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Southern Living Magazine and SPAN: The Standard in Green Building

Southern Living Magazine, long thought of as the home-related "bible" for people nationwide, has developed quite the reputation when it comes to their annual Ideas Houses. Each year, readers and online visitors await their unveiling, eager to read about the latest and greatest in decorating, landscaping and building products.

The three 2008 houses are located in North Carolina, Mississippi and Texas. And SPAN - the Southern Pine Awareness Network, was thrilled to be part of two of them.

Asheville, North Carolina

Just outside of Asheville, NC, the Whisper Mountain community nestles into the mountains, offering fantastic views to residents. Home to one of the Southern Living Idea Houses, this natural setting provides the perfect backdrop for a truly green house, built by Asheville's own EcoBuilders.

In their search for the best environmentally friendly, sustainable building products to use, the magazine and the builders turned to Southern Pine. Naturally renewable, beautiful, strong and long-lasting, Southern Pine has been the building product of choice for more than a century, especially when it comes to outdoor projects.

Pressure-treated Southern Pine was chosen to construct two Idea House projects: the huge wrap-around deck, designed to take advantage of the spectacular treetop views, and a charming pergola, perfect for growing and displaying native mountain greenery.

The whopping deck spans the back of the house and curves around one side, set off by beautiful stone accents. Pressure-treated wood was a great choice for this project: wood is one of the only naturally renewable resources, it's safe for use around family and pets, it stands up to the elements and it offers a truly beautiful, natural look unmatched by alternative materials.

For pergola plans from the 2008 Southern Living Idea House in North Carolina, please click here.

Out in the back yard stands an architecturally intriguing pergola, also constructed of pressure-treated Southern Pine. Simple to work with and affordable, the wood is easily customizable through staining or painting. The perfect addition to a mountain retreat, you can almost see a future for the pergola rich with lounging dogs, family photos and gorgeous, indigenous mountain plant life.

Taylor, Mississippi

Just outside of Oxford, Miss., sits the town of Taylor, home to another 2008 Southern Living Idea House. We all know that life runs a little slower in the Deep South, especially in the heat of summertime. But while the people of the house are gently rocking on the porch, enjoying the cool morning breezes - what about Man's Best Friend?

Every dog has its day, and one dog in Mississippi is mighty lucky. A spectacular dog house - mansion, really - constructed of Southern Pine, is ready and waiting for its inhabitant. Featuring architectural accents designed to compliment the full-sized house, this dog cottage is nothing to bark it: a window in the back wall lets in the sunlight while providing an excellent cat-watching vantage point. Stately columns across the front make it quite clear who's in charge of this yard. The wide doorway allows breeze circulation, and the perfect place to put your head on your paws and contemplate the beauty of life.

The dog house plans from the 2008 Southern Living Idea House in Mississippi will be posted soon. Please check back.

And because this sweet dog suite was constructed using pressure-treated Southern Pine, it will provide years and years of comfort, standing up to anything the weather in Mississippi can throw at it.