by Sean | Dec 19, 2019 | Construction & Design
As most of you know from our designs and builds, we love bringing nature into a home. We're big believers in biophilic design. This philosophy is about people being closer to nature. Of course, sometimes it's easier said than done. Here's a great post from our friends at the NAHB. Good ideas on giving nature space in your home. People are attracted to nature, and growing evidence suggests that interacting with nature makes people happier and healthier. But with an average of 90% of our time spent indoors, it is easy to feel disconnected. Bringing nature inside the home with specifically targeted design elements can resonate with and draw in potential home buyers and remodeling clients. A sunroom is a traditional indoor space designed to make you feel like you are outdoors. Think about how you feel when you are in a home’s sunroom — do you feel calmer and happier? Studies have shown that views of nature trigger more pleasure receptors in our brains than non-nature scenes. READ MORE
by Sean | Dec 6, 2019 | Recognition
Funny how one home can get so much attention. Over the years, the Campbell residence has garnered national accolades. And to be honest, it's humbling to stumble upon this feature in NAHB's Best in American Living. We feel incredibly lucky to build wonderful homes for people like the Campbells. With any project, a lot of hands touched this home. From ID.ology Design & Interiors to our dedicated trade partners, everyone helped bring this project to life. Splendor Living in the North Carolina Mountains When Scott and Starla Campbell decided to build a new home, they had a very specific vision in mind. They wanted to create a luxurious and comfortable space, in a contemporary mountain style. And, they wanted a design that suited their unique lifestyle. The couple commissioned Living Stone Construction for the job, and never looked back. “With Living Stone, you get a home that’s specifically made for your family’s needs and tastes. It’s tailored to you exactly,” Starla explains. The Campbells had several practical requirements. They both work from home, so they needed a designated work space for each of them. Living Stone gave each of them an office designed for their specific work habits. But, they also went above and beyond. “We both move around the house as we work,” notes Starla. “They gave us the freedom and flexibility we were looking for by creating several comfortable work space options throughout the house, including outdoors.” KEEP READING
by Sean | Nov 20, 2019 | Recognition
Living Stone Sets Benchmark with Safety Safety isn't usually something you think about when you're looking to build a home, but it says a lot about your builder. And to be quite honest, job safety is something we pride ourselves on. The National Association of Home Builders recently featured us in an article on safety. Sean Sullivan AMB, CGP, CAPS, BGRE is no stranger to home building awards and certifications. His company, Living Stone Design + Build, near Asheville, N.C., has won home design, green building, young professional and many other types of awards from NAHB, the North Carolina HBA, Houzz and others, including the 2018 SAFE Award for Single-Family Builder Safety Program of the Year. As his green custom home building company grew, adding more employees and more job sites, Sullivan knew he needed to turn his attention to safety. Superintendents managed Living Stone’s safety program, and while there were no problems, Sullivan wanted to be proactive. Read More
by Sean | Aug 2, 2019 | Building Green, Home News, News
Whole Living – Completing the Green Experience There's more to green, sustainable living than simply LED bulbs and bamboo floors. Today, living sustainably is an experience. Our own Sean Sullivan knows this better than most. With his wife, Laura Sullivan of ID.ology Interiors & Design, they have been designing and building green for quite some time. But that's only part of the experience. Come along as Sean tells us more about completing the green experience. It’s not hard to see why everyone is bitten by the “green bug.” Coast to coast, consumers are realizing that green homes can sell faster—and for more money—than non-green homes. And consumers have discovered that families living in green homes are often happier, healthier and more productive as well. So you’ve bought a green home, but now what? As home building professionals, we can take an active role in educating the consumer on what it means to live green beyond buying a green home and help our customers live whole-picture healthy lives. READ MORE
by Sean | Jun 10, 2019 | Green Building, Home News, News
Keep it DRY Damp homes provide an environment for dust mites, roaches, rodents and molds. All of these can cause or worsen asthma. In addition, moisture can damage the building materials in your home. Keep it CLEAN Clean homes reduce pest infestation and exposures to contaminants. Keep it CONTAMINANT FREE Levels of contaminants such as lead, radon, carbon monoxide, asbestos, secondhand smoke, and other chemicals are often much higher indoors. Keep it PEST FREE Exposure to pests such as roaches and rodents can trigger an asthma attack. Keep it SAFE Injuries such as falls, burns, and poisonings occur most often in the home, especially with children and seniors. Keep it TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED Homes that do not have balanced and consistent temperatures may place your family at increased risk from exposure to extreme cold, heat, or humidity. Keep it WELL MAINTAINED Poorly maintained homes are at risk for moisture, pest problems, and injury hazards. Deteriorated lead‐based paint is the primary cause of children being harmed by lead. Keep it WELL VENTILATED Having a good fresh air supply to your home is important to reduce exposure to indoor air pollutants and to increase respiratory health.
