Building a spec home doesn’t have to mean settling for the ordinary. When we embarked on the journey of constructing our spec home, we discovered that being actively involved in the process from the get-go and knowing exactly what we wanted allowed us to infuse a custom-home feel without breaking the bank. Today, I’m excited to take you through the personalized choices we made in our kitchen—a space that truly reflects our style and preferences.
- Cabinetry Magic:
One of the first decisions we made was to opt for a two tone look by having our island a slate gray color and the cabinets white. Our builder did charge us $200 for the color change, but it was well worth it. We also had the builder put in glass fronts to two of our overhead cabinets. - Countertop Chronicles:
Say goodbye to cookie-cutter countertops! We went for a countertop material that not only resonated with our aesthetic but also offered durability and easy maintenance. We paid extra to upgrade our countertops to quartz, we weren’t able to select the slab in person, but we were able to see a section of examples and felt confident that our selection was a major important over the grant options. This decision not only enhanced the functionality of our kitchen but also added a distinct character to the space. - Hardware:
The hardware is like the jewelry of the kitchen, and we treated it as such. Opting to have the builder not add any (so they wouldn’t drill any holes) we bought our own off amazing and installed them when we moved in. It’s a small detail that goes a long way in making our kitchen uniquely ours. - Appliance Elegance:
While standard appliances are often part of spec home packages, we decided to upgrade selectively. Investing in high-quality, stylish appliances not only boosted the overall aesthetic but also improved the functionality of our kitchen. We hired a separate contractor to install a gas tank and line to connect to our Cafe Appliance stove. The other spec houses have the microwave installed over the stove. We purchased a drawer microwave and the builder installed it into the island for us. I will say that for some reason it took them a bit to wrap their heads around the microwave change and it added at least a month to our final move-in day ha. - Let there be light:
In our last house we had a huge window over the kitchen sink and it was a source of daily joy for me. Our spec home had a standard sized window over the sink and more cabinets around it. We asked for the upper cabinets to be removed and showed the builder an example of a window we liked and the fee was surprisingly small, and what a huge difference it makes! We also purchased our own over-the-sink light and chandelier for the breakfast nook. Adding custom lighting helps our house stand out as uniquely ours.
Building a spec home offers endless opportunities to infuse your personality and style. By actively participating in the home-building process and knowing exactly what you want, you can transform a standard spec home into a personalized haven. Our kitchen is a testament to this, reflecting our unique choices and creating a space that truly feels like home.
Stay tuned for more insights into personalizing your spec home, one room at a time!
