by Julie Craig

First impressions really count, so when it comes to building a new home, the exterior is of utmost importance. An extraordinary facade creates that wow factor where, in the home design world, we like to call it: curb appeal. An exterior with a magnificent aesthetic and quality build truly sets the stage for what’s inside the home when the front door opens but also lays that solid foundation for homeowners to enjoy for years. The end product is one that will leave the outside world wondering, “what’s on the inside of that gorgeous home?” 

The masterful curb appeal of the home at Pinnacle Country Club, which was featured in the 2015 Northwest Arkansas Parade of Homes – featuring White Pine brick. Photo by Meredith Mashburn.

 

Acme Brick Tile & Stone is a true game-changer when it comes to what’s on the outside (and inside!) of a home. It’s much more than just the essentials to homebuyers, builders and architects alike. Acme Brick is a building materials company that’s more than a century old and trusted by homeowners with the most beautiful homes across the state — and it’s not entirely brick. Built on a foundation of brick manufacturing, Acme Brick also offers custom iron doors, flooring, countertops, outdoor living products and a vast selection of natural and manufactured stone as well as designer tile. 

 

This Conway homeowner requested a special touch from their designer Becky Charton of Table Setters, Inc. Becky turned to ACME Brick & Tile for that special touch. The homeowner was provided with a stunning Glass Mosaic from Lungarno Ceramics. Gypsea Whirling Random glass mosaic fit the bill creating a feature wall in the homeowner’s personal climate controlled wine room. Photo by Nancy Nolan, Nancy Nolan Photography.

 

With a budget in mind, it can sometimes be tempting to skip over many important aspects to save a few dollars, specifically exterior details, but quality materials are an essential part of the process. “The materials dictate the quality and the style of the home, and brick is hands down the best thing to have around your house,” says Jefferson Baldwin, residential field sales representative in the Northwest Arkansas sales office. “It is durable, affordable, environmentally friendly and very versatile.”

 

The benefits of brick are beyond astounding, including natural insulation, reduction in maintenance costs, a higher resale value, lower insurance rates and fire protection. And what were those two words again? Oh yes, “curb appeal.” Built in 2014 and located in Northwest Arkansas within the Pinnacle subdivision at Pinnacle Country Club, Lance Johnson Building Company worked alongside Acme Brick to make one particular brick home truly unique by “shaking things up” a bit, moving from a slightly traditional facade to a more modern version. Featured in the 2015 Northwest Arkansas Parade of Homes, it was one of the first homes in the area to use white brick with white masonry with an all-brick exterior. 

 

The Conway homeowner turned to designer Becky Charton of Table Setters, Inc. when they were ready for a spectacular master shower. Becky then turned to ACME Brick & Tile for the inspiration and materials to accomplish the task before her. She chose Iris US Matrix collection in the Taupe Blend color, blended with Lungarno Ceramics Finish Line Alpine White. All from ACME Brick and Tile. Photo by Rett Peek

 

“For many years, the trend had been to use a mixture of brick and stone on the exterior of the house, and white had not been very popular,” Baldwin says. “I am so proud of this project because as a company, Acme has always been on the front lines of product development, and we happen to make the most beautiful white brick in the industry. I love it when it all comes together with the right builder and project!”

 

Baldwin, of course, believes brick can be the most important part of the building process, but that it is really important to have the perfect combination of materials. “The right brick, right mortar color to complement the brick and the right roof and fascia colors can bring it all together,” he says. “If you get those things right, you are well on your way to a beautiful home.”

 

When an early adopter says they want something few others have, you turn to ACME Brick Tile & Stone just like Becky Charton of Table Setters, Inc did. At ACME Brick Tile & Stone, she found porcelain panels from the Graniti Fiandre Marmi collection in Imperial White Polished. These flooring panels run through the entire living area of this Fayetteville, AR home, including the master bath and into the shower. When presented with the maintenance ease of porcelain verses natural stone, the homeowner said “yes.” Photo by Trent Suggs, Black Elk Media.

 

In addition to Northwest Arkansas, Acme Brick also plays a huge role in the building of a vast array of breathtaking homes of various sizes and budgets throughout central Arkansas. Between the heart of Little Rock and Lake Maumelle in the hills of Woodland Park subdivision sits a Craftsman-style gem, completed by Arbor Construction in October 2018. The choice of Silvercreek brick gives a mostly monochromatic look with hints of neutral tones in amazing contrast to the dark roof and windows. The eye is drawn to the cedar accents and French doors of the front porch, creating a spacious and welcoming entry to the home. 

 

Cedar accents and French doors create a spacious and welcoming entrance. Photo by Jamison Mosley.

 

And because Acme Brick backs itself with a 100-year guarantee, rest assured, this central Arkansas stunner is not only easy on the eyes but built to last a lifetime with real efficiency and quality. “All Acme Brick is backed by our 100-year guarantee, ensuring the exterior of the home to be not only aligned with the customer’s tastes but also efficient and longstanding. Nothing gives us more satisfaction than having homeowners happy to agree that Acme Brick is the best thing to have around your house,” says David Messersmith, an outside sales representative in central Arkansas. 

 

“At Acme, we pride ourselves on providing the highest quality materials, combining sustainability and style, used to help each homeowner’s vision come true,” Messersmith says. “Our wide range of blends, variations, and textures allows each individual the opportunity to make a selection that will be unique and beautiful.”

 

The Pinnacle Country Club home was one of the first homes in the area to utilize white brick with white masonry and an all-brick exterior.

 

With homes across the state that truly showcase the high-quality Acme brand and the craftsmanship it stands for, it’s no doubt everyone who plays a part in the home building process comes together to make this magic happen on a daily basis with a true feeling of pride when it’s all said and done. “I get so excited when I see Acme Brick going up on a project,” Baldwin says. “I love checking on the progress of the job at the different stages. When it’s complete and all aspects of the building process have come together and they complement each other, it’s a good feeling,” he says. 

 

“Acme Brick gives the homeowner the opportunity to achieve [almost] any look and style they desire with a product that will last for generations to come and that’s something I am very proud to be a part of,” Baldwin says. “No doubt, the homeowners feel the same way when they see the Acme name stamped at the end of the bricks. To know that I’ve played a role in something that will last many generations because my customer chose to use Acme Brick brings me a tremendous amount of satisfaction.”