Welcome back, everyone! It feels like ages since I last shared an update on our custom home build, and believe me, it’s been a whirlwind of activity! If you’ve been following our journey on Instagram, you’ve likely seen some snippets of the extensive interior trimming work we’ve tackled (I’ve picked up so many invaluable tips from our step-dad, which I’m excited to share in a future post!). We’ve also officially begun the exciting process of painting both the exterior and interior, and the much-anticipated installation of cabinets and countertops is now well underway. It’s all the truly fun and transformative stuff that makes a house feel like a home! But today, I’m absolutely thrilled to announce a major milestone: the brick and stone work, which forms the very essence of our home’s character and curb appeal, is officially COMPLETE!
Crafting the Exterior: Our Brick and Stone Selection Journey
The exterior cladding of a home is more than just a protective layer; it’s a profound statement of style, durability, and a reflection of the homeowner’s vision. For our dream home, I meticulously selected Milsap stone for its natural elegance and varied textures, paired with Ravens Creek brick by ACME, known for its rich color and timeless appeal. These choices weren’t made lightly; countless hours were spent researching, looking at samples, and envisioning how they would come together to create the perfect façade. The combination strikes a beautiful balance between rustic charm and refined sophistication, promising an inviting and enduring exterior for decades to come.
The Art of Mortar: A Subtle Yet Significant Detail
Beyond the brick and stone themselves, one detail that I agonized over—and ultimately am incredibly pleased with—is the buff mortar. It might seem like a minor decision, but the color of the mortar profoundly impacts the overall look of the masonry. A buff mortar provides a softer contrast compared to traditional gray, allowing the individual bricks and stones to stand out while simultaneously blending them into a cohesive, warm aesthetic. It truly enhances the natural tones of both the Milsap stone and Ravens Creek brick, creating a harmonious and sophisticated finish that I absolutely adore. The end result has exceeded all my expectations, delivering a beautiful canvas for the architectural accents that bring so much character to our home’s exterior.
Architectural Accents: Elevating Our Home’s Curb Appeal
While the main body of brick and stone sets the foundation, it’s the carefully chosen architectural accents that truly elevate the home’s design and give it a bespoke feel. These special touches transform a simple structure into a work of art, adding depth, dimension, and a touch of elegance that makes our home uniquely ours. I’m particularly excited to share a few of these exterior highlights that have captured my heart.
Window Details: Double Stacks and Elegant Crowns
One of my absolute favorite features on the exterior is the thoughtful detailing around the windows. We opted for a double stack of brick surrounding each window, which creates a robust and framed look, adding a sense of grandeur and historical charm. This extra layer of brickwork not only provides a visual anchor for the windows but also adds depth and texture to the facade. Further enhancing this, the crown detail at the top of the windows is simply exquisite. It’s a subtle nod to classic architectural styles, lending an air of sophistication and craftsmanship. This combination truly makes the windows pop, transforming them into beautiful focal points rather than mere openings. It’s these kinds of intricate details that make a significant difference in the overall aesthetic appeal of a home.
A Unique Angle: The Pitched Brick Detail
Here’s another detail that quickly climbed to the top of my favorites list! It’s a design element I actually never knew was an option until we reviewed our architectural plans, but it’s one that has truly charmed me. The way the brickwork subtly angles out towards the roof line creates an understated yet incredibly elegant transition. This simple architectural flourish adds an unexpected layer of visual interest and texture, distinguishing our home from more conventional designs. It’s a testament to how even the most minor adjustments in masonry can yield such a significant and pleasing aesthetic impact. This clever detail contributes to a bespoke, custom feel that aligns perfectly with our vision for the entire house.
The Grand Entrance: Crown and Brickwork Over the Front Door
The front door serves as the welcoming embrace of any home, and making it visually striking was a top priority. I am absolutely head over heels for the crown and intricate brickwork over our front door. This particular detail exudes a sense of traditional grandeur and craftsmanship, immediately drawing the eye and setting a sophisticated tone for the entire property. The elegant crown molding provides a stately finish, while the complementary brick patterns highlight the entryway as a focal point. This detail is crucial for creating that impactful first impression. With such a beautiful foundation in place, I am positively dying to decorate that front porch and bring it to life with seasonal touches and personal flair!
