DONNA PEAK

I have a weakness for classic films. “Citizen Kane” … “To Kill a Mockingbird” … “Rear Window” — they just don’t make ’em like that anymore. It’s not typical that, while enjoying my guilty little pleasure, I’m reminded of my job, but recently that changed.

The movie that made my worlds collide is “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House,” starring Cary Grant and Myrna Loy. In the 1948 comedy, the urban couple outgrows their downtown apartment, falls in love with property in the Connecticut countryside and aspires to build the perfect home. There was only one problem: They were woefully unprepared. Every decision they made was on impulse, and along the way they experienced a host of obstacles from having to drill a well to cost overruns they weren’t expecting.

In true silver-screen fashion, each challenge the Blandings faced was met with hijinks and humor; but in the real world, there’s nothing funny about being ill-prepared about such a major purchase. It’s important to be educated about the custom-home buying process; the issues that can arise and how to solve them; and the cast of characters who will be involved in its production.

If you compare building your own classic timber home to a Hollywood flick, consider the Timber Home Living Annual Buyer’s Guide your script. In these pages you’ll discover the essentials behind planning, designing, building and finishing your house just the way you want it. Of course you should feel free to ad lib along the way, but this guidebook, filled with practical information, useful tips and real-life success stories, will serve as your foundation toward success.

So what happened to the Blandings? After nearly giving up and walking away from their home, they found that if they leaned on the expertise and advice of others, they could realize their dream, — and they did just that. Follow their example and you, too, will have a timber home happy ending all your own.

Editor-in-Chief