DSA Master Crafted Doors has been designing and creating unique, innovative and virtually hurricane-proof doors for high-end homes for more than a decade, serving the needs of distributors and contractors up and down the East Coast and as far west as Texas.

Headquartered in Raleigh, DSA recently opened a new showroom in Wilmington, North Carolina, giving its dealers and builders another opportunity to provide their customers with a firsthand look at the company’s high-quality windows and doors.

After all, few aspects of a home are more inviting than a beautiful door. Designed not only to enhance the home’s facade but to welcome friends, the front door is the centerpiece of the entryway, revealing the personality of the house and of the family that lives inside.

According to Marketing Manager/Creative Director Cristina Avgerinos, DSA plans to open additional showrooms throughout North Carolina and South Carolina, an ideal region of the country to show off its newly-qualified hurricane-rated doors. Many of DSA’s doors have a Design Pressure rating of 50, which means they can withstand winds of up to 173 mph, well above the minimum wind speed of an earth-shaking Category 5 hurricane.

Available in dozens of styles, the doors are carefully handcrafted of hardwood laminated veneer lumber core, their beauty surpassed only by their stability and resistance to warping. Most of the doors are mahogany or knotty alder, with a variety of stain options, ranging from natural to mahogany to light oak to dark oak. In addition to its already large selection of standard doors, DSA creates custom designs for clients, in some cases using walnut or oak.

According to Avgerinos, DSA Master Crafted Doors sells four categories of doors: solid panel, true divided light, leaded glass and decorative irons.

Designs from the renaissance collection include the Seville and the Barcelona, which add a Spanish influence. The Wakefield collection offers doors with intricate glass inserts, while the Milan evokes a modern Italian feel. DSA’s Tiffany doors are worthy of their namesake and the High Country collection offers more than 20 distinct styles, from plain rustic to classic elegance and everything in between.

Glass is an important element in many of DSA Master Crafted Doors’ designs, and a variety of options are available, including Clear, Clear Bevel, Seedy, Flemish and Glue Chip. Each type of glass finish lends style to the door and allows light to trickle or – if the homeowner prefers, roar – into the home.

DSA Master Crafted Doors also offers a selection of beautiful decorative leaded-glass windows, suitable for bathrooms or as a unique accent. The styles range from plain and classic to modern and colorful and all are also rated at DP 50.

The manufacturing facility and showroom are located at 10681 World Trade Blvd. in Raleigh. The newest showroom is at 3001 Flight Path Drive #5 in Wilmington. For more information and photos, visit www.dsadoors.com.

by Barbara Millen Patrick

Photography provided by DSA Master Crafted Doors

Reasonably close to the Cooper River, the area now known as Park Circle was mostly covered by plantations before the Civil War. Later, port facilities were built nearby and a vibrant community sprang up along the river and to the west. The grandparents and parents of many of today’s residents set down roots in Park Circle and its environs before and during World War I and World War II.

Early in the 20th century, when the land was an unincorporated section of Charleston County, a group of prescient businessmen formed a development company, bought the E.P. Burton Lumber Co. tract and launched plans to build homes and encourage commerce. Their ideas called for Park Circle to be an English garden style community. The area’s streets still carry the names of some of the original developers, including Durant, Buist, Mixson, Hyde and O’Hear avenues.

North Charleston’s population increased, spurred in part by the expansion of the nearby Charleston Navy Yard in the 1940s and the establishment of the U.S. Naval Station – Charleston a decade later. In June 1972, the South Carolina Supreme Court upheld an incorporation referendum that cleared the way for the city of North Charleston, with John E. Bourne Jr. serving as its first mayor. The municipality consisted of several small areas, including the hub of activity known as Park Circle.

After the naval station closed in 1996, North Charleston in general and Park Circle specifically suffered a decline in retail businesses, restaurants and home ownership. Crime began to rise. North Charleston’s third and current mayor, Keith Summey, along with property and business owners and residents, worked hard to change the face of Park Circle.

A renewed focus was placed on green spaces and on re-establishing the commercial, residential and industrial areas. The Noisette Company and its Noisette Project have garnered controversial attention but nevertheless helped renovate the dilapidated sections of Park Circle with a balance of people, planet and profit. The company accepted a daunting challenge of rebirthing a dead community and influenced others to follow suit.

At the center of Park Circle is a large park surrounded by a traffic circle. Inside the circle you will find several ball fields, picnic tables, a gazebo and a playground. Disc golf, which has become popular across the country, can now be played along a course located around the outside of the traffic circle.

Throughout the year, residents and visitors enjoy the North Charleston Farmers’ Market at the Davis Community Center, as well as Parktoberfest, Paws in the Park and other events that benefit the community. During the holiday season, the park is a popular spot for a leisurely stroll or an evening drive to see an array of interesting Christmas displays.

