home plans 2014

Supplement to Tulsa World | Saturday, June 21, 2014

HOME PL NSHOME PL NS

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2 •TULSA WORLD SUPPLEMENT HOME PLANS JUNE 21, 2014

HOME PLANS TULSA WORLD SUPPLEMENT • 3JUNE 21, 2014


By Stefanie ForneySpecial Sections Editor

Building a home is one of the most exciting and rewarding projects you can undertake.

You may have been planning which features you want in your dream home for years.

Do you desire a large front porch? An outdoor living center? The home in-terior of your dreams may include hard-wood floors, granite countertops and two laundry rooms. Only you know what you want and what your budget can accommodate.

When planning your new home, consider your cur-rent lifestyle and the changes you anticipate in your family for the next few years. Will your family be expand-ing? Do you enter-tain often and host overnight guests regularly?

Take the time to research options and meet with profession-als before making any decisions. Poor design choices will lead to dis-appointment, and over time your dream home might become a nightmare.

Window into your worldWindows are an important design

element in a home. Not only do they provide natural lighting for the home interior, but they play a vital role in how the house looks from the street. They also capture views, bringing the outdoors in. In addition, windows protect against weather extremes, ensuring that your home interior stays as fresh and beautiful as you designed it.

“When windows are made with infe-rior glass, you are being robbed of energy efficiency, UV protection and being com-fortable in your own home,” says Danny

LeBlanc, division manager of Champion Windows, Sun Rooms,

Roofs and Home Exteriors of Tulsa. “Up to 30 percent of your energy loss can be through your windows. With to-day’s rising energy costs, that can cost you a lot of money. Choosing Energy Star-rated windows with Comfort 365 glass will result in lower utility bills and being more comfortable year-round.”

Window costs will vary based on the brand, size

and type. In general, steel and wood are

the most expensive choices, fiberglass costs less than steel and wood, and vinyl is the least expensive material.

When select-ing vinyl windows, LeBlanc recom-mends welded sash and frames for strength and durabil-ity. A quality spacer, which separates the two panes of glass around the edge, will reduce heat loss and minimize condensa-tion. Foam filling in the vinyl frame provides additional insulation, and the wood-grain finish gives frames the warm look of wood,

while making them resistant to blistering, peeling, shipping and fading.

“These windows will not warp or rot over time, so they will continue to oper-ate like new for years to come,” LeBlanc says.

Let there be lightLighting is another feature that can

enhance or diminish the comfort of a home. It can make your dream home feel like a palace or a dungeon.

“Choosing the right lighting makes all the difference in the world,” says Mary Schulze, manager for Garbe’s Lighting and Home Accessories. “Lighting can change the decor, the style and the ambi-ance of any room, plus it can add color to an otherwise plain space and enhance wall coverings, even furniture and appli-ances.”

Before selecting lighting for the vari-ous living spaces in your house, Schulze suggests you first look at the overall style of your home. Is it modern? Craftsman? Colonial? Knowing this will give you a starting point for the type of lighting that will best suit your design.

Next, consider the type of illumina-tion you want to achieve for each room as well as the function of each space.

“Most living spaces will require three types of lighting: ambient, accent and task,” she says. “Ambient is considered general lighting. Recessed lighting is one example. Accent is more focused lighting, such as a spotlight on an object, and task lighting is more function oriented, such as under-cabinet lighting for reading recipes or desk lamps for work.”

Schulze recommends light layering in your living spaces.

“Light layering allows you to have the right type of lighting for each function in each room,” she says. “Take the family room, for example. This is a room where

you may play, watch movies, read, relax or sometimes even eat. Each one of these functions may require different types of lighting. You may have dimmable recessed lighting, cove lighting, a ceil-ing fan with a light kit or chandelier and portable table lamps or canister uplights all in the same room. Each type of fixture will give you the right illumination for each function.”

Fence me inWhen it comes to amenities outside

the home, many home buyers choose to fence their property. The reasons are many, including boosting privacy, security and curb appeal.

“Choosing the right fence is a very

About This SectionHome Plans was

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call 918-581-8519.

Courtesy of Champion Windows

Windows add so much to a home. They enhance the beauty of a home interior, capture views and protect against the elements.

Choosing amenities wisely for your new home

See AMENITIES page 6

Courtesy of Garbe’s

Make sure you match the right style lighting to your home.


important decision because it is an investment in your current property,” says Meleigha Wear, corporate administrator for Ranchers Pipe & Steel. “You should not only choose the type of fence to satisfy your needs but consider the longevity of the product.”

Ranchers offers beautiful wood privacy fencing, styl-ish ornamental and practical chain-link fencing. The or-namental fences are powder-coated, high-quality steel products that will look great over time. The company has three types of wood privacy fences. The traditional cedar fence comes in a regular style with wood or steel posts, economy with a fabricated steel frame or the decorative style, which allows you to add finials of your choice. Chain-link fencing is an economical way to en-close an area to keep pets in or other creatures out.

“Our best-seller is the Xcel ornamental fence simply because it offers a number of different styles, heights and designs that meet a wide variety of needs,” Wear says.

Whether you are choosing fencing, windows, light-ing or any of the other amenities for your new home, it’s vital to think about your needs as well as your prefer-ences before going shopping. Get the facts about the products available to you, and have fun as you create your new home.

AMENITIESFrom page 4

Courtesy of Ranchers Pipe & Steel

Ornamental fences come in a wide range of styles. Made of powder-coated, high-quality steel, they will maintain a great look over a long life.


