Facebook Friday Contest!

THIS WEEKEND ONLY (April 7-9, 2017), we are holding a contest because we need your opinion! We have two similar homes, and we want to know which you like better.

How it works:

Go to our Facebook post here, and check out the pictures! This link will take you to see two of our homes that are for sale in our wonderful Saginaw Springs Community. You can vote by ‘liking’ or ‘loving’ the post to let us know which you think is better.  That alone will give you ONE entry to win 2 gift cards! To gain a second entry, share the post with your friends. It’s really that easy!

The contest will end Sunday at midnight, central standard time.  The winner will be drawn at random and announced this Monday, April 10th, at high noon!

FYI

Both of these gorgeous homes are currently for sale! 605 Rocky Haven Court features a dramatic design and a butler’s pantry that makes entertaining a breeze! 605 Ravenwood Drive has 5 bedrooms and a jetted tub! Plenty of room for the whole family to spread out and relax.

VIP is the Place to Be

When you become an Antares Community VIP member, access to the lowest pre-grand opening pricing is only the beginning. Antares VIP membership includes a wealth of benefits such as access to updates on the community while it’s still in construction, and a special invite to our pre-launch events.  We know that envisioning a neighborhood before it’s built can be hard to do. With multiple communities to preview and similar floorplans to explore, we’ll make sure the only thing hard to imagine will be leaving your dream home once it’s built!

At our VIP events, we make sure you feel special. We make sure each guest that presented with a personalized experience that has been thoughtfully put together by our #AntaresFamily!  Make sure you join our VIP list if you’re interested in one of our communities, so you can take advantage of all the Antares VIP benefits!

 

Until Next Time,

Rebekah R.

Arlington, Best in the South

How do you measure the ‘awesomeness’ of a city?  Cultural and entertainment districts? Low unemployment? New jobs?  Available housing?  These are all metrics used by the magazine Money to choose Arlington as the “Best Big City” in the South, and we couldn’t agree more!

You may think that the big sports and adventure parks are the only big entertainment in the city, but leadership in Arlington has been working hard to invest in other options.  Downtown Arlington was recently named a Cultural District by the Texas Commission on the Arts.  Over the last several years, the city has encouraged the growth of small businesses in this area and added features such as the Arlington Music Hall and the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts.

Job opportunities in the area also contributed to the distinction bestowed upon the city by Money. A recent expansion of the GM facility is obviously a large contributing factor to the low unemployment in the city (4.1% according to Money).  Texas Health Resources also provides a significant amount of jobs in Arlington, and the commute from Arlington to job opportunities in Dallas and Fort Worth makes Arlington an advantageous place to live if you like having a job!

The city of Arlington has done its fair share to create desirable housing spaces through improved schools and traffic options.  The city is home to one of the top most challenging high schools in the U.S. according to The Washington Post.  The bike lanes throughout the city add to both the traffic infrastructure and the other outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the city.  Talks are already in the works to link the bike trails in the city and public transit options to Fort Worth and Dallas systems.

If you’re impressed by the hard work done by the city, you might look into one of our communities in the quieter south Arlington.  While Arlington schools are awesome and growing, the Mansfield ISD schools our homes feed have their own accolades.  Fannin Farms West provides access to the entertainment and job opportunities in Arlington while offering a sense of peacefulness and solitude.

Until Next Time,

Rebekah R.

The Plan That Stole Our Hearts

We love all of our floorplans.  When they’re still under design, we post them on a white board for all employees to comment on.  Our company employs former chefs and interior designers amongst those with other specialties.  We squeeze every possible cool feature into the allotted space in every floorplan together.  Each plan is a work of the heart that involves every employee’s feedback.

View from the study!
View from the study!

As a parent, you try not to pick favorites, but we all know you do.  Home builders can have the same sort of struggle. Especially marketers who get to work with the plans a lot after they’re finished and then spend hours editing and posing pictures. We definitely have a favorite.  Don’t tell the other plans.  We cannot get enough of our 2092 layout!

