Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

AVON, Ohio -- The French Creek Foundation and the City of Avons annual Tree Lighting Ceremony went off without a hitch Dec. 7.

In addition to all the activities, Maya Rak, 10, helped Mayor Bryan Jensen to light the tree.

Maya is bravely fighting cancer right now and we are dedicating this years tree lighting to her, said Clint Gault of the French Creek Foundation, organizers of the yearly event.

What many people dont realize is that we have two meetings a month for six months in preparation of (the event) every year, with the ultimate goal of making an impact on a child who is going through a tough time, he said.

Maya Rak was the winner of the Ride with Santa competition this year. She is incredibly sweet, and my heart goes out to her and her family as she fights through her cancer treatments. I would ask that all say a prayer for her this holiday season."

The festival began at 5 p.m. at Avons gazebo at the corner of Detroit and Stoney Ridge roads. Maya and Santa then led the parade from the gazebo through Olde Avon Village to the municipal parking lot behind the Avon Senior Center, where activities took place.

Donations of canned goods, gift-wrapping supplies and money at the main tent all went to benefit the citys Community Resource Services.

Activities included a gingerbread house contest (see winners below); Live entertainment with a DJ, fairytale characters and an appearance by Lake Erie Crushers mascot Stomper; a craft tent; live reindeer and ponies; Avon school choirs; visits with Santa; and food, including pizza, cookies, coffee and hot cocoa.

"The event was the best it has ever been, Gault said, largely because of all of those who got involved and helped, with a couple thousand people in attendance, and the additions of pony rides and more food vendors.

We are blessed to have a mayor who stands behind and values community gatherings and helping to make an impact on those who are in need," he said.

The holidays sometimes can feel overwhelming with all of the year-end items that need to be completed, but it is important to take a step back and remember all of the blessings we have and be grateful for them, Gault said.

The event is a great reminder that, as the movie Its a Wonderful Life says, Life doesnt have to be perfect to be wonderful.

Winners of the gingerbread house contest were:

- Age Group 3-5: 1st -- Astoria Gault, 2nd -- Silas Long

- Age Group 6-8: 1st -- Bradley Wilson, 2nd -- Jon Gorney

- Age Group 9-11: 1st -- Samantha Gorney (also Library Choice Award), 2nd -- Samuel Plas

- Age Group 12-14: 1st -- Dominic Sprungl

- Age Group 15-18: 1st --Justin Sprungl

Read more from the Sun Sentinel.

Link:
French Creek Foundation, City of Avon team up again for holiday festival - cleveland.com

Gazebo Theatre Company, based in Bilston have worked alongside the toy appeal to provide free Christmas gifts for underprivileged and vulnerable children in the community.

The charitable cause supports children in families who may otherwise not receive any presents.

Gazebo's Dennis Ffrench, the longest playing black pantomime dame in the UK, and Rebecca Shepherd will be helping Santa deliver his toys alongside their fun, interactive panto workshops and shows.

The two groups will be visiting children across Wolverhampton and the Black Country.

Rebecca said: "Christmas isn't just about presents, it's about being with people you love and creating magical experiences and memories that last a lifetime.

"Working with Gazebo and the Sikh Toy Appeal this year, we've been able to do just that with so many families and young people.

"It gives us so much joy to see the smiles on their faces and spread the message of Christmas."

Last Sunday Gazebo and the Sikh Toy appeal presented gifts to young people and parents at St Chad's Church, Bilston.

They also had support from local councillors Olivia Birch, Linda Leach and Phil Page, who came along to the church to get involved.

Dennis added: "I have been performing Professional Pantomimes for 25 years. Working with Gazebo and the Sikh Toy Appeal feels like the pinnacle of my career.

"Not only is it a big thank you to a community who have supported me throughout the year, but it brings so much joy, love and hope into the lives of so many people.

"Gazebo and the Sikh Toy Appeal are the personification of community spirit, and I feel privileged and honoured to be part of that journey.

See the original post:
Wolverhampton theatre group teams up with Sikh Toy Appeal - expressandstar.com

Rotherham-based Gala Tent has acquired an important patent which relates to the fixings used on its marquees and gazebos.

Founded in 1999, Gala Tent is one of the UK's leading producers of marquees, tents and gazebos. It has grown to sell over 15,000 tents and marquees each year, along with around 100,000 event accessories and furniture products. It grew from a table top operation in Grimethorpe to a company with a turnover of 10m having moved into new 53,000 sq ft headquarters at Fairfield Park in Manvers in 2011.

The patent relates to the manufacture and use of new type of fixing known as Spirotite. This type of fastener has all the advantages of threaded fasteners without the disadvantages of the thread. Whereas thread can work loose under vibration and makes maintenance difficult and sometimes costly, this innovative fastener works on compression, so it is not affected by vibration, and will not work loose.

Spirotite fittings are seen as safer and more secure than traditional threaded fittings and offer a faster set up and lower maintenance of a product. It is also much more effective than a traditional nut and bolt system, which is less secure, less durable and can easily become loose. Due to the faster production process, Spirotite fasteners are also lower cost to produce, so are more affordable for the end user.

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"The grant of these key patents strengthens Gala Tent's position as a consolidator of IP in this space and provides our customers with access to a wider range of opportunities and potential development of further applications."

Mark Thompson, CEO at Gala Tent (pictured, left), added: "We have developed an innovative fastener that is set to revolutionise the way fasteners are used in industry.

