Third floor has versatile floor plan

A bay-like addition to the back of this home allowed for a sunroom setting from the dining room and enlarged the main bedroom. Add a railing around the updated rubber roof and the third-floor recreation room could have an outdoor balcony deck.

Listed for $449,900 by Better Home and Gardens Real Estate Big Hill, the three-story home at 910 Harman Ave. in Oakwood has about 3,200 square feet of living space, plus a semi-finished basement. The property has a screen-enclosed front porch, rear deck, off-street parking and an alley-access, two-car detached garage.

Formal entry is made into the living room with a gas fireplace as the centerpiece. Built-in bookcases flank the fireplace. A bench seat is under a window near the stairwell, and hardwood flooring fills the living room and into the formal dining room.

The dining room has been enlarged with a bay-like bump-out that creates a sun room effect. French doors open off the sunroom out to a wooden deck and back yard. A second rear exit is off a short hallway between the dining room and sun room. This space has a garden window and pass-through to the kitchen.

The U-shaped kitchen has an abundance of cabinetry, including a buffet counter and a pantry. A peninsula counter divides the kitchen from a breakfast nook, which has patio doors that open to the deck.

Staircases from the kitchen and the living room connect to a landing that leads up to the second level where three bedrooms and two full bathrooms are located. The main bedroom has a bay-like sitting area, a dressing area with two walk-in closets and an L-shaped double-sink vanity. The bathroom has a tub/shower.

Two bedrooms are at the front of the house and have single-door closets. The guest bath has a tub/shower, single-sink vanity and laundry hook-ups.

A door opens to the staircase that leads up to the third floor, which has been finished into a versatile space that could be a recreation room, an office or possible bedroom. There are two walls with built-in storage, a window nook sitting area, a door that opens out to the rubber roof-top of the addition, and a third full bathroom with tub/shower and single-sink vanity. The third floor also has a separate heating and cooling system.

Access to the basement is off the kitchen. At the landing there is a side-exit door and access to a half bathroom. The basement has a finished half bath, laundry hook-ups, a work bench, storage room and utility room.

Open house: June 25, 2-4 p.m.

Directions: Far Hills to west on Harman Avenue, across the street from Hawthorn Hill

Home highlights: About 3,200 sq. ft., 3-4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 2 half baths, sun room, gas fireplace, recreation room, back staircase, built-ins, wooden deck, enclosed porch, two-car detached garage, off-street parking

Better Home and Gardens Real Estate Big Hill

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Bay-like bump out enlarges dining room - Dayton Daily News

BUILDING PERMITS

PMT2016-04423 2985 E. Aurora Ave.; $88,599.70; Touchette Construction Group L; 96 units proposed to install new bookcases - total quantity of bookcases per unit to be determined (max. 2 cases per unit). See CPL2016-00829.

PMT2016-04829 2921 Fourth St.; $437,199.67; ALR Investment; AgGR Building, Inc.; New two story single-family dwelling over full basement, with a covered front porch. Lower level includes two guest suites, a family room, powder room, and a sunken patio. the main level includes a living room, an entry foyer, a powder room, the kitchen, and a laundry/mud room. The upper level includes two bedroom suites, the master suite, and a deck off of one bedroom.

PMT2016-04830 2921 Fourth St.; $25,000.00; ALR Investment; AGR Building, Inc; New detached two-car garage associated with new single-family detached dwelling under PMT2016-04829.

PMT2016-05146 4240 Evans Drive; $134,500.00; De Haven; Addition to a single-family detached dwelling (owner/contractor). Scope of addition occurs on multiple levels (split level home). On main level of dwelling, entry will be expanded and a new covered porch will be added. A sunroom over a crawl space will be added behind the attached garage. A new upper level will be added above the garage and sunroom and will contain a master suite.

PMT2016-05562 1507 Pine St.; $63,535.00; Susan Dawson; D L Pilkington Construction; New, unconditioned, detached, 4 car garage, 882 square feet in rear yard- associated with converted former office building (now residential duplex). See also BOZ2016-00022 for variance to rear yard accessory building coverage limitation.

PMT2016-05570 3240 11th St.; $19,000.00; Paige and Margaret Jacques; New construction of a three-season, unconditioned accessory structure (enclosed "gazebo"). Homeowner as GC for 168 square foot structure with sliding glass doors on two sides, scope includes electrical. In conjunction with and on same plan set as PMT2016-05571.

PMT2017-00747 7077 Winchester Circle; $300,000.00; 7077 Winchester; Brokers Contracting Inc.; Tenant remodel to build out a marijuana extraction lab.

PMT2017-01319 1515 Mariposa Ave.; $139,982.00; Diego Bonta and Angela Fryer; Phoenix Remodeling; Remodeling the existing kitchen, dining room, family room and guest bath on the main level, 704 square feet. Scope includes expanding opening into piano room, expanding existing window opening in north wall of kitchen and in north wall of dining room. Modifying opening on west wall of kitchen. Reducing floor area by removing bump-out along the east wall of the family room. New accordion door to kitchen; all doors and windows to be replaced on main floor. Associated MEPs covered within the scope of this permit.

