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Condo Life: High-rises lend themselves to customization

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February 9, 2018
By: Valerie Sweeten, condo life correspondent

Moving into a high-rise doesn't mean you have to take the standard design offered, because customizing your space is always a possibility from ceilings to floors and in between.

Knowing your wants and needs is a priority, but it's the accent touches that can make your home unique with distinct finishes, spectacular design and overall presentation.

"Finishes" in the high-rise world touch every space of your home with luxury countertops, floors and cabinetry. Flooring can range from carpet, wood or tile; while cabinetry, countertops and even backsplashes in kitchens and bathrooms can be upgraded or highlighted.

Customization, according to MyFirstCondo.com, reported that often, if you buy early enough in the process, you'll have some say in what type of layout, counters and appliances you'll get and installed.
 
At The Sophie at Bayou Bend, buyers can find a variety of luxe finishes including Listone Giordano engineered wood flooring, herringbone pattern hardwood entries, SieMatic cabinetry, Sub-Zero/Wolf and Fisher & Payke appliances as well as Brizo fixtures and Toto toilets for spa-style bathrooms.

Erica Baumgartner, interior designer with The Mirador Group, said options are wide and varied for personalizing and customizing your home, especially with standard and upgrade options throughout the home.

"There are six different options for floors. Fixtures can be the standard chrome or upgraded to polished nickel or the luxe brass/gold finish. Bathrooms can have quartz countertops or upgraded to Neolith. Some standard lighting can be customized with upgrade options. Kitchens can have appliance upgrades with built-in ovens, range tops and refrigerators. They can even add a wine room or wine tower," Baumgartner said.

It's not uncommon to find all of these and more throughout Houston high-rise properties.
 
Add floor-to-ceiling windows, high-speed wiring, expansive storage, natural stones, top-of-the-line marble, outdoor kitchens and fireplaces to the must-haves for buyers, and you'll find developers are listening.

With most newer buildings going for a clean, contemporary look, buyers will find less crown molding and baseboards, but more level 5 Sheetrock finish and plasters.

At Houston's, The River Oaks, choices are Carrara Italian marble, Gaggenau appliances and Poggenpohl cabinetry. Surge Homes, winner of the 2017 Marvin Design Award, also offers unique finishes in its European-inspired condos. Modern finishes on cabinets at its properties The Parc at Midtown, the Isabella at Midtown and Museum BLVD, come from Germany. There are also 90 cabinet door choices presented.

Potential home buyers are taking notice, Baumgartner said.

"Ninety percent of people have upgraded countertops. People love to have choices. It's the overall aesthetic," she said.

For original news article, click here.