Builder articles from June 2002

Builder archives from June 2002

An appreciative note: as builders, you help create wealth for American households. (Editors Notes).(Brief Article)(Editorial)
June 1, 2002... MY WIFE AND I CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT THE HOUSE down the street just went for. Granted, it's in a great location, close to the city, and within a fine school district. But, boy, did they pay a lot of money. And to think that our house is worth...

B mail.
June 1, 2002... For What? BUILDERS HAVE BUILT A VERY NEGATIVE image. Intrusive development into what was once open green space is seen as a negative encroachment akin to a spreading cancer of concrete and asphalt. We read Gary Garczynski's criticism of...

Callback.(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
June 1, 2002... THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW LAST MINUTE changes and updates to the "Local Leaders" list for Houston in the May issue, page 200. The chart below reflects the addition of Royce Homes to the No. 6 spot. Beazer Homes USA drops to No. II. 6 HOUSTON...

Green grows a builder: it's not often that a local government, the EPA, and the Sierra Club praise a builder. (Living Smart).(Pardee Homes LivingSmart program)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
June 1, 2002... "AT SANTA BARBARA, YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL and still do the right thing," the community's brochure reads. Pardee Homes launched its "LivingSmart" program, a green building development of environmentally sensitive and healthy homes at Santa...

IPO for WCI. (House Blend).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Florida luxury builder WCI Communities has joined the public builder club. The Bonita Springs, Fla.-based company went public on March 12, ending its first day of trading with nearly a 20 percent gain. The stock, offered at $12 a share, closed...

Infill helps. (House Blend).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... A new study on the impacts of gentrification on older, poorer neighborhoods may please infill developers. Popular wisdom has held that as neighborhoods improve, low-income residents are driven out by higher rents and taxes. But at Columbia...

Eastern expansion. (House Blend).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Standard Pacific Homes may need to add "Atlantic" to its name. In April, the Irvine, Calif.--based company announced plans to purchase two Florida builders: Orlando-based Colony Homes and Westbrooke Homes. (Westbrooke is owned by Newmark...

Savings, please. (House Blend).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Although 70 percent of home buyers want energy-efficient appliances, only half of large builders offer them, according to a survey by Sears Contract Sales of the nation's top 100 builders. But 60 percent of those builders will offer an...

Cock-a-doodle don't. (House Blend).
June 1, 2002... It's official, roosters are out. That's right, those proud, colorful little guys that merchandisers have used to punch up model home kitchens from California to Pennsylvania are history. "Barnyard animals are out in general," says Stephanie...

New deals. (House Blend).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... M.D.C. Holdings, one of the 10 largest builders, just got bigger. In April, the Denver-based company bought the Las Vegas and Salt Lake City operations of WL Homes, based in Newport Beach, Calif. WL closed 561 homes in those markets last year....

Phone Home. (House Blend).
June 1, 2002... The Internet Home Alliance wants to destress travelers. A pilot with OnStar will let homeowners control HVAC, lighting, and security from their cars using voice commands. A future pilot will explore communication technologies, including...

Cruising clubhouse: a fresh approach to community amenities can boost sales. (Memorable Marketing).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 1, 2002... THE COMMUNITY CLUBHOUSE IS EVOLVING. A required amenity for lifestyle communities, the community social center is taking on a new face for demanding buyers. One example is ABD Development's new lakefront community, Vizcaya, which features a...

Name your poison: toxins and bugs may be winning in the war to build healthy homes. (Toxic Update).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... IT'S A JUNGLE IN THERE. IN A TYPICAL HOUSE, dust mites and silverfish set up housekeeping, feeding off the ounce of skin cells each person sheds in a month. Mold, bacteria, and yeast co-exist with poisons leaching from certain building...

Home Depot wants you! Can the big retailer shake its consumer roots and win the loyalty of real, live contractors? (Pro Move).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... THE HOME DEPOT HAS OVERCOME a lot of obstacles during its rise to the top, navigating through ugly gender bias lawsuits and past environmentalists and corporate watchdog groups, grinding its competitors into dust, and earning the conditional...

