Happy Friday! I hope you have had a productive week!

Thank You For Attending Our Meet The Builder

We had a great turnout last weekend for our Meet The Builder event. Thank you for coming out! Did you miss it? We will be scheduling our next MTB soon! Stay Tuned!

Langley Model Open This Weekend!

Our brand new Langley Model will be open this Saturday & Sunday from 12 – 4 PM. Please come see this gorgeous home. It’s gorgeous!

This Week’s Settlement

We finished a custom Old Dominion Model this week. The Old Dominion Model typically has a stone/siding facade with a front porch. The standard elevation is similar to this Old Dominion Model we completed a few years ago.

The “K” Family decided to customize the elevation of their Old Dominion Model by adding a brick front.

Congratulations “K” Family – so fun working with you!

On The Blog This Week

What’s the difference between a Traditional and Craftsman home? This week I talked about the elements that go into each type of home – and why we build homes with these specific trim packages. 

What’s the price per square foot? On Thursday, I talked about three factors that drive the price of a new home.

Andrew’s (Pre-school) Graduation

Andrew “graduated” from pre-school on Wednesday. I think they’re a little silly but it was fun seeing Andrew up on stage singing songs and generally enjoying being in front of a crowd of people (who are his parents?). We also snapped a few pictures (trying to get better with this!) to document the day…

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! This is one of my favorite weekends of the year in DC. We have several traditions we do as a family every Memorial Day Weekend – more on that next week!

For now, as we all enjoy being with our friends and family this weekend, let us remember all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

I know I will. May God bless those lost and may God bless the USA!

Dream Big. Build Smart.

I hope you had a great long weekend! Even though the weather was a little dicey, it was fun ushering in summer. Between Paul’s birthday and the local festivities in Falls Church City, our family was busy!

The annual Falls Church City Memorial Day parade is always a hoot. The kids love it because they get lots of candy thrown at them. We love it because it’s fun and a little quirky. My favorite is the Shriners and their little red cars.

We headed back to our house after the parade for a little cookout. We snapped this remake picture of Andrew (right) with his cousin, Ryan (Adam’s son). So cute they are!

And on Tuesday, it was back to work!

Langley Model Open This Weekend!

Our brand new Langley Model will be open this Saturday & Sunday from 12 – 4 PM. Please come see this gorgeous home.

Newly Finished Fairlington Model

We just finished this home in Falls Church. Our Fairlington Model is one of our most popular models for narrow lots. At 36′ wide, it is a great fit when frontage is limited.

On The Blog This Week

I recently started a new blog series call Home Building FAQs – in 300 words or less, I answer a frequently asked question about home building. This week, I answered the question, how long do permit approvals take?

On Thursday, I shared my top 5 favorite kitchen tools and one of my favorite appetizer recipes – Spicy Tuna Tartar – YUM!

Thank you for stopping by my blog today – it’s been a great week. One of the best moments? Andrew picking up the Falls Church News Press, seeing his picture on the front page (that’s him in the baseball uniform) and immediately declaring, “I’m famous!”

Yes you are son – in so many ways.

I hope you have a blessed weekend!

Dream Big. Build Smart. 

It’s the end of another quick week. I don’t know about you but I can’t wait for the “lazy” days of summer. The boys are wrapping up their 1st tee-ball season this week and school is coming to an end later this month. And now I’m looking forward to less programming, less “hurry” and a little more lazy. That’s at home. At the office, things are buzzing as usual…

Some REALLY Good News!

I’m so proud to announce Adam Alderson as our new VP of Operations.

Adam has been with NDI since 2007. He has worn many hats over the last 10 years…he started the Site Development Program (and ran it for 3 years), spent several years in the field and since 2013, he’s been Director of Field Operations. Adam really has his hands in just about every aspect of NDI operations. He’s excelled at everything he’s done and is so deserving of this promotion. Congratulations little brother!

Visit the Langley Model in Falls Church

Our brand new Langley Model will be open this Saturday & Sunday from 12 – 4 PM. Have you seen this model yet? It is one of our best-selling designs right now. People love the unique floor plan and flex space.

Come see us this weekend – I really think you’re going to love it!

New Home Tour Technology

We recently tried out a new technology for home tours – with this cool new tool, you can take an interactive tour and it feels like you are actually walking through the house! Try it out HERE on our Langley Model.

On The Blog This Week

New series! I’m taking you behind the scenes and sharing all the ups and downs in my new How To Build A Custom Home Series.

Have you seen my FAQ series? In 300 words or less, I answer a common home building question. On Thursday, I answered the latest Home Building FAQs: When Do I Close My Construction Loan? 

Oh Bubba

Last November, I shared about my favorite coffee mug and why I switched from my Hydro Flask to the Bubba for my morning coffee (I even use it when I’m not leaving the house!). It was pretty funny because a few weeks ago, Paul and I were out to dinner and we ran into a client we built for in Arlington (have I told you how much I enjoy running into clients when I’m out and about?). Mrs. was telling me she received the same Bubba travel mug from her husband as a Christmas gift (he’s a regular blog reader – thank you Mr. H!) and she loves it. I was joking that I needed to get a 2nd bubba just in case I misplaced one. Well wouldn’t you know it, I HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO FIND MY BUBBA since Tuesday!

I’m still hoping it turns up but until then, I just placed a same day order for another one. I’ve been drinking out of my Hydro Flask since Wednesday morning and oh how I miss my bubba! I love (and depend) on this travel mug for my morning coffee ritual. It keeps things warm and better than that, it doesn’t distort the taste of my coffee (it has a ceramic inside vs. metal) like my Hydro Flask.

And apparently, it makes a great gift!

Thank you for stopping by my blog today – it really means a lot to me that you take time out of the busyness of life to read my words. Thank you thank you! Wishing you a wonderfully restful weekend!

Dream Big. Build Smart.

Happy Friday and welcome to my week in review! We are SO BUSY and I love it!!!

Pop Up Open House This Weekend!

On Saturday, 6/17 and Sunday, 6/18, we will be showing a newly finished Vienna Model in Arlington. Have you seen this model? It has been one of our most popular designs over the last few years. People love it’s perfect size and open layout. So pretty too!

I hope you will stop by! You can get details on the latest Open House by clicking HERE.

Design Center Remodel

We’re almost done with the renovations at our Design Center. We’re all so excited about how everything is turning out. The Design Center is a great place for you to look at all of the different selections we offer, chat with a member of our sales team or just come out to hang out (we have coffee!). We’ve installed rooms of various flooring selections (some standards, some upgrades) so you can get a feel for the products. We will be doing a big reveal soon but in the meantime, here a few pictures!

Our mission statement…

It is hard to tell in this picture but this room has a sampling of our standard flooring selections installed – there are actually 3 different colors installed in this room!

I can’t wait to show you the finished product but you don’t have to wait until then. Let us know if you’d like to come for a visit!

On The Blog This Week

New series! I’m taking you behind the scenes and sharing all the ups and downs in my new How To Build A Custom Home Series. The latest post in this series is how to go about Finding A Lot!

Have you seen my Home Building FAQs series? In 300 words or less, I answer a common home building question. This week, I answered the latest Home Building FAQs: What Is An Escalation Clause?

My Latest Food Obsessions

I love food. I love to eat it. I love to cook it. I even love to shop for it (solo grocery store shopping is like therapy for me!). Here are two products I can’t get enough of lately…

Harris Teeter Monumental (and they are!) Salt & Pepper Virginia Peanuts – I’m serious when I say these are addictive. I have to grab a small handful and put these yummy things away out of fear I’ll eat the whole can.

They are perfectly seasoned with salt & pepper and make the perfect afternoon snack (if you can keep it to a small handful!).

Tessemae’s Zesty Ranch Salad Dressing – I’ve talked about this brand of salad dressings before. I love them all because they are a healthier alternative to bottled salad dressing (no sugar, low sodium, etc).

I love making my own salad dressing but I rarely do anymore because I. Love. This.

It is nothing like traditional Ranch dressing but it SO GOOD! It has a bit of a bite (I usually add fresh black pepper to my salads but I don’t when I use this dressing because it adds just the right amount of heat) which I love! I have found myself eating MORE salads because this stuff is so good. I find it at my local Harris Teeter – give it a try!

Our Wedding Anniversary

Paul and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary on June 12. It seems like yesterday we tied the knot…

We were babies! To celebrate, Paul took me to the Watergate Hotel in DC for dinner. Have you seen this place since it reopened last year? It went through a huge renovation (over $100 million) after being closed for almost 10 years. The property is cool – very retro.

We had a lovely evening. Everything was delicious!

But most of all, I just loved spending a quiet evening with my sweet husband. I love this man!

Thank you for stopping by blog today! Wishing you a blessed weekend! And if you are lucky enough to still have your dad around and/or be a dad, I wish you a very happy Father’s Day! I will be celebrating the two best fathers I know!

Dream Big. Build Smart.

Happy summer – officially! Summer solstice was on Wednesday and Nathan’s last day of Kindergarten was yesterday. WOOT WOOT!

Look how the boys have changed over the last 9+ months – sniff. Nate (6) is on the left and Andrew (5) is on the right. Andrew was so squishy back on the first day of school in September!

And now they look so grown up!

Not sure who is more excited about summer – me or the boys? Even though I don’t get the summer off, for the first time in a LONG time, it actually feels like summer. Maybe it is because the boys will be in summer camp or because we joined a pool this year but we are ready!

So what is happening around NDI?

Pop Up Open House This Weekend!

On Saturday, 6/24 and Sunday, 6/25, we will be showing a newly finished Fairlington Model in Falls Church. Have you seen this model? At just 38′ wide and over 3500 square feet, this model has become one of our top sellers!

I hope you will stop by! You can get details on the latest Open House by clicking HERE.

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO OUR POP UP OPEN HOUSE, THE LANGLEY MODEL WILL BE CLOSED THIS WEEKEND.

Settlements & Starts

We settled a recently completed Vienna Model for an Investor Client this week. I love this beautiful home!

We loved working with this client! He has another lot he’d like to develop – we look forward to working with him on that project too! Have you checked out our Investor Program? I’ve written a series of blog posts about it. Let us know if you are interested in how we can help you be a successful investor builder!

We’re getting ready to start a Washington Model in Fairfax! Not familiar with this model? It is the little sister to our popular Hastings Model. It has a lot of flexibility in terms of use of space – clients love it!

Looking forward to working with you “N Family”!

