Opening Doors | Summer 2024 | Vol. 3 Issue 5

Opening Doors®

SUMMER SPLENDOR

The best recipes, road trips and real-life decor

BUSINESS

For comedian Leanne Morgan, Clayton is a family affair

Come On In

This happy, cottage-inspired home is primed for porch weather with a spacious, site-built front stoop that’s roomy enough for cafe chairs, bistro lights and plants galore. As a CrossMod ® Home, it combines the advantages of a site-built home (permanent foundation, elevated roof pitch, attached garage, aforementioned porch and more) with the affordability of a modern manufactured home.

FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Summer has arrived and with it comes its annual promise of long, lazy days spent outside (this year with the added bonus of the rhythmic song of cicadas ringing throughout the warm air). I love the slower pace this time of year instills in all of us. While the break in school allows the opportunity to travel, I have found that my favorite place to be is home, surrounded by fireflies at sundown, cruising along the Tennessee River and roasting s’mores with my grandchildren.

In our fifth edition of Clayton Home Building Group’s Opening Doors magazine, we’ve created an ode to the longest and hottest days of the year by celebrating our seasonal favorites, such as cold, decadent desserts (pg. 42), bright, cheerful color palettes (pg. 22) and favorite eateries to visit during your summer travels (pg. 18). If you stop by Chattanooga’s Clumpies or order it to your door (they ship nationally), try the butter pecan; you can thank me later. Also in this issue, you’ll find front-line stories from Clayton team members and beautiful designs from Clayton homes across the United States.

Laughter is the best remedy for life’s stresses, and Leanne Morgan, with her hometown, relatable Southern comedy, will ease you into these carefree days of summer. You won’t want to miss our conversation with her (pg. 34), as she reflects on her past and looks forward to her bright future. (Warning: You may just find yourself laughing out loud as you read.)

It is a joy to bring these stories into the comforts of your home. Please give us feedback on how we can improve Opening Doors through the QR code below.

Keith O. Holdbrooks

CEO AND EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF CLAYTON HOME BUILDING GROUP

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Opening Doors

A Clayton Home Building Group® Lifestyle Brand

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Caroline Collins McKenzie

CREATIVE CONSULTING & DESIGN

Erynn Hassinger

COPY EDITOR

Michèle Filon

CLAYTON HOME BUILDING GROUP

CEO AND EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

Keith O. Holdbrooks

CHIEF CUSTOMER OFFICER

Donie Wood

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Lexi Blackburn

DIRECTOR OF BRAND STRATEGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Stacey Walters

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

STRATEGIST

Angela Roberts

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Marina Gibson

PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM

Deb Brienen

Meghan Francis

Aaron Ingram

Morgan Trinker

Heather White

PRODUCTION & PUBLISHING High Resolutions

Clayton’s lifestyle magazine.

OPEN SEASON

PAGE 7

From a Southern getaway to pretty planters, everything to see, do and enjoy this summer.

PAGE 30

DO GOOD River of Dreams

PAGE 25

Clayton is joining forces with Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful to protect a beloved natural resource.

Sweet Sixteen

PAGE 28

A 16th home is donated to Family Promise as part of the A Future Begins at Home campaign.

Adopting Change

PAGE 30

A Puerto Rican orphanage gets a helping hand from Clayton team members.

PAGE 50

PAGE 57

HAVE IT MADE ®

PAGE 57

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or looking for your forever home, this curated collection of Clayton Home Building Group ® models will help you find just the right house for any phase of your life.

FEATURES

Funny Business

PAGE 34

Before she hit it big with stand-up, comedian Leanne Morgan was a busy mom of three and devoted wife to longtime Clayton team member Chuck Morgan.

Ice Box Treats

PAGE 42

Play it cool with summery, no-bake desserts that are as charmingly retro as they are easy to whip up.

Party of Six

PAGE 50

The Cebreros family thought a spacious new home and a limited budget were mutually exclusive. Then Clayton’s On2 Homes proved them wrong.

ON THE COVER

In this issue, comedian Leanne Morgan is sharing her wit and wisdom. Plus, her 25-year connection to Clayton. Front cover photograph by Joseph Llanes. Back cover photograph by Meghan Francis.

Open season

What to see, do and enjoy right now.

Forsyth Park

Open season

Stroll Through History

At nearly 300 years old, Savannah is one of the most historic cities in the South. And that’s not just by the numbers. Its downtown is among the largest areas on the National Historic Landmark District, made up of the Savannah Victorian Historic District, with its numerous, well-preserved Late Victorianand Queen Anne-style homes (among them is the famed, especially ornate, Gingerbread House) and the adjoining Savannah Historic District, where 22 parklike squares— along with the expansive Forsyth Park—offer postcardworthy scenes at every turn. Spend an afternoon, a weekend or even a week getting lost in the architecture and Spanish moss of this gem. For a deeper dive into the city’s history, try visits to the Savannah City Hall, Pin Point Heritage Museum or the Davenport House Museum.

Immerse Yourself in the Arts

Savannah is an outsize residence for artists of all mediums. Home to the oldest public art museum in the Southeast, as well as the esteemed Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), the city boasts an ever-rotating mix of galleries and exhibitions. Pick up a piece of locally made artwork for the perfect Savannah souvenir.

Catch a Show

Similar to its visual arts offerings, Savannah’s entertainment scene is jampacked with a variety of shows, festivals and events. You’ll find theatrical productions from award-winning drama companies year-round at the historic Lucas Theatre. Plus, music events like the Savannah Music Festival draw big-name acts—Steve Earle, St. Paul & the Broken Bones and Rodney Crowell are a few recent headliners.

Take in the Waterfront

No trip is complete without a trek to River Street. Set against the Savannah River, the cobblestone-lined thoroughfare is home to numerous shops and restaurants. As for those cobblestones, they originated in far-flung locations including Spain, France and the British Isles. (They were originally ballasting material on ships in the harbor.) Take note: River Street is said to be Savannah’s most haunted spot.

Gingerbread House City Hall

Lucas Theatre Savannah Historic District

Meet Lisa Weaver

Clayton Connect Elite Pilot of the Year has made a career of making firsts.

In 2018, Lisa Weaver was looking for a change. An English teacher at the time, she found herself ready for a new career that would allow her to spend more time with her family. Her husband, Billy, already a private driver, encouraged her to consider his industry. Shortly thereafter, Lisa trained to become a pilot driver. (This specialized driver travels in front of, or in back of, an oversize truck in a separate vehicle, warning the public if there are traffic changes or obstacles due to the truckload.)

A year later, the couple learned about the opportunity to drive for Clayton Connect® North Carolina. Clayton Connect is Clayton Home Building Group’s transportation company, which delivers homes safely from building facilities to retail partners or home sites across the country.

A Clayton Connect driving team typically consists of three team members: two pilot truck drivers and one toter truck driver. Lisa and Billy saw posts at Clayton Connect North Carolina as the perfect career opportunity for their family and quickly joined as what Lisa describes as “a package deal,” with Lisa a pilot driver and Billy a toter.

