17 Types of Interior Columns

NC New Custom Home Design

While some interior columns provide structural support, others can be purely decorative. 

Get ideas for your new custom home from these most popular interior column styles.

See photos of classic wainscoting wraps, sophisticated white trim detailing, modern stone accents, and textured colors.

Interior Columns with White Wainscoting Wrap

These interior columns feature a 1/3 height picture frame wainscoting wrap-around.  Crown molding blends the columns into the kitchen-great room wall.

The white wainscoting base on this formal dining room column reflects the grand room fireplace wall.

White trim accents the full height of these great room-to-kitchen columns. The trim follows the archway opening, and extends across the entire open concept room.

Half-Height Interior Columns

These half-height white columns create an open flow between the breakfast room and sun room, positioned on a half wall.

In a second version of The Summerlyn, white columns and soft grey tones keep the open concept plan bright and airy. 

White columns aren't just for Greek facades anymore. White columns in Roman or traditional styles are popping up in new custom home designs in entryways, family rooms, great rooms, master suites, and highlighted hallways.

Faux Column Designs

These stone columns are purely decorative - built with the same stone on the front porch and interior two sided fireplace.

In this version of The Bryson, the grey coffer ceiling draws out the grey tones in the stone. 

Located just off the main foyer entrance, these half-width faux columns flank the master suite door. 

See more master suite entrance designs here.

This fireplace design is very complex: floor-to-ceiling white columns frame the fireplace for a more blended interior wall location, the mantel breaks the wainscoting into two sections for greater depth, and the wainscot panels are painted a soft grey as an off-setting technique. 

Archway entrances in this version of The Shelby feature white trim wraps, designed with a faux column frame that stretches across the opening.

See The Shelby white columns frames from another angle, in the great room:

Painted Interior Columns

Double columns - painted in a rustic red - lend traditional formality to this formal dining room with crystal hanging light and trey ceiling. 

These living room support columns are painted to match the main walls. These columns are designed to blend into the  open concept living spaces.

Archway entrances are a staple in new custom home design. These archways - with columns between, give the kitchen and living room just enough separation.

Here's another example of painted interior columns that frame archway entrances to the formal dining room.

Interior White Columns

Painted white accents in this formal dining room - including a coffered ceiling, wainscoting walls, and interior column - off-set the deep red walls.

White and black tones create powerful contrast in this contemporary custom home. Three white columns frame the formal dining room.

More Ideas for Your North Carolina New Custom Home

13 Wainscoting ideas, tips, and tricks

85 Fireplace design photos

Formal Dining Room Architecture

Types of fireplaces for new home design

Indoor Balcony Photos

Home Plans with Balcony Inside

What is an indoor balcony home plan?

Home plans with indoor balconies have an overlook to the main floor.

An indoor balcony provides beautiful views of the interior space below. It also makes the downstairs feel more open, by eliminating what could be a solid wall. 

Many Raleigh new homes feature two-story great rooms with a second story balcony overlooking the great room below. Here are a few examples, with photos to help you imagine the possibilities for your next home.

Ebony stained railings give this custom home a contemporary feel - with an upstairs loft and balcony overlook.

In this home sample, the balcony has views to the full-height stone fireplace and the two story foyer. The staircase layout offers peek-a-boo views to the fireplace, to wow your guests as they enter your home.

This home features a balcony off the loft area and a two-sided overlook into the great room and foyer.

Even though the staircase is hidden from view, it leads to a spacious balcony overlook, with views to the living room and barrel vault foyer. An elevator provides easy access to the second floor.

In this home, the balcony features painted white railing. The overlook extends the full length of the living room, for an even more spacious feel.

 Two separate staircases lead to this balcony - one curved staircase and one wide staircase. This balcony is the center of attention. Curved railings and dark stained railing flow into the upscale appeal of this custom home.

Half-wall balconies, instead of wrought iron or painted railing, give this living room design a unique feel. The cut-out openings make the upstairs hallway more open, and give the downstairs more dimension.

