Last week I posted part of the evolution of a home that REEF is building here on Cape Cod. The blog received a lot of attention. It seems many people are interested in watching the metamorphosis of an old, rundown cottage into a modern waterfront or water view Cape Cod home. The home I featured last week overlooks the dunes on the north side of the Cape, and Cape Cod Bay.

Here’s another REEF project with southern exposure over a beautiful bay and river in Dennis. It’s the small one in the center of the first photo, right above the red and green buoys. You can see that the neighborhood has grown up around the old cottage. The scene is pretty tranquil now, as the photos were taken in November through January. However this area is alive with small boat activity in the summer, which will provide for endless hours of quiet enjoyment.  I’ll update the blog photos as construction progresses. The kitchen and living area, as well as most of the bedrooms in the home, overlook the water. It will be breath taking. Stay tuned…!

The kitchen is the heart of your Cape Cod home, and even though it may be your Cape Escape cottage, it’s our job to ensure that your home design has access to the latest and greatest. Each year, the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) surveys its members to identify the latest design and specification trends in kitchen and bath design. This year, more than 300 NKBA member-designers participated in the 2013 NKBA Design Trends Survey, reporting the materials, product types, and styles that they specified in their kitchen and bath designs over the final three months of 2012. New products - like this touch-activated faucet - new ideas, great reading!

2013 Kitchen Design Trends

“The party’s in the kitchen.” It seems the kitchen is where we frequently end up with friends. It’s our favorite place, near the food, full of comfort, and relaxed. Collectively people spend much of their time in the kitchen, which is why we put so much effort into making sure it’s just right for our customers. We’re constantly looking for new ideas. Here’s a bunch of different treatments and ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Ideas like these are great to have on hand when you’re thinking about your new space. Frequently our customers will bring in lots of photos, articles and ideas, for us to include in their Cape Cod kitchen design. Enjoy! 

25Wonderful Kitchen Design Ideas

Windows are bigger than ever today. They play an increasingly important role in helping our customers maximize the value of their home by welcoming light, opening vistas, and creating interesting, inviting spaces. There are myriad options, from decorative to functional. Some of the energy efficient models may even qualify for energy rebates. Many of our customers build or re-buld their homes around views of Cape Cod Bay, Vineyard or Nantucket Sound, marshes and bogs. Here are some great ideas for using windows to create truly special spaces.

Factors to Consider when Choosing Windows

    When people are considering their retirement home, a key factor is how much space they will really need.  At an earlier stage in life, a large home with a big yard and 4 bedrooms was important, especially with children in the home.  As you approach the retirement years, many people realize that they don't need all of that extra space, along with the headaches of maintaining a large home and yard.  As such, the idea of downsizing for your next home is a good consideration.  Fortunately, downsizing doesn't mean giving up on the features that you loved about your larger space. New materials allow a lot more flexibility for open living spaces, just on a smaller scale.  When considering your next Custom Home or Remodeling Project on Cape Cod, you should consider downsizing or right-sizing your home.

Here is an article from the Wall Street Journal that talks about making the decision to downsize:

Downsizing your Home

Welcome to Cape Cod Builder's Blog

The importance of utilzing a competent Cape Cod Builder for your construction project cannot be overemphasized.  This will go a long way toward avoiding costly mistakes and unnecessary stress.

A thorough, knowledgeable, thoughtful and skilled Builder., will ensure that your project is designed according to your personal likes and dislikes.  The Builder must be fully licensed and should make certain that each specialty trade is licensed, insured, and well referenced.  References are one of the best ways to assure that you receive the quality and attention to detail that you expect for your project.

Equally as vital as established subcontractor relationships, are the alliances that a G.C. has built with its vendors and suppliers.   These should be long-term relationships characterized by high standards of customer service (including integrity, trustworthiness, and the ability to communicate well), reliability, accessibility, and competitive pricing.

Finally, an above average Cape Cod Builder should:

-be punctual;

-understand the permitting process

-have a mastery of the building code

-ask the right questions;

-listen attentively

-help educuate their clients on products and processes

-And be personable!!