How to Design and Build Your Custom Home in Dallas, Texas

The prospect of building a house is exciting, but it’s also confusing. A custom home-build allows owners the opportunity to incorporate the features they’ve always wanted into their Dallas luxury homes, but beginning the process can be daunting. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Get Your Financing Together

Financing a custom home can be trickier than a conventional mortgage, as you’ll need a construction loan. If you don’t already own a parcel of land, you will first have to finance the property purchase before the construction loan. This often means two sets of closing costs and settlement fees, so be prepared.

Custom home-building may also require an excellent credit score and a down payment of 20%. In order to protect themselves from construction glitches, the ban may require extra reserves, as well. Keep all these things in mind as you begin your custom home research.

2. Hire a Contractor and Architectural Designer

When building a house, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is your architect and contractor. Check references, review examples of previous work, and ensure the match up will be a good fit. Some people choose to find a builder first who recommends an architect, while others seek out an architect first. Tony McClung is a skilled Architectural Designer, both an architect and a builder, so our firm handles the entire process and eliminates any confusion. Tony will manage every step of building a custom home.

3. Plan, Plan, Plan

Once you obtain financing and choose the best partner from custom home builders, the fun (and real) work begins. Planning for every detail and contingency in your custom home can save you money and prevent potential construction hiccups. Planning your home from foundation to roof reduces the possibility that you’ll incur hefty costs from tearing down existing structures to accommodate a change order, or that materials you suddenly need aren’t available.

4. Keep the Lines of Communication Open

Now that you’ve finished the planning process, it’s time to break ground. Remember as you go through the construction process to communicate with your architectural designer. It’s much better to address any potential issues as they arise than to wait until they become a problem. It’s also a good idea to embrace flexibility – custom home-building is rewarding, but the best things take time. If you’re patient and open-minded, you’ll find the process of building your dream home rewarding.

Have questions about building your custom home? Feel free to reach out to Luxury Homes Designed and Built by Tony McClung. Tony is here and ready to help you walk through every step of building your custom home in Dallas TX.

How to Design the Perfect Home Office

Whether you need an office to manage your business after hours or a space to organize family paperwork, you can create a space that maximizes productivity, keeps your creative juices flowing and allows you to accomplish necessary tasks while staying close to your family. Read on to discover tips for designing functional storage that organizes both horizontally and vertically, planning for technology, including plenty of natural light, and creating a focal point or accent wall.

1.     Location

You will spend hours in your home office, so be smart with where you choose to put it. Consider distractions and traffic flow, as well as your preferences in a work environment. Do you work better with noise or silence? How about in a large space or a small office? While a central space may sound nice to you, a visiting client might disagree.

2.     Function over Form

Your office should work for you, not against you. Plan your office day into your design. Place shelving within arm’s reach for those necessary manuals or reference books. Have a smart organizing system built in to keep your desk free of clutter.

3.     Your Body Matters

Your body is going to spend hours at a time sitting in your office. Splurge on yourself and get a beautiful, ergonomic seat – your body will thank you. If you’re building your office, consider the standing desk as an option. Just make sure you add some comfort for your feet if you do.

4.     Smart Organization

Most offices lack square footage, but storage options are a must. Hang floating shelves or other alternatives for books and office technology, and arrange vertical file folders or baskets for important papers. Set aside one desk drawer with built-in organizers for those pesky items that clutter your desk.

5.     Mastery Over Technology

You may not have control over the design of your equipment, but you do control where it sits and where the wires go. Build near adequate electricity and network ports. Install excess cord storage space into your desk or buy something to help hide wires. Organize your cords under your desk as efficiently as you can, keeping in mind which cables you might need to lengthen on occasion.

6.     Let There Be Light

You need to see what you are working on. Make sure to install adequate lighting and arrange your monitors so window glare doesn’t block parts of your screen. If you conduct office meetings online, add proper lighting for being on camera.

If you’re looking for an architectural designer to build the perfect office for your space, contact Luxury Homes by Tony McClung today! See your space in 3D, designed by an architect with more than 50 years of experience.

Using Drones in Home Building

Tony McClung is always looking to provide his clients with the very best builders, materials, design and processes in building their custom home. One way Tony does this is by using drones to give homeowners a preview of their new home.

A drone flyover will show progress that is being made on the home, as well as give homeowners a view they will see from their 2nd floor master bedroom, before the second floor is even built! Tony McClung and his team also use drones to view the crawl space under a foundation and check on roofing structures. 

Drones are just one more way Tony McClung and his team has found to make luxury custom home building in Dallas Texas less stressful and more efficient. If you are interested in learning more about Luxury Homes Designed and Built by Tony McClung in Dallas, Texas, please contact us 214-668-7802.

