This years self-guided driving tour includes several new builds with spectacular design features, highly efficient cooling and heating units in new housing, and existing homes with innovative upgrades by the owners. The tour also includes Biz611, a business incubator, demonstrating sustainable commercial construction in downtown Hendersonville. The six tour sites are evenly divided between Henderson and Buncombe Counties. 

Aesthetic design and energy efficiency are combined in John McDermotts home to generate as much energy as it uses C making it a net zero home. Super insulated, geothermal 27 SEER HVAC, and tons of thermal mass contribute to his efficiency. In another home, the walls are constructed with hemp and lime to achieve high insulation values. Reclaimed wood, steel, and window frames from Grove Park Inn are also incorporated into this Buncombe County Energy Star home. 

The Green Home Tour will also focus on techniques for greening existing homes. For instance, you can eliminate dark interior spaces with a light tube and cool with a solar attic fan. One home featured on the tour is comfortable without any AC or forced air furnace. These owners have replaced all their grass with edible gardens and wild flowers so they enjoy their outdoor kitchen which reduces the amount of cooling needed to bring down the temperature inside the home from cooking heat. 

Energy costs keep rising, but innovative design and construction materials at a Henderson County Habitat for Humanity site will keep costs down to $31 per month for residents. Here is your chance to see inside the walls at their construction and sealing techniques. Also in Henderson County is Hendersonvilles newest building in downtown- Biz611. Just completed in early summer of this year, it was constructed using 9,000 bricks from the former building and other salvaged materials. Forty-four solar panels generate electricity while shading southern exposure. The entire roof collects rainwater that is used in the graywater system throughout the building. Biz611 also boasts a beautiful living wall facing Church Street-- a treat youll be sure to enjoy on the day of the tour. 

When she started her job six years ago, Richardson thought itd be a cool idea to bring to Staunton to get families and residents involved. She is from Marion, where at Hungry Mother State Park a plywood boat regatta is held every year.Every year we hope for new people to join in, she said. Its a lot of team building to build the boat, then you get to race it which is the fun part.Thomas Verga has been racing his boats for the five years the event has been held.Richardson said Verga used to hold a how-to-build-a-plywood-boat session, which got more people involved in the racing. 

Verga, a shop teacher at Fort Defiance, said building one isnt that hard.There is one catch for this contest. The only materials that can be used are 2 by 4 pieces of wood, plywood, fasteners and duct tape.Verga started building boats in college,Are you still hesitating about where to buy Cheap Granite Slabs? starting with a wooden kayak. He has three plywood boats the Honora Rose, the Sea Dragon, what his wife, Judy raced, and the Holtzkiste, which means the wooden crate in German. 

Costing between $50 to $100,Shop for the largest selection of Granite tiles at everyday low prices. Verga said its a simple wooden boat. With his boat he put compound curves and other fancy techniques, which could be harder for a beginner.Its as simple or as hard as you want to make it, Verga said. (What) weve had in previous years theyre very simple box like construction and everything was in right angles. 

Newlands is one of Quail Wests most prestigious neighborhoods and offers exceptional views, said DeMaria. Visitors entering the Majorca Grande are treated to unobstructed views of the pool, golf course and a lake. The view inspired us to create a soothing interior that will ensure the residents fully enjoy the beautiful setting. Our color palette includes corals, shades of melons and apricots,These Cheap Building Materials can, apparently, operate entirely off the grid. and some gold as accents against bronzes and natural grasses. The primary background is ecru, a champagne-like color with beige and taupe influences. The palette has a comfortable feeling and plays well against the chiseled-edge marble flooring. Weve created additional warmth with clean-lined furnishings that have rolled arms and curves rather than stark, straight line designs. The look invites people to enjoy a conversation in front of the living room fireplace while taking in the view. 

A metallic earthen stone inlay in the foyers marble floor sets the space off and offers a welcoming note. An arched niche wall, with a large art piece and coquina shell chandelier suspended from a coffered ceiling, provide additional warmth. The foyer opens to a formal living room with a tall ceiling that includes a 3-by-3-inch coffer treatment with a golden-toned cork inlay. The same inlay is used in arched niches that frame a precast fireplace. 

Vogues furniture mix includes a sofa with natural linen fabric accented by a pewter yarn and velvet-like side chairs with nail head accents. The patterns of a branch chandelier are reflected in the cocktail tables antiqued mirror top. Pocketing sliders that showcase the homes spectacular view are framed by salmon and gold drapery panels with beaded trim. Two arches separate the living room from a wet bar with a wine chiller, maple cabinetry with a walnut finish and a neutral granite counter top. 

The dining room features a coffered ceiling with a natural cane grass inlay that is also found in a niche wall that showcases a circular pattern art mirror with distressed silver wood frames. The mirror is set above a console finished in crocodile-patterned deep-brown faux leather with pewter-toned pulls. Lamps with a circular pattern imitate the mirrors design. A chandelier with mirror and tortoise inlays is suspended above a walnut veneer dining table surrounded by Greek-style cream-toned textured linen chairs with a fretwork detail. 

A study off the living room features a coffered ceiling and medium-toned hardwood flooring. Vogue has included a floating partners desk with fluted legs and a marble top. A top in the same marble is set on espresso-toned cabinets that serve as a base for open glass shelving framed by espresso trim against a caramel-toned grass cloth background. A black, tan and gray skin rug and a pair of caramel-toned leather chairs with espresso frames complete the look.

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