Selecting a Fireplace for Your Luxury Home

Fireplaces used to be a functional necessity for a home. However, today they are one of the most renovated pieces in home makeovers, and for good reason. You used to have one choice – the classic brick structure with a chimney. Obviously, now days the industry has expanded to thousands of different styles – elegant, rustic, corporate, moody – you name it, there’s a fireplace to match the character of a home, inside or outdoors.

While fireplaces are nice for the warmth, you don’t always need one for purely functional purposes, especially here in the warm Texas winters! There are so many options on the market that you should be able to find the perfect style for your luxury home. If you are looking at investing in a new fireplace for your luxury home this season, here are some of our top recommendations:

Fireplaces for Your Luxury Home

Selecting a fireplace for your luxury home can be a tough decision – and it should be! You want something that will compliment the theme and personality of your house, not a unit that stands out apart from the rest of your design and interior structure.

There truly are many different styles available; you don’t want to jump in and try selecting a fireplace at random. To help you with your decision, we have selected our favorite overarching fireplace design styles to help you find what look best suits your luxury home. Here are some of our top picks, along with their pros and cons:

The Classic – Brick Fireplaces

Just because you update your fireplace doesn’t mean you can’t pay homage to the classics! A modernized brick fireplace can be a great addition to the house. But you can take a few different angles to brick fireplace design. Using an open fireplace as a candle display, painting your bricks white or black, or making a rustic wood frame addition to the outside are just a few of many ways you can modify brick fireplaces.

Pros

• Classic and familiar

• Wood and gas options available

• Simple

• Easy to modify/remodel

• Easy to install

Cons

• Can appear to be outdated

• Sometimes difficult to clean and maintain

• Often understated/non-significant in appearance

“Statement” Design – Island Fireplaces

The island fireplace can’t get any more “opposite” than brick fireplaces. They stray far from the classics. These units have four glass sides and sit in the center of a room – either playing the role of a centerpiece or a loose divider between sections of a home.

Peninsula fireplaces are a related cousin to this style of fireplace, whereby it extends from the wall with 3 viewable glass sides.

Pros

• Very modern, futuristic, and luxurious

• Dozens of different designs available

Cons

• Take up a lot of space

• Difficult installation

• Fragile 4-sided glass (think children here…)

Modernized – Slim Fireplace

Slim fireplaces are quickly rising in popularity these days. Slim fireplaces, sometimes referred to as “shelf fireplaces” are fireplaces that extend far in width (up to 60”) but are usually no taller than 1.5 feet. As a result, they look very modern and elegant and are usually versatile in placement.

Pros

• Easy to put anywhere – kitchen, dining room, bedroom, etc.

• Framing customizability – wood, granite, brick, metal, or any other material can be used on the outside of the fireplace to accommodate the room.

• Easy to install

• Affordable

Cons

• Not super functional (don’t emit much heat)

• Not well-suited for old or traditional styled homes

Conclusion

Fireplace selection is all about finding a unit that compliments the style of your home. A fireplace says a lot about your home’s character and overall appearance, so spend the time necessary to find the perfect one. Getting the right unit takes time and a lot of research. The best place to start is by defining the overarching category you’d like the fireplace to match – traditional, modern, rustic, etc., and then boiling down your options from there!

If you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out to Luxury Homes Designed and Built by Tony McClung! We are always happy to offer suggestions and hear your opinions.

Decorating Your Home Uniquely For Fall

We’ve heard it said that a house is like a blank canvas for designing and decorating…

We couldn’t agree less…

Yes, while there are endless options of how you could style your luxury home, each home has its own character and personality. Finding the right seasonal décor to compliment this is difficult. It’s as much about how the decorations look as it is how they fit your specific living space.

So, you want to decorate your home this fall, but the classic “50 Fall Decorations You Need to Buy” posts just aren’t doing it for you. Why do the homes customized by designers always look better than your Pinterest-board montage attempt? Surprisingly, it boils down to a few, simple techniques that should be kept in your peripherals as you make décor selections this year. Here are our tips on how to take your custom luxury home’s decorations to the next level this fall:

Minimalist vs. Maximalist

The title alone probably hints what we’re getting at here. The truth is, both minimalist and maximalist design techniques can make for a gorgeous home this fall season. So how do you decide? As stated before, the layout and design of your custom home should lead you to know which is best.

