R to L -Jim Samples ( President HGTV )–Monica Pedersen ( Host) – Joe Smith – Cheryl Smith (Winner)- Jack Thomasson (Host) – Steve Ledson (Developer)
Photo by Keith Rosenthal -HGTV Dream House.
Cheryl and Joe Smith, the winners of the 2009 HGTV Dream Home are still overwhelmed by their luck. The couple received the keys to the Armstrong Estates home on Friday morning and arrived with the HGTV assemblage and a production crew in tow.
“We’re just so excited that we’ve barely slept,” said Cheryl Smith. “I woke up last night and thought, ‘I’m going to see the house tomorrow.’ I have to keep pinching myself to believe that it’s true.”
Cheryl Smith, whose name was drawn from nearly 40 million entries, received the HGTV Dream Home 2009 grand-prize package with a retail value of $2 million. In addition to the new custom-designed and fully furnished home, the package includes a matching dog house and brand new GMC Acadia.
The Dream Home’s designers and builders were on hand to meet the Smiths. Local builder Bruce Lee said he was initially reluctant to take on the project but is glad he signed on. “The HGTV crew has been great to work with,” said Lee. “From permitting to planning, design and construction, everything fell into place and we finished in just five and a half months, which is record time.”
Michael Ledson, son of developer Steve Ledson and the man in charge of interior construction agreed, saying, “It was a phenomenal experience and we all felt like part of a big family.”
As the Smiths were led through the house, they were given a laundry list of materials used, the rationale behind paint color schemes, as well as furniture placement choices, among other things. Designer Linda Woodrum explained that a pre-requisite of the HGTV Dream Homes is that they be comfortable and welcoming, despite the sizeable square-footage and awe-inspiring locations. “If the winners walk in and say that it feels like home, then we’ve done our jobs.” Said Woodrum.
Super Fan Gail Fenton was also there to welcome the Smiths. “Sonoma is such a fantastic town and the neighbors have been really welcoming,” said Fenton. “This is the Smith’s first trip to California and they’re in awe of the natural beauty around them, particularly what they’ve seen of wine country so far.”
Local blogger and neighbor Ingrid Conroy and her dog BoBo have become semi-celebrities, with “BoBo the Super Dog” being filmed in the mini Dream Home doghouse as well as subsequent appearances on the HGTV web site. The pair even met and became friendly with HGTV house planner Jack Thomasson.
“I think the Dream Home is a nice addition for Sonoma,” said Conroy. “I’m a huge fan of HGTV and the entire crew has been really friendly and a pleasure to have in the neighborhood.”
The Smiths’ two grown sons, daughters-in-law and eight grandchildren will be joining them in a few days. According to designer Woodrum, a lot of planning goes into accommodating children in the Dream Homes, so the Smith grandchildren should feel right at home.
But for now, it is time for the couple to bask in the splendor of their win. “The house is absolutely beautiful – the colors, the furnishings, the setting. And the HGTV people have been fantastic. It’s a dream come true,” said Cheryl Smith.
“Everyday, average people do win,” said Joe Smith. “I mean, look at me, my name is ‘Joe Smith.’ It doesn’t get more average than that and yet, we won!”
