Project Updates: Additions and Renovation Work

Posted on January 31, 2012 by admin
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Right now, as I’m writing this, it is 57 degrees.

On January 30th.  In Kentucky.

For a home builder, that kind of weather is pure gold.  So why do we continually look up at the sky fearfully?  Because we are watching for the golden egg to hit us in the head!!

Seriously, what Mother Nature giveth, she taketh away.  But until that happens we are going to press forward as hard as we can!

Our LaGrange Road project saw the mechanicals roughed in last week (electric, plumbing, HVAC), the rafter tails and roof installed, and the insulation went in today!  Tomorrow drywall is being delivered.  And hopefully the two windows that were a late add on – we’ve been waiting four weeks on those, so yay!!  And as long as this awesome weather holds out, we are pushing to get the exterior finished.  That includes the stone fireplace, the Hardie siding, and all those neat details that make this home special.

Long view of the room addition on LaGrange Road Project

Looking up in the cupola or lantern. There are two of these.

A view from the other end of the room.

Our Southern Parkway  project is moving forward, albeit more slowly.  We finally, finally got the plans in for the carriage house going in the backyard and then proceeded to get a major run around from the Department of Codes and Regulations in lieu of the building permit.

Thanks, guys.  No, really!  Thanks!  ‘Cause soon we are going to be able to apply online which will totally remove the snarky factor.

New master suit, living room, garage addition going on the rear.

Another view of the new addition. It's quite large!

The new Anderson 400 widows are installed (Beautifully so!) in the original part of the house, the new addition is almost totally framed up…just waiting on a gazillion pound steel beam to hold up the new roof and then we’ll be onto inside things.

This week we will be working on the permitting for the carriage house and tearing off the old plaster in the original part of the house.  I will have a second shopping trip with the homeowner to look at granite for the kitchen and baths.  Last week our shopping trip was most productive; we did kitchen cabinets, hardwood flooring, and started on tile for the baths.

It appears we are going to disagree widely on the backsplash in the kitchen.

I wonder if I’ll be able to stay quiet and let them choose the one they want.

Doubt it.  Timeless classics!  Stick with the timeless classics!

Aside from those two projects, we’ll be full steam ahead on three bids and working on the design for the new Show Home!

Coming soon to Elk Creek Ridge in Spencer County!

This photo is of the cabinets I want in my kitchen.  They are on display at Chris’s Custom Cabinetry.   I want them so bad I almost laid on the island in the showroom refusing to move until they were made for my house.

Still wondering if that would work…

This is the kitchen that I'm considering making a fool of myself for. Worth it, right?!

And, sorry about the poor picture quality.

It is just so easy to use the camera on my iphone!

So what’s going on in your life? Update us in the comments!

 

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Project Updates: Additions Edition

Posted on January 23, 2012 by admin
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In order to keep our adoring house-loving fans in the loop, I’m attempting to write a weekly article about our projects, along with some photos, so you can see what we are doing…and maybe get an idea or two for your own home!

Please give me feedback so I’ll know whether or not my time is well spent!

This week talk of our addition work is on deck, starting with our Prospect addition and continuing with news (finally) of our Southern Parkway addition.

LaGrange Road Addition

We are so very lucky to be working on this project!  In very close proximity to our office, we are doing an addition to a very, very cool home.  Take a look at this!:

The original home is in wood siding, but due to the demands of keeping the paint job in tip top shape, the owners have elected to do this addition in James Hardie siding and painting it to match the home.  The new windows and doors on the addition are Anderson 400 Series (can you tell I love these?  I’ve used them so much here lately and am always so pleased with the look and feel.)

This week will see a lot of work on this home!  We’ll get the roof on and start installing the Hardie siding outside.  Inside we’ll complete the plumbing, electric, and HVAC rough ins AND if we are really lucky, we’ll insulate.  That will be big time exciting because at that point we’ll be able to open the passage way from the old to the new.  It’ll be very exciting to get a feel for it after looking at it on paper for so long!

Cutting the rafter tails for the addition!

