What does an Arts and Crafts style home look like?

Modern homes built in an "Arts and Crafts" or "Craftsman" style draw inspiration from the 20th century Arts and Crafts Movement, best known for its emphasis on simple design, handicraft, and natural materials.

(See inside this arts and crafts home, a version of the McCoy, here.)

We've compiled examples of popular arts and crafts home designs in the Raleigh custom home photos, below.

Contact Stanton Homes at 919-278-8070 or request information here to learn more about building a craftsman home in North Carolina.

What is a Craftsman style home?

See what makes an arts and crafts home unique - inside and out - with photos of popular design features in the Raleigh, NC area.

Arts and Crafts Home Exteriors

On the exterior of a Craftsman home, you'll find:

• Low pitched roof with decorative gables
• Triangular knee braces
• Wide eaves with exposed rafter tails
• Hefty “battered” (tapered) piers that support the front porch
• Tapered exterior columns
• Large front entryways
• Millwork details like rustic shutters
• Square or horizontally rectangular windows

Arts and Crafts Home Exterior #1:

You'll find an emphasis on custom millwork, including decorative gables, on arts and crafts home exteriors. Here's an example - check out the double wood columns with shared stone base.

Arts and Crafts Home Exterior #2:

 Exposed rafter tails and wide eaves are also markers of an arts and crafts home design. This exterior also features rough-sawn wood trim and iron accents. The shutters are hand built with Arizona Black Fox paint and stained cedar accents.

Arts and Crafts Home Exterior #3:

This Raleigh custom home, a version of the Smokey Ridge, is a great example of arts and crafts homes' use of window shapes: horizontally rectangular windows and squareboxwindows.

The painted trim work, stone water table, and wood columns with stone base are also popular craftsman exterior features.

Arts and Crafts Home Exterior #4:

The Chalet Vert is a great floor plan example with a low pitch roof and tapered columns.  The "roof pitch" refers to the angle - or steepness - of a roofline.

Arts and Crafts Home Interiors

On the inside of an Arts and Crafts home, you'll find: 

• Modern amenities like home offices, mud rooms, and bonus areas
• Warm and inviting rooms with a fluid floor plan
• Elimination of "wasted space" with few hallways
• Ample closet and organizational space including built-in benches and cabinetry
• Staircases with square balusters and newel posts
• Rustic trim in 1x4, 1x6, and 1x8 treatments

Arts and Crafts Home Interior #1:

Here is a classic example of craftsman interior design.

This version of the Brogan features built-in storage throughout the home with bookcases in the living room and bonus room, as well as built-in hallway benches and other tucked-away storage in the downstiars mudroom and upstairs laundry.

(See a full photo tour of this home, here.)

Arts and Crafts Home Interior #2:

In addition to wider baseboards and detailed crown molding, custom window treatments are a popular craftsman feature. 

This treatment consists of a 1x4 window wrap with casing cap, top casing, fillet, side casing, then stool and apron below the window.  

(See an even more complex craftsman trim design that requires 13 individual pieces, here.)

Arts and Crafts Home Interior #3:

How do modern homes incorporate traditional craftsman features?

The faux wood ceramic tile in this master bathroom is designed to mimic the natural appeal of arts and crafts materials.

The square shaped windows are another indicator arts and crafts home design.

(See another master bathroom with wood ceramic tile pattern, here.)

Arts and Crafts Home Interior #4:

This craftsman kitchen demonstrates the arts and crafts tradition of efficient use of space, open floor plan design, and casual living.

The raised eating bar opens the kitchen to the informal dining and living spaces. White cabinets and black granite counter tops give a modern feel, while maple cabinets draw in natural materials.

Arts and Crafts Home Builders in North Carolina:

Contact Stanton Homes at 919-278-8070 or visit www.StantonHomes.com to learn more about building an NC custom home - with the help of an interior design expert throughout the selection process.

Most Popular House Plans:

The Liberty Park, a floor plan design by Frank Betz, is a popular floor plan with features similar to many homes chosen for the Wake County Parade of Homes. What were some of the most common house plan features this year?

• Kitchen Island with Seating (with more than 50% accommodating seating for at least 4)
• Formal Dining Room
• Built In Drop Zone, many in a totally separate Mud Room
• An average porch size of 95 sq ft
• Laundry Rooms on the Second Floor

Take a look at the images and descriptions below, to see more new home building trends in North Carolina, using Cary NC parade homes as a representative "snapshot" guide.

Liberty Park Rendition Copyright Frank Betz.

The Liberty Park - Two Story Home with 2286 sq ft, Four Bedrooms, Two and a Half Baths:

The Liberty Park, copyright Frank Betz, is a great example floor plan that includes many of the most-requested floor plan features. Here are the top 7 layout, design, and special features. 

House Plan Feature #1: Cost Effective Layouts (and Two Story Floor Plans)

Two story homes (with a second story master) are generally more cost effective to build when compared to similar homes with a the master suite on the first floor - find out why here.

(And see the 12 reasons smaller homes cost more to build, here.)

All four bedrooms are upstairs in the Liberty Park. 

House Plan Feature #2:  Kitchen Island with Seating

Kitchens experience more traffic than any other room of the home. And more new home plans than ever are incorporating additional functions and features inside the kitchen, including creative ways to add eating space (island seating), homework stations (a built in desk), and home business technology hook-ups (with special gear built into walls) to accommodate modern needs.

The Liberty Park includes an 8' x 3' island with a raised eating bar designed for four (each seat requires 24'' of space). Here is a similar island: 

House Plan Feature #3:  Formal Dining Room

Inside the Liberty Park, the 13' x 11' dining room is well-designed to comfortably fit a formal table for family and guests. Looking for a more "casual" floor plans? See how many home buyers convert the formal dining into a home office, library, or multi-use space.

House Plan Feature #4: Built-In Drop Zone

Nearly all Parade Homes included a Built In Drop Zone. If there is no dedicated Mud Room area, the hallway off the garage or rear entry serves as a great place to include built in shelving, cubbies, and storage units.

The Liberty Park floor plan includes a drop zone between the garage and kitchen, ready for storing keys, purses, and other daily use items.

See 7 mudroom drop zone layouts, with photos, here.

House Plan Feature #5: Front Porch

Homes in the Parade had an average porch size of 95 sq ft, perfect as a "rocking chair" layout. The Liberty Park includes a 19.5' x 7' front porch, or a total of 137 sq ft, above the average size.

House Plan Feature #6: Storage Space in the Laundry

The usability of laundry room space ranks high on homebuyer must-have charts. In this year's homes, more than half had Laundry Rooms on the Second Floor - which makes sense, given the high number of two story homes with all bedrooms upstairs. Buyers want to keep the laundry close to the master and kid's rooms.

The Liberty Park laundry room is roughly 6' x 7', with space for a base cabinet and folding counter (or a stack of open shelves) beside the washer and dryer and 6' of upper cabinets.

House Plan Feature #7: Attractive Staircase Tucked In

See a staircase similar to The Liberty Park, below. The one story foyer opens to the formal dining room and staircase.  The staircase is enclosed on both sides, with two steps of open railing visible in the foyer entryway. 

Get staircase design ideas from our Houzz Ideabook - here.

See a full list of Cary, NC Parade of Homes trends, here.

Steps to Build a Custom Home

What is most important to you? Discuss, design, and decide what your next home should look like, with tens of thousands of floor plans to choose from. Contact Stanton Homes at 919-278-8070 or visit www.StantonHomes.com to learn more about building an NC custom home - with the help of an interior design expert throughout the selection process.