You can have an indoor balcony without a two story living room. In this home, a balcony opens to the foyer. The living room is a single story, enabling the second story to have more usable square footage.

A wrap-around balcony adds a custom touch to this two story home - with a extra wide hallway to take full advantage of the full wall of windows in the living room below. 

In this traditional home design, the second story overlook opens views to the archway entrances, fireplace, and window walls below. 

Each angle of this balcony offers completely different views to the two story great room and foyer below. 

You'll want to catch all the views of this living room window wall - including from the second story balcony. 

In this floor plan, a small balcony overlook extends out from the staircase.

In this custom home, anther contemporary design, the second story loft has a full-length hallf-wall balcony overlook to the living room.

2014 Raleigh new home design trends:

11 Showers designed for Two

Types of hardwood flooring - what floors are best for dogs?

Kitchen lighting tips

House plans with a pocket office

How to Use a Wall Sconce

Sconces can be used as decorative accents or essential lighting solutions. See 8 locations to place a wall sconce - with example photos from Raleigh custom homes.

Sconces in the great room, above the fireplace

Lamp shade wall sconces accent the wainscot wall above the two-sided fireplace.

The Summerlyn

Two-light sconces add visual height to this stone surround fireplace. A stained wood mantel draws out the brown tones in the sconces and stone.

The Bostwick

Sconces on the fireplace

While sconces are an important source of lighting in your home, they can also be used as a decorative accent in unique places - such as the side of this see-through stone fireplace.

The Bryson

Wall sconces inside archways or accent areas

Sconces also serve as a great source of ambient lighting. If you want to keep the room filled with soft light - such as during meal time - well-placed sconces can do the trick.

The Judson

Wall sconces in a hallway or staircase

You can also use a sconce to add much-needed light a long hallway, staircase landing, or other tricky space that may otherwise be affected by shadows from your larger lighting fixtures.

In this home, a glass bowl sconce lights up the staircase landing.

The Shoal Creek

Here is another example of a simple wall sconce placed above a staircase. In this home, a ceiling light would be located too high to be able to light the space. A single sconce provide enough lighting to navigate the staircase - even when the other lights are off.

The Coventry

Wall sconces in the master bedroom

Sconces can replace bedside table lamps in the master suite, with personal on/off switches at bed height. 

The Judson

Whether or not you love the idea of crafting an arched nook, wall sconces can delineate a clear space to place your bed within your master suite.

The Country Manor

Wall sconces in the master bathroom

While you may typically see wall sconces mounted in pairs, this master bathroom features a single sconce placed to signal the soaking tub alcove.

The Kelley

Tall mirrors will make your master bathroom feel larger, more open, and brighter. Dual wall sconces will give you the flexibility to add full-height mirrors.

Wall sconces in the powder room

Guests in your home are almost guaranteed to see your powder room. If you are looking for cost-effective ways to dress up a secondary room or powder room, consider adding wall sconces.

Sconce designs range in designs that speak to everything from classic elegance to modern flair. Because powder rooms are typically quite small, you can feel free to go bananas with your design choices.

The Carwile

Wall sconces in the bonus room, loft, or multi-use room

Similar to staircase or hallway spaces, multi-use rooms can also benefit from a discrete wall sconce, which will add just enough light to keep the room balanced. 

The Treehouse

Custom Home Lighting Trends

Master bath lighting trends

Top 5 Outdoor Lighting Features

4 Types of Kitchen Lighting

Raleigh New Home Trends:

Why add a bonus room above the garage?

10 Powder room layouts for small spaces

12 Small Front Porches

Most popular home exterior styles - from contemporary to craftsman

90 Photos of Custom Home Kitchens

Contact Stanton Homes for floor plan ideas, to get a new home cost estimate, or find out more about building a custom home in North Carolina.

Most-Built Powder Room Layouts, Designs and Dimensions

The most common dimensions for new home powder rooms are about 5x5 or 3x6 feet, although powder rooms can come in any shape or size.