"The idea for Spirotite was originally developed for Gala Tent for its marquee joint and it means that all the company's structures are easier and safer to erect. The fixing can also be scaled for the larger commercial modular structures, which will also enhance the security of the marquee, and speeding up the erection time in the process."

Gala Tent website

Images: Gala Tent

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News: Gala Tent tightens grip on industry - Rotherham Business News

Looking for something new and exciting to do this weekend? Take in an art show or concert? Take a hike or visit a local festival? Then look no further as we present what's happening:

"Animals in Winter,"a program for children ages infant to 5 with a parent, will take place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Somerset County Park Commissions Environmental Education Center (EEC), 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge. Attendees will join a naturalist to talk about animals and how they survive the winter cold. The hour will include games, crafts and stories. Fee is $10 per pair and $5 per additional child. Advance payment required. Register online at http://www.somersetcountyparks.org or call (908) 722-1200, ext. 5002.

Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green schedule Friday, Dec. 20, Santa House, 3 to 8 p.m. Santa visits and photos. Activity Tent, 5 to 8 p.m. Bethel A.M.E. Choir. Outdoors, 5 to 8 p.m. Miniature train rides.

The Alien Who Stole Christmas: The Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium will host The Alien Who Stole Christmas at 3 p.m. today at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg. The audience will discover the stars visible in the winter sky and follow Santa on a trip through the solar system as hes kidnapped by a friendly alien. The kids on the other planets also need presents. Recommended for ages 6-10. Planetarium tickets cost $10 for one show, $18 for two shows on the same day. For reservations and information, call (908) 231-8805 or visit http://www.raritanval.edu/planetarium.

Winter Wonder Lights: The Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium will host Winter Wonder Lights at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. today at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg. Guests will enjoy a laser concert featuring such holiday hits as Wizards in Winter, Rockin Around the Christmas Tree, and Dominic the Donkey. Recommended for ages 6-adult. Planetarium tickets cost $10 for one show, $18 for two shows on the same day. For reservations and information, call (908) 231-8805 or visit http://www.raritanval.edu/planetarium.

Mystery at the North Pole: The Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium will host Mystery at the North Pole at 7 p.m. tonight at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg. Poor Santa is too ill to deliver presents this year. Who could have done this? Who would want to sabotage Christmas? Was it an elf? A reindeer? The audience will need to look at the suspects and figure out who is guilty of hurting Santa. Recommended for ages 6-adult. Planetarium tickets cost $10 for one show, $18 for two shows on the same day. For reservations and information, call (908) 231-8805 or visit http://www.raritanval.edu/planetarium.

Tibetan Singing Bowls: Hunterdon Parks & Recreation presents Tibetan Singing Bowls from 5 to 6 p.m. tonight with instructor Lisa Perry at Echo Hill on Lilac Drive in Clinton Township. Cost is $12 per session for ages 13 through adult. Relax and absorb the healing vibrations from crystal and Tibetan singing bowls. As sunset approaches, everyone is invited to participate in a singing bowl circle. Bring a mat or towel to lie or sit on, a flashlight, and a singing bowl (optional). If it is raining, the group will hold the meditation in the main lodge. Pre-registration is required. Visit http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/depts/parks/programs.html or call (908) 782-1158 for more information.

Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green schedule Saturday, Dec. 21, Santa House, noon to 7 p.m. Santa visits and photos. Activity Tent, 1 to 3 p.m. Macculloch Hall Thomas Nast ornament coloring activity. 4 to 7 p.m. Holiday performances with the Original Music School. Outdoors, 3 to 4 p.m. Tuba Christmas, 4 to 6 p.m. Miniature train rides.

The Chatham Emergency Squad is presenting its 16th annual Winter Wonderland "Snow Village exhibit from 3 to 6 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 21, and from noon to 3 p.m. this Sunday, Dec. 22, at its Chatham Borough building, located at 31 North Passaic Ave. Admission is free, and the exhibit will continue throughout the month of December. The impressive display features more than 100 "Department 56" model houses, cars and figurines with a working ski lift, an ice skating rink and more set amidst the backdrop of a snow-filled winter wonderland and a model train running through the center of town. The Winter Wonderland "Snow Village" will be open to the public weekends from 3 to 6 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 21, and Saturday, Dec. 28, and this Sunday, Dec. 28, and Sunday, Dec. 29. In addition, the display can be viewed at a special "open houses" from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26. Special times and group tours also can be arranged by submitting a request at https://www.chathamemergencysquad.org/.

Saving the Swamp Walk and Talk, 2 - 3:30 p.m., Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Blvd., Chatham Township. The event will be a celebration of the saving of the Great Swamp with a slideshow of Great Swamp wildlife, a crisp afternoon stroll along the trails, and a special visit from a live owl from The Raptor Trust. This event is co-sponsored by the Morris County Park Commission, Outdoor Education Center and The Raptor Trust. Call 9(73) 635-6629 to register.

High Bridge Main Street Christmas Party: The Main Street Christmas Party is hosted by Scout's Coffee Bar + Mercantile and The High Bridge Neighborhood from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today on Main Street. All are invited to come out for a special shopping event in High Bridge. The Main Street businesses have all come together to coordinate a street-long Christmas Party consisting of Maker Pop-Ups, Live Music, Libations, Food, gifts, and more. Bounce around Main Street, have a few drinks, and say hello.

