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Press Coverage Archive

Using local fieldstone adds a modern twist to the new design of an upscale home

When designer Sabine Schoenberg was com-missioned to work on the renovation of a home in Greenwich, CT, her goal was to focus on the next generation of home building. From her perspective, this would consist of smart, healthy and green home features complete with compact, yet dramatic, design layouts for today’s lifestyles.

For the exterior of the home, strip stone and stacked fieldstone were chosen for the foundation and base of the exterior of the house, as well as for the chimney. The same material was then brought into the fireplace in the family room for the purpose of creating a dynamic inside to outside feeling.

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10 Sustainable Features That Are Changing The Definition Of Smart House

With the recent sale of “Real Housewife” Shannon Beador’s über-eco-friendly Orange County mansion, it’s clearer than ever that selling a home is about more than just a prime location and pretty paint colors. Being green is a major selling point, too.

Beador’s estate came with seriously impressive features like organic wallpaper, allergen-free floors, buried crystals and hospital grade air. Super neat, but not exactly mainstream. That got us wondering: What other fascinating green features may we be missing out on?

To find out, we researched the latest green home trends, and spoke with Sabine H. Schoenberg, host of “Sabine’s New House” and the designer behind what’s been dubbed the “smart house of the future” — an incredibly sustainable home that was just built in Greenwich, Connecticut.

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On the market: Green, eco-friendly homes in western Connecticut

The next generation of residential home-building might just be in your neighborhood.

The Greenwich House, the latest project from home-building expert Sabine H. Schoenberg, combines eco-friendly, smart and healthy home technologies in a 4,800-square-foot residence at 130 Old Church Road in Greenwich.

“Green, healthy and smart all come together at the end of the day,” she said. “It’s really holistic thinking.”

Keep It Clean by Going Green

In Atlanta’s warm, moist climate, fears about mold and mildew have plagued many a homeowner. Although few molds are toxic, all molds are allergenic, according to Joe Arcuragi, owner of MoldStoppers Atlanta, which means that mold can affect members of the household in negative ways.
Raymond Lane, owner of EnviroClear, says, “Mold is an environmental fact of life. No house is free of mold.” He explains that, since mold can only survive in 50 percent relative humidity or higher, the most significant cause of mold in homes is water intrusion. This means that your mission as a homeowner is to keep humidity down and moisture out, especially in areas under the house, like basements, crawlspaces and the foundation. Roof leaks can be culprits too. Maintaining gutters and keeping your air conditioner running properly will help contain humidity and water.
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Electric vehicles find natural home in Greenwich

Greenwich native Nancy Tunney drove a “teeny” Toyota for years, but its small size made her nervous while navigating heavy traffic on Interstate 95.

She switched to a Tesla four years ago. Not for the sports car design or impressive speed, she said, but for its innovation and environmental statement.

Hers was one of the first Teslas she saw in town, but she’s noticed that number has since increased.

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Real estate show plans second YouTube season

A two-story, 4,800-square-foot home priced at $4 million blends into the picturesque Connecticut landscape at 130 Old Church Road, but it boasts mostly nontraditional features like a doorbell camera and a volcanic rock bathtub that keeps water heated for an extended time.

Greenwich Realtor Sabine Schoenberg turned the home she coined “The Greenwich House” into a modern feature of the neighborhood and subject of a popular YouTube channel home design show called Sabine’s New House.

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Electric vehicles find natural home in Greenwich

Greenwich native Nancy Tunney drove a “teeny” Toyota for years, but its small size made her nervous while navigating heavy traffic on Interstate 95.

She switched to a Tesla four years ago. Not for the sports car design or impressive speed, she said, but for its innovation and environmental statement.

Hers was one of the first Teslas she saw in town, but she’s noticed that number has since increased.

The Greenwich House: Smart, Healthy, and Green

July 20, 2016 – The term “high-tech homes” may bring to mind images of the Jetsons, but many builders believe residences equipped with automation and other gadgetry will soon be the new standard for houses.

The Greenwich House is an example of this new wave of residences – and it’s not only a smart house, but also a green and healthy one. Listed at $3.995 million, the home sits on .66 acres and has 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. It’s nestled among New England-stylecolonials in the New York City suburb of Greenwich, CT.

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‘The Greenwich House’: Smart Living, Healthy Living

July 29, 2016 – Inspired by health-conscious home building techniques used in Europe, Greenwich resident Sabine H. Schoenberg has combined green living and cutting edge technology in a 4,800-square-foot home coined “The Greenwich House” at 130 Old Church Road.