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Custom homes stand out with distinctive designsCustom builders create homes de-

signed for each owner individual-ly or from their own, private stock

of designs. This approach contrasts with production builders who construct communities by restricting design to a group of preselected home types and lots they have picked and purchased themselves. Custom builders tend to build on land owned by the customer, start fresh with each design, spend more time on each project and often work on fewer than 10 homes a year.

The National Association of Home Builders provides the following infor-mation to better understand custom home building.

Benefits of a Custom Home Custom homes stand out from the

crowd. They are each one-of-a-kind and are typically upscale with luxury up-grades and unique architectural design. These homes can be more stylized than many production homes—a buyer can contract anything from a luxury log cabin in the woods of Vermont to a pueblo-style home in New Mexico.

Home buyers choose their ideal location and environment, so custom homes often incorporate elements of the landscape into the design and can be built to fit each sites’ outstanding feature; whether that is a view of the ocean, a natural stream, or the distinct colors and plants of a desert landscape.

For instance, Architect Joel Turkel of Turkel Design and the building team at My House Design created the Gambier Is-land House. Perched on a hill overlooking the waterfront in British Columbia’s Gulf Islands, the custom builders used careful planning to integrate the home with its lush forest atmosphere. The home’s sleek design, use of green building techniques and connection to nature earned the home a spot as a finalist in the 2012 Best in American Living Awards.

Green BuildingConcern for the environment is grow-

ing among U.S. households — and so are energy costs. Because of this, many custom builders are embracing green building techniques. Features such as so-lar panels, water-saving appliances, insu-lation to improve heating efficiency and the use of renewable or recycled build-ing materials are all popular techniques to improve a home’s efficiency. Custom builders allow buyers to include a wide range of green products and give them the opportunity to weigh each cost and benefit to create a home that is stylish, comfortable, but also eco-friendly.

New AmenitiesSpecialized amenities really set

custom homes apart. Today home-

owners like to see features that will improve their lifestyle through health, entertainment or comfort. Yoga studios, resistance pools and fitness rooms can be added to encourage healthy living; game rooms, theaters and even a bowl-ing alley can be added for fun; and for comfort, screened-in porches or warm hearths can make your home feel cozy and welcoming.

Custom amenities are also take a high-tech turn. In world where there’s an app for everything, buyers are begin-ning to expect a custom home to do more and be “smart.” Nowadays you can control many features in your home using a phone, controlling energy usage, security systems, lighting and even the music playing in each room.

The Atkinson residence in Berlin, Maryland, won a Silver Award in the 2012 Best in American Living Awards for its use of layered balconies and porches that make the most of the home’s spectacular view of the water. The home’s nook is an example of the unique architectural details often in-cluded in custom homes.

Multigenerational LivingWhether it’s aging parents moving in

with their adult children or young adults living back with Mom and Dad, multigen-erational households have specific needs when it comes to a home.

Custom builders are seeing an increas-ing need to tailor homes to this lifestyle. According to a 2011 study by the Pew Re-search Center, 39 percent of adults ages 18 to 34 have had to move in with their parents in recent years. In the same year, the U.S. Census reported that 4.3 percent of 76 million households were made up of at least three generations.

Multigenerational families often build homes that include the traditional mother-in-law suite or even feature a locked-off living space within the home. These apartment-style spaces can have their own kitchenette, full bathroom and living areas to provide a sense of privacy and independence.

Universal DesignAs the country grows older and many

baby boomers look to retirement, uni-versal design features are an ever-grow-ing priority for many custom buyers and builders. This design uses features such as wider doors, lower counter-tops and fewer stairs to create a home that everyone can enjoy comfortably. An accessible home allows owners to age in place, prolonging their ability to stay in the house independently. It can also increase the value of the home by opening the market to any future buyer, despite age, stature or ability.

Courtesy of NAHB

The Atkinson residence in Berlin, Maryland, won a BALA Silver Award for a one-of-a-kind home over 6,501 square feet. Its use of layered balconies and porches make the most of the home’s spectacular view of the water.


A T T E N T I O N T O E V E R Y

Choosing the right builderWhen in the market for a new

home, you should shop for your builder as carefully as you shop

for your home. Whether you are buying a condo, a townhouse, a house in a sub-division or a custom house, you want to know that you are buying a good quality home from a reputable builder. Here are tips from the National Home Builders As-sociation to help you choose a builder.

Make a list of possible buildersOnce you have thought about the

type of house you want, you will need to find a builder.

• Contact the Home Builders Associa-tion of Greater Tulsa to obtain a list of builders who construct homes in your area.

• Look in the real estate section of your local newspaper for builders and projects. Looking through the ads and reading the articles can help you to learn which builders are active in your area, the types of homes they are build-ing, and the prices you can expect to pay. Make a list of builders who build the type of home you’re looking for in your price range.

• Local Realtors also can help you in

your search. Ask friends and relatives for recommendations. Ask about build-ers they have dealt with directly or ask them for names of acquaintances who have recently had a good experience with a builder.

Do your homeworkOnce you have a list of builders, how

can you find out about their reputa-tions and the quality of their work? The best way to learn about builders is to visit homes they have built and talk with the owners.

• Ask builders on your list for the ad-dresses of their recently built homes and subdivisions. Builders may even be able to provide names of some homeowners who would be willing to talk with you.

