Manufactured Housing Life

It’s been a busy month! I’ve been traveling coast to coast to see the latest trends in housing, interiors, and furniture.

I get lots of emails about the differences in decorating a manufactured home vs a site built one, but truly there shouldn’t be any difference unless you are dealing with a manufactured home that has board and batten walls instead of tape and textured drywall. What’s amazing to me is how often manufactured housing drives or starts trends that then are used in site built homes. Due to the sheer volume of how many homes we build there is more of an opportunity to try out new things and see how they work.

One of the biggest trends I am seeing in manufactured and site built housing is islands in the kitchens that continue to grow in size and importance. Using a different stain or color on the island is a great way to make it stand out and to really add some impact and storage to a space. An area that manufactured housing has always offered more for your money is in the cabinets that are offered - many times you have twice as many cabinets in a manufactured home as what is offered in a comparable site builders home.

Stainless appliances have been around for quite awhile now, but they can also break the budget of many homeowners. What has become very popular are black appliances - they are usually priced more reasonably than stainless, I find them easier to keep clean than white or bisque ones, and they really can make a statement in any size kitchen.

Being a Lifestylist is all about understanding the lifestyle of a potential homeowner and what their needs are. Sharing what I see and learn is one of the favorite parts of what I do. I’m hoping to spend more time this year talking about upcoming trends and how they can fit into your lifestyle.

As much as I love Summer, it sure feels great to have a little bit cooler weather and know that fair season is almost here. I am a fair junkie - I had met my husband at the Erie County Fair in Buffalo, NY when we were both showing horses, and now The State Fair of Texas is my home away from home when September comes.

Patriot retailers also are fair lovers, and love to use that opportunity to show the public what great houses Patriot builds and what a value they are. I've just finished working on a house with Woodlund Homes in Minnesota, and I can't wait to hear how it all turns out!

Woodlund will be exhibiting at The Minnesota State Fair which is held in St Paul, MN from August 21 - Labor Day this year. The fair attracts over 1 million visitors each year and besides getting to go and see this beautiful home you'll be able to see The Backstreet Boys in concert, and eat to your hearts content!

This is Woodlund's 10th year to exhibit, and this year they are taking a beautiful modular home that features an Evolution stainless steel kitchen, amazing master suite, tile, and a beautiful corner fireplace to keep you warm on those chilly Minnesota evenings.

Be sure to make a point to visit this great fair and tour this beautiful home - it's one you won't want to miss!

Brenco Homes will also be taking a Patriot Home to the Heart of Texas Fair which will be October 2 - 11, 2008. I have been involved in merchandising their fair home for the last 4 years and can't wait to get started on this one! Gary and the guys always do things right, and if you can't wait until October to see what they have to offer be sure to stop by their retail center which is located at the front of the Patriot Homes of Texas location.