Selling Your Home? These Upgrades Pay Off

When Dallas homeowners build a new home, or remodel their old one, they’re not just thinking of the enjoyment they’ll get from improvements. They have one eye toward the future when their investment could earn them even more. Homeowners should know what projects boost a home’s market value and which cost more than they’re worth. A family room addition or basement remodel can provide extra space and improve home value. Homeowners can expect to recoup approximately 80 percent of a minor kitchen remodel. A new front door dramatically improves a home’s exterior for an impressive return on investment. Here are some further upgrades that really pay off:

1.     Family Room

Families need places to hang out. Renovating a space to serve as the home’s social hub adds an intangible value to your house that family buyers will love. Installed cabinetry and hard-wired entertainment systems increase that value.

2.     Finished Basement

An unfinished basement means different things to different buyers. Some will love the chance to design their own space, while others will see it as more work in their already-busy lives. If you leave your basement unfinished, make sure it’s clean and dry. If you finish the space, use materials equal to the quality of surrounding homes and make the functions of that space stand out.

3.     Kitchen Renovation

Buyers will always focus on the kitchen. Make sure yours tells them “you want me” with refurnished cabinetry, an added island, new water fixtures, new countertops, and energy-efficient appliances. If you’re buying new appliances, go the extra step and buy smart appliances.

4.     Steel Entry Doors

Secure front doors speak to buyers in ways the rest of the house won’t. It’s the first impression they get of your home. Make sure it looks secure and new with a steel entry door.

5.     Fiberglass Attic Insulation

Lower heating and cooling bills are important to potential buyers. Upgrade your home’s insulation with top-of-the-line R-30 insulation. Do it when you move in to maximize your savings, as well.

6.     Smart Homes

Smart technology is here to stay. If you’re going to add smart appliances to your kitchen, go the extra step and upgrade the entire home. Add smart thermostats and a security system. Install a professional network. Make your home a beacon of technology for today’s tech-minded buyers.

7.     New Windows

No one wants to experience cool, blustery weather inside their house. Make sure your windows are the most energy-efficient brand you can find, which will decrease your energy bills and pass that same benefit on to a potential buyer.

Going that extra step now could lead to a higher sale when the time comes to move on. Contact Tony McClung, a Highland Park based architectural designer with more than 50 years of experience, to upgrade your home today!

How to Design a Luxurious Outdoor Living Space

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The Texas heat is finally starting to cool off some and our personal favorite time of the year is around the corner. This is the time where we can sit outdoors around a fire pit to watch College GameDay and enjoy our friends and family. And we aren't alone. Homeowners often dream of outdoor living spaces that offer the same luxury and comfort they have indoors. Top-of- the-line accent pieces, sumptuous outdoor fabrics and high-end entertainment features can change a plain patio into a lavish space for entertaining or relaxing.

Layered lighting, such as gas-flame sconces hung from a rough timber trellis, built over side-by-
side stone fireplaces or beautiful table lamps, coupled with a carefully chosen statute or sculpture
amplifies the ambience. Let's discuss some of our favorite things that make an outdoor spot the perfect place to enjoy a Texas Fall!

1. The Perfect Porch
Resorts the world over employ large open walls leading outdoors. These porches, or
verandas, take advantage of nature’s beauty to add a spacious feel to the living space. The
outdoors comes inside, brightening your space. Enjoy the sunlight or rain’s soothing sounds
with a roof overhead.

2. Lanai
If you are constructing a lodge in the mountains or a house on the beach, consider adding a
lanai porch to invite the spectacular outside views into your living space. Install accordion
doors to open up onto a deck to make your space even larger. Add a kitchen or dining area,
and you will turn this large, open space into a unique entertaining or living area you won’t
want to leave.

3. Outdoor Lighting
Bring the power of light outdoors. Harness the beauty of fire to add a warm, relaxing light to
your space. Place table lamps on ledges or eating surfaces, hang gas sconces from a trellis or
pergola, or install a chandelier to fit your setting to add a touch of light that flickers and
invites you outside. For that outdoor bar, consider adding a melted glass countertop with
fiber optic lighting built in to light up cocktail glasses and other glass decorations.

4. Fireplaces and Trellises
If you’re installing an outdoor fireplace or two, consider constructing a trellis or pergola over
the space to create the feeling of a room outside. The shade, along with the added warmth
from the fire, will make this a year-round space. Build the fireplaces facing each other to
create separate sitting and dining spaces out of one. Hang some art on the stonework for a
splash of color or texture.

