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Southern Inspiration

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One of the best feelings is walking into a home and knowing immediately it’s the floorplan and style that you want. That happened to Gordon and Jane Parry when they walked into a Street of Dreams home in Omaha in 1993 that had been built by local contractor Jerry Palmer. A job change took them to Atlanta, but when they moved back to Omaha five years later, they knew they wanted Palmer to build for them again and purchased two adjacent lots in Champions Run for their 6,700-sq. ft. home.

When designing their new home, the Parry’s had three components they wanted to incorporate. The first was an all-brick exterior styled after a home in Atlanta. After searching through samples at a brick yard in Omaha, Jane finally found the Georgia-made brick in a back room. A craftsman style brick that used a wood mold, creating a solid form without the typical holes found in traditional brick. Once she found it, they decided to use it on the entire house to eliminate the need for exterior paint and to make it more energy efficient.

The second component the couple incorporated was the floor plan from another home in Atlanta. After touring it while still under construction, Gordon drew the floor plan on a piece of paper. Its southern style had rooms that were more confined, so the Parry’s asked their builder to open it up. But they included a number of other aspects of that Atlanta home, including larger base boards, lots of crown molding, and a formal living and dining room.

The third requirement for their home was that it include a stone patio rather than a deck. The secluded courtyard surrounded by lush landscaping and a privacy wall in matching brick has been maintenance free for 19 years. And with the way the house is positioned on the double lot, the patio is completely shaded during the warmest times of the day.

In addition to the patio, the sun room off the spacious kitchen and hearth room is one of the Parry’s favorite places in the home. Particularly since it overlooks the side yard, which is the second lot that is part of the property. “The neighbor’s called it ‘Parry’s Park’ because all of the kids played in our yard, and I could watch them while cooking dinner or washing dishes at the sink,” Jane said.

Now that their kids are in college, the Parry’s are ready to downsize and let another family enjoy the home and all it has to offer. With four large bedrooms and a fifth non-conforming bedroom in the finished basement, there is plenty of space. The home also features four fireplaces, a music room, workout room, craft room, home theater, full four-car garage, and ample cabinet storage.

One of the things the Parry’s appreciate most about the home is the quality and thought that their builder put into it. “Jerry would leave us notes on the walls during construction with suggestions,” Gordon said. “And he had great ideas for ways to increase ceiling height, bring in natural light, or build in features such as window seats in the bedrooms and a cedar closet in the basement.”

Recently, Jane worked with designer Kris Patton, ASID, from Interiors Joan & Associates to update the home, but still keep it within its transitional style. They refreshed all the interior paint, window treatments, rugs, and some of the furniture. But the Parry’s believe that it’s necessary to spend a little money every year in order to keep a house current. Over the years they have added a mud room, finished additional parts of the basement, and kept up with repairs.

The result is a home they are proud of that has stood the test of time. “We tried to invest in the areas of the home that people will value long term,” Gordon said. “This house was thoughtfully designed and a great collaboration with a quality builder. After 19 years, it looks and feels like a brand-new home.”

For more information or to schedule a showing, contact Cindy Maher with CBS Home Tag Team Real Estate, 402-699-7272, Cindy.Maher@CBSHome.com.

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