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5D REAL ESTATEAWe CJatliine #o«t Thursday, September 15, 2005 How to create the home of your dreams Continued from page 4D Dawsons discover a log home design beyond what they had imagined. “I was so pleased when I received my first set of plans. The design team was able to incorporate all my ADVERTISE! 704-376-0496 wants, needs and desires into the plan. They really listened to what I had to say And the pictures were worth more than 1,000 words.” Now living in their log home, Joe and Angie routine ly (enmient on how everyday is hke a vacation, such a relaxed atmosphere. Their only regret is that they didn’t build their log home dream sooner. If you want to live the log home lifestyle like the Dawsons, but don’t know where to start, give the folks at Wisconsin Log Homes a call. All homes are created by visions and dreams of people just like you. Start by obtain- Incorporate personal style into bathroom Continued from page 4D 1) Do you prefer? A. Shabby Chic, comfortable looks B. Ornate designs C. Simple, clean lines and geometric shapes D. Exotic and unex pected conrbinations 2) When choosing furniture, you gravitate toward; A. Ov«:^tuffed pieces with dis tressed and crackle finishes B. Leather, cherry wood and dark stains C. Light woods, like natural maple D. Organ ic pieces, in different prints and colore, finm unique locales around the world 3) When you accessorize a room, you most likely choose: A. Items that are old, rustic or have a touch of whimsy that make a room cozy and inviting B. Family heirlooms, accented with it^ns you’ve found at estate sales C. New accessories that are placed sparsely and carefully throughout the room D. Funlty, fun accessories you found everywhere fium thrift stores to high-end boutiques to a vacation overseas 4) Where do you do most of " your home shoppir^? A. Arts and crafts fans B. Estate sales, auctions and antique shops C. A chic, modern home store or trendy mail order catalog D. All of the above If you consistently chose A’s, you gravitate toward a casual stjde. If you chose mostly B’s, you’re probably more the tra ditional type. Mostly Cs? You have a cont^nporary style, and D’s indicate a taste for Keep money away from ehimney Continued from page 4D subsequent yearly evalua tions. If the chimney was not inspected at the time the appliance was installed, it is important to have the chim ney-heating apphance rela tionship checked out. Inspec tions are especially important when older chiirmeys are paired with higher-efficiency appliances and boilers (gen erally, those with efficiency ranges above 80 percent) but are also important with new chimneys and older heating appliances. (Appliances with efficiency ranges of 90 per cent do not ireqirire vertical vents and are vented horizon tally). When gas bums in vented heating systems, the danger ous fumes that are the by products of combustion, including carbon monoxide, are released into the chimney through a cormector pipe. Funneling these fumes out of the living area is the primary purpose of a chimney In addi tion to carrying off toxic gases, chirrmeys also create the draft that provides the proper air and fuel mixture for efficient operation of the heating apphance. Natural gas is a dean-burn ing fuel, but today’s high-effi- deaicy gas furnaces pose spe- dal problems. The fumes they produce are cooler and contain high levels of water vapor, which can cause more chimney cond^isation than older models. Since these vapors can also contain chlo rides picked up fiom house- supphed combustion air, the fiues are srabjected to more corrosive conditions than before and can quickly deteri orate OT plug up completely A gas heating apphance and a gas hot water heater commonly share a chimney flue. the edectic. Now that you’ve identified the stjle that suits your' per- sonahty, here are some sug- ge^ons for decorating your* space accordingly 1. Casual: Casual style is homey and welcoming. Theie are many takes on this look, but they all incorporate a dean and comfortable feel. Fabrics are generally soft and textuT'ed. Furniture is over- stuffed and inviting. Washed wall finishes or beaded boards (called wainscoting) can give your* bathroom this casual feel. Using old fuini- tuT'e such as wardrobes or dressers for storage cup boards adds some visual interest and whimsy to yom- look, ^^icker baskets are ideal for countertop organization. Go vintage with your bath- • room fixtures, too, with antique nickel finishes and twisting and curved designs. Ibwel bars, a paper holder and matching toilet tank lever in this stjde provide warm details that add the finishing touch to this decor. 2. TVaditional: TVaditional stjde calls to mind the feeling of formahty and luxury. Large, rich floral prints on fabrics, drapes, or wallpaper will give youi' bathi'oom the character it needs to pull off this look. (Chary woods or other dark finishes create a rich feel. (Dhoose accessories hke the Gilcrest Collection fix)m Inspirations by Moen, in a rich oil rubbed bronze fin ish. The towel bars, minoi-s and shelving have decorative finials, grooved flourishes and intricate detailing for a time honored appearance. 