Best Size for a Mudroom and Drop Zone:

If you're able to plan ahead, try to keep your mudroom at least 5 feet wide. This will allow space for a standard hallway (3 feet wide) and a spacious bench and/or row of cabinets or lockers (2 feet wide).  If a hallway is tight, however, a 4' width can work - plan for a 12" wide Drop Zone, with 12" depth base cubbies instead of a bench.  

While there is no "standard size" for a mudroom, you can still determine the room dimensions and features that work best for your family routines.

Here are some examples of Raleigh custom homes with a mudroom and drop zone storage:

• Mudroom outside the laundry room
• Mudroom with separate entrance and staircase
• Dropzone inside the laundry room / mudroom combination
• Dedicated mudroom with full wall drop zone
• Mudroom with dog shower

Use the questions below to reveal your ideal mudroom design, including the best flooring, storage, layout, and location. 

Mudroom Design Questions

What should you include in your mudroom? Answer these questions to find out:

(And then click through our full ideabook of mudroom photos, here.)

1. Who is the mudroom for?

Is the mudroom for you, kids, pets, or guests?

If your next home will be built for retirement (or your kids are older and more independent), your mudroom can focus on ways to stay connected with a mail, key, and message center – complete with device recharging station. Here's a design to consider:

Black chalkboard paint turns this mudroom into a family message center.

On the other wall (see a photo here), a corner bench is great for removing shoes. The storage cubbies are perfect for daily use. The private door - with second staircase access - allows easier movement for older kids, relatives, and guests. Here is a view of this mudroom floor plan:

Compare this mudroom to another designed for young kids. What differences do you see?

This kids' mudroom includes more storage cubbies (low down where they can reach) and coat hooks that are a little lower (designed for jackets and school backpacks - to make morning routines easier!)

This third mudroom is designed for pets - with a dog shower and house.

Design Tip: No matter who will use the mudroom, the flooring should be durable and easy to maintain. Your mudroom will become the center of dirt, mud, water, paw prints, and finger prints, and other messes. Materials like tile or vinyl, rather than hardwood, tend to stand up to water exposure.

2. How often will you use the space?

Are you considering mudroom spaces for daily routines, weekly chores, or long-term storage?

One reason to include a mudroom is to create a space dedicated to all home entry and exit activities. You'll want to include some sort of bench or seat (with storage below). Typically, this also means locating the mudroom entrance near the garage, so the room can serve as a buffer space between the car and home.

A daily-use mudroom may or may not be located the same space as the laundry. (The mudroom pictured here is the closest entrance from the detached garage.)

In many two story house plans, the laundry room is placed upstairs near all bedrooms while the mudroom remains downstairs.

In one story or downstairs master house plans, the mudroom may or may not be connected to the laundry.

In this example, the mudroom serves as a central point between the garage, laundry room, walk in pantry, and kitchen. The mudroom - designed for daily use - will need to stay tidy given its constant visibility to you and your guests.

Another reason to include a mudroom is for long-term storage space for things like coats, boots, umbrellas, and sports equipment. If you're leaning towards trying to organize oversized equipment, also consider adding a few feet of width or even a "workshop" area to the garage or unfinished walk-in attic space.

3. Do you need an dedicated mudroom?

Or will a hallway drop zone storage system meet your needs?

Remember that your mudroom should work for you. House plans often use drop zones and mudroom style storage systems as a way to take advantage of un- or under-used hallway space.

While you may need to keep the space more tidy in a hallway than in a room with a door that can hide the area, you won't "waste" any sq ft in your home.

In this example, the mudroom is actually a hallway leading from the garage to main living areas.

Best Mudroom Bench, Storage, and Dimension Designs:

 When looking for floor plans with a mudroom, keep in mind these three important questions:

1. Who is the mudroom for, yourself, kids, pets, or guests?

2. How often will you use the space - every day, weekly, or long-term?

3. Will a hallway, rather than dedicated room, do the trick?

What is most important to you, inside your Raleigh new home? Discuss, design, and decide what your next home should look like, with tens of thousands of floor plans to choose from. Contact Stanton Homes at 919-278-8070 or visit www.StantonHomes.com to learn more about building an NC custom home - with the help of an interior design expert throughout the selection process.

Vanity Designs for Him and Her

A set of his and her vanities provides invaluable convenience in master bath, especially when floor space is efficient, but limited.

Here are several examples of master bathrooms with dual vanities and open knee-hole / dressing chair storage in between. See which configurations you like best, full or lowered height tables:

• Full wall of vanity storage in the Serengeti
• Mountain rustic finishes with modern dressing vanity in the Smokey Ridge
• Craftsman style master bath with his and hers built in dressing counter in the Statesman
• Contemporary black, white, and gray bath with single height dressing counter between the his and hers vanities in the Woodlake
• Dual vanities for dual heights, with a wider dressing table in the Lakehouse
• Connected his and hers vanities with morning counter top in between in the Rossi

When working with a custom home builder, the master bathroom tends to be the second most modified room of your home (after the kitchen). Read on to see how our home buyers made their master bath a space of their own - with connected his and her vanities. (Also get details on paint colors, counter tops, and cabinet sizes found in these photos.)

7 Top His and Hers Vanity Designs:

Each of the master bathroom photos below show different ways to include connected his and hers vanities. Several custom home baths will give you "dressing table" ideas (when a section of the counter top is lowered to accommodate chair-height uses). See our full ideabook of dual master vanities, here.

1. His and Hers Vanity with Dressing Table

A dual vanity with dressing table requires a single, long wall on one end of the room. The dressing table (the lower center section of the counter top) is sized for a chair to fit comfortably underneath.

Generally, a 33 inch tall vanity may be more ideal for women, while a 36 inch tall vanity suits most men.

These vanity cabinets are Cherry wood with a Slate stain. Each vanity has six drawers and a center cabinet. The square sinks give a modern appeal. 4'' backsplashes protect the walls between the sinks and mirrors.

2. Furniture Style His and Her Vanity with Makeup Counter

Tall ceilings, large windows, wide mirrors, frameless shower glass, and light tones work together to open up this hallway style master bathroom.

The vanity cabinets are Maple wood with espresso stain, dovetail soft close drawers, and furniture style feet. The vanity tops are "Crema Marfil Marble," with two white oval undermount vanity sinks.

Wall sconces add light to the room, and let the full wall mirror extend to the ceiling (many vanity lights are installed above the mirrors). The room is painted in SW "7548 Portico".

3. His and Hers Vanity with Knee-Hole Space for Dressing Chair

We're seeing a trend towards master bathrooms with dressing or makeup counters - here is another example layout.

The vanity cabinets are made of Oak wood with an espresso stain. Each tall vanity is 39'' wide. The center dressing table is 27'' wide. The vanity is 24'' (two feet) deep.

The vanities are mirror images of each other, with all drawers located to the center and cabinets to the outside.

The shower and closet are completely open to the vanity area. (The door pictured leads to the private toilet room.)

4. Long His and Her Vanity with Full Wall Mirror

The bathroom vanity is Maple wood finished in Antique White paint. Each vanity is 39'' wide, with a center set of drawers 21'' wide.

The "Carolina Cream Gloss" countertop is a standard 24'' depth. Integrated oval sinks keep a smooth surface. The sink backsplash is 4'' tall.

This master bathroom fits smoothly into the farmhouse style home, filled with shades of white, beige, and tan. The paint color is called "SW 7506 Loggia".

