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What Makes a Luxury Custom Home Different?

If you’ve been in the market for a custom home, you’ve surely stumbled across luxury custom homes. The question is, what makes a luxury custom home different from a regular custom home? It’s actually pretty straightforward. Let’s break it down into three simple things. 

Luxury in Design Build

The first thing that makes a luxury custom home different from the standard is that we do design build for them. If you’re unfamiliar with design build, it’s where we, well, do both the designing and the building.

Design build allows us to consult with you, get familiar with your needs, and incorporate them into the design. This is really important for a number of reasons. 

For an average house, designers are putting their own personal tastes or the tastes of popular buyers into the design. They design the house to be standard and meet certain criteria. Those criteria and those popular design choices may not be what you need at all. 

For a luxury custom home, our design team can sit down with you and discuss what you need. Popular choice and the personal taste of the designers are not factors. If you have specific accessibility needs or you want something more open concept than most of what’s on the market, we can make it happen. If you want unusual colors, schemes, or patterns, we’ll incorporate it. If you want your home to look like a physical work of art on the inside, we can achieve that. Luxury is what we call it when your home is like something straight from your mind’s eye.

Luxury Utility

A luxury custom home isn’t just artistic design choices, it’s also being up-to-date. Unless you have a specific preference for vintage appliances, your home will be outfitted with all of the most updated appliances. A spacious fridge, a recent model in whatever oven type you prefer, and a high-powered, eco-friendly dishwasher are just some of the possibilities. If you’re a baker, we can install double-decker ovens. If you like to socialize while cooking, you can have an island cooktop. For professional chefs and bakers that like to take their work home with them, enough kitchen space for a separate freezer might be just the thing.

The kitchen isn’t where it ends though. Picture money and water-saving retrofits in the bathroom. Communicate easily with a home intercom system. Let your imagination run wild with a wired-in sound system. Any tech you want in your home can be installed during construction. Now that’s luxury.

Luxury Experience

While an artistic interior design and fancy appliances are quite a lot of luxury by themselves, it’s also the complete experience that makes a luxury custom home different from the standard. The experience of working with a team that’s completely in tune with your needs is luxury. The appearance of your home from the curb is luxury. The feeling of being truly home when you step through the front door is luxury. There’s nothing quite like living in a space built exactly right, just for you. That’s what make’s luxury custom homes different.

If you’re ready to step into a luxury custom home that’s built for you, give us a call and set up a consultation with us today. We look forward to working with you.

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How Is a Home Addition Connected to an Existing House?

If you’re considering expanding an existing home, you probably have a lot of questions. One of the first questions people ask is, how is it done? How is a home addition connected to an existing house? After all, most houses aren’t built with large alterations planned into their design. Let’s take a look at how this kind of big change works.

Type of Addition

The first thing we have to take into consideration is what kind of addition you’re getting. There are many types of home additions. One might decide on a dining room addition, a rear addition, a second floor, or many other types. Let’s take a small peek at each type and what it involves. We can’t get through the entire process for any of them, but our team at Heidan Construction is more than happy to discuss the finer details with you during a consultation. Give us a call if you’d like some more specific information, tailored to your home and home addition plans.

Second Floor

A second floor expansion is, by far, the most extensive home addition. To begin with, we’ll have to decide where a stairway will be introduced and then design the second floor. The second floor design will have to cooperate with the first floor supports.

There will be some amount of renovation on the first floor, as we’ll have to put in the stairs. Optionally, we can also renovate the location of some first-floor walls to move supports into more convenient spots. These adjustments may be necessary to get the second floor layout you desire.

And lastly, the second floor addition comes with extensive roof alterations. We will have to remove large portions of the roof and build a new roof atop the new second floor. This can make a second floor addition rather expensive, but does allow you to keep your home’s footprint the same size.

Side Additions

If you’re looking to have a new master suite put in, more bedrooms for children, a new living room, or, really, any kind of room addition off the side of the house, the process is a bit different. For side additions that don’t involve extensive renovations of the existing structure, the general process is as such.

First, we’ll find a place where the addition can be connected. This may mean making a guest bedroom or office a bit smaller to incorporate a hallway. It may mean simply adding a doorway off an existing room or hallway.

We’ll have to put down some new foundation, once we’ve completed the design. This will enlarge the footprint of your home, so we have to make sure we remain within the legal limit for your area and distance from neighbors.

Next up, we build the addition. This includes adjustments and expansion of the existing roof to cover the additions. By the time we’re finished, you’ll be able to walk into your new home addition as if i was always there.

Contact Us

If you’re interested in either of these home addition options, or would like to discuss extensive renovations and expansions of existing parts of your home, contact us! We would love to discuss the possibilities available to you and help to improve your home.

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A Guide to Your Contemporary Remodel: The Master Bathroom

If you’ve been following along, you know that Heidan Construction has been working out a short series on how to go about a contemporary remodel. Well, now that we’ve covered both the kitchen and dining room, the living room and den, and the master bedroom, we’ve finally arrived at the last important room in the house: the master bathroom. The master bathroom is one of the most used rooms in the house, following closely behind the kitchen. So, it only makes sense that it would require a careful attention to detail. Let’s jump in.

