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
“Don’t wait. In this market, there truly is no time like the present.” – Kelly Pittman, A Cole Realty
Quality craftsmanship With Raleigh’s real estate market on fire, now is the time to snag one of the city’s hottest home styles - story on page 4
real estate news What’s new p2
design instyle Wallpaper craze p8
straight talk Sparkling siding p11
design trends Timeless elegance p12
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|real estate news
what’s new? compiled by Whitney Berongi
M13 GC-Builder 919.365.0563 (o)
LEGACY AT JORDAN LAKE Developed by Freehold Communities, Legacy at Jordan Lake is a premier gated community on 316 acres of rolling hills adjacent to picturesque Jordan Lake in Chatham County. Trails, streams, an extensive amenities package and lovely wooded homesites grace the property. Legacy is quite simply a “must see,” offering vital and invigorating opportunities for those in various stages of life—those ready to raise a family, those ready to downsize and those in between. A stunning new model home by award-winning builder M/I Homes is now open for viewing in the Legacy Falls neighborhood, where M/I Homes offers move-in-ready homes. Floor plans range from 2,763 to 4,418 square feet. Homes are priced from the low $400,000s. “Legacy Falls offers several terrific plans with first-floor owner’s suites, and one incredible plan that features two owner’s suites,” says Earle Sherman, M/I Homes’ onsite agent at Legacy. “Basement and walk-up attic options are available, and most plans can accommodate the ever-increasing request for a three-car garage. I’ve seen lots of plans over the years, and the ones offered at Legacy Falls are truly top notch.” For more information, visit legacyjordanlake.com.
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
Advertising Sales Manager Becky Halliday, 925-382-6594
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 quality craftsman homes
Quality craftsmanship With Raleigh’s real estate market on fire, now is the time to snag one of the city’s hottest home styles by Emily Gunn
W
ith a strong job market, nearby universities and a vibrant cultural scene, Raleigh is one of the South’s fastest growing cities. Angie Cole, owner and broker-in-charge at A Cole Realty has lived in Raleigh for 16 years— and she’s assisted an impressive 595 families in finding their dream homes over the last three years. Her favorite thing about Raleigh is the mixture of booming city activity interspersed with pockets of quieter neighborhoods. The various corners of Raleigh each have their own feel, shops and restaurants. Cole’s favorite dish in the city? “I absolutely love the surf and turf from Angus Barn Wild Turkey Lounge,” she says.
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Raleigh’s market is definitely leaning in the seller’s favor—probably because so many people are looking to relocate to the area, says Cole. Still, even while the market has remained hot, Cole has seen the number of days homes are on the market increase slightly, indicating a move toward a balanced market. Still, inventory is low, and anyone looking to buy shouldn’t wait. The average price for a Raleigh home is around $326,000, says Cole. In the current top-performing market, be prepared to act quickly, particularly for on-trend homes that other buyers find desirable. “Craftsman-style and ranch homes are definitely the ‘look’ that most buyers prefer right now,” says Cole. Most buyers prefer
these homes for their convenience and accessibility, and their down-to-earth style. Lowry Liggon of A Cole Realty says many of her buyers like the clean look of craftsman-style homes. They’re in high demand, so they don’t remain on the market long. Kelly Pittman, also with A Cole Realty, has enjoyed watching Raleigh’s market grow over the years, but she’s also loved seeing how far the city has come in general. Having lived in Raleigh nearly all of her life, she’s seen Raleigh progress from a smaller city to a booming hub. On the weekends she enjoys taking her family to local sporting events, whether it’s a Hurricanes hockey game or a Durham Bulls baseball game. “It’s a wonderful place to live and prosper,”
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says Pittman. “With teaching universities, technology parks and start ups, people are flocking here for economic opportunities.” These economic opportunities attract people of all ages, making it a great place to live, whether you’re young and single, looking for your first job or settling down with your family and looking for a lifetime of opportunities. Unsurprisingly, Pittman also urges interested buyers to act quickly—not only are homes running out fast, but home prices are continually rising, which means now may be the time to snag your craftsman-style home before it’s gone or ups in value. “Don’t wait,” says Pittman, “In this market, there truly is no time like the present.”
living in quality craftsman homes| 3105 Cone Manor Lane Price: $1,980,000 MLS: 2185372 Listing agent: Roxanne Sparkman, 919-3695823, rsparkman@fmrealty.com This gorgeous 3.8-acre estate offers the feel and privacy of a mountain retreat with the convenience and security of a gated community. This custom home is situated on the most private lot in the neighborhood with easy access to neighborhood amenities, including walking trails and tennis courts. With unique farmhouse touches, a wine room and custom cabinetry, this Craftsman-style estate is both charming and luxurious with an early 19th century flair.
