Jenkins Custom Homes

A Designers Look at Decking the Halls-Part 2

Bethany Jenkins — Nov 26, 2008 at 04:00 PM

Today’s guest is Jessica Nixon of Jessica Nixon Interior Design, the company she founded in 1994. Jessica is a registered American Society of Interior Designers member and has earned the National Council for Interior Design Qualification certification. In addition to her tenure as president of Austin’s ASID, she has held past positions with the association including Programs Chairman and Design Excellence Chairman.

To follow up our last article we are now going to be discussing centerpieces, wreaths, and swags – not just for Christmas, but also for Thanksgiving.

Centerpieces:

1. People tend to go overboard with buying table decorations. Follow the old saying “less is more.”

2. Try using natural decorations to create a warm and inviting harvest table. Incorporate pumpkins and gourds down the middle of the table on a natural colored runner and scatter fall colors leaves in between. You can also cut the top off and hollow the pumpkins and gourds out and create a candle holder. To create a unique floral arrangement, get a larger-sized pumpkin and insert a vase or container with fresh flowers in it.

3. To dress your table for an elegant Christmas dinner you can gather various height candle stick holders and place ball ornaments on each to create a pedestal to display the ornament. If you are using holiday china, choose a color from the pattern and use that color for the balls.

4. For a natural holiday centerpiece, get a large glass bowl style vase and fill it with water and cranberries – enough to cover the stems and add fresh flowers.

5. Another table centerpiece for Christmas that will work on into the New Year uses huge pillar candles all in one color. Add magnolia leaves or iridescent fake snow around the candles and voila! You have your table decoration! By using one color or candles or balls it keeps from detracting from the food being that will be served or china that is on display.

6. In our first article, we talked about scrunching fabric around the base of the tree for a custom tree skirt. In the same way, fabric can be used as a table runner for any of these centerpiece ideas. Just turn under any unsightly edges.

Wreaths:

7. If at all possible, use fresh or natural wreaths materials. This requires less dressing up and then you can place in compost at the end of the season. For an autumn themed wreath, use a natural material such as grapevine or wheat and simply add a pretty bow to it. This look is elegant and not over done. If you want to dress it up just a tad more, you could also add pheasant feathers on each side of the bow to make the wreath a little more three dimensional.

8. For the Christmas wreath, use a fresh pine wreath to which you can add magnolia leaves. You can spray paint the leaves gold to add some pop.

9. If you feel that a faux wreath is better suited for your needs my suggestion is to add sprays of different species of pine to give a little more character to the wreath. Also make sure that the size of wreath is in proportion with the size of area you are placing it. (If you have a large front door you wouldn’t want a 9 inch wreath.)

Swags:

10. There are many places you can use swags or garlands. The most obvious places are on the mantel or stairs to adorn on your stair rail; however, you can also use them draped around your front door or inside your house, atop each window in the family room or kitchen. In any situation if you are using fresh or fake you can dress the swags by adding bows at the place of attachment.

11. Hang glass colored balls on the garland that coordinate with the area of your home, or use all gold or all silver balls to coordinate in almost any setting.

12. Finally, if you are using the garland on the exterior of your home, try to coordinate with the hardware and accessories that are near it. For instance, if it hangs near a brass door knob, use gold ornaments.

By: Jessica Nixon

Recommended Home Builders

Bethany Jenkins — Nov 18, 2008 at 07:00 PM

We meet with a select group of Custom Home Builders, hand-chosen by us, across the country—the top custom builders in the nation. If you are moving to one of these areas and want to build a home, we can confidently recommend one of these Builders:

ARIZONA:

Casas Del Oso, Phoenix, Scottsdale Custom Home Builder

COLORADO:

Fuller Custom Homes, Denver, Cherry Hills Custom Home Builder

FLORIDA, TALLAHASSEE:

Cory McFarlane, Tallahassee Custom Home Builder

FLORIDA, CAPE CORAL & FORT MYERS:

Paul Homes,Cape Coral, Fort Myers Custom Home Builder

GEORGIA:

Richard Padgham Homes, Gainesville, Lake Lanier Custom Home Builder

ILLINOIS:

BJ Armstrong Custom Homes, Illinois Custom Home Builder

INDIANA

Kendaleton Builders, Indianapolis Custom Home Builder

NEW MEXICO:

Rachael Matthew Custom Homes, Albuquerque Custom Home Builder

NEW JERSEY:

Monetti Builders, New Jersey Custom Home Builder

NEW YORK / CONNECTICUT:

E.M. Rose Building Company, Connecticut Custom Home Builder

OHIO:

Scott McCue Homes, Akron, Canton Custom Home Builder

PENNSYLVANIA:

Wheatland Custom Homes, Pennsylvania Custom Home Builder

TEXAS, AUSTIN:

Jenkins Custom Homes, Austin Texas Custom Home Builder

TEXAS, DALLAS:

Pavlis Custom Homes, Dallas Custom Home Builder

UTAH:

Jar-Con,Inc., Salt Lake City Custom Home Builder

WASHINGTON:

Vilhauer Custom Homes, Vancouver Custom Home Builder

Best Website in Texas

Bethany Jenkins — Nov 12, 2008 at 01:00 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JENKINS CUSTOM HOMES WINS BEST WEB SITE

FOR A CUSTOM BUILDER

AT THE 2008 STAR AWARDS

HOSTED BY

THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF BUILDERS

AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Association of Builders is honored to announce that Jenkins Custom Homes is the winner of the 2008 Star Awards’ Best Web Site for a Custom Builder – less than 50 homes per calendar year category. The award was presented during the Star Awards Gala held at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas during the 2008 Sunbelt Builders Show™.

The highly-coveted Star Awards are given annually to recognize excellence in home building, remodeling, sales & marketing, or development. Entrants submitted their best work for consideration in this year’s competition.

Jenkins Custom Homes is known for their attention to detail. This element is used to emphasize and highlight architectural details on their splash page. The website is also easy to maintain and is updated frequently to keep the content fresh.

Additional thanks to Artemis Marketing – Advertising/PR & Trnsfr, Inc. –Web Development.

The Texas Association of Builders is a non-profit organization with more than 14,000 members, serving the needs of home builders and remodelers throughout Texas, as well as the companies that service them. The Star Awards are presented annually to honor the best in new building, remodeling, and restoration.

CONTACT: SCOTT MCCLURE

COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLICATIONS MGR.

(512) 476-6346

New Lower Price

Bethany Jenkins — Nov 12, 2008 at 11:00 AM

Click Here to view video

Hardscape in your Landscape-part 2

Bethany Jenkins — Nov 10, 2008 at 02:00 PM

In his first post, Jason Allison introduced us to the concept of hardscape in our landscaping. In part two, Jason will conclude his article with issues that need to be addressed when bringing hardscape into your landscape.

When adding hardscape to your landscaping, always consider your drainage. If this is not addressed properly from the onset, it can cause many problems down the line. It is always important to consider the run-off from the hardscape as well as different options to catch and control the water.

Although many of the material options are considered “permeable”, or will let water drain through, even they cannot completely absorb all of the rainfall that can come down in a hurry from time to time. Proper planning and implementing can alleviate these problems. Often creative solutions, like dry creek beds, can actually add to the landscape as a whole.

Last, and by no means least, it is important to consider how the hardscape will work with the rest of the landscape as a whole. As I said before, they both can compliment each other greatly and a good planting design will only enhance your enjoyment of your hardscape.

