John M. Hoffman & Associates CPAs
John's Personal Life.....
Home away from home...Savannah, Georgia
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In 1996 John and Robin discovered Savannah Georgia and also The Landings on Skidaway Island. In 1997 we purchased a piece of land on the marsh and a lagoon, where we could someday build a "home away from home".
This postcard looking picture was actually taken by John and just gives you an idea of the beauty around the golf courses.
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That someday is coming to fruition in 2009 as our boys are both in college. When the Savannah home is complete we will downsize our Massachusetts residence, keeping our current office, and split time as we can between low country Savannah and Massachusetts.
So, here is what is going on....
We wanted to protect the beautiful trees during construction so we put fences around them. What look like white stones are actually oyster shells left by Native Americans hundreds of years ago.
Early October 2009
A Slab was poured and "piers" were built atop the slab. These piers are reinforced concrete and the house above should be protected in the event of a hurricane high tide.
Late October 2009
Meanwhile we go shopping for Granite for countertops - salvaging through remnants at a "boneyard". This piece will be for the dining room "hutch / buffet".
October 2009
The hard working framing crew got to work.
Early November 2009
And John walked to get a view of the first floor
Early November 2009
From up top we can get an idea of different views. This is of our next door neighbors from our front door.
Early November 2009
Inside the house the rooms are starting to take shape. This is the great room leading to kitchen with a large deck looking out over the marsh.
Late November 2009
This shows the elevation of the decks on the outside and a cedar tree that we had wanted to protect but which we determined was too close to the house and interfering with the construction.
Late November 2009
Of course John grew up in Maine and had cut a tree or two in his days.....
Early December 2009
We headed north for the holidays with the house in process all wrapped in tyvek. What a nice Christmas present!
December 15, 2009
January 8, 2010
Back for a site visit and the progress is great. The stucco work was delayed by the cold. The gray color is the base coat. Soon we will get the coat with the actual color.
January 30, 2010
A misty winter day - would have been ice and snow in Boston. The columns behind Robin are on the two decks. John took this picture with his feet in the marsh.
January 30, 2010
Same day and the sun came out- notice the two oval windows - these are in "master" bathroom providing light as well as a great view (looking out that is).
February 15, 2010
This is the "heat exchange" that we created. We will pump hot glycol liquid from solar panels on the roof through this radiator, turn on the fan, and on a sunny cold day get "free" heat coming out of the vents that in the summer provide air conditioning. How nice to not be burning fossil fuels purchased from people who don't like Americans!
February 15, 2010
With this visit we start to get to see what the house will look like as the color and trim in the stucco is coming along (imagine without scafolding).
Looking at decks that overlook the marsh...
Looking at the side of the house, notice that decorative trim on either side of the bedroom window...
The front of the house...
Notice the detail and color contrast atop the portico...
February 28, 2010
Our wonderful neighbor sent us a few pictures of the progress - this give me motivation during the busy tax season...this is the deck off the family room.
This is the side of the house where the garage entrances are. Home office inside the deck, living room to the right of that and two bedrooms on top.
Now we are in the midst of a busy tax season (got to pay for this cottage) so back to work.....
April 7, 2010
The builder is sending us some pics to keep us inspired during these long hours. Look at the step that enter the front of the house. The little white circles are for step lights. There will be wrought iron railings along the steps and at the porch above (and the other decks). To the right of the steps under the archway will be a decorative wrought iron gate.
The driveway is almost ready to be started and the tax season almost over. Lot's of excitement.
Sorry for the delay in updating this - we have been so busy...July 2010 and the house is just about done:
The front of the house:
Notice the curved stairway and decorative iron gate - a little look from the historic squares of downtown Savannah.
We love the outdoor space:
What you see in the distance is the tidal marsh. At high tide it is full of water.
We love the decorating help we got in North Carolina:
The peacock rug was custom made to match the sofas and chairs in our formal "parlor".
The kitchen is a design we copied from a client:
We have lots of windows and there is actually another island (I need another picture).
It is now late August and we are heading back to Savannah to start really enjoying this place. I think I want to get a new camera, take some new pictures and create a few new pages. Until then, nothing new to look at.
Thanks for your support and interest...
For more recent pics and info, go to SavannahNow.