See photos and floor plan drawings of 10 powder room layouts, below.

Powder Room Layout #1: L-Shape

For this Raleigh custom home, Stanton Homes modified the original powder room floor plan layout to create an L-shaped room.

This L-shaped powder room offers more space for storage. It also enables the powder room door to swing inwards, rather than out into the hallway, which would have impeded traffic flow at the bath entrance.

This powder room is also tucked away from the kitchen and formal dining room - a common home buyer request.

Original floor plan design with a smaller powder room and door swinging into the hallway: 

Powder Room Layout #2: Powder Room off the Foyer

In this version of The Treehouse, the square shaped powder room is located just inside the front door.

Light maple flooring and contemporary finishes - such as a white vessel sink - make this powder room feel larger than it would have with darker flooring or fewer windows.

The foyer hallway then leads to a central staircase, carefully placed to block clear lines of sight from the front door through the rear wall of windows.

Floor plan design with square powder room off the foyer: 

Powder Room Layout #3: Square Shape

This powder room vanity is wider - also placed in a square room layout.

When maintaining the square footage size in a small powder room, additional vanity storage should be weighed against open floor space and ease of maneuverability.

Square powder room floor plan design: 

Powder Room Layout #4: Under the Stairs

In this custom home floor plan, copyright Stanton Homes, the powder room vanity is much larger than what you typically find. The vanity includes two rows of drawers, and center cabinets.

An art niche with built in spot light was placed directly inside the powder room - visible when the door is left open. A framed mirror flanked by wall sconces add simple elegance to the room.

How to place a powder room under the staircase:

See red line drawings that show how this floor plan was modified to move the powder room out of the foyer - click here.

Powder Room Layout #5: Odd shape

Powder rooms with angled walls or turns are often tucked into complex floor plans that feature angles throughout the home.

These odd shaped powder rooms can often be the most interesting - such as the angled powder room with painted wainscot walls and a gold framed mirror pictured below.

A thin pedestal sink keeps this very small powder room feeling more open.

Odd shaped powder room floor plan design:

Powder Room Layout #6: Small Layout

This powder room is a very small design - with the pantry closet cutting into the square footage.

Adding metallic accents, mirrors, and windows are great ways to make a small powder room feel larger.

Glass tile mosaics continue to be a most requested feature in custom home powder rooms. In this Raleigh new home, tile with specs of gold perfectly match the vessel sink.

Small powder room floor plan design:

Powder Room Layout #7: Handicapped and Wheelchair Accessible, Aging in Place

In this custom one story accessible home, even the powder room offers ease of use - with a roll-under vanity.

Modern design features include the curved mirror, unique wall sconces, and white square sink mounted below the granite counter top.

Handicapped, Wheelchair Accessible and Aging in Place powder room floor plan:

 Powder Room Layout #8: Corridor powder room

A corridor powder room is one long room, with a sink at one end and a toilet at the other.

Corridor powder room floor plan:

Powder Room Layout #9: Tight powder room space

Here is another example of how to integrate an odd shaped or angled powder room - with a much more simplistic design.

Bright colors work well in smaller spaces - which is why you will see oranges, reds, greens, and purples in many Raleigh new home powder rooms.

Angled powder room floor plan:

Powder Room Layout #10: How to Keep the Powder Room Out of sight

The layout of this custom home is very efficient - with the powder room tucked to one end of the home, offering privacy away from high traffic areas.

More photo galleries of new home design trends in the Raleigh NC area:

12 Small Front Porches

Most popular home exterior styles - from contemporary to craftsman

11 Kitchen Island Layout Ideas

10 Biggest Kitchen Design Mistakes

Powder room design ideas

2014 Kitchen Design Trends - Is Stainless Steel on its Way Out?

Open Concept Kitchens

90 Photos of Custom Home Kitchen

Contact Stanton Homes for floor plan ideas, to get a new home cost estimate, or find out more about building a custom home in North Carolina.

