The Unveiling of a Dream Home: Our Homearama Showhouse Journey

For weeks, our lives have revolved entirely around the creation of this showhouse. We knew it would demand significant effort, but it’s an understatement to say we completely underestimated the immense commitment of time, energy, and, indeed, extensive shopping required to transform a 3,500 square foot blank canvas into a beautifully staged, lived-in-looking home – all within an ambitious two-week deadline. As you can well imagine, our base of operations shifted to the house, or, more accurately, we spent countless hours driving back and forth, our vehicle overflowing with carefully selected items, which we then meticulously unloaded, placed, and rearranged, only to repeat the cycle.

Beyond the Blueprint: The True Scope of Showhouse Design

For months, we meticulously selected fixtures and finishes, believing these major hurdles constituted the bulk of the design work. This proved to be a naive assumption, as we hadn’t fully grasped the sheer number of surfaces that would ultimately demand decoration and personality. While we had gradually accumulated essential items for the house since January—including significant furniture pieces, a curated selection of art, custom curtains, luxurious bedding, and a substantial collection of general accessories—our initial furniture delivery two weeks prior left most spaces looking strikingly incomplete. We had optimistically envisioned a near-finished space, but the reality was far from it. What greeted us was more akin to a vast, elegantly appointed shell, awaiting the layers that would bring it to life. This revelation was a humbling moment in our journey, underscoring the critical difference between a house with good bones and a truly finished, inviting home.

Even with the breakfast nook’s custom built-ins completed—a significant task in itself—the house felt sparse across every imaginable surface: tabletops, bathroom vanities, kitchen counters, porches, beds, and desks. A wave of minor panic set in as we surveyed the vast emptiness. However, both our builder and the experienced Homearama team quickly reassured us, affirming that we were, in fact, in excellent shape. Their guidance was simple yet daunting: we just needed to embark on an extensive shopping spree. We are incredibly grateful for having invested in a larger vehicle, as it has been consistently packed to the brim. Our best estimate suggests we’ve made nearly 20 fully-loaded trips, sourcing everything from plush pillows, elegant rugs, and unique planters to exquisite tabletop accessories, cozy bedding, engaging books, and beyond. These treasures were gathered from a diverse range of establishments, including charming small local boutiques, treasure-filled thrift shops, and expansive larger retailers, each contributing to the unique character of the home.

The Grand Shopping Expedition: Fueling the Showhouse Vision

Imagine us navigating the aisles of HomeGoods, Target, and World Market on at least four separate occasions, each visit culminating in multiple shopping carts overflowing with items. From stylish frames and decorative pillows to essential dishware and luxurious towels, no detail was overlooked. As we approached the checkout lines, we consistently offered profuse apologies to the wide-eyed cashiers, who, without fail, seemed taken aback by the sheer volume of our purchases. The process became a comical routine, a testament to the extensive effort required to meticulously stage every corner of a 3,500 sq ft home. This exhaustive shopping wasn’t merely about filling space; it was about layering textures, introducing pops of color, and curating collections that would tell a story in each room. Every throw blanket, every scented candle, every piece of decorative pottery was chosen with intention, aiming to create an atmosphere that felt both aspirational and deeply inviting.

Our decorating escapades even led us to the grocery store, where we diligently selected items to perfectly stock and style the kitchen. I recall a particular cashier attributing our unusually large purchase—especially the nine bags of powdered donuts—to pregnancy cravings. A professional tip, by the way: don’t put out your donuts too early, unless you intend for them to be mostly devoured by the hardworking crew still putting the finishing touches on the house. We had a constant stream of professionals: individuals fixing floor scratches, touching up paint, making last-minute electrical updates, and completing various carpentry projects. However, it was truly rewarding to provide such an awesome team with a sweet treat, so perhaps the revised tip should be: effective motivation can often be delivered in donut form. These seemingly small details, from a styled pantry to a thoughtful snack, all contribute to the overarching goal of creating a comprehensive and inviting showhouse experience.

Racing Against the Clock: Deadlines and Design Progress

As of yesterday, the house was approximately 85% complete, a significant milestone that included the highly anticipated breakfast nook shelves. Sherry still has a series of minor tweaks she intends to implement – indeed, sharing this not-quite-finished shot makes her slightly “twitchy” – but the progress made in just a few weeks is undeniable. The flurry of activity was driven by several tight deadlines: a crew was on-site last Friday to shoot video and photos for promotional use (our first critical deadline), and the builder is hosting an event today (our second deadline), necessitating this final push. This intensive schedule is particularly challenging, especially considering that these seven distinct showhouses won’t officially open to the public until May 1st. Adding to our personal timeline, a baby is due in just nine days, creating another significant “deadline” on our home front that looms large in our minds.