Often you can soften the edges with plantings like vines or Rosemary training over walls and edges. Also, a hardscape generally lends itself to boundaries that are ideal for creating planting beds that can be filled with flowers, shrubs and trees that can add colors, scents, textures and shade to the area.

All in all, hardscapes can definitely add value and useable space to any landscape or home in general. Just keep in mind a few things when planning and implementing the project and you will have a permanent structure that you will be able to enjoy for years to come with little maintenance required.

Austin Texas Custom Home Builders

Bethany Jenkins — Nov 04, 2008 at 11:00 PM

Jenkins Custom Homes was one of six celebrated Austin Home Builders asked to participate in the 2008 Parade of Homes at Waters Edge in Rough Hollow. The Jenkins home for this show was an exceptional example of the exciting new ‘Modern Mediterranean’ style, which offers the cleaner, simpler look of contemporary homes with the warmth and grace of the Mediterranean style.

The Jenkins Parade home was 7,000 square feet of pure luxury…As you enter you are greeted by an exceptional lake view from the two-story Great Room, with a floor-to-ceiling curved glass window looking out on Lake Travis. The game room on the lower level features a glass wall, which slides back into the wall and opens up to a Negative Edge Pool looking out over the lake (view more).

Jenkins Custom Homes is pleased to unite with the Lance Armstrong Foundation by hosting the 2008 All for Hope Charity Gala at their 2008 Parade Home. This red carpet, star-studded charity event was extremely successful and was the talk of the 2008 Parade of Homes. We are proud to announce that we raised over $23,000 for the LAF! At Jenkins Custom Homes, we agree with Lance Armstrong, “Unity is strength, knowledge is power, and attitude is everything”.

For more details, floorplans, and a virtual tour of the Jenkins 2008 Parade Home click here. To schedule a private tour of the Jenkins Parade Home contact Cyndi Hayth at (512)402-9222.

Jenkins Custom Homes, ranked 7th in 2008 among Custom Home Builders in the city of Austin (Austin Business Journal), has a strong history of designing and building exceptional show homes. In 2006, the Jenkins Showcase of Homes entry was recognized as the Best Custom Home in Texas by the Texas Association of Builders and resulted in Jenkins being named the 2006 Custom Builder of the Year.

In 2004, Jenkins was also invited to build a home for the Showcase of Homes. This home was also recognized with a Star award from the Texas Association of Home Builders as the Best Custom Home for 2004. This home was featured on the cover of Frontgate Magazine.

Under construction right now is the 2009 Parade of Homes at Skywater in Horseshoe Bay. This one is already sold and is sure to be another award-winning home. More details coming soon on this one…

Click below to watch a brief Portfolio Video of Jenkins award-winning homes.
Click Here to view video

Hardscape in your Landscape

Bethany Jenkins — Oct 22, 2008 at 01:00 PM

By Jason Allison, Landscape Designer, Elements Group

Adding hardscape into a landscape is sometimes viewed as a contradiction of ideals. After all, landscapes are soft and organic while hardscapes are, well, hard and permanent, right? So, how can they work together?

Well, beautifully. You see, when planned properly the hardscape can add great value to the landscape, and vice versa, to create an overall appealing space that is conducive to flowers, scents, green space and high heels.

Hardscape materials can vary from impermeable surfaces like concrete and mortared in flagstone to the permeable such as tumbled pavers and stone with decomposed granite joints. Even more natural materials like wood decks can be considered “hardscape”. These structures offer a permanent surface that can be enjoyed as an entertaining or relaxing space, create defined pathways, or even act as parking for automobiles. The advantages of hardscapes are numerous but in the planning and constructing of the areas a few things need to be kept in mind.

First, consider the type of material you would like to use. Do you want it to be smooth and solid? Then maybe concrete would be an option. With the many stamping, texturing, and staining options today it does not have to be a plain grey slab.

Would you prefer an “Old World” or “Tuscan” feel? Then you might want to consider clay or tumbled concrete pavers. There are countless patterns to choose from and this option does give you the ability to remove a single paver should it ever become damaged. These pavers do have some added texture, which, depending on your preference can be seen as a good thing.

How about a natural feel? Then natural stone materials could be what you are looking for. From rough, natural flagstone to smooth saw-cut limestone the options here are numerous as well. One other important thing to consider with natural materials is what you would like the space between the stones to contain. Several popular options are solid mortared joints, decomposed granite, or even pea gravel. Each has its own pros and cons.

Read part two of this article in Jason’s next post…coming soon.

A Designer's look at Decking the Halls

Bethany Jenkins — Oct 21, 2008 at 09:00 PM

This post was originally published on our affiliate blog site: The Home Blog.

To create a beautiful sophisticated Christmas tree here are some helpful hints:

1. There is no better way to exude elegance than to decorate the Christmas tree with white lights.

2. To make the white light even more angelic try purchasing some white tulle (wedding netting). Cut into 1 yard pieces scrunch together and fill in any empty spaces between the tips of the branch and the trunk with the tulle. This not only helps the tree look fuller but gives an extra twinkle. It also looks great if you wrap the base of the tree with the tulle. The tulle comes in many different colors. Another sophisticated color to use would be silver or gold.

3. Many pre-made tree skirts barely cover the tree stand. One method that I have used is to purchase two to three yards of a beautiful fabric from the fabric store, just wrap around the base of the tree, fold under any exposed rough edges, puff and scrunch until it gives the soft, billowy look. This is a custom, no-sew method tree skirt for less.

4. As for tree topper, what I think always looks beautiful is a glass finial, but if budget is an issue you can do a bow on top of the tree. For the bow, I always say “bigger is better.” If you can not make bows, you can go down to your local craft store or florist shop, and they can make them for you out of the ribbon you chose for a small fee. Also, I recommend having streams of the same ribbon that cascade down the tree. Just cut the ribbon that will be showing at an angle to have clean, finished edge.

5. If you want a sophisticated look and you have children, my suggestion to you is have a separate tree for the kids to put their collection of ornaments on. This can be in the family room or even play room. That way, you do not have Mickey Mouse on your formal tree. My friend has a mini tree in each of her boys’ rooms, and they have fun picking their favorite ornaments to go on their own mini tree.

6. If you cannot get around having only one tree—make it over the top! One way to achieve this is to use a fun, hip colored garland. Another way is to choose a tree skirt that has a lot of color. You could also try the same no-sew method tree skirt here again, but make the color something that is bright and festive. A patch work skirt or even a patch work quilt could be a very unique tree skirt. And lastly, do everything multi-colored. Instead of using one color of ornaments, use red, purple, blue, and green and definitely go with multi-colored lights. By using all these elements together you can create a tree that whimsical and fun for everyone.

Look for us again when we discuss swags, wreaths, and centerpieces.

Jessica Nixon, ASID

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Westlake Home Builder

Bethany Jenkins — Oct 05, 2008 at 04:00 PM

Westlake home builders come in all varieties, but a Jenkins custom home distinguishes itself from an ordinary Westlake home builder in a multitude of ways.

Our distinctive approach to Westlake home building starts with an in-depth analysis of how you live and how your new home will fit your lifestyle. Some of the factors we consider include your entertaining habits, future growth of your family, traffic flow, household activities and your eating, working and recreational preferences. Of course, like any Westlake home builder, we also must consider the constraints and virtues of your new home site.

In our Design Development stage, we help you visualize your new Westlake home with conceptual renderings and a guaranteed cost breakdown.

To ensure there are no unpleasant cost surprises at the end of the process, like there are with many home builders, we provide you with a Personal Home Page (which actually describes your custom home, not the homepage of a website!). On this page – part of our Automated Change Order System – you can instantly see requested changes, costs and the status of any modification to the construction of your Westlake home.

