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The End of Social Distancing is Nigh: Top Must-Have Features in a Home Built for Entertaining

Dreaming of building the perfect home for celebrating the end of lockdown & Fourth of July with friends and family? Make a striking impression on your guests with our must-have features making your house the home where everyone wants to gather…

Wet Bar

Wet Bars are making a comeback! No longer an interior feature stuck in the 50’s and 60’s, a home bar is right on trend today. Having your very own bar at home is an excellent way to relax with family and friends after a long day at the office or during a weekend gathering. Our grandparents knew exactly what they were doing when they would install wet bars in their homes. Now it’s time for a bar comeback and to revive this first-class home accessory! 

A home bar is a sacred space to unwind – you want it to reflect your personality and taste. Bloomingdale Homes can help you design a bar made for merry making, whether it’s cocktails for the grown-ups or homemade lemonade for the little ones. So, when planning your new home design, consider including a wet bar where guests can linger and chat for maximum entertaining. 

An upgraded version of this popular design can include ample storage for glassware, bar sink and dishwasher to help contain the clutter and mess. And, why not add a mini-fridge for those cold cocktail mixers? Another great accessory could be a warming zone for appetizers. 

Your home bar can be set up as a different part of the home, for example in your basement. But, if space is at premium, one of the best options we suggest is a living room bar, where you can still have everything you need to create the perfect spot for entertaining, and enjoyment. We suggest your bar blends harmoniously with the theme and style of your interiors, whether it may be traditional, transitional, contemporary or modern. We can help with different style guides in order to come up with a cohesive design for your bar, giving you an entertaining space that flows with the traffic of your home and fits seamlessly with the layout of your new build. Plus, having a well-appointed home bar can also help distribute your guests away from the kitchen – oftentimes during a party, the kitchen is the hub since everyone congregates around the food and drink.

Home Theater

Home theaters are no longer an extravagance for the multi-millionaire home builder. Thanks to more affordable technology, many families are enjoying a true movie theater experience without leaving home. If you’re thinking about including a home theater, Bloomingdale can help incorporate a movie room into your new home build or renovation. When planning the ideal space for a home theater, think of a space that is relatively isolated from the rest of the house, so it is an entertaining area that is not interrupted by other rooms in your home. For example, you don’t want the movie goers disturbed by a conversation in the adjoining room. Good options for where to place your home theater include: building a theater wing off the family room, closing in the open second-story space above a formal living room, or converting part of your basement that’s at least 12 by 12 feet.

Pre-planning your home theater’s construction is an important step that can make the finished product really shine. Bloomingdale Homes’ team of experts can create a design layout to help you plan wiring, lighting, seating and soundproofing, making sure that your finished movie theater is the perfect environment for kicking back and relaxing with family and friends. You will be the envied house when you host your next Superbowl party, for sure!

Outdoor Living Area with Fireplace

We all want a “WOW” feature in our home … a look that transforms our living space to unique, and maybe even breathtaking. A great outdoor living area with a fireplace can do that! Upgrading from a fire pit in the yard with a lawn chair, to a full-scale living space complete with built-in fireplace will certainly give you that outdoor ‘wow’ factor. 

Creating an opulent outdoor living space with a romantic fire and a plush outdoor sectional, is a great consideration, especially if you plan to do outdoor entertaining in warm months. You can really knock your home design out of the park by having a fireplace that speaks to the indoor style of your home, creating true symmetry. With summer on our minds, the thought of relaxing by the firepit and roasting marshmallows is tempting, and inevitably magnetic. This is especially true if the living space is well-designed and accompanied by picturesque landscaping views. A fireplace oasis furthers the outdoor connection of your home and is the perfect place for evening entertaining. As a Michigander, you know that our summers are short lived, but outdoor fireplaces are the best way to ensure you’ll enjoy your outside space through the cooler seasons too. Stone fireplaces are not only stunning, but also are weather-resistant as well, therefore a great option when it comes to outdoor fireplace designs. The surrounding area can be dressed up or down, but a comfy seating area around a fireplace is always a must. Whatever your fireplace needs are, we can help you design and build one so you can stay home in style this summer with an outstanding outdoor entertaining space in your new build home.