5. Small Bathroom with Dual Vanity

These vanity cabinets are made of Hickory wood in a Chestnut stain.

This is a more compact master bathroom space. The vanities are each 27'' wide, connected by an 18'' wide set of drawers in the center. The granite vanity top is called "Suede Brown".

It is always a good idea to balance size with cost in the master bathroom. Do you need 39'' or 36'' cabinets, or will 27'' wide cabinets, with additional drawers, provide enough storage space? Try measuring your current bathroom, for a starting point on the space you have - and get a better idea of what you need.

6. Modern Bathroom with His and Her Connected Vanity

These vanity cabinets are made of Maple wood with an espresso stain and oil rubbed bronze drawer pulls. The granite counter top color is called "Mirador Gold".

The bathroom is painted in Benjamin Moore "AF-670 Nightingale".  Hanging lantern style lights replace more traditional vanity lights.

The three-sided glass shower takes center stage in this master bath, with two shower heads (one hand-held option and one rain head). 

7. Vaulted Ceilings in the His and Hers Bath

The his and hers vanity is built in Maple wood and finished in Antique White paint. Each vanity is 36'' wide with a 21'' center set of drawers. 

The vanity counter tops - made of cultured marble - are called "Riverstone"  A big advantage of cultured marble is the integrated, seamless sinks, so much easier for cleaning and very appealing to the eye.

Best His and Her Layouts in the Master Bathroom:

If you're like many NC new home owners, you crave a little separation and personal space for your morning and evening rituals. The master bathrooms pictured above provide good examples of how to maintain separate space, without installing two separate vanities. 

Ask the designers at Stanton Homes how to maximize the usability of your master bath. 

Contact Stanton Homes at 919-278-8070 or visit www.StantonHomes.com to learn more about building an NC custom home.

Available Soon in Horizon, a Custom Home Community:

The Blueridge: 3,015 sq ft, 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms

Outside, this Max Fulbright home design features stone accents, a rocking chair front porch, and dual columns with archways between.

Inside, the downstairs Master Bedroom, Island Kitchen, “Costco” Pantry, and Drop Zone outside the Mudroom/Laundry combine all the most popular "must have" features in a new home. 

The Blueridge Floor Plan - Home Available Soon Near Chapel Hill, NC

Most Popular Floor Plan Features: 

• Downstairs master suite with trey ceiling, his and hers bathroom (see similar photos of similar master bath layouts here)
• Formal Dining in addition to the Breakfast inside the eat-in Kitchen
• Upstairs Loft that can accommodate work from home needs, including built-in desk space
• Upstairs Study/Craft room (out-of-sight in the Bonus Room)

Blueridge Floor Plans:

Horizon - Custom Home Community

Horizon offers 1-2 acre wooded homesites for homebuyers searching for custom homes near Chapel Hill, NC. 

• Horizon is located in North Chatham County, convenient to Chapel Hill, Pittsboro, and the Reserach Triangle Park. 
• Property taxes for a Horizon home are roughly half  the cost of a home inside the Chapel Hill city limits.
• Local schools are Perry Harrison Elementary and Margaret B. Pollard Middle School

Homes for Sale Near Chapel Hill, North Carolina:

Contact Stanton Homes for more information on the Blueridge - construction is under way now.

Written by Andrew Travars | Builder Brothers

Here's how we created the extremely popular exterior for our custom designed home, The Bryson:

We call it Urban Craftsman.

"Young, fun and practical." That's what our clients said they wanted their custom home to feel like - an exciting request, as it presented the opportunity to blend architectural styles.

The overall effect I go for is all about how the house will look when you drive up to it, park at it, walk up to it. I had a lot of great ideas in mind, even before I started drawing.

So did Andrea, my colleague and Interior Designer at Stanton Homes. We often work together on projects like this.  And our ideas are usually pretty different, resulting in hundreds of back-and-forths as we created the Bryson together.

Every change you make to a plan affects everything around it.

Create a big porch - the columns need to be big, too. That changes the size of your roof, which needs to be in synch. 

The medium sized dormer on the Bryson, with a smaller one above it, pull the house together in conjunction with the big columns beneath.

The 4 peaks vary in size with purpose, with the porch taking precedence, followed by the first floor window, and then two smaller dormers facing two different directions - creating an artistic collection of points sharply defined in stark white against classic gray, topped by a chimney simply for punctuation.

The big porch is framed by big windows on either side, further expressing an open and inviting approach to the home. The topography of the lot defined the amount of steps, which worked out nicely with layers of stone to balance the slate. 

All the eves, arches and bumpouts blend together harmoniously. Or at least that's the end effect, after a few discussions about who had the best ideas.

The slate water table we designed across the entire front of the house called for a slate porch - further building each part of the home around every other part.

That stone isn't just on the front of the home - it's also inside, further carrying the theme with a see-through fireplace that's central to the living space, and on either side of a massive wall of windows.

The setting:

The Bryson was designed for the shape and size of the lot - that's why the driveway is curved, to have a place for friends to park, allow as much square footage as possible for the home, and still have a nice back yard (as well as a stoop for the side door.)

The open floor plan is further enhanced by all the windows on the back of the home, overlooking the yard. Those 45 degree bump outs add living space inside and character outside - while balancing the smaller tower for the master suite, which has a French door to the patio.

Design/Build with Stanton Homes:

Team expertise really made a difference in the Bryson.

Take a look at the photo tour of the Bryson here to see the rest.

About Andrew: 

Andrew designs and builds custom homes in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina. His artistic balance and creative engineering are evident in his drafting, plan design and idea development. Andrew has been an innovator with Stanton Homes since 2006. In his free time, Andrew enjoys crafting custom furniture. 

About the Builder Brothers: 

Phil and Andrew are brothers who build awesome custom homes. A little friendly competition is reflected in the details of the extraordinary homes they create. They're all-around nice guys with a lot of smarts, really great ideas, and rare integrity. You'll learn a lot about building from the Builder Brothers. 

How to Customize Your Floor Plan:

There are many reasons home buyers customize their favorite floor plan, including:

• Adding or removing sq ft
• Moving a room
• Changing the dimensions of a room
• Adding or removing walls

See how a few simple changes can transform the look and feel of your house plan - with example modifications in the Stilesboro plan, below.

The Stilesboro - Best Floor Plan Updates:

Here is the original Stilesboro exterior:

One of the best ways to save money on your home exterior is by starting with a slightly more conservative (but still very spacious) front porch, like in this updated Stilesboro exterior option: 

See the red-line modifications of the first and second floors:

Floor Plan Modification #1: Move the Laundry Room Upstairs

When all, or most, of the bedrooms are located upstairs, you'll want to consider also moving the laundry room upstairs.

In this red-line floor plan, the laundry room takes the place of the two story foyer ceiling, which some home buyers consider "wasted space" in a floor plan.

Floor Plan Modification #2: Add a Hallway Drop Zone

By moving the laundry room upstairs, you're able to add a mudroom style drop zone off the garage.

Floor Plan Modification #3: Convert the Two Story Great Room into a Media Room

Adding a media room, in place of the two story family room ceiling, is another option to add extremely cost effective living space in this home.

Raleigh Custom Home Builder Ideas:

No matter how much you love a floor plan, there is always SOMETHING that can move, change, be added, or be eliminated to meet your dream layout, features, and style.

