%8,/',1* 5(02'(/,1* ,16,*+76 A DIVISION OF DESIGN BASICS, LLC ,QVSLUHG 'HVLJQ %H\RQG %HGURRPV +HU +RPHВ·V +RPH RI WKH <HDU 5XE$'XE'XE *HW 5LG RI 7KH 7XE" www.HerHome.com 7+,6 ,668( )($785(6 ),1$//< $%287 0( , :,6+ , +$' 7+28*+7 $%287 Your Home, Your Personality Celebrating Claire More Space in the Kitchen... Damage Control 75(1',1* +20( '(6,*1 Rub-A-Dub-Dub, Get Rid Beyond 3 Bedrooms Cutting Laundry Time in Half Claire Home Plans! of That Tub? :20$1&(175,& 352'8&76 $1' ,1 7+,6 ,668( WhatвЂ™s Your Cost Per ClaireвЂ™s Most Wanted Square Foot? ,163,5(' '(6,*1 SKRWR FRXUWHV\ Armstrong Cabinets Her HomeвЂ™s 2012 Home of the Year SKRWR FRXUWHV\ Kohler Co. 7+,6 ,6 1(: One magazine in four personality-speciп¬Ѓc versions! A DIVISION OF DESIGN BASICS LLC This issue celebrates вЂњClaireвЂќ CHIEF EDITOR Janie Murnane ART DIRECTOR Annette Guy R E N D E R I N G I L L U S T R AT O R S Shawn Doherty Cris Zandt SENIOR DESIGNER Carl Cuozzo P L A N A LT E R AT I O N S D E S I G N E R Tricia Baker CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Paul Foresman Janie Murnane eвЂ™ve never done this before. Which makes it risky, but the reward is so gratifying! At a home show, the personality basis created so much buzz and interest that women waited in lines that would rival a blockbuster movie premier! Okay, maybe thatвЂ™s an exaggeration, but in three days more than 600 women lined up at that booth to discover their вЂњnew home personality.вЂќ KA-BOOM! For the past several years we have written about the four primary personalities our research identiп¬Ѓed are most common among women home buyers. Those four named personas live differently, and show different preferences in home design, products for the home and decorating style. We call it вЂњFinally About MeвЂќ and if youвЂ™re not yet familiar with the concept, log on to HerHome.com, take three minutes to take the quiz and discover which persona youвЂ™re closest to! Your home should be a reп¬‚ection of who you are and how you live in a home вЂ“ a вЂњcookiecutterвЂќ option rarely works. ItвЂ™s a big challenge to address all four personalities in a single magazine. вЂњElisesвЂќ are readers; вЂњMargosвЂќ prefer bulleted text; вЂњClairesвЂќ relate well to informational graphics and вЂњMaggiesвЂќ like lots of pictures. Of course, sometimes a picture is worth 1000 wordsвЂ¦and thereвЂ™s times when pictures donвЂ™t do an idea justice. So what you have in front of you is one of the four versions of this Her Home Magazine. The topics and content are similar among all four versions, but the way the information is presented вЂ“ text, graphics and photos вЂ“ differs with each of the personalities! ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP www.HerHome.com We hope you enjoy this unique magazine, with its discussions about tubless bathrooms, must-have products and cutting laundry time in half. Then thereвЂ™s another п¬Ѓrst, Her HomeвЂ™s Home of the Year. As the homeвЂ™s builder Tyrone Leslie commented, вЂњPart of what made this home so successful is that it incorporates so many ideas that are attainable for the average buyer.вЂќ Finally, if youвЂ™ve been comparing contractors on a cost-per-square foot basis, youвЂ™ll want to check out вЂњWhatвЂ™s Your Cost Per Square Foot?вЂќ beginning on page 17. IвЂ™m a вЂњClaireвЂќ and that persona describes me to a вЂњTвЂќ. What about you? Have you taken the quiz? Do you вЂњsee yourselfвЂќ in the results? I would love to hear back from you and hear what you discovered when you identiп¬Ѓed the persona youвЂ™re closest to! DESIGN BASICS PUBLISHING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Myles Sherman C H I E F O P E R AT I N G O F F I C E R Patrick Carmichael CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER/PRESIDENT Janie Murnane A S S O C I AT E P U B L I S H E R Paul Foresman D I R E C T O R O F I N T E R N E T S T R AT E G I E S Greg Dodge FRYHU SKRWR E\ -XSLWHULPDJHV PUBLISHED BY: Design Basics LLC 11112 John Galt Blvd., Omaha, NE 68137 www.DesignBasics.com | [email protected] phone: (800) 947-7526 &+,() (',725 HGLWRU#+HU+RPHFRP Text and Design В© 2012 by Design Basics LLC All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the publisher. ISSN: 1553-6424 PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. )LQDOO\ $ERXW 0H ГЂUHSODFH SKRWRV FRXUWVH\ RI Lennox Hearth Products Which word would you most likely use to describe your ideal home: вЂњhaven,вЂќ вЂњshowcase,вЂќ вЂњunique,вЂќ or вЂњcarefreeвЂќ? You see, the words we use reveal a lot about how we see ourselves and are a reп¬‚ection of our personalities. In the same way, our personalities are reп¬‚ected in our homes. After all, there are few places on Earth where you have as much freedom to be yourself than in your home! The neighborhood you chooseвЂ¦the home design you fall in love withвЂ¦products and п¬Ѓnishes you select for your homeвЂ¦even personal items you love to display...all of these reп¬‚ect your personality. Many aspects of our lives are вЂњlearnedвЂќ, but personality is a gift we were born with. And personality inп¬‚uences only grow stronger with age. Even though Her Home Magazine is published from вЂњherвЂќ perspective, all women donвЂ™t want to be thought of (or treated) the same. That truth inspired the womancentric team at Design Basics to go deeper with their research into womenвЂ™s preferences in the home, its design and products used, to look for personality-based inп¬‚uences. The research suggested four primary personas, and they were given names: Margo, Elise, Claire and Maggie. These four п¬Ѓreplaces are representative of the four Finally About Me personalities. Can you match the п¬Ѓreplace style with the corresponding personna? (Answers on page 21) A fun, interactive quiz (вЂњFinally About Me!