New Swag

Have you ever heard of a fidget spinner? We just got some NDI spinners and I’m addicted. They’re not just for kids!

Not sure what they’re all about? Swing by this weekend’s open house and pick one up!

On The Blog This Week

On Tuesday, I continued our How To Build A Custom Home Series with the next step in the build process – The Study Period! This is a very important step so don’t miss it!

On Thursday, I took a little break from talking about building a home and shared my summer bucket list – I’ve never done a bucket list before but Nathan inspired me with his.

What We Did For Father’s Day

After church on Sunday, we took the boys down to the District Warf in DC. I’m a native northern Virginian and I can’t remember ever going. It is quite the show! You can get any type of fresh seafood you want (raw, cooked for you to take home, cooked for you to eat there) – it is pretty awesome!

We picked up a bushel of crabs to take home to pick for our Father’s Day celebration.

You pick out what you want and they will steam them for you and even carry them to your car!

It was a fun experience but tiring!

Just kidding – the kids were totally faking!

When we got home, we set up the crab picking table Paul and the boys built the day before. It turned out perfect! There’s even a hole in the middle to throw your shells in (trash can underneath).

We had a ball celebrating all of the dads in our lives!

Thank you for stopping by my blog today! I hope you enjoy the first official weekend of summer!

Dream Big. Build Smart.

Looking to add a little style to your kitchen? Consider an apron kitchen sink! They add such a fun flair to the overall feel of the kitchen. And it doesn’t matter if your style is traditional, contemporary or farmhouse – apron sinks work!

We just finished this beautiful Langley Model in North Arlington and they chose a stainless apron sink.

I love how the stainless steel sink & contemporary appliances complement the dramatic granite top. This color is Bianco Romano and I LOVE IT!

We’ve been installing these apron sinks from time to time over the years. In fact, when we built our home in 2008, Paul and I chose a Rohl Farmhouse Sink. It is made from clay so it is super solid and we still love it!

So I’d say this “trend” is pretty timeless – what do you think?

Dream Big. Build Smart.

Tomorrow is July. July! Where oh where is this summer going? I don’t know about you but I’m trying very hard to relish every minute. Paul and I are being very intentional about slowing our roll this summer. So far so good!

And around NDI, things are getting pretty busy…

Come See Our “New” Design Center

Need some ideas for your new home? Visit our new Design Center and see some of the interior and exterior selections we offer in our homes. We’ve even installed several different types of flooring and cabinetry throughout which allows you to touch and feel the installed products. I promise you will love what you see!

The Design Center will be open next week 11 – 5 PM (we are closed for July 4th). It is located at 10704 Vandor Lane, Manassas, VA 20109.

This Week’s Starts

We are soon starting two projects in Fairfax – one is a Chesterbrook Craftsman Model and the other is our Vienna Model. These are very popular right now! In fact we currently have 9 Chesterbrook Models and 11 Vienna models in various stages of the process. Can’t you see why?

Looking forward to starting these projects for these sweet families!

On The Blog This Week

In the latest Home Building FAQ Post, I answer the question How Often Should I Water My New Sod? I got some help from a friend on this one and the answer may surprise you!

Next up – What’s Trending! On Thursday, I posted about the Apron Kitchen Sink trend which I love!

If you are debating what kitchen sink to select, check it out!

Where I Live

Target is coming! Target is coming! Yes – it was just announced this week that Target is coming to the City of Falls Church.

And so is Aldi, a new grocery store! Have you heard of Aldi? I have not but welcome them to the city!

Because in the land of banks, fro-yo and pizza places, we’re actually getting meaningful retail. And I cannot wait!

Happy 4th of July!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday! I think we live in the greatest country in the history of mankind. And on this 4th of July, I’m so thankful to be an American!

Dream Big. Build Smart.

I hope you had a great July 4th! It’s been a short but exciting week around here…

Langley Model Open This Weekend + Save The Date!

Our brand new Langley Model will be open this Saturday & Sunday from 12 – 4 PM. This home has SOLD so there are only a few weekends left to view it. Don’t miss out!

Join us for our next Meet The Builder on Saturday, July 15 from 10 AM – 12 PM at our new Langley Model. We only do these special events a few times a year and they are always fun and well-attended!

Meet The Builder
Meet The Lender
Meet The Site Contractor
Meet The Site Engineer

Saturday, July 15, 2017
10 AM – 12 PM
Langley Model in Falls Church

Vienna Model Settles IN VIENNA!

We turned over the keys to this lovely Vienna Model located in the heart of the Town of Vienna.

I love this model for so many reasons but one of them is the stair system. The Vienna Model features a split staircase so there is a flight in the foyer and a flight going down to the kitchen (the open stairs to the basement shown are optional).

And I love the kitchen our client selected! The cabinets are Pebble Gray (such a pretty color!) and the granite top is Bianca Romano. They also selected a classic white subway tile for the backsplash – love love love this combination.

And for the optional Butlers Pantry, they selected the same cabinet color but opted for quartz (Iced White) counters and marble backsplash. I’m crazy about those hexagon tiles!

This family has been so fun to work with and we wish them the very best in their new home. Thank you “C” Family!

On The Blog This Week!

Big announcement on the blog this week! We have awarded the first ever NDI Gives Back Scholarships. I’m so excited about this initiative aimed to encourage young people to get into the construction industry. In Thursday’s post, I introduced the winners!

