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When you’re shopping for a home or building a custom home with a builder, you may feel like there’s a dizzying array of styles of homes available for you. Without an understanding of home architecture styles, you may feel a little overwhelmed by your options. Here, we’ll look at some popular exterior home styles, so that you can begin to get a feel for which styles appeal to you.
French country style homes date back to a time in the 18th century during which France occupied a large swath of eastern North America. Typically one-storied, with many windows and paired shutters, this style still influences the design of many homes today. The French country style features steeply pitched roofs, stucco walls, and a half-timbered frame.
Tudor style homes are informed by a modern-day reinvention of Medieval English architecture. Built in one of the most instantly recognizable home architecture styles, Tudor houses have features that include prominent cross gables, decorative half-timbering, a steeply pitched roof, and tall windows with small windowpanes.
Craftsman houses are charming bungalows. On the exterior, they have low-pitched roofs with wide eaves, exposed rafters, gables with decorative beams or braces under them, and porches with tapered square columns. Inside, you’ll find tons of interior woodwork, including built-in shelving and seating.
Traditional Ranch houses are built with efficiency in mind. Defined by simple floor plans and attached garages, this home style dates back to 1932 but is still popular today. As exterior home styles go, ranch-style houses can appear plain. They have a great potential for additions, though, and are easy to upgrade.
Contemporary doesn’t necessarily mean contemporary, really. The term refers to architect-designed homes from the 1950s to 1970 and has come to describe many homes built in recent decades. Contemporary style homes tend to have simple forms and geometric lines, reflecting the experimentation dominant in the postwar modern period. Expect plenty of glass, open floor plans, and inventive designs without a lot of elaborate detail. Exposed roof beams and flat or low-pitched roofs are indicative of the contemporary style.
Whether you know the exact style of home you prefer or you have only a vague idea, take a look at our floor plans. We’ve got a wide variety of styles and we can customize our floorplans to be exactly what you want. Through every step of our process, we’ll work with you, helping you choose your floorplan, homesite, and home design. We’re committed to helping you realize your vision and create the home you’ve always dreamed of owning.
When you’re ready to build your dream home, Landmark Fine Homes has beautiful new and custom-built homes in a variety of sizes and floor plans, just waiting to become yours. Our homes are energy efficient and built with the utmost attention to detail. Make your next house the home of your dreams by contacting Landmark Fine Homes today!
What’s the first thing people see when they walk into your house? If your entryway isn’t inviting, it can make a negative first impression. That’s why we’ve got some entryway décor ideas for you, to get you thinking about how you can make yours a more welcoming space.
Maybe your entryway has some architectural features that speak for themselves, or maybe your interior decorating style is one of simplicity. There’s nothing wrong with having a minimalistic approach to your entryway or foyer. Consider a simple entryway table to welcome your guest. How to decorate the entryway table is up to you, but fresh flowers are always a lovely touch.
Is your entryway just a place to pass through, or are guests likely to stay a while? If people will need to spend some time there, even once in a while, make sure there’s somewhere comfortable to sit. Your overall decorating style will inform the seating in your entryway, whether a simple bench or a pair of wingback armchairs.
No matter the style of your entryway, proper lighting is important. Choose your entry lights with care, again matching the style of your home. Will you illuminate with a simple pendant, or would a chandelier fit better with your overall décor?
If you want your foyer to make a bold and glamorous statement, go for it! An elaborate light fixture, elegant carpeting, and sophisticated entryway wall décor can add to an upscale look. Consider touches like leaded glass in your entry doors, stylish wainscoting, and upscale hardware to elevate your entryway’s style.
In a family home, function sometimes overrides form. This does not necessarily have to be the case in an entryway. If this is the room where boots, shoes, umbrellas and coats tend to land, plan for it by turning it into and organized mudroom. Beautiful built-ins and multi-purpose furniture with hidden storage can keep the entryway attractive while also serving your family’s needs.
Even if your entryway doesn’t serve as a mudroom, it’s wise to consider how you’ll use it when you’re choosing furnishings. The right pieces can serve as seating, storage, or displays, depending on what works best for you.
Mirrors draw in natural light and create the illusion of a larger space. Choose a mirror that complements the room and its furnishings, whether that’s a mirrored wall, a mirror in an antique frame, or an entry table with a mirrored top.
