Hawkseye community in Lewes has been a hotbed of activity in the last several years despite the economic environment in other communities. That being said, there are still quite a few lots that have not been built on or sold yet. Hawkseye’s offers quick access to the local schools, Cape Henlopen State Park and the town of Lewes which makes it a very desirable location for young families.

Echelon will be introducing a Hawkseye series of homes plans that will be available to public in the summer of 2012. This  series will offer 5 home plans that range in size from 2,500 – 4,500 square feet. These homes have been custom designed specifically for Hawkseye lots based on our extensive knowledge of the community and upon our discussions with many of the current Hawkseye homeowners as well as prospective buyers.

These homes will feature:

• Welborne Cabinets with granite countertops
• Appliances from the GE Profile line
• Kohler plumbing fixtures
• Tankless water heaters
• Fiber Cement siding
• An extensive choice of structural options and upgrade

Renderings, floorplans and detailed information on Hawkseye New Home Series coming next. Stay tuned!

Coming very soon, Echelon Custom Homes will be unveiling our new “Hawkseye Series” of home plans. We will be presenting 5 new home plans designed especially to be built in the local community of Hawkseye, Lewes. These homes will be affordable but still maintain the hi-end Echelon standard we are known for. All homes will have multiple custom options to choose from, including screen porches, bonus rooms, gourmet kitchens, luxury owner’s suites and many more.

In the months to follow, we will also be introducing a new home series designed to fit lots in Rehoboth and Lewes.

Stay tuned for more information!

2012 International Builders Show – Sunny Orlando, FL.

Mike Criswell and I walked the floor for 3 days searching for the best new products on the market to use in our new custom homes. Our main goal was to find better products, new tools, and to get a fresh perspective from suppliers on the use of these products that would help our homes become even better! Mission accomplished. Here’s some of the best of the best that we’re excited to use in the near future:

• WinDoor & Windows – hi-end sliding glass doors. Great for hurricane & severe weather markets.
• CAMO Quick Fasteners – the name says it all.
• CIRRUS Ventilation Systems – modern & almost invisible solution to your kitchen vent hood.

I’ve realized that the passion and excitement for custom building still burns strong within the TEAM!!!

I have just returned from the 2012 Atlanta accessory and furniture market with the newest home fashion trends. I was excited to see all the amazing new furniture and accessories collections! Here are some of the highlights of my journey.

One of the hottest new design trends shown can be summed up one word – reclaimed. Almost any piece of wood that has been salvaged, painted, worn, washed, scraped or distressed has been made into furniture. Exciting new collections for bedrooms, dining rooms and occasional table pieces lined the showrooms floors. Oak has returned and made a big showing with light driftwood and charcoal finishes framed with metal accents. Recycled glass and metal were also thrown in the mix of accenting wood pieces. Natural fibers of cotton and linen in neutral colors adorned with large nailhead trim blanketed upholstery pieces. The Parisian French flea market look is still showing strong with the addition of color accents by layering large throw pillows in navy, turquoise and coral.

The most exciting trend was the return of the coastal inspired collections. This look has always played a large part in the design scheme for our local area, but has now landed on the national scene. Shades of navy and tranquil blue-green colors mixed among sand colored linen fabrics complemented distressed furniture pieces. A few star highlights that grabbed my attention were nautical rope tables, stacked abundantly with coastal accessories. Aqua colored sea glass, driftwood, coral and tortoise shells are some of the sea inspired accessories that were beaming like jewels lying on the beach.
The coastal design trend has always been a staple look for clients here – these natural ocean gems are in our lives every day. The coast is happy, relaxing and comforting! No wonder the rest of the world wants to decorate their homes like this as well.

We’re lucky to live at the beach!

Echelon Custom Homes offers Holiday Incentives available to prospective new clients!

Sign a design contract with Echelon Custom Homes by Dec.31th, 2011 & sign your construction contract by Feb.28th, 2012 and you will  RECEIVE A $20,000 CREDIT TOWARDS FURNITURE PURCHASE for you new home at Echelon Interiors.

Many people are unsure of what to do with tile in their homes.  I am here to help.

