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As I anticipate the framing on our latest build in Shadow Creek I’m reminded of my 1st job construction—a framer. 🔨 . . After college my dad put me on one of his framing crews—I had been helping with his construction business since I was 16 but was never an official member of a crew. . Initially I was only allowed to carry boards and move tools—that was all and it was a good thing! . . After a lot of listening, watching and learning from the best (My dad and a few other great framers) I was eventually promoted to read the blueprints, measure, make cuts, nail and BUILT! 🔨. . . I took pride in the straight walls I built, threw out the 2x6’s that were warped, ensured the plywood on the floors, walls and roof were precisely level and wrapped the home so that the Tyvek wouldn’t let a drop of moisture in. . As a home builder I continue to be ultra particular about the framing job. After all, a poor framed home can cause all sorts of headaches down the road—leaks, floor squeaks, crooked walls, wall/ceiling cracks, failed inspections etc. . . These pictures are from a house I framed a few years back when I had my own crew for another builder. I can assure you this framing job was done on point and as if it was going to be my own house. I was proud to be a framer then and I’m proud and fortunate to be a home builder today! Whatever you do in the construction/trade business do it with pride and integrity! 🙌. . . . #buildersofig #homebuilding #newconstruction #newconstructionhomes #iowarealeatate #framing #framer #2x6 #walls #stairs #wood #construction #constructionworker https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqvdvl7A3kP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1vob8xksmgcrl

[affinityhomesia-blog]

Our client’s custom kitchen with professional grade Monogram appliances from Nebraska Furniture Mart is our motivational Monday picture of the day. . . Focusing on the appliances and more specifically on the fridge it’s sure something to talk about weighing in at around 800 pounds and costing around $10,000. . . Why go high end on appliances? Well there’s a ton of reasons why but the most obvious is quality! . . When you install luxury appliances, you’re not only investing in the gorgeous aesthetics and innovative features – you’re investing in state-of-the-art engineering designed to perform longer than traditional appliances. Compared to their lower-cost counterparts, luxury appliances are built with superior materials for a higher quality performance meant to last a lifetime. Additionally, advanced testing during development and production means you won’t be let down. . . Hopefully this kitchen’s appliances motivates you to consider luxury appliances in your home! 🏡 #monogramappliances #customkitchen #newconstruction #nebraskafurnituremart #kitchen #whitekitchen #whitekitchencountertops #luxuryhome #luxuryappliances #refrigerator #dsmrealestate #dsmusa #whitecabinets #motivationalmonday https://www.instagram.com/p/BqqE0wMgXHi/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1rfcfhbbl0bou

[affinityhomesia-blog]

If you can measure and cut angles, you can make this wooden snowflake ❄️! . . This DIY project took a few hours on a Sunday afternoon to complete from start to finish. We already had the leftover barn wood from a previous project and had to start by cutting the boards to the correct width. . . We ended up with the following cuts: . ◽️3 arms at 33’’ long. ◽️12 V pieces (which equal 6 “V’s”) at 6’’ inches long, at a 30° angle. ◽️12 triangles (which equal 6 bigger triangles), with a 5’’ base also at a 30° angle . After the pieces were cut and before assembling we lightly coated them with a whitewash stain. . . Finally we assembled them with wood glue and a brad nailer. 🔨 . . Since we usually display our snowflake outdoors on our porch from the end of a November to February we applied a sealant to protect it from the cold and wet wintery weather. ⛄️ . . It’s lasted 3 winters so far and this will be its 4th. We’ve also made several for Christmas gifts 🎁! What do you think of this DIY project? ❄️ . . . #diy #diysnowflake #diywoodensnowflake #bradnailer #woodglue #mitersaw #cuttingangles #winterdecor #christmasdecor #diychristmas #diychristmasdecor #diychristmaspresents #carpentry #carpenter #carpenterlife #builder #builderlife #newconstruction #newconstructionhomes https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqnjnx_gd3l/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=e5xjrmvgpf3r

[affinityhomesia-blog]

Checked on our foundation this afternoon for our newest build at Shadow Creek in Clive and the sky could not be more beautiful! 😮 Oh and the foundation is looking pretty darn good too! 😉 . . The concrete pans have been removed, tar for waterproofing has been applied to the lower exterior foundation walls and the egress window has been installed for the lower level bedroom. Plumbing rough-ins are scheduled for Monday. . Everything’s looking really good out here and we’re hoping the weather will cooperate with us so we can start the framing soon! 🔨 . . . #construction #foundation #newconstruction #homeforsale #concrete #concretefoundation #homesforsale #cliveiowa #bluesky #dsmusa #dsmiowa #dsmrealestate #builder #homebuilder #homebuilders #luxuryhomes #luxuryhomesforsale #shadowcreek #affinityhomes #newbuild #spechome #specbuild #egress #buildersofinsta #buildersofinstagram #iowabuilders #centraliowa #desmoinesiowa #desmoinesbuilder #smallbusinesssaturday (at Clive, Iowa) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqlQHppBg-V/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1duv8fnthxjd1

