Texas Homefront - August 2012

Residents are welcomed at the private entrance by an elegant stone horse trough befitting of a Texas estate.

Ranch style gates swing open to luxurious estate home sites that preserve the rural character of the unique setting.

For those seeking an elegant residence in a refined country setting; look no further than The Estates at Greenspoint. Located in the rolling hills of east Prosper, an area dubbed the “Country Club District”, generously sized custom home sites await your dream home.

This thoughtfully designed community incorporates your personal architecture set in rugged harmony with the pristine Texas countryside. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the adjacent equestrian facilities, golf amenities and adjacent 27-acre Town Lake.

The Estates at Greenspoint boasts beautiful stone privacy walls, ornamental street lighting, and a private street. Home sites are fully improved with city water and sewer, underground electric and the conveniences you expect such as Atmos gas and ATT high-speed bundled –content fiber to the home.

Creek side home sites are situated high along a wooded limestone bluff, and range in size from 1.0 – 1.6 acres. These sites enjoy spectacular views overlooking a tributary to Wilson Creek, which feeds Town Lake on the east border of the community.

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Across Greenspoint Lane are approximately half-acre meadow home sites. This creek side community features large custom lots for sale to home builders and also individuals.

Fewer than forty homes will ultimately be built here, with home sites spacious enough to accommodate magnificent legacy estates and extensive outdoor living areas. Meadow home sites from the low $100’s, and creek side acreage home sites from the low $200’s.

Schemes, Themes and Dreams

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Randy Summers of ReMax shares some helpful insight on how to remember the ‘Fun Factor’ when purchasing your next home

The Ethics of Water Conservation

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If water conservation is as important as it is, then it is truly everyone’s responsibility says Clark Gullette

Best Seats in the House You’ll be amazed at what goes into making all of the choices for the ultimate media experience

Homefront Highlight pg 24

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A media, a game room, and children’s spaces; what do they all have in common?

They are the perfect ingredients for having a home that’s fun and exciting for youth

Texas Luxefront

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Erin Hickman and Rachel Ellis of Tom Grisak Estate Home Realtors showcase two absolutely exquisite homes that are sure to catch your attention

On the Cover The Media Room in a Paul Taylor Model at Gentle Creek Estates in Prosper Photography by Jonathan English

EXECUTIVE PUBLISHERS Jason & Heather Reynolds EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Heather Reynolds PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Jason Reynolds ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JD Lee CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Randy Summers Clark Gullette Deb Goss PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTORS Jonathan English Various PRODUCTION / DESIGN FIFTHKING MEDIA www.fifthking.com ADVERTISING / M ARKETING The Homefront Team www.txhomefront.com © 2012 TEXAS HOMEFRONT M AGAZINE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WORLDWIDE The title and all material within are protected by international copyright laws and are reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the publisher’s permission. Although the greatest care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this magazine at the time of going to press, neither Texas Homefront Magazine nor FIFTHKING MEDIA can be held liable for omissions, inexactness or errors.

FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT: Texas Homefront Magazine PO Box 405 Prosper, Texas 75078

Ph: 469.481.2935 www.TXHomefront.com facebook.com/txhomefront heather@txhomefront.com

Back to school shopping, school registration, sports physicals, locker decoration, anticipation of class schedules and meeting the educators are all a part of shaping another year of their precious minds and lives! So As the parents of six, yes SIX, much work to be done, but so beautiful children, August can much excitement and anticipation – and we can’t only mean one thing on our help but catch the buzz!

Homefront – back to school!!

We have enjoyed a wonderful As our summer break draws summer with our family, have to a close, we find ourselves nostalgic about the tried our best to beat the Texas heat, and have thought experiences we shared the endlessly about ways we can last couple of months, and shape our own Children’s begin to talk about what we’ll Spaces. The debate rages on do differently NEXT summer!

All the while, we try to soak up regarding our Media Room – as much family time as we too darken or not to darken? can before the pandemonium LED or Projector? Sectional of the new school year or Theatre seats? And what begins! One of the best about our open concept Game Room? Do we go with memories we shared with our a family game table or a pool family this year was the photo table? So many choices to shoot for this issue. make, and if your Homefront We chose to include all of our is anything like ours, this children in the project, as they are the reason we work month’s edition may help aid endlessly to make TEXAS in those oh-so important HOMEFRONT the premiere decisions.

