Is this the year you’re finally going to build your dream home? A truly exciting experience awaits you, full of planning and choosing your favorite features. When it comes to the kitchen, the heart of your home, do you want to include the most current trends for Greensboro custom homes in 2018? Consider these options to create a state-of-the-art kitchen that will bring you years of cooking, eating, and entertaining enjoyment.

When Functionality and Convenience are High Priorities

Your kitchen is likely used at least 3 times a day, whether it’s for meal preparation, snacking, baking, or any other activity. You will get much more enjoyment from your kitchen when functionality and convenience are taken into consideration.

• Strategic design. Think about the flow of movement when designing the kitchen layout. When you’re cooking a meal, you will move from the refrigerator to the counter to the stove and around the room, typically in a certain pattern. Position appliances, sinks, islands, and other fixtures in a logical layout that works for you.
• Reinvented Storage. Cabinets are being designed with hydraulic doors that swing up or fold away, drawers that slide out, even carousel shelving that brings the shelf you need down to your reach. Drawers with multiple levels inside can save space. Walk-in pantries are convenient for food storage, freeing up cabinet space for kitchen supplies.
• Automation. Automatic features are no longer just for public restrooms. Hands-free faucets and dispensers in home kitchens help avoid messes and promote good hygiene.

Modern kitchens focus on practicality and aesthetics simultaneously. You don’t have to trade beauty for functionality.

Focus on the Latest in Color and Décor

Some old-fashioned elements of style are coming back into kitchens lately, helping to breach the gap between modern convenience and classic beauty.

• Black and White. It doesn’t mean you need a checkerboard floor (although it never goes out of style). But the stark contrast of black to white between surfaces, backsplash, appliances, and accessories creates an old-world look in a modern kitchen.
• Bright Colored Farm Sinks. Stainless steel, white porcelain, and double-sided sinks are slowly going away. In their place, you’ll find wide, deep farm sinks in a variety of colors from subtle pastels to bold hues.
• Prominent Light Fixtures. Lighting makes a major style statement in your kitchen. It also needs to provide sufficient light for the task at hand. Consider bold light fixtures for ceiling lights, especially above an island or other seating areas. Then place simple, bright lighting (LED lighting is ideal) under cabinets and over stovetops and sinks.

Don Mills Builds Greensboro Custom Homes with the Latest Kitchen Features

Luxury custom homes by Don Mills Builders are designed with the most up-to-date styles and options. Planning out your dream kitchen is easier with an experienced builder who can offer the latest features and modern conveniences. Greensboro custom homes are going up in highly desired neighborhoods in the northern Guilford County area, and Don Mills original homes are some of the best in the area. If you want a home built with quality materials and expert craftsmanship, call (336)362-1777.

Thinking this is the year to build a custom home in Greensboro? Don’t miss out on the hottest home styles of 2018. Check out these ideas before you talk to your builder so that you can be sure your new home incorporates the latest trends.

Wood. You don’t have to build a log cabin in the mountains to enjoy the beauty of natural wood in your home. Hardwood floors have been a staple in custom homes for years. Now wood ceiling beams are making a comeback, as well as wood paneled accent walls and ceilings. Forget the faux wood paneling of the 70s and 80s that darkened rooms with shag carpeting. This year’s quality wood accents are framing large windows to let in natural light.

Earth Tones. Color pallets are moving toward warm, earthy tones. Dessert tan, rust, clay, sienna, and more are being used in not just living rooms, but bedrooms as well. Bathrooms trend toward cool tones like dusty blue, charcoal, plum, and evergreen. Natural colors last longer, requiring less repainting and touching up over time. They also create a warm and relaxed feel.

Retro/Vintage Accents. Brass and other metallic tones on fixtures, décor, and even furniture are coming back into style this year. Glass tables with brass legs, aged copper wall art, and other metal accent pieces can be placed throughout the home. Vintage light fixtures, old fashioned trough sinks, and claw foot bathtubs are also gaining popularity.

Geometric Shapes. You’ll find wallpaper, backsplash, art, light fixtures, fabric, and more in large geometric patterns this year. Yet another nod toward retro style making a comeback.