Spicewood Home Builder

Bethany Jenkins — Oct 05, 2008 at 04:00 PM

Spicewood home builders come in all varieties, but a Jenkins custom home distinguishes itself from an ordinary Spicewood home builder in a multitude of ways.

Our distinctive approach to Spicewood home building starts with an in-depth analysis of how you live and how your new home will fit your lifestyle. Some of the factors we consider include your entertaining habits, future growth of your family, traffic flow, household activities and your eating, working and recreational preferences. Of course, like any Spicewood home builder, we also must consider the constraints and virtues of your new home site.

In our Design Development stage, we help you visualize your new Spicewood home with conceptual renderings and a guaranteed cost breakdown.

Horseshoe Bay Home Builder

Bethany Jenkins — Oct 05, 2008 at 04:00 PM

Horseshoe Bay home builders come in all varieties, but a Jenkins custom home distinguishes itself from an ordinary Horseshoe Bay home builder in a multitude of ways.

Our distinctive approach to Horseshoe Bay home building starts with an in-depth analysis of how you live and how your new home will fit your lifestyle. Some of the factors we consider include your entertaining habits, future growth of your family, traffic flow, household activities and your eating, working and recreational preferences. Of course, like any Horseshoe Bay home builder, we also must consider the constraints and virtues of your new home site.

In our Design Development stage, we help you visualize your new Horseshoe Bay home with conceptual renderings and a guaranteed cost breakdown.

Horseshoe Bay Projects

Building homes in Horseshoe Bay, Texas, our projects include homes in distinctive neighborhoods such as Skywater and Applehead Island. To see our Parade Home in Horseshoe Bay, Texas, please visit the following address:

Jenkins Custom Homes

113 Paint Brush, Lot 4 Skywater

Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657

Dripping Springs Home Builder

Bethany Jenkins — Oct 05, 2008 at 03:00 PM

Dripping Springs home builders come in all varieties, but a Jenkins custom home distinguishes itself from an ordinary Austin home builder in a multitude of ways.

Our distinctive approach to Dripping Springs home building starts with an in-depth analysis of how you live and how your new home will fit your lifestyle. Some of the factors we consider include your entertaining habits, future growth of your family, traffic flow, household activities and your eating, working and recreational preferences. Of course, like any Dripping Springs home builder, we also must consider the constraints and virtues of your new home site.

In our Design Development stage, we help you visualize your new Dripping Springs home with conceptual renderings and a guaranteed cost breakdown.

Driftwood Home Builder

Bethany Jenkins — Oct 05, 2008 at 03:00 PM

Driftwood home builders come in all varieties, but a Jenkins custom home distinguishes itself from an ordinary Austin home builder in a multitude of ways.

Our distinctive approach to Driftwood home building starts with an in-depth analysis of how you live and how your new home will fit your lifestyle. Some of the factors we consider include your entertaining habits, future growth of your family, traffic flow, household activities and your eating, working and recreational preferences. Of course, like any Driftwood home builder, we also must consider the constraints and virtues of your new home site.

In our Design Development stage, we help you visualize your new Driftwood home with conceptual renderings and a guaranteed cost breakdown.

Bee Cave Home Builder

Bethany Jenkins — Oct 05, 2008 at 03:00 PM

Bee Cave home builders come in all varieties, but a Jenkins custom home distinguishes itself from an ordinary Austin home builder in a multitude of ways.

Our distinctive approach to Bee Cave home building starts with an in-depth analysis of how you live and how your new home will fit your lifestyle. Some of the factors we consider include your entertaining habits, future growth of your family, traffic flow, household activities and your eating, working and recreational preferences. Of course, like any Bee Cave home builder, we also must consider the constraints and virtues of your new home site.

In our Design Development stage, we help you visualize your new Austin home with conceptual renderings and a guaranteed cost breakdown.

Austin Business Journal Names Top 25 Home Builders

Bethany Jenkins — Oct 03, 2008 at 10:00 PM

Jenkins Custom Homes is ranked 7th among Custom Home Builders in Austin Business Journal’s Top 25 Custom Builders for 2008. Moving up from #13 last year, this is an honor that also highlights the growth of Jenkins’ business. The journal ranks Custom Home Builders by size, and Jenkins has been shooting to the top the past 5 years. In a market where most home builders are shrinking, Jenkins has gone from #23 on the list just five years ago to #7 in 2008, moving up several rankings each year.

When asked if Jenkins aspires to be #1, Shan Jenkins says, “Not necessarily – we strive to provide superior quality and service in our market, and if we continue to grow it will only be a by-product of our company mission and core values. In fact, with our focus on quality and service, we may choose not to build certain projects in order to maintain our reputation for excellence”.

The Austin Business Journal is the primary source for news and pro-business information in the Austin and surrounding areas. Jenkins Custom Homes is pleased to be associated with the Austin Business Journal.

Flintrock Falls Home Builder

Bethany Jenkins — Oct 03, 2008 at 03:00 PM

Flintrock Falls homes are a specialty of builder Jenkins Custom Homes. A new gated, golf-course community located in Lakeway, Flintrock Falls is about a mile from Highway 620, which provides Flintrock Falls home owners a hot route to Austin and all that the city offers.

The many amenities of the area attracted Flintrock Falls home builder Jenkins Custom Homes. Some of the attractions include the Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, the amazing Hill Country views, the new Hill Country Galleria shopping area, golfing, hiking, biking and of course Lake Travis and its many water-based diversions. Flintrock Falls home owners will see their children attend schools in the well-regarded Lake Travis School District.

For Flintrock Falls home builders, home sites in the area offer impressive views and a prestigious neighborhood. The proximity of Lake Travis – one of the largest and cleanest bodies of water in the Texas Hill Country – makes Flintrock Falls an ideal spot for custom home builders like Jenkins.

When you choose Jenkins as your Flintrock Falls home builder, you know you’re in good hands. So good, in fact, that Jenkins was named the 2006 Custom Builder of the Year by the Texas Association of Builders. The 2006 Jenkins Showcase of Homes entry was also named “Best Custom Home in Texas.” In 2008, Jenkins has been invited to participate in the Parade of Homes in Rough Hollow and Skywater in Horseshoe Bay, and also in Rough Hollow’s green homes parade. You may also read more about the home builder awards won by Jenkins.

Seven Oaks Home Builder

Bethany Jenkins — Oct 01, 2008 at 04:00 PM

Seven Oaks homes are a specialty of builder Jenkins Custom Homes. A new prestigious community located in the Eanes school district, Seven Oaks is about three miles from Jenkins’ office on Bee Cave Road, which provides Seven Oaks home owners a hot route to Austin and all that the city offers.

The many amenities of the area attracted Seven Oaks home builder Jenkins Custom Homes. Some of the attractions include the amazing Hill Country views, the new Hill Country Galleria shopping area, golfing, hiking, biking and of course Lake Travis and its many water-based diversions. Seven Oaks home owners will see their children attend schools in the exceptional Eanes School District, regarded as the best in the city of Austin.

For Seven Oaks home builders, home sites in the area offer impressive views and a prestigious neighborhood. The proximity of Lake Travis – one of the largest and cleanest bodies of water in the Texas Hill Country – makes Seven Oaks an ideal spot for custom home builders like Jenkins.

