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Dream Big: Building Your Dream Home
Visualize
“If you are going to dream, dream big.” When it comes to making choices for your home, the advice to dreaming “big” is priority. Most of us start out with rather humble beginnings, out on our own, purchasing our first home. As the years progress, a dream for the future evolves around careers and children, during which time we put the plans for our dream into action. Taking shape in many different ways, each person’s interests and ideas invariably lead to an addition or remodel concept that will provide more enjoyment and satisfaction to the person or family. Wide varieties of technical choices, landscaping amenities, and design features are increasingly popular with today’s “dream home” participant. Professional assistance is a must when incorporating dream features into your home. Professional insight, like parenting, is helpful and necessary to make your ideas fit into your life style in order to achieve the most pleasing finished product. We are pleased to introduce several professional companies who are devoted to making client’s dreams theirs in order to make those dreams happen. So, expand your mind and spark your vision as your dream becomes a reality.
 
Create
Fulfilling Vision, Building Dreams Keith Waters & Associates
It is said that “A man’s home is his castle”. Whether there is a moat around it or not, when it comes to your home, you want the best; the best craftsmanship, the best view, the best workspace, the best, the best, the best. But who defines the best? Simply put, you do. Keith Waters & Associates has been designing and building homes for well over twenty years, and they couldn’t agree more. There is only one way to achieve a home that truly fits its owner, and that is by having a complete custom design-build. Homeowners are changing in that they are no longer thinking of sheer size. This is why Keith Waters and Associates is such a great choice. They are diverse, unique in their process, knowledgeable and dedicated to quality craftsmanship. In addition, they are committed to accomplishing your dream based on your individual needs and desires. Carter Siverson, a partner in the company, spoke of a design and build that he did for a client that happened to be a bird watcher. “The best part for me was walking in the home after they had moved in. I found his chair by the fireplace, facing the window and his binoculars within reach, just as we had designed it to be on paper.” What a perfect example of an exclusive, one-of-a-kind home. It’s no wonder that a client who built their home through Keith Waters & Associates called them back when they wanted to build their lake home in Alexandria. Once you experience that custom fit, you’ll never go back. Keith Waters is located in Eden Prairie, MN. You can view some of their amazing craftsmanship, and garnish more information through their web site www.keithwaters.com. They would love to hear your vision, no matter the challenge, and strive to leave you perfectly content with the results. Contact Carter Siverson @ (952) 974-0004.
 
This portion of the article on Keith Waters was originally written by Lora Johnson and printed in LakeshoreDreams.com magazine June 2009.
 
Atmosphere
The Soul to the Concept
Whether you live in a new home or enjoy a timeless and comfortable abode, having your own in-home theater may be on your dream list. With the guidance of Audio & Beyond’s professional staff, designing custom home theater and audio systems in your home is second nature. In addition they design security systems incorporating neat lighting control features for a secure family environment. Garage opening devices and remote controls activating lighted paths exposing a secure entrance, are a pleasant highlight when arriving late. In some instances, a client may have some specific ideas that he or she would like to incorporate into an installation. Audio & Beyond will customize a plan that is pleasing to the client. Home owners have requested that Audio & Beyond create an atmosphere, a feeling that will fit their home and provide the best sound and placement of their high tech components. They believe that ease of use is one of the most important aspects in designing a system. The use of media data key pads in each room location and central vacuum systems are just some of the many ways to achieve this. Also, adding automated shading controls are very important to the over all visual depth and color to enhance the enjoyment of the system. An added bonus, they are a Direct TV dealer providing the ability to customize your installation. Audio & Beyond’s professionals can install audio and video systems into both new and existing homes, in businesses or even outdoors. While many normal installations are for screen sizes of 32 to 40 inches, a recent client requested an installation of a 60-inch outdoor television on the patio of the home so family could enjoy movies, audio and television while still enjoying the beauty of the outdoors. A custom weatherproof cover was designed to protect the screen from inclement weather. Audio & Beyond is currently constructing a home theater showroom at 14050 23rd Ave. N in Plymouth, MN. The showroom is nearly completed and will be open in mid-September so clients can experience the atmosphere while looking at the audio products and even choose the seating they prefer. In addition to home theater installations, Audio & Beyond have partnered with In-Home Tech Solutions, a professional service company offering in-home repair services for televisions, in and out of warranty, as well as professional computers and projectors. In-Home Tech Solutions is an authorized service center working with manufactures like Samsung, Panasonic, Sony, Runco and most of the major manufactures. They have a goal to solve your problem on the first service call, so they train their employees very well. The knowledgeable customer service representatives who answer the phone will work with the technicians to determine the nature of the problem you are having and will make sure the service technician has the correct parts with him when he comes to your home or business. The main office is located in Plymouth at 14010 23rd Avenue North. To learn more about their services, or request a repair, please call 763-544-1355 or visit the web site at www.audioandbeyond.com. Audio & Beyond and In-Home Tech Solutions provide service in the Twin Cities as well as in all of Minnesota and Northern Wisconsin. They are now Minnesota’s fastest growing home theater installation company and technology solution source.
 
Finishing Touches
Enhancing your Dream Home with Hawkins Tree and Landscaping
The finishing touch to any home improvement project is the addition of creative and attractive landscaping. The terrain of the land needs to be considered and carefully made plans should be compiled in order to incorporate attractive color and texture to the outside of the home. Hawkins Tree and Landscaping has been in business for over 25 years. The owner, Mike Hawkins, believes that attractive landscaping surrounding a home tends to increase the love a homeowner has for his property.  Since Minnesota has such a short growing season, Mike feels that careful attention should be taken so that a variety of landscaping is chosen in order to create colorful and contrasting foliage throughout the entire growing season. If necessary, tree trimming and stump  removal services are also provided to enhance the property. Hawkins Tree and Landscaping provides service for all types of homes, including lakeshore property.  Boulders walls and outcroppings are often used to add variation and create an appealing, natural looking landscape. Flat line rock work can also be used to maintain the lot lines, especially on lots that border a waterway or lake. Native grasses can be planted in order to restore shorelines to their natural state. The company makes it a top priority to work with the DNR and Minnesota Watershed District so that all changes are in adherence with state and federal regulations. In instances where erosion has taken place, a restoration of the natural shoreline is often requested by the property owner in order to create a more natural setting. To further improve the appearance of a home, the existing driveway can be removed and replaced with pavers for a more attractive and up to date look. Lot excavation, building demolition and even snow plowing services are provided for clients. Drawing and pictures of many beautiful landscaping projects can be reviewed by those interested in adding “dream home improvements” to their property. Mike will be happy to answer any of your questions and meet with you to discuss the various options that are possible, according to your property’s terrain. To get some exciting ideas for your home, contact Mike at 612-366-5566 or hawkinstree@yahoo.com.
 
Document
Not only is photography is the best way to capture ideas and develop the vision to your dream, but it is also the best way to document your completed dream. In either case, it gives you the ability to share your dream with others. Photographer, Scott Pederson is based in both the Twin Cities and Brainerd which allows him to work anywhere in Minnesota or Wisconsin. He has worked in the Twin Cities, Stillwater, Brainerd, Walker, Grand Rapids, Duluth, St. Cloud, Crosslake, Nisswa, Bemidji, Two Harbors, Ely, Grand Marais, and Port Wing, WI. He has photographed hundreds of homes and some of his pictures have appeared in Minnesota Monthly and Lake Country Journal.
 
Contact Scott 
612-414-0146 cell or 218-824-0360
email: info@scottpedersonphotography.com

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