Get the Kids Outside This Summer!

A great article and some kid-friendly garden ideas.
How to Cultivate a Young Gardener

Houzz

Screen Addition for Cats

This custom screen porch addition was designed with the owners and their cats in mind. 

They wanted a screen porch that would be accessible to their cats, but didn't want to block the sun from their inside living areas.  Check out our solution!

Big or Small Projects

2011 Parade of Homes

Are you ready to save $25,000 building your new home? We have 2 different homes, 2 different lots, and 2 different price ranges -- ready to go, both with $25,000 in Parade of Homes savings and ready to occupy after the Parade of Homes in June 2011.

If you are ready for your dream ranch, with an open floor plan, great room, 2 fireplaces and room for everyone, see Lot 35 Rivers Turn. There are 4 bedrooms, views to die for, and a garage that you just won't believe -- room for 6 cars, or all your toys! Quit paying storage fees for your boat or hobbies and buy this home. Entertain in the open great room and kitchen, enjoy holiday dinners in a semi-formal dining room that is still comfortable for your weekday dinner. A 1/2 acre lot with a private back yard leads you to the Yahara River conservancy -- and no back yard neighbors! Notice 3 sets of patio doors that connect you to that back yard. Views from every part of the house -- even across the street there are no homes.

Front view of 35 Rivers Turn

Rear view of 35 Rivers Turn

Looking for an open 2-story plan at a modest budget? Then Lot 66 Rivers Turn is for you. We have options to build with 3 or 4 bedrooms, and it has an exposed basement for future finishing. On the main level, find a REAL mudroom with room for all your stuff, a home office, and living room with a fireplace that is open to the kitchen and dining area. Windows make the difference -- take in views of the conservancy from your large living room and master bedrooms. Notice the large 10 foot patio door off the dining area. And again, a 3 car garage with extra depth to store the fun things every family has!

Front view of 66 Rivers Turn

Rear View of 66 Rivers Turn

With Degnan Design Builders, the differences are in the details and in the design. Our homes are tested to prove their energy efficiency using Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and the Focus on Energy New Homes Program. What were your heating bills this winter? In my own home, the most expensive month this year is $133, including our heat, hot water and a gas dryer used for 5 family members in a 2800 square foot home. Thanks to the Intelligent Wall construction methods, we can produce the same results for you.

For more information, you can call Abe at 846-5963, or Ted & Tammy Krez at Lakewood Realty.

Wish for Santa

Last month we received a call from a DeForest home daycare provider who suffered an overnight kitchen fire. The disaster not only closed their business, but also made their home unlivable. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

We began working immediately to return their home and business to normal.

First, we assessed the damage. We found black walls and ceilings, ashes and dirt everywhere, destroyed appliances, and ruined cabinetry. The acrid smell of smoke permeated the house. A thorough clean-up job, new cabinets, new appliances, as wells as a lot of other work was needed to make this house a home again.

Although a fire right before the holidays seems to be doubly tragic, it provided a window when the kids were home for the Holiday break. This allowed Anthony to begin the task of lead safe demolition as soon as A & J Restoration Services finished cleaning. With the lead safe work out of the way, Cheryl of CB Custom Painting quickly sealed the newly clean walls, effectively erasing any residual smoke odors. New cabinets and appliances went on order and the kids were able to come back to their home away from home.

Although Anthony works diligently on all of his jobs, this one was special, as this smoke damaged home is the home of his children’s daycare provider.

Imagine our surprise when the next week we read this in the DeForest Times Tribune:

Dominic, Anthony’s son, had a special wish for Santa. We find it heartwarming that Santa is using Dominic’s dad to make the wish come true.