Sep
27
Cool Design Component
Today, I’d like to share an amazing before and after from HGTV Dream Home 2012.
The inspiration of house planner Jack Thomasson, a glass staircase railing system lends a contemporary design aesthetic and complements the rustic ranch style of the home. Douglas fir mortis-and-tenon timbers comprise posts and rails, with custom-cut glass pieces between posts. The transparent treatment is repeated in the game room’s Juliet-style balcony rail.
To learn more about other unique design components and home systems, visit our Building of HGTV Dream Home 2012 package on HGTVRemodels.com.
I really like the railing. It's transparent and open, but it's still safe so kids won't slip through. Great idea, Jack!
That was my first thought, too. The Julilet balcony did not look like it belonged in the kids' space. But now that they have glassed it in…
I've seen outdoor glass deck railings, and HGTV featured blogger Erin Loechner installed a very attractive glass railing around the top of her staircase:
http://blog.hgtv.com/design/2011/03/15/our-diy-st…
I love the open feel and the light that the glass lets in — it will take a bit more maintenance to keep the panels looking spot-free, but it sounds like there are only two areas with glass so it shouldn't be very difficult.
CplusE, I've given this some thought. If I win the home, I will outfit myself with a holster rigged up to hold a lady-like bottle of glass cleaner, and matching buffing cloth. To be worn during the day time hours in the house. Something using velcro, and in an array of colors to match one's outfit.
You know what they say, " a spritz in time saves nine" nose, and fingerprints are vanished in a flash, and all that glass is a gleaming.
LOL! I wonder if it would be possible to rig something up for pets to use so that they could clean off their own noseprints? If someone comes up with this invention, I want one right now — I could use it in our current house! xD
C+E, There you go, your very own business – entrepreneurialship!! I have been looking for my
response about the Azores. My asking was very inappropriate. It was just so exciting for me.
I have never heard of anybody going to the Azores before and I was caught off guard. I apologize.
No pictures necessary. Thank you for trying .xD
I love it!!!!! This staircase looks amazing! I can't wait to see the rest of the home!
Interesting.
Going to be tough to clean, but well worth it.
I wonder if this is on both staircases.
I might have to nickname Mr. Jack Thomasson, Captain James T. Kirk; or just Captain Jack Thomasson– Commander of the USS Scripps Dream Homes, of the United Scripps Giveaway Home Federation. With a mission statement that says to boldly go where no Scripps Giveaway Home has gone before, to search out new building concepts—new technology–interesting varied textures—the marriage of old with the new—the seemingly strange but seamlessly beautiful designs. These are the adventures of Captain Jack Thomasson and the crew of the USS Scripps Dream Homes.
Beautifully said Cami – I even heard the music in the background!
Love it !!!!!!!!
Intriguing use of glass in this rustic style farmhouse.
Coincidentally, I'd just toured some townhome style model homes recently that featured this type of glass usage in place of wooden banisters, although these homes were very contemporary in design. The sleek, modern materials used throughout the interiors perfectly highlighted the stainless steel and glass-insert stairway railings.
I'll be curious to see how these glass stairway inserts mesh with the finished and furnished Dream Home. Linda Woodrum will have quite a balancing act on her hands to put together just the right mix of rustic touches blended with contemporary accents.
The great thing about the glass is that it is transparent with no particular design so it will be perfect in any setting. It won't detract from the rustic setting. If there were cables as it previous homes there is a distraction which screams contemporary which is harder to blend the old with the new.
good point
Love it, thanks for the sneak peak. Different but nice, harder to clean from little fingers, though, thinking of my dear GS Lars and how he does stairs! I think the owners of this home will have commercial window cleaning service anyway, as most who have these awesome homes in Park City/Midway have cleaning service. Meanwhile, Mary, how about a look at the bunk room? We are still curious.
I suppose this is tempered glass?