Southern Parkway

Finally this project is moving forward!  We’ve spent many weeks designing the addition and the carriage house; permitting and demolition.  Oh yes, demolition.  Sometime in the 80’s an unfortunately addition was put on the back of this home.  By unfortunate, I mean it had no soul.

Take a look at this photo and I think you’ll agree:

Before...

Today, sitting at a local Starbucks, we were able to decide on so many things!  Including how we are going to treat the ceilings in the main living room, and the master bedroom.

Here are photos for my inspiration:

Nice ceiling detail.

We are going to treat the wooden sashes of the windows and the casing that butts up to the window sashes.  I’m really excited about this! We are planning to stain the actual window which painting the casing a soft, glossy white.  Here is my photo inspiration for this one; it’s subtle, look closely!

Stained window sash, painted casing.

Some of the best homes we look to as icons of character have evolved over time; they tell a story.  That’s the look we are planning to achieve here.  The original structure was built in 1902, with the main addition sometime in the late 1920’s – early 1930’s and the porch and the carriage house maybe in the 1950’s .

The plan now is to embrace the additions, thus giving them their own texture and look that blend with and enhance the original structure.  Our material of choice being James Hardie siding in color plus.

So the foundation for the addition is in and the floor box is on.  Next, the walls are going up!   The new Anderson 400 windows will start going in on Tuesday of next week and I’ll be working with the homeowner to select lighting, plumbing, and flooring.

I like to get everything selected and on order so it’ll be in on time and we can keep this project rolling!

What do you think about our choices?

Learn more about how Sanctuary Homes can help you renovate your home.

 

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My Greener Vision

Posted on January 20, 2012 by admin
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I have a vision of what my life would look like were I to try and live more green and I’d like to share it.

As you may or may not know, we currently live on a farm about two miles from Eminence, KY.  Eminence has its own independent school system, K- 12, where our three daughters attend.  It also the home of our bank, the post office we use, our dry cleaners, a few places we enjoy eating, our church, and a lot of friends and friendly acquaintances.   Eminence is also the home of Elmcrest, a really sweet neighborhood that was our first step into the the world of home building.

I gave you all that back ground information because my  would-be greener life takes place right here in Eminence, Kentucky.  There is a building, that is currently for sale, that I want so bad!  Here is a photo of it:

The building on the far end of the row is the one I have my eye on.

I think it would be beyond nifty to rehab this old building.  I would make the offices of Sanctuary Homes on the second floor.  I would put a lot of sky lights in the ceiling so the space would be flooded with natural light and the decor would be very spare and clean and modern (it would probably end up

Replaced with the original arch topped windows would help this building so much!

looking a lot like apple stores).  The first floor would have a space for a coffee house and a bookkeeping service.

Why did I choose those two businesses?

Well, Tony loves coffee and I hate bookkeeping…he could get his fix daily and I could hire the bookkeepers to lighten my load!

After school the girls could walk to our office and then we could all walk home together, because of course we would build a house in Elmcrest.  On my lunch hour I could walk to the bank, the post office, the library, the dry cleaners; all while improving my own health and improving the health of our planet.

From our home at Elmcrest I could walk to the grocery, the Dollar Store or grab a quick meal from Scriber’s Station on Elm.

There is just something about this life that appeals to me so much.  Maybe I’ve over romanticized this lifestyle – maybe I haven’t.  Maybe I would enjoy not driving my car to do virtually everything that needs to be done.  I’m already a healthy moving person, but now I have to plan my exercise carefully, and most often, drive to do so.  Wouldn’t it be so nice that such an important part of my life could just happen as a natural response to where I live?  And, the sweetest part?  My walks would be punctuated with smiles and brief conversations with folks that I know, respect, and share a town with.

What do you think?

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Prospect Kentucky Home Addition and Renovation

Posted on January 11, 2012 by admin
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Mud Room

Newly added mud room and stairs to new guest suite above garage.

Laundry Room

We went with Porter's Lettuce Green on the ceiling and added a throw rug and curtain.