PMT2017-01617 3830 Norwood Court; $38,886.00; Michelle Steiner and Charles Kelly; Krueger Construction Mgmt.; Removal of an entry to a single-family residence and replacement with a new 295 square foot covered front porch with decking for walking surface. See ADR2017-00063. Scope includes associated electrical for stair lighting.

PMT2017-01649 3234 Seventh St.; $37,573.88; John and Susan Pollak; Addition and remodel to an existing, non-standard, single-family home which does not currently conform to setback standards. Second story addition, 233 square feet , over SE corner of home. Addition to include a new interior stair. Remodel of existing master bedroom, 190 square feet , to include a new full bath and second walk-in closet. Repairing/replacing existing second-story balcony, 56 square feet off the eastern facade. Associated electrical and plumbing covered within the scope of this permit.

PMT2017-01764 3474 16th Circle; $89,331.45; Bryan and Sue Belmont; Chris Kelley Contracting; Interior remodel; first floor at kitchen and entry (673 square feet); second floor remodel at master bathroom, bath, and guest bedroom (913 square feet); includes associated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. Replace two windows on west elevation; Second floor.

PMT2017-01891 660 Juniper Ave.; $154,500.00; Anthony Fagan; Blue Spruce Construction Services; Addition and remodel for a single-family detached dwelling. Addition includes a bedroom at the location of an existing upper level deck. Remodel includes the kitchen, modification of office and bath on main level, modification of walls on the upper story, replacement of windows over frame of existing roofing for new gables, and addition of gas fireplaces. Scope will also include a new covered front porch.

PMT2017-01961 2975 13th St.; $143,500.00; Mitchell Bennett and Kelly Esposito; Mountain View Corp Inc.; Interior remodel of a single-family residence. Scope includes 615 square feet of kitchen/living/dining area remodel, as well as relocation of a powder room and laundry room. All work to be on the main level, and will include removal of structural and non-structural walls, as well as associated MEP.

PMT2017-01979 4699 S. Nautilus Court; $27,715.00; Pioneer Square; Pine Construction Company; Tenant interior remodel for an office suite. Scope includes removal of approximately 60 LF of partition wall, construction of approximately 80 LF of new partition wall, relocation of doors, relocation of diffusers, installation of new lighting and receptacles. Includes no plumbing scope.

PMT2017-02050 1220 Claremont Drive; $220,100.00; Phillip Hargin and Connie Revocable Trust; Remodel and addition to an existing single family residence. Scope includes a single-story addition of 528 square feet, and remodel of 1447 square feet. See HIS2017-00121. Includes new covered front and rear porches and deck, 319 square feet.

PMT2017-02070 5478 Omaha Place; $55,000.00; Gigi Schwartz and Scott Ortman; Prana Construction Inc.; Alteration to remove existing roof framing and create cathedral ceiling in kitchen/living room, and install 3 new windows. Scope includes associated electrical. No mechanical or plumbing scope of work.

PMT2017-02085 1950 Tincup Court; $229,000.00; Edmond Norse and Linda Jones; Trad Design Build LLC; Upper level master bedroom addition over existing building footprint for a detached single-family dwelling, including remodel of portion of upper level. Scope also includes kitchen relocation, modification of interior bearing walls, replacement of all windows and exterior doors, and the elimination of cantilever off of existing kitchen and the replacement of existing siding with new hard coat stucco.

PMT2017-02090 695 S. Broadway; $187,884.32; LLC 1916; Altitude Construction Services; Interior tenant remodel for a physical therapy office/treatment tenant space. Scope includes new partitions and associated MEP scope for bathrooms, staff lounge area, office and reception areas, and treatment rooms.

PMT2017-02299 2616 Baseline Road; $172,083.24; Skunk Creek ; Fed Ex office - Interior, non-structural, tenant remodel of 2,969 square feet. Any additional scope to be covered under separate permit. Scope includes demolition of partition walls, construction of new walls and new finishes. Associated MEPs covered within the scope of this permit, including trenching for new plumbing locations, installing new plumbing fixtures and new electrical fixtures and wiring for new systems.

PMT2017-02369 2141 Bluff St.; $43,370.25; Jennifer Hendricks; Owner Contractor - Installation of radiant heat system, including (4) hydronic radiators and an energy-recovery ventilator. Radiant heat installation includes the removal of ceiling drywall, 770 square feet of first floor ceiling, 550 square feet of second floor flooring..

PMT2017-02411 1717 Hawthorn Place; $37,592.89; Erica Fagan; MK Construction LLC; Interior remodel of kitchen and dining area for a single-family detached dwelling, Scope includes replacement of bay window with new windows and a door. Also includes small low exterior deck at new door.

