Q: What’s the difference between a house and a home?
A: How it makes you feel!
A house should be more than just four walls and a roof. It should be a place that reflects your personality, a sanctuary where you can relax and recharge. A place with a cozy couch for watching movies with your family or a soaker tub where you wash away the stress of the work week.
At Trilogy, we strive to make every house feel like a home, so get ready! In 2026, you can expect to see even more advice from Trilogy on building a space that welcomes you in and is right for you and your family. Are you ready to make yourself at home this year?
Where did the phrase, “make yourself at home” come from? Some sources say it was first recorded in 1860. In ye olden days, visiting other people’s houses was a formal affair, with socializing done in drawing rooms. So hosts would use the phrase to make guests feel welcome and comfortable. Luckily, it caught on and continues today—but with additional emphasis on making the actual owners feel comfortable as well! No drafty parlors here!
Here are a few pointers to get started this year on making yourself at home!
Match the design and layout to your lifestyle. Maybe you need a split floor plan to give the kids their own space. Or maybe you’ve been dreaming of a spa-like bathroom (with a walk-in shower big enough to wash the family dog in) or an open floor plan with a combined living room/dining room to host your Academy Awards watch party.
Add design modifications to make your life easier. Include special home features like a built-in appliance garage in the kitchen or a hidden pull-out drying rack in a laundry room cabinet. There are so many storage solutions to help keep your essentials out of sight until you need them.
Make it personal. Mix memorabilia with new finds, so your house isn’t just a showroom for the trendiest home design trends or out-of-the-box furniture. Add art done by friends, family photographs, and meaningful personal décor.
Embrace your style. Don’t let trends or well-intentioned friends or family take over your good judgment when making design decisions. Remember, it’s your home and your style, so choose one in line with your tastes.
Make your dream home. At Trilogy, our clients are involved in making their new house a home through the planning and building process. By going through this together, it builds more than just a house: it builds a true connection.
In 2026, it’s your turn to make yourself at home! Take advantage of our Palisades Homes and custom home-building experience. Our experience and your vision means you can create the home of your dreams.
Bathrooms can be so much more than basic! With all the terrific top home design trends out there now, it’s easy to go beyond the bare necessities and make this room a design destination.
Are you thinking about a new bathroom design? Whether your current bathroom is ready for a refresh or you’re building a new one from scratch as part of a custom home or semi-custom Palisades Homes, it’s important to ask yourself some key questions first.
Carefully consider how much room you need, especially if you have your heart set on a trendy freestanding tub or a double vanity to keep you and your partner’s toothpastes from getting mixed up.
Smart spaces are in! Do you want one? Consider how you’ll incorporate tech-savvy features like smart mirrors, voice-activated lighting, temperature-controlled showers and toilets, and more.
If you think you’ll spend your golden years sitting in this bathroom, then make sure it’s safe and functional for your needs as a senior citizen. Things like an ADA-compliant roll-in shower with a seat and a low toilet can be incorporated into the design now so you won’t have to spend retirement remodeling.
Adding eco-friendly touches is easier than ever! You can build with Mother Earth in mind by using sustainable materials like bamboo and reclaimed wood, along with low-flow toilets and water-saving fixtures.
Got stuff? A delicate pedestal sink might not be for you. If you need a place to stash hairdryers, an army’s worth of tiny hotel shampoo bottles, and 20 expired vitamin bottles, opt for a cabinet-style version instead.
If you’ve got a large family on the go, you might need to pick a shower-tub combo to fit your lifestyle. Or if you have a large family and the bathroom is your refuge of calm, you might consider having a stand-alone shower and a separate jacuzzi tub you can hide in with a good book and a bag of potato chips after a long day.
Ever thought about toilet clearance? If you haven’t thus far in your life, it’s ok. But if you’re designing a bathroom, make sure the toilet is far enough from the door, sink, tub, and shower to be comfortable while in use. Consider also if you want it enclosed in it’s own separate mini-room.
Once you identify if you’re a fan of farmhouse, magnificently modern, clearly coastal, or otherwise, it’ll help guide your bathroom design decisions on everything from fixtures to the type of door. And if you’re torn on building with trends or timelessness in mind, the answer lies in how often you want to update your bathroom design!
While you might like a steamy shower, your paint may not. (We’re looking at you, folks who forget to use the window and fan to air it out!) Let your Trilogy expert know so they can help you pick the perfect paint for your home. While there’s always general wear and tear, we can find a long-lasting option right for you.
For example, a roll-in shower (a.k.a. walk-in shower with no dam) will need to have tile flooring outside of it, as pools of water can warp laminate and erode grout. If there’s a small dam, then laminate flooring will be just fine. Keep in mind: tile floor costs more than laminate, so factor your choices into your budget.
At Trilogy, we’ve learned a thing or two about bathroom design in our 50+ years in business. And we’re always happy to share our expertise with our current and future clients. If you’re thinking of building a custom or semi-custom home, contact us here and let us help you make all your design dreams a reality.
Have a new kitchen design or renovation on the horizon? If you’re not sure what to focus on and what you shouldn’t have to worry about, Trilogy can help. In our experience, one of the best ways to start the process is by asking yourself some key questions.
When faced with kitchen design options, many homeowners suffer from a case of decision fatigue. Our advice? Don’t get too lost in the details. Try to focus on the big picture, and create a design in line with how you live. For example, getting the layout right is more important than picking the right paint. It’s easier to repaint than to have to replumb the whole kitchen! And remember, all this planning will pay off in the long run when you’re enjoying your fun and functional kitchen.
During our 50+ years in the business, Trilogy has learned a thing or two about kitchen design. We’re always happy to pass on this knowledge to our clients so they get the home they’ve been dreaming of. If you’d like our help making your vision a reality, contact us today.
What does “age-in-place” mean? In construction, it entails home design that allows residents to age comfortably without making significant modifications as they get older. Think of it as a plan for the future! And as a certified Aging in Place builder, Trilogy has a wealth of information to share with clients about how to achieve this goal.
One sure-fire way to build an age-in-place home is to use a universal design. If you’re not familiar with this, it’s a term used for the creation of products or an environment (such as a kitchen, bathroom or entryway) accessible to all people. In residential construction, it means building a home for those who have a wide range of abilities or disabilities that is adaptable to their physical needs over time. By doing this, it ensures residents of any age can live comfortably. This makes it easier than ever to have peace of mind knowing your home is ready for the future.
Are you considering building a semi-custom or custom home to grow old in? The key to aging in place successfully is making the right selections. If you’re not familiar with the term “selections” in construction, it describes paint types, finishes, hardware, and other elements of the home which go beyond the structure. This includes items like the kitchen sink, ceiling fans, and other fixtures.
Trilogy would love to help you build an age-in-place house. Whether you’re thinking about a custom build or one of our semi-custom Palisades Homes, we can offer advice on how to design for your future needs. The residents of Butte County have been counting on Trilogy’s home-building expertise for over 50 years. And as a member of the community, we take pride in helping them stay in their homes well into their golden years. For those who lost their forever homes in the fire, know that we are here to help you rebuild with your golden years in mind. Contact us today to find out more about what we do to help!
