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Editor

Lori Quinn

Creative Director

Stewart Cole

Associate Editor

Katherine Thomason

Contributing Writer

Colleen Holt

Chief Photographer

Brandy Strain

A D V E R T I S I N G

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Advertising Sales

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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T SFEATURED HOMES

R O S S H O M E

Dramatic effects

COMBINING OLD AND NEW, TWO TRENDY DESIGNERS ADD SEASONAL FLARE

S I M P S O N H O M E

MIXING IT UPCHRISTMAS DECOR WARM, INVITING AND WHIMSICAL

S T R A C K H O M E

FESTIVE FALL DECORNATURAL ACCENTS HIGHLIGHT WELCOMING WALKWAY AND MORE

4

SHOPPINGS H O P P I N G

20

FOODF O O D

Artichoke Dip with Pita Triangles

Pita Triangles

Festive flavors

22

10 16

DESIGN

14 HOMES / OCTOBER 2011 HOMES.THECABIN.NET 15

Personalizing your holiday décor

By Helen Lockhart

In today’s society of mass production of decora-tive items there is an ever-growing trend to personalize the home to reflect the residents more than ever. And Christmas decorations are

no different. With the popularity of websites like www.pinterest.com we are seeing a return to creating holiday décor specific to one’s unique needs and style.

Many may be unsure how they can go about personalizing their home for the holidays. The most common way is by making some of your own décor. While some of you may shutter at the thought of making a wreath or tree skirt, there are some really simple ways to go about it that anyone can pull off with style.

Wreaths can be made a variety of ways depend-ing on your tastes. A simple foam floral ring can be covered with ribbons easily tied in knots. This takes about 25 minutes to make and looks very fun and fes-tive when it is done. Alternatively, you can by some ready-made wreath forms that have ties on them and work really well when making wreaths out of mesh. If you are not comfortable making your wreath on your own, there are a wealth of places you can go to have a custom wreath made.

Tree skirts are also a great place to incorporate your unique style into holiday decorating. Whether store bought, custom made, or made by you, there is a style that fits every person so you don’t have to get the standard red with white trim. HGTV has a great tutorial on making a no sew ruffled tree skirt that looks great in nearly any fabric and is super easy to do. You can find a link to that on the Red Chaise Designs Facebook wall.

Another great way to personalize your home is to have several trees throughout the home. The most common are the formal tree in one area, a family tree with all the ornaments made by the children in another, and then a tree in each child’s room themed around something they enjoy, like sports or dancing or even something like fish. It can be fun for the fam-ily to add new ornaments to these trees every year, creating a lasting tradition.

Personalizing your holiday décor is a great way to create not only a festive environment but memories that will be always treasured. That tree skirt that you made is a much more treasured heirloom than the one bought at the superstore. The wreath made with your teen is a wonderful memory in the making. Personal-ized décor will also make a memorable impression on your guests, as they will feel comfortable in an environment that more closely reflects you.

Other things to keep in mind when creating a personalized holiday home:

• If bling is not normally your thing, don’t feel like you have to have sparkle everywhere in your home during the holidays. There are so many styles

now readily available so take the time to find what you like versus settling for what is easily found.

• Keep in mind that your holiday décor will make a bigger impact if grouped together, so if you do not have the time or finances to decorate the entire home, focus on one area to make a statement.

• Don’t hesitate to ask for help. It is an interior designer’s job to get to know you and your tastes and then help you decorate accordingly. There are many designers that do holiday decorating so interview a few and hire one that you feel will help you decorate your home with your unique style in mind.

D E S I G N

Helen Lockhart is the owner of Red Chaise Designs, a full service interior design firm. Red

Chaise Designs is located in Conway, where she lives with her husband, Paul, and two children. You can reach her at: [email protected].

“Personalizing your holiday décor is a great way to create not only a festive environment but memories that will always be treasured.”

15HOME FOR SALE

By Colleen Holt

1330 Josita Circle, Conway2,485 square feet4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bathMichelle Nabholz, Century 21 Dunaway & Hart Inc., 501-450-2686

In a quiet cul-de-sac in southwest Conway is a must-see home that features quality construction, spectacular extra features and a great selling price.

