The Design Experts Speak

"What were they thinking?" I've asked myself that question—and I'll bet you have, too—many times after visiting a model home, or even a friend's home for the first time.

Why would a builder/architect/designer do (fill in blank)?

At my friend's home, for example, you have to go down a long hallway, past three bedrooms and through the family room to get to the kitchen. I don't want to have to haul a week's worth of groceries that far.

Or, how about the two-story custom home with all the bedrooms upstairs and the laundry room downstairs? Obviously, that one was designed by someone who's never had to deal with a truckload of dirty clothes festering in hampers.

And then there's the second story loft overlooking the family room. It looks pretty, until you realize that the sound from the entertainment center travels straight up, enabling everyone to clearly hear the musings of Sponge Bob—whether they want to or not.

I recently toured a model home with a beautiful pool—but it could only be seen from the inside through a few small windows. Where were the big French doors? In my home, I want to be able to see the pool clearly and access it easily—both to keep an eye on the kids and just enjoy the view.

I could go on and on, but you get the point. Creating practical living spaces takes experience and forethought. In this issue, we talk to the people who know how to do it right—the region's top architects and building designers. We think you'll be interested in their insights on home design trends.

Also in this issue, we visit Apopka, the northwest Orlando" target="_blank">Orange County city that for decades has provided much of the country with decorative ferns and ornamental houseplants.

If you've lived here a long time—and in local terms, that means more than 10 years—then you probably associate Apopka with agriculture.

Or, perhaps you remember the 1999 Apopka Little League team, winners of the Little League World Series. And chances are you've read about the city's colorful (and durable) mayor, John Land, who has held office since the Eisenhower administration.

But have you been to Apopka lately? We have, and we can report that this once-sleepy city is emerging as a residential mecca, particularly for families. And why not? Homes are affordable, the region's natural attractions are stunning and the city itself is as all-American as you can get.

In addition, we're offering an advance look at the New American Home, a spectacular showcase home being built for the upcoming International Builders Show. The builder is an old friend, Alex Hannigan, a former president of the Home Builders Association of Metro Orlando.

Plus, we've got a story about fireplaces. Yes, we have fireplaces in Florida—although I'll grant you it doesn't get cold enough to need them very often. Still, nothing says "welcome home" like a fire in the hearth, and we think you'll be amazed at the array of fireplace options available today.

This issue also contains our usual comprehensive community directory, which happens to be the most thorough directory of its kind you'll find anywhere. I noticed when reviewing the information prior to presstime that nearly 40 brand-new communities are making their debut, which is the most since we started publishing two years ago.

So don't be discouraged when you read about waiting lists for new homes, or lottery systems to choose buyers. Believe me, there are plenty of beautiful new homes available in Central Florida right now. We'll show you where they are.

So, enjoy this issue of Orlando Homebuyer. And from our family to yours, we wish you a happy holiday season.