Traveling and Construction

James and I just got back from the 2012 International Builders Show, hosted in Orlando this year. Last time we went it was in Vegas in 2009. Thats James below (on the left).



And at the Marriott, getting ready to go to the gym and pool.


We were right across the street from SeaWorld.


and a highlight of the show was this spray foam sculpture.




A lot of construction for mid-winter. We have Ranch VI, which is inspired by Ranch V, but with a build-out, walk-out basement.

Good space for sure.

The Big Barn continues apace with the siding being completed, the interior floor going in, the window trim finished up and indoor lap pool being installed tomorrow.



Porches, decks and patios define part of this home's lifestyle.











And Barn V, just entering the insulation phase of things. After that the sheetrock and the wall coverings and then before you know it, we will be painting.







And Farm 18, pretty much rounding that last bend to completion.

...with the interior walls and ceilings covered.

...and board and batten wainscotting.



...the bathroom waiting the tile guy.



...fireplace, bookshelves and lots of space.

And our newest spec house for sale - Cottage 39. Just an idea less than a month ago.






Cottage 38 in Stone Ridge has just passed it's 'rough-in inspection' and is now ready to insulate.




Not to be gross, but most of our current customers are happier than pigs in shit. And why shouldn't they be - I mean, we are really delivering a product and process that is unparalleled in quality, taste and timeliness.

And then a good play I'm reserved to see in early April.

Sullivan County Homes

We have built a lot of homes in Sullivan County and I plan to keep on building. We typically concentrate along what I like to call the Delaware River Corridor which stretches from Pond Eddy to Narrowsburg.

Here's some shots of our winter projects in this neck of the woods.

Barn V above and below - a super neat house being built by Bill and Veronica. They have a young son named Patrick. On a road in Narrowsburg, where we are building/have built 6 homes, the clients came with a total of 6 young children.






The Big Barn is coming along nicely - we used a Slate Grey Siding, and in the foreground in the garage.


We have finished the insulation phase, and are now sheetrocking and adding wood to the ceilings.


And of course kick ass Farm 18 is moving right along. We should be ready for the electrical, plumbing and heating inspection, and then ready for the insulation.



And Ranch VI is hot on the tails of these other homes. Friends of the folks who bought Barn IV, this ranch is a lot like Ranch V, only bigger with a built out basement, on a more secluded piece of land.


With the one we have going on in Stone Ridge, and the one we are starting outside of Eldred, we should be able to keep very busy once again this winter.

Winter Warmup

Interestingly, 2011 was not a year of smallest homes - I would venture we designed built and sold twice as many $375k+. 1500 sq ft+ homes this year as last, resulting in revenue figures 25% higher than 2010, with about the same amount of homes built and sold.

We just started a real winner - 1500 sq ft, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. Farmhouse 18. It's inspired by Farmhouse 1, without the some of the 'add-on' spaces. A very liveable house and from what I am seeing, should hit the market square in the nose.

That's what makes us a good company - we move with the market - sizes, prices, styles. Our ears stay close to the tracks, and we glide this way and that looking for the sweet spot, - the g spot, if you will.

The walk-out basements are good for everyone and we do it where we can.


The Big Barn outside of Narrowsburg is coming along fantastically. We aren't letting any grass grow under us on this one.

Standing seam metal roof on, Jeld Wen windows installed, and working hard on the 5 bathrooms and assorted 5000 sqft on 17 acres.


With a site meeting this past Friday, we determined the general aesthetic direction of the barnhouse.

It's got a lot of volume, spatially and design-wise.

And the indoor lap pool never hurt anyone. We are installing a big screen tv that will be looping pictures of sea mammals swimming aside in crystal blue ocean water.



And Barn V is really taking off. I go away for the weekend and the damn house is nearly built.


This is going to be good one with lofty space, great windows and a fabulous piece of land.

Funny thing happened today - I really had an adversary who did me pretty wrong by the balls, and instead of engaging in a protracted pissing match, I let them up gently. I think Abe Lincoln said after the Civil War and before his death, while trying to figure out how to bring the Union back together - his first order to his troops was to 'let them up gently, boys, let 'em gently.'

Harder to do than to say, for sure. Especially when a win is near. Easier to push the boot down on the neck a little harder and ask for an unconditional surrender.