Front Porch the
summer 2017
wichita
The Art of Cultivating Simple Pleasures and Living Well
High Tech on the High Plains
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One of Kansas’ most attractive features is that, no matter where you live, you don’t have to go far to find wide-open spaces. A prairie oasis exists all around us, inviting retreat from the urban hustle and bustle. Ever since people began roaming the Great Plains, many have found this region idyllic for building a homestead. Without further ado, we present an outstanding case study of how to do it right. This particular house on the prairie takes country living to a brand-new level. Numerous features make it a monolith of craftsmanship and technology. To name a few, the living room is sheltered by a soaring cathedral ceiling, the theater room is state of the art, and natural wood and stone surfaces flow generously throughout the home’s 7,000 square feet. But our favorite aspect might be its efficiency, proving that high class and energy savings can go hand in hand. Continued on page 10. This home’s range of high-tech elements is grounded in a variety of primeval building materials, including timber, stone, and rock. Above, clockwise from left: [1] Constructed by Wichita’s TRU-Building Inc., this marvelous estate’s natural stonework and wood facades complement the surrounding acres of ancient prairie grasslands. [2] The great room alone measures an impressive 2,400 square feet; its soaring cathedral ceiling is constructed of rough timber; and the room’s focal point is the mantle, featuring a massive hand-scraped cedar log. LivingSound’s Thomas Shafer says, “The homeowner commissioned an immense painting for the great room. We worked closely with TRU-Building’s owner, Jeff Jones, to spec in a huge 70-inch television over the fireplace, which the painting easily covers by a good six inches on all sides.” When somebody wants to turn on the TV, the artwork simply rises up and out of the way. [3] LivingSound also installed weatherproof video and sound systems outdoors, including those in the sheltered and comfy cabana adjacent to the swimming pool, which itself affords multiple activities. Says Shafer, “The allweather television in this shaded retreat is five times brighter than typical sets are, and it’s completely watchable, even on bright summer days. The television’s operating temperature runs from -40 degrees to 120 degrees, so you can view it pretty much all year ’round.” Even more ingeniously, LivingSound installed many of the sound systems’ subwoofers underground in the garden, and the high-frequency satellite speakers are equally inconspicuous: they look for all the world like garden lighting!
Easy-to-make, wholesome summer recipes give time to enjoy the simple pleasures of summer. See page 14.
number 32 2 Peaceable Kingdom: coax your cat to stay home sweet home 2 Shades of Green: get rid of weeds the natural way 3 Quiet Spaces: experience the silence of the Flint Hills 6 The Collector: revisit the charm of children’s books