High Country Home Magazine 2017

High Country Press

Home Magazine Home, Garden & Remodeling

RESOURCE GUIDE Summer 2017

Home Sweet Home Ideas For

Your Castle

When You Need a

Professional!

Interiors • Construction • Landscaping • Tile & Stone • Flooring HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS FROM AROUND THE HIGH COUNTRY Summer 2017

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ENTERLINE & RUSSELL BUILDERS 828.295.9568 | www.erbuilders.com

Enterline & Russell Builders is a full service custom residential and commercial construction company‌

Building some of the finest homes in the High Country since 1983

Residential Construction

For more than three decades, we have enjoyed the privilege of building many homes, churches, schools, restaurants, banks and businesses here in the Blue Ridge Mountains — places where our friends and neighbors live, work and play.

Commercial Construction

We are Enterline & Russell Builders, a full service residential and commercial building and construction company. As Blowing Rock’s premier general contractor, we engage regularly in projects in Boone, Blowing Rock and Banner Elk, as well as throughout the western North Carolina counties of Watauga, Ashe, Avery and Caldwell.

Our staff of project managers, carpenters, painters and excavation and site work personnel are regularly engaged in general contracting, new construction, remodeling, renovation and earthwork.

We believe in working hands-on, and the quality of our work shows in our meticulous attention to detail. Our talented tradesmen are backed by experienced industry professionals.

While other contractors are in the business of making money, we’ve been working hard since 1983 to be the best construction company in North Carolina’s High Country.

Whether you need help with maintenance, remodeling, renovation or new construction, Enterline & Russell looks forward to working with you and meeting all of your needs.

Visit our custom homes and commercial projects in and around Boone, Blowing Rock and Banner Elk to see firsthand the Enterline & Russell difference.

Contact us today for more information.

Enterline & Russell Builders, Inc. Custom Home Builders and Commercial Construction P.O. Box 1492, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 1IPOF r 'BY /$ (FOFSBM $POUSBDUPST -JDFOTF

Blowing Rock, Boone and Banner Elk NC Custom Home Builders and Commercial Construction B

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BOONE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

“The Highest Quality Residential & Commercial Construction Serving the High Country since 1989” WATAUGA & AVERY COUNTIES

189 Calloway Road, Boone, NC 28607 | (828) 963-8607 | www.boonecc.com 1 Summer 2017

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Table of CONTENTS Constructing Masterpieces....................... 18

Paint, Tile and Blinds on 105.................................56

Hearthstone NC and Mountain Construction owner Mark Kirkpatrick has been building beautiful homes – or as he describes them: “art you can live in” – since the early ‘80s in the Boone area.

If you have a big remodel coming up, building a home or need some guidance on a project, save a trip by visiting the shopping mall across the historic waterwheel on N.C. 105.

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Insuring Your Home, Persons & Assets .................66

RL at Abbey Carpet & Floors........40

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For nearly 50 years, R.L. Suddreth has been providing flooring services and products in the High Country. He is the hands-down expert in the field.

He’s also a great man.

A ‘Customer-Centered Approach’ ........................... 24 Specializing in high-quality windows, doors, skylights and hardware, Salem Windows and Doors has one location in the High Country. Visit their showroom in Foscoe.

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Just like when building a dream home, you need a pro in your corner when you are considering how to go about insuring it. The following spread also offers advice for insurance in other areas of your life.

Women of the HCHBA ....... 70 The High Country Home Builders Association features numerous women in its organization, and those women are creating a Professional Women in Building council to promote women in the trades.

Sales Tax Changes................... 6 Real Estate.................................8

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Design, Furnish and Accessorize...................48

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Tatum Galleries in Banner Elk is a destination store because of the beautiful furniture and accessories in stock and the staff’s high-quality service and interior design expertise.

Permits & Inspections...............12 Newest Tile & Stone Trends......14 Professional Landscaping.........32 Do-It-Yourself Projects..............36 7 Uses for an Arborist...............54

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Edmisten Heating & Cooling, Inc., located in Boone, NC., Over 35 years of experience 828-264-0130 • www.edmistenhvac.com

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CONSTRUCTION, IN E N E E C GR

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1 IN C E

GREENE CONSTRUCTION 525 George Wilson Road Boone, NC 28607 828-264-2611

A Little About Our Team

Our team is made up of several departments including company officers, accounting, finance & administration, estimating & project management. Within each department there are experienced and qualified individuals there to assist you. You will be introduced to the staff and the role each member plays here at the Greene Construction office.

When choosing a construction company you are faced with several large factors to consider. By choosing Greene Construction you can feel at ease, because we are a uniquely qualified group of professionals that are dedicated to taking your project from the starting of a concept to completely finished in the most efficient and cost effective manner. Our track record speaks for itself, and our number one goal is to provide superior service, along with a product that not only are we proud of, but you will be too.

Commercial Work

Our commercial work involves projects where the public is served by our customer and therefore, we must always be thinking as the business owner and how best to serve the public from their perspective.

This requires that both safety and function be a top priority.

Residential Work

A home is a large investment in the future. We have worked with many families for over 60 years helping them to build that future.

We encourage making the house fit the land, not the reverse. This is the most economical as well a necessity in preserving the natural beauty of our area.

Industrial Work

Our industrial work is based on an individual’s idea for a product and their need for help in developing a facility to put that idea into production. We must always be thinking of material flow and personnel flow in the design and construction. We have had many opportunities to assist our local industries in putting their ideas into efficient and productive facilities.

Institutional Work

Institutional work in the High Country centers primarily on school, church, government and medical buildings. We have had the opportunity to work with these institutions in both design and construction.

Our involvement has been from a customer’s need expressed, review of the need and how to solve, concept design of a solution and construction. Many times this is much more that a building, but a need being met that in turn serves our entire community.

Other Projects/Services

www.greeneconstructionnc.com

Part of the diversity that is Greene Construction includes working with individuals with special needs and projects. These may include driveways and walkways, parks which emphasize structures with a visual message or a fire pit on someone’s patio. We enjoy the challenge of adding a special touch to a vision.

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Celebrating Home Ownership “W

hile working on these past two editions of High Country Press’ Home Magazine: Home Garden, Remodeling & Resource Guide, I’ve had the opportunity to learn quite a bit about the homebuilding process and what all goes into keeping up the homestead.

There are so many interesting products and ideas out there to make your home awesome. I spoke with a number of talented tradesmen (and women) and business owners in the construction, landscaping and interiors industries.

RL was a blast to talk to. I ordered my flooring from him at Abbey Carpet and Floors. He even let me borrow his flooring staple gun, so I could install my own flooring. It was neat hanging out with the gals at Tatum Galleries near Banner Elk. I’ll tell you they were a hoot! And I didn’t even know that Tatum Galleries had a custom woodshop in their basement. As a former apprentice at Vaughn Woodworking in Foscoe, that

certainly piqued my interest.

I enjoyed writing Mark Kirkpatrick’s story. He is owner of Mountain Construction and Hearthstone NC. Before he went into the trades, he was a teacher – similar to me as I earned an elementary education degree from App State. Watching and listening to Kirkpatrick talk about the homes he’s built over the past three decades, I could see in his eyes that he really loves – as his motto goes – building “art” that people can live in. And looking at his craftsmanship, it’s obvious Kirkpatrick takes pride in his work.

Alas, there are plenty of other individuals I am neglecting to mention. But hopefully, this guide will introduce you to some of the fine people working in these industries in the High Country. And, more importantly, we hope this guide comes in handy this summer as you embark on building a home, a major renovation or a weekend project.

Jesse Wood, Editor

The Consignment Cottage Warehouse

“From Classic Traditional To Unique Eclectic...and Everything In Between...”

66 Pershing St., Newland, NC / Open Thursday - Saturday 10-5 / 828-733-8148 / theconsignmentcottagewarehouse.com 4

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High Country

Home Magazine Publisher Ken Ketchie Editor Jesse Wood Art Director Debbie Carter

DECKING WINDOWS CABINETS POPLAR BARK BUILDING MATERIALS DOORS FESTOOL

CABLERAIL

inspired by our mountains, customized by you!

Advertising Director Jeffrey Green A Publication Of High Country Press Publications

On the Cover:

www.MountainLumberCompany.com | 828.963.7524

Home in Turtle Creek in Boone, NC

by Todd Bush Our cover photo is by internationally published High Country commercial photographer Todd Bush. Todd specializes in stunning architectural photography (for every budget) for; homeowners, realtors, builders, resorts, architects and designers. Additionally providing; scenic, lifestyle and product photography for over 25 years.

High Country Press Home Magazine is published by High Country Press Publications of Boone, North Carolina. All content © 2017.

All rights reserved. Reproduction, either in whole or in part, is forbidden without written permission from the publisher. Paid content throuhout the magazine.

High Country Press Publications P.O. Box 152, Boone, NC 28607 828-264-2262 Summer 2017

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Sales Tax Changes Affect Contractors, Homeowners Invites You To Experience The Difference Our staff takes time to understand your situation and develop the right solution.

Our experience and professionalism will give you peace of mind.

The focus is always on you.

Dina Faulkner, Debbie Jackson, and Linda Gilleland

Serving the High Country since 1989 ([WHQVLRQ Ĺ˜b%RRQH 3RLQW Ĺ˜bJUH\VWRQHLQV FRP 6

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By Jesse Wood

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s the Republican-led legislature in Raleigh continues its multi-year transition towards consumption taxes and away from income taxes, local contractors are staying up to date with the need-to-know changes through seminars with the High Country Home Builders Association.

In late 2015, the N.C. General Assembly approved a myriad of sales tax levies on repair, maintenance and installation services that involved all kinds of trades from clock repair to gravestone marking. Naturally, this affected trades in the homebuilding and remodeling industries, too. That change went into effect in March 2016.

Because the proposal arose late in the 2015 legislative session, the N.C. Home Builders Association, which lobbies on behalf of homebuilders and related contractors, knew there wasn’t enough time to completely oppose the legislation.

Instead, lobbyists for the NCHBA fought for compromises, including the “real-property contractor� and “retailer-contractor� exemptions. The former pertained to contractors building or remodeling homes actually owning the property and the latter regarded a contractor having to pay taxes if the majority of revenue is made from retail as opposed to labor.

The NCHBA continues to lobby for certain “fixes� to this law on behalf of its members.

In late March, the High Country Home Builders Association hosted Tim Minton, director of government affairs at the NCHBA. A handout from this meeting touted one of the lobbied-for changes to the law that went into effect this year.

The modification to the law alleviates some existing confusion between contractors and subcontractors as to who pays sales tax on a job. This particular change is relevant for substantial “capital improvements,� work requiring a permit under the State Building Code or a residential project that costs $15,000 or more. “In short, labor charges for new construction and most remodeling activities are not subject to sales tax on labor because they will meet the definition of ‘capital improvement’ pursuant to a ‘real property contract,’ according to the handout.

Due to the complexity and vagueness of the legislation, the official definition of related terms or language and how the trades in the homebuilding industry differ, each tradesman

has different things for which they need to be aware.

While the local and state homebuilders associations are doing their best to keep members abreast of the current laws, these organizations aren’t tax advisors. According to Jim Rogers, HCHBA President and owner of Appalachian Custom Builders, several local accountants attended the recent seminar sponsored by the HCHBA to catch up to speed with the changes.

“Each trade is affected differently because of the way they purchase materials and the way they use materials.

Definitely, every trade has a different aspect they need to look at, whether they are doing repairs, home construction or capital improvement type work,” Rogers said. “We tell contractors that they should converse with their accountant.”

Minton also suggested that tradesman double check with the N.C. Department of Revenue (DOR). Both the state HBA and DOR websites have need-toknow info on these tax laws, including breakdowns per trade.

TAX RATES IN AVERY & WATAUGA COUNTIES FOR 2016-17 If you are like me, after becoming a property owner, you might have smiled when that first property bill arrived in the mail. But – believe me – that wore off pretty quick. Luckily, Watauga County features one of the lowest tax rates in the state.

Asked how this new law relates to pricing, Rogers mentioned that the homeowner will end up bearing the brunt of the tax increase on certain types of work.

“Ultimately, this increases the cost to the end user on certain items. It depends on the type of construction. If you are doing repairs to a home and not pulling a building permit, it definitely increases the cost roughly 6.5 to 7.5 percent depending on what county you live in.”

Seminars such as these are among the benefits that the High Country Home Builders Association offers to its members. For more information about the High Country Home Builders Association, click to www.highcountryhba.com or call 828-297-6566. n

If you live within a municipality, you must pay both the municipality’s and county’s tax rate. Note that you will be required to pay a fire tax, which is used to fund fire departments that may one day save your home and/or family. In Watauga County, for example, the tax rate is 5 cents – except for the Todd fire district, which has a 7-cent rate.

Watauga County:

$0.313 per $100 valuation + fire tax rate

TOWN RATES per $100 valuation

Boone: $0.041 cents Blowing Rock: $0.34 Seven Devils: $0.51 Beech Mountain: $0.732 Municipal Service District (Downtown Boone) $0.21 cents

Avery County:

$0.4472 per $100 (includes $0.067 cent fire tax)

TOWN RATES per $100 valuation

Doe Ridge Pottery & Gallery Specializing in Hand-Made Home Décor

Banner Elk: Beech Mountain: Crossnore: Elk Park: Newland: Seven Devils: Sugar Mountain:

$0.54 cents $0.732 $0.24 $0.28 $0.49 $0.51 $0.46

*Avery County and Watauga County Tax Departments

Population, Households, Housing Units, Value & Building Permits U.S. Census Bureau figures

Watauga County:

Population: 52,560 (2014 estimate) Households: 20,224 (2010-14) Housing Units: 32,957 Homeownership rate: 57.4 percent (2010-14) Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $225,600 Building permits 2014: 243

Avery County:

585 West St., Suite D • Boone, NC 28607 (828) 264-1127 Visit our website for a better look at some of our selections DoeRidgePottery.com • meier@doeridgepottery.com

Population: 17,773 (2014 estimate) Households: 7,174 (2010-14) *Housing Units: 14,027 Homeownership rate: 76.5 percent Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $144,700 Building permits 2014: 44 *Avery County and Watauga County Tax Departments Summer 2017

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Real Estate By The Numbers Deeds: A Snapshot of the Real Estate Market

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imilar to the MLS listings for the High Country Association of Realtors, the Watauga County Register of Deeds office can clue the public into the state of local real estate.

The compiling of these transactions offers a snapshot of the real estate market. How many units have been sold? What was the total value of properties sold? Who is buying and who is selling?

Each week, a compilation of deed transfers is published on HCPress.com. Note that the deeds include land sales, commercial properties and homes. Each post lists the grantor (seller) and grantee (buyer), a brief description of the property and the price. Not that our staff wades through about 300 or so deeds and usually publishes about 40. The discrepancy refers to duplicates and properties transferred for $0. If multiple heirs, for example, sell a property, then multiple deeds of the same property are recorded for each individual. Also, properties exchanged for no money generally involve the passing down of family land.

If you have a question about the ownership of a particular property, including its ownership history, documents filed with the Watauga County Register of Deeds and a Watauga County Tax Mapping Department database can help you out.

