MOMnationAZ had a fabulous day touring gorgeous model homes to get some DIY ideas for their homes! These are just a few of our favorite features.

 

APRON SINK

The kitchen sink is now often an architectural focal point. Today, concrete, stone and especially copper options are available, as upscale interpretations of the classic porcelain or fireclay model, adding a variety to enliven and differentiate today’s kitchen. The traditional farmhouse sink is generally a lot deeper than modern stainless steel under mount or top-mount sinks. More useful for washing large pots, big baking sheets and oven trays, and even barbecue grills — items you would generally struggle to wash in a typical sink.

Apron sinks can be purchased as low as $250!!

http://www.nativetrails.net/

GEOMETRIC BACKSPLASH

Backsplashes have double roles, practical reasons being splashes, spills, and cooking related incidents. It also allows to get creative with fun designs and colors.

When designing a more neutral kitchen the backsplash becomes a focal feature for the entire room. A geometric design generally keeps the simplicity while adding to the kitchen. Also note that backsplashes don’t necessarily have to stick out or be bold, they can blend with the feel of the kitchen bringing texture to it like Subway tiles for example.

These can also be used in a powder room floor, which is cool too!

Here are some cool options! https://www.wayfair.com/Backsplash-Tile-C1807337.html

ROCK WALL AND TEXTURE

Our FAVORITE!!

This truly is bringing accent walls to the next level adding all incredible textures

Wood is fairly cheap and easy to install if you have a great handy man!

http://www.stikwood.com is an amazing website with stick adhesive for textured walls!

There is also glass cloth, burlap cloth and then there is air stone.

According to AirStone the only tools you’ll need are a hacksaw for cutting and a putty knife for smearing the adhesive. It takes about ten boxes and three tubs of adhesive to complete a wall, which is 11.5 ft wide and 8 feet tall. Estimated at about $650 to do a whole wall. Also, AirStone is only sold at Lowes.

GRAY CABINETS

GRAY IS THE NEW WHITE!

There are many shades of grey (possibly even 50)!

You can go super contemporary with lighter greys and also go dark grey to compliment a more rustic traditional feel in a home.

Because it’s a big decision, people are also opting for white AND grey cabinets or just doing an island.

Check out this amazing step by step write up on how to do this yourself. http://theturquoisehome.com/the-average-diy-girls-guide-to-painting-cabinets/

ere is an amazing DIY gray cabinet transformation that one of our Mama’s in our group did!

How do you truly get a perfect finish? The key to getting a smooth finish was thin coats of paint to avoid drips/streaks, and lightly sanding in between coats with a super fine grit sandpaper (most are even marked as “in between coats” in the hardware store).  It requires patience, which runs in short supply around here, but the end result is worth it. Gray cabinets also show less fingerprints from little ones! MOM WIN!

 

FREE STANDING TUBS

Spaciousness! All of that area around and beneath the tub makes the room look airy and larger than it is. Adding a tub with a claw foot is nostalgic. It can give a fun dash of vintage style to this bathroom.

You can add claw feet to an actual free standing tub to bring that vintage style. http://www.classicclawfoottubs.com/claw-feet–ball-and-claw.html

There are endless shapes and sizes and designs unlike your standard bathtub.

 

WAINSCOTING

Use trim to create your own wainscoting yourself! Check out this DIY!

https://www.lowes.com/projects/build-and-remodel/install-decorative-moulding/project

BASEBOARDS

Tall baseboards can add a subtle, but huge impression when sprucing up your home!

http://www.creeklinehouse.com/2014/01/beautiful-diy-baseboards-and-moldings.html

This link shows you how to make your current baseboards taller on a budget!

http://www.theidearoom.net/how-to-diy-taller-baseboards-with-existing/

 

We can’t wait for the next Home Design Caravan! Check out MOMnationAZ.com for a list of upcoming events!

So we bought some dirt…Just kidding!

Lot 217 on 1/7/17. It was fate!

We are so excited for our decision to build a brand new home where Alex “Munch” will grow up and make lasting memories! It all started when I attended a Realtor preview event to view this awesome concept of homes where they all face the big grassy areas. The thought of Munch being able to play out front and not in the street piqued my interest. I HAD to check them out. When they told me there was a FOUR car garage option at an affordable price point, I said sign me up!! I didn’t realize until they released pricing just how amazingly affordable this was.

I kept in contact with the VP of the Project and anxiously awaited news on the floor plans and pricing. Once they started building the models, we HAD to go check them out. Even though they aren’t finished just yet, we got a great feel for them and were AMAZED by the extensive list of standard features like granite countertops, upgraded cabinets, LED lighting throughout, gorgeous cabinet hardware and SO much more…

As we waited for the builder to release their first set of lots, we pondered over the floor plans for what seemed like FOREVER! The night before we went to put down a lot reservation we debated on 3 different plans and then finally decided on a totally different one. Then, you won’t believe this, we changed our minds AGAIN! Thank goodness for being a Realtor myself because I would be lost otherwise…So we started with Lot 221 and then had a genius idea to switch to a corner lot and a 3 car garage. <3! So 217 it was!

Munch has already claimed it as HER house and is super excited to be sandwiched between both awesome parks! The model homes should be done soon so we can’t wait to see the vision come to life!!

Stay tuned to the next phase in our process. Until then, I need to know. Who prefers the Spanish style and who likes the Craftsman because WE CAN’T decide!!

-Jen Duncan a.k.a. JD!

You always hear Lender’s and Realtor’s warning everyone about rates going up, but have never taken them seriously. It’s always “Yea yea..you say that, but it’s not actually going to happen!”

Well the time looks to be here finally! The Fed is expected to make THREE rate increases just this year. With Arizona’s Real Estate market expected to jump 6% this year, it might be a good idea to start looking into ditching your landlord and building your family’s legacy! There are grant programs right now that will give you $20,000 (NON-REPAYABLE) toward your downpayment leaving you with instant equity and 0 down to buy.

Definitely something worth thinking about!