Houzz

Hello Again!

One of my most favorite new websites is Houzz. Houzz is "a collaborative platform for home remodeling and design, bringing homeowners and home professionals together
in a uniquely visual community." I use the site in so many ways that it really has become a help and an inspiration both professionally and personally.

Here are some examples of how I use the site.

1) Picking a paint color

My husband and I remodeled a bathroom and a laundry room this summer. He requested a yellow for the laundry room and I wanted a light blue for the bathroom.

So I start off by googling things like "best bathroom paint colors" and "best yellow paint colors." Oftentimes, Houzz will have the perfect article like, How To Pick the Right Yellow. Once I find a color or two that I really like I use the search function in Houzz (Pinterest is good for this as well) to search for room samples. For example, I chose Sea Salt for the bathroom and Houzz gave me an excellent idea of what it would look like (except that most of these bathrooms are HUGE and mine is not). It was incredibly useful and saved me from a lot of wasted time and money from indecision.

2) Furniture Choices

My four year old is ready for a "big girl" room. I searched for kids rooms, mint green (her color of choice) and white furniture and got some great direction on where to go for furniture shopping and paint colors.

3) Remodeling

Houzz was essential when I remodeled by bathrooms. I set up an Idea Book and then shared it with the tile company. When I went for my first meeting, my consultant knew my style and had already pulled some samples of what she thought I might like to see! It made a very stressful situation much much easier. Times two bathrooms by the hundreds of decisions that our homeowners make when they build a McKee home and you can understand why it sometimes takes several visits and lots of snack breaks when they meet with our design consultants. Houzz can help you get organized, find your style and settle some awkward interactions with significant others BEFORE you get too STRESSED.

I also will use Houzz sometimes just because I am bored and want to look at nice things! -Jenni

Triumphant Return

Hello Everyone!

I am sorry that I have not posted in so very long. We have had a lot going on at McKee and I will do my best to fill you in on everything from babies and puppies to new model homes and new developments. But, for now, I would like to share with you some inspiration to get you through this terrible weather.

Think about doing some restyling now while you are stuck inside and could use a fresh perspective anyway (plus, wouldn't it be better for us to have something to do other than complain about the weather?).

I have this strange urge to paint everything in my house white. All of the furniture that is. I am so tired of things being brown and black (like my mood lately) and I think that it would both open the space up but also create some cohesion. I can still use fabrics and wall color and accessories for color but I am feeling the need for a clean slate.

I have seen some really great tips online for furniture makeovers. This is where I go for inspiration.

Better After -  Lindsay posts submissions of makeovers of furniture, rooms, whole houses, etc. They range from simple easy projects to renovation. Here is a great example (notice the theme here):

Apartment Therapy - This is a huge website with everything from design trends to personal submissions to product reviews. But, my favorite section is the Before and After section. Here is a sampling:

Or, if the snow means that you cannot stand the though of painting something white - try your favorite color (mine is turquoise). From Coco and Kelley:

I paint enough things in my house that I make sure to have 1 can of premium white glossy paint and 2 or 3 cans of metallic (lately it has been gold) spray paint on hand at all times.

When we moved four years ago I was surprised by how much the look of our furniture and accessories changed from our old condo just by putting it in a new setting. Painting, switching fabrics or pillows, and adding new hardware changed things up just a bit to make me love my old furniture in our new house.

Thanks for waiting! - Jenni

New Building Layout

The final Villas building at Foxfield is unique among its sister buildings. The garages are located on the first floor instead of on the lower level. I think it looks really nice and there is definitely an added convenience factor so I have included pics of it here.



And an up close shot. Pretty style-y!

The Harrison

A sneak peek of the newly decorated model of the all new floorplan, The Harrison.

Building 5000

The FINAL BUILDING at Foxfield is up and ready for move-ins! Join us this weekend, February 18th and 19th, for the GRAND OPENING featuring our all new model, The Harrison. Pics to follow.

If you purchase a home this weekend, Sales Manager, Frank, has a bonus package and a surprise treat in the kitchen! But, more importantly, this is your final opportunity to build a home at Foxfield.