The Park Circle area’s rebirth has been both trendy and green. North Charleston Elementary School, located on Durant Avenue, was the state’s first elementary school certified by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system. And in 2009, North Charleston won the Award of Excellence for Sustainable Community Development from The Home Depot Foundation for the work done in the Park Circle area. A team of national experts served on the advisory committee and based the award on the city’s dedication to building a sustainable community in the aftermath of the closure of the naval base.

The East Montague Business District – the Old Village to locals – has a traditional Main Street, with on-the-street parking and two-story masonrystyle buildings lining both sides. Many of the original buildings are occupied by new businesses that include small shops, a grocer, restaurants and bars, which contribute greatly to Park Circle’s vibrant night life. Streetscape improvements and the new infrastructure have revitalized this once economically damaged section of North Charleston.

“I am very happy with what has occurred in Park Circle,” said Summey. “We need to continue the Montague Avenue Streetscape through the rest of Park Circle and Liberty Hill so that we have better avenues of getting into the Old Village area and enhancing the development that has occurred even further.”

One testament to the popularity of this quaint area is the large number of older homes purchased by younger residents and renovated to meet modern standards. Many people are investing in the trendy area’s bright future.

“It’s very refreshing to see the change in Park Circle. I feel it has to do with the mayor and the Noisette Company showcasing the area. It’s very much a community and a business-oriented area,” said William W. Walker Jr., president and owner of W.C. Wilbur & Company, which has sold homeowner’s insurance in Charleston since 1911 and moved to the north area in the 1940s. “My father cared very much about Park Circle and this whole area of North Charleston. He was part of Charleston County government and worked in Columbia to make this area better. He had a lot of interest in seeing the city do well. He would’ve really liked to see how things have turned around.”

Park Circle is being rebuilt with the enthusiasm of this generation, on a foundation established by its original forwardthinking developers.

“Park Circle has anything you want,” Summey added. “It has wonderful walking areas for families, with plenty of activities for the children and great restaurants in the Montague corridor. Park Circle is 10 minutes away from everything in the universe called the Lowcountry.”

by Stacy E. Domingo
photography by Jason Bennett

Today, the 2,000-acre Sea Trail Golf Resort & Convention Center offers a tranquil lifestyle for those who yearn to relax on a deck or screened-in porch surrounded by towering trees, lush landscapes and incredible views. Brilliant sunshine, ocean breezes and balmy weather add to the picture of serenity.

At the same time, activities abound at Sea Trail for those whose idea of retirement is daily walks on the beach, unlimited golf, biking and other opportunities to enjoy an active outdoor life. Less energetic endeavors are available, among them card games, mah-jongg and a knitting club.

Sea Trail, located just a mile from the Atlantic Ocean, features three golf courses, tennis courts and the “Pink Palace,” an amenities center that includes kitchen facilities, a room seating 120, exercise equipment, pools, a spa and a multipurpose room. Another amenities center offers pools, a hot tub, a meeting room and a library. A chapel and the Paul D. Dennis Gardens are on the grounds, and there’s an activity center for short-term guests. The Maples Clubhouse hosts Brassie’s Pub and meeting rooms for smaller groups, while The Jones/Byrd Clubhouse, with its three salons, provides meeting and dining space and is adjacent to Magnolias Fine Food & Spirits.

In all, Sea Trail provides more than 58,000 square feet of meeting and function space for weddings and other gatherings, said marketing manager Chris Robertson. The Convention Center’s Carolina Ballroom, with its 10,000-plus square feet of space, adds to Sea Trail’s appeal.

Anna Marie Kozel, a realtor for 25 years, moved from her hometown of Pittsburgh 1999 with her husband, Al, and bought a home at Sea Trail. Because of Al’s health issues, the couple chose to change their lifestyle, work less and enjoy life more.

“Everybody who moves here is happy. It’s a sense of comfort. That’s what makes it different,” Anna Marie said.

After a hiatus from their jobs, the couple returned to work, Al as a consultant to several communities and as a licensed real estate broker along with Anna Marie at Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty.

Because people are computer savvy, most of them already know what they want when they visit Sea Trail, Anna Marie said. They soon find out that there’s more than what can be learned through a visit to a website.

“Most people buy here because of the amenities. Once they move in, they feel there’s a true sense of community and closeness,” Anna Marie explained. “If we need help, someone is there. Everyone goes that extra mile to help someone.”

“The real story of the place is the people who live here,” added Gregg DeCrane, president of Sea Trail Master Association.

Robertson pointed out another advantage of living in or visiting Sea Trail. He said people can enjoy the best of both worlds, taking in the attractions and night life in nearby Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, then returning to the peaceful environment of Sea Trail.

He said despite the uncertain economy, it’s “business as usual” at Sea Trail, which offers golf packages, family vacations, weddings, business meetings and conventions, in addition to real estate opportunities.

Dana Connelly, president of Sea Trail Corporation, agreed that the economy hasn’t affected the wide range of services offered at Sea Trail. “All you have to do is call and book a function,” she said.

