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Posts Tagged ‘Design Studio’

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011

Making Your Fireplace a Centerpiece

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

Now that fall is officially here, it’s time to start thinking about the upcoming holidays and cozy nights ahead curled up on the couch looking at the fire.

Your fireplace can be a source of inspiration and a natural gathering place, and here’s an idea to help you achieve a “decorator look.”

The Three-Plus-One Trick

This straightforward trick for a traditional mantel with ledge really works!  First, select an object to be the focal point and center it above the fireplace mantel.  It could be a painting, mirror, picture, or television.  Whatever you select, be sure to scale the size of the piece with your fireplace opening.

Then use the Three-Plus-One trick to add your personal style or to change the feel of your fireplace according to the season or special occasion.

Choose three related objects and place them on the right side of the mantel ledge.  These objects should not be identical in height. It is fine if you only have two objects as well.  The idea here is to create a grouping of layers.  You can use candles, vases, picture frames, or anything you like to collect.  Just don’t put the objects in a straight line, as you want them to be staggered.

For the “One” part of the Three-Plus-One design scheme, choose a single object and place it on the left side of the mantel ledge.  As a rule of thumb, this object should be twice as high as the group of objects you selected for the right side; but not taller than the top of your piece that’s centered above.  You can pick an object that is related to the other grouping or something completely different, such as topiary with a strong vertical line, a large vase with some silk flowers, or a tall sculpture.  When you’re done arranging everything, you should have an asymmetrical layout that’s pleasing to the eye and a good focal point for your room.

Posted in Interior Design
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Posted by Vanessa Pereira Interior Design Consultant
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Monday, September 19th, 2011

Fall Is Here, But That Just Means It’s Remodeling Time

There’s no doubt fall came early this year, nor is there any disputing the fact that the cooler air means jackets, longer sleeves, and staying indoors more. There is one upside to putting away the sunscreen and closing the screened-in doors. You now have time to fix up rooms in need of repair or slight face-lifts.

A powder room is a great example of one space you can tackle while keeping track of your budget.

You should first focus on how much you are willing to spend. Fixture costs for a toilet, tub, and plumbing make a bathroom remodel more expensive than you might have thought. Set aside anywhere between $5,000 and $8,000. Tiles, vanities, and lighting can vary in quality and price and depending on your taste, can increase the cost of the project significantly.

While a complete bathroom overhaul may be your end goal, there are many simple things you can do to change the look of a bathroom without flushing a lot of cash down the drain.

First – Paint. A fresh coat of paint gives you the biggest bang for your buck. Shades of white are not the only options for a bathroom, but I do recommend picking lighter colors because most bathrooms do not have a lot of natural light. Lighter shades also give you the impression of freshness and cleanliness.

Second – The Vanity. Vanities can also be painted by first applying a good layer of primer then using a semi-gloss or eggshell paint over it. I also recommend using a sealant over the paint to prevent water damage.  If you have an old pedestal sink instead of a vanity, consider buying a new one. You can buy a good pedestal sink for about $200 – $300 at your local Home Depot or Lowe’s store.

Third – Storage. Consider replacing an old medicine cabinet with a new surface mount one. They are very easy to install and won’t sacrifice your bathroom’s storage space. There are also unique storage solutions, such as open shelving, stackable drawers, etc. The Container Store and IKEA have some nice, inexpensive options. I suggest buying everything in white so you get a nice contrast to whatever color you decide to add to your walls.

Lastly – Accessorize. Accessories make all the difference. Consider buying a few new things such as wall art, a shower curtain or a toilet paper holder with a matching towel bar.

TIP: Tiles can also be painted. Re-tiling can be expensive and time consuming. The right products and preparation can make old tiles look new. Make sure you do your homework and use oil based paint and primer. You may need to sand down the wall tiles inside the shower; however, your hard work will pay off. This is a perfect option if you are preparing to sell your house. Bathroom upgrades score high on a homebuyer’s list!

Posted in Interior Design
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Posted by Vanessa Pereira Interior Design Consultant
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Friday, August 26th, 2011

A Special Veteran’s Dream Home

Credit: Creative Commons

Last week I described the highly beneficial Specially Adapted Housing grant offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.  One of our customers has already taken advantage of this wonderful opportunity!  We are working with Deborah Massey to build her a beautiful Somerset home that meets her accessibility needs.  Ms. Massey, a disabled Veteran, had been looking for a home for almost a year when she thought of having a new home built for her unique needs rather than trying to modify an already built home.  She found her way to The Villages of Savannah in Brandywine, Maryland and fell in love with Mid-Atlantic Builders because we were able to accommodate her unique needs through our customization process.  Ms. Massey is especially excited about the elevator that we were able to work into her floorplan.  This is just one of the many modifications our staff of designers made to reconfigure her home so that it complied with SAH guidelines.  I will describe these modifications as we follow Ms. Massey throughout her entire home-building journey.  If you believe this program may benefit you, please visit the Specially Adapted Housing website or feel free to contact myself or any of our sales counselors to get more information.

