FORT RUCKER, Ala. (September 27, 2012) -- The Picerne model home decorated by the Army and Air Force Exchange Services portrays a realistic home setting, from a pantry full of groceries to an iron with its cord dangling from an ironing board, as a way to show off homes and merchandise for potential residents of Fort Rucker.
The house, located across the street from the Bowden Terrace Community Center, is a collaboration between Picerne and AAFES, according to Brandon Masters, Picerne Military Housing communications manager.
"The great thing about this project is the partnership between two organizations on post. This is a showroom for AAFES and a home for us that is set up as a model so we can show people what we both have to offer. It is a great way to show off the products that we have," he said.
Its one thing to show off an empty home, but Masters said it's another thing entirely once you decorate it.
"Once you put furniture in there with decorations like curtains and rugs, it really displays what the home could be. It brings a whole new perspective to potential residents. It broadens what people can see in the potential of a room," he said.
If current residents or Soldiers living off post wish to see what the house has to offer in terms of decoration, they can take a tour of the home by visiting the Bowden Terrace Community Center to see the house.
"If residents want to check out what AAFES has to offer in terms of decoration they are always welcome to call or visit to schedule a viewing," said Masters, adding that the hours of the community center are Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. "The home provides an opportunity for people to go in and see a home decorated with furniture and other furnishings like rugs and curtains. Soldiers can visit to get inspired to decorate their own home," said Masters.
Picerne previously would show Families coming to Fort Rucker a home that was currently unoccupied, but with this permanent model home it gives Picerne a more convenient way to show off homes.
"It gives them a feel for the home and our products before moving in. Now we always have an open home for people to view, and this home is one of the more common layouts so potential residents can get a real feel of what they could live in," he said.
Picerne, according to Masters, always wants residents to be satisfied with their choice of living on post and this home makes the choice less stressful on everyone.
"I think it can give them that sense of satisfaction when they make the final decision. We always want them to look at it positively and say, You know what, we made the right decision. This is the right thing to do," he said.
The home can also be used for tours when Fort Rucker receives a military or high-ranking government official.
"When we have congressional staffers or mayors and visitors of that nature that want to check out what the military housing is like we will always be prepared to receive guests, even at the last minute," said Masters.
The home reflects the lives of a fictional Family and the team that put the house together looked at all the minute details to convince viewers that this is a home that they would be comfortable living in.
"We created an entire story with the project. The wife is pregnant with a boy and just had a baby shower. So we decorated the dining room up with presents and a chair is pulled out where the wife would be sitting filling out thank you cards. Dinner for the night is sushi and the father, a W01 in flight school learning how to pilot Apaches, is in the living room eating popcorn with the couple's young daughter who is deciding which fairytale-princess movie to watch," said Masters.
The project's background story is intended to make viewers feel welcome and have a realistic view of the home.
"When you walk in it is as if we have frozen a moment in their lives. We wanted to make sure that both [AAFES and Picerne's] visions were met. There are photos around the house depicting the Family and even spilled milk on the table. A lot of effort has gone into this feature to make the experience as realistic as possible," said Masters.
The collaboration took almost a year to complete with the concept being developed by Picerne's design team in Rhode Island.
"Our team viewed what AAFES had available online and through catalogs, selecting various furniture pieces and the project began to come together," said Masters, adding that he was "thrilled with the outcome. AAFES has great products and it really shows in the home, and I think our design team did a great job showcasing their material."
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