Thank you for stopping by my blog today! I hope you have an awesome weekend! I will be checking something off my Summer Bucket List – wish me luck!

Dream Big. Build Smart. 

I recently started a new blog series chronicling the step by step process of building a custom home. I thought it would be helpful to blog about the process from start to finish. I did a similar series a few years ago but this time around, I hope to take you more behind the scenes and share the ins and outs of building a new home. We just recently purchased our next spec lot on Greenwich Street in Falls Church (Fairfax County, McLean school pyramid) so it’s perfect timing! So far, I’ve covered how we found our lot and negotiated the lot contract and what we did during the study period.

The next step after the study period is ordering the house plans. For this project, we chose the Clarendon Model. I’ve always loved this model and I’m not the only one. It has been one of our top sellers since we introduced it several years ago. With 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms and tons of flex space, it is ideal for this market. My advice for choosing a home design? I have a few tips…

Choose a design that fits your lot & your lifestyle. Building restrictions often limit what you can build but don’t worry – we have plenty of designs you can choose from! We also allow total customization on any of our homes. We love customizing our designs to fit our clients and their lot!

Why the Clarendon when it comes to fit? Because it has design elements people LOVE including three different flex spaces! The flex suite on the 1st floor could be used as a home office, guest suite or hobby room.

Create a sitting area in the library or close it off for a private space.  The computer area is perfect for a kids playroom or teen lounge. I love how it is tucked away but easily accessed by the secondary bedrooms.

Choose a design that will maximize your investment. I know the last thing you are thinking about when building a new home is selling it but the day will come that you will likely sell this home. When you do, don’t get caught trying to sell something few people want.

Why the Clarendon when in it comes to investment? Because people love the look of this home – inside and out!

Choose a design you love. And keep working on it until it’s perfect. Like I said, I love the Clarendon Model but I have a confession to make – there is an aspect of the design that has always bugged me – the kitchen. We’ve built this home twice on spec (and for dozens of clients!) and at times, the kitchen feels a little dark.

Even when we went with a lighter cabinet, it still felt a little closed in…

The lot we will be building on this time around has several tall trees so this was a definite concern of mine. I also don’t prefer the corner pantry in the original plan. I wanted a layout that addressed both of my concerns AND created interest (did you know kitchens and master baths SELL homes!). So I sat down and started playing around with the design. I’m going to show you the changes I made but first, here is the original kitchen layout…

And here is the revised plan.

I removed the overhead wall cabinets on the outside kitchen wall and added windows. I think this will bring in much appreciated natural light. With the 48″ range and hood between the windows, we’ve created a focal point in the kitchen. Here is my inspiration picture…

To address the corner pantry, I looked to the dining room which is right next to the kitchen. The dining room in the Clarendon Model is HUGE. Here is the original layout.

I decided to split the pantry into two separate pantries to create a barreled ceiling passage to the dining room. I also added flanking butler’s pantries inside the dining room. Here is the revised layout.

This design provides ample pantry space AND additional cabinet space for storage (about 7′ total on each side of the opening to the dining room). In the end, we will have a ton of natural light and plenty of storage.

Win. Win.

I can’t wait to show you this home when it is done, I think it is going to be one of my favorites!

Next up in this series is the first step in your site development – ordering your grading plan!

Dream Big. Build Smart.

Happy Friday! Thanks for stopping by my Week In Review! If you’re new around here, this weekly wrap-up goes up every Friday. It recaps what’s happening around NDI – inside and out of the office. I also throw in some personal happenings if I think they might be interesting to you – with two rambunctious boys and a Krazy Katie dog at home, life is seldom boring. Interested in reading past WIR’s? Check them out HERE!

So let’s get right to it!

SPECIAL EVENT THIS WEEKEND!

Join us for our next Meet The Builder on Saturday, July 15 from 10 AM – 12 PM at our new Langley Model.

Meet The Builder – the NDI Team and I will be there to answer your building questions!
Meet The Lender – Dan Murtaugh from Sandy Spring Bank will answer your construction lending questions!
Meet The Site Contractor – Brendan DeMarr from DeMarr Construction will answer your site questions!
Meet The Site Engineer – Raj Budhathoki from Mt. Everest Engineering will answer your grading plan questions!

Saturday, July 15, 2017 (Langley Model tours are also available both Sat & Sun, 12 – 4 PM)
10 AM – 12 PM
Langley Model in Falls Church

We only do these special events a few times a year so I hope to see you there!

Check out this weekend’s events HERE.

The First McLean Hamlet Model To Start!

Our entire team is pumped to be starting our first McLean Hamlet Model in Fairfax. We love this design (I’m partial to it because it’s the big sister to my house, the Nottingham Model).

COMPLETE CUSTOM BUILD IN GREAT FALLS

We are building this beautiful complete custom home for a client in Great Falls. We are just in the drywall phase but I wanted to share a few pictures with you! We are still working on the stone and siding will follow (siding will go where you see the house wrap).

This is the beautiful Great Room. Check out the French doors and that fireplace profile – it is going to be impressive!

This is the kitchen space – I can’t wait to see the cabinets installed!

I love love love this upper level Jack & Jill bath – oh the natural light!

