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The third Color Trend from PPG Pittsburgh Paints 2012/2013 is Deco Candy.  This bright and colorful color pallet  may be an acquired taste for some, but there is no doubt that is very enjoyable to look at. 

Deco Candy

PPG: Vibrant colors and fun design are making of your home a joyful playground. This chromatic trend of bright color blocking is all about energy and optimism. Stripes and color-coded design are bringing a sense of organization to what could otherwise be simply a boisterous spectrum of joyous hues.

Deco candy is a bold harmony of citrus accented by a new playful blue. Yellow is the dominant player, it gives the color scheme that irresistible happy face effect. A dynamic combo to be used associated with more placid white and black.

Creativity, Humor, Surprise, Intensified Emotions

Deco Candy seems to be identical to some work that we have seen before. Remember our work with HGTV in Cranberry Township last summer? Interior designer, Alisha Gwen, showcased a few rooms with a very similar theme..

Follow Heartland Homes @HeartlandHomes and Alisha Gwen @alishagwen on Twitter!

 

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Peters Township in Washington County, Pennsylvania is a new and exciting place for you and loved ones to move to for a variety of reasons.

 10. Washington County is full of historical landmarks and sights to see. It was formed in 1781 and is named after the first president of the United States. Washington County boasts 95 listings in the National Register of Historic Places. Historic buildings within the immediate vicinity include the Enoch Wright House, the Roberts House, The Canonsburg Armory, and the Hawthorne School.

9. Peters Township and the Heartland Communities are within a few miles of two major Pittsburgh area highways – I70 and I79 – but the new homes in Peters Township still retain a rural charm.

8. Washington County boasts a major university and three colleges, a center of education and learning in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Students are sure to benefit from the academic atmosphere.

7. Because of their location near the mountains, new homes in Peters Township are close to all kinds of sporting venues. Take your pick from skiing and ice skating in the winter, and swimming and boating in the warmer months.

6. The Meadows Racetrack and Casino is a great place to go to get away from it all at nights or on weekends. Filled with fun and fresh acts, it is located in Washington County, close Peters Township.

5. Museums are all over Washington County, including the Meadowcroft Museum of Rural Life and the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. These museums offer learning experiences nowhere else in the state can offer to your loved ones.

4. Vineyards and wineries dot the landscape around new homes in Peters Township. Who wouldn’t want to spend a relaxing day wandering around beautiful landscapes that are incomparable to others in the state?

3. Little Lake Theatre Company is a community theatre that everyone in Peters Township and Washington County can enjoy. It offers entertainment all year round so you are sure to enjoy the best of culture and the arts.

2. There’s a lot going on! Check out the Peters Township Community Calendar at http://www.egovlink.com/peterstownship/events/calendar.asp so you can stay updated on all the cultural, sporting and arts events in the township in Peters Township.

1. Peters Township School District is one of the finest districts in the area. It boasts a 99% graduation rate and is consistently ranked among Pennsylvania’s top performing schools. In fact, in 2011, the Pittsburgh Business Times ranked the district 10^th out of Pennsylvania’s 500 districts in academic performance.
It is easy to see that Peters Township in Washington County, Pennsylvania is wonderful pace to raise a family. Heartland Homes has two provided quiet, beautiful communities in Peter Twp – Hiddenbrook and Chadwick Estates. Both communities are extremely family friendly and boast scenic views overlooking rural Pennsylvania and an exclusive feel while still being close to the action. So if you are considering a new home in Peters Township, PA, be sure you see what Heartland Homes has to offer.

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The second of four Color Trends from PPG Pittsburgh Paints is called Beauty Queen  and there is no doubt how this color pallete got its name.  This feminine color scheme is sure to catch your attention, its deep purples, soft pinks, and cosmetic blues lure you in and captures your attention like  true royalty.   

 

Beauty Queen

PPG: The context of this theme is HIGHLY social where the decor is a scene for fun and for the pleasure of a bit of extravagance.

Glamorous and bold, it channels the spirit of a mix of 70s and 80s. This is the decor of a strong unapologetically confident woman or of a suave and charming man. To create the atmosphere of the Beauty Queen decor, we composed a very feminine palette. Bold pink and Purple have been paired with a softened white, a subtle cosmetic pink and an aqua blue. They easily could be used against black or grey.

Luxury, Confidence, Fantasy, Sophisticated Glamour

For other Color Trends from PPG Pittsburgh Paints and other excellent advice on Interior Design follow this link: Interior Design Advice

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Simple and Local

One of my favorite topics to blog about every year is undoubtedly PPG Pittsburgh Paints newest color trends of the year.  And this year I am very excited to do a series of blog posts in which we feature each of the four color trends from PPG! The first color trend that we are going to discuss is titled Local Revival.