See a few more ways to modify your favorite floor plan, to get the exact home you're looking for:

• Want to add sq ft? See how to expand the laundry room size, add a second floor loft, and include a third floor
• Love the layout in a favorite floor plan, but the exterior just isn't your style? See how to modify your home exterior, without changing the floor plan.
• Need a second master bedroom? Here's how to add a second master suite to your existing floor plan.
• Looking for multigenerational living solutions? These plans show you how easy it can be to add a mother in law suite.

Contact Stanton Homes at 919-278-8070 or visit www.StantonHomes.com to learn more about building an truly custom home.

Guide to Gray Paint Color Choices:

See examples of the 9 top requested gray bathroom paint colors - with exact names and descriptions. These Raleigh custom homes are painted in a range of modern and contemporary gray paint colors.

Here are some examples of custom homes with gray master bathrooms (see more below):

• The Bennet: master bathroom painted in SW Agreeable Gray
• The Rossi: master bathoom painted in SW 7672 Knitting Needles
• The Country Manor: master bathroom painted in SW 7506 Loggia

9 Best Gray Paint Shades for a Bathroom:

These shades of gray - manufactured by Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore - are top requests within Raleigh custom homes built by Stanton Homes.

Gray Paint Color #1: "SW 7548 Portico"

Gray paint colors are popular choices for entire homes, and as accent colors in select rooms. Similar to beige tones, gray acts as a neutral - yet sophisticated - backdrop to any room.

Bathrooms are often counted on as spaces of peace and quite, making a soft gray a natural choice for the soothing surroundings.

This master bathroom - photo from a version of the Statesman - is painted in SW 7548 Portico by Sherwin Williams.

Gray Paint Color #2: "SW 7015 Repose Gray"

Lighter gray paint colors can look even more silver in person. These gray paint colors appear more luminous in well-lit spaces.

Pairing gray paint with espresso cabinets can give the master bathroom sharp contrast to liven the space. With a paint color like "repose gray," you can consider adding a splash of color with a set of towels or toiletries.

This home uses two other gray paint colors: "SW 7032 Warm Stone" and "SW 7030 Anew Gray."

This master bathroom - photo from a version of the Serengeti - is painted in SW 7015 Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams.

Gray Paint Color #3: Benjamin Moore "HC-105 Rockport Gray"

Crystal light fixtures, cabinet knobs, and other accents will reflect the soft gray paint. Pairing crystal with gray paint is a classic choice, even for contemporary homes.

This master bathroom uses dark wood framed mirrors and dark cabinets to off-set the soft gray walls and mixed granite counter tops.

This master bathroom - photo from a version of the Chapel Ridge - is painted in HC-105 Rockport Gray by Benjamin Moore.

Gray Paint Color #4: "SW 7672 Knitting Needles"

Combinations of gray and white tile are popular choices for gray painted bathrooms. This master bathroom uses a white brick tile pattern in the open concept shower and oversized gray tiles along the floor (extending underneath the freestanding tub).

This master bathroom - photo from a version of the Worthington II - is painted in SW 7672 Knitting Needles by Sherwin Williams.

Gray Paint Color #5: "SW 7045 Intellectual Gray"

Love reading books in the tub? This "intellectual gray" bathroom offers space to spread out in the soaking tub (with penty of storage along the tub deck).

This master bathroom - photo from a version of the Woodlake - is painted in SW 7045 Intellectual Gray by Sherwin Williams.

Gray Paint Color #6: "SW 7667 Zircon"

This gray paint reflects hues of purple, especially when the crystal light fixtures are on. Best accent colors for this gray paint can range from bright yellow and orange to soft lavender.

This master bathroom - photo from a version of the Worthington - is painted in SW 7667 Zircon by Sherwin Williams.

Gray Paint Color #7: Benjamin Moore 2111-60 Barren Plain

Larger bathrooms tend to call for lighter paint colors - to highlight, rather than hide the size of the space. This version of the Avonstone Manor is a great example of how to pick a soft gray paint for a large bathroom.

This master bathroom - photo from a version of the Avonstone Manor - is painted in 2111-60 Barren Plain by Benjamin Moore.

Gray Paint Color #8: Sherwin Williams 7029 Agreeable Gray

The gray walls in this master bathroom pull out the most subtle highlights in the open tile shower. The faux wood floor tile hints at natural brown hues, to draw in the cabinetry.

This master bathroom - photo from a version of the Coquery Cottage - is painted in SW 7029 Agreeable Gray by Sherwin Williams.

Gray Paint Color #9: Sherwin Williams 6205 Comfort Gray

This Raleigh custom home is painted in soft hues of gray and green. The gray paint makes an easy transition to the white vaulted ceiling.

This master bathroom - photo from a version of the Chalet Vert - is painted in SW 6205 Comfort Gray by Sherwin Williams.

More Popular Master Bathroom Paint Colors

Here are links to bathrooms painted in light blue, green, beige, and brown - popular colors in Raleigh custom homes:

1. SW 6512 Balmy - Light blue paint for the master bathroom
2. SW 6422 Shagreen - Light, bright green master bathroom paint
3. SW 7714 Oak Barrel - Beige painted master bathroom
4. SW 6117 Smokey Topaz - Golden brown painted master bath

Contact Stanton Homes at 919-278-8070 or visit www.StantonHomes.com to learn more about building an NC custom home - with the help of an interior design expert throughout the selection process.

What are the most cost effective built in bookcase styles for the Fireplace?

Fireplace walls are great spaces to add a built in bookcase. These walls are already "reserved" as focal points (with furniture spread among the other walls or open areas).      

If you're trying to decide on the best built in bookcase design for your budget, these photos will give you a good idea of how pricing works - with specific cost factors.  See why some bookcases are cost effective, while others are only found in luxury home designs.

What does a built in bookcase cost? 

The best bookcase, cabinet, and built in storage designs are priced based on a number of factors, including:

1. Size (Height, Length, Depth)
2. Depth of Base Shelves (are the base shelves wider than the upper shelves?)
3. Countertops
4. Stain Grade vs. Paint Grade Materials
5. Arches or Header Details
6. Custom Paint Colors
7. Number of Cabinet Units
8. Standard vs. Non-Standard Cabinet Sizes

Below are 8 photo examples that give a clear indication of what each cost factor can look like:

1. Bookcase Size

The height, length, and depth of a built in will affect the total cost. For open shelving bookcases, larger sizes mean more materials and labor. For cabinets, larger sizes typically require multiple units.

The floor to ceiling height bookcases in this great room - a version of the Penelope - also stretch across the living room wall. If you want a "full wall" built in look, consider reducing the height of the shelves. This would leave wall space where you could display artwork (or add windows if it is an exterior wall).

2. Depth of Bookcase Base Shelves

Complex configurations add cost to any built in design. The two base shelves on these fireplace bookcases are wider than the upper shelves. Varied depth bookcases can make a big impression in person, so this is one custom factor you should consider when considering cost/benefits on a tight budget.

This living room photo is from a version of the Brogan, a craftsman style home.

3. Countertop

When designing built in cabinets, manufacturers can include a finished "countertop" piece that rests on top and adds cost (when compared to how built in shelving works).   

This living room photo - with cabinets on each side of the stone fireplace - is from a version of the Horse Country Estate.

4. Stain vs. Paint Grade

Most types of built in storage units are available in two "grades," stain or paint. While the cabinets pictured above are constructed in a stain grade wood, the bookcases below use a (more cost effective) paint grade wood.

This living room photo - with bookcases on each side of the fireplace - is from a version of the Country Farmhouse.

