Triangle home|design, May 19, 2019 by Triangle home|design

Real Estate News

T R I A N G L E

home design

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dedicated to showcasing the triangle’s distinctive homes

“The market remains very strong as prices increase. There are simply so many people moving to this area that it’s difﬁcult for construction to keep up.” – Angelina Corroo, Ford Corroo Realty

Garner and Clayton Take a peek inside these two thriving towns

- story on page 4

real estate news What’s new p2

design instyle Soothing sanctuary P8

straight talk Word of caution p11

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|real estate news

what’s new? compiled by Whitney Berongi

LOCAL BUILDER APPLAUDED FOR EXCELLENCE IN ADVANCING HIGH-PERFORMANCE MAINSTREAM HOME BUILDING M Squared Builders & Designers is proud to announce that it has recently been named a Home Innovation NGBS Green Partner of Excellence for 2018. NGBS Green, based on the National Green Building Standard (NGBS), has certified more homes than any other national green home certification program. Being one of an elite group of Home Innovation’s green certification participants to be recognized validates the commitment M Squared Builders & Designers has made to providing homebuyers with increased value, comfort, durability and efficiency through its NGBS Green Certified homes. “I’m honored that my company has been recognized by Home Innovation,” says company president Michele Myers. “From the inception of my company I’ve been an advocate of healthy and green high performance construction. I know it’s the best and the right way to build homes; I wouldn’t build them any other way.” M Squared Builders & Designers is an awardwinning company dedicated to creating healthy green living environments for new homebuyers and existing homeowners in ways that enhance individual health with the least impact to our natural environment. The company offers services in new home construction, company president major remodeling and kitchen renovations. Michele Myers

Email real estate news to TriangleHomeDesign@newsobserver.com.

T R I A N G L E

home design Editor

Christina Darnell

Coordinator/Designer

Melissa Kennelly

Creative Strategy Buck Brice

Real Estate Marketing Consultant

Katina Faulkner, kfaulkner@newsobserver.com 919-836-5999

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Section published by The News & Observer • 421 Fayetteville St. Suite 104 Raleigh, NC 27601. Editorial material in this section is the responsibility of the Observer Content Studio, 704-358-5185. It did not involve the news staff of The Observer.

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|living in Garner and Clayton

by Lisa Daniels

EAT

Manning’s Restaurant Chef Howard Manning combines modern-creative and traditional Southern cooking styles to create his own delicious versions of crab cakes, pork tenderloin, ribs and more in downtown Clayton. manningsonmain.com

PLAY

Revival 1869 Perfect for a fun night out, this whiskey and craft cocktail bar and lounge in downtown Clayton features live jazz and a whiskey library including over 100 varieties from around the globe. revival1869.com

EXPLORE

White Deer Park Nature Center This 96-acre park next to Lake Benson in Garner includes walking trails, playgrounds, an arboretum, educational programs and a nature center with live and preserved animals exhibits. garnernc.gov

nce small farming towns on the outskirts of Raleigh, Garner and Clayton are now areas exploding with new construction and an inﬂux of residents—making them fantastic options for homebuyers wanting to live close to the Capital City, but without city prices. “A buyer gets more for their money when they choose to buy or build in these thriving towns,” says Tina Barletta with HomeTowne Realty Clayton East. “Both towns are unrecognizable from 10 years ago. Clayton has become a mini-biopharmaceutical hub. With the new Amazon Distribution Center in Garner and other corporate headquarters, the growth has been tremendous,” she says. Garner, the hometown of former American Idol winner Scotty McCreery, is just 15 minutes southeast of Raleigh, making it appealing to downtown commuters. But Garner residents don’t need to travel far for their daily necessities. Angelina Corroo with Ford Corroo Realty says, “Garner has a lot of small town charm and mom-and-pop shops, but also all the big box stores and chain restaurants. If you need to live 10 minutes from Lowe’s or Target, Garner is where you should be.” The town of Garner has recently begun an effort to revitalize its downtown, drawing creative small businesses and the cultural arts to