• Drive by on a Saturday morning when homeowners may be outside doing chores or errands. Introduce yourself and say you are considering buying a home from the builder who built their home. Talk to several own-ers, and try to get a random sample of opinions. The more people you talk with, the more accurate impression of a builder you are likely to get. At the very least, drive by and see if the homes are

visually appealing.• When you talk to builders and

homeowners, take along a notebook to record the information you find and your personal impressions about specific builders and homes. Doing so will help you to make comparisons later. Some questions you can ask people include: Are you happy with your home? If you had any problems, were they fixed promptly and properly? Would you buy another home from this builder?

• Usually, people tell you if they are pleased with their homes. And if they are not, they will probably want to tell you why.

Shop for quality and valueLook at new homes whenever you

can. Home shows and open houses sponsored by builders are good oppor-tunities to look at homes. Model homes and houses displayed in home shows are often furnished to give you ideas for us-ing the space. You may also ask a builder to see unfurnished homes.

When examining a home, look at the quality of the construction features. Inspect the quality of the cabinetry, carpeting, trim work, and paint. Ask the

builder or the builder’s representative a lot of questions. Get as many specifics as possible. If you receive the answers ver-bally rather than in writing, take notes. Never hesitate to ask a question. What seems like an insignificant question might yield an important answer.

Thinkstock

Never hesitate to ask your builder a question. Get as many specifics as possible.


By Stefanie ForneySpecial Sections Editor

S ingle-family homes are getting bigger. In the past four years, the average home size has risen from 2,362 square feet in 2009 to 2,679 square

feet in 2013, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ annual survey of home trends and buyer preferences.

To learn why, just look at who is buying new homes.

“The data is very clear. It shows that in recent years, buying a home has required having a high credit score — about 58 points higher than the average U.S. consumer — and also a pretty nice median house-hold income — about $107,000,” says NAHB Assistant Vice President of Survey Research Rose Quint. “So, when you put all those facts together, it’s not surpris-ing at all to see that the home size and features are trending up.”

The most likely features to be included in the aver-age home this year are a walk-in closet in the master bedroom, a laundry room, low-E windows throughout the house and a great room, according to NAHB’s lat-est survey of single-family home builders in the coun-try. Energy-efficiency features are also high on the list, such as Energy Star-rated appliances, programmable thermostats and Energy Star-rated windows.

Fresh styleStyle is a personal thing, and choosing the right

interior appointments can make the difference be-tween comfort and discontent.

“We are seeing a new movement in home building — transitional,” says local builder Adam W. Curran. “It’s a mix of the Old World traditional look mixed with modern elements.” The lines are clean, yet the feeling is warm. Transitional style is not too formal, nor fussy.

“With the East and West coasts going very modern, those images and stories lead the headlines, but Tulsa is still traditional, so you will see modern elements incorporated but won’t see a full takeover,” Curran added.

Sheron Gearhardt, builder sales decision manager for Mill Creek Carpet & Tile, has also seen a move toward more transitional looks in home interiors. “The choice is toward rich textures and lighter, fresher colors. Even the granite selections are going lighter — white and grays — to follow the demand from our consumers.”

Gearhardt said it is mostly due to baby boomers being ready for lifestyle changes and coming out of the Old-World darkness and to influences from a younger buying public.

Emphasis on the casualPeople today are choosing an increasingly casual

lifestyle, and that is evident in today’s floor plans.“I think the media room with eight reclined chairs

and stages is going to start becoming a thing of the past,” says Curran. “More and more people are re-questing no stage and want to do a U-shaped couch. The traditional media room will still be here for many years, but more and more are going toward a more relaxed feel.”

Another trend is eliminating the formal dining room. Formal dining rooms remained common 10 years ago but were losing their favor, much like the

formal living room.“Most of our clients are going for the hearth room

concept, which is enlarging the nook and adding a fireplace,” Curran says. “It makes way more sense with modern-day kitchens having such large islands. It al-lows the family to be all together, and it gets used al-most all the time, where a formal tends to stay vacant most of the year. We’ve been doing the hearth room concept for about nine years. Now you are starting to see it in a lot more homes.”

Great outdoorsOutdoor living spaces continue to be included in

new homes. According to a survey of home builders, a patio or deck is one of the top three features most requested of new home buyers. Homeowners are building stone patios with outdoor kitchens com-plete with large, built-in grills, refrigerators and work areas. They’re including outdoor fireplaces or fire pits to extend the season and outdoor lighting to extend usability into the night. They’re even installing televi-sions and stereos.

“Families today want options, and the trend is to get outside and enjoy outdoor cooking and leisure time with friends,” says Steve Surles, marketing direc-tor for Forest Ridge/The Robson Cos. “Outdoor kitch-ens and living spaces give families an inviting area to entertain or just enjoy the outdoors together.”

Safe and secureAnother trend that Surles sees with home buyers

today is the inclusion of built-in safe rooms. “Since we live in Tornado Alley, families are preparing for those acts of Mother Nature.”

Other trends in new home building include:• Open floor plansBuilders and buyers are taking the walls down. New

construction features comfortable open living spaces with several functions to meet the needs of every family member.

• Spa-like bathroomsToday’s bathrooms are luxurious and relaxing

retreats. Tub and shower spaces are separate. Popular improvements include multiple shower heads, creat-ing a dedicated grooming area and installing heated flooring.

