Highlight Homes

According to the latest Remodeling Market Index (RMI) from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) indicators from third and fourth quarter 2013 are holding steady at an historical high of 57 – the highest reading we’ve seen since the first quarter of 2004.

But what does this mean? An RMI above 50 suggests that remodeler confidence is high – more remodelers across the nation are reporting an increase in market activity as opposed to a decrease. The overall RMI combines and averages ratings of current remodeling activity with indicators of future remodeling activity – which include calls for bids, appointments for proposals, backlog of remodeling jobs, and work committed for the next three months.

In a recent press release, NAHB Remodelers Chairman Bill Shaw, GMR, GMB, CGP, said, “The remodeling industry ends 2013 on a high note as remodeler confidence holds steady at a historically high level. We expect to keep this positive momentum going in 2014 as more home owners will continue to take on remodels and repairs that had been postponed in the downturn.”

NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe points to steady existing home sales, favorable interest rates for home buyers and rising home equity as just a few of the reasons behind the rising demand for home remodeling and points to a slow but steady improvement in the remodeling market throughout 2014.

Here at Highlight Homes, we welcome this good news! While our production calendar has remained pleasantly full in recent years, we are excited at the prospect of growing our business to serve even more home owners with our signature brand of luxury renovations and quality custom construction. Our talented design-build team is proud to serve Metro Atlanta residents with renovations projects that include:

• Whole Home Renovations
• Kitchen and Bath Remodels
• Room Additions
• Basement Finishing
• Decks and Porches
• Landscaping and Water Features
• And So Much More!

To sneak a peek at our online portfolio, click here!

If you’d like to get on our production calendar for 2014, please call us at 678-873-9234, e-mail us at info@highlighthomesga.com, or fill out our convenient online contact form so we can arrange a no-obligation consultation to discuss your renovation needs. To learn more about our company and the services we offer, please visit us at www.highlighthomesga.com. We look forward to working with you and your family! At Highlight Homes… we don’t just renovate rooms – we create living spaces where you and your family will make memories together for years to come.

Photo credit: Stockvault.net/burki169

Each month, Highlight Homes brings its readers a list of people, places and things that serve to enlighten and inspire us. Some are brand new discoveries we can’t wait to share with you, and others may be tried-and-true partners upon whom we wish to shine the spotlight. This month’s collection features a little bit of both…

The Inspiration Grid: Sporting the tagline “Bringing you the best creative stories from around the world,” the Inspiration Grid features breathtaking images from a number of categories. Most notably for us are the architecture and interior design “stories”. While many of them lean toward the contemporary and away from the classic designs with which Highlight Homes most often follows, we can still appreciate their beauty and artistry. When first contemplating a renovation or custom construction project, we feel The Inspiration Grid is a great place to look for utterly unique ideas or – at the very least – inspiration for a unique idea of your own imagining.

Artisan Custom Closets: This Atlanta company offers customized organizational solutions for closets, offices, garages, pantries, laundry rooms, mudrooms, creativity spaces and more. Their four-step process involves a free design consultation, presentation of customized C.A.D. designs and selection of finishes, completion of your order under the supervision of your own Design Consultant, and installation of your organizational solution. If you find yourself wishing you had more space and getting more organized was on your list of New Year’s resolutions, we highly recommend you contact the talented team at Artisan.

Randall Brothers: This well-respected Atlanta molding and millwork company has an astounding history that dates back to 1885. In the current custom home we are constructing in Brookhaven, Highlight Homes has had the honor of working with the crew at Randall Brothers. They have provided the exterior trim, columns, interior trim, doors, windows, door hardware and cabinets for the project – all incredibly beautiful, featuring quality craftsmanship behind which we are proud to put our name.

Need-a-Fence: The name really says it all. If you need a fence, these are the folks to call. Need-a-Fence installs and repairs fences throughout the Metro Atlanta and North Georgia areas. The company specializes in wood privacy and picket fences, decorative wood fences, ornamental aluminum fences, decorative steel fences, motorized gates, chain link fences, pet enclosures, and more.