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Kitchen Nook with Chandelier & 3-Sided Fireplace

The entertaining space is an ideal balance with a large open area and a closed-off formal dining.  As a native Texan, I love having people over to watch some football, but not everyone likes to actually watch the game.  These people (bless their hearts) can go into the formal dining and play games. The 3-sided fireplace is dramatic and elegant while providing separation for a third group to eat in the kitchen without interrupting the super serious football game!

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From the Nook to the Family Room

The really amazing thing is that the open-concept entertaining space only makes up half of the plan!  This host-friendly house becomes a warm home when you move into the private rooms.  The master suite is gorgeous and features a spacious master bathroom.  The walk-in closet could really be a whole room on its own.  The two other bedrooms are well-sized and share an ample bathroom.

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Master Bathroom

You can see why we have a special place in our hearts for the 2092, but at the end of the day we love all our floorplans.  Antares Homes builds other plans that are also gorgeous, and they all have their own special features.  We’d love to know what plans you love and why, so leave us a comment!

Until Next Time,

Rebekah

 

13 Decor Hacks from Pinterest

This week, we’re featuring some of our favorite Pins!  We’re passionate about homes, but that’s not limited to building them.  We love finding ways to decorate our homes, and keep them organized.  Below are our top 13 Pinterest Hacks that have proven to as functional as they are cute!


  1. The Charging Basket – Charging all the devices is always a struggle!  This idea is easy, functional, and beautiful!  Click on the picture for information on how to get this look.

Charge Here

2.  The Coffee Mug Hanger – You can  purchase your personalized coffee mug hanger made from reclaimed wood through the link in the picture.  Most of us have super cute mugs, so this is a great way to keep them on display, and off of the counters!

Coffee Mug

3. The Perfect Console Table – It’s is hard to come by, so you might as well build this one.  The slim fit is has the perfect space to add some decor and keep things organized, without taking up too much hall-space.  The added bonus? You make it, you stain it!  Pick the best color for your home.

Console Table

4. Drawer Pull Hacks – Drawer pulls are often overlooked, but clearly have some great uses in the home.  This is our favorite for inconspicuous hanging storage, but there are more options if you follow the link in the picture.

Drawer Pull Hanger

5. Funky Shelves – Your shelves can say as much as what’s on them with these DIY instructions.  The round design adds interest to the room, and can be really great for storing odd-shaped things like blankets.

Funky Book Shelf

6. Overhead Drying Rack – We all know that struggle: too many clothes to hang and too little utility room space! Industrial metal drying racks aren’t visually appealing, so try this super easy trick!  Full instructions are in the link on the picture.

Ladder drying rack

7. The Command Station – Every homeowner needs their one!  It’s a great spot to keep track of schedules, paperwork, and food for the week.  To decorate it, us it as a great spot to showcase a household motto.  We particularly love the locker boxes at the bottom.

Kitchen Command Center

8. Stone Shoe Storage – North Texas has experienced a rainy year!  Save your floors from all the wet shoes with a DIY pebble storage box!  It catches all the water and mud, then cleans like a charm.

Rock Storage

9. Magnetic Makeup – You probably don’t host parties in your ‘getting ready’ area, but that doesn’t mean it can’t look cute.  Use this magnetic makeup board to keep all your beauty tools organized and looking great!

Makeup board

10. Powder Room Do Over – The powder room is often overlooked in decorating.  This example shows that a little effort can go a long way!  It also incorporates a little extra storage space, which we always love.

Potty

11. Lovely Bottles – Soap bottles can be unsightly and messy!  Use this cute DIY hack to keep your kitchen looking neat and appealing all year round!  You can also buy soap in bulk with these, and save money.

Soap

12. Powerful Plants – Many people use plastic plants to decorate their homes.  They’re harder to kill, but require constant dusting and don’t contribute anything more than pretty looks.  Instead, try using some of the live plants listed in the link above.  They’ll keep your house looking great while they filter the air for you!

Plants Filter Air

13.  Framing Guide – Hanging pictures always seems easy until you actually have to do it.  The link in the picture below has some great references for different patterns to suit your space and style.

