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Asheville Builder & Interior Designer Duo Create Beautiful Green Homes, Allowing Clients To Live Happier, Healthier Lives

Asheville Builder & Interior Designer Duo Create Beautiful Green Homes, Allowing Clients To Live Happier, Healthier Lives

Published by NC Design Online, July 2015

modern kitchenTo live in the Asheville area is to love the beauty of nature and to be taken in by quiet strength of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. In our previous feature, we talked to Asheville builder Sean Sullivan, owner of Living Stone Construction, and his wife, Laura Sullivan of ID.ology Interior Design about the couple’s unique “design green, build green, live green” concept. The concept has earned them success and a reputation as one of Asheville’s leading green building teams. Today, we’re focusing on the products and techniques that help them give their clients the homes they’ve always dreamed of, while encouraging them to live greener, fuller, and happier lives in their new spaces.

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Quiet mornings in the mountains are the start of the Gramleys’ day

Quiet mornings in the mountains are the start of the Gramleys’ day

Gramley-42David Gramley especially likes the mornings at his Living Stone Construction-built home in The Settings of Black Mountain. The first one awake, he makes a cup of coffee and turns to the large windows in the living room. Cradling the steaming cup of joe, he marvels at the clarity of the mountain framed within the view. Sometimes he sees deer emerge from the woods. Wild turkeys strut among the trees.
Shifting his eyes to the mountain range in the far distance, he’s prone to contemplate he and his wife’s move into this house in the winter of 2015. The house suits them perfectly, David said.

“We found that since we moved here, we hardly turn on the TV,” he said. “I’d rather look outside.”
And to find beauty inside, he has only to scan the interior space of his Craftsman-style home. Its large common area flows seamlessly from the living room into the kitchen and dining area. Its spaciousness is graciously proportioned. The airy, open space seems to breath in the mountain air that David enjoys when he steps out with his coffee onto the porch to see what kind of weather the day has brought.

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Beautiful Homes By Asheville Builder & Design Team Embody A “Design Green, Build Green, Live Green” Concept

Beautiful Homes By Asheville Builder & Design Team Embody A “Design Green, Build Green, Live Green” Concept

green, energy efficient mountain homeAsheville’s lush, green forests and stunning mountain landscapes have long been a draw for nature lovers seeking to build a home in an unspoiled natural paradise. Sean Sullivan, owner of Living Stone Construction and his wife, Laura Sullivan, owner of ID.ology Interior Design team up to not only help their clients build their dream home, but to ensure that Asheville stays unspoiled for future generations through their green building and design process. North Carolina Design talked to them to hear more about what true green building really entails, and the surprising ways it enriches and enhances the lives of their clients.

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One of our Modern Prairie’s is being built in The Boulders

Modern Prairie in the Boulders

The Boulders – driven by a philosophy of respect for land, nature and protecting the environment, this gated mountain community’s philosophy is guided by the same vision and focus – to provide its owners with a very special quality of life. As an experienced developer, Peter has a keen sense of awareness and balance, driven by maximizing views, acknowledgement of space and great respect for the land.For many, finding that perfect piece of land is a life goal and ultimate quest.

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Custom Home For Kip and Val

“Not only did we get our dream house but the process that we went through to get our dream house was way beyond what we had thought or anticipated.” Val Hardin

“I just hope that when people are getting ready to build a house that they take a really long look at Living Stone. They truly can make a dream come true. It was awesome.” Kip Pritchard

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A Reputation Lived up to Delights new Living Stone homeowners

Prtichard HardinBy the time you read this, Kip Pritchard and Val Hardin will have been in their new home for just a few months. And they couldn’t be more delighted. About 10 days before they were to move in, they were excitedly talking about the house that Living Stone Construction was building for them in The Settings of Black Mountain.

A few years ago, when Val and Kip decided they wanted to retire, they drove around the country to discover where they wanted to live. They decided that they wanted to be close to exciting Asheville, which led them to the small, vibrant town of Black Mountain. Oh, this is it, they decided. “We loved the feel of this town, and how the mountains looked around it,” Val said. Working with a real estate agent, they didn’t see anything in Black Mountain that they liked. That’s when the agent suggested The Settings. She took them there to see a house that Living Stone built. “She said, if you decide you’re going to build, let me show you what a real craftsman builds,” Kip recalled.

