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Popular Brick Selections for Custom Homes | Travars Built Homes

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At Travars Built Homes, every detail matters. That’s why we guide our homeowners through thoughtful selections — like brick — that shape the timeless beauty and character of their new home.
Brick is more than just a material choice. It’s a statement of style, durability, and classic charm, crafted to complement the design vision you’re building with us.

Here’s a look at some of the most popular brick selections our homeowners have chosen, featured in recent Travars Built Homes builds across central North Carolina:

1. Oyster Bay – Subtle, Coastal Elegance

For those drawn to softer neutrals, Oyster Bay brick is a standout choice. In our Teesdale home, it provides a breezy, coastal-inspired look with gentle variations of white and gray.

This muted, sandy palette pairs easily with both warm and cool color schemes, offering flexibility for shutters, trim, and accents — perfect for homeowners who appreciate understated sophistication.

2. Washed White – Bright and Timeless

The East Haven home brings a fresh take on classic white brick. The soft, washed finish offers a welcoming brightness, pairing beautifully with the home’s traditional lines and modern touches.

Washed White brick creates a relaxed, timeless feel that looks equally stunning in farmhouse, cottage, and transitional home styles — a versatile favorite among custom homebuyers.

Full Brick Custom Home in NC

3. Santa Fe – Warm and Richly Layered

The Amherst home showcases the earthy richness of Santa Fe brick. With its warm reds,  soft paprika, sand and dark gray accents, Santa Fe creates a welcoming, grounded presence.

This can be ideal for homeowners who want to highlight the connection between their home and its natural surroundings.  This brick style adds depth, character, and a touch of traditional Southern charm.

4. Evelyn Bay – Soft Sophistication

At the Holly Fern home, Evelyn Bay brick blends creamy whites and gentle grays into a soft, sophisticated exterior. It offers a slightly more structured and polished finish compared to some rustic styles, while still maintaining a handcrafted, approachable feel.

This choice has become increasingly popular for homeowners seeking a fresh, transitional look that stands the test of time.

Crafting a Home That’s Uniquely Yours

When you build with Travars Built Homes, every selection — from your brick to your layout — is guided by personal conversations and expert advice.

Whether you’re drawn to bright and airy whites, natural earth tones, or coastal-inspired blends, we’ll walk you through the options that fit your vision and bring lasting beauty to your home.

Explore more inspiration in our Photo Tours

Ready to start planning your custom home? Let’s talk.

    Things to do with Kids in Pittsboro NC

    Posted by Travars Built Homes on

    An amazing local play, walk, sports and splash park is now open in Pittsboro! Knights Farm Community Park has 10 acres of fun opportunities.

    Creative playgrounds!

    Huge splash pad filled with water fountains to cool down summer.

    Imaginative “house” and “shop” with play spaces inside and out.

    Cool slides!

    Wide, concrete walking paths for a casual stroll.

    Picnic tables – some under a roof.

    Some with grills and water sources.

    There’s even a dog park and sports field.

    We like Knights Farm Community Park – another great Pittsboro gathering place.

    Owner’s suite bathroom design: How to create the space you need for your new home in NC

    Posted by Travars Built Homes on

    How to arrange the bath in your NC new home.

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    Bathroom Layout #1: Little Treatments – Big Statement

    Pineterest and Houzz worthy results like this come from creative custom choices: Mirrors. Lighting. Sinks. Drawers. Little touches transform, with design build Travars Built Homes.

    White and Black Tile Bathroom | Mebane NC New Homes

    Bathroom Layout #2: Comfort and Closet

    Spacious tile shower with glass. Stand alone tub with window view. Wood look tile. Nearby closet with custom shelving and natural light. What would you like to surround yourself with, in your owner’s suite bath?

    Wendell North Carolina New Homes | Large Tile Shower
    Freestanding white tub and large tile shower in the Owner’s Suite bath.

    Bathroom Layout #3: Shared Space That Feels Private

    Separate sinks, cabinets and drawers. Lantern lights. Personal sized mirrors. How much space does your floor plan have for your vanity? What look would you like?

