 Let's talk about our Slate House project! This home has been one of our favorites because it's the very first house where we used natural slate on the exterior. There are so many awesome things to say about slate but here are just a few:
For the inside we kept it very monochromatic with a neutral color palette and then added some texture with tile and natural stone countertops. The main level of the home is anchored by a white oak cube that houses a hidden modern day scullery with a prep sink and plenty of storage. We used the Marvin Windows Essential line throughout the home which really helped us to take in as much of the natural light as possible (and the views)! Inside we added some more dimension to the vaulted ceilings by adding a minimalistic beam ceiling detail. The mudroom flooring choice ended up being natural slate (again playing off of the exterior theme of the home) and was finished off with a dark grout. All of the cabinetry was custom and we used a combo of white oak and paint grade doors/drawers. In order to bring in more natural elements we chose a brick for the primary bathroom shower and backsplash area. The overall floor plan was geared towards main floor living with a generous primary bedroom/bath ensuite on the south side of the home. The lower level was designed for the kiddos-3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a mini-fridge. In order to bring some warmth to the lower level space we installed a plaid wool carpet. All in all we really enjoyed working on this home...and as an added bonus the Slate House will be featured by Dwell Magazine as a video home tour starting in mid-September!
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 So ya wanna build a house? Start a home renovation? Building can be a complex process with potential pitfalls.
Here are some common pitfalls and suggestions on how to avoid them: 1. Poor Planning and Design:
At Hygge Design+Build we offer everything under one roof when it comes to building your new home. We create the design from our space needs survey that we give to clients and also discuss the budget right from the beginning. Those 2 key factors drive the design from that point out. We have heard this story so many times...thousands of dollars spent on a custom home plan only to find out that it's too expensive to build. 2. Inadequate Budgeting:
We deliver a highly detailed bid that shows the breakdown of our construction costs. Our proposals include specs for items like appliances and flooring so our clients can have some reference points when they decide to choose those things. A builder may only give a $10,000 appliance package allowance but then not tell you which brand or suite of appliances that $10,000 will get you. If it's not clear in the beginning and let's say you wanted a Thermador or Sub Zero appliance package then you'll quickly find out that you'll be going over on that allowance...not fun! 3. Lack of Communication:
Here at Hygge Design+Build, we use a project management software called Buildertrend. Everything from emails and daily job site logs to specs/selections, budgets, and the job schedule can be found here. We also schedule weekly touch base meetings with clients either on-site or virtually. We LOVE communication and keeping our clients informed. 4. Insufficient Documentation:
We track all of this information in our Buildertrend software. Our clients have all of the above information readily available for them to review. 5. Ignoring Permits and Regulations:
Well, this one is a no-brainer...we comply with all building codes and regulations. Each new build undergoes local building inspections to ensure that codes are being followed. 6. Poor Quality Control:
Here at Hygge Design+Build, we have a committed team of subcontractors that understand the detail and level of quality that we expect in all of our homes. We have weekly on-site visits and quality checklists for our team to follow which ensures that consistent points of quality are being met. 7. Unrealistic Timelines:
One of the biggest delays can be due to change orders...especially if the change involves moving a wall or some other structural request. We also encourage interior selections to be made early in the process to avoid any supply chain issues. Our design+build process follows a very clear and direct roadmap. We start with our design phase which can take anywhere from 8-10 weeks depending on the scope of the project. Once we have completed this step we move into the estimating/bidding process which typically takes 4 weeks for us to come up with a pretty accurate build number. Once we have bidding complete and contracts signed we move into breaking ground and the actual construction phase which will average between 8-12 months. It sounds like a long time but time flies when you're havin' fun! And our goal is to make it fun! By being diligent, proactive, and well-prepared, you can minimize the risks associated with building projects and increase the chances of a successful outcome. Hiring experienced professionals and maintaining clear communication will help you navigate potential pitfalls and ensure a smoother construction process. Are you looking to build, renovate, or just need help with some interior design? We would love to help! Email us: hello@hyggedb.com 
If all of this sounds good to you + you wanna have some design and/or build fun...then hit us up! Author: Becky Vandenbroek Lead Designer at Hygge Design+Build  Looking to bring some of that Hygge vibe into your home? Look no further...we've got you! And we have made it even easier to shop some of our favs below! Looking for more design help? We would love to chat with you! Feel free to contact us on our website!          Hygge Design+Build offers not only new construction and renovation services but also interior design services. Let us bring some of our Hygge magic into your home! Not local to our service area here in West Michigan? No problem! We are now offering e-design services virtually through our website at www.hyggedb.com This blog post is sponsered by West Elm, Lulu and Georgia, and Pottery Barn.
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