Parade of Homes - September 4, 2016

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For Sunday Classifieds, please see section G of this paper

Inspiration for Better Living • Sunday, September 4, 2016 •

A Special Advertising Section of The Billings Gazette

Parade ofHomes

2016

September 17-18 & 24-25

PARADE PREVIEW: Six homes ready to dazzle Classic Design homes

Wells Built homes

Island at Rock Creek, LLC

Tr ails West homes

NEED REPLACEMENT WINDOWS? CONSIDER THIS – Dear Brett,

By Darrell Ehrlick • dehrlick@billingsgazette.com Many of this year’s homes feature oversized, Editor’s note: This is the first installment of a foursliding barn doors or large patio doors that open part series showcasing this year’s Parade of Homes.

The remaining six homes will be revealed next week. up onto covered decks and patios. This has the effect of bringing the great outdoors inside, and If you can dream it, Billings home builders can maximizing the sunlight. It expands the size of the room and natural feel of the house. Builders build it. are quick to point out people want to spend more This year’s annual “Parade of Homes” sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Bill- time enjoying their yards, and want to dissolve ings demonstrates that both the latest and great- the difference between being inside and out. est features in home construction and luxury can Smart homes be found here.

This year also marks a sharp rise in the number In its 26th year, the popular tour showcases a of complete home control systems that can be variety of styles, furnishing ideas and features controlled through your mobile phone. Whether that balance classic design and best emerging it’s a Smart Home system, or similar design, trends. many houses are hardwired to a central control This year’s trends feature a variety of home system that allows residents to turn on lights, styles, from a cabin setting in Red Lodge to an set the temperature, even turn on the TV in the urban townhome with a river view. next room to the same channel.

The systems also allow for greater peace of Room to view Speaking of views, one of the emerging trends mind as home security systems make it easy to take a peek at what’s happening at home while in this year’s group of stunning homes is plenty you’re away. of windows. But, it’s not just about letting the sunlight in. Instead, builders are installing more Drink up windows, especially in lower levels in order to Continuing a trend that began a few years brighten the spaces. ago, many homebuilders are installing wet bars Reed glass makes an appearance in many houses. This designer glass allows for privacy in or even wine racking and coolers as part of the home. Entertaining isn’t just being done around doors and windows, but still allows daylight.

Attractive, horizontal transom windows can be the kitchen table, but having a drink with friends at home means having a space for that. used in bedrooms, closets and above doorways One of the homes features a wine vault, one to allow daylight and brighten the room while features a wine tasting area and another features allowing for privacy. a pub with a walkout deck.

McCall homes

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Classic Design homes

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The Details Two weekends only!

Day Tours:

Held September 17-18 and 24-25, this year’s Parade of Homes features 12 distinctive properties, offering a sumptuous sampling of fine living.

Saturday, September 17.............10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sunday, September 18...................noon – 5 p.m.

Saturday, Setpember 24.............10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sunday, September 25...................noon – 5 p.m.

Hosted by the Billings Home Builders Association, the Parade of Homes offers a premier opportunity for buyers and renovators to experience the latest in home design and décor. From spa-like bathrooms to pub-style wet bars, grandiose garages to sumptuous suites, the options for turning your home into a masterpiece are endless. So go ahead — give yourself permission to indulge in dreaming – then make your dream come true.

For more inspiring home ideas,go to pinterest.com/billingsgazette

Get inspired!

The Billings Gazette Your Home section will preview all Parade homes in detail leading up to the event. Each Parade home is distinct, so be sure to make plans to tour all of this year’s entries. While touring, come prepared to take notes on styles, designs and furnishings that capture your imagination. Regretfully, photography is not allowed.

Tickets are $10 per person (12 years and younger are free) Tickets can be purchased at any Parade home on the dates of the tours, or in advance at the Home Builders Association office, 1645 Avenue D, Suite F. For additional information about the Parade of Homes, log on to BillingsParadeOfHomes.com.

Visit the Billings Home Builders Association booth at the Home Improvement Show Sept. 9-11 where 2016 Parade of Homes tickets will go on sale for the first time! See us at booth #145.