When you choose Jenkins as your Seven Oaks home builder, you know you’re in good hands. So good, in fact, that Jenkins was named the 2006 Custom Builder of the Year by the Texas Association of Builders. The 2006 Jenkins Showcase of Homes entry was also named “Best Custom Home in Texas.” In 2008, Jenkins has been invited to participate in the Parade of Homes in Rough Hollow and Skywater in Horseshoe Bay, and also in Rough Hollow’s green homes parade. You may also read more about the home builder awards won by Jenkins.

Rimrock Home Builder

Bethany Jenkins — Oct 01, 2008 at 03:00 PM

Rimrock homes are a specialty of builder Jenkins Custom Homes. A new community located in Driftwood near Austin, Rimrock is located on Camp Ben McCullough (FM 1826), which provides Rimrock home owners a hot route to Austin and all that the city offers.

The many amenities of the area attracted Rimrock home builder Jenkins Custom Homes. Some of the attractions include the large Oak trees, the amazing Hill Country views, the proximity to area shopping, golfing, hiking, biking and of course Lake Travis and its many water-based diversions. Rimrock home owners will see their children attend schools in the well-regarded Dripping Springs School District.

For Rimrock home builders, home sites in the area offer impressive views and a prestigious neighborhood. The proximity of Lake Travis – one of the largest and cleanest bodies of water in the Texas Hill Country – makes Rimrock an ideal spot for custom home builders like Jenkins.

When you choose Jenkins as your Rimrock home builder, you know you’re in good hands. So good, in fact, that Jenkins was named the 2006 Custom Builder of the Year by the Texas Association of Builders. The 2006 Jenkins Showcase of Homes entry was also named “Best Custom Home in Texas.” In 2008, Jenkins has been invited to participate in the Parade of Homes in Rough Hollow and Skywater in Horseshoe Bay, and also in Rough Hollow’s green homes parade. You may also read more about the home builder awards won by Jenkins.

Housing Industry Crisis

Bethany Jenkins — Oct 01, 2008 at 02:00 PM

So how is the housing industry crisis affecting small business? Well, I cannot speculate about other businesses, but I can speak about our situation, in light of the news lately about the housing industry and prevailing financial crisis. Shan recently sent out an email to our team entitled “State of the Union”, and I thought it might be a good idea to do the same for our blog. “Like any good President,” Shan said, “there will be bad/good news followed by a short pep talk.”

The bad news is that the economy is not looking good. There is indeed a financial crisis facing us and potentially an economic recession. No need to belabor that point, as we have been hearing all about it for the last several weeks on the news. The good news is that the sky has not fallen yet, and we seem to have come into this with fairly strong company fundamentals. I am not qualified to comment any further on that…I’ll leave that up to the experts.

As for Jenkins Custom Homes, we do not depend on credit to run our business. We have often been criticized for this decision, having been called ‘lacking in sophisticated financial finesse’. We even had a business consultant call us ‘foolish’ once. However, it was our Fathers, both Shan’s and mine, who instilled in us the importance of keeping cash on hand and not depending on banks for our business and personal success. So we have. I say all this to let you know that it was this ‘lack of sophisticated financial finesse’ that has allowed us to be insulated from the current financial crisis. Since we have no need to borrow money to operate, we are not affected by the frozen credit market.

Now for the pep talk. This is America. Shan & I believe in capitalism and the ability for Americans to get through this. In fact, it seems to make most Americans more resolved when the word ‘crisis’ is used. This country has faced far worse times than these. I get frustrated when I hear the defeatist attitude coming through the news media. Don’t they know who they are talking to? We are Americans. We will prevail. We always do.

End of pep talk.

-Bethany Jenkins

Applehead Island Home Builder

Bethany Jenkins — Oct 01, 2008 at 10:00 AM

Applehead Island home builders come in all varieties, but a Jenkins custom home distinguishes itself from an ordinary Applehead Island home builder in a multitude of ways.

Our distinctive approach to Applehead Island home building starts with an in-depth analysis of how you live and how your new home will fit your lifestyle. Some of the factors we consider include your entertaining habits, future growth of your family, traffic flow, household activities and your eating, working and recreational preferences. Of course, like any Applehead Island home builder, we also must consider the constraints and virtues of your new home site.

In our Design Development stage, we help you visualize your new Applehead Island home with conceptual renderings and a guaranteed cost breakdown.

Fire Sprinkler Mandate in 2011

Bethany Jenkins — Sep 30, 2008 at 09:00 PM

Well, it is coming…fire sprinklers in every home. Here is the synopsis of the vote taken recently and how it happened.

Fire sprinkler mandates will be part of the 2009 International Residential Code and will be required in all one- and two-family homes and townhouses that build to the code as of Jan. 1, 2011. The sudden — and controversial — arrival on Saturday of 900 fire officials eligible to vote at the International Code Council’s final action hearings in Minneapolis swelled the number of sprinkler proponents and the measure was approved by a vote of 1,283 to 470 on Sunday morning.

In other business, voting members disapproved the so-called “30% Solution” from a coalition of insulation and window manufacturers that would have significantly revised the International Energy Conservation Code and also split votes among a number of wall bracing proposals.

About 1,200 voting devices were turned in immediately after the residential fire sprinkler mandate was approved; suggesting that most of the proponents left immediately after the vote was taken.

“We welcome the insight and experience that fire officials bring to the code development process because our model codes are focused on life safety issues,” said James “Andy” Anderson, chair of the NAHB Construction, Codes and Standards Committee.

“However, it seems clear that these particular officials were focused on one issue only — residential fire sprinkler mandates — without any benefit of perspective regarding how such mandates jibe with the hundreds of other code proposals considered at this hearing. That’s unfortunate, because such reasoned discussion is what the model code process was designed to accomplish.”

The residential fire sprinkler mandates will provide a sizable financial boon for the fire sprinkler manufacturing industry, which, like NAHB, helped provide funding for building officials to attend the hearings.

In 2005, when there were about 1.65 million new homes constructed at an average 2,340 square feet, sprinkler manufacturers would have reaped about $5.8 billion in revenue, based on average sprinkler costs of $1.50 per square foot, had the sprinkler requirement been in effect.

NAHB had identified several concerns over residential fire sprinkler systems — among them, questioning whether most home owners are prepared to perform the maintenance required to ensure that the sprinklers remain operational.

Builders also cited the potential for pipes installed in attics to freeze in colder climates and they said that the sprinklers can be discharged accidentally, with damaging results. In areas served by wells or where water is scarce, the availability of an adequate water supply is another possible problem.

NAHB pointed to several existing code requirements that have contributed to a significant decline in fire-related deaths and injuries over the past 30 years.

The most effective improvement has been the introduction of hard-wired interconnected smoke alarms, which the code requires to be installed in every bedroom and on every floor. National Fire Protection Association reports conclude that about 890 fatalities could be avoided each year if every home had at least one working smoke alarm.

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Jenkins Custom Homes Receives 2008 Best of Bee Cave Award

Bethany Jenkins — Sep 29, 2008 at 06:00 PM

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jenkins Custom Homes Receives 2008 Best of Bee Cave Award

U.S. Local Business Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

WASHINGTON D.C., September 28, 2008 — Jenkins Custom Homes has been selected for the 2008 Best of Bee Cave Award in the Home Builders category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA).

The USLBA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2008 USLBA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USLBA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA)

U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USLBA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USLBA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Local Business Association

CONTACT:
U.S. Local Business Association
Email: PublicRelations@USLBA.net
URL: http://www.USLBA.net

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Lake Travis Home Builder

Bethany Jenkins — Sep 25, 2008 at 09:00 PM

Lake Travis home builders are proud of the educators and students in the Lake Travis Independent School District that serves the communities in which they build. And for good reason. Lake Travis ISD is one of the most lauded and effective educational organizations in Texas.

