Finding Peace in Nature

Nov 09, 2017

Once named the most beautiful place in America by USA Weekend magazine, Sedona, Arizona is a must-see for any outdoor enthusiast. Whether you’re traversing a few of the hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, climbing the Red Rocks, or fishing in Oak Creek, you’re sure to find a sense of tranquility in the natural world around you. When Dorn Homes began planning Sedona Ranch it was with that feeling in mind, the feeling that you’re at home in the world around you. Every aspect of the home and community design process has focused on blurring the line between indoor and outdoor living.

If you explore our newly completed model at Sedona Ranch you’ll find that the courtyard of The Enchantment is designed as a central and communal space. The three-pane sliding glass doors and cantilevered cantina bar windows open the home’s Great Room to the outside and invite the fresh air in. Dorn Homes’ Organic Home promise has long recognized that bringing fresh air into a building is healthier for you, your loved ones, and even your pets than stale indoor air.

The three-pane sliding glass doors do more than just open your home to fresh air. They open your home to awe-inspiring views of Sedona’s signature Red Rocks. Dorn Homes carefully selected each home site to offer panoramic views of the rock formations and the high desert around you. Imagine waking up every morning to see the most beautiful views that this country has to offer.

If you’re more interested in taking nature on than taking it in, Sedona Ranch offers a range of outdoor recreational activities. Picture yourself waking up before dawn, grabbing your fishing rod and reel and taking a few steps into your backyard to fish from the community’s trout pond. Once the sun rises, set aside your tackle and take a hike alongside Oak Creek on one of the community’s private hiking trails. Our fitness-minded homebuyers will find everything they’re looking for in the social membership at Seven Canyons, which gives you access to their fitness center, swimming pool, and performance health program.

The community’s relationship with Seven Canyons means you can take advantage of their amenities, like the community clubhouse and restaurant without the hustle and bustle of living in a resort community. Instead, you can enjoy upscale dining at The Club Restaurant and Bar and then return home to your own private oasis.

Sedona is, undeniably, a special place. As we’ve previously written in the History of Dorn Homes, we build in places that are inspiring. Sedona has inspired us to plan our community and design our homes in a way that celebrates the signature aesthetic of Sedona and invites nature in. Rather than pave over the natural world around us, these homes are built to live hand in hand with it. If you have questions about our new community or are interested in seeing it in person, reach out to an Online Home Advisor today.