141 Pondside Drive Price: $539,000 MLS: 2225067 Listing Agent: Angie M Cole, A Cole Realty, 919-538-6477, angie@acolerealty.com This brand new property offers a gorgeous living space and even more gorgeous views of the fishable pond outside. Family room features vaulted ceilings with lots of natural light and gas log fireplace. Gourmet kitchen features quartz countertops and white cabinets. Finished basement with bedroom and full bath, with additional space. Deck and paver patio offer beautiful view of fishable pond complete with lit fountain.
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|living in quality craftsman homes 107 Harbin Ridge Court Price: $479,900 MLS: 2212456 Listing Agent: Angie M Cole, A Cole Realty, 919-538-6477, angie@acolerealty.com This cul-de-sac home in West Cary features private wooded views for relaxing and entertaining outdoors. Gourmet kitchen features full overlay cabinets and soft close dovetail drawers, a wall oven and pull-out shelves. Formal dining room with stylish tray ceilings and wainscoting. Mudroom features bench with cubbies. First-floor guest suite has full bath. Two bonus rooms. Screened-in porch and large side yard perfect for entertaining.
1653 Briar Chapel Parkway Price: $425,000 MLS: 2234566 Listing Agent: Angie M Cole, A Cole Realty, 919-538-6477, angie@acolerealty.com Located one block from the community clubhouse, playground and saltwater pools, this home features a finished basement with a bedroom and bonus room. Kitchen features 42-inch white cabinets, an upgraded gas range, honed granite countertops, a farmhouse sink and a subway-tile backsplash. Built-in office. Master bedroom with walk-in closet and bath features dual vanity and large tiled shower. Large unfinished storage space and fully-fenced backyard.
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understand the current value of their existing home. The Triangle Real Estate voice search makes this initial information gathering process so effortless and delivers similar information found on cbadvantage.com, or other sites.” While Triangle covers everything, you can also search in your hometown by substituting the following areas for “Triangle Real Estate:” Raleigh Real Estate Durham Real Estate Johnston County Real Estate Cary Real Estate Apex Real Estate Goldsboro Real Estate Kerr Lake Real Estate Lake Gaston Real Estate Wake Forest Real Estate
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|design trends
A soft landscape mural creates a timeless setting for a formal dining room / tempaperdesigns.com
Wallpaper craze by Vicki Payne
Y
ou either love it or hate it. The reason for most wallpaper hating lies in its painful removal process. The first house I bought came with 25-year-old wallpaper. I couldn’t wait to get rid of it. Well, easier said than done. Days later and lots of accidental gouges in the drywall, and I too was a
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wallpaper hater. With today’s wallpaper promising easy installation and removal I’ve starting to view its possibilities with an open mind. I have fallen in love with the new textured papers, whether it’s via textiles, faux finishes or wallpaper. Texture evokes the desire to touch and
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embrace the surface. Boring spaces, large or small, need pattern to generate interest. For example, most entryways are a series of moldings and framing out doorways to adjacent rooms. Introducing a patterned wallpaper gives the space its own personality and style. Let color and pattern tie the entry to the adjoining spaces. If your living room is black and white, the hallway tan and the dining room emerald green, you need a patterned paper that incorporates at least three of the four colors to create that designer element. It establishes a preview of your home’s style. Choosing a pattern for larger spaces is tricky. Big-scale patterns applied to a large wall claim the space. This isn’t always a negative, but you should be prepared to break up the effect by introducing furniture pieces that carry just as much visual weight. Don’t let the space get too busy. Keep your upholstery and floor coverings in solid colors, or choose a small print in a color that repeats one of the upholstery’s solid colors. Artwork should always
be framed and preferably matted in a wide white museum mat to keep it from becoming lost on the wall. Create drama in a small powder room by incorporating a large-scale print or horizontal stripes. Foil finishes and heavy textures also work well. Keep fixtures and accessories uniform and let the paper be the center of attention. Bedrooms tend to have large blank walls. Taller upholstered headboards help break up wall space but a tone-ontone geometric patterned paper adds a touch of elegance and warmth. You want to evoke a calming atmosphere so avoid shocking colors or patterns. Tempaper, the leading manufacturer of removable wallpaper, has a wide selection of trend-centric varieties. In addition to patterns sold by the roll, the brand also has panoramic designs and by-the-panel collections. Their Fresh Pressed collection of contemporary pattern 2-by-4 panels are an excellent option for small-scale or lower budget accent applications, including apartments and dorm rooms.
