Country gem

Clearly a gem.

Sponsored by the Metro Omaha Builder’s Association, eight homes made up this year’s Street of Dreams, including a home by Fremont builder Jeff Christensen.

His 2008 Street of Dreams home exhibits 4 C’s — class, country charm and convenience at Cottonwood Creek.

There’s a French country style charm to the home.

Nestled in a rural setting at 10221 Switchgrass Road near Blair, it sits on a 3.45 acre landscaped lot. The Estates of Cottonwood Creek are located off Highway 133 on County Road 137.

“It’s a unique piece of property, situated close to Omaha,” Christensen said.

“We’ve kept a lot of natural grasses surrounding the home. Every room has a unique view,” Christensen added.

The home was built using many area contractors. Christensen chose enduring materials, such as 50-year shingles, siding with a 50-year guarantee and Sherwin-Williams Duration paint.

“I used a little stone — picked from the Missouri area,” Christensen said.

The 3,034 square-foot main floor includes a great room, dining room, kitchen, eating area, master bedroom, mud room, laundry room and second bedroom/flex room.

Built-ins include a refrigerator and commercial range — G.E. Monogram appliances.

“Made to look like cabinetry — a warmer feeling with wood,” Christensen said.

Also adding to the warmth are maple cabinets and rough-sawn timber ceiling beams.

Granite countertops are featured throughout the home, which includes three bathrooms.

The lower level has a family room, kitchenette, third bedroom, office and optional billiard room.

The home has both indoor and outdoor fireplaces.

A covered deck provides shade.

In the French country style, stucco is mixed with stone. Floors are natural stone. The home features a courtyard area. Doorways are arched. A lower-level bedroom features a built-in bench beneath a window. Wood and metal railings are functional and fashionable.

“Casual elegance,” Christensen said.

And convenient.

Building materials were chosen to be as maintenance free as possible, Christensen said.

The home has an electric heat pump with a back-up furnace.

An elevator transports passengers or items between levels.

A four-car garage enters to a mudroom near the laundry room, with a bench and cubbies for storage.

Roads leading to the home, situated in the Blair School District, are paved.

HunTel of Blair is the provider of high-speed internet, phone, digital television and security system.

Audio Video Specialists in Fremont installed a Niles audio distribution system.

This year’s Street of Dreams homes reflect country styles from Tuscan to farmhouse style and ranged in price from about $500,000 to $1 million. Christensen’s French country home is priced at $895,000.