Press Release

For Immediate Distribution

Over 25 Million Monthly Unique Users Rated Top-Rated Home Building,

Remodeling and Design Professionals in the United States and Around the

World

Apex, January 29, 2015 – Stanton Homes has been awarded “Best Of Houzz” for

Design & Customer Satisfaction by Houzz, the leading platform for home

remodeling and design. The North Carolina custom home builder was chosen by

the more than 25 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz

community from among more than 500,000 active home building, remodeling and

design industry professionals.

The Best Of Houzz award is given in two categories: Design and Customer

Satisfaction. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more

than 25 million monthly users on Houzz, known as “Houzzers.” Customer

Satisfaction honors are determined by a variety of factors, including the number

and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2014. Winners will receive

a “Best Of Houzz 2015” badge on their profiles, helping Houzz users around the

world who discover and love a professional’s work to learn even more about that

business’ popularity and satisfaction rating among their peers in the Houzz.

"We're deeply honored to have been selected for these prestigious awards from

Houzz," said Stan Williams, CEO of Stanton Homes. "Every custom home we

create together with our homebuyers has special meaning, and we're thrilled that

millions of people are taking so much pleasure in the details." 


“Houzz provides homeowners with a 360 degree view of home building,

remodeling and design industry professionals, empowering them to engage the

right people and products for their project,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of

industry marketing for Houzz. “We’re delighted to recognize Stanton Homes

among our “Best Of” professionals as judged by our community of homeowners

and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”

About Stanton Homes

Stanton Homes designs and builds extraordinary custom homes in 13 counties

throughout the greater Raleigh Triangle in communities from country club to

countryside, at price points from under $300K to $1 mil (plus lot). Stanton Homes

is proud to have been elected as the “Best of Houzz” for 2015 in the categories of

Design and Customer Satisfaction, as well as awarded with two plaques of

achievement as one of the nation’s top builders by the industry’s most prestigious

periodical. Contact us at 919-278-8070 or visit www.StantonHomes.com. Follow

Stanton Homes on Houzz

About Houzz

Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people

with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish - online or

from a mobile device. From decorating a room to building a custom home, Houzz

connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home

improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the

largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community powered

by social tools, Houzz is the easiest way for people to find inspiration, get advice,

buy products and hire the professionals they need to help turn their ideas into

reality. Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, Houzz also has international offices in

London, Berlin and Sydney. For more information, visit www.houzz.com

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How to (Re) Design Your Master Bath

The Carwiles came to Stanton Homes with a traditional-style floor plan and some questions about how it could be modified to meet their needs. They loved the romance of a traditionally styled home, and they had some modern thinking that led to some savvy improvements on the livability of their original floorplan.

Top on their wish list were master bath layout modifications.  

A Master Bath that Just Didn't Work:

The Carwiles simply didn't care for the existing master bath layout, with the tub and tub window facing the front of the home.

Stanton Homes redesigned the Master Bathroom for the Carwiles without increasing the overall square footage of the home.  Instead, we created more floor place and visual appeal by adding a cantilever (an alcove with no foundation underneath) on the side of the home for the garden tub.

Privacy that Protects the Exterior Feel of the Home

The water closet (a separate room for the toilet) was moved to the front of the house and incorporated the front window. 

The result is that simply closing the door to the water closet, the bathroom has complete privacy from the front yard, without having to keep window coverings permanently closed.

His and Hers Bathroom Vanity Photos

The original layout out a single, basic countertop with two sinks.

In the redesigned layout, the double vanity became longer, making room for a "his and her" style master bathroom with center open shelving unit.

We started with concept renderings drawn by Stanton Homes interior design experts. The open shelves are designed for hand towels and toiletries; the 24" wide stack of drawers located below the open shelves are designed for bath towels. 

The his and hers vanity areas also include separate drawers for housing personal items - lending this master bathroom plenty of storage space.

Add Tile, Fixture, and Color Selections to Pull it All Together with Expert Help

Adding to the charm, the bathroom was decorated in a classic hotel-look with the timeless contrast of white subway tile and white Carrara marble accents in the shower and on the floor, in combination with dark stained raised panel cabinets.

Traditional pale blue walls complete the desired vintage look.

All the Carwiles need to add are inexpensive Bamboo blinds and stacks of fresh white towels to complete the statement.

