Mark Johnson Custom Homes Blog

Wilmington, NC home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes recently installed a grey exposed aggregate driveway using recycled sea shells at a home being built in Landfall. Exposed aggregate with broadcast sea shells gives concrete the elegance and beauty of the old south. 

The process includes broadcasting and pressing recycled sea shells into concrete when wet, then removing the top surface when the concrete flashes (water evaporates) allowing the beautiful shells to appear.

Adding the Aggregate to the Concrete:

The most commonly used method is to seed the decorative aggregate onto the slab surface immediately after the concrete has been placed, struck off, and bull floated. This involves sprinkling the aggregate by hand or shovel uniformly onto the surface and then embedding it with a bull float until it’s completely covered by a thin layer of cement paste.

Exposing the Aggregate:

There are several exposure methods contractors can choose from, depending on the look desired and size of the project. Only the top of the stone is exposed while the rest remains permanently embedded in the concrete. The general rule of thumb is to remove the surface concrete to a depth no more than one-third the diameter of the aggregate particle. Brushing and washing is the oldest method and the simplest because it doesn’t require chemical retarders or special tools. You just wash away the thin layer of surface concrete covering the aggregate by spraying with water and scrubbing with a broom until the aggregate is exposed to the desired depth. The timing of the operation is critical, however, so this method is often better suited for small jobs. The work should begin as soon as the surface concrete can be removed without overexposing or dislodging the aggregate. You can test this by lightly brushing away the surface mortar in a small area with a stiff nylon-bristle broom.

Choosing Decorative Aggregate:

The color palette of an exposed aggregate surface is largely determined by the type of decorative stone that’s used. Aggregate selection can also have a big impact on the total cost of the project. Expensive aggregates are not always needed to achieve impressive results. You can also use manufactured materials such as recycled colored glass.

If you are considering building a new home or purchasing a resale, Wilmington, NC new home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes has a great deal for you to build a custom home on our lot. A new custom home built on our prestigious lot in Landfall could be yours for $619,000!

 2016 Deer Island Lane: half acre lot backing up to wooded conservancy for privacy, also close to the Arboretum Gate of the Landfall community.

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The Forestdale II Plan: 2500 sf, 20%-30% more efficient than a code-miminum home, brick veneer or painted hardiplank siding, 3 bedrooms and 3 baths downstairs, bonus room over garage, screened porch, 2×6 construction, 10′ ceilings and a lot of storage space.

The Birkdale Community in the private, gated community of Landfall in Wilmington, NC offers four available floor plans to create your dream home. The Primrose Plan allows you to enjoy open one floor living with 2,770 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. There is a private suite above the garage and ample storage space, and a large kitchen with center island and breakfast nook. As with most Mark Johnson Custom Homes projects, this home has an excellent insulation package with 2×6 exterior walls insulated with blown cellulose.

Mark Johnson Custom Homes’ 100% client referral rating is a testament to the quality of their projects and hands-on approach from Mark Johnson himself. Contact Mark today for more information on this corner lot for sale in Wilmington, NC and other Mark Johnson Custom Homes Inventory!

Wouldn’t you love to live in a new home in the luxurious Landfall community in Wilmington, NC? Why not build your dream home from the ground up with a trusted custom home builder with a 100% referral rating! Mark Johnson Custom Homes currently has a lot for sale in Landfall at 1005 Arboretum Drive with an exceptional location on the #3 green of the Nicklaus Ocean Course.

The proposed home plan for this lot is The Sunnybrook from William E. Poole Dreamhome Collection, a nearly 3,000 square foot plan, and is available for your customization today! The first floor plan shows the two car garage, screened-in porch, kitchen, master, great room plans, and more! You can also view the second floor plan with the studio, study, two bedrooms and bathrooms.

With the combination of an award-winning builder like Mark Johnson, the Landfall community that Forbes magazine ranked the “Best Address” in their “Best Places” category, and everything the adjacent Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington, NC have to offer, this home promises to be everything you ever wanted! 

For more information, view the complete Intracoastal Realty MLS listing with Jimmy Hopkins in Wilmington, NC or contact Mark Johnson directly!

Previously, Landfall custom home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes introduced our readers to two series of Energy Star certified Bosch Appliances – the 800 Plus Series Dishwasher and Vision Washer and Dryer. Now we’d like to highlight the Evolution 800 Series Refrigerator. Complete with a door alarm to notify you if the door was accidentally left ajar, the Evolution has external temperature controls which allow you to make adjustments (such as changing the temperature, locking the icemaker, etc.) without having to open the door. This ensures the inside of your refrigerator maintains a constant temperature and keeps food fresher longer. And because it’s Energy Star Qualified you are guaranteed that it will minimize energy use and maximize efficiency, which will reduce energy bills and help protect the environment. Visit their website for more informaton on the Evolution and other energy-efficient appliances!

Energy Star Bosch Appliances were used in our LEED Platinum Green home in Wilmington, NC. Click here to watch an HD video on the home and learn about its Green features!

During these particularly cold winter months it’s important to beat the winter blues by keeping your home warm and comfortable. So Landfall home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes would like to share a press release from renowned interior designer Catherline La Marca with her best tips for creating warmth in the family room of any home. Below is the press release and for more of La Marca’s tips, visit her blog!

“Renowned New Jersey Interior Designer, Catherine La Marca, shares her signature design tips for creating a warm and welcoming room in any home.  

According to Catherine, one of the simplest ways to add warmth to a room is to add color.  Color can be used to suggest feelings of relaxation, happiness and tranquility.  To accomplish these feelings, choose rich, earth-toned colors such as an autumn gold, burnt sienna or cranberry red.  Keep it simple by only painting one or two walls in the room with one of these colors.  Choose lighter, neutral colors for the remaining walls.  

Homeowners who aren’t ready to commit to a darker, more bold color of paint can opt to add warmth to a room by choosing large, eye-catching oil paintings that primarily use warm, bold colors like the ones suggested above.  “The right wall décor can dramatically change the look and feel of any room, plus it’s not as permanent of a commitment as paint,” says Catherine. Another tip from Catherine; go frameless to save.  Frameless oils are becoming more and more popular because of their beauty and affordability.  

For an even simpler solution, Catherine suggests using candles for added appeal.  ‘Candlelight can be used to add warmth to any room at anytime of the year,’ adds Catherine.  ‘Choose your favorite scented candle to further enhance the inviting atmosphere for your family and guests.’

NJ homeowners can find all of Catherine’s tips for adding warmth to any home by visiting her blog site at http://catherinelamarca.com/2009/08/interior-design-tips … “

As a proud supporter of the United Way of the Cape Fear Area, Landfall home remodeler Mark Johnson Custom Homes would like to encourage our readers to attend their latest fundraiser. The 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness will host a Pajama Party Fundraiser January 28^th, 2010 from 7-10pm at The Balcony in downtown Wilmington, NC. Attendees are encouraged to wear their pajamas and dance the night away! Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased online. For more information, visit their website!

Landfall custom home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes would like to introduce our readers to the 800 Plus series from Bosch Appliances. The 800 Plus series uses 1.5 gallons of water per cycle—70 percent less than the average dishwasher—with energy and sound efficiencies of 180 kilowatt-hours per year and 40 decibels, respectively. Its triple-filtration system removes debris and small particles, and an improved sensor recognizes the quantity and type of dishes loaded, automatically adjusting water consumption levels to provide the best washing results. For more information, visit Bosch Home Appliances’ website!