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Windsor Case Study: The Japalachian

Windsor Case Study: The Japalachian

JapalachianPROJECT DESCRIPTION
This custom design-build home is located in the mountainous setting of western North Carolina. One challenge with the home was incorporating a blend of arts-and-crafts style with a dash of contemporary to maximize and capture not only the view, but illuminate the interior with natural light. Interior designer Laura Kirkpatrick Sullivan, with ID.ology Interior Design, understood these needs and made sure the space was tailored to this desired feel and flow. Laura and her team were awarded the Best Interior Merchandising Award by NCHBA for their work on this project.

Another challenge this project faced was the steep grade of the site itself, which is typical of the region. Sean Sullivan, builder-president of Living Stone, was able to overcome this obstacle with great success.

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Craftsman-Style Home Nestled In The Black Mountain Woods

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Featured in NC Design, April 2015

Every home design has its unique challenges, along with its own unique beauty. In our featured home today, Asheville interior designer Talli Roberts, ASID, president of Allard & Roberts Interior Design, was tasked with creating a simple, clean and beautiful design, amid a wealth of complex challenges. The home was a cozy Craftsman-style new build nestled in the Black Mountain woods. The homeowners were a couple looking to create a retirement oasis that would meet some very specific demands. Talli pulled the project off seamlessly, providing the clients with a truly gorgeous, timeless and functional living space. North Carolina Design spoke with her to find out more about how she helped bring this home to life.

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Support for Army Green Beret, Jerry Gass

Army Green Beret On August 3rd 2014, the men of ODA 3131 lost a brother, and the Gass family lost a father, husband, brother, and son when Girard “Jerry” Gass died of a massive heart attack while on a combat operation in Afghanistan. Jerry suffered a heart attack after conducting a helicopter infiltration to secure a highly contested governmental district center in remote Afghanistan. The last thing Jerry did before he died was evacuate a fellow soldier off of the battlefield.

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Getting Creative with your Empty Nest

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Many baby boomers are finally saying goodbye to their adult children, who are moving out of the house and starting the next chapter in their lives. While some empty nesters are excited about this new phase, it can be a stressful time for others as they deal with this time of transition in their lives.

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Sullivan to bring passion to the NCHBA 2015

North Carolina Home Builder magazine WINTER 2014

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Empowerment. That’s what incoming-NCHBA President Sean Sullivan says is going to be a hallmark of his term in 2015. He wants to empower members, local associations and executive officers with the tools they need to continue to keep North Carolina the #1 state in our federation.

North Carolina makes up about 10 percent of the National Association of Home Builders membership, so our state plays a critical and powerful role there. However, Sullivan says he thinks our NCHBA membership is somewhat lethargic, and he wants to reinvigorate the membership in 2015.

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Sullivan Installed as NCHBA President

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The NC Home Builders Association held their 4th Quarter meetings at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina. A new slate of officers and regional vice presidents were elected, including the new NCHBA President and were installed in a ceremony that was held the evening of December 2nd. Sean Sullivan, President of Living Stone Construction, based in Black Mountain, NC, was installed as the 2015 NCHBA President.

Sullivan has been building homes in the Western North Carolina area for almost 20 years. While earning his Unlimited Building License and Accredited Master Builder designation, he became the President of the Asheville Home Builders Association in 2008. During his term as president, he oversaw 30% growth of the association. Through the years he has served in many different leadership roles within the local association and then the state association. In 2013, he served as NCHBA Region 10 Vice President before being installed as President-Elect for 2014.

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Simple Steps to Create Positive Energy in Your Home

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If you’re looking for new ideas to refresh your home, consider taking a few steps to boost your home’s positive energy.

Feng shui is the Chinese art of placement, and is based on the premise that people live healthy happy, prosperous lives when they live in harmoniously designed homes.

Feng shui consultant and interior designer Cynthia Chomos says that a few design fixes can even help with the resale of your home.