We chose August to focus on publication in our area. We sincerely hope that you enjoy Media and Game rooms, the brief glimpse into our Children’s spaces and bedroom design because of everyday lives with their the nature of what’s on our photographs, and pray that minds this month. Namely, your Homefront includes as our children! Not that they much laughter, love and aren’t always at the top of the appreciation as ours. list, but this month particularly, Welcome Home! it seems that everything Jason and Heather Reynolds revolves around them.

Executive Publishers

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Although parents are the ones who initiate the purchase of a new home, children play a huge part in deciding the final outcome of the search.

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Children’s Spaces are just as important as the choice you make between your exterior façade, whether it’s a Colonial style or a single story Mediterranean home.

In the long haul, your children’s input and choices really do matter too!

From game rooms and media rooms to bedrooms, lofts and web parlors (fancy words for children’s homework areas); “Children’s Spaces” should exist throughout

your home, both inside and out.

These areas will eventually give you multiple options when selling your home. While you enjoy your loft as an area to relax and read a book, the next family could very well use it for a treadmill or an area for a family poker game. Children’s color schemes, decorations and themes help define their spaces.

So let’s talk schemes, themes and little ones’ dreams!

Color Schemes Choosing the right color scheme can bring new life to your child’s bedroom. It also helps to create a mood that could be essential to their day to day activities. It is important for the room to be brightly decorated, and the colors chosen should be vibrant and bold.

This is especially true if your child’s bedroom doesn’t get much direct sunlight. www.TXhomefront.com | 7

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I am always open to your questions about any Real Estate topics, so please feel free to call me at 214-498-0083 or email me at randysummers@remax.net.

Randy Summers / ReMax

Katie* came to Cornerstone NCT for help with back to school clothes for her kids. As we talked with the family, we learned more about their story.

To donate, bring items to the Cornerstone NCT Donation Center (304 E. First Street in Prosper) for a full tax write off.

Hours are listed on our website, cornerstonenct.org. There is also a drop off box built by Girl Scout Troop 644 at the center for your convenience.

Katie's husband had died in a car accident a few years before. About a year later, Katie was laid off and soon after, the family lost their home. God provided as we worked with Katie to find her a job that allows her to cover her bills, save significantly, and even help others in need.

As you clean out your closets, give locally to help families just like Katie's! Items will go to families or be sold at Cornerstone's resurrected retail store, The Attic (201 S. Main in Prosper). 100% of The Attic's profits benefit Cornerstone and those we are privileged to serve.

Based in Prosper, Texas, Cornerstone Assistance Network of North Central Texas is a faith-based nonprofit that unites with others to demonstrate Christ’s compassion by serving our neighbors in need.

This is accomplished by sharing the Gospel and helping family units escape the cycle of poverty for good by providing resources, tools, and education. For more information about Cornerstone, visit cornerstonenct.org. To pray for and/or financially support our neighbors, text 'CornerstoneNCT' to 90210. * Names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.

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VLife Church is a growing, vibrant, and contemporary body of Christian believers who have a passion for life, love, and divine purpose to reach the world with the love and transforming power of Jesus Christ. Recently, we have embarked on a mission to revive one of the oldest, and most notable church buildings in the City of McKinney. It is a place where people from all genres of life will be able to worship and enjoy the presence of God. It is also an endeavor that you can participate in by sharing a financial gift. Visit us online at: www.vlifechurch.com to learn about VLife Church. Thank you!

Sincerely, Mike Connaway Senior Pastor Advertisement

The Children’s Retreat in Grand Homes Model at Greenspoint in Prosper

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The Game Room in Grand Homes Model at Greenspoint in Prosper

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A Work Desk Area in Grand Homes Model at Greenspoint in Prosper

The Game Room in a Paul Taylor Model at Gentle Creek Estates in Prosper

A Youth Bedroom in Grand Homes Model at Greenspoint in Prosper

The Media Room in Grand Homes Model at Greenspoint in Prosper

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,we all want to protect our investment no matter how big or small.

In the year 2010, the National Association of Realtors listed selling points found most important to potential buyers, and second on the list was landscaping. We all love a beautiful lawn, lush green grass, landscaped shrubbery and native trees, with a design to accentuate and beautify the property. After all, landscaping can make a huge difference in curb appeal.