Screen Shots of HCPress.com Deeds

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A 12 Month Look Back at

Month

DEEDS Units Sold

Total Dollars Sold

April 2017................... 106.........$29,822,500 March 2017................ 129.........$36,567,000 February 2017.............. 88.........$20,810,000 January 2017............. 116.........$29,666,500 December 2016......... 165.........$40,211,500 November 2016......... 196.........$39,651,000 October 2016............. 184.........$58,381,500 September 2016........ 108.........$27,231,000 August 2016............... 166.........$34,395,500 July 2016.................... 157.........$45,154,000 June 2016................... 170.........$42,056,000 May 2016.................... 183.........$34,757,000 TOTAL YEAR............ 1768.......$438,703,500

Real Estate

Market Continues to Improve

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“It’s a slow process. We are not back to where we were by any ike many, real estate agents still have scars from the Great Recession, but it seems as if with each passing year, the means in terms of value. We still have a good amount of inveneconomy is a little bit better than it was before. Consider that 2016 tory,” Blair said. “A lot of that inventory is kind of tired, but we are marked the busiest year for local realtors with 2,124 homes sold listing properties that have never been on the market before, so that’s a good addition.” at a total value of $525.75 million.

David Thomas, a broker with the RE/MAX Realty Group, noted Those are impressive numbers, but prices haven’t fully recovered to pre-recession levels. Last year, the median price was $205,000. that most realtors and real estate offices have seen a “substantial This compares to a median price of $229,000 and $230,000 in 2006 resurgence” in buyer activity over the past three years.

“This is a trend we expect to and 2007, according to the High REALTOR-ASSISTED SALES, BY YEAR see continuing through the rest Country Association of Realtors, of this year,” Thomas said. “Inwhich tracks realtor transactions 2,000 terest rates remain amazingly in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery and 1,600 1,200 low at this stage of our economy, Watauga counties. presenting the best immediate So far, the local real estate 800 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 opportunity for both buyers and market is off to a good start in 2017 – spurred perhaps by warmer winter weather. The first quar- sellers to act now.”

Thomas noted that while valuations for homes are recoverter saw 12 percent more home sales than in 2016 and 30 percent more than in 2015. Through the first three months of 2017, real- ing from the recession, land valuations remain flat or worse betors in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties sold 394 cause of lack of demand. He sees this changing, however.

“There has been no new or very limited housing construction homes valued just shy of $100 million during the first quarter of in the High Country over the past 10 years. We are soon to run 2017. The median price for those sales was $206,000.

Don Blair, a real estate professional with Premier Sotheby’s into a supply and demand economic factor already being expeInternational Realty in Blowing Rock, said that while listing activity rienced in major metropolitan markets: no houses left to sell,” is currently strong and price points are notching higher, it’s still a Thomas predicted. “I anticipate opportunities for our continued growth our excellent.” “buyers market.”

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Permits & Inspections T he Bui l d ing P er m it P rocess

for Watauga County

How To Get Started - Permit Checklist Same In Most Counties - Please Consult Appropriate Authorities

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he Building Permit process begins with the Building Permit Application, which covers all types of construction including new construction, additions, decks, remodeling and renovations. Permit Fees will be calculated and upon payment of these fees, along with completed applications and required plans, the application will be ready to be reviewed by the Planning & Inspections staff. Upon approval of the Building Permit application and plans, a Building Permit will be issued by the Building Code Officials and work may begin on the project.

The Building Permit must be posted on site for all inspections.

Frame Constructed Homes: ❏ Building Permit Application form ❏ Two (2) copies of plans drawn to scale that identify the name of rooms and all the work to be done. ❏ Two (2) copies of the Plan Specifications forms. One copy of the plans and specifications will be marked “jobsite copy” and returned to the applicant when the permit is issued. This copy is to remain on the job site. ❏ Copy of Authorization for Wastewater System Construction (Septic Permit) and Well Construction Permit from the Appalachian District Health Department. ❏ General/Self Contractor Form ❏ Lien Agent Form ❏ Workers’ Compensation Coverage Form ❏ Contractor Regulation Sheets. There is one form for each contractor working on the project. (electrician, plumber, heat, gas installer) ❏ Erosion Control Certification

Log or Heavy Timber Homes: ❏ Building Permit Application form ❏ Two (2) copies of plans stamped by a N.C. licensed architect or engineer. ❏ Two (2) copies of the Plan Specifications forms. One copy of the plans and specifications will be marked “jobsite copy” and returned to the applicant when the permit is issued. This copy is to remain on the job site. ❏ Copy of Authorization for Wastewater System Construction (Septic Permit) and Well Construction Permit from the Appalachian District Health Department.

Submittal of an application does not mean the Permit has been issued The following checklists are intended to assist you in obtaining a Building Permit. This list cannot include every unique situation but can be used for most typical projects. Supplying the most accurate and complete information on this list will prevent delays in issuing a permit and possibly reduce construction correction costs.

❏ General/Self Contractor Form ❏ Lien Agent Form ❏ Affidavit of Workers’ Compensation Coverage form ❏ Contractor Regulation Sheets. There is one form for each contractor working on the project. (electrician, plumber, heat, gas installer) ❏ Insulation Trade-off Sheet (ResCheck) ❏ Erosion Control Certification

Remodel: (Interior Renovations Only no change to exterior footprint) ❏ Building Permit Application form ❏ Plan or detailed list of work to be done. ❏ General/Self Contractor Form (if project is over $30,000) ❏ Lien Agent Form (Not required if project if under $30,00 or an existing single family residence occupied by owner) ❏ Workers’ Compensation Coverage Form (if project is over $30,000) ❏ Contractor Regulation Sheets. There is one form for each contractor working on the project. (electrician, plumber, heat, gas installer)

Addition/Deck: ❏ Building Permit Application form ❏ Two (2) copies of plans drawn to scale showing all work to be done. ❏ Two (2) copies of the Plan Specification forms. ❏ Appalachian District Health Department verification of

septic/well setbacks. ❏ General/Self Contractor Form (if project is over $30,000) ❏ Lien Agent Form (Not required if project if under $30,00 or an existing single family residence occupied by owner) ❏ Workers’ Compensation Coverage Form (if project is over $30,000) ❏ Contractor Regulation Sheets. There is one form for each contractor working on the project. (electrician, plumber, heat, gas installer) ❏ Erosion Control Certification

Storage/Garage: ❏ Building Permit Application form ❏ Two (2) copies of plans drawn to scale showing all work to be done. ❏ Two (2) copies of the Plan Specification forms. ❏ Appalachian District Health Department verification of septic/well setbacks. ❏ General/Self Contractor Form (if project is over $30,000) ❏ Lien Agent Form (Not required if project if under $30,00 or an existing single family residence occupied by owner) ❏ Workers’ Compensation Coverage Form (if project is over $30,000) ❏ Contractor Regulation Sheets. There is one form for each contractor working on the project. (electrician, plumber, heat, gas installer) ❏ Erosion Control Certification

Other permits such as Zoning, Watershed, Grading or Floodplain may also be required.

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Tile Trends Innovations & Large, Thin Tiles Quality of Tile & Setting Materials Continues To Improve

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uring John Buford’s 22 years in the industry as an installer and owner of Stone Cavern in Banner Elk, he’s seen the tile industry and the quality of its product transform for the better – both in an aesthetic and utilitarian nature. “The technology that is there for the setting materials (grout and grout ties) is really so much better and that along with the tiles itself,” Bufurd said.

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One such product is Schluter’s custom shower system that came out in 2016. The system speed up the process of waterproofing a shower area prior to tile installation.

“I wouldn’t call this revolutionary, but the ability to make a shower tight over time with a companybacked guarantee is innovative for sure,” Buford said.

“I’ve been doing this a long time. I’m selling a lot of it. Some people won’t use it because they don’t understand it. It’s a good item for us. I feel confident because at the end of the day it’s all about a good job.”

Thin and large tiles are hot consumer product these days, too.

Buford said that he has tile that is one-quarter-inch thick and one meter by eight meters for the width and length. Buford noted that you can tile an entire shower with just a few pieces.

“Plus, it’s extremely light, so it’s a good for second floors,” he said.

This tile is also starting to be used in living rooms. Instead of screwing drywall to frames, patching and painting the drywall, you can install this thin-and-large tile on the interior walls. “You never have

Heated Floors

eated floors are no longer considered a luxury. Next winter, you’ll regret waking up in the morning to your bare feet chilling on an ice-cold bathroom floor. And if you like the look of wooden floors but want heated flooring in high traffic areas throughout the house, consider wood-look porcelain with thermostat-controlled, radiant heat underneath.

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to repaint it. It won’t get dinged up,” Buford said. “That’s in my opinion a primary use.”

Stone Cavern in Banner Elk offers design consultations, tile and materials sales and excellent customer service.

Also check out the line of luxury vinyl and cork floating floors. Stone Cavern is located at 9782 N.C. 105 South Unit 8 in Banner Elk. For more info, click to www. stonecavern.com or call 828-963-8453.

Looks Like Wood, Performs Like Tile

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ood-looking tile, which offers the warmth of wood and the versatility and durability of tile, is among the hottest tile trends of the day.

Tile is now made in non-traditional sizes and contains precise detail not previously available because of advances in technology, according to Dal-Tile, one of the largest tile manufacturers in the world. For example, tile can now “mirror the look and feel of a hand-scraped wood floor.”

From a fine cherry look to the rustic, barn wood approach, wood-looking tile is available in whatever aesthetic you prefer. Wood isn’t an ideal choice in the bathroom because of moisture, but porcelain tile that looks like wood performs great in wet areas. David Shell, owner of Mountain Tile in Boone, noted that the only disadvantage to wood-looking tile is that it’s not wood.

“You never have to worry about the dog scratching the floor or wear and tear. You never have to refinish. You can heat it up and it will actually retain the heat unlike engineered wood floors,” Shell said. “Looking at the performance, durability, life of the installation and maintenance free [aspects], wood-looking tile is a no brainer.”

Stone Cavern

VISIT OUR WEBSITE! www.stonecavern.com

TILE & Stone Showroom

828-963-8453

The High Country’s One-Stop Location for Sales • Design • Installation of Tile & Stone

TILE & STONE FOR ANY BUDGET

Design Consultation 25 different floor displays to help you visualize your tile dreams Check Out Our GallerY on our website ®

Located in Grandfather View Village at the base of Grandfather Mountain (across from Mountain Lumber) 9872 Hwy 105

Schluter Systems

INNOVATIVE INSTALLATION SYSTEMS FOR TILE AND STONE

828-963-TILE • CALL FOR MONTHLY SPECIALS • WWW.STONECAVERN.COM Summer 2017

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Set the Tone With Beautiful Natural Stone Slabs

By Jesse Wood

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iant and beautiful natural stone slabs can turn any counter, workstation, bar and even the face of a fireplace into the centerpiece of a room. The diversity of the natural stone available allows for the customer to pick out practically any color he or she prefers.

“The design possibilities are endless,” said Joe Magid, production manager for Classic Stone Works in Newland. “The The biggest slabs are about 12-feet-by-6-feet and the standard is roughly 10-feet-by-6-or-7-feet. colors are all over the place. Every color is represented. Lots of tans, beiges, rust and earthy colors and showroom with 2,000 square feet of space. also some interesting vibrant blues, reds, greens, pink marbles Once a homeowner or contractor selects a slab of their liking, and just about every color you can imagine is represented in the locally talented craftsman will then measure the space that natural stone.” the slab will fill and custom cut the slab with a wet saw to the Classic Stone Works has more than an acre of these giant template. Then, the edges are finished smooth and the slab slabs on its property off of Linville installed. “It’s certainly a process for Falls Highway for customers to them (initial fabricator) and us (the window shop. The stockyard is filled final fabricator),” Magid said. with granite, marble, travertine and The biggest slabs are about 12limestone slabs imported from all feet-by-6-feet and the standard is over the world. roughly 10-feet-by-6-or-7-feet. But “One thing we pride ourselves as Magid noted, you can do kitchen on is having a pretty big inventory countertops, for example, any size of different types of stones, so our you want because multiple pieces clients can really see the scope of can be seemed together. what’s out there and available to Classic Stone Works, which also them,” Magid said. “It’s a lot bigger offers custom concrete countertops, The slabs are custom cut using a wet saw on the premises. industry than it has been in the past stone sinks and a full selection and the choices are really growing.” of tile, is located at 1710 Linville The stone slabs arrive in the High Country basically surfaced Falls Highway in Newland. For more information, click to www. finished with rough edges. Classic Stone Works has a fabrication classicstoneworksinc.com or call 828-737-0040. shop of about several thousand square feet and an inside

We will help you create your own masterpiece...

828.737.0040 www.classicstoneworksinc.com

1710 Linville Falls Hwy Linville, NC 28646 16

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Classic Classic Stone Works The Kitchen & Bath Gallery

BOONE’S PREMIER TILE SHOWROOM

Over 30 Years of Flooring Ex�erience!

Owners Trudy and David Shell

STORE HOURS: Monday - Friday: 8:30AM to 5PM Saturday: By Appointment 1852 H w y. 105, Bo one • 828-265- 0472 • w w w.Mo un t a inT il eNC .c o m Summer 2017

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Art You Can Live In

Build Your Dream Home With Mountain Construction, Hearthstone NC

By Jesse Wood

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Mountain Construction provides general contracting for fine custom homes, remodels and renovations and project managing for Hearthstone timber frame, SIP and log homes, barns and commercial structures.

Mark Kirkpatrick of Mountain Construction worked as general contractor and design consultant on this timber frame home near Grandfather Mountain.

hen Mark Kirkpatrick, founder of Mountain Construction and Hearthstone NC, decided to move to the High Country to start a construction business in the early ‘80s, his father offered sound advice that has paid dividends to this day: “Take pride in your work and you’ll always have work.”

Licensed in North Carolina and Tennessee, Mountain Construction is a custom homebuilder and remodeling company that operates within a rough 50-mile radius of the High Country, while Hearthstone NC is a timber frame provider serving the entire state of North Carolina.

Kirkpatrick moved to the High Country from Nashville, Tenn. After serving in the Army out of high school, he went to University of Tennessee on the GI Bill, graduating with a degree in education.

While teaching during the school year, Kirkpatrick fell in love with construction in the summers: “I was pushing wheelbarrows of concrete and tying steel and said, ‘This is cool.’”

When he moved to Western North Carolina in 1982, Kirkpatrick recalled, “They knew me around here as the guy with a pickup truck, a dog, a chop saw and a table saw.” Prior to starting Mountain Construction in 1985 and later Hearthstone NC in 1992, Kirkpatrick worked for a master carpenter for a few years.

One of their first jobs together was a timber frame home with 26 hips and valleys. This wasn’t your standard inverted V roof with one ridge, but once the walls were built and the timbers were cut, every rafter fit within 1/32nd of an inch – a margin closer to the craftsmanship in a fine woodshop than jobsite carpentry.

This ethos of taking pride in his work and doing things right continues to this day at Mountain Construction and Hearthstone NC. Even a former building inspector for the Town of Blowing Rock agreed when he told Kirkpatrick, “Your framing is nicer than most builder’s trim.”

Every home or remodel that Kirkpatrick undertakes begins with the vision and ideas of the client. Then considerable planning occurs. As Kirkpatrick said, “You have to plan it or it’s not right.

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Featured in the story, this conventionally framed custom home has poplar bark siding and quarter-sawn oak paneling throughout.

All the logs used in the 5,000-square-foot home came off the homeowner’s property in Foscoe.