Some of the best front entryway decorating ideas will occur to you when you simply think about what speaks to you. Would a bold accent wall or mural show off your style? Is there an architectural feature, perhaps a staircase, that you can play up in a striking way? Do you want your foyer to make a daring or elegant statement or create a feeling of cheery farmhouse chic? The sky is the limit when it comes to creating the perfect space in your home, and how that space is defined is entirely up to you.
Whether you’re looking to create an entryway that offers a cozy invitation or exudes awe-inspiring sophistication, you need the right space to make your own. If you’re still looking for your dream home, Landmark Fine Homes has completed homes for sale or we can help you build the custom home you’ve always imagined. Our homes are energy efficient and built with the most attention to detail. Make your next house the home of your dreams by contacting Landmark Fine Homes today!
When you’re buying a new home, there are many things you’ll want to handle immediately. For new home construction, pest control might not be at the top of your list. If you’re buying something older, you might expect to see some pests, but does a new home need pest control? It absolutely does, for several reasons.
Consider this: new homes are built on lots that have been cleared for construction. Often, these lots were previously wooded areas that were home to animals and insects. When these creatures are displaced, they have to find a new place to live, and in many cases, it’s the new house that’s been constructed on their old stomping grounds. Mice, spiders, and insects do not understand ownership, so even though you now own that home, they still see the property as theirs. Sometimes they get into the building as it’s being constructed, after which they’re trapped in the new home. Rodents and insects are very adaptable, though, and they’ll make a home wherever they find themselves. Rodents can make bedding out of insulation and construction materials, birds and bats can nest under roofing tiles, and numerous creepy crawlies can be found in a newly constructed property, including spiders, crickets, cockroaches, ants, flies, moths, ants, fleas, and ticks.
What can a homeowner do? Prevention is the best way to handle home pest control. If you’re confident enough in your own abilities, do-it-yourself pest control may be an option for you. For most people, though, it’s better to talk to a pest control expert who can help set up a preventive maintenance program and keep pests from becoming a problem in your beautiful new home.
When you’re ready to build your dream home and start enjoying all the responsibilities of homeownership, Landmark Fine Homes is the Oklahoma City builder you need, with floor plans and the expertise to make your dream a reality. Our homes are energy-efficient and built with the utmost attention to detail. We’ll even help you find the right piece of land to build on, performing a free inspection to determine all the costs involved in building a house on your lot. Make your next house the home of your dreams by contacting Landmark Fine Homes today!
For most of your kitchen, the design should be timeless. Your cabinets, countertops, and flooring are going to have to last a long time, so it’s best not to choose anything too outrageous for those “permanent” pieces. The one place in a kitchen where you can really express your personality? Your backsplash. Picking a backsplash you’ll love is a matter of finding what speaks to you and complements the rest of your kitchen.
Kitchen backsplashes used to be purely functional. They were only about four inches tall, found behind stoves and sinks, and created solely to protect the walls from kitchen mishaps. Backsplashes didn’t become decorative until the 1950s, but today the sky is the limit when it comes to the types of backsplash you can choose! Backsplashes can be made of mirrors, stainless steel, or wall panels, though the most common backsplash material is tile. Do you know how to pick a backsplash for kitchen surfaces behind your sink and stove?
Start by considering which of the current backsplash trends appeals to you. Subway tiles have been popular for several years now, but mosaics are also trendy. Pick up some samples and live with them a while. Want to know how to pick a backsplash to match countertop and cabinets? Put the tile you’re considering right next to the surfaces it needs to match and you’ll know if it does.
A good rule of thumb for kitchen design is to choose one main color and a couple of accent colors. The color of the countertops can dictate the color of the rest of the kitchen, but if you don’t love your countertops, there are ways to mix up your look. For instance, if you have granite countertops and don’t want your whole backsplash to be granite, mix it up by using some granite tiles and some tiles of different materials. Metallics like stainless steel, oil-rubbed bronze, or antique brass can create an impactful look, as can glass tiles.
Don’t limit yourself when you’re choosing tile. Modern tiles come in a wide variety of colors, materials, shapes, and sizes, so you can get creative. There are tiles made of ceramic or porcelain tiles, glass, metals, stone, and much more. They also come in a wide range of shapes, including square, rectangular, circular, diamond, and random shapes like flowers. Consider the area behind your stove if you’re looking for a place to use tiles for a bold statement.
When you’re ready to build your dream home, with your dream kitchen, Landmark Fine Homes is the Oklahoma City builder you need, with floor plans and the expertise to make your dream a reality. Our homes are energy-efficient and built with the utmost attention to detail. We’ll even help you find the right piece of land to build on, performing a free inspection to determine all the costs involved in building a house on your lot. Make your next house the home of your dreams by contacting Landmark Fine Homes today!