Clinton Town Singles Walk: The Hunterdon Walking & Social Club will enjoy a Clinton Town Walk at 3 p.m. today after meeting at the North County Library, 65 Halstead St., Clinton in the left side parking lot. The group will walk through town to see the decorations and get in the holiday spirit. The group will then socialize at 4:15 p.m. at Riley and Jakes Restaurant on Route 31 South just before turnoff for High Bridge, rain or shine. The club is for 45+ singles and meets every Sunday afternoon for a walk and talk at parks and trails throughout the county, followed by a gathering at a local restaurant. For info, call (908) 788-7072 or visit http://www.angelfire.com/trek.hwsc.

The Winter Market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Alexander Hamilton School at 24 Mills St. in Morristown.

32nd annual Christmas Concert, featured Orchestra of St. Peter by the Seat, at Notre Dame Church, 359 Central Ave., North Caldwell. Doors open at 6 p.m. No reserved seating. Tickets are $40. For information, call (973) 226-0979.

Menorah Lighting Celebrationat 6:15 p.m. outside Borough Hall, 140 Eagle Rock Ave., Roseland. Music, singing and refreshments. Remarks by Rabbi Kasowitz of Chabad of West Orange and Susan Werk of Congregation Agudath Israel in Caldwell.

'Wacky Wild Chanukah Experience', 5 - 7 p.m., Chabad of Basking Ridge, 3048 Valley Road, Basking Ridge. Featured activities include a "Mad Science'' show, "Dreidel Slime,'' doughnut decorating, crafts, games, hot latkes and dinner. Cost is $18 per person. RSVP at Chabadcentral.org/chanukah or call (908) 604-8844, ext. 225.

A Snowflake Party will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Somerset County Park Commissions Environmental Education Center (EEC), 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge. Family and friends can prepare for the inevitable snow by making giant snowflake decorations for display at the EEC and some to take home. Attendees can come any time during the party and spend as much time as they desire. The program is free and there is no need to register. For more information, visit http://www.somersetcountyparks.org or call (908) 722-1200, ext. 5002.

Madison Menorah Lighting, 5 p.m.,Chabad of Southeast Morris County, Madison, at the menorah located at the Madison Train Station across the street from the Hartley Dodge Memorial municipal building at 50 Kings Road. Refreshments following the lighting will be served in the Hartley Dodge Memorial building. There will be music, hot refreshments, and prizes for children. All residents and business people are invited to join Mayor Robert Conley and local town officials in the lighting of the menorah.

Menorah Lighting, 7 p.m., the Chatham Community Gazebo in Firehouse Plaza off Fairmount Avenue in Chatham. Refreshments following the lighting will be served in the Gazebo. There will be music, hot refreshments, and prizes for children. All residents and business people are invited to join Chatham Mayor Bruce A. Harris and local town officials in the lighting of the menorah. Hosted by Chabad of Southeast Morris County.

Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green schedule Sunday, Dec. 22, Santa House, noon to 7 p.m. Santa visits and photos. Activity Tent, 1 to 3 p.m. Gingerbread house making. 4 to 7 p.m. Holiday performances with the Original Music School. Outdoors, 2 to 4 p.m. Ice sculpting demonstration; 2 to 6 p.m. Miniature train ride.

To have your event included in this listing, please email P.C. Robinson at probinson@newjerseyhills.com. She may also be reached at 908 766-3900 ext. 219.

Original post:
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND | Bernardsville News News - New Jersey Hills

A drop in interest rates spurred greater than expected home building in Hoover in 2019, and the market shows no sign of slowing down in 2020, industry observers say.

From Jan. 1, 2019, to Dec. 5, there were 443 single-family building permits issued in Hoover, according to records from the citys Building Inspections Department. Thats up 42 percent from the 312 building permits issued in all of 2018, records show.

Right now, its really booming, said Jim Wyatt, director of the Building Inspections Department. Theyre building wide open. Were not seeing any slow down at all. As long as interest rates stay reasonable, I think were going to see a continued building boom.

For the first 11 months of 2019, there were 299 closings on new homes in Hoover, compared to 236 in the same period in 2018, according to Multiple Listing Service data provided by Signature Homes.

Eighty-six percent of those 256 homes were built by Signature Homes, said Jonathan Belcher, the companys president. That compares to 175 homes closed by Signature Homes in Hoover in the first 11 months of 2018 and 198 for all of 2018.

I think from a year ago, were in a lot different position, Belcher said.

In early November 2018, interest rates on a 30-year fixed mortgage were a little over 5%, but fell to 3.5-3.75% by March of 2019, Belcher said.

That really had a huge impact in a positive way on home prices and certainly on the sales side, he said.

The average sales price of new homes in Hoover rose from $471,000 in the first 11 months of 2018 to $527,000 in the same period in 2019, Belcher said.

The Blackridge development by Signature Homes had a big impact on that sales price jump because the average sales price in Blackridge right now is $838,000, he said. There were only five homes sold in Blackridge in 2018, but there were 37 homes sold there in the first 11 months of 2019, he said.

The vast majority of new homes being built in Hoover are in Blackridge, Lake Wilborn and other sections of the Trace Crossings community, such as Abingdon and Green Trails, Wyatt said.

Homes also are being built in The Preserve, Lake Cyrus, Ross Bridge, McGill Crossings and Brock Point (on the eastern side of Hoover), but at a much slower pace, Wyatt said. The only sector of Ross Bridge still under construction is Glasscott, and those are mostly custom homes in the $1.2 million to $1.5 million range, he said.

Belcher said he does not expect to see the number of homes being built in Hoover to continue to rise. Instead, he foresees the market leveling out and stabilizing at the current rate.