Well at least that glass won't be alone. It will blend in nicely with all the glass windows. Do we love light? Yes we do. The railings will also look nice with my garland and Christmas lights. B) Glass always gives extra light and shine for each Christmas light dime.;)
Christmas lights reflect off of glass and mirrors and makes it look prettier, I think. Great work Jack!!!
I hope it is kid proof glass. Unbreakable.
Looks nice though. I would love to see more. I guess we could get a big sheet of the screen protector for it lol. Then we could just peel off the fingerprints.
Interesting stair but I just saw this article on Market Watch. Looks like Kukui'ula is hanging on..for now
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/real-estate-slum…
I like the look, but maybe someone could invent a noseguard for the family pets! My pets make a career out of leaving noseprints on any glass surface they can find. Or maybe, HGTV could etch the glass in a noseprint pattern so that the real thing would just blend in until cleaning day.
Rather like the Greek father in the "Big Old Greek Wedding" movie ( I probably got the title wrong, but you know the one) I walk around the house with noseprint cure in hand.
Funny Anne! LOL
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
That's it! Thanks.
LOL, I think I like the title"Big Old Greek Wedding " better, AnneElise !!
Hey Mary, do you think you could give us a post on Load Day? And tell us when it is. I can't wait till it's all done all fully furnished. Oh and beehive when is your next buzz .
ASAP! Babysitting is taking all my time these days.
I think I should get a job somewhere.
You are a student, that's your job these days.
I'm thinking about …. (you should probably come to Kansas and slap me for saying this)…..but, I don't have any money saved up for my business, I don't have any credit or credit cards, etc. I need to get a job so I have money to START my business. I was thinking about taking classes in Phlebotomy. I won't get grossed out. I think it's very interesting and my friend is a nurse and she loves doing that. What do you think? I value your opinion. I know you will tell me how it is from your heart!
Brenda, I think anything like that in the medical field is valuable and if you think you could do it for any kind of patient… including cancer patients, those with infectious diseases, older people, young people… you should look into it further. If you have an inclination to work in the medical field and could afford the education, I would go for a two-year RN degree. Of course, all you want is to save money for your “real” business, so that probably isn't going to appeal to you. Sounds like some kind of lab tech might appeal to you, too. It's good you are thinking ahead. Don't get involved in any of those so-called “colleges” that take your money and you end up with nothing valuable and a lot of debts. I'm sure you are too wise for that scenerio.
I think the virtual tour begins on Dec. 1st. I am looking forward to it. I am sure that Linda Woodrum will do a great job, as usual. She has not disappointed me yet. Most of the Dream Homes have furniture from Ethan Allen……..I hope this Dream Home will too!
What I like most about this staircase is the contrast between the white and the wood stain. The modern handrail with glass gives it a fresh new look. I love it!
Utah has five national parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, Bryce and Capitol Reef. I hope to visit and hike at each and every one of these state parks….after I win the home!
Also, did you know that the federal government owns 65% of the land in Utah? And, the Utah state government is the largest employer in Utah. Interesting!
The Salt Lake City Airport is 50 miles from Midway, Utah where the Dream Home is located. It takes approximately one hour to drive this distance. Good to know for those of us who like to travel and take vacations. Also good to know if you plan to have friends or family visit you at the Dream Home in Utah.
WOW we still have over 60 days until the virtual tour- argh.
Don't wish away this beautiful fall weather! The winter snows will fly soon enough and I'm loving these warm, sunny, and sun-kissed autumn days. This morning on my way to workout, I passed by a pasture that has four beautiful horses, I had never noticed them before, and they were running full-out, tails flying, in the early morning light. One was a dappled gray, one was chestnut, one dark, one brown. Really pretty.
I love to see a herd ? of horses running at the same time! So pretty!
They have to be getting close to "load in" day!
I sure hope we find out in advance so I can go down there and "camp out" on the berm with my wide-angle and my binoculars! I drove by this morning and there was a flurry of activity, many trucks, out front, not big furniture trucks yet, though.
