o£ 4 Spring Home Improvement The Dallas Post April 15, 1998 Historic, but still home (continued from page 3) that goal in mind, the Dauberts opened up walls in the interior, and transformed a series of small parlors into a large parlor, an office, and a large waiting room. Despite the amount of construction, the Dauberts maintained the accents of the pre-Civil War home. Floor-to- ceiling windows abound on the first floor. “They had to be finished with skyscraper windows,” laughs Jim Daubert. Green wainscoting and thick oak moldings trim doors and walls. Pocket doors slide into the walls. The original - and still working - stove is the focus in the kitchen. Made in Danville in 1911, the "Queen Beaver’ is a highlight of the house and serves as a cozy gathering place through the winter. Several of the original built-in cabinets have been maintained, and are now painted green. The house now has four bedrooms - they expanded a small bedroom by opening up another. A {ull walk-in attic is on the third floor. The (ront grand staircase, with its giant ball finial, is supplemented by a ~back staircase connecting through to the kitchen. The exterior of the home features many touches that remind visitors of the heritage of the area. Serene white wicker furniture rests on the front porch, and an old dynamite box, painted fire-engine red, serves as a planter. Weathered bricks from an old chimney line the flower beds. Belles Construction did much of the work on the house, and Bob Belles entered the exterior of the house in a Joy Daubert's father's safe is displayed by some of the original cabinetry. It's appropriate, since she is the Franklin Twp. tax collector. 2 AE EG i ie 3 PE iN es PO I A national contest by the manu- facturer of the siding used. The Dauberts won the “Achievement Award” and have been featured in advertising brochures for CertainTeed Siding. The exterior’s facelift was also featured in the November 1997 issue of Qualified Remodeler Magazine. To date, the Dauberts estimate that they have spent a total of $50,000 on the outside and $50,000 on the inside, and they feel it has been money well spent. “It definitely exceeded what we had initially planned, says Joy. But quickly adds Jim, ”, - “You've spent the money, but it's not really gone.” Their memories are all around them. Wood cabinets original to the home have been painted a gloss green. POST PHOTOS/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK YOU DREAM IT ... WE'LL BUILD IT! RUCKNO ONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOR ALL OF YOUR HOME IMPROVEMENT NEEDS +ROOFING * ADDITIONS SIDING * REMODELING * DECKS « KITCHENS & BATHS » PORCHES * REPLACEMENT WINDOWS Spring Home Improvement Great lawns can be a high-return investment Many home sellers are finding ment can range from 100 to 200 that the old adage, “The grass is percent, compared to a 20 to 50 always Jer on the other side percentreturn for swimming pools n The Dallas Post April 15, 1998 13 Om ”» of the fence,” can translate into or a 40 to 70 percent return on faster sales and higher profits decks. when it's their grass that is the “With this knowledge,” Fender greenest. suggests, "homeowners can very According to the Chicago-based seriously consider replacing their non-profit Turf Resource Center old lawn with a new one as part of (TRC), a well-planned and well- their sales preparations. A beau- maintained landscape can add tifulnewlawn...especially one that between 5 and 30 percent to the takesadvantage of theimmediacy value of a home. And it's the lawn of turfgrass sod...can be enjoyed portion of the landscape that can before the house sells; the house impress or depress potential buy- should sell faster and the return ers most easily. on investment for the new lawn is “The lawn is the welcome mat almost assured.” Homeowners to the entire property,” points out ~~ should also consult with real es- Doug Fender, executive director tate professionals to determine if of TRC. “Callit curbappeal or first the cost of a new lawn installed impressions, but whenever pro- immediately before a sale can be spective buyers drive up to a used to reduce any capital gains house, it's the lawn that first taxes. catches their eye. If it looks well While selection, location and cared for, buyers ‘will almost au- maturity of trees and flower beds tomatically conclude that the en- are important to landscape fea- tirehousehasalsobeenwellcared tures, so too is the design and for. If the lawn looks shabby, they layout of the lawn. “Turfgrass is may choose to keep driving.” more than just an eye-appealing Real estate industry studies home landscape feature and it have documented that similar should be more than an after- homes in the same neighborhood thought,” says Fender. “It can will sell for different prices if one provide important environmental An attractive house is made more appealing with a well designed and properly maintained lawn. is enhanced by a stronger first benefits including controlling ero- impression because of landscap- sion and preventing dust prob- ing. lems. Lawns also provide a low- and mental health.” turfgrass sod or the environmen- Center at Dept. HI-6, 1855-A Reports have also shown that costand saferecreational surface For free information about es- tal benefits of properly maintained Hicks Road, Rolling Meadows, TL the return on a landscape invest- that is important to both physical ~~ tablishing lawns, installing lawns, contact the Turf Resource 60008. O pis | O O O WA ’&d F e’re Diving into Spring ... with our NEW water features! We'll create ponds, waterfalls, fountains or whatever water feature you desire. And of course, we'll do all the landscaping. Just give us a call at: 675-8733 4. i AR AE 2 A he 3 LY RA gd we BE Ra din Bp BE SE OW ek SE RE Ni Be 95 SE we A Sart eh Re eT TTR BT ee A RI TT a A es Me me TT Bt WL
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers