CB July 2005

Homeowners can now make their homes into culinary masterpieces with the help of GROHE's stainless steel cold water pot filler. The pot filler installs on the wall directly over the stove, allowing cooks to fill large pots or to add water to without leaving the stove. The pot filler features a dual pivot joint design, which extends 20 inches for easy use over front or rear burners and then folds...

As it so often happens, a few builders gather together, share a few stories and in the telling of their tales from the business front, all develop a new understanding or a new approach to the age-old business of providing shelter. Sometimes, something more develops, as this month's cover story illustrates.

Although it was the first custom home that they'd ever had built for themselves, the owners of this seashore gem on Kiawah Island, S.C. approached the ambitious undertaking in the manner of seasoned pros. In fact, at the outset of the project, the couple presented architect Chris Rose with a detailed "manifesto" that they had created to serve as a design guide for him to use as he developed the...

The spacious kitchen in this $2.7 million Las Vegas, Nev. spec-built residence is designed to promote "together time" says Joyce Mason, vice president of marketing for the home's builder, Pardee Homes. "Today's kitchen has really evolved into the social center of the home." The Los Angeles-based builder went right to its target market, the modern family, for input when planning this project, wh...

When developing the layout for the master suite in this spec-built luxury show house in Lake Oswego, Ore., interior designer Tina Barclay went to the kitchen for inspiration — literally. She made the focus of this master bath a striking center island, with back-to-back vanities, which not only gave the space a distinctive look, but also enhanced the functionality of the room.

Who better to create a special place to live than the people in the business of building homes that deliver on that definition every day? Working with clients to design their homes on their lots, custom builders guide the creation of memorable places. The question becomes: how do you transfer that one-of-a-kind skill from a home to a community?

As the trends for customizing and personalizing homes grows, builders are turning to concrete as an element for design and stamp of differentiation. More than just flooring material, concrete is being used to create one-of-a-kind countertops, walls, fireplaces, doors — and even houses. Enter concrete specialist Vince Schrementi and architect Grant Currier, who have hewn an entire home out...

Elk's new shingle roofing has married beauty and energy conservation. Keeping in step with the move toward environmentally sensitive products, Elk and 3M partnered to produce the Cool Color Series shingle. While most home design works to bring the outdoors in, the Cool Color Series works to keep harmful sun rays out.

Custom Builder David DeBord reveals what products he won't build without.

KitchenAid has taken the dishwasher down under with its Drawer Dishwasher. Similar to traditional dishwashers, this unit occupies the same amount of undercounter space; however, unlike traditional models, two separate dishwashers — one on top of the other — are hidden in easy-to-pull-out drawers.