Making Fantasy A Reality: How A Homebuilder Used Windows To Make A Movie House Come To Life

If you love animated movies, the movie Up is probably on the list of ones you must not miss. For some lucky fans, the movie is their reality with an Up-themed home. A homebuilder made sure to replicate every little detail, from the windows to the mailbox outside.

In 2009, moviegoers were treated to a new story from Disney/Pixar. Movie watchers were instantly drawn into the story, which centered around an elderly man who uses thousands of helium balloons to lift his home into the air on the way to South America to fulfill a dream that he had with his deceased wife. The story is a sweet one and the house takes center stage as viewers watch it float through the air on its journey to South America. When a Utah area homebuilder had the idea to pay homage to the film with a life size replica of the building, Disney/Pixar gave an unprecedented approval after two years of discussions.

How The Exterior, Including Windows, Sets The First Impression

Throughout the movie, the home looks depressed, with the windows in sad shape and the colors dull. This wasn't the impression homebuilders wanted to make with the life size replica so the builder used bright, sunny colors like baby blue, sunny yellow, lime green and other beautiful colors that showed off what the building looked in its prime. Because the builder wanted it to have a great exterior and be energy efficient, they turned to a local window replacement company for advice. The window replacement company helped the builder determine which windows fit the whimsical feel of the house. Additional outdoor touches like Carl and Ellie's mailbox, the weather vane and even the garden hose reel help complete the look.

How The Inside Continues The Experience

Even though the house was built in 2011, the builders took great care to replicate the inside, as well as the outside. In the movie, Ellie the wife, paints murals above the fireplace and in the room that she hopes will someday belong to a baby. The real life home has these same murals, but the details don't stop there. The photos that line the staircase feature the characters from the movie and the furniture is modeled after the style of the 1950s. Even the kitchen is decorated in a retro look, with shiny, baby blue appliances. Although everything is designed to look old-fashioned, the house couples old-fashioned charm with modern amenities like a high efficiency washer and dryer.

What The Home Did For The Local Economy

In 2011, the building sold for 400,000 to a couple who planned to make it their home. However, before the house was ever sold, more than 45,000 people toured the house through the Salt Lake City Parade of Homes. The building brought people to the local area from all over the country, which increased the area's tourism and inspired the local government to pass a resolution honoring the building. Additionally, touches like the energy efficient windows and high efficiency appliances mean that the home's carbon footprint is reduced.

The house became privately owned in 2011 and therefore isn't open to tours, but homeowners who want to experience the charm of an older home with the efficiency of a new one can ask the builder for an Up-style home. Although it won't be painted with the movie's cheery colors or be full of 1950s furniture, owners can have their own piece of movie history.