PMT2017-02564 4160 Monroe Dr D; $40,000.00; Sarah Rudin; Precision Construction Inc.; Interior remodel for a townhome unit. Scope includes replacement of kitchen finishes, relocation of electric range, new washer box for the laundry, and replacement of fixtures in the hall bath.

PMT2017-02610 1970 Grape Ave.; $28,000.00; 1970 Grape; Colorado Choice Builders; Kitchen remodel for a single-family detached dwelling. Appliances to relocated, kitchen to be expanded slightly, and washer/dryer to be relocate into kitchen.

PMT2017-02613 1062 Utica Circle; $19,000.00; Edward and Nathalie Harding; Higher Ground Construction Inc.; Single family residence remodel of master bath (100 square feet), powder room and mudroom (45 square feet), and replacement gas fireplace. Modifications to existing upper level deck to remove cantilever portion, install new decking and guard rail, (75 square feet). Scope includes associated MEP.

PMT2017-02638 1630 Wilson Court; $10,350.00; A Toohey; Petersen Construction; Remodel of master bathroom to include replacement of tub with shower, installation of bath fan, in wall toilet and new 24x20 vinyls windows, new vanity and countertop.

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Boulder building permits, June 26, 2017 - Boulder Daily Camera

Above: The first level at 25 Riding Club Road in Wilton includes a formal living room with a fireplace. Below: The backyard features a brick terrace and a swimming pool with stone diving platform.

Above: The first level at 25 Riding Club Road in Wilton includes a formal living room with a fireplace. Below: The backyard features a brick terrace and a swimming pool with stone diving platform.

Updated colonial sits on more than 2 bucolic acres in Wilton

The Thomsons came to be Wilton residents organically, according to Susan Thomson. She and her husband, Trent, originally hail from Australia, but relocated to the area in 2014, when they fell in love with Wilton and a certain four-bedroom colonial at 25 Riding Club Road.

It had been friends in New Canaan who introduced the couple to the area. We immediately fell in love with Wilton after driving between Westport and Ridgefield looking at properties, she recalled. The old, antique homes and barns that line the streets, the stunning natural surroundings, the privacy and space were only available here. We feel so lucky to have found this town, and particularly our street. It is a special part of Wilton, and we have great neighbors.

The home they chose suited the needs of their family including three children and also offered the floor plan and style theyd become accustomed to in Australia. The appreciated having a kitchen at the heart of the home, with rooms along the rear of the home that open out to the backyard.

This is one of the few properties we looked at that had that design, Thomson recalled. We also immediately fell in love with the grounds, the fruit trees apple, peach and pear trees the pool and tennis court.

Details

Address: 25 Riding Club Road, Wilton

Price: $1.365 million

Number of Rooms: 11

Features: This 1975 colonial has been renovated, appended and updated. It affords 4,452-square-feet of living space, with four bedrooms, three full baths and one powder room. The master suite is located on the first level, which also comprises the chefs kitchen, family room, formal dining room, living room and mudroom. Three additional family bedrooms are located on the second level. The 2.26-acre lot is located on a cul-de-sac, down the street from The Riding Club. The grounds have lush plantings, gardens, fruit trees, a heated pool and Har-Tru tennis court.

Schools: Miller-Driscoll Elementary, Middlebrook Middle, Wilton High

Previous homeowners had installed Pella windows, put in a new kitchen, added living space and renovated the master bedroom. When the Thomsons moved-in, they embarked on redoing the hardwood floors, so that they had a consistent color dark espresso throughout the home. They contrast beautifully with the otherwise neutral and light dcor.

We were happy with the layout of the house, so it didnt need any renovation structurally, she said. However, we did transform the look of the home by having the hardwood floors sanded and stained. We painted the entire home, both inside and out, and added crown molding. We have replaced all the gutters and installed gutter guards. We have installed an irrigation system for the grass, which we found essential in the summer heat.

However, our favorite addition is the 16-by-20-foot kitchen garden we had built by Homefront Farmers, Thomson added.

The kitchen is beautifully equipped with lots of white cabinetry and storage space. A large island with an arch overhead provides surface space, a cooktop and room for informal seating. The kitchen opens directly to the family room a cozy space, warmed by a stone fireplace.

The first level also includes a formal living room with a fireplace, the formal dining room, a sunroom, office (with built-ins and a fireplace), mudroom and the master bedroom suite. A wet bar is conveniently tucked away to better serve guests during intimate or more formal gatherings.

For the Thomsons, there were several spaces here that were among their favorites. The dining room was spacious enough to accommodate a big table, and theyd gather there for meals and conversation.

The master bedroom has become a sanctuary, Thomson noted. It is very large, with beautiful natural light, high ceilings, a large walk-in wardrobe, spa bath, steam room, and yoga and meditation space. We couldnt have asked for more.

Three additional family bedrooms are located on the homes second level.

Walking out to the backyard, terrace and pool area, its not hard to understand why this was the familys favorite outdoor spot among the 2.26 acres.

