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Bright custom home entryway with arched double front doors, wood plank vaulted ceiling, statement chandelier, and clean white trim details.

From Floor to Ceiling: Why Trim, Baseboards, and Ceiling Details Matter in Custom Home Design 

She paused in the hallway, sunlight streaming through the tall windows. There it was: the way the crown molding framed the coffered ceiling above her. “I never thought I’d be the kind of person who notices trim,” she said. “But now I can’t unsee it.” At LaFollette Custom Homes, we believe that the details are not just the finishing touches, but the transformative elements that turn a well-built home into something truly unforgettable. From baseboards to beams, here’s why the quiet features—like trim and ceiling details—have the power to inspire and motivate. Architectural Trim Baseboards, casing, crown, and chair rail all work together to define a room’s character. Even in minimalist interiors, clean-lined, paint-grade trim offers subtle refinement, while stained wood can introduce warmth and make a bold statement. Ceiling Details Ceiling details create mood and drama while helping to define the flow of your home. Elements like coffered, tray,

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Modern home office with built-in gray shelving, cabinetry, and a long desk, under a ceiling fan beside tall black-framed windows.

Smart Home Design for Two Remote Workers: Dual Workspace Ideas That Actually Work 

It started with a Zoom call and a leaf blower, a terrible combination.   She was presenting to a client from the kitchen table while her husband took a call in the next room. The kids were in the background, the dog was barking at the landscaper, and their Wi-Fi was barely holding on. They looked at each other and said simultaneously, “We need offices.”  At LaFollette Custom Homes, we’re seeing an increasing number of clients request not just one home office, but two. Whether you’re both remote full-time or splitting work-from-home days, having dual workspaces designed with intention can transform your productivity and peace of mind. Here’s how we help you design a home that works for how you work:  Separate Home Office Spaces for Better Focus  Creating separate workspaces in your custom home design is key to preserving both productivity and sanity. Whenever possible, set up two distinct work zones in different areas of the home to

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Bathroom accent wall that adds warmth without trend fatigue, featuring dark floral wallpaper behind a white soaking tub with brass fixtures.

Accent Walls That Add Warmth Without the Trend Fatigue 

A Moment That Sparked a Thought  It started with a swipe.  She was scrolling through Instagram when she saw it, another all-black accent wall with diagonal trim. At first, she loved it. But five minutes (and fifty posts) later, it already felt overdone. “I want something timeless,” she thought. “Something I won’t regret in five years.”  At LaFollette Custom Homes, that is exactly what we aim to create: interiors that feel current and personal yet still enduring. Accent walls can absolutely bring warmth, texture, and interest to a space, but the key is choosing elements that age gracefully, not ones that peak and fade within a season.  The Warmth of Natural Wood  Natural wood walls strike a beautiful balance between comfort and sophistication. Today’s choices, like white oak or walnut, offer a clean, elevated look without the heavy knotty pine feel of the past. When installed vertically in a reading nook or painted in soft neutrals such as

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Serene primary bedroom with upholstered bed, tufted bench, tray ceiling fan, sliding barn door to bath, neutral décor, two windows and lamps.

A Letter to the Future Homeowner 

What I Wish I Knew Before We Built  Dear Future Homeowner,  If you are anything like I was, you are probably surrounded by floor plans, paint samples, bookmarked inspiration photos, and more ideas than you know what to do with. You may feel excited one moment and unsure the next. Building a home brings out both feelings, sometimes on the same day. What I did not realize at the time is that this mixture of anticipation, questions, and hopes is completely normal.  Looking back, there are things I wish I had understood before we began. Not because they would have changed the end result, but because they would have helped me enjoy the process more. I am sharing them with you in the hope that they do exactly that.  1. Your lifestyle should guide every layout decision  It is tempting to choose a plan because it looks beautiful on paper.

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Stone-clad custom home with dark gabled roof, large windows, and a landscaped front yard beside a wide concrete driveway.

Custom Home Builder vs. Volume Builder: What’s the Difference? 

The floor plan almost worked.  Their new home had four bedrooms, an open-concept layout, and a lovely oversized island. But the pantry was too small, the guest room was too close to the primary suite, and there was nowhere for the home office she needed every day.  That’s when she realized that “almost” wasn’t good enough for her family’s dream home.  What truly makes a custom home builder “custom”? This is what sets LaFollette Custom Homes apart from volume builders and why it matters for your forever home.  Personalized Custom Home Floor Plans  The custom home building process with LaFollette Custom Homes begins with understanding how you live. We will ask questions about who will be living in the home, what your day looks like, and what matters most. Then we shape your layout around your lifestyle. We can start from scratch or modify an existing plan until it fits

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Sunlit open-concept living room with wood-look tile floors, stone fireplace with built-ins, exposed beam, black chandelier, and glass barn doors.

Building a Custom Home: A Guide to Designing the Perfect Family Home 

It started on a Sunday morning.  Pajamas and pancakes. Little feet running barefoot on wood floors. Sunlight spills into the breakfast nook while soft music plays in the background.  “This,” she thought, “is exactly what we pictured.”  At LaFollette Custom Homes, we talk a lot about construction schedules, square footage, and selections. But when you zoom out, building a custom home is about one thing: your life.  For the families we’ve had the honor to work with, creating a custom home means designing a space that fits their story, not the other way around. Every room, every detail, and every decision becomes a reflection of who they are and what matters most. Design a Home That Grows with Your Family  Whether you’re raising kids, caring for parents, or planning for the future, your custom home should adapt as your family changes. Custom home floor plans make it easy to design evolving

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Laundry room with patterned tile, gray cabinets, quartz counters, hanging rod, and black Samsung washer; door opens to mudroom bench.

Custom Home Laundry Room Layouts 

Smart Design Meets Modern Style  It began with a pile of towels and no place to fold them.  She was carrying a basket upstairs, once again trying to balance it with one hand and keep the dog from running off with a stray sock. When she finally reached the laundry “closet,” there was nowhere to put anything down. No counter. No hanging space. No joy.  “This,” she said with a sigh of exasperation, “is going on the list for our new home.”  At LaFollette Custom Homes, we understand that laundry rooms might not be the most glamorous space in your house. However, they are one of the most used. That’s why we approach them with the same thoughtful design as your kitchen or primary suite. With the proper layout, your laundry room can be functional, beautiful, and even enjoyable to use. Here’s how to create a laundry room that works

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Close-up of a contractor’s hands writing in a notebook beside a laptop, hard hat, and drafting tools—symbolizing permits, inspections, and project planning.

Permits, Inspections, and Project Management: The Hidden Work Behind Every Build 

The crucial steps we manage to keep your custom home project stress-free.  What is it that can transform a plot of dirt into a custom home within a matter of months? Behind every wall, underneath every floorboard, there is a detailed process. Before the first nail is driven in, there is a long list of steps that most homeowners never see.  At LaFollette Custom Homes, our goal is to ensure that you don’t have to worry about these steps. We understand that the complexity of the process can be overwhelming, but it’s still helpful to know what’s happening behind the scenes. Here’s how we handle the logistics, paperwork, and inspections that ensure your project runs smoothly and stays up to code, giving you the peace of mind you need.  Site Evaluation and Prep Work  Before ground can be struck to build your dream home, a careful process of soil testing,

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Your dream home is only a phone call away

When you are ready for a builder who understands your family’s dreams and desires, talk to our family at LaFollette Custom Homes. Our team of Custom Home Consultants will guide you through the process from start to finish.