The home is a work of art with many natural elements such as wood and stone. The stairs and loft rails are made out of locust posts, rhododendron handrails and wooden slab stair treads.

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You can cut down a litany of mistakes to one or two because you have a good set of drawings (blueprints and site plans).”

Construction services include onsite project management from start to finish; daily job site logs; detailed monthly bookkeeping reports; experienced, honest and creative employees and subcontractors and more. Mountain Construction designs homes and also has great relationships with architects for clients seeking full architectural services.

Mountain Construction has built more than 250 projects in its history – all of an extremely high quality. Some notable public projects include the entrance to the Linville Falls Picnic Shelter on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Williams YMCA of Avery County. Mountain Construction has also built many custom homes ranging from 1,500square-feet homes to a $2.4 million estate on its own mountain range. Again, no matter the scale, the craftsmanship of Mountain Construction’s homes is second to none.

Restoration projects include a meticulous, traditional preservation of the Cannon family’s historic 8,000-square-foot “Miramichi” home overlooking the Johns River Gorge; a foundation replacement for a 1930s home in Blowing Rock that was initially built on locust posts and had to be lifted six inches; and a major, complicated addition that turned a 2,000-square-foot home into 5,000 square feet by adding a second floor and wings to the original structure with the net effect of creating a new custom home from a small rental property.

As you might have guessed with that major addition project or the project that required jacking up a home off the ground to replace a foundation, Kirkpatrick takes on projects with good clients that other contractors won’t touch – as long as they are of “quality.”

Consider this 5,000-square-foot home in Foscoe, which includes a garage and “man cave” on the lower level. It was built for a general

Quality, experience, value and especially creativity define Mountain Construction.

“That’s really what people come to Mark for is his creative ideas.”

– Carey Cloninger, Office Manager for Mountain Construction

contractor out of Wilmington: “He designed it top to bottom and came to me and said, ‘Mark, I’ve talked to seven builders and they all say I can’t do what I want to do. You are building my house because you say you can do it.”

The owner was building the home on a seven-acre property and wanted to use trees from the property in the home. He also wanted an “eyebrow dormer” over the front door. The property owner told Mark he understood that they would probably have to use laminate veneer to achieve the curved “eyebrow” design.

Mark thought otherwise.

“I said, ‘You have seven acres here. Let’s go take a walk. We walked around until we found a tree [with the desired curve or crook], cut it down, pulled it out with a chain and a tractor,” Mark said. “That tree came off his property.”

This three-story home is a work of art – just beautiful woodworking and craftsmanship. Much of the wood used in the construction came from this gentleman’s property. It features rhododendron loft and stair rails; tongue-and-groove flooring, ceiling and walls; slab mantels and slab stair treads; and debarked logs and timbers with structural and aesthetic purposes. A stone fireplace in the living room, birch-bark paneling in the bath and poplar bark siding on the exterior round out this “Linville-style” home.

One of Mark’s catchphrases is “Building Art You Can Live In,” and this mountain home in Foscoe is a vivid example of Mark’s creativity at work and his ability to aptly interpret the client’s wishes, needs and ideas on a custom project. Carey Cloninger, office manager for Mountain Construction, noted that quality, experience, value and especially creativity define Mountain Construction. “That’s really what people come to Mark for is his creative ideas,” Cloninger said.

Another project that few contractors would have taken on is a restoration of a 1930s home in Blowing Rock. The home was also built for another contractor, based out of Florida. This home was originally built on locust posts, and the project engineer specified that the home needed to be jacked up by six inches to replace the foundation and then lowered an eighth of an inch onto the new foundation. The “green” restoration also included replacing trim, several new coats of primer and paint, dehumidifying and sealing of crawlspaces and installation of a super efficient HVAC system.

“Few contractors would have taken this on,” Kirkpatrick said.

“One of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done is work with the men that do the work. [For this foundation replacement, the project manager looked at me with a smile, half-joking], ‘Don’t ever do this

This bathroom is part of a renovation project in Blowing Rock that included replacing a foundation of locust posts by lifting the home six inches. to me again.’ But then tears into the project. It’s just like, ‘Man, I got to be a part of this,’” Kirkpatrick said with a tone of awe.

To Mark, homebuilding is a serious art. Clients choose Mountain Construction for his integrity, creativity, attention to detail and solid management skills from pre-construction to the final walkthrough. For one example, Mountain Construction oversaw an 8,600-square-foot-under-roof project, which included a four-bay garage, an outside kitchen, covered porches and guest quarters above the garage. Mark spent six weeks going over the client’s project wishes and ideas during the planning and came back with an estimate. After the project was built, the estimate was only $20,000 off. In other words, the bid was on point.

To be clear, Mountain Construction doesn’t just build mansions on a mountaintop. In fact, the days of the mega-home are all but gone, Kirkpatrick said. “We do any size job as long as it’s quality,” he said. “The inspiration is doing something nice.” As Ray Knowles, a sales representative and project manager of Mountain Construction added, “You can build a 1,500 or 2,000 square foot home and put very interesting, very craftsman details into very small cottages. It doesn’t have to be an 8,000-square-foot home.

It’s all about what the customer wants and doing it right.”

Mountain Construction offers pre-construction management consultation services. They also can provide: site plan and road development layout permitting; grading, road construction, site clearing and landscape planning; design services; alternative Summer 2017

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Hearthstone NC, which Kirkpatrick founded along with Mountain Construction, is a timber frame provider servicing all of North Carolina.

Hearthstone offers a variety of truss-style designs, finishes and lumber options.

“The inspiration is doing something nice. You can build a 1,500 or 2,000 square foot home and put in very interesting, very craftsman details. It doesn’t have to be an 8,000-square-foot home. It’s all about what the customer wants and doing it right.”

– Ray Knowles, a Sales Rep and Project Manager of Mountain Construction/Hearthstone NC

Mountain Construction and Hearthstone NC staff: Ray Knowles, sales rep and project manager; Carey Cloninger, office manager; Reatha Barnes, bookkeeper; and Mark Kirkpatrick, founder/owner.

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Mark Kirkpatrick stands with a set of blueprints in his company’s office off of Poplar Grove Road South in Boone. The office has dozens of architecture and design books for clients to get ideas.

energy/green building exploration; and construction of structures and installation of owner-approved alternative energy sources.

Mountain Construction can build Hearthstone timber frame, SIP and log homes, barns and commercial structures. They will work with you as an owner/contractor or with your preferred builder. Excelling at sustainable building, the Mountain Construction staff features NAHB certified green professional builders and has built “Energy Star” and high performance homes that require little energy to heat and cool.

Also, don’t forget about buying a home and remodeling, which is naturally a greener option compared to new construction. From modest remodel projects to complete tear downs and rebuilds and major restorations of estate homes, Mountain Construction’s remodeling projects represent about 30 to 50 percent of its workload.

In addition to Mountain Construction’s custom homebuilding and remodeling services, Kirkpatrick is also a timber frame provider with Hearthstone NC. Hearthstone offers a variety of truss-style designs (king post truss, king post truss with corbel, scissor truss, arched chord truss, queenpost truss, complex truss and hammerbean truss) finishes (planed smooth, log wizard heavy planed, hand hewn, weather-aged finish, and handhewn with weather-aged finish) and lumber (cypress, oak, western red cedar, Douglas fir and eastern white pine).

While other timber frame companies have traded traditional joinery in favor of a quicker screw-and-peg method, Hearthstone doesn’t cut corners and still crafts true mortise-andtenon joinery. “They do a wonderful job not only in designing but manufacturing of the timber frames,” Knowles said.

Mountain Construction and Hearthstone NC offices are located at 1345 Poplar Grove Road South in Boone, N.C. For more information, call 828-963-8090; email info@ mountainconstruction.com; or click to www. mountainconstruction.com, where you can see a photo gallery of projects. Mark’s wife Debbie is an artist. Her website is www. arnoldfineart.com. n

The master craftsmanship in Mark Kirkpatrick’s homes is a defining feature of Mountain Construction. As his motto states, his homes are truly “Art You Can Live In.”

Since setting out on his own to build custom homes in the High Country in the ‘80s, Mark Kirkpatrick has always taken pride in his work, does things right and is enthusiastic about each job.

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alem Windows and Doors is a unique company that specializes in selling high quality wood and aluminum clad windows and doors, solid wood interior doors, solid forged-brass hardware as well as skylights. The company started in the Triad in 2008 and expanded to the High Country in 2013. Owner, Ben Heinsohn, is a former educator who transitioned into the industry keeping those “teachable moments” from the classroom in mind when interacting with customers. “This ‘customer centered approach’ permeates every aspect of our work: from the initial meeting with customers, follow up conversations & correspondence and after the sale service. Each member of our team understands these core principals, so that we can maintain the high level of trust and performance our customer have come to expect from SW&D,” says Heinsohn.

Ben Heinsohn, Founder Our secrets to success include the following company attributes: • Quality products from multiple, reputable manufacturers.

• A product selection that evolves with current building and remodeling trends.

• A growing family owned business that treats its employees like family.

• Full servicing showroom in Foscoe.

• No high pressure selling.

• Every-day value pricing.

• Certified and highly trained installers.

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• Warranty on products and installation.

Dogwood Lane, Blowing Rock - Mountain Construction

“I certainly appreciate how promptly and thoroughly you handled this even though it was a small job. You and your installers were all excellent.” – Drew V

Dogwood Lane, Blowing Rock – Mountain Construction

”We had our new windows installed by Salem Windows & Doors and we couldn’t be more pleased with the work they did. Not only were they always on time, they made sure we were satisfied before leaving the job.

We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Salem Windows & Doors to our friends and family.”

– Chris & Katie Bosken “I cannot think of a better group that I have worked with.

Feel free to use me anytime you need a reference” – Charles Darden “I have been so pleased with the work done by Salem Windows & Doors. When the windows and doors came in, they began immediately. They ran into a huge problem though as the subflooring in my house had rotted at both the front and back doors due to the improper way they were installed by the original builder…with no flashing to keep water out! I can’t say enough good about the work done for me. They are thorough and work to completion. I don’t think you’ll go wrong with Salem Windows and Doors!” – Bet Wilson

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One of our current projects underway with windows showcasing the mountain view.

Sweet Pea Lane, SweetGrass – Laurel Ridge Builders

What sets SW&D apart from other companies?

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ur products, the knowledge about them and how they fit into the industry at large, and the application of the knowledge unique to the industry make SW&D unique. Sales reps have many years experience in the business (60 years combined experience in the Foscoe location) and they stay up to date with manufacturers products through factory training seminars. SW&D has knowledge of the industry that you won’t find at the sales counter of a box store or lumber yard. Even if lumberyards have window specialists, they are more like order takers, rather than knowledgeable and informative associates. “We love what we do! Our knowledge and enthusiasm about our products, is demonstrated during all client interactions; we look forward to sharing what we know with our customers, so they can take ownership of the decisions that serve their needs, not only serving our interests.”

How many years have you been in the window, door and building supply industry?

Randy… “I’ve been working with builders and homeowners for over 30 years. For my first 16 years, I worked in Spruce Pine at Grassy Creek Hardware. Over the past 14 years, I’ve worked with the custom home builders in the Ashe, Watauga and Avery area.”

Darrell… “I’ve been in the building supply business for the past 28 years. I was with Lowes in the very early days. Touring the Marvin plant has been exciting and I’m looking forward to offering that product.”

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Randy Finley Senior Sales Rep Boone Randy is a native of McDowell County and has been working with builders and homeowners for over 30 years. For his first 16 years, he worked in Spruce Pine at Grassy Creek Hardware, a local small business with knowledgeable and helpful sales staff who help customers to finding the right product, part or paint to complete their project. He used that experience when he transitioned to the window business and has kept that friendly, helpful attitude in whatever he does. Over the past 14 years, Randy has worked with the High Country’s best custom home builders, supplying HURD Windows & Doors for new homes in Grandfather Mountain, Linville Ridge, Beech Mountain & Blowing Rock among others. His vast product knowledge and familiarity with the aluminum clad/wood products made by Sierra Pacific (formerly HURD) was a leading reason for Salem Windows & Doors’ expansion into the Boone marketplace. When Randy is not focusing on windows or doors, he is busy as a devoted husband and father as well as owner of Finley’s Fraser Firs – a Christmas Tree farm in Avery County! Randy is a true “man of the mountains” and understands life on the mountain to help guide you in your next project.

Darrell Pulliam Sales Rep Boone Darryl Pulliam grew up in Mount Airy and is another veteran of the building supply business, working in it for the past 28 years. He was involved in the early days of Lowe’s Home Improvement, when it was still a smaller building supply company. Darrell has excelled at customer service wherever he’s worked. His attention to detail and knowledge of building practices ensures that projects progress seamlessly. Darrell is new to Salem Windows & Doors, but has sold high-end windows for many years and after a recent training on MARVIN & INTEGRITY product, he will focus on representing these fine products. Darrell and his family live in Boone and he’s a true family man, pouring love and energy into his wife & 3 kids, local soccer leagues, his churches and the Boy Scouts of America.

Scenic Door by Origin

Mitchell Condos, Blue Ridge Mountain Club – New Leaf Homes Summer 2017

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Why the High Country?

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hile SW&D had been selling up in the High Country for several years, we realized that to better serve and support our existing and new customers, a local showroom presence was needed. Finding the right person to anchor the store was critiMitchell Condos, Blue Ridge Mountain Club – New Leaf Homes cal to maintaining our success and Randy Finley was the right person to build the store around. They opened their second showroom at 8968 Hwy.105 S in Foscoe, just south of Boone, in 2013 and built upon the founding principles of sharing their extensive product knowledge, customer service, and a firm understanding of the marketplace with customers.

Many people choose the High Country for year round and seasonal living and areas and have homes that lend themselves to a relaxed ambiance and to the quality of the products Salem Windows & Doors offers. They specialize in natural wood products clad in aluminum or fiberglass on the exterior.

These durable, lasting materials enable homeowners to have large expansive window or door openings that enhance the mountain panorama without sacrificing energy efficiency or performance.

“When you buy windows and doors, you are cutting a hole into your house. Are you going to fill it with plastic or a material that is more solid, stable and energy efficient?” Not only do windows and doors affect heating and cooling factors, Heinsohn points out that they can affect the way you live. The flow and use of the house can be altered with the creative and efficient use of windows and doors.

Blue Ridge Mountain Club – New Leaf Homes

Blue Ridge Mountain Club – New Leaf Homes

“Earning someone’s trust is a big responsibility and it’s one my team and I take very seriously.”

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Darrell Pulliam, Ben Heinsohn and Randy Finley

What do you want customers to know about SW&D?

“O

ur team has several common motivators: confidence and knowledge in the products we sell and in our leadership, the enjoyment of interacting with people within our community, and maintaining long term relationships to our suppliers.” The relationships with our partner manufacturers, ensures that the after sales service, which directly affects the homeowner, is followed and maintains our comittment to both manufacturer and homeowner.

“The products we sell are made to order by craftsmen & women, not mass produced on a production line, which ensures the highest quality standards and tight tolerances are followed. Marvin’s company origins date back to 1904 and Sierra Pacific has its roots in 1918. Both companies are located in small towns where generations have produced these products. The descendants of those early workers now utilize the latest technology that enhances the traditions that parents and grandparents established.

You can see the quality and attention to detail captured in the end result.”

What do you enjoy about your job?

