Entertainment Center Design -

We've designed and built countless entertainment centers over the years, but the old designs need some updating. Flat screen televisions are an obvious change to the design criteria, but the way that we interact with our electronic devices has also changed considerably. Unlike watching a moving in surround sound, surfing the internet or playing video games isn't done from the couch on the other side of the room. So not only has the entertainment center design changed, but the entire furniture arrangement in the room needs a look.

This modern entertainment center design can be modified to fit into a more traditional home. It's built with regular lumber and plywood, and covered with laminate flooring or similar pre-finished wood product.

The unit hangs on the wall but appears to be floating out from the surface. Space behind allows wires to hang and hookup to all of the equipment without being seen. 

LED light strips can be hidden around the perimeter to enhance the floating effect and puck lights can recess into the upper shelf.

See a short video on our YouTube channel.

Steps to Your Dream Home - 01 Property Evaluation

You may want some input before purchasing some property. Choosing a building lot in a good location can have a major impact on construction and lifestyle matters. We can help you analyze and compare available properties over a wide spectrum of considerations.

Community - All three of the major green certifying organizations put emphasis on the community aspect associated with the location of a property. Location within a community and the assets of the community itself impact: cost of living; quality of life; recreational activities; travel time; quality of schools and available amenities.

Market Value - While we are by no means experts at real estate evaluation, we do have a long history and knowledge base in the community. Additionally, we have several contacts within the real estate community and can help you with recommendations. Property values are closely tied to appeal of the location and in a community there can be a substantial variance between properties even within relatively close proximity.

Zoning - It's important to understand the restrictions imposed by the local government where a property is located. Just knowing the right questions to ask or potential hazards to avoid can have a substantial impact upon the scope of construction that may be allowed. Winter Park in particular has demanding requirements that can be quite confusing for first-time researchers.

Orientation - The shape and characteristics of a property should influence the design of a home. An understanding of the solar arc of the sun has substantial impact of the energy use and comfort of a home. Home design influenced by orientation can, reduce noise and energy use; increase privacy and comfort and; enhance views.

Site Planning - The footprint of the can be established after determining the buildable are of the property. Setbacks are the distance that the structure must be set back from the property boundaries. These are established by the permitting jurisdiction and can be quite confusing to and inexperienced designer.

Construction - Characteristics of a property can affect the cost to build upon it. Soil quality; accessibility; slope and elevation variance, and; vegetation and trees, can all affect the cost to build. Sometimes the most appealing properties have challenges that mandate special attention and expertise to avoid construction problems.

Each of these characteristics can be expanded upon with lessons and experience from recent projects. We consider ourselves "experts" on the unique requirements of Winter Park and have recent experience in The City of Orlando, The City of Maitland and Orange County. We've helped our customers dozens of times during the evaluation phase of property selection and would be pleased to help you with yours.

Lifestyle Design Considerations

One of the most important functions for a home to perform is to meet the needs of a households' lifestyle. It would be virtually impossible to address every potential topic that might be discussed in an attempt to learn about the vision of your dream home. However, talented designers should be able to lead a discussion and help you stimulate thoughts about the function and characteristics you desire in a home. Be prepared to discuss your daily life patterns, family needs, entertainment and gathering, specialized spaces and storage requirements.

Adaptable Design addresses the changes that typically happen within a household as time passes and needs evolve. Lifestyle matters address specific uses and perhaps even some individual needs that can be solved by the design of a home. Some of the issues are related and overlap each other.

Cooking and Dining

Cooking and dining play major roles in the lifestyles of most individuals and families. Life revolves around the kitchen and dinner table. Entertaining, whether it's formal or family, can be enhanced by the kitchen and dining areas. Gatherings and the best conversations frequently seem to end up in the kitchen. Family dining space is coming back into vogue and the kitchen is often the favorite space for crafts and homework.

Entertainment and Media Center

With flat screen televisions now the dominant format, the typical entertainment center has changed. Additionally, the function of the TV has evolved and watching from across the room may not be the most popular method much longer. The internet and streaming media sources, are changing the way people access and watch information. Have you watched a group of young men playing video games or watched teenagers together, all with their own laptop or tablet computer? Consider that the conventional layout of the family room may be changing.

