The homes that truly stand the test of time are those that carefully consider place, where architecture and interior design reflect the local landscape and regional lifestyle as well as the individual needs of homeowners. Coastal homes, like their mountain and lake counterparts, are often escapes, where homeowners can retreat from the demands of everyday life. In this case, the surrounding landscape becomes the whole reason for being. These homes invite both days of quiet reflection and celebratory weekends with friends and family. This year, with those core tenets in mind, we set out to build our 2022 Southern Living Idea House in River Dunes, an award-winning maritime community in tiny Oriental, North Carolina, located where the Neuse River flows into the mighty Pamlico Sound. Situated directly across from the River Dunes harbor, the site is a prime corner lot with sweeping views of the water. The 4.125-square-foot North Carolina

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A fire that caused $225,000 in damage and losses at a home east of Bend early Sunday was caused by the improper disposal of oil-soaked rags from a deck-staining project in a plastic trash can, officials said.

Bend Fire & Rescue crews were dispatched just after 3 am to the reported structure fire in the 63000 block of Deschutes Market Road, Deputy Fire Marshal Cindy Kettering said. Initial reports were of flames venting from an attached garage.

The first crews to arrive found a 500-square-foot log garage fully involved and the fire extending to the exterior of a two-story 2,200-square-foot log home, built in 1988, Kettering said.

Two residents were not awakened by the fire and evacuated with fire department assistance. Kettering said smoke alarms inside the home did not sound, as the fire was on the exterior.

The garage, attached to the home by a

American colonial style in architecture refers to the era before the United States was born, when emigrants from Europe began settling on the North American continent. Since the period was a long one — spanning 100 years — “colonial style” actually includes a few different styles and designs. And there are different regional touches, reflecting the local climate and the influences of the settlers’ native countries.

Overall, though, the American colonial style is characterized by a simple elegance and symmetrical, two-story layout. Found throughout the country today, they are many people’s idea of ​​a quintessential traditional home.

History of colonial style

The original American colonial-style homes were built throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. Style-wise, they are “based on British homes with an emphasis on functionally serving the needs of a family and with standing harsh climates,” says Tony Mariotti, CEO and founder of RubyHome, a luxury real estate brokerage

EAST END – Rebuilding Together Houston is revitalizing homes in Houston’s East End District.

Christine Holland, the organization’s CEO, said they’re currently completing homes 99, 100 and 101 in the East End neighborhood, a project that began post-Harvey.

In total, Rebuilding Together Houston has helped more than 15,000 families since 1982. They serve military families anywhere in Harris County, as well as, underserved families in neighborhoods like the East End and Third Ward.

“This program is offered to homeowners who are under 80% area median income, and there’s no cost to the homeowner. We want to serve people who intend to continue to live in their home and we’d like them to be able to pass the home on to the next generation of their family,” Hollands said.

Working on aging houses like the home the Rodriguez family has lived in for 49 years, not only preserves the character of