Weight watcher. (Top Shelf).
June 1, 2002... I DEAL FOR THE SAFETY-CONSCIOUS, THIS ANGLE GRINDER HAS A "dead-man" power switch--it can't be locked into the "on" position because it requires constant pressure to operate. The grinder also features a quick-change system that allows users to...

Air dry. (Top Shelf).
June 1, 2002... THE HOME SLICKER IS A THREE-DIMENSIONAL NYlon matrix that provides a continuous vertical air and drainage space along exterior walls. Applied over housewrap or building paper, it protects and lowers moisture levels under various siding...

Low flow. (Top Shelf).
June 1, 2002... KNOWING WHEN TO TONE IT DOWN is vital. The Hydroguard HT 115 does just that. It reduces the flow of a shower to 1/4 gallon per minute if the temperature reaches 115 degrees. Once the temperature drops, the product automatically resets the...

Smart aleck. (Top Shelf).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... NO ONE LIKES A WISE GUY, BUT A SMART BUILDING PRODUCT IS ANOTHER MATter. Using a microprocessor in a unit that fits a standard faceplate, the Faedra Smart Dimmer allows multi-location dimming, so a large room can have more than one dimmer to...

Swing king. (Top Shelf).
June 1, 2002... EVEN IF YOU CAN'T DANCE, YOU CAN SWING WITH THE VERONA swing door handle set. Made from solid brass with a protective coating to reduce scratching, the handle measures almost 5 inches, and the back plate is 8 3/4 inches high. The set is...

Double vision. (Top Shelf).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... PASSAGE IS THE FIRST ARCHED SEE-THROUGH GAS FIREPLACE THE MANUFACturer says. It has a ceramic fiber firebox that offers good insulation, higher BTUs, and a better glow. And the product's masonry-style arch has a clean face, so finishing...

Proving ground: to demonstrate the viability of alternative materials, several bold custom builders assembled an unusual showcase of pricey homes. (Risk Takers).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 1, 2002... OMAHA, NED., SEEMS AN UNLIKELY spot for a cutting-edge development--with massive homes constructed of steel, insulating concrete forms (ICFs), structural insulated panels (SIPs), and engineered lumber. But a handful of local builders had the...

The name game: a project with the wrong name won't sell as sweetly. (Market Smarts).
June 1, 2002... WHAT'S IN A NAME? A LOT. NAMES CARRY MEANING AND conjure images and opinions--both good and bad. They're especially important in new-home communities where builders axe creating something from nothing, and the right name can set a winning tone....

Adios, ARS: St. Joe sells Arvida Realty Services to NRT for $170 million. (The Straight Dope).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... After weeks of speculation, Florida's largest independent real estate brokerage has a new owner. On April 17, NRT, a division of New York--based Cendant Corp. (NYSE: CD), purchased Arvida Realty Services from The St. Joe Co. (NYSE: JOE) of...

Lifestyles of the rich.(luxury homes sell during tough financial times in 2001)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Uncertain fiscal and social times prevented most Americans from spending on discretionary items last year, but it didn't seem to affect the wealthiest segment of the population. In 2000, luxury homes--those over $500,000--accounted for 3...

Debt of society: household borrowing may warrant watching in months to come. (Vital Signs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 1, 2002... BETWEEN THEIR NEW HOUSES, MORTgage refinancings, and shiny new SUVs, free-spending consumers saved the U.S. economy from a far deeper downturn last fall. But now those spendy ways are causing a wee bit of concern. According to David Wyss,...

Interior design. (Products).
June 1, 2002... The Luxury Series side-by-side refrigerator can be customized inside with one of two modular designs that include a la carte storage drawers, tilt-down bins, and elevator shelves. Other combinations are available, and homeowners may purchase...

Double duty. (Products).
June 1, 2002... Briva is a combination wash system that can be used as a dishwasher, a sink, or a food preparation area. Sized to fit a 42- or 48-inch cabinet, the system features four cycle selections, a silverware basket, electronic controls, capacity for...

Level three. (Products).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... Jetclean ll's three-rack dishwasher can accommodate large odd-shaped dishes and pans that are normally hard to fit in a dishwasher. The product has semi-integrated controls that slip under the lip of the countertop and offers enough space for...

Feature presentation: appliance manufacturers add bells and whistles to woo buyers. (Products).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 1, 2002... PERHAPS MORE THAN ANY OTHER product category, appliances have made life easier and more convenient for American homeowners. Over the years, manufacturers have developed high-output ranges with enough BTUs to flash-fry a buffalo,...

Two big. (Products).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... The Duet has 3.7 cubic feet of space or 23 percent more than traditional washing machines, which means it can wash up to 22 bath towels in a single load, the manufacturer says. It uses 68 percent less water and 67 percent less electricity than...

Child's play. (Products).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... The KidZone's easy-to-access area at the bottom of the fresh food section stores juice containers, pudding cups, and other treats for kids. Bright colors and a penguin character let kids know that this area is for them. Once the kids get older,...

All is quiet: it might be time to listen to the sound level of your HVAC units. (Products).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... CHANCES ARE, WHEN YOU INSTALL an HVAC unit in your homes it's an entry-level system that at the very least meets SEER 10 federal requirements. Nothing wrong with that. It provides a basic level of cooling efficiency for homeowners, and it...

Prestige piece. (Products).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... The RCE Prestige Ultra remote cooling unit has a SEER 14 rating with a furnace coil and up to SEER 16.50 with the maker's blower and coil attachment. The unit's condenser fan operates at 850 RPM and features a sound blanket, so it also carries...

Split up. (Products).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... Most air conditioning systems operate at full speed even when a home needs less cooling power, but he new Olympian TS Series Split-System is designed to keep homes comfortable during non-peak times by running at a reduced work load. This...

Soft Sounds. (Products).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... The Comfortmaker SoftSound 1000+ heat pump has a 10-SEER efficiency when straight matched with standard coils but has a 12 rating when matched with variable speed blowers of furnaces. Available in 1 1/2-to 5-ton capacity, the unit comes with...

Silent night. (Products).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... The Signature Collection HSX15 air conditioner is the quietest central sir conditioner you can buy, the manufacturer claims. Featuring SilentComfort technology, the unit has a new fan blade design and a cabinet with an insulated compressor...

Green theme. (NAHB Briefs).(National Association of Home Builders of the United States)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... "Homes today are greener than ever before and promise to be oven greener in the years ahead," says NAHB president Gary Garczynski "New homes today are 100 percent more energy efficient than those built in the 1970s.... Builders are...

Call to action. (NAHB Briefs).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... Robert Lawson testifying (on behalf of the NAHB) in support of the "Housing Affordability for America Act of 2002," urged legislators to focus on the housing needs of the 3.7 million "working poor" households. Lawson cited Harvard...

Gaming educates: "Homes of Our Own" transports young teens into the home building process beginning with planning and ending with the sale. (National Beat: From the President).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... COMPUTERS HAVE CHANGED MUCH more than just the way we do business, communicate with one another, and play solitaire. They have had--and will continue to have--a dramatic effect on classroom instruction and the way our children learn....

Energy saved. (NAHB Briefs).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... Passage of a Senate energy bill may provide builders with a voluntary tax credit of $1,250 for each home built to 30 percent above the energy-efficiency levels included in the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code; House legislation...

Aware of access. (NAHB Briefs).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... Under terms of an April agreement, HUD and the NAHB will campaign to increase awareness of design and building requirements related to accessibility to builders, architects, building owners, engineers, local governments, disability advocates,...

Concerns overinflated: nationwide, the housing sector is not a bubble likely to burst. (National Beat: Seiders Economy).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... THE HOUSING SECTOR HELPED THE economy get through the recent recession not only by generating high levels of home sales and production but also by contributing high rates of home price appreciation that fueled consumer spending. But has this...

Global source. (NAHB Briefs).(online directory for National Association of Home Builders of the United States)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... The NAHB has launched a global online directory for the construction industry accessible in 16 different languages. It will be promoted in 172 countries. The b-2-b directory, is available at http://directory.nahb.com/. It presently lists...

