicated to driveways, walkways, and patios. We help you assess building regulations, zoning laws, water and sewer line needs, and clearing costs, etc.

Essential Land Testing: Percolation tests (required to properly design a septic system) are just one of the essential assessments for lot selection. Certain deficiencies will prevent you from building on a lot, even if it meets all your other requirements.

A Lot That’s Affordable: After decades of experience, we understand how to find a lot that is priced right and is ideally suited to your home design. We know that building a custom home is not just about finding the right floor plan to fit on a lot, but locating a lot that perfectly complements the home you want to build.

Let’s Get Started

Your custom home’s lot is where the process all begins. Does the perfect lot exist? The truth is, no matter which lot you choose, there will be challenges. Our goal is to make sure those challenges are easily met and dealt with. Building on your Great Falls lot requires vision, patience, and an experienced team of professionals who provide you with the advice you need throughout the process. At Foley, we believe our attention to detail and exceptional customer service delivers a one-of-a-kind homebuilding experience: your land, your dream, and our commitment to excellence.

To learn more about our custom home design process, we invite you to schedule a conversation with us today. You may also be interested in downloading our free guide that sets out the top 10 compelling reasons to choose our firm for your custom home design and construction.

Mistakes, they say, happen, but when you’re building a new home, the best saying is the fewer the better. At Foley, we want nothing more than for you to build the Great Falls custom home of your dreams. But there are a lot of decisions that go into building a custom home. Experience has taught us a thing or two about how to make the process as error and stress-free as possible. Here are some of the most common mistakes we’d like to help you avoid. Let’s start with the two biggest.

1. Thinking You Can Handle Everything Yourself.

Many homeowners overestimate their ability to be their own contractor, believing the only way to get the home they truly want is to oversee every step of the design and building process. General contractors keep a lot of balls in the air:

• Handle permits and inspections.
• Interview, hire, and coordinate multiple subcontractors, including framers, plumbers, and electricians.
• Resolve issues and conflicts between the subcontractors.

As the homeowner, though, you’ll already have plenty of important decisions to make, including choosing the best finishing selections. If you hire a general contractor you trust, you won’t need to get overly involved in the specifics of the construction process.

2. Underestimating the Intricacies of Design Plans

There’s a big difference between sketching out a rough draft of your new home’s floorplan and designing a true plan for your custom home. One of the key concerns is understanding what is and isn’t feasible. Affordability is also a top consideration during the design phase. There are plenty of inexpensive house plans online, but there’s a good reason they’re so cheap: they aren’t particularly well thought out.

A reputable design build firm creates plans based on your family’s lifestyle needs and preferences. And because the design team and builder work under one roof, there’s no confusion on what the plans mean. We tell all the Great Falls homeowners we work with that this is one place you do not want to try and cut corners on spending. This is the home your family will live in for many years, so careful design planning can mean the difference between loving it or wanting to move on.

Stress Free and Home Free

Other common mistakes can also have a big impact on bringing your custom home in on time and on budget.

• Cutting Corners on the Budget in critical areas can have serious consequences down the line. Don’t give in to lower quality windows, for example, thinking it’s a safe area to save a few dollars. Yes, everyone wants to save money, but choosing inferior materials and low-grade workmanship will wreak havoc on your budget as problems quickly arise.
• Thinking Only for the Short Term and not planning for later years can cost you down the road. Think about multi-generational living and aging in place features. Taking the long view from the start saves all kinds of headaches later.
• Not Choosing the Right Contractor. There is nothing that will cause you more grief in your building experience than starting with the wrong builder. The right design build firm simplifies the home building process with one-stop shopping for design and construction. Look for one that specializes in the area you want to build. Be sure to get references, and ask former clients about the design phase and the building phase. Not taking the time to thoroughly research the contractor you work with can lead to costly problems.