There are about 1,100 homes planned for Lake Wilborn, Abingdon and Green Trails, and so far only about 300 of those have been completed, he said. Buildout for those communities should take another four to five years, depending on the interest rates and the housing market in general, he said.

There are still about 600 to 700 more homes to be built in Blackridge, and buildout there should take longer because of the higher prices, he said. Signature Homes expects to build another 18 houses in Brock Point off Shelby County 41, next to Greystone and across from Shoal Creek, and that subdivision likely will be completed in 2020, Belcher said. Homes there have been priced in the $500,000s to $700,000s.

In The Preserve, about 500 homes have been built so far, and there probably are a little more than 200 more homes still to be constructed, said Merry Leach, the lead real estate agent for The Preserve.

We still have plenty of lots to develop, she said.

Builders in The Preserve include Byrom Building Corp., Centennial Homes, FargasonBuilding Corp., Hastings Construction and Ridgecrest Properties.

There are a few home sites left in phase 14 of The Preserve, and the developer hopes to open phase 11, with more than 50 lots, in late spring 2020, Leach said. Phase 11 will include about 23 lots that are for one-level homes, she said. Were very excited about it.

Most of the homes in The Preserve are custom homes, and the average price there right now is about $650,000. The one-level homes likely will be less expensive, she said.

The low interest rates have meant many people have been able to afford more home than they thought they could, Leach said. It helps them build their dream home, quite honestly, she said.

The Hoover housing market is outperforming the market in most of the metro area, Belcher said. New home closings for the Birmingham-Hoover metro area as a whole were down 4.4 percent from 2,055 in the first 11 months of 2018 to 1,964 in the same period in 2019.

New home sales were down from 75 to 38 in Vestavia Hills, 168 to 155 in Trussville, 100 to 97 in Helena, and 85 to 84 in Pelham, Belcher said. There was increased activity in Calera, where new homes sales rose from 99 in the first 11 months of 2018 to 145 in the same period in 2019, he said. However, the average price of a new home in Calera was much lower at about $200,000, Belcher said.

Right now, there is only about a two-month supply of existing homes in Hoover and 3.9- month supply of new homes, for an overall average of 2.4 months, Belcher said. Usually, a six-month supply is deemed healthy, so supply is considered limited right now.

Excerpt from:

Home building boom expected to continue for Hoover in 2020 - Hoover Sun

So here is a fairytale for you: a house for a family with a large yard in Los Angeles for sale at around $12,000.

Thats what you could find in 1950s LA, when thousands of suburban tract homes sprang up in the San Fernando Valley and Orange County. They were home to mostly white, middle-class families following the war.

Theyve often been called ticky-tack, but not all were bland. Just think of the cool but comfy ranch style homes of Cliff May and the modernist houses of William Krisel and Dan Palmer.

Then there are Cinderella homes. These were designed by Jean Vandruff and marketed by his salesman brother Shannon. Vandruff was an inventor and architectural designer who dropped out of USC and dove right into designing a custom home -- long and low, with diamond paned windows, high gabled peaked roofs and large overhangs -- altogether they were like something out of a princess story.

Fairy tales were popular in those days. I was sitting at my drafting board and and my wife Eleanor came and looked over my shoulder and she saw the house that I was designing and she said, that ought to be a house for Cinderella, Vandruff said.

Local historian Chris Lukather is author of the new book The Cinderella Homes of Jean Vandruff. Hes a Valley native who thinks the areas better than average tract homes warrant a bit more love. Lukather has also written a book about local builder William Mellenthins birdhouse homes and he is working on a book about Robert Byrd.

Vandruff built a custom Cinderella home in Downey and through word of mouth, through no advertising, they had about 30,000 people come and visit this home, Lukather explains. People flocked to it. People camped out overnight. They sold out the first tract of homes in three days.

The homes were described by Vandruff as wife-prejudiced to accommodate women, with lower countertops and a window opening that went from the kitchen into the living room, which allowed the wife to have conversations with her children or her husband while she was working in the kitchen.

The Cinderella homes were a big hit for the Vandruff brothers in the 1950s, until the cedar shake shingles were declared a fire hazard in the 60s. Later, concrete versions of shake shingles were invented, but by then the trend had ended.

Read the rest here:

How Cinderella Homes brought fantasy to the suburbs - KCRW

When friends and family roll in for the holidays, space inside the house is coveted. But year round, the lot has more value, with the potential to appreciate more than any structure, say real estate experts.

As more people move into an area, the demand for development drives up land's value, according to data analyzed by the financial education source Investopedia. Even land that can't be divided can be prized as a private retreat.

In this week's real estate gallery, we look at homes for sale sitting on an acre or more of earth.

--Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman

Premiere Property Group

93.57 acres in Hillsboro

The 93.57-acre Highgrove Estate at 22380 N.W. Meier Road is listed at $6.5 million.

The two-level, Colonial-style house, built in 1988, has five bedrooms, five full bathrooms, two powder rooms and 9,658 square feet of living space.

The land includes a large pool house, carriage house with modern loft-style apartment, barn with winery-cidery capabilities, conservatory greenhouse, office building, warehouse, equipment barns, children's cottage, certified organic vineyard, orchards, gardens plus two ponds.

Premiere Property Group

93.57 acres in Hillsboro

"Do not enter property without a broker. Prequalified buyers only," say listing agents Matthew Tackett and Peter Bouman of Premiere Property Group of the property at 22380 N.W. Meier Road.