Posted in Prince George's County Luxury Homes, The Villages of Savannah, Why Buy Mid-Atlantic
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Posted by John Lavery New Homes Sales Director
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Friday, May 20th, 2011

Introducing the Tuscany Gourmet Kitchen

Tuscany is widely regarded as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. With its rolling vineyards, stunning coastal views and rich flavorful foods it’s easy then to understand how Leonardo da Vinci churned out masterpiece after masterpiece from his Tuscan villa. Bring that inspiration home with Mid-Atlantic Builders’ newly designed Tuscany Gourmet Kitchen.

You and your family will be able to prepare dinner parties in style with granite countertops and classically designed cabinetry, incorporating staggered 42-inch Merillat solid oak wall units accented with crown molding. If those amenities don’t incite a renaissance in you perhaps the appliances will.

With 25 cubic feet of refrigerator space and a ”PUR” 6-month water filtration system, your kitchen will be nothing less than state of the art. Also standard with the Tuscany Gourmet Kitchen are Whirlpool Gold Stainless Steel Energy Star qualified appliances and a Jenn-Air 30-inch designer line gas downdraft cook top. You’ll be armed and ready to cook for the hungriest guests.

Our newly designed Tuscany Gourmet Kitchen is just one more taste of elegance you’ll find in Mid-Atlantic Builders’ catalogue of customizable designs and is now available as a standard feature in all of our homes.

To find out more about the Tuscany Gourmet Kitchen stop by any of our communities in Prince George’s County. Visit us at Beechtree in Upper Marlboro, Woodmore North in Mitchellville or our new The Villages of Savannah in Brandywine.

Posted in Interior Design, News
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Posted by John Lavery New Homes Sales Director
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Friday, April 1st, 2011

Make Yourself at Home: Guest Bedrooms

If you are like me, you love hosting your best friends and family for long weekends or holidays. Having a place for your guests to unwind that is both clean and private is one key to a successful visit.

Although your guest room is not a hotel room, it is important to provide some of the same amenities your guests will likely need. Aside from a comfortable bed, clean towels and storage space for clothes, consider a bedside table with a reading light and an alarm clock with music. There are a few other key style, comfort and privacy elements you should keep in mind when arranging your guest’s home away from home.

Style: A well-planned decorating scheme will ensure your guests feel welcome. Antiques, for example, give guests the impression that the room has grown over the years making their presence feel pleasant yet understated. Likewise, white furnishings are excellent for guest bedrooms as they provide a refreshing and clean feel.

All of Mid-Atlantic’s bedrooms have built-in closet space, so you might consider using the extra space in the room to add a comfortable chaise at the foot of a bed or an arm chair in a corner. This will give your guests a cozy place to relax and read a book during downtime. If you are struggling with color choices, consider lighter, monochromatic tones. Blues and cream hues tend to be popular colors for guest retreats.

TIP:

  • For a versatile guest bedroom, consider using two twin beds with oversized headboards. Couples can join the beds for a queen-sized bed and singles won’t have to quarrel over bed selection. You might use a day bed against the wall with a pull out mattress underneath if space is limited.

Comfort: Comfortable accommodations will put your guests at ease. You want to buy the best mattress you can afford and use fresh cotton linens that can be easily washed and maintained. Providing your favorite stack of books, a TV with a DVD player, small toiletries and extra blankets and towels will ensure your company feels comfortable and at home. Also important is to remember lighting. Warm lighting will help make the guest retreat feel more welcoming.

TIPS:

  • Place a tray with a clear water pitcher and glasses on the dresser or side table so your guests won’t have to leave the room for water.
  • Provide a simple luggage rack or bench to help keep bags off the floor and out of the way.

Privacy: Cordial guests do not want to intrude on your day-to-day lifestyle. If they have a nice retreat of their own they won’t have to. Blinds to block out light and a private bathroom will ensure your guest’s comfort, as well as your own. Mid-Atlantic Builders offers the option of creating a guest suite with a private bathroom accented with a coffee station or wet bar in several of our floor plans.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate sending me an email.

