June 3, 2009
Summer is here! I was fortunate enough to start mine off with my kids and grandbabies in 
Florida last weekend and it reminded me of those wonderful innocent summers I enjoyed when I was growing up. Special days of running free at my grandparents farm sitting in the raspberry patch stuffing ourselves with delectible juicy fruits, spending time on the rocky shores of Lake Erie floating under the summer sun in an innertube with not a care in the world, and evenings of family dinners featuring fruits and vegetables that we had helped raise and pick on the farm.
Spending time with the kids reminded me how uncomplicated life can be sometimes if we let it and that the more simple our lives are the more sometimes we can enjoy those special times.
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June 2, 2009
I heard some disappointing news today – Michelle Kaufman Designs, one of the best green designers has closed their doors. If you have ever seen one of Michelle’s designs you wouldn’t forget it – they combine beauty, simplicity, form and function into a beautiful green package. This is a woman who saw the future and tried to draw the rest of us to it.
Doing the right thing isn’t always the least expensive way to go, but it’s still the right thing to do. If we don’t support the people and companies that think outside of the box and are willing to give their all to what they believe in we will lose that talent and energy.
Building Green typically has more upfront costs but the savings realized long term can be incredible. Plus the difference we can make in the environment can’t be measured in dollars and cents but how do you put a price on the quality of life for your children and grandchildren?
I am bound and determined to make a difference. I’ve got Michelle’s website up on my other computer and just watching the slideshow is motivating me to think about ways that I can make the Home Idea Factory more green and I’m excited! A Whirlpool Sustainable kitchen definitely in my future and my goal is to use as many local, green-friendly sources as possible.
The thing about Patriot Homes is that they were never afraid to push the envelope and the Weidners always supported what they believed was the right thing to do.
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May 23, 2009
I was in Seguin, Texas recently and was introduced to the team at the Clayton retail center. This beautiful model home was in the front of their location, and what a beauty! Talk about understanding how to do things right – they are doing the details to show this truly is a home, and one that anyone would be proud to own.
What really caught my attention was that this home with high ceilings, indoor and outdoor fireplaces and a dream kitchen was built to HUD specifications, not modular! I was intrigued to see what I have thought all along is true – a great home is a great home no matter how it is constructed. I hope that this home is shared with some of the financial entities and government people who don’t understand how superior factory built housing can be.
If you get a chance you should stop by and take a tour of this home – I promise it will change the way you perceive factory built housing.
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March 6, 2009
I have a favor to ask of all of you that really doesn’t have anything to do with this blog but it does – my 10 year old nephew is learning an important lesson about marketing and the power of the internet.
Sam lives in Oklahoma City and is the ultimate sports fan – he is crazy about the OKC Thunders and goes dressed to show his support to almost every game. His parents have always been wise enough to let Sam find his own calling, so his enthusiasm (and his outfits) are all his idea. Because of this, Sam was nominated to be part of the Ultimate Fan Finale.
He is also a great well rounded child (and I am a proud aunt!),does very well in school and loves to cook with me – we entered the State Fair of Texas Cooking contests this year and Sam won two 2nd place ribbons!
If Sam wins this contest he gets to go to Boston and see his team play there as well as learn some valuable history lessons when he gets to tour the city.
Please help me encourage Sam to follow his dreams. The link for where to vote on the NBA site is here, and you can vote was many times as you would like. Most of the others that are up for this honor are adults so I’m even more proud of what he’s accomplished. Please vote for Sam Davis and vote often!
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February 18, 2009
I just got back from installing a new model home, model apartment and clubhouse in Upstate NY and thought I’d share how it turned out. This client is a wonderful innovative, market-driven builder and developer and is always looking for something in his communities to create a memory point and set his homes apart. These homes were a great example of how we work together.
Riedman Development is very involved in the community – especially the Seneca Park Zoo which is one of the best run small zoos in the country. To play up the zoo we created a child’s room that focused on the zoo and animal conservation complete with graphics that played up the zoo’s animals and logo. The kids bath was a “penguin palace” which featured one of the favorite exhibits at the zoo. We also geared the buyer profile so that the wife was a volunteer at the zoo and we have marketing materials from the zoo in her home office. The builder plans on having some fundraisers for the zoo at the home. As is the case with most of us these days, budgets were a huge concern so this model was done “recycling” furniture and accessories from the builders previous models to keep costs down.
Timber Banks which was the community with the clubhouse and apartment model was designed to introduce visitors to the builder who was new to this market and let them know about the amazing features this community and location have to offer. The community sits on the Banks of the Seneca River and has it’s own enclosed harbor. Within a 1 to 3 hour drive, you can experience the Adirondack Mountains, the Thousand Islands, and Finger Lakes wine country. Lakes Ontario, Onondaga and Oneida as well as the Erie Canal provide true sailing and boating opportunities on a grand scale. To play this up we focused in on the antique boats that you can see cruising down the river, and the Antique Boat Museum which is nearby. Furnishings and decor were geared to show the lifestyle and quality that people coming to the community would experience.
Making a project memorable and helping to stimulate sales is what we do best. Incorporating the lifestyle of the buyers is what being a Lifestylist is all about, and the Lifestylist Design difference.
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January 14, 2009
Weathering the Storm
Needless to say, being x thousands of miles away from my home on the Texas coast while stationed here in Baghdad, I spent a sleepless night a couple of Fridays ago when Hurricane Ike was about to roll thru the Houston-Galveston area. My brother was able to make it out to my place on Saturday evening after the storm had rolled thru. Amazingly, not a SINGLE scratch on my 2006 Patriot home…not even a missing shingle! On top of that, all my animals/livestock were well & accounted for. I just wanted to thank you & Patriot Homes for building a good, solid product. After seeing all the photos depicting damage from the storm, it was almost unbelievable that my place survived unscathed. I guess “God takes care of Soldiers & fools.” Thanks again…
Best Regards,
Lt. Col. Bill Gazis, USA
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August 12, 2008
As much as I love Summer, it sure feels great to have a little bit cooler weather and know that fair season is almost here. I am a fair junkie – I had met my husband at the Erie County Fair in Buffalo, NY when we were both showing horses, and now The State Fair of Texas is my home away from home when September comes.
Patriot retailers also are fair lovers, and love to use that opportunity to show the public what great houses Patriot builds and what a value they are. I’ve just finished working on a house with Woodlund Homes in Minnesota, and I can’t wait to hear how it all turns out!
Woodlund will be exhibiting at The Minnesota State Fair which is held in St Paul, MN from August 21 – Labor Day this year. The fair attracts over 1 million visitors each year and besides getting to go and see this beautiful home you’ll be able to see The Backstreet Boys in concert, and eat to your hearts content!
This is Woodlund’s 10th year to exhibit, and this year they are taking a beautiful modular home that features an Evolution stainless steel kitchen, amazing master suite, tile, and a beautiful corner fireplace to keep you warm on those chilly Minnesota evenings.
Be sure to make a point to visit this great fair and tour this beautiful home – it’s one you won’t want to miss!
Brenco Homes will also be taking a Patriot Home to the Heart of Texas Fair which will be October 2 – 11, 2008. I have been involved in merchandising their fair home for the last 4 years and can’t wait to get started on this one! Gary and the guys always do things right, and if you can’t wait until October to see what they have to offer be sure to stop by their retail center which is located at the front of the Patriot Homes of Texas location.
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July 14, 2008
Sadly, when many people think of manufactured housing they think about mobile homes that were built in the 70’s with no design or interest in the floorplans.
A Patriot Home is anything but a mobile home – they are well built, beautifully designed and in many cases come complete with designer options that you have to pay an additional change fee to get in a site built home.
Patriot Homes of Texas announced this month that they were upgrading the design and finish of many of their faucet, lighting, and cabinet hardware selections. Lifestylist Suzanne Felber helped them identify the trend that finishes are going to a more distressed patina and the pewter and antique nickel finishes are what consumers are looking for. Many companies have gone to an oil rubbed bronze look, but this style seems to be running it’s course with the antique nickel taking over the consumers choice position.
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July 14, 2008
With gas prices what they are, why not invest your vacation dollars into your own backyard? Prices have dropped on many items that can make your own home into a resort, and it’s a vacation your family can then enjoy all year long.
This home features a spectacular indoor / outdoor fireplace that is beautiful as well as functional. By screening in the porch area and using pavers for the flooring this will end up being one of the most used rooms in the house. The furniture was a vintage set that was taken to an auto body company and painted using auto paint. The result is one that will last for years and is very cost-effective. To tie into current color trends we went to Pier1 Imports and found some great colorful cushions and an outdoor area rug to complete the look.
Manufactured Housing is also tapping into the outdoor living trend, and Patriot Homes now offers some new models that come complete with outdoor areas that are ready to go as soon as the homes are delivered. Patriot Homes of Alabama showcased two homes at the Tunica show this year – one with a screened porch area that was large enough to house a bar and seating area, and another with a built-in sink and prep area, covered porch and optional grill. This area could have an additional deck area added on-site, but as offered there is lots of room for even the largest parties.
When considering an outdoor oasis of your own, keep in mind the following considerations:
*Utilities: Be sure that you have adequate water, electrical and gas if you’ll need it for your new area. If this is something you’ll have to add it can really drive up the costs.
*Screening: If you are in an area that tends to have lots of bugs you may want to think about screening in your new area to make it more comfortable all year long.
*Size Matters: Be sure when you are planing your space that there is room for whatever seating you plan on using as well as room to walk around. One of the mistakes I see the most is porches that aren’t wide enough when you add traditional seating.
Sadly traveling especially flying is no longer the enjoyable experience it used to be, so relieve the stress and enjoy your own back yard.
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Great things are starting to happen in the housing industry, and buyers are realizing that now may be the time to buy.The