Open Floor Plan

Open concept home designs continue to be popular. Great rooms which combine kitchen, dining and living areas that are both functional and stylish has become high on the list of urban oasis must-haves. There are fewer and fewer requests for separate formal living and formal dining rooms.  Open floor plans enhance interaction among family and friends, and they also make smaller houses feel larger. Including a large kitchen island in your new house design, where there’s plenty of room for your family and guests to mingle, do homework and prepare food is a great way to make the heart of your home the best place to entertain.

If you frequently entertain guests in your home, or love hosting dinner parties, it’s a good idea to turn a functional area like a kitchen, into a beautiful focal point that’s fit and fun for gatherings. Bloomingdale can help you avoid claustrophobic kitchen layouts with tight corners or islands that are placed too close to the walls. A door-less, open-plan kitchen is a wonderful design concept, as it creates an inviting and spacious atmosphere, plus a prime social zone.

You may want to include as many windows as your budget will allow.  Flooding your floor plan with light is a great way to make your space feel larger, more open and brighter for entertaining and daily living. Innovative lamps, lighting and fun backsplashes can also add character to your kitchen, transforming it from a utilitarian space to an area for fun. A good entertaining space should have a look that’s consistent with the overall design of your home, so we would suggest using similar textures, finishes and colors as the rest of the space. 

Flexible Spaces

We all want a living space that is unique to our family’s needs, and flexible spaces are a trending feature of new home builds. Make valuable use of your floor plan by building a room that can serve as a guest bedroom, home office, playroom, or a craft room.  Buyers now demand these types of spaces that are able to be used flexibly when they first move in, and that can be switched up as the needs of the family change over time, making your house a forever home. Design your floor plan so that you can easily add a home theater, music room, or game room later for more entertaining space in your home. Plan your home in a way that allows it to continue to grow with you and your family and the changes and milestones life brings. Bloomingdale Homes can help you design an amazing floor plan that gives you the flexibility to do whatever you want with the rooms as your family grows and changes.

Indoor-outdoor connecting space

Indoor-outdoor spaces are very popular with new home design. An open-air concept is possible, even in Michigan! People are looking for comfortable outdoor living areas that are connected to the inside by French doors or patio doors that can be opened wide so the indoors flows into the outdoors.  

With help from the creative team at Bloomingdale Homes, we can install bi-parting patio door systems available through our local door manufacturers. They are one of our favorite ways to bring fresh air and sunshine into your new build. If you are thinking of designing your new build with a patio, garden, balcony, or courtyard, have your kitchen next to (or near) these areas, so that dining alfresco can be an option. 

Also, by designing your floor plan with good circulation and connectivity to your outside space, you won’t have to worry about it being too cramped, as the crowd will naturally spill over to other areas of your home, including your outdoor space. Creating a family indoor-outdoor hangout space that is both luxurious and cozy will take your space from ordinary to whoa! You can even add them to your master bedroom for a seamless connection to your own private balcony. We can help you choose glass type and door style to maximize efficiency, while creating a custom feature in-line with your home’s architectural design, giving you the perfect indoor-outdoor new build forever home.

If you want to build a space you can share with friends and family, call our team of expert house designers & builders at (248) 651-6701 to see how we can build you a home fit for entertaining.

THE CUSTOM HOME CONSTRUCTION PROCESS IS NO EASY JOB, BUT IT IS A VERY SPECIAL EXPERIENCE. HERE AT BLOOMINGDALE HOMES, WE WANT THAT EXPERIENCE TO BE THE BEST IT CAN BE, BOTH FOR YOU, THE CLIENT AND US, YOUR BUILDER.

So, to ensure we provide you with a home you will love for years to come, we created a checklist to help you think through every little detail. The more educated and prepared you are, the easier the process can be. Happy home building planning!

Details You Need to Consider During the Custom Home Building Process:

Design. The best home projects always begin with a solid design. What is the function of this home? Is it a summer getaway that you may sell one day? Or, is it a home that will last you a lifetime?  Plan for the present and the future. If you are thinking about designing and building your dream home, Bloomingdale Homes provides comprehensive services including new home construction and large-scale renovations. Visit our website to learn more about our services https://www.builtbybh.com/about/

Financing Options.   For as little as 5% down* Bloomingdale Homes can help you finance your build project.  Building a house can take a while, so make sure your family and your pocketbook are prepared. *for qualified buyers.  For more information regarding financing options to build your new home, call (248) 651-6701.

