Manufactured Homes in Hurricanes

Needless to say, being x thousands of miles away from my home on the
Texas coast while stationed here in Baghdad, I spent a sleepless night a
couple of Fridays ago when Hurricane Ike was about to roll thru the
Houston-Galveston area. My brother was able to make it out to my place
on Saturday evening after the storm had rolled thru. Amazingly, not a
SINGLE scratch on my 2006 Patriot home...not even a missing shingle! On
top of that, all my animals/livestock were well & accounted for. I just
wanted to thank you & Patriot Homes for building a good, solid product.
After seeing all the photos depicting damage from the storm, it was
almost unbelievable that my place survived unscathed. I guess "God takes
care of Soldiers & fools." Thanks again...
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Manufactured Housing Design Trends





It’s been a busy month! I’ve been traveling coast to coast to see the latest trends in housing, interiors, and furniture.

I get lots of emails about the differences in decorating a manufactured home vs a site built one, but truly there shouldn’t be any difference unless you are dealing with a manufactured home that has board and batten walls instead of tape and textured drywall. What’s amazing to me is how often manufactured housing drives or starts trends that then are used in site built homes. Due to the sheer volume of how many homes we build there is more of an opportunity to try out new things and see how they work.

One of the biggest trends I am seeing in manufactured and site built housing is islands in the kitchens that continue to grow in size and importance. Using a different stain or color on the island is a great way to make it stand out and to really add some impact and storage to a space. An area that manufactured housing has always offered more for your money is in the cabinets that are offered - many times you have twice as many cabinets in a manufactured home as what is offered in a comparable site builders home.

Stainless appliances have been around for quite awhile now, but they can also break the budget of many homeowners. What has become very popular are black appliances - they are usually priced more reasonably than stainless, I find them easier to keep clean than white or bisque ones, and they really can make a statement in any size kitchen.

Being a Lifestylist is all about understanding the lifestyle of a potential homeowner and what their needs are. Sharing what I see and learn is one of the favorite parts of what I do. I’m hoping to spend more time this year talking about upcoming trends and how they can fit into your lifestyle.
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Fair Time!

As much as I love Summer, it sure feels great to have a little bit cooler weather and know that fair season is almost here. I am a fair junkie - I had met my husband at the Erie County Fair in Buffalo, NY when we were both showing horses, and now The State Fair of Texas is my home away from home when September comes.

Patriot retailers also are fair lovers, and love to use that opportunity to show the public what great houses Patriot builds and what a value they are. I've just finished working on a house with Woodlund Homes in Minnesota, and I can't wait to hear how it all turns out!

Woodlund will be exhibiting at The Minnesota State Fair which is held in St Paul, MN from August 21 - Labor Day this year. The fair attracts over 1 million visitors each year and besides getting to go and see this beautiful home you'll be able to see The Backstreet Boys in concert, and eat to your hearts content!

This is Woodlund's 10th year to exhibit, and this year they are taking a beautiful modular home that features an Evolution stainless steel kitchen, amazing master suite, tile, and a beautiful corner fireplace to keep you warm on those chilly Minnesota evenings.

Be sure to make a point to visit this great fair and tour this beautiful home - it's one you won't want to miss!

Brenco Homes will also be taking a Patriot Home to the Heart of Texas Fair which will be October 2 - 11, 2008. I have been involved in merchandising their fair home for the last 4 years and can't wait to get started on this one! Gary and the guys always do things right, and if you can't wait until October to see what they have to offer be sure to stop by their retail center which is located at the front of the Patriot Homes of Texas location.
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Patriot Homes of Texas Embraces new Design Trends

Sadly, when many people think of manufactured housing they think about mobile homes that were built in the 70's with no design or interest in the floorplans.

A Patriot Home is anything but a mobile home - they are well built, beautifully designed and in many cases come complete with designer options that you have to pay an additional change fee to get in a site built home.