You’ll notice that the back panels of the shelves in the breakfast nook received a fresh coat of gray paint, a decision made during one of our many 11th-hour design tweaks. We had initially considered adding color to the back, but it wasn’t until the overall design started to coalesce that we definitively decided the same gray tone used on the kitchen cabinets would seamlessly tie the spaces together. We painstakingly held up various paint swatches to find the perfect match, ultimately settling on Timber Wolf Gray by Ben Moore – a detail worth noting for any curious designers. This iterative process of refinement, where design elements are continually evaluated and adjusted, is a hallmark of creating truly cohesive and visually impactful spaces.

Embracing Iteration: Last-Minute Design Tweaks and Collaborations

Indeed, those shelves were freshly painted just yesterday afternoon by Parker, the same skilled individual who expertly hung our laundry room wallpaper. Speaking of which, we made another crucial, last-minute adjustment in that very room. While reviewing the space with our builder and the accomplished woman overseeing the entire Homearama event, a simple question arose: “Should we add a shelf here? A chunky white floating one would probably be incredibly functional.” Both immediately agreed, and the decision was made. Our dedicated carpenter promptly arrived, fabricating and installing the custom shelf within 24 hours. The collective positive reaction affirmed our choice; everyone absolutely loves it. These “final-hour updates” are a testament to the collaborative spirit and the willingness to continuously refine and improve, ensuring that every detail not only looks beautiful but also serves a practical purpose.

Stepping into the foyer area, you’ll now be greeted by a striking white driftwood mirror, a magnificent piece we serendipitously discovered at HomeGoods just last Thursday. This acquisition marked yet another shift in our decorating process; merely two days prior, we had adorned that very wall with framed art. This dynamic illustrates the non-linear nature of creative design. “Trial and error” truly defines our approach. Sometimes, it’s only by placing an item in situ that we can truly discern if it resonates as “the one” or merely elicits a “meh.” The subsequent challenge involves a frantic scramble to transform as many of those “mehs” into resounding “heck yeahs” as humanly possible, constantly refining the visual narrative of each space. This iterative process ensures that every chosen element contributes meaningfully to the overall aesthetic and emotional impact of the showhouse.

Crafting Unique Spaces: From Foyer to Living Room with Personal Touches

In the background, a glimpse of the living room reveals a truly unique focal point: a large painting of our beloved pet, Burger, specially created for this space by our incredibly talented friend, Lesli Devito. While a real homeowner might opt for a television—a hookup is discreetly located behind the artwork for that purpose—we embraced the opportunity to inject a touch of playful charm and personality for the show. This “cheeky” nod to our handsome four-legged friend provides a delightful contrast to the more serious and sophisticated furnishings and accessories found throughout the rest of the kitchen and living room. It serves as a reminder that a showhouse is not just about showcasing elegant design; it’s also about sparking conversation, inspiring imagination, and sometimes, simply having a bit of fun with the decor, creating memorable moments for visitors.

The Afterlife of a Showhouse: Furnishings Beyond the Grand Event

Many of you have understandably inquired about the fate of the furnishings and accessories once the house is sold, given that each item was specifically purchased, donated, or borrowed for the show. The process is quite thoughtful and structured. Upon the conclusion of the event, the future homeowner is presented with the option to purchase select pieces of furniture or artwork that resonate with them. However, for the most part, they will undertake the exciting task of furnishing and decorating the house to perfectly suit their family’s unique style and needs, rather than adhering to the “fictional family” we’ve carefully envisioned. Consequently, a significant portion of the donated items will be generously passed on to the Habitat ReStore, supporting a worthy cause, or returned to their respective vendors. Items procured from the builder’s decorating budget, however, may find a new life, being thoughtfully repurposed in future model homes, ensuring their continued utility and aesthetic contribution to new projects.

Designing for Versatility: The Playroom/Reading Nook Transformation

One of the most challenging spaces to fully realize was the upstairs playroom/reading room, a space we believe we haven’t showcased until now. Our initial vision for this room included grand bookshelves complete with a built-in bench, designed to serve as a tranquil reading retreat for future owners who might not require a dedicated play space for younger children. However, our ultimate decorative approach landed somewhere in the middle, thoughtfully integrating both games and books to create a versatile haven where every family member could envision themselves relaxing and unwinding. We are still eagerly awaiting the arrival of our upholstered bench cushion for the window and a few other crucial finishing touches, but the room is undeniably taking shape, evolving into a truly functional and inviting multi-purpose area.