вЂќ) was developed to help women identify which of the four personas were closest to her personality. While no one is вЂњpurelyвЂќ or вЂњexclusivelyвЂќ one of the personas (to varying degrees, everyone is a blend of the different personas), quiz results identify the primary personality. ItвЂ™s simply uncanny how knowing your personality helps you understand your preferences in home design and product choices. The quiz, which takes about 3 minutes, will likely save you hours by helping focus on your priorities and avoid wasting your time on things youвЂ™re probably not interested in. For more regarding the quiz and all four personalities, visit HerHome.com. ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP &(/(%5$7,1* &/$,5( вЂў Formal вЂў Work/life balance вЂў Form and function вЂў Sophisticated вЂў Quality-driven вЂў Detail-oriented Вґ:RZ , ORYH ZKDW \RXВ·YH GRQH ZLWK \RXU KRPH Вµ &ODLUH KHDUV WKRVH ZRUGV $ ORW Claire tends towards formal and traditional styles in her home. YouвЂ™ll usually see lots of symmetry in the design, such as centering a п¬Ѓreplace precisely opposite the kitchen island. Claire tends towards formal entertaining as well, so generous entertaining spaces, inside and out, are especially important. laire is a planner. When looking to build new or remodel her home, she has a look that she wants to achieve and researches her options extensively. Claire stays on top of trends and whatвЂ™s new in architecture, products for the home and interior design. Claire knows what she wants, which makes it relatively easy for Claire to make product selections. When building a new home, Claire will show up at the jobsite frequently, just to make sure everythingвЂ™s moving along as per her expectations. One of those expectations is that her builder is an orchestratorвЂ”making sure every detail has been planned out and communicated. From the materials used to the landscaping and how the home is situated on the homesite, everything is superbly coordinated. She was born detail-oriented, but her appreciation for quality is a learned trait. Quality, brand-name products are found throughout ClaireвЂ™s home to the extent the budget allows. Claire gives 100% to whatever sheвЂ™s doing. At home, that means she may be a master gardener or a gourmet chef. So while she envisions her home being a showcase relative to her budget, her practical side means it also has to function superbly. So, that gourmet kitchen may need to accommodate two cooks at the same time. 58% $ '8%'8% *(7 5,' 2) 7+$7 78%" $%29( 2IWHQ WLPHV WKH PDLQ IRFDO SRLQW EDWKURRP GHVLJQ PD\ KLQJH RQ EDWKWXE VHOHF WLRQ SKRWR FRXUWHV\ RI Kohler Co. uch was a response from New York Sales Professional Jim Cotungo in a recent Linked inВ® discussion on whether or not to build master bathrooms with a tub plus separate shower or forgo the tub in favor of oversized spa-type showers. Please understand, weвЂ™re discussing homes with two or more bathrooms and there is always a tub in another bathroom. Throughout the home, todayвЂ™s buyers are showing more practical housing preferences, such as the great room concept replacing formal living rooms. Buyers donвЂ™t want to pay for something theyвЂ™re not going to use! So many, many women we spoke with said the master suite bathtub is something they donвЂ™t need, use or even want. Of course, our increasingly busy lives affect this, too. Kerri Durkee, who specializes in home staging and redesign, summed it up well, вЂњPersonally, as a working mom, I donвЂ™t have the time to soak in a tub--and I have a Jacuzzi tub in my master bath that I wish were not there.вЂќ ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP ZRPHQ PHQ ZDQW WXE The evolution of master bathroom design [1450-1500 sq. ft. ranch home examples] want tub no tub no tub V About 1/3 of women, but less than 10% of men wanted a tub in the master bathroom IF the bathroom also had a large shower. VT IW Вµ VKRZHU RQO\ _ ВµZLGH GRRU V Gender differences showed up in a big way. Builders and new home sales professionals we talked with concur: when buyers have interest in master bath tubs, itвЂ™s mostly women looking for a tub to relax inвЂ”and not just the tub in the kidsвЂ™ bath due to size and privacy issues. Size matters. Tub size was frequently brought up. Trish Holder, Publisher of Greenspiration Home (www.greenspirationhome. com), said вЂњIвЂ™m starting to enjoy small baths in hotels a lot more. They п¬Ѓll up quicker and stay warm longer! And I donвЂ™t feel so guilty about all the water I am wasting at the expense of my children and othersвЂ™ children as well. Shame on me for that big tub in my master bath. I really regret it.вЂќ While 40-50 gallons of water п¬Ѓlls a standard 5-foot tub, larger tubs take as much as 80 to over 100 gallons, using all your hot water! Note: If you dream of having a large tub, talk with your contractor about larger capacity water lines (so the tub п¬Ѓlls faster) and a larger capacity water heater (or separate water heater) for the tub. Hygiene. Scott Smith, General Manager at Rooftight Homes in Fall River, Nova Scotia, pointed out вЂњWhen women I talk with realize jetted tubs are simply recirculating the same water with their hair and dead skin cells, they quickly lose interest in a whirlpool tub.вЂќ In our interviews, some ladies thought soaking in a tub of dirty water and soap scum was just offensive. One individual said she felt she would need to shower off after taking a bath! Her Home Publisher Janie Murnane added, вЂњWomen can develop infections due to soaking in bubble bath or other products that can cause irritation.