Frame Arrangement

Until Next Time,

Rebekah

Saginaw Springs: Around Town

Antares-SS-Infographic-Parks

Saginaw Springs is a great community for families who love the outdoors.  William Houston Park is a short walk away where you’ll find a great playground area and two soccer fields.  Willow Creek Park is a bit further away, but easy to bike to.  It is home to a jogging path with exercise stations, basketball courts, a softball field, an entire disc golf course, tennis and volleyball courts, and multiple playgrounds.  The city as a whole also fosters a great environment for other outdoor group activities like the North Tarrant Cycling Club.

Antares-SS-Infographic-Entertainment

If you’re looking for bigger outdoor adventures, they’re just around the corner from Saginaw Springs.  Eagle Mountain Lake as well as Lake Worth are both nearby and are home to great state parks.  The Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge is 11.5 miles away and home to all kinds of adventures!  Find out about the hiking trails, guided tours, and wildlife here.  When indoor entertainment is calling you, TCC is there to answer.  With a variety of theater programs throughout the year, you will have plenty to enjoy. If the most recent theater production doesn’t tickle your fancy, you can always head down 287 into the Stockyards or Downtown Fort Worth.

Antares-SS-Infographic-Schools

Every school that your child will be a part of within Saginaw Springs has met or exceeded all Texas State Requirements.  For this district, though, that’s not enough.  EMISD is part of a select few districts participating in the Liink project to help grow and learn at the highest standards.  This district has its eye on the future, and will take your child there.

Antares-SS-Infographic-History

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a community that cares for you like Saginaw does.  What I really love about the town is the balance of historical character and modern amenities like bike lanes and public transit.  They have a city recreation center that will more than fit any workout needs, and has the most competitive pricing I’ve found.  The community even puts on a kid’s night during the school year called ‘Planet Kidz’ geared toward providing age-appropriate entertainment to children ages 8-14 years old.

Until Next Time,

Rebekah

13 Tailored Tile Designs

I like pretty things especially when they’re also shiny, so it shouldn’t come to any surprise to you that I love tile patterns!  I decided to round up some of my favorite tile designs, in no particular order. We have so many creative options to offer our home-buyers whether spacious kitchens or relaxing bathrooms!

2092 RA-S 231 Frontier Drive SG-3-18 High Res
I’m starting with this simple and calming bathroom.  With the tub shelf option, this home kept the tile quiet and added a band to the shower.  The results is a stunning retreat!
2092 RA-S 231 Frontier Drive SG-3-23 High Res
A shiny option for the kitchen backsplash!  These subtle tiles have a beautiful sheen that contrasts with the cabinets, and accentuates the natural lighting in this home.  They make your home feel unique and add a little sparkle to your everyday life.
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I love that this home uses a band accent similar to the ones we normally see in the shower.  In this case, the horizontal accent tile provides contrast and interest where the tile meets the wall.
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Many people choose to match the tub to the shower in their home, but this went a little out of the box.  I love the balance between the intricate bathtub border, and the matching but more understated shower walls.  If you look closely, you’ll see the the bathtub border as an accent in the shower!
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Sometimes, simplicity is knowing when and how to repeat an idea. In this bathroom, the shower mimics the tile accents of the bathtub, but adds a pencil tile border to the accent.  It’s a simple detail in this bathroom that adds dimensional significance.
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The vertical accent in this shower adds some eye-lifting drama to the room.  They tied it in with the tub, and used the upward motion to draw your eyes to the vaulted ceiling.
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I love this one because the tile banding here is very different from what most people use.  The tiles are larger than your typical mosaic, and are mixed up in three different sizes.
2585 LC 704 Ravenwood Drive SS High Res-11
The tile used in this kitchen is 6″x 6″ with metallic inserts for accents.  While this style of laying out the tile is fairly common, the size is smaller and creates a totally new look.
2092 RC-S 224 Carson Drive SG-High Res-8
This backsplash uses similar methods to the one above, but features a more common tile size.  They created excitement by placing the tiles in what is called a ‘clipped corner’ arrangement.  The bronze inserts in this style match the cabinets and really shine.
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This tub splash is not often used outside of accent pieces. I love the way these guys stepped out of the box and made a beautiful mosaic with this tile style.
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Most people are familiar with the shiny white subway tiles, but this tumbled stone is available in multiple colors and shades.  I love the way that this pattern pulls different colors from the other accessories in the kitchen, while remaining simple and timeless.
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The backsplash in this kitchen is interesting to me because it uses smaller tiles in a similar layout to the tumbled stone above. The smaller patterns merge to create a whole new feel.
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I saved this beauty for last because it combines some of my favorite features for a look that is captivating, but simple. It all starts with our simple tumbled stone set at different angles above and below the pencil tile. The slight variation in color matches the granite and creates just the right amount of drama.