Randy… “I enjoy seeing the finished product.

I’ve been fortunate over the past 14 years working in the High Country to see my finished work with projects in Grandfather Golf and Country Club, Linville Ridge, Elk River Club and also individual homes.”

Darrell… “I’m glad that I can raise my family here and that I can use my building supply experience with a company like SW&D. The opportunity of working with SW&D: this structure of our company is unique and enables the sales rep to be successful by representing quality brands like Marvin & Sierra Pacific…”

Valle Crucis at Clark’s Creek – Boone Construction Summer 2017

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Salem Windows & Doors Showroom In Foscoe

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What to expect with a showroom visit

W&D is NOT an intimidating, construction-style business or lumber yard. “Our showroom is an environment in which everyone - individuals or families, experienced custom builder or first time homeowner - can feel comfortable. We understand that most people usually have little knowledge about the products they are seeking: whether for building, remodeling or replacing and are depending upon others to make sure they get the right products. Windows and Doors are integral to the quality of a home. They are part of the core construction of the house and become a main factor in the overall quality of the building. We take the necessary time to explain the options, the benefits and/ or limitations of certain products so that the homeowner can take ownership and feel more comfortable with this major decision.�

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W&D knows that seeing and operating the windows & doors helps people experience and evaluate what options they want in their home. “We’ve invested in new displays and updates to our showrooms, featuring the latest product options and building trends which enhance the experience for our customers” says Heinsohn. “We showcase scenic doors which help expand indoor living areas to outdoor living areas and capture the scenic views of the High Country,” said Ben. The showroom is staffed from 8-5 Mon-Fri and appointments are not necessary, but with increased demand, calling ahead would ensure you get the full attention of the sales reps and desired customer experience. “We are a business that is structured to have in-depth conversations; its built into our company DNA. We don’t “sell” to our customers; instead, we aim to educate our customers, giving knowledge to them, so they can make an informed decision on which products to use in their home.

Proudly Featuring: Marvin, Integrity & Sierra Pacific

Salem Windows & Doors is located at 8968 N.C. 105 South in Foscoe Boone Showroom - 828-963-6016

www.salemwindowsanddoors.com Summer 2017

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Use a Professional in

Landscaping Landscaping

No job is too big or too small for companies.

They can seed, plant and mulch by hand or excavate swaths of land, moving giant boulders to make a natural-looking swimming hole. While mowing and weedeating lawns in the summer comes to mind when thinking about landscaping services, these talented professionals offer much more throughout the year to help maintain the beauty of your property.

Boulder gardens, calming waterfalls, stone patios and a seasonal array of colorful flowers are just a few landscaping ideas you can incorporate in the backyard. All create a juxtaposition of sights, sounds and textures.

T

BEFORE

o make your yard beautiful, sometimes you have to bring in the big machinery for landscaping work that is outside the scope of lawn maintenance. No need to fret though. The excavators, backhoes, mulchers and track loaders – not to mention all the attachments like augers, buckets, forks and blades – will have your property looking spectacular in no time.

AFTER

Building Relationships Through Great Landscapes™

!

828-737-0308

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Custom Landscaping to Turn Your Yard Into the Garden of Your Dreams!

As the premier landscaping company in the area, we have all the facilities knowledge and experience to do outstanding professional landscaping projects.

We are now open year round and look forward to helping you with all your landscaping needs.

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Hwy. 105 in Linville at the foot of Grandfather Mountain 828.733.3726 | www.mountaineerlandscapingcom Member: NC Nursery & Landscaping Association Summer 2017 |

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More about

Most Popular Selling Plants & Shrubs

Delivery or Pick-Up Available

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he best-selling plant for the Mustard Seed Market in Blowing Rock is the hydrangea, according to co-owner Danielle Stewart. “That’s probably the bestseller hands down,� Stewart said, noting that they carry about 30 varieties of the hydrangea.

Other best sellers include the flame azalea, rhododendrons, conifers and Japanese maples.

All of these plants do well in the High Country’s climate. The Mustard Seed Market prides itself in specializing in varieties that are both cold hardy and interesting throughout the four seasons. They also plant with “wonderful organic soils,� Stewart said, so customers “don’t have to do all the dirty work.� See info on Mustard Seed Market below.

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Roto Tiller...................... $32/per day Backhoe Mini . .............. $180/per day Stump Grinder .............. $265/per day Track hoe ...................... $200/per day Pressure Washer ........... $45/per day Lawn Trimmer ............... $26/per day Leaf Blower ................... $29/per day

ALORE r ORGANIC HERBS r HEIRLOOM VEG

$VTUPN 1MBOUFE $POUBJOFST r -BOETDBQF *OTUBMMBUJPO Garden Consultation and Design Your Favorite Destination Garden Shop )JHIXBZ 4PVUI r #MPXJOH 3PDL r .POEBZ 4BUVSEBZ BN QN www.themustardseedmarketnc.com

DY PERENNIALS r VERTICAL GARDENS r NAT

Open Monday - Friday 8 to 5 Saturday from 9 to Noon

Equipment Rentals

“Let us make your garden successful�

IV E

828-264-4210

Materials Pine Mulch ................... $25/per yard Red Dye Mulch ............. $38/per yard Screened Topsail .......... $40/per yard Topsoil Mix.................... $45/per yard Red Mortar Sand ........... $70/per yard Granite Gravel ............... $40/per ton Decorative Boulders ..... $95/per ton

ES r GORGEOUS ANNUALS r FAIRY GARDENS r H

Located on Hwy. 321 between Boone & Tweetsie

SG

We called around so you don’t have to.

Here’s an idea of approximate costs for landscaping equipment rentals and materials such as mulch, sand and gravel in the High Country.

Costs will certainly vary.

GI

SHRUBS & TREES r CRAZY CONIFERS r RHODIE

Serving the High Country since 1980 with Quality Landscape Mulch, Sand, Gravel and Custom Soil Mixes

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Landscaping

AR

Highland Landscape Supplies

L andscaping M aintenance What It Takes To Have a Green Yard in the Mountains How does the neighbor across the street have such nice looking, green grass.

Well, he either knew what he was doing or called in a pro. If you don’t have the know how, call in a professional landscaper to make your lawn the nicest on the block.

Fertilizing: Feed you lawn with fertilizer in the spring when the soil temperature hits 55 degrees; this is about the same time that grass starts growing. Wait four weeks for the second feeding, and thereafter fertilize every six to eight weeks through October.

Cutting: Mowing is a science. Here are a few tips from the pros: Only mow the top one-third of the grass blades at a time by adjusting your mower height. Wait until your lawn is dry, Vary mowing patterns to avoid stomping on the same spots, and then leave the grass clippings on your lawn to provide nutrients for the soil.

Disease Control: Diseases that infect lawns usually do so when the blades of grass are wet. Consider watering lawns in the a.m., which leaves the grass plenty of sunshine to dry out thoroughly. If you are already watering properly and mowing at the correct height, fungicide application may be the next step.

Sunlight: Don’t plant any grass underneath rhododendrons. Grass generally needs four to six hours of direct sunlight per day, but some cool season/shade tolerant grasses are able to thrive on less sunlight. Be sure to check the label of the grass seed, and when you do mow in the shade, leave the grass blades one inch or less taller than in the sunny areas.

At Boone Rent-All & Parties Too, our mission is to help people solve problems, accomplish goals, and fulfill dreams by providing the best equipment and service while reflecting the values taught by Christ.

Since 1972 we have focused on providing the best equipment, the best service and the best value to our customers. It is our privilege to be of service to you and we are fully prepared to meet your equipment and party/special event needs. Serving western North Carolina since 1972, we are family owned and operated as a part of the Boone Rentals, Inc. family with another store in Banner Elk, NC: Avery Rent-All. Since we have been in business for over 40 years, we are large enough and diversified enough to have the equipment you need when and where you need it. We carry equipment and related accessories for the contractor (residential and commercial), the homeowner and the do-it-yourselfer. Our well-trained staff can recommend specific pieces of equipment so that your job is completed correctly and efficiently.

We also stock for sale and service the full line of HUSQVARNA LAWN AND GARDEN EQUIPMENT. So no matter what your need we are prepared and equipped to handle it with the best products the world has to offer. Our entire staff will do their best to serve you quickly, at an unbeatable value and with the best equipment, service and supplies available. Come in and put the people and equipment of Boone Rent-All & Parties Too to work for you.

1818 Hwy 105 Bypass, Boone, NC 28607 828-264-5000 | www.boonerent-all.com Summer 2017

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EQUIPMENT FOR RENT AERIAL WORK PLATFORMS AIR COMPRESSORS & PNEUMATIC TOOLS COMPACTION CONCRETE & MASONRY & REBAR DRILLING, CORE DRILLING & DEMOLITION EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT FORKLIFTS & MATERIAL LIFTS HEATERS LADDERS LAWN & GARDEN LIGHT TOWERS & GENERATORS PAINT & WALLPAPER PLUMBING & PIPES PORTABLE RESTROOMS PRESSURE WASHER & PUMPS RUG/CARPET/FLOOR CARE SANDERS SAWS SCAFFOLDING STORAGE / OFFICE CONTAINERS SURFACE PREP TRENCHERS WELDER / CUTTING TORCH

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Ideas for o t ourself rojects Battery-Powered Equipment Gets the Job Done

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nce professionals on the ground start vouching for products, you know the technology has arrived to not be a waste of time, effort and money. While battery-powered tools aren’t exactly cutting-edge technology, “only recently have lithium-ion cordless tools begun to match their corded brethren,” ProToolReviews.com wrote last August.

Sure, we’ve been using cordless drills around the house or in the garage for years, but now technology has advanced to the point that professional landscapers are using batterypowered blowers, chainsaws, trimmers, pole saws, edge saws and more to get the job done.

And if they can work efficiently on the jobsite, we can certainly do the same around the house.

Boone Rent-All & Parties Too has a full line of battery-powered Husqvarna equipment mentioned above at its Boone store.

Farmers Rental and Power Equipment stocks the Stihl-brand equipment at its Boone store.

Both businesses offer professional-grade and consumer-grade equipment.

From reading the company promos, hearing customer testimonials and interviewing salesman at the local dealers, the pros of bat-

tery-powered tools outweigh the cons. More mobility, nearly silent motors, less vibration, no gas and oil spillage and not having to go into town on a Saturday morning because you ran out of gas or you can’t start your machine.

With these tools, there’s no rope to pull, choke switch or primer pump. Just push a button and go. “It doesn’t matter if it has sat for a year or a minute,” said Richard Campbell, a

salesman at Boone Rent-All. “You never have starting issues.”

All of the tools use the same type of batteries, so they are completely interchangeable.

Quicker, lower amp batteries are available for a quicker charge, yet they have a quicker discharge. This is fine for quick, little jobs around the house, and higher-amp batteries are available for longer-lasting jobs.

A backpack battery exists that can run all day. As for the backpack battery, Campbell described it as a “pretty impressive little machine.” While the battery-powered tools are a bit more expensive than their counterparts, Campbell said that over the life of the tool, the owner should come out ahead because they never have to pay for gas or oil again. “You also get a much longer life because you are not getting ethanol damage,” Campbell noted.

This summer seems like the right time to check out battery-powered equipment to finish your landscaping projects around the backyard or homestead. Check out Boone Rent-All & Parties Too, and Farmers Rental and Power Equipment for more details.

By Jesse Wood

Consider Renting a Backhoe or Swiveling Dump Buggy

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ummer is nearly here and that means it’s time to finish those projects in the backyard or on the homestead that you’ve waited all winter long to begin.

If we’ve been dreading some of these projects because of the backbreaking work involved, the local equipment rental companies have toppled at least one of our excuses. Boone Rent-All & Parties Too and Farmers Rental and Power Equipment have a slew of machines to help complete the job.

They offer just about anything you can think of to rent related to fixing, repairing, building, landscaping and more – from a wallpaper steamer to an excavator. So instead of going out and spending thousands of dollars on equipment that you will seldom use, why not rent it for a fraction of the cost? You’ll get the job done faster and you’ll never have to worry about maintenance, storage and the like.

Richard Campbell, a sales rep at Boone Rent-All, offered up a couple machines that people might not have ever thought about renting before: a mini 2,000-pound excavator and a concrete dump buggy that swivels.

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The mini backhoe can dig several feet deep. A small and light machine, Campbell said the machine is operable in tight quarters. Plus, it’s “not an incredibly complicated or intimidating machine.” The excavator is good for clearing out trenches by the driveway, new ditch lines, areas for septic systems, water lines and anything that requires dirt removal.

“You can get a lot of work done around the house,” Campbell said.

The other machine is the new swiveling concrete dump buggy. You can fill it up with concrete, rocks dirt, mulch or whatever you want to spread around and move. The swivel allows you to get in tight areas and dump where you want the material to fall. The machine is self propelled.

“Landscapers use it a lot. Folks who are spreading mulch fill it up rather than carry in a wheelbarrow,” Campbell said. “ You stand behind it and it drives on its own.”

Check out Boone Rent-All and Farmers Rental for a full list of items that you can rent to complete any unfinished products with a bit more ease than you initially thought.

By Jesse Wood

Summer Rentals, Battery-Powered Tools, and Mowers

Zero-Turn Mowers Trending With Homeowners

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ment include Simplicity, Wright and Bob-Cat. Note that they sell both homeowner and commercial grade mowers. Their staff is happy to find the perfect mower for your property and usage.

Known for its great customer service, Farmers Rentals services everything in house that it sells. So if you run into a bind, they can get you back at it again in no time. For more information, visit Farmers Rentals at 678 N.C. 105 in Boone, click to www.farmersrentals.com or call 828-264-6044.

f you want to finish mowing your lawn in half the time on Saturday morning and get on with the rest of your weekend, consider a zeroturn mower, which has been trending among homeowners for several years now.

No longer are these quick and versatile machines just used by landscaping contractors. Homeowners can take advantage of the benefits of a zero-turn mower, too.

The main advantage of a zero-turn mower is that you can mow your property twice as fast compared to a traditional, tractor-style riding lawnmower. Part of the reason for the quick mowing is that you don’t have to spend time backing up and turning around as you would with other mowers. “You can mow so much faster ‌ because they are very maneuverable and you can mow at a higher ground speed,â€? said Steve Greene, owner of Farmers Rentals and Power Equipment in Boone. “That’s why everybody is wanting to go that way. It’s just the trend really. Once you learn how to use them, you can take them a lot of different places.â€?

The zero-turn mowers start at $2,999 and the tractor-style riding mowers start at $2,399. The most popular line of mower sold at Farmers Rentals is Ferris, which has full, independent suspension on each wheel for a more comfortable ride and better tracking.

Other brands of mowers at Farmers Rentals and Power Equip-

We’ve Got What You Need!

Everything You Need This Summer to Get Your Yard & Garden Picture Perfect!

Push and Riding Lawnmowers

We’ve Got It! Rent or Buy Today!

Leaf and Debris Blowers

Farmers Rentals and Power Equipment is the High Country’s one-stop shop for equipment rental, sales and service since 1986. Family owned and operated, we offer a wide-ranging rental inventory with top name brands, complete parts and service department and a very knowledgeable staff to assist you.

