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When it comes to new homes in Iowa, it’s clear to see that there is more to a roof than simply serving as the protective cover for a home. A well designed roof adds a sense of architectural beauty to a house; giving it personality and a unique quality.

The roofing materials available to custom home builders in Iowa today provides an almost endless number of options for creating dazzling, yet substantial, custom home roofing designs.

Roof Design Materials: Metal

Although it boasts a single sheet appearance, metal roofing is actually a system made from individual metal pieces and tiles. When connected, the individual pieces create a powerful looking cover to a custom home.

The individual piece aspect of metal materials allows for creative design options. The roof could be one single color or a mixture of colors and materials, such as copper and steel, for a more striking affect. The old world charm of metal roofing blends perfectly with the surrounding Iowa landscape.

While truly stunning, metal is prone to high conductivity of heat, therefore incorporation of insulation into the roof surface of your new Iowa home will be required. In addition to providing protection and cooling, the insulation also provides a barrier for sounds, muting the sounds of heavy rain or falling items onto its surface.

Roof Design Materials: Terra Cotta

Mediterranean Exterior by Redwood City Architects & Designers Simpson Design Group Architects

Terra cotta has been a staple in home design for centuries. Not only a beautiful accent to any home or pool house, terra cotta tiles are also fire-resistant, long-lasting, low-maintenance and aide in reducing a home’s energy consumption.

When building a new home in Iowa, finding a roofing material that will stand up to the varying climate and weather conditions is critical. Not only is terra cotta a sturdy roofing material, but it’s far easier to replace its single tiles and maintain that many other roofing options.

Roof Design Materials: Reclaimed Metal and Wood

Traditional Exterior by Aspen Architects & Designers Timothy F. White

While beautiful and charming, corrugated reclaimed tin roofing is one of the most resilient roofing materials available. Looking for more of a farm-like or rugged feel for your new home in Iowa? Then consider the old-world charm and modern protection provided by decorative reclaimed tin or wood roofing.

In additional to the instant character provided by a reclaimed metal or wood roof, the building material is also very eco-friendly; perfect for anyone wanting to maintain a true “green” feel to their entire luxury custom home both inside and out.

Roof Design Materials: Mixed Materials

Traditional Exterior by Saratoga Springs Design-Build Firms Witt Construction

If you can’t settle on just one roof style or material, then blend them into a roof design that is truly unique and oozing with charisma. Particularly affective on ranch style, cottage and Craftsman homes, the mixture of materials brings a home to life and adds instant curb-appeal.

When you’re ready to create a luxury custom home with true charm and character from the inside to the roof top, contact us for your initial consultation and let us show you how to create the luxury custom home of your dreams.

Love of the outdoors is truly a lifestyle. One of the advantages to building a custom home is the flexibility afforded to designing spaces that support all aspects of your lifestyle and needs.

In addition to finding the perfect piece of land for sale in Iowa for your new home, creating spaces that support your appreciation of the outdoors is a key component in building a custom home.

Here are a few ideas for creating outdoor spaces that are sure to inspire you custom home design:

Outdoor Spaces: Elegant Entertaining

Contemporary Patio by Fort Myers Design-Build Firms Castle Harbour homes

Entertaining outdoors doesn’t have to put your guest directly in the elements themselves. When building a custom home design a space with protected areas or glass windows that can slide out of the way to open the room to the outdoors is a beautiful option. Incorporating a fireplace element gives you a room that can truly be enjoyed by you and your guests year-round.

A built-in kitchen and bar area will allow you to stay in the mix of party instead of having to move back and forth from the patio to the kitchen. Incorporating chairs, couches and benches will provide your guests with ample room to mingle within the protection of the outdoor space. And adding a flat screen and a grill turns the elegant space into the perfect place for a football watch party.

Outdoor Spaces: Multiple Gathering Locations

Traditional Landscape by Bolingbrook Landscape Architects & Designers Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors

Not all your guest will want to stay undercover, so incorporate spaces throughout your backyard where they can gather comfortably. Benches and tables around lush landscape or sculptures create spaces that will naturally call your guests to gather.

Add a touch of ambiance and a source of heat for your guests with a beautiful fire pit in your main seating area. A fire pit creates an area where your guests can gather and mingle in warmth while still being able to enjoy the beauty of the night time skies.

Outdoor Spaces: Natural Landscape

Contemporary Patio by Birmingham Interior Designers & Decorators Colorworks Studio

Are you more of an outdoor enthusiast? Then why not create a space with everything you and your guest will need to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in while still being able to connect with the surrounding landscape.

Just because your space is more exposed to the elements doesn’t mean you have to give up luxury. When building a custom home with an exposed outdoor space, use materials such as marble or slate for your grilling areas. Both stand up to the elements well, are easy to clean and will create the perfect area prep and serving space for your meals.

Flat screens and surround sound are still available with this more exposed outdoor entertaining solution. Design a beautiful housing unit in wood, stone or steal with a closing door or window to protect your flat screen from the elements.  And incorporate weather resistant speakers throughout the space.

Outdoor Spaces: Water Features

Traditional Patio by Denver Landscape Contractors Mile High Landscaping

The final element for creating stunning outdoor spaces for entertaining brings the calm of nature into your space. Water elements placed throughout your space provide a natural acoustical background element as well as beautiful areas where guests are sure to be drawn.

Not only will the water elements provide a natural sense of elegance within your outdoor space, water features can also create stunning architectural elements which are sure to catch the eye of your guest.