Size Matters

When it comes to the master bathroom, size really does matter. If your master bathroom isn’t able to accommodate all of your needs with enough space to move around freely, it isn’t big enough. During your remodel, if you have any space bordering your bathroom that isn’t vital, it’s possible to expand. Have a bedroom on the other side of your bathroom? It won’t hurt to make it a little smaller in the name of comfort. Plus, it’s not impossible to expand that bedroom as well on its other side.

A Connecting Fireplace

If you just came from our last article about the master bedroom, you already know about the necessity of a connecting fireplace. If you want luxury in your home, this is what you’re looking for.

A connecting fireplace is placed on a wall between the master bedroom and master bath. This allows you to light a fire and enjoy it as you move between these two rooms. This is ideal for cold winter evenings when you just want to relax. Imagine yourself immersed in a warm bubble bath with the comforting crackle of a fire going nearby. You even get to continue enjoying it as you dry off and migrate to the bed to read. Click here for this gallery of examples.

Cleaning and Relaxation

There are two things in your master bathroom that really must be quality if you want your master bathroom to look contemporary. Contemporary bathroom design can be contained in a smaller space for a communal bathroom. Don’t do yourself the disservice of containing your desires when it comes to the master. Let’s talk bathtubs and showers for your contemporary remodel.

The Bathtub

If you enjoy baths, it’s time to give yourself the bathtub you always dreamed of having: something big – deep enough to submerge in. Contemporary bathroom interiors look best with built-in tubs, surrounded by a platform and steps. This allows you some space to set candles or lay towels for yourself. It has a truly luxurious and extravagant feel to it.

The Shower

If you don’t like bathing, or if you want both, a shower is next on the list. A contemporary shower must have glass. There’s no two ways about it. Large, dark tiles or solid stone is ideal for the shower floor and walls. If you’re really dedicated to the aesthetic and having a high quality of life, you’ll have a shower that’s built into the room.

Fiberglass showers that can be set up in the bathroom and caulked around the edges are not what we’re looking for here. What you need is a shower with a tile or stone floor, a hidden slot drain, and a two-way, frameless, glass door. It doesn’t get better than this.

Windows

Because contemporary design worships lighting and openness so much, windows are great, even in the bathroom. Install windows high up on the walls or choose some with frosted glass that won’t affect your privacy.

Hire the Best

Once again, we must remind you to hire the best in the business. If anyone knows contemporary remodel and design, it’s the pros at Heidan Construction. Check out our portfolio to see the amazing work in contemporary home design that we pride ourselves in. Give us a call when you’re ready to schedule a consultation.

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A Guide to Your Contemporary Remodel: The Master Bedroom

We’ve already covered most of the rest of the house and how to effectively make it contemporary. The kitchen, dining room, living room, and den all have their own needs to look contemporary. However, when it comes to your needs, the master bedroom is of huge importance. Therefore, when you remodel it to look more contemporary, it’s vital to do so with your own comfort in mind. Here’s how to do that.

Windows

You might have noticed by now, but contemporary living spaces must have great windows. Large windows allow a lot of light flow and a sense of openness in a contemporary room. Your bedroom is no different. Having large windows in your contemporary bedroom will make it a sight to behold. It will always feel like it has enough space and it will always have enough light during the day.

Floor to ceiling windows are ideal when looking for the hottest contemporary choice. There are two choices for windows that stand above the rest:

Dual Windows

Installing 2 floor to ceiling windows on opposite sides of the exterior wall, offset from the edge. This dual-window setup will allow plenty of light will leaving the corners of the room and the center of the wall with a solid surface. This is great if you enjoy corner tables, standing lamps, or if you would like to place your bed or a fireplace at the center of the wall.

Across the Board

A wall of windows, however, lets in even more light. The downside is that it’s not ideal for placing furniture where that solid wall used to be. That’s no problem at all if you prefer your bed on the adjacent wall and have enough storage elsewhere.

These large windows look absolutely stunning with some equally tall drapes. Using sheer drapes will give your room a surreal atmosphere in the morning as they let in a touch of light.

Hidden Storage

Because the bedroom is often where people keep the bulk of their personal possessions, it’s important to have enough storage. However, because contemporary interiors are built on openness and a lack of clutter, hidden storage is ideal.

This can come in the form of a walk-in closet, a black dresser with large drawers, subtle under-bed storage, or large, built-in, glass shelves. If your shelves are wide enough, you can find a space for all of your books, jewelry boxes, decorations, and such without it becoming crowded.

Connecting Fireplace

If you want the the most luxurious contemporary experience, what you really need in your master bedroom is a connecting fireplace. Connecting fireplaces are double-sided and connect to a master bathroom. These are often framed in a way that’s completely open on either side or with a glass case. This adds a sense of cohesiveness with the master bathroom and is incredible to live with. Check out this gallery of examples.