вЂќ VT IW ВµVKRZHU Вµ WXE Вµ ZLGH GRRU V V VT IW Вµ VKRZHU Вµ WXE Вµ ZLGH GRRU V VT IW Вµ GRRUOHVV VKRZHU _ ВµZLGH GRRU ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP 7KLV VXPSWXRXV EDWKURRP E\ 0RHQ KDV LW DOO SKRWR FRXUWHV\ RI Moen Age and accessibility. Many younger buyers were willing to explore tubless bathroom options, but others simply wouldnвЂ™t consider purchasing such a home. And while numerous builders, Realtors and older home owners identiп¬Ѓed dangers associated with getting in and out of a bathtub, many also said seniors wouldnвЂ™t give up their long, hot soaks. appointments of their own, from fanciful lighting to body sprays. Again, talk with your builder and plumber to ensure you have adequate water п¬‚ow plus plenty of water heating capacity. And make sure you can run just one showerhead when you prefer. Ginny Knauff, Tile Design Consultant with QDI Stone was emphatic, вЂњI could not ever imagine not having a tub! I look forward to my bath every day! Yes every day! What can I say, itвЂ™s part of my therapy. I am an active adult, with terrible arthritis. I have four grown children and will soon be a grand mom. ThereвЂ™s nothing better than soaking in a nice bubble bath with candles and a glass of wine. What is more comfortable to aching joints, lower back pain, arthritis, chronic pain, etc. than a nice warm bubble bath, taking all of the weight you have carried around all day long, away? we heard over having to clean a bathtub that wasnвЂ™t being used. Larger/deeper tubs are even more difп¬Ѓcult to clean. ,Q \RXU GUHDP EDWKURRP LI WKHUHВ·V D WXE KRZ GRHV LW PDNH \RX IHHO" Aesthetic appeals of a beautiful bathtub are unmatched. Designers strive to create a focal point вЂ“ and the tub itself, the tub surround, faucet and lighting can be the inspiration. The natural place for a nice window is often above the tub. The bathtub is really a multi-sensory experience. In your dream bathroom, if thereвЂ™s a tub, how does it make you feel? Of course, the trend towards oversized showers ushered in a new level of luxury вЂњWeвЂ™ve only used the tub 3 times in 5 years!вЂќ was typical of regrets Less upkeepвЂ¦a larger showerвЂ¦ a private toilet areaвЂ¦ added linen storageвЂ¦ separate vanities...tubless bathrooms have their advantages. Then thereвЂ™s the cost. Deleting a fancy tub may save thousands of dollars вЂ“ including installation вЂ“ money that could be spent elsewhere. What about resale? Some Realtors we spoke to felt the lack of a tub in the master bathroom would hurt resale, others said buyers were shying away from homes that didnвЂ™t have an oversize shower, regardless of the presence of a tub. Builders conп¬Ѓrmed RealtorsвЂ™ inп¬‚uence, citing Realtors who convinced buyers they needed a tub for resale, but the bathtub desirability statistics clearly favor no tub. Younger buyers planning on moving again were more concerned about resale, viewing the master bathtub as an investment. In effect, they were building for the next buyer, not for themselves! Custom home buyers and older individuals were less concerned about resale. вЂњIf itвЂ™s popular in new homes, it will be popular in resale homes, too,вЂќ represented feedback we received. Custom home designers suggested future buyers would just remodel the bathroom if it was really important. Remodelers and home stagers agreed that if the sellerвЂ™s budget allowed, taking the tub out of the master bath and installing a big shower was a sure way to get a home sold. Вґ7KHUHВ·V QRWKLQJ EHWWHU WKDQ VRDNLQJ LQ D QLFH EXEEOH EDWK ZLWK FDQGOHV DQG D JODVV RI ZLQHВµ ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP Ultimately, the best decision on including a tub in your ownerвЂ™s suite comes down to your preferences and your beliefs. Do you dream of a master bathtub? Why? Is it because you enjoy soaking in it or because a beautiful bathroom should have a beautiful bathtub? What size bathtub is ideal? Are age or accessibility issues a factor? Can you have the bathtub and the larger shower too? Are you making the decision based on what you want, or for the next owner of that home? Thanks to everyone who joined our exploration into tubless ownerвЂ™s bathrooms! TodayвЂ™s trend is towards large showers, but tub bathing has strong, passionate advocates. We offer one last piece of adviceвЂ”be true to yourself. If youвЂ™ll regret not having a tub in the ownerвЂ™s bath, then insist upon a tub. And if youвЂ™ll regret devoting that extra space and expense to a tub, forgo the tub. After all, itвЂ™s your money! ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP $%29( /()7 /X[XU\ VKRZHULQJ FDQ LQFOXGH VSHFLDO VKRZHUKHDGV SUHVHW ZLWK \RXU SUHIHUUHG WHPSHUDWXUH DQG VSUD\ SDWWHUQV SKRWR FRXUWHV\ Moen $%29( 5,*+7 .RKOHUВ·V VRNВЉ RYHUГЃRZLQJ EDWK ZLWK FKURPDWKHUDS\ IRU DGGHG VWUHVV UHOLHI SKRWR FRXUWHV\ RI Kohler Co. $%29( 'HOWDВ·V DOOLQFOXVLYH VKRZHU KDV HYHU\WKLQJ VHQLRUV DVNHG IRU WUDGLWLRQDO VKRZHUKHDG KDQG VKRZHU JUDE EDUV QR WKUHVKROG PDGH SRVVLEOH E\ WKH WUHQFK ГЃRRU GUDLQ LQVHW SKRWR SKRWRV FRXUWHV\ DeltaFaucet.com (A8?F; 0RVW:DQWHG {Gourmet kitchen amenities} Armstrong Cabinets Design Specialist Julia Dowd recognized ClaireвЂ™s need for organization in the kitchenвЂ”speciп¬Ѓcally having things located exactly where they were needed. ArmstrongвЂ™s вЂњchef centerвЂќ includes a cooktop base cabinet with deep drawers for pots and pans п¬‚anked by side pull-outs, one having tiered shelves