Going Green

Once SFH was built and looking fantastic, we realized something was missing. Like a great masterpiece, it deserved a fine frame. So, we added a lawn. After clearing a few trees and adding rich topsoil, Don and Jeremy layed down about 6,000 sq. feet of zoysia sod. The visual effect was immediate and dramatic. Best of all, zoysia grass is drought tolerant and requires little maintenance once established, making perfect for xeriscaping.

This got me thinking about how we've made the house green in other ways and I decided to make a list of all the eco friendly materials used in SFH.

• passive-solar home orientation on shaded lot
• high-efficiency multi-stage heat pump
• soy-based spray insulation on interior walls
• formaldehyde-free bat fiberglass insulation in faux walls
• VOC-free interior paint
• formaldehyde-free strand bamboo flooring
• natural formaldehyde-free cork flooring
• PaperStone 100% post-consumer recycled paper counter tops
• low-e glass
• Energy Star appliances
• high-efficiency Rais wood stove
• insulated concrete form foundation walls for crawlspace
• electric radiant bathroom flooring
• drought resistant zoysia grass
• energy efficient TPO reflective white roofing
• water-conserving dual-flush toilets
• dimmable compact flourescent light bulbs
• LED outdoor lighting
• sustainable, recycled pecan shell mulch
• locally quarried stone wall, stepping stones and river gravel paths
• Ipe deck from certified sustainable forests in Brazil
• CUZN (Copper-Zinc) water filter system

Flat-Roof Resolution

I thought this may be helpful for other LV owners who have built in the woods. Last fall we had to make regular ladder runs to the roof to keep the scupper's clear of deciduous debris. To prevent drainage issues this autumn, Don and Jeremy designed a filter box that fits over the scuppers. The device should block larger objects and reduce clogging by increasing the surface area of the grate. Wider-guage screening should improve flow and a "cover" fabricated with Kynar-color-matched steel keeps twigs and leaves from falling directly into the drain. I'll keep you posted on how well this works!

Mom's Day Getaway

We heard Don's sheet metal crew had made a lot of progress and we were anxious to see the finished deck, so we celebrated Mother's Day at SFH. The weather was absolutely gorgeous after Saturday storms--breezy, fair, low 60s. Using a remnant piece of ipe decking and an old dock line, we improvised a rope swing for the ancient, broken oak that dominates our east view. After discovering several ticks in our flight path (and in our pants), we spent the rest of the weekend hangin' on the deck with Durga and Pedro.

The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of SFH

Don sent this amazing note last week. His message was so passionate, I just had to post it. I'm thinking his suggestion at the end will become a favorite Secret Fortress tradition and a great way to remember our guests--like an audio guest book! But I'm telling you now, NO Celine Dion. I would hate for you to have to spend the night in the storm cellar.

"On Thursday, we made it back to the SFH. I turned on the radio to get some nice background music while working on the deck. The first piece of music played that morning was Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Bach. Wow! There was no way I would work while that was playing, so I sat down on the couch to soak up the music. Your speakers are sensational! My goodness, I have never heard that music that well. It was so brilliant! I'm getting excited just thinking about it. It sounded like the organ was in the room. Great choice on speakers. Your guests are going to love it. I would recommend you begin a small library of great music and each guest can make a contribution. That way you'll have an eclectic music choice. I will contribute the first CD. Racmimaninoff's Vespers performed by the Robert Shaw Festival Singers. It's my favorite and can't wait to hear it on your stereo."

In other news, Don and Jeremy completed most of the deck railing. The posts were custom fab from L & L Metal Fabrication of Springdale, AR, and the steel cable rail was manufactured by American Metal Specialties of Tacoma, WA.

Radio Free SFH

The Rocio revolution will not be televised...or will it? At the very least, it's getting good air play on news and talk radio stations. Here's an interview from last Sunday that aired on Kansas City NPR station KCUR's popular show KC Currents. The show's very gracious host, Sylvia Gross, interviewed Rocio at my office after a knowledge-exchange breakfast with our creative team. Sylvia also discussed Secret Fortress Hideout with me. Listen to the broadcast here.