A large patterned paper is best paired with simple, chic furniture lines and small touches of contrasting color / tempaperdesigns.com
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Prints and stripes do work together. The vertical pattern of Branches provides a gentle backdrop for the horizontal patterned desk / tempaperdesigns.com
It’s easy to shop online for wallpapers. Most companies offer free samples making it easy to finalize your selections without lugging big wallpaper books back and forth. To determine how much paper you will need, combine the width of each wall, multiply by your ceiling height then divide this number by the square footage of a single roll of wallpaper. Online vendors often have paper calculators. Wallpaper can get pricey, especially when you’re decorating a sizable space. If you fall in love with an expensive paper, don’t despair—paper an accent wall. If you aren’t working with self-adhesive papers, consider hiring a professional
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paperhanger. Take time making your selection, request samples and enjoy the process. Quality paper properly installed should last you eight to 10 years. With today’s papers, if your style changes it’s easy to strip it off and move on.
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.
The Bela Rust pattern by Tempaper features a gentle art nouveau tulip pattern that works well with mid-century modern décor / tempaperdesigns.com
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straight talk|
Sparkling siding Now’s the time to make a plan for cleaning your vinyl siding by Allen Norwood
V
inyl siding manufacturers say you can clean siding with a soft cloth or long-handled, soft bristle brush. What they don’t explain is that if you scrub one spot, you’ll probably have to scrub the whole section of siding. If you don’t, the spot will be lighter and brighter than the rest. “That’s correct,” says Dan Gibbs of Mr. Handyman of Mooresville. “The spot will show.” And the harder you scour that one spot, as I’ve learned the hard way, the more that spot will stand out—which means you’ll need to use more elbow grease on the rest of the section. So, be gentle, or see whether you can just skip the cloth or brush altogether by using a good cleaner and strong blast from a hose. If you plan to wash your vinyl siding this spring, as many of us do, start by visiting the Vinyl Siding Institute online. Through the VSI (vinylsiding.org), manu-
facturers offer lots of helpful advice for getting rid of all that grime and mildew. The site doesn’t answer one important question, though, and a major manufacturer also declined to address it when I called. I’ll get to that in a moment. Maybe other readers can offer guidance. Here are some tips from VSI: - Start at the bottom. That tip always raises a few eyebrows when I pass it along, but cleaning experts say it’s the proper approach indoors or out. It’s there on the VSI site. If you start at the top, you run the risk that cleaner and dirty water will run down and streak the bottom before you get to it. - Should you use a pressure washer? Well...I’ve always recommended against that, because many experts, including some manufacturers, say you shouldn’t. VSI says you can, with lots of caveats. Choose the correct washer, read the
instructions carefully, use the proper technique. Also, as stated on the website, “Some manufacturers don’t want pressure washers used on their products at all. Others allow them, but have limitations on the amount of pressure and the cleaners that can be used.” - What about those cleaners? I’ve used Jomax when washing exterior surfaces, including the deck and the siding. Gibbs also uses Jomax, or a product called Mold Armor. Gibbs is owner of the Mr. Handyman franchise in Mooresville (mrhandyman.com/mooresville-nc). It’s one of a handful across the state, including two in Raleigh. Jomax is a concentrate you mix with water and bleach; Mold Armor, Gibbs says, is premixed. I cut back on the bleach a bit when using Jomax and it still works fine. On the VSI site, you’ll find formulas for homemade siding cleaners. One uses a solution of vinegar and water, another uses a solution of household cleaners,
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bleach and water. There’s also a list of familiar cleaner brands you can use, along with a warning to spot test them. Don’t use products containing organic solvents, undiluted chlorine bleach, liquid grease remover or nail polish remover. Here’s what you won’t find on the site: Any mention of the vinyl siding renewal products now widely available. When I called Certainteed, one of the largest manufacturers, the helpful spokesman said the company wouldn’t comment on such products. Gibbs says no customer has ever requested a vinyl renewer, and he never has used one. The products mostly get decent online reviews. If you’ve tried one of them, send me an email to share your experience. I’ll pass comments along to other homeowners. Allen Norwood: homeinfo@charter.net