Offered by Century 21 Dunaway & Hart Inc., this home at 1330 Josita Circle was custom built by Hambuchen Construction, and it is in like-new condition.

The home has an awesome four bedroom, two-and-a-half bath split floor plan, beautifully combining modern design styles with classic touches of elegance. Hardwood floors are featured in the formal dining, entry and hallways. Crown molding adds a bit of texture and depth to rooms throughout the home.

The first impression this home makes is a real winner, featuring a double door with sidelights and upper window in an arched motif. The beautiful for-mal dining room is front and center, and is inviting to guests who have come to eat and visit. The walls in the dining room feature a mottled paint technique that provides depth to the scene, and the custom lighting fixture offers a touch of elegance.

Off the entryway, the living room opens up into a comfortable place to spend time. Neutral wall colors, soft carpeting and a wood burning fireplace with a chunky wood mantle with fleur de lis accents are some of the best features. Two tall windows flank the fireplace on one end of the room, which can be furnished to provide separate seating areas or a space for watching television and playing games.

The dine-in kitchen has some great features,

HOMES.THECABIN.NET 2928 HOMES / OCTOBER 2011

F E AT U R E H O M E

Custom-built home in cul-de-sac

30


R O S S H O M E

By Jennifer Stanley Photos by Brandy Strain

Tis the Season at the West Conway home of Todd, Kristie, and Sidnie Ross. The Huntington Cove residence boasts Christmas décor that is traditional….with a flare!

When the time came to begin the process of decorating for Christmas, Kristie says, “I wanted to try and do a little decorating in every room to add a touch of Christmas in each of the places where we spend time. I also wanted to mix some old stuff with some new stuff.”

Kristie enlisted the help of local designers Gena Turner and Missy Thoelke of Two Trendy Design-ers. “I showed them some ideas from what I had done a year earlier, but otherwise, they went with it,” she says.

Gena echoes that statement. “Kristie allowed us to rework her existing items, and she didn’t limit us to doing it how it had been done before.” Gena and Missy adorned the main Christmas tree with mesh ribbon, feathers, various sizes of solid rib-bons, and an assortment of balls. They clustered balls of various sizes for a more dramatic effect. “The key was layering it up with different shapes, sizes, and textures,” explains Gena. The designers kept the mantle in theme with the tree; “We used the same concept but added larger scale items such as the deer.”

In fact, Kristie counts the mantle among her favorite aspects of her Christmas décor, saying, “It is such a great focal point, and it worked so well with the tree in the entry.” The designers also added a garland up the extensive, winding staircase and decorated in unexpected places, such as the bathrooms. “Sometimes small spaces make the most unique spaces, so….do them up big,” enthuses Gena.

The Ross’ entry table was decorated with

Dramatic effects

COMBINING OLD AND NEW, DESIGNERS ADD SEASONAL FLARE


lanterns, candles, balls in varying sizes, pine, berries, moss balls, and ball garland. “Don’t be afraid to add a little flare to your traditional Christmas décor or to use statement pieces,” says Gena. Another unex-pected feature of the design was the decorating of the light fixture. “We added in various glittered tree pieces to the existing light fixture,” explains Gena.

Kristie decorated the bedrooms and incorporated themes in keeping with the design of each room. “As far as the color scheme and style, each room is so different, and I wanted the Christmas décor to reflect that,” says Kristie. “I have grand rooms that are large, so the bigger, the better! I always try for a formal but fun look.”

Of advice for those who want to spruce up their own holiday decora-tions, Gena offers, “Change it up; things don’t have to look the same year after year. I believe that Christ-mas decor should have sentimental meaning, but don’t be afraid to add some life to those ornaments you’ve been hanging on your tree for years. Introduce a new color to give your Christmas decor some pop or add some glittery pieces to trees and garlands. Add larger ornaments to smaller ornaments to make a bigger statement. Decorate light fixtures and bookcases. Create a new tree topper. Lighting can make the difference, so light it up; add white lights, spotlights, or candlelight to set off your cherished Christmas decor.”


“As far as the color scheme and style, each room is so different, and I wanted the Christmas décor to

reflect that. I have grand rooms that are large, so the bigger, the better!”

