Blu Homes to Build Sunset Magazine's 2012 Idea House in Healdsburg, CA

SAN FRANCISCO and WALTHAM, Mass., April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- California and Massachusetts-based green, precision homebuilder Blu Homes (www.bluhomes.com) is thrilled to announce that it will build Sunset magazine's 2012 Idea House, the striking new two-story Sunset Breezehouse.

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This year's Sunset Idea House, which will be set in Healdsburg, Calif. later this summer, is Blu's updated, more spacious version of the iconic Sunset Breezehouse, which was first debuted by Sunset magazine in 2005. 

The public is invited to join Blu on April 21^st when it will host an exclusive sneak preview of the new Sunset Idea House in its Vallejo, Calif. factory. After it is delivered to its Healdsburg site, the home will be open to the public starting in early August with a series of six weekend open houses. Blu is also providing an online 3-D walkthrough that anyone can use to get an understanding of the home before visiting.

For the past 14 years, Sunset Idea Houses have given tens of thousands of visitors the chance to experience the latest innovative home designs. Now, this collaboration between Blu Homes and Sunset magazine gives prospective homebuyers and design enthusiasts alike the opportunity to see the popular Breezehouse up close and personal and in a breathtaking wine country setting. This year's Idea House sponsors include Agio®, Benjamin Moore®, California Solar Initiative, Cost Plus World Market ®, Eldorado Stone, Gladiator® Garageworks, LEE Industries, Sunbrella ®, Suntory ®, and Warmboard®.

"It is so exciting to see how the Breezehouse design has evolved since we helped introduce it to the world in 2005," said Shannon Thompson, vice president of marketing, Sunset Publishing. "Blu's innovative combination of advanced building technology, striking design featuring the best of indoor-outdoor living, and the highest green and quality standards is a perfect reflection of how our readers dream of living in the West."

This Sunset Breezehouse is designed to represent a harmonious marriage between indoor and outdoor living. The home includes 16' wide sliding glass doors, a modern elevated deck, thoughtful exterior landscape design, including water features, outdoor seating areas and planters, an herb and vegetable kitchen garden area, and a fun Breeze Pod for a flexible detached living space.  In addition, the home includes fun and striking interior design elements such as an integrated wine cellar and soaring 14'+ high ceilings.

"With an indoor-outdoor aesthetic and elements that accentuate a relationship with the natural world, Blu's homes – especially the Breezehouse – are a perfect fit for California wine country and Sunset's enlightened readers," said Bill Haney, founder and president of Blu Homes. "We are delighted to have Sunset magazine's support in bringing this iconic design to life with a new generation of smart and beautiful features for a new generation of homebuyers."

Sonoma County is fast becoming a hub of Blu activity as an increasing number of homebuyers choose Blu's beautiful, environmentally conscious homes for their land. In addition to four existing Sonoma-area homes based on the Breezehouse design, Blu is currently building nine new homes in Sonoma County, including four in Healdsburg.

The Blu Sonoma County homes are addressing a diverse group of homebuyer needs, from an Element home for an 80-year-old downsizer, to a sprawling family compound centered around a net-zero energy Breezehouse. Also going up in the region is a family retreat complex featuring a Glidehouse and an Element, and a Breezehouse with an in-law suite and accessibility features for aging parents.

To sign up for a sneak preview of the Sunset Breezehouse on April 21^st, or to RSVP for other upcoming Blu events, visit http://www.bluhomes.com/sunset-breezehouse/. Also on this page find a link to Blu's Configurator tool, which lets homebuyers personalize their own Breezehouse or other Blu home.

About Blu Homes    
Blu Homes, Inc. is the leading provider of beautiful and green precision-built homes in North America.  Built in its own 250,000 square foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Vallejo, California, Blu's inspired and nationally recognized homes can be found from New York to the Colorado Mountains and Pacific Coast. Blu's proprietary steel framing and building technology result in homes that are as strong as they are beautiful; that ship efficiently; and are conveniently finished on site by our own teams. Blu homes are more economical, healthier to live in, require lower maintenance, and are much stronger than conventional construction.

SOURCE Blu Homes