I can’t wait to show you more of this custom home. And remember, we don’t just build from our plans. We can also design a Complete Custom for you!

On The Blog This Week!

Check out the latest post in my How To Build A Custom Home Series! This week, I covered The House Plans. I included some insider tips on choosing the right home design, which home we will be building for our next spec project and my inspiration for customizing the kitchen!

On Thursday, I shared an update on my Summer Bucket List. This was a very personal post for me as I talked about why I decided to tackle one of the hardest items on my list first! Check it out HERE.

OK – that’s a wrap! I hope you have a pleasant weekend! Please consider stopping by our Meet The Builder this weekend – I’d love to meet you!

Dream Big. Build Smart.

I recently started a new blog series answering common home building questions. My goal is to provide you with a quick answer (300 words or less!) to a common question and when I can, give you resources to find more information on the topic. 

Today I’m answering the question – How Much Side Yard Do I Need For A Side Load Garage?

Do you prefer a side load garage vs. front load garage? A side load garage definitely streamlines the front elevation design but it isn’t always possible because of the width of the lot.

Let’s look at our Clarendon Model, which has a side load garage.

Unfortunately, some of the lots we build on don’t have enough side yard to provide adequate turning radius for cars going in and out of the garage. We recommend at least 25′ of side yard for turnaround. We built this pretty Chesterbrook Craftsman Model in Clifton earlier this year.

It had plenty of turnaround (30′ to be exact!) to get in and out of the garage.

But when we built this Chesterbrook Craftsman Model in Falls Church recently, the lot was too narrow to retain the side load garage. So we moved the garage door to the front.

What if the home you want to build doesn’t have a side load but your lot can accommodate one? No problem! We can easily modify the design! Our Langley Model is designed with a front load garage.

But when we built this Langley Model in Falls Church last year, the corner lot allowed for a side load garage.

We simply moved the garage door to the side and added windows to the front elevation.

Still have questions about what will work on your lot? Give us a call!

Dream Big. Build Smart.

298 Words = Getting Good At This

When Paul and I designed our home, I was pretty definitive on several things I wanted to include in the design – a nice Master Bathroom, the “perfect” Kitchen and a Butler’s Pantry!

What is a Butler’s Pantry?

A Butler’s Pantry is cabinetry typically located just off the kitchen and “on the way” to the Dining Room. This space has a wide range of uses but most people will store their entertaining “wares” – glassware, platters and such.

A Butler’s Pantry usually consists of base cabinets and wall cabinets but configurations can vary greatly. They can be quite long or they can fit in a tight but convenient space. The sky is the limit!

And they don’t have to be outside of the Dining Room. They can also become show pieces inside the Dining Room.

You can also add features like a bar sink, beverage refrigerator or wine storage (temp controlled or not!).

You can even incorporate a desk area if you have the space!

Don’t need an entertaining space? One of our clients in the Town of Vienna uses their Butler’s Pantry as a coffee/tea bar.

There are several NDI models that incorporate a Butler’s Pantry as part of the design. Here a few…

The Nottingham Model

The McLean Hamlet Model

The Langley Model

The Broadmont Model

The Penrose Model

The Yancy Model

Even if the model you choose doesn’t have a Butler’s Pantry on the plan, we can often incorporate one for you!

So why do I love my Butler’s Pantry? I love the long counter that is perfect for setting out food or drinks for entertaining and the ample storage space for my glassware and entertaining pieces.

I also love the arches we added to the entrances from the Kitchen and the Dining Room.

But more than that, I love that my Butler’s Pantry can serve whatever purpose I need on any given day. Especially today as it holds all of our junk far and away from my sight!

It’s all about flex space people!

Dream Big. Build Smart.

As I sat down to write this post, I was thinking to myself, well this felt like a busy week but what happened? I think it’s the sign of a really good week!

LAST WEEKEND TO SEE THE LANGLEY MODEL!

We have sold the Langley Model and will be turning it over to the new owner soon. This weekend (7/29 & 7/30) will be the final weekend to see this pretty home!

I’m going to miss this home – it really is one of my favorite models we’ve built! I don’t want you to miss it so click HERE for what and the where!

This Week’s Settlement

We finished up a Clarendon Model in the Town of Vienna this week. I love this house (which is why I chose it for our next spec project!). Our client made some modifications to the house and I LOVE LOVE LOVE what they did – especially the kitchen island.

This is the biggest island we’ve ever built – it measures approximately 6’x10′. The granite slab (that’s one single piece!) weighed 900 lbs! This is the perfect entertaining island. I was completely crushing over it during settlement…

The client selected Dove White cabinets on the perimeter of the kitchen and Midnight for the island cabinets. That beautiful granite color is Snowflake.

Wishing this sweet family our very best as they settle into their new home. So fun working with you “S Family”!

Crab Day Is The Best Day!

We had our annual Crab Day on Tuesday and it is one of my favorite days of the year. We take our team (along with their spouse/guest) up to Annapolis and jump on a boat over to St. Michael’s where we pick crabs and drink beer. What better way to spend an afternoon!

We usually have Crab Day in June but this year we bumped it to July. And good thing because on June 13 this was the outside temperature!

Thank God for small miracles because on Tuesday (the real Crab Day), it was an enjoyable 82 degrees! So lovely!