I'm really liking the wood through out the house! The thought of having to replace carpeting every 5 to 10 years is daunting~ not to mention having the carpets cleaned every 6 months!
me too I like wood floors and when my carpet needs replacement I'm replacing with all wood… I currently have shaw floors in kitchen/dining and would've done all wood except for cost at the time.
I just love this house and location !!! BEAUTIFUL !!!! This would be my dream house for sure !!!
Like, but I have a question. Jack will you come over to clean those finger prints off….just wondering
Sorry, Jack does not make house calls. Anyway he is somewhere starting on the next Dream House.
Thank you for joining us it is so good to hear from new people! Love your moniker as well as the
person posting before you, they are both so hopefull and positive!
By the way, talking about load-in day …
Just wanted to let Mary know that I'm available to help in any way I can with carrying furnishings into the Dream Home or assisting Linda Woodrum with the right placement for those accessories and artwork. Needless to say, I won't share even one little hint about anything that I'll see or hear without official prior authorization. Unfortunately, I can't make the same promise for Terri. She is a notorious gossip and is likely to spill the beans to whomever would listen.
Hmm, maybe I could get beehivestate to babysit Terri while I put in a long day's work at the Dream Home…. (Terri's really a sweetheart, and a joy to take care of …)
Oh, and we may have to work load-in day around my travel schedule, but I'm sure Linda and Jack T will understand.
So is Terri a worse gossip than Show Me was, Coop? ^_^
LOL, when I was new to the blog and figuring out "who was who", I thought Show Me was Coop's wife! I cast no aspersions, by the way, my Boston Terrier is having another dream right now, and barking madly, with a closed mouth, in his sleep ! ("Bow wow wow" sounds more like' MMFFF MOOFF' with a closed mouth). He has me pegged as a Push-over, and Servant to his every need.
LLC – I have been wanting a Boston. My husband had to put down the love of his life – Boxer. It's been a while now but, I'm just not up for cleaning up after that size dog right now, in the yard we have. It's very big and our old dog didn't have a fav spot if ya' know what I mean. I was thinking a Boston would be the best of both worlds. He could give my husband a smaller version of what he loved and give me smaller you-know-what's to clean up. What do you think? LOL
StellaF–your husband would definitely love my Boston, because he is soo much like a Boxer. A Boxer owner saw him on the street and said my dog looks like a black & white, mini Boxer. He has long legs, like he is on stilts and he uses his paws like hands (most dogs push things with a nose and move things with the mouth, mine tries to get things with a paw. He pushes other dogs with both front paws when he plays, too. My family has had a Springer Spaniel, 2 Golden Retrievers, and as a mom I had a big Rhodesian Ridgeback for my kids….I loved all of them, but hands down I'd get another Boston, over all the others.( Best of all I would get a Boston rescue or Boston mix.) My son has A Boston too, and his dog is like a canine nanny to my grandkids…so sweet.< I know adopting shelter dogs is best over pure
breed issues, but Bostons have very little dander and that helped with our allergies.>
LLC – I agree with you regarding the shelter dogs. The pure breeds also do not live as long as a mixed. This home screams out for lots of dogs & cats….. and perhaps other domestic pets since all the wild life is included. LOL I can already see a posse' of dogs running all around the property. Large, mediam & small. Including a leader but, a nice leander, not a viscous one. I hope they add on a pet wash like they did in the Green Home. That was wonderful and I wish I had one. Perhaps one in an area that is also heated or ac if neccesary. "Cause, ya' gotta wash em' in the winter too! Hope they read this suggestion while they still have time to accomodate it.
Good question, Ed. I know for sure there is one clear difference — while Show Me was always reading the blogs over my shoulder, Terri is often posted in a sleeping position under my desk, unless she's actively engaged in trying to get me to play toss the squeaky toy for her amusement.
That sounds like a much better situation to me Coop! I am totally familiar with that situation, considering all the dogs I have! It must have been somewhat disconcerting to have Show Me looking over your shoulders and through your eyes! ^_^
Terri can play with my blue heeler, Nikki, and I'll "help" with the furniture. I won't actually lift anything but I am good at pointing out if it's NOT in the exactly right spot!