• Universal design elementsComfortable design and accessibility for people of

all ages and abilities is on the rise. Single-story homes, wide halls and doorways, flexible floor plans, pull-out storage and add-ons, such as grab bars and task light-ing, make it easy to age in place without sacrificing style or independence.

• Hardwood flooringA variety of hues or grain patterns are available to-

day, and wood lasts for more than a century. Reclaimed hardwood flooring is recycled from sources such as old homes and barns and provides a rustic look.

• Multifunctional roomsToday’s builders/buyers make every inch count in

new homes. Practical ideas include creating intimate spaces with nooks and alcoves, adding built-ins to transitional spaces, outfitting home offices, and creating laundry rooms to substitute as hobby or craft rooms.

• Smart StoragePreviously overlooked spaces are used for extra

stowaway space, including under stairways and win-dow seating.

Popular trends in home building

Courtesy of Adam Curran Homes

ABOVE: Today’s spa-like baths are luxurious and relaxing retreats. Tub and shower spaces are now separate.


ABOVE: Due to increasingly casual lifestyles, more homeowners are opting for hearth rooms rather than formal dining spaces.


ABOVE: Homeowners and builders are giving more attention to outdoor living spaces.


Energy Star homes a step above

To earn the Energy Star, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Homes achieve this level of performance through measures including:

• Complete thermal enclosure system — Comprehensive air sealing, properly installed insulation and high-performance windows work together to enhance comfort, improve durability, reduce maintenance costs and lower monthly utility bills.

• Complete heating and cooling system — High-efficiency systems that are engineered and installed to deliver more comfort, better moisture control, improved indoor air quality and quieter operation.

• Complete water management sys-tem — A package of best building prac-tices and materials protects roofs, walls and foundations from water damage, provides added protection and reduces the risk of indoor air quality problems.

• Energy-efficient lighting and ap-pliances — Energy Star certified light-ing, appliances and fans are commonly installed throughout Energy Star-certified homes, helping to reduce monthly utility bills.

To ensure that a home meets Energy Star guidelines, third–party verification by a certified home energy rater (or equivalent) is required. This rater works closely with the builder throughout the construction process to help determine the needed energy-saving equipment and construction techniques and con-duct required on-site diagnostic testing and inspections to ensure the home is eligible to earn the Energy Star label.

Since the inception of the Energy Star Certified Homes Program, the program’s requirements have evolved.

Step 1: Builder chooses to partner with Energy Star.

Through a partnership agreement with EPA, a builder agrees to affix an

Energy Star label on homes that are independently verified to meet program guidelines and to build at least one En-ergy Star-certified home every 12 months to maintain their partnership. Through the partnership agreement process, the builder also selects a home energy rater to work with to qualify their homes.

An Energy Star builder partner may not build exclusively Energy Star-certified homes. Some builder partners offer Ener-gy Star in specific home models, subdivi-sions or developments, or as an upgrade option. However, there are also many builders that have made a commitment to build 100 percent Energy Star certified homes across their entire operation and developers who require all Energy Star construction in their developments.

Step 2: Builder works with the rater to select appropriate energy-efficient home features.

The builder submits his architectural plans to their home energy rater for review and analysis. The rater looks for key information on the plans to help the builder choose the best combination of energy-efficient features to ensure that the home will earn the Energy Star label when constructed.

Step 3: Builder constructs home and rater verifies features and perfor-mance.

The builder then constructs the home. Throughout the construction process, the rater performs a number of inspections and diagnostic tests to verify the proper installation of the selected energy–effi-cient features and overall energy perfor-mance of the home.

Step 4: Rater qualifies the home as Energy Star and Issues an Energy Star label.

After the rater completes the final inspection and determines that all requirements have been met, the rater will provide the builder with an Energy Star label, which is placed on the circuit breaker box of the home.

Thinkstock

Energy Star-certified homes are designed and built to higher standards than the average home today, delivering energy efficiency savings of as much as 30 percent when compared to typical new homes.


Best Kitchen by Tim Scott

First Place for Large Kitchen by David McFadden

Get kitchen and bath ideas from 2014 NKBA award winners

Design Inspiration

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) revealed this year’s 18

category and 11 specialty award winners in the 2014 NKBA design competition.

The frontrunners of the competition include Best Kitchen Winner Tim Scott of XTC Design Inc., Toronto, On-tario; and Best Bath Winner Sol Quintana Wagoner from Jack-son Design and Remodeling, San Diego, California, whose projects scored high on vari-ous criteria, including safety and ergonomics, elements and principles of design, design planning, creativity and pre-sentation.

Tim Scott’s medium kitchen project, which won the Best Kitchen Award, was designed for a family of four WHO loves to entertain. It features two work zones, good storage op-tions for point-of-use essen-tials, and other state-of-the-art features. The creative play of a chunky, back-beveled marble background, walnut cabinetry, wavy backsplash tiles and a lava stone floor, among other elements, bring a wow factor

to this space. Sol Quintana Wagoner

earned the Best Bath Award for her contemporary, Asian-themed room, featuring an elegant black pocket door with Shoji-style panels, an ochre wall, sensor-activated lighting system, and an arced onyx sink with gold fixtures — a meticulously planned room with glamor and sophistica-tion galore.

“This year’s winners offer a stunning variety in themes, styles and finishes,” says 2014 NKBA President John Petrie, CMKBD. “From English Cottage to Farmhouse styles and Con-temporary Asian to Coastal themes, these winning designs demonstrate creativity, preci-sion and versatility. ”

A panel of seven, certified industry experts evaluated nearly 400 entries for projects from across the United States and Canada in the 2014 De-sign Competition. Each judge was either a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer or both a Certified Kitchen Designer and a Certified Bath Designer.