“A home purchase is one of the biggest and most significant purchases that a consumer will make. It’s where we rejuvenate and our lives flourish,” Chomos said. “Incorporating feng shui allows us to be more conscious and more intentional with the spaces we inhabit.”

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Custom Rockcliff for the Heartz

Custom Rockcliff for the Heartz

Bill and Rebecca Heartz got everything they wanted in the house that Living Stone Construction built for them. They live in a 4,200-square-foot, three-bedroom house in Southcliff, a luxury community in Fairview that is a 10-minute drive from downtown Asheville. “We wanted a casual house with an elegance to it, sort of a mountain retreat. We feel that we really achieved that,” Rebecca said. “Our home is a very calming place. We’re up in the trees. We get up in the morning and hear the birds sing and look out at the mountains.”

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Tips on Green Design for Your Home: An Interview with Sean Sullivan of Living Stone Construction, Inc

Published July 14th in NorthCarolinaHome
Living Stone is a Green builder of fine custom, and semi-custom, homes. We offer turn-key services to bring complete value to the client and make the building process enjoyable. Much like sustainability in building, our “Living Stone Difference” process is sustainable. When you work with us, we can help you find land, design your home, build your home (or renovation), prescribe finishes, provide financing, and deliver a home warranty.

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Asheville Builder & Interior Designer: A Marriage Of Give And Take Ideas Yields Award Winning Results

10580060_10205804526096070_3396324870577970971_nBeing part of a great team can yield wonderful results. No one knows this better than Sean Sullivan, owner of Living Stone Construction, and Laura Sullivan, owner of ID.ology Interior Design, both located in the Asheville area. Not only do Sean and Laura sometimes work together on the same projects – they’re a team off the job site, as well. This happily married couple has managed to strike a great balance that has led to exceptional accomplishments. One such accomplishment is The Rockcliff home – an award-winning Asheville project on which Living Stone Construction served as the builder and ID.ology served as the interior design firm. North Carolina Design talked to Sean and Laura to find out more about this spectacular home, and how their solid teamwork helped them achieve award-winning results.

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Sullivan meets with Congressman Meadows

Asheville HBA Meets Congressman Mark Meadows To Discuss National Building Issues

Congressman MeadowsThis past Tuesday, at the Asheville HBA office, Sean Sullivan (President of Living Stone Construction and President-Elect for the NCHBA), Steven Webb (lobbyist for NCHBA), Caroline Sutton (Executive Officer of Asheville HBA), and 7 others met with Congressman Mark Meadows to examine current and future problems the country faces in the building industry.

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Keep Your Home and Family Safe and Secure

Your home is likely the largest investment you own, but more importantly, it protects and provides a sanctuary where your family will share experiences and create lifelong memories. The National Association of Home Builders’ MyHome Press has published a handbook for home owners, “Home Maintenance Made Easy,” and below are just some of the many tips provided in the Safety and Security section that can help you keep your home and family out of harm’s way.  

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Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Make the most of the new CFPB mortgage rules

Beginning January 2014, new rules take effect that are designed to achieve a common sense goal: When it comes to shopping for a home mortgage, it should be easy for consumers to find the information they need to make good decisions.  The CFPB rules simply require lenders to document a borrower’s ability to repay the loan and follow other common sense rules to protect consumers. fairly at key points in the process.  

The CFPB’s rules ensure that anyone being paid to help you find a mortgage treats you fairly at key points in the process. The rules are aimed at empowering you to shop for loans to buy and own a home with more confidence.

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Use your Fireplace Safely and Effectively

Levine FireplaceDuring the winter months, many families gather around their home’s fireplace. A fire in the fireplace creates a warm and cozy atmosphere, but don’t expect it to add heat to your home. As little as 10 percent of the heat from a fire in an open masonry fireplace radiates into the house. 

The National Association of Home Builders’ MyHome Press has published a handbook for home owners, “Home Maintenance Made Easy,” and the excerpt below contains helpful advice on how to safely build fires and maintain your fireplace. 

Wood Burning Fireplaces

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