    Chapel Hill Modern Farmhouse | White Dual Vanity

    Bathroom Layout #4: Mixing Textures and Styles with Unexpected Barn Doors

    Opaque glass framed with antique white can give a barn door a light, airy feel, like this. What a great way to make a doorway feel more important – and add contrast to the bold tile and contemporary choices.

    Chapel Hill Modern Farmhouse | Wood Sliding Barn Doors

    Bathroom Layout #5: Barely There Glass Shower Glass Across from Boldly Framed Mirror

    Frameless glass (and doorless entry) on the shower provides a contemporary open feel. Spacious, elegant and ready for relaxation.

    Accessible Shower Floor | On Your Lot Builder Chapel Hill NC

    Bathroom Layout #6: Large Shower. Deep tub

    This owner’s suite bathroom takes advantage of the ability to customize with emphasis on the importance of water. Note the blend of tiles in every part of the room. This design is all about the view – inside and out.

    Chapel Hill Modern Farmhouse | White and Gray Master Bathroom

    Bathroom Layout #7: Separate Vanities. Vaulted Ceilings

    Creating an extension of space upward can provide a feeling of spaciousness to a smaller bathroom. Adding softer tones to the tile shower, floor and tub surround adds comfort.

    Raleigh Custom Homes | Walk in Shower

    Bathroom Layout #8: Tight Fit Tricks

    When space is at a premium, focus on smaller areas to bring the eye. Lighting. Countertops. Floor. All with a modern farmhouse feel.

    En Suite Bathroom | New Homes Chapel Hill NC

    Bathroom Layout #9: Modern Old Fashioned Freestanding Tub

    Freestanding tubs are one of the most popular requests for new custom homes. Ask your builder how much space you need around the tub, and where you want the faucets.

    Chatham County NC Custom Homes | Farmhouse White Bathroom

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    7 questions to ask as you choose interior lighting for your design/build new home

    Posted by Travars Built Homes on

    There are many lighting choices for your Travars Built custom home in NC. Here’s what to keep in mind to help ensure the lights you choose can be a good fit.

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    #1 What lighting styles are your favorite? Matte black modern farmhouse? Contemporary chrome?

    It’s common to mix and match lighting styles in design/build new homes. You don’t have to pick just one!

    Kitchen Open to Living Room | On Your Lot Builder Chapel Hill NC

    #2 How much light do you need?

    How much natural light is available through windows, skylights, glass doors? How much foliage is around the home? How often will shades be closed?

    Chapel Hill New Home Builder | New Homes Chapel Hill NC

    #3 Where will the light source be placed?

    Make sure the wattage and light bulb size are sufficient for the area you need to light up. Some lighting fixtures are really pretty. But they use tiny little lights. Will the lighting source be sufficient?

    #4 What are you lighting up?

    Rooms with high ceilings may need more light distribution. Screen porches may block some natural light from entering the rooms behind them.

    #5 What do you need the light for?

    Craft rooms, homework areas, informal dining areas or other specific designations may require extra lighting. Do you need a spotlight or more subtle lighting?

    #6 What materials?

    Chrome? Wood? Black metal? Copper? Crystal? It’s no longer an imperative for everything in the room to match. Faucets and doorknobs can be a very different material than lighting. The focus is more on personality and functionality than adhering to a single material.

    Chatham County NC Custom Homes | Two Story Kitchen

    #7 What is the purpose of the lighting?

    Does the entire room need to be lit up, with multiple can lights to boost lighting or would sconces (for reading), under cabinet lights (for food prep) or theater lights (along the floor or steps) be something to think about?

    Chatham County On Your Lot Builder | Chatham New Homes

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    New home trends: Best hardwood flooring for pets

    Posted by Travars Built Homes on

    You have a lot of choices for flooring in North Carolina new homes, from hardwood to tile and carpet, as well as custom options.

    Travars Built Homes offer the highest quality features, finishes, materials and craftsmanship, including real oak hardwood flooring in every home. See what else comes, standard, here.

