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
Polished hardwood floors in main living areas with a tray ceiling above the dining table.
White, painted Craftsman-style paneling. If you want paneled walls for your home, you can easily do something similar yourself. Read more
Custom woodwork—wider baseboard and trim around windows and doors—and crown molding.
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.
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).
White beveled subway tile backsplash and under cabinet lighting.
In the den (or home office), millwork paneling, custom window trim, and crown molding are stained a rich cherry.
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.
A wall of windows lets in plenty of light and casts shadows on the wall-to-wall carpeting.
Ceramic tile plank flooring in the foyer with extra-wide closet door.
Wrought iron balusters on the open stairway to the basement level.
Quirky wall hanging in first-floor laundry room.
Dedicated home theater in the basement.
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.
A natural stone fireplace and wall-to-wall carpeting define the living room in this small open concept area.
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 with garden tub, glass block window, and tumbled marble on floor and walls.
Another quirky wall hanging—a safety pin sculpture in laundry room.
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