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Front yard with pavement leading to one story house with white bricks.

Where to Splurge (and Where to Save) in Your Custom Home 

You are weighing your options between two chandeliers. One is three times the price of the other but undeniably perfect. “Am I being impractical,” you ask yourself, “or is this the kind of thing that makes a home feel custom?”  At LaFollette Custom Homes, we understand that you face numerous decisions and a limited budget when building your custom home. The key is knowing where to invest for long-term impact and where you can scale back without sacrificing style or function. Below is our guide to knowing where to splurge in your custom home and where to save.  Strategic Places to Splurge  Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops  The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in your home. The materials you use need to be able to withstand heat, moisture, spills, and constant use. Durable materials such as quartz or natural stone add function and value, while custom or semi-custom

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August 22, 2025
Modern kitchen with white cabinets, gray island, stainless steel appliances, and sliding glass barn doors.

12 Must-Have Features for Your Forever Home  

It started at a friend’s housewarming party.  She walked through the entryway, admiring the natural light, the gentle glide of soft-close drawers, and how everything just seemed to flow. “It’s like they thought of everything,” she said, tucking away a mental note for her future dream home.  Stories like this are familiar to us here at LaFollette Custom Homes. Most of our clients are building their “forever home,” thinking not just about today’s trends but what will make life simpler, safer, and more enjoyable 10, 20, or even 30 years from now. Here are 12 design features you’ll be glad you included for the long haul.  Main-Level Primary Suite  Planning a custom home with the future in mind means thinking ahead to a time when everyday tasks, like climbing stairs, might not be as easy as they are now. Whether you design a single-story home or place the primary suite

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August 15, 2025
Living room with tall white brick walls, beige dining chairs on a white rug, pendant lights, and a white kitchen in the background.

Do I Need a Formal Dining Room in My Custom Home? 

Modern Options for the Way You Live  It started with Thanksgiving.  She had every intention of hosting the whole family for a traditional meal of turkey and stuffing. But when the day came, everyone naturally gathered around the big island in the kitchen, with kids drifting to the cozy breakfast nook and grandparents lounging nearby with wine in hand. The formal dining room? It sat perfectly set but untouched.  At LaFollette Custom Homes, we hear stories like this frequently. Formal dining rooms used to be the heart of the home, but that has changed for many modern families. Whether you entertain often or eat from the comfort of your couch most nights, your custom home layout should support the way you live now.  Modern Dining Room Alternatives  Below are some common layout alternatives and enhancements to consider if you’re on the fence about including a formal dining room in your

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August 8, 2025
Modern kitchen with white cabinets and appliances, light brown wooden floors, and soft under-cabinet lighting for a warm, inviting ambiance.

High-End Kitchen Appliances for Your Custom Dream Home 

You are standing in your custom crafted kitchen getting ready to start your day. Your eyes travel to the details that have come together to create your dream space. Your state-of-the-art kitchen appliances exude luxury, functionality, and style. The rich aroma of freshly brewed espresso fills the air, courtesy of your dual-fuel range preparing the perfect meal. This is the life a high-end kitchen can offer – a luxurious hub for entertaining, family time, and culinary adventures.  When building your custom home, here are the top high-end kitchen appliances to consider.   Refrigeration and Freezing  When it comes to premium refrigeration, these brands set the standard for performance, design, and innovation:  Cooking Appliances  Elevate your culinary experience with these top-tier brands:  Dishwashing  These premium dishwashing solutions combine efficiency, innovation, and near-silent operation:  Coffee Machines  Elevate your morning and transform your kitchen into your own personal cafe:  Ventilation  Ensure a clean, quiet,

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July 28, 2025
Modern white kitchen with grey-blue cabinets, beige wood flooring, fixed round ceiling lights, and sleek white countertops.

Mixing Materials for Your Custom Home: Stone, Wood, Quartz and More

It started with a single swatch. A creamy white quartz sample, pulled from a stack during a design meeting, caught her eye. “It’s perfect,” she said, running her fingers over the soft veining. But doubt crept in as she looked around the room at the rustic wood beam she’d fallen in love with last week, the stacked stone fireplace she’d dreamed of forever, and the brick feature wall her husband couldn’t stop talking about. Can all these things really go together?  Mixing Materials for Your Custom Home: Stone, Wood, Quartz and More  This is a defining moment in the custom home building journey. This is where vision meets reality, and the materials start coming together. Blending stone, brick, tile, wood, and quartz in your custom home isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a personal, layered, and livable space that is uniquely yours. In this blog, we explore how to

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July 18, 2025
marble white counter tops, white kitchen, Designing Your Dream Custom Home with Energy Efficiency in Mind

Designing Your Dream Custom Home with Energy Efficiency in Mind 

Close your eyes and picture your dream home. You may be imagining the aesthetics and comfort of each uniquely designed room. Perhaps the smart thermostat in the living room or the natural light bathing your kitchen countertops come to mind. What if your future dream home could be as smart, sustainable, and efficient as it is beautiful?   Energy-Efficient Features for Your Home  From insulation to solar panels, thoughtful planning in the early stages of your custom home can create a space that’s as responsible as it is charming. Here’s how to make energy efficiency a central part of your custom home’s design.  Smart Orientation  Before you break ground on your custom home, think about the positioning of your home on your lot. Lower your future monthly energy costs by positioning your home to capture warm sunlight in winter and cool shade in summer. Work with your builder to strategically plan

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July 11, 2025
Two people shaking hands in front of a table with a hard hat and documents on top, choosing the right custom home builder.

Choosing the Right Custom Home Builder: What Really Matters? 

Building a new custom home is a big decision. While exciting, the process is filled with questions, hopes, and concerns. For many homeowners, especially those building their “forever home” or downsizing into something that fits the next chapter of life, choosing the right custom home builder is just as important as choosing the perfect floor plan. And yet, with so many builders, how do you make the right choice?  If you find yourself second-guessing or feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Let’s address a few of the most common concerns homeowners have and explore the qualities that matter most when selecting a custom home builder.  “Can I Trust My Builder to Keep Their Word?”  Trust is not just a word, it’s the cornerstone of a successful building experience. It’s not just about whether the house gets built – it’s about the ease of the journey. Look for custom home builders who

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July 3, 2025
Modern home, ideas to customize your dream home

Modern Home Design Ideas for Your Custom Dream Home 

You step into the kitchen’s soft morning light and let a thought sink in: you are finally living in the home that you envisioned for yourself. Every detail of the room reflects your unique lifestyle – from the sunlight streaming through a large window to the functional spaces designed with modern living in mind. Building a custom home offers the empowering opportunity to bring your dreams to life, tailored to your specific needs and preferences. Here are some modern home design ideas to inspire your custom dream home project.  Open Concept Living  Perfect for families with children or those who enjoy hosting, open floor plans create seamless transitions between the kitchen, dining, and living areas. This open concept encourages interaction and makes your home feel more expansive.  Sustainable Design  Building an eco-friendly home and energy-efficient systems is beneficial for the environment and reduces long-term energy costs. Consider incorporating solar panels,

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June 26, 2025

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