Dreams Come True (120)Meet Julie and Warren Kruger of Tulsa, Oklahoma. When Julie was a young girl, a French chateau-style house caught—and held—her attention through her adulthood. So, when her "dream home" became available, the couple bought it. The home's wood, stonework and wrought-iron details make it visually interesting, and souvenirs from France add a sense of authenticity.
Then, travel to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to tour Earl and Chee Jamison's home, which imitates a typical area farmhouse. The structure's authentic look—complete with primitive antiques, quilts, rough brick-colored floor, and rough-hewn ceiling beams—has even garnered attention from the National Historic Society.
Marian Moore's Savannah, Georgia, home, Mariposa, is a secluded dwelling along the intercoastal waters. Take a look at her beautiful—and practical—interior design, which stays true to the home's name (which means butterfly) and French theme.
Finally, take a glimpse inside Jocelyn Kitchen's Lawrence, Kansas, home, which was designed by graduate students at the University of Kansas for a program called HOOT (Home Owners Out of Tenants). Through participation in the program, Kitchen, a single mother of two, was able to afford the spacious, contemporary dwelling.
Childhood Fantasy Facts:
- Cover wrought iron with a protective coat of liquid wax to retard rusting and make cleaning easier. Because liquid wax is extremely flammable, you should not use it on fireplace accessories. To remove rust stains, rub with kerosene and scour with fine-grade steel wool.
- Range hoods should be as wide as the stovetop and no more than 30" above it. Be aware that a bigger fan isn't necessarily better; high-powered fans can cause backdraft problems.
- A 12' x 24' in-ground pool that is four to six feet deep requires approximately 10,000 gallons of water.
Resources:
The French Chateau: Life, Style, Tradition
by Christiane De Nicolay-Mazery, Jean-Bernard Naudin (Photographer)
href=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0764301535/finelivingnet-20>Decorative Ironwork: Wrought Iron Gratings, Gates and Railings
by Margarete Baur-Heinhold
Decorative French Ironwork Designs (Dover Pictorial Archive Series)
by Louis Blanc
Historic Vision Facts:
- The cost of undeveloped farmland in central Bucks County is approximately $16,000 per acre.
- Some distinguishing features of Queen Ann antiques (1700s) are cabriole legs, shells, scrolls, pad feet, and walnut and mahogany wood.
- Irises, daylilies and hellebores are perennials that can all tolerate neglect.
Resources:
The Bucks County Historical Society
www.mercermuseum.org
National Register of Historic Places
www.cr.nps.gov
History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania
by W.W. Davis
Mariposa Facts:
- Creeping figs can be planted at any time. The vines attach independently and thrive in shady locations.
- Before building your dream kitchen, inspect showroom cabinets for wear and tear. Be sure to check edges, hinges, and seams when looking for weak areas of construction.
- Latex-based paint is easier to work with than oil-based paint. It only requires soap and water for cleanup.
Resources:
The National Trust Guide to Savannah (National Trust Guide to Savannah)
by Roulhac Toledano
Savannah Conventions & Visitor's Bureau
www.savannahvisit.com
1-877-SAVANNAH
Savannah, Georgia: A Photographic Portrait
Heart's Desire Facts:
- All HOOT program participants must complete a free class for first-time homeowners.
- Fiber cement siding doesn't rot and helps prevent termite attacks.
- Placing furniture against walls helps to create an illusion of more wide-open space.
- The median price of a home in Lawrence, Kan., is $125,000.
Resources:
10 Steps to Home Ownership: A Workbook for First-Time Buyers
by Ilyce R. Glink
Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau
1-888-LAWKANS
www.visitlawrence.com