Keller Williams Realty Professionals

18.54 acres in Corbett

The Argentinian-style house, built in 1997 on 18.54 acres overlooking the Columbia River at 34931 E. Historic Columbia River Hwy., is listed at $2.5 million.

The two-level house has a great room, library, four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and 5,298 square feet of living space.

Keller Williams Realty Professionals

18.54 acres in Corbett

"Grand spaces for entertaining, dramatic use of windows to allow the outdoors into every room, indoor-outdoor patios and verandas, private gardens," says listing agent Chris Suarez of Keller Williams Realty Professionals about the property at at 34931 E. Historic Columbia River Hwy.

More Realty

9.81 acres in Troutdale

The Old Portland-style house, built in 1904 on 9.81 acres at 2035 S.E. Troutdale Road, is listed at $2,250,000.

The three-level house has three bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms and 2,889 square feet of living space plus a barn.

More Realty

9.81 acres in Troutdale

"Make an offer," says listing agent Allen Riddle of More Realty of the property at2035 S.E. Troutdale Road. "This amazing Zone R-10 property has a great upside for a multi-home development with views of Mount Hood and nice trees and creek at the footsteps of these finished homes. This property is a must for any builder or local family farm to add to their portfolio."

Luxe Christie's International Real Estate

9.74 acres in Forest Park

The modern mansion, built in 2003 on 9.74 acres at 9912 N.W. Wind Ridge Dr., is listed at $8,650,000.

The three-level house has a two-story open living and dining area, commercial-grade kitchen, sound-proof music room, four bedrooms, four full bathrooms, four powder rooms, an indoor pool and 11,807 square feet of living space plus guest quarters.

Luxe Christie's International Real Estate

9.74 acres in Forest Park

"Architectural treasure in West Hills. Incredible modern design with stunning imported stone, wood and glass, breathtaking mountain views from every room. World class material and craftsmanship ... Perfect for entertaining, art, those wanting to live in a modern masterpiece," says listing agent Terry Sprague of Luxe Christie's International Real Estate of the property at 9912 N.W. Wind Ridge Dr.

John L. Scott Sandy

9.3 acres in Troutdale

The chateau-inspired mansion, built in 2007 on 9.31 acres at 30260 N.E. Springhill Road, is listed at $2,950,000.

The three-level house has six bedrooms, four full bathrooms, three partial bathrooms and 7,738 square feet of living space.

John L. Scott Sandy

9.3 acres in Troutdale

"Just 20 minutes to downtown Portland and five minutes from the famous Columbia River Gorge where the outdoor enthusiast will enjoy access to a myriad of hiking trails, world-class fishing," says listing agent Brian Gentry of John L. Scott Sandy of the property at at 30260 N.E. Springhill Road.

Pro Group Realty and Property Management

6.07 acres in Buxton

The 6.07-acre property at Northwest Oregon Route 47 at Northwest Nowakowski Road sold for $185,000 on Sept. 16, 2019.

The manufactured home has two bedrooms, one bathroom and 672 square feet of living space.

"Beautiful little setting surrounded by timber. Type 1 replacement approval required for building," said listing agent Linda Monte of Pro Group Realty and Property Management.

Premiere Property Group

5.81 acres in Sherwood

The contemporary country estate-style house, built on 5.81 gated acres at 10770 S.W. Tonquin Loop, is listed at $1,988,000.

The two-story custom home was designed and built by a team who created a Street of Dreams house. This home has a great room with floor-to-ceiling windows, tray ceilings, cove lighting, six bedrooms, four full bathrooms, two powder rooms and 5,198 square feet of living space.

The original farmhouse, horse stable and corral are included in the property.

Premiere Property Group

5.81 acres in Sherwood

"Luxury and tranquility," says listing agent Lois Oliver-Miesbach of Premiere Property Group about the property at 10770 S.W. Tonquin Loop.

Where, Inc

3.4 acres in the West Hills

The midcentury modern house, designed by architect Walter Gordon and built in 1971 on 3.4 acres at 5335 S.W. Patton Road, is listed at $6,975,000.

The remodeled, two-level dwelling has floor-to-ceiling windows, four bedrooms, five full bathrooms, two powder rooms and 8,162 square feet of living space. A veranda overlooks the pool.

Where, Inc

3.4 acres in the West Hills

"Bound by Portland's natural surroundings and panoramic vistas," say listing agents Suzann Baricevic Murphy and Lorraine Rose of Where, Incof the property at at 5335 S.W. Patton Road. "Wrapped in brick for a large part, the exterior is in sublime contrast to the tropical-inspired gardens and native forest that surround the perimeter."

RE/MAX Equity Group

2.1 acres in Forest Park

The daylight ranch-style house, built in 1937 on 2.1 acres at 10549 N.W. Skyline Blvd., is listed at $449,500.

The updated two-story house has three bedrooms, three bathrooms and 1,312 square feet of living space.

RE/MAX Equity Group

2.1 acres in Forest Park

"Great layout for extended family or renting rooms. Each bedroom has a door to the exterior and a bathroom. Lots of room for RV parking," says listing agent Tom Stubbs of RE/MAX Equity Group of the property at at 10549 N.W. Skyline Blvd.

Great Western Real Estate Co.

1.09 acres in Pleasant Valley

The ranch house, built in 1950 on 1.09 acres at 5720 S.E. Jenne Road, is listed at $389,000.

The dwelling has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and 1,496 square feet of living space.

Great Western Real Estate Co.