Best Green Design by Elina Katsioula-Beall

Best Universal Designby Shawn McCune

Best Bath by Sol Quintana Wagoner


All-American Log HomesThe original ‘green’ way to build

If you’re dreaming of buying and building a log home, you are not alone. More people live in these

modern, rustic residences today than at any time in history. The warmth of wood, solid construction and powerful con-nection to nature add up to a feeling of safety and sanctuary unlike any other type of home.

Although log construction is a time-less classic, the log homes of today can be quite different than their early Ameri-can counterparts. Today’s log homes often feature innovative designs that feel modern, open and upscale. Many builders include large windows with outstanding views of the outdoor land-scape, cathedral ceil-ings for a light and airy feel and modern kitchens perfect for entertaining.

While construct-ing a log home is one of the simplest and most efficient ways to build, each new home brings a host of choices concerning style and materials.

The National Association of Home Builders shares these tips to help you build the log home of your dreams.

Types of Log HomesTo start, there are more than 17

common tree species used in the log and timber home industry, each with its own unique properties. Grain pattern, color, size (diameter and length), thermal performance and resistance to decay are all important considerations. Plus, logs can be fashioned into a host of different corner styles and profiles, using different fastening and sealant systems.

There are also two distinct kinds of logs that make up most homes today. Manufacturers of milled logs that are precut to fit a particular home design are the most popular choice today, mak-ing up 90 percent of homes constructed. However, 10 percent of log homes use handcrafted logs with many custom buyers still preferring this look of con-struction. While logs from a mill can be identified by their uniform diameters, handcrafted logs will vary slightly for a hand-hewn appearance.

Once you pick the basics of what you want in a log home, you can find more than 400 companies in North America to make your dream log home.

Log homes meet green building standards

Log home construction earns points in the green building standard for the many ways it saves energy and protects the environment, including:

Trees are a renewable resource. On top of this, waste is kept at a minimum during the milling process, as manu-facturers utilize all portions of the log. They use everything from bark and other sources made into mulch to wood scraps that become raw material used in carvings and other home products.

The homes can be sold as kits or “packages” with the bulk of building materials delivered at one time. This

method reduces fuel costs and carbon emissions compared to traditional site building.

Pre-cut log-home packages go up quickly and leave less waste than conventional con-struction. Walls are completed simply by stacking logs, which means there is less energy consumed to craft the home.

Log homes are energy efficientLogs absorb heat energy during

the day and radiate it at night, keeping occupants feeling comfortable while also using less energy over the life of the home. In fact, homes built with solid log walls are typically 2.5 to 15 percent more energy efficient than standard stick-frame construction, according to an NAHB study.

In addition to the benefits of solid timber construction, Log Homes Council member companies engineer their log wall joinery and roof systems to elimi-nate air infiltration and moisture, con-serve energy and increase comfort. This engineered approach can continue with every product included in a log home package.

Getting Started• Find a manufacturer: Go to www.log-

homes.org or nahb.org/logdirectory for a full list of manufacturers who belong to the National Association of Home Build-ers’ Log Homes Council.

• Contact a builder: Most log home manufacturers market and sell their homes through local builders, dealers or developers who will work with you throughout the process.

Courtesy of Honest Abe Log Homes

The warmth of wood, solid construction and powerful connection to nature of a log home adds up to a feeling of safety and sanctuary unlike any other type of home.

July is Log Homes Month

In 2012, the U.S. House of Rep-resentatives declared July “Log Homes Month” in the Congressio-nal Record, and to celebrate this, the Log Homes Council is holding National Log Homes Open Houses throughout the month. Special events include open houses, mill tours, log home raisings and educa-tional seminars across the country. Visit www.loghomes.org for a calendar of events.


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Architectural guide to residential stylesEvery house has a style. Sometimes it

combines a mixture of two or more. The National Association of Realtors

provides a short list of architectural styles.Art decoThe 1925 Paris Exhibition Internatio-

nale des Arts Decoratifs launched the art deco style, which echoed the Machine Age with geometric decorative elements and a vertically oriented design. This distinctly urban style was never widely used in residential buildings. It was more widespread in public and commercial buildings of the period.

Towers and other projections above the roofline enhance the vertical empha-sis of this style, which was popularized by Hollywood movies of the 1930s. Flat roofs, metal window casements, and smooth stucco walls with rectangular cut-outs mark the exteriors of Art Deco homes. Facades are typically flush with zigzags and other stylized floral, geometric, and “sunrise” motifs. By 1940 the Art Deco style had evolved into “Art Moderne,” which features curved corners, rectangu-lar glass-block windows, and a boat-like appearance. Popularized in the United States by Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen, the style enjoyed a revival in the 1980s.

BungalowThese narrow, rectangular one and

one-half story houses originated in California during the 1880s as a reaction to the elaborate decoration of Victorian homes. The style then moved eastward to the Midwest in the early 20th century, where it remained popular until the Great Depression. Bungalows have low-pitched gabled or hipped roofs and small covered porches at the entry. The style became so popular that you could order a bunga-low kit from Sears and Roebuck catalog. The name “bungalow” had its origins in India, where it indicated a small, thatched home.