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1918 Songbird Drive • Josephine Crossing

McCall homes

Urban living meets the best of Billings’ outdoors

By Darrell Ehrlick • dehrlick@billingsgazette.com This townhome has the best of both worlds.

It could easily be any downtown loft, urban and modern.

Yet, literally across the street is possibly the most accessible point of the Yellowstone River in all of Billings.

Having the best of all worlds while still having something unique is exactly what McCall Homes was aiming for when it designed 1918 Songbird Drive.

The urban townhome is one of the first in a townhome development in Josephine Crossing, with heavy attention given to creating a one-of-a-kind house in a very thoughtful community.

“The whole idea is really flexible living,” said Erin McCall of McCall Homes.

“People want smaller spaces but they want more flexible space. Billings isn’t quite at tiny homes yet, but the trend is a bit smaller but definitely usable.”

The two-car garage is on the ground floor, with a study or office space on the ground floor as well.

“So many people are working from home that this provides a great space for a home office, away from the rest of the living space,” McCall said.

The urban loft has an industrial modern vibe, with a second-floor patio. By the time you get to the third floor, the bedroom views allow for an unparalleled look at the Rims or bird’s eye view of the Yellowstone River.

It’s hard to imagine you’re not downtown with the high-rise feel. Yet, a walk across the street means 500 acres of park and recreation area along the Yellowstone River. And just to the north of the townhomes is a large playground with a basketball court, meaning that recreation is closer than in most neighborhoods.

On the second floor, open floor plans translate into flexible living space. The kitchen features black quartz counters and a brick textured backsplash that help continue the urban vibe. The cable railing on the stairs gives it a modern yet classic feel. A walk-in pantry provides plenty of space in this three-level home that puts every one of the 1,700 square feet to good use.

Three panel windows in the living area let light shine through the space where family and friends can gather to eat, go out on the patio or even enjoy a quiet evening with spectacular views of the Yellowstone River area.

The blue accents on the kitchen island match the rough-hewn finish of the architectural laminate flooring, which features flecks of light blue.

It’s efficient use of space, but also a smart use of space. There’s a great separation for living, eating and working — giving each space its own place in the house.

A half-bath is conveniently located on the second floor, close enough to the living room, but not right by the kitchen or dining area.

The living room features built-in cabinetry and shelving in a March Wind white which helps accent the sunlight that pours through the windows of this urban design.

The third floor has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, allowing for a spectacular, nearly panoramic view of Billings and the Yellowstone Valley. The master bedroom has windows facing the Yellowstone River, and the bathroom has a double vanity and shower that has tiles that play on a subway theme. The pebble flooring on the shower floor is reminiscent of the river, just a stone’s throw away from the front porch.

“Usually you wouldn’t have that many windows in that small of a place, but in this case, we really want to emphasize the sunlight and magnificent views,” McCall said.

Home Highlights GARAGE

DINING

along the Yellowstone River

BEDROOM 2

3 BEDROOM 3

BALCONY

1 Adjacent to 500 acres of park/recreation area

2

LAUNDRY .

KITCHEN

2 Walk-in pantry 3 Three-bedroom, two-bath home

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MASTER BEDROOM

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2601 Burlwood • The Woodlands

Classic Design homes

Downsized but upscale

By Darrell Ehrlick • dehrlick@billingsgazette.com It’s downsized, but upscale.

That’s the concept behind Classic Design Homes’ patio home at the Woodlands. Eighty to 90 percent of those who are building there are looking for something smaller, but with all the amenities and comforts — especially an ambiance for hosting friends and family.

The house’s open design concept not only has a floor plan that allows one space to flow seamlessly into another, but it also lets light flow through it creating an inviting space where family and friends can gather for good times and plenty of memory making.

The Woodlands boasts lots that are unusual for a new subdivision — conveniently located with plenty of mature landscaping and trees for privacy and comfort.

The centerpiece for this house is the great room with a full stone-encased fireplace. Built-in cabinetry creates a classic-yet-functional look. The kitchen area faces the great room, encouraging visitors and family to gather in the space which is also connected to the dining area. Quartz countertops abut the great room, making the space idea for hosting parties or putting food and drinks out for a gathering.