09 Feb, 2023
Economic Growth & Development in the Prescott Area
By dornhomes 25 Feb, 2022
There is never a dull moment at Quailwood, a master-planned community in Prescott Valley.  Swimming – The sparkling pool at the Clubhouse in Prescott Valley is a great way to spend leisurely afternoons. Gardening – Test your green thumb in the Quailwood community garden. Join you neighbors in planting and harvesting fresh produce. Tennis or Pickle Ball – Play a game of tennis or pickle ball with your friends (then maybe take a dip in the pool afterwards) Take a Class – Classes are regularly held in the Community Center. The schedule varies by month but there have been jewelry making, dance classes and more.Billiards – Play a game of billiards with your neighbors and friends at the Community Center Work Out – Visit the fitness center or even attend a yoga class right in the neighborhood!Take the kids and grandkids to the park – The kids will have a great time on the playground. Downtown Prescott – Visit many of the attractions in downtown Prescott, just a short drive away. Shopping & Dining – Prescott Valley offers a wide variety of shopping, dining and entertainment options for the whole family. Get Outdoors – There are many hiking and biking trails in Prescott and Prescott Valley as well as fishing or kayaking on one of the nearby lakes.
By Dornhomes 24 Feb, 2022
At Dorn Homes careful consideration goes into every design and building choice. You can see it in our award-winning architecture and our extensive design options. One place that you can’t see it is in the air itself. Every home that Dorn Homes builds is guided by a promise that we make to each and every homebuyer. We call that promise The Organic Home . The Organic Home is a commitment to provide a safe and healthy indoor environment for you, your family, and your pets. When we build, we use whole home ventilation systems, low or no volatile organic compound (VOC) materials, and healthy home building techniques. In fact, Dorn Homes is one of the first homebuilders to receive the EPA’s Indoor airPLUS certification. This means that, in addition to offering ENERGY STAR Certified Homes , we take extra steps in the design and construction of our homes to protect them from moisture and mold, pests, combustion gases, and other airborne pollutants. The reason this is so important to us is that Indoor Air Quality can have real health effects in both the short and long term. While we do our part building to the highest Indoor Air Quality standards, here are a few steps you can take to breathe a little easier. Determine if There’s a Problem While there are tests you can purchase to measure your air quality and the presence of mold and radon, those may not be necessary in all instances. The EPA recommends a simple smell test to determine if you may have trouble with your Indoor Air Quality. Step outside for a few minutes and then go back inside, a musty or unpleasant odor is a good indication that you may need to address your air quality. Vent, Vent, Vent The most effective method for handling poor Indoor Air Quality is improving ventilation. You can do this through natural or mechanical means. At Dorn Homes every home is built with a mechanical whole home ventilation system, but if you find yourself needing a higher volume venting (when painting or cooking for instance) it’s as easy as opening a few windows. Opening windows on opposite sides of the house is a great way to naturally vent the home and encourage airflow. Clean the Air There are far too many air purifiers to discuss the benefits of each one, but you really only need to know a few numbers to make a decision. How much air flows through the purifier and how efficient it is. A higher efficiency translates to more allergens captured while high airflow (measured in cubic feet per minute) means more air is cleaned. Ideally you want a purifier that is both efficient and has a high airflow. If you’re considering buying an air purifier, compare various models based on those two factors. Plants? There have been some studies that have found indoor plants improve Indoor Air Quality and other studies that have found that having plants in your living spaces offer a psychological benefit while reducing stress. Be careful not to overwater them though, wet soil can lead to moldy soil. Maintenance Maintenance means both controlling sources and managing exposure. The EPA recommends source control as the most important step in managing Indoor Air Quality. That means, removing sources of harmful pollutants or allergens, things like old drywall or cabinets, high VOC paint, or houseplants that have caused an allergic reaction. If you are dealing with high VOC paints or building materials, the solution could be as simple as a new coat of paint. Many companies now make VOC blocking paints that are not only affordable, but also effective at improving Indoor Air Quality and indoor odor. If allergens are more of a concern, installing highly rated air filters in your ventilation system is an excellent investment (make sure you’re changing them according to the manufacturer’s instructions). Dorn Homes installs high-quality Merv-10 filters in every home we build. Additionally, cleaning your vacuum’s filter can help ensure that when you’re cleaning your home you’re not inadvertently filling the air with irritating dust and dander.  If you’re interested in more information on Indoor Air Quality or the Indoor airPLUS Certification, you can read about it on the EPA’s website here. And, if you’d like to find out more about our building science click here or talk to one of our Online Home Advisors . Topics: Healthy Homes , New Homes
By Dornhomes 24 Feb, 2022
With its mild winters and temperate summers, Prescott is known as one of the premier retirement destinations in Arizona. What may surprise you, however, is that Prescott is also home to a lively local visual art scene. From shops to galleries to local restaurants, the town embraces the arts. In addition to the local galleries and museums, Prescott offers annual festivals, monthly art walks, and numerous art education opportunities. We’ve highlighted some of the more notable events below for those of you interested in joining Dorn Homes in supporting the arts.
By Dornhomes 24 Feb, 2022
When you picture living in Prescott you probably imagine a quaint Victorian home perched on a hillside. You see yourself rising with the sun for a morning walk through a community full of friends and neighbors. The sunlight sparkles off the water of a nearby lake and across the granite hills that define Prescott.
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