Design Trends

Designing Your Dream Home—It’s Easier Than You Might Think

By ashleys • Aug 18th, 2010

You’ve cut out the pictures from the magazines, looked at countless home plans and maybe even purchased the homesite at the perfect community. But, what next? In this current economic environment, you might think it better to put off your dreams and buy an existing home. Yet now is the perfect time to build your [...]

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How to Buy a Green Home

By dhuso • Apr 26th, 2010

Green homes hit mainstream–Make sure you know what you’re buying
Ten years ago, environmentally and energy conscious home buyers had a tough time finding ‘green’ homes. Even though models were out there, builders and real estate agents had no idea how to market them and sometimes didn’t even know their benefits versus a conventionally-built residence. Things [...]

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Ideal Living’s Spring 2010 Styles

By ashleys • Apr 20th, 2010

1. iPad Revolution
Starting at just $499, iPad lets users browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more. iPad is just 0.5 inches thick and weighs just 1.5 pounds—thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook—and delivers battery life of up to [...]

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Counter the Granite Trend with ‘Green’ Countertops

By dhuso • Feb 4th, 2010

Yes, granite countertops are all the rage, but those who want something different and desire a truly environmentally friendly kitchen or bath countertop are going counter to this trend and choosing sustainable countertops.
Granite is a natural stone and therefore, a finite resource. As an alternative, consider a countertop made of recycled glass, recycled plastic, porcelain [...]

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Ideal Living’s Fall 2009 Styles

By ashleys • Dec 29th, 2009

1. Hand Carved Garden Benches by Stone Forest
An indispensable element for enjoying the garden on a particularly splendid day, the garden bench has been given an extra dose of style. Now in an array of different designs and intriguing natural materials like basalt, travertine and even sustainable hardwood—a good bench can transform any area from drab [...]

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Top 10 Hot Home Products for 2010

By admin • Dec 17th, 2009

By Don Logay
As the unofficial “What’s New Guru” of the home improvement industry, I attend numerous trade shows throughout the year and scour lots of magazines and trade publications looking for new and exciting products, intriguing concepts and “gotta have” gadgets that make life just a little bit better.
My checklist for “Hot Home Products” includes [...]

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Hampton Lake to Debut LifeSmart(tm) Line of Eco-Homes

By leeh • Jun 18th, 2009

Bluffton, S.C. – Celebrating its new LifeSmart™ line of environmentally-conscious, single-family homes, Hampton Lake invites the public to an Open House and the opening of its first two Cottage Imagination Collection models on June 27 from 10am-5pm.
The Cottage Imagination Collection models are the first in the line of LifeSmart Homes, and the first of [...]

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Listening Leads to Innovative Design

By leeh • Sep 10th, 2008

It is often said the best things come to those who wait. While often overlooked, the same holds true for those who listen. After eight years of extensive research, planning, innovative design, and most importantly, listening to consumer needs, Stanaland Stewart Company is proud to announce a most innovative multi-family neighborhood.
Welcome to the Meeting Park [...]

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Blending the Old with the New for Fresh, Up to the Minute Décor

By jharper • Jul 7th, 2008

When Marilyn Hahne decided to build a home in a luxury community on Badin Lake, NC, she knew she would need help in adapting her California condo furnishings to fit her new Southern lifestyle. It wasn’t just a matter of rearranging what she had; she wanted a totally new look.

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New Urbanism Communities Herald A Return to the Small Town Atmosphere of Old

By ccullen • Dec 27th, 2007

Do you think the days of friendly neighborhoods, with banks, ice cream shops and diners set around a town green, are gone? Think again. Picture this: traditional small city blocks, with narrow, tree-canopied streets, parks and gazebos. Sidewalks meander past homes of various sizes and styles.

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It’s All In The Details

By jedmundson • Dec 26th, 2007

In the late ’90s, when Loretta and Randy Roulier started getting serious about building their ideal home at The Landings on Skidaway Island in Savannah, GA, they envisioned a combination of art gallery and comfortable living space. Long halls, arched niches and a grand foyer accoutered with high-tech lighting would showcase their extensive collection of paintings and art objects.

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