and the other with a perforated organizer with hooks for utensils. Top it off with additional vertical pull-outs for spices and seasonings! SKRWR FRXUWHV\ RI $UPVWURQJ $UPVWURQJ &DELQHWVВ· FKHI FHQWHU RUJDQL]HV SRWV SDQV XWHQVLOV RLOV DQG VSLFHV ZLWKLQ KDQGВ·V UHDFK DQG RSWLPL]H \RXU FRRNLQJ VSDFH ZKLOH PDLQWDLQLQJ D EHDXWLIXO HQYLURQPHQW IUHH RI FOXWWHU ZZZ$UPVWURQJFRP {An attractive entry door} {A remarkable п¬Ѓreplace} {Natural light} {Beautiful storage} вЂњWomen, who more often initiate the entry door selection or replacement project, initially start with design, looking for a door that matches her home and interior style,вЂќ according to Frank Lin, Therma-Tru Doors Manager of Market Insights. The company has also done research that shows that attractive entry doors signiп¬Ѓcantly increase a homeвЂ™s perceived value. Joe Benedetti, Manager of Fireplace Engineering for Lennox Hearth Products knows that when it comes to selecting a п¬Ѓreplace, вЂњThe majority of decisionmakers are women.вЂќ Because п¬Ѓreplaces are often the center point of the room, Lennox focuses on a wide range of designs and accessories for the ultimate in customization.вЂќ And for ClaireвЂ™s practical side, вЂњeasy-to-use, straight-forward controls and minimal maintenance.вЂќ вЂњClaire knows what she wants, dramaвЂ¦the WOW factor. Skylights are a key design element as well as a light source. Claire will appreciate accessories such as timed open/close operations and rain sensors which will automatically close an open skylight. In addition, the VELUX brand name, no-leak guarantee and quality reputation are important to Claire.вЂќ вЂ“ Tim Miller, President of VELUX America. HeinekenвЂ™s hilarious вЂњWalk-in FridgeвЂќ TV commercial spoofed an excited homeowner showing off her fabulous new closet. Her joy and exuberance exempliп¬Ѓed the reality that a great closet makes for a great day! Amanda LaBlanc from TVвЂ™s The Amandas on the Style Network says, вЂњTouring ClaireвЂ™s home? Expect to hear вЂ�Come look at my closet!вЂ™ ClaireвЂ™s closet is a showcase for innovation in function and aesthetics.вЂќ SKRWR FRXUWHV\ RI 9HOX[86$ 6N\ OLJKWV SURYLGH DGGLWLRQDO GD\OLJKWВіD ZHOFRPH NLWFKHQ DPHQLW\ 3KRWR FRXUWHV\ 9HOX[ 86$ SKRWR FRXUWHV\ RI 6FKXOWH 6FKXOWH &ODVVLFD FORVHW RUJDQL]DWLRQ V\VWHP LQ FKHUU\ ГЂQLVK ZZZ6FKXOWH6WRUDJHFRP SKRWR FRXUWHV\ RI 7KHUPD7UX 'RXEOH HQWU\ GRRUV URP 7KHUPD7UX 'RRUVВ· 5XVWLF &ROOHFWLRQ ZZZ7KHUPD7UXFRP ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP SKRWR FRXUWHV\ RI /HQQR[ :LWK LWВ·V ELJ ГЂUHER[ DQG GUDPDWLF ГЃDPH /HQ QR[В·V 0RQWHEHOOR '/; ГЂUHSODFH LV ULJKW DW KRPH IRU &ODLUH ZZZ/HQQR[FRP ZZZ9HOX[86$FRP {Inspired outdoor living} {Culinary art} {A focal point...} {Warm п¬‚oors} Memorable outdoor entertaining starts with imagining what types of activities and how many people? Then , the design can begin to take shape. With composite TREX decking, contrasting colors can be used to compliment sophisticated shapes to create a lasting, truly distinctive outdoor living space! More than a mere oven, according to the manufacturer, WolfвЂ™s Convection Steam oven: вЂ¦not an eyesore! вЂњAs the single largest architectural element on the front of her home, Claire will likely start her search from among carriage-style garage doors with glass inserts and decorative hardware for a truly distinctive garage door.вЂќ вЂ“ Vickie Lents, Marketing Director, Amarr Garage Doors. Women are up to nine times more likely to suffer from cold feet than men, attributed to several male/female physiological differences. Is it any wonder why in-п¬‚oor heating is highly desired? According to the manufacturer, the STEP Warmп¬‚oorTM low-voltage radiant heating mats are 2 to 2.5 times more energy efп¬Ѓcient than underп¬‚oor hot water tubing or electric cable systems and are compatible with any п¬‚oor covering. Whether itвЂ™s a single room or your entire home, your feet will thank you! SKRWR FRXUWHV\ 75(; ZZZ7UH[FRP вЂў better preserves nutrients, вЂў keeps foods moist, вЂў browns meats, вЂў cook multiple dishes together with no п¬‚avor transfer, вЂў eliminates fat without compromising taste, вЂў saves steps by cooking complex dishes in one pan, вЂў even rejuvenates leftovers! SKRWR FRXUWHV\ RI :ROI 0RLVWXUH KHDW DQG DLUГЃRZ ZRUN LQ FRQFHUW LQ :ROIВ·V &RQYHFWLRQ 6WHDP 2YHQ ZZZ6XE]HUR:ROIFRP SKRWR FRXUWHV\ RI $PDUU $OO KRPHV GRQВ·W ORRN WKH VDPH ZK\ VKRXOG WKH JDUDJH GRRUV" 6KRZQ $PDUU *D UDJH 'RRUVВ· &ODVVLFD /XFHUQH ZLWK 'DQXEH ZLQGRZV DQG &DQWHUEXU\ KDUGZDUH ZZZ$PDUUFRP SKRWR FRXUWVH\ RI 6WHS 5HVLGHQWLDO :DUPГЃRRU70 UDGLDQW KHDWLQJ SDGV FDQ EH LQVWDOOHG XQGHU DQ\ ГЃRRU FRYHULQJ ZZZ:DUP)ORRUFRP ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP $Q ,GHD:KRVH 7LPH +DV &RPH ZULWWHQ E\ 3DXO )RUHVPDQ _ SKRWRV FRXUWHV\ RI Heritage Homes 7KH ,GHD +RPHВ·V RSHQ ГЃRRUSODQ LV LGHDO IRU VRFLDOL]LQJ 7KH NLWFKHQ LVODQG GRXEOHV DV WKH KRPHВ·V FRPPDQG FHQWHU 1RWH DOVR WKH GLVKZDVKHU LV VWUDWHJLFDOO\ VHSDUDWHG IURP WKH VLQN VR WKDW \RX FDQ VWDQG LQ IURQW RI WKH VLQN DQG VWLOO KDYH WKH GLVKZDVKHU GRRU RSHQ ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP Вґ2XWVWDQGLQJ Вµ 7KDWВ·VKRZEXLOGHU7\URQH/HVOLH RI +HULWDJH +RPHV LQ )DUJR 1RUWK 'DNRWD GHVFULEHG SXEOLF UHDFWLRQ WR WKH FRPSDQ\В·V ZRPDQFHQWULF Вґ,GHD +RPHВµ ZKLFK GHEXWHG LQ WKHLU ORFDO 3DUDGH RI +RPHV ccording to Leslie, вЂњThis вЂ�GeorgetownвЂ™ was our most remarkable Parade Home in years, and it received a tremendous amount of attention.