In taking the new job, Lisa also made a bit of company history: She became Clayton Connect’s first female driver. Since that time, Lisa has completed hundreds of deliveries, with Billy just a truck behind for most of them. The role has required her to flex her communication muscles on a daily basis. Having her voice heard has given Lisa increased confidence in a male-dominated industry. “It’s important for team members to realize the unique qualities they bring to the table. Having my opinions listened to and suggestions followed has helped me realize my own strengths,” she says.

This past spring, Lisa was named the 2023 Connect Elite Pilot of the Year, an honor she earned by having the lowest pilot score in the company among Clayton Connect pilots. This is an honor that recognizes pilot drivers for their commitment to driving excellence and safety.

While Lisa appreciates the acclaim, the ultimate reward is the job itself. As she explains: “My truck is my officewith-a-view, and the view changes every day. I never know what I am going to see and experience.”

Three for the Road

An all-female driving team makes a historic delivery.

In 2023 alone, Clayton Connect drivers traveled a combined 12,500,000 miles to deliver nearly 50,000 homes. Among those miles logged was a very special first: On December 18, 2023, pilot drivers Kia Allison and Izabella Brunson, along with toter driver, CDLlicensed Sherein Sumrall, become Clayton Connect NC’s first all-female driving team. The trio transported the Sunrise, a 1,700-square-foot home from Clayton’s Benchmark series, over 100 miles and across two states. The trek was not without adventure. Before reaching the final destination of Clayton Homes of Florence, South Carolina, the team had to change multiple tires along the sides of major roads. As pilot driver Allison explains, the group took it all in stride: “It was an awesome experience to be able to work with this team of women. We worked as a team even with changing two tires in under four minutes. We handled the job. What an opportunity!”

TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

1

Hidden Potential

From efficient modern manufactured homes to roomy site-built abodes, all Clayton floor plans prioritize storage and functionality, especially in the kitchen.

Open season

Five Tips for a Better Kitchen

Get a handle on the heart of the home with these easy-to-incorporate organization tricks.

1. Countertop Essentials

Reserve counter space for items you use everyday. You’ll up your kitchen’s style factor and curb the overall clutter if you pare down the items you store there to those you use most often. Try storing small appliances in cabinets and, while you’re at it, embrace the no papers, no purses rule.

2. Clear Containers

Store, or decant, food and ingredients in clear containers to easily see what you have and what you need. Bonus: The lack of mismatched labels means no visual clutter. For even more efficiency, try a stackable system, like the one shown here, to take advantage of the vertical cabinet space within a cabinet.

3.Task-Based Organization

Your kitchen will run more smoothly if items are arranged by task. Here, for example, the produce is in close proximity to the pots and pans to be

used for cooking. You’ll also up the efficiency if you store items close to where you’ll use them. In this kitchen, all the cleaning supplies are kept in a single caddy below the sink.

4. Maxed-Out Cabinet Doors

Don’t forget the back of the cabinet doors! Simply add adhesive hooks and—ta-da!— extra storage. This oftoverlooked piece of kitchen real estate is the perfect place to store slim-profile items such as pot lids, potholders, aprons and the like.

5. Large Cutlery Dividers

In this kitchen, use divided cutlery trays in multiple drawers, each selected for specific utensils. Look for trays with tall sides, like the wooden ones shown here, to get the most out of the available vertical space. Affix glue dots to the bottom of each bin to keep them from sliding back and forth when you open and close a drawer.

Hang Time

Plant a fragrant hanging basket that puts easy-to-cook mint and peas at your fingertips.

What You’ll Need

Coco liner

Hanging basket

Scissors

Compost bag (an old one will work best)

Multipurpose compost

Mint plant

Pea plants

Watering can

Eat the peas fresh from the vine, or pick and steam to enjoy a healthy meal. For a fresh flavor twist, add a few sprigs of mint to your steamed peas.

Open season

What You’ll Do

No. 1

Place the coco liner in the hanging basket. Then cut a compost bag in a circle large enough to line the basket. Once in place, pierce the compost bag with scissors in several places to allow for drainage.

No. 2

Fill the basket with compost, using your hands to pat if down as you go. Make a small hole in the center of the basket and place the mint plant in it.

No. 3

Arrange the pea plants around the edge of the basket. (This placement will ensure the peas cascade over the edge of the basket.) Use additional compost to fill in any gaps between the plants so they’re firmly rooted.

No. 4

Hang the basket in a sunny spot. Water until you see drips from the bottom. Check every few days and water when the top of the soil begins to feel dry. Pick the pea pods when they are well-filled and green. The mint plants are ready for use at any time.

Open season

Vintage Vibes

Collected, vintage-filled interiors continue to dominate design trends thanks to their homey, nothing-too-precious, lived-in aesthetic. While this scheme features brand-new Duracraft® cabinetry—exclusive to Clayton— flooring and countertop materials, the items’ rich hues lean into the vintage look by way of a patina-like color palette. You can take the design a step further with earthy paint colors like taupe and putty and pops of eggplant or burgundy. Next, layer in elements of brass, like the cabinet pull shown here. Finish with unexpected knickknacks and paper ephemera, such as the antique tag shown above.

Having a Moment

The Clayton interior design team shares no-fail combos for interiors brimming with texture and character.

photographs by HEATHER WHITE

Pretty in Pink

Forget any associations you have between pink and frilly little-girl spaces. The color has entered a grown-up era, with pink being used as an atmospheric neutral. In other words, it’s no longer ubiquitous with femininity. To get in on pink’s new act, try a pale shade with a gray undertone, sure to shirk any tweeness. Balance the light shade with swathes of white, like the quartz countertops and tile shown here. Then pair it with jewel-tone accents such as crimson, citrine and emerald. Browns, especially wood grain accents like butcher block countertops, are another smart way to ground the look.

Use pinks with gray undertones to avoid a hue that’s overly sweet.

Sculptural elements add interest to a subtle color palette of browns, greens and creams.

Garden Variety

Muted green has been a favored neutral for several years now, and the color is a popular choice for good reason. Why? It’s extremely versatile and looks especially striking with warm wood tones. It’s also a strong candidate for the popular tone-on-tone look, as shown here with sage green tiles against moss green cabinets. Another trend to be on the lookout for: satin bronze finishes, like the cabinet pull featured here. This is a “new gold” that’s making design waves. The finish is darker than traditional brass or other gold materials, with the brown undertones making it a good match for an earthy color scheme.

Open season

Warm Regards

This look is a Clayton design team favorite because it showcases the beginnings of a shift from cold-toned grays as the go-to neutral into richer, warmer shades. Here, terra cotta (also a nod to the Southwestern adobe trend) provides an anchoring shade with grays and white as understated accents. If you’re not ready to go all in with an iteration of brown, try this option instead: a rich brown paired with mauves and pinks. This version won’t feel overly heavy or masculine. Regardless of your approach, look to a medium-toned wood grain, like the vinyl flooring shown here, to complement the scheme.

Bold Move

There is a interior design push toward dark jewel tones—moody, attention-grabbing color schemes add an instant feeling of luxury. A deep, dark jade green, like the color shown on this cabinet door, is an especially popular choice. Though it’s a distinct, striking hue, it’s also easy to use with other colors. Purples and blues will accentuate the color’s depth. Meanwhile, soft creams and pinks will amp up the intensity. Plan to feature the bold palette with understated texture, like the limestone tiles shown here, for an organic counterpoint.