The Foley Difference

There is nothing more satisfying than finally walking through the front door of a home you helped design. By avoid these common mistakes when building your custom home, you’ll not only enjoy the process more, you’ll end up with a well-designed and well-built home your family will enjoy for years to come. If you’re thinking of building your own custom home in Great Falls, or you have any questions about the design build process, feel free to contact us. We also invite you to download our free guide, Top 10 Reasons to Choose Foley to learn more about who we are and how we can help.

Building a new custom home in Northern VA is a very different process from buying one that’s already been built. At Foley, we believe the advantages and benefits of designing and constructing your ideal home far outweigh any of the unique challenges. In talking with many of our clients, we’ve discovered that one area many of them aren’t familiar with is the construction loan. Most homeowners can’t afford to pay for home construction up front, and it isn’t easy asking a bank or mortgage lender to loan you money for a house that doesn’t even exist. Standard mortgages don’t apply here, but you can use a special type of loan known as a construction loan.

An Intro to Construction Loans

While lot and purchase money loans provide funds for buying a real asset, a construction loan acts more like a line of credit that you withdraw funds from to keep the work progressing. As the home is built, lenders conduct routine inspections to make sure work is proceeding as planned. A typical scenario would include draws after completion of:

• Grading the lot and pouring the foundation.
• Framing the house.
• Heating, air conditioning, wiring, and plumbing installation.
• Drywall and other interior surface installation.
• Cabinet, fixtures, and trim installation.
• Interior painting and other finishing touches.

Construction loans are structured differently from conventional mortgages, and it’s helpful to understand those differences before you start out. Before a lender will finance the construction of your new home, it needs to know what your plans are for the property. Where the timing of a purchase money loan is evident – you’re buying an existing home – there is more uncertainty with a construction loan.

As it weighs the perceived risks, the lender relies on the overall story of your construction plans, including the current facts, valuation, future plans, and budget. This is why construction loans are often referred to as “story” loans. Simply put, the more the lender knows about your plans, the easier it is to approve your loan. Applying for a loan that covers your Northern VA home’s construction from the ground up involves different paperwork, procedures, and funding methods. Though construction loans are short-term, they can be more difficult to obtain. But if you prepare in advance, the process can go smoothly.

The Typical Construction Loan Process

It used to be that building a custom home meant you got two loans – the short-term construction one and a long-term permanent mortgage that would also be used to pay off the construction loan. This resulted in double fees and costs for borrowers, so today the more common option is the construction-to-permanent, or all-in-one loan which converts to a conventional mortgage after construction is complete. Here’s how a typical construction loan plays out.

• In the initial stage, you get prequalified by one or more lenders, which provides you with a rough idea of what you can afford to borrow. The lender you choose may issue you a preapproval letter that lets the builder know you’ve qualified for a specific loan amount.
• Once you’ve reached an agreement with the builder, an application is completed. This is the time you want to explore ways to lock in the interest rate and protect your loan from rate changes during construction.
• On the flip side, there are rate-drop options that allow you to float down to current rates should market rates decline.
• Most lenders offer an interest-only payment structure, so be sure to ask.
• After construction is complete, you transition to a permanent loan, when you then start making regular mortgage payments.

Let’s Get Building

Construction loans are complex, but they don’t need to be confusing. Keep in mind that not all construction loans are created equal. An experienced local custom builder like Foley can help guide you through the process. We invite you to download our free guide that lists the top 10 reason to choose Foley and then contact us for a free consultation. With the right knowledge and assistance, a good construction loan will get you from vacant lot to dream home before you know it.

Who hasn’t heard the tale of Goldilocks? Faced with multiple choices, she had a hard time making up her mind between little, middle and great. That’s how some homeowners feel when custom building their new home. There was a time that a custom built home meant “McMansion” to a lot of people, but today it’s more about lifestyle and customized features. If you’re considering building a custom home in Great Falls, its size should be based on what creates the perfect space for your family.