The covered patio faces east, an intentional design so that sunlight streams through the house in the morning, and by late afternoon, cools for full use in the evening or for an outdoor barbecue or meal. Large mature trees line the lot, giving additional privacy and creating a view typically not found in many new subdivisions where landscaping takes time to mature.

“People associate patio homes with no yards and no privacy,” builder Doug Wild said. “But look at the big trees and the views here. That’s just not the case.”

Built-in shelving and a walk-in pantry off the garage make incredibly efficient use of the space in this two-level patio home which comes in just slightly less than 3,000 square feet.

One of the most unique features of this home serves to emphasize the natural light and great use of windows. Many of the doors on the main floor feature a glass or window transom. Builder Doug Wild explains that many homes feature good light through windows, but often that light is stopped by doors and walls. Relying on transom windows offers privacy between rooms, while allowing the sunlight to brighten this classic house.

Many seek patio homes as they become empty nesters and the kids graduate from college. Downsizing life means downsizing some areas of the house, like bedrooms, but not necessarily storage space or family room areas.

“They’re downsizing but they want nice things,” Wild said. “They don’t want a starter home or the home they bought when they were first married.”

That’s why this classic look features a gas stove and upper-end stainless steel appliances. And a backsplash that has subway pattern tile to complement the quartz countertops. And stained beams on the ceiling that are raised or “trayed.”

The master bedroom features plenty of light, too — from the rain glass which allows both light and privacy in the fully tiled shower to the four large windows in the bedroom which maximize light.

“People don’t want downsizing in closets or storage spaces so we’ve maximized the room there,” Wild said.

The home features two bedrooms on the main floor and two on the lower level with three bathrooms.

Home Highlights

1 2

1 New patio home subdivision with mature landscaping

and trees 2 Gas stove and upper-end stainless steel appliances 3 Tray ceiling with stained beams

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9A Kainu • Red Lodge

Island at Rock Creek

Dream home cabin

By Darrell Ehrlick • dehrlick@billingsgazette.com This isn’t your grandfather’s cabin.

It’s got the rush of Rock Creek and it’s in Red Lodge — with a feel that’s both rustic and luxurious in this 3,000-square-foot gem nestled not far from downtown Red Lodge.

The finishes and amenities on this are first-class and both stunning and functional.

Light pours in the entryway. All floor coverings feature a mix of tile or hardwood. The builders of the Island at Rock Creek used handscraped vintage natural hickory engineered by Heritage Woodcraft to give the cabin home a rustic and natural feel, while at the same time ensuring these features aren’t something that can be found everywhere.

The rustic knotty alder, with the bronze walnut stain, match perfectly with the solid rustic knotty alder doors and have oil rubbed bronze hardware by Tell Manufacturing.

The lighting in the house is recessed LED throughout, and the lighting system is a programmable solar-activated system which allows a natural amount of light without being too bright. After dark, lights can be set to night mode in which the house is softly lit to a nightlight level, meaning homeowners can walk through the house without turning on a switch or risk waking up others.

The great room and its classic fireplace beckons guests to sit and talk, enjoying the beautiful view of the creek as well as the comfortable surroundings. The gas fireplace features iron work patina bronze

with Cavanal quarried thin rock and a Douglas fir mantle.

The patio and deck area off the great room let folks gather to hear the rushing water near Rock Creek.

The spacious area leaves plenty of room for patio furniture and a grill.

And the eight-person hot tub allows you to soak in luxury and still be surrounded by the great outdoors.

Nearby, a kitchen and dining room offer guests a chance to gather around a spacious table. The cabinetry complements the floors with rustic hickory and briarwood with a black glaze. The countertops are granite and the backsplash is a classic subway tile design.

The dining room features an elk antler chandelier designed by Doug Norwood of North Mountain Gallery in Cody, Wyo. LED toe kicks are featured throughout the house as both a highlight and nightlight.

The showpiece of the kitchen is a six-foot-long, four-foot-wide custom-made rustic wood table for entertaining or preparation.

One bedroom and a full bathroom are on the main floor, with three bedrooms on the upper floor. Each of the upper-floor bedrooms have their own walk-out balcony, covered patios. Each of the bedrooms has its own bathroom on the upper floor, including a tiled shower and tub in the master suite.