Patriot Homes of Texas announced this month that they were upgrading the design and finish of many of their faucet, lighting, and cabinet hardware selections. Lifestylist Suzanne Felber helped them identify the trend that finishes are going to a more distressed patina and the pewter and antique nickel finishes are what consumers are looking for. Many companies have gone to an oil rubbed bronze look, but this style seems to be running it's course with the antique nickel taking over the consumers choice position.
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Vacationing at Home



With gas prices what they are, why not invest your vacation dollars into your own backyard? Prices have dropped on many items that can make your own home into a resort, and it’s a vacation your family can then enjoy all year long.

porch-068.jpgThis home features a spectacular indoor / outdoor fireplace that is beautiful as well as functional. By screening in the porch area and using pavers for the flooring this will end up being one of the most used rooms in the house. The furniture was a vintage set that was taken to an auto body company and painted using auto paint. The result is one that will last for years and is very cost-effective. To tie into current color trends we went to Pier1 Imports and found some great colorful cushions and an outdoor area rug to complete the look.

patriot-porch-069.jpgManufactured Housing is also tapping into the outdoor living trend, and Patriot Homes now offers some new models that come complete with outdoor areas that are ready to go as soon as the homes are delivered. Patriot Homes of Alabama showcased two homes at the Tunica show this year - one with a screened porch area that was large enough to house a bar and seating area, and another with a built-in sink and prep area, covered porch and optional grill. This area could have an additional deck area added on-site, but as offered there is lots of room for even the largest parties.

When considering an outdoor oasis of your own, keep in mind the following considerations:
*Utilities: Be sure that you have adequate water, electrical and gas if you’ll need it for your new area. If this is something you’ll have to add it can really drive up the costs.
*Screening: If you are in an area that tends to have lots of bugs you may want to think about screening in your new area to make it more comfortable all year long.
*Size Matters: Be sure when you are planing your space that there is room for whatever seating you plan on using as well as room to walk around. One of the mistakes I see the most is porches that aren’t wide enough when you add traditional seating.

Sadly traveling especially flying is no longer the enjoyable experience it used to be, so relieve the stress and enjoy your own back yard.


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Lifestylist Design - It's All about You


Happy Memorial Day! This was a wonderful family filled one for me - I drove up to Oklahoma City to spend the day with my parents, sisters, and their families.

This month I've been very busy doing model homes across the country for Patriot, and also working on my new Lifestylist Design products that will be launching in January. It's been really exciting to see the Lifestylist program come full circle, and to see how people have embraced the concept and made it their own.

My sister is the perfect example of what Lifestylist Design is all about. It should be about you - your life, your loves, your discoveries, not some designer or other persons interpretation of how they think you should live. I was finally able to get up here to see the new home that she and her family have been working on, and it's spectacular! And the best thing about it is that when I walk in the home, or even when I drive up to the home there is no question that this is an active outgoing family who loves life and are individuals. From the start my sister refused to get "typecast" into a specific style or theme. Instead she incorporated things that they saw on various trips, items that were gifts on very special occasions, and was wise enough to encourage her subcontractors to be partners with her on this journey. The result is a marriage of craftsmanship and character that will never be replicated the same way again, just as my sister is a one of a kind.

"Rules" are meant to be broken, especially in the design world. The next time someone tells you what you can or can't do with your home tell them that you practice the Lifestylist Design philosophy where what you love is never put in question.
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Lifestylist Design - It's All about You


Happy Memorial Day! This was a wonderful family filled one for me - I drove up to Oklahoma City to spend the day with my parents, sisters, and their families.

This month I've been very busy doing model homes across the country for Patriot, and also working on my new Lifestylist Design products that will be launching in January. It's been really exciting to see the Lifestylist program come full circle, and to see how people have embraced the concept and made it their own.

My sister is the perfect example of what Lifestylist Design is all about. It should be about you - your life, your loves, your discoveries, not some designer or other persons interpretation of how they think you should live. I was finally able to get up here to see the new home that she and her family have been working on, and it's spectacular! And the best thing about it is that when I walk in the home, or even when I drive up to the home there is no question that this is an active outgoing family who loves life and are individuals. From the start my sister refused to get "typecast" into a specific style or theme. Instead she incorporated things that they saw on various trips, items that were gifts on very special occasions, and was wise enough to encourage her subcontractors to be partners with her on this journey. The result is a marriage of craftsmanship and character that will never be replicated the same way again, just as my sister is a one of a kind.

