At Abbott | Reed, our passion is building yours. From renovating your space to starting from the ground up, our custom home builders have the expertise to execute any project. We pride ourselves on staying on top of trends, and finding ways to craft modern spaces that are uniquely yours. Our San Luis Obispo builders are here today to lay down the basics on a trending custom home feature: luxury lofts and game rooms. Regardless of whether you want to create a modern man-cave or simply a space to sit and relax, these are four key things to keep in mind while dreaming up your perfect loft.

Lighting

Because of the open floor plan of lofts, it is important to keep the space well-lit. Oftentimes ceilings are quite high, but this gives you the opportunity to be creative with fixtures. Pendant lamps can be a key touch to a game room, especially over a pool table, while string lights and modern chandeliers give a unique visual appeal to a quiet reading room.

Furniture

Furniture, particularly the positioning of it, is a challenging aspect of designing a loft. These rooms are best kept spacious, and less is more when it comes to keeping the integrity of lofts. If your loft has brick or concrete walls, particularly exposed walls, materials such as a blend of glass, chrome, steel, and wood will fit best. For a modern-man cave, moldings, columns, upholstered furniture and some antiques create a contemporary pool hall feel.

Storage

Storage presents another challenge to loft design. Whether you choose to minimize or not, it is important to consider where miscellaneous items will go because a loft is open and lacks many corners and closed rooms. This way, the room won’t seem cluttered or clumsy. Consider furniture pieces that can also function as storage, like trunks which can function as coffee tables.

Sound

A really competitive round of ping-pong in your game room may call for celebration, except when it keeps others from sleeping. Furthermore, a quiet moment in your loft reading room could easily be disturbed by the clanking of pans downstairs in the kitchen. When crafting your loft, it is important to incorporate noise reduction in the design. There are many ways to accomplish this, and our San Luis Obispo custom home builders would be happy to help you out.

Know that at Abbott | Reed, our team has what it takes to build a house you can truly call home. Give one of our friendly builders a call today at 805-316-5046, and check out other custom homes we have built here in San Luis Obispo.

When dreaming up your new home in San Luis Obispo, know that luxury doesn’t always have to mean mid-century modern. Luxury features can be incorporated into almost any home style, so you can be creative when selecting a space that is true to you. Our custom home builders are here today to lay down six compelling luxury architecture styles, all of which can be perfectly shaped into your own unique space.

Ranch Home

The ranch home is one of the most common styles found here on the Central Coast. Typically one story, this style embraces a free and open floor plan that embodies the cheap land and sprawling suburbs of the 1950s. They are often rectangular or L-shaped, and rooms feature many windows and views of the outdoors. Modern ranch homes are on the rise, and allow for easy renovations or additions.

English Cottage

For those into a classical and striking look, the English Cottage style might be the perfect fit. Cottages are generally 1-2 stories, with asymmetrical faces with overscaled chimneys, and decorative bricks. Closed entryways and rounded doors are common, and rooms are cozy, unusual, and feature built in features like kitchen seating or storage spaces.

Cape Cod Home

The classic Cape Cod style is typically seen in smaller homes, and incorporates a symmetrical facade. They have little ornamentation and frills, and are characterized by cedar shingles or clapboard. They are usually 1.5 stories, and feature a chimney, shingles, and a formal, center-hall floor plan. If you are drawn to charming, intimate and cozy styles, the Cape Cod home may be the fit for you.

Craftsman (or Bungalow)

The craftsman home was originally inspired by Asian elements, and features natural materials and symmetrical design. Handcrafted stone and wood are used as decor, and roofs are often low-pitched with gables. This style first appeared in California around the 1920s, and is ideal for those wanting a simplistic, yet elegant design.

Pueblo Revival

Pueblo Revival homes are influenced by one of the oldest and most ingenious forms of architecture, created by the Pueblo tribes of North America. This style was reinvigorated throughout Arizona and New Mexico, and exalts a smooth and geometric design, with simple landscaping and heavy use of earthy materials. Traditionally these homes were built with sun-dried mud, but now are built with concrete, stucco, or mortar. Roofs are flat, and feature grandiose wooden doors and internal beams. These homes are ideal in locations with extreme summer heat, and are naturally insulatory and protected from the elements.

Spanish Style

Drawing from many elements similar to adobe style homes, Spanish style incorporates adobe, stucco, or concrete facades. The exterior is smooth, with iron features and red tile roofs. Exteriors are often painted white, and have interior courtyards with small gardens and fountains. Spanish style is ideal for larger homes and families seeking a traditional elegance with earthy features.

The beauty of building your own home is that you have total control over every aspect of the design, so you can draw from various styles to create a space that is perfect for you. At Abbott | Reed, we pride ourselves on innovation and communication. Whether it’s helping you realize your dream of a Spanish style subterranean wine cellar or helping to pick the perfect plumbing fixtures, our passion is building yours. Get in touch with one of our San Luis Obispo luxury home builders a call today at 805-316-5046.

