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All aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, the most luxurious train in America. Not all homeowners’ insurance policies are the same. Ask State Farm Insurance agent Gary Baccus. Trillium Homes will find the right prop‐ erty and right lender. The company will also design and renovate the house. Winter House Interiors’ Steve Winters has been offering design services for three decades. Deerfield Retreat, listed by Britta Thrift of Engels Volker, is a palatial property located near Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.
Rockies to theRedrocks America’s most luxurious new train The Mountaineer
The Rocky Mountaineer on its Rockies to Redrocks journey from Denver to Moab, Utah. It is North America’s most luxurious train. Photo by Emotion Cinemar
Incredible rail service By Vicki Clark Gourley Publisher
Boarding a train is exciting. It is even more so when it is the most luxurious train in America. The Rocky Mountaineer transports guests in style from Denver to Moab, Utah, or return. The Rocky Mountaineer began offering “Rockies to the Redrocks” itinerary in August and will continue through December. Famous for its journeys across Canada, Banff to Vancouver, the deluxe train is now traveling through some of America’s most spectacular scenery. The majestic formations in Arches National Park and Photos By Vicki Gourley, Brenda Kelly, and Rocky Mountaineer
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Magnificent views Canyonlands National Park are the highlight of the jour‐ ney. Magnificent, almost otherworldly, the sculpturing of the red rock by the Colorado River and winds viewed through the enormous windows of the Rocky Mountaineer is stunning dramatic canyons and rivers. The beautiful blue and gold train’s staff greets you on the platform, and once you board, there is nothing to do but enjoy the experience and scenery from its vast win‐ dows. The route is exquisitely scenic and beautiful. Young, personable staff members attend to each car, offering wine or juice as soon as you are seated and present you with a charcuterie and cheese plate. My partner on the journey, Brenda Kelly, and I visited with the chef (each car has its own) after checking out the lounge car. The elegant tables for two featured the same huge windows with picturesque views. The “Silver Leaf” service includes all beverages. Cameras started clicking immediately. Dramatic, impressive formations of the red rock surrounded the train. Traveling at an average of 35 mph, the Mountaineer offered a different perspective of the for‐ mations every few feet. The dinner menu was next. Brenda ordered the 4 | OKC FRIDAY Community Magazine
In Glenwood Springs, Colo., Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse readies the bar for the crowd from the Rocky Mountaineer.
Pine topped mountains change colors in Colorado “Thyme and Black Pepper Roasted Chicken Breast,” while I opted for the “Ale Braised Short Ribs.” All meals on the Rocky Mountaineer offer a gourmet selection of choices. The over‐padded, plush seats were so comfort‐ able, we would have fallen asleep if not for the enthralling landscape outside our windows. After dinner, we pulled into Glenwood Springs for the night. Theodore Roosevelt would stay at the Hotel Colorado for weeks at a time. He spent so much time, first as Vice President, then as President, it became known as “the Little White House.” The hotel still rents modernized suites with the retro furnishings of Roosevelt’s time. Characters like Al Capone and other mobsters stayed here. The “Unsinkable” Molly Brown came to the hotel to mingle with its upper‐class clientele. The hot springs and aqua park that have grown up around it are the main attractions here. A lively selection of bars, restaurants, and hotels populate the street across from the rail station. Continued on Page 6
The Colorado River is very low this year but there were still rafters, kayakers and fishermen. A couple of the younger rafters “mooned” us! OKC FRIDAY Community Magazine | 5
The weathered red sandstone of Arches National Park creates dramatic sculptures outside Moab, Utah.
Gourmet meals served aboard Rocky Mountaineer
Dining on the Rocky Mountaineer is a feast of chef prepared delicacies, which guests select from menus. OKC FRIDAY ROCKY MOUNTAINEER TRIP COMING SOON! 6 | OKC FRIDAY Community Magazine
Brenda and I picked the “Juicy Lucy’s,” a bustling chophouse delivering traditional American meat and seafood in a Western‐themed atmosphere. The vistas changed from red rock to sandy‐colored formations as the train tracks ran along the edge of the Colorado River. Raft trips and kayakers appeared in abundance. The train crew told us to watch out for “mooners.” On a previous trip, the train had been mooned 42 times. We only saw two. Our journey’s last great view was of the skyline of Denver coming into view between the canyon walls. As the landscape flattens into the Valley, our trip was coming to an end. I cannot say enough about the outstanding per‐ formance and service the Rocky Mountaineer provid‐ ed. Our luggage was picked up the morning we start‐ ed and would magically appear in our hotel room. We left it there, and it would appear at our next stop. The friendly, charming young staff accommodated our every need, even before we knew we wanted it. Two or three extra days in Moab would be well worth your time. You can rent a car or hire an Uber driver to take you deeper into Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park to see the breathtak‐ ing formations.
Ask Gary Baccus
Are all homeowners policies the same?