Rais You to SFH

We had a free weekend so we made a quick trip to SFH. While there, we helped Don and Jeremy install the Rais Pina wood stove. We placed it on an aluminum-clad pad in the corner of the living room. I have to say the build quality of this product is impressive. To reduce weight while positioning it, we were able to easily disassemble the side panels and door. Can't wait to try it in colder weather. Actually, after this brutal winter, maybe I can.

SFH also received a small mention in Vox Magazine's print edition and a special online feature today. Vox is a weekly paper published by the Missourian in Columbia. I guess the secret is getting out about Secret Fortress Hideout.

Breaking It In

It's spring break for the family and we had a chance to spend the week in Secret Fortress Hideout. We loaded a U-Haul with furniture we've collected over the last twelve months, strapped the kids into the Highlander and caravaned to Eureka Springs. Amazingly, the contents of the van arrived completely intact despite the rough county roads and our not-so-careful packing.

We emptied the van the Saturday we arrived and were joined by friends John, Cindy, Anson and Archer on Sunday. After the Ikea assemblethon, we stayed busy putting the house to the test. And with four boys between the ages of four and seven, what a test it was. Running, wrestling and launching projectiles--at the brand new 42" LCD TV. (Tip: should your LCD screen become chipped by a certain metal-nosed balsa wood glider, you can camouflage the stuck pixels with a tiny bit of black electrical tape.)

On the second night, we were joined by a few more friends. This group, however, preferred to stay in the crawlspace with the acorns they had saved all winter long. We discovered these guests at about 11 pm, when one decided to have a noisy late-night snack right below the master bedroom. (Tip: the mouse bait from Wal-Mart really works.)

Although it rained hard the first part of the week, Thursday and Friday gave me the perfect opportunity to get shots of Secret Fortress' fantastic morning light.

Kitchen Counter Intelligence

Just a quick report to share a few spy photos from the fortress. Mission accomplished on the countertop, sink and faucet in the kitchen. The final quasi-industrial look reminds me of science class for some reason--in a good way--without the Bunsen burners.

Our Private Island

Now we're cooking! The kitchen is looking incredible with the island countertop in place. I was a little hesitant about my decision to go with the obsidian Paperstone surface, but I think the stainless really balances the dark counter by reflecting so much light. We love how the island adds some nice mass and creates a dramatic focal point to the space.

Be My LValentine

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and we're LoVing the LV. The cabinets are going up in the kitchen and the bathroom elements are coming together. We really got a sense of the space this weekend.

The light is simply amazing as it moves through the place. Not to mention the excellent passive solar heat from the southern windows. It was 39º outside, 70º inside, and the heat pump didn't kick on once during the day.

The cultured marble bathroom vanities look fantastic with the stainless steel basins and frames custom fabricated by L & L Metal Fab. The white, vein-free counter material creates a nice contrast with the dark wall tile.

Floors Galore

Interior painting was finished more than a month ago and the bamboo flooring is down.

This week I picked up a stainless kitchen sink with integrated drainboard from Teka. Should look great with the stainless base cabinet and obsidian Paperstone counter.

The Zen tub has finally arrived and the bathrooms are moving forward. The tile is going in and the stainless steel frames for the sinks have been installed. You can see the heat strips for the electric radiant floor system in these shots as well as the Ditra uncoupling membrane. My bare feet can't wait to try out all this great flooring!





Interior painting was finished more than a month ago and the bamboo flooring is down.

This week I picked up a stainless kitchen sink with integrated drainboard from Teka. Should look great with the stainless base cabinet and obsidian Paperstone counter.

The Zen tub has finally arrived and the bathrooms are moving forward. The tile is going in and the stainless steel frames for the sinks have been installed. You can see the heat strips for the electric radiant floor system in these shots as well as the Ditra uncoupling membrane. My bare feet can't wait to try out all this great flooring!