On entering the home, one is embraced by light and freshness. The foyer has a winding staircase that guides your eyes up to the high ceilings with large LED backlit glass panels. To your left is the “brain of the house,” a set of controls that operates the home automation system. After learning more about each piece of the home and its materials, you realize the significance of their contribution to this experience.

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The Greenwich House: Smart, Healthy, and Green

The term “high-tech homes” may bring to mind images of the Jetsons, but many builders believe residences equipped with automation and other gadgetry will soon be the new standard for houses.

The Greenwich House is an example of this new wave of residences — and it’s not only a smart house, but also a green and healthy one. Listed at $3.995 million, the home sits on .66 acres and has 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. It’s nestled among New England-style colonials in the New York City suburb of Greenwich, CT.

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3 indoor plants that actually clean the air

We’re all for helpful household hacks that either make our life easier or better (preferably both). So when this idea about fresh air plants came onto our radar, we were instantly obsessed.

Here’s the skinny: These 3 household plants will actually improve air quality and help rid our environment of toxins. No kidding!

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Greenwich home combines plethora of eco-friendly designs

The next generation of residential home-building might just be in your neighborhood.

The Greenwich House, the latest project from home-building expert Sabine H. Schoenberg, combines eco-friendly, smart and healthy home technologies in a 4,800-square-foot residence at 130 Old Church Road in Greenwich.

“Green, healthy and smart all come together at the end of the day,” she said. “It’s really holistic thinking.”

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How To Create A Stylish And Functional Outdoor Space

Sabine H. Schoenberg, host of web series Sabine’s New House and founder of PrimeSitesCT knows a thing or two about creating a stylish and functional outdoor space, so we picked her brain for tips on prepping our yards and patios for summer leisure.

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Sabine H Schoenberg on The Feed

Sabine H Schoenberg talks about cutting-edge smart home technology on The Feed w/Amber Mac on Sirius / XM Radio. Sabine’s interview starts at approximately 8:30 into the show.


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Spring forward: 4 housing market predictions from residential experts

Spring is here, and that means eager buyers are out in full force trying to make a deal for the perfect home. While each season brings new challenges for potential homebuyers, real estate professionals and homebuilders, much of this year’s story is about low inventory and rising prices, and it doesn’t look that’s about to change anytime soon.

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How European systems, cheaper technology apps and air quality will drive home buyers

The real estate marketplace is going through some changes driven my home buyers focused on technology, sustainability and air quality. And the answers for builders may come from Europe.

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Millennial house hunters say forget the pool — how about a backyard pizza oven?

About 32% of millennials plan to buy homes over the next two years, compared with 25% a year ago, according to the American Express spending and saving tracker, which surveyed 1,800 adults in February.

In addition to landscaping and other backyard improvements, popular items this year with millennials include smart doorbells with cameras and electronic exterior locks that can be accessed only with a code and remotely locked and unlocked via smartphone, according to Sabine Schoenberg, a real-estate agent and luxury builder in Greenwich, Conn.

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Savvy home sellers turn to smart technology

The tight supply of homes for sale across the nation has turned this spring into a strong seller’s market, but not all homes will move, especially if they are outdated. That is why smart sellers are investing in smart technology to lure potential buyers.

“That’s your ticket to selling the house,” said Sabine Schoenberg, a Greenwich, Connecticut-based home-improvement expert and founder and CEO of real estate firm PrimeSites.

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The Lazy Homeowner’s Guide to Prepping the Yard for Spring

The long-awaited arrival of spring means different things to different people: a physical and spiritual renewal, an eager farewell to that now-grungy Marmot and Canadian Goose outerwear for (hopefully) another year, a reminder that a new season of “Game of Thrones” is finally right around the corner. And for some of us, it means yard work.

I love spring, when my yard’s 50 shades of gray explode into a lush green landscape. Just one problem: I dread all the work that goes into nurturing every sprout and yanking every weed, chores that can eat up every weekend into Memorial Day. But over the years, I’ve developed a few shortcuts to this oft-arduous process. And I’m willing to share them.

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These $100 digital upgrades can help you sell your house

If you’re thinking about selling your home this spring, plant some fresh flowers, give the house a fresh coat of paint — and boost your house’s Wi-Fi router speed.

Sabine Schoenberg, a realtor and luxury home builder in Greenwich, Conn., who runs her own home improvement website, says that when her buyers are interested in a property, the first thing they will do is pull out their phone and check the Internet connection. “I frequently get comments like, ‘I need to know that I can work from home,’” Schoenberg says.

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How to Tell if Your DIY Project Is a Disaster—and How to Dig Out

When you first envisioned your renovation project, it was the stuff of rainbow-colored daydreams. A few weekends of manual labor, a forcibly fun painting party, and your house would be totally transformed. A new you!