3. Contemporary Easily I’ecognizable by its modem design and sophisticated, sleek fines, a contemporary theme can work well in a bathixx)m where surfaces are angled and smooth. If you want to create this look, select cabinetry in natm-al wood finishes and contrast with stone or maihle, or go for the uihan chic look with all stainless steel. Add dramatic towel bars, shelving and paper holders in chionie fin ishes to make an impact in this stjde of bath. 4. Eclectic: The eclectic dec orator mixes and matches design elements to create unique and visually interest ing combinations. If you aren’t afiraid to paint your heirloom bookshelf orange and top it with a Buddha, or put a jukebox neai’ your Per sian rug, you lean towards an eclectic stjde. But eclecticism can be more restrained, too, combining organic looking pieces that share shapes, textures, or col ors. Neutral walls and floors look best with eclectic rooms since they serve as the canvas for your creativity Look for accessories that make a statement. Choose those that are inspii'ed by nature or cap ture the feel of an exotic locale like Afiica, Asia or TVis- cany By definition, theie are no rules for eclectic decorat ing. It does, howevei', requiie a keen eye for harmonious (as opposed to hodge-podge) com binations. “Remember,” points out Bit- temian, “Just because you prefer a certain stjde, you can still mix and match and have fun. The point is to create a room that says you, one that brii^ enjoyment and allows you to relax and feel comfort able.” For more infoimation on bath stjde trends, or acces sory products available fioni Inspuations by Moen, call (800) 321-8809, or visit their www.csi.moen.com. NEW HOMES FOR SALE! $0 Down 0% Interest Many options to choose from!! Monthly Payments $350 - $600 Call 704-376-2054 ext. 38 for details. ing the ^Tsconsin Log Homes planning guide filled with more than 100 plans and ideas. From thei'e they can create your personalized home, and discuss the best way to get it buil^ Their help- fill team can be reached by calfing{800) 844-7976, or visit their Web page at www.wis- consinloghomes.com. IK)N'l PAY ANOTHKR CKNI IN RENT TO YOUR I,ANI)IT)RI) BEFORE YOU READ THIS AD! We have aa'e.ss to many sfiecia! pro grams to gel you in a home. Pay as lit tle as $500 w/low monthly paynwiiLs. You don’t need perfect civtlit to quali fy for some of these pixtgrams. Call todtiy to fiiid exit if you qualify & loam alxHit our Buyer's Service (Juanuitcc! Deadwilev Realty 704-598-2631 Ready for a NEW HOME? Not sure if you qualify? Need honest, expert advice? “I will save you time and money!” Call me today. Prudential Carolinas Realty 8320 University Executive Park Dr. Marva Topham 704-604-0H82 OWNING YOUR FUTURE Homeownership is a national priority. HUD is the nation’s housing agency committed to increasing homeownership and dedicated to'helping first-time buyers and minority families become homeowners. Each year, HUD programs and services help tens of thousands of families accomplish the dream of a life time: owning a home. Most likely, you’ll need to borrow money to buy ;i house. Getting a fair deal will help you to keep your home and boost your home equity wealth. Home equity is the part of the value of your home thal belongs to you—the value of your house minus what you owe on the mortgage. Your goal is to get a loan that doesn’t include high fees or a high interest rate. With low ‘fees and a low interest rate, you can pay down your debt more quickly and own more of your house. Know Your Stuff In order to build and keep the wealth in your house, first be a savvy borrower. Savvy borrowers know their credit score. Some borrowers save thousands of dollars by improving their credit scores before taking out a loan. Borrowers who meet certain credit .stan dards are eligible for "prime" loans with better inter- e.st rates. Loans to borrowers who don’t meet tradi tional credit standards are known as "subprime" loans or "non-prime" loans. These loans generally cost more than prime loans. For more information, call I (8(X)) .569-4287 or go to www.owningyourfuture.gov and select "Buying a Home." OWNING YOUR FUTURE Homeownership is a national priority. HUD is the nation’s housing agency committed to increasing homeownership and dedicated to helping first-time buyers and minority families become homeowners. Each year, HUD programs and services help tens of thousands of families accomplish the dream of a life time: owning a home. Most likely, you’ll need to borrow money to buy a house. Getting a fair deal will help you to keep your home and boost your home equity wealth. Home equity is the part of the value of your home that belongs to you—the value of your house minus what you owe on the mortgage. Your goal is to get a loan that doesn’t include high fees or a high interest rate. With low fees and a low interest rate, you can pay down your debt more quickly and own more of your house. In The Fine Print The starting interest rate on adjustable rate mortgages (ARMS) may be low, but they can go up after a cer tain period of time. Check how much your interest rate can increase each year and over the life of the loan—and what that could do to your monthly pay ments. Akso be aware of be any unnecessary fees, payments, and penalties. Some loans appear to give low monthly payments, but require a big lump sum payment, or a "balloon" payment, at the end of the loan. Some loans come with prepayment penalties; fees charged if you pay off your loan to sell your home or to refinance. For more information, call 1 (8(X)) 569-4287 or go to www.owningyourfuture.gov and select "Buying a Home."
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Sept. 15, 2005, edition 1
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