    All types of flooring will see some wear and tear over time. But which types of hardwood flooring stand up best to daily traffic from people and pets? Here are 10 tips for choosing hardwood flooring in NC new homes:

    North Carolina New Homes | Hardwood Flooring Trends

    Hardwood flooring tip #1:  Soft woods cost more — and provide less protection

    If you want to avoid flooring that dents easiest, avoid American Cherry, American Walnut, and Pine. Better versions of these hardwoods for a harder surface? Brazilian Cherry and Walnut.

    Hardwood flooring tip #2: Consider a Harder Hardwood

    Hickory, Brazilian Cherry and other hardwoods rank high on the Janka scale.  They come with a premium price, but  are much harder than the 3/8 “hardwood” flooring most builders use. Travars Built Homes uses ¾ solid oak hardwood – a much higher quality wood with more resistance to wear and tear than most new homes start with.

    North Carolina New Homes | Hardwood Flooring Trends

    Hardwood flooring tip #3: Strong grains can hide more scratches

    Red oak has a stronger grain than white oak. Red oak, 1290 on the hardness scale, hides scratches better than Brazilian Cherry, which is 2350 on the Janka scale. 

    Hardwood flooring tip #4: Hand Scraped and Distressed Hardwoods provide modern rustic character that makes wear look appealing

    The more wear you put on these hardwoods, the more realistic they look. Knots and other character traits also give “real hardwoods” a natural look that feels comfortable and welcoming.

    Contact Travars Built Homes to get a price for your NC new home build.

    Hardwood flooring tip #5: Mask imperfections with a Matte Finish

    Ask your builder to use a matte finish on your site finished hardwood floors. Glossy finishes will be more reflective – and imperfections more glaring.

    North Carolina New Homes | Hardwood Flooring Trends

    Hardwood flooring tip #6: Light stains hide scratches best

    Another great characteristic of oak hardwood flooring is that it’s already a naturally light wood. The stain shade you choose can make a difference in how much scratches show, with lighter hues hiding more scarring than dark colors. lighter hue on the stain you choose And if you’ve chosen oak, a naturally light wood, even if the finish is scratched off the scratch is more likely to blend with the rest of the floor.

    Hardwood flooring tip #7: Solid Hardwoods have long lasting qualities

    Site finished solid hardwood flooring can be refinished. So if you feel like freshening up your woods in a few years, either because you’d like it to look new or want to change the color, you can simply sand it and restain it, at a much lower cost than replacing the entire floor like you’d need to do with an inexpensive laminate.

    North Carolina New Homes | Hardwood Flooring Trends

    Hardwood flooring tip #8: The bamboo effect

    Bamboo can be beautiful, but it’s not always the best choice for a floor that will have a lot of people and pet traffic. Stained bamboo can scratch very easily. Although it is technically stronger than oak, dents show up more easily. Strand bamboo costs more than carmelized bamboo, but can hold up better. 

    Hardwood flooring tip #9: Furniture Felt Pads can prevent heavy scraping

    Using felt pads under furniture (even with wheels) can protect your floors. Scattered rugs can also protect areas with heavy traffic, such as doorways, hallways, kitchen aisles and gathering places.

    Hardwood flooring tip #10: Leave your shoes at the door

    Still love soft woods best? Create a space where shoes go as people enter your home, to avoid scarring caused by pebbles, dirt and high heels. Custom built-in shelving, drop zones or even just a corner on the floor reserved for shoes can help your floors stay cleaner and less worn.

    North Carolina New Homes | Hardwood Flooring Trends

    Contact Travars Built Homes to find out more about building your new construction custom home in North Carolina.

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    5 easy steps to get an NC custom home price quote

    Posted by Travars Built Homes on

    Building a custom home is very different from purchasing a new or existing home. You often won’t find set pricing online because custom home builders need to know a few details to provide a quote you can count on.

    Here are the 5 easy steps we walk through with you, so you can get a personalized custom home quote with 10 pages of details.

    Step 1: Call Travars Built Homes at 919-740-7536. We can cover a lot about what you’d like to do in a ten minute conversation. And check here for quick answers to common custom home building questions.

    NC Custom Home Photo Tours

    Step 2: Email. Send the names of floor plans you’re interested in knowing more about. Need ideas? Request house plans, here.

    If you own a lot, send the address, plot plan, soil determinations, improvement permits, community covenants and anything else that can help us provide you with the most precise information possible.

    Step 3: Come to your 30 minute no obligation custom home consultation. We’ll go over the details in your 10 page custom home pricing quote. Take it home. Make notes on the things you’d like to consider changing, such as floor plan modifications. Email your questions so we can provide even more information.

    Farmhouse Kitchen Island | Mebane NC New Homes

    Step 4: Meet with Travars Built Homes at your lot for your free onsite lot assessment, where you’ll learn what it takes to build at your homesite. Find out about everything about your location that impacts build costs – before you sign your purchase agreement. Still looking for the right lot? We can help with your search, too.

    Step 5: Read more about what makes Travars Built Homes unique, and meet one more time to go over the details in your final quote for the floor plan you want to build. We can cover any modifications discussed at your initial custom home consultation, and site work specific to your homesite. Your build costs are locked in with your purchase agreement!

    Wendell North Carolina New Homes

    Interested in a custom home quote? Contact Travars Built Homes. We will show you everything that comes included – and the flexibility you have for personalization – when you build your new home on your lot or neighborhood in central NC.

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    What you can learn at a custom home consultation (cost, quality, and scope)

    Posted by Travars Built Homes on

    A price quote and design meeting from a custom home builder is very different from semi-custom and production builders.

    You’ll know which builder is best for your new home within minutes of sitting with Travars Built Homes at your custom home consultation. Quickly see how you can be more informed, involved, and creative, in just 5 easy steps.

    During your custom home consultation, we’ll show you:

    – What your floor plan costs – and ways to save money

    – Features, finishes and the flexibility for choices

    – What you can customize, modify and change

    – How long it will take to build

    – Who takes care of permits, blueprints and site work

    Mebane NC New Homes | White Farmhouse Exterior

    Our homebuyers often tell us they are amazed and excited about the depth of detail we provide – including build aspects nobody else has told them about.

    The quote we provide is extremely precise – and our pricing has never been beat, apples to apples, by any comparable home builder.

    The accuracy of our award winning proprietary estimating system will help ensure you know everything possible that it takes to build your new home, including next steps – your on site lot assessment with the builder – even before you purchase land or sign a purchase agreement with Travars Built Homes.

    Your personal pricing package provides peace of mind, with the strength and comfort of our high quality materials and craftsmanship in writing. No hidden costs. No unnecessary surprises.

    Request a custom home consultation:

      Do you own a lot?
      Yes, I own a lotNo, but I have a lot in mindNo, I'd like help finding a lot

      Location:
      PittsboroDurhamChapel HillAnother Location in NCI am not building in NC

      Build Budget:
      400 - 450K450 - 500K500 - 600K600 - 700K700 - 800K800 - 900K900K+

      11 Best bathroom layouts for your new home

      Posted by Travars Built Homes on

      Get owner’s suite bathroom ideas with practical solutions and beautiful options to make the best use of space in your custom home floor plan.

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      These 11 owner’s suite bath layouts for your NC new home can change everything, as you customize your floor plan and build on your lot with Travars Built Homes.

      Bathroom Layout #1: Single long vanity

      If your floor plan has the space for a single long vanity, a 7′ granite countertop can provide enough room for two sinks and space to spread out. A single piece of granite can be as long as 10′ without a seam.

      White Modern Farmhouse Bathrooms | Mebane NC New Homes

      Bathroom Layout #2: Closet through the bath

      A big walk in closet with lots of shelving and rods – and easy access to the bathroom – makes plans with a closet through the bath a popular choice.

      Wendell North Carolina New Homes | Freestanding Tub

      Bathroom Layout #3: Tiny touches with designer appeal

      When you build on your lot with NC custom home builder Travars Built Homes, you can personalize your owner’s suite bathroom with lights, mirrors, cabinetry, tile and other customization that adds a fun designer touch – without a big price tag.