-Kristie Ross


S I M P S O N H O M E


Each December, the Centennial Valley home of Steve and Laura Simpson is transformed into its own Winter Wonder-land. The transformation is a family affair, with their daugh-ters Emily and Lacey joining in the decorating fun.

The Simpsons purchased their residence seven years ago and were attracted to the neighborhood due to the number of families with children, the location, and the layout of their home. The home was built in 2001, has four bedrooms and four full baths, two half baths, and is about 4,000 square feet, many of which are decorated during the holiday season.

One of Laura’s goals in decorating her home for Christmas is to mix it up. As she says, “I do not have one particular theme. My goal has always been to make our home feel very inviting and festive.” Mission accomplished, as evidenced beginning at the home’s entry, which is flanked by two pot-ted plants capped with red bows and includes an ornament-adorned garland over the double doors. A stack of faux gift boxes are placed to one side of the doors and a lantern holding a candle on the other, juxtaposing the traditional with the whimsical – an anti-theme that can be seen throughout their holiday décor.

Laura does the design work, with the assistance of her daughters. “My dining room is decorated more elegantly, using bronze and gold with lots of fresh greenery, flowers, magnolia, and ribbon. My great room is more traditional: gold, cranberry, and green. My kitchen and hearth room are whimsical, using bright red and chartreuse colors. The light fixture has fresh pine, ribbon and glittery strands of red wire. I also hung ornaments off the fixture for the finishing touch,” says Laura.

The dining room uses lanterns similar to those in the entryway. There is also a plethora of snowmen in the hearth room, adding to the non-traditional feel. In fact, Laura counts the snowmen among her favorite aspects of the Christmas décor. “My snowman tree and snowman table are my favorite things to decorate. I have been collecting snowmen since Steve and I were married. Snowmen are so fun and whimsical; it’s the first thing I put up and the last thing I take down,” shares Laura.

The Simpsons also enjoy keeping the decorating in the family. “The kids love to help with the main tree in our house. Our Christmas tree is a mixture of homemade ornaments from the kids over the years, old world orna-ments, and ornaments that have been passed down from my parents,” says Laura. Thus the combining of the traditional and the fanciful extends to the tree. The incorporating of her daughters is in keeping with Laura’s favorite things about the Christmas season – “family and friends and celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus.”

Laura’s advice for others who might be just getting started with their holiday themes or who might want to try their hand at decorating? “Have fun, and remember that every room does not have to be the same! I have some rooms that are fun and whimsical and others that are more traditional and elegant.”

miXiNG it UPCHRISTMAS DECOR WARM, INVITING AND WHIMSICAL


“Have fun, and remember that every room does not have to be

the same! I have some rooms that are fun and whimsicle and others that are more traditional

and elegant.” -Laura Simpson


Personalizing your holiday décor

By Helen Lockhart

In today’s society of mass production of decora-tive items there is an ever-growing trend to personalize the home to reflect the residents more than ever. And Christmas decorations are

no different. With the popularity of websites like www.pinterest.com we are seeing a return to creating holiday décor specific to one’s unique needs and style.

Many may be unsure how they can go about personalizing their home for the holidays. The most common way is by making some of your own décor. While some of you may shutter at the thought of making a wreath or tree skirt, there are some really simple ways to go about it that anyone can pull off with style.

Wreaths can be made a variety of ways depend-ing on your tastes. A simple foam floral ring can be covered with ribbons easily tied in knots. This takes about 25 minutes to make and looks very fun and fes-tive when it is done. Alternatively, you can by some ready-made wreath forms that have ties on them and work really well when making wreaths out of mesh. If you are not comfortable making your wreath on your own, there are a wealth of places you can go to have a custom wreath made.

Tree skirts are also a great place to incorporate your unique style into holiday decorating. Whether store bought, custom made, or made by you, there is a style that fits every person so you don’t have to get the standard red with white trim. HGTV has a great tutorial on making a no sew ruffled tree skirt that looks great in nearly any fabric and is super easy to do. You can find a link to that on the Red Chaise Designs Facebook wall.

Another great way to personalize your home is to have several trees throughout the home. The most common are the formal tree in one area, a family tree with all the ornaments made by the children in another, and then a tree in each child’s room themed around something they enjoy, like sports or dancing or even something like fish. It can be fun for the fam-ily to add new ornaments to these trees every year, creating a lasting tradition.

Personalizing your holiday décor is a great way to create not only a festive environment but memories that will be always treasured. That tree skirt that you made is a much more treasured heirloom than the one bought at the superstore. The wreath made with your teen is a wonderful memory in the making. Personal-ized décor will also make a memorable impression on your guests, as they will feel comfortable in an environment that more closely reflects you.

Other things to keep in mind when creating a personalized holiday home:

• If bling is not normally your thing, don’t feel like you have to have sparkle everywhere in your home during the holidays. There are so many styles

now readily available so take the time to find what you like versus settling for what is easily found.

• Keep in mind that your holiday décor will make a bigger impact if grouped together, so if you do not have the time or finances to decorate the entire home, focus on one area to make a statement.

• Don’t hesitate to ask for help. It is an interior designer’s job to get to know you and your tastes and then help you decorate accordingly. There are many designers that do holiday decorating so interview a few and hire one that you feel will help you decorate your home with your unique style in mind.

D E S I G N

Helen Lockhart is the owner of Red Chaise Designs, a full service interior design firm. Red

Chaise Designs is located in Conway, where she lives with her husband, Paul, and two children. You can reach her at: [email protected].

“Personalizing your holiday décor is a great way to create not only a festive environment but memories that will always be treasured.”


S T R A C K H O M E


The East Conway residence of Marty and Gail Strack provides the perfect fall landscape. Set on a large lot, the tree leaves display shades of yellow, green, orange, and red that envelope the inviting, comfortable home.

Visitors walk up the side-walk pathway leading from the driveway to the front porch, which is flanked on either side by sheppard’s hooks holding

festiVe faLL DecOrNATURAL ACCENTS HIGHLIGHT WELCOMING WALKWAY AND MORE


“I love nature and the seasons, and I like to incorporate a lot of natural elements and materials when I decorate. Nature’s my thing; I am an outdoor person.” -Gail Strack


metal pumpkin candle holders. The front porch itself is a masterpiece of natural materials – the planters on either side of the door hold a large display of pumpkins, gourds, birch tree pieces, and acorns. There are also large, wooden lanterns on the porch that hold fall décor, and over-sized mums are planted on either side of the walkway at the entry.

The fall festiveness doesn’t stop at the front door. Gail, who does all of her own decorating, has added touches of fall throughout her everyday household items. “I love nature and the seasons, and I like to incorporate a lot of natural elements and materials when I decorate. Nature’s my thing; I am an outdoor person,” says Gail.

The theme of the front porch décor is interspersed throughout the Strack’s home. “I love using pinecones, twigs, pumpkins, gourds, and mums. We re-ally enjoy fall colors and love traveling to see the leaves,” she says. In fact, the centerpiece for the dining table includes cotton, gourds, pumpkins, burlap, deer antlers, and twigs. Gail has also integrated pumpkins in her outdoor potted plants, on bookshelves, and in other unexpected places.

The result of the fall décor is a relax-ing, inviting home, which is in keeping with Gail’s main goal. “Our most favorite things are family and friends, and we really want to create a warm and welcome feeling for them.”

S H O P P I N G

(Top) painting by Artists Guild of America, $139, available at Cajun Brothers; (above) zebra print bed bench with espresso finish, $187, available at Bates Furniture; (middle) lamp by Uttermost shown in amber-color tinted glass with copper and bronze-plated details with beige linen rectangle bell shade, $234, available at Humbuchen Lighting; (right) bronze vases, $25 each, available at The Furniture Consignment Place; and (far right) antique fire place screen (26”x46.5”), $175, available at The Furniture Consignment Place.


F O O D

By Chef Jill McCollum, CCPhoto by Brandy Strain

Artichoke Dip with Pita Triangles

1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped½ cup mayonnaise½ cup sour cream2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened1 teaspoon garlic powder1 teaspoon dill weed2 tablespoons lemon juice1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease your baking dish. In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise until smooth. Mix in the artichoke hearts and Parme-san cheese. Season with garlic, dill weed and lemon juice. Spread evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake uncovered for about 25 minutes.

Pita Triangles

1 package of pita pockets-split open and cut into triangles1 stick butter1 Tablespoon dill weedGarlic to taste

Melt butter, add dill weed and garlic, mix. Add pita triangles and toss in butter till coated. Place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Festive flavors

Chef Jill McCollum, CC is the Caterer and Food Service Director for Central

Baptist College. Jill is the owner of Jill McCollum Catering in Conway. She can

be reached at [email protected] or (501) 730-4422

DAZZLING DISHESWomen’s Inc.’s full 30-minute cooking video featuring Chef Jill McCollum, CC and Melissa Dunbar-Gates and sponsored by The Kitchen Store.Online at thecabin.net/interact/videos


COnWAy REgiOnAL WOMEn’S COunCiL LunCHEOn AnD DAzzLE DAzE KiCK-Off

Mary Ann Freyaldenhoven, Sue Dablock, Julie Finley, Amy Reed

Beth Freyaldenhoven, Paula Freyaldenhoven

Amy Reed, Shelia Whitmore

Joyce Hartsfield, Nancy AllisonRebecca Cronk, Jayme Jeanne, Dot Welch, Kate Vincent

Judy Davis, Karen EubanksOdesa Taylor, Georgia Green

Maggie Meyer, Renee Freeman, Becky Benedetti

Connie Morris, Michele Freyaldenhoven

Marla Hambuchen, Tara Jacobs


CAPTiVATing WOMEn STyLE SHOW AT SECOnD BAPTiST CHuRCH

Brad Lacy provides entertainment

Dr. Deborah Lawrence

C.J. Newton, Patty Lashley

Macy McCoy, Attaleigh Jones, Justis Foster

Ashley Gardner, Cindy Watson

Susan Salter, Virginia Benton, Holli Caughern, Pam Sims, Brooke Burgin


ARBOnnE PARTy fOR A CAuSE WiTH HOnOREE RiLEy TOWnSELLPROCEEDS DOnATED TO AMERiCAn CHiLDHOOD CAnCER ORgAnizATiOn

Jennifer Glover, Riley Townsell, Holly Kraft Dot Williams, Riley Townsell

Donna Townsell, Riley Townsell

By Colleen Holt

1330 Josita Circle, Conway2,485 square feet4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bathMichelle Nabholz, Century 21 Dunaway & Hart Inc., 501-450-2686

In a quiet cul-de-sac in southwest Conway is a must-see home that features quality construction, spectacular extra features and a great selling price.

Offered by Century 21 Dunaway & Hart Inc., this home at 1330 Josita Circle was custom built by Hambuchen Construction, and it is in like-new condition.

The home has an awesome four bedroom, two-and-a-half bath split floor plan, beautifully combining modern design styles with classic touches of elegance. Hardwood floors are featured in the formal dining, entry and hallways. Crown molding adds a bit of texture and depth to rooms throughout the home.

The first impression this home makes is a real winner, featuring a double door with sidelights and upper window in an arched motif. The beautiful for-mal dining room is front and center, and is inviting to guests who have come to eat and visit. The walls in the dining room feature a mottled paint technique that provides depth to the scene, and the custom lighting fixture offers a touch of elegance.

Off the entryway, the living room opens up into a comfortable place to spend time. Neutral wall colors, soft carpeting and a wood burning fireplace with a chunky wood mantle with fleur de lis accents are some of the best features. Two tall windows flank the fireplace on one end of the room, which can be furnished to provide separate seating areas or a space for watching television and playing games.

The dine-in kitchen has some great features,



Custom-built home in cul-de-sac


Attorneys

Matthew W. AdlongExperienced Attorney-Free Consultation

(501)327-4457 or (800)499-4457

BackhoeA-1 SEPTIC SYSTEMS, installed and re-

paired. Backhoe, dozer, dump truck, and Ditchwitch. Driveways, lots cleared and leveled, gravel, shale, sand, topsoil, fill dirt. Holliman’s, (501)450-2800 or (501)589-3622.

CabinetsCUSTOM BUILT cabinets and

entertainment centers.Arkansas Cabinets. (501)327-4590

Grant's Cabinets & MillworkCustom-built cabinets & doors.

Specializing in interior trim work andkitchen remodeling.

(501)472-2923 grantscabinets.com

Child CareOPENINGS NOW! Full & part-time. 7

days a week! Experienced, licensed, in-home childcare. Fun, structured activities! Great rates! Exc. ref.! Drop-ins welcome! (501)470-3101

CleaningResidential/Commercial15 YEARS experience. House

cleaning/pet sitting available. Chris-tian mom with references. Free esti-mates. (501)428-8311

RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL CLEAN-ING. 10 years’ exp. Free estimates, ref. Reasonable rates. Conway, Mor-rilton areas. Pat (501)354-3974.

ConstructionNEW HOME construction or homeremodeling. Licensed & insured.

Arkansas Construction. (501)327-5216

Detailing

BRITTON DETAIL SHOPWASH, WAX & DETAIL

INSURED for PICK-UP & DELIVERYFREE ESTIMATES

(501)472-1826 cell, (501)327-2530 wk.

DrywallNO JOB TOO SMALL!

Specializing in drywall remodel. Hand textures or spray. 48 years of experi-ence. Free estimates! (501)339-3099

Elder CareIF YOU’RE looking for an alternative to a

nursing home, we have the solution for you. Private, elder care home has openings available. Give us a call to-day!! Ref. avail. (501)339-3700

ExcavatingCONCRETE SLABS, driveways,

lots cleared and leveled, gravel, sand,topsoil, fill dirt. Licensed & insured.

Arkansas Construction. (501)327-5216

FenceCENTRAL FENCING Co. serving all of

Central Arkansas. Free estimates, privacy fenced, barbed wire, vinyl, iron, chain link, repairs, custom & much more. (501)837-3669

HandymanA-1 CONSTRUCTION, INC.

Build or clean decks & fences. All types,remodeling & repair. 35 years exp.

(501)472-9278, (501)428-0636

DAVID’S COMPLETE HANDYMAN SERVICE. We do it all! Senior Citi-zen’s Discount. (501)472-1028.

Holiday DecoratingHOLIDAY LIGHTING

Call Jason at Kordsmeier Electric forall your holiday lighting needs!

(501)450-0300

House LevelingFOUNDATION/FLOOR REPAIR

Cracked brick, shaky or weak floors,decayed floors. 35 years experience!

Free estimates! (501)416-1290

InstructionPIANO LESSONS for all ages. First les-

son free! Learn to read music & play by ear. References available. Mem-ber MTNA, MTACA. $15 per lesson. (501)470-5439

LandscapingYARD CLEAN-UP, dirt work, landscap-

ing, rock driveways, gutters, drain-age, maintain f lower beds, skid-loader work & more. Free esti-mates. Call BJ @ (501)613-9425

Painting

(501)327-1137- FREE ESTIMATES● Exteriors ● Interiors ● Houses

● Commercial Buildings ● New Houses● Pressure Washing ● Work Guaranteed

Remodeling/Resurfacing

ADDITIONS. BATH & kitchen remodels.Siding. Windows. Flooring. Commer-cial. (501)679-1645, (501)428-0645

KSI CONSTRUCTION SERVICES. Re-modeling, additions, painting & roof-ing. (501)733-1488, (501)336-5650.

RoofingBROCK ROOFING

Metal, wood, tear-off, whatever you need!Call Ricky Brock (501)730-0184.

TRI-LAKES ROOFINGRoof repairs, $75 & up!

Specializing in flat roofs and all types ofroofing. Free estimates! (501)329-3335

Tree ServiceDAKOTA TREE SERVICE

(501)328-3283www.dakotatreeservice.net

RIVER VALLEY TREE SERVICETopping, trimming, removing & stump

grinding. 10% Senior Discount! Freeestimates! Bonded & Insured. 27years experience! (479)970-1597

Some of the greatest bargains of this orany season are offered for sale in theClassified columns. Call (501)327-2727.

Advertising in the classified is so easy - justgive us a call...(501)327-2727 or(800)678-4523.

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S E R V I C ED I R E C T O R Y


including granite countertops and premium stainless appliances. Storage space is abundant in this kitchen, which has more than enough counter space for food preparation. For dining, two options are apparent in this space – a breakfast bar at one end of the counter space and the adjacent eat-in area. This area has a huge window offering views of the fenced back yard, and is the perfect size for a family-sized dining table.

In the master bedroom suite, the walls exude comfort and rest. Featured are walk-in closets, spotless carpeting and enough space for a separate seating area or reading spot. The master bath has a double vanity, along with a walk-in shower and a jet tub – and all wet areas are tiled. The three other bedrooms are also spacious, and feature modern colors that perfectly complement any design style.

The outside of the home, which is in a quiet cul-de-sac, features a brick façade and a fully fenced yard. Also included are a sprinkler system and a bonus storage building that is 10 feet by 12 feet.

Other features include:• Oversized insulated garage.• The home is wired for whole house audio.• Insulated doors and windows.• Central heat and air.• Fully floored attic.If you’re looking for a new home and don’t have

much time to shop, visit this home first – you’ll love it! The home is listed for sale at $239,000. For more information or to arrange for a private viewing, please contact Michelle Nabholz of Cen-tury 21 Dunaway & Hart Inc. at 501-450-2686

By Amy Glover BryantArkansas Realtors Association

We are fortunate that this year we (with the guidance of our local electric company) had to cut some rather large trees down in our yard and are now stocked up on firewood for our outdoor fire pit and indoor fireplace. While my husband was thrilled to get to use his electric chainsaw, I was thankful he took all the necessary safety precautions and we are able to save a little money this year. Like many Arkansans we are usually looking to buy firewood about this time (or my husband is looking for a tree he can cut down).

To help consumers make smart purchases, Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel recently released some tips to help consumers in their firewood pur-chasing process.

“Many times firewood is sold by the truckload or by some other imprecise measurement,” McDaniel said. “Consumers instead need to purchase firewood by standard units.”

The Arkansas Bureau of Standards has imposed pre-cise regulations, which stipulate that all firewood sold in the state must meet standard measurement require-ments and must be sold only as a cord, fractional parts of a cord, or in terms of cubic feet. A cord is 128 cu-bic feet of firewood. To be sure you have a cord, stack and measure the wood. To be sure you have a properly stacked cord, the wood should measure:

• 4 feet wide, 4 feet high, and 8 feet long (4 X 4 X 8 = 128); or

• 2 feet wide, 4 feet high and 16 feet long (2 X 4 X 16 = 128).

Any combination of width times height times length (in feet) that equals 128 cubic feet, qualifies as a cord of firewood. Consumers should steer clear of ads that offer firewood in undependable terms, such as “by the truckload,” “face cord,” “rick” or “pile.”

The Bureau of Standards requires the seller of the firewood to provide the buyer with a delivery statement listing all the particulars involved in the transaction. The statement must include the names of the seller and the buyer, the delivery date, as well as the quantity and price of the wood that has been delivered.

“Getting a receipt is important in these types of transactions because it provides additional protection to the consumer if questions or problems arise after the sale,” McDaniel said.

Dense woods, such as hickory or oak, generate more heat and burn longer than soft woods, like pine or spruce. Seasoned wood is safer than green wood because the higher moisture content in green wood can create a larger buildup of tars and creosote in the chimney, increasing the danger of fire.

“Before purchasing firewood, consumers should carefully consider the quality, price and quantity of the wood,” said McDaniel. If there are any questions about purchasing firewood, he said that consumers shouldn’t hesitate to contact the Attorney General’s Office or the Arkansas State Plant Board, Bureau of Standards at (501) 570-1159.

(ARA) - Whether you want to prepare your outdoor spaces for entertaining or you’re trying to make a great first impression on home buyers, now is the time to get the outside looking great. From fixing up the deck on the front porch to adding some colorful flowers to the landscaping, there are plenty of elements to make your home look more inviting.