There are many options when it comes to tile.  Ceramic tile works for use indoors, where temperatures are consistent and is usually available at a lower cost.  Porcelain tile is more durable than ceramic and can be used indoors or outs as it can withstand extreme temperature changes.  Pricing on this can vary from inexpensive too expensive. Glass tile has become very popular in recent years.  While some can be found for a good price, many tend to be more expensive.  The most expensive option is natural stone.  This can cost 2-10 times more than a man made tile but has a look that is difficult to replicate with man-made products.

Next you consider the edging of the tile. Rectified tile has a clean sharp edge and can be spaced closer together virtually eliminating any grout lines. Irregular tile requires a wider grout line and is most common in natural tile. Choosing a slip resistant tile for floors is a safer option leaving polished tiles for walls. I recommend when working on a tight budget in a bathroom to choose a less expensive tile for the walls and floors and add in an accent tile through the shower. You can spend a little more on this since it will be used sparingly. When doing a kitchen backsplash I often mix more than one tile using the same technique listed above. Choose an affordable tile then mix in a 3” or 4” strip of a more expensive tile and it will dress up the less expensive tile in a way you never imagined.  Manufacturers have come a long way in creating man made tiles that replicate a natural stone, so before opening up your wallet ask to see what they have available. The less times a tile company repeats a pattern in a tile collection the more it looks like the real thing. Don’t be afraid to get creative with patterns as this will give your space a more custom look.

Here are some of my favorites:

• Emil Ceramiche, Keystone tiles come in four different colors and only repeat their patterns every 60 + tiles…this creates a close match to a natural stone at less than a quarter the price.  This product is available through Architectural Ceramic Interiors in Rockville, MD.

• DalTile I like to use the Stone Radiance Collection.  These come in 12×12 mesh sheets and mix natural stone with glass.  Cutting these in half and hanging a 6” strip through a shower dresses the space up considerably while only using one box of a more expensive product.

•  DalTile, check out their line of San Michelle tiles.  Great look without a high price tag to match.   Dal is one of the largest manufacturers of tile in our country and can be found at most tile showrooms as well as the big box stores.

Be sure to create a timeless space that you can enjoy for many years to come by avoiding items that are too trendy. Happy tiling!

So you’ve just moved into your brand new home… You did a great deal of research to determine just the right builder and what design worked best for your needs.  You went to the ground breaking, the house was built, you attended the settlement and signed a pile of documents, you moved in, the boxes are unpacked, and everything is in its proper place.  Now what?

One of the most important things to remember with owning a home is that you are responsible for certain routine maintenance items to keep your house functioning properly. These tasks tend to be relatively simple. For instance, many types of heating and air conditioning systems contain filters to remove dirt and dust from the air. A home owner should change these filters when necessary.  It is also a good idea to sign a maintenance contract with your HVAC contractor to perform the annual tune up on the equipment.  This will add to the longevity and efficiency of the system.

Cleanliness is a factor that will make your home last longer and work better. Dust and dirt, if allowed to accumulate, can harm the finishes on blinds, cabinets, countertops, floors, sinks, tubs, toilets, walls, tiles and other items. If dirt does accumulate, make sure to clean it with a substance that does not scratch or damage the finishes.

On the outside of your home, make sure that gutters and downspouts do not get clogged with leaves or other objects. The exterior of your house is built to withstand exposure to the elements, but a periodic cleaning will improve the appearance and, in many instances, prolong the life of siding and other exterior products.

When you settled on your new home, you received a warranty from the builder on workmanship and materials. This warranty applies to problems related to the construction of the home, but it does not apply to problems that arise because of failure to perform routine maintenance. For example, if your roof begins to leak after six months because of faulty workmanship, your warranty would cover that. If you develop a problem because water backed up in clogged gutters that you should have cleaned, the builder is not responsible for repairs. Also, some items, such as appliances, may be covered by manufacturers’ warranties and are not the responsibility of the builder.

As Summer progresses into Fall, mark your calendar to make sure your plumber is scheduled to blow out your irrigation and also winterize an outdoor shower if you have one.  Attached is a simple checklist from the National Center for Healthy Housing to help remind you of maintenance items on your home.  Follow these guidelines and you will have a lasting healthy home.

Download HEATLHY HOMES MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST