Good afternoon, bloggers!
Happy New Year! I know how excited you all were before the HGTV Dream Home special aired, and I can only imagine how super-psyched you all must be now to enter the HGTV Dream Home 2009 Giveaway!
I told you that this house would knock your socks off. MicheleC inquired about that fantastic zinc table in the master bedroom. It is a one-of-a-kind piece; Linda found it at an antiques store in Sonoma. Marie, the willowy purple flowers are actually potato vines (they tie in beautifully with the window and patio color). There have also been many questions about the right mail-in address for the giveaway, so here it is. Mail your entries to:
HGTV Dream Home Giveaway
PO Box 53305
Knoxville, TN 37950
Make sure your entries are placed in an envelope (postcards as well). Honestly, I don’t know why, but it is in the rules and I want to make sure you follow them so you can improve your chances of winning.
I hope you all enjoyed a great holiday. My family made it through double ear infections and the flu and still managed to appreciate each other and the downtime the holidays bring.
Happy 2009 to you all!
Your Super Fan,
Gail
Hey, folks! Thrilled that giveaway entry day has finally arrived? We have another treat for you today: Super Fan chats with the HGTV Dream Home master gardener Linda King. She shares some great gardening tips for shady spaces and talks more about those adorable raised-bed gardens in the backyard.
I had the opportunity to meet Linda during my visit to the HGTV Dream Home in early November and had the best time touring the yard with her. One of the coolest plants I saw that day? A semi-evergreen shrub called a “princess flower.” Linda explained that the tropical plant blooms from late summer through the first frost.
Because it loves warm weather, Linda hopes to babysit the delicate shrub through the winter and wrap Christmas lights around the branches to keep the plant warm on cool Sonoma nights until the root system takes hold. Here’s a picture of the pretty plant (I just love those bright-purple blooms … and the fact that each professional involved in the design and build of this home puts so much love and attention to detail into his or her work).
Good morning, bloggers!
Okay, Marie … I’m stumped … (and feeling a bit silly that I can’t figure out the answer from the great hint that Coop gave). Who is the high-profile couple with the 75 acres that Norm Oliver had his hand in helping design?
Great questions are coming from the blog – keep ‘em coming! The draperies in the foyer are truly functional and can be closed to allow for more privacy in each room (I don’t believe this is “traditional” Victorian design). Coop, I am pondering your window-trim question. The window trim is actually painted a deep red/purple color that coordinates with the porch finish and the outdoor plantings. The white trim helps to make the windows really pop. I think that you can better appreciate and see this in person. There aren’t really any vibrant “painted lady” colorized homes in Armstrong Estates (as compared to San Francisco). This home definitely fits into the Armstrong Estates community. Bonnie, there are definitely sprinklers to keep that beautiful lawn green (and a drip system for all of the outdoor plantings as well). I will have to do a little investigation to find out about the heating system. I will post an update soon.
As for entering the HGTV Dream Home 2009 giveaway by mail, please read through the official rules. You’ll find all the details you need there.
Thank you for your questions, and, to my regular bloggers, I thank you for all of your information and answers!! I love the excitement that this gorgeous house is generating. I can’t wait to visit the winner!
Your Super Fan,
Gail
P.S. Don’t forget to enter tomorrow and tune in to watch the HGTV Dream Home special. Find airing times here.
Good morning, bloggers!
I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season. Just remember that if you need to sneak away and de-stress, HGTV.com is here to keep you busy.
Back to HGTV Dream Home chat. Many of you thought to put a flat-screen TV in the living room, but Jack and Linda took care of it for you. You can barely see it hidden away in the bookcase. Check out the living room photo gallery for more details.
Lovelykitty and others have asked me why I thought Linda and Jack decided to place artwork rather than a TV over the fireplace in the family room. The family room is the first room you see when you enter the HGTV Dream Home. You need a dramatic view when you enter through the front door, and the fireplace-artwork combo provides that. MicheleC had suggested the “Divine Design” solution of concealing the TV behind artwork. However, my true feeling is that we would all have extremely sore necks if the TV were placed above the fireplace. The TV would be much too high to really enjoy, especially given how much we all watch HGTV!
Enjoy the HGTV Dream Home special on January 1st. I can’t wait to read all of your reactions on the blog. And to Ingrid and Bobo, I look forward to seeing you after the new year!
Your Super Fan,
Gail
Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope your holiday is — if not cold and snowy — relaxing and filled with good food and drink and lots of merriment. Need a break from the family fun? Grab a cup of spiked egg nog, kick back in a cozy chair and enjoy the Super Fan’s interview with the HGTV Dream Home architect Norm Oliver. And don’t forget to keep the questions coming! We’re waiting for you to stump us!
Good morning, bloggers!
Hopefully you have figured out how to post comments (it took me a while to figure out how everything works, too). Just hang in there; you’ll get used to the new system and be a pro in no time.
I absolutely love the sneak-peek video with Monica, only I wish the tour lasted 90 minutes instead of 90 seconds. I know Tracy in Arizona was concerned about the front-yard view. The cluster of beautiful oak trees (there is one branch that is just begging for a swing) is the real eye candy when you look out onto the property from the front porch. I am sure you will get a better view of it when HGTV airs the HGTV Dream Home 2009 Special on January 1st. Don’t worry, MicheleC — during the show you will also get a glimpse of the first-floor bathroom, which is right outside the study and painted in the same amazing brandy shade.
I hope everyone enjoys a wonderful holiday.
Your Super Fan,
Gail
Dying to know what went on behind the scenes? Follow the Super Fan, as she takes you on a tour of HGTV Dream Home 2009 on furniture load-in day. See special appearances by Jack, Linda and the talented band of decorators.
Got a question after taking the tour, viewing the photo galleries and watching the videos? Post your questions right here. Gail will track down the facts for you.
Better late than never! As promised, we’re proud to present an exclusive video series that features Jack and Linda’s all-time favorite HGTV Dream Home moments. Watch the series, then tell us what you consider the very best HGTV Dream Home ever built. I think mine would have to be 2002, simply because I’ve spent so much vacation time along the Delaware and Maryland shores. I can’t wait to read your thoughts!
Good afternoon, bloggers!
What do you think of the new and improved HGTV.com? Isn’t it cool? So many of you have asked about the start date of the 360-degree tour, and I am happy to tell you that you can enjoy virtual tours of the rooms starting TODAY! Be prepared to be blown away, if you haven’t already clicked around.
Back to questions from last week:
- Congratulations, Linda! I took the pretty picture from a window in the master bathroom. I sense many long soaks in the winner’s future.
- Many people have asked about the size of the master bed. It is queen this year. I will ask Linda why we don’t see king beds in the HGTV Dream Homes. I think this year’s bed is so fabulous, I plan to copy it someday when I have a big master bedroom.
- Lillian, the winner of the HGTV Dream Home will receive the framed limited-edition Michael Schwab print that is currently on display in the stairwell. It is not currently signed. MRDBCoop, the poster will not be available for purchase, but I think that’s a great suggestion.
It won’t be long now until the January 1st special. I can’t wait!
Your Super Fan,
Gail
We’re up and running again! Sorry for the little intermission as we relaunched the site. Today, Gail takes you on a tour of Sonoma — all the coolest spots in town. Tag along for the tour and then let us know what you think of the town … and our brand new look!
