Get ready for an exciting journey as we unveil our latest, most ambitious project yet! We’ve embarked on designing a brand-new house, but before you imagine us packing our bags, let us clarify: this isn’t our next home, nor is it technically “ours.” In fact, it’s not even built. This venture marks a significant milestone for us, diving into the world of new construction and high-profile design, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share the details.
Currently, the site where our vision will come to life is nothing more than a serene, wooded lot, brimming with potential. It’s a true blank slate, a testament to the magic of turning raw land into a dream dwelling.
Many of you might recall our extensive Mega House Crashing tour from last year. We had the incredible opportunity to explore eight custom show homes, each meticulously crafted by a different builder and adorned by a distinct interior designer, as part of the esteemed Richmond Homearama event. That experience was truly inspiring, and now, we’re thrilled to announce that we’ve been invited to design one of the homes for their highly anticipated 2014 event! This is a dream come true, prompting squeals of delight (mostly from Sherry, I assure you).
The opportunity to contribute to Richmond Homearama is incredibly exciting, though we admit, a touch overwhelming. This project represents an entirely new frontier for us, pushing the boundaries of our expertise in several ways. We’re accustomed to renovating existing homes, so planning an entire house design from a pristine, wooded lot presents a unique challenge. This is our inaugural dive into new construction design, a process that demands a different mindset and approach compared to working within established structures. Furthermore, we’ll be designing for a future homeowner, meaning our choices must be broadly appealing yet uniquely special, rather than tailored specifically to our own tastes. Managing a budget that isn’t our own adds another layer of responsibility, requiring meticulous planning and creative solutions. And of course, the prospect of showcasing our work alongside six highly experienced and incredibly talented interior designers, who consistently deliver stunning results like those we witnessed last year, keeps us on our toes.
Despite the inherent challenges, we simply couldn’t pass up this chance to broaden our horizons and contribute to such a meaningful cause. While many of our side projects help us keep the lights on, this particular endeavor is a purely creative outlet, driven by a deeper purpose. Homearama generously compensates its designers for their year-long commitment and hard work; however, we’ve made the heartfelt decision to donate our entire design fee to Richmond’s Habitat for Humanity. This incredible organization, which Homearama itself supports through various initiatives throughout the event, aligns perfectly with our values and our desire to give back to the community. It’s an honor to transform our passion for design into tangible support for those in need, knowing that every decision we make for this show home will ultimately benefit a family seeking a place to call their own.
This project perfectly complements our ongoing goal, which we elaborated on here, to undertake ventures beyond the confines of our own homes. We believe these experiences are crucial for personal and professional growth, enabling us to explore new design philosophies, tackle different architectural styles, and refine our collaborative skills. So, when the opportunity arose, we quite literally jumped at it. Here’s a snapshot of us trying to play it cool during our initial tour of the beautiful lot where our Homearama house will soon stand proud. We’re aiming for the roof to be on by Christmas, setting the stage for the interior work to begin.
And here’s a little surprise: we’ve actually been diligently working on the floor plans for the past few weeks, even though the official event isn’t until May of next year! Among the seven custom builders participating in this year’s show, we’ve had the distinct pleasure of pairing with Biringer Builders. From our very first meeting, their team shared their initial architectural plans, and since then, our pens haven’t stopped scribbling. This collaborative process has been one of the most rewarding aspects so far. Because the house exists purely on paper at this stage, we’ve enjoyed the incredible flexibility to implement some truly exciting and impactful changes to the original floor plan. John, the principal builder, has proven to be an exceptional collaborator, enthusiastically embracing our design concepts. Whether it’s suggesting a elegant French door to enhance natural light or integrating a charming built-in bookcase with a window seat for cozy reading nooks, his responsiveness and commitment to our vision have been invaluable. He often elevates our ideas further, as evidenced by his brilliant suggestion to add a transom window above that French door, enhancing both aesthetics and light distribution. It’s truly remarkable how much easier it is to “move” walls before they’re actually constructed, optimizing every square foot for functionality and beauty.
It’s important to clarify our roles: John’s expert team at Biringer Builders will be handling all aspects of the actual construction, from the foundation to the framing and beyond. This isn’t a DIY project for us in terms of building the structure itself. Our primary responsibilities are centered around the design and aesthetic elements of the home. We are deeply involved in refining the layout and floor plan, ensuring optimal flow and functionality for modern living. Crucially, we are responsible for selecting every single finish that will define the interior spaces – this includes everything from the flooring materials (hardwood, tile, carpet), to the countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms, to the state-of-the-art appliances, sinks, and custom cabinetry. Following the structural completion, our creative energy will shift to furnishing and accessorizing the entire house, bringing each room to life with curated pieces that reflect a sophisticated yet inviting aesthetic. With John’s highly skilled carpenters, masons, and electricians at our disposal, we’re empowered to dream a bit bigger and execute more intricate design details than we might typically attempt. This elevated standard of craftsmanship is particularly fitting given our mission: to create a truly special home that will generate significant interest and, in turn, raise as much money as possible for Habitat for Humanity. We are fully committed to pouring our hearts and souls into making this house an unforgettable showcase of design, purpose, and quality.
Between now and next May, when Richmond Homearama officially opens its doors to the public, we promise to keep you thoroughly updated on every fascinating detail as this house takes shape. You can look forward to exclusive sneak peeks, in-depth discussions about the final floor plans, and comprehensive guides to all the finishes we’re selecting, from elegant tile choices to sophisticated paint palettes. We’ll also bring you along for the crucial decorating decisions that will transform each room into a functional and beautiful space. This journey is incredibly exciting, especially since it allows us to implement design ideas and features that we don’t necessarily have the space for in our own home – a prime example being the much-anticipated walk-in pantry, a true dream come true for any home chef!
So, there you have it – the big secret we’ve been expertly juggling pretty much since we moved. The cat is officially out of the bag! We sincerely hope you’ll cross your fingers for us and send some good vibes our way. This is our first time participating in an event of this magnitude, and stepping onto the stage with seasoned designers who have years of Homearama experience under their belts does make us a little jittery. It’s the kind of moment that almost makes us want to pull a “Clara” and just hide under the table for a little while, seeking refuge from the spotlight…
…only to be irresistibly enticed out by the gleaming allure of pristine tile samples, which Sherry, in particular, finds utterly captivating and, as she often demonstrates, perfect for a face rub.
Update: The finished showhouse is now complete and ready for its grand reveal! For a comprehensive look at the stunning results, click here for Our Full Showhouse Tour. This exclusive gallery includes detailed final pictures of every room, the finalized floor plan, a transparent breakdown of the budget information, an immersive video walk-through, and even shoppable links for all the beautiful showhouse furniture and accessories that brought our vision to life.