Some homes speak for themselves without any design. The sheer layout, carpet, wall colors, and furniture offer a unique character that needs only be complimented by decorations. In this case, minimalistic design is the way to go. If you consistently find yourself struggling to know where to put your decorations in an attempt to avoid drawing attention away from the natural design of your household, perhaps a minimalistic design will better suit your home.

Then, there are homes that seem to serve as a foundation or canvas of sorts for decorations. If you are always noticing a preference to decorate each shelf and empty ledge in your house, your home may be better suited for a busier, maximalist décor approach. Follow your gut instincts on how you feel your home wants to be styled. It will suit you better than any online tutorial or recommendation.

Color Schemes: Finding “Unique” in Traditional

Want an incredibly bland home this fall? We recommend using red, yellow, and orange exclusively. It should be easy! That’s all that’s usually sold in the fall décor section of online and local stores.

Sorry for the sarcasm, but it’s true! If you want a unique home this fall, we recommend bringing in all those traditional fall colors with the occasional unorthodox accent color. For example, a Persian blue or an amethyst are a great way to add a unique twist to your fall season’s décor. A good ratio is a 1 to 6 combination. For every 6 pieces of fall décor, pick one to be a unique color.

The most important part though – stick to one accent color. Don’t start adding multiple or those pieces will just look less like accents and more like accidents.

Textures

Wood, canvas, natural, shine, matte, rough, smooth – any one of us can think of a thousand different textures. Any one of us can also probably find and purchase one of each texture when shopping for fall décor, but we highly recommend against it.

So much of the character of interior design comes from the décor’s texture as much as its color and placement. When deciding on a color scheme, we suggest you also decide on a texture scheme and carry it with you throughout the designing process. You shouldn’t need to have more than 1-3 different textures at most present in your fall décor.

Conclusion

It’s fun to decorate for each season, but it can be difficult to truly find a style that looks good in your house. Each custom or luxury home has its own unique personality and character to it. Don’t try to mask that with decorations! Find décor that uniquely compliments and assists the natural vibe and character of your home. If you really want a uniquely decorated fall home, think outside the box with colors. Don’t just stick to reds, oranges, and yellows – add in a blue, purple, or other unorthodox statement color to differentiate your home from the everyday “Pinterest-inspired” idea (which is becoming all-too cliché these days).

In summary, much of great interior design for fall décor boils down to thinking thematically as opposed to focusing on decoration-specific selection. Decide on colors, textures, and the amount of décor you plan on putting in your house before you start buying items. It will make for a more unique, consistent look from room to room and will be sure to inspire and amaze family and friends this Thanksgiving.

And of course, if you find yourself deciding that new decorations just aren’t doing it anymore and you need a new home remodel, please reach out to Tony McClung with Luxury Homes Designed and Built by Tony McClung in Dallas Texas!

Custom Home Upgrades to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Consumer waste comes in large part from our houses. Whether it’s food waste, constant A/C in the summer, or a leaky sink, there are plenty of upgrades you can do to help the planet. Adopting a DIY approach means you make sure everything you add is eco-friendly, all while letting you design your home exactly the way you want it. Here are some ways creative homeowners are helping the environment with custom upgrades.

1. Energy Efficient Appliances

Did you know your stove might be costing you too much on your electric bill? Unless your appliances are certified Energy Star, they’re using more than their fair share of electricity. When you replace your old units, consider looking for an eco-friendly model.

2. Solar Lights

These are hot right now – they store energy during the day and power on during the night. They’re a great alternative to electric lights, offering an accent to your exterior and saving you some money, while helping the planet too.

3. Insulated Doors

This might come as a surprise, but your door is probably the second biggest reason your air conditioning is on so much. Unless your door is fiberglass or insulated wood it’s constantly letting in the heat – especially if it’s in the sun!

4. Insulation

Speaking of insulation, when was the last time you replaced yours? It’s not just for keeping the heat in during cold months, without good insulation, your walls aren’t protected from the hot weather either.

5. Native Gardening

An innovative trend is hitting the world of gardening. Instead of growing pristine, traditional grass lawns, some homeowners are focusing on cultivating native species of plants that don’t require as much water. Depending on rainfall, this can mean anything from native flowers and trees, to abandoning grass altogether in favor of succulents like cacti.

6. LED Lights

We all know fluorescent lights are better than traditional bulbs, but what about LED? It turns out, they’re also a great choice for a low-energy light in your home.

