Good morning, bloggers!
I am so excited that it is December. That means we are only one month away from the giveaway entry period. Read up on when, where and how to enter to win the HGTV Dream Home 2009 right here.
If you win, you will be happy to know that there are several wonderful day-trip destinations within a reasonable distance from the HGTV Dream Home 2009. You can drive to the city of San Francisco (and then shop the day away) in just under one hour. You can also reach Bodega Bay in about one hour and 15 minutes. (Chris was wondering how far Sonoma was from the coast.) There are also challenging golf courses, relaxing spas and fantastic state parks.
If you don’t feel like driving, jump on your bike and explore over 40 miles of bike paths. Nicole and Kaylin were wondering about the community. I can’t find information about a local pool (Ingrid and Bobo, can you answer that one for me?), but there are lots of great parks. One is only a block away from the HGTV Dream Home 2009. Bobo, can you also give your opinion on the size of the doggie dream home? Do you think Kate’s Great Dane will fit? If not, maybe he can just invite you over as I know you will become friends.
And, just because you were all so good at guessing last time, take a look at this quick snapshot. Where do you think I was when I took this picture?
Your Super Fan,
Gail
P.S.: I am laughing myself silly! DBCoop, thank you for revealing your male identity. Shame on me for assuming you were female. I love that HGTV Dream Home 2009 has found a place with some men. Fortunately, I pride myself on not being perfect – laugh and the world laughs with you, I say. This mistake will have me smiling all week. I’m glad you all enjoyed the sneak peek of the master bedroom.
Happy Thanksgiving! Once you’ve had your fill of turkey and stuffing, grab a seat and enjoy our Super Fan’s tour of Sonoma. Keep the questions coming and get ready for a pretty exciting Monday. We’re launching new HGTV Dream Home videos and posting more answers to your questions.
And if you were wondering … the pretty picture Gail posted on Monday? It’s a view from the second-floor guest bedroom. Give yourself a pat on the back if you got that right!
Good morning, bloggers!
First, let me thank you for all the great questions. I will be answering some of them in upcoming videos, so please be patient if you don’t see your question answered here. I particularly love Marie Miller’s queries, especially the one about staying at the HGTV Dream Home 2009 while we shoot the videos. (Love that idea, Marie!) Unfortunately, no one – not even house planner Jack Thomasson or interior designer Linda Woodrum – gets to even sit on the furniture before the winner does. As for Sonoma dining recommendations? My list of favorites is way too long to share here. But if you do happen to visit Sonoma, please promise me you’ll try Della Santina’s Trattoria in Sonoma Square.
I’ve come across many posts about the planning of HGTV Dream Home 2009: “Does the city put limitations on the builder?” “Who has the final say on the exterior wall and trim colors?”
Both Jack and builder Steve Ledson confirmed for me that the city approves the plans and the incredible HGTV Dream Home design team decides the rest. Rita, a New Yorker, asked about privacy and fencing. The HGTV Dream Home 2009 is situated in a cozy, safe community. Most yards are bordered only by beautiful landscaping and natural privacy fences.
One last teaser for today: Guess which room I was in when I snapped this photo?
Your Super Fan,
Gail
The Super Fan is at it again! This time, she’s chatting with HGTV Dream Home 2009 developer Steve Ledson, who gives details about his first meeting with Jack and his involvement in the project. The house plan took only 48 hours to complete!
Don’t forget to keep posting your questions for Gail … you’ll find the answers in her upcoming blog or vlog posts. Keep checking back for details!
Good morning, bloggers!
Thank you so much for all of your wonderful support and well wishes. I really feel like I have gotten big hugs from all of you (thanks, Charlottenoel).
Now, let’s see … questions, questions, questions … where to start? Oh, I remember a great one from Katydid way back in June. She asked about the “art deco zigzag” trim on an otherwise traditional farmhouse. No worries: The HGTV Dream Home is really a traditional farmhouse that features gingerbread-style trim. Most homes in Armstrong Estates (the community) include this amazing detailing, and house planner Jack Thomasson told me that Steve Ledson had most of the trim custom-designed for the HGTV Dream Home. The attention to detail is what makes every house in this community special. I’m including a photo so you can see for yourself.
And, to answer Michele’s question, I am not eligible to win this spectacular property. I am, however, looking forward to sharing this experience with you, and I encourage you all to enter. Good luck!
I will be answering more questions as we go. (I’m hunting down answers to several that have been posted already, so don’t worry. I’m on it!)
Your Super Fan,
Gail
As promised, Gail takes her first tour of the HGTV Dream Home in Sonoma and answers some of your burning questions … She’ll be vlogging each Thursday, so remember to check back — and keep posting your queries. Our Super Fan promises to sleuth out the inside scoop for you!
• Learn more about our Super Fan
• HGTV Dream Home Greatest Hits Videos
• Building Dream Home 2009
That’s a wrap, folks! Our time here at the HGTV Dream Home in Sonoma is coming to a close (it’s hard to believe five days have passed already). We’ve snapped more than 2,000 photos and I’ve filled dozens of pages with notes. We’re ready to head back to the office (on the other side of the country) and pull all the copy and visuals together into what will surely be the most amazing HGTV Dream Home Tour the world has ever seen. (Okay, so maybe I’m a tad bit biased.)