Be organized! Keeping track of everything during the design and build process is crucial for your sanity. Come up with a system to organize and keep track of anything from inspiration images to selections decisions and everything in-between and stick with it!

Optimize space. Does every room you’re planning have a purpose? Don’t just build a room to have it there. Make sure to optimize and organize each space in your new home. If you’re rarely going to use that room, don’t pay for it to be built!

Trusted Team. This is so important. Find a building team that you feel comfortable with. Don’t put your dreams of building your own house into the hands of someone you don’t trust. Sit down with the people you will be working with and get to know them. The process of designing and building a custom home is extremely personal and the Bloomingdale team takes nothing for granted. “We are not just designing and building four walls and a roof,” says Jenna Campbell, our lead architect and designer at Bloomingdale.  “We are creating spaces where anything from simple, everyday moments to milestone occasions are shared, and we work with the utmost care to design every inch of that home to reflect each customer.”

Do your ground work! Inspect the ground you want to build on and the rules that come with it. There are laws and codes that your house will have to meet. The faster you understand those requirements, the better. When you partner with us to build your custom Bloomingdale home, you can expect the highest quality help and craftsmanship. Each Bloomingdale home is designed with two key components in mind: the unique site that the home is located on and the one-of-a-kind clients who will live there.

Be prepared to spend. Do your homework and prepare to spend your money. Building a house isn’t cheap, but it is worth it. Don’t be caught off-guard by a surprise expense. The more you know about the home building process up front, the better off you will be. Create a list of what you want and how bad you want it. Is quartz a must-have that you’re are going to splurge on? Decide this now to help you sort things out later. And don’t forget about landscaping. Have an idea of what you’d like your entire site to look like in the end and budget for it.

Our goal at Bloomingdale Homes is to work with you side-by-side through the entire home building process. From the moment your idea begins to the completion of your project, we can guide you through it all. In addition to all the big decisions, the smaller details of your build are also still important. Keep in mind these basic questions when planning your new home:

• Hallway width
• Specialty electrical switches and outlets (remember outlets can be upgraded with USB ports, and more!)
• Ceiling heights
• The way your doors swing
• The lighting of your home, both natural and artificial
• Storage for everything. TIP: This is your chance for custom storage!
• Are your bedrooms away from noisy areas?
• Will the living room be open to the kitchen?
• Have an idea of your entertainment system setup?
• Where is your mudroom or entryway?
• Washer and dryer placement
• Outlets in your cabinets?
• What type of finishes do you want?
• Flooring selections
• Heated tiles for cold mornings?
• Where are sidewalks, porches, decks, or patios?
• What type of outdoor lighting do you envision?
• Where is your garage?
• Do you want to prep your garage for an electrical charging station?
• Is the kitchen near the entrance? Think about bringing in the groceries!
• Do you want to prep for an elevator for now or the future for your forever home?

We hope this checklist made you think more about your home’s design. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at (248) 651-6701.

It is not a secret that the construction industry has always been a male-dominated field, but in the last few years we’ve seen a rise in the number of women in construction.  It is estimated that the number of women in the industry is about 9.1%. The good news is that the industry is finally breaking down gender barriers and understanding the importance of a diverse workplace.  As our industry faces the ongoing labor shortage, encouraging more women to join the construction field will certainly help fill the missing gaps.

One of these women changing the face of construction in our company, is 28-year-old Assistant Builder & Project Manager, Lindsey Rusin. Lindsey has been a part of the Bloomingdale Homes team since August 2017. While in college earning her degree in Interior Design, she worked as a Color Consultant with Sherwin-Williams. She did her first internship at the Michigan Design Center, in Materials/Textiles. After gaining valuable experience, she did a handful of other internships, which included working with a custom seamstress, classes on automotive interiors, event planning and project management. Upon earning her degree, she accepted a full- time position with KSI Kitchen & Bath, then moved to Bloomingdale Homes.

