It's The Custom

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Saving money is a top priority for many homeowners. And as more people learn about the money savings benefits of high-performance and energy efficient homes and upgrades, the demand for these improvements is growing.

If you are among the growing number of homeowners who are planning to make major energy efficient upgrades to your existing home, or if you are working with your home builder to incorporate high-performance features into your home you may be wondering what the top energy efficient features and upgrades are.

According to ENERGY STAR studies, the average household’s heating and cooling expenses account for more than half of the energy bills, while about 30% goes to lighting and appliances, with the remainder of energy costs are from heating water (source: Bankrate.com). It is important to note how many factors come into play with the efficiency of a heating and cooling system, however: insulation, windows, thermal envelope, duct work integrity, and the heating and cooling systems themselves.

Suzanne Shelton, CEO of one of the top sustainability marketing research firms, the Shelton Group, says when it comes to what buyers are looking for, 47% look for ENERGY STAR appliances, 44% want high-efficiency windows, and high-efficiency HVAC equipment is important to 30% of customers (source: EcoHome Magazine).

While an efficient HVAC might not be the most glamorous selling point on it’s own, when taken into combination with energy efficient window upgrades that are necessary for better performance and are a top point for home buyers, getting control over your home’s heating and cooling is a top priority for the comfort and value of your home-not to mention your pocketbook. That is not to say that appliances and lighting aren’t important, nor should they be ignored-they make up a sizable chunk of your energy costs and should be made a priority as well.

It is important to approach each home and project on an individual basis, beginning with an energy audit especially if the home was built more than 5-10 years ago. You can also find ENERGY STAR partners in St Louis to help your begin your energy efficient upgrades and construction projects to help clarify the process and what is right for your home by searching the ENERGY STAR website..

This custom home, built by Hibbs Homes and designed by Architect Kim Spurgeon, was recognized by the City of Kirkwood as an Infill of Merit.

Building a new home is not about the builder. Sound funny? Let me explain. In my opinion, the builder is only as good as his team. Proof in point – a new home we recently built in Kirkwood, Missouri. The home was just recognized by the Kirkwood Landmarks Commission as an “Infill of Merit,” an award that recognizes a new, single family home that fits comfortably into the existing neighborhood and is found compatible through architectural style, and the use of scale, proportion, materials, textures and details. Since Hibbs Homes is primarily an infill builder these are goals we have for every home we build, but there was special emphasis placed on this home by the team.

You may have noticed I’ve used the word “team” twice, so let me explain what I mean. When the homeowner first selected Hibbs Homes to build their new home, they also selected architect to Kim Spurgeon to complete the team. Kim is well known and respected in the city of Kirkwood, and is an award winning architect who has designed many homes in the community- a community in which she lives.

Working together, as a team, we were able to meet our clients’ goal to design and build a home that fit seamlessly into the neighborhood. That was very important to our client, and as infill builder, it’s important to me. Our client had an idea of what they wanted the home to look like, and after several meetings we were able to flush things out. During the design process, I offered thoughts and suggestions on construction materials, costs and how various design elements would affect the budget. We met frequently during the design process to make sure we were still on track with the design and budget.

This team effort worked to perfection. Not only did we have an award winning home, but one that came in on budget. Building a new home can be a fun and rewarding experience, if you have the right team working in the right direction.

Beautiful and thoughtful design creates a functional and comfortable space for your family to live in. And while that is important, it is often those unique or quirky design elements that you remember the most from your childhood. Those little nooks where you could stack a pile of pillows and curl up with a book or a sketch pad might be the highlight of one kid’s memory, while a cement basement cleared out just for rollerskating might be another’s cup of tea.

Planning custom spaces for kids or adding eccentric touches to the spaces within your home can create special memories that your kids will remember for years to come. Here are a couple of simple DIY projects that can make your home a creative space for kids, and the best part is that you can do them in one weekend…

Add Some Chalkboard Paint to the Kitchen-Grab a can of magnetic primer and chalkboard paint and get creative. You can convert an old, wooden-paneled fridge into a communications and scribbles center, or create a space on the backdoor for messages and artwork. Start by priming and/or sanding the surface if it is wooden. Add a coat of Rustoleum magnetic primer (available at many hardware stores) according to the directions, and then finish with chalkboard paint.

Hang a Swing from the Ceiling Beams-If you happen to have an area in the basement or garage without a finished ceiling, use hooks and bolts to hang an old fashioned tire swing, a porch swing for two, or a traditional single seat swing you can pick up from the hardware store. If you’re feeling particularly inspired, this project would even work well in a bedroom if you can find a good spot that has a sturdy ceiling beam.

Build a Clubhouse Under the Stairs-Now this is a project that can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like. Kids love to have their own special spaces, hence the childhood fascination with forts and clubhouses. So why not transform that awkward, unused space under the stairs into a clubhouse? You can simply add some small furniture and curtains to create the space, or you could go all out and add drywall, windows, doors, and a siding like the one pictured left from Oleana Boutique’s blog. Either way, we can guarantee this will become your little one’s favorite space in the house (and it might even encourage your kids to keep their toys out of the main living space!).