True Blue

When in doubt, opt for blue—but not just any shade. Light blue is the most versatile when it comes to materials. It works equally well on walls, ceilings, cabinetry, tile and furniture. Just as blue and white have a natural affinity for one another in the sky, the combo creates a soothing surround in home decor. What’s more, pairing blue and white with wood tones will create a traditional-meets-comfortable scheme. Up the cozy factor with a soft textile, like this floral fabric that features a deeper shade of indigo for just the right contrast. The small-scale print will give the eye something to focus on amid the calming elements. Want to add more color to the mix? Try a few finishing touches in soft shades of yellow, like golden wheat or butter yellow.

Known as a “ditsy floral,” a small-scale flower pattern introduces a lovely accent.

Open season

Eat Local

No frills? No problem! These small, locally owned eateries keep the focus on what matters most to road-tripping diners: home-cooked meals and old-fashioned service.

La Baguette

THE VIBE: La Baguette offers all the charm of a Parisian bistro with none of the pretense. For more than 30 years, the pint-size cafe has been serving up French-inspired soups, sandwiches and more.

THE FOOD: Treat yourself to chicken salad served on a made-in-house croissant or banquette and an eclair for dessert. On your way out, stop by the bakery counter where you can pick up fresh loaves for less than $4.

« Peaceful Side Social TOWNSEND, TENNESSEE peacefulsidesocial.com

THE VIBE: What do you get when you roll a cafe, a brewery, a taco bar and a creamery all into one? The Peaceful Side Social, which lives up to its name as an indoor/outdoor venue with ample room for everyone (dogs and kids included) to kick back and enjoy themselves.

THE FOOD: Come hungry with a big group and plan to share a mix of appetizers, including the goat cheese grit fritters and the Appalachian Trail board, which offers items like pickled veggies, locally made cheeses and a mix of meats including Benton’s ham.

Clumpies

Ice Cream Co.

CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE clumpies.com

THE VIBE: Step back in time and treat your sweet tooth in one fell scoop at this charmingly retro ice-cream shop. It’s been delighting Chattanooga with madefrom-scratch ice cream for more than 25 years and today has three locations and an ice-cream truck.

THE FOOD: Don’t miss the ever-rotating featured flavors with inventive flavor combos like blueberry lavender and French silk cheesecake. Purists will revel in their classic chocolate. Bonus: Clumpies Ice Cream is also available by mail order.

Maudie’s

Tex-Mex AUSTIN, TEXAS maudies.com

THE VIBE: Industrial stylemeets-neon lighting at this laid-back Texas eatery. You’ll find come-as-you-are hospitality at each of its five Austin locations, but the outdoor seating at the original Maudie’s on West 7th Street can’t be beat.

THE FOOD: With breakfast served all day, you’ll be hard-pressed to beat the huevos rancheros with a side of refried beans. Then again, the enchiladas have made the restaurant an Austin institution. No matter your selection, start your meal with an order of Maura’s Bean Dip for the table.

The Silver Dollar Saloon

LEADVILLE, COLORADO legendarysilverdollar saloon.com

THE VIBE: This Colorado watering hole remains largely unchanged since its opening in 1883. The large windbreak was once used to conceal the identities of the patrons. (Molly Brown, Doc Holliday and Oscar Wilde are all believed to have stopped by.) The Old West style continues inside, where the original ornate wood-andmirror bar remains intact.

THE FOOD: Drinks may have been what originally drew folks into the saloon, but today its culinary offerings are just as prized as its liquid ones. Start with the Silver Dollar Wings and then move on to a main course of a BBQ Elk Meatball Hoagie with a side of onion rings.

Open season

Meet a Homeowner

Tiff Smith is enjoying wide open spaces at her new home in Brohn Homes’ newest community, Harvest Ridge in Elgin, Texas.

What drew you to Harvest Ridge?

Location! Location! Location! It’s in downtown Elgin, Texas, which is the perfect proximity to Austin—close enough for work and dining out, but far enough away that we can enjoy a quiet setting and the gorgeous outdoors.

What’s it like to be one of the first residents in the community?

The community is still being built, and I’ve been impressed with how considerate the construction teams are when

working. For example, they are conscientious to never block a road and let residents through even if it slows down their work. They also sweep the streets every week. It never feels like you’re living in or near a construction site!

This is your first home purchase. What has surprised you? That I can have a home so well built and a yard so spacious, all in my price range. Also, the warranty team is supportive and easy to work with. The builders have been thoughtful and caring with how everything is placed, right down to fences and shrubs.

What’s your favorite part of living at Harvest Ridge?

In a word, Marilyn. She is the lifestyle coordinator here, and she plans a multitude of different community events that are fun and free. There is something for everyone, from movie night and bingo to pet goody bags and yoga sessions. This past Saturday, she hosted a craft event where we painted small terra cotta pots and then chose a succulent to plant in it for home.

Any new activities now that you live there?

I really enjoy the laid-back vibe, and I’m spending more time outside than ever. There are lots of sidewalks and a trail around the pond. It’s so nice to walk them each evening with our dog, Olivia. Meanwhile, our cats, Brian and Sophie, are enjoying the comforts of their stylish new home.

Gavin and Tiff Smith close on their new Brohn Home.

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

About Harvest Ridge

Located just outside Austin, Harvest Ridge is a Brohn Homes community with houses starting at $230,000. In addition to 33 floor plan options, the 283-acre development has a staycation-like atmosphere with a resort-style pool, a clubhouse, stocked ponds, a playground, event lawns, food trucks, a coffee bar, a basketball court, a sports field and more.

Keep on the Sunny Side

PERK UP YOUR DECOR WITH MAKE-YOU-SMILE YELLOW ACCESSORIES.

Clockwise from top left: Limited-Edition Fine Art Print, from $35 for 8 inches square; minted.com • Ceramic Kitchen Cannister, $19; amazon.com • Striped Jute Throw Pillow, $47; homedepot.com • Reusable Dish Cloth in Sunflower, $7; freetheocean.com • Blåsverk lamp in Yellow, $17; ikea.com • Olivia & May Accent Chair, $266; target.com • Yellow Forsythia Faux Floral Garland , from $15 for 6 feet; darbycreektrading.com Products shown above are courtesy of vendors and prices and availability are subject to change. An eco-friendly replacement for paper towels! Perfect for a table runner!

Golden Hour

A cheery yellow sofa anchors the cozy family room in a Clayton TRU® home, the most affordable of Clayton’s modern manufactured homes. Homes in the TRU series feature exclusive floor plans that range from 765 square feet to just over 2,000 square feet.

Over the past year, Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful has removed 218,000 pounds of trash from the waterway. Clayton Home Building group has been a major volunteer in the collection of this record-breaking amount.

do gOOD

Making the world a better place to call home.

River of Dreams

Clayton team members are joining forces with Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful to care for one of the Volunteer State’s most critical natural resources.

