Midtown Tulsa Real Estate - Lori Cain

Building a wooden privacy fence? Consider building a "friendship" or "shadow box" fence!

Several clients have been building wooden privacy fences lately and after drawing too many bad pictures of what I have always called a "friendship fence," I decided to research and write a blog post. I did find it referenced as a friendship fence a few places, but it turns out the more known description is a "shadow box" fence.

My back neighbors and I built one at my Florence Park home when we all agreed to pull up the chain link. I won the coin toss to select which side of the fence I wanted, and I suggested we try the friendship fence. Although none of us had any real carpentry experience, four of us built the fence in a weekend and had a great time.

Fences make great neighbors, and building them together makes you even better neighbors.

What makes a shadow box fence unique is that every other vertical slat is attached to opposite sides of the horizontal structure. This makes the fence more durable as the wind can flow through the fence. My main reason for wanting this type of fence was so my dog could see out.

Building a wooden privacy fence? Consider building a "friendship" or "shadow box" fence!

If you look at a shadow box fence straight on, it looks like a normal flat fence, but if you look from an angle, you can see the neighboring yard. So, your pup can see what's going on all around and not feel like he's totally confined.

Other fence tips I'd like to share are (1) use galvanized metal posts instead of wood, and (2) do NOT set your fence slats flush with the ground. You want to set galvanized metal posts in concrete, because wooden posts will eventually rot from simple rain water. And, if you raise the slats about 3-inches above the ground, they are less likely to come in contact with draining water and rot. These two tips will promote a much longer life for your fence.

Whether you decide to build your next fence with your neighbor or hire a contractor, consider the benefits of a shadow box fence. And, if you don't have a pup -- you should adopt one!

Photo courtesy of Matt Weber 

Originally Posted at: Midtown Tulsa Real Estate - Lori Cain

Get your GREEN on - recycling isn't enough!  Some of us are newer to becoming green in our lifestyles, so I’m starting out with a few small suggestions. Easy stuff. I have recycled for years, but it’s time to step it up a notch.

Habits are hard to break and just as difficult to make. I am in the habit of taking my reusable shopping bags with me when I grocery shop. As long as I hang them on the door after I unload my groceries, it’s easy to remember to take them back to my car. When you’re in the check-out lane at the grocery and you are asked, “paper or plastic?” you can proudly produce your bags and respond, “neither – I brought my own!” Trust me – it will make you feel good.

After much nagging encouragement from my eco-responsible Dad, I am filling my reusable water bottle with filtered water from home and cutting back tremendously from purchasing bottled water. Although we recycle our water bottles, we just don’t know whether they’ve been stored or transported in heat and what may possibly leach from the plastic. So, yes, I will still grab a bottle of water from a convenience store when necessary, but for the most part, it’s easy to fill and carry your own bottle. Many are available today that are dishwasher-safe.

Now for the tough assignment. I shop online almost exclusively, yet retailers continue to send me printed catalogs. Usually I toss them in the trash wondering what marketing idiot thought to put me on a snail-mail list when I clearly shop online! Now, I am stacking up all the Harry and David catalogs, Williams-Sonoma, even Syracuse Cultural workers and taking time to CALL to be removed from their mailing list. It’s a time-consuming task, but almost as righteous as planting a tree yourself.

Get your GREEN on - recycling isn't enough!

When Demetrius and I remodeled our kitchen, we converted our entire house to energy-efficient light bulbs. We may have to take out a second-mortgage when it's time to replace them, as it was not an inexpensive endeavor. There's lots of good information on the internet about the newer bulbs available - here's a good "green" light bulb buying guide.

Are you doing a few simple things to be more green? Driving the speed limit or taking the bus on ozone-alert days? We can’t fix all that we’ve broken in one day, but we can darn sure start taking steps in the right direction! 

It's my privilege as a Realtor to make suggestions to my clients when purchasing appliances or replacing a hot water heater. Why not replace those wood windows with energy-efficient vinyl windows or ditch that 25 year-old hot water heater and buy a tankless water heater? Here's a good site to assist you in making more green purchasing decisions,

While you're at it -- look into the tax credits available for purchasing energy-efficient home improvements!

About the author: Lori is a residential Realtor with Chinowth & Cohen Realtors, servicing the greater Tulsa area. Visit Lori at her web site or call 918-852-5036.

Remodel Designers, Distinctive Designs -- Architectural Wonders right here on SOuth BOston! Let me introduce you to the dream team that designed Demetrius’ and my kitchen remodel! Note, Distinctive Designs is on SO-BO (SOuth BOston, and our home is on SO-CHEY (SOuth CHEYenne), so we're neighbors!

Remodel Designers -- Distinctive Designs was formed in 1997 by owner, Melisa (Mel) McCelvey. The company was inspired from a love of residential architecture and design. Distinctive Designs, a member of National Association of Home Builders  and the Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa, Is a full-service, residential design firm specializing in the design of production homes, custom homes, remodeling and room additions. There is a long list of popular and well-known builders in the Tulsa area, which use their services.

Over the years, Distinctive Designs has received and been a part of the many award-winning projects. An important member of the company is Bill Wimberley. He joined Mel in 2000 and is an integral part in the development of the firm. Bill has over 20 years of experience in the building industry as a residential framer, trim carpenter, builder and general contractor. Both Mel and Bill use their design, drafting and architectural skills to provide the best products and services to their clients. 