It’s that time of year again — back to school season! Are you ready? One of the best things you can do to get your kids ready for school is prepare an organized environment for them. Your mudroom is one important key to successful school mornings and organized afternoons, so we’ve got some tips for getting it into shape.
If there’s one thing we learned over the past year or so, it’s the importance of keeping germs at bay. Facilitate this in your mudroom by putting hand sanitizer by the door and stocking the room with disinfecting wipes or sprays. That way, kids can clean their hands as they get home from school, and easily clean their backpacks, books, or electronics.
Each person should have a hook, and there should be a few extra hooks for guests. Each child should also have backpack and lunch box storage, and space for anything else they need to successfully make it out the door in the morning. Have additional bins for things like sporting goods and miscellaneous items. Label everything so it’s very clear that each item has its own place.
Electronics are essential in modern schools; keeping them charged will help ensure your child is always prepared for the school day. A counter space or shelf dedicated to charging laptops, tablets, and phones can be easily organized with a mail sorter that holds each device and a power strip to plug them in.
Create a spot to sort schoolwork and papers, designating a folder for each child to save special work created at school. Another folder can hold notes for parents and permission slips, and a recycling bin can keep unwanted papers from becoming clutter.
Look at the mudroom as the command center, where people enter and exit the house. A calendar in the mudroom can keep everyone abreast of what each day holds, and you can even add a dry erase board with special reminders or motivational quotes.
Each weekend, give the mudroom a good onceover. Update the calendar for the coming week, change out any supplies that need replacing, and check all the backpacks and lunchboxes for stray items. Sometimes being organized is primarily a matter of staying organized.
At Landmark Fine Homes, we love helping families build homes that truly function for them. We’re the Oklahoma City builder you need, with floor plans and expertise to make your dream a reality. Our homes are energy-efficient and built with the utmost attention to detail. We’ll even help you find the right piece of land to build on, performing a free inspection to determine all the costs involved in building a house on your lot. Make your next house the home of your dreams by contacting Landmark Fine Homes today!
There’s nothing quite like a large expanse of beautiful green lawn to stir pride in the heart of a homeowner. Let that yard grow brown and unsightly, though, and it’s hard to even look the neighbors in the eye. How can you keep your yard gorgeously green all summer long? We’ve got some helpful tips.
To maintain a healthy lawn, don’t cut the grass too short. A good rule of thumb is to only remove about one-third of the blade of grass. This usually means leaving the grass two to three inches long, depending on the type of grass.
Your lawn can’t retain its lush, green color if it’s dried out and withered! Grass needs to be deeply watered to stay healthy. Don’t water it every day, but water it deeply once a week and apply more water every two days or so, as needed. Watering it very early in the morning is best because it can dry out during the day and resist fungal diseases.
It’s typically recommended to fertilize every six weeks, but you may discover that your lawn grows too quickly when you follow this schedule with traditional fertilizers. Try a fertilizer with a lower nitrogen content and use a mulching mower to help naturally fertilize the lawn. Adjust your fertilizer as needed, asking for expert advice if you’re not sure what to do.
If you’ve got dogs, they have likely damaged your lawn. Any time dog waste is left on the grass, it over-fertilizes that spot and creates a brown patch. You can buy lawn repair kits, though, that will fix it.
Weeds, insects, and diseases can be a major problem, especially during the summer, when weeds like dandelions can take over the lawn and insects come out to play in the warm weather. Brown circles in the lawn could mean brown patch disease, and brown, dead grass could mean an insect infestation. Keep an eye out, and deal with these issues promptly.
If your lawnmower is dull and rusty, it’s not going to properly cut your grass. Landscaping contractors will often provide maintenance for your mower, sharpening the blades and changing the oil, filter, and spark plugs. Without regular sharpening, mower blades become dull and tear the grass rather than cutting it. This leaves unsightly brown tips on your grass blades.
When you’re ready to build your dream home and start caring for your dream lawn, Landmark Fine Homes is the Oklahoma City builder you need, with floor plans and expertise to make your dream a reality. Our homes are energy-efficient and built with the utmost attention to detail. We’ll even help you find the right piece of land to build on, performing a free inspection to determine all the costs involved in building a house on your lot. Make your next house the home of your dreams by contacting Landmark Fine Homes today!