ColonialAmerica’s colonial period encom-

passed a number of housing types and styles. However, when we speak of the colonial style, we often are referring to a rectangular, symmetrical home with bed-rooms on the second floor. The double-hung windows usually have many small, equally sized square panes.

During the late 1800s and through-out the 20th century, builders borrowed colonial ideas to create refined Colonial Revival homes with elegant central hall-ways and elaborate cornices. Unlike the original colonials, Colonial Revival homes

are often sided in white clapboard and trimmed with black or green shutters.

ContemporaryYou know them by their odd-sized

and often tall windows, their lack of orna-mentation, and their unusual mixtures of wall materials — stone, brick, and wood, for instance. Architects designed contem-porary-style homes (in the modern fam-ily) between 1950 and 1970, and created two versions: the flat-roof and gabled types. The latter is often characterized by exposed beams. Both breeds tend to be one-story tall and were designed to incorporate the surrounding landscape into their overall look.

CraftsmanPopularized at the turn of the 20th

century by architect and furniture de-signer Gustav Stickley in his magazine, “The Craftsman,” the Craftsman-style bungalow reflected, said Stickley, “a house reduced to its simplest form ... its low, broad proportions and absolute lack of ornamentation gives it a character so natural and unaffected that it seems to ... blend with any landscape.”

The style, which was also widely billed as the “California bungalow” by archi-tects such as Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene, featured overhanging eaves, a low-slung gabled roof, and wide front porches framed by pedestal-like tapered columns. Material often included stone, rough-hewn wood and stucco. Many homes have wide front porches across part of the front, sup-ported by columns.

FederalUbiquitous up and down the East

Coast, Federal-style architecture dates See STYLES page 18

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Many Craftsman-style homes have wide front porches across part of the front, supported by columns.


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from the late 1700s and coincided with a reawakening of interest in classi-cal Greek and Roman culture. Builders began to add swags, garlands, elliptical windows, and other decorative details to rectangular Georgian houses. The style that emerged resembles Georgian, but is more delicate and more formal. Many Federal-style homes have an arched Palladian window on the second story above the front door. The front door usually has sidelights and a semicircular fanlight. Federal-style homes are often called “Adam” after the English brothers who popularized the style.

GeorgianBefitting a king — in fact, the style is

named for four King Georges of Eng-land — Georgian homes are refined and symmetrical with paired chimneys and a decorative crown over the front door. Modeled after the more elaborate homes of England, the Georgian style dominat-ed the British colonies in the 1700s. Most surviving Georgians sport side-gabled roofs, are two to three stories high, and are constructed in brick. Georgian homes almost always feature an orderly row of five windows across the second story. Modern-day builders often combine

features of the refined Georgian style with decorative flourishes from the more formal Federal style.

PrairieIn suburban Chicago in 1893, Frank

Lloyd Wright, America’s most famous architect, designed the first Prairie-style house, and it’s still a common style throughout the Midwest. Prairie houses come in two styles: boxy and symmetrical or low-slung and asym-metrical. Roofs are low-pitched, with wide eaves. Brick and clapboard are the most common building materials. Other details include rows of casement windows; one-story porches with mas-sive square supports; and stylized floral and circular geometric terra-cotta or masonry ornamentation around doors, windows and cornices.

Queen AnneA sub-style of the late Victorian era,

Queen Anne is a collection of coquettish detailing and eclectic materials. Steep cross-gabled roofs, towers and vertical windows are all typical of a Queen Anne home. Inventive, multistory floor plans often include projecting wings, several porches and balconies and multiple chimneys with decorative chimney pots.

Wooden “gingerbread” trim in scrolled and rounded fish-scale patterns frequently graces gables and porches. Massive cut stone foundations are typi-cal of period houses. Created by English

architect Richard Norman Shaw, the style was popularized after the Civil War by architect Henry Hobson Richardson and spread rapidly, especially in the South and West.

RanchSometimes called the California ranch

style, this home in the modern family, originated there in the 1930s. It emerged as one of the most popular American styles in the 1950s and ‘60s, when the automobile had replaced early 20th-century forms of transportation, such as streetcars. The style takes its cues from Spanish Colonial, Prairie and Craftsman homes, and it is characterized by its one-story, pitched-roof construction, built-in garage, wood or brick exterior walls, sliding and picture windows, and sliding doors leading to patios.

SaltboxThis New England colonial style got

its name because the sharply sloping gable roof resembled the boxes used for storing salt. The step roofline often plunges from two and one-half stories in front to a single story in the rear. In colonial times, the lower rear portion was often used as a partially enclosed shed, which was oriented north as a windbreak. These square or rectangular homes typically have a large central chimney and large, double-hung win-dows with shutters. Exterior walls are made of clapboard or shingles.

TudorThis architectural style was popular in

the 1920s and 1930s and continues to be a mainstay in suburbs across the United States. The defining characteristics are half-timbering on bay windows and up-per floors, and facades that are dominat-ed by one or more steeply pitched cross gables. Patterned brick or stone walls are common, as are rounded doorways, multi-paned casement windows and large stone chimneys. A subtype of the Tudor Revival style is the Cotswold Cot-tage. With a sloping roof and a massive chimney at the front, a Cotswold Cottage may remind you of a picturesque story-book home.

STYLESFrom page 16

Realtor.com

Tudor facades are dominated by one or more steeply pitched cross gables.


