ashley@miltoncustom.com |

Research, Planning, and Patience: The Three Step Guide to Custom Home Building

If you’ve decided to build a custom home, you’re probably really excited. There’s a lot to think about, which can be fun, but you need to make sure you have your proverbial ducks in a row before you take the plunge. At Milton, we break the experience down into three main, easily digestible stages: Research, planning, and patience.

Researching may be the most fun part of this list. Doing your due diligence helps you communicate with your builder so they can give you the dream home you’ve always wanted at a price you’re comfortable with. Make a list of the things you absolutely need to have (and those you don’t), locations or specific parts of a city that work best for you and your family, and anything else that will allow your builder to accurately portray your vision. You’ll also want to find and connect with a builder and designer that match your style.
Read reviews, study completed projects, and, most importantly, set up a consultation with them.

When planning for your custom home, there’s more to think about than the construction itself. While the research process helped to fill up your Pinterest page with storage options, outdoor seating ideas, and a
beautiful kitchen inspiration, you’ll also need to think about things like timing, where you’ll stay while your home is being built, and setting a budget.

Patience may be the most overlooked and underestimated of the three stages. Try not to get too far ahead of yourself, mentally, during the research and planning phase – building a home takes time. Make sure
you’re asking the right questions so you fully understand the process and avoid surprises during construction. Even with a plan in place, one you spent precious time putting together, there’s no need to rush. Work with your builder to lay out a timeline that works for you and your family.

Want to speak with Milton about building your dream home? Click here, call 203-613-8889, or email us to get started.

Kitchen Fundamentals: Custom Home Builder Basics

We’ve written about where we get inspirations for our kitchen designs, but now we want to dive into some of the fundamentals of building a key piece of your dream home: the kitchen. You’ll spend a lot of time in your kitchen, so a great design will help make sure it’s time you’ll enjoy.

Here are three key features to think about when designing a kitchen:

Efficiency: No, we’re not talking about appliances (we’ll get to that later). The flow of your kitchen – how you’re able to move within the space while you’re cooking – can be an overlooked part of this puzzle. While countertops, backsplashes, and appliances get a lot of attention, your ability to complete tasks smoothly and efficiently may be out of focus. Consider how you typically cook and organize. The right design will help make your kitchen something you don’t have to work around, rather, it’ll be an integral part of your workflow. That is what building a custom home is all about.

Appliances: Between aesthetics and versatility, there is a lot to think about when you’re purchasing appliances. Similarly, to the efficiency and flow of your kitchen, you’ll want to think about what you like to cook, if you like to entertain, the tools you prefer to use – the list goes on. There are other preferences that you may already have that will help you choose what appliances work best for your lifestyle. Keep those in mind as you decide.

Floors: There are a lot of options in this department, but sifting through them doesn’t need to be difficult. You may already have some preferences that will help shorten the list, but from there it’s important to do your best to mesh style with durability. If you have an active lifestyle, or have kids and pets, an easy to clean, non-scratch floor may be the key to your kitchen looking like new.

If you have any questions about our process, or want to learn more about building a custom home, please contact MILTON Development online or by phone 203-613-8889).

Why Choose Milton to Build Your Custom Home?

At Milton, we take pride in our clients and the unique visions they have for their dream homes. With luxury, detail, and quality in mind, our team provides unparalleled service to make those dreams a reality. Communication makes a relationship thrive, and we wouldn’t be able to build the amazing homes without the cooperation, enthusiasm, and vision of our clients. See what Steve and Amanda recently shared about the process of building their custom home with Milton:

“Working with Milton was a wonderful experience. Even though we lived out of state during construction, the process was always smooth, organized, and very professional. The team at Milton was always available to answer any questions and guide us with their knowledge and expertise. We were frequently updated with pictures and emails, and their completion date was dead on. We are extremely happy with the high quality of workmanship, design and materials used in our home. Every time we pull into our driveway we have no doubt we chose the right team to build our beautiful dream home.”

Steve and Amanda are just two of the many satisfied clients throughout Westport, Connecticut that can attest to the meticulous attention to detail and unequaled after-sales service that have become the hallmark of our business. Working with MILTON is not just about building a house; it’s a trusted partnership with a dedicated team of professionals who will be there for you long after the completion of your home. Just see what Steve and Amanda set about their recent experience with Milton Development.