Layout and Storage Ideas for Your Master Bedroom Closet

The best master closet layouts incorporate a mixture of shelving, rods, racks, and cabinetry options, each designed for a different storage need.

Here are 6 master closet design and layout ideas you'll want to see photos of.

Closet Design Idea #1: Island Cabinetry

Cabinetry islands are making their way into more new homes.  Island cabinets act as a drawer storage center, staging area for laundry, and folding table - maximizing the utility of your master bedroom closet.

If you want to keep your master bedroom more open, consider adding an island cabinet to the closet in lieu of a second dresser or chest.

Closet Design Idea #2: Built-in Cabinets

Built-in cabinets are a great way to create hidden storage - especially when paired with open shelving and wrap-around rods.

In this first photo, the master closet shelves were customized to accommodate a center cabinet with mirror above.

In this second photo, a dual-drawer cabinet was added with a mirror and open shelving above.  This photo shows the "his" closet - there is an identical "her" closet located directly opposite.

In this home, hardwood flooring was carried into the master closets. While home owners generally choose to include carpet in the master bedroom and closet, some prefer the feel of walking on hardwood floors.

Closet Design Idea #3: His and Hers Style Closets

In this custom home master bedroom layout, the (smaller) "his" closet is included in the master suite and the (expansive) "her" closet is located on the other side of the bathroom. This his and her walk in master closet design is perfect for maintaining personal space.

See a floor plan of this version of the Summerlyn here. In this floor plan, you'll also find a second story laundry room just outside these master bedroom French doors. 

Here is another version of the Summerly, with private his and her walk in closets:

Closet Design Idea #4: Master Bathroom Laundry Room Combo

In this custom home design, the master closet connects the laundry room to the master bathroom.

Because the bathroom layout is relatively compact, the master bathroom laundry room combo design adds invaluable ease of access to two of the most used rooms in the home. 

This master closet features tile flooring - designed for wet use.

Closet Design Idea #5: Built-in Ironing Board

In many new homes, the master bedroom is on the second floor and the laundry room is on the first floor, making laundry chores tedious at times.

While it can be tempting to install a laundry chute (if the layout allows), adding an ironing board to the master closet wall can also make a big difference in your morning routine.

Below are two examples of Raleigh new homes that incorporated an ironing board in the master closet - a trend we're seeing more of in 2014 homes.

Each ironing board easily folds into a wall cabinet for long-term storage. An upper shelf is included for iron storage.

Closet Design Idea #6: Simple Design for Large Spaces

Sometimes, the best closet design is the simplest - when you have a large closet space to work with, do not feel like you must fill it with a cabinet or walls of shelving. In fact, you may regret over filling your closet.

When designing your closet space, think of what types of storage you want most: rods, open shelving, drawers, racks, or counter tops.

In this photo, rods were given enough space to allow dresses and suits to hang freely. There is also ample floor space to set a row of laundry baskets - so you can keep them out of the master bedroom and bathroom.

Master Bath Photo Galleries from NC Custom Homes

These articles feature tile surround ideas, master bathroom trends, and other new home design possibilities.

Master bath lighting trends

17 Master bath surrounds

What you should think twice about putting in your master bathroom

Master Suite Trends | Top 5 Master Suite Designs

What you should think twice about putting in your master bathroom

Best Tile Shower Designs for 2014 | Top Five Custom Home Showers

Master shower ideas | Master shower tile designs

Master Suite Outdoor Living Ideas, Designs and Photos

The Biggest Kitchen Design Mistakes

Raleigh New Homes

The kitchen is the most important room in new homes - as the center of daily multi-tasking, thousands of meal preparations, and entertaining. It's the place where you enjoy a morning cup of coffee, help on homework assignments in the afternoon, and cook for friends and guests in the evening.

Learn how to avoid the biggest kitchen design mistakes in your Raleigh new home - with these top 10 kitchen design don'ts.

