Thornberry Custom Builders Inc. Newsletter

July 2015

First, let me apologize for running a bit late with July's newsletter due to technical challenges...but here we are and I hope you'll this edition.

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Summer is one of my favorite times of the year despite the scorching heat! I actually enjoy the afternoon thunderstorms and the incredible cloud formations and sunsets in the aftermath.

It is one of the best times to be on the water and enjoy the not so crowded beaches. But my favorite part of Summer is the 4th of July celebrations and this year was no different!

We started the day off with the Freedom Swim/Float....I say "float" because the majority of the participants get towed, by boat, across the river on flotation devices (at least my friends and I do). Then the float party sat in front of Harpoon Harry's to listen to the music and enjoy the fanfare.

We returned to the dock before the

thunderstorms began and continued the festivities at the pool...and ate our share of a great BBQ! Then, just before the sun set, we loaded everyone back in the boat and set out for the Harbor to enjoy the incredible fireworks show in Punta Gorda.

I hope you were able to get out and enjoy what our community offers to celebrate our country's birthday and had a great Fourth of July!

Sincerely,

TJ Thornberry

TJ Thornberry
Thornberry Custom Builders Inc

Homeowner Tips

This Old House

Organizing Your Garage

It can be a daunting project, but once it's done, you'll be so proud of yourself. After all, it's home to one of your biggest investments - your car!

Illustration: Zohar Lazar

Read through this article (by Mickey Goodman, writer for This Old House Magazine) and start with "The Big Clean Out" and end up with a garage that will be the envy of the neighborhood!

For more information and to see the complete article go directly to This Old House website.

HAPPENINGS:

Attending the Southeast Builder's Conference in Orlando

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Congrats to my Dad for being selected for the Florida Home Builders Association Hall of Fame....very proud!

Michelle S. Delaney & Tom Thornberry, recent inductees to the FHBA Hall of Fame

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Our Charlotte Desoto Building Industry Association (CDBIA) - Well represented, as usual!

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As the saying goes,

"All work and no play..."

TJ and Jackie Hillman

Enjoying the Rockin' costume party!

*****

Charter Review Commission

TJ Thornberry, Thornberry Custom Homes, Selected

Charlotte County is a Home Rule Charter government. Every six years, the County is required by law to review its charter. At their April 14th board meeting The Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners selected 18 (15 regular & 3 alternate)individuals (out of 100 applicants) to serve on the 2015-16 Charter Review Commission.

Suggestions for the Charter from the commission go directly to the voting ballot and do not have to be vetted through the Charlotte County BOCC.

TJ Thornberry

Thornberry Custom Builders, Inc.

Proud Recipient of:

CDBIA Builder of the Year Award

Big Brother of the Year Award

Gulf Shore Business Magazine

"Top Forty Under Forty"

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Future Builder's of America

2015 Advisory Chair

Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce

2013-2014 President

Charlotte DeSoto Building Industry Association

2009 President

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Affiliations:

Past President

Building Industry Oversight Committee

Past Chair

Industry Issues Committee - Past Chair

Charlotte Harbor Challenge Fishing Tournament

2013-2014 President

Charlotte County Chamber

Membership Committee Chair

National Asso of Home Builders

Board Member

*********

Leadership Charlotte, Class of 2010

Big Brothers Big Sisters of SW FL

Board Member

Boys & Girls Club of Charlotte County

Board Member

Habitat for Humanity - Builder's Blitz

TJ Thomas Thornberry

Thornberry Custom Builders Inc.

20020 Veteran's Blvd Unit 2

Port Charlotte, FL 33954

Call: 941.815.0782

Email: tj@thornberrycustombuilders.com

LIC#CBC1253881

For more Information about us

visit our website:

www.thornberrycustombuilders.com

Newsletter published by Design Solutions of Charlotte County, Inc

In This Issue

HomeownerTips - Organizing Your Garage

Happenings - SEBC & CC Charter Review Commission

Awards

Affiliations

Projects - New/Old FL Bungalow

Roof Style for Historic Homes

Our NEW Email Address

Order Now! FREE - 7 Bldg Mistakes to Avoid

Another New Home Completed!