Until Next Time,

Rebekah R.

Feature Team Member- Becca Rogers

 

We sat down and had a chat with the fabulous Becca Rogers today.  She’s the newest member of our sales team and represents some exciting changes for us.  But we’ll get to that in a minute.

11892085_10204326523672809_245729406581719900_nThere are a few things you should know about Becca before we get to her position here.  She is an avid reader.  Any book will do, but cliché love stories and Harry Potter books are her niche.  When she’s not reading, you’ll likely find her coming to the rescue for some lucky pooch.  Like many in the office here, she has an open heart and loves her fur babies!  She’s a true DFW native who loves rooting for our Rangers, so Bark at the Park is basically the best thing ever for her (especially if she can swim there while reading the new Harry Potter book).  She shares these passions with her fiancé, Tyler, and stepson, Ryder.

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We love her for all of these things, but we chose her for a couple of other passions.  Specifically, her love for customer service and for home building.  At her last workplace, Becca got a taste of 24/7 customer service. She loved it. She really enjoyed being available to participate in the exciting process alongside clients. Her passion for home-building comes from her experience as a child.  Her father was a home-builder, and she loved to visit the model homes and find out how things were made.  These fit well into our needs for a New Home Specialist.  She’s the friendly voice on the phone when you call in asking about a new home. We are always striving to be better, and this position is one way we make sure you have the best home-buying experience with us.

Until Next Time,

-Rebekah

Nifty Keen

If you’re following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, you might have noticed things looking a little different.  As the market in the area continues to grow, we are seeking to provide our customers with the absolute BEST experience.  In order to accomplish that we are providing you with information in the best way possible, whether you are trying to envision the home we’re building for you or keeping up with the progress in one of our communities.

The most dramatic tool that we’ve recently sampled is a drone with camera attachment.  It can be a challenge to fully communicate the beauty of a well-planned community from street-level.  You can’t see the views or the nearby community center.  A higher vantage point helps you see what we know is there.  Check out this example.

The other exciting tool we’ve been exploring is a 360° camera.  We’ve been toying with taking stills for now.  They allow you to easily manipulate the area, and get a good idea of our community or home.  Up and coming will be 360° videos that will allow you to take a virtual reality tour of our most popular plans!  Check out one recent experiment in stills below, and be on the lookout for the videos soon!

[vrview img=”https://dirt2doorbell.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/R0010092.jpg” ]

Until Next Time,

Rebekah

All Things New

As many of our communities finish their last homes, we look forward to the new and exciting things to come.  In addition to the two communities we introduced in May, we are now able to introduce two brand new communities on opposite sides of the Metroplex.

The Cove at North Grove

You may be familiar with our other communities in Waxahachie, and this one will be even better.  The Cove is the first section of the master-planned North Grove.  When all is complete there will be new schools and trails all with the convenience of being near an established shopping center.  We recently explored our new homesites amid the sunflowers!

The Cove Timeline Banner

Weatherford Heights

This area is entirely new to Antares Homes, and we are so excited to join the tight-knit community of Weatherford.  We have carefully selected this community to continue providing big city living with country ease.  From Weatherford Heights, you can visit a nearby farm, take a short trip to a locally owned eatery near downtown, or drive into Fort Worth when you have that ‘big city’ itch.

Weatherford Heights

If you missed the announcement of Chisholm Trail Ranch and our last phase of Summer Creek South, you can read the blog here.

Until Next Time,

Rebekah