Make Your Contemporary Remodel Happen

When you’re ready to make your contemporary remodel a reality, you know who to call. Contact us at Heidan Construction and we can make your house the home of your dreams. Next up, check out what to do with your master bathroom.

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A Guide to Your Contemporary Remodel: The Den

Heidan Construction is here with our fourth installment of our contemporary remodel guide. Now that we’ve covered the specifics of the living room, it’s time to move on to the more personal communal space – the den. Check out how you can turn your den into a contemporary dream.

Entertainment Space

The living room is for more proper hosting. However, the den is meant for family entertainment or entertaining friends on movie night. Because this space is meant to be comfortable and fun for the whole family, it’s important to design with your everyday needs in mind.

To start, you’ll need some seating. For many families, one couch is sufficient, but for bigger families two may be necessary. However, because seating in a den is usually focused on the TV, there’s a better alternative to two couches. Placing one couch facing the TV and adding an armchair or recliner on either side of it, angled toward the TV is a great choice. 

Armchairs are a great way to make your den contemporary, even when it’s comfortable. They provide seating and they add a little class as an addition to your, undoubtedly, cozier couch. Use your armchairs as an opportunity for color. A throw placed at an angle over the back or a pillow placed on the seat looks great and is functional too.

Open Concept

In contemporary styles, open concept is important. It allows a kind of openness and flow into a room that, otherwise, would feel stifling. If your den is placed in the basement, this usually isn’t an issue. Basement dens tend to take up most of the floor, excepting, perhaps, a bathroom or bedroom. Whereas, if your den is on the same floor as your living room or is in the bottom half of a split-level, you might want some adjustments.

When having a home renovation done, it’s completely possible to remove dividing walls if they don’t contain necessary supports. Of course, if your den and living room are on the same floor, you won’t want to remove any dividing walls between them. However, allowing the den to open up to the kitchen is always a great move. Having a breakfast bar between your kitchen and den is both more functional and more spacious.

Entertainment

Aside from the bones of the den, the potential for entertainment is also important. A great choice for a contemporary remodel is having built-in shelving put in for your TV and accessories. If one, main wall is given 3 columns of built-in shelving, the TV can be centered and surrounded on both sides by entertainment. If you want an especially contemporary style choice, use glass shelf panes for your built-in shelving. Glass shelving is unmistakably contemporary and it looks fantastic.

Den shelving is best outfitted in books, games, movies, consoles, and TV accessories. Just remember, leave at least a small part of the space looking more open. Densely packed shelves go against the general aesthetic of contemporary interior design. Leaving one or two shelves open for small pieces of sparsely-placed decor will help break up the intensity of your movie collection.

Contemporary Remodel Time

When you’re ready to move your home from the 1960s to the 20-teens with a contemporary remodel, give us a call. Heidan Construction has almost 2 decades of experience in remodeling homes for Toronto. We look forward to doing the same for you.

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A Guide to Your Contemporary Remodel: The Living Room

Hello! Welcome to the third piece in Heidan Construction’s contemporary remodel guide. Contemporary interiors are a hot design choice in the past decade. Therefore, we’ve decided to explain the process of turning each room in the house more contemporary. Today, we’re going to cover the living room!

Color Palettes

For most areas of the home, contemporary looks best with a mixture of dark and light colors – often in greyscale. White, paired with dark grey, is a great look. Of course, this isn’t meant to look cold and minimalistic. That’s where splashes of color come in. With contemporary interiors, it’s important to break up the monotony of whites, greys, and blacks by adding in a touch of color here and there.

One of the most effective ways to do this is with art or appliances within the contemporary space. For instance, a large painting filled with vibrant colors is a great choice. Somewhere like the living room, a statue or some brightly glazed pottery on the mantel would look lovely. Throw pillows are also a fantastic way to disperse color throughout the room. Just don’t overdo the amount of color in the room, or it will quickly move away from contemporary and into other territory.

The Ideal Hosting Space

When aiming for contemporary living, the living room is not just a family room. This room is made to look stunning and cleaned up at all times, making hosting possible. Rather than filling this room with electronics and books, a contemporary living room is best filled with decor and hosting tools.

Starting with furniture, it’s best to have more than one place to sit in a living room. In a den, one couch is enough, as it’s there to provide seating for a TV, more often than not. In a living room, seating is meant for socializing. Having two couches that face each other or a couch and some armchairs is perfect. Placing a coffee table between the two keeps guest focus on the center of the room and allows ample space for setting drinks or dinner, if you’re having a more casual dinner guest.

When it comes to decor, sticking with things that don’t cramp the space is best. Bookshelves filled with books, mounted shelves with decorations on them, standing floor lamps, and coffee table center pieces are great choices. However, if you want to add something more personal, a simply-designed throw blanket, folded over the back of the couch, is a great idea.

Contemporary Remodel Time

When you’re ready to make your contemporary living room dreams come true, you’re going to need a reliable contracting team. That’s where Heidan Construction comes in. We have nearly 2 decades of experience in the field of construction and are happy to put that to good use on your home. Give us a call if you’re ready to start your contemporary remodel. We look forward to hearing from you!