Chainsaws

WWW.FARMERSRENTALS.COM .$ ".&9 7*4" %*4$07&3 828.264.6044 )*()8": &95 t #00/& /035) $"30-*/"

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

Monday-Friday 7:30-5:30 Saturday 7:30-1:00 Closed Sundays Summer 2017

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New Kitchens Trends Under Counter Refrigerators

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inspired by our mountains customized by you

nder-counter refrigerators are a continuing trend for both those looking to save money and those with a few extra bucks to spend. If you don’t have much room, an under-counter fridge is a space saver, and if you don’t want to have to look at a refrigerator – or any of your other appliances, for that matter – an undercounter option can feature a panel or front that matches your custom cabinets. An under-counter refrigerator also allows you to install your fridge within an island or hidden in island cabinetry.

CABLERAIL

Maximizing Kitchen Space

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s Better Homes and Garden stated in its latest Kitchen Cabinetry trends column, “Twenty years ago, kitchen cabinets were well equipped if they included a lazy Susan and a built-in spice rack.” Nowadays, efficiency of space is the goal and places that used to, for example, feature a vertical false front are now “customized spots for pans such as cookie sheets and muffin tins.” Also consider floor-to-ceiling cabinetry to use space otherwise filled by air, and utilize drawers or pullouts in lower-level cabinets instead of doors.

FLO ORIN G HARDWARE D E C O R & A RT BARK FINISHES MANTELS & SLABS

Side Swing & French Door Ovens

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s appliances evolve, the space they occupy is changes accordingly. Ovens, for instance, are no longer stationed on the floor. Since they are now mounted on the wall or placed above cabinets, these ovens now feature side-swing doors. A stylish option is to place two of these opposite swinging-door ovens to create the French door impression.

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Custom Kitchen Cabinets At The Intersection Of Function, Style And Craftsmanship Are Custom Kitchen Cabinets

Planning Custom Kitchen Cabinets

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lot of planning goes into custom kitchen cabinets. Your kitchen and appliances must be measured, and molding profiles, stock and finishes must be selected. What type of door styles, hardware and drawer slides do you want? What about an island? Do you want cabinets made out of a particular type of wood or a composite material that is suitable to paint? Expect to pay more than you would for stock cabinets at a big-box store; custom cabinets for a typical kitchen can cost more than $10,000.

This process doesn’t have to be difficult. A little communication goes a long way.

Kitchen designers and general contractors are on hand to engage with both the homeowner and cabinetmaker. If you want to handle the process on your own, just pick up the phone.

Cabinetmakers would love your business, and you’ll probably enjoy poking your head into their creative workshop.

Beauty. Form.

Function.

Free Samples. Free Design.

Free Shipping.

Exceptional Cabinetry Made Affordable

www.UltimateKitchensDirect.com | Phone: 1.888.926.4585 9872 NC Highway 105 S, #10, Banner Elk, NC 28604 Summer 2017

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R.L. Suddreth The Man To Call for Your Flooring Needs

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By Jesse Wood

Abbey Carpet and Floor has an incredible selection of carpet, ceramic tile, hardwood, vinyl floors and rugs in its showroom at 221 Boone Heights Drive in Boone.

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hen it comes to providing flooring services and products in the High Country, only two initials come to mind: RL. Over the past half century, R.L. Suddreth has become the go-to guy for the flooring needs of homeowners and contractors in the region and beyond.

Today, Suddreth manages Abbey Carpet & Floor in Boone, but his career in the industry began in 1971, when as a 19-year-old, he started installing for the original Storie’s Carpet in Blowing Rock for $1.90 an hour. He eventually ran the

Blowing Rock store before moving on to Abbey Carpet & Floor in Boone several years ago.

Having dealt with Suddreth at both flooring stores as a regional sales manager for Shaw Industries, Chris Collins has known Suddreth for nearly 25 years, saying that R.L. has always done a great job. “He’s probably told you how many years he’s been up the road there [in Blowing Rock] and now [in Boone]. It’s been a lifetime for most people,” Collins said. “There’s no telling how many literally hundreds of thousands of feet of car-

pet and tens of thousands of feet of hard surface he’s put in. If somebody is looking to get something done in that area, that’s who they call.”

Born in Lenoir, Suddreth grew up in Blowing Rock, where he spent summers and weekends with his aunt and uncle.

Suddreth remembered the old days of Blowing Rock as wonderful. When Suddreth was 14, he worked at the local hangout, Storie’s Soda Shop. As he didn’t go to college, he just kept on working.

He washed dishes at the Sunshine Inn and bartended at Antler’s Bar in Blowing

“He’s something else – the best thing that ever happened to this business. RL has a wonderful name in the community and everybody holds him in high regard.

I’ve known him to be a wonderful person, husband, father and grandfather and wonderful, wonderful employee. I couldn’t ask for anybody better than R.L.” – John Winkler, Owner, Abbey Carpet & Flooring Summer 2017

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Abbey Carpet has been a proud provider of quality flooring, professional installation, and outstanding customer service to the High Country since 2003.

RL Suddreth, who manages Abbey Carpet and Floor, speaks with a customer about a particular line of hardwood flooring.

Quick Step is one of the dozen-plus laminate brands that Abbey Carpet and Floor offer. They also offer two exclusive laminate collections, Alexander Smith and American Showcase.

RL Suddreth mans the forklift in warehouse space behind the showroom at Boone Heights Drive. A loading dock exists in the rear of the building for deliveries or pickup.

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Rock. “I bartended on the weekend and laid carpet in the day for several years until I got married,” he said.

In fact, Suddreth and his wife of 36 years, Susan, met at Storie’s Carpet decades ago when she worked in the store’s office one summer. “The first day on the job, I walked in and Gail Storie said, ‘This guy is nothing but trouble. I am not going to even tell you his name. Just go in this office.’ And two weeks later, we were going down Sampson.”

Sampson Road was a weekend hotspot back in the day, so it’s not surprising that was the setting of their first date. East of Blowing Rock, Sampson is a country road that ventures into Caldwell County, and Suddreth, who loves fast cars, used to navigate the river crossings and rough terrain of Sampson in his FJ40 Land Cruiser.

“They have bridges down there now … but that’s where we used to go every weekend,” Suddreth said.

When Suddreth started working in the flooring industry in the early ‘70s, most of the business revolved around the second-home and gated communities, such as Grandfather Golf and Country Club, which was “cranking up” when Suddreth first started installing.

“Forty years ago, you couldn’t wait to see Florida people because you were waiting for them to come the first of April. That’s where the work was at,” Suddreth said. “Now, it’s year round, but back in the days, they came up May 1 and closed their houses up and left Sept. 1.

The early days of Suddreth installing carpet in the High Country offer perhaps his most memorable onthe-job story. Suddreth went to take measurements at a home off of Tea-

RL Suddreth is a proud grandfather. His two grandchildren, Ansleigh and Beau, sit on the counter at Abbey Carpet and Floor in Boone. berry Hills Road, and the dog was supposed to be on the back porch. “After I got everything measured downstairs, I opened the door at the top of the steps, and all I saw was teeth,” Suddreth said.

“This dog ran me down the steps, and I stayed in the bathroom for about three hours until someone came home because there was no cellphones to call out back in the day.”

During his career, the flooring projects have, of course, evolved. When hardwoods were utilized, stain-and-wax solid hardwood was the product of choice.

Today, pre-finished hardwood floors are demanded by renters and homebuyers, which are willing to pay up for the product. Engineered hardwood is more popular than its solid counterpart because it’s easier to install.

Most of the carpet that was sold and installed decades ago was jute-back carpet, accord-

ing to Suddreth. The jute is a natural fiber made of mostly plant material. “Today, most everything is synthetic,” Suddreth said. “But there are stills some wools that come from overseas that have the jute on it still.”

Looking back, a few carpet jobs come to mind for Suddreth. One of those was Crossnore School, where Suddreth and the crew installed walled carpet 20 feet high in the gymnasium as a sound barrier. “We were like glue monkeys when we got done,” he said. “Glue was all over us. It was awful, but we did it.”

A couple other jobs include the houses of Ray Lutgert, the late developer of

Linville Ridge. Suddreth made a beautiful sunrise out of carpet on the wall of Lutgert’s bedroom in Blowing Rock and he lined a tunneled entrance going into Lutgert’s home in Linville Ridge. The latter was featured in Architectural Digest magazine. Taking a look at his work, you know Suddreth is a craftsman, one who takes pride in doing the job right – and we all know that isn’t always a guarantee these days.

He’s also an expert rug maker. The crafting of handmade, high-quality rugs is today a dying art. He used to make many bordered rugs for Broyhill Furniture’s old showroom in Lenoir, and he’s made about a dozen rugs for his wife’s classrooms over the years. Susan, who teaches kindergarten at Parkway School, said his rugs are always in high demand. Also, Suddreth made an 18-by-20-foot American flag for the backdrop of the Jaycees

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Taking a look at his work, you know Suddreth is a craftsman, one who takes pride in doing the job right – and we all know that isn’t always a guarantee these days.

Abbey Carpet and Floor has a vast selection of hardwood flooring, including hickory, cherry, walnut, maple, exotics, cork, bamboo and more. The flooring is available in different shades, brands and construction, i.e. engineered or solid.

Abbey Carpet has been a proud provider of quality flooring, professional installation, and outstanding customer service to the High Country since 2003.

Miss Junior Pageant. Asked if he does much of this work anymore, Suddreth simply replied, “No. Just my knees.”

Installing flooring in just one house is enough to make your knees sore in the morning. Imagine the hundreds of houses in the High Country and beyond where Suddreth has worked. For about 18 years, he installed for Storie’s Carpet in Blowing Rock before moving inside for sales, estimations and management.

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or jobsites. Suddreth has a photographic memory and can remember the layout of just about every house he’s ever encountered. His wife, Susan, confirmed: “A lot of times, people come in and tell him what house they want measured and he’ll say, ‘Oh yeah. So and so lived there’ or ‘I’ve done that bedroom before.’ I used to joke that he’s been in more people’s homes than anybody here.”

Suddreth worked at Storie’s Carpet for 39 years before it closed several years ago – at which time John Winkler, owner of Abbey Carpet & Flooring, offered him

Summer 2017

the management position in Boone. Winkler spoke mighty high of Suddreth.

“He’s something else – the best thing that ever happened to this business. RL has a wonderful name in the community and everybody holds him in high regard,” Winkler said. “I’ve known him to be a wonderful person, husband, father and grandfather and wonderful, wonderful employee. I couldn’t ask for anybody better than R.L.” If you ever walked in the Blowing Rock or Boone stores he managed, you would have assumed he owned them.

Both Winkler and the Stories got out of his way and let Suddreth run the store as he saw fit. In talking with him, you can sense a tinge of regret at not going out on his own.

“I stayed in Blowing Rock, working in that store. I learned it all and it was a good job to have all those years, and I should have went out on my own years and years ago, but I’ve always worked for somebody else. Everyone asks why don’t you start your own business. But I don’t know, I’m too old now,” said Suddreth, who turns 66 in September.

Suddreth isn’t sure how much longer he’ll keep at it. He’s no longer on the Blowing Rock Fire Department, where he spent 35 years protecting the community. He’s still playing golf, though, and meeting his buddies for breakfast every morning, and he absolutely adores his two grandchildren, Ansleigh and Beau.

He’s still grouchy if you catch him in the mood, but he keeps a positive attitude – “You have good days and you have a lot better ones.” – and you’ll likely come out of the store in a better mood than you were before you started talking to him. He and Susan are longtime members of the Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock and have helped hundreds of local families in need over the years. They have two grown

RL Suddreth shows off some of the carpet samples. Abbey Carpet products features different fibers, colors, types and brands. See the variety in person at the showroom or on the store’s website. children, Ethan and Ashley.

Over the years, Suddreth has had such a great rapport with his customers. He said he’s been blessed to have loyal customers all of these years – as they pretty much followed him when he moved over to Abbey Carpet and Floor. He’s been doing it so long, now, that he’s done jobs for generations of families and has returned to houses he serviced in the beginning. “I’ve been blessed with good, loyal customers,” Suddreth said. “It’d be nice to hang it up, but everyone asks where are they going to get their floors.”

Abbey Carpet and Floor

Abbey Carpet has been proud providers of quality flooring, professional installation, and outstanding customer service to the High Country since 2003. Abbey has an incredible selection of carpet, ceramic tile, hardwood and vinyl floors. Abbey Carpet and Flooring’s showroom in Boone is located at 221 Boone Heights Drive and can be reached at 828-265-3622. For more information, click to www.abbeycarpet.com. n

If you are not sure how a particular product will look with the lighting at your home, Abbey Carpet will let you borrow a sample for review. As it has been for decades, RL’s customer service is top notch.

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The Rise of Alexa in the Smart Home

hile a robot isn’t yet brushing our teeth in the shower, The Jetsons age is steadily upon us inside the home. Programmable vacuums roam the grounds while we’re away and our lights turnoff when we step out of a room. A natural next step is the presence of digital voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, Microsoft’s Cortana and Google’s voice assistant, which we will eventually communicate through to get anything done inside the home.

This year, 35.6 million Americans will use a voice-activated assistant device at least once a month and 60.5 million Americans will use a virtual assistant, according to eMarketer’s first forecast on users of digital assistants predicted in May 2017.

Note that Alexa, which captures about 70 percent of this market’s share, is the software and considered a virtual assistant, while the Amazon Echo is the actual device to reach Alexa.

Alexa’s smart home capabilities can span the following areas of the home: theater, lighting, lawn/garden, heating/cooling, washer/ dryer, cleaning system, thermostat, kitchen, cameras, security, appliance/outlet and cooking, according to Amazon. Currently, Amazon’s Smart Home Skill API currently supports lights, switches, smart plugs and thermostats, including turning devices on and off, dimming

lights and thermostat controls. For example, customers can: Turn their devices on or off: “Alexa, turn on/off the kitchen light” or “Alexa, turn on/off the heat.”

Brighten or dim their lights: “Alexa, brighten the kitchen light” or “Alexa, dim the kitchen light.”

Set lights or temperature: “Alexa, set the kitchen light to 50%” or “Alexa, set the heat to 72 degrees.”

Ranging from roughly $70 to $700, here are a few of the best Alexa-compatable smart home gadgets of 2017, according to C|NET: • Philips Hue White LED Starter Kit for compatible smart bulbs • Lifx Color 1000 for voice-activated light bulb color changes • Lutron Caseta In-Wall Wireless Smart Lighting Kit for smart switches • Haiku Home Haiku Light for best high-end smart lights • Emerson Sensi for best thermostat • Neato Botvac Connected Robot Vacuum The latter won the “Best Alexa showcase” honor from C|NET, which stated: “Admit it. You want to tell an artificial intelligence to another artificial intelligence to clean your carpets. With Alexa and Neato, you can – plus, it’s one of the best robot vacuums we’ve tested.”

5 Reasons to Have a Good Construction Contract

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f contractors and construction crews are working on your home and property, protect yourself with some sort of binding contract. In case issues arise down the road, you’ll be thankful you did.

It’s not uncommon for problems to surface, even in the simplest of projects. So it’s important for the general contractor, subcontractors and homeowner to consider how disputes or misunderstandings should be handled. Creating a contract with all parties involved allows the demands to be spelled out clearly and in the end is a deciding factor in doling out responsibility for various stages of the project. A contract also sets a timeline for completion.

Designating a third-party mediator might be helpful in keeping the relationship between the homeowner, contractors and construction crews on the positive side.