[affinityhomesia-blog]

Build your house and make it your own! . . Isn’t it amazing what some furniture, color and personalized decor can do to your space? 🙌 . . It’s our job to help you to design and build the perfect space starting with the layout of the floor plan and ending with the tiny details in the finishes. . Whether you hire a design/style expert or you have a natural eye for design, make your personality shine ☀️ in your home. That’s what makes our job with it! 👍 . . #beforeandafter #housedesign #livingroom #greatroom #fireplace #custombuild #custombuilder #construction #newconstruction #newconstructionhome #dsmhomes #iowarealeatate #dsmusa #iowa #desmoineaiowa #buildinghomes #homesforsale https://www.instagram.com/p/BqhwyvEhNNE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=4z7apchvqi9q

[affinityhomesia-blog]

My family and I had the pleasure of spending our Thanksgiving in this beautiful and authentic farmhouse built in the early 1900’s. . The home showcases gorgeous trim work including a wraparound staircase, wainscoting throughout and a few rooms with crown molding. . Though the house has been through a few renovations and additions many original details remain. . The wallpaper was last updated in the 80’s and we’re starting to love it again. ❤️ . . We’re also dying to know if there’s some old hardwood hiding under that carpet. Maybe someday we’ll find out! . . #authenticfarmhouse #farmhouse #vintage #vintagedecor #wraparoundstairs #staircase #openstaircase #trimwork #woodtrim #buildersofinstagram #buildersofig #wallpaper #wainscoting #thisoldhouse #farm #farmlife #construction #woodworking #stainglass #stainglasswindow #stainglaasdoor #pendantlight #depressionglass #shutters #windowshutters #window https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqf9Ms6BLDW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=mhuvemgh39lj

[affinityhomesia-blog]

Stressing out about hosting the holidays at your home🏡 ? 😩 . . Here’s a few last minute tips to keep your stress level down and your Zanax 💊 at bay. . ▫️1—STOP organizing your junk drawer and any other last minute deep cleaning you’re doing right now. You’ve been cleaning the house since Sunday. It’s clean, move on. ▫️2—DO take a peek inside your fridge and rearrange or throw out items if necessary to make room for the pre and post turkey day dishes. ▫️3—DON’T go to the grocery store for the 5th time this week. You’ll thanks me for this! You will have enough food, there’s always enough food. If there’s something you absolutely can’t live without, ask a guest to help you out. ▫️4–DO set your Thanksgiving table(s) tonight. One last thing to do tomorrow when you have guests. ▫️5–DO take your guests up on assistance the day of. Offer them a glass of wine 🍷 and welcome them into your kitchen. They may have some hacks you can use for the next holiday you host! . . Everyone enjoy your Thanksgiving Eve! 🦃 And worse case scenario, #nevertoomuchbeer #nevertoomuchwine . . #thanksgiving #thanksgiving2018 #thanksgivingeve #stress #nevertoomuchbeer #nevertoomuchwine #newhomes #kitchen #cooking #construction #newconstruction #stresstips #holiday #turkeyday #turkeyday2018 #turkey #potatoes #greenbeancasserole https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqdb5IshUsp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=gshui54msd84

[affinityhomesia-blog]

Have you noticed an increasing popularity of white/off-white houses 🏘? We sure have and so have our clients! . Our research (full disclosure—some googling) doesn’t point to any particular reason for the trend but there has been an increase in farmhouse style house finishes in our recent builds. Which leads us to believe farmhouses are to blame. . Back in the day, farmhouses were painted white, but not with paint, with whitewash, also known as lime paint, which was used as an inexpensive way to prevent mildew from forming on both the inside and outside of houses. . Whitewash’s main ingredient, lime, worked as a disinfectant, odor disguiser, and insect repellent, and was used all over farms for different purposes. It especially came in handy for preventing mildew from growing on homes located in hot and moist regions. ☀️ . . The technique of building and building materials have vastly improved so that mildew is not a concern in new construction, however the reflection of the heat caused by lighter exterior paint does provide a few extra years to the life of the siding and exterior paint color 🙌! . Our house here in Alabaster White from @sherwinwilliams contrasts the black windows and Tricorn Black garage beautifully. What do you think? 🤔 . . #tricornblack #alabaster #alabasterwhite #sherwinwilliams #sherwinwilliamspaint #sherwinwilliamsalabaster #sherwinwilliamstricornblack #newconstruction #newconstructionhomes #realestate #exteriorpaint #exteriorpainting #backwindows #blackandwhite #whitehouseblackwindows #whitehouse https://www.instagram.com/p/BqbbMW1hELG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=d1moxzkk1z2y