Thank you for reading my post today – it really means so much that you take the time to read my words! And I hope you will plan to stop by our Langley Model – it is the LAST chance to see this home (FULL OF CHARACTER & BEAUTIFUL FINISHES!).

Have an awesome weekend friends!

Dream Big. Build Smart.

Happy Friday – my goodness…have you checked your calendar recently? IT’S AUGUST! This summer is going to be gone before we know it. Which reminds me, I have 4 more items to check off my summer bucket list and I only have 4 weeks to do it – YIKES!

But more importantly, let me tell you what’s happening around NDI this week…

Old Dominion Model Starting Soon

We will be starting an Old Dominion Model for the “G” Family. Have you seen this model? It’s the largest home we have in our portfolio and people love it! Here are some pictures of an Old Dominion Model we built a few years ago.

It has almost 5000 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 4 1/2 bathrooms. And this beautiful entrance…

The rooms in this home are expansive and there is so much flexibility in the design. Don’t care for a 2-story family room? No problem – we can finish that area to create a bonus room, extra bedroom or even a media room!

Tile Trend

Have you seen the tile that looks like hardwood? It is all the rage right now and I think it looks so cool! We have several selections available as part of our NDIncluded Signature Features including this one…

We recently installed it in our Langley Model home in a lighter shade!

So pretty!

On The Blog This Week

See the latest posts in my How To Build A Custom Home Series! This week, I talked all about building permits! How to pull a building permit and what fees you have to pay for your building permit. I also give you my very best advice when pulling your building permit. It might surprise you!

Thank you for stopping by my blog today! Do you have any big weekend plans? Not here – I’m thinking pool, pool, and more pool. Enjoy!

Dream Big. Build Smart.

This day is both happy and sad for me. Happy because we’re turning the keys over to our Langley Model in Falls Church today and sad because we’re turning the keys over to our Langley Model in Falls Church today. I love this home. To the point where I’ve actually become quite attached to it over the last several months. It’s silly really. But it has been one of my favorite spec homes we’ve built recently. I love everything about this design!

The Langley Model is fast becoming one of our most popular designs. At 3800 square feet, it has all of the features and space you would expect. The flow of the design just feels good – it’s different, yet classic. Here are the top 3 design elements I LOVE about the Langley Model.

#1 – The Entrance

The front door is off-set which is a totally different look from most of our designs. I think it is still makes sense while being completely unique.

The dining room is to the side of the foyer.

Isn’t the light fixture pretty? Find it HERE.

The secondary foyer opens up to the upper hallway and stairs.

It also has this awesome built-in seat with hooks for guest coats.

The front door looks so good (we stained this one). I love all of the glass – makes the foyer feel very open!

#2 – The Main Living Areas

When I am standing at the island of this home, I don’t want to leave. The way the family room is right off the kitchen just makes sense to me. I entertain A LOT and love this layout.

No matter what we do, when we have company over everyone stands at the kitchen island which is why I love that the nook is tucked to the side in this house.

We added the coffered ceiling and built-in shelves at the fireplace to this home. If you’re looking for a way to up the look of your home, adding custom trim features is the way to go. It is incredible how it changes the feel of a room.

#3 – The Flex Space

I’m a sucker for good flex space. Gone are the days of formal living rooms with a predetermined use. Buyers want to be able to use the space for their needs. The Langley Model has 2 areas of flex space I would LOVE to have in my home.

On the first floor, the flex space can be used as a guest room, hobby room or playroom.

There is a nice sized closet inside the room and it is all tucked away from the main living area with access to a full bathroom.

The second flex space is also on the first floor. This one is off the kitchen…

This room can be used for additional pantry space or wine storage. We finished this space as a pocket office and I love it. The window seat and the wainscoting trim throughout gives this simple space character. It’s separated by a pocket door for privacy. Oh how I would love this space in my home!

What do you think of the Langley Model?

If you missed seeing this home, check out this interactive floor plan tour!

Dream Big. Build Smart. 

It’s Friday which means it’s time for my week in review! I love sitting down to write these each week. It gives me a few minutes to reflect on the week and remember all that has happened. These weeks fly by so quickly and it’s fun to look back at older posts like the first week in review I posted just over a year ago. I’ve certainly learned a couple things since that first post..like making sure the lens on my camera phone is clean (thank you Paul!) and if I make notes throughout the week about what is happening, it really helps me pull the post together by Friday (my memory is TERRIBLE!). So here are the notable things happening around here…

WEAR YOUR BOOTS OPEN HOUSE THIS WEEKEND

This weekend only, we will be showing a Fairlington Model we are building in Falls Church. This home is in the pre-drywall phase of construction which is a great chance for you to see what is behind our walls!

Click HERE for this weekend’s open house information!

Newly Completed Nottingham Model

We just completed this beautiful home in the City of Alexandria.

I love this model! I know I say that about every home we build but I really do love it because it is the model Paul and I built. But aside from that, our client chose so many pretty design elements for their home. Check out the master bathroom…

And the kitchen hits all of my favorites! Apron sink, white cabinets, oh my!

Congratulations “H” Family! It was a pleasure working with you!

On The Blog This Week

We turned over our Langley Model this week to the new owners.

On Tuesday, I wrote about the 3 things I love about the design. Check it out HERE.

Have you been following my How To Build A Custom Home Series? On Thursday, I covered a topic we get asked all the time – when is the best time to move out? I’m giving you 3 options on this one (I also tell you which one I suggest!).