this historic area. Full Bloom Coffee Roasters, a local micro-roaster sourcing coffee beans from around the world, serves breakfast and lunch alongside delicious coffee creations in their café. The side of their building provided a canvas for local artist Sean Kernick, who recently painted a beautiful mural there. Garner Performing Arts Center in downtown also gives audiences the chance to enjoy live shows and concerts. Clayton, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, is located in Johnston County, 25 minutes southeast of Raleigh’s downtown. The town offers buyers the advantages of “country living,” spacious homes on ample land, while still allowing easy access to amenities. Corroo says Clayton has a slightly lower average home price than Garner ($300,000 vs. $330,000) and is currently growing at a faster rate, with more construction creating greater inventory for potential buyers. “We get a lot of ﬁrst-time home buyers in both towns, but a lot of people relocating to North Carolina speciﬁcally choose Clayton because of the awesome marketing that the Town and Johnston County have done,” Corroo says. Barletta agrees. “Many of our buyers are relocation buyers seeking a better quality of life,” she says. “Often, one family member will

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make the move to the area, then the grandparents follow to be near their grandchildren. They are looking for more affordable housing, less taxes and four gorgeous seasons.” Some of the most popular Clayton neighborhoods come with special features that cater to residents’ leisure pursuits. The equestrian community of Portofino allows buyers to buy or build on large, wooded lots, and has onsite horse stables, boarding and riding lessons. The community of Riverwood, built on the Riverwood Golf Course, has a golf and athletic club that includes a championship layout course along the Neuse River, fitness classes, nine outdoor and indoor pools and more, providing fun and fitness for the entire family. Both Clayton and Garner have made efforts to meet the housing needs of buyers in all phases of life. The Tapestry community in Garner provides maintenance-free living in attached villa homes for active seniors. The neighborhood includes appealing amenities like a community garden, fitness studio and dog park. Corroo says it’s a seller’s market under $250,000. “The market remains very strong as prices increase,” she says. “There are simply so many people moving to this area that it’s difficult for construction to keep up.”

living in Garner and Clayton| 68 Valentino Court, Clayton, NC 27527 Price: $875,000 MLS: 2240435 Listing Agent: Angelina Corroo, Ford Corroo Realty, 262-455-1559, acorroo@fordcorroo. com Timeless custom-built home with stunning curb appeal on 3-acre private, wooded lot at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac. Traditional and beautiful finishes that will never go out of style. Gorgeous hardwoods, exposed beams, stone fireplace with built-ins, chef’s kitchen, formal dining room, three-season room with fireplace and vaulted ceiling, first-floor master and laundry, three-car garage, huge walk-in attic and unfinished basement.

173 Bonica Creek Drive, Garner, NC 27529 Price: $749,000 MLS: 2241191 Listing Agent: Susan Dahlin Bashford, Hodge & Kittrell Sotheby’s International Realty, 919-522-1467, susanbashford@ hodgekittrellsir.com Luxurious details like intricate moldings, casement windows and tall doors make this home live as grand as an estate. Owner’s suite and guest bedroom on main, and three additional bedrooms upstairs, all with en suites. The daylight basement is already plumbed for a bathroom and is waiting to be ﬁnished.

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|living in Garner and Clayton 28 Valentino Court, Clayton, NC 27527 Price: $689,000 MLS: 2185802 Listing Agent: Tina Barletta, The Tina Barletta Team, HomeTowne Realty Clayton East, 919-868-9222, tina@tinabarletta.com This 4,656-square-foot custom home on .97 acres by Kirkwood Builders is packed with elegant detailing. Features include two-story foyer, two-story family room with built-ins, chef’s kitchen with island eat-at bar, restaurant-style appliances, breakfast nook with built-in seating, keeping room with ﬁreplace, master retreat on main with Caesar’s Palace granite bath, downstairs guest suite, two bedrooms and two bonus rooms upstairs, gorgeous barn doors, huge deck and fenced yard.

804 Parkridge Drive, Clayton, NC 27527 Price: $630,000 MLS: 2252775 Listing Agent: April Stephens, The April Stephens Team RE/MAX One Realty II, 919651-HOME, April@AprilStephens.com Stunning estate nestled on waterview lot on the Neuse River in Glen Laurel community. Home boasts soaring ceilings, a spacious foyer open to dining and sitting rooms. Gourmet kitchen with many upgrades. Master retreat with amazing bath and walk-in closet. Basement has another living area with a wet bar, ﬁtness room and more. Relax on the patio area off basement.

