Request An Appointment
CLOSE MENU For those who haven’t heard of the Flat 
Stanley Project, it was developed to help children in school connect with their classmates. Students would create a Flat Stanley and send him in the mail to their Pen Pal who would record Stanley’s adventures abroad. Once Stanley returned, the student would share the journey with the class. We thought it would be fun to send a Flat Norman along with our staff when they travel somewhere and share their adventures with everyone.
For Normandy Designer and Ireland native, Kathryn O’Donovan, making a trip home is always very special. “I don’t get to go back often, so each visit is very significant to me.” On her most recent visit this fall, Kathryn took Flat Norman to show us the Ireland she knows and loves.
Norman visited St. Patrick’s University Maynooth, the college Kathryn attended before moving to the U.S. He also went to Bunratty Castle and village in County Clare, where Kathryn and Norman cozied up to a 19th-century fireplace. “Bunratty Castle was once owned by the high kings of Ireland, the O’Brien clan. Since my Mum is an O’Brien, I like to think of it as my castle,” joked Kathryn. Of course,
no trip to Ireland would be complete without stopping at a pub for a pint of Guinness with friends, so they made sure to check that off the list. Norman also spent some time in the place nearest and dearest to Kathryn, her childhood home.The home was designed by her father, an architect, and built by her family. “I remember when I was a wee thing bringing materials to my Dad on my little peddle tractor during the construction of our home.” After 
her family of four worked on the home for just a year and a half, the home was ready to move into. “I try to go back once or twice a year, and it’s great to be able to see family, friends and show off my homeland to my significantother, Bradley,” commented Kathryn, “I have been in the U.S. for 20 years now, so differences like driving on the other side of the road and car in Ireland are a bit nerve-racking and do make me realize how long I’ve been gone.”
You’ve decided it’s time for new siding on the 
Fiber cement siding can give those who like the look of cedar look the best of both worlds. Not to mention, cedar siding is the most expensive of your siding options, so you’ll save time on maintenance and money in the pocketbook by opting for fiber cement siding instead.
Vinyl has come a long way in colors, textures, and durability; and if you’re on a budget, this is a very feasible option. Keep in mind with vinyl though, that the color will fade over time from the sun and cannot be painted over, only replaced. Aluminum is comparable to vinyl in costs, but it’s not something often recommended. It only comes in white and it’s not dent-resistant or very durable; vinyl is definitely the better option of the two.