5. Arches or Header Details

Arches or header details - like the white wainscoting design across these living room bookcases - are beautiful additions that can really add formality to a room. These hand-crafted or custom details add cost, but they can make a big difference in the look and feel of your fireplace surround (often the focal point of your downstairs living space).

This living room photo - with custom shaped bookcases - is from a version of the Scottsdale.

6. Custom Color

Most built-ins are painted white, to match the interior trim color of the room. Adding a custom color inside a built in bookcase is another popular detail, that can add cost.

This custom living room built in shelving unit is from a version of the Treehouse.

7. Number of Cabinet Units

The number of individual cabinet units also contributes to the total cost of a built in design. Typically, using two 24'' cabinets will cost significantly more than using one 48'' cabinet.

The wider, four-door 48" base cabinets in the living room pictured below, from a version of the Statesman, helped the Raleigh home owner save cost (compared to choosing a layout for four 24" cabinets that would fit into the same overall space).

8. Standard vs. Non-Standard Size

Another way to save cost on your built in bookcase configuration is by sticking to cabinets in a standard size, typically units that are 24'' or 48'' wide.

If cabinet units do not fit into the designated wall space, your builder will need to add trim pieces to make up the difference. Custom trim, painted to match, will look intentional; they will just cost more to construct.

When working within a budget, you will want to compare each of these cost factors. Do you want to prioritize wainscoting details, custom colors, simpler (but wider) shelves, or a combination of these details? The choice is yours, and a custom home interior designer can help you weigh the options.

How much do custom built in bookcases, cabinets, and shelving units cost?

Exact pricing for built ins depends on the size, configuration, style, materials, and other custom details.  

Looking for popular home plans with built in spaces already added in? Here are some examples of floor plans with built in bookcases and other custom storage spaces throughout the home:

• The Judson - built in great room entertainment center
• The Country Farmhouse - built in fireplace shelving
• The Shoal Creek - built in office bookcases
• The Statesman - built in butler's pantry

Written by Phil Travars | Builder Brothers

Secrets Behind the Cozy McCoy

You can tell a lot about the personality of people in the details of the custom home we build with them.

Looking at the McCoy from the curb, it's clearly a cozy custom home - with detail work that makes visitors smile as soon as they see it.

On a setting in the middle of where things are happening in a small town, you can tell right away that the people who helped create their new home enjoy being a part of that.

The wrap around porch is a huge component of this home, boldly stating that outdoor living is just as important as being inside. We used 10" round columns to further emphasize the prominence of the porch, with Arts and Crafts details that add clarity, and ceiling fans and lights that ensure enjoyment night or day.

Step inside, and the home feels much bigger. Every square foot is used efficiently - with quite a few modifications from the original plan to fit the lifestyle of the owners. The house layout was flipped, the mudroom was artfully arranged to make the best use of every inch - including a pantry - and of course the kitchen was rearranged.

And speaking of personality, that kitchen is not only laid out in a way that works for the owners - it also showcases a feature wall, with tile from counter top to ceiling, in a neutral tone that's subtle and classic. 

One of the most important things to have in a smaller custom home is great flow, and with the McCoy that takes into account parking in the detached garage tucked behind the house and the attached breezeway to rear into of house, even before getting to the heart of the home.

Everything for every day is on the first floor. The open layout makes entertaining even easier; everyone is part of the party. Open the double french doors off the dining room for indoor/ outdoor gatherings.

There's more great use of space in the master bathroom, which doesn't have a "small home" feel, either. The color choices here are warm and comfortable, setting off the soaking tub, and separate tile shower with glass enclosure, duel sinks and plenty of counter space with tile everywhere.

An office and secondary bedrooms are upstairs, with privacy for friends to stay over, whether at the end of the evening or for a holiday.

The rear and garage entry doors on the McCoy were painted to match the overhead garage door. It's a blend of colors that not everyone would think about, but they work well together. 

To me, the home looks like a mint chocolate chip, and something about that is comforting. Which is what you should feel when you come home every day. 

About Phil: 

Phil builds uniquely crafted custom homes in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina. He builds relationships with clients the same way he builds their homes - with dedicated attention to detail. Phil has been a trailblazer with Stanton Homes since 2006. In his free time, Phil enjoys running, kayaking, and anything outdoors.

About the Builder Brothers: 

Phil and Andrew are brothers who build awesome custom homes. A little friendly competition is reflected in the details of the extraordinary homes they create. They're all-around nice guys with a lot of smarts, really great ideas, and rare integrity. You'll learn a lot about how to build beautiful homes from the Builder Brothers. 

We were recently asked this interior home design question, through "Ask Andrea":

Can you mix bronze metal faucets with a stainless sink? I love some of the new rustic finishes (ie. California faucets weathered copper/bronze) but am planning to install a stainless sink. Would that be acceptable?

Yes, you can mix a bronze finish faucet with a stainless steel sink.

The use and presence of stainless steel in our homes has remained strong and has gained a much stronger presence over the past two decades to the point where we now consider it to be a neutral. 

Its finish is considered to go with most anything the same a wood floors and white painted trim go with anything.  All of those items are so common that we consider them to be universally acceptable to mix with anything else you desire to have in your home to personalize it as yours.

What to think about when deciding to go with a bronze faucet for example, is the "story" in your room or in all common areas of your home that can be seen at the same time, such as, quite commonly, the foyer, dining room, great room, and kitchen. 

(This photo, taken from a version of The Worthington II, shows a popular open concept layout with open visibility between rooms.)

We create cohesion by looking to cabinet hardware, or lighting, or door hardware (knobs/levers and hinges).

If you want to use a bronze faucet think about what else it could connect to so that you create a cohesive "story" in your space.

Sometimes it's not even the other metal finishes that can make a bronze faucet "work" in your room.  For example, the bronze faucet could even tie in to dark Espresso cabinets where everything else is brushed nickel.

(This kitchen photo, taken from a version of The Statesman, combines four primary fixture metal colors: stainless steel sink, range hood, and double wall ovens; "Burnished Bronze" pendant lights; oil rubbed bronze Moen brand kitchen faucet and soap dispenser; copper cabinet hardware on the black glazed island cabinets.)

Bronze and Espresso faucets can appear very similar, especially from a distance. So, that's how it's done when you want to mix finishes; stand back and look at your entire space and connect things somehow to make your story work!

(This kitchen photo, taken from a version of The Smokey Ridge, includes a "Venetian Bronze" faucet and soap dispenser with a stainless steel sink.)

Cary Custom Home Design

Have a kitchen or interior design trend question for your new home?  Ask Andrea, and she'll let you know all the latest in custom home and design/build trends!  

Andrea works closely with each Stanton Homes client to help design homes that fit every lifestyle and taste.  

How to Add a Secret Passage between Kids' Bedrooms:

Hidden passageways and secret rooms are perfect places for kids to read, play, and hang out.

The entrance is "hidden" by attic access doors that blend into the wall for anyone that doesn't know about the secret room! The height of the doors and room are designed exclusively for kids.

Before and After Floor Plans - How to Create a Secret Room:

See how you can add a secret passage to your Raleigh new home, in these before and after floor plan images.

See the before and after floor plans:

"Before" Floor Plan, The Hopkins by Frank Betz

The Hopkins, a Raleigh custom home floor plan by Frank Betz, was customized to add a secret passageway between the two upstairs Kids' Bedrooms.

"After" Floor Plan, The Sawyer by Stanton Homes

Here is what we modified.

First, we converted the Jack and Jill bathroom into a Buddy Bath with hallway access. This eliminated the need for additional doors inside the kids' bedrooms, and gave us a little more space for the secret room. 

