I’ll admit, I was a bit taken off guard when I discovered that viewership of the Home and Garden Television channel (HGTV) is actually quite intense.
Some out there, myself included, may be hesitant to admit out loud that shows like “Income Property” and “House Hunters” are frequent visitors to our living rooms.
The fact is that HGTVs viewership climbed in 2013; now, it's often ranked within the top 10 ad-supported cable networks of the week. It just goes to show that most of us have a little interior designer crying inside of us, whether or not we even own a house — much less have the budget to make upgrades to one. This became clear to me just the other day when I heard the question “bro, did you catch that episode of "Love It or List It" last night?” in passing.
As if their television ratings weren't enough, it’s safe to say that lately the hits on the HGTV website have been increasing dramatically, too. By millions.
[jump]The reason? A $2 million dollar home that would make just about anyone’s eyes widen. Add $250,000 and a new car to the mix (more specifically, a GMC Yukon Denali), and you have arguably one of the biggest sweepstakes of the year. And the craziest part? They do this contest every year. But if you ask me, last year’s Kiawah, South Carolina home doesn’t even touch this one.
The house is about as creative as the method they took to build it.
Not only did they construct this piece of art on the air, but took viewers’ advices and opinions on how to decorate it. Basically, the producers of HGTV know what they’re doing to get us excited.
Through Feb. 14, contestants can enter up to twice a day on www.hgtv.com for a chance to win. And the way I see it, there’s no reason not to enter.
One interesting thing about the home is that it’s only three bedrooms (though it sleeps 10) — simply reading a description of the modestly-sized 3,200-square-foot retreat does it no justice, and you almost find yourself wondering what the big deal is.
Then you see it. And it really is a dream of a home.
The unbelievable “earthquake-resistant” home, composed of timber, steel, stucco and glass, is placed on a golf course in Truckee, CA., near Lake Tahoe. Its architecture was coined as “New Mountain” by the home’s architect David Bourke.
It appears to be a tasteful combination of housing styles — a traditional cozy, cabin-esque appearance offsets the more modern aspects, such as the dozens of large glass walls which really help connect this house to its woodsy surroundings. Not to mention the clear view of the Carson Mountains from this unique nook.
Touring the H-shaped home would feel like entering an Ethan Allen display space; the company is furnishing the entire home for the eighth straight year of the sweepstakes.
If you’ve ever stepped foot in an Ethan Allen store or browsed their items online, you know that this future homeowner is probably just as stoked about the interior of this home as the unique architecture.
In fact, on the Ethan Allen website, buyers can shop strictly for the items featured in the home — many of which are on sale, though still not cheap (let’s be honest). And the décor was chosen by none other than interior designers Jack Thomasson and Linda Woodrum, who happen to be two HGTV notables,
Better yet, you can check out the Ethan Allen Facebook Dreamstakes for a chance to win these very items.