A unique remodel and design style of Distinctive Designs is that it brings a woman's perspective to the design process. "I don't want to walk through a pile of laundry when I enter the house from the garage. I think about the way a family would utilize the space," says Mel. A client can expect her to begin each project exploring a client's lifestyle, or if the client is a builder, their target market. It is important to determine how a space makes a client feel. What makes them feel comfortable and welcoming? Is it the color? The furnishings? The lighting? By defining a client's sense of "home," Mel can translate this into tangible drawings for the house.

A contrasting, yet very complementary, aspect to the company is Bill's process of always looking at the structure. How does this or that work? What are the mechanics of the space? How are the laws of physics applied to overcome the force of gravity?

Remodel Designers, Distinctive Designs - My husband and I have personal experience with Mel and Bill, as they designed our kitchen remodel. Mel asked a lot of questions about how we cook together when she designed our kitchen. She discovered that Deme cooks in the microwave often, whereas I use it very seldom; therefore the microwave is built in an upper cabinet that Deme can reach and this frees up counter space. I tend to do most of the food preparation, so refrigerator drawers were installed in the island next to my sink – I store all of our produce in the refrigerator drawers. Deme does the majority of clean-up, so the dishwasher was placed strategically next to his sink in his "beach" counter area. Yes, we have an "island" and a "beach." Mel also knew that we like to entertain, so she designed a banquette area and counter seating to accommodate several guests. Both Mel and Bill were a joy to work with!

Mel is known for designing traditional homes updated for current lifestyles. She brings a sense of history and attention to detail to all her projects. One of her favorite compliments is to hear someone say that a new build in the suburbs looks just like a house in midtown, or just like the house in which they were raised. Distinctive Designs also uses the latest in residential design software to produce accurate technical drawings, to examine a design in three dimensions. This ensures the proper execution of design and details during the construction process.

"We listen to our clients, whether it is a builder, developer or the homeowner and then make recommendations. But in the final analysis of any project, no matter who the client is, the house is YOUR home and it should reflect YOU," says Mel.

For more information, contact Mel or Bill at 918-382-0005. Mel and Bill are part of the Dream Team, SoBo Studios, located on the southwest corner of 16th and SOuth BOston in Tulsa. Other members of the team include Carl Szafranski and Jeff Pugh of Szafranski-Pugh & Associates, Inc., a Landscape Architecture firm; and Darby Thomas, owner of HuntSted Homes Remodeling. More about the Dream Team another time.

If it breaks, call Gary. Need a repair? Call Gary. Fallen and can’t get up? Call Gary.

I would not be a great Realtor without Gary Ellis. He is my home repair savior.

We first met when my Tulsa Seller was a little short of funds for the many repairs her home needed before we could close. Both the Seller and I were a little overwhelmed by some of the items that popped up during inspections, but Gary told us to calm down as we toured the property and viewed the items on our list together. He fixed EVERYTHING within our budget. He won my heart and loyalty during that transaction, and I’ve used him ever since.

He fixed Richard’s fireplace after a hideous ice storm in the greater Tulsa area, finishing up TWO HOURS before closing. The inspector found nothing wrong with the fireplace ten days previously and Richard had not used his fireplace in years. But when we lost power during the storm, Richard decided to turn on the fireplace, only to learn that it didn’t work and had a probable leak. “Call Gary,” I said. Although everyone who knows Gary was calling him after the storm to take care of their damaged tree limbs and whatever part of their home was hit by a falling tree, Gary worked through the weekend and literally completed our fireplace repair hours before closing. I took him coffee and cookies, because he had not had much sleep and had been working long hours in cold homes.

My client Kathy decided to repair a damaged fence after she closed on her home and she asked me for a referral. I told her to call Gary. She and her neighbor were sharing the expense, so they both got some quotes, and Gary was chosen to do the work. Kathy called me a few days later to tell me that her kitchen sink was leaking beneath – something that was supposed to have been repaired prior to her closing. I asked her if Gary was still there working on the fence, and when she said he was, I suggested she have him look at her plumbing. Of course, he had the needed parts in his truck, spent thirty minutes repairing the plumbing and didn’t charge her. Kathy was grateful and immediately programmed Gary’s phone number into her phone.

Joel only asked the Seller to repair what was essential when he bought his home on the west bank because he needed to keep the sales price low. But after moving in and getting settled, he called Gary back to trim some trees, fix his garage door opener and repair some minor plumbing problems.

Marilyn needed some help with landscaping trellises, which she had Gary construct – and he built some shelves for her office. There is nothing this guy can’t do.

Hot water heater repair at the condo? Electrical upgrading at the cute bungalow? Guttering problems at the midtown home? Of course, I called Gary.

Gary is too shy or humble to let me take his photo, but I can tell you that he always wears overalls. I searched google images for a likeness, and this is the best I could do – but MY Gary looks much more friendly. And he doesn't have a big business or a web site. He recently set up an e-mail account, for which I'm grateful. Best way to catch him though is to call him.

Many clients have programmed Gary Ellis into their phones and many friends and clients are accustomed to looking for referrals on my personal Preferred Vendor list. Of course, you’ll see Gary Ellis’ name plastered all over that list, cause he’s the one I call most often.

And Gary helps my Seller with home repairs BEFORE they put their home on the market also.

I still take him cookies from time to time to make sure my clients and I stay on HIS Preferred Customer list.

Not sure he can help you with a tooth ache, although he always has pliers with him, but if you need a home repair, call Gary.

Gary Ellis Enterprises, Inc., 918-361-1193, Tulsa Oklahoma.