America's most wanted: builder rounds up the top 100 best-selling communities.(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... THEY CAN BE HIP OR PLAIN, attached or alone; some scream trendy while others wouldn't turn your head. But they all have one thing in common: These communities made fast profits for builders and allowed them to move stealthily to their next...

Full; the Andersen-Enron scandal should serve as a wake-up call to builders: ignoring the books could cost you a bundle.
June 1, 2002... "IF YOU ARE NOT IN CONtract with your accountants in the wake of what has happened with Arthur Andersen and Enron , you are asleep at the switch." states Jack Haese CFO of Porten Homes, which builds 200 units a year. The Enron scandal...

Plans online. (Special Advertising Section).(www.eplans.com )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... WWW.EPLANS.COM provides builders and homeowners a simple, easily accessible way to streamline one of the most challenging stages of building a home: choosing a house plan. By providing fast and easy-to-navigate options, the process of selecting...

Creme de Cassis: at this Southern California community, architect and builders eschew tried-and-true design in favor of innovation and historical reference.(Brookfield Homes new development)
June 1, 2002... THE DAYS OF PAINTING PROJects with the broadest brush to attract the masses may be over in California. If your niche market is only 5 percent of the overall market, but you can attract 100 percent of that 5 percent, you can have a very...

Network superstore: will builders embrace big box integrators? (Builder Tech).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... WHEN SAMMY SALOUM CONTRACTED WITH a Dallas-area builder for a new home in 1999, he asked for a complete data, audio, and video network. The builder gave him the names of local integrators, told him to arrange the installation himself, and...

Home OS: simple home automation used to be an oxymoron. No more. (Builder Tech).(operating systems)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... HOME AUTOMATION TOOK a leap forward in March, when the Cary, based Home Director released the latest version of its Control Point automation server. The server, an Internet gateway that manages and distributes audio and video, makes Home...

Strike out. (Builder Tech).(surge protection against lightning strikes)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Storm Shelter (www.StopLightning.com) isn't just a surge protector. It actually unplugs sensitive electronics during lightning storms. It relies on a network created by Global Atmospherics in Tuscon, Ariz. (www.glatmos.com), whose 100 detection...

Brand-name power. (Builder Tech).(Briggs and Stratton Corp.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Briggs and Stratton (www.briggsandstratton.com) has made engines for backup generators for years. Now for the first time, it has decided to introduce one under its own brand, citing growing concerns over power reliability. The company's name...

Spark stopper. (Builder Tech).(arc-fault circuit interrupters prevent house fires)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Arc faults, dangerous electrical arcs caused by damaged wiring, cause many house fires. Beginning this year, the National Electric Code will require the installation of arc-fault circuit interrupters or AFCIs in bedroom circuits. That may just...

Business booster: certifying integrators could help everyone. (Builder Tech).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... JUST OVER A YEAR AFTER IT LAUNCHED, THE San Diego-based ConnectHome has found that providing builders with pre-screened integration companies can be a winning niche. ConnectHome, which is owned by electronic distributor Home Controls, looks for...

A new standard? A major U.S. developer will include community intranets in all its projects. (Community Connector).(Terrabrook)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... TERRABROOK, A NATIONWIDE MASTER planned community developer headquartered in Dallas, has committed to putting an intranet in every new community. The first one went live at the Vista Lakes community near Orlando, Fla., on Oct. 15. Six more are...

Tech trip: you don't need an engineering degree to create an IT plan for your company. But you do need a map.(information technology)
June 1, 2002... ACCORDING TO POP WISDOM "IF YOU don't know where you're going you probably won't get there." That saying could have been penned by a builder standing in the ruins of a failed technology adoption. Home builders that want to use information...

Cottage charm. (Builder Plans).
June 1, 2002... This petite cottage opens to a foyer facing a formal area made up of the combined living and dining rooms. The connecting island kitchen expands into a bayed nook. Just off the main living area is the study/office. Two family bedrooms share a...

Tiled entry. (Builder Plans).(Illustration)
June 1, 2002... This home is ideal for the growing family. The tiled entry and living-room fireplace are just some of the amenities in this wonderful home. The upper level is home to the master bedroom with its private bath. Please specify basement,...

