by Sarah Thorn | Feb 21, 2024 | Building Green, Construction & Design, Postings
[et_pb_section fb_built="1" admin_label="section" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="||21px|||" da_disable_devices="off|off|off" locked="off" global_colors_info="{}" da_is_popup="off" da_exit_intent="off" da_has_close="on" da_alt_close="off" da_dark_close="off" da_not_modal="on" da_is_singular="off" da_with_loader="off" da_has_shadow="on"][et_pb_row admin_label="row" _builder_version="4.16" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" custom_padding="||13px|||" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Title" module_class="chronospro-heading green-heading" _builder_version="4.24.2" header_text_align="left" header_2_text_align="left" header_2_text_color="#727272" module_alignment="left" custom_margin="||||false|false" hover_enabled="0" border_style="solid" locked="off" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]What About Storage? The Importance of Adequate Storage in Home Design If you are like most Americans, you accumulate stuff. Stuff takes up space, sometimes a lot of space. [/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src="https://media-upload-livingstone.s3.amazonaws.com/img/20240214154619/Youtube_Thumbnails_For_Project_Features-26.png" alt="importance of storage in home design" title_text="importance of storage in home design" _builder_version="4.24.2" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="||11px|||" hover_enabled="0" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.24.2" _module_preset="default" hover_enabled="0" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]Our builders understand the need for great storage spaces. [/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Title" module_class="chronospro-heading green-heading" _builder_version="4.24.2" header_text_align="left" header_2_text_align="left" header_2_text_color="#727272" module_alignment="left" custom_margin="||||false|false" hover_enabled="0" border_style="solid" locked="off" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]We know How Stuff Accumulate Over the years, you may have accumulated things with sentimental value, seasonal items (decorations you use once a year), or extra playthings for those wonderful visits from the grandchildren. In the homebuilding process, many people fail to take into account their need for storage or sufficient mechanical space, and if they do, they generally underestimate the amount of storage space they will need. In a new home design, people are generally willing to pay more for a home with adequate storage than a home with more finished space that’s seldom used (e.g., extra bedrooms). Adding storage space can be accomplished in the early design stages if your builder knows this is a priority for you. The additional cost is minimal as long as your builder knows well ahead of time so he can direct the designer accordingly. Storage Solutions for Different Home Types If you live in the north, you know that most homes are built with basements, which are an excellent place for storage. However, for homes built on slabs or with crawl spaces, you don’t have that option; instead, attic spaces are often used. Some people want a separate structure, and storage sheds can be planned if requested. Another common storage solution is to create spacious walk-in storage closets within the home itself. It’s easy to create storage space in a walk-in, easily accessible, partially finished attic. Access is often located on the second story with entry from a common area such as a game room or shared space. If you’re building a one-story home, a common place for storage is the attic space above the garage. Your builder can make changes to roof framing to allow for light storage and easy access above the garage. Safety Considerations and Value-Added Benefits You should consider our country’s demographics of an aging population, and be sensitive to the safety of using a pull-down ladder to access attic space. Upgrading these access ladders to light commercial aluminum ladders is money well spent for the safety and ease of access for you and any future homeowners. You can also design attic spaces above garages that have their own separate set of stairs. The stairs are much safer than pull-down ladders; they are often not carpeted and have a very simple handrail for safety. This is an additional, value-added benefit not only for the homeowners’ safety but also for resale value. It’s important to think through your storage and mechanical needs as you begin to design your new custom home. Conclusion Don't forget about storage. Tell your builder how much of a priority storage is to you and look for opportunities to look for inexpensive storage spaces. -Sean Sullivan [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built="1" specialty="on" admin_label="Building a Quality Custom Home" _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" custom_padding="39px|||||" da_disable_devices="off|off|off" locked="off" global_colors_info="{}" da_is_popup="off" da_exit_intent="off" da_has_close="on" da_alt_close="off" da_dark_close="off" da_not_modal="on" da_is_singular="off" da_with_loader="off" da_has_shadow="on"][et_pb_column type="2_3" specialty_columns="2" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type="2_3" _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" header_font="|||||on|||" header_text_color="rgba(17,32,73,0.79)" header_font_size="54px" header_2_font="||||||||" header_2_font_size="34px" custom_margin="||||false|false" header_font_size_tablet="39px" header_font_size_phone="38px" header_font_size_last_edited="on|desktop" header_2_font_tablet="||||||||" header_2_font_phone="||||||||" header_2_font_last_edited="on|phone" global_colors_info="{}"]Building A Quality Custom Home Want to know more? This book by Sean Sullivan is full of helpful information in easy-to-read chapters like this blog post. It is a step-by-step guide to the “must-know” issues of building your dream home. Discover the custom-home construction secrets that could save you headaches, heartaches, and thousands (if not tens of thousands) of dollars.[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url="https://www.livingstoneconstruction.com/building-a-quality-custom-home" button_text="Learn More" _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column_inner][/et_pb_row_inner][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_3" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_image src="https://media-upload-livingstone.s3.amazonaws.com/img/20231129151432/Untitled-design-8.png" alt="Building A Custom Home" title_text="Custom Home Book" _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" custom_padding="3px|||||" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_section]
by Sean | Feb 13, 2017 | News
Laura Sullivan is a woman in a man’s world. It started as a child, when she’d accompany her father to job sites, getting her hands dirty throwing materials in the dumpsters in his investment properties. It continued during school, when she combined her passion for art with her experience in real estate to earn a degree in interior design (and a minor in art). Upon graduation from college, Sullivan invested further in that traditionally masculine world, as she received both her real estate broker’s license and her contractors license.
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by Sean | Oct 17, 2013 | Accreditation, Aging In Place, Recognition, Universal Design
Living Stone Construction’s President, Sean Sullivan, and the Principal of ID.ology Interior Design, Laura Sullivan, recently traveled to Charlotte and completed the four-day CAPS course seminar and received accreditation in doing so. By completing this course, Sean and Laura are now considered Certified Aging-In-Place Specialists (CAPS), meaning they are well versed and obtain the necessary skills essential to competing in the fastest growing segment of the residential remodeling industry: home modifications for the aging-in-place.
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by Sean | Oct 2, 2013 | Construction, Construction & Design
About ID.ology Interior Design: ID.ology Interior Design is an award winning, full service, Interior Design firm specializing in design for new construction and renovation. ID.ology guides clients through the, sometimes daunting, venture of building a new home or renovating. Hand in hand with you, the builder, architect, superintendents and subcontractors, ID.ology works cohesively to achieve the best collaborative service. Our goal is that this exciting journey will exceed your expectations as well as create a beautiful, quality, home to fit your budget. How the process and relationships work: ID.ology begins the design process by collaborating with you and your design/build team to create and finalize your home plans. The team is made up of your builder, designer, architect, superintendents, energy raters, subcontractors and vendors. Once the plans are complete, we move through each phase of construction to assist you with the hundreds ofnecessary selections and decisions to complete your home. There are several distinct phases of the building and selection process. ID.ology will guide you through each phase with care and consideration of your vision, budget, life and family. When interior and exterior selections and decisions are made, ID.ology governs the communication between all parties to ensure everything is ordered and implemented according to your full vision. ID.ology will conduct and lead a “rough-in walkthrough” for each project to design the HVAC, plumbing, gas, lighting and electrical layouts. Placement of registers, switches, outlets, fixtures, etc. is especially important with regard to ease of use and the visual aspect of your home. This walkthrough is done in collaboration with the builder, superintendent, and the associated trades to determine placement of rough-in components, and prepare necessary drawings. (more…)
