Formal Eating Area
Candlelight, soft music, ample room for guests and great conversation make dinner parties a delight. Whether it’s a formal dinner party or a family holiday dinner, memories are intertwined with meals together. The main things to look for are space, proximity to the kitchen and flexibility.

Is it close to the kitchen, reducing steps when carrying hot dishes, or clearing the table? Should you desire privacy; can the space be closed off? If you have larger gatherings, are there two dining areas, perhaps the kids are at one table with the adults at another? Or, does your dining space flow openly into an adjacent space for additional seating?

Having control over lighting is critical to enhance your get-together. This includes accessible, easily adjustable window shades/coverings as well as separately switched, direct and indirect artificial lighting on dimmers.

Our plans are designed to allow maximum entertaining possibilities and flow. Many plans showcase an open design allowing for circulation between the dining room, kitchen and Hearth rooms, and the addition of a Butler’s Pantry helps with serving and clean up while dimmer switches help create the ambience.

Informal Eating Area – Morning Area
A table for breakfast an island bar for quick dinners provide several informal eating areas. The island bar also makes a great spot to set up a buffet. Everyday meals mean everyday use for morning areas and island bars.

At Haven Properties all our homes come with The Cleaner Kitchen package whichis cleaner water, cleaner air and cleaner countertops. We provide filtered water at the sink, our vent hoods are vented to the outside to reduce odors and moisture.  Silestone countertops with Microban® mean your countertops are cleaner and provide less opportunity for spreading germs.

Open Living Spaces
With the eating area, kitchen and hearth room all open to each other, everyone is part of the fun. An open floor plan really pulls entertaining or family life and friends together.

More than just eliminating walls, today’s kitchens are being designed with attention to views of fireplaces and entertainment centers. Open designs have also focused new attention on views into the kitchen. This has been one reason for the rising popularity of stainless steel appliances and glass front cabinets.

Media Related Entertaining
With today’s media choices running the gamut from gaming to movies or sports to the Internet, until the issue of where the big screen TV goes is settled, we can’t seriously consider building.

Lighting and sound are the major issues to be addressed. Glare from windows or other lighting can ruin the multi-media experience, so this must be under control. While one group wants to crank up the volume, others may want to carry on normal conversation or even get some shut-eye. Sound isolation clips for drywall walls and ceilings, insulating those cavities, or using acoustic sound mats are all reasonable approaches to controlling sound levels. Also, be sure to use a solid core, weather stripped door to finish sealing off a media room.

You will find that we have considered this dilemma and are wiring for TV’s above the fireplace, helping our buyers finish off space on the Terrace Level for a true media/theatre area, and providing resources for outstanding sound systems. When you meet with our Haven Design team, these are important conversations to have so we can accommodate your needs during the right stages of construction.

Split Bedrooms to Control Noise
It’s inevitable when friends get together that someone else in the home needs privacy - whether studying, catching up on work brought home, or needing to get some sleep. Splitting secondary bedrooms from the owners suite and distancing bedrooms from entertaining areas provides much needed quiet.

Few things in life are more important than getting a good night 's sleep. Inside the home, look for quiet products such as:

• GE Quiet Dishwasher
• Silent Bath exhaust fans

You can also limit noise coming from outdoors through advanced insulating, caulking and air sealing measures when your home is being built, plus quality windows and doors.

Haven Properties has already done this work for you offering various upstairs bedroom configurations, paying attention to the location of laundry rooms, and our construction standards that provide a quieter, more comfortable home.

Finished Basements
A finished lower level not only adds needed square footage but allows for more informal entertaining. Most Haven homes are built on a basements and today’s engineered floor systems make wide-open basement spaces feasible and affordable, as they can span greater distances than conventional lumber.

Moisture and humidity are key issues in tandem with temperature. Our homes are water-proofed to eliminate moisture, and we include a de-humidifier to help ensure the moisture level remains at the proper level providing a comfortable terrace level.

Kid's Play Area
If there are children in your home, you will value a place where they can go and play. A place where toys and games are stored and Lego creations can be left for another day. In other words, a place where kids can be kids. Separate from their bedrooms, this flexible space may or may not have been finished space when the home was initially built.

Consider the types of activities your children will enjoy. If it is painting, for example, you will want a flooring surface that cleans up easily with a sink nearby. Also, consider how the space may be used differently as the kids age. Keep fanciful themes to more easily changed aspects, which will also keep costs down when it’s time to replace Winnie The Pooh with your boy’s favorite sports theme.

The Haven Design team can help you create the right play room for your family.