Staying safe in Tornado AlleyBy Stefanie ForneySpecial Sections Editor

Tornadoes can be destructive and are potentially deadly. However, taking timely precautions can save

lives and reduce property damage. Although all 50 states experience

tornadoes, two regions typically have a higher number each year. One is Florida, and the other is Tornado Alley, an area covering all or parts of Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas.

Tornado Alley is a hotspot for these violent storms due to the cold polar air from Canada, warm tropical air from Mexico and dry air from the Southwest clashing in the middle of the country. Tor-nadoes in this region typically happen in late spring and occasionally the early fall, but they can appear at any time of year.

The severity of a tornado is catego-rized by the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale, with ratings from EF0 (65-85 mph three-second gusts of wind) to EF5 (over 200 mph).

Oklahomans, who have seen more than their share of tornadoes, are plan-ning ahead by identifying a safe place in their homes to hide during a tornado.

Choose a room that is away from windows in a centrally located spot that is as low to the ground as possible. If you have a basement, make it your safe place. If you do not have a basement, consider an interior hallway or room on the lowest floor. Make sure your safe place has no windows or glass doors, and keep this place uncluttered.

Many homeowners are adding a tor-nado storm shelter to their homes for an added measure of safety. Robert Kleven, new home salesperson with Concept Builders, is seeing an increased interest in safe rooms.

“It started even before the terrible Moore disaster, but that dramatically increased overall interest,” says Kleven. “About 25 percent of the new homes we build include safe rooms, but we expect that to increase over the next year.”

Local home builder Brian D. Wiggs gets requests for safe rooms from practically every new client he takes on.

”Sometimes the safe room does not make the final budget cut, but they all would like to have one,” says Wiggs. In fact, 75 percent of his clients include a safe room in their new home.

These storm shelters can be installed anywhere in the house, then the house is built around the safe room. “We usually build them as a closet in one of the guest rooms, and the steel walls are concealed

behind Sheetrock wall,” Wiggs says. “All that remains showing is the steel door.”

When deciding to include a safe room in your home, make sure it meets the Fed-eral Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) criteria.

“The FEMA 320 guide to safe rooms includes design requirements so that the room will be anchored properly to a rein-forced slab and will be able to withstand penetration from debris at speeds of an EF5 tornado,” says Vince Mims, owner/national manager for Family Safe, the company that installs Wiggs’ safe rooms.

Whether you choose an in-ground or above-ground shelter is up to you. If you have physical limitations, are older or want to use the safe room as a gun safe or a vault, an above-ground safe room is a better choice. If you don’t have the space for an above-ground shelter, an underground shelter would work better for you. Either one is acceptable as long as the storm shelter is built and installed correctly.

According to FEMA.gov, 76 percent of all tornado fatalities occur from people exiting their homes, so inside the home is best and quickest.

“But depending on the home and the budget, it is not always the best option or even a possibility,” Mims says. “Give yourself enough time to get into the room/shelter safely. If you need to exit the home to get into the safe room, leave early and stay late.”

Before buying a safe room, do your homework. Check out the companies with the Better Business Bureau. Look at the company’s safe room testing, certifi-cations and work history. Ask if the storm shelter was tested by Texas Tech Univer-sity or other laboratories, and request to look at the test documents for yourself. The National Wind Institute at Texas Tech University has a track record of being one of the best locations for designing and testing storm shelters. Since the 1970s, Texas Tech has pioneered the scientific development of materials and con-struction that will make storm shelters withstand the harshest winds, and they continue to test and certify today’s best products.

Less than half of the shelter designs on the market today have been built to meet or exceed FEMA 320 standards for safe room construction or have been impact-tested at Texas Tech’s National Wind Institute.

The installation and construction of your storm shelter can make the dif-ference between life and death in an emergency. With that in mind, it’s never been more important to know what you are getting.

Courtesy of Family Safe

Both above-ground (above) and in-ground (below) storm shelters provide excellent protection during a tornado as long as they are built and installed correctly.


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50+ homes meeting needs of older AmericansAmerica is getting older. As baby

boomers come into their 50s, 60s and 70s, the country faces

big changes. By 2040, the number of Americans 65 or older will expand to more than 79 million — up from just 40 million in 2010.

The National Association of Home Builders forecasts that the share of households headed by someone age 55+ will increase through 2019 to ac-count for more than 45 percent of all U.S. households. These growing ranks of empty-nesters, new retirees, grand-parents and active seniors are leading builders across the country to meet the special needs and preferences of 50+ buyers looking to relocate, downsize their homes or find a new senior-friendly community.

These 50+ homes often form around socially engaged communities and often include amenities like nature trails, pools and recreation centers. Many use design elements that promote low-stress living and include special features such as an extra bedroom suite for guests and acces-sible kitchens, bathrooms and gardens.

The 50+ niche is vitally important to help ease the transitions between life stages. Builders are redefining what it means to relocate with age by providing more lifestyle options for the growing 50+ population.

The NAHB provides the following information to better understand the options for this type of housing.

Active-adult communities Today’s baby boomers are not looking

for the isolated retirement communities of the past, yet many still want the sense of community and shared interests that come from living in a place designed for their generation. Active adult communi-ties are made for residents looking to remain engaged and independent.

Many residents are still working or recently retired and enjoy communal amenities like pools, recreation centers, social events, hiking trails, tennis courts and nearby restaurants and shopping. For 50+ households, this can be an af-fordable option to downsize to a smaller home and still will allow them to age in place comfortably with a true sense of community.