The Carwile - Floor Plan Without Modifications

Here is the original Raleigh floor plan, before custom modifications were made to meet the needs of the homeowner:

 - Tub located on front wall, with window above

 - Water closet located on side wall, with half-wall barrier

 - Vanity reaches from master closet, with no space for open cabinetry

The Carwile - Floor Plan Transformation

Here is the modified Carwile floor plan, after custom modifications were made to meet the needs of the homeowner: 

 - Tub has been moved to side wall, with a cantilever design

 - Water closet has been moved to the front wall, with privacy door

 - The double vanity has been elongated

 - Built-in open shelves have been added between the "his-and-hers" vanities

Search our floor plan catalog to get more ideas for your new home layout. Can't find the perfect floor plan? Sit with our design team and we’ll sketch up ideas for your new NC custom home's master bathroom together. The design sessions and in-house design work you create together with our interior designer come at no extra cost in your custom home package.

See your ideas come to life in the hands of our experts – designing real homes for real people - contact us to talk about your own special layout. 

Raleigh New Home Trends

New Home Exterior Styles from Craftsman to Contemporary

7 Ways to Create the Perfect Outdoor Living Space

Questions to ask before building a Multi Generational home

90 Photos of Custom Home Kitchen

Most Popular New Home Special Features

Energy Efficiency and Accessible/Easy Living

According to The American Institute of Architects (AIA) second quarter 2011 report, here are the most popular home design special features:

Extra insulation in the attic

Alternative insulation

First floor master bedroom

Ramps/elevators

Easy to use features (universal design)

These can be divided into two main categories: energy efficiency and easy living.

1. Energy Efficiency

Extra insulation in the attic, alternative insulation

Energy efficient features have remained popular home additions from 2010 to 2011.

Some popular energy efficient features include:

• energy management systems (spray foam insulation)
• geothermal heat pumps
• solar panels

2. Accessibility and Easy Living/Universal Design

Features that promote accessibility and easy living have also remained popular home additions.

Some of the features architects are seeing requested more and more often are:

- First Floor Master Suites

- Elevators

- Ramps 

Pictured to the left is an accessible custom home with elevator.

Watch a video tour of the home pictured here - The Dugan.

Examples of popular easy living special features include:

First floor master bedrooms

Ramps/elevators

Easy-to-use handles and faucets

For more information about trends in popular new home special features, read the full survey and article here: The American Institute of Architects's (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey for the second quarter of 2011

Read about energy efficient Green homes and easy living features in NC custom homes:

Most Popular Green Features - Top Requests

ADA and Wheelchair Accessible Homes

One Story Floor Plans

Universal Design Kitchen

Universal Design Laundry

Accessible Homes NC – Accessible Builders in Raleigh

Most Up-to-Date Raleigh Market Reports - How is the Housing Market in Raleigh?

How to Choose the Right Lot for your New Home

Universal Design and Accessible Homes:  What to Look For

Looking for a lot for your new Universal Design home requires even more foresight than a traditional custom home. Here’s what to keep in mind to help ensure the special features that make your home easy to use don’t end up costing a lot more than you’re ready for.

No reputable builder can tell you the final cost for your new home until he knows where it’s being built, and what work on the lot will entail.

If you have a new home plan in mind, the lot needs to be able to fit it. If you have some flexibility in your final design decisions, you have more options – but it’s still important to know the overall cost of construction can be dramatically different when a lot isn’t compatible to a Universal Design home.

Here’s what you need to know:

Lot size:

Smaller lots usually require multi-story homes – which necessitate the use of a stairway or elevator.

Lot slope:

A flat or gentle slope is the best terrain for a universal design home.

Steep slopes are usually more suited to a split-level home or daylight basement home. Since an accessible home requires that a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen all be located on a single level, this could require a much broader footprint for one of the levels. Due to the nature of a split level home, each level would also require a separate stairway or elevator – the floor cannot be navigated with a single system. If you opt to move dirt in order to avoid a split-level home, find out how much that will cost before committing to the lot.

Site conditions:

Soil: Sandy soil is the best natural soil for construction. Heavier silts and softer clay may require additional work, especially if a septic system is required. The cost of additional fill may be even higher to complete accessibility requirements.

Water: Foundation footings and slabs need to sit above the water table (depth where water sits year-round.) If the site has a high water table, your builder will need to fill to raise the grade. This also could necessitate extra cost, in maintaining accessibility to at least one entrance.

Building Envelope: Set-back, side-yard requirements and no-building areas may mean the lot is not as big as it appears, in terms of usable space. This could mean that the one-story home you have in mind cannot be built on the lot you have in mind.

