--- title: Kurk Homes Blog | Southern Living description: Southern Living | Read design tips and learn more about the custom home building process. Kurk Homes is a third generation full-service custom builder that has been designing and building dream homes in and around Greater Houston and the Texas Hill Country since 1989. With two main offices in Tomball and New Braunfels, Kurk Homes serves customers within 100 miles of each office. Design and Build on your Land with a 20 year Warranty. --- [![kurkhomes-logo](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/kurkhomes-logo.png?width=290&height=70&name=kurkhomes-logo.png "kurkhomes-logo")](https://www.kurkhomes.com/) GREATER HOUSTON [(281) 809-6533](tel:+12818096533)HILL COUNTRY [(830) 608-1255](tel:+18306081255) - [Design & Build Process](https://www.kurkhomes.com/custom-design) - [Custom Plans](https://www.kurkhomes.com/custom-plans) - [Where We Build](https://www.kurkhomes.com/where-we-build) - [Why Us](https://www.kurkhomes.com/about-us) - [Photos & Events](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/) - [Contact Us](https://www.kurkhomes.com/contact) ### Search through our topics below! - [Recent Posts](https://blog.kurkhomes.com) - [Featured Plans](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/tag/featured-plans#topic) - [Happenings](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/tag/happenings#topic) - [Home Design](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/tag/home-design#topic) - [Custom Home](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/tag/custom-home#topic) - [New Home Construction](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/tag/new-home-construction#topic) - [Tips](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/tag/tips#topic) - [Tradition](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/tag/tradition#topic) - [Southern Living](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/tag/southern-living#topic) - [Press Releases](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/tag/press-release#topic) - [Our Team](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/tag/our-team#topic) - [News](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/tag/news#topic) - [Lifestyle](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/tag/lifestyle#topic) - [Houzz](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/tag/houzz#topic) - [Design](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/tag/design#topic) ![Which Southern Living Home Should You Tour: The Showcase Home or the Idea House?](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/Southern-Living-Homes-2026.jpg) ![](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/KurkHomes-Sep2017/Image/favicon.png) May 8, 2026 ## [Which Southern Living Home Should You Tour: The Showcase Home or the Idea House?](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/which-southern-living-home-should-you-tour-the-showcase-home-or-the-idea-house) We have some exciting news: Kurk Homes has once again partnered with *Southern Living* magazine to bring not one, but two stunning... ![Southern Living Magazine Features Kurk Homes in March 2024](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/Kurk-Homes-Featured-in-Southern-Living-updated-1.jpg) ![](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/KurkHomes-Sep2017/Image/favicon.png) March 5, 2024 ## [Southern Living Magazine Features Kurk Homes in March 2024](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/southern-living-magazine-features-kurk-homes-in-march-2024) ### "Built To Entertain" We're thrilled to announce that Kurk Homes has been featured in the prestigious Southern Living Magazine!... ![Kurk Homes Presents: The Brazos Bend - A Southern Living Showcase Home](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/Kurk%20Homes4083%20edited-1.jpg) ![](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/KurkHomes-Sep2017/Image/favicon.png) May 16, 2023 ## [Kurk Homes Presents: The Brazos Bend - A Southern Living Showcase Home](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/southern-living-showcase-home-mission-ranch) Kurk Homes, in collaboration with Southern Living, is proud to present The Brazos Bend, a magnificent custom home design at [...](https://www.kurkhomes.com/mission-ranch) ![Southern Living House Plans](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/The%20Chappell%20Hill.jpg) ![](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/KurkHomes-Sep2017/Image/favicon.png) March 1, 2022 ## [Southern Living House Plans](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/southern-living-house-plans) Since 2017, Kurk Homes has been a part of the prestigious Southern Living Custom Builder Program. With this designation, we are... ![Kurk Homes Presents: A Southern Living Showcase Home](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/KurkHomesTGR-8251.jpg) ![](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/KurkHomes-Sep2017/Image/favicon.png) November 12, 2021 ## [Kurk Homes Presents: A Southern Living Showcase Home](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/southern-living-showcase-home-texas-grand-ranch) Since 2017, [Kurk Homes](https://www.kurkhomes.com/) has been part of the [Southern Living Custom Home Builder Program](http://www.southernlivingcustombuilder.com/members/440) which allows us to create home plans with... ![Mustang Trail - Custom Plan Selections & Design Features](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/A6501344.jpg) ![](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/KurkHomes-Sep2017/Image/favicon.png) April 12, 2021 ## [Mustang Trail - Custom Plan Selections & Design Features](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/mustang-trail) Maximizing your space in a smaller home takes creativity and an eye for design. This 2,300 square foot home in Magnolia packs... ![Heritage Ranch - Custom Plan Selections & Design Features](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/Brittany%20651%20IMG%2005_1.jpg) ![](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/KurkHomes-Sep2017/Image/favicon.png) October 7, 2020 ## [Heritage Ranch - Custom Plan Selections & Design Features](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/heritage-ranch) This gorgeous home in the sloping topography of the Texas Hill Country features 3366 square feet in the main home and 333 square... ![The Saddle Creek - Selections & Features of this Custom Home](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/LMP_3860.jpg) ![](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/KurkHomes-Sep2017/Image/favicon.png) May 4, 2020 ## [The Saddle Creek - Selections & Features of this Custom Home](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/saddle-creek-farmhouse) We recently designed and completed this open concept ranch-style home in Waller, Texas. At just over 2500 square feet, this home... ![Thousand Oaks Modern Farmhouse - Selections & Design](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/LMP_2657.jpg) ![](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/KurkHomes-Sep2017/Image/favicon.png) April 8, 2020 ## [Thousand Oaks Modern Farmhouse - Selections & Design](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/thousand-oaks-modern-farmhouse) We recently designed and completed this gorgeous Modern Farmhouse in Magnolia. This home has a crawlspace beneath a raised... ![Bring the Outdoors In: Blurring the Boundaries between Inside and Outside](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/marvin-effingham-bifold-door-exterior-close-up.jpg) ![](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/KurkHomes-Sep2017/Image/favicon.png) March 8, 2019 ## [Bring the Outdoors In: Blurring the Boundaries between Inside and Outside](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/bring-the-outdoors-in-blurring-the-boundaries-between-inside-and-outside) [MARVIN ULTIMATE BI-FOLD DOOR, EXTERIOR CLOSE UP](https://www.marvin.com/plan/inspiration-gallery/photos/marvin-ultimate-bi-fold-door-exterior-close-up-3241#brands=marvin,integrity,infinity&segment=residential,commercial&prod=99) It has been said that nature is good for health and wellness, and the idea of... ![Southern Living Recipe: Creamy Chicken & Rice Soup](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/brooke-lark-93583-unsplash.jpg) ![](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/KurkHomes-Sep2017/Image/favicon.png) January 3, 2019 ## [Southern Living Recipe: Creamy Chicken & Rice Soup](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/southern-living-recipe-creamy-chicken-rice-soup) The perfect meal when it feels a little crisp outside is Southern Living's [Creamy Chicken & Rice Soup](https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/creamy-chicken-rice-soup). A great choice that the... ![Top Trends in Designer Outdoor Kitchens and Entertaining Spaces](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/IMG_20130910_152557_671.jpg) ![](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/hubfs/KurkHomes-Sep2017/Image/favicon.png) August 27, 2018 ## [Top Trends in Designer Outdoor Kitchens and Entertaining Spaces](https://blog.kurkhomes.com/top-trends-in-designer-outdoor-kitchens-and-entertaining-spaces) An increasing number of homeowners are extending their living and entertaining areas far beyond the confines of their home. The... 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