Then, we added a second access door to the built in attic storage area, inside Bedroom 2.

Finally, we finished the secret room with drywall, carpet, and paint - making it part of the home.

Would you know there is a hidden secret room behind this access door?

Make the most of your second story floor plan - and maximize square footage - with these new home design ideas:

• Replace the "two story height living room" with a second story bonus room. See how to add a bonus room, without losing out on a second story overlook, here.
• Move the laundry room upstairs, and add a drop zone or mudroom downstairs. See how to modify a two story foyer into a laundry room, and expand a hallway into a drop zone storage system, here.
• Add a wrap-around front porch to your home - by modifying the exterior. See the before and after, here.

Raleigh New Home Builders:

Ready to build your new home in the Raleigh, NC area? Contact Stanton Homes at 919-278-8070 or visit www.StantonHomes.com to learn more about building an custom home. We'll show you all the ways you can modify a floor plan - including the best places to add a secret passage or room.

Get started choosing the right paint color for your walls - or deciding on a color scheme - with our guide of top requested light blue bathroom paint colors. Below are brand names and descriptions for each blue paint shade inside these Raleigh custom homes.

5 Best Blue Paint Shades for a Bathroom

These blue bathroom paint colors, with photos from Raleigh custom homes built by Stanton Homes, are manufactured by Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, and other popular brand names that offer a range of classic and contemporary blue hues.

Blue Paint Color #1: Sherwin Williams "6512 Balmy"

Shades of blue can make a powerful impact in a white and espresso bathroom. This master bath compiles white floor tile, espresso storage cabinets, and "SW 6512 Balmy" blue paint.

Blue Paint Color #2: Sherwin Williams "6235 Foggy Day"

Vaulted ceilings open up this more traditional blue bathroom. The "SW 6235 Foggy Day" paint is carried into the ceiling vault, to highlight the plant shelf above the shower.

Blue Paint Color #3: Benjamin Moore "2055-60 Serenity"

 Looking for spa bathroom colors? This "Benjamin Moore Serenity" blue is reminiscent of a relaxing beach getaway.

Blue Paint Color #4: Sherwin Williams "6786 Cloudless"

Powerful blue paint colors - like this "Cloudless" shade - demand strong, contrasting finishes (such as tile and cabinet colors and shapes).

In this master bathroom design, the dark brown tile - a dominant feature - extends past the tub and shower, reaching above the picture window to meet the vaulted ceiling.

Blue Paint Color #5: Valspar "WV38007 Summer Cottage"

You can soften a light blue paint color with window lighting, calm tile patterns, and tall ceilings (painted white). 

Why are blue bathrooms so popular? Get an interior designer's perspective on the longevity of blues in the bath.

How much does a tile tub surround cost? Get estimates here, in these 8 blue tile bathrooms.

More Popular Master Bathroom Paint Colors

Here are links to bathrooms painted in gray, light blue, green, beige, and brown - popular colors in Raleigh custom homes:

1. 9 Gray Paint Colors - Tips for How to Choose a Gray Paint
2. SW 6512 Balmy - Light blue paint for the master bathroom
3. SW 6422 Shagreen - Light, bright green master bathroom paint
4. SW 7714 Oak Barrel - Beige painted master bathroom
5. SW 6117 Smokey Topaz - Golden brown painted master bath

Contact Stanton Homes at 919-278-8070 or visit www.StantonHomes.com to learn more about building an NC custom home - with the help of an interior design expert throughout the selection process.

Experience the custom home Design/Build process

The McCoy is a 2070 sq ft main floor master home with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and craftsman features.

From the open concept island kitchen to the mudroom style laundry and three car detached garage, this unique home is designed for today's lifestyle. See a photo gallery of this home, here.

Read what the homeowners say in their review, below.

Here's What It's Like to Build a Stanton Home - Recommendation from a Client Review:

"I highly recommend Stanton Builders.     The team at Stanton made the process of building a new home very comfortable, despite the inherent stress of the building process. From the start Larry was knowledgeable and helpful getting the house and garage plans modified to our needs.

Kelly dealt fantastically with the permitting issues and kept us updated as the permitting progressed.

Andrea was invaluable for her design sense and taste, helping us through a seemingly overwhelming number of choices.

Of course Nichelle kept us making timely choices in the Builder Trend software that was straightforward and easy to use.

Phil, our Project Manager, worked closely with us from the day he was assigned our project. His knowledge of building and ability to schedule the work efficiently allowed the project to move smoothly despite the weather and permitting issues. He provided updates and feedback on the building progress and was available for questions anytime. Phil was detail oriented and showed great follow through on items that concerned us.

The Stanton Team is to be commended for a great job building a beautiful home."

About the McCoy Floor Plan Design

Everything for every day is on the first floor. The open layout makes entertaining even easier. Open the double french doors off the dining room for indoor / outdoor gatherings. 

The wrap around porch is a huge component of this home, boldly stating that outdoor living is just as important as being inside. We used 10" round columns to further emphasize the prominence of the porch, with Arts and Crafts details that add clarity, and ceiling fans and lights that ensure enjoyment night or day.

Step inside, and the home feels much bigger. Every square foot is used efficiently - with quite a few modifications from the original plan to fit the lifestyle of the owners. The house layout was flipped, the mudroom was artfully arranged to make the best use of every inch - including a pantry - and of course the kitchen was rearranged.

The McCoy floor plan is copyright Alan Mascord and Stanton Homes.

More Reviews of Stanton Homes:

What happens behind the scenes, in the design/build of the most beautiful custom homes in NC - here's more from the people we work with, to build their extraordinary custom Stanton Homes: Read reviews.

Hottest Trends in New Home Building:

What floor plans, features, and finishes are most popular in 2016 homes?

It's getting harder to pin-point the most popular new home trends, simply because homebuyers are looking for more individual customization in their homes. Even inside traditional floor plans - with a downstairs dining room, living room, great room, and master bedroom - buyers are mixing up the layout and adding personal touches to every room.

Stock floor plans are a thing of the past in Raleigh new homes, which are designed to be more livable, functional, and personal.

Efficiency, Flexibility, and Customization:

New homes are all about usability - with increased attention to the efficiency, flexibility, and customizability of each individual room. What does efficiency look like? 

1. A second master bedroom can make multi-generational living possible

A second bedroom/bathroom suite on the first floor offers privacy for extended families, grandparents, and long-stay guests – and it can add value to your new home investment.

Two master bedrooms can be designed to be very different, in reflection of lifestyles and preferences. Having a second master suite can also make it possible for you to "age in place". 

Universal design items, such as grab bars in the bath, wider doorways, and curbless or "roll-in" showers are now common requests for homes designed to last well into retirement.

An oversized shower, and no tub, is another trend throughout Raleigh new home construction. See examples in these no-tub master bathroom photos.

2. Bedrooms can double as home offices

Whether you want to create a place for extended guests to stay, or need a space to work from home, modern bedrooms are designed with built in storage (bookcases, a desk, and closet) that can accommodate your changing needs - month to month or over the years.

This upstairs bedroom includes a built in desk - perfect for kids to use as a homework area or you to use as an upstair office.

3. Hallways, landings, and lofts can double as storage centers or pocket offices

A tried and true way to maximize the usability of a home is by adding built in storage to hallways, under the stairs, and other "unused" spaces.

In this home, a version of the Arcadia, we were able to add a storage closet under the stairs. The fit was tight, but the additional storage added a huge benefit.