10.  Don't cut off kitchen traffic

Pay attention to your kitchen work triangle.

A kitchen "work triangle" referrs to the number of steps required between the three main work centers of your kitchen: sink, cooktop / stove, and refrigerator.

While you will use your sink most throughout the day, you should also have easy access to the stove, refrigerator, and countertop workstations. 

The work triangle is just as important in every kitchen style:

 - L-shaped kitchen

 - Galley kitchens

 - U-shaped kitchens

 - Island kitchens

As a general rule, the sum of all legs in a work triangle should not be less than ten feet and not greater than twenty-five feet.

See more examples of kitchen work triangles - and read about how to choose between an island and peninsula in your kitchen floor plan design

9. Don't minimize - or waste - storage space

Raleigh new home kitchens emphasize convenient storage solutions. And we are seeing more creative built-in storage solutions in 2014 new homes.

Oddly shaped dishes and appliances, from serving platters to stand mixers, can eat up a lot of storage space. Here are a few tips on where to build in extra storage space.

Kitchen storage idea #1: With just a small extension of the existing space, underneath the serving bar, eating bar area, or island can become an important storage center.

Built in banquettes, or a built in seating area near the kitchen can maximize space and storage. Built in seats are flush against the wall, and can be placed under windows for a fresh and open feel.

Kitchen storage idea #2: Create ample kitchen storage without sacrificing open square footage. One of the best ways to offer lots of shelf room is with a "Costco" style pantry.

See example floor plans and photos of Costco pantries here. 

See photo galleries of homes with a corner pantry:

The Treehouse - corner pantry kitchen

The Peay - corner pantry kitchen

The Maple Lane - corner pantry kitchen

The Dugan - corner pantry kitchen

Kitchen storage idea #3: Add a Butler's pantry between the kitchen and formal dining room. Butler's pantries serve as storage solutions, preparation areas, and showcase centers - the perfect way to integrate form and function, without sacrificing kitchen floor space. 

See photos of popular Butler's pantry designs - click here.

8. Don't overlook countertop work space

When choosing a kitchen floor plan, keep in mind the amount of countertop work space you will need. Remember to balance your countertop space between work areas and display areas. 

For instance, keep in mind which appliances you will want to permanently in sight - such as your professional grade KitchenAid mixer or Williams-Sonoma copper canisters.

Design tip: If you love to cook, consider the pros and cons of adding a second sink or prep sink.

On one hand, a second sink will come in extremely handy - especially in larger kitchens with multiple cooks.

On the other hand, a prep sink will eat up some countertop space, and add additional cost.

7. Don't choose an island design before answering these questions

It's easy to say you want a large island kitchen. Oversized islands are hugely popular in Raleigh new homes, offering: extra cabinetry for storage, seating areas or raised bars, kitchen desk areas, separate range top and cooking center, preparation areas with vegetable sink. 

Before you choose an oversized island, here are the top five questions you should be able to answer:

1. How large is your kitchen?

2. What shape is your kitchen floor plan?

3. Do you want to incorporate seating?

4. Will you need a secondary / prep sink?

5. What functions are most important to your lifestyle?

Click here to learn more about how to answer these important kitchen design questions.

6. Don't be afraid to make it personal

Looking for ways to create an elegant kitchen, that's filled with personal touches? Creating the perfect kitchen is all about creating a flow in color, texture, and shape.

Some of our most popular kitchens mix ultra contemporary fixtures with rustic cabinets. So don't be afriad to choose some "out there" features.

The blue tones in these granite countertops were carried throughout the home in tile designs and paint colors.

5. Don't skimp on lighting

It is important to have good lighting in the kitchen - not only to showcase your cabinet, granite countertop, and tile backsplash selections - but also as a practical consideration for safety. 

What are the best ways to add kitchen lighting?