Local Revival

PPG: We are starting to think closer, simpler, more familiar again and eventually, it might get easier and less expensive. We are switching off from the virtual reality to be better connected to the real world; fresh local food, the rhythm of the seasons, the material of the region. Our growing desire of unplugging from a complicated life generates a desire for proximity and for autonomy. The aesthetic focus on what is simple and local.

Modest, Familiar, Respectful, Fundamental, Sustainable.

A strong folkloric flavour influences the color palette and tells us stories of the community passed through generation like a good jam recipe. Made of a mix of red berries, a modest muted stone color neutral, a warm creamy white all-together anchored by a solid reliable brown.

For other Color Trends from PPG Pittsburgh Paints and other excellent advice on Interior Design follow this link: Interior Design Advice

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Whether it was a brand new Heartland Home that you designed and customized, or just your first starter home, do you remember the emotions that you had when you opened the door to your new home for the first time?  A sensation deep down in the pit of your gut, a feeling of excitement mixed with a moment of “Oh my God, where do I begin”, topped with a little bit of “Honey, do you know where we packed (insert your lost item here)” 

Owning a home for the first time is a huge responsibility, but with great responsibility comes great reward (or something your parents used to say).  But there is no greater reward than making your house into a home.   

From hardwood floor stains, lighting fixtures and granite colors, to hardware, hinges, and plumbing fixtures there are so many little selections that go into giving your house its own personality.  As a custom home builder we recognize this, and appreciate every selection, no matter the size.  And as we change our calendars once again, and celebrate another year of building homes right here in your backyard we brainstorm and think of ways that we can not only make our homes better, but how we can make the experience of building a Heartland Home an even more enjoyable experience. 

With all of this being said, we are very excited to announce that we have a few surprises for 2012! From the moment you step into your first Heartland Home model home, to your family picture around the SOLD Sign, the day of your big move, and all the years that follow, we are happy to say that we are growing, learning, and improving as a builder to make these experiences (and every experience in between) the most enjoyable yet!

Here is to a prosperous 2012 to you and your family and we cannot wait to get started!  Follow our Blog, Facebook Page, Twitter, and YouTube for all the exciting announcements that we will be making in 2012!

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Every year as we change our calendars and prepare ourselves for a few weeks of actually sticking to our grueling New Year’s resolutions, experts everywhere scurry to make their predictions for the New Year.  And now that we are one week past the New Year, the experts have posted their projections, and 2012 looks very promising for our beloved city.

Pittsburgh Named Top Housing Market

Local Market Monitor, a company that specializes in reviewing national real estate markets, put together their Top 5 Real Estate Markets for 2012 and Pittsburgh reigns supreme! They had this to say about the Steel City:

Pittsburgh: This former steel town may lack some of the glamour of bigger metros, but it has better prospects than most U.S. cities. The job base of colleges, hospitals and other health-care employers is growing. And while the population has remained relatively steady, those who live here enjoy slightly higher incomes than the national average. Houses are relatively cheap too, with the average home costing just $168,612 as of Dec. 1. The housing boom boosted prices 16%, and there has been no real decline since. The recession in Pittsburgh also was mild, with jobs down just 2%. Prices might dip 1% in the next year, but from there values should pick up again, gaining 2% in 2013.

We disagree about their remarks about our glamour, but there analysis is great news for 2012! Over the past few years, national real estate experts have continued to praise Pittsburgh for our perseverance during the national recession.  2012 is no different and we expect this to be one of many lists in which Pittsburgh is seen as a the Emerald City during a time of national a downturn.

Click Here to Read The Article Posted By MSN Real Estate

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Adams Township, in Butler County, PA is one of the fastest growing towns in the Pittsburgh area. While there are countless reasons why Adams Township has become such a desirable place to live – we’ve listed 10.

1. Parks and Recreation
Moving to Adams Township will allow you to take advantage of the many parks and other recreational activities Butler County provides. Two scenic parks worth mentioning include Cranberry Community Park and the Adams Township Community Park.

2. Butler County Unified Plan
Adams Township is a part of a new plan to improve the economy and businesses in the county, which will improve life for all residents.

3. Free Wi-Fi in public spaces
Moving to Adams Township means that whenever you visit the town center, you will be able to access free, unlimited Wi-Fi.

4. Small-town warmth
Snuggled into a quiet, rural area of Pennsylvania, communities in Adams Township, including Myoma Woods, radiate warmth and charm.

5. Experience history
A new home in Butler County means getting to interact with history through museums, a plantation and historical homes.

6. Outdoor activities
When you move to a new home in Adams Township, you will get access to the North Country Scenic Trail, over 3,000 acres of lake, and over 16,000 acres of woods at Moraine State Park.