вЂќ Leslie continued, вЂњPart of what made the home so successful is that it incorporates so many thoughtful ideas that are attainable for the average buyer. We focused on livability throughout the home, and opened peopleвЂ™s eyes to truly affordable amenities they had never seen or even imagined. I knew we had a winner when I started hearing comments like вЂ�Oh, you guys have thought of everything!вЂ™вЂќ The Georgetown entertains beautifully! Uninterrupted long entry views gaze out the wall of windows at the back of the Great room, adding to the homeвЂ™s feeling of spaciousness. Parade home visitors praised the free-п¬‚owing kitchen/dining/great room layout. Glass backsplash tiles were a real вЂњWOWвЂќ factor, and harmonized with the staggered height cabinetry to create a stunning visual backdrop. ItвЂ™s inevitable. When entertaining, guests just end up around the kitchen island. As the heart of the socializing area, the angled island plays visually with the corner п¬Ѓreplace in perfect symmetry. Situating the п¬Ѓreplace in the corner allows for repeating tall windows, providing abundant natural light. People are naturally drawn to sunny spaces and the spacious eating area continues the daylight theme. Another entertaining amenity is the secluded location of the powder bathвЂ”in that it does not share a wall with entertaining areas providing desirable privacy. Similarly, the staircase was located to the back of the home so that it does not interrupt entertaining. Stress is one of the most pervasive issues we face. Therefore, Heritage Homes focused on de-stressing aspects in their Idea Home. Like entering into a rear foyer when coming in from the garageвЂ”not a laundry room with piles of вЂ�aromaticвЂ™ laundry to be washed! Then just a few short steps and youвЂ™re in the kitchen, minimizing carrying heavy grocery sacks. Heritage Homes moved the laundry room to the second п¬‚oor, meaning no more lugging laundry baskets up and down stairs! For peace and quiet, those laundry room walls were insulatedвЂ”which is also why a quiet, belt-drive garage door opener was chosen. Wake up and smell the coffeeвЂ”straight from your master suite coffee bar, situated just outside the ownerвЂ™s bathroom! In that bathroom, thereвЂ™s a large shower and a private water closet complete with Heritage HomesвЂ™ вЂњtoilet buddyвЂќвЂ”in-wall storage for extra toilet paper, hygiene products and magazines. Even the shared hall bathroom is a stress-reducing design, with two sinks separated from the toilet and tub area, decreasing scheduling conп¬‚icts. ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP 723 /()7 $ FRIIHH EDU LV LGHDOO\ ORFDWHG ZLWKLQ WKH PDVWHU VXLWH VLWXDWHG EHWZHHQ WKH EHGURRP DQG EDWKURRP %(/2: /()7 7KH ,GHD +RPHВ·V WRHNLFN NLWFKHQ FDELQHW GUDZHUV ZHUH FURZG IDYRULWHV 723 5,*+7 7KH %DNLQJ &HQWHUВіIRU WKH JRXUPHW FRRN DQG JUDQGNLGVВ· FUHDWLRQV 0,''/( 5,*+7 $ KDOI ZDOO SURYLGHV VHSDUDWH KLV DQG KHU YDQLW\ VSDFH DQG DOVR VPRRWKHV WKH WUDQVLWLRQ ZKHQ RQH YDQ LW\ LV KLJKHU IRU DGGHG FRPIRUW ZKHQ XVHG E\ WDOOHU LQGLYLGXDOV %27720 5,*+7 3HWV DUH SDUW RI \RXU IDPLO\ WRR DQG WKH ,GHD +RPHВ·V 3HW &HQWHU ZDV RQH RI WKH PRVW SRSXODU LGHDV RI DOO 23326,7( 3$*( 7KH 7UDYHO &HQWHU HQVXUHV WKH VXLWFDVH LV DOZD\V FRQ YHQLHQW DQG PHDQV D GLUW\ VXLWFDVH QHHG QHYHU PHHW \RXU FOHDQ EHG VSUHDG ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP < +HULWDJH +RPHV *HRUJHWRZQ LV EDVHG RQ 'HVLJQ %DVLFV Вґ0RVV %OXII Вµ SODQ WDLORUHG WR WKHLU VSHFLILF PDUNHW SUHIHUHQFHV 3/$1 Storing and organization was prioritized in Heritage HomesвЂ™ Georgetown. In addition to the front entry closet, a generous walk-in closet in the rear foyer is ideal for bulk item storage (i.e., paper goods) the vacuum cleaner, and coats. That rear foyer also presents a drop zone just inside the door from the garage. Designed to liberate the kitchen from clutter, the drop zone provided mail slots and the corresponding necessityвЂ”a pull-out wastebasket and paper shredder in the base cabinet! Abundant cabinetry graced the Idea HomesвЂ™ kitchen, with everyone applauding the soft touch drawers in the toe-kick area under the base cabinets. Designed for pie plates, cookie sheets and similar shallow items, these innovative drawers pop out with a gentle nudge from your toeвЂ”a testimony to eliminating вЂњwasted space.вЂќ Then thereвЂ™s the upstairs storageвЂ”oh my! In addition to two big linen closets, all secondary bedrooms offer walk-in closets big enough to swallow the clothes, games and other assorted little treasures. And in the ownerвЂ™s suiteвЂ¦ two walk-ins! According to Leslie, вЂњThe closets were a big deal with visitors to our Parade home. WeвЂ™ve never designed a home with too much closet space, but this one might come close!вЂќ Flexible areas in the home received rave reviews from Parade-goers, too. One of the most popular was the optional pet center in the rear foyer, complete with its convenient raised-height doggie shower! Adjacent cabinetry included a roll-out pet food storage bin and even a toekick drawer which makes the food and water dish disappear! Gardeners and other hobbyists talked about additional uses for the pet shower. How would you use that п¬‚ex room to the front of the GeorgetownвЂ” as a den, music room or even a quaint parlor? Walls as well as twin doors leading into the space can be added or deleted to suit the homeownerвЂ™s desire for openness or privacy. And in the kitchen, in lieu of a planning center, a baking center at one end for memorable afternoons with the kids or grandkids. Another п¬‚ex favorite was the travel center in the homeвЂ™s larger master suite closet, providing a convenient place to store the suitcase and then pack it without having to load it on the bed! Leslie commented, вЂњThe travel center really hit home with Parade visitors! It eliminates the annoyance of constantly running into the luggage when getting ready for your trip, which is also a great stress reliever.