Once you’ve found the inspiration you need to move forward on that renovation project or custom home construction of which you’ve been dreaming, our experienced design-build team is ready to make your vision a reality. We welcome the opportunity to partner with you and any of the companies listed above to create living spaces that make your house a home. Call us TODAY to schedule your no-obligation consultation at 678-873-9234. To learn more about Highlight Homes and the services we provide, we invite you to visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com.

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The start of the New Year is an exciting time for us all. People all across the nation take a long, hard look at themselves in the mirror (and on the scale) and begin making plans for personal improvement over the course of the next 12 months. It’s a time of hope and great promise.  The same holds true for the home renovation industry. By now, many experts have unveiled their predictions of the top trends over the coming year. Here at Highlight Homes, we’ve done our research and are proud to reveal our picks for the top 5 Home Design Trends for 2014!

1)      Singing the Blues: Although we recently announced that Pantone – the global authority on color for the design industries – unveiled Radiant Orchid as its 2014 Color of the Year, designers everywhere are proclaiming a wide range of blues to be the “it” colors for the year. Navy and turquoise, in particular, both seem to be stealing the spotlight.

2)      Go for Glam: We saw a bit of this in 2013, but expect to see more of a elegance explosion throughout 2014. A throwback to the roaring 20’s and the golden age of Hollywood, design takes on a sophisticated look that embraces a bold blend of vintage décor, metallic accessories, distinctive light fixtures, floral prints and luxury fabrics. We expect to see homeowners embrace glam in every room of the house – including the kitchen.

3)      Let’s Take This Outside: According to Michael Boodro – esteemed Editor-in-Chief for Elle Décor – the line between interior and exterior living spaces gets beautifully blurred thanks to stunning strides made in the design of outdoor fabrics and furniture. This is – without a doubt – one of our favorite trends for 2014. The Highlight Homes design-build team loves creating one-of-a-kind outdoor living spaces that reflect the unique personalities of our clients. Let’s face it, most months – Atlanta climates are ideal for entertaining al fresco.

4)      It’s a Renovation Rumble!: Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine unveils an epic battle between two living spaces for top spot to remodel in 2014. In one corner, we have the bathroom – where we continue to see a trend in spa influences, decked out shower stalls and free-standing tubs continue. In the other corner stands the kitchen, which continues to evolve in exciting ways – from painted cabinets and brass fixtures to distinctive countertops and new trends in appliances. According to a recent study by Hanley Wood, 61% of remodelers polled view the kitchen as one of the hottest renovation opportunities among clients, while  58% view the bathroom as another contender for the hot spot in renovation opportunities for the coming year. We say, WHY DECIDE? Highlight Homes can help you renovate BOTH.

5)      Flex Your Living Space Muscle: More and more homeowners are looking for living spaces that serve more than one purpose – e.g. a media room or home office that can comfortably convert to a guest bedroom in a pinch or guest quarters that can one day serve as a functional living space for aging parents. It’s wise to not tie a room down to just one purpose, and Highlight Homes can help you explore all of the possibilities and solutions for a wide range of uses, i.e. a bookcase that converts easily into a Murphy bed.

To explore these trends with our designers – or toss in a few of your own favorite trends for 2014 – we welcome your call at 678-873-9234 or e-mails at info@highlighthomesga.com. If you’d like to peruse our online portfolio and view our list of services for clients in and around the Metro Atlanta area, please visit us at www.highlighthomesga.com.

Sign a contract* with Highlight Homes by January 31, 2014 to receive a $500 gift certificate to the vendor of your choice:  Home Depot, Lowes, or Bed Bath & Beyond!

* Offer Expires 1/31/14. Good for Renovation Contracts of $10,000 or more. Must mention offer at time of consultation/signing of contract in order to receive gift certificate. Highlight Homes is not affiliated with Home Depot, Lowes or Bed, Bath & Beyond.