Things are moving at warp speed at the Homearama Showhouse, and we have a lot of updates since last week—especially now that fixtures, cabinets, and countertops are being installed. On the front porch the focal point of the rustic, vaulted ceiling is finally up: a statement light from Restoration Hardware. It was a splurge (we joined their trade program for a 20% discount), but it looks incredible and sets the tone before you step inside.
When we visited yesterday the crew was beginning to remove the protective floor coverings, and the hardwoods were still dusty while a final sealant coat goes on today. Dust aside, the photo captures the impressive wall of windows and doors at the back of the living room that opens onto the covered porch.
The kitchen is still a work in progress—you can even see the vent hood being installed below—but we wanted to share a wider shot of the navy island with those brass accordion fixtures we showed last week. The island is painted Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore, matching the fireplace column across the room. The builder had made a smaller island in a previous home and the feedback was “go bigger,” so this time he obliged. We can’t wait to add four stools and complete the look.
It was fun to see selections we’d only seen in showrooms come to life, like the glass x-front cabinets flanking the range hood. We skipped open shelving in this kitchen but wanted a few display cabinets to show off nice dishes, bowls, and glassware.
To the left of the kitchen is the breakfast nook, which ended up larger than anticipated and took some creative shaping. Carpenter John (not to be confused with Builder John or me) helped make the space feel cozier after plans expanded slightly to improve kitchen alignment and the view from the back of the house. There’s still a table to be built and shelves to fill, but it’s coming together—especially now that the silver dome light donated by Shades of Light is hung.
Adjacent to the nook is the walk-in pantry, a seriously envy-inducing space. We joked about filling it with candy like Willy Wonka’s store. The prism flushmount light, also from Shades of Light, has a geometric shape we like to pretend is a nod to our love of bees.
In the boys’ room we chose patterned carpet to be a little different from plain carpet—the rest of the house has hardwoods except for the two kids’ rooms and the guest room. We selected the Revere pattern by Stanton through our local supplier, ProSource. Installation was underway when we visited.
The en-suite bathroom is a work zone at the moment but already inspiring. We treated this room like a hotel-like, luxe, light getaway, using tone-on-tone whites and grays with a few unexpected color accents that will appear now and later with art and accessories. The freestanding tub is a major focal point and, frankly, a dream for us—Sherry can hardly stop admiring it.
To add color without overpowering the space, we installed a spa-like field of blue-green glass tiles on the shower’s back wall. The shower is still in progress—floorless and doorless for now—and a mirror was leaning in there when we visited.
The blue-green glass tiles are the New Haven 3 x 12″ tile and the sides are 3 x 6″ white subway tiles, both provided by The Tile Shop. We picked the shower floor—Evanston series in Frost Snow—from the same vendor; their small glass and marble squares help tie the whole room together.
Instead of choosing classic all-white marble for the vanity counters, we picked a stone with soft seaglass veins that complement the shower tiles. All fixtures are polished chrome. The glass chandelier came from Shades of Light, sink faucets and shower trim were donated by Brizo, and the tub filler by Delta.
Across from the bathroom is the closet, another enviable space. We gave the carpenter a few guidelines and then let him design the layout. For context, there’s a his-and-hers area with a storage-filled divider, which is easier to understand with the floor plan from our prior post about showhouse plans.
He included smart features such as an angled shoe rack that will delight anyone who loves organized storage. The closet layout is efficient and packed with thoughtful touches.
We also peeked into the jack-and-jill bathroom shower, which serves the kids’ rooms. We planned wider shots, but a headboard awaiting paint and a spare toilet were temporarily stored in the bathroom, blocking our view. Still, the shower tile is a highlight: two types of colored glass subway tiles set in broad, roughly 12″-wide stripes.
We tested several tile combinations at The Tile Shop—including frost white & gloss white, gray & white, green & white, and blue & gray—and ultimately chose the Snow Glass and Glass Winter pairing. The contrast in stripe colors gives the space a playful, modern edge.
To add a bit of fun to the kids’ bathroom, we installed a Kohler Moxie showerhead with a waterproof Bluetooth speaker that magnetically attaches and stays close while the shower sprays around it. It’s a cheeky upgrade that makes morning routines more enjoyable.
We’re scheduled to begin moving furniture in next week, so our next update should show the house feeling much more lived-in. The plan is to have everything furnished and decorated by early April, which is a tight timeline and has us a little frazzled—but excited to see it all come together.
Psst – Wanna see more showhouse info & photos? Check out our full showhouse tour, which includes final pictures of every room, the floor plan, budget details, a video walk-through, and the showhouse furniture and accessories.