"Rules" are meant to be broken, especially in the design world. The next time someone tells you what you can or can't do with your home tell them that you practice the Lifestylist Design philosophy where what you love is never put in question.
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Giving Back

Spring has finally come to the Rochester New York area, and now is the perfect time to tackle those spring
cleaning projects that never quite got done last year.
@Home Builders and The Ronald McDonald Charities of Rochester are providing the perfect opportunity
for you to de-clutter your home while possibly having some of your well-loved items featured in this
years Homearama.
David Riedman of @Home Builders believes in giving back, and decided to continue this philosophy in
their Homearama house this year. The builder is teaming up with the Ronald McDonald team and will be
furnishing and decorating the entire home with merchandise that has been donated for the ABC sale
which is held every fall by the Ronald McDonald House.
Lifestylist Suzanne Felber is never one to back away from a challenge, and was thrilled to be chosen as
the designer for this project. “Not only will this home show consumers how they can blend a new home
with their favorite possessions, it will also show a type of recycling people overlook – donating items
they no longer need to a group like the Ronald McDonald House so others can use them in their homes.”
With the sale being held in the fall, many people don’t think about donating items until later in the year
so the dedicated volunteers of the sale are putting the word out now that donations are accepted all
year long. “This is the perfect time to start cleaning out those closets and extra rooms” stated Felber
“and I think people will be surprised about what we will be using in the home.”
A few items still on the wish list for the home are an interesting master bedroom suite, upholstered
chairs, area rugs in jewel tones, and a breakfast table and chairs. If you have items that you would like to
donate, please contact the team at:
The home will be debuting June 14th during the opening of the 30th Homearama at the Magnolia Manor
community in Perinton. The home will continue to be open to the public until June 29th when all of the
furnishings and accessories will be auctioned off with proceeds benefiting the Ronald McDonald House
charities.
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Defining FEMA Trailer

It seems like FEMA trailer is a term that won't be missing from our vocabularies for quite awhile, but what truly is a FEMA trailer?

When the media discusses FEMA trailers it seems to be trying to lead the public into believing that that the manufactured homes built to house survivors of Katrina and Rita are the issue, but the facts are showing that the issues coming to light are with the RV's that most survivors were housed in, not the manufactured homes.

This Lifestylist® has visited the affected areas and has seen how many RVs are housing people vs manufactured homes, it's hard to believe that people are still being housed in recreational vehicles that were never meant (or tested) to be used as long term housing.

One of the great things about Manufactured Housing is that besides the homes being built in climate controlled,under roof facilities, they are also built to very strict national codes dictated by HUD.

Patriot Homes is a great example of a home builder doing the right thing, and offers great design, quality and value quickly and efficiently. Check them out and be prepared to change yoru opinion of manufactured housing!
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Defining FEMA Trailer

It seems like FEMA trailer is a term that won't be missing from our vocabularies for quite awhile, but what truly is a FEMA trailer?

When the media discusses FEMA trailers it seems to be trying to lead the public into believing that that the manufactured homes built to house survivors of Katrina and Rita are the issue, but the facts are showing that the issues coming to light are with the RV's that most survivors were housed in, not the manufactured homes.

This Lifestylist® has visited the affected areas and has seen how many RVs are housing people vs manufactured homes, it's hard to believe that people are still being housed in recreational vehicles that were never meant (or tested) to be used as long term housing.

One of the great things about Manufactured Housing is that besides the homes being built in climate controlled,under roof facilities, they are also built to very strict national codes dictated by HUD.

Patriot Homes is a great example of a home builder doing the right thing, and offers great design, quality and value quickly and efficiently. Check them out and be prepared to change yoru opinion of manufactured housing!
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