The laundry room on the upper level keeps the clothes out of sight, and is nearby the closets, all of which have custom maple closet organizers.

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828 North Fork Trail • Trails West

Tr ails West homes

Beautiful design in a spectacular neighborhood

By Darrell Ehrlick • dehrlick@billingsgazette.com From the way the streets were designed to the open concept of the living room and dining area to the super efficient use of storage space, Trails West brings together a home that is both functional, friendly and smartly designed.

The four-bedroom, 3 1/2-bathroom home at 828 North Fork Trail in the Trails West Subdivision feels like a house twice its size. Coming in at just a little more than 2,500 square feet, every inch of the house is well-used space.

The tri-level home welcomes family and friends with its large, covered front porch, full landscaping and fencing.

All of those are standard features, explained Rod Wilson, a developer for Trails West.

The idea is simple: Build more than just houses, build neighborhoods.

The smart building concept isn’t just confined to the subdivision plans; it starts as soon as you walk through the front door. The open concept floor plan on this tri-level home allows folks to come to the living area with vaulted ceilings.

The home’s interior features SherwinWilliam’s Amazing Grey throughout and white wood trim.

Basalt tile frames the fireplace in the living room. With windows facing south and east, plenty of light streams

through this comfortable living space, encouraging people to linger and mingle.

The kitchen features a large radius island with quartz tops, with room for tall bar stools. The island is larger than normal, allowing for it to be used as a gathering place or for food preparation.

Built-in cabinetry provides plenty of additional storage space and a pantry to the side means that no food or ingredient is too far out of reach when cooking up a feast. A glass tile backsplash is one of the extras in the island, along with a built-in wine cooler.

“The idea here is that everything is central. You come together here,” Wilson said.

One of the newest trends is to have a large television mounted in the kitchen. In this Trails West home, a large television with swivels is located above the hood and range.

“If folks are gathering around the island, they can watch TV,” Wilson explained. “But the even larger trend is a lot of cooking shows, recipes come across on the television. Here you can have the television in the kitchen and watch it while you’re cooking. You can follow all of it.”

The third level is dedicated to the bedrooms, including the master suite.

Two bedrooms share a full bath, and the master bedroom features transom

windows in the bedroom and in the bathroom.

“You’re not giving up privacy, but you’re also letting the light shine in,” Wilson said.

The stairs have motion-activated pathway lights that automatically turn on when someone is walking so that dark stairs are a thing of the past.

The great room in the lower level doesn’t feel like a garden-level living room. Four windows allow complete daylight to stream through and the white trim of the rail running throughout helps give it a bright feel.

The great room with built-in shelving allows for plenty of furniture and has a recessed area for even greater usage.

The lower level also has one bedroom and a full bathroom.

“Really this is accommodating for any segment,” Wilson said. “Maybe it’s the teenager who can’t wait to get downstairs and they have their own world.

Maybe it’s Mom and Dad coming to visit and they want their own space.”

Another key element is storage space where it’s probably least noticed, beneath the main floor. The crawlspace storage is fully enclosed, meaning

there’s space that doesn’t run the risk of being exposed to the elements. The space is perfectly situated for storing holiday and seasonal items, bins or totes as well as hunting gear, having it out of mind and out of the way without cluttering some other part of the house.

Back on the main level, the entryway from the three-car garage comes right into a large laundry room allowing the whole family to unload groceries and take off shoes without getting the rest of the house dirty. A half-bathroom nearby is a great feature, keeping a bathroom on the main level without taking space from the comfortable, warm living area.

When folks aren’t gathering on the main floor or in the living room, Wilson knows where else they’ll be.

“We designed this especially for neighborhoods. That’s why we don’t build a house that doesn’t have a yard and fence finished at the time of sale.

It’s why we have a front porch. We want people to know it’s OK to sit out on rockers or have a little table,” Wilson said. “We want a sense of community here and we want neighbors to talk to neighbors.”

Home Highlights BEDR DINING

3 Motion-activated pathway lights on the staircase

MASTER

2

1 Four-bedroom, 3 1/2-bath home

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1 BATH

2 Built-in wine cooler

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6140 Timbercove • Ironwood

Classic Design homes

A Montana classic

By Darrell Ehrlick • dehrlick@billingsgazette.com It’s not industrial. It’s not modern.