7. Festivals and events
Communities in Adams Township are privileged to share in the seasonal, sporting, street, arts, agriculture and heritage festivals and events hosted by Butler County.

8. Sporting activities
Whatever kind of sport you like to pursue, there is a place to do it in or around Adams Township, including golf, baseball and motor sports. There is a nearby skating rink, several playing fields, and more golf courses than you can shake your club at.

9. Dining and Shopping
A home builder in Adams Township know that there are many fine restaurants and shops for you to experience, including one-of-a-kind family-owned businesses of all kinds. Notable eateries include Siba and Jimmy’s Strip District Grille.

10. Community
Moving to Adams Township means a sense of community and caring that is perfect for raising your family.

It is easy to see that Adams Township in Butler County Pennsylvania is a welcoming and diverse place to live. There is so much to see and do! Heartland Homes has provided quiet, beautiful communities for families to move into right in the middle of the rich historic and cultural center of the county. Myoma Woods and Amherst Village are constructed with the highest grade materials and unique styles. With gorgeous views overlooking rural Pennsylvania, both sites provide new homes in Adams Township, PA and a get-away feel while not being far from activities and events. If you are looking for a quiet place to live with lots of amenities, then take advantage of what Adams Township has to offer.

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 Heartland Homes Model Home for Sale in North Fayette

 

Originally listed at $429,900, this beautiful Virginian with Attached Garage Model Home is now listed at $399,900.  This deal is almost too good to be true!  From the minute you set your eyes on this home we are sure you will fall in love. Offering great curb appeal with a brick front and full front porch. This home features 9’ ceilings and hardwood floor throughout the first floor.  You will fall in love with the family room that unveils an abundance of natural light with a 5 Window Bay and 2 additional windows that climb up this room’s brick fireplace!  The Kitchen is a must see -with upgraded Cherry cabinets with an amber stain, black ceramic basin sink, black Whirlpool appliances (including refrigerator), Uba Tuba granite on all countertops including an impressive L-shaped island.  Attached to the kitchen is even more living space and even more natural sunlight in a cozy sunroom! 

Want to learn more about this home, and schedule your visit before it’s too late? Contact Jodie at 412-512-6671 or email her at JAMcCormick@HeartlandCustomHomes.com

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Taking pictures of Christmas Lights is a very tricky art to master, but we have compiled a short list of helpful tips to assist you in capturing the perfect shot!

1.  Stabilize

Ideally, tripods are the best tool in your photography shed, but if a tripod is not available use anything to stabilize your camera.  If you are taking a picture from the street, use the hood or roof of your car.  Anything that will not move or vibrate while you are taking a picture is okay to use.

If there is absolutely nothing in the world that you can rest your camera on while you take a picture, at the very least use both hands to stabilize the camera while pressing down on the button.  Tuck your arms in tight, and position your body in a way that you are not swaying or wavering.

2.   TURN THE FLASH OFF

Snow and other precipitations are very reflective and will ruin your picture if you leave the flash on!  Unless you are going for the “bright orb of light in the middle of your picture” look, remember to turn your flash off

3.  Twilight

And we are not talking about vampires and werewolves! The best time of day to take a picture of Christmas Lights is around Twilight.  The setting sun still gives some natural light to allow proper light balance, yet provides enough darkness to show off your awesome light display.  If it doesn’t look right, come back every 5 minutes or so until you capture that perfect shot.

4.  Your Camera

From professional DSLR camera’s to the generic digital camera that your Great Aunt Gene gave you for Christmas last year, your camera offers 101 settings to help capture the prefect shot.  Each camera offers different settings and options, but try your best to set your camera to a setting similar to what you would use indoor without a flash! It sounds like the opposite of what you are doing, but it works best for this type of shot! 

Also, don’t be afraid to use your camera’s timer.  This can help you from vibrating your camera ever so slightly when you press down on the shutter.

5.   Set the Scene

Try to get the entire scene.  The snow, your yard, the sky, and any other background elements can really turn a good photo into a great photo!  Remove any items that you don’t want from your scene.  Move your car from the driveway to the street, or throw the snow shovel in the garage for the time being.  Take away the ugly things that we do not want to see, to make your picture perfect!

 6.  Take Multiple Shots

Your picture might look incredible on your camera’s one inch by one inch display, but you will not know how it turned out until you view it full size on an actual computer screen, so take as many pictures as you can, and select your best shot from an entire gallery!

Go ahead, let out your inner Griswold.

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Heartland Homes was awarded 4 Housing Excellence Awards over the weekend at the 2011 Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh (BAMP) Awards Ceremony on Friday. 