So contact us today over the phone (203-613-8889), via email (Ashley@miltondevelopment.com), or directly through our website.

Why do people choose Milton to build their luxury custom homes?

Many people have chosen Milton to build their luxury custom homes, but we wanted to dig deeper to tell you why.

At Milton Development, we take pride in our dedication to building quality homes. In fact, it’s the first of our core values: quality, transparency, and commitment. So how do we ensure quality? It starts with a great team of experts striving to always exceed expectations.

Over the last decade, we’ve built incredible relationships with designers and subcontractors who understand the quality of work that is expected in a MILTON home. We take these relationships very seriously, because these are the craftsmen that are putting their time and talents into your dream home.

Our highly experienced project managers help oversee each process from start to finish, and every detail of your custom home build is held to a higher standard of quality. Every member of the team – including you – helps ensure that the quality of our product is top-notch and consistent. As we say, it’s quality craftsmanship that you can see and feel.

We understand a custom home is an important investment in your future, so we never cut corners. Ever. Make sure you are getting a quality custom home build! If you are considering a custom built home or have any questions, please contact Milton Development at 203-613-8889 or fill out the form at miltondevelopment.com.

Why Should You Build a Custom Home in Westport, Connecticut?

In an earlier post, we taught you about Westport, CT – gorgeous, lively, and bustling town within Connecticut’s Gold Coast – and the joys of living in one of Connecticut’s premiere towns. Just a short drive west, you’ll find Norwalk – a quiet maritime town overlooking the Long Island sound.

Norwalk has plenty of sites and activities, like tours of museums, aquariums, and Sheffield Island. There are also events all year long that will make your whole family happy. Paddle boarding on the Sound, book signings, theater, music, and festivals will certainly keep you busy while experiencing the heritage, art, and culture of Norwalk. The area schools are also some of the best in the area. Between public and private options, you can make sure your family’s education is the best it can be. Norwalk is also less than an hour away from New York City, making day trips to the Big Apple a breeze.

You can watch the official Norwalk, CT TourBook here to learn even more about this great town.

You can see the current progress on one of our newest homes here. This waterfront property was designed with Beinfield Architecture and captures every view of the Long Island Sound has to offer.

Interested in a building a home in Norwalk with Milton Development? Contact us at 203-613-8889 or Ashley@miltondevelopment.com.

Custom Built Homes: Quick design tips for outdoor living spaces

Custom built homes require both the customer and designer to think of every detail. Here, we’ll take a look at some quick design tips for outdoor living spaces so you and your family can enjoy your home – inside and out.

With summer in full swing, you’re bound to start spending more time in your outdoor living space. The perfect outdoor oasis can be an incredible compliment to the rest of your home. So what can you do to touch up that space to make it something truly unique?

The key is to develop an outdoor living area that has function. You should ask yourself what purpose you want the space to serve. Once you’ve decided, then you can begin to adjust your outdoor space to serve your needs.

How the space interacts with the rest of the home is also important. Do the materials, colors, or design clash? Does each space seamlessly flow into the next? To make sure each space is working together (landscaping, hardscape, etc.), take a look at your entire outdoor space and picture it within the larger design of your home. Does it fit?

Finally, and most importantly, you need to feel comfortable in your home – both inside and out. Once utility and flow are covered, you can begin to consider how to make your outdoor space more comfortable. Lighting, cover, furniture, and landscaping are just a few things to think about.

When creating outdoor living spaces, it’s important to treat them with as much care and consideration as you would the interior of a home.

To learn more about building a custom home, or for general inquiries, contact Milton Development at 203-613-8889 or fill out the form at miltondevelopment.com.

Where does Milton Development draw its inspiration for outdoor living spaces?

The magic of a brilliant outdoor space can complete a home and bring it to life. Oftentimes when designing the perfect room or, in this case, the perfect outdoor living space, inspiration can be elusive. At Milton Development, inspiration for your outdoor oasis comes from a number of places.

First, we draw from foreign and exotic places where outdoor living is the norm. In many of these places, utility is as important as design. When function meets beauty, you have an outdoor space that you’ll have a hard time leaving. You may also develop an impulse to show it off to your friends.