Are you ready to begin building a custom home in Iowa with the perfect outdoor space for entertaining? Then contact us for your initial consultation and let us know what you want in your dream outdoor entertaining space.

Drive down the street of any old neighborhood and you’ll see it: the rich architectural design of some of Des Moines most beautiful historic homes.

If you love the traditional exterior look of historic homes, but prefer modern design and energy efficient construction, building a custom home offers the perfect solution.

Here are four exterior design ideas to inspire your own new Iowa home design.

Luxury Home Exterior: Stucco

Traditional Exterior by Denver Photographers Brenda Olde

Stucco is ideal for creating a traditional aristocratic Baroque or California inspired exterior. This durable medium is able to beautifully cover a concrete, metal or wood building base and stands up exceptionally well to the varying weather conditions of the Iowa landscape.

The flexibility of stucco allows for customized coloring, so your new Iowa home can be exactly the shade you desire.

Luxury Home Exterior: Cedar Shingles

Eclectic Exterior by Watertown Architects & Designers Solomon+Bauer+Giambastiani Architects

Cedar shingles are a refined, modern solution for your Victorian and Craftsman inspired new Iowa home. Unlike Shaker shingles of the past, today’s modern cedar shingles are mill crafted and lay flat to provide a longer-lasting, more weather-resistant exterior.

Maintenance for cedar shingles is minimal and easy as they can be replaced one at a time versus the more intrusive, full strip or complete side removal required by other building materials.

Luxury Home Exterior: Stone

Traditional Exterior by Orem Interior Designers & Decorators Dale Browne

The classic English countryside feel of stone exteriors is a sophisticated look that will always remain in style. When building a custom home rock, stone or slate materials can be used to achieve this elegant exterior.

Over the course of past centuries, stone exteriors have proven to be a long-lasting option that can withstand a variety of climates and weather conditions.

Luxury Home Exterior: Mixed Materials

Traditional Exterior by Saratoga Springs Design-Build Firms Witt Construction

For a truly modern spin on the traditional style, incorporate a variety of building materials into the exterior of your new Iowa home. Stone, metal and stained wood provide a polished look, oozing with charm and character.

No matter your design style, we’ll help you create a new Iowa home with a traditional feel that’s uniquely your own. Ready to get started? Contact us to schedule an initial consultation and take the first step towards building the custom home of your dreams.

When building a custom home, creating the design that’s as perfect for your family today as it is in the years to come is one of the core principles of Woman Centric Design.

We follow the four guiding principles of Woman Centric Design including flexibility, de-stressing, storage and entertaining in every new Iowa home we build.

Built-in Storage

Traditional Family Room by Scottsdale General Contractors Carlson Homes Scottsdale

As one of the most used rooms in any home, the living room is command central for holiday celebrations, family night and cocktail parties. Being able to sufficiently accommodate this wide variety of activities requires plenty of storage space for part essentials, games and electronics.

Oversized built-in shelving is an adaptable solution to living room storage needs. Cabinets created to fit your entertainment center will blend seamlessly into your living room design, while cabinets with glass doors where your entertaining crystal and china is stored become showcase conversational elements.

Pull-out, rolling shelves make the perfect solution for storage and accessibility of games, movies and CDs. While built-in seating not only offers an additional hidden storage space, it also provides additional seating for parties and family events.

Flexibility

Traditional Media Room by Oakland General Contractors Mueller Nicholls Cabinets and Construction

Creating living spaces with flexibility provide the ability for your home to adjust to life’s ever changing needs with ease. A well designed living room can easily become a game room or media room with minimal adjustments.

Mid-level cabinetry with granite counter tops makes the ideal location for storage and can also be used as a built-in desk or bar as the needs of the room change. Large open areas allow for adaptability in furniture arrangements as well as offer options for creating traffic flow through the room.

When building a custom home in Iowa, flexibility and storage are key elements for successful, long-term design that fits your life style today, as well as tomorrow. When you’re ready to put the concepts of Woman Centric Design into your luxury Iowa home, contact us and let us show you how to maximize your design for long-term beauty, functionality and flexibility.

Looking for an Iowa new home with beauty, flexibility of design and extra living space? Then you’ll love our featured floor plan, The Underwood!

With five bedrooms and bathrooms, large garage, covered veranda and over 4,500 square feet of luxury design, the Underwood is perfect for large families or for those who love to entertain.

Perfect for Entertaining

Designed for large family holiday gatherings and elegant dinner parties, the open space of the Underwood’s main area is the perfect backdrop. The gourmet kitchen allows for free flowing traffic while still leaving room for the chef to move about easily with plenty of working space.

The oversized great room works as a formal dining room or secondary family room.  The large hearth in the den or sitting room adds instant warmth to the connecting dining room and kitchen area.

Luxurious Owner’s Suite

Escape the stress of everyday life in your own luxury retreat. The Owner’s Suite of the Underwood floor plan creates the feeling of a weekend get-a-way with its secluded bedroom, spa bath and oversized walk-in closet.

The floor-to-ceiling shelving in the walk-in closet provides additional storage space and the built-in bench turns the walk-in closet into a dressing area. The double sinks and separate shower and tub give a lavish feel to the oversized bathroom.

Flexibility of Design

The flexibility of the Underwood floor plans allows for either a third bedroom or sun room with cathedral ceilings. Adjoined to a large full-bath and second bedroom, this creates an area idea for guests, providing privacy and comfort.

No need for a guest room? This space converts into the perfect home office or spacious craft room. The design possibilities are truly endless.

Contact us today to begin planning your own Iowa luxury custom home.