1. Windows for natural lighting

2. Pendant lights

3. Recessed can lights

4. Under cabinet lights

4. Don't omit a backsplash

One of the best ways to add designer appeal to your kitchen without spending a lot of money is adding a tile backsplash. And you will love the easy clean-up process.

Some of the most popular types of kitchen backsplashes include 4"x4" ceramic tile, subway tile, glass tile, mini mosaic tile, and granite.

Click here for a how to guide for kitchen backsplash styles.

3. Don't close off your kitchen

The integration of kitchens with family living spaces (also called "Great Rooms") is a growing trend for Raleigh new homes.

In open concept designs, home spaces are becoming more casual, and being able to interact with your guests while preparing a meal is a must.

What does an open concept kitchen look like? Open kitchens can come in a huge variety of designs, including:

 - Plans that integrate a half wall with an eating or serving bar - click here for an example in the Beaufort

 -  Plans that emphasize clear lines of sight between rooms

 - Plans that feature ceiling designs that open upwards, with two story ceilings, arched openings, barrel vaults, ceiling vaults, and other specialty ceilings that draw the eye upward, even in smaller floor plans.

See photos of open concept floor plans here.

2. Don't go too trendy

While it is tempting to pick up on the latest kitchen design trends, make sure to balance those top-requested trends with classic traditions. Monotone kitchens - especially black, white, earth, and grey tones - will never go out of style.

Think through which elements you can change later, and which will be much more difficult.

For instance, it is easy to repaint a room from a wild color, but it is difficult (and expensive) to change the size or your island, the countertops, or the type of cabinets. The bottom line: you may want to avoid those red Ikea cabinets and accessorize with eye-popping accent pieces instead.  Super trendy lighting and plumbing fixtures are much more easy to switch out, later, if you need a style-refresher.

1. Don't be too hasty when choosing appliance types and locations

Here are a few questions you should be able to answer:

 - Do I want a built-in beverage center? (wine racks, wine refrigerators, beer and soda refrigerators)

 - Will I need a double or single oven? (will you be cooking multiple dishes at the same time, especially during holiday seasons)

 - Should my microwave go above or below the countertops (high end kitchens are downplaying microwaves, by integrating them in the island or lower cabinets)

 - Do I enjoy cooking on a gas range or electric cooktop?

 - Do I prefer a large single bowl or double bowl sink?

Raleigh new home resources

You may also be interested in these other Raleigh new home articles - top tips straight from Raleigh's most exceptional new home builder, Stanton Homes.

Top 10 Do's and Dont's for Kitchen Cabinets

Tub Surround Tile Ideas - Photos and Tips

Kitchen Tile Backsplash - Today's Top 5 Designs

Formal Dining Rooms - Disappearing, or Here to Stay?

Today's Ceilings Make Statements - Information Every Buyer Should Know

Virtual Tours - See This Week's Most Exceptional Homes

Fourteen Photos of Fireplace Designs for 2014

 Light up your life with a fireplace that's warm and welcoming. These 14 custom fireplace designs for 2014 are a great place to start with ideas for your new custom home in Raleigh. 

Connect your entertaining areas with a see-through, two-sided fireplace with tile surround and custom wainscoting design above.

Tuck it away, with a fresh, modern fireplace that's a custom built-in wall design.  This 40" RED (Rectangular European Design) fireplace blends beautifully.

Take it outside, with a screen porch fireplace with custom wood herringbone design.

Draw it upward, with a custom fireplace topped off with a two story wainscoting design

Set it in stone, with a two story floor to ceiling stone surround for this fireplace.

 Make it the center of attention, with a two-sided stone fireplace with custom wood mantel.

Broaden it's influence, with a fireplace with a custom built-in storage design. 

 Set it in the tradition of a custom stone fireplace with an inviting facade.

 Go big and bold, with a floor to ceiling tile fireplace surround.

Tie it together, with a custom fireplace with tile surround that coordinates with the kitchen backsplash.

Reflect a natural look, with a ledge stone fireplace surround with hardwood mantel.

