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25 Feb 2021

House Tours

Everyone Loves a Parade

Parade of Homes home

Looks can be deceiving. Built on a ravine lot, this is a one-story house with over 5,000 square feet. It has 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and a full, finished daylight basement. There is no second floor, except above the garage where you have an attic area for storage. Built by Stonebridge Construction Company, it was my favorite.

Trends in our area

Open floor plans
Vaulted/coffered/tray/9-foot ceilings
Skylights
Hardwood/tile/carpeted floors
Stone on interior walls and fireplaces
Paneling and custom trim
Built-ins
Granite countertops in kitchens and baths
Farmhouse/undermount sinks
Stainless steel appliances
Rooms prewired for sound
Soaking tubs and large, separate showers
First-floor laundry rooms
Home theaters
Sunrooms and covered porches
Three-car garages
Carriage house garage doors
Sprinkler systems

Touring houses in a Parade of Homes is a good way to see the latest in design and building trends.

It’s always interesting for Tom and me to see how our little house measures up, what needs to be updated, or what new ideas we can use to improve what we already have.

The parade this year featured 15 new houses constructed by 11 area builders. There was something for everyone with homes of all styles, sizes, and price ranges.

The new houses followed current trends and jived somewhat with what you hear the house hunters on HGTV always say they want—open concept, stainless steel, granite, hardwood floors, and double vanities. One surprise. We didn’t expect to see wall-to-wall carpeting anywhere. Yet, there it was. Even in the more upscale homes, bedrooms were carpeted.

Current trends

Dining room

Polished hardwood floors in main living areas with a tray ceiling above the dining table.

Paneling

White, painted Craftsman-style paneling. If you want paneled walls for your home, you can easily do something similar yourself. Read more

Window trim

Custom woodwork—wider baseboard and trim around windows and doors—and crown molding.

Living room

Vaulted ceiling . . . stone interior wall with craftsman-style windows . . . custom built-ins . . . and a massive natural stone fireplace trimmed in custom millwork to match the built-ins.

Kitchen

Great for entertaining—living area flows into a large eat-in kitchen with plenty of storage and counter space, granite countertops, stainless appliances, and a farmhouse sink. White cabinets stretch to the ceiling. The center island has a dark stain and custom table for four (or five).

Beveled subway tile backsplash

White beveled subway tile backsplash and under cabinet lighting.

Paneling in den

In the den (or home office), millwork paneling, custom window trim, and crown molding are stained a rich cherry.

Skylights in a living room

In another, smaller house—vaulted ceiling with skylights and a natural stone fireplace. To the left of the fireplace, custom built-ins were especially designed to house a large-screen TV.

Carpeted living room

A wall of windows lets in plenty of light and casts shadows on the wall-to-wall carpeting.

Ceramic tile and carpeting

Ceramic tile plank flooring in the foyer with extra-wide closet door.

Wrought iron balusters on stairs

Wrought iron balusters on the open stairway to the basement level.

Quirky wallhangings in half bath

Quirky wall hanging in first-floor laundry room.

Basement theater room

Dedicated home theater in the basement.

Smaller kitchen

Full-sized basement kitchen with granite, undermount sink, and basic stainless steel appliances. Many of the finished basements were mirror images of the main floors and could easily be used as large mother-in-law suites . . . or homes for small families . . . or rental income, if zoning permits.

Living room with stone fireplace

A natural stone fireplace and wall-to-wall carpeting define the living room in this small open concept area.

Kitchen with stone island and backsplash

The open concept includes dining space and a galley kitchen. A natural stone breakfast bar and backsplash match the living room’s fireplace. There is ceramic tile flooring . . . stainless appliances and range hood. . . and just enough room for a small dining table.

Master bath

Master bath with garden tub, glass block window, and tumbled marble on floor and walls.

Safety pin sculpture in laundry room

Another quirky wall hanging—a safety pin sculpture in laundry room.

« Crock-Pot Sour Cream and Bacon Chicken
Light and Fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes »

More to explore and enjoy . . .

  • Downsizing for $4.3 Million
  • Lovely Down Under
  • Maine Island Home
  • Tiny Gardener's Cottage
  • From Little to Luxurious Loft
  • Sisse's Fab Farmhouse
  • Cozy Little Guest House
  • Everyone Loves a Parade
  • Going Green
  • Cabin in the Woods
  • Sarah's Country Home
  • Old Garage Upcycled
  • Living Like a Star
  • Cottage Charm at the Beach
  • Stunning West Seattle Redo

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Patricia and TomHi there! Tom and I are two empty nesters who decided to downsize and simplify our lives—lose the clutter and drama, travel a little, laugh a lot, sit back, and enjoy the simple pleasures life has to offer. Read more

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Home

House Tours

  • Cottage Charm at the Beach
  • Cabin in the Woods
  • Cozy Little Guest House
  • Tiny Gardener's Cottage
  • From Little to Luxurious Loft
  • Sarah's Country Home
  • Everyone Loves a Parade
  • Maine Island Home
  • Sisse's Fab Farmhouse
  • Stunning West Seattle Redo
  • Old Garage Upcycled
  • Lovely Down Under
  • Living Like a Star
  • Going Green
  • Downsizing for $4.3 Million

view all house tours ...

Daisy in field

Simplify Simplify Simplify

For some time now I’ve been walking around with three words at the top of my To Do List—simplify simplify simplify. I know it’s just one ... continue reading ...

Trips and travels

Our Trips & Travels

Hand-carved, Great Northern steam engine by Ernest Warther.

When in Dover, Don’t Miss This

Sometimes the most amazing treasures can be found right in your own backyard.

Where the deer and the antelope roam.
Hand-carved, Great Northern steam engine by Ernest Warther.
American bison resting in Yellowstone National Park.
Buffalo Bill Reservoir.

view all trips ...

AWARD 2015 WINNERFlipkey

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