Oh my gosh, between Linda Woodrum and beehivestate cracking the interior design whip, will the final "right" spot for the furnishings ever be decided? That would certainly make for an entertaining load-in day video! :p
Thanks, DeerSpring, for finding this link. August 5th those pictures were taken? no, it doesn't get to "40 below" in the winter. There's very very little snow left on the mountains. We do have to go to town for Barnes & Noble and Costco but that's a GOOD thing, IMHO. This Dream House isn't exactly "in a neighborhood," there's only one other house and it's not even shouting distance.
I think the security guard is a caricature. Would it kill him to be friendly or crack and smile? We're not exactly dangerous, us neighbors who are curious. Still and all, I'd offer him a root beer on a hot day.
I'm calling him Bad Leroy Brown. That bridge is at the north end of River Meadows Ranch. If you park at the fishing access point, you would walk across that pedestrian bridge and then you would walk south along the river for about 1/2 mile and be right behind the DH. It's really quite easy to access and there is a nice path if you don't mind walking through the tall grass. It's good to have you back on the blog, DeerSpring, you've been missed. If you look back to about September 11, I posted quite a few pictures including close-up of the back. I came back another day right after that and “Leroy” gave me quite the “lecture.” I did not find him a friendly sort.
Beehive…. Hope your day is going well.
I am concerned that the DH seems to be very easily accessible to the public. Can owners put up fences to provide some privacy? It would be nice to allow the owners' children or "grands" an opportunity to play or explore freely on the property without strict supervision. Security for the "children's wing" might also be an issue.
I doubt fences will be allowed around the home, it would not look “right” but there is only a split-rail fence behind the house between the river and the house and it would not be secure for small children, granintx, and “strict supervision” would be the order of the day.
I was unaware that Mr. Brown had talked to you. Did you plead "NO INTENTION OF HARM".
Or has Mary or HGTV cautioned him to keep the picture taking lady away ?
Sandy, I told him I'd not so much as touched the house or trespassed and that I would take pictures from the public area and the road, as this is allowed legally. He said “we can't stop you from that.” Anyway, I haven't been down there nearly 3 weeks so maybe he's forgotten about me.
It's time…..to go back and face Bad Leroy Brown. At least from your zoom lens! :p
Next week when he won't be there, hopefully I'll have time. And by then there may be something different to see.
Great! Thanks!
I doubt it.
Just thinking ahead, if any of you are coming out for Sundance, this is the time for locals (Utah residents) to buy ticket packages. And if you are looking for places to stay or renting a home, now is when the locals in Park City start planning to rent out their homes and leave for the duration.
Thanks for the heads up. I don't think I'm coming for Sundance, but I am DEFINITELY coming when they have Dream Home tours.
Oh! I see the picture is slightly revised today. I like it, thank you.
I think the dream home should have some items off Etsy! like this http://www.etsy.com/listing/51062196/modplexi-add… http://www.etsy.com/listing/75345156/rain-drop-cl… http://www.etsy.com/listing/78330294/pant-rocker
Some stuff like that! Anyways I'm loving the house and SOOO want the location I've been wanting to move back to Utah for over a year but haven't had the money! I really want to win it!!!! Can't wait to start entering!
Good luck, you and me both want to win. Come back to Utah by all means! Welcome to our blog.
Whoa, Mary! That was sneaky. I nearly fell out of my chair this morning when I opened up our Dream Home's most recent blog thread and saw that three workmen from Team Turnkey Interiors had stepped into Mary's triptych photos since last night and done a little more work on the stairway railings.
Now I'm left wondering if this is the start of a time-lapse interior construction photo blog?!
