The Traditions Club, a new community in Bryan, Texas, located five miles from the campus of Texas A&M University, has been selected by Southern Living magazine as the site of a 2006 Idea House. A press conference was held at the site of the Idea House, which is currently under construction, in January to announce details of the project and provide a sneak peek of the majestic home.

The Southern Living Idea House at Traditions will be open for tours from June through early November and will be featured in the August 2006 issue of Southern Living magazine. A majority of the proceeds from tours of the home will benefit St. Joseph Foundation of Bryan, which will provide volunteers. One of three 2006 Idea Houses, readers have an opportunity to see Southern Living style up close and personal by touring the home, which will provide an abundance of ideas for homeowners.

"St. Joseph Foundation is honored to be selected as the charity for this new and exciting and endeavor for the Brazos Valley," said M.L. "Red" Cashion, Chairperson for St. Joseph Foundation. "To share in the planning and implementation with Southern Living and Traditions for a Southern Living Idea House is a joy and a challenge, and we look forward to the many opportunities this project presents."

The Southern Living Idea House at Traditions consists of multiple structures, all inspired by regional Texas architecture and linked by a series of glass-filled halls and paths tucked into a spectacular site. The four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath home includes outdoor dining and living areas overlooking the pool and spa area with a view of the golf course, a two-story family room with an over-size fireplace crafted from native stone, and a private master wing.

"The Idea House feature in the August issue is always a favorite with our readers," said John Floyd, editor in chief of Southern Living . "I’m sure this incredible home will strike a chord with our loyal audience in Texas, as well as the rest of the South."

The Traditions Club features a championship Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus II co-designed golf course and state-of-the-art Aggie Golf Learning Center. The course and Learning Center are home to the Texas A&M University’s Men’s and Women’s golf teams. In addition to championship golf, the community of Traditions offers both homes and home sites. Available homes range from luxurious condominiums and garden homes to large estate homes.

"Traditions is already a very special place for both members and property owners who have decided to make it their home," said John Jordan, General Manager of Traditions. "Bryan is a relatively small town filled with people who share common values and interests. I think those who come to the area for the first time because of the Southern Living Idea House will be as drawn to our community as my family and I have been."

"Not only will the Traditions community benefit from the huge exposure that the Idea House will provide," said Bob Kolb, President of the Melrose Company, "but so will the city of Bryan and Texas A&M University. Attracting Southern Living magazine and a 2006 Idea House to Traditions will prove to be a significant opportunity for everyone."

Southern Living Idea Houses feature great floor plans, wonderful architectural details, and beautiful, livable interiors. Whether visitors are building, remodeling, or just looking for that one special detail to transform a room, they’ll find plenty of inspiration at a Southern Living Idea House.

"The combined talents of everyone affiliated with the Southern Living Idea House will make this a very unique home that is perfectly designed for its setting," said builder Dale Christian, owner of Jefferson Christian Custom Homes, Inc., of College Station, Texas. "I am honored to be part of this group, and I know that our end product will be something everyone will be proud of."