If you’re looking to build your dream home, look no further than architectural designer Tony McClung. Tony’s portfolio includes over 50 years of Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico’s finest designer homes. Contact Tony to start making your dream into a reality.

5 Custom Home Features for Blended Indoor/Outdoor Spaces

The end of summer/start of fall is a great time to be outside – the Texas sun isn't quite so hot but the days are still long enough to enjoy time outdoors after school ends for the day. It’s perfect for family time – except for all the mosquitos of course. Sometimes, you just want to enjoy the beautiful outside view but in the comfort of A/C without the bugs. You’re not alone, blending the indoor/outdoor spaces of your home is big in the design world. Whether you already planned for it, or are just considering, these are some great ways to incorporate this trend into an upcoming remodel.

1. Floor to Ceiling Windows

Windows are great – they offer a scenic view, and let in plenty of natural light. What better way to let in more light – and thereby more of a view – than with bigger windows? Floor-to-ceiling windows are big in the design of sunrooms and blended space, as they blur the line between inside and outside.

2. Sunrooms

Whether a cozy breakfast nook or living room, surrounding a room with windows provides a scenic view all from the comfort of the indoors.

3. Glass Doors

The classic French door is an excellent choice for letting in natural light. Did you know they also make sliding versions? A sliding glass door is a great way to maximize natural light, while still keeping a barrier between you and the outside world.

4. Intimate Patios

If you like dining outside, but aren’t a big fan of spending too much time outdoors, you can landscape your patio for a quaint, intimate feel. By keeping the space compact and close to the back door – along with weatherproof furniture of course – you can have the charm of an outdoor dining space on your patio, without getting too close to the bugs.

5. Walls and Patterns

If your wall needs a fresh coat of paint, consider an old classic that’s coming back: wallpaper. Floral and tropical prints are big in interior design this year and for a low-intensity upgrade, adding a palm tree pattern to your rooms can give you the look of the outside, without the time of a full remodel.

If you’re looking to build your dream home, look no further than architectural designer Tony McClung. Tony’s portfolio includes over 50 years of Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico’s finest designer homes. Contact Tony McClung to start enjoying more of the Texas, comfortably!

Tony McClung - Custom Home Builders & Designers - Dallas TX

6 Interior Design Trends That Are Hotter Than A Texas Summer

Pastel kitchen appliances have made a major comeback. Image Source: toriejayne.com

This year’s hottest trends are right in time for the summer. From bold, gelato colors, to a taste of the tropics in your living room, this summer’s interior design trends are scorching hot. Here are some of Summer 2018’s hottest design trends.

1. Pastels

From soft but vibrant pink, to deep, elegant purples, designers love these ice-cream inspired styles. Even more popular is complementing these soft but bold colors with a matte, or white background. The best way to keep ‘cool’ this summer is with these hot colors and patterns.

2. Taste of the Tropics

From foliage and florals, all the way to pineapple motifs, one thing’s for sure: the tropics are in. In your home that is! Designers nationwide seem to be taking inspiration from the heat and humidity and bringing the jungle inside your home. Set your clocks to island time with these themes.

3. Metal Fringe

Brass, gold, chrome and more! From finishes, to fixtures, and all the way to fringes, metallic motifs are here to add a glittery glow to your home. Brass in particular is riding high on the waves of summer 2018.

4. Ornamentation

Minimalism is not the hottest ticket this summer. Instead, it’s rich and diverse textures and accents. Checkered patterns for your textiles, and bold rattan and wicker furniture are some of the biggest names this year. In 2018, it’s all about the statement piece.

5. Floral Themes

Interior design seems to be taking a lot of inspiration from the beautiful outdoors right now, mostly with bold new floral designs. Prints and motifs are incorporating floral elements all over.

6. Indoor/Outdoor Integration

Take advantage of the summer weather by designing your outdoor space as an indoor, or vice versa. Natural light, texture, and materials all combine to turn a living room into a patio, and by bringing the patio indoors.

Designed and built by Tony McClung

If you’re looking to build your dream home, look no further than architectural designer Tony McClung. Taking immense pride in his craft, Tony’s portfolio includes over 50 years of Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico’s finest luxury custom homes. Contact Tony McClung to start making your dream a reality.

An Interview with Cathryn Withrow on her Recent Condo Remodel

How did you choose Tony McClung to be the architectural designer for your remodel?

