Classic looks
The Parkside Collection at Sand Creek salutes American architectural heritage with families in mind

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| Saturday, October 20, 2001 | (No comments posted.)

In a salute to America's classic architectural styles, Wagner Homes is creating

a community of homes that capture the charm of days gone by, but have all the

amenities demanded by today's discerning buyers.

Nestled in a parklike setting surrounding a pond, this neighborhood of 17

homesites in Sand Creek's Phase V addition is aptly named The Parkside

Collection. Renowned architect Stephen Fuller designed these spacious family

homes, which start in the mid-$400,000s including the lot. Five models, each

with three different exterior elevations, are being offered by Wagner Homes.

Wagner's newest professionally decorated and furnished model, The Foxborough

Hill, showcases the beauty and comfort of these well-crafted homes. In

addition, this home features many of the upgrades and options available in the

Parkside Collection.

As you approach the home on Tour Trace, you'll notice the sweeping veranda

which provides the perfect setting for fair-weather gatherings.

Ledgestone, which covers the home's foundation is repeated on one section of

The Foxborough Hill's front exterior. A Dijon-colored cedar siding blends with

the home's warm gray shutters, and cream-colored pillars and veranda railing.

Four pillars define the home's front porch, which has the look of slate,

created with stamped concrete. The same slate-look concrete can be found on the

veranda.

Decorated by Amy G. Carter, ASID, of Wagner Design Studio in a "millenium

mission" style, the nearly 3,000-square foot, two-story model home features

hardwood floors throughout the public areas of the first floor. That mission

look can be seen everywhere, from the decorative columns that define the dining

room to the built-in wood-buring/gas fireplace and entertainment center in the

great room.

Finely-crafted coffered ceilings grace the dining room and the first-floor

master bedroom. Crown moldings and picture-frame wainscoting also showcase the

talents of Wagner carpenters.

Brushed nickel lighting fixtures and sink faucets create an echo of yesteryear

with a definite nod to today's style.

Cabinetry in the kitchen and baths reflect the home's heritage. Cherry

cabintery that reaches nearly to the ceiling graces the kitchen. Granite tiles

form the countertops, and brushed stainless steel appliances complement the

brushed nickel lighting. The kitchen also features a snack bar and a generous

breakfast area.

The laundry room is finished with an entire wall of hickory cabinets. The base

cabinets in this room form the perfect folding area.

Maple cabinetry can be found in the home's 3-1/2 baths. The powder room is a

study in elegance with its tumbled marble vanity counter, embossed vessel sink

with brushed nickel faucet and walls sconces, and the etched double mirror. In

the master bath, you'll find a deep soaking tub, a separate corner shower and a

double vanity with makeup area.

One of the three upstairs has its own full bath, and could be used as an office

or as in-law quarters, said Susan Krajnak, Wagner sales associate. To enter

this room, you walk up two stairs and through French doors

Two other bedrooms share a Jack-and-Jill bath, with each room's occupant having

his or her own vanity.

Closets are also plentiful and generously sized. The master suite's walk-in

closet, for example, is the size of many bedrooms in other homes. Its multiple

wooden shelving units and cubbies, and wire closet organization system are

flooded by natural light from two windows.

"People, especially women, who visit us here say 'What a good idea to have

windows in the closet, to air it out'," Krajnak said.

Much of The Foxborough Hill's decor has a Pottery Barn/Crate and Barrel look,

for a relaxed family atmosphere. The master bedroom, for example, is "shabby

chic," she noted. And whimsy shows in one of the upstairs bedrooms with its

boat bed custom crafted by a Wagner carpenter. This room also features a map on

the world on two walls that can the occupant can draw on with a dry marker.

"Say you wanted to have your child draw a line between the U.S. and Europe, he

could do that with a dry marker and it will erase easily," Krajnak said.

The Foxborough Hill also has a full basement and an oversized two-car garage,

both with painted concrete floors, which is a Wagner signature feature. The

garage is fully illuminated during the daylight hours by four large windows.

Other features in this model home include a central vacuum, a security system

and a sound system that pipes music throughout with discretely-placed speakers.

Sand Creek is just one of the upscale communities where Jake Wagner has

showcased his building talents since starting his company in 1985. More than

155 homes later, Wagner continues to follow his vision of "providing local

custom home buyers with the kind of unique designs and personally-focused

service."

In addition to building homes, Wagner has helped develop new Porter County

communities, including Brentwood Estates, Keystone Commons, and with partners,

Aberdeen.

"In many ways, the days of the production or cookie-cutter homes are fading

quickly," Wagner said. "Homebuyers want personal design, high-tech construction

and an enjoyable process."

That's why Wagner Homes assigns only one of its professional builders to each

client.

"The builder will stay with the home from design to move-in," Wagner said. "In

short, the benefits of the small craftsman builder with added advantages of the

best team of professionals and neighborhoods in Northwest Indiana.

"Our success is a story about people."

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