Start by determining your home’s best exterior features, and then assess some improvements that you can tackle on your own and get the biggest bang for your buck. Here are some simple ways to help boost your curb appeal:

CleAN uP CluTTer Getting rid of clutter and scrubbing down

grime should be the first steps in giving your home’s exterior a fresh new glow. Start by remov-ing any unused items or dead plants from the yard. Clean out the gutters and consider power washing the front of the house. It might not look dirty, but you’d be amazed at how much dirt can accumulate and cause a dingy, dull appearance.

SPruCe uP lANDSCAPINg Take pride in your front yard and make sure

to keep up with regular lawn maintenance. This could mean adding some new shrubs, plants or flowers to the house, but start by fixing up and trimming down all existing yard features. Consider lining walkways with an attractive fence or adding a splash of color with potted plants or bright flow-ers. A few garden fix-ups can go a long way to im-prove an outsider’s first impression of your home.

ADD freSH feATureS If it’s in the budget, hit up a local home and

garden store to find some simple products to enhance existing elements. Maybe it’s a new mail-box, trendy yard decor, or even a shiny new fixture for the front door. You can also add a couple pieces of furniture to create a more welcoming atmosphere to the front porch. Consider a visit to second-hand shops or garage sales; you never know when a fresh coat of paint can make one man’s trash another man’s treasure.

PreP your DeCk The exterior of your home doesn’t stop at the

front yard - make sure it looks inviting all the way around. Start by prepping the deck and applying a new coat of wood stain to enhance and beautify, while protecting your investment for the future. The Flood brand of wood care products provides a complete line - from prepping and cleaning to staining and sealing - to help you get the job done and make your deck the place to be.

There are plenty of projects that can make a huge difference to improve the look of your home without requiring you to spend a fortune on remodeling. Get a head start on a few of these weekend projects. Your home just might be the envy of all your neighbors this summer.


Don’t get burned buying firewood Increase your home’s value

34 HOMES / OCTOBER 2011

By Colleen Holt

Beautiful new homes are now available at af-fordable prices in the Crossing on the Green and Shadow Ridge communities through Rausch Cole-man Homes of Conway.

Select from our Craftsman or Traditional series homes in these unique communities — but hurry, as there are only five homes left in Crossing on the Green, with two new Milam plans under construc-tion.

The last of the patio homes with low mainte-nance are available for touring. Standard features in these top-quality homes include low maintenance brick and vinyl exteriors, fully sod yards, rear concrete patio, garage coach lights, six-panel doors, plush carpet, vaulted ceilings (plan specific), stain-less steel sink, 50-gallon hot water heater, high-efficiency central heat and air, premium insulation package, vinyl windows and CAT 5 wiring.

The homes also include a limited lifetime war-ranty on the roof trusses, load bearing walls and the foundation.

Several floor plans are available. The Milam floor plan — which is available only in Crossing on the Green — is a new two-story, four-bedroom plan with 1,635 square feet, all at a base price of $139,900.

In Shadow Ridge, four distinctive floor plans are available. The Lewis plan includes four bedrooms and two baths, with wonderful extras such as an optional shower and tub or dual sink in the master bath. The Canterbury has three bedrooms and two baths, all of which are spacious. The Cole plan has two stories, with three bedrooms, two and a half baths upstairs and common family areas downstairs.

Other features in the Shadow Ridge homes includes ceramic tile in all wet areas; ceiling fans in living room and master bedroom; stylish use of crown molding in common living areas; cultured marble countertops in all baths; brushed nickel or oil bronze light fixtures and door knobs; double-car garage; insulated windows that tilt out for easy cleaning; separate laundry room with hookups; and custom landscaping including trees and flower beds.

Both of these stylish communities are conve-niently located in Conway. Crossing on the Green is off East German Lane, with easy access to shopping, grocery stores and schools. Shadow Ridge is a few miles north of Conway off Highway 65, with great access to Interstate 40 and nearby stores.

For more information or to arrange for a private viewing in Crossing on the Green or Shadow Ridge, call Gerald Craig at 501-626-9172. You may also visit www.myRCHome.com for information on all the Rausch Coleman offerings.


Beautiful homes at Crossing on the Green

34 HOMES / OCTOBER 2011

homes 11/11/11

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