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

Football season is upon us! If you know me, you know I love (Hokie) football. NFL started their preseason this week. While I’m not a huge pro football fan, I love just hearing the sounds of football on TV again.

My Hokies don’t start until Labor Day Weekend but that’s OK. I just watched the entrance video posted in this article and it has me all sorts of pumped up. If you’re a Hokie, or just curious what Lane Stadium is like at the start of a home football game, I can’t think of a better way to spend the next 2 minutes of your day!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! Wishing you a wonderful weekend – come see us at our open house!

Dream Big. Build Smart.

We sold our Langley Model earlier this month. It made me a little sad because I really love that home. Partly because of the design but also because of the finishes. There were several design elements we used that I’m crushing on right now. In fact, as I begin planning the finishes for our next spec home, I’ll be looking to repeat a few we used at the Langley Model.

Sand & Finish In Place Hardwood Floors

We’ve installed these before and every time we do, I ask myself, why don’t we do this in every spec home we build? They are SO very pretty.

What I love about this type of flooring is that it is installed unfinished, sanded (then sanded again), and stained onsite. When it’s done, it is one continuous finished surface (vs. the beveled edges/joints between pre-finished hardwood planks).

For the Langley Model, I chose a warm stain called Special Walnut.

With the cabinets being a dark gray, I wanted the contrast of the lighter wood floor.

I think it turned out really pretty.

Sand & finish hardwood flooring can be slightly more expensive and it takes longer to install (and no one can be in the house while install is happening) but I think it is completely worth it.

Wood Grain Floor Tile

We’re seeing this trend all over the place and I think the look is here to stay. We installed it in several areas in the Langley Model. One of my favorites being the Owner’s Bathroom…

We used it on the floor and accented with marble hexagon tile under the pedestal soaking tub.

In the shower, we used more marble. It looked GREAT with the wood grain tiles on the floor.

Marble Tile Fireplace Surround

This is the first time we’ve used tile on a fireplace surround (in a spec home). I love stone fireplaces (I have one!) but the tile really gives the house a modern look.

We used a marble herringbone tile…

It ended up being one of my favorite finishes in the house.

Be on the lookout for these trends (and some new ones!) in our next spec home. We’re about to break ground and I can’t wait for it to finish out!

Dream Big. Build Smart.

I hope everyone is having a great week! It may feel like summer is winding down (because it is!) but we are in full throttle mode around here and I love it!

Open House Events

Thanks to everyone who came out to our recent Pop-Up Open House Events. So much fun showing the homes we’re building for our clients. And don’t worry if you missed these recent events because we’ve got more coming in September!

You can stay connected with us by signing up to receive a weekly email that will tell you about weekend events & other news. And I promise we only send you one per week! You can also like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest news and events.

Starting Soon!

We will be starting another Washington Model in Fairfax! I think it is so interesting how we can go so many months not building a particular model and then boom! We will have 2 Washington Models going at the same time! This home is the little sister of the Hastings Model. Here are some pictures from a Washington Model we finished in Vienna a few years ago…

Looking forward to starting your beautiful home “W” Family!

On The Blog This Week

I’ve been knee deep in the final selection process for our next spec/model home in Falls Church.

I have a love hate relationship with making selections. I LOVE it because it challenges me to find new trends and modern ideas. I HATE it because it can also be stressful! But stress no more – here are some of the trends I’m loving right now.

New post in the How To Build A Custom Home Series! This week, I tell you the 3 things you need to do once your building permit is approved!

Learning New Words & Phrases

I’m always surprised when a new word or phrase pops up and it is the first time I’ve ever heard it. Or noticed it. And I always giggle because once it’s out there, everyone acts like it is always been there.

Case in point. Derecho.

Specifically the derecho of 2012. I’m not claiming to be a word scholar but please pray tell, who had actually heard of this before that horrific storm in July of 2012 that left us all without power for days? Not me. But I will forever remember it. I had 2 babies in diapers. The house was hot. And the boys were on an emotional roller coaster (we all were).

So when all the talk started around about the solar eclipse and the path of totality (really?), I was intrigued. But when the day finally came, it really was cool.

Even though we weren’t in the “path of totality”, it was still quite the show!

Strange Things Happen During An Eclipse…

Nate lost his first tooth this week! I know this may not seem strange (kids lose their teeth!), but Nate is almost 7 years old so we were beginning to wonder. But no one seemed concerned. In fact, when Nate asked his pediatrician about it, she told him it is actually better because for the first tooth lost, the tooth fairy leaves money equivalent to how old you are.

I did not know this. Did you? But she was right! Nate got $6 from the tooth fairy for his first tooth…

We reminded him this was only for the 1st tooth!

Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I hope you have a productive AND restful weekend!

Dream Big. Build Smart.

Happy Friday! I hope this finds you well and having an awesome September! It’s that time of year…summer vacations are done, kids are back in school and we are scheduling some really fun events here at NDI!

Our Last Summer Getaway

Our last hoorah of the summer usually consists of a family road trip to visit with my mom in NC. On our way home, we stop in Williamsburg for a couple of days. We’ve been doing this for the last few years and we love it! Busch Gardens is definitely a highlight!