This upstairs hallway is transformed from "wasted space" into a open office with custom built ins and desk fit to the space.

Click here for sample floor plans with an efficient pocket office.

4. Laudry rooms can double as all-purpose storage centers and mudrooms

Simple additions to the laundry room, such as a free-standing sink, closet, built in shelving, or folding wall ironing board can make a large impact on your daily routine. Learn how to get more out of every sq ft, with these 10 Small Laundry Room Ideas.

Raleigh New Home Trends:

One of the best things about designing and building a totally custom home is the ability to include the features that matter most, from efficient built ins to multi-use rooms. 

What Raleigh new home trends are most important to you? Tell us what you're looking for, and we'll show you how to built it - with recommendations for floor plan features and selections that fit your budget.

Written by Phil Travars | Builder Brothers

Best Mudroom Designs:

Easily accessible storage can be a valuable feature in your custom home - and you can really get creative with it, as we plan your most important areas together. 

Mudrooms are one of my favorite places to build-in storage areas. It's usually one of the best spots in the home to consider a Drop Zone, where kids can quickly tuck in all their stuff, keeping it out of the way and easy to retrieve. Depending on your floor plan, it may even be something that can be added when your home is underway - we can talk about it when we do your interior trim walkthrough together. 

Here are some of my perspectives on mudroom ideas for Raleigh new homes.

What is the ideal size for a mudroom, with built in storage?

A typical mudroom with storage can be in 5'x5' to 5'x7' range, or 25 to 35 sq ft. These dimensions leave space for a built in bench with hooks, cubbies, and storage so that everyone has a designated place to put belongings they want to find fast when they head outside. Whether you want cubbies underneath, like in the picture below, or you'd rather have a bench with hinges so you can open it up and tuck things inside, we work with your ideas. 

Mudrooms that double as laundry rooms are often a bit bigger - about 7'x10' or 70 sq ft. Separate mudroom and laundry rooms are more common in homes when all the bedrooms are located on the second floor. 

What is a Mudroom used for?

Mudrooms are designed as the passageway between the garage and living space, to absorb the "mud" and contain articles that might track in unwanted dust or other outside elements. 

We have even designed and built mudrooms for dogs - so your furry best friend can take a shower before romping around inside.

Having a washing machine nearby is also a popular option, to further contain the aftermath of North Carolina dirt, clay, rain or snow. Some folks even ask for two laundry rooms - one upstairs and one down - to help keep everything neat and clean. 

How to Build a Mudroom Into Your House Plan

Even if your floor plan doesn't start with a mudroom, we can often add it. In this Raleigh new home, a version of the Saddleridge B, we made room in the floor plan for a mudroom with a drop zone. You can see other changes we made, as well, to further accommodate lifestyle.

Shifting the original location of the powder room enabled us to take advantage of the storage nook in the garage, which was used more effectively inside. Instead of "wasted" hallway space, we were able to provide a separate mudroom with drop zone (bench, cubbies, hooks).

About Phil: 

Phil builds uniquely crafted custom homes in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina. He builds relationships with clients the same way he builds their homes - with dedicated attention to detail. Phil has been a trailblazer with Stanton Homes since 2006. In his free time, Phil enjoys running, kayaking, and anything outdoors.

About the Builder Brothers: 

Builder Brothers Phil and Andrew are just one part of the team at Stanton Homes, which surrounds you with expertise while building stunning custom homes. A little friendly competition is reflected in the details of the extraordinary homes they create. They're all-around nice guys with a lot of smarts, really great ideas, and rare integrity. You'll learn a lot about how to build beautiful homes from the Builder Brothers. 

Best Blue and Gray Paint and Siding Colors for a House Exterior:

Blue and Gray exterior colors range from subtle shades that create a cohesive balance beside brick and stone to bold hues designed to stand out against wooded backdrops.

Get the names of popular blue and gray paint and siding colors, below.

How to Choose the Right Paint Color for an Exterior:

The exterior of your home is large, visible, and relatively permanent - so the pressure is on when picking the right color for your siding, trim, and accent areas (brick, stone, shakes, and other types of siding).  

Some of the best blue paint colors we've come across include: 

1. SW 0048 Bunglehouse Blue

This blue and gray painted exterior uses a high-contrast white trim paint (Dover White by Sherwin Williams) on the craftsman columns, windows, and decorative gables.

Siding: SW 0048 Bunglehouse Blue

Shakeaccents: SW 0024 Curio Gray

Trim: SW 6385 Dover White

2. SW 7660 Earl Gray

Gray paint pairs well with bright colors, such as yellows, oranges, and purples, which is why the copper metallic roof accents compliment the gray siding on this Raleigh new home exterior.

Fiber Cement Textured Plank Siding: SW 7660 Earl Gray

Board and Batt Siding Accents: SW 7660 Earl Gray

3. Benjamin Moore Duxbury Gray HC 136

Three types of siding give rich texture to this gray exterior: hardie plank siding, shake siding, and stone. The board and batten shutters give a traditional feel to the hand-crafted theme on this craftsman exterior style.

Siding: Benjamin Moore HC 136 Duxbury Gray

Shake Siding Accents: Benjamin Moore HC 164 Puritan Gray

4. SW 7045 Intellectual Gray

This smart gray color choice is paired with natural ledgestone and 1x6 window wraps (instead of traditional shutters) for a contemporary countryside look.  (See photos of a master bathroom painted in SW Intellectual Gray, here.)

Fiber Cement Siding: SW 7045 Intellectual Gray

Trim: SW 7006 Extra White

5. Blue Vinyl Siding Colors: "Everest"

White bands break up the blue siding along this exterior. A darker blue, Midnight Blue, gives a high contrast to the shutters and front door.

Siding: Everest Woodgrain Vinyl

6. Gray Vinyl Siding Colors: "Scottish Thistle"

This Colonial exterior uses a classic color combination of white trim, black shutters, and gray siding.

Siding: Scottish Thistle Vinyl

7. Restoration Hardware "Slate" 

This exterior balances craftsman and contemporary elements, with large white columns, stone base, and arched windows.

Siding: Restoration Hardware Slate

8. SW 6165 Connected Gray

The Beaufort floor plan is a popular layout for Raleigh new homes, with a downstairs master bedroom, first floor guest suite, vaulted great room, and peninsula kitchen.

The gray, black, and brick exterior give a durable feel to a traditional home.

Siding: SW 6165 Connected Gray

Trim: SW 7566 Westhighland White

Help Choosing a Gray or Blue Paint Color:

9 Gray Paint Colors - Tips for How to Choose a Gray Paint

Best Blue Paint Colors for Bathrooms

More About Building a New Home in Raleigh:

Contact Stanton Homes at 919-278-8070 or visit www.StantonHomes.com to learn more about building an NC custom home - with the help of an interior and exterior design expert throughout the selection process.

Five Fireplaces with a Stained Wood Mantel - Photos and Design Ideas

Stained wood can look more formal, provide contrast to surrounding features, and serve as a stand-alone feature.  Five popular stained wood mantel designs include:

1. Tile Fireplace Surround with Stained Wood Mantel

While white painted wood mantels are often blended into built in bookcases or wainscoting trim, stained wood mantels often contrast against the surrounding materials.

This wood mantel frames the mosaic tile fireplace surround. Hints of brown in the tile and wall sconces draw in the hues of the Minwax English Chestnut stain for a cohesive, but bold, centerpiece fireplace. 

