The Comito Column ~ Custom Building Exposed

Many interior selection decisions have to be made throughout the custom home building process –tile, paint, countertops, flooring, cabinets, light fixtures and more. At times these decisions may seem overwhelming and stressful. But, with the help of a qualified lighting professional, the lighting decisions can be made with a certain degree of ease for the homebuyer, the homebuilder, and the electrician.

At Comito Building and Design, we use Austin Bluffs Lighting, a member of the American Lighting Association.   The trained lighting specialists at Austin Bluffs Lighting recommend the following list to ensure that you properly light up your new custom home:

• Think back to the homes you lived in previously and make a list of the lighting you liked and disliked. Be sure to consider closets that where too dark or a laundry room in which it was difficult to sort colors and so on. Have this list with you as lighting is planned for each room.
• Make a list of special places art work will be placed in your home as these areas may require the appropriate bulbs for maximum presentation.
• Walk the exterior of your home and consider home lighting mounted on your home and dramatic lighting for landscaping as well.
• Tour model homes for ideas.
• Collect photos for lighting styles and techniques that appeal to you.
• Identify the location of electrical boxes or recessed cans. Changes to the electrical plan can be costly.  And, properly placed boxes and can lighting (in the right places and the right quantities) ensure that your new home will not have the same pitfalls as your old one.

As a client of Comito Building and Design, you and your client coordinator will personally meet at the Austin Bluffs Lighting showroom for a personal lighting consultation to effectively plan the lighting for your new Colorado Springs Custom Home.

• Prior to your lighting appointment, plan to spend an hour or so (the day before) wandering through the showroom to narrow down the list of items that reflect your style and taste.
• While the entire showroom may seem a little overwhelming, the truth is you need only to decide between those items that suite your style and décor so you can review appropriate options with your lighting consultant.
• Make sure to bring your floor plans with you to your lighting consultation. Your salesperson will be much more helpful knowing the general layout of the home in terms of spaces, dimensions and out of the way areas like closets and storage.
• Bring color samples, swatches of material, paint chips, wallpaper, tile, stain samples, etc. This will help you select lighting finishes that coordinate with the rest of your home’s finishes.
• Don’t wait until the last minute to schedule your lighting appointment.  While the lighting store will have hundreds of options in the showroom, they will have to be ordered which may take 6 – 8 weeks.
• If  you do not complete your selections in that one visit, don’t be alarmed. Due to time constraints with other decisions about your house, several trips may be necessary to complete your lighting selections!           

By following these common sense steps and utilizing the expertise of your Comito Building and Design Client Coordinator, the lighting process can be nearly painless. Remember, lighting is the most illuminating part of your new custom home so light up your life and enjoy the process!           

At Comito Building and Design, we believe a great home at a fair price and a wonderful experience should be the desired outcome of your custom home building process. As a third generation Colorado Springs Custom Home Builder, Comito Building and Design has been designing and crafting award winning Colorado Springs custom homes since 1983.  Our luxury homes in Colorado Springs are synonymous with extraordinary design, quality, and innovation.  Our team creates homes that are a solid investment for our families who live in them and a testimony to our creativity and craftsmanship.  We hope you will consider us as your resource to help you make your Dream home a Reality.

If you are interested in obtaining additional information on the custom home building process or any of our Colorado Springs luxury home sites call us at 719.219.5421 or visit us online at Comito Building and Design.