Building a second home in the mountains is about more than just stunning views it’s about lifestyle, access, and long-term value. From iconic destinations like Park City and Jackson Hole to hidden gems like Huntsville and Brian Head, these mountain towns offer incredible potential for a retreat that fits your lifestyle. In this post, we share five of our favorite spots to build, plus three under-the-radar towns worth considering. Learn what makes each town unique and how Cedar + Steel can help you create a custom home that truly reflects your vision.

Building your first custom home is an exciting journey, but it’s easy to make costly mistakes along the way. In this post, we outline ten common pitfalls first-time homebuilders face, from skipping the pre-design process and choosing the wrong site to underestimating budgets and not designing for your actual lifestyle. We share expert tips on how to avoid these mistakes so that your dream home becomes a reality, not a disaster. By partnering with the right team and taking the time to plan thoughtfully, you’ll set your project up for success.

Learn what to expect during each step of the custom home design process, from initial site analysis to final construction observation. This guide from Cedar + Steel walks you through how to design a house with clarity, confidence, and expert support at every phase.

Discover how Cedar + Steel is bringing bold ideas to life through three standout architecture projects: a historic barn conversion, a Scandinavian-inspired home in Park City, and a mountain retreat in Little Cottonwood Canyon. From adaptive reuse to modern custom builds, explore how we blend design innovation with site-specific challenges.

Learn how Cedar + Steel brings dream homes to life with a collaborative, site-specific design process tailored to each client’s lifestyle and vision. From concept to construction, explore how we balance beauty, function, and personalization featuring insights from our South Jordan home project.

Explore Cedar + Steel’s favorite architectural design trends of 2023, including the evolution of mid-century modern, the rise of transitional style, and the growing focus on sustainable, energy-efficient home design. Get inspired by the latest in residential architecture and discover how these trends can shape your dream home.

Discover the top three design choices to consider when creating your dream home, including optimal home orientation, tailored gathering spaces, and lifestyle-driven layouts. Learn how Cedar + Steel’s custom design process ensures your home is beautiful, functional, and perfectly suited to your needs.

At Cedar + Steel, we combine architectural design with a deep understanding of structural engineering to create custom homes that are aesthetically pleasing, functional, and built to last. Principal designer Milan Muhlestein’s extensive background in construction and structural engineering informs our design process, ensuring that every home we create is not only beautiful but also structurally sound. We emphasize streamlined designs that facilitate smoother construction and better outcomes for both clients and contractors.

Building your dream home starts with a strong foundation, and at Cedar + Steel, our initial consultation sets the stage for a successful partnership. During this first meeting, you’ll meet with Milan Muhlestein, our principal designer, to discuss your vision, goals, and expectations. Together, we’ll explore inspiration and create a clear vision for your custom home, ensuring the design process is collaborative and tailored to your needs. Let’s begin building your dream home today!

Meet Milan Muhlestein, the founder and principal architectural designer behind Cedar + Steel. Milan’s journey into architecture began as a sixth grader when he first discovered the profession, and his passion was solidified when he helped his family build a cabin. His love for design grew as he worked in construction, eventually becoming a staff engineer. Yet, his true calling was always in architectural design, prompting him to pursue his dream and start his own business. Today, as the creative force behind Cedar + Steel, Milan combines his engineering expertise and artistic vision to design stunning custom homes that reflect both beauty and functionality.