Aug 29, 2015
It’s a great time to build your home, especially in the Omaha where there are so many wonderful locations to build. When choosing to build your own custom home, you are allowed to focus on what features you want in your home, what you and your family would prefer to make the home specific to you. These features aren’t likely to be the same as the neighbors down the street.
Here are Regency Homes we have over 30 floor plans to choose from with thousands of option possibilityes. Our homes range from $250,000 to $800,000 which means that Regency has the right plan and process for not only the first time homeowner, but also the move-up homebuyer and the luxury homebuyer.
While some of the standard features of a home remain the same you’d be surprised at what has changed. Here are some of the top design trends that we’ve been seeing in custom homes in 2015.
Second Master Suite
Many families have chosen to age in place instead of moving to an assisted living home or nursing home when they get older. Building with forethought about something such as aging in place can allow the homeowner to build a second master suite for live-in help or children who want to help aging parents.
Elevator and Ramps
Also handy for those who choose to age in place a ramp and elevator are extremely handy when elderly need assistance with walking.
No Formal Dining Room
Who would have ever thought that a dining room would become optional? With today’s floor plan built around the kitchen many families find they simply don’t use the formal dining room. An open floor plan with kitchen focus allows for a dinette as well as island dining so there is no need to haul dishes, food and people into another room in the house. Clean up is easy and everyone can stay part of the conversation. An added bonus is that you can use the dining room space for a home office or craft room.
Hidden Microwave
For decades the microwave has had a place above the range. What was once a status symbol that people wanted to showcase has now been relegated to an out of the way place usually in the butler’s pantry. In today’s gourmet kitchens people would rather use the space for another conventional oven, roasting oven or convection oven. Because other more conventional ovens are more ideal for cooking (rather than reheating) the microwave is losing its prominence and being located in other less conspicuous locations.
Sport Court
The sports court is more than just a place to shoot baskets during the cold winter months. A sports court can add value to your home, keep your family active and motivate you to work out. Want to be that family where all the kids hang out? Add a sport court to your home.
Drop Station/Charging Station
These days technology is everywhere and that means you have many devices that all need charging. Gone are the days of tangled cords and overloaded outlets. Today’s drop stations or charging stations provide a single space that discreetly charges all of your tech such as tablets, phones, watches, and even portable speakers.
Rear foyer with Locker/Cubbies
The rear foyer has been a bonus to hockey moms everywhere. Assign each child their very own locker and you won’t have to trip over all those sticks and gear when you come in from the garage. Added bonus is teaching your kids at an early age how to care for their stuff.
Wine Tasting Rooms
What was once the rec room or basement has now been turned into beautifully decorated wine tasting rooms. These rooms are located in the basement or lower level of the home because they make a great place to store the wine as well as taste it.
Game Rooms
Keep the kids occupied with a game room designed for gaming. Not only do you free up your living area from game consoles, games and accessories but your kids have their own place to hang out leaving your living fresh and clean for your friends.
Outdoor Great Rooms
More than a patio with a set of chairs and a table the outdoor great room comes complete with stone fireplace, kitchen and fire pit. Enjoy the fresh air, ambiance and wonder of the great outdoors but with all the comforts and convenience of home.
Aug 26, 2015
The bathroom is possibly one of the rooms that will take the most forethought when designing. The bathroom requires careful consideration of space, materials, lighting, and additional luxuries to really shine. The following is a list of things to consider when designing your dream bathroom.
Function First and Foremost – The bathroom is one of the most used rooms of the home and if it’s not functional your entire family is likely to suffer. Be sure to consider space, storage, power outlets, etc. Consider the other tips below to learn how to plan out a more functional bathroom.
Consider the Space and Map out Luxuries Accordingly – Make sure there is enough space in your bathroom for every feature you’d like to incorporate into it. Think about where things will be stored in the bathroom, do you have enough storage space? Is there enough counter space? Where will you need power outlets? Can doors and drawer open without bumping into things? Make sure you have enough room to maneuver around the bathroom. These are all important things to consider when planning your bathroom.