Big, Bright Kitchens. There seems to be no limit to size and sprawl of kitchens these days. The bigger the better, sometimes rivaling the size of living rooms. Exaggerated kitchen islands with room for seating, prepping, washing, and even cooking with built in stovetops and sinks are becoming a staple in modern kitchens. Go bold with color schemes as well, not just on the walls but on cabinets, backsplash, counters, and even appliances.

Green Homes. You’ve seen this trend in recent years, and it continues into 2018. Homebuyers and builders are becoming more and more environmentally conscious and it shows, even in custom home building. Building a green home can include anything from recycled building materials to establishing minimal energy usage with efficient appliances. Even the structural design of the home itself can diminish energy usage with plenty of natural light and conscientious airflow planning.

Smart Home Technology. It’s time to get smart with a whole-home control system that encompasses security, electricity, plumbing, climate, media, and any other system, all controlled centrally in the home or remotely from a handheld device. Having complete control over your home whether you are there or not offers you incredible peace of mind as well as energy savings.

Build a Custom Home in Greensboro This Year with Don Mills

If you’re ready to put these new design trends into practice in 2018, Don Mills Builders can make it happen. Bring your ideas, your hopes, and your dreams and let Don Mills design and build your custom home in Greensboro on a site in one of the most desirable new neighborhoods. Don’t wait, get started today. Call (336)362-1777.

Are you looking for a place to settle down, a community that’s great for kids and families? Oak Ridge, NC, is gaining popularity as families are looking for a small town with great opportunity. Convenient to Greensboro and High Point with Winston Salem close by, there is always something to do and see. A quieter place with a countryside feel that’s just a few minutes’ drive from multiple cities, you’ll soon see why people are choosing to move to the area. And there are homes for sale in Oak Ridge, NC, now.

Oak Ridge Ranks High on the Livability Scale According to Areavibes.com

Areavibes.com evaluates towns and cities based on a variety of criteria from crime rate to cost of living. Oak Ridge received an 84, which means it is “exceptionally livable” when compared to other places in North Carolina. That score ranks Oak Ridge third in the entire state of NC and 124^th in the US. Low crime rate, high graduation rate, and high income per capita are just a few of the positive qualities that contributed to the score. People living in Oak Ridge are educated and successful. Even the weather is nice compared to many other areas in the state and the nation.

Amenities also contribute to the rank a town receives, and Oak Ridge has plenty of grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, shopping centers, schools, parks, and fitness centers in the vicinity. These are the everyday conveniences that make life easier and more fulfilling. Beyond the town itself, there are more opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment in the nearby cities of Greensboro, High Point, and Winston Salem.

Oak Ridge is Home to some of the Best Schools in NC

When it comes to raising a family, schools are important. There is one public school and one private school in Oak Ridge, boasting higher than average test scores for the state. Public schools students would attend Oak Ridge Elementary, Northwest Middle, and Northwest High School. The Oak Ridge Military Academy is a private school that’s been in operation since 1852, preparing youth for success in military and civilian endeavors. Other private and charter school options can be found in Greensboro, Winston Salem, High Point, and Kernersville.

Don Mills Builds Homes in Oak Ridge, NC, in Highly Desired Neighborhoods

Visit Oak Ridge to see firsthand just why it is becoming one of the best places to raise a family. If you’re looking for a new home for sale in Oak Ridge, NC, consider a Don Mills signature home. Don Mills builds luxurious custom homes in the most popular neighborhoods in Oak Ridge, including Birkhaven, Linville Ridge, and Knight’s Landing. If you want a unique home that is designed just for you with all the features you can’t seem to find anywhere else, Don Mills Builders can make it happen. Search ready to build home sites now or contact Don to get started designing and building your dream home in a dream location. Call (336) 362-1777.

Are you looking for a new home community in Greensboro, NC, with plenty of amenities? Look no further than Jessup Ridge. Here you’ll find a peaceful country setting just 15 minutes from the city of Greensboro. This growing neighborhood has a lot to offer families of all sizes and stages. If you’re looking for a place to call home, consider the five best things about living in Jessup Ridge.