Indeed, it was fun for a while. The first weekend you blasted out the walls, ripped up the floors and channeled your inner Bob Vila.

That was 11 weekends ago.

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Some Laminate Floors Could Cause Cancer, Says CDC

Certain types of laminated flooring bought from Lumber Liquidators could cause an increased risk of cancer, according to a shocking new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The possible health effects come from exposure to formaldehyde emitted from the floors. The CDC reports: “The estimated risk of cancer is 6-30 cases per 100,000 people.”

There were earlier reports of the cancer risks associated with the company’s flooring which gave lower estimates, but the CDC says that the new report, which measures with more accurate ceiling heights, indicates people who have the flooring are three times more likely to get cancer than they originally reported.

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Some Laminate Floors Could Cause Cancer, Says CDC

Certain types of laminated flooring bought from Lumber Liquidators could cause an increased risk of cancer, according to a shocking new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The possible health effects come from exposure to formaldehyde emitted from the floors. The CDC reports: “The estimated risk of cancer is 6-30 cases per 100,000 people.”

There were earlier reports of the cancer risks associated with the company’s flooring which gave lower estimates, but the CDC says that the new report, which measures with more accurate ceiling heights, indicates people who have the flooring are three times more likely to get cancer than they originally reported.

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Some Laminate Floors Could Cause Cancer, Says CDC

Certain types of laminated flooring bought from Lumber Liquidators could cause an increased risk of cancer, according to a shocking new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The possible health effects come from exposure to formaldehyde emitted from the floors. The CDC reports: “The estimated risk of cancer is 6-30 cases per 100,000 people.”

There were earlier reports of the cancer risks associated with the company’s flooring which gave lower estimates, but the CDC says that the new report, which measures with more accurate ceiling heights, indicates people who have the flooring are three times more likely to get cancer than they originally reported.

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The Raw Files: Making your house smart to solve everyday problems

The Jetsons knew a thing or two about the luxuries of smart home simplicity.

Their 1960s Skypad may still be a far cry from the smart homes of today, but the premise is the same: make life easier.

The 2015 State of the Smart Home report, an annual report released by smart home technology maker Icontrol, shows simplicity and ease-of-use trump technological innovation when it comes to smart home technology. In other words, consumers want devices that solve real, everyday problems.

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The Biggest Risk To Your House This Winter

Wintertime is the prime season for house fires: Half of all conflagrations occur in the months of December, January, and February, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The average household can expect five fires in its lifetime. This is a lot of fires. And while most are small, they collectively cost us $7.3 billion a year in property damage—plus there’s one chance in 10 that fire will injure someone in your home.

The good news? Most house fires are easily preventable—all it takes is knowing how they start. So in addition to equipping your home with smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, watch out for these potential dangers:

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Connecticut’s Big Blue House Uses Revolutionary Building Technology

If you’re driving down Greenwich, Conn.’s, iconic Old Church Road, you might notice something strange: a very big, very blue house. Known as “The Big Blue House,” the green building project spurred by designer and real estate developer Sabine H. Schoenberg is wrapped in Blueskin, a new adhesive house wrap designed to revolutionize the construction process. Unlike the more popular Tyvek house wrap, this new product is adhesive on one side and does not require staples to install. The breathable material can also be used on the roof, not typical in traditional home building, and can prevent moisture build-up. This means the entire home can be sealed, which allows construction to continue year-round–even in the chilliest of New England winters.

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Take-home toxin tests

From an annoying cough to a deadly cancer, your home may contain toxins that are literally making you sick. They can range from traditional toxins like lead to newer ones like meth – and it’s up to you, the homeowner, to get rid of them.

Just as you wouldn’t put a spoonful of soup in your mouth without checking its temperature, you should never assume that a home – even if it’s brand new or comes with profound health claims – is 100 percent safe. It may take nothing more than a Ziploc bag and 20 minutes of your time before you buy to avoid experiencing mysterious headaches – and the understandable headache of paying hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to get rid of them – later.

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Blue house gets attention with green features

Mystery solved.

Sabine H. Schoenberg is the person behind the rubbernecking and rapidly applied brakes on Old Church Road in Greenwich. You never saw a blue house quite so blue, even in some pastel-mad beach community, though for this house it’s just its skivvies, soon to disappear under siding and roofing.

The 100-percent, basement-to-topmost-crest sheathing saves on energy consumption while helping to make fresh the home’s interior air, an uptrending concern in homebuying.

