Category: Modern Homes

Extend your living space outdoors One of the reasons we all love Palo Alto is for its gorgeous weather. We live in a city that gets – on average – 261 sunny days each year. This beautiful weather motivates us to get outside as much as we can. So, it’s important when planning the construction of your modern home to think about how to extend your living space outdoors. The right design will turn your outside areas into an oasis that’s so comfortable, inviting, and relaxing, you’ll never want to leave! At Clarum, we encourage our clients to think about their outdoor spaces throughout...


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  When you are planning your modern custom home, there are a number of elements that you can incorporate to add style and comfort. These features will enhance your day-to-day living and make your home more comfortable and fun for entertaining guests. Additionally, when you are ready to sell, these popular improvements will increase the value of your home. The most sought-after aspects for modern homes 1) Open floor plans In a study of luxury real estate by Coldwell Banker, open floor plans are one of the top features that are becoming increasingly important for homebuyers. Modern...


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Beautiful flooring can considerably improve the aesthetic of your home – sprawling hardwoods, lush carpets, or smooth concrete can all make a lasting impression in their own way. But besides pleasing the eye, flooring is increasingly becoming a key part of sustainable homebuilding, and can improve the state of your environment. Studies conducted by the EPA have found that indoor pollutant levels can climb up to five times higher than outdoor pollutant levels.  Flooring can be one of the greatest culprits behind these hazards – installations of new carpet or hardwoods can release volatile...


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  As we discussed in our previous post, Modern custom homes: Simple and intuitive (part one), minimalism is a key contributor to the chic design favored by our clients in Palo Alto and Silicon Valley. In contrast to the ornate, detailed approach of traditional architecture, the streamlined aesthetic of modern homes brings simplicity to the forefront. Clarum President and Founder John Suppes recognizes this style as a growing trend amongst our clients. “Not only are Clarum’s clients committed to reducing their carbon footprint, but they also aim to cut architectural clutter...


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  As the growth of high-tech companies continues in Palo Alto and Silicon Valley, we’re seeing increasing demand for custom high-performance homes that rely on streamlined modern design. Clarum’s clients appreciate the minimal, cohesive approach of Modernism that’s in alignment with the tech platforms of today. It’s not surprising that people who work every day with clean, easy-to-use interfaces desire a kindred aesthetic beyond the digital space – they want it in the place they live. Elegant and airy modern homes provide a welcome contrast to our area’s pervasively ornate...


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As we mentioned in our last post, Choosing Energy-Efficient Windows (Part 1) - Understanding U-Factor, selecting the right windows is a big decision when building a passive-inspired home. It’s also one of the most important elements for both energy efficiency and aesthetics. In this article, we’ll discuss another essential aspect of energy-performance rating in windows – the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC).   How does energy flow through windows? As illustrated below, windows lose and gain heat by convection, radiation, conduction, and air leakage. Convection occurs...


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Stunning stairways are quickly becoming a ‘must have’ for the complete modern home. A statement staircase can completely transform the look and atmosphere of a home’s interior and curb appeal. One way homeowners are creating this “statement” look is with floating staircases. What is a floating staircase? By definition, a flight of stairs is said to be "floating" if the space underneath the staircase is open. But there are certain other design elements that have come to be associated with this modern home feature. For example, traditional stairs are comprised of two perpendicular...


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At Clarum, we build modern homes with an emphasis on sleek, clean lines throughout. One popular focus area for homeowners is the bathroom—where design changes are subtle but impactful. The latest trend in modern home construction? The curbless shower. Your shower: the unsung hero As the oft-overlooked focal point, your shower can greatly impact the overall appeal of your bathroom. Even a daily 15-minute rinse will equate to roughly four days of total time spent in your shower each year—which is reason enough for many to pay particular attention to its design. Not surprisingly, this is a space...


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A modern custom home represents a significant financial and time investment. More than that – you are putting your faith in someone to create your living space for years to come. Therefore, when choosing a custom home builder, it is crucial to understand their operation, level of experience, and history in the marketplace. To help you get started, here is a list of ten essential questions to include in your interviews with your potential home builder: 1) How long have you been building in Silicon Valley? Hiring a custom home builder is similar to hiring a team of long-term employees....


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While there is a lot to consider when building a modern home, health, energy efficiency and comfort should be high on your priority list. And although they might not immediately come to mind, air ducts are one of the greatest contributing factors. Duct work – while rarely seen or thought about after installation – can contribute to or detract from the safety and livability of your home in no small way. In fact, the US Department of Energy asserts that duct repairs could be the single most important energy improvement measure you can take. At Clarum Homes, we couldn’t agree more. Duct...


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