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living in Garner and Clayton| 145 Plaza De Luke Square, Clayton, NC 27527 Price: $619,000 MLS: 2235418 Listing Agent: Rick McCracken, Keller Williams Elite Realty, 919-360-8024, rick@ rickmccrackenteam.com Private living situated on a 1.36-acre, wooded cul-de-sac lot. Many features including a chef’s-style kitchen with grand island, formal dining, family room with fireplace, keeping room with fireplace, breakfast nook and homework room, study with fireplace, bonus room, media/flex room and walk-up attic. Porch with fireplace and patio overlooking wooded lot.

316 Fox Walk Path, Garner, NC 27529 Price: $546,500 MLS: 2231460 Listing Agent: Clay Eaton, Carolina Realty Solutions, 919-901-8700, clay.eaton@ crsmail.com Gorgeous home on .91 acres with easy commute to downtown Raleigh and RDU airport. Two master bedrooms, each with deluxe baths. Chef’s kitchen with marble counters and backsplash, pot-ﬁller faucet, Thermador cooktop and double ovens. Hardwoods on main. Bonus room with counter bar, mini fridge and microwave. Second bonus room and two further bedrooms. Park-like backyard with large deck and screened-in porch.

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|design instyle

The Lolita Collection transforms traditional Southwestern style. Ivory bedding creates the perfect anchor for energized rosy tones and mellow yellow pastels / annieselke.com

Soothing sanctuary These dreamy pastels set the stage for a calm, relaxing bedroom by Vicki Payne

write a lot about color, primarily because it is what motivates the soul. Bright colors are lively and invigorating. Dark colors generate dramatic rooms. Our moods change based on the colors we surround ourselves with. When it comes to bedrooms, I love pastels. They soothe our

spirits and allow our minds to disentangle and relax. If you are thinking pastels are just for little girls, you haven’t seen today’s new patterned pastels. Annie Selke, a well-known designer and manufacturer of beautiful, quality bedding and home décor products, has teamed up with artist and designer

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Laura Park’s Déjà Vu wall painting brings a lively collection of pastels and energy colors to this room. The natural rattan Nest Lounge Chair is accented with a Sunbury linen pillow and the Ronda linen throw / annieaelke.com

Laura Park. Charlotte-based ﬁne artist, Laura Park’s paintings stopped Selke in her tracks. She immediately saw an opportunity to translate Laura’s ethereal artwork and design aesthetic into restful looks for a collection of bedding, rugs and accessories. Pastels can also unleash our creativity when combined with energy colors. Coral, rose, turquoise and purple are all energy colors. Based on their intensity when infused into soft pastels, the results add interesting without losing the calm. Park’s home collection features beautiful soft pastel shades highlighted with plenty of energy colors. How do you incorporate these beautiful collections into your own home? Start with an inspiration piece. For Annie Selke, it was Laura’s paintings.

For you it might be a misty landscape or a soft floral print. Working from your muse, pull out a base color. Choose a soft tone, aqua, pale pink, peach and even sand for the walls, and paint your woodwork a clean white. You may be able to work with your existing furniture if it has a light-toned finish. If not, you can always paint your furniture. Most furniture manufacturers understand the importance of personalization when it comes to furniture and offer a huge range of colors and finishes. If you are buying new, consider white or natural finishes. Punch up the space with a single table or chair in a coordinating energy color. Upholstery pieces are key to coordinating prints and colors. The Beaufort chaise from Annie Selke is upholstered in one of Laura’s inspired

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The Mountain Mist landscape painting is the perfect muse to design a room around. The sateen bedding is from the Como collection by Laura Park. The ﬂoor is warmed with the Tansy woven wool rug / annieselke.com

Every bedroom becomes a retreat when you add a chaise lounge. The Beaufort chaise is upholstered in Laura Park’s Allium linen fabric. The Sylva multi-hand knotted jute rug comes in a variety of sizes / annieselke.com