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No, it is not surprising to find quotes on homeowners insurance that vary by hundreds of dollars. Most companies offer several differ‐ ent types of homeowners policies, and the lower the premium usually means less coverage. I know price is important, but more important is making sure your homeowners policy provides the coverage that you need. State Farm is No. 1 in home insur‐ ance for a reason. We sell one home‐ owners policy, which is the most comprehensive on the market and competitively priced. It is designed to
put you back where you were, if not better, before your loss. Our goal is to protect what you have, not just sell you a policy. The easiest way to make sure you are getting the coverages you need to protect your home is to schedule an appointment with me to review your current policy. Many of your neigh‐ bors are satisfied State Farm cus‐ tomers. State Farm insures 1 out of every 4 homes. My agency has been established for 46 years giving me expertise in the insurance industry. We have seven licensed associates
who are friendly and helpful in answering any questions you might have about insurance. Our State Farm Agency offers insurance for auto, homes, condos, renters, business, boats, fleets, life and annuities, health and disability, and mutual funds. Our office prides itself on cus‐ tomer service. I will take care of you and make sure you are getting all the discounts State Farm has to offer. If you want the protection and peace of mind you deserve, give me a call today!
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Client input is foremost at Winter House
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For three decades, Winter House Interiors has remained a dynamic and ever‐evolving interior design firm in Nichols Hills. Through working on a project from start to finish, or jumping in to help shape a vision, Winter House can assist in a range of projects. Steve Winters is the owner and also is a registered interior designer. He comes from a family of homebuilders and designers, so establishing Winter House Interiors in the Nichols Hills Plaza was the natural business decision for him. In 1989, Winter House began as an independent design company in Oklahoma City and has continued to expand as a staple for upscale yet mod‐ ern home design. “We offer a quality product and serv‐ ice at a good value,” said Winters. “We design for you. We do not have a ‘signa‐ ture look.’ This is your home, your space.”
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Winter House Interiors has been offering design services for three decades.
One of the most important aspects of a project is the client’s input. Winter House contains many diverse design ele‐ ments and a range of expertise, and the designers aim to assist wherever need‐ ed. “We love to have our client’s input. It has never been our way or no way.” Winter House Interiors projects can range from consulting with clients on an hourly basis all the way to complete design, build and furnish. Winter House
has a variety of lighting, flooring and fur‐ nishings for any room a homeowner might want refreshed. “We attend furniture and accessory markets to see what is coming and going,” said Winters. “We diversify and adapt to current conditions.” Winters said that he loves repurpos‐ ing outdated items to give them new life and meaning. Designers can also help match a home with fun and chic accessories to bring a project together. The firm also can pro‐ vide seasonal accessories for those who want a more festive look. Whether you just want to create a set of custom bedding for a spare room or dream of remodeling your home from the ground up, Winter House Interiors has the experience, talent and vision for any project. Winter House Interiors is located at 6411 Avondale Drive, in Nichols Hills Plaza.
Deerfield Retreat a palatial property
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Custom built in 2005, Deerfield Retreat occu‐ pies 63 acres in Stillwater, Okla., near Oklahoma State University. The property offers unparalleled opportunity for the ultimate luxury of a secluded enclave enveloped by rolling landscape. Conversely, a myriad of options present themselves for a world‐class development venture. Hosting a palatial residence at its heart, complete with handcrafted finishes and bespoke details, the ability to "have it all" never felt more within reach. Inspired by a home in Huntington Beach, CA and used as a waypoint for private jets, the main dwelling’s dome touches the sky and commands attention. Inside, watch the hand‐painted fresco light up beneath the rotunda, which arches above the primary living area. Inside, find a home theatre, chef's kitchen and primary suite with day kitchen, office and European inspired bathroom. Additional bedrooms and hosting fea‐ tures round out the main residence. Outside, an intentionally planted canopy of trees covers 1.6 miles of paved and lighted trails, connecting the many buildings of the compound. Grounds are host to a variety of wildlife and sev‐
eral stocked ponds. Hike, fish, camp, or watch the sunrise and sunset from your own personal paradise. Commercial garden, greenhouse, mainte‐ nance building and extensive greenspace await your personal touch. A fully ADA compliant guesthouse, divid‐ ed into two separate living quarters, offers addi‐ tional housing. The Spanish‐style palapa boasts an outdoor fireplace, oversized jacuzzi and pool house with its own bedroom and bathroom. Innovation is welcome at Deerfield Retreat. Upon touring, the prospect of expansion into a wedding venue, equestrian estate with stables, wellness facility or adventure‐vacation resort becomes highly apparent. Remarkably and artistically conceived, this turnkey property nestled among lush greenery fosters boundless inspiration. This notable and idyllic haven awaits you just a short drive out‐ side the city.
Deerfield Retreat was inspired by a home in Huntington Beach, CA.