вЂќ Technology was also on display in the Idea Home. Right now, do you have an AC adaptor for recharging your cell phone or tablet plugged in, but itвЂ™s not in use? At the drop zone, Heritage Homes provided a recharging center with combination AC and USB wall outlets, eliminating the need for bulky AC adaptors and reducing energy consumption. Then thereвЂ™s HeritageвЂ™s вЂњhome automation package,вЂќ controlled from a smart phone or tablet. Cameras in a nursery and at the front door provide peace of mind. Remote monitoring of heating and cooling, lighting and security systems can help take the worry out of traveling. Over and over, visitors touring the Idea Home proclaimed вЂњWhat a great idea!вЂќ At $349,000 with an added third car garage stall, the 2,612 square foot Georgetown was not the biggest home in the Parade, nor was it anywhere near the most expensive. Yet this was the home everyone was talking about, including comments such as вЂњWhy donвЂ™t all builders build homes like this?вЂќ According to Leslie, the answerвЂ™s rather simple. вЂњWe embraced a woman-centric approach in our home building company and teamed up with Design Basics. For the last several years weвЂ™ve been keenly involved in listening to what our buyers want. The feedback weвЂ™ve received, mostly from women, inspired us to design our homes differently and gave us a new appreciation for products included in our homes as well as options we suggest. WeвЂ™ve also revamped how we work with our clients to take the entire process from stressful to delightful. Our customer satisfaction survey scores have soared!вЂќ 5HPDUNDEOH ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP Helping buyers make wise, informed decisions regarding their homes and the products that go into those homes. I HAD THOUGHT ABOUT... &UHDWLQJ 0RUH 6SDFH LQ WKH .LWFKHQ When we moved into our new home, we thought we knew we had вЂњmade itвЂќ because we now had a dishwasher! Our previous home, smaller and older, had a very modest kitchen and no room for such a luxury. If space in your kitchen is at a premium, consider one of the вЂњunder sinkвЂќ dishwashers. GE offers dishwashers designed to be installed under the sink, with a special tub to allow for sink plumbing. Some models can also be installed beneath a cooktop! /HDUQ PRUH DW ZZZJHDSSOLDQFHVFRP 'DPDJH &RQWURO Whether you are tired of damage to doors, trim, or walls, you can do better than traditional door stops. Perfect ProductsвЂ™ DoorSaver II replaces one of your doorвЂ™s hinge pins and controls how far the door swings open. An added beneп¬ЃtвЂ”youвЂ™ll never again run the vacuum cleaner (or your toe!) into those low, wall-mounted door stops! /HDUQ PRUH DW ZZZGRRUVDYHUFRP Sign up at www.HerHome.com to receive Her Home Thought of the Day via e-mail . ItвЂ™s FREE! ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP :KDWВ·V<RXU &267 3(5 648$5( )227" or most home builders, asking them, вЂњWhatвЂ™s your cost per square foot?вЂќ is a little like asking a mechanic what itвЂ™s going to cost to п¬Ѓx the engine in your car before heвЂ™s had a chance to look it over. Without knowing more, a price is just a shot in the dark. Do you have a bad spark plug wire or does the entire motor need to be rebuilt? WHY DO BUYERS ASK BUILDERS ABOUT THE COST PER SQUARE FOOT? Everybody uses it. Real estate agentsвЂ¦mortgage loan ofп¬ЃcersвЂ¦appraisersвЂ¦the entire existing home market uses this square footage price as a barometer for establishing home values and listing prices. But is a used BMW 5-series worth as much as a brand new one? Used homes donвЂ™t come with warranties and they were not built to todayвЂ™s construction or energy codesвЂ¦ ItвЂ™s easy. вЂў Easy to calculate ~ price Г· square footage = cost/sq. ft. вЂў Easy to understand вЂў Easy to use вЂў Easily accessible ~ major real estate websites publish this information. Can you afford what you want? You want a feel for whether what you want is within your budget. You want to get a fair deal. There are so many variables! Cost per square foot seems like a fair way to ensure youвЂ™re not getting ripped off, but can be a rip-off tool itself. YouвЂ™re a bargain shopper. Lowest price can make sense for standardized, mass-produced products, like big-screen TV or even a new convertible. Still, youвЂ™re not buying that car on the basis of its вЂњcost per pound,вЂќ which is akin to purchasing a new home on its cost per square foot. &KHYUROHW &RUYHWWH OE 0D]GD 0LDWD OE ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP 7KLQJV<RX 1HHG %HIRUH &RPSDULQJ 1HZ {Cost is driven by design.} Sophisticated rooп¬‚ines and grand entryways add cost but not square footage. Simple rectangular foundations reduce a homeвЂ™s square foot cost compared to homes with numerous foundation jogs. Carpet typically comes in 12вЂ™-wide rolls, so designing a bedroom 12вЂ™-8вЂќ wide is expensive due to the added labor (cutting and seaming the carpet) and increased material waste. Tall, tiered or vaulted ceilings and artful ceiling details increase the cost per square foot compared to homes with 8-foot high п¬‚at ceilings. Then thereвЂ™s the cost of the home plans. Predrawn plans might cost $1,000, about $.50 per square foot for a 2,000 square foot home. Custom-drawn plans typically range from $2-$10 or more per square foot. ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP {The included materials /products used differs by builder.