Susie Skog knows Lake Norman Real Estate Inside Out

There are few architectural movements that can compete with the American Craftsman when it comes to exuding a sense of character and coziness. Having emerged toward the end of the 19th century, this style has been in demand among homeowners for over a hundred years and certainly wont be going away any time soon. As the name would suggest, these homes emphasize quality and craftsmanship, which is why theyre particularly appreciated by those with an eye for detail. Here are several hallmark features that make the American Craftsman style so appealing.

Charming Faades
Often designed with overhanging eaves and large covered porches at the front entrance, a Craftsman home feels inviting before you even step inside. Low-pitched gable roofs and tapered columns give the faade unique curb appeal thats both low-key and classic. Plus, theres just something about a Craftsman-style home that looks especially in its element when surrounded by lots of trees and plantings, which makes them ideal for any landscape design enthusiasts.

Large Fireplaces
At the center of almost every Craftsman home is a fireplace that the family can gather around. Oftentimes, youll even find more than one throughout the house. A prominent red brick fireplace with wood cabinets on either side is a quintessential feature that contributes to the balance between cozy and refined.

Thoughtful Details
Perhaps most importantly are the small details that make a Craftsman home stand out, such as beamed ceilings, built-in bookshelves and wainscoting. While a large living room with a prominent fireplace makes for a grand entertaining space, there also tends to be more intimate sitting areas, like window seats and reading nooks.

Natural Materials
Of course, given the features found throughout the interiors, a Craftsman house generally showcases an extensive use of wood and stone. From the fireplace to the built-ins, natural materials are on full display, creating an ambience thats distinguished and welcoming.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are a few ideas for a memorable camping trip seconds from home…

Cozy Accommodations

Fill your tent with blankets and pillows to ensure no one gets cold in the middle of the night.

Camping Vibes

Hanging lanterns and making smores around a fire will make it feel even more like camping.

Evening Activities

Plan out a few activities, like a card game, charades or even a scavenger hunt. Afterwards, star gazing is the perfect way to let everyone wind down before bed.

Remember the Essentials

Dont forget to stock up on bug spray, check the weather forecast and make sure to have working flashlights.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre considering buying a house with a home theater, or perhaps you want to put one in your current residence, the most important question that youre likely to face is whether to get a TV or projector. This alone will undoubtedly have a major impact on your viewing experience, so its worth digging into the details in order to design the perfect home theater for your next family movie night. Below are the pros and cons of each.

TV Pros:
If picture quality is the most important characteristic to you, then its generally accepted that TVs have the edge in this department. Not only will the image be sharper and brighter, but you wont have to worry about keeping the room dark. Additionally, TVs have built-in speakers, so you dont necessarily need to outfit your home theater with a separate audio system.

TV Cons:
A large, state-of-the-art TV is likely going to set you back a bit more than a projector, but thats to be expected for the picture quality. One area that the TV is limited is size, as 4K ultra-high definition televisions top out around 80 inches (not that thats anything to scoff at).

Projector Pros:
For a true cinematic experience with a wall-sized screen, the projector is the way to go for larger-than-life images at a cheaper price. If you want to be able to discreetly turn your living room into a home theater, you have the benefit of installing a retractable projector and screen that hides from view when not in use.

Projector Cons:
Of course, the biggest knock on projectors is that light affects the picture quality, but if youre going to use blackout shades or put your home theater in your basement, then this probably isnt a major concern. While the picture quality isnt quite as good as televisions, todays 4K ultra-high definition projectors are very impressive. Youll also need to get speakers, which isnt an issue if you plan on installing a surround sound system anyway.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.