Building your dream home on your own land is exciting, but the process can be overwhelming. The average person may not know how to buy land that’s suitable for building a home, and it’s easy to make a misstep. Here, we offer some guidance on how to buy land and build a house on it.
Before you even start to look for property, it’s smart to find the right builder to help you through the process. An experienced builder knows what to look for when buying land and can help you navigate all the ins and outs of the home building journey. Look for a builder that does a lot of build-on-your-own-land projects, and take the time to talk to people who have worked with that builder in the past. Look at your builder’s floorplan options to make sure they’re in line with what you want before you commit. If you choose a homebuilder with good connections, you’re likely to get a competitive price on building materials; talk to your builder about this before you begin.
Is it cheaper to buy land and build a house than to buy an existing home? Yes and no. The average cost of a new home is higher than that of a pre-existing home, but new homes come with warranties. By buying a new home you can rest assured that everything in the home is up to code and will not need to be replaced in the immediate future. When you’re building on your own land, there are a variety of things to consider. Does the lot need a great deal of preparation? Are there already utility hookups? What licenses and permits will you need? All of these factors play into the overall cost of the project.
Do you have an idea of where to buy land? You probably have a general area in mind, but it’s harder to find land to buy than it is to find a house. Hiring a real estate agent to help you and networking within the community are great ways to find property.
Hiring professionals to help you through the process is crucial. You may not know what you need to know when buying land, but experienced contractors and builders do. They can help you determine whether the lot you’re considering is a good fit for the home you want to build, and they also know how to anticipate costs you might not expect, secure permits you’ll need, and build a house that follows building codes.
If you’re ready to build your dream home on your own lot, Landmark Fine Homes is the Oklahoma City builder you need, with floor plans and expertise to make your dream a reality. Our homes are energy-efficient and built with the utmost attention to detail. We’ll even help you find the right piece of land to build on, performing a free inspection to determine all the costs involved in building a house on your lot. Make your next house the home of your dreams by contacting Landmark Fine Homes today!
The pandemic has hit the United States hard, and not just from a health perspective. The economy has taken hits in numerous ways, and when it comes to lumber prices, 2021 doesn’t seem to be the year that fixes everything. So far this year, the rise in the cost of lumber has tacked approximately $36,000 onto the cost of the average single-family home in the U.S. We took a look at what’s causing these high prices, how they’re affecting the housing market, and how we’re protecting our customers from these inflated prices at Landmark Fine Homes.
The reason we see lumber prices going up dates back to a year ago, when lumber tariffs created an uptick in lumber costs. Once the pandemic hit, lumber mills slowed or even stopped production, not just because of quarantine restrictions but also because builders were anticipating a housing slump. The slump never arrived, and in the past year lumber prices have gone up at an unprecedented rate. In fact, lumber prices today are about 340% than they were a year ago.
What’s more, there’s an historic shortage of existing homes that’s making people opt for new construction. Rather than new homes making up 1 in every 10 home sales, they’re now being sold at a rate of 1 in 4. Builders are in fierce competition over the price of existing land, to keep up with the extraordinary demand for new housing. The result of all these factors is a further escalation of new home pricing. Consider this: While the price of other materials, like drywall, is also on the rise, lumber isn’t just used in the construction of a new home’s frame. The rise in lumber prices affects the cost of cabinets, doors, windows, and flooring, too.
Lumber prices might never get back to pre-pandemic rates, because the demand for lumber is expected to continue to rise. Eventually, lumber mills will catch up, but experts disagree on when that will happen.
This may seem like bad news, but if you’re interested in building a new home, we’ve got some good news for you. Landmark Fine Homes is committed to protecting our customers from rising lumber costs during their home build process. Once you sign a contract with us, we lock in the price of your home at a fixed rate. No matter how high the price of lumber rises, Landmark will absorb the extra cost. This is a unique proposition, but it’s not surprising for those familiar with our company. We’ve always believed in building not only high-quality homes that meet our buyers’ needs, but also excellent relationships with the homeowners in our communities.
If you’re looking to create your dream home, Landmark Fine Homes has beautiful new and custom-built homes in a variety of sizes and floorplans. Our homes are also energy-efficient and built with the utmost attention to detail. Make your next house the home of your dreams by contacting Landmark Fine Homes today!
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and countertops can be the focal point of a beautiful kitchen. There’s an amazing variety of countertop materials to choose from, and if you’re custom-designing your kitchen, you’ve probably spent a lot of time deciding which option is perfect for you. The last thing you want is for your counters to lose their luster or sustain damage. Countertops are an investment, so we’ve got some tips to clean and preserve your gorgeous new countertops, keeping them spotless and prolonging their lifespan.