5. Entertainment
Enhance your outdoor living space with technology for that extra touch. Install surround-
sound speakers in the garden, attach them to walls, or hang them from the trellis for just the
right ambience whatever the occasion. Add an outdoor plasma TV or install a retractable
screen with a projector to get the theater experience you love while the stars join you to
watch.

Looking to add that something extra to your outdoor space or open up your inside space to the
grandeur of the outdoors? Tony McClung stands ready to transform your home in ways you can
only imagine. Call us today at 214-668-7802!

In My Next Home or Remodel, I am Looking For:

Give us some ideas! When you dream of your next home, either a new home or when you remodel the home you are living in now, what are the things you most want to see? 

4 Rules of Exterior Design

Highland Park Homes

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Some homes just stand out. No matter how many times you pass by, your eye loves to travel over a gorgeous home’s exterior and admire its materials. Homeowners have a lot of choices when it comes to home exterior design. Here are some ideas for one of the features that most affects the value of your home.

Start with symmetry. The elements of your home’s exterior need to be in balance. Start by placing the largest elements like the garage, windows and door. The spacing doesn’t have to be exactly the same on both sides, but there should be a feeling of even distribution, with everything in proportion.

Form follows function. You wouldn’t start by deciding where you want your front windows while still figuring out where to place your kitchen and bathroom. Think about all the ways your family will use your home. Exterior style should complement what you find inside.

Choose materials that go with your style. If your interior is going to be sleek and modern, you might want a minimalist exterior with wood panels and large glass windows. If the inside is designed for more traditional décor it makes sense to choose stone and brick for your exterior. Buy materials with the best reputation for durability to save on maintenance costs down the road.

Think long term. When you choose windows, don’t just concentrate on how they look. Aim for the best UV rating and ease of cleaning. For gutters, don’t skimp on cost and end up having to clean them out every few weeks in the fall. Choose the most durable roofing material available to avoid replacement costs.

The architectural design professionals at Tony McClung can bring your dream to life. Contact us today if you’re building in Highland Park, Preston Hollow or anywhere in the Dallas area.

Growing Old in Your Dallas Dream Home

As we settle into our dream, forever home, it is sometimes hard to think through the features that may become hard to live with as the years go on. Take some time to look through this infographic from the United States Census. If your Dallas home needs some updates that will make life easier for you in a few (many, many) years, or for an aging relative, give Tony McClung a call at 214-668-7802.

How to Design the Bathroom of Your Dreams

The bathroom may be one of the most important rooms in your home. In the morning it’s a workstation with bright lights and beautiful surfaces to help you get ready for your day. In the evening you unwind by lighting candles and slipping into the tub. Here are some bathroom ideas for choosing the most important elements.

Choose high-quality fixtures.

The sinks, the toilet, and the tub are going to be there for a long time. You might decide during a bathroom remodel to change the flooring or the wall color, but for major fixtures, choose a high-quality design that is going to last.

Lighting is critical.

Choose wall-mounted lighting around the mirror that provides plenty of illumination. Add style with a chandelier or pendant. A pendant adds charm and provides soft light when you need it. Use recessed lighting to provide soft light to corners. Don’t forget the shower fixture.

Use gorgeous tile.

You can make a huge impact on any budget with your tile selection. Choose an unusual pattern or use polished marble or granite. Even large bathrooms have a limited amount of space, while small bathroom design involves even less area to work with. Go all out with tile everywhere, or choose one statement wall for your most luxurious tile choices and cover the rest in clean white.

Install a freestanding tub.

If you have space, nothing says luxury like a freestanding tub.

Include plenty of storage.

Before you start, look at the items you use every day and design your bathroom storage around them. Custom design drawers and cabinets are great for organization. Your bathroom stays neat when everything has a place out of sight.

Tony McClung works with interior designers and contractors in Highland Park, Preston Hollow and the surrounding Dallas areas to make sure your bathroom design is perfect. Contact us today to find out more.

Tiny Homes are on the Rise - Even in Dallas!

In our research for popular trends on custom home building, it is hard to miss the recent rise in popularity in tiny homes. Across the country, even in Dallas, smaller homes are springing up all over the place. We found an interesting infographic that shows some of the trends of home sizes in America. According to the data gathered, a changing economic climate and a growing concern for sustainability has led to people buying smaller houses in the US in the past few years.

What do you think? Could you live in a  home? Have you seen them around Dallas? If you are really interested in tiny houses, check out the Tiny House Jamboree right here in Arlington in October. But first, be sure to talk to Tony McClung - he can design you a gorgeous small home that is full of custom design and all the luxuries you could want!