When the sun’s OUT and sizzlin’, these recipes are IN! Enjoy what’s left of summer with these tired and true seasonal favs!
Summer Tomato and Burrata Salad
Mint-Cucumber Tomato Sandwiches
Grilled Chicken and Mango Skewers
Sweet Cherry and Cream Parfait
We were recently featured in The Houston Chronicle for “How to Get Your Houston Backyard Summer-Ready!” A few tips and tricks from the professionals, read the full article here!
Click here to discover details about this unique patio in Keller, Texas.
The Texas Association of Builders (TAB) announced the 2021 Star Awards finalists. For the third straight year, the program witnessed a record breaking 720 entries within the 162 elite categories. Projects and nominations were submitted by 120 companies from 60 cities across the state.
This year’s record number of entries once again showcases the exceptional talent within the residential construction industry in Texas. Our great State should be proud of its builders, remodelers, architects, and designers as well as its sales, marketing, and construction professionals. It is an honor to be recognized as a finalist among this group of distinguished leaders.
Texas Custom Patios is excited to be amongst such a stellar group of builders and remodelers. We are pleased to announce we placed as a finalist for three different projects!
TAB launched the Star Awards program in 1992 and it remains the only statewide tribute to excellence in the homebuilding industry. For the first time in program history, the Star Awards were judged virtually. The out-of-state panelists were tasked with selecting the best of the best by reviewing and evaluating the entries.
Winners will be announced on July 15, the last day of the Sunbelt Builders Show™.
The Washington Post recently posted an article, “The new American status symbol: A backyard that’s basically a fancy living room,” basically saying stackable plastic chairs and charcoal grills are out…
But loaded, supersize, decked-out deck with an outdoor living room, dining area, 54-inch grill, full kitchen, bar, two-draft kegerator, oversize island, massive weatherproof television, elaborate sound system and semicircular fire lounges are in.
What’s not to love? You’ll take all of it? But when? How long will it take? So many questions, right? Knowing when to start building your backyard patio is half the battle and then knowing who to go with is the other battle. Picking out your design, working on the layout, and buying furniture is fun part!
Texas Custom Patios provides a turnkey custom design project. Our specialty is building projects that look original to the home, including patio covers, pergolas, screened porches, room additions, guest houses, decks, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, and custom patios. We do all the fun stuff too, you know … oversized islands, elaborate sound systems and stunning fire lounges.
We have all been stuck inside for too long! Everyone is ready to get out and enjoy a backyard get-together, so if you build it, they will come! Because after all, being outside is happy!
To read The Washington Post’s full article click here.
Texas is starting to get back to normal, so this summer is sure to make a splash with pool parties, weekend gatherings and fun for all. At the heart of every good party is fabulous food, so this month we are featuring goodies that are great for gathering!
Potato Chip Encrusted Chicken Tenders
After being on lockdown for over a year, most of us are itching to get outside and enjoy some company. Public places will still be covid-conscious for some time to come, so our backyard can be a safe haven for some fun in the meantime.
So how do you enhance your outdoor living space… grow a garden! Plus, gardening just twice a week has proven to enhance your wellbeing and “prune” your stress!
Here’s what’s growing in popularity for 2021 and what’s dead in the water:
Herbs: Basil, catnip/catmint, comfrey, fennel, horseradish, oregano, thyme, rosemary, Mexican mint marigold, peppermint, lemongrass, lemon balm, lemon verbena, bay laurel
Vegetables: Beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, and potato
Fruit: Apples, berries, cherries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, melons and peaches
Flowers: Periwinkle, perunia, phlox, purple fountain grass, purslane, salvia, snapdragon and sweet peas
Plants: Desert Willow, Red Yucca, Mexican Feather Grass and Lantana
Gardens are meant to be consumed and looked at, so creating a little space that is meant for relaxing is key! Comfortable garden sofas, egg chairs and hanging chairs have increased in popularity and are a perfect addition to your growing garden! Or just placing to over-sized chairs together with little tables will make for the perfect place to relax. The goal is to enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Since most of us have spent more time at home in the last 12 months than ever before, we have a new appreciation for making a house a home. And because everyone plans to stay home more in the future, but reintroduce guests, most want some sort of outdoor space to entertain them. If you have been dreaming of improving your home, now is the time to do it, but it comes with a longer-than-expected wait time. It makes sense though … while remodeling activity continues to grow, so does project wait time.
Here’s what to expect…
When a homeowner calls us right now – we are anywhere between 3-4 weeks before getting to do an initial appointment with them. Once we have done that initial meeting, it takes about 2 weeks to get a design back. Once the design is approved and the contract is signed, we are looking at an additional 12-14 weeks to start construction.
Remodeling wait times aren’t just in Houston either, this stands for the entire country.
With more homeowners reaching out to construction firms, architects and interior designers to upgrade their homes, the wait time to start a new project is also on the rise.
If you look at the chart above, you’ll see that demand for construction services is strong, as the average wait time to begin a midsize project rose to 9.3 weeks. A year ago, the national average wait time was 5.4 weeks, meaning the average wait time is almost one month (3.9 weeks) longer than the same period last year.
-Houzz
Another thing to consider…
Cost of projects have gone up due to rising lumber and material costs. Labor costs are also on the rise. This is always subject to change, but it’s worth mentioning.
If you’re ready to move full steam ahead, contact us now!
It’s that weird time of year where you “eating healthy” resolutions are in the trash can, but swimsuit season is around the corner! For this month’s featured recipes we are serving up some sizzlin’ recipes that are tasty, healthy and perfect poolside.
Spring Tarts with Whipped Lemon Feta
Crispy Braised Chicken with Artichokes
Green Godess Vegan Potato Salad
The next two are not great for the swimsuit body, but they are too tasty not to include!
Click here to discover details about this contemporary project in Houston, Texas.
In the past, we have had some problems with contractors. What they say and what they do are two different things. Not so with Texas Custom Patios. We knew what was going to happen, and when, and just as advertised, it happened. In three weeks, we had a 300 square foot addition to our house. We now have an outdoor media room and outdoor dining room and we LOVE IT.
Give us a call or fill out a web inquiry! We look forward to working with you on your outdoor living space. Take a look at our many blogs regarding budgets and designs as well as looking through our large portfolio of projects. Let us help you create the outdoor living space you are dreaming of!
