Gainesville Remodeling Blog

This Alachua County lake house perfectly embodies the Modern Coastal Farmhouse aesthetic in every space as a nod to Lake Santa Fe just outside its windows. Robinson Renovation & Custom Homes used a refreshing color palette of blues, bright white, and natural wood that leaves the home feeling airy and comforting. The team created the perfect place to spend hours relaxing and gazing out of the windows to appreciate the natural beauty surrounding the home.  

Step inside this ultimate Florida Gator fan home, lovingly named Alberta’s Tailgate, that’s a perfect balance of playful and timeless high-design. The University of Florida alumni couple purchased the home in 2020 with a vision: turn this dated bungalow into the most spirited and expertly designed luxe Gator tailgate mecca you’ve ever seen.

With the help of the design-build team at Robinson Renovation & Custom Homes, Brianna Michelle Interior Design, and a whole host of local artisans, these super-fans have a fully renovated dream Florida home covered from end-to-end in Gator pride. In fact, Brianna Michelle was tasked with adorning the home with almost 100 pieces of Gator art and paraphernalia the couple has amassed over the past 10 years. Along with the classic Gator color palette, excellent craft, and high-end design, Alberta’s Tailgate is a home that’s sure to see years and years of joy, fun, laughter, and connection.  

You’ve decided to relieve your family’s frustration by finally planning a kitchen remodel! A brand new kitchen can breathe life into a home and make spending time in this space enjoyable again. To make sure your kitchen remodel goes smoothly, there are several considerations to think about before diving into the remodeling journey.

Over the past few years, more and more Florida homeowners are realizing the benefits of having a kitchen added to their outdoor living spaces. Appliances made for outdoor kitchens are becoming more common, increasing their affordability and availability in terms of style and function. 

Alachua County is home to the University of Florida, abundant natural attractions, and a diverse collection of thriving industries. These, and many other reasons, are what make Alachua County a great option for prospective homeowners to build a home in Florida. But why build a custom home rather than buy a home on the market?

Your custom homeshould be filled with features and finishes that show your personal design style. To avoid indulging a little too much in the latest trends, however, you’ll want to anchor your home with timeless designs that will stand the test of time. What makes a home timeless and why should you design your custom home with each? Let’s find out.

Some needed additions are apparent, like another bathroom or bedroom. However, some required additions are more unique and perhaps not as obvious right at first. Your family's routines and interests are unique, and your home should reflect that. 

Multigenerational living has become more common over the past few decades, not only in Florida. It can be more cost-effective than an assisted living home, but you also get to enjoy the sense of community and support that comes from living steps from your loved ones. Add an in-law suite to your property to create enough room for every family member to feel like they have both space and privacy.

The idea of building your own custom home in Florida sounds like a dream, but you may also have many reservations. You may even be hesitant based on myths about the custom home building process, the cost, and other issues. So what facts do you need to know before building a house in Florida? We've compiled a list of the top myths about custom home building and what you should know instead.

Your home’s exterior has so much potential that it could be difficult to know where to start and what type of exterior remodel you can accomplish with your budget and space. Remodeling the outside of your house should suit your lifestyle or the outdoor lifestyle in Florida you’ve always wanted. Outdoor living spaces offer the opportunity to add square footage to your home that’s meant for enjoyment, relaxation, entertainment, and quality time with family and friends. 

Renovating your current home or building a custom home is an exciting process. Now that you’ve made the decision to start fresh, you might be thinking about your home’s potential and all the options you have. Your home’s layout is one of those big decisions that will influence every decision that follows. What is the best house layout for you and your family? We’ve gathered a few of the most popular home styles in Florida and their layouts. 

Your custom home in Alachua County will likely be the largest investment you’ll ever make. If this is your first custom home, you’ll have lots of questions about the process and want to feel confident when you choose your custom home builder. During your pre-construction meeting with a builder, use this list of the most important questions to ask before you sign a contract. 

There’s nothing quite as rejuvenating as a day at the spa; but who has the time or budget to visit a spa as often as we’d like or need? 

Your builder should take the lead on the proper permitting and inspections necessary to keep your project on the up and up. Just like anything else involved in your project, it’s a good idea to learn about building permits and inspections for your new home or home remodel in Alachua County, nonetheless. So let’s take a crash course on building permits. 

Adding an in-law suite to a custom home or remodel is becoming increasingly popular. Whether the space is meant for an aging relative, an older child returning to the nest, visiting guests, or recreation, in-law suites are on the rise. What makes an in-law suite an in-law suite and how can you and your family benefit from this added space? 

Choosing the exterior paint color of your custom house seems pretty straightforward, especially after the more complicated decisions around what features you should include on the inside. However, once you begin looking at different exterior home colors and palettes, things can get a little overwhelming. The amount of variation in white alone will make you want to say, “maybe I’ll get to this tomorrow.” We’re here to make the choice between the most popular exterior house paint choices easier.

Fall 2022 design trends echo many of those that were popular earlier in the year, with some added elements. Florida style trends are showing softening edges, incorporating more nature into the home, and continuing to play with color. From the floor to the ceiling, every part of the room is getting updated with colors, patterns, and textures. What are the design trends for fall 2022? What are the most popular 2022 fall decor and interior design elements and styles?

Having enough storage is a top concern for many homeowners. There seems to never be enough, and during remodeling or building a custom home, there’s a lot of pressure to get it right. How to maximize you and your family’s storage needs will differ room by room. Storage is also so much more than closet space. How can you get the most storage out of your remodel as possible? What are the best additions to maximize storage?

You’ve decided you’re ready for a custom home built to your exact preferences and needs. Now what? Well, once you find the perfect Florida design-build firm for your project, you’ll be guided through the standard timeline for building a custom house. What are the steps for building a custom house from start to finish in Florida? Also, how long does each step in building a house take?