It’s not rustic.

It’s what Classic Design Homes’ Doug Wild calls “Montana classic.”

Dark stonework and finished beams give this home at 6140 Timbercove in the Ironwood subdivision a strong, rugged, contemporary feel. Designed to fit a family comfortably, this 3,320-square-foot home finds the perfect mix of functional and beautiful.

The interior with its toque white trim and amazing gray walls help accentuate the features of this home as well as its open concept and great gathering spaces. The view from this home highlights the best of what Billings has to offer, being close to the Rims with the views of the Beartooth Mountains in the distance. The covered patio ensures that a gathering of friends or family can enjoy the space outside as well as inside, with a couple of elegant extras including tongue-and-groove wood finish on the ceiling of the patio cover.

The extra touches on this stunning home underscore functionality. For

example, the great room’s large wall has discreet wiring for a television, but the components can be stored in a closet in the hallway, making for a clean wireless look and no bulky electronics in sight. The built-in bookshelves feature LED lighting for emphasis. And the home has plenty of windows which allow for generous amounts of natural light — a signature of Classic Design Homes.

While dubbed a Montana classic, the home features one of the newest and smartest trends — a pocket office.

Off the main entrance, but near by the kitchen and living area, this small room to the side is furnished with cabinets and countertops which can serve as desk space. Wild explains there’s enough room for a computer, and it’s close to the kitchen and gathering spaces.

“These are ideal for a small office or the family computer or to spread out homework without needing a kitchen counter,” Wild said.

The best part is that the pocket office may not take up all the floor space of

Home Highlights 1 Tongue-and-groove wood finish on the ceiling of the patio 2 Large, double-door pantry

5502 Clear Sky Drive

3 Pocket office

1 2

3

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Carpet • Hardwood Laminate Tile & Stone • Vinyl

406-248-3656 Billings.BuyAbbey.com

713 Main Street Billings Mon. - Fri. 8-5 Sat. 9-3

a full-sized office and uses space more efficiently. As an added benefit, the door can be closed to eliminate clutter from sight.

“You don’t necessarily need a lot of space, but a little space is very good, very helpful,” Wild said.

A large, double-door pantry directly in front of the laundry room from the garage makes hauling groceries or supplies much easier while still being close to the kitchen.

“We kind of joke that this is the Costco closet,” Wild said.

In the kitchen, a deeper recessed slot for the refrigerator allows for a built-in look, while also accommodating the trend of a larger fridge that is deeper, allowing for more capacity.

“The trend is deeper, but that means more fridges stick out. By recessing it, we’ve made it easier to get around,” Wild said.

The family room in the basement features large horizontal, transom windows facing south that let plenty of sunshine flow into the living space.

It’s hard to believe it’s the basement.

“There’s oodles of light,” Wild said.

“We just believe in light when we build our houses.”

Across from the living room is a hobby room that can be closed off, nearly set apart from the other two large bedrooms on the lower level, both of which feature walk-in closets.

“That’s part of the trend. People want storage space. People don’t want to skimp on the closets,” Wild said.

In this classic, virtually none of the space is wasted, put to use as closet or storage.

“By Ironwood standards, it’s not really that big of house as far as space, but it feels very good as far as space.

By no means does it feel cramped or tight,” Wild said.

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Defining home improvement ROI: It’s not just about the money (BPT) - If home improvement was only about increasing a home’s resale value, perhaps more people would live in homes that had steel entry doors, manufactured stone veneer and/or vinyl siding and interior walls that were a uniform beige. But when you’re calculating the potential return on investment of any home improvement project, you need to consider more than just the cost.

In addition to resale value, your ROI calculations should also take into account the emotional satisfaction of a project, how it will affect your enjoyment of your home and its impact on the house’s livability. Some projects definitely return more of their investment at the time of resale - like that steel front door. But not everyone will fall in love with how a steel door looks, and may find the richness of wood more aesthetically satisfying.

Other projects may really boost your enjoyment of your home, but be problematic when you one day want to sell; inground pools come to mind.