Currently, she is involved with one of Bloomingdale Home’s most high-profile jobs: custom new build homes — responsible for taking the build from ground up to completion. Overseeing subcontractors and working closely with clients through the entire project, Lindsey is currently working on six custom homes throughout Oakland County.

Q: How did you get your job?

I worked for Sherwin-Williams as a Color Consultant at the time and took a side job for one of my clients that I’d recently met. They knew John Bloomingdale and of his company and told me that with my design background and eagerness to help clients, I’d be a great fit for what their company was in need of. He gave me his information and I held on to it for almost a year — got another job in between and then decided that I should give John Bloomingdale a call and see if they were still looking to hire. We spoke and I took a position with them as a Selections Manager — which is still included in my job duties today.

Q: When did you know you wanted to work in the construction industry? 

Once I started working for Bloomingdale, it didn’t take me long to realize how much I like working with our clients and got to know and connect with our sub-contractors very quickly. I became a vital resource for many of them, since it seemed that I was more organized than what they were used to. I made sure they had all of the things that they needed from us to complete their jobs and made things more stream-lined, which in-turn, helps them succeed and make money.

Q: Is there someone in particular in your life that led you to this career? 

Not a particular person, but my interest in design is what led me into the building industry.

Q: What are some of the challenges you have faced as a woman in construction? 

Being younger than everyone else in the industry definitely caused me some headaches and challenges, but I would say that being a woman, most of the time, benefits me. I think people are intrigued by that and more susceptible to listen. Once they hear that I am educated in the project and can answer questions for them, they call me more than my Superior!

Q: What attracted you to construction work? 

I’ve always been interested in design and finishes, so naturally I was intrigued with building and construction, since design is heavily involved. I enjoy working with people and the planning and coordination this process involves. Having the ability and knowledge to take something from just a drawing to the full-blown end product is rewarding to me. The positive feedback from the past customers and suppliers has helped me realize that this is a good field for me to be in and still get to use my creative thinking.

Q: The number of women in construction has been on the rise.  What do you think are some of the advantages of being a woman in the construction industry? 

All people (customers, suppliers, inspectors and contractors) are very intrigued when they see me on our construction sites. I feel that makes them more prone to communicating with me and once they realize that I have the knowledge needed, they utilize my organization and ability to understand their trade and see the big picture, while helping them work with our clients and other subcontractors to be successful and make money.

Q: There are physical and emotional challenges that come with working as a woman in construction. What are some of the challenges that you face as a woman? 

The challenges are that some people don’t listen to me when I give direction or try to help them understand something. Some think I’m inexperienced. Sometimes it’s that people are nervous to talk to me and therefore avoid me. People that are much older than me, (mostly everyone is) don’t want to listen to a young girl, but then they come around and realize it’s the young people that keep the world moving.

Q: What would you say about the construction industry that would appeal to the next generation? 

There is a need for young people in this industry, as well as a very fast-growing demand. We need more education offered to young people, so that they learn about this industry at a young age and can choose to go-into, or study it.

Q:  The construction industry is embracing the advancement of women.  What advice would you give to a young woman entering the industry now? 

This industry lacked a lot of what we women have to offer, and I think that we need to take advantage of that. Don’t think that this is a “mans” industry and that you don’t belong. We bring vital skills that make things run smoother and more education needs to be available for this.

Q: What has been the most surprising part of being a woman working in construction? 

That people actually want to work with me and respect me as the builder. They believe in me so much, that they try and help me learn and be successful. They have realized that this will benefit them also. I have met so many great people that I will hope to continue to work with throughout my entire career.

Q: What advice would you give someone starting out? Don’t let the people that don’t believe in you impact your effort and abilities — Because there will definitely be many people that try to make you think that you can’t do it. You know you better than anyone, believe in yourself.

Q: What is your favorite hard hat sticker? Life’s A Garden, Dig it!

Q: What is your most valuable certification? What was the most challenging? I am working on getting my Builders license and it is a lot more difficult to obtain than it was before, so that and working full time is tough, but I am almost complete.

Q: What would surprise us about you? I am a total home body and love relaxing at home with my two dogs.