This year’s HGTVDream Home Giveaway offers fans the chance to win a spectacular custom-built home in Midway, Utah, a 2012 GMC Terrain and $500,000 cash — a prize package valued at more than $2 million! We’ve got all the Dream Home details from HGTV Dream Home designer Linda Woodrum — keep reading to find out her inspiration for designing the space.
SheKnows: What was your inspiration for the overall design plan for the 2012 HGTV Dream Home?
Linda Woodrum: The greatest inspiration for this year’s home was the amazing site. The first time I visited, there was snow on the ground and on the mountains in the near distance. The Provo River was clear and flowing swiftly just on the rear edge of the lot. There were people fly-fishing in the river as I stood there. I was aware of how big and open and blue the sky was, and how peaceful and connected to something very special this land was — how that had to be part of the overall design plan. The actual siting of the house is great, as all the rooms have wonderful views of the meadows, mountains and river.
Another consideration was the lifestyle of the area. There are so many great outdoor activities, and this is a part of the country that is informal and easy going. The house has to work for this relaxed way of life.
SheKnows: What do you think makes this Dream Home different from past Dream Homes?
Linda Woodrum: This Dream Home is different from others because it is connected to Utah and its site in many ways. The architects looked at old buildings from the area to find historical examples to use in their design. Many of the materials, such as the stone and timbers, are local and further ground the home to place.
Colors for the exterior and interior were carefully chosen to play off the changing colors of the surrounding landscape. The feel of the interior design of the house was developed to fit the site, the style of the house and the lifestyle of the home.
The outdoor areas are numerous and tie the house to the site, and the landscaping is inspired; primarily, many species of grasses that connect to the meadows that is all around the home.
SheKnows: What is your favorite room or element of the home?
Linda Woodrum: I love the great room. It is a lovely puzzle or trick. The walls are made of a local stone that is named Indian Ledge, and the ceiling is timbered. And yet with all this heavy material, the many French doors and transoms create a room that feels light and airy. There are amazing views on both sides and the space captures that great feeling I had when I first came to the site — peaceful, beautiful and special.
SheKnows: We know this home is considered a “green home.” What eco-friendly design elements did you choose for the home?
Linda Woodrum: Being eco-friendly is an important part of the HGTV Dream Home. We make lots of choices during construction and the design process keeping this in mind. The paints used inside are no-VOC. The countertops are man-made quartz, which is sustainable and anti-bacterial. We chose furniture that is not just beautiful, but durable and will not need to be replaced.
SheKnows: There was obviously so much planning involved in building and designing HGTV’s 2012 Dream Home. Do you have any tips for our readers that may be considering building or remodeling a home?
Linda Woodrum: I think the most important thing to remember is to feel passionate about what you choose (color, furniture, art, etc.), and at the same time, really plan and research. Plus, try not to make impulsive choices. Sometimes it is very hard, but it’s an enormous project that will be the most successful if you do your homework. Think about how you really use your spaces. Who uses them and for what? What kind of lifestyle do you really live and how much time do you really want to spend maintaining your home? When you walk in the front door of your home you should feel great about being there.
* Viewers can enter for a chance to win the HGTV Dream Home 2012 until Friday, Feb. 17, 2012 at 5 p.m. ET. During that time, they may enter once per day on www.HGTV.com/dreamhome, once per day on HGTV’s Frontdoor.com, or as often as they wish by regular mail.
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