While some improvements you do because you have too - such as replacing the roof - a few home improvements positively affect resale value, increase a home’s livability and elevate your enjoyment. These are the projects that you also do because you want to.

Here are a handful of home improvements that meet all the criteria for a great investment not only when you sell but while you’re living in the home: Skylights In the realm of home improvements, adding skylights is one of least expensive upgrades pg yyou can choose for the

functionality and appearance benefits they provide. You get a healthy nudge in resale value plus significant emotional and aesthetic benefits. Skylights, which are particularly popular in kitchens and baths, admit more natural light into a home - which is always appealing to buyers - so when you’re selling, rooms with skylights will appear bigger, airy and more inviting. While you’re still living in the home, you’ll reap the psychological and health benefits of more natural light and ventilation.

Opt for Energy Star-qualified, solarpowered, fresh-air skylights, like those from Velux America, and you can use the skylight not only for natural light but to provide passive ventilation that improves indoor air quality. You’ll enjoy the skylights even more since they come with a programmable touch pad remote to operate not only the skylights but also energy-efficiencyboosting accessories like blinds in designer colors and patterns. What’s more, solar powered skylights and blinds, along with installation costs, are eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit. To learn more visit www. whyskylights.com.

What’s more, replacing older faucets and fi xtures can actually give you the satisfaction of reducing your water bill.

Newer toilets, showerheads and faucets use less water to deliver the same quality of experience as older, less efficient models. Curbing water waste can save you money - and that’s something anyone can feel good about!

Consider adding fresh air skylights to both rooms - in the kitchen for Bath remodel light and to vent cooking odors and Bathrooms help sell homes, and remodeling yours can recoup 70 percent heat and in the bath for more light, ventilation and privacy. They are costof the investment cost when you sell your home, according to Remodeling effective upgrades that deliver both functionality and resale value.

Magazine. Since bathrooms are far Just as you would never take a job more important than their practical based only on the salary, you should purpose, an improved bathroom can realign how you feel about your living never undertake a home improvement space. A soaking tub, great shower ex- solely on its monetary value. Instead, perience, fresh finishes and even fresh consider all the elements of ROI from cash to emotion - before decidpaint can all deliver more positive ing how to spend your home improvefeelings about your bathroom. ment dollars. pliances tend to be more feature-rich, usable and energy-efficient than older models. The same is true of kitchen faucets, which can allow you to waste less water or even thwart the spread of germs. New cabinets and countertops expand storage and work space while redefining the entire look of the kitchen.

Kitchen remodel A minor kitchen remodel of around $20,000 returns nearly 80 percent of your investment when you sell your home, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report.

Upgrading your kitchen can also be deeply satisfying emotionally, giving you a chance to express your creativity while achieving gains in usability at the same time.

In practical terms, new kitchen app p

5 easy fall home updates (BPT) - There are so many reasons to love fall.

From the brisk breeze and color-changing leaves outdoors, to prepping for the holidays and watching football inside, there couldn’t be a better time to make a few updates around your house. Consider these simple fall home updates to stylishly welcome the season.

Paint to please Throughout the year, our walls can undergo stress from energetic kids, furniture moving and everyday traffic. If your home will be busy during the holidays, welcome guests with a newly painted entryway, or, freshen up your family room with a colorful accent wall. Painting is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to transform a room, so embrace the season and try a fall-inspired hue that harmonizes with your existing space like deep emerald green, royal purple or burgundy. Deep, rich paint colors are a top design trend, so the bolder the better.

To achieve the best results, use FrogTape brand painter’s tape to attain sharp paint lines. FrogTape is treated with PaintBlock Technology, which seals the edges of the tape, preventing paint bleed. To help incorporate the color of the accent wall into the room, add décor and accessories in similar shades throughout the area, such as new pillows in your family room or a coordinating rug in your entryway.

Clever copper accents Group together the season’s leaves and branches to create a unique centerpiece, or place them throughout the house to bring life to your living areas. Crafting with fall foliage is a cinch - simply gather an assortment of thick leaves, either real or faux - and after they’re rinsed and dried, spray each side of the leaf with copper paint and leave to dry for a few hours. Line these leaves up along a table runner, string them from your mantle or use them to dress up place settings. To extend the life of your metallic leaves, consider using them as place cards for holiday dinners. Easily allow guests to find their seats in shimmery style by placing printed nametags atop the leaves at each setting.