I thought I was losing my mind Coop. So glad to know that the men weren't there before, as I suspected. Mary's just testing are visual memory. I guess I failed her visual IQ test. =/
Nice catch Coop! I almost missed the change. It's like Deja-Vu all over again! ^_^
It looks like the interior is coming together very nicely! I can't wait for the tour!
p.s. now's the time to come see Stowe! The leaves are really popping. I don't know if i would call it quite PEAK of the season but close
Hi stoweman7, I've been in Stowe the first week of October 2008, our son was married at the Webster Barn at Sterling Meadows Farm in N. Hyde Park. We stayed in the farmhouse right on the property, it was so pretty there, and we went all over VT after that. One of my faves was the boat trip on Lake Champlain where they tell you about the history of the area during the Revolutionary war. We liked VT so much that the next year in summer we returned and stayed a week at Smuggler's Notch Resort and explored the northeast kingdom. You live in a really, really stunning part of the country!!
Thank You sooo much! I enjoy this place so much and sometimes its shocking to see how some people around here take it for granted. Last weekend actually, i hiked Mt. Pisgah witch is on lake Wiloughby. It was breath taking. And about that boat trip, was it on The Spirit of Ethan Allen? And this comment just screams " what a small world!"
Yes, that's the boat! It was perfectly grand, I wished we could do it again right after we finished. The other thing we did the following summer was we rented bicycles in Burlington and rode across the marble causeway on the lake. My DH said it was his favorite bike ride of all time, and that's really saying! I also loved Woodstock, although too many tourists, and we hiked at the Notch one day. Went to that winery that had the big corn maze and saw how maple sugar is made, and, I almost forgot, my absolutely very most favorite spot of all, the Shelburne Museum!! OMG! We also went to a maritime museum not far from Shelburne, and also to the Shelburne Farms, which is incredible and has such a fascinating history. Had breakfast in the fancy dining room at the farm. Bought bread from the bakery in the lower level, oh too many wonderful things and memories, now I want to come back! Since our daughter-in-law is from there, I'm sure we will return one of these days real soon. Thanks for letting me reminisce! I hope people will feel the same way about Utah and love it as much as we have come to love it here.
of all places in Vermont that i have been Shelburne is not one of them! I have seen many news reports and what not on the farm and in the museum but i have not personaly been there! It looks amazing! Im glad you got to venture around up here! (Maybe sometime I'll be venturing in Utah!!!!)
Just a brief announcement, fellow dreamers. The site of the next DIY Blog Cabin has been revealed, and the location is … (head over to the DIY Blog to check it all out!)
Thanks, Coop! What a great location!
and a lot of acreage.
Looks like a great float, thank you for the find.
I didn't even know they did a parade float, I think it's awesome!
Why has deerspring deleted her account?
I didn't know she had. I don't know why? It seems like everything related to the parade float is gone. How odd.
Looks like the administrator deleted one of her posts. She was probably told to delete the other posts by the admin.. Maybe the float is supposed to be reserved for later publication?
Once it hits the internet – fat chance!
It was such an innocuous post, I wonder that they'd delete it and, as you point out, once it's out on the internet, it's out.
Nice to see you back Charlotte. You're probably right.
I like the glass on the railings! As to the fingerprints: I often postpone cleaning them off the glass surfaces after my Grandchildren leave. They live 2 states away from me, and I need that sweet souvenir to remind me of them and the joy they bring to our home.
Sneak peek at the new HGTV Magazine, anyone? http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv-magazine/package/index.html
Our float is so beautiful and I wonder what the back is like – does it have the Provo river?
Thanks for the link. I wish I could help but it is a little too hard for me. It would be fun!
Good idea DeerSpring!
Thank you Mary, you sure have visited often lately. Could you put more pictures up now as well
Mary,,,,
I like the decks. However, can something be done to prevent snakes and other critters from nesting under the deck?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67137540@N05/sets/72…
DAILY BUZZ. Sept. 30th…We made the drive from Park City to Midway over Guardsman Pass this afternoon and I took a few pictures for you. Most of the red (maples) is fading but the the aspen gold is the best I've ever seen it. I couldn't resist sharing these with you guys. Enjoy an afternoon in Utah!
Beehivestate, these are gorgeous! Fall color has barely started here in Georgia — leaf season is my favorite time of year. My ideal vacation would be an autumn road trip starting in the far north during peak leaf-peeping time and slowly wandering south following a trail of color — I would even zigzag between east and west to find the best show!
