from Tennessean
Builders concentrate on luxurious closets, fancy kitchens, ‘Woman Cave’
Oversized McMansions are history. Instead of big houses with rooms that might seldom — if ever — be used, builders are offering luxury amenities that add to comfort and enjoyment for years to come.
Builders in the Nashville region are raising the bar with imaginative new amenities. How about a Woman Cave? Other innovations include separate suites for in-laws or “boomerang” children who return home for a time after college or maybe a divorce, luxury walk-in closets and gourmet kitchens that make even a microwave dinner feel special.
“Two things sell homes — baths and kitchens,” said Peder Jensen, director of sales for the Jones Co., which recently introduced the Woman Cave.
The Man Cave has long been a retreat where men could watch sports and movies. The Jones Co. thought it was about time women had a space of their own, too. It comes with granite countertops, framed mirrors, ceramic tile flooring, a custom closet, recessed lighting, a marble tub and a marble body spray shower complete with a frameless glass door.
“The Man Cave has always been important, but a lot of time women drive the sale,” said Jensen. The Woman Cave has created “a lot of buzz.”
Men are welcome in the Woman Cave, which he calls “a nice place to shave.”
The Jones Co. is also offering kitchen upgrades that include slide-in ranges and double ovens. One oven is smaller and is the perfect size for heating a pizza or cookies, said Jensen.
Space that’s used
In Tollgate Village in southern Williamson County, gourmet kitchens and luxury closets are a hit.
“With the popularity of HGTV, everybody wants to be a celebrity chef,” said Pegan Sherick, on-site sales consultant for Dock Street Communities, which is developing the community.
“Where does everybody end up when partying with family or friends? The kitchen,” she said.
In addition to lots of granite, Dock Street offers kitchens with double ovens and gas cooktops. Master closets have a California Closet organizer.
“It’s sexy to have a nice master closet,” said Dan Kingsbury, project manager and principal broker at Tollgate Village. “It adds a ‘wow’ factor.”
Many homes in Tollgate Village have about 2,300 to 2,400 square feet of living space, but 10-foot ceilings and eight-foot doorways make interior spaces feel larger. The community also offers garages with extra storage space.
The goal is to offer amenities that homeowners actually use, said Kingsbury.
“Years ago it was all about square footage. The more the better. Now people want to downsize but upgrade,” he said.
Suites for boomerang kids and in-laws are becoming a necessity in homes where two or even three generations live under one roof, said Randall Smith, president of Celebration Homes.
“The chance of kids coming back after college is increasing,” said Smith. “Suites for boomerang kids likewise can be used by an aging parent.”
Celebration is introducing its boomerang suites in Berry Farms, a new community on the southern edge of Franklin. The suites have a kitchen and 450 square feet of living space, about the same space as some downtown condos.
Having separate living spaces guarantees everyone’s privacy, said Smith.
Custom home builder Carbine & Associates understands that outdoor living is extremely popular. But what do you do when a townhome doesn’t have a large yard? The solution is to bring the outdoors inside.
The company’s newest townhomes at Westhaven in Williamson County will feature “accordion windows” that completely fold away.
“You’ll have a full 15-foot opening as if there’s no window,” said John Montgomery, the company’s president. “It’s like making the indoors outdoors.”
The townhomes will also feature a third-floor covered patio complete with an outdoor fireplace.
“The best views are up, from the third floor,” he said.
Source: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130428/LIFE04/304280025/Luxuries-more-important-than-size-new-homes