Like the staff at Jenkins Custom Homes, students from Lake Travis are clearly educated and knowledgeable. These young scholars boasted among their number an impressive 4 National Merit Semifinalists in 2008 and Home of the 2007 State Football Champions in Class 4A Division II.

Lake Travis home builders know that the families who buy homes in area served by Lake Travis ISD will have access to some of the finest educational opportunities in the Texas Hill Country. For example, 31% of Lake Travis ISD teachers hold advanced degrees.

To have a project zoned in Lake Travis ISD, a Lake Travis home builder must select a home site in Lakeway, Bee Cave, or west Austin. Experienced Lake Travis home builders like Jenkins Custom Homes are quite familiar with the boundaries of Lake Travis ISD. If you’re seeking the optimal educational environment for your family, consider working with an award-winning Lake Travis home builder like Jenkins Custom Homes.

Lakeway Home Builder

Bethany Jenkins — Sep 25, 2008 at 09:00 PM

As of 2008, the hottest area in which to build a home in Austin is Lakeway. The homes in Lakeway are located on some of the most beautiful real estate in Austin, including golf courses, waterfront, and Hill Country home sites. Available home sites in this area start at $125,000.

Among the most reputable custom home builders in Lakeway, Jenkins Custom Homes is now building luxury custom homes all over Lakeway. Being a home builder in Lakeway, Jenkins has some of the best lot choices in the area. Two subdivisions, in particular, are Flintrock Falls and Rough Hollow.

“What makes Lakeway so great is the residents who live there,” says Shan Jenkins of Jenkins Custom Homes. “In addition, this first-class property enjoys a fabulous location, near water sports, shopping, and much more.”

Rough Hollow Home Builders

Bethany Jenkins — Sep 19, 2008 at 01:00 PM

Rough Hollow is located on Lakeway’s Lake Travis and is a waterfront community. Golf, tennis, hiking, flying, scuba diving, sailing, horseback riding, shopping and numerous other water sports are to be enjoyed within minutes of this new exciting community. Rough Hollow Water’s Edge is an exclusive custom home community overlooking the cove where the homes start at $2M. Jenkins Custom Homes is one of the few approved home builders in Rough Hollow. See more information about our 2008 Parade Home in Rough Hollow.

More about Rough Hollow Water’s Edge Amenities…

Located on the south shore of Lake Travis
Exclusive neighborhood with spectacular views of Rough Hollow Cove and the Lake Travis Hill Country
The Lakeway World of Tennis is located at the entrance to Rough Hollow with sixteen courts featuring lights for evening play and indoor climate controlled courts for year round play, clay courts, as well as a stadium court
The Rough Hollow Yacht Club and Marina includes a clubhouse, resort-style pool, gym, day spa, tram to the marina, a coffee bar and deli, yacht store and offices
Easy access to over eight golf courses
The Lakeway Airpark is located just outside Rough Hollow and is managed by Lakeway residents. The Airpark is a privately owned, not for profit, public use airport for residents and guests of Lakeway.
Residents will also enjoy the many other area amenities including greenbelts, playgrounds, trails, baseball fields and swimming pools

Driving Directions
Take RR 620 to Lakeway Blvd,
Turn on Lakeway Blvd,
Take Lakeway Blvd to Highlands,
Turn Left on Highlands,
Turn Right on Rough Hollow,
Turn Left on Canyon Turn Trail.

Printable Directions
Rough Hollow – Sections 5A & 5B driving directions
Tax Information:

Estimated Tax Rate: $2.94 per $100 of appraised valuation
Homeowners Association
Rough Hollow HOA
Estimated HOA Dues: $1080 per year
Schools
Lake Travis ISD
Serene Hills Elementary (Elementary School)
Hudson Bend Middle School (Middle School)
Lake Travis High School (High School)

Great Architecture

Bethany Jenkins — Sep 19, 2008 at 12:00 PM

A few years ago when Texas A&M was playing Notre Dame, my father-in-law graciously offered to fly us in his Cessna 210 to South Bend Indiana. What I thought was going to be a long airplane ride to a football game turned into an education on great design, architecture, engineering, and construction. On our return from South Bend (fyi, time ran out on the aggies – but that’s another story), we stopped in St. Louis for the evening and toured the famous “Gateway Arch” the next morning.

I have often admired the arch from far away in textbooks while a student, etc., but to actually take the ‘elevator’ to the apex and touch the monumental structure with my own hands had a profound impact on me.

The visionary architect of the Gateway Arch was Eero Saarinen. Interestingly, Eero Saarinen was often criticized for creating a new design ‘style’ with each and every project. He consistently broke all of the ‘rules’ with his unique and creative solutions to the needs of his clients. Eero Saarinen was also unique in that he considered his clients to be co-creators of his architecture and attributed much of his success to them.

Likewise, while my design prowess is light years behind that of Eero Saarinen, I believe that I share his same philosophy. That philosophy being that I am more about solving our client’s problems then being a slave to the classic textbook rules of design. I want to answer the needs of my clients with unique and special ideas. I also believe that my clients are my co-creators. Between their Lifestyle, their lot, and their vision, the greatest shapes can emerge, and most importantly, they are the shapes that the ‘creators’ best relate to and thrive in. Not what someone told them had to be.

-Shan Jenkins

Web Proposal

Bethany Jenkins — Sep 14, 2008 at 07:00 PM

Easiest job you will ever have…

Need savvy college student (Sophomore, Junior, or Senior) to make a proposal to an Aggie100 business for an effective Web marketing program. A simple 1-page proposal will suffice. Send proposals to mailto:bjenkins@newhousebuilder.com by October 15, 2008.

Proposal needs to consist of the following:
• List of websites where our target market might find a website link to us
• List of ways to increase our exposure on the web
• Reasons why the above lists might increase exposure
• Ways to increase SEO (optional)

Winning proposal wins $250 and a part-time job implementing the proposal. Winner never has to leave his/her dorm or apartment…so no fuel costs.

Spanish Oaks Home Builder

Bethany Jenkins — Sep 09, 2008 at 02:00 PM

As of 2008, the hottest subdivision in which to build a home in Bee Cave is Spanish Oaks. This subdivision, located on one of the finest golf course communities in Austin, Spanish Oaks is certain to be a favorite among residents and visitors alike.

Among the approved custom home builders in Spanish Oaks, Jenkins Custom Homes is now building luxury custom homes there. Being a home builder in Spanish Oaks for one of their prestigious home owners is a privilege and a pleasure. See photos of the home under construction here.

“What makes Spanish Oaks so great is the golf course, great location, and their dedication to a level of service above and beyond,” says Shan Jenkins of Jenkins Custom Homes. Golf course property has always been a good investment, especially in Texas. In addition, this first-class property enjoys a fabulous location, near water sports, shopping, and much more.

Waterfront Luxury Home AVAILABLE in Austin Texas

Bethany Jenkins — Aug 28, 2008 at 01:00 PM

There are many waterfront homes in Austin, but this brand new luxury waterfront home is a one of a kind. Recently completed for the 2008 Parade of Homes, at 219 Canyon Turn Trail, Lakeway, Texas (25 minutes from downtown Austin), (Map It) is being held open daily from 1pm – 5pm Tuesday through Saturday (closed on Sunday & Monday). If you would like directions to this available home, please call (512)461-7990. This true waterfront home is 7,000 square foot, listed at $2.69M, in the Water’s Edge at Rough Hollow subdivision. Watch the virtual tour (below) of this luxury home or view the gallery of photos (below). This home, situated right on the water with nothing below it but waterfront, reflects the calm & beauty of Lake Travis in every way. It is a perfect home for entertaining and enjoying the outdoors, while living in one of Austin’s most prestigious neighborhoods. It is also located in the highly-acclaimed Lake Travis Independent School District, known to be one of the best school districts in the Austin area.

