AAS Winners for 2007
Gardening enthusiasts should be rejoicing at the recent crowning of 2 prolific and low maintenance flowers as All American Selections for 2007. Both of the following flowers are ideal for vacation homes because of their tolerance for low water conditions and their ability to bloom repeatedly with little dead-heading. The first flower is Vinca ‘Pacifica Burgaundy Halo’, which features stunning color and a good growth habit. The second flower is a Petunia (yet again) only this time it is not a Wave Petunia taking home the honors, it is Opera Supreme Pink Morn. The name is a little unusual but it’s performance is stellar! Again this is another prolific bloomer that will tolerate somewhat dry conditions. Both of these cultivars are worthy of your garden or container space if you are looking to spend more time fishing and less plucking dead-heads. Click here for more information on these selections and more 2007 AAS winners.
Top Vacation Home Destinations
Real Estate Journal has released their list of 12 vacation home markets which offer the best value overall. These destinations were choosen because of their steadily increasing home values without experiencing a huge spike in home valuations. The closest metro area to each of these dpots has also had a steady economy. I have not been to all of these places but I have visited Blairsville, Beaufort, Helen, Steamboat, and South Padre Island and I have to say these are excellent choices. I would live in any of them myself.
Bath/Beaufort County, N.C.
Blairsville, Ga.
Clarksville, Va.
Cloudcroft, N.M.
Dadeville, Ala.
Driggs, Idaho
Eureka Springs, Ark.
Heber City, Utah
Helen, Ga.
Jemez Springs, N.M.
South Padre Island, Texas
Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Mountain Living Showcase Home
Mountain Living is sponsoring the design and construction of a luxurious 8,200-square-foot, five-bedroom home designed and constructed to surpass Built Green standards, using natural, reclaimed and organic materials wherever possible. Built with Cultured Logs,TM which are made from composite materials, the home requires relatively little maintenance and is fire-resistant. Even though it is a large structure, this family home will leave as small a footprint on the land as possible, living in harmony with the surrounding vegetation. Ground was broken in July 2006. The home will be completed and open to the public in July 2007.
Mountain Living has joined with Ken Pieper and Associates and KPA Construction of Evergreen, Colorado (kenpieper.com), Cultured Log SystemsTM of Missoula, Montana (culturedlogs.com), and numerous other eco-friendly suppliers.
Where – Bear Dance, located in the countryside near Larkspur, Colorado, is an environmentally conscious development with more than one-half of its land devoted to open space. “Gene Taylor is a responsible developer in the truest sense,” says professional designer Ken Pieper. “There is a conservation easement as well as a beautiful and challenging championship golf course.”
Follow the building process in every issue of Mountain Living and on our website (mountainliving.com) where you can see exclusive photos and video coverage.
Upcoming Log Home Shows
Home shows are one of the best ways to gather a lot of information and compare many different products in a short amount of time. If you are able, try to make it to one of the following shows, you will come away with some very good ideas.
The following shows are sponsored by Log Homes Illustrated.
Charlotte – February 16-18, 2007
Indianapolis – March 16-18, 2007
Portland – March 23-25, 2007
Fredericksburg – April 13-15, 2007
Omaha – April 27-29, 2007
Salt Lake City – September 07-09, 2007
Chicago – September 21-23, 2007
Denver – September 28-30, 2007
New York – October 12-14, 2007
Seattle – October 19-21, 2007
Branson – November 02-04, 2007
About
This blog is dedicated to keeping you abreast of all the latest news and trends relating to your mountain or lake home. This wil include design trends as well as architecture and engineering trends. Low maintenance homes are a priority for me, after all, I believe that we come to our rustic retreats to relax. Also, finding ways to incorporate environmentally friendly features in our homes will be a priority. I believe that we must all help to preserve the land that we have come to love. Please feel free to leave me any tips, links or comments which are relevant, I would really appreciate it.