      Chapel Hill Modern Farmhouse

      Bathroom Layout #4: Barn doors

      The owner’s suite bathroom is a great place for barn doors in a variety of styles and materials. Choices depend on the door opening and available wall space for barn doors to slide. What a great way to maximize maneuverability, without a swinging door.

      Chapel Hill Modern Farmhouse | Owners Suite Bath

      Bathroom Layout #5: Frameless shower

      Want a way to make your owner’s suite bathroom layout look even more open? Consider a frameless shower, like this. The marble countertop here adds artistry, too.

      Chatham County New Homes | First Floor Owners Suite Bath

      Bathroom Layout #6: Large shower and deep tub

      Looking for the luxury of a deep tub and large shower? Travars Built Homes offers a variety of custom home floor plans – and modifications – that provide extra space in the owner’s suite bathroom – to create leisurely master suite retreats that allow you to linger and relax.

      Chapel Hill Modern Farmhouse | White Gray Bathroom

      Bathroom Layout #7: Big shower instead of a tub

      Don’t need a soaking tub? Focus on floor plans with a big shower – or ask for ways to modify the owner’s suite bathroom with a massive shower instead of a combined or separate shower and tub in NC new homes.

      Bathroom Layout #8: Vaulted ceiling

      A vaulted ceiling can add a feeling of spaciousness, when the roofline allows it in one story home or two story homes with the owner’s suite upstairs. Ask your build on your lot general contractor what’s possible in your plan.

      Raleigh Custom Homes | First Floor Owners Suite Bath

      Bathroom Layout #9: Best use of compact spaces

      Custom home owner’s suite bathroom sizes are designed in a wide variety of sizes, with typical square footage between 10-12 feet x 12-15 feet. Tighter spaces call for more creative tucking with your designer – like this.

      Wendell North Carolina New Homes | En Suite Master Bath

      Bathroom Layout #10: Freestanding tubs

      The romance of a freestanding tub has become a top requested upgrade in new homes. Touted as more open and comfortable, freestanding tubs can also require a few more inches of space.

      Wendell North Carolina New Homes | Large Tile Shower

      Bathroom Layout #11: Open space

      Most master bathrooms allow for about 10′ of width to accommodate typical vanities, tub, shower, and maneuverability. Talk with the NC custom home builders at Travars Built Homes about what it takes to build in more options.
       

      Chatham County NC Custom Homes | Farmhouse White Bathroom

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      How to Build a Modern Farmhouse in North Carolina

      Posted by Travars Built Homes on

      “Modern Farmhouse” conjures a feeling of peaceful countryside living. But in a traditional sense, this popular architectural style adapts the term “farmhouse” loosely.

      Looking for modern farmhouse builders? Travars Built Homes can build a custom farmhouse on your lot in North Carolina. Here’s how:

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      A Modern Farmhouse is actually one of the most adaptable architectural styles, with the flexibility to invoke touches of urban, contemporary, traditional and industrial effects, on a palate that can be easily personalized with your own whimsey – like this:

      White and Black Modern Farmhouse Bath | Mebane NC New Homes

      Add a touch of Shiplap walls. Hint of cedar. Traditional brick fireplace surround. (Or a wide variety of other outdoorsy touches.)

      Brick Fireplace Built Ins | Mebane NC New Homes

      Nothing says “Modern Farmhouse” better than white board and batt. Metal roof accents. Black framed windows.

      Mebane NC New Homes | White Farmhouse Exterior

      Carry that theme inside, with back to back to basics simplicity in white and black kitchens designed for home cooking.

      Chatham County NC Custom Homes | Two Story Kitchen

      Modern Farmhouse kitchens get a lot of attention, as a great place to combine contemporary and urban appeal, with ample space to create.

      Chatham County New Homes | Farmhouse Kitchen

      Be clever with black hanging lights when you design your Modern Farmhouse feel. Consider creating a sense of support structure, with cedar wood beams in the ceiling.

      Chatham County New Homes | Beam Ceiling

      Another mix of architectural styles in Modern Farmhouses is the industrial look of metal to add functionality and style, like sliding barn door accents with black light fixture tie-ins.

