Mod-U-Kraf showcases upsized craftsman bungalow
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At the 2006 Southern Building Show and Conference, opening June 8-10 in Atlanta, Mod-U-Kraf Homes, LLC, will premier “Ansley Park”, a daring 1,939 square foot, single level, upsized craftsman bungalow.

According to Frank Hodges, vice president of marketing and sales, Mod-U-Kraf Homes, LLC, successful design responds to the times and is functional, comfortable and authentic. Although Mod-U-Kraf was meeting the needs of the housing market, it was time to move into a complete designer thought process that would challenge every home they had ever produced—even the largest custom homes.

“It was hard to forget the bungalow styles that were in the most exclusive private communities in our market.”—Frank Hodges, vice president of marketing and sales.
“First, we knew the square foot range we wanted from past successes. The craftsman look, which can be seen in many of our homes with welcoming blends in exterior materials and inviting interiors, was right. These artisan homes are packed with special touches once found only in expensive, architect designed, dream homes. Our standard features are yesterday’s upgrades.

“Second, it was hard to forget the bungalow styles that were in the most exclusive private communities in our market,” said Hodges. “The popularity of the bungalows stemmed from the idea that simplicity and artistry could harmonize in one house. In private communities the bungalow had become the ideal grown-up clubhouse where living close to nature in an upscale way was treasured.

“Third, we are in a time when the desire for authenticity—the feeling that the home is real in an unreal world—is almost overwhelming. Your home is the most significant place you can go because you’re with the people you value the most,” Hodges continued. “We are all looking to live comfortably and enjoy each day. Creatively merging craftsman bungalow styling and optimizing the interior space to be refreshingly original had our heads spinning. ‘Ansley Park’ evolved from the details.”

At the curb, “Ansley Park” has the thoughtful planning with special accents from years gone by — a historic feel. The hip roof uplifts the home with 9’ ceilings and a welcoming shed dormer beckons from the roof line.
Four dramatic window styles can be seen from the curb that add to the historic appeal. The front windows are boxed-out with light gathering transoms and top sash panes over open glass bottoms. This trend towards architectural purity is continued with two eyebrow glass brick side windows in the bath and transoms to maximize interior light and wall space while affording privacy. Special accents like Hardie plank and cedar shakes with stone detailing set a welcoming tone from the street. A cozy tapered columned front porch leads you through an inviting intricate beveled glass entry into the foyer.

Once inside the design challenge was blending the old with the new. The simple old foyer was out and the impressive large foyer was in. By opening the shed dormer above for a cathedral ceiling in the foyer, light can stream into it—making it a stunning ‘Ansley Park’ feature. Instead of a short passageway, ceramic flooring in the foyer glides you into a tapered column area where a recessed ceiling and lighting surrounds you.

“Just past the main foyer in the showcase home,” said Hodges, “we made a bold lifestyle move and built cabinetry for the family computer to take it out of the bedroom, or any tiny space, and place it into an accessible, easily monitored, front area. This part of the foyer is so open, airy and pleasant, it could be used as a home office or a pleasant working environment for laptop users.”

The enhanced streaming foyer flows directly into the great room. Within the greatroom the bungalow fireplace takes over the corner. The feeling of wood is everywhere with the flooring flowing on the sightline from the greatroom opening into the kitchen, without walls, through to the dining room.

It has that ‘wow factor’ to bring the outdoors inside and set it apart
The formal dining room is still in and located on the front of the “Ansley Park” to the left of the foyer. Wide crown molding, decorative chair rails and hardwood laminate flooring fill out the formal air of the room. The graceful archway from the formal dining room leads you into the gourmet kitchen.

“In the kitchen, our customers are very design savvy these days,” said Hodges. “They pay to become educated by reading home magazines. This is one area we needed a design feature over the top!

“Even though the the detail in this kitchen is stunning,” he continued, “the focal point is the 25 square foot triple casement window with light gathering transoms above an oversized sink. It has that ‘wow factor’ to bring the outdoors inside and set it apart.”
Once you can take your eyes off the window, the decor ceiling tiles capture your attention. Then the staggered sterling cabinetry design in pewter elegance, with a glazed finish, pulls you away. Featuring fluted cabinet corners, spice drawers and an under the counter lazy-susan with reeded glass doors—this gourmet kitchen has it all. The elevated beverage bar is accented by pendant down lights that reflect in the reeded glass doors repeated throughout the kitchen. Solid surface countertops adorn the main prep area. The latest in GE stainless steel appliances caters to a more professional
attitude in the kitchen.

A curved wall will surprise you
According to Mod-U-Kraf, the three bedrooms, 2 full baths and utility room are packed with amenities and are specially designed to be roomy. Exiting from the foyer on the right between the two tapered columns is a curved wall tht will surprise youcleverly hiding the utility room. The utility room is placed exactly where you need it—in the center of the sleeping wing of the home.

The master bedroom to the right faces the back of the house and has an elegant recessed ceiling with recessed lighting. An adjoining walk-in anointed closet and elegant garden bath complete the experience. With built-in cabinetry, his and her lavatories, a whirlpool tub and private areas, the garden bath is more than oversized. Bedrooms two and three are roomy. They have a full bath with his and her lavatories and a private dressing area. It’s in this part of the home that other touches complete the design like the open, airy feeling from the transoms above the windows. The use of smooth, two-panel plank, interior Masonite doors with beaded feature lines feel authentic and complete the transition from room to room. With the hardware the doors are reminiscent of a carriage house in this part of the country.

“With every model design we offer, the floorplan can be customized,” said Hodges. “It will be interesting as we go forward to see how ‘Ansley Park’ changes our product strategy and mix.”

Since inclusion in Coachmen (NYSE:COA), Mod-U-Kraf has grown from a regional brand to a larger Mid-Atlantic and Southern brand with sales to match. Mod-U-Kraf markets the homes through Independent Builders Of Mod-U-Kraf in the states of Delaware, Georgia, Eastern Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Eastern Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The company uses the service mark “BUILT TO APPRECIATE.”