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Who wouldn’t rather do wood
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Hardwood floors have long been sought after by home buyers. Of course, hardwood floors aren't just for buyers. Homeowners who already have hard‐ wood floors know just how impressive these floors can be, especially when they're well maintained. Maintaining wood floors is not necessarily as straightforward as it may seem, and homeowners may benefit from a tutorial on how too keep the floors under their feet looking good. To polish or not to polish? Polishing floors is an inexpensive way to keep them looking good. But the home improvement experts at BobVila.com note that not all floors can be polished, and deter‐ mining which ones can depends on the finish. Floors with waterproof barriers such as ure‐ thane will benefit from routine polishing. However, floors with penetrating finishes like tung oil will need to be waxed rather than polished. What finish is on the floor? The Hardwood Distributor's Association recommends a simple way for homeowners to determine which type of finish is on their hardwood floors. Homeowners are advised to rub a finger across the floor. If no smudge appears, then the floor is surface sealed. If a smudge is created, then the floor has been treated with a penetrating seal. The HDA also notes that recently installed wood floors are likely surface sealed. For more, see Page 14
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Kitchen remodel: How to know when it is time
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Remodeling a kitchen adds value to a home. Remodeling Magazine's "Cost vs. Value Report" indicates mid‐ range kitchen remodels cost about $66,000 and homeowners can expect to recover about 60 to 80 percent of that cost at resale. Homeowners may wonder if
remodeling their kitchen is worth the investment. But homeowners should not just consider cost, but also the current conditions of their kitchen when deciding if a renovation project is the right move to make. These signs indicate it may be time
to renovate a kitchen: • Breakers are triggered: If the lights go dark from a tripped circuit breaker every time you try to microwave and run the toaster oven at the same time, your wiring is likely For more, see Page 15
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Wood From Page 12 How often should floors be pol‑ ished or waxed? Wood flooring professionals rec‐ ommend polishing floors that can be polished once every few months. Waxing wood floors does not need to be done as frequently, and most can benefit from a fresh coat of wax every 12 to 18 months. What can I do on a daily basis? Some simple tricks and daily maintenance can help wood floors maintain their impressive look.
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• Utilize floor mats. The HDA notes that floor mats near entry‐ ways can reduce the time it takes to clean hardwood floors and reduce the wear and tear they endure. For example, tiny particles like dirt can scratch the floor and contribute to the kind of minor damage that adds up to significant scarring over time. Floor mats near entryways ensures that most of that dirt never makes it to the wood floors. • Vacuum without a beater bar. Some vacuums contain beater bars, which are designed to pick up human hair, dog hair and other things that conventional vacuums may not be able to pick up. The HDA advises vacuuming without the
beater bar, as it can contribute to small scratches in the floor. Sweeping with a high‐quality broom or microfiber cloth is another way to pick up dirt without damaging floors. • Use manufacturer‐recommend‐ ed cleaning products. Local home improvement stores sell a host of hardwood floor cleaning products, but the HDA notes that many floor‐ ing manufacturers now sell their own hardwood floor cleaners designed specifically for their floors. These products are likely homeown‐ ers' best bets. Homeowners who can't find them can seek recommen‐ dations from a local flooring retailer.
Kitchen From Page 13
not up to the task of handling the workload and could be out of date. A kitchen remodel will assess wiring load needs and an electric overhaul may be neces‐ sary. · Lack of storage: One of the biggest hassles home‐ owners encounter in their kitchens is a lack of stor‐ age space. If making a meal involves a Jenga‐like stacking and rearranging of kitchen tools, or if an avalanche occurs whenever you search for an item, you might need more storage. A carefully planned redesign can achieve this, even in a smaller kitchen. · Outdated appliances: Even if your appliances are not avocado green or mustard yellow relics of the 1970s, they might still need to be replaced. According to CRD Design, appliances are only expected to last around 10 to 15 years. If appliances have become unsafe or energy hogs, it could be time for a remodel. · Family is expanding (or shrinking): Kitchens often are the heart of a home. They need to meet the needs of the family that resides in that home. A
remodel can add space as needed. On the flip side, when a couple becomes empty nesters, kitchens can be redesigned and downsized to reflect their new needs and desires, such as the addition of a wine chiller or espresso station. · Poor lighting: Task lighting is essential in a kitchen, but older homes may not be equipped with lighting where it's most needed. A carefully designed remodel can improve lighting with under‐cabinet lights, pendants, overhead lighting, and even natural light to make the space attractive and more function‐ al. · Frequent run‑ins: The notion that you can have too many cooks in the kitchen refers to having too many people trying to pitch in or offer their opinions. However, it also can apply to when too many people are gathering in a small space. Redesigning a kitchen can improve the efficiency of a space and make the room feel larger. · Aesthetic appeal: Many kitchen remodels have been inspired by unsightly kitchens. Cosmetic changes can lead to big improvements. Kitchen renovations can add instant appeal and help address issues that tend to plague outdated rooms.
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