[affinityhomesia-blog]

Soft-close hinges and drawer slides are a must-have upgrade that every home should have! . . These Norcraft cabinets from Royal Flooring are well-crafted cabinets built wisely. All Norcraft Companies cabinetry brands are Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) certified. The ESP was developed to encourage practices that benefit the environment and society. 🌳 ♻️ . . . #recycle #enviornment #esp #norcraft #norcraftcabinets #royalflooring #whitecabinets #softclosehinges #softclosedrawers #newconstruction #newconstructionhomes #kitchen #cabinets #whitecabinets #whitekitchencabinets #blackhardware https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqal5DcBrGE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=zwgvft9no9ov

[affinityhomesia-blog]

The foundation on our latest build has been poured and is tucked in for the night under insulated blankets and straw. 🛌 🌙 . . If you’re reading this and live in the Midwest you may be wondering the consequences of pouring concrete in 20 degree weather.🤔 . First of all, I trust my concrete guys at JAS Concrete. They’ve been working with concrete here in Iowa since 2005. They know the weather conditions needed for an ideal pour and they also know the additional precautions to take in the cold weather. ❄️ . Secondly, our city inspectors ensure us builders follow the ‘Metro Cold Weather Policy’ which states-‘Concrete cannot be placed when the temperature is predicted to drop below 10 degrees Fahrenheit during the following 24 hours. The low tonight is 15 degrees Fahrenheit so we even have some wiggle room.👍 . Lastly, I did my own research, and according to the American Concrete Institute (ACI), concrete placed during cold weather, protected against freezing and properly cured for a sufficient length of time, has the potential to develop higher ultimate strength and greater durability then concrete poured at higher temps. How awesome is that🙌! . . . #funfactmonday #concrete #jasconcrete #foundation #foundationpour #newconstruction #newbuild #clive #americanconcreteinstitute #desmoines #realestate #construction #newhome #basement #basemmentfoundation #pumptruck #concretetruck #pumptrucks #builderaofig #builder #customhomebuilder (at Clive, Iowa) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqYkSNDBfP4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1kskiw35nz4hi

[affinityhomesia-blog]

T-3 days until Black Friday!! 🙌. . Who’s else is excited to get up in the wee hours of the night 🌙 , wait in line for an eternity with strangers and lug home a bunch of treasures not on your Christmas list—only to have your wife roll her eyes and shake her head at you? 🙄 ME, ME ME!!! . . Black Friday shopping has been a family tradition of ours for many years but a newer tradition I have started is making handmade gifts 🎁 for a few lucky family and friends. . . Check out this Grandy Sliding Door Console I made last Christmas for my wife. I followed the plans from Ana White’s blog, read through the comments so there were no surprises and let my wife chose the stain colors. She did all of the staining and sealing which she enjoys doing & it kept her away from my carpentry tools! 🛠 😂 . . This project only took a few weekends which meant no parking in our garage for a few weeks in December but it was absolutely worth it! . . I will detail the build in a later post. In the meantime, may you be inspired to try a DIY gift this holiday season 🎄! . . #diy #diyfurniture #diydecor #diyhomedecor #diyhome #anawhiteplans #anawhite #grandyconsole #grandyslidingdoorconsole #grandyslidingbarndoorconsole #carpentry #carpenter #carpentryskills #customhomebuilder #diygift #diygifts #woodworking #homedecor #navystain #barndoor #barndoors #barndoorhardware #blackhardware #console https://www.instagram.com/p/BqahCyThpSn/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1u5jishahalmq

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Does anyone enjoy shopping for and decorating with vintage decor? . . My wife sure does! She picked up this piece a while back from @hingeon5th and I told her she could keep it if she could tell me what it was called. . . She was close and she told me she keep was going to keep it anyway 🤣. All joking aside it’s a really cool find and as a home builder I do appreciate its history in home decor. . Without looking at the hashtags can anyone name what it is? . . . . #vintage #vintagedecor #repurposed #corbel #corbels #decor #decorating #rustic #hingeon5th #shoppingvintage #shopping https://www.instagram.com/p/BqYTCnMB1n2/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mniwrsvgi84l