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Photos by Cat Wilborne
|design trends
Timeless elegance A house on a hill and heartwarming childhood nostalgia combine to make this master bath design a beautiful project from the inside out by Julie Cooper
I
t all started with a humble house on a hill and a childhood dream. Tiska Farnham grew up just inside the beltline down the hill from Midtown in a neighborhood where parents would call their kids home after a day spent playing in the creek and where the sweet sounds of a familiar trumpet
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would dance through the air. “I remember Mr. Lassiter, the kind, older gentlemen that lived in this house, would come out on his porch every Christmas morning and on nice summer evenings to play carols on his trumpet,” reminisces Farnham. “The music was
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a treat to the whole neighborhood. We’ve since restored that same front porch, and it’s my absolute favorite part of our home now.” Farnham knew she always wanted to raise her family in her childhood neighborhood where her parents still live today—but finding the right home was a challenge. “It’s kind of a fluke that I ended up on the same street I grew up on later in life,” she says, noting that the house she and her husband ended up buying would have been a complete teardown had they been anybody else.
“My husband put a bid in the very day the ranch came on the market. I adored this street. But I thought he was crazy since we were expecting our first child, and the house was nowhere close to being livable.” The home’s livability became a distant concern as they carefully made their way across the rotten boards on the front porch into the home that sat empty for seven years. “When we walked through, we were amazed by the beautiful hillside views and could tell the house had good bones,” says SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2019
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Farnham. “It was made to last.” After hiring an architect to create a plan that would make the home more livable, and with a few renovations already under her belt, Farnham reached out to Raleigh-based design consultant Lisa Stewart to help fashion her new master bedroom and bathroom. With the addition of a sizeable three-car garage, there was now plenty of room to create the master bedroom suite of her dreams atop. Where Farnham’s architect left off, Stewart was able to swoop in and infuse the space with imagination and creativity. “After meeting with Tiska, I came up with three different designs for the space, and she and her husband picked
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my favorite,” says Stewart. “I wanted to take advantage of the beautiful views and worked to make the space flow well. So, with a little creativity, we were able to move some things around—a door to the porch, the closets—to create a beautiful, spa-like master bath retreat.” From the inlaid tile rug to the SherwinWilliams “Marshmallow” walls and what Stewart dubs the “money shot”—the stunning standalone bathtub—Farnham’s master bathroom is what every homeowner (and busy mom) dreams of. “I made sure the pocket French doors going into the bathroom were centered on that tub,” Stewart says. “It didn’t need to be tucked back in some far corner. That gorgeous tub needed to be
under the window to the wooded backyard—it needed to be the focal point and a place for her to relax.” No detail was left to afterthought in the rest of the design either. Thanks to the addition’s thoughtful design, the master suite was graced with a lovely vaulted ceiling, elevating the entire space. “Consequently, the new dual his-and-her closets ended up with very high ceilings, making them look like they’re from some grand magazine,” says Stewart. “We also added windows to one of the closets for natural light to flood through. It all came together beautifully.” “After meeting with Lisa, I knew she was the one,” says Farnham. “I had many ideas, but I wasn’t sure how to put them together. She was able to listen and create this beautiful plan. My bathroom now has a retreat-like feel, separate from the chaos of the rest of the house—three kids and two dogs! It turned out so timeless, from the curved lines of the freestanding soaking tub to the fixtures and chandelier. These things never seem to go out of style.”
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