Lower Floor:

Game Room with disappearing wall, which opens up to a Negative Edge Pool with Spa, Water Features, Poolside Bar, and Beach
Wet Bar & Kitchenette at Game Room with Temperature-controlled Wine Room
Dedicated Home Theatre Room
Exercise Room with fabulous lake views
Private Massage Room
½ Bath (Downstairs Powder Bath)
Guest Suite with Private Bath
Outdoor Living with room for large Dining table and separate seating near Outdoor Fireplace
Outdoor Kitchen with Grill & Wet Area
Walk-up bar for serving large crowds off the Outdoor Kitchen
Stairs leading to the upstairs features a see-through saltwater Aquarium

Main Floor:

Round Entry Rotunda
Two-story Great Room with floor-to-ceiling curved glass looking out to lake view (Fireplace in Great Room)
See-through saltwater aquarium built into the wall
Wet Bar/Butler’s Pantry
Formal Dining
Kitchen with Hidden Pantry, Desk, Gourmet Appliances, Microwave drawer, 2 Dishwashers, Freestanding Range, 48" Refrigerator, & Large Island
Elevator which services all three floors
4-car garage
Large covered balcony with Outdoor Grill
Laundry Room
Mud Room
½ Powder Bath
Library with hidden room
Master Bedroom with fireplace and curved glass wall which faces the lake
Master Bath with private tub, shower, and large his/her closet

Upper Floor:

3 Secondary Bedrooms, each with their own Full Baths
Playroom/Den
Large covered Balcony with amazing views of the lake

Additional Features:

Gourmet Appliances throughout (primarily Wolf/Subzero)
Solid surface (primarily granite) throughout

See photos of this available waterfront luxury home. Click to view photos larger.

Click Here to view video

KVUE News Interview

Bethany Jenkins — May 02, 2008 at 09:00 AM

KVUE News selected home builder, Jenkins Custom Homes, to promo the 2008 Parade of Homes. Please note that the price was incorrectly given in the interview. The correct price is $2.69M (new price). See the interview here.

Click Here to view video

American Dream Homes magazine features Jenkins Custom Homes

Bethany Jenkins — May 02, 2008 at 09:00 AM

American Dream Homes magazines just hit the racks and features a Jenkins Home on the cover as well as an extensive article about the homes built by Jenkins.

Click Here to view video

Mediterranean Home

Brian Rutledge — May 01, 2008 at 05:00 PM

A Mediterranean home in the Texas Hill Country?

If you work with Jenkins Custom Homes, it’s not just a dream – it’s a reality.

What Defines a Mediterranean Home?

Like many other building styles, a Mediterranean home is defined by a number of details, like color, materials and design. Hardware, such as cabinet knobs, tend to be weighty and burnished. Walls are textured and countertops and mantels have bullnosed edges. Colors reflect the sky and sea, with strong blues and greens, as well as earthy lavenders, yellows and terra cottas. Mosaic tile designs are distinctively Mediterranean, too.

Mediterranean home stylings hearken back to Spain, Greece, Italy and other countries centered around the Mediterranean. Home builder Jenkins Custom Homes is experienced in building and designing Mediterranean homes to fit the needs of Texas home buyers. In fact, Jenkins’ home building expertise won the company multiple home builder awards, including the Texas Custom Builder of the Year award.

Mediterranean Homes With a Twist: “Modern Mediterranean”

Austin home builder Jenkins has introduces a new variation on Mediterranean home design with their own “Modern Mediterranean” style. Updating the traditions the Mediterranean, Jenkins designers melded some of the clean, sophisticated attributes of contemporary homes with the grace and classical elegance of Mediterranean style.

The “Modern Mediterranean” home building style can be seen in their Parade of Homes entry at Waters Edge in Rough Hollow. With breathtaking Lake Travis views and a negative-edge pool that seemingly drops into the lake below, this home embodies the same distinctive vision that distinguishes Jenkins Custom Homes from the rest of the pack.

Think Jenkins If You Want a Mediterranean Home

With multiple “Best Custom Home” awards, Jenkins is adept at meeting diverse customer needs and building stylish, elegant homes that match Central Texas lifestyles. If you need a Mediterranean home, get in touch with our custom home builders today.

Mediterranean Home Builder

Brian Rutledge — Apr 30, 2008 at 07:00 PM

Mediterranean home builders such as Jenkins Custom Homes are adept at bringing the warmth and tradition of Mediterranean-style architecture and decor to a newly-built custom home. Home owners have long admired the natural materials and rich colors of the builders of Spain, Greece, Italy and other countries centered around the Mediterranean. Home builder Jenkins Custom Homes is helping to bring that flair to the Texas Hill Country with its innovative designs like the one that won Jenkins the prestigious Texas Custom Builder of the Year award.

Mediterranean Home Builder Announces “Modern Mediterranean”

Jenkins is also leading Austin home builders with “Modern Mediterranean.” Home builder Jenkins saw the opportunity to innovate on the traditional architecture of the Mediterranean by marrying some of the clean, sophisticated attributes of contemporary homes with the grace and classical elegance of Mediterranean style.

Mediterranean Home Builder Brings New Twist to Parade of Homes

One key example of the Jenkins “Modern Mediterranean” home building style is their Parade of Homes entry at Waters Edge in Rough Hollow. This sprawling 7,000-square-foot mansion features breathtaking Lake Travis views, a game room with a disappearing wall and a negative-edge pool that seemingly drops into the lake below.

Consider Jenkins If You’re Seeking a Mediterranean Home Builder

Jenkins Custom Homes is an ideal choice for a Mediterranean home builder that can bring you an unforgettable Mediterranean-style abode with unmatched grace and detail. Having won multiple “Best Custom Home” awards, Jenkins excels in delivering a satisfying home building experience. Jenkins also was ranked #13 in the Austin Business Journal’s “Top 25 Custom Builders” for 2008. This makes Jenkins a solid, well-established home builder in Austin – but not a goliath that isn’t responsive to customer needs and concerns.

If you need a Mediterranean home builder, get in touch with our custom home experts today.

Eanes Home Builders

Brian Rutledge — Apr 30, 2008 at 06:00 PM

Eanes home builders are proud of the educators and students in the Eanes Independent School District that serves the communities in which they build. And for good reason. The Eanes ISD is one of the most lauded and effective educational organizations in Texas.

Like the staff at Jenkins Custom Homes, students from Eanes homes are clearly educated and knowledgeable. Numbering some 7,000, these young scholars boasted among their number an impressive 26 National Merit Semifinalists and 39 Commended Students in 2007-2008. 93% of the 2007 Eanes senior class gave notice of their intent to attend college, with 7% joining the military or finding jobs. And the average Eanes SAT scores beat or equaled both the national and Texas averages (with 95% of the senior class taking the test).

Eanes home builders know that the families who buy homes in the 31.2 square miles served by the Eanes ISD will have access to some of the finest educational opportunities in the Texas Hill Country. Eanes ISD teachers average over 14 years of experience, and 36.6% of them hold advanced degrees.