Great minds think alike, as the saying goes. And in the case of Kathleen Gibi and Mike Duncan, sometimes those minds get into sync down to the hour. As the executive director of Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful (the first water-focused branch of Keep America Beautiful), Gibi often scouts for locations that could benefit from a volunteer cleanup day. In 2023, she was amid such a mission when she noticed a marina called Duncan’s Boat Dock. “I made a note to call the them that afternoon to see if they would want to get involved in our efforts,” recalls Gibi. As luck would have it, Clayton team member and owner of the dock, Mike Duncan, had the same idea. “I was about to pick up the phone and he called me,” says Gibi. Turns out, Duncan had recently read an article about Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful and admired its goals. “One of the things I love most about working for Clayton is it’s mission to do good. I’ve learned be on the lookout for ways I, and the company as a whole, can help,” says Duncan, whose family has owned the marina since 1944. Gibi and Duncan immediately connected on the ways in which Clayton could put its strengths behind the nonprofits’ efforts.

First up, coordinating a cleanup day during which Clayton team members could use their Volunteer Time Off (a program in which team members across the U.S. can use eight hours of paid time off to volunteer for local causes) to remove litter and debris from the river. Team member LaWanda Gandy, TMX manager for Clayton Halls Home Building facility, helped to

get that effort off the ground and into the water, as it were. “So many of our team members love to hunt and fish and do things in the outdoors. I knew this was something they would all really connect with,” she says. At the cleanup, more than 70 team members were divided into small groups and driven by boat to different parts of the river to whip the area into shape. Over the course of the day, they gathered more than 5,000 pounds of garbage and debris. “All volunteer work is satisfying, but there is something uniquely rewarding about the visuals of seeing change so quickly,” says Duncan.

There was also an added benefit for the volunteers—time together outside the office. “It’s team-building, too. You’re building relationships with folks that aren’t on your team at work and you may not interact with otherwise,” Gandy adds. The success of that first cleanup day led to immediate plans for another. In March, a combined 266 team members met for an additional three cleanups, collecting nearly 46,000 pounds of garbage.

Clayton has found other ways to contribute. All of Clayton’s dozen facilities on the Tennessee River watershed now have cigarette receptacles to help keep cigarette filters from entering the river. Nearly 15,000 cigarette filters have already been submitted for recycling.

A great deal has been accomplished since Clayton first teamed up with Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful, but Gibi isn’t surprised by the success of the partnership. “I had always heard that Clayton has the nicest people. I’ve learned firsthand it is absolutely true.”

DO YOUR PART

Interested in sharing your time with Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful? You can follow the organization’s cleanup schedule at KeepTNRiverBeatiful.org/upcomingcleanups and Facebook.com/KeepTNRiverBeautiful. You can also visit the group’s website to learn about its Pledge for Rivers Program, which seeks to stop litter before it becomes litter by pledging to give up one single-use item for a year.

BETTER TOGETHER

Sweet Sixteen

Clayton donates a 16th home to those in need.

Clayton has partnered with Family Promise, a national nonprofit aimed at preventing family homelessness. Or rather, for the 16th time! As part of a broader partnership program, A Future Begins at Home, Clayton recently donated a new Tempo eBuilt® home, built to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home™ specifications, to Family Promise of Mid-Willamette Valley in Oregon. The 1,280-square-foot,

three-bedroom, two-bathroom modern manufactured home features drywall, Craftsman exterior details and a stainless steel appliance package.“This new home means that a family who is facing homelessness will have a safe place to sleep and a chance for a brighter future,” said T.J. Putnam, executive director of Family Promise of Mid-Willamette Valley. “By working together with Clayton, we’re able to empower families and give them hope in their time of transition.” As the first multisection

Representatives from Clayton Home Building Group, Clayton Retail and Family Promise gather for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a new home in Oregon.

by CAROLINE M c KENZIE photographs by AARON INGRAM

“Lack of affordable housing is an issue that affects individuals and families across the country, including here in Oregon.”

WAYNE HARDER, General Manager at Clayton Homes of Albany

home Clayton has donated to Family Promise, it includes a flex space that can be used as a dining room, office, play area and more. This easy-to-change area allows the home to adjust to the needs of any family living in it at that time. It is life changing for families to have a safe haven as they take steps toward securing a permanent place to call home,” said Susan Brown, Clayton’s director of philanthropy. The home donation represents one component of Clayton’s national partnership with Family Promise,

which has catalyzed millions in additional funding to prevent more than 25,000 families from experiencing the trauma of homelessness and secure stable housing.

“Lack of affordable housing is an issue that affects individuals and families across the country, including here in Oregon,” says Wayne Harder, general manager at Clayton Homes of Albany. “This donation shows that modern manufactured homes can be an excellent option for families of all sizes seeking attainable homeownership.”

FOR THE FUTURE

The donated Tempo model is also a Clayton eBuilt™ home, meaning it was built to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home specifications. eBuilt homes are estimated to save up to 50% on annual energy costs, thanks to energy-efficient features like Rheem® hybrid water heaters, low-E windows with argon gas, ENERGY STAR®-certified appliances, LED lighting and ecobee ® smart thermostats.

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!

A participant in the Family Promise program steps inside his new home. Below, volunteers pen messages of encouragement as a reminder of community support.

Ted Rutland, social responsibility program manager

Adopting Change

A Puerto Rican orphanage gets a helping hand from Clayton.

All hands on deck! That became the unofficial motto when, last February, Clayton rallied around Hogares Rafaela Ybarra, an orphanage for girls in San Juan. Team members, who were in Puerto Rico for training, spent a sunrise-to-sundown day revamping the facility, which provides a safe, loving environment for girls ages 5 to 18. The event was an extension of the Home Building Group’s 2024 focus: Building What Matters. “We wanted to create a volunteer initiative that would align with this year’s goals. When we discovered Hogares Rafaela Ybarra and saw that there were these little cottages and classroom and outdoor space in need, and right down the road from where we would be, it was kind of this magical moment. We all knew, ‘This is it,’” says Niki Schrock, who helped coordinate the event. What followed was a whirlwind of planning and preparation. “Creating a space that feels like home is something we know all about,” says Schrock, who collaborated with Clayton’s design team to create a floor-to-ceiling refresh that included sourcing new furniture (most from Ikea, the Home Depot and Amazon), as well as scrubbing and organizing every last inch. “The goal was to reimagine each area to be more welcoming and functional for the residents and their caregivers,” adds Schrock.

On the big day, over 50 leaders from across Clayton Home Building Group’s footprint divided into groups to tackle

Ready. Set. Assemble! Among the many items put together for the orphanage were bedroom furniture and playground equipment.

A refreshed furniture layout provides residents with ample room for meals, homework and socializing.