Freshen up the front door

Increase your home’s curb appeal with a front door refresh just in time for the fall. For starters, give your door a new identity with a distinctive paint color - consider hunter green, colonial red or cognac. The color of your door introduces the world to those who live inside, so choose one that speaks to your family’s style. After you’ve added personality to your door with paint, add a final touch with your family’s monogram to the center of the door. If your door is metal, glue magnets to the back of the letters and it will easily adhere to it.

Proper party prep During the fall, more time will be spent in the home’s entertaining spaces to accommodate holiday soirees and family gatherings. Increase the functionality of this room - whether it’s the den, family room, dining room or finished basement - and

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encourage guests to congregate comfortably by adding casual seating. Spice things up with a mixture of options; choose decorative stools and poufs, or upcycle vintage chairs with new, reupholstered seats. The style of your chairs can vary, but be sure to coordinate the colors and patterns. When you’re not in party mode, stow away the extra seats.

Wow with a refreshed washroom When decorating for fall, don’t overlook the bathroom! A few simple changes can take this space to new heights. Start by swapping out your soap dishes and lotion pumps with new, coordinating options fitting for the season. If budget allows, replace your everyday towels with new, plush ones in fun fall colors that add a pop of color to the room. Next, add candles with autumn-inspired scents for an aromatic effect that bring the outdoor aura indoors.

For subtle changes that go a long way, replace your bathroom hardware including the toilet handle, cabinet pulls or hinges and towel racks.

The fall season is a great time to revitalize elements of your home as you prepare for indoor holiday entertaining. As you choose updates, make sure they maximize your personal style.

Sunday, September 4, 2016

1

5502 Clear Sky Drive • Daybreak

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Wells Built homes

Prairie style features the best of all worlds

By Darrell Ehrlick • dehrlick@billingsgazette.com trim found throughout the home.

The great room, with an inset fireplace, faces south and large windows brighten the Granite Peak blue. The great space flows into the dining area and the kitchen, making it the focal point of the house where friends and family can gather for hours. Gatherings can also move from the great room to the backyard which features a two-tiered deck and patio.

“We wanted to create a bigger backyard,” said Rick Stordahl, the home’s designer.

The bigger backyard maximizes outdoor space with mature trees that line the eastern border of the lot. The south gives a great view of the Beartooth Mountains and follows the trend of making the most of your outdoor living space.

“We wanted to make it a place to gather without having a huge backyard space to maintain. That’s the trend — people want to enjoy the space without having to constantly be mowing their lawn or spending a fortune to water it,” said builder Steve Wells.

The kitchen features stainless steel appliances and galaxy black granite counters. The gas countertop and hood is placed close to a window that continues to let natural light brighten the house.

The built-in paneled cabinetry has softclose doors and drawers. The built-in oven and microwave combination make efficient use of space, maximizing the counter top.

A queen’s pantry with automatic light sensors is just past the laundry room and built-in bench and cabinets off the garage, making the grocery haul much less cumbersome. “(The laundry room and pantry) are close to the garage, which is convenient, but also off to the side where they’re not as obvious,” Wells said.

The master bedroom features two closets, including one walk-in closet.

All Wells’ homes feature built-in closet shelving for long-term durability. The master bathroom features a separated water closet, a tub-shower and a double vanity with granite countertops.

“All of the bathrooms have granite counters,” Wells said.

Two other bedrooms are on the main floor, with two bedrooms on the lower level, for a total of five. Every other bedroom has a walk-in closet. And the two bedrooms on the main level share a full bathroom, as well as the two on the lower level.

The bedrooms on the lower floor fea-

ture large daylight windows that maximize the light, giving them an anythingbut-basement feel.

“We didn’t want these to feel like a basement bedroom,” Wells said.

The lower level features a large living room with a recessed wet bar area and a refrigerator.

“It’s not just a compact refrigerator, but a full-sized one,” Well said.