There is no doubt that in 2019, green is in. More and more custom homes are being built with sustainable features, but is it possible to build a home that is eco-friendly and luxurious? Absolutely. Our San Luis Obispo custom home builders are on top of all things trending in custom home design, and are sharing four ways to make a luxury home environmentally friendly, and chic too.

Sustainable Features

When customizing your home, taking the time to understand where your materials come from and making mindful choices is a surefire way to make your space more sustainable. An example of this is when choosing flooring. There are plenty of options that can help you maintain the aesthetic you want, while still being eco-friendly. Stone flooring is a green option that is not only stunning, but also has a much lower impact than rare wood and artificial materials. You can also use recycled wood and materials, which cuts out on wasteful production. To reduce the carbon footprint of today’s construction demands, many contractors are seeking out local resources that are abundant to meet design challenges.

Locally-sourced Details

Although exotic imports like furniture and art can add an alluring feel to your home, they are often wasteful in the resources used to ship internationally. Details that are purchased locally give an authentic regional feel to your home, and give you the opportunity to meet the person who created them. When it comes to adding those special touches to your space, check out the local artists and producers in your area before you order something from far away.

Energy-efficient Appliances

When it comes to scaling down the environmental impact of your home, opting for efficient appliances is a simple way to go green. Some of the biggest energy-wasters in a home are the appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, and dryers. Switching to green alternatives is a worthwhile investment not only for the planet, but also for your pocket book. Many of the newest amenities on the market are required to be eco-friendly due to growing regulations, so outfitting your luxury home with sophisticated amenities is easier than ever.

Vegetable Gardens & Orchards

Nothing is more green than gardens, fruit trees, and a farm-to-table lifestyle. Outlining your custom home with trees and plants is not only beautiful and customizable, but also extremely sustainable. Gardening promotes healthy soil, creates microenvironments, and fresh ingredients for your salad. This reduces your carbon footprint by limiting the amount of vegetables you source from far away, and the extra oxygen created can help minimize the carbon footprint you create in your home. Lush backyards are always sexy and sustainable.

At Abbott | Reed Custom Homes, we specialize in creating spaces that fit all your your needs and interests, without compromise. Whether you’re looking to build your own eco-friendly haven, or simply want to add greener touches to your space, know that we’ll tailor every detail to your liking–it’s the only way we know to build a home that is uniquely yours. Get in touch with one of our luxury home builders today.

For centuries, the owner of a residence has escaped to their master bedroom for luxury and privacy. This was their restful sanctuary, a space where they could soak in their own personal aesthetic without interruption. This is the space not only for relaxation after a long day, but also for daydreaming and important conversations with loved ones.

Today’s master bedroom does not stray far from this theme, and custom homebuilders have taken leisure into the 21st century with modern amenities that turn private bedrooms into luxury lounges. The master bedroom is more than just a place to rest; it is a personally appointed escape built around your own tastes and interests. When building a custom home, consider adding these three classic touches to enhance your master suite.

Canopy Beds

Four-poster and canopied beds create a secret hideaway, and give the room a warm and cozy Victorian feel. While four-poster beds have connecting beams at the top, canopy beds add cascading fabric. These draping fabrics can be thick to hold in heat and to provide privacy, or they can be sheer to add a touch of elegance to the bedframe. Modern canopy beds come in every style ranging from rustic to ornate, and even minimalist.

Chaise Lounges

When you have a master bed to lie on, sitting rooms in bedrooms can seem unnecessary. However, if you have a full house with kids, a place to sit and read is a quiet luxury. Chaise lounges are incredibly comfortable and functional. Their smooth wavelike shape is a satisfying and aesthetically pleasing touch to a spacious room. They can be situated at the end of your bed in place of a bench, or alongside a bright window or bookshelf.

Private Bar

A private bar (or a morning bar) is a sophisticated and useful amenity to any master bedroom. They can range from a single mini fridge and counter space, to a full alcove that contains a fridge, sink, a microwave and coffeemaker. A private bar gives a space an inviting feel, and is ideal for upstairs bedrooms when the kitchen is further away.

Few pleasures in life are as comforting as your own bed. Our bedrooms are host to some of our most intimate pastimes and self-care rituals, and they are worthy of extra thought and investment. They are one of the only spaces in a home where personal aesthetic can outweigh functionality—the master bedroom is your chance to embrace the lavish and create the suite of your dreams. Here at Abbott | Reed, we will support you every step of the way as you embark on building your custom dream home and perfect master bedroom. Learn more about who we are, and get some inspo from the houses we’ve built. Feel free to reach out online or over the phone at 1-805-543-7277.