402 W Ann St, Punta Gorda

It looks small from the front - but looks can be deceiving - as seen in this side view!

Enter into the spacious living room where the detailed fireplace creates a lovely focal point and the dark stained wood floors create a smooth flow to the dining room and kitchen.

The kitchen has all the modern amenities in an old time setting. The staggered height cabinets and open shelving take you back in time to the early days of Florida living.

The white granite tops emulate the marble look that was so popular during this era - but are more durable. The built-in hutch adds another level of authenticity to the "unfitted" kitchen look. Back in the day, kitchens had a variety of cabinets shapes and sizes and were not all "matching" as in today's homes.

The sliding barn door with it's aged aqua painted finish and wrought iron hardware is a great accent in the all white kitchen. It serves as the covering for the walk- in pantry and completely slides to the right for full access to the interior .

The claw foot tub in the Master Bath sits within a niche surrounded with bead board paneling. Directly to the left is a walk in shower tiled with subway tile set in a running bond pattern .

While the laundry room may not be indicative of the 1920 - 30's (thank goodness for modern living), it is cheerful and well equipped for a small space!

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More homes to come next month!

Our Specialty:
Modern Homes with Historic Detail!

Over the next few months we will be describing the features and influences that create specific styles that are popular here in SW Florida.

Roof Styles to Top Off Your Historic Home

Probably the simplest roof style is the gable or pitched roof. It's that simple triangle shaped roof that children use in their drawings. In Northern homes the pitch is steeper to allow snow and rain to run off. Here in the South, the slope can be less severe.

Simple gable roof on a shotgun cottage.

A cross-gable roof combines two or more gables to create more detail. The additional gable could be simply the covering over an exterior doorway or can be more elaborate as in two-story homes providing bump outs for more head room and light for second floor bedrooms.

Multiple Gables on a two story PG Craftsman home

Flat roofs (some with a slight slope for runoff) are often found in the Southern and South West areas of the US. Often times they will have a decorative pediment at the front of the building to add interest and height.

Flat roof with decorative pediment -

PG Women's Club

Here is SW Florida the Hipped roof is very popular especially since they're considered the best choice for hurricane areas. Because of their shape (angled on all four sides) they are felt to be more resistant to wind forces and uplift. A hipped roof can be one large single structure

Simple hip roof on straight ranch

covering the entire house or like the cross-gable have additional sections.

Often the covering selection impacts the style of the home as much as the shape of the roof itself. Standard shingle roofs are a choice for bungalow and Craftsman style homes, but a standing seam metal roof could also be used.

Craftsman style home with metal roof and multiple hip roof lines, hipped cupola & freestanding garage

For Mediterranean and Spanish styles concrete and clay tiles (in a variety of shapes and colors) are available to emulate European exteriors.

Barrel tile roof on Mediterranean home.

Next Month...

Porch Styles define your historic home!

Reminder:

Our NEW Email Address is:

tj@thornberrycustombuilders.com

Please make the change in your contact list.

Thanks!

Order Your Copy Now!

Revised & Updated...

"Seven Biggest Mistakes People Make When Remodeling or Building a Home...and How To Avoid Them!"

Remodeling or Building
a Home or Office?

It can be an exciting, fun, intelligent and value added experience. Or, it can
be fraught with stress, anxiety, and emotionally and financially draining.

After many years of experiencing what makes customers happy as well as hearing horror stories from people I meet, I've put together this FREE SPECIAL REPORT
to illustrate the top seven mistakes to avoid when approaching any construction project, whether remodeling or building new, these concepts apply.

FREE REPORT

To receive a copy of this educational report, please visit my web site
thornberrycustombuilders.com

In the "How may we help you?" box

on the "Contact Us" page

type in

"Free Special Report".

Or call me at 941-815-0782 and I'll be happy to send it to you!