Posted in Home Design Tips, Uncategorized
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Posted by Vanessa Pereira Interior Design Consultant
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Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

Designing Your Ideal Executive Library

Your new home should be both comfortable and versatile, supporting a variety of needs—from dinner parties for you and your friends, to slumber parties for the kids. Often times your home doubles as an office. Having a workspace that is both homey and sophisticated will ensure you stay focused yet relaxed on nights when you have to spend office hours at home. Regardless of whether you plan to use your personal library for serious reading and work or as a space to relax after a difficult day at the office, your library should inspire your intellectual side.

There are a few ways you can design your executive retreat to fit your scholarly needs.

To start, you will need proper furniture to hold your books. Floor-to-ceiling recessed bookcases are best and act as a natural focal point for the room. Mid-Atlantic offers several options for built-in bookcases, something you should consider when customizing your floor plan with our interactive design portfolio. Think about using dark finishes to match your stately hardwood flooring.

Comfortable seating is also very important. Besides a desk and chairs, I would suggest a nice reading chair or chaise for lounging. A simple side table and reading lamp will create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Before focusing to acutely on furniture, consider architectural details and other accessories that might elevate your scholarly side. Molding is an excellent feature to add architectural sophistication. A small detail that goes a long way is paint selection.  Coordinating the molding color slightly darker than your furniture and walls will help create an intimate setting. An antique chandelier and a Persian rug will establish a posh but regal style.

There are personal accents you can add to the library to create your own touch. The most important are books. Books can say a lot about your background and experience, and, when displayed proudly, they will quickly personalize your space. Memorable gifts or souvenirs from travel can help you fill space on your bookshelves in places where your collection feels limited. Also, when decorating the walls, keep in mind you don’t want the space to look too busy. A vintage map or inspirational painting will keep your mind active but not distracted.

Posted in Home Design Tips, Interior Design
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Posted by Vanessa Pereira Interior Design Consultant
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Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

It’s Show Time Anytime When There’s a Private Theater Downstairs

With modern electronic innovations, it’s no surprise more and more new homeowners are building their families swanky entertainment centers. In fact, the option is so popular just about half of all  Mid-Atlantic Builders’ new homeowners enjoy the convenience of their own screening room. There are also many advantages to installing a Club Room getaway the lower level of your home.

Watch the game on a 60” flat screen, or projector, with friends, or simply enjoy a special movie night with your spouse. Our theater rooms are also equipped with a dual level platform seating for a real cinema-like atmosphere. Your media cave will stay clutter-free too with a media storage closet and built-in wall storage shelves.

When designing your entertainment center don’t be afraid to go all out when it comes to decorating and accent finishes. Here are some ideas and suggestions.

The Must-Have Technology — There are so many possibilities given today’s technology, but in order to get the full theater room effect you should consider investing in a sound system with  a minimum of 5 speakers and a subwoofer. Don’t worry about waking the neighbors. Sound dampening insulation in the walls and ceiling will help contain those realistic-sounding explosions. Your home entertainment center will be nearly complete with a cinema-like projection or the perfect TV—we’ve left room for up to 60 inches of pure plasma pleasure.

Lighting – In order to create a real theater experience you should add wall sconces and step lights. Having a dimmer to control the light intensity level is ideal. You can even have a sky-like ceiling by adding a twinkling ceiling, which uses fiber optic cables and low voltage bulbs creating your own starry night.

The Décor – Whether you want a classic Art Deco scene from Hollywood or your own red carpet theater, remember darkness is key. Keep the walls, ceiling and carpet dark to make for a better viewing experience. Wood paneling can help to create a classic and warm room.

TIPS:

  • Use a faux finish with a glaze effect for the walls and ceiling to add drama to the room – The light from the wall sconces will bounce and shine throughout the room. Metallic paints are available at your neighborhood paint store.
  • Accessorize with concession accessories. Movie posters from your favorite flicks add something to the walls and make the space more personalized. You might also consider putting a large popcorn machine in the entry way and stage inspired lamps at accent points.
  • Another great way to re-create the ambiance of an actual theater is to add curtains to surround the screen area.
  • If space allows I suggest placing a wet bar in the room as well.

 

Posted in Home Design Tips
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Posted by Vanessa Pereira Interior Design Consultant
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Friday, February 25th, 2011

Mid-Atlantic Builders Stands for Personalized Luxury

These days everything in our lives is customizable. From the hours we work to the cars we drive, we have choices. But what about your new home?

At Mid-Atlantic Builders we believe if something small like your morning latte can be made-to-order, your home should be made-to-order also.

Mid-Atlantic has over twenty-five years of home building experience, but that doesn’t mean we know the best design for you and your family. With our interactive floorplan designer you can customize floorplans that fit your family’s needs. You’re also free to customize the direction of your home site and choose from a variety of exterior design features.

