A Palace For Pooch

According to the ASPCA, more than half of all households in the United States have a pet.  And yet, so often we design our a new homes without a thought about our four legged (or feathered) friends.  From the floor plan to the flooring, there are so many ways to accommodate our pets when designing our new home.  Prior to breaking ground, think through some of the following questions:

• Where will your pet sleep? Will she sleep with you or will she need her own space?
• Where will he eat? Where will you store his food?
• Will she go outside, and if so, does she like to roll around and track dirt in the house?
• Will your home need to accommodate a bird cage, or an aquarium, or a pet door?

The lifestyle of your pet and how they live with you is just as important to the design of your new home as is any other member of your family. You can modify your cabinetry to create specialized sliding storage bins for food or even drawers for food and water bowls that are hidden under the toe kick . You can create a pet shower, or a special room with a doggy door and pet run. You may want to put in hardwood flooring instead of carpet, or even design your electrical outlets so there are not a lot of exposed cords in the home – especially if your pet is of the pocket variety (rabbits and guinea pigs love to gnaw).

The Jenkins Custom Home Lifestyle Analysis™ is designed with these issues in mind. And the results are as individual as the people whose homes we build.  For instance, in one home we designed and built, we included a room under the stairs with the puppy’s name painted above the door (similar to the one in the photo). It was a cute way to show off the dog to family and friends, while providing the family pet with his own space.  In another example, we supplied the homeowner with a special niche – complete with a window – for her cat.  Whatever your pet’s needs, the bottom line is that no one knows them as well as you, and that makes you the expert in designing your pet’s “palace”!

(Picture courtesy of http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/storage/around-the-house/make-a-pet-friendly-home/)

(For more information on this topic, please consider the following articles: http://www.homecheck.com/Reference/Aug_05/05Vol1Art5/index.htm; http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,20296529,00.html) (Source for statistics: http://www.aspca.org/about-us/faq/pet-statistics.html)

International Builder’s Show

This year at the International Builder’s Show, we took our entire team.  It was so fun to attend seminars, walk the booths, and see the sights of Las Vegas together!  We truly enjoy being together and have such admiration and respect for each other.  I know we all feel enthusiastic about what we learned and are excited to bring it back and apply it.

One of the more interesting booths this year was the Kohler booth, not because of the plumbing fixtures, although they were great as always.  However, the real attraction for me this year was “Ed”, the guy from Extreme Home Makeovers…well, not him personally…rather, what he was showing.  It was a backup whole-home generator.  The best part about this generator is that they have partnered up with the company that manufactures the electrical panel to create a generator-ready electrical panel for very little additional cost.  What this means for you and me is that we can build our custom home with this panel and then decide later (if and when electrical shortages occur) to add the generator.  Adding a generator used to be an extremely costly proposition.  This makes it possible to prepare for it but not invest in it until it’s really needed or desired.

Stay tuned for more posts to come on the International Builder’s Show.  We learned so much this year that I will have to break it down into smaller posts.

About the Author:  Bethany Jenkins is Vice President of Jenkins Custom Homes and married to the owner, Shan Jenkins.  To read more about Bethany, check out her bio page here.

James Bond Wishes He Had One

Okay, so maybe that’s a bit of an overstatement, but can’t you just see this in a James Bond movie?

When the designers of the Parade Home looked at the plans, they knew something special needed to be done with the space that was created behind the wall of the small study.  The shape of the space meant that it could not be used for a traditional room, but it was just the right size for a safe room.

The term “safe room” may have been popularized by Jody Foster but it is actually just a room where a homeowner can place safe(s) that is/are hidden from someone attempting to burglarize the home.  In this particular house, the space is big enough for someone to hide in, but the door does not actually lock shut.

Of course, does it matter if the burglar can’t find the door or even any evidence of a room?!!

The “door” to this room is, in fact, a motorized cabinet that turns 360 degrees when a secret button hidden behind a book on the shelf, is pressed.  What’s really neat about this cabinet is that it serves many purposes -- wet bar, multimedia cabinet, door -- pretty much as much as you can expect from a cabinet!

Is this practical for every home?  Of course not.  But what’s really great about this specialty cabinet is that it makes the most of the space while enhancing the lifestyle of the homeowner.  And isn’t that what everyone is after?  To find out more about the Custom Builder who built this, read about it here.

It’s The Little Things In Life

Sometimes, the smallest things can make the biggest difference.  In this particular house, it’s the pass-through window from the wet bar to the media room.

I know, I know – how many readers worry about how to get the POPCORN FROM THE WET BAR TO THE MEDIA ROOM???!!!

That little window would become your new best friend.  Beer.  Nuts.  Beer nuts.  Cheese Puffs.  Cheese dip.  Whatever – now you can just hand it through the window!  And while you’re out there playing bartender, you can also watch the game!

Depending on the layout of your home, this might be an idea that could be implemented in a variety of spaces.  For instance, from the kitchen to the living room or from the kitchen to the dining room.  If you have a media room and want to be able to pass things through without constantly opening and closing the door, this might be just what you are looking for.

The beauty of the pass-through window is that it slides ope, disappearing into the wall just like a sliding door – only smaller.  And prettier.

It just seems to be one of those cool little things that makes life a little easier, your home a little cozier, and with very little trade-off in cost.  It might, in fact, just enhance your lifestyle.

Cool Features

Every now and then, we come across a feature that would truly enhance our lifestyle -- but is costly.  Such is the case with these soft-close, aka blumotion, drawers.

These unique cabinet features make closing drawers and cabinet doors a dream.  No matter how hard you push them, they “catch” at the end to prevent the drawer or door from slamming shut.  No more accidentally slamming a drawer.  No more shaking the house when you’re in a rush in the kitchen.  These cabinets truly enhance your lifestyle -- and prolong the life of your cabinets.

See them in action below.  If you’re building a new home or are in a position to remodel, consider the value of blumotion.