The Moods of the Color Pink

They say that different colors create a different mood, Red = Excited, Blue = Calm, Orange = Daring, Gray = Bored. This past Saturday, Pink was the color that painted the streets of Daniel Island and in many cases Pink reflected many moods and feelings that were felt by all - Hope, Fear,Victory, Sadness, Courage, Love.

For the 8th year in a row, Daniel Island residents and businesses hosted the annual Susan G. Komen, Race For the Cure to show their support for those who have been personally touched or know someone dear to them who has been touched by breast cancer.

For me, the names that come to my mind as an inspiration have deeply touched me, directly or indirectly with their battle, they have left their mark on me. I have seen them run with courage, their family and friends battling beside them and they have inspired me to cherish each day I've been blessed with on this earth.

In celebration of Donna's life, many poor families in a remote village in India have been and continue to be touched by her beautiful life as a foundation was set up in honor of her name - her legacy lives on. In my dear friend Sara's life, who carried out her dream of starting her own sewing business, because of the love for sewing and the talent that her amazing mother passed along to her - her mother's legacy lives on. Sandy, a family friend and mother of four who battled and is reminded daily of this disease by the scars she carries on her body - her hope lives on.

Check out the local Post and Courier newspaper article highlighting some of the amazing lives - Proof of a miracle: Racing for a cure.

Getting the Most Square Footage for Your Money?

When considering building a custom home, it is common for clients to ask the question, "How much is it a square foot?" Seems like a great question to ask, but if they stop with just hearing that number, it also leaves the client lacking important information to help understand how great or poor of an investment they are considering. What if we purchased a car based off that question? You might just end up purchasing...

instead of. . .

You'd have room galore, but could be very unhappy with the end result. A few things that square footage doesn't measure.

1. Durability - What building methods, seen and unseen, will be used to build your home? How do the they protect your investment? Do they prevent moisture problems behind the walls? Often, client's focus on the interior trim, cabinetry and cabinets, all of which are important, but can mask issues elsewhere.
   
2. Electric and Water Bills - What will the average monthly utility bills be after you move in? Clients are often shocked to learn that proper building methods can reduce utility bills by more than $100 each month!
3. Fine Craftsmanship - Does the home reflect the design quality and timeless details that our designers can help you craft? Will you be proud to show off your new home to your friends and family?
4. Indoor Air Quality - What methods are used to improve the quality of the air you and your family breath?
5. Customer Service - When building/buying a home, you are buying a product, process and a promise. Make sure there's a great connection and chemistry with the company you choose to help you select your "haven". Also make sure their reputation reveals that their investment in their clients extends past closing.

Island Living on Daniel Island

Terry Haas of HGTV's Designed to Sell is a resident of beautiful Daniel Island as well as a much loved Structures Building Company client. We've had the privilege of knowing Tim and Terry for over the past 2 years as they found their place to call home on Daniel Island, what a privilege it is to also have them as part of our family.

Take a tour through the island with Terry, she is able to share from personal experience about the "Island Life" that she and her husband have claimed for their family.



For more information about how you can enjoy the Island Living for yourself, contact the great team of Daniel Island agents who would love to help meet your buying needs!

Coastal Living Idea Cottage - October Edition is Soon To Be Out!

Monday was off to a great start, but little did I know that my quick trip to my personal PO Box would make Monday even sweeter! I reached in my box to pull out the long awaited October edition of Coastal Living magazine! I eagerly flipped through the pages to find the 2009 Idea Cottage we, (Structures Building Company) had the privilege of building was now staring me back in the face. Pages 35-55 show how the details were beautifully photographed by Tria Giovan. Tria flew down back in July and we've been holding our breath waiting to see this edition! The Coastal Living staff and local team did an amazing job from start to finish on this entire project, what a great little souvenir to say the least! This edition should hit the newsstands later this week. . . pick it up for some really fun and fresh ideas! Special thanks to Editor in Chief, Lindsey Bierman, Bill McDougald, VP, Southern Progress Homes Group, Nicole Hendrick, Idea Home Manager, and all many others from the Coastal Living team, Melissa Bigner, Freelance Writer for Coastal Living magazine, Tom and Vince Graham, Angie Hranowsky, local interior designer, Historical Concepts, Kerns Landscape Architects, Helen Geer of William Means and her incredible Sales and Marketing team and countless national and local sponsors! Hope you enjoy seeing how all your hard work has paid off!