And be sure to hit the Stowe, VT area around the first week of October.
Just GORGEOUS! Yeah, I'm shouting, but I meant to!! We're seeing the maples here, but the aspen gold, which is my favorite is just starting. Maybe I'll drive over Teton Pass tomorrow and see if there's more gold there. Thanks for the great pics!
I missed getting pictures of the maples but these aspens more than make up for that. All these pictures, we took on the east side of the pass, as you would be looking down into Midway.
Just absolutely beautiful!!
Thanks.
Now, the teepee is intriguing, beehivestate. Is this where Leroy hangs out at night while off guard duty at the Dream Home property? Or do you and your husband always carry a teepee in the car with you for those spur of the moment roadside picnic lunches?
Another possibility — a spare bedroom? I think it might make for questionable guest quarters in the back yard, but I guess that would depend on the weather and the age of your visitors.
Or could it be a simple and nostalgic nod to the culture of the Native Americans who lived in the area before frontier settlers arrived?
There's bound to be a Daily Buzz story behind that teepee.
I've always wondered about that teepee. It's on private land, that's all I can find out about it, and it's right where the road forks… to the left go to Brighton, to the right, go to Park City. Just recently I discovered another teepee, in Midway, beside a roadside hot springs across from Wasatch Mountain State Park. This hot springs used to be open to anyone and now is marked private and there is a teepee on that land.
BTW, we stopped at "Scrappy's" for ice cream cones and I noticed out in front a row of those tractor seats as an outdoor eating area along an outdoor "bar, " I thought "oh I hope LInda doesn't see these!"
Tomorrow in Midway we are having a Civil War re-enanactment. I think maybe Leroy will be there but will he be wearing the blue or the gray? Now that's the question!
Thank you for the pictures! They are beaUTiful!!!
I was wondering about the teepee also. Thank you for clearing it up for us.
The Civil War re-enactment sounds exciting!
Hi Brenda, I like the teepee and I'm going to find out about the one in Midway by the little hot springs. I think a teepee would look awesome on the part of lot 5A adjacent to the dream house. I can just see it… and how perfect for camping out!
Hi Beehivestate!
That WOULD be a great camping teepee for kids! Sounds fun! Put some horses around it and re-create "Dances with Wolves!" (not really.) I'm just kidding! 
You made me laugh! Can't you just see Kevin Costner right there?!
Hmm, beehivestate, good question. You know, maybe Leroy will be the human cannonball?! In which case they'll want to aim for the Provo River to ensure a softer "splash" landing!
Wouldn't that scare the fish, though? We don't want to mess with the resource.
Woo!!!! Then I would have to take Mr. Costner up in one of the hot air balloons!! I suppose you and your DH can come too!!
sounds like a plan.
WOWZY, wow!
beehivestate- What kind of camera do you use? ^_^
Hi Stella, I have one of those little “Cool Pix” Nikkon S8000 model and I just love it. So easy to use, small, takes great pictures and I don't have to be a genius to figure it out. It has a really cool “zoom” lens. We got ours at Costco. I like that I can even put in my pocket or purse.
Can you take some pictures of the surrounding areas around our house? That would be appreciated!!
Thanks Beehivestate! 
Hugs all around!
Yes, I can do that next week. I was thinking some new pictures of the river and a few pictures of some of the old barns and perhaps some pictures from the upper lots at River Meadows Ranch.
Thank you!! That would be great! Wish I was there with you!
MIDNIGHT BUZZ. Midway 10/1… Couldn't sleep. BrendainKs asked for some pictures of the neighborhood around "our" Dream House and I found these of River Meadows Ranch http://www.hebervalleysothebys.com/mls-listing/99…
This lot is up the hill from the DH. Look at the views you'd have!