Engaging entry. (Builder Plans).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... This small ranch home makes a grand statement with its prominent entrance. The kitchen features a plant shelf above the upper cabinets and easily services the nearby dining room. The master suite contains a whirlpool bath and a walk-in closet....

Sparkling sun room. (Builder Plans).
June 1, 2002... This classic cottage features a stone and wooden exterior. Double doors open to the den/guest room, complete with a box-bay window and a fireplace. Left of the family room, a sun room accesses the covered porch. The sun room leads to two...

Optional space. (Builder Plans).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... Columns set off this welcoming entrance. To the left side of the plan reside the kitchen, breakfast area, two family bedrooms, and a full hall bath. The master suite is secluded to the right of the plan. The second floor offers an optional...

Built-in cabinets. (Builder Plans).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... Stone accents and sturdy columns highlight this traditional home's facade. Interior highlights include a fireplace in the two-story family room, a French door in the breakfast nook and a central work island in the kitchen. Upstairs, three...

Decorative details. (Builder Plans). (3 bedroom, 3 bath single family home).(advertisement)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 1, 2002... Shingles and stone decorate the exterior of this charming design. Inside, decorative columns separate the living and dining rooms. The kitchen includes a pantry and a work island; the breakfast nook is conveniently nearby. Built-in cabinets...

Cozy farmhouse. (Builder Plans). (4 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath single family home).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... Gables, dormers, and a corner porch define the facade of this traditional farmhouse design. Sleeping quarters include a first-floor master suite and three family bedrooms sharing two full baths on the second floor. Please specify basement,...

Appealing arches. (Builder Plans). (3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath single family home).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... A covered porch welcomes family and friends to this appealing plan. Inside, arches create a formal air in the dining room and a vaulted ceiling adds space to the family room. A bay window brightens the breakfast room, which opens to the rear...

Private library. (Builder Plans). (4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath single family home).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... An inviting wraparound porch combined with a stone-and-brick facade offers a warm welcome to this wonderful two-story home. Various ceiling treatments throughout, turned stairs, angled walls at the breakfast area, a kitchen island with seating,...

Imperial facade. (Builder Plans). (4 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath single family home).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... A bayed turret and bold double doors beneath a balconied porch give this home its imperial facade. Inside, a canted, bayed study functions as an additional entertaining space. The master suite includes a luxurious bath. Three upstairs bedrooms...

European accents. (Builder Plans). (4 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath single family home).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... European accents shape the exterior of this striking family home. Casual areas of the home include a family room warmed by a fireplace and an island kitchen opening to a bayed breakfast room. The first-floor master retreat offers a bayed...

Take a seat. (Builder Plans). (4 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath single family home).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... A curving staircase graces the entry to this beautiful home and hints at the numerous amenities in the floor plan. Besides a great room with a fireplace and arched windows, there's a hearth room with another fireplace. A secluded den contains...

Alterna[R], The industry's first fusion-crafted exterior wood composite door. (Doors & Windows).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... NEW Alterna[R], The industry's first fusion-crafted exterior wood composite door. Alterna by DoorCraft[R] provides the best of wood, steel and fiberglass without the drawbacks. A beautiful entrance door with proven performance. It won't...

Impression[TM] Mirror door by DoorCraft[R] Impression Mirror door by DoorCraft adds beauty and dimension to any room. (Doors & Windows).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... NEW Impression[TM] Mirror door by DoorCraft[R] Impression Mirror door by DoorCraft adds beauty and dimension to any room. The Impression Mirror door is ideal for use in a bedroom, bathroom or closet. Applications include sliding pocket...

IWP[R] Aurora the world's finest composite doors. (Doors & Windows).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... NEW IWP[R] Aurora the world's finest composite doors. Beautiful doors specifically engineered to withstand the harshest elements. The Aurora line is an excellent value, designed to reflect all of the beauty, texture and weight of a premium...

Morgan[R] Choose Morgan for the best in genuine oak and pine wood stile and rail doors. (Doors & Windows).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... Morgan[R] Choose Morgan for the best in genuine oak and pine wood stile and rail doors. With a century-old reputation for quality, Morgan offers ten times more exterior designs and three times more interior designs than many other...