The boys have started getting into the rides which is super fun for Paul & me. A family favorite? The teacups – Andrew and I love them. Paul and Nate, not so much.

But Nate is starting to like roller coasters. He rode the Loch Ness Monster with Paul for the first time. This ride is no joke – loop and all! He was PUMPED when he got off…

He also rode the Mach Tower with me. Are you familiar with this “ride”?

It’s the one that takes you up (higher than any point in the park), let’s you hang out a bit, and then drops you at “mach” speed. It is frightening, ridiculous, and fun all in one!

The Williamsburg/Busch Gardens portion of the trip is short and usually ends up being 2 days of us (me) saying “YES” to our boys. As parents, we relish in saying “NO”. Paul and I were both raised hearing the word “NO” and we think kids need to hear it. Often.

But when we’re in Williamsburg, we (I) spoil them by saying “YES” to almost anything.

Yes to ice-cream at 11 AM.

Yes to cotton candy after that.

Yes to Putt Putt golf at 10:30 PM.

It’s all good and it’s all fun. Until we get home and then we have to spend a little time reminding them what the word “NO” means. But I still love spoiling them and not feeling guilty about it!

Back To School!

My sweet baby Andrew started Kindergarten and Nathan started 1st Grade last week!

Now that the boys are attending the same school, they are riding the bus together. On the first day, big brother Nate took Drew under his wing and showed him just what to do. How cute are they? I think it’s so great they are so close (when they’re not trying to kill each other).

There are so many things about this current stage that I’m loving right now – one drop-off/pickup to make, no preschool payments (can I get an AMEN!) and routine routine routine! It’s the little awesome things in life that make me happy!

DUAL OPEN HOUSE 9/16 & 9/17

We have a very special event this weekend! We will be showing our Nottingham Model AND our Chesterbrook Craftsman Model this weekend in Falls Church. These homes are no more than 1.3267 miles away from each other so it will be super convenient for you to see both! And they are so different. Be sure to check them out!

Come see us! These homes are beautiful and we will be turning them over to the new owners soon!

For more information about this weekend’s open house, click HERE!

Black & White Tile

I’m obsessed (OBSESSED!) with this black and white patterned tile. I love it for a Laundry Room but if you’re feeling bold, it would be beautiful in a bathroom as well!

On The Blog This Week!

Check out the latest post in my How To Build A Custom Home Series! Wonder what it means to prep the site for construction? This week, I covered getting through the site prep phase, unfazed!

Did you know I had a Summer Bucket List? I did and I had so much fun with it! Now that summer is over, I’m sharing what I was able to check off the list (and what is still a work in progress!).

Thanks for stopping by and reading (my very long) post today! Enjoy your beautiful weekend. Hope to see you at the Open House This Weekend!

Dream Big. Build Smart. 

Happy Friday! Great week over here and we’re getting ready for an exciting weekend!

POP-UP Open House This Weekend

We just completed a Vienna Model in Falls Church and we are showing it Saturday, September 23 & Sunday, September 24.

This is one of our most popular designs and after you see it, you’ll know why! Open floor plan, lots of flexibility and great use of space. I hope you will stop by and see us!

For more information about this weekend’s open house, click HERE!

Complete Custom Home In Great Falls

We’re almost done with this beautiful complete custom home. I spent some time with the owners last week reviewing some last minute details (including the projected move-in date!) and snapped a few pictures to show you.

First, look at their sweet dog they brought along. He’s already making himself right at home!

This picture was taken in the Great Room and it doesn’t do this beautiful fireplace justice – it truly is the centerpiece of the room.

I’m loving the kitchen. The tops & appliances aren’t even in and I love it.

This project has been a lot of fun (designing and collaborating with the client is my favorite!) and it is so exciting to see it coming together. I can’t wait to show you the finished house!

On The Blog This Week

The latest post in my How To Build A Custom Home Series is all about the Pre-Construction Meeting.

Check it out and learn why this meeting is such a fun milestone!

Do you know about the NDI Gives Back Foundation? We’re super proud of the work we do in the community through the foundation and earlier this month, we held a golf tournament & fundraiser for our scholarship program.

Oh Mother Nature

The destruction left behind from the recent hurricanes and the earthquake that just hit Mexico is devastating for those impacted. Lives lost. Homes lost. It breaks my heart.

We have family in south Florida so when Irma came through, we were doing a lot of hoping and praying they would remain safe and their homes undamaged. When the storm hit the U.S., it literally took up the entire state of Florida!

Thankfully, our family stayed safe through the storm and aside from several days of no power, their homes were fine.

Natural disasters like major hurricanes and even earthquakes, can impact the building industry in two major ways. The first is through supply and demand (READ: material shortages and prices increases). With all the rebuilding that will need to occur, materials prices for materials like lumber, shingles and drywall are expected to rise. How much we still don’t know. The second impact is on labor. There will be teams of construction workers making their way down to the devastation in Florida and Houston (don’t forget about the Harvey victims still reeling from the flooding) to help rebuild. We’ve seen it before where labor is pulled out of our market to work in areas recovering from storm damage.

Still not sure of the impact here in northern Virginia. Right now, we will continue to pray for all those who lost.

Thank you thank you for stopping by my blog today – it means a lot to me that you take time out of your day to read my words. Wishing you a wonderfully restful weekend!

Dream Big. Build Smart.