To have a project zoned into the Eanes ISD, an Eanes home builder must select a home site in Rollingwood, West Lake Hills or west Austin. Experienced Eanes home builders like Jenkins Custom Homes are quite familiar with the boundaries of the Eanes ISD. If you’re seeking the optimal educational environment for your family, consider working with an award-winning Eanes home builder like Jenkins Custom Homes.

Bee Creek Estates Home Builder

Brian Rutledge — Apr 29, 2008 at 05:00 PM

Bee Creek Estates homes are a specialty of builder Jenkins Custom Homes. A new gated community located in the South Lake Travis region, Bee Creek Estates is about a mile from Highway 71, which provides Bee Creek Estates home owners a hot route to Austin and all that the city offers.

The many amenities of the area attracted Bee Creek Estates home builder Jenkins Custom Homes. Some of the attractions include natural water holes, the new Hill Country Galleria shopping area, golfing, hiking, biking and of course Lake Travis and its many water-based diversions. Bee Creek Estates home owners will see their children attend schools in the well-regarded Lake Travis School District.

For Bee Creek Estates home builders, home sites in the area offer mature trees and impressive views. The proximity of several championship golf courses and Lake Travis – one of the largest and cleanest bodies of water in the Texas Hill Country – makes Bee Creek Estates an ideal spot for custom home builders like Jenkins.

When you choose Jenkins as your Bee Creek Estates home builder, you know you’re in good hands. So good, in fact, that Jenkins was named the 2006 Custom Builder of the Year by the Texas Association of Builders. The 2006 Jenkins Showcase of Homes entry was also named “Best Custom Home in Texas.” In 2008, Jenkins has been invited to participate in the Parade of Homes in Rough Hollow and Skywater in Horseshoe Bay, and also in Rough Hollow’s green homes parade. You may also read more about the home builder awards won by Jenkins.

Austin Home Builder

Bethany Jenkins — Apr 28, 2008 at 06:00 PM

Austin home builders come in all varieties, but a Jenkins Custom Home distinguishes itself from an ordinary Austin home builder in a multitude of ways.

Our distinctive approach to Austin home building starts with an in-depth analysis of how you live and how your new home will fit your lifestyle. Some of the factors we consider include your entertaining habits, future growth of your family, traffic flow, household activities and your eating, working and recreational preferences. Of course, like any Austin home builder, we also must consider the constraints and virtues of your new home site.

In our Design Development stage, we help you visualize your new Austin home with conceptual renderings and a guaranteed cost breakdown.

Our home builder process is augmented by detailed construction documents – which make your wishes clearly known to the many construction and design professionals working on your new Austin home – and extensive management inspections that guarantee that the work is going as planned.

With the Austin home builders at Jenkins Custom Homes, you can rest assured that your new home will be the home of your dreams.

Local Home Builders Association Names Jenkins President

Bethany Jenkins — Apr 11, 2008 at 02:00 PM

Shan Jenkins is named President of the Lakeway /Bee Caves Chapter of the Home Builders Association Greater Austin, Tuesday, September 9, 2008. The local chapter of the Home Builders Assocation serves to raise the standards of Home Builders and better serve the communities where they build. Jenkins will serve a one-year term and is looking forward to bringing about positive change to the community and the local home builder’s chapter.

“The Lakeway/Bee Caves chapter is more widely attended than even some of the more prominent chapters,” says Jenkins. “This is an indication of how strong the Builders in this area are. It is an honor to serve our industry in this capacity.”

All for Hope Charity Gala

Bethany Jenkins — Apr 11, 2008 at 10:00 AM

THANK YOU SO MUCH to all who attended the All for Hope Gala! With your help, we are thrilled to report that we raised over $23,000! This event exceeded all our expectations, and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the volunteers and sponsors who participated with us. Thank you to all. With your help, we made a difference.

To see photos of the event, click here.

Information about the event follows:

Jenkins Custom Homes, with a special thanks to Sarah Luebcke, proudly unites with the Lance Armstrong Foundation to host the 2008 All for Hope Gala. Even though this is a private red carpet event, there will be a limited number of silent auction items found throughout the home during the 2008 Parade of Homes. The Jenkins staff will also be wearing the yellow “LIVESTRONG” wristbands during the Parade in show of their support. At Jenkins Custom Homes, we agree with Lance Armstrong, “Unity is strength, knowledge is power, and attitude is everything”.

The All for Hope Gala is shaping up to be THE charity event of the season! This star-studded event will feature live music, gourmet libations, a live & silent auction, the chance to win a brand new Mercedes-Benz, appearances by Miss Austin USA, the Wranglers & Toros cheerleaders, Roxanne from “The Apprentice” & Marie Hejl from “Cooking With Marie”. Other invited guests include: Eva Longoria, Lance Armstrong, Willie Nelson, Mayor Will Wynn, Governor Rick Perry, and many more.

All of this will be hosted in the Jenkins $2.98 Million Parade Home! Invitations will go out around the end of April. So, if you would like to be a part of this event, please email us at I want to be a part! We will draw 4 names and give away 4 invitations the week before the event. Your name must be on the guest list in order to attend.

Silent & live auction items will include:

4 Front-Row Season Tickets to the Austin Toros
Lance Armstrong Signed Jersey
Tiffany & Co. Pearl Necklace
Boating Excursion from Sail & Ski
Saks Fifth Avenue Shopping Excursion
UT Items Signed by Mack Brown
Private Cooking Classes
Original Artwork
Exquisite Furniture
Gift Certificates to Local Restaurants such as … III Forks, Hudson’s on the Bend, Perry’s Steakhouse, and more.
Gift Card to the Hill Country Galleria and Retail Stores such as … Milk + Honey Spa

Find out more about the 2008 Parade of Homes!

All for Hope Gala RSVP

Apr 11, 2008 at 10:00 AM

Thank you for responding to our invitation to the All for Hope Gala benefiting the Lance Armstrong Foundation sponsored by Jenkins Custom Homes with special thanks to Sarah Luebcke. This private red carpet event will be the charity gala of the season! With live music, great cuisine and a live auction, you have been hand-selected to enjoy this event from the exquisite $3.15 Million Jenkins Parade Home. Please let us know if we can reserve your spot by filling out the information below.

*Remember: a suggested donation of $45/person will be accepted at the door.

If you cannot attend, donations to educate and empower people affected by cancer can still be made out to: All for Hope Gala and sent to:

Jenkins Custom Homes

11719 Bee Caves Rd. #301

Austin, TX 78738

Must be received by Friday, May 23rd.

**Jenkins Homeowners: Your suggested donation has been covered by Jenkins Custom Homes. Any additional donation is greatly appreciated but not expected.

Tuesday, May 20th

7:00PM to 11:00PM

Attire is Cocktail Chic – Suits, Dresses, NO Jeans

219 Canyon Turn Trail, Lakeway, TX 78734

Directions: Heading South on RR 620, take a right on Lakeway Blvd. Continue straight through the stop sign and watch for the “Rough Hollow” signs. Make a left at Forehand Drive (aka Highlands Blvd) – next to the large Swimming Pool – there will be a sign for Rough Hollow on the left. Go past the World of Tennis. Turn right at the dead end onto Rough Hollow Drive. Make a left at Canyon Turn Trail.

Due to overwhelming response, you may receive an error message while RSVPing below. If this occurs, please send your name & # of guests to All for Hope RSVP

Find out more about the 2008 Parade of Homes!

The Best Of...