One of the most popular features our customers enjoy tailoring our Spa Baths. There is something about decompressing from a long day in a luxurious soaking tub with whirlpool jets, or washing away the day’s stresses in a sensually lit enclosed glass block shower. Your every day spa can be a place where you can loose yourself and just relax. There are dozens of customizable features, from strategically placed TV wall mounts to catch up on some news, or you can get that true spa feel with heated ceramic floors. Designing your common comforts shouldn’t be left to someone else.

Of course, picking out a timeless design for your home may seem like a daunting task, but with a trained hand from our in-house interior design consultant you will be on your way to the home you’ve always dreamed of.

Mid-Atlantic Builders stands behind it’s slogan: Luxury. Style. Design. Personalized.

Posted in Home Design Tips, Interior Design
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Posted by Stephen Paul Executive Vice President of Home Building Operations
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Friday, February 11th, 2011

Designing With a Plan

At Mid-Atlantic Builders we don’t start building your new home until we have developed a blueprint of  your customized floor plans in our hands. Creating a beautiful interior that will inspire you and serve your family shouldn’t be any different.

Before getting your hands dirty with interior designing get inspiration from magazines and personal items, know the purpose or mood of each space and spend time thinking how your family lives. Knowing these things will help you create an atmosphere in your home that will feel comfortable for years to come.

Here are a few elements you should consider before investing your time and money on the interior design of a room.

Function – Decide the purpose of the room up front. As an example, a family room should have furniture that is both durable and comfortable as you will likely spend a lot of time in that room. The function of the space will help determine fabrics, furniture placement, lighting and what color scheme to use.

Scale – Fitting properly sized pieces into the appropriate space helps to bring out naturally beautiful features of your home. Most Mid-Atlantic Builders’ homes have natural focal points such as beautiful floor to ceiling windows and fireplaces in the family rooms. A room that is designed with scale in mind will have the right size furniture and a fitting amount of wall treatments with a noticeable focal point. In rooms with natural focal points, the furniture should be oriented in a way so as to accentuate those features.

TIP:
• Use graph paper to decide on furniture arrangement and size before investing in new pieces.
• There should be enough room for traffic to navigate between the furniture.
• Avoid placing many small pieces of furniture in an oversized room. Instead use two larger pieces complimented with a few smaller pieces such as side tables or accent chairs.

Mood and Personality – Each room should be a reflection of your individuality. The mood of a room comes together by the color scheme, style of furnishings, fabric textures, patterns and accessories. An inspiration piece such as an antique sofa or painting can lead the way for the rest of the room’s design.

TIP:
• Make sure all the fabric patterns in a room have at least one color in common.
• Resist the urge to be trendy. Trends come and go, and not every trend will fit your personality or your lifestyle.

If you think you don’t have the time, eye or energy to design your own spaces, hire a professional interior designer. Most designers will work with a variety of budgets and can help you select carpet, paint or just select accessories.

Posted in Home Design Tips
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Posted by Vanessa Pereira Interior Design Consultant
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Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

Designing Your Spa Bathroom

At Mid-Atlantic Builders, we take our award winning spa bathroom design very seriously. We believe the owner’s suite bathroom should include the features of luxury you might expect from your finest vacation resort. Everyone, though, has a different idea of what luxury should look like. As Mid-Atlantic Builders’ Interior Design Consultant it is my job to guide your inner designer.

At the moment, bathroom design is heavily focused on a fusion of simple calm elegances (warm colors and traditional stylings) while incorporating European-inspired elements such as wall-mounted faucets and sleek lines. The fusion is being called “Soft Contemporary” because it is a blend of warm colors and modern styles such as stainless steel.

Designing the bathroom that fits your personality and budget requires some balance. Here are some tips:

-These days people are steering clear of gold finishes and opting for stainless steel or brushed nickel. Oil-rubbed faucets are also gaining popularity.

-More people are opting for under mount sinks. They are more practical and more people are moving away from vessel bowls because of their difficulty to maintain.

-While granite countertops are still tremendously popular, manufactured stones and concrete (yes, like from your driveway) are gaining in popularity with the eco-sensitive and price-conscious crowd.

-For flooring, porcelain is still the popular choice though natural stones such as marble and travertine are simple ways to add “pop” for a small expense.

-While other builders may steer clear of expensive glass blocks in their showers, we love it. It not only adds natural light, but it gives showering a new level of seduction.

-As for appliances, just like in the kitchen, high efficiency faucets and toilets are the way to go.

If you have some ideas or questions on designing your new spa bathroom please stop by one of our models (Savannah, Beechtree, or Woodmore North) or contact me via email or call me directly at 301-352-5363 to schedule an appointment.

Posted in Interior Design
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Posted by Vanessa Pereira Interior Design Consultant
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