Plan for the Future – This is important not only when considering the aesthetic design of your bathroom, but when thinking about possible mobility issues in the future. We all grow old, and if you’ve gone through the trouble of remodeling or painstakingly designing your home, you’ll likely not want to move out in your later years. Make sure there is enough space in the room to move around freely, that doorways are wide enough, and plan areas for future grab bars or other wall mounted accessories.
Additionally, consider the future when it comes to the aesthetic design of the bathroom as well. Try not to follow outrageous trends that are popular now but will seem silly in 10 years when it comes to more permanent things like the fixtures and surfaces of your bathroom. Have fun with the colors and furnishings as these can easily be replaced.
Decide on the Colors and Motif – As mentioned above, try not to go too crazy when designing your bathroom, as you may not like it further down the road. However, colors are something you can have fun with, and the best way to turn a regular bathroom into a de-stressing zone is by creating an overall motif for the room.
Ask yourself these questions;
What do I like about my current bathroom?
What don’t I like about my current bathroom?
Why?
These questions can help you determine what it is you’re looking for in your new bathroom. Determine how you want your bathroom to make you feel. Maybe you’re looking for a spa-like retreat, or it’s possible you live in an old Victorian home and would like a more antiquated look to your bathroom. No matter the case, you should determine ahead of time what kind of motif you’d like to follow.
Do Your Research – Consider the materials you’d like to use in your bathroom and do your research! There are advantages and disadvantages in choosing tile over marble and visa versa. Additionally you should consider the materials of all other fixtures used in the bathroom. Different materials require varying degrees of maintenance. Due to the varying temperatures and humidities of the bathroom throughout the day, some materials just won’t hold up.
Carefully Consider the Fixtures – The fixtures of your bathroom should be chosen carefully. While they are a great way jazz up the bathroom, they are also more difficult to change if you decide you don’t like them at a later date.
Consider Lighting – Keep in mind the difference between fluorescent lighting an incandescent bulbs. It’s always good to consider adding a little natural lighting to any room, especially a room you’ll be getting ready for the day in.
Aug 12, 2015
This weeks featured floor plan is Regency Homes’ Sundance model. This model is a 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home with 2038 sq feet of living space. This plan includes a two stall garage and the living space is split between two levels with an optional basement level.
Starting from the bottom our Sundance floor plan has an option of including a furnished basement. This option is perfect if you’d like the extra space for a home theater, home gym, kids play room, or additional family room. It includes a basement bedroom which is very popular with teenagers who want to sleep as far away from their parents as possible. The additional storage space is great for storing seasonal items and all of your other storing needs.
The main floor of this plan is designed to leave the main living areas as open as possible. The great room, kitchen and dinette are all connected with no walls in between to allow for easy entertaining. This home has many large windows which add to the open feeling as well as allowing for natural lighting to shine through. The downstairs study could be used in many possible ways; as a computer room, library, playroom, workshop, etc. The 2 car garage enters into an entryway to store your coats and shoes.
The second floor is all about your personal space. A huge master bedroom with personal bath and a huge closet means you won’t have to worry about sharing toiletries or running out of closet space. There are three additional rooms that would be great for children or guest bedrooms as well as a shared bathroom.
If the original plan for the master bedroom isn’t quite as luxurious as you might like, we have another option for you! The plan below shows what your bathroom could look like with a whirlpool installed! The perfect thing to add if you need a relaxing soak at the end of a busy day.
As you can see by the optional furnished basement and whirlpool option our floor plans are modifiable to better suit your needs. If there is something you’d like added to your new home, or taken away, we are here to help you make it your home.
For a free 10 minute phone consultation with Denny Van, the President of Regency homes follow this link to schedule a meeting. The consultation will cover what you want to know; design trend ideas, what other people are doing, budget ranges, and the answer to any other questions you may have.
Aug 5, 2015
Native Omaha Days 2015
When: July 29, 2015 to August 02, 2015 (Recurring daily)
Where: North Omaha, Omaha, NE
Phone: 402-253-6224
People from around the country will gather in North Omaha for this 20th biennial celebration. Enjoy traditional events like gospel night along with new events like a Food, Arts & Culture Expo and a community line dance.