Make the most of outdoor living, with a two-sided exterior fireplace in courtyard patio.

 Play peek-a-boo, with a two-sided fireplace with riverstone surround.

Bring back an old-fashioned classic, with a fun wood-burning stove.

Create your own warm atmosphere, with a fireplace that makes a statement all about you. Talk to the Stanton Homes team and light a fire under your own special spaces.

More Raleigh Custom Home Builder Tips, Trends, Photos, and Ideas:

14 Trey Ceiling Designs for 2014 | Trey Ceiling Photos and Ideas

14 Top Tile Shower Designs for 2014

14 Island Kitchen Designs for 2014 | Photos and Tips

Fun Kids Bathroom Ideas - How to Design For Kids

13 Top Wainscoting Ideas | Raleigh New Home Builders

17 Favorite Master Bath Tub Surrounds | 2014 Bath Design Ideas

How to Redesign the Exterior of Your Custom Home

14 Designer Trey Ceilings for 2014

Durham custom home tips and trends

One of the biggest reasons to build a truly custom home is the character you can add - such as including specialty ceiling designs. Trey ceilings are one of the most popular additions to Durham custom homes.

Where are Trey Ceilings placed within a home? While Trey Ceilings can be placed in nearly any room of the home - from the kitchen to the great room - they are most often placed in master bedrooms and formal dining rooms.

What are some of the most popular Trey Ceiling styles? Step, shallow step, vaulted, octagonal, angled, or single box are some popular trey ceiling designs - see these in the photos below.

Click any photo for a link to a full floor plan and a full video tour of the home this trey ceiling is featured in!

The ultimate master retreat is topped with this owner's suite trey ceiling that emphasizes the grand dimension of this spacious personal space. The choice to bathe the room in earthtones and white is the perfect color palette for this setting. 

The classic look to this formal dining room trey ceiling reflects the elegance of the room, with a welcoming openness and simplistic design that compliments expansive windows, archways, chair rail, and hardwoods.  

The deep, white trey design selected for this master suite creates a crowning effect of sophistication. Grey walls reflect the latest color trend, while directing the eye upward.

This angled trey ceiling makes a formal dining statement as a warm welcome to every sit down meal. Serving as a tie-together with incredibly detailed trim work, strategically placed windows and an art niche, this trey reflects the ceiling appeal of custom homes.

Look at the layers! This master suite white trey ceiling adds line after line of dimension with dramatic impact on this owners retreat. The sitting area tucked in at the back of the room has its own little niche, behind the trey.

Here's another approach to a multi-layer trey ceiling, in this master suite that's bold with personality. Bright yellow and white layers make the room sunny and bright, while emphasizing the design's intricate tiers.

Frame your formal dining room with a vertical trey ceiling like this to provide balance with your favorite wainscoting design. Color adds dimension, while white adds formality.

Flirtatious romance can be created with multiple layers in the trey ceiling, like this master suite retreat. Your color palette will reflect the tone you want to reflect, whether you tend toward whimsy, daring or conventional.  

Create character in your kitchen, with a trey ceiling that goes over the space where you spend most of your time. This example is clean and crisp, with a simple box appeal that serves as an extension of the show stopper chef's kitchen.

Keep it simple, with a basic trey ceiling with accent color for just a touch of formality. This effect is popular with more casual lifestyles, where rigid formality feels out of place.

Give your dining room an incredible designer appeal, with a multi-layered octagonal trey ceiling accented by bands of color.

When the emphasis is on all the archways, you might want to opt for an all-white octagonal trey in the formal dining room. This provides the expected formality, while keeping most of the attention elsewhere.

Simple and sweet, this master suite with trey ceiling has a soft, warm feeling, with a sitting alcove that beckons just beyond.

When you enter your dining room through the wide swoop of this dramatic arched entry, the bold red and white of this traditional dining room reflects confidence. When there's that much going on in the rest of the room, use your trey ceiling as a punctuation mark, like this. 

