My neighbor, Sue, is too modest to allow me to call her a wine expert. So let’s just say, she has pursued an interest in the field for quite a few years and has learned a lot along the way. She and her husband, Mike, have a large collection of wines and a large library of books related to it. When they began planning their new home here at Maples at the Sonatas, they knew […]
Hi readers, I’ve missed you, and I’ve missed blogging. It has been 15 days since my last post, and nearly a month since I lost Mom. As I said when I last wrote, my thoughts have been too scattered to concentrate enough to write. Or, for that matter, even to read. I was relieved when someone told me that this confusion can be a normal part of grieving. Lately, I’ve been feeling better—most of the […]
My brother and sister-in-law flew in from Denver last week to spend a few days with Mom and me. They visit a couple of times a year, and now, after several stays, feel quite at home. I especially appreciate the Abbey floor plan when house guests arrive. That large second bedroom offers them all the space they want or need. For 50 weeks of the year, the room serves primarily as my office and looks like […]
If something happens once, it just happens. But if the same thing happens again, you may be establishing a pattern. I have now undergone the same experience twice in less than six years. My pattern appears to be purchasing brand new, move-in ready homes. It’s becoming a compelling, expensive habit. In 2010, I stumbled upon the Abbey that would become my home. Then last December, I accidentally found the Palazzo that I hope to soon […]
If there’s one thing I hate, it’s clutter. It’s not only unsightly but also stressful. I guess I like to imagine myself moving through life with as little physical baggage as possible. Much of my home meets my stringent rule of less is more. But one area has been gnawing at my peace of mind for too long. It’s time to rework the shelving unit in my office/guest room. And today’s the day I’m going […]
Six years ago, Bob and Linda arrived at the Maples at the Sonatas sales office with a specific wish list for their new home. At the top of the list—in fact, a deal-breaker—was a basement. Bob really needed a basement. When our sales consultant, Jon, broke the news that these homes do not come with basements, Bob thanked him for his time, and he and Linda started for the door. Just as they reached it, […]
There are countless ways to personalize a new home in Maples at the Sonatas. It all begins when the buyers choose one of the five Epcon floor plans offered here. It continues with the selection of upgrades and options. Then the finishing touches come with furnishing, decorating, and accessorizing. But Tom and Brenda, whose home is in the earliest stages of construction, have seized another way to personalize their home. Here is what they’ve done […]
It’s not that big a deal, Cathie said. You’re welcome to come and see it, but it’s really not that much. Still, knowing how creative and crafty she is, I wanted to take a look at her project. So I walked down the street to her Portico and rang the doorbell. Immediately, I was greeted by a chorus of Shih Tzu glee coming through the door. Cathie opened it, and the three dogs’ frenzied joy […]
For me, the Palazzo will always be the model that got away. It’s the home I could have had, maybe would have had, except… Except, when I began looking at Epcon homes in 2007, I had no idea that a cute, cozy stand-alone home called a Palazzo would one day be available. The Abbey was my first love. From the moment I walked in, I knew it was meant for me. Everything about it felt […]
Please excuse the pun. Or, groan if you must. But I am absolutely floored by the change in my Abbey over the past four days. What a difference a change of flooring can make. At mid-afternoon Friday, all of my home, except for the kitchen and bathrooms, was carpeted. By mid-afternoon Monday, my sunroom, living room, and dining area were all transformed by beautiful bamboo floors. The multi-talented Steve Downey gave up his three-day weekend […]
For Ann, it was all about her piano. She was ready to downsize and to live on one level when she came to look at homes at Maples at the Sonatas. She had an open mind—except for one deal-breaker requirement. The home had to have a living room large enough for the seven-foot grand piano that she would be bringing with her. Ann found the perfect space for her piano in the Canterbury model. By […]
It has been more than a month since I wrote about choosing a new color for the walls of my sun room. That post, Fifty Shades of Beige, ended with this picture: and the promise: To be continued… Then one thing led to another, until yesterday, nearly six weeks later, the project was finished. I wouldn’t call it a total transformation, but I think it’s a very nice one. So here’s what happened. First, I […]
No, it’s not Arbor Day. Nor is it Earth Day. But it is definitely a tree-mendous day here at Maples at the Sonatas. It’s a perfect day to hug a tree, as Dave demonstrates. •••••• When I got up this morning and looked out a window, I couldn’t believe what I saw. “OK, who ordered the forest?” I asked my cat. She just stared at me. Of course, it was our builder, Wilcox Communities, who […]
Accent walls have been all the rage in my neighborhood the past year or so. First, they appeared in the professionally decorated model homes here at Maples at the Sonatas. The next thing I knew, they cropped up in a few of my friends’ homes. From there, the trend took off. We visit each other’s homes, paint chips in hand. We ponder the endless shades and combinations. We exchange the business cards of our favorite […]
I love our rainy, dark weather this morning. It has been perfect for sleeping in, for slowly reading the Sunday paper, for sitting quietly and watching my cat doze. Sure, I won’t be as enamored of the rain if it drags into tomorrow, but just for now, I’m loving being home in my Abbey. In so many ways, our Epcon homes are designed for sunlight. That’s probably one reason many of us fell in love […]
The question often comes up when potential buyers visit my Abbey. It may come from folks who have always lived in single-family homes. Or it may come from someone looking to escape noisy neighbors in their current condo or apartment. Is it always this quiet? How much noise do you hear from your neighbors? I try to reassure them, even though sometimes their expressions make me doubt they totally believe me. It is quiet—always. Honest. […]
Hello. I’m Angie, Caryl’s cat. I’m here to give you my own feline view of this house where we live. If you want to get the unvarnished truth, always ask a cat. We’re known for our independence. I was not so sure about this moving thing when Caryl first brought it up. I liked where we lived just fine. It had been my habitat for nine years, and I was comfortable there. I had stairs […]
As I showed visitors around my Abbey during our Spring Tour of Homes, I heard the same comment again and again. Guests would step into my second bedroom and say, “This is so big. It almost looks bigger than the master.” “You’re right. It IS bigger,” I would reply. My visitors had discovered one of the ways the Abbey is unique among the Epcon floor plans. It is the only model with a second bedroom […]
Most mornings, you’ll find me sitting at the bistro table in my sunroom. I’ll be sipping my Keurig Dark Magic coffee, reading the newspaper, and watching my neighborhood begin the day. My cat Angie keeps me company, dozing on top of her cat tree. And best of all for this retired teacher, I’ll glance out a window, see a school bus go by in the distance, and remember just how sweet my life is. I […]
Home Sweet Abbey 