I especially do not want our blog readers and Facebook followers to miss out - let me know if you plan on attending so I can alert Frank. jmckee at mckeegroup dot com

Love, Jenni!

Meet our Sales Counselors!

Hello Readers!

Many of you have come to know your Sales Counselors very well. However, I thought it was time to really embarrass them by outting their shiny new pictures on my blog! Yayy!

Stay tuned.

Jenni

PS. Can you guess who will be first? If you guessed, my little brother then you are correct!!

We have a YouTube Channel!

Check it out! We have a McKee Builders YouTube Channel. Please subscribe, like us and comment. Brandywine and Foxfield have videos up for now. Stay tuned for everyone else to start adding theirs too.

Parade of Homes

Please check out http://www.mckeebuilders.com/ for information about our upcoming company-wide Parade of Homes. On June 11th, the communities of Foxfield Villas, The Courtyards at Brandywine, Spring Arbor and Champion's Club will be hosting prospective residents. Our happy homeowners are opening their doors so that homebuyers can see various floorplans, standards and options in a "real" home. Plus, it is a great way to meet new potential neighbors!

Bargain Shopping with Neighbors

Hello All! Last night I had a wonderful group trip to BJ's with my neighbors and it was SO fun and SO productive that I thought that I would share it with my blog followers. This would work for BJ's, Costco, etc.

First, gather 1 to 3 friends who like to bargain shop! Buy a membership under one person's name. Collect and split up the coupons (they will come to the member's house in the mail). Once a month take the biggest car you can find and go shopping! The great thing about going with friends is that you can split the membership but you can also split up your goodies! You really don't need 68 ounces of peanut butter and 42 AA batteries, BUT you could use 16 ounces of peanut butter and 21 AA batteries!

What's close to you:

Foxfield, Champions Club, Spring Arbor, Brandywine and Cecil Woods share the same Costco located in Christiana at 900 Center Blvd, Newark, DE.

Check out the below for info about BJ's.
FOXFIELD
BJ's
1260 E Woodland Ave.
Springfield, PA

BRANDYWINE
BJ's
2131 Kirkwood Highway
Wilmington, DE

SPRING ARBOR
BJ's
100 Penceder Plaza
Newark, DE

CHAMPIONS
BJ's
26676 Centerview Dr
Millsboro, DE

CECIL WOODS
BJ's
100 Penceder Plaza
Newark, DE

BUCKINGHAM SPRINGS
&
NESHAMINY FALLS
BJ's
200 Easton Rd
Warrington, PA

Stay tuned for a blog post about some things that I like for summer at BJ's. Happy Shopping!

Everyday Goings-On

Last week the Product Development team did a framing walk-thru of the new models at The Courtyards at Brandywine. So exciting! They look great! Sign up on the main page to receive updates.

Below is a picture of the rainbow that appeared today at Nittany Glen. Enjoy!

Facebook and McKee

I have recently started using Facebook to advertise one of our communities. By now I am sure you either have a Facebook account or know someone who does. Facebook is a social networking site that has connected users of all ages from all across the globe. The Facebook advertising campaign allows one to advertise based on INTERESTS of its users. This is truly amazing.

The Village of Nittany Glen is an all-ages clubhouse community in State College, PA. Because of the draw of living near a university (especially one's alma mater), it makes sense to advertise in a space where people routinely "gather" to catch up with old friends and to discuss common interests.

Facebook Ads allows me to target users who are Penn State alums living in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania. It also allows me to target users who have listed Penn State Football as an interest. Pretty neat!

Birthday!

The blog turns 1 tomorrow!

The Village of Buckingham Springs

Have you considered a McKee Village community? The Village communities are an exciting pathway to your new 55 and better lifestyle. You'll purchase your home, and in an unique ownership module, rent the land from The McKee Group. With that you get a clubhouse and outside amenities with a full-time social director, on-site maintenance and service staff, a carefree life and much, much more.

Check out homes currently for sale at The Village of Buckingham Springs.

The Villa's at Foxfield

On Saturday, October 11th, we debuted two new models at Foxfield, one of our premier 55+ communities, located in Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania. The new Villas models begin in the low $200's and feature private garages, maintenance-free living, a golf course and a fully-equipped and busy clubhouse.