Wow! Great find. The virtual site tour is great. Views or 'our' lot are very helpful in seeing how the DH sits in the landscape. Too bad the pictures were not taken during a more verdant season. The trees look all grey and the bushes on the hill come off as near desert sagebrush. I'm not complaining just commenting on the real estate agents choice of when to take pictures to 'sell' his property. Thanks Bee.
Glad you like them. I notice the fields in the distance are green but not the trees and that there is grass pushing through and lots of snow on Timpanogos so I think this must've been early spring, maybe April.
Thanks for sharing. I guess that's why they call it our "DREAM HOME", huh? Who wouldn't want to be waking up every morning to that scenic view? Doesn't look like there is a week or bad angle.
Very BeaUTiful indeed!!! Can't wait to see it for myself.
DAILY BUZZ. Saturday. Here's another listing for those of you who might be in the market for a beautiful piece of farmland, complete with 20 water shares and 2 houses. Right in the middle of Midway City. I walk by this property quite often and it has beautiful views of the mountains and, not only that, the property has geothermal water!
http://www.parkcitysothebys.com/mls-listing/99893…
When you buy property here you have to be sure you have water shares included.
Thanks for the info, beehivestate. I'll have to wait until after the Dream Home winner is announced to consider putting in an offer on this property.
It would make a nice place to keep your cows, not too close to the road so they won't jump the fence and get hit by a car.
Oh so pretty!!!
DB Coop– why are you waiting until AFTER the winner is announced? That way you can make sure you like those people first! ???? ha ha! Just kidding. It would be wonderful if you could pick your neighbors, huh?
For one thing, BrendainKs, I'd guess that the process of natural selection of one's neighbors is the easy way to go. In other words, THEY select to live next door to you rather than you selecting them, which just might go terribly wrong in spite of all your efforts.
The other thing is that if I were to win the Dream Home, I'd need lots of cash on hand in order to pay those taxes to the IRS. They're usually not very accommodating when you hand them an IOU with the words "unknown" written in the payment amount and date!
After all, if you'd just closed escrow on property near the Dream Home that drained a chunk of cash from your bank account and suddenly Jamie Durie shows up at your door with some good news, you'd be both excited and totally stressed.
For even though my chances of winning the Dream Home are, admittedly, far from a sure thing, I can't completely discount it either. Which I think is where they got that expression, "don't count your chickens before they're axed." (Or something like that.)
Speaking of chickens, hey, if you buy that farm I showed you there is plenty of room for chickens, as long as Terri won't chase them, that is! I doubt that parcel will sell any time soon. These farmers are pretty much determined to get their full price on the land around here.
What are water shares?
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_2…
Does the 2012 Dream Home have a basement?
You can look through the construction photos Alice. There wasn't one in any of the pictures I saw though! ^_^
Good response, Ed. I think your job here is to draw people into all that HGTV offers about the Dream Home and keep them around a while. I like your style!
Basements? – In the link in the photo above
http://www.hgtvremodels.com/dream-home/hgtv-dream…
slide 7 shows the below-grade mechanical rooms
Thanks JayinTexas. The mechanical room is in the crawlspace. Not really considered a basement though. If they had dug down a few more feet or raised the house a few more feet, then they would have an honest to goodness basement.
Thank you Ma'am. I enjoy your no nonsense style too!
Hi Alice, no basement but there is a decent size "crawl space" where you could store holiday decorations, etc.
Thought Soney and I should check in and share our little story. Although Soney couldn't go, one of the volunteers picked me up and made sure Soney got hugs and kisses from her. It was held at REI in a huge conference room. The room was packed. A few days before I called Rebuilding Together Seattle to try to get out of going because I was so nervous. They said you are going and this is top secret your Project Manager is going to win Volunteer of the Year Award because of the super job he did on your home. I sat with the same volunteers that took me for chocolate pizza on April 30th. (Said too long to be continued)
One of them gave a talk on her role in RTS and alot of funny stories about what happened at our home. She wanted me to stand next to her while she spoke and then wanted me to read my thank you letter. I was so scared. I started out and couldn't help but cry. Tears were falling but I was able to finish reading my letter. When I looked up at the crowd people were wiping tears from their eyes. They all stood up and started clapping. Of course that made me cry even more. I learned so much that night about all the wonderful things RTS does and all the wonderful people that donate money and supplies and the volunteers that donate their time. I don't mean to ramble on but I want to tell the world how wonderful RT is and how wonderful HGTV is for partnering with them. And thank you all our blogging buddies for being such great friends. Love you all.