Best Green Energy Efficient Housing – Under $500,000

The Park IV at Newbury

This home type sets the standard for energy efficiency within a residential home.  Tested by a third party, this home not only meets but exceeds ENERGY Star requirements.  To meet code a home’s HERS score must be lower than 100, to achieve ENERGY Star requirements you must meet a score of 80. This home has a score of 64. Not bad for a home that is over 2500 square feet, right? 

Just because this home was designed with all of the energy efficient and green building practices in a price range under $500,000 does not mean that functionality exceeds exquisiteness.  This home is gorgeous!

Hailed by the home’s open design, each room is a continuation of each other.   Sitting in the family room, you can easily have a conversation with the openness of the kitchen with someone preparing a Saturday lunch, or from the kitchen to the dining room during a Thanksgiving Feast or to the dining room to the family room on family game night.  If you enjoy an open layout, than this home is for you!

The upstairs offers more space than even imaginable.  Offering commodious secondary bedrooms, this house is sure to please every family member or guest fortunate enough to cozy up within its walls.  But the Master Bedroom is the must-see attraction of the entire home.  Designed with luxury in the blueprint, this room is stunning.  The almost-argument free bathroom features his-and -her sinks with enough room for each person to leave as many toiletries out as they would like.  A separate whirlpool bathtub and shower hosts the most convenient bathroom design, without sacrificing attractiveness for functionality. 

 

Best Single Family Home of the Year – $451,000-$650,000

The Nantucket II at Mystic Ridge (HGTV)

This home type sets the standard for energy efficiency within a residential home.  Tested by a third party, this home not only meets but exceeds ENERGY Star requirements.  To meet code a home’s HERS score must be lower than 100, to achieve ENERGY Star requirements you must meet a score of 80. This home has a score of 64. Not bad for a home that is over 4000 square feet, right? 

This home design is breathtaking through and through.  Walk through the front door and you are greeted by beautifully a two-story open foyer that welcomes you in with warm hardwood floors.  A few more steps in and you will see that this home is everything you could ever want and more.  With a formal living, dining, and office on the first floor, you’ve have only seen the half of it.  This home opens up even further into a great room of ginormous proportion, towering eighteen feet to the second floor this spacious family room is the heart of the home.  Adjacent to the family room is where any person will truly fall in love with this home, the kitchen.  This massive eat-in, gourmet kitchen will appeal to both the master chef and the takeout connoisseur alike.  Offering enough space to host the entire family tree as well as leave some space for peace and relaxation in the intimately attached sunroom.

Once you have made your way up the beautiful two entry staircase you are open to 4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, and a master bedroom truly fit for a king (and his entire kingdom).  Including a master bathroom that contains a stand-alone bathtub and a walk-in shower that is 14 feet long brandishing beautiful ceramic and several shower heads.

Best Single Family Home the Year – $250,000 And Under

The Augusta at Oakbrooke Estates

This home design offers comfort, flexibility, and an undisturbed place to call home.   Designed with the family in mind, this home offers four bedrooms and up to three and a half bathrooms, with several interior options and multiple exterior elevations available to turn this house into a home with every selection that each homeowner makes. 

The first floor layout of this design is perfect for any family, offering a spacious eat-in kitchen with attached breakfast nook and a family room that is large enough for a family of any size, and formal living and dining rooms that are perfect for entertaining or hosting holidays around the fireplace. 

The second floor of this home is equally as purposeful as the first, offering flexible upgrades such as an upstairs laundry room that helps take the load out of household chores and an upgraded master bath that offers escape.  With four spacious bedrooms this design is ideal for the growing family. (Family sold separately)

Best 50+ Housing Single Family Detached Home – Over $250,000

Heartland Everywhere Custom Home – The Murphy Residence

This particular home design was given to us from a customer with particular wants and needs.  The family already owned a home with acreage in a highly desirable area, but for medical reasons the family needed to live primarily on a single floor. Their home was designed to fit on their existing property and maximize the living space on the ground floor.

Featuring a first floor master suite, four total bedrooms, a library, den, loft and an enormous great room – this one-of-a-kind home has a floor plan to fit any family’s needs, but was designed with just one family in mind.

The great room has a vaulted ceiling and a number of windows and doors that lead to the porch which has a slate floor.  Rustic chandeliers hang from the vaulted ceilings and fit in with the wood columns throughout the home.  The great room is open from the 2nd floor loft, which also encases a library, a guest bedroom and a Jack-and-Jill bedroom/bathroom and a finished storage area. 

As functional as this home was constructed, it does not take away from the sheer beauty of this home.  With great curb appeal the exterior of this home features a cedar shingle style siding, gorgeous columns and a two-car garage.

With the constraints of building a brand new home on an existing homesite, we were able to make this home fit in with its surrounding much like Frank Lloyd Wright home into its natural environment.

To learn more about these individual homes and their stories Contact Sara or call her now at 412-992-7417