Bethany Jenkins — Mar 28, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Austin continues to make the news as one of the best places to live, work and play. So, don’t just take our word for it, take theirs:

1 Best Place to Buy a Home by Entrepreneur

1 Best Big City Places to Live by MSN House & Home

1 Fastest Growing Large Metro Areas by Forbes

1 Top Metros for Future Business Locations by Expansion

1 Best City for Hispanics by Hispanics

2 Best Large City for Relocating Families by Primacy Relocation

2 Best Big Cities by CNN Money

2 Best Places to Live & Make Movies by MovieMaker

3 Top Cities to Sell a Home by Forbes

3 Smartest Cities by Austin Business Journal

3 Top Wireless Cities by Live Science

3 Cool Cities by Kiplinger

3 Top Growth Cities by U-Haul

3 Great Places to Live by Life 2.0

4 Fastest Growing Cities by Men’s Journal

4 Smartest Cities by Men’s Journal

5 Most Educated Cities by MSN Encarta

5 Smartest Places to Live by Kiplinger

6 Top Cities for Walking by Prevention Magazine

8 Cleanest Cities in America by Reader’s Digest

9 Top Hot Cities for Entrepreneurs by Entrepreneur

10 Highest Forecasted Appreciation for Real Estate Values by housingpredictor.com

10 Healthiest Cities in America by Sperling’s

10 Interesting Neighborhoods by Travel-Leisure

11 Best Place for Singles by Forbes

18 Top US Destination Cities by U-Haul

Jenkins' Parade Home Nearing Completion

Bethany Jenkins — Mar 26, 2008 at 10:00 PM

Mark your calendars! Jenkins Custom Homes will be one of the six celebrated Austin Home Builders showcased in this year’s Parade of Homes.

May 17th through June 1st, 7,000 square feet of “Modern Mediterranean” luxury will be on display at the Water’s Edge in Rough Hollow Lakeway. Want a sneak peek? Take a look at the virtual tour of this beautiful waterfront home.

Always dreamed of owning a parade home? Well, now you can! Contact Cyndi at 512.461.7990 to learn more about this and other available homes.

Bethany Jenkins — Mar 26, 2008 at 10:00 PM

Your custom home should marry the art of design with the science of how you will live in it. Since 1992, we have been perfecting our “Guide to Perfect Projects”, and the first step is truly a science: the Unique Lifestyle Analysis©.

From how you entertain and the types of guests you have to your hobbies and the lay of the land, Jenkins prioritizes your family’s needs based on the lifestyle interview as well as your body language and tone of voice during the process.

This crucial, in-depth step ensures that you get what you want while taking into consideration the style of your home and the overall budget.

Many will claim to design a home around your life, but only Jenkins can guarantee it with their state-of-the-art lifestyle solution.

219 Canyon Turn Trail - Directions

Bethany Jenkins — Mar 23, 2008 at 08:00 AM

Because the Rough Hollow subdivision is so new, maps are not currently showing the street for 219 Canyon Turn Trail. So please print these directions before you come to see the home. We have added the site itself to Google Maps but there are so many new streets on the map, it makes it hard to find.

Directions:

1. Heading South on RR 620 S., take a right on Lakeway Blvd.

2. Continue straight through the stop sign and watch for the “Rough Hollow” signs.

3. Make a left at Forehand Drive aka Highlands Blvd, next to the large Swimming Pool – there will be a sign for Rough Hollow on the left (From here, don’t follow the map anymore.)

4. Go straight at the stop sign, past the World of Tennis which will be on your right.

5. Turn right at the “Construction Zone” sign (dead end) onto Rough Hollow Drive.

6. Make a left at Canyon Turn Trail.

7. 219 Canyon Turn Trail will be on your left.

If you need help finding it, please call (512)461-7990.

Jenkins Custom Homes nominated for another Max Award

Bethany Jenkins — Mar 20, 2008 at 08:00 AM

On March 19, 2008, Jenkins Custom Homes was notified that the Jenkins home on Corinthian Drive has been nominated for a Max Award.

Building a vacation home for this out-of-town client, the challenges included tearing down an existing home and erecting a new one on a lot with a 27-foot change in topography. A 12-foot retaining wall containing the raised pool, spa, and outdoor living for the lower level was the solution to the slope on the lot.

“We are honored to be nominated by the Austin Home Builder’s Association for this award,” says Shan Jenkins of Jenkins Custom Homes. “The local Home Builder’s Association does so much for our industry, and it is great to be a part of what they are doing and to be recognized by them in this way.”

Housing in Austin

Bethany Jenkins — Mar 09, 2008 at 09:00 AM

Recently in the news have been reports about how housing has taken a downturn across the country. We have heard many reports about the housing woes. Economists point to places like Arizona and Florida, where home values have fallen significantly. Here in Austin, however, demand for housing has not suffered the same ill effects.

In fact, it is one of the few places in the country where housing demand is still healthy. Forbes recently ranked Austin as the #1 place to live in the country. See the article below. For many of the reasons cited in this article, it appears that our city’s growth will support housing for at least the near term. This leads us to believe that Austin remains one of the few places where real estate is still an excellent investment.

Large Metros
Austin, Texas
Rank: 1

Projected total GMP growth, 2007-2012: 32.05%

The self-proclaimed “Live Music Capital of the World” is booming, thanks in large part to Austin’s high-tech industry (key employers include Dell, IBM and Apple) and the University of Texas, which provides the area with a steady stream of engineering talent. In addition to music, the city also has a thriving film industry. Its projected gross domestic product growth by 2012 is second only to Mobile, Ala., and first among the largest 100 metro areas in the country. Metro area Austin’s population is expected to grow nearly 15% by 2012.

Luxury Home Builder

Bethany Jenkins — Feb 13, 2008 at 04:00 PM

Luxury home builders come in all varieties, but a Jenkins custom home distinguishes itself from an ordinary Luxury home builder in a multitude of ways.

Our distinctive approach to Luxury home building starts with an in-depth analysis of how you live and how your new home will fit your lifestyle. Some of the factors we consider include your entertaining habits, future growth of your family, traffic flow, household activities and your eating, working and recreational preferences. Of course, like any Luxury home builder, we also must consider the constraints and virtues of your new home site.

In our Design Development stage, we help you visualize your new Luxury home with conceptual renderings and a guaranteed cost breakdown.

Zero Energy Homes

Bethany Jenkins — Jan 19, 2008 at 11:00 PM

There are many new and exciting methods to build “green” homes. One of the most appealing benefits of green building is the reduction in energy costs. Our detailed cost/benefit analysis will arm our clients with the information they will need to make the choices that make the most sense.

As more data is released by the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders), as members of the NAHB, we will provide this information to our clients. We stay current on their findings so that we can ensure we are on the leading edge of this subject.

Skywater Home Builder

Bethany Jenkins — Jan 19, 2008 at 10:00 PM

As a Skywater Home Builder, Jenkins Custom Homes is honored to be chosen as a Premier Builder. As of 2008, the hottest subdivision in which to build a home in Horseshoe Bay is Skywater. The home of the 2009 HBA Parade of Homes, Skywater is certain to be a favorite among residents and visitors alike. There are to be an expected 10,000+ visitors to this year’s Parade of Homes in Skywater.

Among the approved custom home builders in Skywater, Jenkins Custom Homes was one of the first on the list and one of the first to start building luxury custom homes there.

“What makes Skywater so great is the golf course and great location,” says Shan Jenkins of Jenkins Custom Homes. Golf course property has always been a good investment, especially in Texas. In addition, this first-class property enjoys a fabulous location, near water sports, shopping, and much more.

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