Tony’s wife, Jeanne McClung, was my college roommate. I have always loved Tony’s designs and longed to have him design my home as well. When the time finally came where I needed a renovation of my condo, I jumped at the chance to have Tony design the space. The outcome was more than I could have imagined. I got my dream! It is just so beautiful and both me and Tony are so happy with the outcome.

I have always wanted a Tony McClung house because I love what he does. When I had the opportunity to renovate my entire condo, I thought it would just be paint and carpet, but as we got in, we realized there was a lot more to it – it became a floor to ceiling remodel! He was able to get in and solve these situations that were new for both of us. But he took 1 step at a time and solved everything.

Tell us more about your experience working with Tony McClung.

Tony did EVERYTHING for me! He was my contractor and brought along all of these incredible sub-contractors that have worked for him for years. They are all just top of the line, skilled experts so you don’t have to worry one bit. The trust factor of having these people in your home is a huge relief - Tony is 100% trustworthy and so are the people working with him.

Luxury Homes Designed and Built by Tony McClung has been in business for 40 years, and that is a testament to how skilled he is. Not only his skill and his knowledge of the business, but also his personality. Tony gets along with everyone so well, is very easy to work with and just a fine person. He took all the stress, concerns away from me and so it made for a very successful project. It was just amazing all he did for our family! It was just such a great and wonderful experience to work with him. My condo is so beautiful, and I am just so happy.

Where is your condo located?

We live in Highland Park, TX, a part of Dallas, TX.  I just want to spread the word on how great he is. He solved so many quirky problems that my home presented and did a complete remodel from floor to ceiling. I am so pleased with him and my home.

How long did your remodel take?

It took a year and 3 months. If something were to go wrong, it did…but Tony took care of everything – permits, contractors, etc. Tony knew how to handle everything and where to go. He was so great to working with so many various people. Quite a professional, he handled everything! And most important, he took all the stress off of me.

Did any other teams work with Tony to complete your remodel?

We had an interior designer that also worked alongside Tony in the remodel. Tony has such great taste that he was even able to give some guidelines that helped the interior designer! Tony was in the middle of the remodel from top to bottom. If a team was working, he was there and was fully involved. He doesn’t miss a thing!

If you were to remodel again, would you use Tony McClung?

I feel so fortunate to have had Tony McClung design the remodel of my condo. If I were to go through another project, I would absolutely have to use Tony –  I just don’t know how I could do it without him!

How to Build the House of Your Dreams (No, Really)

Building a home can seem like an overwhelming concept. How can you get what you want, while still remaining within your budget? It may take some know-how, but building a custom home is more affordable than you think. With the right approach, you can build the home of your dreams without making any major sacrifices. Follow these steps to build the perfect home:

Consider the Land

Do you want to live in Highland Park or do you want more land in Preston Hollow? What about the Lake Highlands school district or on White Rock Lake in Lakewood? Any custom home build should begin with deciding on a piece of land. Prospective homeowners have several considerations when deciding where to build their new home: the neighborhood and school system, access to amenities, and land features like trees or streams all weigh differently depending on your individual preferences. Homeowners also have the option of tearing down an existing home to build on a coveted piece of land.

Your home builder can help you with this part of the process, as often professionals have access to land plots that have yet to go on the public market. Rather than finding a piece of land, then calling an architect, call an architectural design team first. They can provide valuable insight to zoning laws, available properties, and more.

Decide on Your Budget

A custom home designer or architectural designer can help you decide where your home budget should go. For example, kitchens can range from a $5,000 Ikea model to $60,000 for custom cabinetry alone. If all high-end furnishings in a kitchen are a must-have, be prepared to use middle-range options in other areas of the home. Your home design team can provide you with low, middle, and high-end options during the building process, so you can decide exactly where you want to spend your money.

Be Prepared for a Time Commitment

If you want to build the home of your dreams, you must be prepared to be actively involved in the process. Custom home builds take an average of 12 to 18 months, and your input is invaluable to the process. The nice thing about custom homes is that you can spend $20,000 on appliances or over $100,000 – it all depends on your preferences and budget. By being actively involved in the decision-making process, you can ensure that you’re getting the home you want – while staying within a comfortable price point.