      Chatham County New Homes | First Floor Owner Suite

      Consider the artistry of hand painted look like these faux wood gray framed mirrors, set amongst lantern style lights. Can you name the 3 architectural styles that blend into this small space?

      Chapel Hill Modern Farmhouse

      Like the look of black framed windows that’s a signature look on many Modern Farmhouse exteriors? Carry that through to the glass in your bathrooms, for a bold, contemporary feel.

      Farmhouse Bathroom | NC Homebuilder

      Take your time looking at tile choices – what you do with your floors can add a lot of personality to small spaces. See how different a laundry room can look with a black and white pattern like this:

      Chapel Hill Modern Farmhouse | NC Homebuilder

      Versus a black and white tile floor pattern like this. (Note the open storage spaces, too, that are also a big trend in Modern Farmhouse new homes in NC.

      Laundry Mudroom Door to Master Closet | Mebane NC New Homes

      Ask your NC custom home builder how many places you can add built-in storage centers, cabinets and closets. You might be surprised at the flexibility you have when you design build your new home with a builder like Travars Built Homes.

      Built In Cabinets Walk In Closet | Mebane NC New Homes

      Drop zones are a huge draw for every architectural style of new homes – and a must for a Modern Farmhouse feel. How big do you want it to be? What kind of tuck away access do you want it to have?

      Raleigh Custom Homes | Built in Drop Zone

      Bathrooms are one of the best places to mix architectural styles to achieve today’s Modern Farmhouse appeal – like this blend of quaint and classic, with a barn style framed mirror, trough sink and chrome faucets.

      White and Black Bathrooms | Mebane NC New Homes

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      9 big kitchen island styles

      Posted by Travars Built Homes on

      Large kitchen islands are a great place for gatherings: Food. Hobbies. Homeschool. Projects. Here are 9 photos of popular NC 2021 home design trends to help choose your next kitchen island.

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      Kitchen Island Design Tip #1: Placement

      This Chef’s Kitchen designed by Chatham County new home builder Travars Built Homes is designed to provide as much working space as possible, with a massive kitchen island, cabinetry and countertops.

      Questions To Ask NC Home Builders

      Kitchen Island Design Tip #2: Size

      Island kitchen floor plans separate countertop space from the rest of the kitchen, to increase its potential to be used for a variety of purposes.

      Modern Farmhouse Kitchen | Mebane NC New Homes

      Kitchen Island Design Tip #3: Design

      This kitchen island was designed to be noticed, with a look all its own as the focal point of the room. The ability to create the look you’d like is a great benefit of working with a creative team in design build custom homes.

      Wendell North Carolina New Homes

      Kitchen Island Design Tip #4: Style

      Your sink choice can make a big difference in the appeal of your kitchen island. Apron sinks (also known as Farmhouse sinks) are especially popular in 2021 new home design trends.

      Wendell North Carolina New Homes

      Kitchen Island Design Tip #5: Lighting

      The pendants you choose for your lighting are especially important over the island. They serve as a punctuation of your architectural style and highlight everything in your design build new home.

      2021 home design trends

      Kitchen Island Design Tip #6: Seating

      Tuck under seating is the choice made most often for big kitchen islands in 2021 home design trends. The ability to place bar stools out of the way when not in use provides a feeling of functionality and great use of space.

      2021 home design trends

      Kitchen Island Design Tip #7: Purpose

      This formal kitchen island exudes elegance in design build custom homes, with a furniture look that draws the living area further into the kitchen – an inviting look of luxury that increases importance.

      Chapel Hill Modern Farmhouse | White Kitchen

      Kitchen Island Design Tip #8: Color

      This kitchen island blends beautifully into extended gathering areas with its muted tones that create a sense of comfortable informality. It’s one of the most requested styles in island kitchen floor plans.

      Chatham County New Homes | Kitchen Open to Living Room

      Kitchen Island Design Tip #9: Surface

      The surface material you choose for your kitchen island can be just about anything in a design build custom home. Granite. Quartz. Marble. Tile. Wood. Recycled glass. Cement. There are a lot of possibilities to explore in 2021 home design trends.

      2021 home design trends

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