Landscape is a vital part of finishing out a property, and the design, installation of hardscapes, plantings and irrigation can hit your pocket book pretty heavy. Usually the last line item in the budget, most young homeowners must settle for less landscape curb appeal in favor of crown molding. Yet we all want to protect our investment no matter how big or small. www.TXhomefront.com | 19

,we have an ethical right to ensure our system is performing as intended.

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In this region, the majority of water used by homeowners is through one’s irrigation system. We love to water our lawns.

Municipalities are quick to force stage water restrictions in favor of other methods which have been proven as solid ways of deterring wasteful habits. As homeowners, we sometimes disagree with the notion that watering our lawns as wasteful.

Because let’s face it, we’re protecting our investment, right?

Each of us has a responsibility to use water in an ethical manner in which the least amount of waste is incurred. We do this by water conservation habits and methods. If we can agree that most water used by homeowners is through our irrigation systems, then we have an ethical right to ensure our system is performing as intended.

How many times have you been running the kids to soccer practice or on your way to work, surprised to see a solid stream of water shooting abruptly out of a broken or defective sprinkler head?

Sure it’s not your property, yet we pass by without even thinking of notifying the homeowner or city officials. Correcting these types of behaviors is what city officials are trying to instill in each of us, an ethical attitude about water conservation.

,each of us can make a difference.

In previous articles we have covered ways to limit use, such as turning off water as you brush your teeth, taking a shower instead of a bath and properly irrigating your plant life. These three very simple solutions to waste can be the answer to possible water shortages. All we have to do is be aware, be attentive and be ethically minded about this very important issue.

As we go throughout the rest of summer, keep in mind our water is a

very precious resource. We must be ever vigilant as to when and “how much” we use. Take the time to reevaluate your water conservation habits, learn to cut waste, audit your irrigation system and don’t be afraid to point out the wasteful habits in others.

The best way to achieve this is by your example, because each of us can make a difference.

In our modern world there seems to be so little time for play, so few opportunities for families to be together, relaxed, enjoying each other’s company, enjoying life.

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Albert Einstein once said, “Combinatory play seems to be the essential feature in productive thought.” The new concept of a media room, home theater, or game room may provide a modern venue for the family to get back together, play, relax, clear minds, and allow creative thought to flow once again.

Media Room Design Media rooms can be almost infinitely diverse in style, décor, function, and technology. They ultimately reflect the unique expression of the family that plays there. When designing a home media room, so many decisions must be made.

What is the main function of the room? Should the room be a combination home theater and gaming room? Should it include theater chairs or a large sofa where the whole family can snuggle up together? What technologies will best meet our family’s need?

Some common decisions that need to be made are choosing between LED or LCD screens, multispeaker surround sound or single sound bar technology, Blu-ray Disc or traditional DVD technology, or choosing to integrate and automate using Smart Home technology?

Keep in mind that room lighting, size, and shape will also more than likely affect component selection. www.TXhomefront.com | 25

DVD vs. Blu-Ray Disc Digital Versatile Video Discs (DVD) and Blu-Ray Discs (BD) may look and feel alike, but are worlds apart in functionality. Both are optical storage devices that use the presence or absence of reflected light for binary encoding of data.

What makes Blu-ray stand out? BD’s superior resolution presents sharper details and its superior video compression presents richer colors and sharper contrasts. Blu-ray will also provide better imagery than your local movie theater if used in conjunction with an HDTV or projector. Audio quality is superior too because the sound is captured using the same TrueHD and Dolby technologies as motion picture studios. This results in audio identical to the master track. Userfriendly features and pop-up menus have also been incorporated, but the most important difference of all is that Blu-ray provides high-density optical storage. The capacity of a Blu-ray disc is more than five times greater than a standard DVD. A single Blu-ray disc can store up to 50GB of data.

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Multi-Speaker Surround Sound vs.

Virtual Surround Sound (VSS) Traditional multi-speaker surround sound, the standard compliment to High Definition Television (HDTV), is achieved by using either a six-channel 5.1 or eight-channel 7.1 configuration. The 5.1 configuration, which is how most movies are encoded, is comprised of a center channel, right and left rear channels, right and left front channels, and a low frequency effects (LFE) or subwoofer channel.