Schoenberg has been a designer, real estate developer and Realtor since 1988. She runs two Greenwich-based websites: the Fairfield County real estate-based PrimeSitesCT.com and ThisNewHouse.com, which offers videos on themes that include better lighting, cleaner air, better use of space and use of new-to-the-market materials. It is, she narrates, “the place to find new products and trends in building to nurture your body and your spirit.” ThisNewHouse is currently focused on the blue house on Old Church Road.

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Greenwich Woman Behind New Home Building Trend – Big Blue House utilizes latest in home building technology

It’s hard to miss — the royal blue, 4,800-square-foot house stands out among the quickly thinning trees and more modestly colored homes on Old ChurchRoad.

It’s not a color most would choose for their home, and, thankfully, it’ll be covered up in due time, but the blue wrap covering the exterior of the home is representative of the entire project, part of the This New House enterprise spearheaded by Greenwich Realtor, designer and builder Sabine Schoenberg.

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How Boomers Can Sell Their Homes to Millennials

Newsflash to retiring boomers: Millennials account for 32 percent of real estate buyers, according to the National Association of Realtors. That’s why it’s essential to know what Millennials want in homes. Their values and desired lifestyles are very different than their boomer parents.

Millennials, perhaps more than boomers, have very specific criteria when choosing homes. Make your house fit their criteria and you will expand buyer interest, which means your home will sell faster and probably at a higher price.

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What to Do If Your House Has Mold (Or You Think It Does)

Mold. The very word can put terror into the eyes of a homeowner. After all, mold in your home can make you and your family sick. If nothing else, it looks disgusting. But it can also weaken your walls, ceilings and floor. And if you try to sell a house known to have mold, you might as well put a sign on your front lawn that reads: “Not For Sale.”

So if you think you have mold, and plenty houses do – a 2003 University of Arizona study found that 100 percent of homes have mold (albeit not necessarily the dangerous kind) – what should you do?

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How to save money on energy in your home

Home design, realtor and improvement expert, Sabine Schoenberg joined the Fox CT Morning Extra with tips on saving money for your home.

Connecticut households have some of the highest energy costs in the country.

Many blame the inefficiency on our big, old homes, but there are ways to lower your utility bills.

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5 Sneaky Places Mold Can Hide in Your Home

Stop an annoying and potentially dangerous problem before it spreads.

It likely comes as no surprise that mold and mildew can ruin household goods and be dangerous to your health, potentially causing health issues like itchy eyes, coughing, and sneezing or worse.

But while you may be on top of the obvious places mold can grow — baseboards in damp basements, shower curtains, and other places exposed to excessive water with poor ventilation and no direct sunlight — there are some spots that homeowners often overlook until they become a serious problem. But with a little home maintenance and awareness, you’ll be able to steer clear of mold issues in these surprising spots.

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What NOT to do when you’re closing on a home

The loan is approved, the contract is signed, the title is clean, the closing date is set, and everything seems on track to get that home.

And then some people do the unthinkable that costs them their dream home.

“I’ve had clients call me and say they’ve quit their job, or bought a new car,” just before close, says Mark Livingstone, a mortgage broker with Cornerstone First Financial in Washington, D.C. “All I can do say “what were you thinking? I’ve seen a number of deals fall through that way.”

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5 Sneaky Places Mold Can Hide in Your Home

Stop an annoying and potentially dangerous problem before it spreads.

It likely comes as no surprise that mold and mildew can ruin household goods and be dangerous to your health, potentially causing health issues like itchy eyes, coughing, and sneezing or worse.

But while you may be on top of the obvious places mold can grow — baseboards in damp basements, shower curtains, and other places exposed to excessive water with poor ventilation and no direct sunlight — there are some spots that homeowners often overlook until they become a serious problem. But with a little home maintenance and awareness, you’ll be able to steer clear of mold issues in these surprising spots.

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9 Home Improvements for Your Aging Parents

If your parents are getting up there in years, you may have had the discussion about whether it’s better for them to stay put or go to an assisted living facility. It’s a pretty safe bet that your parents prefer to stay in their home: According to a 2011 AARP research report, almost 90 percent of people over age 65 would rather remain at home as long as they’re able, and 80 percent of older Americans have firm plans to stay put.

Fortunately, there’s no shortage of home renovation projects that can help your mother or father stay at home. Here’s a look at some of them, starting with the more pie-in-the-sky improvements and moving down the list in cost.

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Here’s The Real Cost Of Owning A Home With A Swimming Pool

While the decision of whether or not to buy a home with a pool is a personal choice for homebuyers, there are several factors to consider which will have a serious financial impact over the short and long term.

Beyond deciding whether or not you want to own a pool, there are additional issues to consider, such as the insurance, maintenance and safety costs associated with pool ownership.

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