Custom vs. Stock Floor Plan: 5 Important Considerations

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If you’ve decided to build a home and you’ve found the perfect lot, the next step is to choose whether you’re going to build a custom vs stock floor plan.  But I want you to first celebrate that you’ve made it this far and gone from the ‘dreaming about building’ phase to actually starting the […]

Apr

12

Podcast

7 Unexpected Expenses when Building a House

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In this post, I’m pointing out seven (pretty hefty) unexpected expenses when building a house because I want you to make sure you include these ‘hidden costs’ in your budget so you don’t have any surprises pop up later. I don’t want this list to scare you, but rather I want you to be aware […]

Apr

05

Podcast

How to choose a paint color in three easy steps

4 Steps to Choose a Paint Color (Without Regrets)

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How to choose a paint color in three easy steps

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I think we can ALL agree that it’s HARD to choose a paint color. It can be (very) confusing and overwhelming because there are literally thousands of choices and the samples are so microscopic.  But don’t worry, I’ll walk you through four EASY steps that I use to get a much better idea of what […]

Mar

29

Podcast

Samplize Peel and Stick Paint Samples Review

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There is a new(ish) product on the market that I am obsessed with … mess-free paint samples. These weren’t around when I built my home back in 2013 but I sure wish they were! In this post, I’m going to share my Samplize peel and stick paint samples review. We’ll cover all things Samplize paint […]

Mar

15

Podcast

3 Tips to Design the Perfect Floor Plan for Your Family

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Creating your floor plan is a HUGE part of building your home. I imagine you want to build a home that flows well and is functional for YOUR family … plus, you want it to fit into your budget. Below are 3 tips to design the perfect floor plan so that your home *does* flow […]

Mar

08

Podcast

How to Avoid Custom Floor Plan Mistakes

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Many people jump right into designing a floor plan without taking the time to thoroughly think about the best layout for their family’s home. Please don’t do this! The best way to avoid custom floor plan mistakes is to *really* think about how your family lives BEFORE you create your floor plan. Side note … […]

Mar

01

Podcast

hey there,

I designed my own custom home from the ground up, inside and out. A home that is cozy, comfy, laid out perfectly for the way my family lives, and makes us happy every single day. Oh, and did I mention I did this all without going over budget?! 

Yep, it’s true. I’ve been there, done that, and actually lived through it … and you will too. Pinkie promise!

a.k.a. Caroline on Design

I’m Carrie Barker.

DREAMING OF BUILDING A                   HOME BUT AREN’T SURE WHERE TO START?

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Home Build Prep Guide

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