} Your price includes granite countertops, but granite runs about $40 to over $100 per square foot based on color and thickness. Are the included hardwood п¬‚oors 3/4вЂќ or the cheaper 3/8вЂќ thickness? Five-inch wide wood п¬‚ooring is considerably more expensive than the same three-inch wide п¬‚ooring. Even within name brands, product prices vary widely. For example, quiet dishwashersвЂ”something youвЂ™ll truly appreciateвЂ”cost more than their entrylevel counterparts by the same manufacturer. Obviously, even with builderвЂ™s spec sheets you canвЂ™t get a true comparison of cost per square foot. {Land costs.} Did the cost per square foot quoted include the home site? A $25,000 lot represents $12.50 per square foot for a 2,000 square foot home. But if building that same home on a $60,000 lot, the home site equates to $30 per square foot, $17.50 per square foot higher! Neighborhood covenants such as requiring a full masonry front elevation, and community amenities like walking trails, pocket parks, clubhouses and pools all have a cost which is passed along to each homebuyer through higher prices for the building lot. {WhatвЂ™s included in the price?} {The total size of the home.} Builder A includes hardwood п¬‚ooring, Builder B п¬Ѓgures carpet. Builder C includes full sod and a generous landscaping allowance, Builder DвЂ™s price only includes grass seed in the front and side yards. Such factors donвЂ™t affect the size of your home but can raise or lower the cost per square foot. Costs for permits, fees, inspections and utility hook-ups are unaffected by a homeвЂ™s size. A smaller home will still have a kitchen sink, dishwasher, range, refrigerator, and microwaveвЂ”just like a larger house. Generally, smaller homes have higher costs per square foot (assuming comparable п¬Ѓnishes.) WR .QRZ +RPHV E\ 7KHLU &RVW 3HU 6TXDUH )RRW {Your choices have a huge impact on your cost per square foot.} {Quality workmanship isnвЂ™t cheap.} {Methods used to calculate square footage differ.} {The type of home you build impacts cost.} One story homes are wider/ deeper than twostory homes of the same square footage. With bigger roof systems and bigger foundations (and bigger building lots!) one-story homes are more expensive on a cost per square foot basis. Was the second-story area of a 2-story high entry foyer included? How about the staircase and its openingsвЂ” was it counted once or twice? Were measurements to the outside of exterior framing or to the outside of brick? Such differences can have a dramatic impact on the homeвЂ™s reported square footage and thus its cost per square foot! Different framers, electricians, plumbers and paintersвЂ™ prices vary, too. The value of caring craftsmen shows up when you have annoying air leaks around your new windows, doors that close by themselves or poor water pressure in your master bathroom. Or, will you beneп¬Ѓt from your builderвЂ™s longstanding relationships with quality sub-contractors, though it may cost more? Also, labor rates vary signiп¬Ѓcantly by region. Your brother may have gotten a new home built in Texas for $90 a square foot, but in the northeast, the identical home will cost more. Would you believe just your kitchen selections alone could increase your homeвЂ™s overall cost by $1020 per square foot or more? ItвЂ™s true! Because of expensive cabinetry, countertops, faucets, п¬‚ooring and appliances, kitchens might be well over $500 per square foot! Most buildersвЂ™ pricing includes вЂњallowancesвЂќ for common selections such as lighting п¬ЃxturesвЂ”but allowances vary by builder. Other amenities that increase cost without increasing square footage include: п¬Ѓreplaces; lighting; crown molding; window treatments and even paint; along with вЂњhiddenвЂќ products such as high performance insulation or soundprooп¬Ѓng drywall. {What square footage was included?} The basement? Attic spaces? The foundation, walls and roof are already there so п¬Ѓnishing space in a basement or attic costs less. If the price per square foot of the home was calculated based on вЂњп¬ЃnishedвЂќ square footage, п¬Ѓnished basements and attics lower the homeвЂ™s overall cost per square foot. Do you include a porch, deck or patio? If the garage is not included in the homeвЂ™s reported square footage, then a bigger garage wonвЂ™t affect the price per square foot because those square feet donвЂ™t count, right? So, why not build a 4-car garage? Obviously garages and decks arenвЂ™t free. Cost per square foot comparison is meaningless if the square footage of these areas is counted differently by various builders. ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP 029,1* )25:$5' Check out your builder. We hear horror stories of builders who will quote a price based purely on square feet and then pound the buyer with extras after the job is started. Reputable builders will have a long list of references from happy homeowners. Contact those references! Similarly, there is great value in a builderвЂ™s longevity. You donвЂ™t last in homebuilding without treating customers right. WhatвЂ™s the cost per square foot of your new home warranty? Every home builder can give you a detailed and accurate cost per square foot. A вЂњproductionвЂќ builder who builds the same portfolio of plans over and over again, develops entire neighborhoods and offers limited personalization can most quickly quote you a price per square foot. Their п¬Ѓxed standards, limited variables and economies of scale typically enable them to offer the lowest cost per square foot. Semi-custom builders offer a wider variety of