When the weather permitted, they would enjoy breakfasts and dinners outdoors, and naturally theyve entertained friends and family here, too. Whether it was time spent enjoying the heated pool or lounging in the backyard hammock, reading books together, Thomson said, Weve created a lot of beautiful memories here. I also love the proximity to the kitchen, which is fantastic for entertaining and quick summer snacks.

Theres a Har-Tru tennis court amidst the grounds, as well.

The location of the property is compelling. Wilton, New Canaan, Ridgefield and Westport are all within easy reach. Plus, there are plenty of great local establishments to enjoy, as well.

Thomson noted that there are some great local establishments nearby, including a sourdough bakery, organic farm stands, coffee shops, a movie theater and restaurants. She also suggested nearby Woodcock Nature Center and Norwalk River Valley Trail for beautiful walks. And just down the street is The Riding Club, she added, which has amenities like heated pools and tennis courts. It hosts community activities throughout the year.

Listing agent: Katie Nugent, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, New England Properties; (917) 374-1581 cell; katienugent@bhhsne.com

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Updated colonial sits on more than 2 bucolic acres in Wilton - Thehour.com

Dating to 1887, TwelveTrees is a perfect blend of rich heritage, modern conveniences, lush gardens and outdoor spaces. A major restoration and expansion from 2004-2008, by the present owners, preserved the grandeur of the homes patrician origins while adding the finest features of todays lifestyle.

Poised on 2.5 acres, stone pillars mark the entry to the private road and larger acreage originally associated with TwelveTrees. Elegant columned verandas at each end of the homes long horizontal span point to its initial intention as a summer residence.

The Tennessee Sandstone terrace with outdoor kitchen, deep tree-shaded lawns and pool and spa area framed with an array of plantings, maintain the estates aura of leisure and ease. Indoors the foyer continues straight to the sunroom, its wall of glass allowing for further enjoyment of the serene private grounds.

Preserving the homes architectural heritage has been paramount. The roof is cedar shingle. In the living room, once the ballroom, the eye is drawn to artfully detailed plaster crown molding its intricate design replicated in the mantel of the fireplace.

In the library, a handpainted mural depicts scenes from the works of Charles Dickens painted by an earlier resident. Original plaster walls, carved panel doors, center cut oak floors, leaded-glass panes, crafted baseboards and high ceilings maintain the homes legend. Carefully chosen dcor including Osborne and Little Drapery, Brunschwig and Fils wallpapers, and plantation shutters complement the period style.

Though located in Mendhams historic district, the home is not listed on the Historical Register, allowing for unencumbered renovations. Rebuilds include the spacious country kitchen sporting custom beadboard cabinetry, Pietra Verde limestone countertops, large island with maple counter and commercial-grade appliances. Radiant heat warms the center cut oak floor here as well as in the family room (an addition) with distinguished arched entry, floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and French doors opening to the patio.

Upstairs the voluminous master suite has French doors opening to a cedar deck. The bath is elegantly updatedas are all in the home, and the dressing room is a custom-fitted organizational delight. There is a guest suite with sitting room and an in-law suite with kitchen/living/dining room. Two additional bedrooms are each en suite with bath.

Though seemingly tucked away in place and time. TwelveTrees is moments from Mendhams historic, vibrant town center and daily conveniences.

Founded in 1960, Turpin Real Estate is an independent, family owned agency with offices in Somerset, Morris and Hunterdon counties. The outstanding, full-time sales staff is dedicated to providing the highest quality service with uncompromising integrity.

Strategic network alliances and extensive web-based marketing provide us with unsurpassed coverage for clients regionally, nationally and internationally. Global reach, unparalleled local expertise and the flexibility of an independently owned agency are the hallmarks of the organization.

For more information, contact the Turpin Real Estate Office in Far Hills 908-234-9100.

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Restored, expanded and enhanced in Mendham - New Jersey Hills

Clients and community members joined Accent Creative Group (ACG), a Lawrenceville-based marketing and design firm, on Thursday, June 15th for an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the firm's new location at 365 South Perry Street.

Accent Creative Group Celebrates New Location with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Open House Lawrenceville-based Marketing and Design Firm Relocates to Historic Home at 365 South Perry Street

LAWRENCEVILLE, GEORGIA (June 21, 2017) - Clients and community members joined Accent Creative Group (ACG), a Lawrenceville-based marketing and design firm, on Thursday, June 15th for an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the firm's new location at 365 South Perry Street.

City of Lawrenceville Mayor Judy Jordan Johnson, Gwinnett County Commissioner Jace Brooks and Gwinnett Chamber President & CEO Dr. Dan Kaufman joined owner, Pam Ledbetter and her staff in the ribbon cutting honors. The move represents ACG's continued commitment to marketing and design excellence and meeting the needs of clients and the local community.

According to ACG President Pam Ledbetter, the historical 1907 office is the perfect environment for the creative team. "The ambience and outdoor garden space lends itself to great brainstorming sessions as does the spacious downstairs parlor, dining room, sunroom and game room," commented Ledbetter. "Providing a source for inspiration, the new offices allow for the continual flow of creativity and ideas, along with the perfect space for collaboration with our clients."