The “Right” Size Custom Home

Whether to build larger, smaller, or somewhere in between can usually be decided by considering some issues that all custom design builds involve, no matter what the size:

• Present & Future Needs. Step one is to realistically figure out how much space your family needs right now – and how much you’ll actually use on a regular basis. Will each child have their own bedroom? Would you like a home office that can double as a guest bedroom? Does the family spend a lot of time together in the kitchen and living areas? Do you love to entertain? Now think about future needs. Are you just starting a family? Then you might need to plan bigger, even if you won’t be using the space right away. Or maybe you’d rather have a bigger yard for the kids when they arrive.
• Your Budget. Once you’ve determined which layout best suits your needs, it’s time to calculate how much home you can afford. Budget is one of the top considerations when building your Great Falls area custom home. Because there is no set list price when you custom build, it’s up to you to determine the budget that makes sense. Our process walks you through the most common questions about building a new home, including what items you need to budget for. More square footage almost always means a higher budget, as do high-end finishes, furnishings, and fixtures. And don’t forget, the bigger the house, the higher the upkeep and utility bills. If the goal is to end up with a great investment and sense of comfort and financial security, then tailor your plan to meet those needs. And don’t forget to include the lot in your budget.
• Your Family’s Needs. There are times that bigger truly is better. It’s smart to plan for changing needs, whether that means more space for the kids as they grow, or room for an elderly parent to move in down the road. Does it make sense to build somewhat bigger now and avoid having to add on in the future? Don’t confuse building for the future with building beyond your financial means. That only applies if you’re building more than your budget affords.

The Choice is Yours

What size custom home to build is ultimately your decision – each has its benefits and drawbacks. Working with a design build team you can trust will always make the process more enjoyable and successful. At Foley, our three decades of experience have helped us develop a custom home building process that lets us work with you to create a warm and inviting family home. From start to finish, we handle the entire construction project, making sure it goes smoothly and stays on schedule and budget.

We’ll help you make important decisions, troubleshoot issues that pop up, and help you get the most from your budget. Most importantly, we’ll show you how thinking about your family’s needs for today and tomorrow helps you design a floorplan that functions for years. We invite you to download our free guide listing the top 10 reason to choose Foley. We’d love to help you build a home that’s neither too big nor too small, but just right for your family.

Building a custom home or remodeling the one you have is an exciting time. It’s fun to design the layout, choose fixture and furnishings, and imagine the happy times you’ll enjoy inside with family and friends. It’s also satisfying knowing you’re doing something to increase your home’s value. There’s another home improvement project that increases value, but it’s one that often gets overlooked: landscaping. Proper landscaping has a direct influence on curb appeal and, besides the house itself, is the first thing potential buyers notice about a property.

What is proper landscaping? It’s merging a home with its natural surroundings to create a sense of place. Whether you want to create outdoor entertainment areas, install a formal garden, or plant evergreens for privacy, your home’s exterior should be just as inviting as its interior. With this in mind, there are a number of landscaping steps you can take to increase your Great Falls home’s value – and make it as appealing and functional as possible.

The Essentials of Great Landscaping

Remember that great landscaping is first and foremost for your family’s enjoyment. Here are the top three essentials:

1. Trees are important for every landscape and can add a lot of character to both your home and the surrounding neighborhood. Don’t be intimidated by the number of choices. Nearly every yard has room for some trees, which are well worth the investment. Shade trees help cool you home in the summer while windbreaks help warm it in the winter. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, just several strategically placed trees can save you up to $250 per year. To find out which trees will benefit you the most, use the National Tree Benefit Calculator for your neighborhood.
2. Native Plants thrive without your having to spend more time and money, and they’ll save you money as well. In Fairfax County, new initiatives have been introduced that promote the use of native plants: a native plant campaign, an on-line native plant guide, and a statewide campaign to promote more plantings. Northern VA native plants are appreciated for their shade, beauty, environmental benefits, and wildlife habitat they provide.
3. Outdoor Lighting can truly transform your home. Besides functional benefits such as lighting the way to the front door, strategically placed lights highlight your landscaping choices and give your home a warm and inviting look. Done right, lighting makes the best of what you have, drawing attention to your custom home’s unique architectural features. On the backyard patio, try a handful of tree-mounted lights to grill by and set a mood-setting glow.