Guest Suite

A view of the sitting area incorporated into the new guest suite which also include a bath, a wet bar, and lots of natural light.

Newly Added Home Office

A new office for the man of the house was in order...this room is in perfect proximity to the kitchen to become a formal dining room.

Master Bedroom

The master bedroom was greatly expanded in the addition.

Remodeled Master Bath

The master bath, while completely in it's original footprint, has been completely remodeled.  New shower, new floor, new vanities.

Sanctuary Homes recently wrapped up a really nice addition and remodel in Prospect, KY. While new Anderson 400 windows, James Hardie Siding, a 40 year roof, and a brick chimney brought the exterior of this home up to standards anyone would be happy to have, our clients made really smart decisions that they will undoubtedly reap the benefits for when the time comes to sell this home.  Adding a much coveted third garage bay with a mother-in-law suite above, completed remodeling the master bath into a luxury retreat, and adding on a large, bright master bedroom, home office, and TV room are just a few of the ways we made this home a sanctuary.

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Environmental Building Supplies Store in Louisville

Posted on January 7, 2012 by admin
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Tony and I had the very good luck to visit Bluegrass Green Company today!  A locally owned store dedicated to offering,  “quality green building and sustainable remodeling choices for the eco-conscious consumer with the best interests of the environment and community in mind.” per their mission statement.  How cool is that?

Open since 2008, the store owners have been amassing anything and everything Eco-friendly for the home.  Whether building new, remodeling, or just painting a room, you’ll find something  to make your home more beautiful and not compromise the health of your family nor the health of Mother Earth.

The store, while not large, was thoughtfully laid out and carried a very nice array of items to finish out a home.  For a full listing of items they carry, visit their website at www.bluegrassgreenco.com.  When on the site I noticed they also have an online store!

I was very interested in the low V.O.C. paint they carry:  YOLO colorhouse and Mythic Paint.  I hope to be trying each of them out in the coming months as I repaint my own home.

Located at 804 E. Market Street, I urge you to please check them out and try to do everything you can to support this gem of a local store instead of the big box stores!

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New House Plans Should Have Curb Appeal

Posted on November 11, 2011 by admin
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Give yourself a gift that will keep on giving day after day, year and year, and especially when you decide to sell your home. A well thought out front elevation will make you happy every time you pull into driveway, proud every time a guest pulls up, and buyers ever so much more eager to get inside your home, even looking at it on the internet.

I’m a big advocate of selecting an “off the shelf” floor plan. There are hosts of website available that would literally take days to peruse; and many of them are very good. I highly recommend that you choose a plan from one of them. Then move beyond the floor plan and take a good hard look at the front elevation; some sites such as www.dongardner.com, www.frankbetz.com, and www.southerlivinghouseplans.com do a good job with curb appeal. I recommend going to them first.

Other times I have better luck finding family friendly floor plans at www.coolhouseplans.com, www.eplans.com, etc. While I may fall in love with the layout, the front elevation isn’t at good as it could be. In those cases I spend $500 – $600 working with an architect to make roof lines, window placement, and accessories that can make all the difference between my home and all the others on the street.

This gives me a distinct competitive advantage when it comes time to sell.

And who doesn’t love an advantage!

Well thought out floor plans will benefit you for years to come and can add a distinct advantage in the future, take time to work with a builder who knows and will work all the  advantages in your favor.

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New House Plans Should Maximize Square Footing

Posted on October 27, 2011 by admin
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First, determine your needs. How many bedrooms and bathrooms, which is kind of obvious, but necessary! Then think about how you live/work. Do you work from your home? Do you entertain large groups of people on a regular basis? (Yes, on a regular basis…don’t build a dining room that seats 12 if you only have family over on Christmas.  Simply make do.)

Second, what are your storage needs? And while you are asking this question, ask yourself if you really need to keep all the stuff you are storing? Square footage is getting expensive, don’t waste that money on storing stuff just because you can’t bear to get rid of it!