1. Peaceful country setting. If your idea of home includes rolling fields, lush green forests, and a natural landscape, you’ll find just that in Jessup Ridge. Surrounded by trees, the neighborhood is built into the land for a natural setting that is far from the overdeveloped style of other communities. Breathe fresh air, hear nothing but the crickets and birds chirping, and feel at home. Walking trails have been cleared through and around the neighborhood forming a network that connects to the Haw River State Park. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors here in Jessup Ridge.
2. Short commute to the city. The only problem with living in the country is how far it is from the city, right? This is not a concern in Jessup Ridge. Just a 15 to 20 minute drive and you’re in the heart of Greensboro, and the larger cities of Charlotte and Raleigh are under 2 hours away.
3. Spacious lots. Feel like your neighbors are a little too close? Home sites in Jessup Ridge are large enough and purposefully designed with privacy in mind. If you have big plans for your outdoor space, you’ll definitely have room to bring those plans to life.
4. Quality custom homes. Want your home to be unique? Don Mills Builders designs and constructs custom homes in Jessup Ridge that stand out from the rest. Your personal wants and desires for your home can be developed into the dream home you have always imagined. Quality craftsmanship and materials go into every Don Mills original home, ensuring lasting value for generations.
5. Neighborhood pool. When that hot North Carolina sun starts beating down, you’ll be glad for the cool waters of the Jessup Ridge pool. The newest addition to the neighborhood, the pool is available to all Jessup Ridge residents. Need a place to hold a group event? Reserve the clubhouse for your next get together.

More Benefits of Living in this New Home Community in Greensboro, NC

These top five things about living in Jessup Ridge are really just the beginning. The neighborhood is in a top-notch public school district with alternative educational opportunities nearby. Excellent hospitals and healthcare facilities are in the area, and the Greensboro international airport is easily accessible with just a short drive. Opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment are all around in Greensboro and the rest of the Triad. Jessup Ridge offers a true balance between urban convenience and rural atmosphere. Let Don Mills build you your dream home in a dream location. Call (336)262-1777 to schedule a free consultation.

Thinking of moving in 2018? If you have school-aged children, the decision of where to move is largely based upon the quality of the schools in the area. When it comes to public schools, children typically attend the school they are assigned to based on their home address. In some situations, it is possible to choose what school your child will attend within a certain zone. Private schools and charter schools offer alternatives to public schools. Where you live may not matter when it comes to acceptance to these alternative schools, but transportation is usually not provided by the school. Take all of these factors into consideration before choosing a neighborhood and looking for home building contractors in Greensboro, NC.

Public: The Northwest District

Made up of Oak Ridge Elementary (9), Northwest Guilford Middle (8), and Northwest Guilford High (9), this district is top-notch from an educational perspective. Greatschools.org gave all of these schools high rankings of either 8 or 9 out of a possible 10. Rankings are based on a variety of things from test scores to student demographics and parent reviews.

Public: The Northern District

Made up of Northern Guilford Elementary (8), Summerfield Elementary (8), Northern Guilford Middle (8), and Northern Guilford High (9), this popular zone is well-established as a quality group of schools. Just as with the Northwest District, the Northern District received scores of 8 or 9 out of 10 from Greatschool.org.

Alternative Public Schools

Different educational opportunities are available in Guilford County in the form of alternative public schools. Schools like Christine Joyner Greene, Haynes-Inman, Gateway, and Herbin-Metz Education Centers serve exceptional learners. SCALE academies are available to help students who are in need of a different setting academically and behaviorally to be successful. Guilford County schools are fully prepared to serve a diverse range of students.

Private Schools

Guilford County is home to 34 private schools, 74% of which are affiliated with religious organizations. A few are located in the northern part of Guilford County such as Oak Ridge Military Academy and Oak Level Baptist Academy. These schools are reputable in the community and are known for high test scores and excellent student-to-teacher ratio.

Charter Schools

Summerfield Charter Academy is a public charter school in the northern Guilford County area with Greensboro Academy and Cornerstone Charter Academy close by in Greensboro. Charter schools are free and open to the public and typically accept students through a lottery system. They provide alternative educational opportunities to public schools in that they are able to use their state funding in different ways and subscribe to progressive educational philosophies.

Northern Guilford County is an Ideal Community for Families

So many positive educational opportunities exist in Guilford County, the best of which are in the northern and northwestern area. If you’re looking for a new home in or near Greensboro, consider Summerfield, Oak Ridge, or Stokesdale. New custom home neighborhoods are being developed now in these areas from Jessup Ridge to Birkhaven to Knight’s Landing and more. Call Don Mills, one of the premier building contractors in Greensboro, NC, to start building your dream home in a great location. (336) 362-1777.