1.09 acres in Pleasant Valley

"One-acre lot in the city, conveniently located between Powell and Foster Road. The one-level home makes a great rental or first home. Do not disturb tenants," says listing agent Cornell Mann of Great Western Real Estate Co. of the property at 5720 S.E. Jenne Road.

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Original post:

On the market: Homes sitting on an acre or more of valuable land - OregonLive

Story by Sean McIntyre Photography by Don Denton

Old pumpkins, a trebuchet and a man with an idea. Stu Hopewell of Alair Homes is all about building custom homes as well as community.

Stus neighbourhood has long been known as the place where Nanaimo residents discard unwanted pumpkins. In the days that follow Halloween, the pumpkins proliferate along the side of the road, creating an alluring seasonal attraction, until time and November rain take their toll.

Its nice, but generally ends up as a big greasy mess, he says.

Always innovative and having a knack for practicality, Stu built a giant catapult to launch what he hopes will become an annual community tradition: The Great Pumpkin Toss. The inaugural event, undertaken in partnership with the Nanaimo Science and Sustainability Society, will see a few creative and fun ways to dispose of post-Halloween pumpkins. For a modest donation, Stu will load peoples old, unwanted pumpkins into the launcher and send the sad squash soaring high through the sky and into a field behind the East Wellington Fire Hall on Jingle Pot Road.

Depending on the weight, we can usually launch them between 150 and 200 feet, he says.

Funds raised from this years event were donated to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Vancouver Island and the Nanaimo Science and Sustainability Society, whose members built a pumpkin cannon as part of the project.

The pumpkin toss is a whole lot of fun, but its also just one of the many ways the successful businessman and long-time builder has found a way to give back to his hometown and support local charities.

Stu hopes other companies will join the event in future years, helping to raise more funds for great causes that need ongoing support.

The more participants, the bigger the event and the more dollars raised, which is our overall goal here.

Last summer, Stu was part of the Alair Homes team that had a solid finish in the citys annual Silly Boat Race. The team engineered a Jaws-themed shark boat that took a bite out of the competition and helped raise more than $100,000 for the Nanaimo Child Development Centre.

My family moved to Canada from England in the late 70s, and the CDC helped me at that point by doing some speech therapy, so theyve made a big difference in our lives, he says.

Stu gave back by serving on the CDCs board of directors, a position that showed him how much the organization helps disadvantaged and disabled kids in spite of a slim budget. Continual funding uncertainty, he says, means the CDC has a waiting list of anywhere between 300 and 400 children who need assistance at any given time.

That, to me, just doesnt make sense. If we can increase funding and decrease those waiting lists, then the kids that need help will get help much faster, he says. Just getting out in the community and giving back is important for me. Its not about dollars and cents, its about making a difference while youre here.

Engaging in more community events is part of the companys long-term strategy, he adds. Building annual traditions where residents can have fun and have an impact is a great way for him to increase the quality of life in the region that he and his family are proud to call home, he says.

Stu is in a place where he can make a difference. Back in 2011, tired of working for someone else, he decided to speak with fellow builder and friend Blair McDaniel about going into business. Within a decade, Stu had become the co-owner and chief operating officer of Alair Homes, North Americas largest custom home company. Starting out as a general labourer during summers at 14 years of age, Stu has risen to the top of his field. He now works with 60 employees out of the companys home office in downtown Nanaimo and assists hundreds of the Alair franchisees in towns and cities across North America.

We handle all of the back-end business in this office here, he says. Most builders are excellent with clients and the sub-trades, but they struggle with the paperwork like paying bills and processing their payroll. As a result, good builders have struggled to be successful.

Thats where we can help, doing the payroll, HR, accounting, payables, receivables, operations, marketing and legal.This allows our builders to handle a much higher volume than on their own.

Stus success and Alairs expansion mean he arrives at work early, usually by 6 am, to coincide with business hours on the east coast.

Its hard work, but I enjoy myself, he says. If you love what you do, its not difficult to go to work.

Making time for work and family means hes had to reconsider some of his priorities.

Once a stalwart at Vancouver Island race tracks such as Saratoga and Western Speedway, Stu has shifted gears. Once an avid racer of the pint-sized and high-powered dwarf-series race cars, family and work responsibilities have encouraged Stu to grab the keys of his family car to wheel his two teenage children around the streets of Nanaimo.

Now its really about chasing around my kids, dropping them off and picking them up, he says. Theres always a skating event, dance lesson or karate tournament.

As Alair Homes expands, Stu has been racking up some hefty frequent flyer points by visiting new locations. One week hell be in Alberta or Ontario, while the next will see him travelling to Texas or Florida. As someone who has worked in the industry since his early teens, Stu is continually fascinated by the different approaches and building techniques he encounters in different regions.

Outside of work, he shares his desire for travel with his wife and two teenage kids. The family takes frequent trips overseas as a way to broaden their horizons and remember the triviality of first-world problems.

We feel its important for us and our kids to see other parts of the world, he says.

On a trip to Africa, the family was awed by the scale of the continents wilderness and wild creatures. They also visited an orphanage run by an Australian ex-pat with no government funding. Despite the challenges and poverty, he recalls, all the children had access to clean beds and regular meals, and had smiles on their faces.

That was a life-changing trip for me, he says.

Its experiences like these, Stu adds, that remind him to be grateful for what hes achieved and aware of how we can all make our communities, be they on Vancouver Island or overseas, healthier and happier places to live.

To find out more about Alair check out their Alair Homes website.