Assisted livingAssisted living is aimed at residents

who want to live somewhat indepen-dently but have access to services like meals, personal care, social activities, medical support and in many cases 24-hour health supervision. Assisted living is for those who can no longer live entirely on their own, but don’t yet need the full support of nursing care. The level of

service is typically adjusted to fit the in-dividual to create personalized attention and individual care.

Community Care Retirement Communities

Community Care Retirement Com-munities (CCRCs) are a happy medium between the support of assisted living and the independence of active adult communities. Residents can choose more independence by living on their own in single-family homes, apartments or con-dominiums, but as additional assistance becomes necessary there is the added benefit of assisted living or nursing care facilities. Residents transition smoothly and can rest assured that health needs can be accommodated minus the stress and hassle of moving. CCRCs often are rich with amenities and communal areas that foster community engagement, but they are also great for a sense of stability.

Universal DesignUniversal design focuses on making a

living space fully accessible to people of all different ages and abilities. This often requires small innovations in design that are increasingly inviting and stylish. Some examples are widened doorways for wheelchairs, adjusted showers and baths, raised flower beds for seated gardening, open, single-level floor plans and lowered appliances. These measures take away the stress of high-mainte-nance homes with steep staircases and high operating costs that many seniors live in today. With a move to a home with universal design elements, you can have both updated style and feel totally comfortable in your own space.

Healthy and Active LifestyleWouldn’t you want to live somewhere

with its own nutritionist, massage thera-pist, spa and shuttle service? With a rise in demand for healthy living in recent years, many 50+ buyers demand these amenities — as well as lifestyle directors, workout classes and hiking trails.

50+ communities don’t just focus in physical health but can also be great for a person’s emotional and social health. Many 50+ communities have social groups form around activities such as games, cooking classes, even dancing.

One of the biggest trends in 50+ is to locate communities near big universi-ties so residents can continue learning by taking classes or going to the cul-tural and academic events that revolve around college campuses. These ameni-ties make for a rich and busy life.

Courtesy of Steven McBride

Many active-adult communities have social groups that form around activi-ties such as pickleball (right).

Courtesy of Bill Barley

Cottages at Saluda River Club in Lexington, South Carolina, is as inviting as it is attractive. It won the Best of 50+ Housing Award winner and active-adult com-munity.

Courtesy of Bill Barley

Many 50+ homes include special fea-tures such as a craft room that includes built-ins for better use of space.

Courtesy of Mark Boisclair

Community centers offer numer-ous social activities. Some include cook-ing classes (below).


Landscaping tips from the pros Landscape designers spend years

learning the science of horticulture, plant selection and the elements of

design. The most important thing to con-sider when developing your landscaping is to create a functional space that you and your family will love and enjoy for many years to come.

Here are a few design basics from the pros with Professional Landcare Network:

Function — Your yard should meet your family’s needs. Before you start planting, think about how you want to use your yard. Do want to create great play areas for kids? Do you want to create a yard your pets will love? Do you want to attract wildlife? Or do you want to relax and entertain in your yard? Answer these questions before you start designing your new landscape.

Color — Consider plant color, not only in the flowers, but also in plant leaves, fruit and branches. Remember to check the seasonal color changes of plants as well. Create visual interest per season. One mistake people make is to use too many different colors. Create masses or blocks of color rather than a scattering of all colors, which can be confusing to the eye. Remember that your eye will be drawn to the colorful plants, so do not feel the entire yard has to be full of them. Instead, have some accents of color in different parts of your yard in all seasons.

Proportion and scale — Plant size is important. First plan where to place large plants such as shade trees, then locate smaller trees, shrubs and finally ground cover and flowers.

Tall plants and trees anchor a space and provide shade and privacy. Consider where you want to use larger plants to screen unwanted views and where you want to have smaller plants to open up or enhance a view. Be aware of the size a plant will be at maturity. A single decora-tive ornamental tree or shrub or speci-men cacti can be added as a focal point in the landscape. Remember that larger

masses of one element, be it annuals or shrubs, can often achieve a better effect than one large plant.

Texture and form — Many plants have beautiful textures and shapes. Select a few plants that have an inter-esting form or texture. There are plants that grow upright or cascade. Some are spiky. Some are columnar or round shaped. Some are evergreen. Some are succulents, agaves or cacti. Choose a few plants that provide interest, variety and contrast. Get creative.

Organization — Your yard will take on a well-planned look if plants are installed in an organized way. Masses of plants in a well designed plan tend to look better than a jumble of individual plants. Even an informal, “naturalistic” theme should involve masses of plants in an organized design instead of random individual plantings. A basic design principle is to put plants together in odd-numbered groupings of three, five or seven plants, etc.

Theme — If you uncover a design theme for the yard, your design choices will be made easier. Do you want a look that is natural and romantic with curving lines and hidden spaces? Do you want a modern and urban feel? Or do you want a neat and highly manicured appear-ance? The beauty of landscape is that it is possible to have different looks in differ-ent areas of your yard.

When planning your landscape, consider your climate, soil type, drainage, exposure (sun and shade), potential use of native plants, water requirements and types of wildlife, such as deer.

By incorporating a master plan, you avoid potential problems of having to re-do work, wasting money and time. Landscape professionals can provide consultation, design and installation ex-pertise in all of these areas. They can also help with information on local building codes, restrictions and potential mainte-nance and water cost issues.

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Your yard will take on a well-planned look if plants are installed in an organized way. Masses of plants in a well designed plan tend to look better than a jumble of indi-vidual plants.


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