What a wonderful event for you… it can be hard to receive help from others (I have a terrible time with that) but I am sure those volunteers got so much more out of meeting you and working on the home, than you actually did. You served this country, and it is a small way to pay you back–and it sounds like it was a great treat for all of them to know you ! We love your posts and the photos, shows and music you always find links to. Thanks so much for sharing this ! <3 love to you & soney
Alice you should know any animal lover is loved by everyone! You are precious to us!! Thank you for your
story. I love human stories as well as animal ones. Great story and great reaction! Isn't blubbering great?
Alice, I'm so happy to hear your story and I can just see you standing up there and everybody applauding! You are one in a million and I wish I could be your neighbor and your friend in real life!! I'm sure that Nikki and Soney would get along famously too lol.
Way to go, alicesoneysmom! You touched a lot of hearts, including ours … and Terri's too. Hugs and cheers to you.
I am very happy to hear that you made it through your presentation inspite of the tears. It sounds like you really touched all of those at the meeting. Much as you have touched us on this blog. I bet if Soney could have been there, he would have been proud of you! ^_^
What a wonderful story! I'm glad you overcame your understandable fear and shared — and how awesome that you touched so many people! I'm sure they loved you as much as we do.
Those tears are contagious aren't they. All the way to S.Eastern WA, Alice <3 . I loved your post. I'm glad you came back and told us how it went. I can only imagine how amazing your remodel and the event was. Happy happy tears of joy, amazement and gratitude <3:'(<3 those are the best ones.
We knew you could do it, Alice! I'm so happy for you, and it sounds like everyone in that audience appreciates you as much as we do! Of course Soney was rooting for you at home the whole time as well! Thank you for sharing this heart-warming story with us!
Hey Alice, what's the weather doing out there? We've turned the corner to rain here in Midway.
Love the new photo gallery! The views of the mountains from this home are spectacular! Very beautiful!
Soney and I want to thank everyone for all your kind words! All you guys are extra special. We get carried away sometimes and get awful silly. But it is fun. Holloween is a special time for me and Soney. We better hurry because it is just around the corner and we haven't picked out our costumes yet. Thanks again you are the best. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUf4F9VXo_s&fe…
Wow, 1968, the year before I was married. Now that's spooky!
Funny beehivestate. That was the year after I was married! ^_^
Has Soney given you any idea about what he wants to dress up as this Halloween? A teacup poodle maybe?
Terri's thinking about a Penguin costume, but she isn't that good walking on two feet yet so the idea's a little iffy.
Thanks, Alice and Soney — that was fun! I wish I had one of those "I'm with spooky" T-shirts (although my husband is probably glad that I don't!). ^_^
Imaginative way to lighten up the stairways. Attractive, too. A big issue I see with this dream home is bringing in light but not the heat of the sun (Limiting direct sunlight) The great room is a magnificent example with its path of floor–to-ceiling window/doors straight down both sides of the room. This home gets better and better.What a beautiful home.
We drove by yeserday, took a quick look, and noticed the landscaping is going in. I'll try to get pictures. Rain and overcast this morning.
Since we've been blogging about load-in day, I came across a bit of news about a new ad campaign. It's almost like having Linda Woodrum as your personal in-home designer. Well, kind of.
Linda Woodrum will be providing design tips and downloadable style boards for home buyers when she partners online with Centex new home builders at HGTV.com/NewHome. I guess the idea is that with a little assistance from Linda, if you don't win one of the HGTV or DIY giveaway homes, you can still work on designing your very own dream home — until Jamie Durie shows up at your doorstep with some good news about the latest home giveaway, that is.