“I grew up in Mount Kisco, New York, went to college in Boston, after that in 1969, I had a very low lottery [draft] number. I hitchhiked from England to Japan over a three and a half year period. I lived in India for a year; I lived in Israel for 8 or 9 months, lived in Japan for a year…year and a half. When I came back to the United States, I ended up in Boulder Colorado in the early 70’s, 1973 building homes working as a carpenter where I saw the shoddiest construction imaginable.” 

Frank said he didn’t know any better.  “I was really a novice.” He describes his philosophy regarding homes like this, “[When] you’re building a house, your neighbors should like it also.”

That’s something Americans in general don’t often think of when building a home.

I caught up with Mr. Laskey on the front porch of the new, nearly finished Bungalow style house for homeowners Kelly and Beth Chabot located at 140 George Street. The house, like many being built these days is considered a “green” house. Frank admits that there are many misconceptions about what green really means. “What makes a house green can be simple and can be complicated; it depends on how green you want to be. Today most builders are calling themselves green because they might have a green feature, or they might use a siding product that is green. Our approach and interest to green buildings really started about 13 years ago.

If you’re too rigid about your ideology regarding [a] green building or architecture in general, too dogmatic, I think you are going to miss the point. These are spaces that people live in, and everyone has different needs, and you can’t force your mindset on the homeowner. Architects try to do that, builders try to do that. That doesn’t work anymore, in part because our culture [has] changed. People have a greater sense of entitlement.”

Frank has a vested interest in building homes that will stand the test of time and still have a sense of universal appeal that will be timeless just as it appears the Bungalow style seems to be a timeless design. ‘If we can do that, I think we’ve achieved something.’

Building the Bungalow Home for the Chabots is certainly a collaborative effort. The Chabots wanted to build a dream home that reflected their low- key personalities and appreciation for nature. “My clients are very involved in the building process. Said Laskey, “We enjoy that interaction, it makes a better project, it really does, because it’s a team effort, collaborative; there is nothing adversarial about it. We are all building the same house so when you walk away from it, you feel good and want to come by 15 years from now and walk in with a prospective homebuyer or client and I want Kelly and Beth to still love this house.”

Beth Chabot points out her favorite feature of the Bungalow style, “There are no wasted spaces.”

The Bungalow style home is in fact very utilitarian and esthetically pleasing to the eye. The Bungalow is usually described as a ‘form’ rather than style and experts agree that most bungalows are an ‘arts and crafts’ style. The majority of Bungalow Homes were built between 1900-1929 and most have these distinct qualities:

• One to one and a half stories high (although they can be built to your own specifications)

• Generous porch

• Overhanging eaves

• Heavy columns often supported with rock or stone

• Fireplace

There are many types of Bungalows and the one that the Chabots chose for themselves is called Manzanita. It’s a two story home with 2,500 square footage.

The appliances in the Chabots new home were furnished by Earl B. Feiden Appliances.

The impressive 36-inch, six burner gas oven range, a gourmet’s dream, is manufactured by Wolf and according to Dan Oliver of Earl B. Feiden Appliances this particular range is the most popular professional range purchased. The hood to the range is furnished by Faber, an Italian manufacturer. Feiden Appliances only sells name brand top of the line products.

The Chabots chose a SHARP microwave convection oven which is a very cost effective way to produce a second oven and provides a faster cooking time.

Everything about the Chabot home was well thought out; the armoire French door style refrigerator by General Electric-Energy Star makes perfect sense considering the Chabots have four children. Even the washer and dryer, located on the second floor of the home (no more schlepping to the basement), make sense. It is a Whirlpool duet which has a steam function that allows you to wash things like pillows, and stuffed animal and things you would normally take to the drycleaners. The dryer has a convenient refresher option which allows you to refresh the clothes you plan to wear for an evening out on the town. The laundry room has a cabinet work surface in lieu of putting in a counter. The dishwasher, by BOSCH represents the highest quality, quietest and most efficient operation and design. Energy efficiency is met in all areas of this wonderful home.