When your Universal Design builder inspects your lot, he will be able to show you what it will take to orient a home on the site.  Ask an experienced accessible home builder to inspect the lot before you buy.

If you love the lot, be prepared for possible changes to your floor plan, including basics such as moving the parking area from the low side to the high side of the home.

In addition to the special needs inside the home, the lot also needs to accommodate a smooth transition into the home through level or step-less entrances.

Just as the property may need to have dirt moved in order to provide its Universal Design interior, exterior access may require bridges, ramps, berms, or sloped walkways.

If the home is built so that the ground slopes upward to it, grading can ease the incline with gently rising pathways. Your builder may also recommend that a berm be created alongside the home, in order to accommodate a paved ramp. 

Don’t forget to make sure you’re thinking beyond your Universal Design home, itself, when considering the usability of your lot!

It's not as hard as it sounds, with the help of an experienced accessible home builder.

*Universal Design (UD) (encompassing “aging in place,” “accessible living,” and “barrier-free living”) is an approach to building that makes everyday actions easier.

Universal Design meets the needs of the present and the future.

Consider universal design concepts for your next home - universal design is most cost efficient and effective when incorporated directly into your new home.

Read More Universal Design and Accessible Home Topics:

Specially Adapted Housing for Veterans and Servicemembers - How to Get Started

How to Get Started Looking for an Accessible Home

Door and Hallway Requirements for Accessible Homes

What is Universal Design, and how does it make living easier?

Getting into a Universal Design home: Entrances, Walkways, and Lighting

Laundry Rooms Designed for Easy Use

Top 10 Kitchen Tips - Universal Design

One Story Floor Plans

Featured Homes - Virtual Tours

Universal Design Home Builders | Accessible Home Design

Entrance, Walkways, and Lighting for Universal Design Homes

Getting in and out of your Universal Design home begins with its entrance, walkways and lighting. Here’s what you need to know – with tips on questions to ask an accessible home builder:

Entrance

• At least one entrance that doesn’t require steps
  • Porch floor, stoop, or landing should be at the same level as the floor inside the home (see the photo above for an example of no-step entry homes)
• Exterior door at least 35 inches wide
  • Eye-level peephole for adults, children, and wheelchair access
  • Lever or D-shaped door handle
  • Easy-to-reach, lighted doorbell or intercom
• Flat threshold
• No slip flooring
• Large, simple typeface house numbers 60 inches off the floor
• Overhead covering (roof extension, overhang or awning)
• Chair, small table, bench or shelf by the door

Walkways

• Textured
• Nonslip
• Level or gradually sloping
• 36 inches to 66 inches wide
• Concrete or other solid surface material
• Ramps (see an example of a new home wheelchair ramp, below)
  
  • No more than one inch rise for each 12 inches in length
  • Five foot landing at top and wherever ramp changes direction
  • Handrails on both sides that can be gripped while sitting and standing

Lighting

• Small, low-voltage lights that illuminate walkways, with extra lights as elevation changes
• Covered light fixtures above eye level at entrance to minimize glare
• Illuminate door handle, lockset and house numbers 

Ask your accessible home builder about these additional considerations:

• Placement of the home that does not require ramps
• Several fixtures such as scones or hanging lanterns
• Recess lights in the underside of eaves or roof overhang
• Perimeter area spotlights directed at walls, dark corners and garages
• Motion or light sensor that switches on and off automatically
• Door locks that are easy to operate, such as keyless locks with remote control, push-button or keypad
• Intercom system—connected to phone or stand-alone
• Passive or active solar heating (e.g., south facing windows)

Universal Design (UD) (encompassing “aging in place,” “accessible living,” and “barrier-free living”) is an approach to building that makes everyday actions easier.

Experienced Accessible Home Builders –

Stanton Homes is an industry leading accessible, universal, certified Aging in Place and VA-approved Specially Adapted Housing custom home builder.

Whether you start with a plan that is designed for accessibility, ask us to modify or create a new plan, we can build in wider hallways and doorways, entry ways, turning radius, non-slip flooring, ramps and walkways, special lighting, roll out or pull out shelving, easy grope door, faucet and drawers, accessible switches, no step entries, roll-in showers, ADA roll-under countertops and work spaces, and whatever else you need.  

Get help finding an accessible home floor plan in North Carolina, here.

(See photos of NC accessible homes - like this version of the Scottsdale, with wider hallways, doorways, and entrances.)