LIVE THE DREAM

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This quality, custom-built home is approx. 4,400 s.f. and sits on a 1/2 acre lot in a picturesque exclusive neighborhood of Woodland Park.

Originally appraised by MAI for $800,000. Close to shopping, schools,
and minutes to Colorado Springs. 5 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, 2 fireplaces,
granite countertops, large open kitchen, wine cellar, media room,
wet bars, stone tiled baths, 3 car garage with workshop & more. OPEN
HOUSE EVERY SATURDAY & SUNDAY 1pm to 5pm. $650,000
For more information call Stewart Realty 719-310-8324

KEEPIN’ IT CLEAN AND GREEN

Just as lifestyle changes have affected kitchens, they have definitely rolled over into the bath. Pam O’Connell of The Showroom at Rampart Supply says people are choosing easy care, minimalist plumbing supplies with a nod toward luxury in the home. And always, the consideration of eco-friendly.

“People are interested in making bathrooms their home spas,” she says. This translates into above-counter bowls, often of unique styles and textures, such as blown glass. Also in vogue are soaking tubs and bigger and/or multiple shower heads.

Even in Colorado, which sees a preference for more traditional styles, she says current choices run to cleaner lines.

Lighting has changed so much in the last decade or two it almost can’t be compared to previous solutions.

Continuing a green theme, compact fluorescent lights are now more economical to buy, last longer than traditional bulbs and give off an improved color of light. Kris Herdt of Austin Bluff Lighting says, “Energy efficient does not have to be ugly.” Gold-and silver-foil shades, among other choices, showcase the compact fluorescent as an item of particular style.

Now popular trends in lighting fixtures lean to the organic— textures and fashions that mimic cork, sand and grass in neutral, earthy colors. The drum shape is popular for shades and chandeliers. Mini-pendants have remained popular in bar areas while

rail lighting is sought after for kitchen and hallways.

LED lights are becoming accessible to the typical homeowner and come in inventive applications such as lighting above cabinets and in bar areas, sometimes with a rainbow of color changes that add real pizzazz.

Also eco-friendly are dark sky outdoor lights, which avert light pollution by keeping the great majority of light diffused down, out of the sky. Many communities across the nation now mandate use of dark sky options.

The area of home electronics is dominated, no surprise, by wall-mounted, flat screen TVs as people move away from the big, armoire-style TV area. David Wilson, manager of Homerun Electronics, says, “You save so much space with a wall-mounted TV.” These can be trimmed out for a more anchored, furniture-like affect. For the greenie, LED-based TVs are gaining ground and use significantly less power than plasma TVs.

Distributed audio systems throughout a home are also popular, keeping the home smart and easy to use.

And underneath it all? Flooring is seeing a swing toward more hard surfaces, says Chris Gentry, vice president, residential division at Arlun. On either coast, this translates to tile for its coolness and easy maintenance. In Colorado, wood is more popular as most of us aren’t looking for colder toes in January.

A newer, innovative hard surface for those not opting for the full hardwood floor is engineered wood flooring. It’s a cross-plywood base topped with a veneer of finished hardwood that has a hearty resistance to humidity and temperature change; it can also last up to 50 years.

Textured, patterned carpet is also seeing