HGTV Dream Home 2011: First Impressions
Stowe is quiet.
I don’t mean that in a derogatory way. It’s so peaceful here, especially during this off time between fall foliage season and the holidays. Things are still, as if the little village has decided to take a much-needed nap before the skiers and hustle-bustle of the winter season blasts the area with activity. It’s the perfect time for our online team (interactive planning director, senior visual designer, world-class photographers and I) to visit HGTV Dream Home 2011 to snap photos and take notes in preparation for the launch of the virtual tour. (Mark your calendars for December 20, btw.)
Our first full day at the home was easy, breezy. The sun was shining; icicles dangling from the roof’s edge were melting – the constant drip of the glistening water drops had a hypnotic effect I appreciated. The home’s interior, bursting with colors, seemed to smile.
Builder Brendan O’Reilly stopped by in the afternoon to chat about the home design and construction details he found particularly challenging. I think my favorite exterior feature at the moment is the masonry-clad foundation, which calls to mind historic homes and limestone barns that dot the countryside near my hometown in Pennsylvania. Brendan, a Pennsylvania native himself, chose bluestone, quarried in the northeastern part of the state, to pave walkways. I’ve come to realize that each HGTV Dream Home tells a personal story about its builder.
Today is cold and rainy. Snowflakes were falling this morning as I interviewed Linda, whose creativity and out-of-the-box approach to design never cease to amaze me. I love what she’s done in the master suite. She says her favorite space is the kitchen – and for good reason.
I hope you are all well and excited about this year’s home. I can’t wait to share more details with you in December.
I could have a moving sale Saturday, pack this place and be ready to move in about a week from now. Love what I see so far!!
I live in Illinois and we just got a whole lotta snow dumped on us overnite and its still going. I know my kids are gonna have me putting on their boots & snow pants to to go out and play in that fresh snow. My adopted cat leo went on the porch for a second he didnt like that cold white stuff so much! So he'll be watching the geese & birds from his cat pirch in the window.
Many more photo! All I can say is BEAUTIFUL!
Being from the Adk mtn region of new york and only a short drive from Stowe, I can assure all that in addition to some great skiing the fall is so incredible and the Stowe art festival is one of the tops in all of New England. The shops and restaurants are a big draw. This house looks like a great place to gather for all seasons.
hey there, what a great job youve done on keeping everyoneup to date, so exciting, thanks for letting us know they picked a winner, now everyone will be on edge till sat. to see if you show up at door this would really be such a great blessing! cant wait, then the rest will have to wait till nineteeth to find out who won, this has been fun playing and watching every video, thanks for everything! Good job! Edie Harmon