These channels are then routed to an array of six speakers. The surround effect can be enhanced to more closely achieve a complete 360 degree sound experience with the eight channel 7.1 configuration. Two rear channels are added in this configuration, resulting in two back, two side, three forward, and a subwoofer channel routed to an array of eight speakers, engulfing the listener in sound from all sides. 22.2 Hamasaki surround sound is the standard for Ultra High Definition Television and uses a twenty-four channel-to-speaker configuration arranged in three layers.

Light Emitting Diode (LED) vs.

Liquid Crystal Diode (LCD) Video screen technology keeps evolving and occasionally misnomers occur as that technology permeates mainstream consciousness. For example, the latest video screen innovation to replace the older liquid crystal diode (LCD) screen has become known as the LED screen. In reality, an LED TV is nothing more than an LCD TV that uses LED lights instead of the traditional fluorescent lights. Both the LED and LCD TVs use an LCD front panel. LED TVs employ two forms of lighting: edge lighting and backlight local dimming. Edge lighting places LEDs around the screen edge and allows for very thin screen construction. Advances in LED construction have dramatically reduced LED size and now TVs featuring LED backlight local dimming, which places banks of LEDs behind the LCD panel, can also be very thin.

Fluorescent lit LCD screens create dark tones by blocking light from coming through the screen.

This gives advantage to LED backlight local dimming, which has sharper image contrasts resulting from the intricate on/off control of LEDs behind the screen. The LEDs can be individually turned off to reduce light in the darker areas of the screen and turned on to increase lighting in the brighter areas. Edge light LED screens have brighter whites than fluorescent LCD screens, but don’t have as much contrast control as backlight local dimming LED screens.

White backlight local dimming LED technology doesn’t provide much of a color advantage as compared to fluorescent LCD, but if red, green, blue (RGB) color wheel technology is used in conjunction with LED backlight dimmer technology, color accuracy is significantly improved and a more realistic color is achieved.

Automation The advent of the home theater has bestowed an unwanted gift to many families in America: a giant basket of remote controls and how-to instructions required just to turn on the various components of the media room and get them to work together.

To make matters worse, the search for a universal remote control turned out to be elusive at best, however, advances in technology have created a solution. Smart Home touch screen automation is here, more affordable than ever, and simplifying lives all across America.

Touch screen technology can not only automatically lock the door at the same time each evening, raise and lower window shades, and distribute digital music around the home; it can be used to dim the lights, start a movie, and adjust the sound with the touch of your iPhone or iPad screen. Touch screen technology can be used to integrate your entire home, bringing your media room into other living spaces.

As with any large purchase, a savvy buyer must always adhere to “caveat emptor” let the buyer beware! Thoroughly research your options, read reviews on equipment, vendors, and manufacturers. Take advantage of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating resources. Then with confidence you can move forward to a modern venue that will enhance your family’s leisure time together. Happy playing! www.TXhomefront.com | 27

Luxe Luxe Facts: House Size Lot Size Beds Baths Stories Garage Year Built

4,818 2.70 3 5 2 4 Car 2001

Features: Acreage, Creek, Heavily Treed, Interior Lot, Landscaped, Large Backyard Grass, Subdivision, Automatic Gate, and Dog Run.

Trusting the sale of your home is an important decision, and working with a realtor to find your next home is also an important decision. We go to great lengths to provide our clients with unprecedented personalized service.

Our services include a complimentary consultation with a professional interior designer, professional architectural photography and an in-depth, detailed description of your home. We also provide weekly market activity updates and enhanced listings on Realtor.com. I represent both sellers and buyers in the Prosper area.

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My true passion is helping clients find their dream home or move on to their next one!!

Whether I am helping buyers or sellers, there is nothing that makes me happier than seeing someone excited about their future home.

With Tom Grisak Estate Homes Realtors, we offer nothing but the best in professional marketing, honesty, and top of the line customer service. “We SPECIALIZE in Special Homes�!

Luxe Facts: House Size Lot Size Beds Baths Stories Garage Year Built

5,150 0.42 5 5 2 4 Car 2001

Features: Attached Spa, Cleaning System, Diving, Heated, In Ground Gunite, Lap Pool, Side Parking, Swing Drive, and Workbench.

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