'HGTV Dream Home 2014': California Lake Tahoe luxury near the wilderness
If you're hankering to live near the wilderness but still in high style, then you may want to put in your bid to win this year's HGTV Dream Home. It'll be introduced in a special, "HGTV Dream Home 2014," Wednesday, Jan. 1, on HGTV.As it does every year, HGTV has been building a luxury home to give away to a lucky viewer. This year, it's in Truckee, Calif., not far from Lake Tahoe. In the "new mountain" style, the 3,200-square-foot house has three bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths and sits directly on the Schaffer's Mill Golf Club Course, surrounded by evergreens.
Accepting of entries began on Dec. 27 and continues until 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 14; viewers can enter twice a day, once at HGTV.com and once at FrontDoor.com. The winner will be randomly selected in March. Along with the house, the winner gets a new GMC vehicle and $250,000.
HGTV house planner Jack Thomasson, who's been on the HGTV Dream Home project since the beginning, took time to answer some questions about the home.
Zap2it: What's been the biggest challenge of the project?
Jack Thomasson: Our biggest challenge is always time. Basically, we build a house in five to six months that would typically take over a year to build. The key is finding the right team. Our team in Lake Tahoe was amazing.
Zap2it: What have you enjoyed most about it?
Jack Thomasson: Both the people who I get to know through the process and the sense of accomplishment as viewers respond to what we create.
Zap2it: What was the philosophy behind the exterior and interior design?
Jack Thomasson: Our goal each year is to make the house "of" the area. Historically, houses were built with materials that were from the area and easily accessible, and built to withstand the elements of that area. From those necessities, a region's architecture emerged. We first look to local architecture for inspiration and then marry that with modern living and a fresh approach.
Zap2it: How soon do you start thinking about next year's Dream Home?
Jack Thomasson: I'm always thinking about the next house. It's my job and my passion.
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Photo/Video credit: HGTV