A newly decorated bedroom features a trio of new twin beds with cheerful bedding.

by CAROLINE M c KENZIE photographs by ARTHUR BELMAR

Organization and planning were keys to the success of the initiative. A smaller “pre-team” prepped and assembled stations so team members could jump right into their tasks.

cleanup, assembly and more. Kip Thrush, general manager of Clayton Homes Bonham, was one of the many Clayton leaders who rolled up his sleeves for the effort. “Volunteer work is something that, as a company, we do a lot of in a lot of different capacities. So I was ready to jump right in and participate,” he says. Thrush headed up the playground equipment assembly team, which, over the course of the day, put together a swing set, a spherical jungle gym, a seesaw and a playhouse. “I

have two kids and five grandchildren, so I have had plenty of practice with those items,” he adds. While the event called to mind Christmases and birthday parties past, it also reminded Thrush of a favorite quote, one that he’s found to ring true time and again as a Clayton team member: “As Margaret Mead once said, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.’ It really felt like we were embodying that message in Puerto Rico.”

BUSINESS

With wa r mt h, kindness and wickedly sharp humor, a stand-up woman in more ways than one. comedian LEAN N E MORGAN is provi ng she’ s

written by Caroline McKenzie

BUSINESS

Tennessee native Leanne Morgan has a longtime connection with Clayton— her husband, Chuck, has worked at the company since 1999.

ou likely know Leanne Morgan as the acerbic Southern blonde whose 2023 Netflix comedy special propelled her to fame. But before she hit it big with stand-up, she was a busy mom of three and devoted wife to Chuck Morgan, a longtime Clayton team member. Here, she shares all about finding success in her 50s, her can’t-miss hometown spots and a few favorite Clayton memories.

Q. Your family has a long connection with Clayton. Can you tell us a little about that?

A. My husband, Chuck Morgan, has worked for Clayton for 25 years. My son works there and my daughter-in-law did too until she had her second baby. First, Chuck was in the Hamblen County area of East Tennessee. We were

up there in the Morristown/ Greeneville area when I was having my babies. And then he was transferred to San Antonio, Texas, and we had a ball for the few years we were there. That’s when I really started trying stand-up at the comedy clubs around town. In 2004, Chuck was transferred to the corporate offices in Maryville and we’ve been here ever since.

It was a lot of moving for our family, and Chuck has worked in all aspects of the business— he started out in retail, ran a home center, and then was a regional manager, and then he was in manufacturing and now he’s over the HouseSmart initiative. But for him it has always been about the pride in helping people find good, wonderful, affordable homes for their families. As for me,

JOSEPH

Lord, I was just happy to go where he was. I was raising a bunch of kids and trying to make it in comedy. But I always loved the relationships that I had with the people I met through Clayton. I still do.

Q. Did you always dream of a career in the entertainment business?

A. Growing up I always said I was going to be a movie star. Sometimes life kicks you in the teeth. I went to UT Knoxville, and I tried a theater course. At the start of the first class the professor stands up and says “If you’re not majoring in theater, get out.” I’m a rule follower, so I got out. And I do think that was a God thing, because I’m not really a theater person.

I had always loved stand-up. Chuck and I went out to LA to visit my sister before we got married. We went to The Comedy Store on Sunset Boulevard, and I had a physical response. I was in there and I thought, “Oh, my gosh. This is what I’m supposed to be doing. I can do it. This is what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Q. You got your break in comedy later in life. What advice do you have for someone who has a dream but feels like their time to pursue it has passed?

A. I’ve done comedy now for over 25 years, and it was a slow build, honey. It just boomed in 2019 in my mid-50s. I think that I’m wiser, smarter than I’ve ever been.

I’m better at comedy than I’ve ever been. It took me that long to learn that craft. I would tell people to never give up, whether you want to go back to school or you’ve always wanted to be a yoga teacher or whatever it is. I just feel like people in their midlife have so much more experience and so much more to give.

It’s just crazy that people in our society have always made people feel like after 40 it’s over. And it’s just not. It’s just never too late. You’ll hear a grandma has gone back to college in their 70s. I mean, it’s just never too late. If you’ve got a burning desire in your heart for something and you know that’s your purpose,

LEFT: Morgan with her husband, Chuck, and their growing family: (from left) Maggie, Mary, Charlie and Tess, as well as grandson Charles at the Lexington Opera House.

“If you’ve got a burning desire in your heart for something and you know that’s your purpose, you have to do it. You get one life, why not?”

you have to do it. You get one life, why not?

Q. It sounds like you’d say life only gets better with age?

A. Yes. Really, just wait until you turn 50. You will feel like you’ve been let out of a cave, like you’ve been in prison and all of a sudden

everything that’s ever worried you and you’ve been concerned about and all the stupid people that you were worried about, they won’t matter. You won’t care, honey.

Q. Comedy is heavily associated with life on the road. Do you have anything you take with you to keep you connected with home?

A. I take old pajamas. And I know that sounds crazy, but I just take my good comfy pajamas that I wear at home, too. And then I have these slippers that my daughter-inlaw got for me one Christmas. They are like socks, almost, with grips on the bottom. And I just smile every time I see them. And then, let me tell you, that I sit and look at pictures of my grandbabies on the phone all day long and on the plane.

Q. What are the some of the first things you do when you get home?

A. I usually fly home on Sunday or Monday. I start calling the kids as soon as I get off that plane. Chuck usually picks me up and I say, “What do y’all want to eat? And do I need to pick

up something?” And I take it to one of their houses. Everybody comes over and I’m with the babies. That’s probably the No. 1 thing. When I get to my house, I get in the bed with our beagle, Gigi, and watch a Netflix show. But don’t get me wrong, I do leave the house. I love to go and walk in my neighborhood and take little Gigi along.

Q. For someone who has never been to Knoxville—what do you consider some of the can’t-miss destinations or experiences?

A. I would say, you’ve got to get to a UT football game. You’ve got to get yourself to Neyland Stadium! You also need to visit Market Square with all its great shops and restaurants and our beautiful Tennessee Theater. Most of all, go out on our beautiful lakes—Fort Loudon, Cherokee, Melton Hill, Norris; there are so many—and look at those mountains. We also love going to Duncan Boat Dock on the [Tennessee] river. It’s owned by Clayton team member Mike Duncan and his wife, Pam, and it looks like something straight out of the 1950s. It’s

Catch Leanne!

Her first book, What in the World , is set for release on Sept. 24. She will star opposite Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell in the comedy film  You’re Cordially Invited , written and directed by Nick Stoller.

Morgan has garnered fans the world over with her clean comedy style and riveting storytelling about her misadventures in motherhood, marriage and more.

ABOVE: Morgan headlining at the Clayton Laugh Comedy Hour, a 2017 event for Clayton team members.

the cutest! We had a little house near there for a while with two other Clayton families. But we sold it when everybody started having grandbabies—it just got too small. Now we’re looking for a pontoon boat because

private school, everybody’s driving BMWs. I’d never even seen a BMW. But I was never ashamed of where I came from. My mama is authentic, and she is who she is. She doesn’t put on. I would say that’s the most important thing that has happened in me doing comedy all these years: being who I am and being authentic.

you can’t change diapers in a big scary speed boat.

Q. You’re a Southern woman many look up to these days. Who is a Southern woman you look up to and what lessons have you learned from her?

