Decorating a new house can be both exciting and daunting, so we’ve curated a list of the top design trends happening right now!
1. Fully tiled walls. There are some gorgeous tiles appearing on the scene, so why just relegate them to a small space above your stove. Considering tiling an entire feature wall to show off their pattern, colors and design.
2. Lots of wood. Wood floors meet wood cabinets meet wood countertops. Balance it with metal, steel or polished concrete to achieve a modern and sleek look. Read More >
Century Village Before
At Brandywine we’re very excited about infill property. In fact, many of the new homes we build in Southern California are built in these types of areas. What does that mean to a buyer? It means instead of purchasing a brand-new home in a location that is still being developed – which can mean a lack of shopping, restaurants, supermarkets, etc. nearby – you’re purchasing in an area that is already well established.
Century Village After
We especially like to develop these types of neighborhoods because we are injecting new life into an area that might not necessarily be thriving. We can efficiently use existing land and not just build homes, but also add some nice perks such as common areas and pocket parks. It’s an exciting process to watch an urban area get a new lease on life. Read More >
One of the perks of building in an infill location, is sometimes a historic jewel is found on a property. For example, when we purchased a lot of land in Baldwin Park for our Palmera community – that for years housed a city-owned parking lot – we were rewarded with a little, unassuming brick building.
After doing some research we discovered this small structure, called Pacific Electric Railway Substation No. 21, played a big part in Los Angeles County’s history. Built in 1907 this building was built by the Pacific Electric Railway as a substation the served the Watts-Santa Ana Line, the Santa Ana-Orange Line and the Santa Ana-Huntington Beach Line. It was in service from 1907 until 1950. It is the last Pacific Electric substation remaining in Los Angeles County and it is today listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
On March 29, 2019, the City of Baldwin Park held a dedication to this building and installed a plaque stating the names of the organizations, city officials and companies that have contributed to the preservation of this little piece of the San Gabriel Valley history. We are very proud that Brandywine Homes is listed among them.
What does the future look for Substation No. 21? There are no firm plans in store, however, the building will be sold for redevelopment into a small retail space.
We’re thrilled that the residents of Palmera will get to pass this building and, every day get a glimpse of yesterday’s Los Angeles County. Come visit Palmera in Baldwin Park to get a look at this charming little site. And while you’re there, take a tour of our models!
Living a luxurious lifestyle doesn’t have to cost a fortune. There are a few tricks and illusions you can incorporate into your home to give the appearance of living large on a smaller budget. Of course, there may be some higher end investments, but typically, achieving this look doesn’t have to break your pocket book. Here’s how:
1. Classical neutral colors tend to stand the test of time and don’t look trendy, which can also be construed as less expensive. Look for classic textures, colors and patterns for a more upscale image.
2. Decorating with fresh flowers instead of silk will always boost your décor. Look for bouquets right from your garden or invest once or twice a week with some beautiful inexpensive bouquets from your local supermarket. Trader Joe’s has a very nice selection of reasonably priced, exotic flowers. Read More >
Land is often scarce in California, but let’s face it…it is the best place to live! Yes…we’re a little biased, but with its continuous sunshine, incredible land to the sea natural surroundings and unending list of fun things to do, why move away!
Because of this, however, there are a lot of us! And often the best way for us to live comfortably is to consider a townhome. Besides being a part of a true neighborhood, there are a lot of benefits to this communal lifestyle: Read More >
Located in the San Gabriel Valley, the land Baldwin Park sits on today began as the grazing area for cattle belonging to the San Gabriel Mission. In 1860 it was named Vineland and in 1906, the name was changed to Baldwin Park for Elias “Lucky” Baldwin. Lucky Baldwin relocated to California from Ohio in 1853 during the height of the gold rush. After many successful business ventures in Northern California, hence the name Lucky, including mines, hotels theaters and key stock trades, he eventually relocated to Southern California. Read More >
When choosing a paint color for your interior walls you could simply spin the color wheel and see where it lands, or you can consider these tips to figure out the best hue for your rooms:
Get Inspired
Inspiration can be drawn from anything from a patchwork blanket to the deep shade of a scented candle. This inspirational color doesn’t have to be the main shade in the room, but it can be the accent color. The next step is to match a neutral and other complementary hues that brings out the best from your inspired vision. Read More >
You’ve secured your mortgage. You’ve signed the papers. The big day is coming – you’re moving into your new house! But look around. There’s so much to do…schedule, organize, purge, sort and, eventually, pack. Here are some simple ways to keep from becoming completely overwhelmed by this potentially ginormous task.
1. Find a mover. You’re going to want to have time to interview and vet as many as it takes to trust your most precious possessions. Get at least three quotes, and if possible, a personal referral.
2. Don’t drop off donations. Instead of using your valuable time driving your items you’ve tagged for donation to a charity shop or drop off location, have them picked up at your house. Many organizations can either be scheduled online or by phone, and some organizations even have a special pick up day in your neighborhood. Read More >
Once you’ve gone through the Marie Kondo method of purging and decided that everything left brings you joy, it’s time to thoughtfully store it. Whether you’re dealing with small closets or massive walk-ins, there are many ways to maximize the space available. These simple and inexpensive ways to organize your closet will make your life much easier:
1. Use Hanging Shoe Organizers for More Than Shoes
All those little cubbies in a hanging shoe rack just scream, fill me! You can roll up jeans, leggings and other bulky items and just slide them in and out. Read More >
A home will likely be one of – if not the – most expensive purchases you ever make. And for many, assembling the appropriate funds can be difficult. But over time, and if done correctly, you can easily put away enough money for that all-important down payment. Consider these easy ideas for saving money, so the dream of home ownership can be yours!
1. Set up an automatic savings plan. Some companies will roll over a percentage of your paycheck directly into a savings account for you. If you work for yourself, be diligent in earmarking a certain amount every month to a dedicated bank account meant only for your house savings. And of course, look for an interest-bearing account. Read More >