Norco[R] Radius Head Clad Wood Patio Door The Norco patio. (Doors & Windows).(advertisement)
June 1, 2002... NEW Norco[R] Radius Head Clad Wood Patio Door The Norco patio door line now includes a radius head patio door and a half-panel clad patio door. for those who love the look of a patio door with arched transom. The sophisticated designs...

Caradco[R] SmartFit[TM] Clad Wood DoubleHung Window. (Doors & Windows).
June 1, 2002... NEW Caradco[R] SmartFit[TM] Clad Wood DoubleHung Window An affordable, high-quality builder's window engineered to your requests. Tilt-in removable top and bottom sash; Aluminum clad exteriors in 3 colors; High-performance Argon-filled...

Nord[R], known for intricate detail. (Doors & Windows).
June 1, 2002... Nord[R], known for intricate detail, dramatic designs and unparalleled selections that demonstrate wood's beauty. The Nord offering includes fir and hemlock. Products include exterior, 8'0" and interior doors, sidelights, transoms, French doors...

Pozzi Wood Windows[R]. (Doors & Windows).
June 1, 2002... Pozzi[R] Precision Double-Hung Building on the artful and innovative designs that have distinguished its products for the past 34 years, Pozzi Wood Windows[R] is pleased to introduce the Pozzi Precision Double-Hung Window. This is an enhanced...

Summit[R] MagnaFrame[R] Summit MagnaFrame windows are new, wide profile vinyl windows that are designed to closely approximate wood windows. (Doors & Windows).
June 1, 2002... Summit[R] MagnaFrame[R] Summit MagnaFrame windows are new, wide profile vinyl windows that are designed to closely approximate wood windows. They are available as single-hung, double-hung, sliders and custom picture windows. With the benefits...

DoorCraft[R] Exterior Steel doors. (Doors & Windows).
June 1, 2002... DoorCraft[R] Exterior Steel doors You'll find wood or steel edge options along with 24- and 25-gauge galvanized steel faces that are ready for a variety of finishes, or ready to install with no finishing required. These rugged, rust-proof and...

The IWP[R] Estate[TM] Collection. (Doors & Windows).
June 1, 2002... The IWP[R] Estate[TM] Collection. This new door line from IWP is beautifully handcrafted, built with old-world craftsmanship for new world architecture. These beautifully aged wooden doors match any architectural style. The IWP Estate...

Caradco[R] Tradition Plus Casement Window. (Doors & Windows).
June 1, 2002... Caradco[R] Tradition Plus Casement Window The Tradition Plus line of clad casement windows from Caradco are designed to be more appealing in terms of energy efficiency and beauty. Aluminum cladding on the sash is mitered for a more visually...

Roofing and siding.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... It goes without saying that the exterior of a home must be constructed of strong, durable materials. Roofing and siding products must be watertight, energy efficient and resistant to fire, wind and harsh weather. But aesthetic considerations...

Landscaping. (Special Advertising Section).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... THE WELL-KNOWN SENTIMENT THAT BEAUTY ON THE INSIDE IS REFLECTED ON THE OUTSIDE APPLIES TO HOMES, TOO. HOMEOWNERS WANT THE EXTERIOR OF THEIR HOME TO MAKE A STATEMENT, TO INVITE VISITORS IN, TO REFLECT THE CARE GIVEN TO THE HOME'S INTERIOR. SMART...

Monticello, Albemarle County, VA. (Walk Through).(Thomas Jefferson's historic home)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... "AN ELEVATED SITUATION, FROM WHICH HE MIGHT CONTEMplate the universe." That's how Marquis de Chastellux described Jefferson's mind--and his "autobiographical masterpiece," Monticello. Jefferson's "essay in architecture" broke ground in 1769,...

Suburban makeover: strip malls get a new lease on life in Southern California. (Development Opportunities).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S POST WAR BOOM created housing, jobs, and, of course, strip malls. Although they were convenient, these quick stops were never aesthetically pleasing and are situated on valuable land. The Planning Center of Costa Mesa,...