The Little Extras

Fencing, retaining walls, winding paths, and terracing are all features that will add individuality to your landscaping. Fences create privacy, set boundaries and keep pets and intruders out. Retaining walls and terracing are ideal for heavily sloped lots that would otherwise be planted with grass or ground covers. They’re a great way to add color and texture to large lots with expansive lawns, and they also help control erosion and surface runoff. Finally, whether you choose a solid stone path, pavers, or stepping stones, walkways are a charming and attractive way to welcome guests into your home.

Landscaping adds warmth, color, and texture to the place your family loves to live. From blooming shrubs, to trees, or even deer-proofing your garden, there are many beautiful ways to make your Great Falls home inviting and appealing, while adding value at the same time. To learn more about how landscaping can add value to your home, schedule a conversation with us today.

Space, flow, and function. The design phase of your Great Falls custom home is meant to properly plan traffic flow from room to room, creating the best marriage of form and function. How do flow and function affect your family’s lifestyle?

• The flow of a house is instinctive – what feels right and what doesn’t. A home with “good flow” naturally guides you to specific areas. Bedrooms are in one area of the house, away from noisier rooms. The kitchen is close to the dining areas (inside and out) so you can get food to the table quickly and efficiently. It feels seamless.

• Function is the mechanics of it all. How your family live and how you want to use your home. Do you spend a lot of time in the kitchen? Does your family watch a lot of sports and have regular movie nights? Do you want to keep a careful eye on the kids playing outside while you’re preparing meals? Thinking about how your family functions helps when planning for utilitarian activities like washing clothes, storing sport equipment, etc.

Here are some great flow and function tips we hope will inspire you as you design and build your Great Falls custom home.

Planning Makes Perfect

Poorly designed traffic paths will not only make your home feel uncomfortable, they can even create safety hazards. Start with a plan that helps you identify traffic plans that reflect the way your family will move from room to room. A simple way to do this is by placing an “x” in the center of each doorway, room entrance, hall, and stairway. Then connect each dot all its adjacent dots. The lines represent how people will naturally walk as they move around the house.

One of the most important functional layouts is the kitchen work triangle, the traffic path between the sink, refrigerator, and range. To properly design yours, put an “x” at the center of the sink, the cooktop, and refrigerator and then connect the three. Make sure nothing obstructs a smooth transition from location to location.

Traffic Path Design

An easy way to improve traffic flow is by wisely choosing the number and location of doors, hallways, staircases, and other openings. Choose a design that allows for short, direct rooms from room to room, and location to location within each room. Don’t place a door behind a door – for example, an entryway coat closet behind the open front door. And don’t allow open doors to disrupt passage.

Avoid Door Conflict

Designers use the term door conflict to describe what happens when a swinging door bumps into cabinetry or furniture, or presents some other design issue. Door swings also dictate furniture placement and traffic flow. Some ways to avoid door conflict include installing pocket doors, replacing a larger door with two narrower, hinged ones, and relocating doors into a hallway.

Visual Tricks of the Trade

There are a number of simple adjustments interior designers use to improve traffic flow:

• Mirrors are perfect to open up small spaces, as the light they reflect creates the illusion of depth.
• Area rugs are a great way to “anchor” furniture, sectioning off distinct areas of the floorplan to create a natural order.
• Focal points give a room structure. Fireplaces or large screen TVs can be a good jumping off point for furniture placement that allows for ease of movement, both within the room and from one room to another.

Designed for Living

The best designed custom home is the one that creates flow and function that reflects your family’s unique lifestyle. At Foley, we believe the time and energy invested in planning your custom home’s design ensures you end up with a layout that best accommodates your family’s needs. Years of experience have taught us that a well-planned home means you’ll love living with the results every day! Schedule a conversation with us today to learn more.