During the ceremony, Gwinnett County Commissioner Jace Brooks presented a proclamation of congratulations on behalf of Chairman Charlotte Nash. City of Lawrenceville Mayor Judy Jordan Johnson offered her words on the importance of ACG's creative presence in the downtown community that is undergoing tremendous renovation and growth, followed by well wishes from Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Dr. Dan Kaufman.

With its headquarters located in Gwinnett's county seat, ACG's growth coincides with the city's flourishing downtown. The talented and growing team is currently comprised of 10 staff members. In addition to celebrating the new location, this month also marks the 10-year employment anniversary of Lead Designer Ashleigh James who has been instrumental in the growth of ACG with her award-winning designs.

Following the ceremony, distinguished guests were treated to a "Mad Hatter" themed soiree reception that featured cocktails, live entertainment, games and more. The open house provided the opportunity for clients and community members to explore the whimsical new offices that incorporate fun elements and encourages creativity.

Formerly Accent South Media, ACG was founded in 2004, and has since expanded its reputation for outstanding marketing and design across the Southeast. ACG's specialties include custom publishing, branding and marketing campaigns.

"In addition to serving our clients, ACG is committed to giving back to the community of Gwinnett where most of our team also live," says Ledbetter. "Our doors are open for both the community and our clients to visit, create and be inspired."

Winner of numerous national and international awards, Accent Creative Group is an innovative design and marketing company that helps our clients stand out from the crowd. We've worked on creative projectsforclients including Gwinnett County, Lanier Islands, City of Lawrenceville and Gwinnett Medical Center. Our specialties include custom publishing, branding and marketing campaigns. Learn more about us ataccentcreativegroup.com.

Continued here:
Accent Creative Group Celebrates New Location with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Open House - Gwinnett Citizen

Homes at the Bidwell Village 55+ community in Coventry offer easy one-floor living and a sense of space enhanced by open floor plans and nine-foot ceilings. There are many upscale features such as crown molding and hardwood floors in the living areas, and granite counters and stainless steel appliances in the kitchens.

The deciding factor for many residents, however, is the sense of community at Bidwell Village, including the warm welcome residents extend to newcomers.

I dont think I would have been as involved with people if I had still been in my old home," says Ginni Tewksbury, the community associations president. "You walk outside here and people see you and they come out to talk to you.

When completed, Bidwell Village will have 37 homes. Twenty-one have either been built and sold, or have a sale pending. Seven houses were sold within the last year.

Most of these will be free-standing ranch homes, all with two-car garages, says Tom Boyle, the broker handling sales. Many of the lots allow a walk-out basement. Of the seven recent sales, almost half chose to finish either all or part of their basements, most often to accommodate hobbies, crafts or an additional living area for guests.

The model home has a walk-out finished basement. Access is gained by using an open, wide and welcoming stairway. Enhancing the lower levels appeal is the ample natural light from large windows and the door that leads outside. Boyle notes that this area could easily accommodate a third bedroom and a third full bath with plenty of room left over for a family room, storage and a craft area or workshop.

The main floor offers easy access throughout with the option to specify a no-step garage and front door entry. Doorways are wide to accommodate handicapped accessibility.

While the floor plans are open, they still afford privacy. The kitchens, for example, are open to the living areas but are shielded from view at the front entryways.

A sunroom is a popular option, made even more appealing by the thoughtful layout of the community that takes maximum advantage of southern exposures. Unlike at other communities, opting for the sunroom at Bidwell Village means that buyers end up with a fully livable addition built over a full basement and integrated into the floor plan.

The master suites in the three available models are inviting and spacious. Features include a full bath with a dual sink and a cultured marble vanity, an easily accessed, oversized step-in shower with grab bars, and a walk-in closet.

Each house includes a second bedroom, which could be used as a den or a study, and a second full bath with a soaking tub. Bathrooms and the first-floor laundry room have tile floors while the bedrooms feature high-quality carpet.

The communitys Coventry location is a draw for buyers. Bidwell Village is just 2.5 miles from UConn. Its two minutes from Coventry Lake where you can boat, fish, swim and kayak, and where a parking pass for residents is just $10 a year. The towns senior center is also nearby.

There are walking trails, including one that is being expanded at Bidwell Village. When the community is completed, this trail will encompass the housing area and border a conservation easement that abuts the property. A centrally located gazebo has been completed recently.

Tewksbury rates the freedom from yard work, which the association handles, as another advantage of living in this 55+ community. I like the fact that I dont have to work outside if I dont want to, she says. This also makes it easier for people who like to travel. Residents need only lock the door and leave, says Boyle.

He adds that Bidwell Village is a true condominium;, all exterior maintenance of the homes is handled by the association. "If a storm rolls by and damages some roofing or siding, the association steps in to handle the matter very unlike many planned development communities where this responsibility is that of the homeowner.