Following are some recommendations from Paul Capua, an AV-Preminent-rated lawyer, founding attorney of Capua Law Firm in Boone and Miami, Fla. Capua’s practice focuses on U.S. & International construction litigation and arbitration.

He’s represented contractors and institutional clients in state and federal court. Capua lectures and trains clients on risk management and contracting principles in construction matters. For more info about upcoming seminars, visit www. capualawfirm.com.

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Negotiating a contract forces the owner and general contractor to sit together, work through difficult issues, and make tough decisions when everyone is in good spirits. This “meeting of the minds” should be viewed as an opportunity to manage expectations and eliminate misunderstanding. (e.g., the plans show a retaining wall on the property, but it is not included in the control estimate. Who’s responsible?)

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General contracting is governed by the law of contracts.

Therefore, contracts are a major and essential part of construction projects, large and small.

One of the fundamental aspects of risk management is understanding and protecting each party’s silo of responsibility. Contracts define the roles and responsibilities of the numerous parties involved in construction projects– e.g., owner, architect, engineer, contractors, etc., and so without a good contract, there is diffuse and unclear accountability, which creates problems. (e.g., who is or should be responsible for foundation problems, the structural engineer or contractor?).

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A good contract includes essential clauses specifically tailored to the project and risks.

A good contract avoids “gotcha” clauses that create liability and unfairly allocate risk.

G&B Energy & Design Cast Concrete Identify 5 Outdoor Living Trends

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utdoor living spaces are the favorite part of the home for many.

Whether that includes a hot tub or a fireplace to warm up with on a chilly evening or an outdoor kitchen with comfortable seating to enjoy a summer cookout, the design and build of an outdoor space comes with quite a checklist – and plenty of options. See some of the latest outdoor living trends identified by G&B Energy and DesignCast Concrete.

1. Multiple Cooking Appliances - One grill just isn’t cutting it for most homeowners anymore. Outdoor spaces are now featuring a combination of gas grills, charcoal grills, wood-fired grills, and smokers. Homeowners are even building grills into islands or cabinets. Not only are people buying more and more high end, elaborate grills, they are also falling in love with full-scale outdoor kitchens including pizza ovens, refrigerators, warming drawers and much more. Outdoor kitchens are continuing to replicate indoor kitchens with all the accessories and features.

2. Sophisticated Seating - Outdoor furniture that looks like indoor furniture is a fast growing trend. Today’s outdoor living spaces are much more than just a few patio chairs. We are talking upholstered, fade resistant and weather resistant outdoor furniture. Homeowners want outdoor seating that is as comfortable and stylish as their indoor living rooms.

They are also looking for built-in seating structures or those that double as seating such as benches and seating walls.

3. Fireplaces, Fire Pits and Fire Bowls - Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and fire bowls complement any outdoor area. Homeowners love fire features for their functionality, aesthetic appeal and warmth — both literally and emotionally. In fact, according to Better Homes and Gardens, more than half of all millennials have open-fire features in their outdoor space!

Newer versions make fire amenities more accessible with compact design and fewer venting concerns. Gas fireplaces, fire pits and fire bowls make an outdoor space even more functional by offering an elegant glow with the flick of a switch. This ease and ambience is a huge selling point for many homeowners.

4. Customized Lighting - Lighting is a key component of any outdoor space, and we can see that homeowners are making it a priority.

Layered outdoor lighting seems to be a big trend starting. First, you put the general lighting into the space, which is the light that fills the area — such as a wall-mounted light. The second layer of light is added for function, safety, and security. These lights can be placed around a path and in the landscaping or can be built into your outdoor-kitchen area. This second layer of lighting adds a nice and fun touch to your space.

5. Decorative Stamped Concrete - More and more people are seeking out decorative stamped concrete for their outdoor spaces. This trend has been going strong for the past couple of years, but we are now seeing homeowners choosing even bolder concrete options for their homes. Homeowners are continuing to be drawn to concrete for its value, longevity and low maintenance costs. One of the best features of concrete is the never-ending array of colors and styles. Stamped concrete can be made to look like other paving materials such as brick, wood, travertine, stone, and cobblestone.

Sebastian says these trends as identified by the industry’s trade foundation, are part of the exciting treads that are making patio lifestyle much more affordable and a relaxing . . .

Other interesting tidbits from the Saber Grills Survey Study is that 9 percent of the folks surveyed who had an outdoor room had TV’s installed, and 49 percent had Wi-Fi, 47 percent had special lighting and 35 percent, who called themselves adventurous entertainers had two grills and invited frequent guests over to try out new recipes.

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A One-Stop Shop for Your Home

Fine Furniture, Interiors and Design

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Located off of N.C. 105 near Banner Elk, Tatum Galleries offers beautiful handmade furniture, timeless accessories and full interior design services for new residential and commercial construction and remodels.

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f you are decorating a new space fresh ideas to help make your home as the front door opens.

Steve and Sally Tatum opened or interested in transforming the live and look better. The inspirational space you already live in, Tatum shop welcomes its customers with a Tatum Galleries along N.C.105 in the Galleries in Banner Elk, North Caro- visual feast of curated spaces as soon mid-‘80s. Steve designed and built custom furniture in the lina is the place to visit. basement of the shop Whether it’s upholstery, while Sally sold home accessories, furniture, decor items and offered interior design, or cusher interior design sertom pieces, Tatum Galvices to customers from leries provides inspiramany different parts of tion along with talented the southeast region. designers who will help Although Steve is a bit you reimagine the most more preoccupied with personal of spaces— the couple’s other busiyour home. ness, Grandfather Vine“We are a one-stop yard and Winery, the shop because we do evconcept of the shop reerything,” said Summer mains the same today.

Hays, retail sales manTatum Galleries’ cusager for Tatum Galleries.

The gals at Tatum Galleries have created a Cheers-like atmosphere, tomers will always find a “There’s nothing we can’t where most of the customers and staff know one another. burst of innovative decodo.” Tatum Galleries is In its 30-plus years of operation, Tatum Galleries has become a destination store in part because of this friendly ambience. rating ideas mixed with always brimming with Summer 2017

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“We are a one-stop shop because we do everything.

There’s nothing we can’t do.”

– Summer Hays, Retail Sales Manager for Tatum Galleries

Complimenting the fine furniture and interior design services offered, Tatum Galleries features stylish accessories such as lamps, artwork, area rugs, objects d’art, decorative pillows and throws, plates, mirrors, candles and more. custom-built pieces of furniture showcased throughout the shop.

Though it is based near Banner Elk, Tatum Galleries will deliver furniture and provide interior design services across the state and southeast region. Whether the client prefers an earthy canvas or rooms filled with color, designers from Tatum Galleries will work with the architecture of the owners’ home as well as their personality to create spaces that are beautiful and inviting.

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fers design consultations, which can include a visit to the client’s home. The qualified designers will listen to the needs of their client and create an original design with fresh ideas for color schemes and styles that will support pulling together an entire home.

Tatum Galleries’ upstairs showroom features upholstery fabrics, bedding, and a work center used for room design. Once Tatum Gallery designers have an idea of the space their customer is interested in creating, the upstairs design area allows the designers to work across a range of styles to help clients achieve their vision and take it to its full potential.

All of the innovative women working in the showroom at Tatum Galleries– Sally Tatum, Summer Hays, Susan Hartley and Mikalla Presnell are highly skilled and qualified to support customers in creating the design style they desire. Traditionally, the style of choice for the High Country and Tatum Galleries has been “mountain elegance.”

While this is always in season around the High Country, “transitional” is an eclectic, modern style that is now trending. It blends the comfort and warmth of traditional design with the clean profiles and understated colors of

Tatum Galleries features two floors of gallery space. The rooms within the gallery are curated by the talented staff and feature Tatum Galleries’ one-stop trinity of fine furniture, timeless accessories and design. a contemporary look. Tatum Galleries offers transitional pieces that mesh the modern design with mountain elegance in one living space.

If your living area needs updating, the designers at Tatum Galleries might suggest new upholstery or accessories. New elements of design can be incorporated into a room giving it a fresh and timeless presence. The shop offers furnishings like rugs, new lamps or a pair of upholstered chairs, which can give a room a whole new feel.

Customers are sometimes unaware of the full spectrum of design that Tatum Galleries offers. The designers can help select granite, hardwood floors and paint in addition to the other decorating services that are offered. All of these design finishes come together as the inspiration of the client and designer’s unique vision.

The showroom is refreshed with new items that the designers have carefully selected for their customers.

Lamps, mirrors, and artwork are freshly stocked as soon as pieces go out the door. This turnover occurs frequently throughout the week, so customers are sure to come back to something new. “It’s never the same store twice,” Summer said. “As soon as someone buys something, we change the whole store around again. That’s what keeps it refreshing for returning customers.” One such couple is Jim and June Roberts, who own homes in Valle Crucis and Rocky Mount, NC. Jim always comments that he and his wife are frequent customers and are impressed by

“Steve and Sally treat us all like a family. That’s one nice thing about working here. Yes, it’s work, but it’s also a family.”

– Mikalla Presnell, Sales and Merchandiser at Tatum Galleries

the exceptional inventory and customer service at Tatum Galleries.

As the demand for more beautiful furniture and fur-

Summer Hays, retail sales manager, has worked at Tatum Galleries for more than two decades, and within this time, she has developed a rapport with customers that always make their way back to Tatum Galleries.

Interior designers, Susan Hartley (left) and Mikalla Presnell, sit in the upstairs design area, where they work across a range of styles to help clients achieve their vision. The upstairs showroom also features upholstery fabrics and bedding.

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The main gals (from left) that work at Tatum Galleries are Summer Hays, retail sales manager; Sally Tatum, owner; Susan Hartley, interior designer, and Mikalla Presnell, sales/merchandiser. nishings has grown, the shop has gone from all of the furniture being handmade by Steve Tatum to a combination of solid wood and well crafted furniture made by other vendors. Handmade and custom furniture is still a large part of the business. A customer can come to Tatum Galleries with a picture or a concept for a piece of furniture and using their measurements the highly-trained builders will make their vision a reality.

Outdoor living was the inspiration for Tatum Galleries back porch, which was added 12 years ago. Beautiful furniture by lines such as Summer Classics and Castelle, offer comfortable deep seating sofas, lounge chairs, ottomans, as well as dining tables.

Accessories such as lamps, rugs and pillows add design to an outdoor living area and can also be found on Tatum’s inviting back porch.

Tatum Galleries is not only a well executed dream of Steve and Sally Tatum but an inspirational shop where customers can

“We all agree that if we didn’t work here.

It would still be our favorite store.

It’s really a fun store.”

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Salvadore Mondragon works up a piece of wood on the joiner. The downstairs area of Tatum Galleries is a custom woodshop.

If clients can’t find that perfect piece of furniture for their home, Tatum Galleries can build it on site.

meander through beautifully designed rooms that will inspire everyone’s inner decorator. The shop is a visual treat that changes often and invokes a creative calm for all who visit.

Tatum Galleries is located in between Foscoe and Tynecastle at 5320 N.C. 105.

For more information, click to www.tatumgalleries.com or call 828-963-6466. n Tatum Galleries extends beyond the interior with a full line of outdoor furniture. In addition to 6,000 square feet of interior gallery space, Tatum Galleries has a back deck that displays all of their outdoor items, including their Summer Classics line of all-weather furniture.

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7 Ways That an Arborist can serve you Arborists offer a variety of services from creating sweeping views and

healing distressed trees to removing hazardous trees and cleaning up storm debris. Tree service companies employ knowledgeable and skilled professionals. Before you consider doing the work yourself, consult a certified arborist and save yourself from a potential trip to the emergency room.

You Can Trim Your Trees for a View Clearing for a Sweeping View

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view can add enormous value to your property or home in the mountains. But not every home is built on a meadow.

This is where an arborist comes in. Tree service companies can enhance the view or outright make one by selectively clearing trees on your property.

Be Proac tive: Protec t Your Investment

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n most cases, it’s better to be proactive than reactive. An arborist can visit your home and point out hazardous trees surrounding your home – think diseased or dead trees, those with dangerous limbs or roots of a big tree compromising a home’s foundation. Cable bracing might be possible to save a tree you adore. Consider reaching out to an arborist to potentially save you money down the road. You probably won’t regret it the next time a 100-mph gust of wind blows through during winter.

Windbreaks, Privacy Fencing & Beauty

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he last two bullet points are bordering in the realm of landscaping, but they are essential amenities that tree services can offer. Trees can provide windbreaks and privacy fencing to your property. They can also beautify your property and home. Check with an arborist who can recommend and plant the proper trees for your exact situation.

Emergency Tree Service

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rees might look perfectly healthy but have structural defects that aren’t visible to the naked eye. Perhaps saturated soil and windy conditions create the “perfect storm” for a big tree to uproot and fall. Maybe storm debris is blocking your driveway and you can’t make it too work in the morning. Many arborists offer emergency tree services that even some forethought can’t prevent.

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Planting

hile arborists are famously labeled as “tree surgeons” and are visible in the aftermath of storms, they are also defined as cultivators of trees and shrubs. Consider hiring an arborist to help you plant trees, so they’ll be standing for generations to come.

Stump Grinding and Pruning

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tump grinding and pruning are just a couple more services that arborists offer. They have the proper equipment to safely grind stumps and prune trees that are way out of reach even for a basketball player or those standing on a ladder.

Heal Your hemlocks & distressed trees

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number of Western North Carolina arborists specialize in protecting and preserving Eastern Hemlocks, which have been ravaged by the hemlock woolly adelgid, a non-native insect that can kill a mature Hemlock in as little as a few years.

Consider calling a certified arborist to figure out treatment options to help the hemlocks on your property. Of course, they can also provide services to heal other distressed trees.

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McKee Tree Service Serving Avery, Watauga & the High Country since 1974

www.mckeetreeservice.com

828.898.3615

828.295.7230

A beautiful garden is not by chance.

Services Include: 1SVOJOH 5SFFT BOE 4ISVCT t 5SFF BOE 4UVNQ 3FNPWBM t 5SFF 'FSUJMJ[BUJPO $SBOF 3FNPWBM 4FSWJDF t *OTFDU BOE %JTFBTF $POUSPM '3&& &TUJNBUFT BOE $POTVMUBUJPO Estimates and consultations are free, so call today to find out how we can help add to the beauty and value of your home.

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Save a Trip with Shopping Mall on NC 105

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cross the street from the historic waterwheel on N.C. 105 in Boone is a shopping mall that houses Appalachian Blind & Closet Co., Boone Paint and Interiors and Mountain Tile.

With three complimentary businesses specializing in high-quality products and services in the remodeling and building industry, this unnamed shopping center has become a one-stop shop of sorts for homeowners and contractors taking on a construction project.

Consider the primary services, products and expert knowledge that each company offers. When tile is ready for installation in a home, the interior has already been covered with sheetrock and is ready for coats of paint. If you are installing the automated blinds that Appalachian Blind & Closet Co. stocks, then wiring is needed before the sheetrock; the closet systems after.

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“From the consumer’s standpoint, we are all going in and those decisions are made about the same time – within a few weeks or days of each other – in the process of building your house,” Mountain Tile owner David Shell said. “Literally, you can come over here and do it all in one opportunity.”

As Appalachian Blind and Closet Co. owner Greg Seiz noted, “You can do an awful lot of shopping in a short distance.”