Story courtesy of Boulevard Magazine, a Black Press Media publication

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Originally posted here:

Building homes and community - Boundary Creek Times

For a fresh approach to bathroom decor for 2020, we delved into the top posts on Instagram.

Larissa Runkle, provided by

Photo: IStock/KatarzynaBialasiewicz

New Year, New Bathroom: 5 Fun Trends on Instagram That Will Make It Your New Favorite Room

Bathroom trends go round and roundkind of like water circling the drainbut this weeks bright and light decor ideas will have you thinking they should stick around for a while. As we head into 2020, there's a ton of fresh inspiration for new bathroom looks surfacing on social media.

As we do every week, we dug deep into trending decor ideas on Instagram, scouring hundreds (if not more) top design posts. So what did we find? Five fun trends that might just make your bathroom the new favorite room. Keep scrolling to find out what they areand as always, how you can steal the look.

A small bathroom that's big on style! And those tiles?! So dreamy. If you are working with a small space, head to the link in bio for loads more inspiration... . . Photo: @snookphotographHomeowner: @lunaslittlehouse . . #bathroom#interiors#bathroominspo#rolltopbath#bathroomvibes#styleithappy#colourmyhome#myhomevibe#rustichomedecor#diy#renovation#potd#bathroomremodel#bathroommakeover#bathroomdesign#remodelista#inmydomaine#apartmenttherapy#bathroomdecor#bathroominspo#bathroomideas#interiormilk#interior_and_living#houserenovation#styleithappy#ihavethisthingwithhome#sorealhomes#apartmenttherapy

A post shared by Real Homes (@real_homes) on Dec 14, 2019 at 1:10am PST

Theres something to be said for the recent comeback of pastels into just about every room of the houseand the bathroom is no exception. Dont believe us? Just check out this gorgeous peachy-pink tile in the home of @lunaslittlehouse, reposted by @real_homes.

Peachy pink tiles have been on peoples radar for the past few years, says Jim Kabel, president of Case Design/Remodeling San Jose. Many modern bathroom designs have incorporated a splash of this vintage color by pairing it with other light-colored tiles and dark-colored grout. Adding this design element will offer your bathroom a clean-lined, luxurious appeal.

Get the look: Add some peachy tile to your bathroom by shopping the stunning geometric Sol Pink Tile from Riad Tile.

Excuse me human, Im having a Me Day. (via @jaxandgin)

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New Year, New Bathroom: 5 Fun Trends on Instagram That Will Make It Your New Favorite Room - SFGate

After the hectic years of child-rearing end and grown children move out, many empty nesters find themselves in a state of adjustment.Brian Stauffer/The New York Times

After the hectic years of child-rearing end and grown children move out, many empty-nesters find themselves in a state of adjustment.

While some rejoice in their leaner schedules and newfound quiet, others deal with loneliness and depression, often referred to as empty-nest syndrome. In either case, most empty-nesters eventually reach a point where they ask themselves: Is it time to downsize, upsize, or just renovate and configure their current home?

A recent report from Freddie Mac found that baby boomers have stayed in their homes much longer than previous generations. A 2019 report from Houzz, a home-remodeling website, found that 60% of baby boomers defined as people ages 55 to 74 planned to stay in their homes for the next 11 or more years. Older Americans tend to move into residential care communities in their mid-80s, according to data available from the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For those who opt to stay in their empty nests, many decide it is a good time to do the renovations they put off in previous years. These home makeovers tend to fall into three broad categories: fixing a space to make room for a new lifestyle or hobby, sprucing up a now unused space so it can be rented out to create a new revenue stream, or renovating to make a home more comfortable for visits from adult children and their expanding families.

Taking the time to figure out how you want your empty nest to affect your lifestyle will help you figure out how to reconfigure a home, said Robin Baron, an interior designer with her own firm in Manhattan. Many of her empty-nest clients have approached her after deciding they want to entertain more, but shes had to pick apart what that means.

Do you want to have more dinner or cocktail parties? Do you want to host fund-raisers or just have several friends over for a movie night? Will you do the cooking or hire caterers? The word entertain is too broad, so you must narrow that down, then come up with the design, Baron said.

Mary Ann Gioeli, a publishing executive, said she knew immediately what she wanted to do when her son moved out. About two weeks after Ryan, now 30, left their Upper West Side apartment for the Air Force in 2014, she threw out the gross black leather couch that was in his room and repainted the formerly bright blue space a neutral white. To turn the room into a den, she bought new furniture, including a pullout couch, and moved the television from the living room.

For Gioeli, 67, this was the first step in transforming her three-bedroom apartment into a more adult space. Although she was thrilled her home had been the go-to hangout for her son and daughter, Francesca, now 32, and their friends during their adolescence, she longed to turn the large, bright apartment into a quieter space. Somewhere you can have a conversation, she said.

When her daughter left to rent her own apartment in 2016, Gioeli turned her bedroom into a proper guest room. Out went the dated furniture, in came a queen-size bed. These renovations cost a few thousand dollars and were paid for from savings, said Gioeli, who is separated from her husband.

In late 2016, she finally tackled what the family had longed to do: a complete revamp of the dated bathrooms. A tub in the master bath was removed, and a walk-in shower was installed. Double sinks and new storage spaces were added, as well as a new marble floor. The guest bathroom was also thoroughly updated, with a glass-encased shower replacing a former closet space. A home-equity loan covered the $65,000 price tag to renovate both bathrooms.

I told my kids they will always have a home to return to, said Gioeli, whose daughter boomeranged back home this year. But its been great to be able to open up my home and have friends stay over.