Fireplace, Roman Tub and Formal Dining

Trends indicate that some common amenities are falling out of favor with home buyers. Home buyers are now wondering if they even need those items that were seldom used in their last home. The trends are driven by economics and a new realization that less "stuff" might mean more time for other things. Consider how often the fireplace, Master bath tub and formal dining room are used in your current home. Alternatives might include, an outdoor fire pit, a luxurious shower and a family dining area.

Guests and Visitors

The frequency of guests and visitors should be considered in your new home design. How long do you  expect guests to stay and how comfortable do you want them to be? Who are your likely guests going to be and what are their needs? Consider these potential visitors, each with different needs:

• Out-of-town friends or family stopping by for a short stay;
• Married children and grandchildren visiting for an extended period;
• College graduate children returning home until their new life is established;
• Elderly parents moving in out of necessity or convenience, and;
• Home office clients meeting for business purposes.

Trends indicate that there is an substantial increase in multi-generation families. Whether out of need or because of culture or convenience, the design of a home can play a role in providing privacy while still addressing individual and family needs.

Home Office and Study Center

The ability to work from home has advanced tremendously with the advent of cloud-based computing. Businesses (like Groninger Homes) that are on the cloud, make information and processes available to employees from any location where an internet connection is available. Additionally, home-based businesses and online education are increasing in numbers. It seems that everyone is connected. What is your vision of a home office: is a luxurious library that is visible to guests; or is it a work center tucked away from view, or; is it connected to the up-to-date media center?

Closets and Storage

Do you use your garage for storage instead of parking cars? Over time we all seem to accumulate a lot of stuff. Some homes seem to have rooms with no other purpose than collecting stuff. That said, nearly everyone has needs for storing their stuff. An entire design meeting can be consumed with discussions about the incorporation of storage into a home. Would you believe that most of the requests we've had for separate his and hers closets in the Master bedroom have come from the husband?

We look forward to discussions with you about your lifestyle matters and the influence on the design of your home. These conversations can lead to thoughts and ideas for a special design that might be different than anything you ever considered before. Let us show you why you should be talking to Groninger Homes about your next new home project.

Front Porches

What are the elements that contribute to that comfortable "front porch feel"? We spent last weekend riding our bicycles throughout some great seaside towns along the Florida Panhandle. Apalachicola is an authentic "Olde Florida" town full of inspirational designs with nearly every home featuring an expansive front porch. 

The vacation communities of Seaside, Watercolor and Rosemary Beach all offer newer homes with character and style that certainly isn't duplicated anywhere else, anywhere! Here are links to the photo albums I assembled: Apalachicola, Rosemary Beach, Seaside and Watercolor. Enjoy!

Some of the photos may be blurry as they were all taken while riding on a bicycle. Take care.

Indoor Air Quality

In an effort to reduce energy demands and increase comfort, modern construction techniques seek to isolate the interior of a home from the outdoor environment. This has resulted in increased insulation levels and reduced air leakage through the building shell. This tightening of the structure can potentially trap indoor pollution that has hence coined the term, Sick Building Syndrome or SBS.

EPA Indoor AirPLUS

Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air are the primary cause of air quality problems in homes. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not removing polluted air or by failing to introduce enough fresh air to dilute emissions from indoor sources.

Prior to the advent of air-conditioning, occupants opened windows and doors for ventilation. Even after AC became a standard option, most homes were poorly insulated and "leaky". As energy costs have risen in recent years, increased insulation and tighter construction techniques have changed the rules as they apply to the building shell and mechanical systems. Modern homes need a controlled mechanical ventilation system and in many cases should also include an independent source of dehumidification. Standard air-conditioning systems will likely not be adequate.

A healthy home provides immediate benefits to its occupants that may not be recognized or appreciated until after living with them for a little while. Fewer colds and allergies are the most common effect, but increased energy and sense of well-being have also been shown as beneficial side-effects of a healthy environment.