The Glow Run 5K
When: August 01, 2015
9pm
Where: Lewis and Clark Landing
515 N Riverfront Dr, Omaha, NE 68102
Admission: $25-$45
Phone: 816-569-4608
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/glowrun5k
Family Fun Carnival
When: August 01, 2015
10am – 2pm
Where: Strategic Air & Space Museum
28210 West Park Highway, Ashland, Omaha, NE 68003
Admission: Standard Museum admission fees apply
Phone: 402-944-3100
Enjoy fun family activities, like a science demonstration, a space walk, and face-painting at the museum.
Omaha Crush Wine Food and Art Festival
When: August 1st 2015
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Where: Aksarben Village
67th and Center Sts, Omaha, NE 68106
Admission: $60 Advance; $75 At The Door – 21+ only
Phone:402-850-6776
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/omahacrush
Uncork the fun at this annual event! Sample wines and beer from around the world, enjoy small bites from Omaha’s finest chefs, and enjoy live music and artwork from local artisans.
International Cake Exploration Societe
When: August 01, 2015 to August 02, 2015 (Recurring daily)
Sat: 9am – 5pm/Sun: 10am – 5pm
Where: CenturyLink Center Omaha
455 N 10th St, Omaha, NE 68102
Admission: $10 Adults (ages 13 & older)/$5 Children (ages 5-12)/Free for Children 4 & under w/ adult
Phone: 402-339-2872
40th annual Convention and Show! View the Sugar Art Gallery filled with hundreds of sugar displays from around the world.
9th Annual Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival
When: Through August 30, 2015 (Every Sunday)
Sundays at 7pm
Where: Film Streams at the Ruth Sokolof Theater
1340 Mike Fahey St, Omaha, NE 68102
Admission: $9 Adults, $7 Seniors, Students, Teachers & Military, $4.50 Members, $2.50 Kids 12 & under
Phone: 402-933-0259
Enjoy Nebraska wines, Midwest food & barbeque, area bands & musicians, entertainment, shopping, crafts, pony rides and more.
Sweet Corn Festival
When: August 08, 2015 to August 09, 2015
9am – 5pm
Where: Lauritzen Gardens
100 Bancroft St, Omaha, NE 68108
Admission: $10 Adults; $5 Children 6 – 12; Free for Members & Children Under 6
Phone: 402-346-4002
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/lauritzengardens
Nothing says summer like fresh-picked sweet corn! Celebrate this backyard favorite and Nebraska’s agricultural jewel with a variety of activities, entertainment, and plenty of delicious locally grown sweet corn.
Maha Music Festival
When: August 15, 2015
Noon – 12am
Where: Aksarben Village
67th and Center Sts, Omaha, NE 68107
Admission: $50
Phone: 402-496-1616
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mahamusicfestival
2015 lineup: Indie rock band Modest Mouse, hip-hop duo Atmosphere, alt-country group The Jayhawks, dream pop band Alvvays, and Ex Hex, Speedy Ortiz and The Good Life, All Young Girls Are Machine Guns, Freakabout and BOTH.
Omaha Fashion Week
When: August 17, 2015 to August 23, 2015 (Recurring daily)
Doors at 6:00 pm; Show at 8:00 pm
Where: Capitol District
11th & Capitol, Omaha, NE 68102
Admission: $30-$80
Phone: 402-937-1061
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/omahafashionweek
Attend the Midwest’s premier fashion event spotlighting fashion innovations and celebrating creative excellence. View the Spring/Summer Collections; tickets on sale June 2015.
Vibes at Village Pointe Summer Concert Series
When: Through August 22, 2015 (Every Saturday)
6:30 – 8:30pm
Where: Village Pointe Shopping Center
17305 Davenport, Omaha, NE 68118
Admission: Free
Phone: 402-505-9773
Bring the entire family to the 12th Annual Vibes at Village Pointe Summer Concert Series. The free concerts also include a brew patio and a face painter or balloon artist.
Recent Comments