A. Thank you for saying that. Truly, it’s got to be my mama. I just think about the things she’s taught me and what has helped me in my career. We’re from farming people. There was just a pride in that. I went to the University of Tennessee, and I was with all these girls that went to

Q. Did your mom encourage your humor?

A. Honey, yes. She would say “You can do it. You can do it. You can do it.” And I remember she just always cheered me on. We’d watch all the funny shows together. We loved Saturday Night Live, Carol Burnett, Lucille Ball, all these things. And she herself is so funny. It would make my dad so mad and now it makes Chuck Morgan mad. We laugh through everything. We can’t be serious. I think that’s how we cope. Even with hard times, if you can find the humor in something, you can make it.

Q. Do you have a hidden talent?

A. I can dance. I’ve always had rhythm. I never got to take any tap or anything when I was growing up, because we were in the country too far out. But I can bust a move to anything R&B—Earth, Wind and Fire, Prince, Janet Jackson, George Michael, Whitney Houston. That was my jam, honey. That’s my age. And I really think I could learn drums. I’ve thought about taking that up. I want to be Sheila E.

Q. What’s your favorite Southern expression?

A. “ Take to the bed.” I just think that is a wonderful way to explain. You’re upset over something, you’re exhausted, you just finished Easter lunch and did all this for all these people—“I’ve got to take to the bed.” It’s the only way to describe when you just got to get away from people or rest.

Q. How do you take your tea: sweet or unsweet?

A. I like a half-and-half. Maybe it’s because everybody makes you feel like sugar’s going to kill you. So, I do most of it unsweet and do a squirt of sweet on top with a lemon. And then I don’t feel so bad.

Q. Grits or biscuits and gravy?

A. Biscuits and gravy. But I’d have to take to the bed after I ate those biscuits and gravy.

Chuck Morgan

Since the late 1990s, Chuck Morgan has held numerous titles at Clayton, including his current President of HouseSmart Construction®. (This relatively new division oversees on-site installation at the final home site, something that was previously outsourced.)

Though it’s been nearly 25 years, Chuck can point to the exact moment he became “hooked” on the industry. Early in his career he encountered a family living in dire conditions, no running water, no electricity and only a tent over their heads. The situation touched Chuck’s heart and he managed to find an inexpensive used home. “We brought it in, refurbished it and for a few thousand dollars were able to tremendously change someone’s life,” he recalls. “That moment has always stuck with me.”

In addition to the feel-goodfactor of helping families with affordable homes, Chuck has found a connection with the company’s values. “Clayton has a strong culture that aligns with my personal values: treating people fairly and doing good throughout all endeavors,” he explains.

As for Leanne’s “surreal” rise in comedy, Chuck feels it’s been perfectly placed. “We’re spiritual people. I think it was God’s timing. When she was not needed in other ways, then this part of her career began to take off.”

The best part of her success?

For Chuck, it’s how unchanged she is: “It’s very gratifying because I know how authentic it is. That’s not a character that she plays, it’s not a made-up accent. She talks to a crowd of two the way she talks to a crowd of 20,000. Though some of the things she says about me have been ‘slightly’ embellished.”

THE MAN BEHIND THE STAR

RECIPES AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY LINES & ANGLES

TREATS ICE BOX

PLAY IT COOL WITH SUMMERY, NO-BAKE DESSERTS THAT ARE AS CHARMINGLY RETRO AS THEY ARE EASY TO WHIP UP.

Fruity Torte With Daisies

WORKING TIME: 15 minutes

COOLING TIME: 2 hours, 45 minutes

MAKES: 12 servings

1 1/2 cup raw cashews

3 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 sticks butter, melted

3/4 cup coconut cream

¹∕ 3 cup agave

1/4 cup coconut yogurt

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon matcha powder

1/2 lime, sliced

1 kiwi, peeled, sliced and cut into flower shapes

1/2 cup green grapes

1 handful daisies or other edible flower (chamomile daisies shown here)

1. In a small bowl, add the cashews and fill with boiling water. Set aside.

2. In a mixing bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter until well incorporated. Firmly press the crumb mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 12-inch tart dish. Refrigerate the crust for at least 30 minutes.

3. Drain the cashews. In a blender, add the cashews, coconut cream, agave, yogurt, lemon juice, vanilla, salt and matcha powder. Blend until smooth. Pour the filling into the crust and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until solid.

4. Let the torte thaw for 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with the lime slices, kiwi flowers, grapes and daisies.

Strawberry Chocolate Cheesecake

A graham cracker crust and chocolate cookie topping make this treat top-to-bottom delicious.

WORKING TIME: 30 minutes

COOLING TIME: 4 hours, 45 minutes

RESTING TIME: 15 minutes

MAKES: 8 to 10 servings

11/2 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs

5 tablespoons butter, melted 24 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3 cups strawberries, trimmed and halved, divided

1 cup store-bought chocolate wafer cookies (such as Bauducco Chocolate Wafers), sliced into pieces

1. In a large bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until well incorporated. Press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Refrigerate the crust for 30 minutes.

2. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, whip the cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Add in the heavy cream and vanilla extract and continue to whip until the mixture is completely incorporated. Gently stir in 2 cups of the strawberries by hand until each piece of fruit is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

3. Pour the cheesecake mixture into the springform pan and place it in the freezer to chill for about 4 hours.

4. Let the cheesecake thaw for 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with the remaining strawberries and chocolate wafer cookie pieces.

Rhubarb Trifle With Bread Crumble

TIP

If rhubarb is not available, a very tart apple, such as a Granny Smith, can be substituted in equal measure.

Two classic desserts merge with tart, summery rhubarb front and center.

WORKING TIME: 30 minutes COOKING TIME: 15 minutes

COOLING TIME: 30 minutes MAKES: 6 servings

1 pound rhubarb, diced

1/2 cup apple juice

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 cup Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon lemon zest

2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste

2 teaspoons granulated sugar

3/4 cup heavy cream

1 cup crumbled cinnamon swirl bread

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 tablespoons rum

1 tablespoon honey

1. In a large saucepan, add the rhubarb, apple juice and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10-15 minutes until tender. Remove from heat and let cool.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla bean paste, sugar and heavy cream; mix well.

3. In a separate bowl, add the crumbled cinnamon swirl bread and cinnamon. Warm the rum and honey to combine; drizzle over the bread and cinnamon mixture and mix well.

4. Reserve 6 tablespoons of the coated bread crumble, and then equally spoon the remaining crumble into the bottoms of 6 individual serving jars. Spoon on a layer of cream mixture and then the stewed rhubarb. Top each with the reserved bread crumble to finish.

5. Chill in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Almond Brownies

Chopped almonds add a satisfying crunch to this chocolaty concoction.

WORKING TIME: 10 minutes COOLING TIME: 30 minutes

MAKES: 6 servings

11/2 cups almond butter

3/4 cup maple syrup

1 cup cocoa powder

1 cup chopped almonds, divided

2 ounces dark chocolate chips

1 teaspoon coconut oil, warmed until liquid

1. Coat an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray and line with parchment paper.

2. In a large mixing bowl, add the almond butter, maple syrup, cocoa powder and half of the chopped almonds; mix well. Transfer the batter into the lined dish and spread evenly.

3. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on low for 20 seconds, then stir. Repeat microwaving and stirring until melted. Mix the coconut oil into the melted chocolate until completely incorporated. Spread the mixture over the brownies and sprinkle the remaining almonds over the top.

4. Allow the brownies to set in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before cutting into squares and serving.

Blueberry Pistachio Cake

The lightly salted nuts provide a perfect match for the blueberries’ sweetness.

WORKING TIME: 30 minutes

COOKING TIME: 5 minutes

COOLING TIME: 1 hour, 30 minutes

MAKES: 6 to 8 servings

11/4 cups chopped pistachios, divided

1 cup store-bought shortbread cookies

6 tablespoons butter, melted

1 cup vanilla yogurt

11/2 cups cream cheese

1/2 cup blueberry syrup

1/2 cup fresh blueberries

1 handful mint leaves

1. In the bowl of a food processor, add 1 cup of the pistachios and shortbread cookies and pulse into coarse crumbs. Add in the melted butter and continue to pulse until well combined.

2. Transfer the mixture to a 4x14-inch tart pan and press down evenly on the bottom and up the edges. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

3. In a mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, whip the yogurt and cream cheese until creamy. Add in the blueberry syrup and continue to mix until completely incorporated. Spread this mixture onto the crumb base and chill in the freezer for at least 1 hour.

4. When ready to serve, sprinkle the fresh blueberries and remaining pistachios on top. Garnish with the mint leaves.

Raspberry Pretzel Pie

This cake’s creamy base creates a satisfying contrast to the crunchy pretzels and juicy raspberries.

WORKING TIME: 30 minutes

COOLING TIME: 2 hours, 30 minutes

MAKES: 6 to 8 servings

2 1/2 cups mini pretzels, crushed; 1 handful reserved whole 3/4 cup butter, melted

3 tablespoons brown sugar

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

8 ounces frozen whipped cream topping, thawed 12 ounces fresh raspberries; 1 handful reserved for garnish 1/2 cup raspberry preserves

1 3-ounce box raspberry gelatin

1. In a bowl, mix the crushed pretzels, melted butter and brown sugar. Press into an ungreased 8-inch springform pan. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

2. In a mixing bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, mix the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Fold in the whipped topping and raspberries by hand. Spread the filling evenly over the cooled crust.

3. Dissolve the gelatin in 1½ cups boiling water and let cool. (Note: The gelatin box instructions will call for more than is needed here.)

4. Stir the raspberry preserves into the cooled gelatin. (The raspberries will break a bit but will not dissolve and should be visible in the final cake.) Layer the gelatin mixture over the top of the cake. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until the cake has fully set. Top with the reserved pretzels and raspberries to serve.

TIP

For an extra jolt of color and flavor, add a dollop of raspberry jam to the top of each cake.

Avocado-Coconut Mini Cakes

Coconut and lime come together with a hint of avocado for a dessert that tastes like a tropical holiday.

WORKING TIME: 15 minutes

COOLING TIME: 4 hours, 30 minutes

MAKES: 4 servings

1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

2 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts

¹∕ 3 cup butter, melted

2 small ripe avocados, pitted

1 cup coconut yogurt

¹∕ 3 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1/4 cup lime juice

2 teaspoons lime zest

11/4 cups shredded coconut, lightly toasted

4 slices lime

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, walnuts and melted butter until well incorporated. Press the mixture into the bottoms of four 3-inch springform pans. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

2. In the bowl of a food processor, add the avocados, coconut yogurt, sugar, coconut oil, lime juice and lime zest. Pulse the ingredients until you have a smooth mixture.

3. Spoon the filling evenly onto the crumb bases in the springform pans. Place in refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours.

4. Gently remove the cakes from the springform pans and transfer to individual serving dishes. Sprinkle the edges with the shredded coconut and top each with a slice of lime.

PARTY OF SIX

The Cebreros family thought a spacious home and a limited budget were mutually exclusive. Then Clayton’s On2 Homes proved them wrong.

BY FARIMA FERGUSON

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CAROLINE M c KENZIE PHOTOGRAPHS BY AARON INGRAM

All On2 homes are crafted inside a homebuilding facility and then transported to a homesite via flatbed carriers. Upon arrival, a crane places the first floor on a poured foundation before setting the second floor. Stairs and siding are installed on-site, as is the completion of drywall, painting and other finish work.

WQuality, customizable finishes— including countertops, appliances and flooring—are the perfect backdrop for the busy family.

hen Kayla and Juan Cebreros relocated their family from California to Colorado in 2018, they were happy to trade the West Coast for scenic mountains. But not everything about their new hometown of Denver was picture-perfect. At the time, it had one of the worst housing shortages in the nation. Finding an affordable home for their family—Kayla and Juan are parents to Erick, Athena, Nathan and Avyanna, plus their two cats, Fur and Keemo—seemed nearly impossible. When the Cebreros family first moved to Denver, they rented an apartment, but Kayla’s mother encouraged them to do otherwise. “My mom’s big thing was, when you pay rent your money doesn’t go anywhere,” Kayla says. “They can keep increasing your rent. In a house, your payment stays the same, and you’re putting money somewhere where you will eventually get something out of it.”

Switching from renters to homeowners would be easier said than done. The limited inventory and ever-increasing home prices made saving for a down payment feel like an unsurmountable task. “When we first thought about buying a home, we knew we’d need to save,” Kayla says. “But realistically,

houses are so expensive here, so we didn’t know how long it would take us.”

Enter Oakwood Homes®, which is part of Clayton Properties Group® and builds homes in Colorado, Arizona and Utah. In 2022, in response to the housing crisis in Denver, Oakwood Homes launched a new brand called On2 Homes. What helps make the homes more affordable is the combination of modern manufactured homes and traditional on-site construction, which means a shorter time to build the home, with less waste and more efficient use of materials. The homes’ innovative design and installation process is also energy-efficient, helping reduce utility costs to benefit the homeowner as well as the environment. Plus, the neighborhood’s unique landscaping style requires minimal maintenance and helps reduce water use and costs. Known as xeriscaping, it eliminates the need for irrigation by using plants whose natural requirements are appropriate to the local climate, and the overall design avoids losing water to evaporation and runoff.

A duo of front porches provides the Cebreroses with coveted (and muchused) indoor/ outdoor living space. Smart finishes such as the graphic metal porch rails and sleek yellow front door add modern style.

The home features a style of landscaping known as xeriscaping that features drought-resistant plants that eliminate the need for irrigation, making it an affordable, low-maintenance option.

The open floor plan is paired with clean-lined trim and ample natural light for an airy, contemporary feel. The sleek but inviting style is continued through to the backyard patio.

HOME SWEET HOME

Kayla Cebreros shares her homeowner highlights.

TOP FEATURE: We love the home’s layout. My favorite thing to do as a family is watch movies. Some of us can do that while my youngest is down for a nap. The floor plan makes it the perfect home for a family of six.

FAVORITE MEMORY: Decorating for our first Christmas here. We had so much space here to decorate and really make the holiday feel like our own.

BEST ASSET: I love this neighborhood and this community, just for the simple fact that it’s very peaceful.

Because the homes are a combination of old-school craftsmanship and cuttingedge technology, buyers get big savings. “Our houses start in the low $300,000s— nearly half of the median sale price for a single-family home in Denver, which is currently more than $630,000,” explains Kristen Nelson, president of On2 Homes. Not only does the sales price include the cost of the lot, but the homes are also delivered more quickly and more responsibly than traditional building. “Off-site construction allows us to build homes faster within an indoor environment that is supported by advanced technology and automation,” says Colt Davis, the chief operating officer of Clayton Home Building Group. “In addition to time and cost savings, we are also able to build a more energy-efficient home with less waste. Right now, a typical site-built home generates more than 4 tons of waste, and we are working to eliminate that waste through the production of off-site homes.”

Kayla’s stepdad, Mike, stumbled across On2 Homes online and immediately sent the information to Kayla and Juan. Thrilled to learn about a home option

within their immediate budget, they connected with Stephanie Thornber, an On2 home consultant.

“For us, we didn’t think buying a home would happen, but Stephanie supported us through the home process,” Kayla said. “A week after showing us the house, we were under contract. The whole process of buying the home was really quick. It wasn’t what we expected.”

The Cebreros family opted for the 1,167-square-foot Torus floor plan, a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home that’s one of 96 single-family homes in Green Valley Ranch, a fast-growing community in metro Denver. (The On2 community offers four different 2- and 3-bedroom floor plans with list prices starting in the $300,000s.) The two-story home gives the family space to spread out but also provides two roomy living areas when they want to gather for quality time.

“As a parent, you only want the best for your kids,” Kayla says. “When you have a place to call your own, it’s a pretty cool feeling. We can paint the kids’ rooms, decorate for the holidays and provide our kids a neighborhood where they can safely play. It’s the perfect house for us.”

have it made ®

Homes that fit your lifestyle.

Your Home. Your Way.

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or looking for your forever home, this curated collection of Clayton Home Building Group ® models will help you find just the right house for any phase of your life.

by LEXI

Ironwood

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,968

BEDROOMS: 3

BATHROOMS: 2.5

BUILDER: Arbor Homes®

FEATURES: Equipped with a garage, mudroom and walk-in closets in each bedroom, the Ironwood was built with space in mind! The floor plan includes a large loft that can be used as a gaming area or even an additional bedroom. The plan can also be adjusted to include a basement.

Barton Creek

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,411

BEDROOMS: 3

BATHROOMS: 2

BUILDER: Clayton Waco II

FEATURES: Before you even walk inside, Barton Creek charms with its picturesque style and front porch welcome. The spacious dining room is a true focal point. There are three bedrooms, with the primary bedroom and bathroom suite located at the back of the house for ample privacy.

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The Capri

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,100

BEDROOMS: 3

BATHROOMS: 2.5

BUILDER: Highland Homes®

FEATURES: The Capri is Highland Homes’ newest two-story model with attractive curb appeal thanks to Craftsman-style details on the cozy front porch. In the back, you’ll find an attached alley-entry two-car garage. Other key features: an open kitchen-dining-living area and two flex rooms.

Julian

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,400-2,731

BEDROOMS: 3-5

BATHROOMS: 2.5

BUILDER: Mungo Homes®

FEATURES: The Julian’s two-story foyer leads to a large family room and kitchen, featuring an island with bar top seating. The private upstairs primary suite boasts a large bath, dual walk-in closets, a pass through to the laundry room and a sitting area. Customize the plan to include up to 5 bedrooms.

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Find this House

Alexander

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,080

BEDROOMS: 3

BATHROOMS: 2

BUILDER: Clayton Cavalier

FEATURES: The Alexander offers families the space and privacy they desire with the primary and secondary bedrooms located on opposite ends of the house. A warm and welcoming kitchen and living area are situated in the middle of the home, ideal for gathering over meals and family time.

The Platinum Anniversary

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,190

BEDROOMS: 3

BATHROOMS: 2

BUILDER: Clayton Maynardville

FEATURES: A spacious primary suite, equipped with a soaking tub and freestanding shower, adds to the allure of the Platinum Anniversary. The floor plan boasts a kitchen that is both functional and beautiful with an island, split double sink and on-trend built-ins.

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Find this House

2460 Plan Cloverleaf

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,460

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 2.5

BUILDER: Brohn Homes®

FEATURES: The two-story Cloverleaf features over 2,000 square feet designed with families in mind. The spacious kitchen has a walk-in pantry. There’s also a window-lined living room and dining room where residents and guests will love to gather.

4230 Clearwater 7632

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,280

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 4

BUILDER: Clayton Rockwell

FEATURES: A designer’s dream, the 4230 Clearwater 7632 is as beautiful as it is practical. An arched entryway to the kitchen adds instant charm. This ample floor plan includes four bedrooms, a utility room and a flex space to use as you wish.

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Find this House

Wildflower

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,649

BEDROOMS: 3

BATHROOMS: 2

BUILDER: Summit Homes®

FEATURES: A quintessential ranch floor plan, the Wildflower’s large entryway welcomes you into an open-concept kitchen, dining and living room. Also located on the main floor are three bedrooms, including a primary suite with a stunning full tile shower and a large walk-in closet.

The Rheem® Hybrid Electric Heat Pump Water Heater is the most efficient water heater available. It’s full of smart features you will love—from built-in Wi-Fi to multiple operating modes that save energy and protect the planet. Learn More at Rheem.com/Hybrid

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1447 Carolina

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,543

BEDROOMS: 3

BATHROOMS: 2

BUILDER: Clayton Richfield

FEATURES: Low Country style at its finest, the Carolina welcomes guests with its timeless charm by way of a front porch. Designed with entertaining in mind, the roomy kitchen opens to the dining room. The living room features an inviting gas fireplace nestled between handsome built-in shelving.

Wright

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,133

BEDROOMS: 2

BATHROOMS: 2

BUILDER: On2 Homes by Oakwood Homes®

FEATURES: Every inch of the Wright was thoughtfully designed with comfort and practicality in mind. The kitchen and living area are situated on the main level with a porch and side patio flanking the spaces for the ultimate in indoor-outdoor living.

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The Fusion 3260

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,800

BEDROOMS: 3

BATHROOMS: 2

BUILDER: Clayton Appalachia

FEATURES: Yes, you can have it all! With the beautiful and timeless Fusion 3260, that is. This sized-just-right floor plan includes a striking kitchen where there’s room for everyone to gather around the handsome island. The space is also equipped with a coffee station and display shelving.

Arabella

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,160

BEDROOMS: 3

BATHROOMS: 2

BUILDER: Clayton Hamilton

FEATURES: The Arabella stuns with gorgeous, customizable design options throughout the home, such as exposed wooden beams, barn doors and tray ceilings. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring in heaps of natural sunlight, while three generously sized bedrooms make it perfect for families.

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Find this House

COME BACK SOON!

MARYVILLE, TENNESSEE

A vintage Ford pickup truck is sitting pretty, and overflowing with tomatoes, at Clayton’s summer farmers markets, held at the home office. The weekly event supports local growers and artisans and provides team members with nutritious, sustainable foods and wares. To find a farmers market in your area, visit usdalocalfoodportal.com

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