National sponsors: Southwest Idea House

KraftMaid Cabinetry

Lennox IndustriesMetal Roofing AllianceRugged, roomy, and comfortable, the GMC Envoy XL is a worthy complement to the rural character of the Southwest Idea House. It's stylish and functional, making it perfect for hauling camping gear into the White Tank Mountains or attending an opening at the Phoenix Art Museum. You can take your neighbors along too--the Envoy comfortably seats seven adults. It has a Bose stereo system, second-row audio controls, and a 290-hp V-8 engine.Both houses feature heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems from the Dave Lennox Signature Collection Integrated Home Comfort Systems. These Energy Star-qualified systems are designed to improve indoor air quality efficiently and quietly.www.kraftmaid.com800/462-8782800/953-6669Southwest-inspired reds and blues prominent in this Idea House demonstrate hues from Kelly-Moore's new "The West in Color" collection. It includes 60 shades divided into three regional palettes--the desert, the mountains, and the seaside--from the company's new ColorXperience system. The 20 colors in each palette work with one another, whether you're painting an accent wall or using several shades in one room.www.pella.comKitchenAidwww.kellymoore.com800/422-1230www.maytag.comSupersoil888/562-6567800/446-1071www.kitchenaid.comThe gardens at both Idea Houses thrive, thanks to Supersoil's many planting products, including Premium Planting Mix and Soil Conditioner, a blend of natural ingredients and essential nutrients. The conditioner is mixed with the garden soil to a depth of 6 inches. Containers are planted with Supersoil Potting Soil. The Southwest Idea House garden also uses the Supersoil Palm & Cactus Mix.KraftMaid Cabinetry's range of options allowed us to customize cabinets for many rooms in the Southwest Idea House, including the kitchen, laundry/craft room, kids' homework center, media room, home office, and bag-drop room. The company offers many door styles, cabinet sizes, and cabinet constructions, plus 6 wood species and 34 finishes and glazes.800/531-4411Pella's Architect Series windows and patio doors on the front and back of the Southwest Idea House's gathering room create a see-through effect, connecting the house to the landscape. The argon-filled, low-e, insulated glass reflects most of the sun's rays, reducing fading and saving on cooling and heating costs. The glass prevents heat transfer. Muntin bars (grilles) are bonded to the insulating glass, re-creating the charm of multiple panes.www.supersoil.comJames Hardie Siding Products888/847-3552www.jameshardie.comThe laundry room contains Maytag's state-of-the-art Neptune laundry appliances. The top-loading washer protects clothing by using two tumblers (instead of an agitator) to clean its contents. Washing can be customized with 8 water-temperature combinations and 24 preprogrammed wash cycles. Both appliances are energy- and resource-efficient.GMC Envoy XL800/571-1990Kelly-Moore PaintsMaytag CorporationWeber Grills360/275-6164888/462-9824Professional-style appliances from KitchenAid's Architect Series give an updated twist to the Southwest Idea House's classic hearth kitchen. The centerpiece is the 48-inch stainless steel dual-fuel range. Versatile and durable, the range includes eight burners, four cast-iron full-surface grates, and a griddle accessory. Two self-cleaning convection ovens include bread-rising functions. The refrigerator and dishwasher are also stainless steel for a unified look.Hardiplank Lap Siding creates a board-and-batten effect that establishes the farmhouse character of the Southwest Idea House. Closely resembling wood, this fiber-cement siding has none of wood's drawbacks: It's resistant to fire and damage from insects, rain, and wind-blown debris, and it's guaranteed not to crack, rot, or delaminate for up to 50 years. It also holds paint up to four times longer than wood.Stylistically appropriate to the farm- and ranch-house aesthetic, a metal roof is also a very practical solution for the desert climate. This one can last for more than 50 years with only an occasional hose-down for maintenance. Metal roofs can deflect UV radiation to keep the house cooler. This standing-seam metal roof manufactured by ATAS International is 56 percent recycled content.www.lennox.comwww.metalroofing.comwww.weber.comThere's nothing more enjoyable than dining outside on the patio. The new-this-year built-in grill from Weber's Summit Gold Series has six stainless steel burners, an infrared rotisserie burner and attachment, a smoker, and welded stainless steel cooking grates. There's also a warm-up basket and warming rack. Flavorizer bars prevent flare-ups, making cooking juices sizzle and smoke to flavor the food.866/442-7343Pella Corporation

800/531-4411