Custom home building is not as expensive or difficult as you might think. By taking some simple steps in the planning phases and remaining actively involved during construction, you’ll be in the home of your dreams before you know it. For more information on the custom home building process, contact Tony McClung today

Sick of the Modern Farmhouse? Try One of These Custom Home Builds Instead

Chip and Joanna Gaines have been at the forefront of home design in recent years. Go into any mainstream home improvement store, and you’ll see shiplap, reclaimed wood inspired designs, and neutral color palettes by the wheel. The trend goes by many different names: “farmhouse,” “rustic modern,” and “barn-inspired” are all versions of the same thing. While these trends may be dominating the mainstream, they’re not for everyone. With Fixer Upper coming to an end on HGTV and if you’re looking for some new home design trends, start with one of these custom home designs – no shiplap required:

Goodbye White, Hello Rich Natural Color

The white farmhouse sink has become a staple in many homes. Farmhouse sinks have clear advantages – their sheer volume can hold a party’s worth of dishes or double as a bathtub for a squirmy toddler or pet. If you like the functionality of a farmhouse sink but yearn for something other than stark white accents and cabinetry, there’s welcome news. Today’s sinks have the power of a farmhouse but come in high end materials like granite and copper to bring a touch of warmth into your kitchen.

For backsplash, say goodbye to shiplap and reclaimed barn wood for higher-end finishes like faux brick, copper plates, and tiles that create colorful geometric patterns. Color has a place in your kitchen once more.

Bedrooms Are for Relaxing

If you don’t like the lodge appeal of a modern farmhouse bedroom, there’s a way to create a casual, modern space without the use of  rustic modern elements. Today’s bedrooms are losing the “rustic” and simply going modern, with details like millwork, which creates visual appeal. Today’s bedrooms also come in calming hues like light blue and come loaded with smart features like home monitoring that provide peace of mind.

Modern Florals

Bold floral designs are replacing the neutrals and burlap aesthetic so readily associated with modern farmhouse style. Don’t be afraid to incorporate florals into your home – today’s designs don’t emulate the vintage florals of years past. Think statement designs inspired by out of the box designers like Lilly Pulitzer.

If the idea of a modern farmhouse doesn’t make you swoon, never fear. Today’s custom home builds come with a variety of options to fit your unique aesthetic. Expect home design trends to move away from the rustic modern in favor of natural elements, concrete, copper accents, and a home that feels both inviting and high-end. For more custom home building ideas, contact Tony McClung.

3 Unique Colors for Your Custom Home Interior – And How to Use Them

Are you sick of grey, beige, and the ubiquitous “greige?” You’re not alone. According to many home design experts, neutrals are on their way out. Today’s homes feature rich colors such as jewel tones and bright pops of pigment. Pantone just released their color palette for autumn 2018, and there is not a shade of greige in sight. Consider adding one of these saturated hues into your new custom home:

Inspired by Nature

Like other home design and building trends in 2018, this year’s colors take their cues from nature. Pantone’s newest line features autumnal hues that bring to mind the rustling of fallen leaves on a forest floor. With complementary shades that can be mixed and matched, nature inspired hues are sure to make a statement in your home.

“[Our] palette continues to show designers expressing the need for individuality, ingenuity and creativity though fashion,” said executive director of the Pantone Color Institute Leatrice Eiseman. From deep red to spicy yellow, autumnal colors will spice up your interiors while providing a source of comfort and unity with nature.

Jewel Tones

Move over diamonds – rich hues of ruby, amethyst, and emerald are a new best friend. Jewel tones naturally evoke the luxe aesthetic of the Baroque. Accented with chandeliers, glittering accents, or glass, jewel-toned walls can instantly elevate a space and bring chicness to your space.

Don’t Fear Purple

Homeowners often shy away from the color purple; equating it with their grandmother’s knitting room. When done correctly, however, lavender can make a luxe statement. Don’t forget that purple has been associated with royalty and wealth for centuries. Echo these sentiments by matching lavender walls with a deeper purple velvet couch, a silk rug, and custom curtains.

Painting Basics

When choosing paint colors, find complementary shades that move seamlessly from one room to the next. Inspired by nature, hues or jewel tones naturally harmonize, but choose cool or similar undertones to create more cohesion from room to room, without sacrificing richness in color. For example, a cooled down raspberry shade can combine with daffodil accents to create a bright, cheery child’s playroom or sunroom. Sky blue with a touch of grey undertone will help turn color into a neutral, so it will play well with any accents you desire.

Finding the right color scheme for your home can help you express your individual style, but it also requires some planning. Talk to custom homebuilder Tony McClung for more ideas to make your custom home uniquely you. As an architectural designer, he can match you with an interior designer for your project and take all the stress off of you!