My Absolute Favorite: The Porta Cache Archway
And now, for the grand reveal of my absolute FAVORITE exterior accent: the magnificent arch and crown detailing over the porta cache! This architectural feature is a true showstopper, combining the classic elegance of an archway with the refined beauty of crown molding. The porta cache itself adds a touch of old-world charm and functionality, but it’s the elaborate masonry work that truly transforms it into a breathtaking focal point. The graceful curve of the arch, meticulously crafted in brick, draws the eye upward, while the intricate crown provides a regal finish. This detail perfectly encapsulates the blend of classic sophistication and custom design we aimed for throughout our home, and every time I see it, it brings a smile to my face. It truly is the crown jewel of our exterior design.
Bringing the Outdoors In: Interior Stone Accents
The beauty of stone isn’t just reserved for the exterior. To create a seamless flow and introduce natural textures within our living spaces, we carefully incorporated a touch of the same stunning stone inside the house as well. These interior stone accents serve to add warmth, character, and a sophisticated rustic touch, tying the overall design aesthetic together beautifully.
The Heart of the Home: Our Stone Fireplace
A stone fireplace immediately establishes itself as the heart of any living room, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. For our home, we envisioned a fireplace that felt both grand and welcoming, and the natural stone cladding achieved exactly that. The variations in color and texture of the stone add an organic element, grounding the space and providing a stunning focal point. It’s a place where family will gather, stories will be shared, and memories will be made. The rugged beauty of the stone contrasts wonderfully with the softer interior finishes, creating a balanced and aesthetically rich environment.
A Culinary Statement: The Stone Kitchen Island
Our kitchen island is more than just a functional workspace; it’s a central hub for cooking, entertaining, and daily life. Integrating stone into the kitchen island design was a deliberate choice to infuse the kitchen with warmth and a touch of rugged elegance. The stone base provides a striking visual anchor, complementing the countertops and cabinetry while adding an unexpected textural dimension. It creates a robust, custom feel that instantly elevates the entire kitchen. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the stone adds a sense of permanence and quality, making the island a true statement piece in our open-concept living space. It’s an example of how natural materials can transform even the most functional areas of a home into something truly special.
Our Trusted Partners: TexPro Fence and More
Building a custom home is a collaborative effort, and choosing the right contractors is paramount. We were incredibly fortunate to work with TexPro Fence and More for all our brick and stone needs, and I cannot express enough how absolutely outstanding their work has been! The owner, a long-time family friend, along with his entire team, demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship, professionalism, and an incredible work ethic throughout the entire project. Their attention to detail, precision, and dedication to bringing our vision to life was truly remarkable, and they transformed our exterior and interior stone elements into breathtaking features.
If you’re located in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area and are seeking top-tier services for outdoor enhancements, we wholeheartedly recommend TexPro Fence and More. Beyond their superior brick and stone work, they specialize in a variety of outdoor living solutions, including stunning outdoor kitchens, elegant pergolas, and durable fences. Their expertise extends to creating cohesive and beautiful outdoor spaces that perfectly complement your home. Speaking of which, you can see a few of the truly swoon-worthy outdoor kitchens they’ve built on their website – they’re incredible! As someone who deeply values word-of-mouth recommendations, I can confidently say that TexPro Fence and More exceeded every expectation. Their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction is second to none, and we are so grateful for their contribution to our dream home.
The Journey Continues: Anticipating the Finish Line
Well, that’s the latest installment for now! As you can clearly see from all these exciting updates, we are rapidly approaching the finish line of this incredible home-building journey. This means that an abundance of fun finish-out updates are just around the corner, including the final touches of paint, the installation of beautiful cabinetry, and the selection of exquisite countertops. Each step brings us closer to seeing our vision fully realized, and the anticipation is absolutely thrilling! We can’t wait to share every detail of these exciting transformations with you as we bring our dream home to life.
Thank you all so much for stopping by and being a part of this adventure!
~Ashley