Finishes are everything. They reinforce the overall home aesthetic or create an opportunity for an unexpected design element. But countertops, flooring, and other factors do far more than just affect visuals. Your choice of finishes has to match your lifestyle and that of your family.
We guide clients in selecting high-quality finishes that are both beautiful and functional, with a strong preference for natural materials.
Start With Use, Then Style
Before you fall in love with a countertop or cabinet sample, think about how you’ll actually use the space:
- Cook often? Choose heat and stain resistant counters.
- Kids or pets? Skip softwoods and high-gloss finishes.
- Want low maintenance? Avoid materials that require regular sealing or special care.
Make your selections based on how much wear and tear they’ll get—not just how they look in a showroom.
Natural Materials: What to Expect
We frequently use natural stone, wood, and metal finishes in our homes for their longevity and one-of-a-kind character. But they come with inherent variations that are important to understand upfront.
Natural materials won’t be perfectly uniform—and that’s part of their appeal. If you want a highly consistent look, you may need to order extra material to allow for culling, which increases cost and waste.
| Material | What to Know |
| Stone | Variations in tone, veining, and pattern are normal—even within the same slab. Expect some natural pits or fissures. |
| Wood | Grain patterns, knots, and color shifts will vary board to board. Wood can also expand or contract over time. |
| Metal | Metal roofing or siding may show oil canning (a visible ripple effect). Color tone can vary slightly panel to panel. |
Room-by-Room: What to Consider
Countertops: Quartzite offers a marble-like look with more durability. Granite is excellent for high-use kitchens. Marble is beautiful but more porous and prone to etching—better suited for bathrooms or lower-traffic areas.
Cabinetry: Custom cabinetry can hide everything from outlets to appliance garages. Use durable finishes in heavy-use areas like mudrooms or laundry. For a seamless look, go with full-overlay or slab doors.
Flooring: Wide-plank hardwood is classic, but engineered wood or large-format tile can give a similar aesthetic with better durability for active households.
Why Build Custom in Dallas?
Finishes are one of the most personal and practical parts of the custom home process. At Nixon Custom Homes, we help clients weigh the trade-offs—so you get a home that looks the way you want and performs the way you need. When in doubt, natural materials are a smart choice for long-term value—just know what to expect before you commit.
If you’re moving to Dallas and can’t find a home that checks every box, you’re not alone. More homeowners are opting to build custom instead of compromising. Whether it’s a home golf studio, hidden prep kitchen, or custom mudroom, building new allows you to design for your family.
Working With Nixon Custom Homes
With decades of experience crafting luxury homes in Dallas’s most desirable neighborhoods, Nixon Custom Homes helps clients find their flow in Dallas & build the home of their dreams.As an award-winning builder, we deliver exceptional home construction that lasts. Schedule a consultation today to get started.
