Pinnacle Living's "Mountain Homes, Southern Style" Magazine announced the 2008 "Beautiful Homes Design Awards" winners.   Trimble Kelly Studios of Blue Ridge, Ga. was named a winner for the third year.  The studio was the recipient of two Silver Design Awards for Interior Design.  "Twin Peaks" located in Mineral Bluff, Ga. near the North Carolina line is a "modern interpretation" of the classic Southwestern design style.  "Four Bear Lodge" is a traditional Adirondack design style, that is situated on Lake Burton near Clayton, GA. 

Both homes are excellent examples of the "refined, but understated" interior design Trimble Kelly Studios has become known for.  Both projects are second homes for their owners, and were designed to support and endure the homeowner's dogs, children, guests and ample entertaining activities.

Photos of the projects are shown below.  You can click on the links that will take you to more photos of each winning design.

"Be an educated consumer when it comes to designing and building your mountain home"

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Today is a great time to design and build your mountain home.  Interest rates are low, construction costs have dropped and qualified professionals are available to help you.   During the time after the horrible hurricanes, professionals were hard to find and building materials were scarce and expensive.  Today, many residential design and building professionals are eager to help you.  But, buyer beware of those who are not taking the current economic situation under consideration.

I recently worked with a couple who interviewed several builders for their home.  They were presented with an array of proposals, including a "cost-plus contract", a  "guaranteed maximum price," and a "guaranteed maximum price with a bonus attached for the homeowner for finishing under budget and earlier than scheduled completion date."  This homeowner was totally confused.  What does all this mean for you as a new mountain home owner? 

A homeowner's best insurance policy is to have a good set of detailed home drawings and specifications.  This gives the builder a clear direction on what to bid on.  If you don't have drawings, then the builder is left to "guess" and "make assumptions" about what you want.  This is very dangerous unless you have unlimited funds.  This type of contract gives the builder the greatest amount of freedon to do what he wants, which may result in a house that would work for him, but not for you.  If you have a lump sum agreement without a set of drawings, get prepared for a lot of change orders, which are usually very expensive.  Again the builder is guessing and basing his bid on what "he thinks" you want.   A lump sum agreement based on a good set of drawings, is a good way to go.  And if there is a bonus based on good performance by the builder, that is wonderful!

If you already have drawings and land and are waiting until the economy changes, you may miss the discounted rates that are in effect right now.    Feel free to e-mail me with any questions about this tip, or any other design questions you may have. 

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      Winter Shopping Spree Discount 
for our Newsletter Subscribers:

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We would like to thank all of our regular customers for your support of our studio and our retail internet boutique over this last year.   We would also like to welcome any of you who are new to the newsletter and our website.  At checkout, enter the code:  "NL500" for a 10% across the board "Winter, 2008" discount.  This discount is valid for one month starting on February 20, 2008 and ending on March 20, 2008.  Once again, thank you for visiting my site and I hope you enjoy this gift.  Visit the site often for we are changing products almost daily as we meet new artists, craftsmen and vendors.   If you are searching for something special, let me know.  I will be glad to help you search and will apply this discount if purchased during this month!

Four Bear Lodge
Twin Peaks	Round Segmented Patina Copper Mirror Authentic Wooden Wine Barrel Cooler