Here’s a shot of the whole crew, a bit beat from our busy schedule but pleased with our work and happy to be heading back home to our families.
The Crew: Robert, Kevin, Bruce, Mary, J-9, Jack and Eric
The week wasn’t all work and no play – we’re hoping to squeeze in a winery tour before we hand over the keys to Jack this evening.
Yours,
Mary
Good morning HGTV Dream Home Bloggers!
I am so excited to introduce myself to you and get your questions answered! First, a bit about myself. I am a mother of two living in San Francisco. My husband and I were married in Sonoma and often talk about moving there.
I not only love HGTV, but have been a fan of the HGTV Dream Home for years. My personal favorite was Winter Park, Colo., though I absolutely loved last year’s house in the Florida Keys as well. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the posting looking for an HGTV Dream Home Super Fan for the Sonoma Home. (I think I actually said to my husband, “Why didn’t they just call me directly?”) When I got the call that I had been chosen, you probably all heard me screaming.
I can only hope that my passion for design and the HGTV Dream Home connects with you. I thank you all for the well wishes and promise to investigate everything that you want to know. We are all Super Fans in my book, and I am honored to represent us all on this journey.
For now, please post more questions. I am already busy tracking down answers to a bunch of the questions you’ve asked. This job is an absolute dream, and the house is just phenomenal!
Your Super Fan,
Gail
PS-Check back later today for a message from the online team finishing up this week’s photo shoot. And for more information about Gail, visit her Reimer ReDesign website. FC
I told you we were going to have some surprises this week. I’ll start by introducing you to Mary, our new editor here at HGTV.com who’ll be taking over editorial duties for HGTV Dream Home and HGTV Green Home. I’ll still be here at Scripps Networks world headquarters, working on e-mail newsletters, and I may pop up every once in a while on the blog — just to make sure y’all are behaving.
And now, Mary’s first report. FC
First, I’m thrilled to be working on the HGTV Dream Home project. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing blogging duties with our Super Fan and experiencing each and every moment of the excitement right along with you.
Now, a travel update. Our dream team of photographers and online staffers landed in the “Golden State” on Saturday for our week-long photo shoot — right in the midst of a torrential downpour! Our able leader and HGTV Dream Home director Jeannine (J-9 for short) was like steel under pressure as she maneuvered our SUV through the nasty weather and past rolling farmland and marshy bay areas on our way from Sacramento to Sonoma.
Once the rain slowed to a trickle, and after several wrong turns on the outskirts of town (mostly my fault: “We make a right turn at a flashing light … umm … before we reach town … umm … maybe it was once we reach town?”), we arrived at the site. Trust me when I say this property looks like a photo out of a picture book. The home is dreamy, for sure, but somehow maintains that cozy welcoming feeling that only a home filled with family and generations of love can possess.
We walked up the steps, onto the wraparound porch and through the big stately front doors. There was a moment of silence — or maybe my mind just went blank for a sec — as our eyes scanned the foyer for the first time. Then came the flood of “oohs” and “ahhs” as we sauntered through the rooms and up the stairs to see the master and kids’ bedrooms. I can’t give away details just yet, but I am certain you’ll approve of the color schemes, room themes and casual-chic decor. The craftsmanship and attention to detail just knocks my socks off.
Guess it’s time to wrap up this post and get back to work. Jack will be here this afternoon to chat about the house and get his picture snapped by our photographers. Stay tuned for more sneak peeks and photos in the days to come (I just love this image art director Robert captured on Sunday after the skies had cleared).
The voting ends tomorrow for which of three outdoor party themes will welcome the winner of the HGTV Dream Home in Sonoma. Designer Monica Pedersen came up with three gorgeous layouts, all incorporating influences from the home’s location in California wine country. You can vote once a day, so go ahead and get your vote in now and come back tomorrow before 5pm for one last chance to let your voice be heard.
In other HGTV Dream Home news, you’ll want to check the blog often next week. The online team is leaving for Sonoma this Saturday, and they’ll be at the home next week taking tons of photos for the next online tour. I’ll see if I can’t get at least one blog post from them while they’re out there. Also, we’ll be introducing you to the HGTV Dream Home Super Fan next week.
Time really is ticking away, it’s hard to believe that the 2009 HGTV Dream Home Giveaway is only a couple of months away. Mark your calendars, you’ll be able to enter for a chance to win the home in Sonoma starting on Jan. 1.
Also next week, we’ll be revealing the location of the next HGTV Green Home. That’s the eco-friendly home we build and give away each year. Get all the clues on the Green Home blog and see if you can figure out where we’re going. There’s a super location video too, once again starring that dashing raconteur and house planner extraordinaire, Jack Thomasson. And you Jack fans are really going to love this one. Three words: Jack on horseback.
Stay tuned!
FC