Durham custom home tips and trends

When building a custom home in Durham, NC - or anywhere throughout central North Carolina - a Stanton Homes Signature Trey Ceiling can add detail, dimension, and depth to nearly any room. See more photos of custom home ceiling styles, below.

Pictures and Photo Tours of Most Popular Custom Home Specialty Ceiling Treatments

Trey Ceiling Treatments - Master Bedrooms with Trey Ceilings

Vaulted Ceilings - Custom Home Vaulted Ceiling Styles

Coffered Ceilings - What is a Coffered Ceiling?

Barrel Vaults - Pictures of Two Story Barrel Vault Foyers

What Ceiling Height Should I Choose?

2014 wall color trends

Grey is the new black - and the new beige

Grey is great in today's custom homes - it's the color taking 2014 new homes by storm.

Here's an easy way to make great choices - and determine the exact shade you'd like to include in your color palate. 

2014 wall color trends: Gray Great Rooms

Home Plan name: Avonstone Manor by Garrell Associates, Inc.

Coffered ceiling paint color: Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal HC-166

Wall paint color: Benjamin Moore Barren Plain 2111-60

Home Plan name: The Summerlyn by Frank Betz Associates, Inc.

Wall paint color: Sherwin Williams Light French Gray 0055

2014 wall color trends: Grey Bathrooms

Home Plan name: Le Chalet Vert by Frank Betz and Stanton Homes

Wall paint color: Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray 6205

Comfort Gray is part of the Coastal Cool color collection.

The trim is painted in Sherwin Williams Ivory Lace 7013 in semi-gloss 

Home Plan name: The Woodlake by Stanton Homes

Wall paint color: Sherwin Williams Versatile Gray 6072

2014 wall color trends: Grey Kitchens

Home Plan name: The Bryson by Stanton Homes

Wall paint color: Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal HC-166

Home Plan name: The Worthington by Stanton Homes

Wall paint color: Sherwin Williams Zircon 7667

The Worthington master bath has an accent color of Sherwin Williams Gray Shingle  7670

 2014 wall color trends: Dining Rooms

Home Plan name: The Bryson by Stanton Homes

Wall paint color: Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray HC-168

When you build a Stanton Home, your personal designer is with you from conception to completion of your new home, giving guidance to an almost limitless array of selections.

Choose everything yourself, or ask for a personalized package – you choose your level of involvement in the design process.

We also work with plans from virtually every architect, and our award winning design team will also create something new, just for you – far beyond the examples you see on our website.

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17 Spice-ups for Master Bath Tub Surrounds in 2014

Make your bathroom beautiful with designer appeal that makes soaking time pure relaxation.

Take a look at these tub surrounds and plan your own unique water retreat, with tips, photos, and trends from Raleigh's favorite custom home builder.

Earth tones frame every part of the place.

 Bold white makes a big statement.

 Glass mosaic creates character.

 Marble effect tops it off with a splash of color.

Contrast dark tile with natural light - and add a natural stone border in the shower.

Custom arched opening adds serenity to this private getaway.

Square shapes and curved extras add inviting space. 

 Artistic appeal draws the eye to the unusual.

 Spacious, clean lines add character.

 Spa-like structure feels like tucked away treasure.

 Sandstone with a band of brown melts with warmth.

 Coordinated colors are wrapped into the room.

Warm rich earth tones with a deep bronze accent gives masculine appeal.

Grecian classic with artistic detail is timeless.

Stairstep layers give additional dimension. 

Or go bare, with free-standing tub ideas, with these popular designs for 2014 new homes.

Think these bathtub surrounds are fantastic? Just wait until you have a hand in designing your own. 

Click on the links below for more Raleigh custom home master bathroom trends, ideas, and styles for 2014 and tell us what you'd like to build into your master suite bathroom. We'll show you how to put in some personality, and create your own relaxing bath retreat.

These articles feature tile surround ideas, master bathroom trends, and other new home design possibilities.

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