Caring for quartz countertops is easy. This naturally occurring mineral doesn’t come in solid slab countertops, but is made into an engineered stone that’s 93% quartz and 7% resin. The result is a nonporous countertop that doesn’t need to be sealed or require special cleanser. Simply wipe down them down daily with a non-abrasive household cleaner. Maintain the look of your quartz countertops by protecting them from extremely hot items or permanent ink.
Laminate counters are easy to clean with a microfiber or cotton cloth and water and a mild detergent. Don’t use harsh products or scouring pads, and if your countertop gets stained, make a paste of baking soda and water, let it sit on the stain for five minutes, and wipe of off with a soft, damp cloth. Laminate countertops don’t need sealing, but they should be protected from scratches and burns.
Granite is an extremely popular countertop material, in part because it comes in a wide range of colors and formations. Each slab is one of a kind, but learning how to clean granite countertops is the same no matter how they look. Granite has natural anti-bacterial properties and can kept clean by wiping it daily with dishwashing detergent and water. Don’t use harsh cleaners that can dull the finish, always use cutting boards and trivets to protect them, and remove stains with a commercial stone poultice or a paste made of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Wondering how to maintain granite countertops? They need to be resealed annually.
If you’re wondering how to clean marble countertops, it’s much the same as granite. Marble, however, will need to be resealed every few months.
What is the easiest countertop to maintain? It doesn’t get much easier than stainless steel. This countertop just needs to be wiped down regularly with soap and water, and protected from scratches from cutlery or abrasive scrubbing pads. It never needs sealing but should occasionally be polished with lemon oil.
If you’re looking to create your dream home, Landmark Fine Homes has beautiful new and custom-built homes in a variety of sizes and floorplans, many with patios and porches just waiting to become yours. Our homes are energy efficient and built with the most attention to detail, located in active adult communities where you’ll find plenty to do. Make your next house the home of your dreams by contacting Landmark Fine Homes today!
The weather is warming up, and it’s time to start thinking about outdoor entertaining. Cookouts and barbecues are a great way to gather, enjoying the weather and good company. If you’re looking for some inspiration on how to host the best backyard BBQ this summer, we’ve gathered our favorite tips below.
It’s not a BBQ without barbecue, so why not whip up your own sauce? There’s a wealth of barbecue sauce recipes out there, and they’re easy to throw together. Decide whether you’re barbecuing pork, chicken, or beef, then decide on some other things to grill, like shrimp, burgers, hot dogs, and vegetarian options.
Choose some traditional sides, like coleslaw, potato salad, and keep them free from bugs by putting them in single-serving lidded jars portioned for each guest. Serve up a salad, fresh summer fruits like watermelon and berries, and cut vegetables to serve dip. Don’t forget dessert, perhaps putting a unique spin on s’mores by baking a s’mores cake, pre-scooping ice cream into cupcake liners and freezing until it’s time to serve them, or making an all-berry dessert spread.
Mint juleps, sparkling rosé mixed with crushed berries, and a tub full of cold beer will kick the party off right. Don’t forget the non-alcoholic beverages, with a pitcher of lemonade, bottled water, and soda, and maybe even a soda float buffet!
Post your backyard BBQ menu prominently by coating plywood with chalkboard paint to let guests know what you’re serving. Choose melamine plates in beautiful patterns and decorate your table with fresh flowers. Create welcoming place settings with cloth napkins and personalized name cards. Pull out the Christmas lights for a festive atmosphere, and use buckets full of rocks with bamboo poles set in them if you need a great place to hang them. If you’re serving bottled beverages, create unique labels by wrapping them with patterned paper that matches your color scheme, securing the paper with double-sided tape. Set out gift tags and markers, so guests can label their drinks.
Set out some card games for people to play on the porch and strategically place some lawn games like Frisbees, badminton, and croquet. For the kids, put out balls and bubbles, perhaps using a kiddie pool and a hula hoop to create a giant bubble maker.
Is your backyard BBQ party ready? When choosing a new home, consider the exterior space as well as the interior. If you’re looking to create your dream home, Landmark Fine Homes has beautiful new and custom-built homes in a variety of sizes and floorplans, many with patios and porches just waiting to become yours. Our homes are energy efficient and built with the most attention to detail. Make your next house the home of your dreams by contacting Landmark Fine Homes today!