Once you’ve truthfully answered those questions, start thinking about how you can use space for multiple uses. Dual purpose rooms, if you will. For instance, if you work from home AND entertain occasionally, a dining room/home office might be just the ticket. Or, if you need a spare bedroom for the few times a year that your Great Aunt visits, again, combine it with a home office!

So prioritize your needs:

  1. What you must have to live
  2. What would be nice to have, would make life easier
  3. Dream items (granite counters, stone tile in the master, etc.)

Next time we’ll move on to budgeting, you’ll need to know where you must put your dollars first!

 

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Spencer County Activities: Edgewater Resort & Spa

Posted on October 17, 2011 by admin
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Thinking of relocating to Spencer County, Kentucky but you have a family and don’t want to drive into Louisville every weekend for something fun to do?

Well never fear, there are a multitude of activities for the whole family right in your backyard (and Louisville is only a 20 minute drive away when you do want to visit the Big City). Take Taylorsville Lake’s adorable resort community tucked away at Edgewater Resort and Spa for instance. With in-cabin amenities ranging from a gas fireplace for the late fall – winter months to a year round hot tub on the back porch Edgewater’s cabins are perfect for a weekend getaway or a Summer Staycation.

Edgewater Resort offers 2 hour kayaking excursions around the lake and even boasts 2 fabulous nature trails with excellent views of the lake complete with a picnic spot and benches for picture taking—perfect for outdoors lovers. The last time we were there my husband I got our exercise in every day with hikes along the lake or in the woods along a great creek bed. With two different trails to choose from, our daily hikes provided us with great cardio workouts and breathtaking views no matter which trail we chose. We also spent two hours enjoying a leisurely kayaking trip on Taylorsville Lake, enjoying the serene glimpses of nature we were able to capture. With the leaves changing and the evenings getting crisp, mid-October is the perfect time to visit and take advantage of Edgewater’s hot tubs and gas fireplaces.

Edgewater Resort also offers a variety of relaxing moments at their Spa and have great campfire and playground areas.

With so much to do in the resort I can’t imagine every wanting to leave! However, located not far from Taylorsville Lake is the beautiful and pristine putting ground of Tanglewood golf course. Whether you play 8 holes or 16, you’re bound to find the course calming and challenging.

So much beauty and relaxation in one place makes Edgewater Resort the perfect place to send the weekend or your family vacation and is located right in the heart of Spencer County, Kentucky.

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New House Floor Plans Must Be Cost Effective to Build

Posted on October 3, 2011 by admin
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When building a new home it is important to the builder and the homeowner that the floor plans being used are the most cost effective possible. In other words, we look for a plan void of the elements that cost a lot of money, such as a complicated roof (lots of valleys) or a very tall roof. In the ’90′s extremely tall roofs were all the rage…and they can look nice from the street, but the materials are expensive to purchase, the labor to build those high roofs is expensive (think high insurance costs), and they catch a lot of wind/snow, reducing the longevity of the shingles.

And the labor to put on a new shingles on a 12/12 pitch house? It’s painful!

Then think about the shape of the exterior walls of the home. Square is best. Homes that have rooms that run at angles are fun to look at, but not to build! Also, and bump outs or jogs in the foundation translate to changes to roof plains. Changes in roof plains translate to valleys, longer rafters, etc. All of which translate to extra costs.

Image credit: David THIBAULT
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Ring in Autumn with Sanctuary Homes!

Posted on September 28, 2011 by admin
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Happy Fall everyone! How are we all enjoying this crisp perfect (if not a little moist) weather? When it’s not raining I’m really enjoying it! I love the crisp air, the leaves just staring to change color (presumably this is going to start happening any time now), and Halloween just around the corner.

Do you love it too?

Well, let’s celebrate together this Sunday (we’ve something exciting planned for October 28th) in Elmcrest at 163 Elm Tree Place, Eminence.

We’ll bring some yummy snacks, you bring any questions you have about new home building.

Deal?

Great!

See you this Sunday, October 2nd, from 2-4pm at 163 Elm Tree Place, Eminence!

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