Spring Hill Properties is the builder, which is another advantage for buyers, according to Boyle. Spring Hill builds high-end custom homes and buyers here enjoy that level of workmanship. The buyers are very satisfied and they also have the option to customize their home plan. Buyers can move windows, adjust walls, expand garages and finish basements, among other options. There is no take it or leave it here, Boyle says. Further easing the transition to Bidwell Village, potential buyers needing to sell a current home can secure a site for 60 days with no obligation.

The builder, who finishes these homes to Energy Star standards, follows up with new owners after they have been in their homes for a month to make sure there are no problems. He then follows up again after three months and on the first anniversary.

Even with all this, it is still the sense of community that Tewksbury values most. "Bidwell Village is a great place to live," she says.

The model home at Bidwell Village in Coventry is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. or by appointment. For more information contact Tom and Janet Boyle of Bidwell Village at 860-649-4800.

Year Built: New construction

Builder: Spring Hill Properties LLC

Price: Starting at $319,900

Style: New England village

Rooms: 5 or more

Bedrooms: 2

Baths: 2

Square footage: 1,473 to approximately 3,000

Acreage: 14

Mill rate: 31.20

Best features: Welcoming community and quality workmanship

Contact: Tom and Janet Boyle, Bidwell Village LLC, 860-649-4800

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Property of the Week: Bidwell Village, Coventry - Hartford Courant

A sunroom can be a peaceful, valuable addition to a home. Or it can turn into a disaster.

Asking the right questions upfront and hiring an experienced, qualified contractor will help people avoid many common mistakes.

"You've got to do your homework to get what you want and not go down a bad path," says Robert Criner, president of Criner Remodeling in Newport News.

The first step is to decide if a full sunroom is better than other options, such as a partial structure for shade, a screened-in porch or an expansion or remodel of an existing room, possibly with new windows or skylights to add brightness.

Many sunrooms are built off porches, decks or patios, but that's not as simple as it sounds, says Dan Bawden, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders Remodelers, a trade group, and a longtime Houston-based contractor.

Existing slabs and decks usually are too thin and weak to support a room with floors, walls, roofing, windows and doors, and original patios are designed to slope away from a home for drainage. Without replacing those structures with a flat, sturdier foundation, sunrooms will settle, pull away from a house and develop cracks and leaks. "Big problems can start happening within two years," Bawden warns.

A sunroom's roof should slope, he adds, because flat roofs will be vulnerable to leaks, mold and ice damage. Good-quality insulated doors, windows with energy-efficient glass and ceiling fans can keep a room from becoming too hot or cold, while having a door to the backyard is important for fire safety.

Another frequent issue is that the room behind a sunroom, often a den, can get darker; well-placed windows and skylights in an addition can help move light back into that space. Homeowners also should consider where they'd put furniture including televisions in a sunroom before they make final design decisions, Criner says.

Not surprisingly, the right contractor can simplify what can be a complicated process, from meeting local zoning and permit requirements to picking the right materials for a particular home, climate and budget. Check for licensing and designations such as Certified Graduate Remodeler or the higher Graduate Master Remodeler, both awarded by NAHB. Ideally, a company also should offer three-dimensional computer modeling to showcase exactly what a new addition would look like.

More tips: Ask about a contractor's experience with the specific project selected, look at pictures of past work, and check with at least two references. Previous customers will have important insights on timeliness, responsiveness, cleanliness and any bad habits such as playing loud music or smoking. Finally, be sure to have a start and completion date in any contract.

"Done right, a sunroom can really be a great investment," Criner says. "It will look like it was always part of a house, ready to be enjoyed."

Excerpt from:
Sunrooms a great investment for a home if done well - Daily Press

Quartz

Long before iPhones, this 19th-century gadget made everyone a mobile addict Quartz In addition to the society's annual convention, this group of vendors, artists, and collectors swap stories and techniques, and buy each other's work. ... In her home, scopes could be found everywhere from the dining room table to the Jacuzzi. I like ...

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Long before iPhones, this 19th-century gadget made everyone a mobile addict - Quartz

For many years, patients walked into the large, Colonial Revival-style house at 1820 Monument Avenue and sat down in what had once been the front parlor, waiting to be called back to the dermatologists office. Many of them probably noticed that the rooms on the first floor were beautifully detailed, with coffered ceilings, high wainscoting and intricate dentiled molding.

For a doctors office, the architectural features might have been unusual. Its not unexpected in a house built for a successful businessman at the turn of the 20th century, though.

Garrett B. Wall, the original owner of 1820 Monument Avenue, was an executive with the C & O Railway, and when the house was built in 1906, it stood among a growing inventory of outstanding properties on a street which, in time, replaced West Franklin Street as Richmonds grandest avenue.

So how did the 6,664-square-foot Wall house, which is on the market as a single-family residence for $1,695,000, go from an executives private residence to a doctors office and back to a private residence again?

The answer charts the history of the Monument Avenue Historic District itself.