Joseph Makes A Trip To The "Holy City"

Enjoying an evening downtown in Charleston, SC! I truly do love living in a place that's so beautiful, surrounded by water, and not to mention, a fun arts community! On the agenda tonight includes seeing Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Charleston Stage. Very impressive cast! This performance has been running since September 9th and will have the last show on September 20th and you can purchase your ticket right here online. Be sure to make your way down to The College Of Charleston Sottile Theatre to enjoy a great evening of entertainment!

Boys Will Be Boys

RP, Production Manager, is caught hard at work taking care of the courtyard at the Coastal Living Idea Cottage. When he saw the fountain needed some attention, he was quick to pull out his beach bucket to jump right in. So glad he was prepared to share his toys for the sake of the team.

Nothing Was Going To Rain On Our Parade (Or In This Case, Our Party)

Admiring Bottle Cap Artwork by Molly B. Right.

Chad Besenfelder, Geoff Graham and Steve Kendrick

"Over and above what we expected" is the best way to sum up the Coastal Living Idea Cottage party! After months of planning, every detail of the house was ready for its first debut- the tent arrived (and then a second tent, as it appeared that the clouds and rain would be our uninvited guest) caterer and steel drummer were ready to go, and five minutes after the start of the party, sprinkles began to fall from the sky. We all thought it would affect the attendance, but we estimate that close to 300 guests arrived to take in this beautiful home and celebrate alongside us!Peeking into the Sleeping Nook from the cozy Den
Enjoying the Festivities

Every direction you could see people all around, enjoying themselves and taking in the beautiful colors, designs and decor that local designer, Angie Hranowsky dreamed up for the Caribbean style home. Not to mention the attention to architectural detail by acclaimed, Historical Concepts and beautiful private courtyard design by Kerns Landscape Architecture.The Complete Coastal Living Idea Cottage team. (Left to right, Hutch Kerns and Tamra Graham from Kerns Landscape Architecture, Vince Graham, Nicole Hendrick, Idea Home Manager, Lindsay Bierman, Editor in Chief, Bill McDougald, VP, Southern Progress Homes Group, Melissa Bigner, Freelance Writer for Coastal Living magazine, Angie Hranowsky, Interior Designer, Deborah Way, Structures Building Company Sales & Marketing Coordinator, Steve Kendrick, Owner of Structures Building Company, Dave Hargis, Structures Building Company Project Manager, Kevin Clark, Historical Concepts, Rebecca Guertin, Historical Concepts and Dan Osborne, Historical Concepts)

We can't thank the Coastal Living magazine staff enough for making the trip to Charleston for the great celebration, Lindsay Bierman, Editor in Chief, Bill McDougald, VP, Southern Progress Homes Group, Sara Anderson, Executive Editor, Julia Rutland, Senior Editor -Food, Margaret Barnhart, Southeast Account Manager, Corinne Brown, Southeast Director -Travel/Real Estate and Nicole Hendrick, Idea Home Manager who lead so beautifully from start to finish!Lyles and Helen Geer, William Means Real Estate

Deborah Way, Structures Building Company, Tiffany Shanklin and Heidi Stroup of William Means Real Estate

Special thanks to Coastal Living magazine and William Means Real Estate for throwing an amazing party! Helen Lyles Geer, you have an incredible team that planned and took care of every detail from start to finish! We couldn't have done it without the countless hours of Drew Grossklaus, Heidi Stroup, Tiffany Shanklin and Sharon Jackson!

From start to finish, it's been an absolute success! Already the tours are under way and have been well attended for the first two weekends! Don't forget to plan a time to swing by to soak up some fresh ideas and support two amazing charities, East Cooper Habitat for Humanity and East Cooper Montessori Charter School. You may find that you just want to move right in!

Structures Building Company Team (Left to right, Amy Jenkinson, Accountant, Kristy Gorsuch, Design Manager, Steve Kendrick, Owner, Deborah Way, Sales and Marketing Coordinator, R.P. Newton, Production Manager and Dave Hargis, Project Manger)

photography by juliet elizabeth photography