Most importantly, we draw a lot of inspiration directly from our clients. Each family is different, which means they have a unique interaction with the outdoors. Some prefer a quiet place to read, others want a spacious outdoor dining space to entertain guests, or a cozy corner to congregate by a fire. Some just want to be able to throw epic pool parties, or walk to their backyard tennis courts for a quick weekend set. It’s important that we learn everything we can about a client so we can translate it into a one-of-a-kind plan that fits the client’s personality.

The interior of the home tells us a lot about the family, and inspires the perfect outdoor living space to compliment the rest of the home. If an outdoor living space is a part of your dream home, consider it one of the advantages of building a custom home. To learn more about building a custom home, or for general inquiries, contact Milton Development at 203-613-8889 or fill out the form at miltondevelopment.com.

Timing Your Custom Home Build

If you’ve been thinking about a custom home, there’s a lot to consider before jumping in. The sale of an existing home, the school year for your children, changing jobs – the list goes on. At MILTON, we’re here to make this process, well – less of a process so you can better enjoy all the advantages of building a custom home. Here are the answers to some of your questions:

How long does it take to build a custom home?

The average build takes six to 12 months to complete from the time a site is chosen to when it’s move-in ready.

How does MILTON work with different client schedules?

At MILTON, we’re involved every step of the way. We assist you in creating a a timetable that works with your family’s schedule so you should always know what’s happening with your build. We are always available to answer any questions you may have, giving you added peace of mind in knowing your builder is there for you when you need us.

We’ll work with you to iron out all the details so our designers can create something that fits your wants and needs, while remaining sensitive to your target move-in date. We understand life doesn’t stop to build a home, so we always keep your scheduling needs in mind.

What are the steps involved in building a custom home?

Step one: Choosing a builder – More specifically, choosing the right builder. Creating a custom home starts with your ideas and are made a reality by architects and designers. You want a builder that works with you to create a plan and executes based on your needs.

Step two: Choosing where to build – There’s a lot to consider when choosing where to move your family. How are the schools? Are there parks nearby? Luckily, we’ve done some of the research for you. See why we chose Westport, Connecticut as our home base.

Step three: Site Preparation, Foundation, and Framing – This is where the main structure of your home is constructed.

Step four: The Vitals – Electric, heat, plumbing, walls and other vital home features are installed. At this stage, you’ll begin to see your new home take shape.

Step five: The Fixings – Larger fixtures are installed such as flooring and cabinets as well as things like molding and paint.

Step six: Special Delivery – Appliances will be delivered, and sinks, counter-tops, and other fixtures will be installed.

Step seven: Home Stretch – Smaller details are resolved and a closing date is chosen.

If you have any questions about our process, or want to learn more about building a custom home, please contact MILTON Development online or by phone 203-613-8889).

Custom Home Design: Getting the Most out of your Bedroom

Your bedroom is an important space. It is where you unwind, reflect, and refresh. And while the décor plays a role in a room, its design is a significant part of how a space feels and what you place there.

Here are some questions that can help kick start your bedroom design.

What do you want in your bedroom? – Have you always wanted a fireplace? Large windows? Built in bookshelves or a desk? French doors that lead to a deck? The initial design phase is a great time to think about all the things you have dreamed of having in your room. From there, you can refine those ideas until you get your ideal space.

How do you want the room to flow? – Have you ever walked into a room and reached for where you thought the light switch should be only to find yourself feeling around on a bare wall? The flow of a room, from turning on the lights to where your closets are, makes a space feel natural. With that, you will want to consider a few things when designing your bedroom. The furniture you are going to put inside is fairly large (think beds, dressers) and, if it is a master bedroom, you will have an extra door to a bathroom in addition to a closet.

What kind of storage works for your lifestyle? – If you are the active, adventure type, maybe you prefer to have your hiking clothes at arms length. Perhaps you are a fair-weather cyclist and do not mind storing those clothes somewhere else or amongst other, less used clothes. Do you prefer to fold your clothes or hang them up? Maybe you are all about shoes? Think about what you need on a daily basis and let that work its way into the design.

Where should the windows go and how many should you have? – Once you know where in your home the bedroom is, you can think about the type of privacy you prefer along with natural light, ventilation, and the view. If you love a nice view and a lot of nature light, look into building in a large walk-in closet. Cool summer nights offer great breezes – how can you get the best ventilation?

Have more questions or want to speak with someone at Milton? You can use our contact form (link) or call us at 203-613-8889.

Author: ashley@miltoncustom.com