By Jo Ann Mathews

PulteGroup, Inc., based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, is America’s premier home building company, with operations in 60 markets and 28 states. The company has an unmatched capacity to meet the needs of all segments of the real estate industry through Pulte Homes, Centex Homes and Del Webb.

Pulte offers an unwavering commitment to customer service, removing the worry and confusion from the home-buying process. First-time homebuyers get the most for their money with a Centex home. From thoughtful floor plans to inviting neighborhoods, Centex provides buyers with a place to call home.

With Del Webb, homeowners can enjoy an active adult community filled with life, energy and people who share the same interests. Every morning provides a clean slate to fill with activities, friends, lifelong learning, volunteering or just trying new things.

In the Raleigh area, Centex builds homes in Churchill, Collington Farms, Ganyard Farm, Grandale, Greenbrier, Highland Creek, Peyton Hall, Stratford Lakes, Sumerlyn and The Pointe.

With majestic mountains and miles of shoreline, there are many draws to t North Carolina, including Wake Forest, the Carolina Panthers, the Biltmore Estate and too many more to list.

Home builders are filling the need for quality homes, from the coast in Brunswick and New Hanover counties to the central portion of the state in Wake County to Charlotte, in Mecklenburg County and points west.

North Carolina offers low taxes and high quality of life. Its seasonal changes, coupled with a fairly mild climate, invite people to visit and settle.

Good craftsmanship and dedication are the hallmark of successful home builders because they understand the needs of homeowners. Listen to anyone who has recently built or upgraded their current home, and you will hear how important it is to have a reliable contractor. Our top builders in North Carolina have proven themselves by becoming the highest producing home builders in their respective counties.

This is our Top 10 Builder issue for 2011. Our lists are compiled from figures provided by Market Opportunity Research Enterprises (MORE); they are based on the number of deed transfers during 2010. Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information.

“The way we manage our clients and their projects most definitely sets us apart,” stated Bryan Doster, vice president of Equity Home Improvement. “Whether it is for a custom built home or a kitchen remodel, we make sure everything is correct. We don’t cut corners, and, if you have issues, we will take care of them. In four years of business, we have experienced a remarkably low warranty claim rate and a wonderfully high repeat and referral rate.”

Equity Home Improvement offers a wide range of services, including roofing, decks, garages, outdoor living, custom additions and custom homes. One reason the company is successful is that it works efficiently and within set budgets.

“We understand that without our customers we cannot exist. We have fair prices with an excellent product. We are looking for customers who can refer us to their friends and family without reservation,” Doster explained. “Each job is our advertisement. Having clients talk about our professionalism and quality work is the best advertisement there is.” Each of EHI’s projects is unique because the company’s design work is done in-house.

“Every project is different,” said Doster. “Custom designs set your home apart from your neighbor’s.”

Equity Home Improvement usually finishes a custom home in five to seven months, while remodeling a kitchen takes around two weeks.

“Countertops are what can delay a kitchen remodel, but, even then, it doesn’t take longer than two weeks,” Doster said.

Sunrooms and screened porches are popular additions along the Carolina coast, and Equity Home Improvement offers lots of experience in building them.

“Several of our retired customers like to have the outdoor room or porch where they can enjoy the outdoors, and we make it safe and cost-effective,” Doster explained. “We often do this with a product called EZE Breeze.”

EZE Breeze, an alternative to screening a porch, protects against pollen and rain.

“Not many homeowners know about this product, but we use it a lot on the beaches because you can close the vinyl, three-season windows and keep out the wind, rain, pollen and the occasional prying eye or simply remove them and enjoy a standard maintenance- free screened porch,” Doster said.

Providing customers with structural solutions that are functional and economical is important to the team at Equity Home Improvement. “Word of mouth can make or break a company, and we encourage our clients to share their experiences with Equity Home Improvement,”

Doster said. “We like word of mouth because when people talk about EHI, it is always positive. We do a good job managing projects and completing them on time and budget.”

Visit EHI’s website at www.ehisc.com for a full list of services, to learn more about the staff or to see a photo gallery of their work. EHI can be reached at (843) 236-7254.

By Stacy E. Domingo

Stevens Fine Homes, Founded in 1993 by third-generation builder Craig Stevens, has built more than a thousand homes in and around Wilmington, North Carolina. It is the exclusive builder in eight communities, building almost 25 percent of the new homes in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties.

Buyers choose Stevens Fine Homes for many reasons: exceptional craftsmanship; value; a 10-year structural warranty; 90-day build time; and outstanding customer service. The Stevens Energy Wise System, which includes certification from a third party that all homes meet stringent energy efficiency and health requirements, typically cuts utility bills by 25 percent. And many people take advantage of 100-percent USDA financing to purchase a Stevens home for as little as $75 per heated square foot.

Purchasing a home with Stevens Fine Homes is easy; a new home specialist is available at each community to help guide customers through the process. Buyers may choose from homes that are ready for occupancy or work with one of Stevens’ design consultants – in the company’s 2,500-square-foot design studio – to personalize their new home.