2. Stone Fireplace Surround with Stained Wood Mantel

Stone and stained wood details are what create the "story" in this home - these materials are carried throughout this open concept home - on the fireplace, archway wall, and kitchen column. 

Wood and stone make these rooms feel warm and formal, in "Old World" style. 

3. Contemporary Fireplace with Stained Cedar Wood Mantel

Cedar wood wraps the large picture windows, and tops this contemporary stone fireplace. The natural stain matches the hardwood flooring throughout the first floor.

4. See Through Fireplace with Stained Wood Mantel

This wood mantel is hand-crafted out of oak flooring material, built and stained to match the downstairs hardwoods. 

The fireplace is see-through between the formal dining room and great room. Wall sconces on the foyer-side of the fireplace are used to balance the "off-center" wood mantel.

5. Stone Surround Fireplace with Stained Wood Mantel and Flagstone Hearth

This fireplace mantel was custom-built to fit above the stone surround. Wall sconces frame the wall above the mantel, which rises into the two story ceiling. 

The stained wood is an elegant feature, drawing your eye towards the fireplace in this large two story living room. 

How To Fireplace Design:

Photos of fireplaces with white wainscoting panels. 

85 Fireplace design photos

Types of fireplaces for new home design

Ready to build your new home in the Raleigh, NC area? Contact Stanton Homes at 919-278-8070 or visitwww.StantonHomes.com to learn more about building an custom home. We'll show you all the ways you can modify a floor plan - including how to design and bulid your custom fireplace. 

Indoor Balcony and Overlook Ideas:

Should the overlook be single or two-sided? What type of railing is best for an overlook? What should I overlook - the living room, dining room, or kitchen? How long should the second story overlook be? What type of lighting is best for an overlook? 

Get answers to all your indoor balcony, or upstairs overlook, design questions - with photo examples - from a Raleigh custom home builder.

Floor Plans with an Indoor Balcony or Upstairs Overlook:

From traditional home design to contemporary layouts, these overlooks will give you a good sense of the range of possibilities when building in some open concept space that connects the upper and lower floors. 

1. Should my overlook be one or two-sided?

A single-sided overlook requires less two story space - with more sq ft of living space upstairs. One sided overlooks are more common when facing the foyer, where there are easy start and end points for the railing. 

Two staircases lead into a single-sided overlook hallway in this version of the Serengeti: 

A two-sided overlook often extends across the foyer and living room:

Here, the foyer overlook is about half the length of the living room side, leaving space for an upstairs loft above the guest bedroom.  This type of overlook can also be referred to as a catwalk, especially if the double exposure is long.

In another example, the two-sided overlook runs across the foyer and living room. Two separate staircases lead to this overlook, one in the foyer and one in the kitchen.

2. What type of railing is best for an overlook? 

Painted wood, wrought iron balusters, cable railing, and drywall half-walls with trim are all popular styles for an overlook.

Here is an example of an overlook with white painted wood balusters: 

And another with black painted wood railing: 

Cable railing is a great choice for a mountain or contemporary home style: 

3. What room(s) should the overlook extend to?

While traditional overlooks often span the living room from above, a more unique approach in custom design can integrate an overlook above the dining area and/or kitchen. 

This overlook uses a drywall extension, rather than railing, for a more contemporary feel downstairs. The "front side" of this two-sided overlook faces the foyer.  The open urban contemporary loft feel is further accentuated by the use of metal sconce fixtures on the side of the overlook half wall.

4. How long should the overlook be?

A small overlook can extend a short distance, to give a quick two-story feel to the foyer. A long overlook can span the entire first floor living space.

The distance of an overlook will depend on the overall structure of your floor plan, including the amount of open space you want to dedicate on the second floor (the more overlook, the more of the upstairs is needed to be dedicated to open, unused air space instead of living space). 

Here is an example of a hallway-length overlook, with a large impact on the openness of the home:

5. What type of lighting is best for an overlook? 

You'll want to include a mixture of lighting types, sizes, and locations. Wall sconces, recessed can lights, hanging chandelier lights, fan lights, and windows are all used to light overlook spaces. 

Floor Plans with an Overlook:

One of the best things about designing and building a totally custom home is the ability to include the features that matter most, including the upstairs overlook.  

What Raleigh new home design elements are most important to you? Tell us what you're looking for, and we'll show you how to build it - with recommendations for floor plan features and selections that fit your budget.

Here is a review of a recent custom home built in the Raleigh area by Stanton Homes.

The Statesman is a 3160 sq ft main floor master home with 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and traditional home appeal with a red brick exterior and white columns on the rocking chair front porch.

From the two island kitchen to the two story great room and formal dining, this design/build home is ready for formal parties, everyday living, and "aging in place". See a photo gallery of this home, here.

Read what the homeowners say in their review, below.

Here's What It's Like to Build a Stanton Home - Reviews of Stanton Homes:

We are pleased to write the strongest possible review of Stanton Homes and the team that build our beautiful, custom home in the historic Hope Valley in Durham NC.

Through lifetime of relocations, we had owned six homes previously and had an experience of building a custom home in Kentucky. Thus, as we set out to build our retirement home where we plan to “age in place”, we began our search for a custom homebuilder. Our criteria were to select a local builder, rather than a national company, for the following reasons.

(a) We wanted the builder to create a unique home for us and not force us to select from 6-8 cookie-cutter designs.

(b) We wanted a builder to respect the beauty of North Carolina and not bull doze acres of land to build 50-100 homes from which to select one.

(c) We wanted a builder who lived in the area, rather than “build and move away”. Only then, a long-term guarantee would be honored and would mean something.

(d) We wanted a builder who is affordable. After meeting with two national builders and 3 local builders, we selected Stanton Homes, 800 W Williams St, Apex, NC 27502.

My wife and I are extremely pleased with our overall Stanton Homes experience, and highly recommend them to anyone who would like a beautiful custom home. The Stanton Home team really personalizes the details and everyone on their team is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable.

The most valuable player (MVP) in the construction team is of course, Phil Travers, the Project Manager. From the very beginning, he told us that he would meet with us as often as we need him at the site. He was always available to answer our questions and met us on a regular basis on site to discuss any issues that we found. Since we had partially retired, we could be at the site 2-3 times a week and prepared a long list of questions for him. Being compulsive, we prepared such check lists each time we met him. We texted and emailed him with follow-up questions. We didn't really need to be on site this frequently and some of our questions were premature in that they would have been solved over time. In responding to such questions, Phil was very patient, polite and kind. He took the time to explain to us how each issue will be addressed.

Building a house is an arduous, anxiety provoking process, requiring attention to thousands of details. Patience and persistence on part of the client yield handsome dividends but the client needs a reputed trustworthy builder and a cohesive, skillful team. Stanton Home provides such a team. We strongly recommend Stanton Home as a custom homebuilder in the research triangle area of North Carolina.

About the Statesman Floor Plan Design

The first floor plan includes a downstairs master bedroom and guest suite (great for long-term visitors). Oversized master closets are separated for his and her use.

The two island kitchen opens to the great room with decorative columns on the front-facing island. An oversized pantry offers long-term storage space. 

See inside the two story great room and foyer, with arched openings to the kitchen and formal dining.

This master bathrooms features a single-wall his and hers vanity, glass enclosure tile shower, large soaking tub, and walk in closets beyond the double doors. 

More Reviews of Stanton Homes:

What happens behind the scenes, in the design/build of the most beautiful custom homes in NC - here's more from the people we work with, to build their extraordinary custom Stanton Homes: Read reviews of Stanton Homes.