[affinityhomesia-blog]

It’s Monday! Wouldn’t it make you happy to flip on these fancy lights first thing in the morning? 😃 . . . One of our absolute favorite experiences in a custom build is seeing the personality of our clients come to life in the details they chose for their home. This client’s personality perfectly matched the classy and modern stainless steel crystal pendants she chose over her kitchen island and dining area. The Artcraft Lighting Vega Crystal Pendants really added an elegance and ambiance to her main floor living area. We ❤️ then! What are your thoughts? 🤔. . . . #pendantlighting #kitchen #bling #custombuild #livingroom #livingroomdecor #kitchendecor #diningroom #diningroomdecor #newconstruction #newconstructionhome #kitchenbling #lighting #artcraftlighting https://www.instagram.com/p/BqXJu-9BDPq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1w0mpgl3s9fl9

[affinityhomesia-blog]

This kitchen would make any cook happy 😃 . Lets stay in tonight ❤️. Who’s else has kitchen envy?!?🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️ . . . . . #delta #kitcken #kitchendesign #ovenhood #texturedtiles #quartzcountertop #pendantlighting #whitekitchencabinets #whitekitchen #stainlesssteel #stainlesssteelappliances #oilrubbedbronze #blackhardware #glasscabinet #farmhouse #modernhouse #newconstruction #newconstructionhomes #darkkitchen #softclosecabinets #kitchenfaucet #subwaytile #subwaytilebacksplash #woodfloors #woodflooring https://www.instagram.com/p/BqRKwA_B_pm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19au0nszkvzeb

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Location ▪️ Location ▪️ Location . . . Our spec home in Kings Landing is a prime Des Moines Metro location and here’s a few reasons why: . ▪️2 minutes from: ✔️Woodland Hills Elementary School 🏫 . ▪️8 minutes from West Des Moines’ top 2 employers 🖥: . ✔️ Wells Fargo Home Mortgage @wellsfargo . ✔️ Athene @athene . ▪️10 minutes from shopping 🛍 , entertainment🍷🍺, restaurants 🍔🥗🍦and movies 🎥: . ✔️ @jordancreektc . ✔️ @costco. ✔️Valley View Aquatic Center ✔️ @west_glentc . ✔️ Kettlestone Waukee . ▪️15 minutes from: ✔️ @waukeehs 🏫 . ✔️ @desmoinesgolf 🏌️‍♀️ 🏌️ ⛳️. . ▪️22 minutes from: ✔️ Des Moines International Airport ✈️. ✔️ @downtowndsmusa . . Enjoy the view of the drive 🚘 from the I-80 exit on Grand Prairie Parkway in Waukee . . #customhomes #affinityhomes #builder #westdesmoines #newconstruction #westglen #jordancreek #newconstruction #damusa #gregstewardrealestate #construction #costco #jordancreekmall #wellsfargohomemortgage #athene #desmoinesgolf #desmoinesgolfandcountry #glenoaks #dsmairport #downtowndsm https://www.instagram.com/p/BqQlS7ChB8q/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xa707ap57wh0

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Some simple floating shelves can draw your eyes up and create the perfect space to add your own personal style and decor. #bathroom #floatingshelves #diy #glassblockwindow #decor #homedecor #diybathroom https://www.instagram.com/p/BqM228-hsYd/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1emuvv26qjwyo

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Today our foundation dig was delayed and since it felt more like December than November we thought it was fitting to share our latest fireplace design 🔥. The upgraded fireplace is a @superiorfireplaces gas fireplace from @heartlanddsm. The interior of the fireplace details a white herringbone liner—hence the upgrade 😁. The stone is an @eldoradostone brand, tundra brick design in the color chalk dust from @iastonesupply. We stacked the stones vertically to add a decorative header. The mantel is a stained knotty alder—another upgrade. Knotty alder is a higher end finish wood and like its name may display pin knots, grain fuzz and mineral streaks. It is also known for its ability to accept stain well giving the mantel interesting character. Who wouldn’t want to cozy up in front of this fireplace? 🔥 #fireplace #November #knottyalder #tundrabrick #chalkdust #cozy #home #mantel #fall #hereingbone #herringboneliner #pinknots #whatsgrainfuzz (at West Des Moines, Iowa) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqJcrzkh1_7/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=dwdcicxz7237