In This Issue:
Home Building Tips: Water Conservation
As part of our new home design, we hope to incorporate several environmentally-friendly options into the plans. We are considering solar energy and some alternative building materials; what options are there for our water system?
With your concerns for the environment and the value and practicality of your home, perhaps you should consider the benefits of a rain water system. Increasing demands, rising costs, mandatory restrictions and water quality concerns are all reasons that many homeowners are choosing to enjoy the savings and benefits of rain.
By adding a rain system, not only do you add to your home water supply, you also establish a sustainable method to reduce site runoff. By adding a "tank" or cistern to your home, you can help protect area lakes and rivers and store collected rainwater for later use. This stored rainwater can be used during the dry periods and help reduce demands on city water supplies. For example, a 2,000 square foot home in Charlotte can collect 52,000 gallons annually. This equals potential savings of 60 percent or more. The potential for savings on water usage and utility bills by incorporating a rain system are obvious. In some locations, homeowners can reduce insurance premiums by incorporating cisterns for fire protection. Additionally, using rainwater is a more natural, cost effective way to irrigate, creating healthy, attractive, green landscapes.
Available for all homes and all home watering needs, rain systems are capable of irrigating one-acre landscapes or small flower gardens. While it is ideal to add a rain system during the initial construction of your new home, it is possible to retrofit existing homes. Submitted by: Shawn A. Hatley, Blue Ridge Atlantic Enterprises (BRAE) (704) 485-8031 sahatley@braewater.com
Click here to learn more about Blue Ridge Atlantic's Water Conservation systems.
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Along with cooler weather, the first days of Autumn bring beautiful colors to much of the country, as well as the ideal time to re-evaluate those plans to build or remodel. While most people consider Spring the season for building, they often overlook the time involved in preparing for such an endeavor. By utilizing all of the resources available now, you can be well informed and prepared to start your Spring projects when you want to.
- Jennifer B. Pippin, CPBD; Owner, Pippin Home Designs, Inc.
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Pippin's Projects: Wooded Hideaway
 Since establishing herself as the designer of choice for "homes with a view", Jennifer B. Pippin has earned a reputation for creating custom designs, ideal for homeowners who have looked at all the plan books, but have not been able to find a design that encompasses everything they are looking for. However, as the case was with Greg and Meg O'Brien, homeowners often find plans close to what they are seeking, but may want to "tweak" these plans.
After purchasing their plan and receiving a release of copyright, the O'Brien's worked with Jennifer to optimize the living space in their new home. By relocating the garage to the rear of the home, they created a unique, private corner of the home's exterior which was developed to be the perfect summer kitchen. Additional bedrooms were also added to the home to create a 5 bedroom home instead of the 3 bedrooms initially drawn in the plans.
Often a cost-effective option for homeowners wishing to customize existing plans, Plan Modifications are just one of the services offered by Pippin Home Designs, Inc.
Visit the O'Brien's Home... »
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Designing Your Home: Why do I need Construction Drawings?
So, you've carefully reviewed your preliminary designs and, after a few changes and meetings to discuss design options, have decided that this is exactly the home you want to build. The next step of developing your Construction Drawings is the final stage in the design process and one of the most important.
While it may appear that you could build off those great looking plans you've been reviewing, the fine details necessary to ensure your project's success have yet to be added. During the Construction Drawing stage, everything from building materials to structural engineering is reviewed and outlined to avoid potential issues during the construction process. Having detailed plans saves you countless hours and expensive cost overruns during the construction process, which more than pays for the initial cost of the plans.
For example, by developing your detailed electrical plans during the Construction Drawings phase, your builder knows from the beginning where your outlets and lighting will be, and can plan for that wiring prior to installing the drywall. The result is a more cohesive, cost effective and well thought-out plan and a smoother building process.
What can Pippin Home Designs, Inc. do for you? »
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Southern Ideal Home Show Coming Soon!
 For the second consecutive year, Pippin Home Designs, Inc. will participate in the upcoming Southern Ideal Home Show to be held at the Charlotte Merchandise Mart October 8-10, 2004.
An excellent resource for homeowners looking to build or remodel (as well as those "home-improvement junkies" that just love to see what's new), the Show features hundreds of exhibitors and experts ready to help you design, build, plan, or remodel your home -all in one place!
Best of all, our staff will be at Booth #506 with everything from an informational slideshow on the building process, to examples of our work and face-to- face advice on the design of your new home or renovation.
For more information on the Southern Ideal Home Show, click here! »
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The Healing Home: "Feng-Shui" Your Home's Exterior
 Every house that's ever been built has a "front door." This is the main entrance into the house, whether the people living there ever use it or not. In fact, if there is an attached garage, the residents usually enter the home from the connecting garage door. But in feng shui, everything is viewed from the perspective of the front door.
In feng shui, this door is called "the mouth of chi." It's the point that holds the highest authority and deepest energy of the whole structure, both from inside and out. When you look at a house from the driveway, there should be no doubt in your mind where you enter it. The front door should be a commanding presence, beckoning visitors to enter. Some homes built today have grand entrances, with tall columns bordered by large planters; there is no doubt where you would enter! But some homes have recessed or unassuming entrances, giving a less welcoming feel (this may be intentional). Neither of these types is "good" or "bad", simply different, reflecting the energy of the whole.
Walk outside your home and see your entrance as a visitor would. Does it feel the way you want your guests to feel as they walk into your home? How does it feel to you? If you find it less than optimal, there are several things that can be done to shift the energy and bring about balance and harmony; we'll talk about these next month.
- Valerie DeLong, Feng Shui Concepts, (704) 502-8814, valdelong@earthlink.net.
Learn more about feng-shui from a professional... »
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