Finishing Touches for Custom Homes

It occurs to me that often, in life, it is the little things that make all the difference. That is especially true in the life of a custom home contractor like myself. People entrust me with the health and beauty of their homes, and that is not something that I take lightly. It's a big responsibility.  

When I go out on a job, it’s typically just my son Brendon and I doing the work. Sometimes we will collaborate with trusted contractors who I have worked with for years, but those experiences are relatively rare. Because of that, I have a tremendous amount of control over everything that goes into the work, both big and small.

When working with a new client, one thing that I often try to determine is what the custom addition we are working on means to them and how it will contribute to a better life. This helps me make up my mind about which little details should be included to take Old School Craftsman projects from great to extraordinary.

Sometimes a homeowner will tell me exactly what they want down to the most minute details. Other times, they will ask my advice or point-blank tell me that what I choose to include is up to me. Either way, I have a tremendous desire to execute the project in such a way that I exceed their expectations and improve their lives for years to come. 

The other day I was wistfully thinking back to some of the finishing touches and little details that I have included on some recent projects that I felt made a big difference. This blog post is dedicated to some of these little details to not only help you get inspired for your next home remodel but also to show you that it is often the little details that shine the brightest.  

Looking Back on the Little Things 

As I said above, I am going to set aside this space to look back at some of the little details and finishing touches on some recent projects. Without further ado, let’s dive in! 

An Effective Storage Solution 

A client approached me about a custom storage space where they could keep kitchen appliances like their toaster and coffee maker. However, they wanted the space to be functional while blending in with the natural wood cabinets surrounding it.  

In the end, we created a two-level chef’s space complete with a retractable hidden chef’s cutting block, and two levels of storage to fit all their appliances. I added two barndoor-style cabinet doors that folded flush to the inside of the cabinet for maximum space, and a garage-door style cabinet at the top that folded upwards to allow for easy access to the top row appliances. These little details made the space ultra-functional while also blending in and maintaining the kitchen's ample space.  

Illuminated Steps 

As some of you might know, I love working with lights! I think they add a unique touch to a lot of different projects and the way we use light makes a big difference about where our eyes go and the futures of the project that are highlighted. 

One project that made great use of light was the illuminated steps project on a recent home remodel Brendan and I did. After upgrading their sunroom, the client wanted to add some steps outside leading to the ground. What we did for the stairs was run some LED lights up underneath the lip of each step to illuminate the step below it making it much easier to navigate at night. 

In the end, the steps were safer and a little more elegant. Also, they made it so getting to the new and improved sun room was as easy as could be.  

Check out the full sunroom project here! 

 The Custom Footbridge 

When completing a home remodel over the summer, the client reached out to me asking for a custom footbridge to make the space complete. They wanted the bridge to go over the top of their exposed-soil garden space and lead directly to their front door.  

On the side of the bridge that overlooked the shallow garden, we added a custom matte handrail for safety. On the other side of the bridge, the one that leads directly to a stone walkway, we added a rough-cut stone border to make a clear distinction between the two spaces.

These little details, separating the two spaces, keeping the lower garden intact, and making a modern bridge that leads directly to the client's front door, make the space uniquely theirs. 

The Little Things Matter at Old School Craftsman 

Thanks for joining me on my journey into the little details that I have loved in the past few months. I have always felt that the little details add up in a big way. That’s true whether you’re talking about a home remodel or life.  

That’s what we are all about here at Old School Craftsman, taking the time to look at the little details, doing the job right, and making sure that the client is always happy. If you work with Brendan and me, you can be sure that your project will be completed with the utmost care and attention. We put in the hours so your home upgrades keep you happy for years to come.

Interested in an Old School Craftsman home remodel or upgrade? Click here to reach out to me now! 

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more discussion on historical homes and updates from our most recent projects.   

Happy with the difference Old School Craftsman made on your home refurbishment? Leave us a five-star review here!