One of the best benefits of building your dream home is the ability to make it yours; to design it around your family’s lifestyle. The most popular place in the home for families to congregate is the kitchen. Every morning kicks off in it as coffee brews and most evenings end with the final flick of the switch of the light above the kitchen sink or stove.
​



Strategically placing lights in work vs. entertaining areas has a huge impact on a kitchen’s flow, feel and function. At Echelon Homes, we pride ourselves on supporting you as we construct the home of your dreams, so we decided to shine a light on kitchen lighting.

​When it comes to window treatments, we’ve got you covered. Last week, we discussed the benefits of awnings and interior blinds. Here are three additional window treatment options worth considering.

Exterior roller blinds are more common in warm climates than in Southeast Michigan. They are worth mentioning because they are the most efficient and effective in controlling the sun and offer energy savings on air-conditioning. Exterior roller blinds are typically made of wood, steel, aluminum or vinyl. Mounted above the exterior window, they can be raised or lowered using their side channels. When completely lowered, the blinds’ slats join to form a solid shade. Additional benefits include privacy, comfort, reduced glare on TV’s or computer screens and also a decrease in pollution resulting from energy savings.

After building a dream home, there are additional investments necessary such as landscaping, sod, furniture, major appliances and window treatments.

The world of window treatments is loaded with options, from awnings and blinds to shades and shutters. Learning the environmental and privacy benefits of each option will enable you to make a sound investment that will pay-off well into the future.

During cold Southeast Michigan winters, window treatments insulate against frigid temperatures. During our fabulous summers, they help keep high external temperatures controlled to maintain a comfortable interior temperature for your entire family. All year long, window treatments control light such as preventing a glare on a television or computer screen.