Planning for Monument Avenue began in the late 1880s, but the Panic of 1893 slowed down residential construction nationwide. Work on Monument Avenues first houses began in 1901, when public utilities were extended to the street, said Chris Novelli, an architectural historian with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

Most of those early houses were built in the Queen Anne and Richardsonian Romanesque styles, both of which were popular in the late 19th century. The streets first example of the Colonial Revival style was built in 1905 at 1831 Monument Avenue, one year before the Wall house. By then, the Colonial Revival style had been established nationally, and it would become the most popular style for residential building in the United States during the first half of the 20th century.

The Wall house, with its classical columns, red-brick faade and light-colored interior, was a fairly pure, early example of the style for Monument Avenue, Novelli said.

He added: It has the aesthetic richness the Victorians and Edwardians were fond of, but expressed in a new, classical architectural language.

The architects sophisticated use of bowed walls in the entry hall and back parlor references the oval shapes popular in the Adam-style houses built in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, for example. They give a dynamic elasticity to the space, Novelli said.

Likewise, the houses dentiled molding and wainscoting are striking. The amount of dentiled molding in particular and the wainscoting height in the dining room is unmatched on Monument Avenue, said Jeannette Mock, a real estate agent with RE/MAX Commonwealth and the listing agent for 1820 Monument Avenue. Even the coffered ceilings have dentiled molding. Its the crowning glory of the house.

From 1901 to roughly 1930, some of the citys most successful residents built homes in the Monument Avenue Historic District, which runs from North Lombardy Street to Roseneath Road. But the street began a slow transformation as the rise of midcentury suburbia drew city residents further west. In the wake of that westward expansion, a number of houses in the historic district were converted to apartments and medical offices.

A part of the reason for the conversions was economic. These were large, old houses, and no one in the 1950s and 1960s considered them particularly historic, said Joseph F. Yates, president of Richmond-based Joseph F. Yates Architects and a Monument Avenue resident. So the families sold them, and people converted them for income-producing sources.

The large number of doctors offices among the conversions had a practical component, as well. Having two major hospitals Stuart Circle Hospital and the Lee Medical Building as nearby anchors probably encouraged a strong medical presence on the avenue, Novelli said.

The Wall house was a part of this conversion process. By the early 1970s, it had become a dermatologists office, Mock said.

By the 1990s, though, buyers began converting several properties on Monument Avenue from doctors offices and apartment buildings back to single-family homes. And that shift placed Monument Avenue among a handful of U.S. cities that saw prominent, urban housing inventory from the turn of the 20th century return to single-family use, Yates said.

There are still a good number of buildings that are apartments, but very few offices remain, said Yates, who converted his house from a doctors office to a single-family residence in 2000.

The conversions from apartments will continue as those buildings come on the market in the future, he added.

The Wall houses current owners undertook its conversion back to a private residence shortly after buying it in 2009. They removed walls that had been installed during the houses years as a medical office, and they designed and built a new kitchen and sunroom on the back of the house. In addition, they remodeled the houses four full baths and one half bath and installed new electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems.

They also finished a 1,100-square-foot section of the basement and built a detached, three-car garage behind the house, in what had been a parking lot for the medical office. The garages southern elevation does double duty as a patio wall, as well as the backdrop for an outdoor fireplace. (A stone slab with the initials G.B.W. presumably for Garrett B. Wall that the current owners found onsite, now rests at the base of the fireplace.)

Yates oversaw the design work, and Clark Glav, a Richmond-based preservation contractor and owner of ARK Construction & Development Corp., was in charge of the construction. On our biggest day, we had 32 people working on the house all at once, Glav said.

The owners used state historic tax credits for the renovation, and tax abatements are in place until 2020.

Despite its transformations over the course of a century, the house is still true to its original character, Mock said. Its an impressive space, but it feels warm and gracious.

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1820 Monument Avenue: A mansion and a history lesson, in 6664 square feet - Richmond.com

The congregation of First Baptist Church of Morganton is getting ready to celebrate a milestone.

Exactly 50 years ago this Sunday, the church held its first service in its current facility at 502 W. Union St.

First Baptist Church has a 138-year history at three different locations downtown, according to the Rev. Dr. Tom Bland, the senior minister. He updated a written church history originally compiled by church members Maud Patton Anthony, Stanley Moore and Samuel Freeman.

The history recalls that between eight to 12 residents organized what was originally called Morganton Baptist Church in 1879 and opened a facility on the corner of North Sterling and Queen Streets, where the Northwestern building now stands. Members met there, eventually calling it First Baptist Church, until a fire destroyed the building on Dec. 13, 1893.

Members received an outpouring of support from the community after the fire, with the local Presbyterian, Methodist and Episcopalian churches offering use of their facilities until a new church could be built.

The congregation met at the Burke County Courthouse from 1894 until a second church building was completed on the corner of South King and Meeting s treets and dedicated on July 14, 1895. It was described as a brick, Gothic-style building, and cost $6,526.70 to construct. The history records that the pastor at the time, the Rev. Robert Logan Patton, and church co-founder Miles Pinkney Hildebrand both mortgaged their homes to pay off the churchs debt the day after its dedication.