The living room is spacious enough to fit furniture, as well as have space for a table, pool table or other games, making it a warm, inviting gathering space with plenty of functionality and flexibility.

“There’s so much light in this house and there’s a good use of space,” Wells said.

“It feels like a larger, luxurious home.”

That’s the concept behind the Daybreak Development — it’s meant for families who are growing, or the couple who are looking to downsize a bit, but still need some space for family. It’s a concept meant to give the perfect amount of space and the right kind of finishes and features without being too much — in terms of space or price.

“It fits a wide of variety of people and we’re finding this is a good fit on a number of levels,” Wells said.

Home Highlights

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Some houses have a great location.

Others have efficient use of space.

Few have all the rooms needed and the right amenities.

The “prairie classic” at 5502 Clear Sky Dr., by Wells Built Homes, wraps the best of all worlds into this modern design featuring incredibly smart use of space to achieve five bedrooms and three bathrooms in this 2,860-square-foot home.

It’s not just the location of the house on Billings’ West End. Or that you can literally see the new Ben Steele Middle School from the front porch. It’s that Steve Wells and his team have created a house that has a much larger feel, with top-of-class details.

The home, situated on a cul-de-sac, makes great use of the flag-shaped lot, with a courtyard-shaped driveway. The garage has enough room for two cars, and room on the side for other toys from motorcycles to a smaller car. Or the space would make an ideal spot for a small hobby workshop.

The exterior elements complement the interior. The weathered alder framing the Windsor Reed Glass Door is picked up in some of the trim work in the great room. The dark stone on the exterior works well with the dark brown wood

MASTER BEDROOM GREAT ROOM DINING

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F8

Sunday, September 4, 2016

1

Twilight Tour

DON’T SADDLE FOR ANYTHING LESS! SAVE

$15.00

Twilight Tour is a private tour of 5 Parade homes. Guests will meet at The Big Horn Resort

TODAY

at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16th, where they will enjoy hors d’ouevres and complimentary beverages. They will board motorcoaches and be driven to the homes. During the tour, they will have the opportunity to meet the builders. All Twilight guests will receive a Billings Parade of Homes ticket that allows them to see all of the homes during regular Parade hours.

Twilight Tour Attendees: Meet at 4:30 p.m. at The Big Horn Resort for drinks and appetizers. Be sure to bring your ticket in order to be admitted into the event. Buses leave promptly at 6 p.m.

This year’s Twilight Tour is brought to you by American Title & Escrow, Bobcat of Big Sky,

Act now and save big on this pictorial history book.

First Interstate Bank, and One Source Lighting - Billings.

Relive Billings history with our upcoming pictorial book!

All ticket holders will be automatically entered into our Drawing to win one of three widescreen smart TVs and a chance at winning our dream home contest sponsored by EEC. In addition, all ticket holders will also be automatically entered into our Grand Prize Drawing for nearly $3,000 worth of furniture from Timesquare Furniture & Mattress!

For additional info: www.BillingsParadeOfHomes.com, please call 406.252.7533 or email membership@hbabillings.net.

BOOK DETAILS: The Billings Gazette is proud to partner with the Western Heritage Center, Rocky Mountain College, Montana State University Billings, Billings Public Library and our readers on a new hardcover pictorial history book. This heirloom-quality coffee-table book offers a glimpse of Billings from 1940-1969 with a brief reprise of the early years through stunning and historic photos. In addition, we are thrilled to include photographic memories of years gone by from our readers. Pre-order your commemorative book now and save $15.00 off the $44.95 retail price.

PURCHASE ONLINE AT:

Billings2.PictorialBook.com AND SAVE WITH FLAT-RATE SHIPPING Pre-order by mail now (discount expires 10/26/16). Select an option: ☐ Ship my order to me ☐ I’ll pick up my order $29.95 plus $6.95 shipping and handling per book. $29.95 per book. Pick up order at The Billings Gazette Order will be shipped to the address below after office (401 N Broadway, Billings) 12/02/16. after 11/28/16.

Quantity: ___ x $36.90 = $______ total Quantity: ___ x $29.95 = $______ total Payment method: ☐ Check/Money Order ☐ Visa ☐ MasterCard ☐ AmEx ☐ Discover

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