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textiles, Allium. The soft aqua, pink and gold print is paired with the Sylva multi-hand knitted jute rug. The mottled appearance showcases a mix of brights and pastels. Bedding is what a bedroom is all about. A bed should be beautiful, inviting and peaceful. It must feel good to the hand, be easy to care for and durable. You create a soothing environment when you use the same fabric for the comforter and the pillow shams. Add interest with throws, accent pillows, quilts and blankets in a matching solid color. Treat the ﬂoor as a ﬁfth wall. The rug can be a solid or bi-tonal print. But for more interest, mix in a pattern pastel rug that compliments the other patterns and colors in the room but doesn’t take center stage. It is a supporting character. If you have solid bedding and are not ready to reinvest in a complete make-

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over, consider selecting one or more of Park’s beautiful kaleidoscopic print pillows to accent bedding or upholstery. Her pillows are available in both indoor linen and outdoor fabrics. Selke raves about the prints. “Laura’s gorgeous, daydream-inducing palettes and uniquely stylized prints are expertly translated into everything from linen and cotton sateen bedding and hand-knotted wool rugs to custom upholstery and effortless, breezy loungewear,” she says. Laura Park is another North Carolina treasure. See her art at lauraparkdesigns.com.

Vicki Payne Donatelli is an interior designer, project coordinator and popular speaker for renovation and new construction projects. She is the host of the national PBS series “For Your Home.” Visit her blog at ForYourHome.com.

straight talk|

Word of caution

Young children and riding lawn mowers can be a dangerous combination—we know from experience by Allen Norwood

t has been 30 years—almost to the day—since I ﬁrst begged Observer readers not to let kids join them on riding mowers. I’ve repeated that plea over the years, most recently in the 2017 column reprinted below. Here’s a sobering statistic to add: For kids younger than 10, major limb loss is most commonly caused by lawn mowers. My wife and I cruised through a nearby neighborhood last Saturday on our way home from the farmers’ market. We slowed to enjoy the yards in their early summer ﬁnery. I spotted a middle-aged homeowner on a riding mower. There was a youngster, maybe 5 or 6—I’m guessing a grandson—tucked between the homeowner and the steering wheel. I said out loud, “Grandpa, please don’t do that...” My wife turned, saw them and added another, “Please...” If you’re a long-time reader of The Observer, you might remember that I’ve

touched on this topic before. The ﬁrst time was back in 1989, days after a 3-year-old Charlotte youngster was hurt in a riding mower accident. That was also 14 years after our own son was hurt when he fell from a mower driven by his granddad. Our son, just 7 at the time of his accident, was lucky. He ended up at Duke, wore a cast for weeks, then underwent painful skin grafts. He didn’t lose his foot. There were perhaps a dozen other kids in the unit, and all were hurt more seriously by saws and mowers. About half had lost ﬁngers. Ever since our son’s accident, my wife and I pray silently when we see kids on riding mowers with grownups. Sometimes the prayers are out loud, as they were last Saturday. When our son reads a story about a kid hurt by a riding mower—especially if the machine was driven by a grandfather—he’ll send a text or email with a

simple: “See this?” Oh, yes, we see the stories every summer. Statistics scream that riding lawn mowers are dangerous for kids. In 2015, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 12,000 children across the country were injured by lawn mowers. Boys suffer 80 percent of mower injuries. Riding mowers cause more injuries than push mowers, because they can tip and even roll over. A Penn State study showed that more than half of mower injury cases involved riding mowers; two-thirds of the injuries involved lower extremities, and more than half the kids had to have amputations. We didn’t have grandchildren when I wrote that column back in 1989. We do now, and I understand why any grandfather would be tempted to invite a grandchild to ride on a mower with him. What a special way to spend a Saturday morning—for both.

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When I started thinking about writing this column I texted our son, Allen Jr., to let him know. Didn’t want to surprise him. He texted back: “Never let that opportunity go by.” So, here’s what else I wrote way back in 1989: “For years, I wished I had been driving...Every time I saw the pain in Allen`s granddad`s eyes, I wished I had been mowing that day. No grandfather ever loved a grandson more, or hurt more… “I know accidents happen to others. I know you’re careful, and wouldn’t hurt your child or grandchild for anything. I know it’s a special time you share. I know all that. “But please, please, please, don’t allow young children on riding mowers.”

Allen Norwood: homeinfo@charter.net

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