Church membership skyrocketed in the early 20th century, going from slightly more than 200 by 1900 to 306 in 1908. The congregation responded by constructing additions to the church building and sending members to plant Second Baptist Church, which eventually became Calvary Baptist Church.

Even these measures couldnt prevent the church from outgrowing its second location, so members began purchasing properties on W est Union St reet in the 1950s under the leadership of deacon chairman R.O. Huffman, with the goal of constructing a larger facility.

The Pearson, Kistler and Milner properties make up the land on which the current church now stands. The Pearson home was demolished to make room for the new sanctuary, but the historically significant Kistler home was retained as a parsonage for the Rev. Rufus Knolan Benfield Sr., the pastor at the time, and his family.

Benfield recently had been called as pastor specifically because he had overseen construction of a new facility for First Baptist Church of Hickory while serving as pastor there.

Church member Bonita Leary, Benfields daughter, was a college senior when her family made the move from Hickory to the Kistler home in July of 1957. She was married the next year at the former FBC location, and her wedding reception was held in the home.

In 1956, I remember sitting at the dining room table while the pastor search committee was in our living room, and I overheard the conversation where they asked Daddy if he would come and serve as pastor (at FBC in Morganton), Leary said. His response to them was, I cannot come unless you will allow me to insist that the churchs mission giving must not drop while theyre raising money to build a building. That was a condition of his coming.

She said her family found some interesting artifacts in the Pearson house before it was torn down, such as an elaborate doll-house that is now in storage at the History Museum of Burke County.

She mourned the loss of what was believed to be about 200-year-old magnolia trees on the property, which had to be removed during construction.

The current church was designed by architect F. Arthur Hazard and built by the W.R. Patton Company. Groundbreaking for the church took place on Nov. 22, 1964, with construction coming to completion in 1967. An elaborate three-manual Reuter pipe organ was designed by Dr. H. Max Smith and installed in the sanctuary that same year, thanks to a donation by Minnie Huffman Reddish. In addition to a sanctuary, the church included a three-story education building.

Church members worked diligently to pay the debt for the church building, which totaled more than $1 million, within five years of the buildings completion. The church held a note-burning ceremony on Jan. 9, 1972.

First Baptist Church has seen many changes both to its facility and the congregation over the ensuing 50 years. A chapel was added in the 1980s, which finally connected the education building to the Kistler home, which members were using to hold Sunday school classes after it was no longer used as a parsonage. The chapel showcases beautiful stained-glass windows from the former church at South King and Meeting s treets.

Leary said she always sits on the right side of the chapel, because thats where the Kistler homes sunroom used to be. She said it connects her to many fond memories of sitting with her family in that room.

That sunroom was one of our familys favorite places, Leary said. Thats where we always had the Christmas tree and where we sat at night. Thats where David (her husband, the Rev. David Leary) and I dated.

A commercial kitchen and fellowship hall were added to the rear of the Kistler Home, and a carillon was added to the steeple in the 80s as well. A carillon is described as "a set of stationary bells hung in a tower and sounded by machinery."

Recent renovations include the construction of a youth suite on the top floor of the education building, the installation of an elevator and updated rest rooms in the Kistler home and construction of a columbarium, a vault to store peoples cremated remains, on the grounds of the front lawn.

Two congregations grew out of FBC in the late 20th century: the First Baptist Deaf Mission, which meets for worship in the chapel, and a Hmong mission that led to the founding of First Hmong Baptist Church at 301 Walker Road in Morganton.

FBC took its ministry into the community in 2004 when it established the Mimosa Christian Counseling Center, a professional mental health counseling facility with a Christian focus that tries as much as funds allow to offer reduced-cost treatment to those in need.

The church invites the community, especially former church members, to join them in recognizing the 50th anniversary at its 10:55 a.m. worship service on Sunday. Leary will share her memories of the transition during the service. Bland said he will reflect back on the past 50 years in his sermon.

In my message, I will attempt to point out some things that have changed since 1967, but also indicate some things that havent changed, including the lordship of Jesus Christ, Bland said.

Visitors will be able to study the many historical photos and artifacts collected by members that are currently on display in the Kistler home and the hallway between the chapel and the education building.

This is a church that prizes its history and is grateful for all the ways in which the Lord has blessed this church, and I believe, made it a blessing in the community and throughout the world, Bland said. We hope and pray, if God sees fit, that well have at least 50 more years on this site.

Former pastor, the Rev. Dr. Bob Shepherd, said the service is a chance to remember all those members who kept the dreams and visions of the church going for more than 100 years.

First Baptist Church has had a significant impact on Morganton and Burke County, Shepherd said. I encourage all those who lives have been touched by the church to come and celebrate those who had the foresight to relocate to this area and made these facilities possible.

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First Baptist Church of Morganton to celebrate 50 years at W. Union St. location - Morganton News Herald