Brad and Karen Hacker of Cooper City, Fla., who live about 15 miles southwest of Fort Lauderdale, slowly transformed their home after their two sons, Lane and Drew, now 29 and 25, moved out for good in 2014 and 2018.

Karen Hacker said their four-bedroom home needed a lot of upgrades, as renovations to their home of 26 years had largely been held off to save money for their childrens college education. But as different parts of the home started to wear down, the couple saw it as their chance to revamp it for themselves.

A citation from their homeowners association requiring them to pressure-clean the outside of the house prompted them to repaint both the exterior and interior. A broken washing machine resulted in the decluttering and reorganization of the laundry room. In 2017, when the pavers in the backyard started to sink and needed repair, the couple took a moment to reflect on whether they should tackle yet another home improvement project or just sell the house. But with most of their friends still nearby (only one close couple had moved away), they decided to stay.

Their most fun upgrade, they said, was to turn a childs bedroom into an exercise space. They first repainted the room and brought in a TV, treadmill, and free weights. Karen Hacker, 54, who formerly worked in human resources, carved out a space for her yoga mat.

Last year, the Hackers, who blog about their empty-nest life, bought a Peloton bike to replace the treadmill. Professing his competitiveness, Brad Hacker, 60, an accountant, said that he exerted himself more because he likes seeing how his performance ranks with others during his workouts but that he enjoys competing against his sons the most. The couple also installed a small infrared sauna in the room this year, so far spending about $5,000 of their savings.

Building the exercise room also turned out to be a real time saver for us, Karen Hacker said, as it eliminated having to drive to and from the gym.

Some empty-nesters decide to turn their now unused space into extra income. Hollis Giammatteo, a writer, used about $180,000 from savings to gut-renovate her daughters old basement bedroom and turn it into an Airbnb rental. Inspired by a friend who had done something similar, Giammatteo, who lives in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle, said she preferred to lease the space short term because the city is a high-demand tourist and business destination and she is able to keep the unit regularly booked. She said that using an online portal had made it easy to block out specific days when friends and family planned to stay with her. She estimated she had grossed around $125,000 since her first rental in 2015.

That said, she advises those interested in turning unused space into a short-term rental to investigate local laws. You have to be willing to take on bureaucracy, Giammatteo, 71, said. Depending on the area, you may need insurance, a business license, and to pay taxes on income, she said.

Others, like Peggy Griffin of Wellesley prefer renting out an unused bedroom to long-term boarders. Griffin, an employee of the Federal Transit Administration, said she didnt want to be a hotelier and liked that she could help keep rents more affordable in the Boston area.

After two of her triplets permanently moved out in 2013, she found tenants through Nesterly, an online home-share service that vets potential renters. Griffin, 61, said she simply cleaned out the bedroom before her first boarder moved in. She charges $1,100 a month for a bedroom with a private bath, and she plans to use the extra income to fix the roof on her 1868 four-bedroom home.

I already know repairing the roof will lead to fixing the siding and the windows, she said.

Updating a homes look, not preparing it for sale, was the goal of 71% of consumers age 50 and older who either had completed a home renovation in the past two years or were in the middle of or planning to begin a remodel in the next six months, according to a survey taken by the Schlesinger Group for Sweeten, an online renovation platform.

We see renovations ranging from updating a bathroom to include a two-person soaking tub to gut remodels that convert bedrooms into hobby rooms from art to yoga, said Jean Brownhill, Sweetens founder.

That said, experts suggest that homeowners check with a local broker before starting a large-scale renovation to see if their design will have resale value.

Mary Dell Harrington, a homeowner in Mamaroneck, N.Y., and the cofounder of the parenting website Grown & Flown, is working with an architect to update her kitchen so it can accommodate her grown children, who visit often and love to cook. Her two children, Walker Berning, 29, and Annie Berning, 24, both live in Manhattan but often come home on the weekends, cooking elaborate meals with lots of ingredients I typically dont keep on hand, she said.

But the old kitchen is too cramped. Harrington wants to knock down a wall between the kitchen and dining room and install a larger kitchen island to accommodate the crowd, which also includes her husband, Melvin Berning, 65, their two large Labrador retrievers, and a nephew who attends a nearby college. Although plans are not final, shes hoping theres room for a proper pantry.

Mary Harrington, 64, a former television marketing executive and coauthor of the book Grown & Flown: How to Support Your Teen, Stay Close as a Family, and Raise Independent Adults, said previous renovations were stressful and daunting when she worked full time and the children were younger and still living at home.

Now Im home to deal with contractors or any emergency, so it should be easier, she said. What we aspire to is not to push our kids away as they grow older but to enter the next phase and be able to hang out with them as they become more independent.

For some empty-nesters, however, this is not an easy transition to make. Some parents have complicated emotions about watching their children move on, according to Jane Benjamin, a psychologist and clinical director at the Counseling Center in Bronxville, N.Y. Pride and joy can be also mixed with envy or regret, Benjamin said. It can also be a reckoning of aging, that things are beyond them, and that can be a vulnerable feeling.

For empty-nesters who have kept their kids bedroom as a shrine to their past (read: trophies, primary- or bright-colored walls), Benjamin suggests working in stages. Make your children take what theyd like to keep, retain a few mementos for yourself, and get rid of the rest.

Replacing the single bed with a larger one would be ideal for returning adult children with partners. Personalizing the newfound space might be a fun project and help you accept that youre in a next stage in life, she said.

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What are you going to do with that empty nest? - Boston.com