home designs, building sites and п¬Ѓnishes for your home. Such builders will typically modify their home plans to suit your needs, too. They may initially provide a price range, such as вЂњ$100 to $200 per square foot depending on what you wantвЂќ вЂ“ not very satisfying, but know as you make decisions, the ultimate price per square foot comes clearer into focus. A custom home builder may never build the same home twice. She doesnвЂ™t have historical data for that speciп¬Ѓc home to look back on as a starting point. Knowing that custom home buyers often have speciп¬Ѓc products and amenities in mind, providing a cost per square foot before the plans and details are п¬Ѓrmed up can lead to disastrous results. DO YOU REALLY WANT THE CHEAPEST? Even if you can get fairly comparable cost per square foot info from multiple buildersвЂ”meaning theyвЂ™re all bidding using the same set of plans, speciп¬Ѓcations, home site cost factors, product amenities, п¬Ѓnishes, etc.вЂ”are you going to automatically take the lowest price per square foot? How do you suppose the builder with the lowest price per square foot was able to do it? Plus, you want your builder to make a proп¬Ѓt on building your home. If she doesnвЂ™t, she wonвЂ™t be in business to take care of any warranty issues with your home. So...if you choose to, use preliminary cost per square foot numbers to determine if youвЂ™re вЂњin the ballparkвЂќ budget-wise. DonвЂ™t assume theyвЂ™ll be the basis of your purchase agreement. Exercise great caution when using cost per square foot in comparing builders and their homes. Even if you believe youвЂ™ve got an вЂњapples for applesвЂќ comparison, the low cost per square foot builder might just be one of those bad apples! ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP %H\RQG 7KUHH %HGURRPV hether new construction or remodeling, dual ownerвЂ™s suites and independent in-law suites are increasingly in demand. It might amaze you to п¬Ѓnd out just how many committed, happy couples choose not to share the same bedroom. It could be conп¬‚icting schedules, medical conditions or simply snoring, but the need for getting a good nightвЂ™s sleep is paramount to a good life. Design BasicsвЂ™ вЂњHesterвЂќ is a popular 3-bedroom family plan. ItвЂ™s also possible to build this home with a second master suite, shown as the вЂњSadieвЂќ plan. (Yes, the dual ownerвЂ™s-suite version does utilize storage space from the original designвЂ™s garage, but if doing this conversion as a remodel, the contractor will build that closet п¬‚oor accordingly.) 39 the Hester | plan 29344-54Y 1720 total sq. ft. 41 the Sadie | plan 29353-54Y 1774 total sq. ft. )LUHSODFH DQVZHUV OHIW WR ULJKW 0DJJLH 0DUJR (OLVH &ODLUH 7R RUGHU EXLOGLQJ SODQV FDOO RU YLVLW ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP &X LQJ /DXQGU\ 7LPH LQ +DOI SKRWR FRXUWHV\ RI VeluxUSA ired of waiting around for the dryer to get п¬Ѓnished so you can get the next load in? Want to get more of the laundry done after your guests have departed? Occasionally run into a laundry вЂњemergencyвЂќ wherein the washerвЂ™s in use, your daughter needs her work clothes clean, and she has to be at work in just two hours? How about two laundry pairs in one laundry room! Many dryer cycles take a lot longer than wash cycles. Trish, a single Mom, told us, вЂњEven though there are just three people in our household, I never seem to have time to keep up on the laundry.вЂќ TrishвЂ™s solution? A laundry room with two dryers. You may have seen homes with a small washer and dryer in the ownerвЂ™s suite plus a separate laundry room. That works for some, but weвЂ™re suggesting a second laundry pair in one laundry room (works best in more spacious laundry rooms). the Silver Creek | plan 42028-54Y 1863 main level sq. ft. | 613 upper level sq. ft. 2476 total sq. ft. 54 RSWLRQDO EDVHPHQW VWDLU ORFDWLRQ DOWHUQDWH OD\RXW IRU WZR ODXQGU\ SDLUV 7R RUGHU EXLOGLQJ SODQV FDOO RU YLVLW ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP Researching this amenity, we heard comments like вЂњItвЂ™s the only way to keep up!вЂќ One gentleman said, вЂњBrilliant! My wife wants to know when she will get her second pair!вЂќ Janie Murnane, publisher of Her Home added, вЂњThe more the laundry has to be separated, the more this idea makes sense to me.вЂќ Advantages of dual laundry pairs: вЂў cuts laundry time in half; вЂў uses no more water, gas or electricity; вЂў get laundry done during off-peak times! the Baxter | plan 50030-54Y the Blanchett | plan 42078-54Y 1590 total sq. ft. 1513 main level sq. ft. | 822 upper level sq. ft. 2335 total sq. ft. 40 40 ERQXV URRP DGGV VT IW 1. 50028-54Y Elise Version 1552 total sq. ft. 1. 1. 1. 42077-54Y Elise Version 2043 total sq. ft. 2. 50027-54Y Margo Version 1512 total sq. ft. 2. 42075-54Y Margo Version 2215 total sq. ft. 3. 50029-54Y Maggie Version 1502 total sq. ft. 3. 42076-54Y Maggie Version 2012 total sq. ft. 2. 3. 2. 7R RUGHU EXLOGLQJ SODQV FDOO RU YLVLW ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP 3. the Presley | plan 50034-54Y the Hewitt | plan 42069-54Y 1436 main level sq. ft. | 329 upper level sq. ft. 1765 total sq. ft. 1120 main level sq. ft. | 1209 upper level sq. ft. 2329 total sq. ft. 44 49 XQГЂQLVKHG VWRUDJH DGGV VT IW 1. 50033-54Y Elise Version 1462 total sq. ft. 1. 1. 1. 42071-54Y Elise Version 2294 total sq. ft. 2. 50031-54Y Margo Version 1733 total sq. ft. 2. 42070-54Y Margo Version 2119 total sq. ft. 3. 50032-54Y Maggie Version 1470 total sq. ft. 3. 42068-54Y Maggie Version 2377 total sq. ft. 2. 3. 2. 7R RUGHU EXLOGLQJ SODQV FDOO RU YLVLW ZZZ+HU+RPHFRP 3.