Lexington, KY - Walking into Millard and Boo Blakey's home in the Stonewall neighborhood calls to mind sleek demonstration homes of the 1950s. Lighting schemes are programmed to dim or brighten in concert with the raising and lowering of automatic window shades; computer- and remote-operated technology abounds.
The difference between the concept home of the past and the concept home of the future? Back then, synthetic countertops and energy-sucking appliances ruled the day and declared victory for the modern homemaker. Today, the application of technology yields just as much gadget, but a lot more green.
For a home that is so intricately executed, especially with consideration to all of the specialty products used, one might imagine this was the idea all along - to build a green home. But, says Boo Blakey - homeowner and member of the family business, WreckCreations, with her husband, Millard - "This actually all started because I wanted a new laundry room."
She laughs as she says it. She and Millard began the process by dreaming up a few ideas about what they'd like the renovation to include. Before they knew it, they had enlisted an architect (Clive Pohl of Pohl Rosa Pohl Architects), began reviewing plans and products, and committed to contracting the project themselves.
It was a busy and challenging time in the Blakey home with the couple and their two boys, Leon, 15, and Archie, 13, occupying the upstairs of the home while renovations were going on downstairs, and their two dogs, Shelby and Tucker, keeping watch from the yard.
Once the project got started, there were a lot of things to keep track of and consider, and that's where, Clive Pohl says, an architect goes beyond what is in the drawn-up plans.
"Six months of planning, selection and coordination went into this before we started the project. What ends up feeling good, and hopefully exciting, comes from careful planning," Pohl said. "One of our jobs as the architects is to facilitate conversation between the parties who are building the home, and to help the vision of the project be maintained throughout the process."
And details there are - many "green" - in the Blakey home, from low flow faucets and low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints to recycled surface areas and refurbished furniture. "It's not the typical house you find in Stonewall," Millard said, "but it blends while still offering the things we wanted in the new house, so we could stay in the neighborhood."
The home, in its remodeled, and mostly finished state, is a place of personal comfort for the Blakey family and their business. While the upstairs of the home remained mostly the same and is the location of the bedrooms, the main floor and basement received significant treatments, as did the property.
A single driveway was initially front and center of the house, as is fairly typical of similar homes, but Boo preferred that the large, bright WreckCreations truck have its own place more out of the way, so a second driveway was added alongside the property curving back and down to meet the basement workspace and keep the truck mostly hidden away.
The WreckCreations office is in the basement, along with some special media and play space for the Blakey boys, and just above the walk-out basement, a special place for design and functionality of this home is prominently on display: the deck.
The deck was a critical part of the remodel that would allow the Blakeys to take full advantage of a beautiful and spacious backyard, which includes a creek view and many large trees. There is plenty of room for entertaining and enjoying the outdoors, but the backyard and deck are also the places where it may be most obvious that this home is a green space.
Mounted on the sides of the partially-covered, composite and treated redwood deck are solar thermal heating tubes, which are the source for over 70 percent of the home's hot water, and solar panels that provide an additional source of electricity for the home. Just out of view, buried under the well-kept yard, is a rainwater collection and storage unit to be used for irrigation.
Inside, the home features an open living area that joins a comfortable living room with a cathedral ceiling with the dining and kitchen spaces. The carpets and paint are low VOC and many of the surfaces, such as glass or pressed cardboard countertops, are recycled. The wood floors are also a unique touch - recycled horse farm fencing purchased from Many Moons.
Just because the home is a cost-saver and energy efficient doesn't mean the Blakeys had to skimp on style. The kitchen - a critical part of any home remodel - is fully stocked and loaded, complete with gas cooktop. Any at-home, environmentally-conscious chef would salivate over the amenities. It connects with the media room, which Pohl refers to as the "he space" of the house. It's a place that everyone in the family can enjoy, but there's no doubt, judging by Millard's prowess and pride in the room, that Pohl has a point. Equipped for optimal viewing and listening by Lexington Audiovisual Advantage, the new room has been host to many a movie, fight or NASCAR night at the Blakey home.
After all, who says you can't have your savings and specialties, too? "It could take a year to realize the [utility] savings, but we're working toward it," Millard said. "We've seen a fairly substantial drop in our electric usage."
Boo adds that the dual-flush toilets, which cost about $100-150 more than standard, have probably already paid for themselves.
The Blakeys, along with Pohl Rosa Pohl, have achieved quite a feat in the construction of this home, which is EnergyStar rated and a Green Build Kentucky home. It's an investment in the future of their family as well as the future of their community.
For more information on WreckCreations, check out their site at www.wreckcreations.biz. Visit Pohl Rosa Pohl at www.pohlrosapohl.com.