Seiz also owns the Newland-based Carolina Shutter Company, and in 2013 he bought Appalachian Blind and Closet Co. in 2013 partly because of the location next to businesses that complimented not only their clients but the owners, too.

“All of our companies are catering to a higher-quality clientele looking for quality services and goods and I think we’ve dovetailed in here with the Benjamin Moore

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brand, Mountain Tile tile and Hunter Douglas window fashions,” Seiz said.

The owners have purchased items from each other’s business in their own homes and routinely confer with each other about business, trends and the building industry in general.

“We know each other and we know we are the best. From a business standpoint, we can help each other out. We can talk about trends, subdivisions coming up and new builders coming to the area,” Shell said. “There are a lot of things we can do to help each other out. I am happy to have all these guys around. I wish we had a cabinet company over here because that would be great, but we don’t have any more room.”

Read about services and products of each business in the following ten-page spread. The shopping complex is located at 1852 Highway 105 in Boone.

Appalachian Blind & Closet Co., Boone Paint and Interiors, and Mountain Tile

By J esse Wo o d Appalachian Blind and Closet Co.

The newest innovation launched at Appalachian Blind and Closet Co. is the “Powerview Hub,” which showcases about two-dozen automated shades from Hunter Douglas, a premiere dealer in window treatments. This launching was part of a number of display changes and upgrades at the Boone store during the past year.

Owner Greg Seiz encourages people to drop in and see the action for themselves. The small hub of automated shades and educational videos is connected to the store’s wireless router. It’s capable of being controlled by a tablet, smartphone or remote control. When Appalachian Blind and Closet Co. opens at 9 a.m. Monday through Friday, the shades to the store rise or open, letting the employees know it’s time to unlock the door and turn the

Boone Paint & Interiors

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Appalachian Blind & Closet Co. offers a full line of window treatments and closet systems. In addition to the gallery on N.C. 105, the company’s “mobile showrooms” are stocked with samples of all of its products and will pull right up to your doorstep. another segment of business is closets. closet systems: fully adjustable and venopen/closed sign around.

Seiz said that if people want to sched- The showroom on N.C. 105 features two tilated wood. The latter is described as a “barebones” system, but one that is ule their shades to block the daylight a considerable step up from wired until 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, shelving. they’re able to program that schedThe fully adjustable system deule. In the winter, the homeowner signs and functions like custom cabimight want to change that accordnetry yet only costs about one-third ingly. It’s easy enough to do. the price. These versatile systems “All they have to do is put it in the allow the user to easily adjust their app, called Whole House Hub by wardrobe along with the seasons, Hunter Douglas. It’s easy for the conwhile making efficient use of closet sumer to write their own little smartspace. Options include numerous house program,” Seiz said. “We’ve Appalachian Blind & Closet Co. and hardware and decorative features. been pretty excited about that techCarolina Window Fashions owner Greg Seiz Appalachian Blind and Closet Co. nology growing and improving. It’s also offers outdoor window fashions quite amazing. The technology has systems such as awnings and patiobecome really user friendly.” screen shades.

Defining the “art of window dressAsked why people should shop ing,” Hunter Douglas’ line of products with him, Seiz responded, “The exat Appalachian Blind and Closet Co. perience, professionalism and knowlincludes horizontal blinds, sheers and edge of products, applications and shadings, shutters, roman shades, designs.” Seiz noted that he’s been vertical blinds, cellular shades, roller in the window treatments industry for shades and woven woods. four decades and that all of his installIn Newland, the team assembles ers and salesman stay up to date with its line of O’Hair Shutters at the Carocertifications and training. lina Shutter Company shop, where The company sells two closet systems: “We know what works and what Seiz’ talented and certified craftsmen an adjustable system with all the bells and whistles doesn’t and why and are able to take have also custom measured, deand a ventilated-wood system people through the complicated prosigned, and installed custom shutters, cess in a very simple way. Because shades, and blinds for over 20 years. we’ve done it so many times, we really Stylish and functional, window have a great understanding in how to treatments sold at the two facilities take people through the selection proare beautifully built with exceptional cess, discerning their needs and makcraftsmanship in mind. Aside from ing recommendations for what they aesthetics, they offer privacy, light are trying to accomplish,” Seiz said. control, energy efficiency and UV pro“That’s what differentiates us from tection to counter the harmful effects anybody else they are going to see.” of sunlight, which fade and damage Appalachian Blind and Closet Co. furnishings in the home. and Carolina Shutters Company serAs the company’s name suggests, 58

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Appalachian Blinds

Shown in the top and bottom images, the “Powerview Hub” is the latest innovation to launch at the Appalachian Blind and Closet Co. gallery on N.C. 105. This recently upgraded space features about two-dozen automated shades that customers can watch in action in the showroom. vice everything sold. For one, the products are custom built for individual homes and thus need a professional installer. But also, this allows for warranty guarantees. “Our warranties are second to none. Plus, every product we sell comes with a limited-lifetime warranty,” Seiz said.

Hunter Douglas, for example, offers the Right Choice Promise. Sometimes customers pick out a particular color of product.

Although their initial selection was in good faith, perhaps they realized once it was installed in the home, it didn’t look right and thus wasn’t the “right choice.”

“We’ll replace it for the cost of freight and installation one time with equal value or greater value paid with the difference,” Seiz said. “The guarantee for satisfaction is available on all Hunter Douglas products.”

This summer, Hunter Douglas is offering a “2017 Celebration of Light” rebate promotion, where customers can receive a $100 rebate on each qualifying purchase.

The event runs through June 26.

For complete details on this promotion, see your local Hunter Douglas dealer. In this case, Appalachian Blind and Closet Co. and Carolina Window Fashions, a division of Carolina Shutter Company, are your local Hunter Douglas dealers in the High Country.

Customers are encouraged to come into the store and check out all of the offered products. Appalachian Summer 2017

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Appalachian Blind & Closet Co. sells and services horizontal blinds, sheers and shadings, shutters, roman shades, vertical blinds, cellular shades, roller shades, woven woods, awnings, patio screen shades and more.

Blind and Closet Co. also offer in-home consultations because that’s where the right colors and textures are fine-tuned. Seiz has two sales vans that operate as “mobile showrooms,” which carry samples of all of the popular product lines and can pull up right at your doorstep.

For more information, call Appalachian Blind and Closet Co. at 828-264-1395 or click to www.appblinds.com or www.closetdesigncenterinc.com. The store is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment on Saturday.

Boone Paint & Interiors

At Boone Paint and Interiors, you get a package – not just a gallon of paint. Unlike the big-box stores, Boone Paint and Interiors has a knowledgeable staff to educate its customers about the coating industry and the products it sells. It also offers in-home consultations.

Every surface, environment and circumstance can require a different type of coating. But how do you know which one to choose? Well, when shopping at Boone Paint and Interiors you’re assured to come away with the right product for the job. Along with teaching you things your contractor should be doing, they can match you up with a contractor or custom match any color or stain you are trying to replicate.

“If you want a quality product and good information to save you money in the long run, Boone Paint and Interiors is your store,” owner Doug Pratt said. “If you have a problem we can usually figure something out for you or just answer a question.

Sometimes we give you too much information.”

Boone Paint and Interiors is a “top-end” paint store, and there you will only find the finest coating brands. The remodeled store in Boone now features Benjamin Moore’s “Store of the Future,” which comes with an added 4,000 colors.

The Boone store features one of the largest color collections in North Carolina and includes a color collection that is harmonizing. As Pratt said, this particular line is no fail if you are trying to coordinate colors but don’t really know what colors to use: “It doesn’t matter which three you pick out. If you are doing a room – even if you don’t think they go together – they will all flow. It’s a good concept.”

Along with Benjamin Moore brands for interior and exterior, Boone Paint and Interiors stocks ZAR, Minwax and Lenmar wood finishing products; Sikkens, Arborcoat and Cabot exterior stains;

Boone Paint & Interiors recently remodeled its paint showroom as a Benjamin Moore’s “Store of the Future.” It features the largest color collection in the state.

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boone paint & interiors

Boone Paint also specializes in coatings such as wood-finishing products, exterior stains and paint additive solutions for consumer, commercial and industrial products. and Flood paint additive solutions for consumer, commercial and industrial applications. They also offer mildew-proof products if that’s what you need or “green” paints, which are low VOC paints that don’t put off as much vapors.

“We can do anything from chalk paint (for that distressed look on furniture) to industrial … It can be as simple or as complex as you want,” Pratt said. “We have innovative and the most up-todate products for your projects.”

Pratt said his company’s motto is “Quality products for quality people. We are not for everyone.” Though the last part of that motto isn’t something he really wants to say to potential customers, he adds, “It’s really true. We are not for everybody.”

At Boone Paint and Interiors, you might pay a little bit more for

your paint, but the quality and expertise more than make up the difference. For one example, two different products that do the same job come in the same-size can. Although one is three times more expensive, yet it covers four times the area.

“Sometimes people just want the cheapest, but they don’t realize if they buy the $30 can instead of the $90 can they will end up spending $120 on the job instead of $90,” Pratt explained.

Another example is a cheaper stain that requires wiping off after its application. As Pratt said, “That [extra labor] just made this a lot more expensive.”

Also take into consideration the longevity of the quality paints and stains that Boone Paint and Interiors offer. “The money is in doing the job – not in the product,” Pratt explained. Think about

Boone Paint & Interiors stocks the following brands for wallpaper and fabrics: Seabrook, York, Thibaut, Brewster, Candice Osborne and Anna French.

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More colors in Benjamin Moore’s “Store of the Future” concept.

using paint that needs to be recoated every five years versus every 10 years. If a painter or contractor is charging $7,000 to paint a house, the cheapest paint might cast $700 but will need to be redone in five years. However, consider spending $1,200 for higher-quality paint and you won’t need to repaint your house until 10 years. So in the first scenario you immediately save $500, but with information learned from Boone Paint and the higher-quality products it sells, you save $6,500 in the long run.

Did you know that Boone Paint and Interiors offers quite a bit more than coatings? They sell high-end Surya rugs, which are all made in India. Other interiors selections include window treatments from Graber, such as blinds, shutters and shades, and Norman Window Fashions. Other brand offerings for wallpaper, fabrics and more include Seabrook, York, Thibaut, Brewster, Candice Osborne and Anna French.

They also sell awnings for the exterior and laminate flooring that looks like wood. And, of course, they sell every kind of tool needed to complete a paint, stain or finish job.

“Anything you can imagine,” Pratt said. “If you don’t see it, we can get it.”

Expert staff can provide color consultations inside the home, at the jobsite or in the store at its design centers.

Feel free to call the number listed below to schedule an appointment. As their website states, “We would love to help you achieve your dream room, home or project.”

For more information about Boone Paint and Interiors, which has stores in Boone, Banner Elk and Hickory, click to www.BoonePaint.com or call 828-264-9220 for the Boone store or 828-898-2022 for the Banner Elk location.

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Boone Paint and Interiors owner Doug Pratt with his daughter Jen Pratt, general manager.

In addition to coatings and paint supplies, Boone Paint & Interiors stocks high-end Surya rugs, window treatments, fabrics and flooring.

mountain tile

Mountain Tile

Mountain Tile has the largest selection of tile in the High Country with hundreds of samples in the showroom and thousands of more styles just a catalogue order away.

With the largest selection in the High Country, Mountain Tile is the High Country’s premiere showroom for tile. Mountain Tile owners David and Trudy Shell, along with sales associate Cassi de la Cerda, are very knowledgeable in their field. Instead of trying to offer everything, such as carpet, hardwoods, granite slabs, and vinyl flooring, etc., they focus on their namesake.

“Your better tile stores are not your full-service flooring stores. We only do tile, and we are hands down the best tile people on the mountain,” co-owner David Shell said. “You won’t get our kind of expertise from a big-box store with a different person in the department every week or month.”

At Mountain Tile, the staff will teach you which tile is best for your particular application, and this expertise is why a Mountain Tile consultation should at least be sought before any related project.

Not every tile product is right for every application – even though it might look marvelous. On a bathroom floor, for example, large polished tiles aren’t wise because they create more slippage opportunities than smaller tile, which has more grout joints for grip. And if you didn’t know better, a veiny-onyx tile might look beautiful in a steamed shower, too. But the heat and moisture, however, cause the veins in the tile to pop and fracture.

“Product, application and use. That’s where our expertise comes in. We can help avoid putting in the wrong product in the wrong installation. Not every product should be used outside and not every product should be used on the floor,” Shell said.

“If someone brings us an idea, we can help design it, lay it out and get the right products for you.”

Mountain Tile, which has been active in the community since Summer 2017

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Mountain Tile offers products made out of ceramic, porcelain, marble, granite and travertine.

1985 and is an active member of the High Country Home Builders Association, has a full line of shower, sink, floor, wall and patio products made out of ceramic, porcelain, marble, granite and travertine. Whether you seek a mountain-rustic look, a modern-andcontemporary feel or something more colorful, Mountain Tile’s vast selection is sure to have something that aligns with your vision.

Hundreds of samples are on display in the showroom, while thousands more are at Mountain Tile’s disposal through its vendor catalogues and websites. When customers bring in their ideas, they are shown what kinds of schemes, colors and designs are available and would work best.

“We have access to thousands of different tile selections. That’s where it gets overwhelming. We can help narrow it down and Mountain Tile owners David and Trudy Shell stand next to sales associate Cassi de la Cerda eliminate 90 percent of the selection [based technology has gotten to the point that sharp, crisp veins in naturalon their plan], so we don’t get lost in all the samples and displays,” Shell said. “We also have some vignettes stone lookalikes look better and are more consistent than the natuand displays to show mock installations because one thing we’ve ral counterpart.

Something new from last year that Mountain Tile is doing is found is clients have a hard time visualizing what the final product expanding into some hardscapes with exterior pavers that, for exis going to be.”

A few tiling trends include larger tiles, heated tiles and wood- ample, would look great around a fireplace. While Mountain Tile looking tiles. Shell has observed that brick-paver tiles are making has done patios and porches with tile, Shell is dedicating a portion a resurgence in popularity. He said the quality of some natural of the showroom to its new line of hardscapes.

A trend that is continuing is the wood-looking tiles, which now stones, such as dolomite out of Italy, is going down and that the Mountain Tile sells tile with a variety of shapes and sizes from brick-shaped tile to ledgestone for walls.

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account for a sizable portion of Mountain Tile’s porcelain business.

Shell said that the only disadvantage to wood-looking tile is that it’s not real wood. “You never have to worry about the dog scratching the floor or wear and tear. You never have to refinish.

You can heat it up and it will actually retain the heat unlike engineered wood floors,” Shell said. “Looking at the performance, durability, life of the installation, maintenance free, woodlooking tile kills it. The downside is it’s not real wood.”

Another benefit of tile, Shell said, is its potential uniqueness with the sheer array of options through installation patterns, accents and tile types. “Tile is art,” he explained. “You can take the same tile your neighbor owns, lay it differently and add an accent and nobody will have the same thing as you.”

Shell encourages folks to visit Mountain Tile if they are building a custom home, remodeling an existing home or would just like to browse the showroom, which is ever changing. Bring in some ideas and the Mountain Tile staff can go from there to help you select the perfect product for your project.

“You are going to get the quality, the service, the ideas. The best installers work through us, and we carry the best setting materials for the performance and life of the job,” Shell added. “We are not a place that cuts corners.”