A lot of life happens in the kitchen. Cooking as a family, late-night chats, important conversations, trying your grandmother’s recipe for the very first time. How you will use your kitchen will determine the layout of your kitchen. Whether you’re an avid baker who likes to entertain dinner guests or enjoy creating fine-dining-worthy dishes with the best appliances, take time to consider what the most ideal kitchen layout would be for your custom Florida home.   

You’ve looked at homes on the Florida market and there simply isn’t one that feels like a good fit, so you’ve decided to build your own custom home. Researching how to finance your custom home and the mistakes to avoid when building a new house is a lot like taking a class. There is a lot of information out there, so we’ve made it simple by compiling the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them. Whether you’re building a new home or planning to remodel your existing home, keep these tips in mind. 

Collaboration is how many things get done, including custom home construction projects. Your custom home building team will work more effectively and efficiently when collaboration is kept front and center. So, why is it that collaboration is so important and how is that accomplished? 

You’ve decided you’re ready to build a custom home that has every feature on your must-have list. You’ve read up on interior design trends for the kitchen, and even storage options for the bathroom. You know what amenities you’d like in your custom home, but deciding on the overall style of your home can be a little tricky. What home styles are popular in Florida? More importantly, how do you decide what type of home is right for you?  

Remodeling your kitchen isn’t something you’ll want to do more than once every several years, so be sure to keep some essential insight in your back pocket. After all, your Gainesville kitchen remodel should leave you and your family relieved, not regretful!  What are some of the most essential tips to remember when remodeling your kitchen?

The decision to add to your home may come from any number of reasons. Your family is expanding, you have an older relative moving in, or perhaps you’ve just bought a new home and planned an addition from the onset. Now is the time to decide: should you build up or bump out? 

Remodeling your entire home at once requires a lot of management, whether it’s cost, time, or expectations. You may also have plenty of questions from the very beginning. Like, how will you manage to control the cost? What remodels add the most value back to your home? What should you expect if you live in your home during the remodel? Having the answers to these questions, and a few others will set your whole home renovation on the right track before you even begin. 

When you imagine driving up to your newly built custom home, what type of front elevation design do you see? With so many elevation design options, this question could be more difficult to answer than you’d expect. What are the different types of elevations and which are the most popular designs? Let’s take a look at the most commonly used elevations and what makes each unique. 

Kitchen remodels are very exciting because they can result in a much more functional and stunning space. On the other hand, if you’re not careful, you could end up with regrets if you don’t avoid a few common kitchen remodel mistakes. Most people are careful to avoid putting outdated trends in a brand new kitchen. However, there is so much more than the colors and finishes you choose for your kitchen that every homeowner should keep in mind. 

Florida has so much to offer and finding the best fit for you can be a really exciting process. With over 200 sunny days per year, a plethora of cultural sites, family friendly cities, and an abundance of nightlife, Florida is an oasis. This state has plenty to offer for anyone seeking a high quality of life, affordable living, an excellent place to raise a family, and anything in between.

Every part of the home is getting a new look in 2022! You may be looking at your Florida home and thinking of all the possibilities, with new trends to discover in every room. No element is too small to consider, such as the bathroom vanity. What colors are trending? 

Cabinets make up the bulk of your kitchen, in both style and investment. When you’re remodeling your kitchen in Alachua County, it’s worth taking time to nail down exactly how you want your cabinetry to look and function so it has the right impact and avoids looking dated.

A construction allowance provides a limited amount of funds for a specific purpose. It’s important to know what role they play in your project. If you’re considering building or remodeling, and you need to know the house allowance meaning, we can help you see how they can affect your estimate.

Whether you're remodeling your Gainesville home or looking to build a new custom home, you'll need to work with a designer and a contractor. Both professionals offer unique skills and knowledge that your project will benefit from, especially if they work together from the beginning. There are two standard methods your designer and contractor can get your project done: design-build and design-bid-build. What does Design-Build mean, and how does it differ from design-bid-build?

Are you considering a kitchen remodel? At the heart of most kitchen remodeling trends is new cabinetry. When you upgrade your cabinets, make sure you check out these must-have cabinet kitchen features.

When it comes to top-notch dining in Gainesville, Florida, you have plenty of options no matter the occasion, from date nights and family get-togethers to business meetings and quick eats.

Home and Garden Television is very entertaining to anyone with even a passing interest in home improvement and all things DIY. Unfortunately, much of what you see on HGTV kitchen remodel shows does not always reflect the reality of remodeling. Naturally, they do have a responsibility to their shareholders to grow their brand and provide entertaining, if unrealistic TV shows, that draw in views and sell ads.

The idea of making a home better suited to the needs of an aging occupant is far from new. But with modern technology, materials, and tools, today's homeowner has a better chance than ever of being able to stay home comfortably and safely while increasing the value of your home. The trends and tools for achieving this have changed quite a bit over the years. Here, we'll cover some of the best tips, tools, and trends for aging in place remodeling.

Making major renovations on your home is a great way to add resale value to your property, enhance your own enjoyment, and improve your daily life in general. Major renovations will improve the look, feel, utility, and value of your home, but it is a major investment.

Do you have a bathroom in your home in Alachua County that feels small, outdated, or dysfunctional? Do you dream of having a large master bath that is outfitted with little luxuries to enhance the comfort and ease of your daily routine? Is your family dynamic changing, necessitating the addition of new bathroom space to support multi-generational living?

It’s summertime in Florida, which means swimming, sailing, and soaking up the sun are on the agenda.

Going into a custom home building project in Alachua County, you likely have the expectation that the complexity of your unique project warrants a more substantial investment of time and money than building a production home.