For more information about Mountain Tile, click to www.mountaintilenc.com or call 828-265-0472.

Mountain Tile is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment on Saturday. n

To receive ideas and visualize certain products, check out Mountain Tile’s showroom, which features shower and bath installations along with its extensive tile samples. The upgraded showroom is planned to feature a new line of hardscapes.

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Are you certain your current liability insurance offers you enough protection?

A personal umbrella liability policy provides an extra layer of insurance coverage over your standard liability policies

G

reystone Insurance has been serving the High Country since 1989 and recently they joined forces with LifeStore Insurance. The two companies have built their business on providing a high level of personal service to their clients and believe there is great value in taking time to share and inform their clients on the protection they need.

While it’s difficult to pinpoint the monetary consequences of the risks you and your family take each day, are you certain your current liability insurance offers you enough protection? An umbrella policy may be a good fit for your situation.

If you are found to be legally responsible for injuring someone or damaging their property without a personal umbrella liability insurance policy, anything beyond the limits of your standard liability insurance coverage will come out of your own pocket. Standard liability insurance generally includes homeowners, renters, auto and watercraft policies.

A personal umbrella liability policy provides an extra layer of insurance coverage over your standard liability policies.

It protects your personal assets by kicking in when your standard liability coverage is exhausted.

If you engage in a high-risk activity or hobby that increases your odds of getting sued—such as having a teenage driver, owning a swim66

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ming pool or entertaining frequently—it is wise to supplement your insurance with a personal umbrella liability policy.

You’ll want to take into consideration not only your total personal assets but also your potential personal risks. For example, do you operate a business in your home and have employees and clients to your home on a regular basis?

Does your profession or location of your home make you an easy target for a big settlement? Determine your personal risks to evaluate the amount of additional liability coverage that makes the most sense for you.

Additional liability insurance is inexpensive when compared to the added coverage you gain. Greystone Insurance will remain at it’s current location at suite 204 of the Boone Point Business Condos at the intersection of 105 Ext and Hwy 421 in Boone. They will operate as Greystone Insurance, a division of LifeStore Insurance.

LifeStore Insurance is an independent insurance agency providing its clients with options for auto, home, business, life and health insurance needs.

They are located across western North Carolina with offices in Boone, Elkin, Lenoir, North Wilkesboro, Sparta and West Jefferson. To learn more about LifeStore and Greystone, call us at 828-264-2626 or 828-2648291 or read about us online at www.lifestoreinsurance.com.

Who We Are ...

The Faces of Greystone Linda Gilleland holds a Certified Insurance Counselor, CIC, designation and also a Certified Builder Agent designation, CBIA. These designations signify intense classroom hours understanding the complex risks and exposures inherent in the insurance profession. She was the founder and Agency Principal of Greystone Insurance. Linda has a strong passion for serving and protecting clients and their assets. “The client is who we serve and why we are in business.

Protecting families and their assets is a big responsibility especially when they are facing a fire, liability claim or automobile claim.”

Linda began her insurance career with Allstate Insurance in 1984 and in 1989 founded a satellite office for Shuford Insurance Agency. In 1999, Linda purchased the satellite office and changed the name to Greystone Insurance. She and her husband, George, live outside of Blowing Rock. George, a real estate developer, has also been involved in Greystone Insurance throughout the years. He managed all of the construction and finishing details of the office in addition to ongoing operations of the office.

Debbie Jackson, a Commercial Linda Gilleland Founder and Agency Principal Lines Account Manager also holds the of Greystone Insurance prestigious CIC designation in addition to a CISR designation, Certified Insurance Service Representative. Debbie also holds a CBIA designation which is a designation that requires intense training in the arena of specialized coverage for insuring all professions within the building industry. “For the past fourteen years, Debbie and I have been a team, and we enjoy working and laughing together,” commented Linda. “We operate as a team, and a team is always stronger than the individual parts.”

Dina Faulkner, Personal Lines Manager, joins the Greystone Team Debbie Jackson from LifeStore Insurance and holds Commercial Lines Account Manager a prestigious CISR Elite designation which is the highest designation available in the personal lines field. She brings eighteen years of experience in the insurance industry and is currently enrolled in Certified Personal Risk Manager, CPRM, program. This program is an intense training to better serve clients with very specialized and complex risk factors. “Dina has incredible enthusiasm and energy while taking care of her clients on a timely basis. She sets the bar high when it comes to understanding the complexity of numerous accounts and asset protection,” commented Jody Brown, President of LifeStore Insurance.

The LifeStore staff and ours will work together to ensure fast, reliable, honest and professional service to each and every one of our wonderful clients. We share in our strong commitment to the community and plan to continue by supporting a number of volunteer opportunities,” added Jody Brown, President of LifeStore Dina Faulkner Insurance.

Personal Lines Manager Summer 2017

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7 Questions to Ask Your Agent About Homeowner Insurance Greystone Insurance has the answers to your questions. Please give us a call.

When you’re shopping for homeowner insurance, remember that policies can vary widely. Some coverages may be included, and others may be available for additional premium.

Here are some questions you might want to ask your independent insurance agent: Is my home covered for full replacement cost? This is one of the key distinctions between homeowner policies, and you’ll want to know the answer. If your home is covered only for its current market value – or worse, your loan amount – you are likely underinsured and would not be able to rebuild the home to its current state in the event of a loss. Make sure the insured value takes into consideration all of your home’s features. The cost to rebuild is likely to be significantly more than the current market value or your loan amount. See our prior blogs: Don’t be surprised by the cost to rebuild your home; 7 factors to help nail down your home’s reconstruction cost; and Insurance TLC for your historic home.

How much is the deductible on my policy? The deductible is the amount of a loss that you pay. If you can afford a high deductible with savings or other resources, you can usually reduce your premiums. Your agent can help you find the right balance.

Does my policy include earthquake coverage? Not all policies do. If yours doesn’t, you may be able to obtain earthquake coverage for additional premium.

Your agent can advise you on the need for earthquake coverage in your area. Don’t assume that you don’t need it.

How much coverage do I have on the contents of my home? Contents coverage is usually a percentage of the insured value of the home. Some policies automatically provide contents coverage of 50 percent of the value of the structure, others provide 70 or 75 percent. And, you may be able to increase the amount of coverage for additional premium.

Does my policy insure against water damage from sewer backups, sump overflows or water pressure from below the ground surface? Most standard policies do not provide coverage for these losses, but you may be able to obtain coverage for additional premium.

Does my policy provide any coverage for disappearance of jewelry or silverware? While a policy may provide a specified limit of coverage for theft of these items, “mysterious disappearance” of these items may not be covered. Ask your agent to clarify this, and inquire if coverage is available at additional premium.

Does my policy provide any liability coverage for slander, libel, defamation of character, invasion of privacy or identity theft? Some homeowner policies automatically cover these items while others require an extra premium.

Know before you buy.

Ask your agent to help you evaluate your needs and your situation so that you have no surprises should you have a claim.

Invites You To Experience The Difference Serving the High Country since 1989 105 Extension • Boone Point 828-264-2626 • greystoneins.com 68

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Personal Articles.

Protect Your Valuable Property

Greystone Insurance has the answers to your questions. Please give us a call.

Gold and diamonds and furs, oh my!

While your homeowners policy may cover valuables when lost, stolen or damaged, many policies limit the valuation of items such as jewelry, silverware, works of art, furs or collectibles. That policy may pay only the limit and not cover the full value of each item.

If you have items of value, ask your local independent insurance agent about personal articles coverage.

Coverage You Need You receive better protection for certain valuables with personal articles coverage because you can schedule each item at its specific value. A bill of sale or a recent appraisal may be all you need to show the proper insurable value for most items.

Personal articles coverage can properly insure your special property such as: jewelry, watches, furs and mounted precious stones, silverware, goldware, pewterware and coin collections, golf clubs and similar sporting equipment, guns, swords, and other such weapons, antiques, stamp collections and musical instruments, paintings, sculptures and other works of art Other personal property may qualify, so be sure to ask your agent about any items you want considered.

Personal articles insurance also may cover many special

items for direct physical loss or damage wherever they are throughout the world, unless specifically excluded by the policy.

Choices That Help You Save Ask your local, independent insurance agent if you can choose a policy that offers standard coverage with no deductible. See if you qualify for a premium discount by selecting a higher deductible. And remember, most insurance companies offer additional discounts when you have more than one policy with the same carrier such as a homeowners, condominium or renters’ policy combined with a personal umbrella, auto or watercraft policy.

Update Your Insurance Protection If you already have protection for your special valuables and collections, now is a good time to update your policy amounts to reflect today’s market values and recent acquisitions. For information, coverage availability in your state, a quote or policy service, please contact your local independent agent.

The Importance of Flood Insurance Greystone Insurance has the answers to your questions. Please give us a call.

Floods are the number one natural disaster in the United States and the importance of flood insurance can never be overstated. Over the past ten years, the National Flood Insurance Program has paid billions of dollars in claims. Everyone lives in a flood zone and the difference between zones is relative to risk. Several factors can determine if you are at high risk or low risk such as your location, your proximity to the coastline, the typography of the land, etc. Your homeowner’s policy

does not cover flood damage.

Many people believe they will be eligible for disaster insurance when a disaster hits however, disaster assistance is a loan that is to be paid back monthly with interest.

It does not replace the need for a flood insurance policy.

Thus, it is imperative to think ahead and insure what could be a potentially devastating loss. Please note that a flood insurance policy has a waiting period of 30 days until it becomes effective.

At Greystone Insurance Associates, we care about you and your family and we want to make sure you are protected in the event of a flooding disaster. If you would like to learn more about flood insurance or add flood to your policy portfolio, please contact Greystone to speak directly with an agent.

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High Country Home Builders Association NEW COUNCIL ADDITION

Professional Women In Building

By Katie Benfield awards at least two scholOn June 14, 1985, arships to high school or the High Country Home college students who are Builders Association beplanning on going into gan in the community. the construction trade.

When it was established, “We hold an annual the Home Builders Assocharitable golf tournaciation was a trade orgament,” Mackey said. “A nization association with portion of the proceeds the purpose of bringing raised from that tournatogether local builders, ment go into funding subcontractors, buildthose scholarships so we ing suppliers and other can encourage students industry professionals. to pursue this profession.”

Since its establishment, While the overall purthe organization’s goals, pose of the organization purposes and intents From left to right stands Dawn Wilson of Watauga Heating, Sarah Grady of has remained the same have remained the same.

Sunny Day Homes, Amber Williams of Mountain Lumber Company and Jennifer since its founding in The Association provides general member- Mackey, HCHBA Executive Officer. These women are four integral women in the the eighties, one thing leadership roles of the HCHBA. They are all instrumental to the establishment has been drastically ship meetings, as well as and success of the Professional Women in Building chapter in the High Country. changed, and that’s the networking opportunities number of women that and educational classes for anyone in the area who is working in the construction pro- are prevalent within this association and within this profession.

“We actually have a lot of women in our organization which fession and construction-type trades.

The focus of the Home Builders Association is to help all the is generally not associated with a Home Builders Association,” members shop, work and trade locally and educate the public on Mackey said.

The women that are involved in the Home Builders Associawhy they should pick an HBA member due to their knowledge and tion are going to create dependability. their own council by the “The HCHBA is name of Professional a place the general Women in Building. public can use as a resource,” Jennifer This organization, Mackey, Executive Ofaccording to Amber Wilficer, said. “Likewise, liams, the current Vice we believe our memPresident and future – Jennifer Mackey, Executive Office Manager bers are the best in the President of the HBA, business and we enwill be focused on procourage the public to moting women in the use our web directory when looking for a building professional workforce and pursuing the goals of the Association in general. or building suppliers.”

Home Builders Association is a three-tier membership The Home Builders Association isn’t just about helping meaning that each member of High Country Home Builders people make the right decisions when it comes to building and Association is also a member of North Carolina Home Builders contracting, but it’s also about helping the community through Association and National Association of Home Builders. Memoutreach programs. bers can choose to be involved not only locally but at the State The Association partners with the Habitat for Humanity, and National levels. as well as working with the shop classes within the local high Executive Officer Mackey and Vice President Williams atschools. Along with this, according to Mackey, the Association tend North Carolina HBA Quarterly Meetings to learn of upcom-

“We actually have a lot of women in our organization which is generally not associated with a Home Builders Association.”

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ing legislative issues, network with members across the state and learn a variety of ways to change and develop the local Association.

Through of her involvement at the State level meetings, Williams also serves as the regional associate member representative for Region 9, which includes Watauga and surrounding counties.

Professional Women in Building is a national and state organization that Williams has taken on as her initiative to establish a council in the High Country.

“Professional Women in Building is an opportunity for local Home Builders Associations to boost their membership through the addition of women,” Williams said.

According to Williams, the building industry, like all other professional industries, has its own set of problems and benefits that those involved face. Because women are the minority in the building industry, they have different experiences than what men would have.

“The Professional Women in Building provides all the women within the industry to join together in a type of sisterhood,” Williams said. “We want to have an outlet to share our experiences with each other and see if other women in the industry face similar types of experiences.”

Along with the Professional Women in Building in the High Country, there are two other chapters located in NC – one at the Wake-Raleigh Association and one at the Lake Norman Association.

“We are very excited about it, the National Association is very excited about having another chapter in North Carolina,” Williams said.

There is such a positive, influential female presence in the High Country that it only made sense to have this chapter of Professional Women in Building in our community.

This female presence shows in the High Country Home Builders Association. There are three women on the Board of Directors, along with Mackey, the Executive Officer. They are Ms. Williams of Mountain Lumber, Dawn Wilson of Watauga Heating and Cooling, Sarah Grady of Sunny Day Homes.

Although there are female leadership positions in the home building industry, that isn’t to say that it is not still male-dominated.

Because of the nature of the industry, women in the profession tend to get jobs that are secretarial in nature or office-based.

“Sometimes those jobs aren’t deemed to be as valuable in the industry,” Williams said. “Having Professional Women in Building provides women with a place to share their experience, to talk about that, to express whether they feel appreciated or not.”

“Professional Women in Building is an opportunity for local Home Builders Associations to boost their membership through the addition of women,” – Amber Williams, the current Vice President and future President of the HBA Williams, herself, will be promoted from Vice President to President of the Home Builders Association next year.

When Chuck Perry, last year’s president, and Jim Rogers, the current president, approached Williams with the idea of her stepping in as the future president, she was a little bit hesitant.

The Professional Women in Building chapter will give her the support and encouragement that she needs in her leadership.

The council is something that Williams is trying to establish as she moves from her position as vice president to president.

“I think this council is going to be a very positive addition, not only to the organization but to the community in general,” Williams said, “because it will be another way that we can reach out and give to the community.”

Professional Women in Building will meet in various locations throughout the High Country, and the members will focus their efforts on fundraising for various charitable causes and scholarship funds.

“We haven’t even established our council yet, but our first meeting to identify interested members is in June,” Williams said. “After that, we will start planning on what kinds of things we want to focus on in the community, such as if there is an organization we want to partner with or an activity that we want to do.”

Although the Professional Women in Building hasn’t officially been established yet, the plans and goals for the chapter are endless, not only in how it can affect the community but also in how it can provide opportunities for women in the home building industry. n

Built and owned by the High Country Home Builders Association in 2004, The Builders Plaza is a meeting hub for the construction-industry community and a selfsustaining investment. The facility is also available for event rentals to the public.

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