Of course, last fall, when we initially discussed the plans for this room with the builder and architect, the immense task of acquiring “books upon books” to fill the extensive shelving flanking the window bench on both sides didn’t fully register. Fast forward a few weeks, and in a moment of sheer desperation, we reached out to our wonderful friend Kelly at a beloved local bookshop, Fountain Bookstore. To our immense relief, she revealed she had numerous boxes of early-sample paperbacks destined for recycling, as these advance copies are prohibited from being sold or even donated. Her timely intervention was an absolute lifesaver, providing the perfect solution to a surprisingly significant decorating challenge and infusing the space with an authentic literary charm. This unexpected stroke of luck highlights the resourcefulness often required in the demanding world of showhouse staging.

We also realized we haven’t yet shared a glimpse of the captivating light fixture in this room. It’s an exquisite spun glass chandelier from Shades of Light, which casts a beautiful glow and looks absolutely stunning against the richly colored Dragonfly walls. However, capturing its full beauty in photographs, especially when shot against the bright window, proves to be quite a challenge. This particular hurdle underscores a common aspect of showhouse photography: still mastering the optimal angles and lighting to truly convey the ambiance and design intent of each carefully curated space. It’s a continuous learning process, even for seasoned designers, to translate a three-dimensional experience into a compelling two-dimensional image.

Bedrooms: Sanctuaries of Style and Comfort

Among the most substantial items that consistently filled our car during our shopping expeditions were bedding and pillows. This wasn’t merely about selecting decorative throw pillows for sofas; it encompassed the fundamental elements required to create four fully dressed beds. We sourced everything from basic shams, cozy duvets, and elegant quilts to crisp sheets, tailored bedskirts, and various other essential staples. While much of it was acquired on the fly, we were fortunate to receive this beautiful patterned bedding, generously donated by Pine Cone Hill, for the master bedroom. It harmonizes wonderfully with another stunning painting by Lesli Devito, which she graciously loaned to us for the show. These layered textiles are crucial in transforming a bedroom from a mere sleeping space into a luxurious and inviting sanctuary, embodying comfort and sophisticated style.

The Final Push & Personal Milestones

The thought of checking off the last remaining items this week brings immense relief and excitement. We are eager to squeeze in a few semblance of “normal” days before our definition of normal is joyfully redefined by the arrival of baby Barnacle. Our parents have been an incredible support system, helping immensely with Clara outside of school hours. Clara herself has also enjoyed some wonderful quality time at the showhouse with us, truly “breaking in” many of the rooms. We’ve seen her coloring at the desk in the girls’ room, engaging in imaginative play with Monopoly pieces in the playroom, and diligently assembling Legos at the desk in the boys’ room. Her innocent interactions with the spaces are a beautiful reminder of the ultimate purpose of a home: to be lived in, loved, and filled with cherished memories, making all the intense effort undeniably worthwhile.

Anticipating the Reveal: What’s Next for Our Readers

This week will be intensely focused on the showhouse, as our demanding schedule has allowed for little else. However, being so close to the finish line fills us with genuine excitement to meticulously photograph each room and share every single detail in its full glory. This includes comprehensive sourcing information for every item, alternative angles that highlight unique features, and thorough explanations for why each element was placed where it was. Therefore, we kindly request that you hold any “where’s that from?” questions until we share our dedicated posts for each room. We fully intend to source every last item for you in those more detailed features, which we optimistically plan to roll out this week. In fact, we’re hoping to begin shooting our “after” photos even before the builder’s party today, should everything align as anticipated.

I’ll conclude with a final glimpse of a space that has us absolutely bursting with excitement. We commissioned a talented local artist to adorn the chalkboard wall in the butler’s pantry—a space we’ve envisioned as a combined coffee and wine station for our imaginary family. She is creating a stunning chalk pen mural, brimming with coffee and wine terminology, and her work is simply exquisite. The beauty of this artwork is that it’s neither dusty nor prone to smudging with a finger, yet it can be easily removed with a magic eraser if the future homeowner prefers a blank slate. She will return tomorrow to apply the finishing touches, and we genuinely cannot wait to capture countless wide shots to illustrate how this awesome little hallway, connecting the kitchen and dining room, has been utterly transformed.

The Showhouse Philosophy: Beyond the Conventional and Towards Inspiration

We fully acknowledge that some of our design choices within this house—including the vibrant chalkboard mural—might not appeal to everyone’s personal taste. This approach could present an issue if we were decorating a standard spec or model home, where the primary objective is to appeal to the broadest possible range of potential buyers, striving for a universally “safe” aesthetic. However, for a showhouse like this, the purpose is far more nuanced and complex. Each of the seven Homearama teams involved has been actively encouraged to make unique and specific design decisions. This strategy is deliberately employed to ensure the show offers a diverse and engaging experience, preventing monotony and fostering a spirit of creative exploration. Interestingly, these distinctively designed homes often sell remarkably quickly, precisely because of their special, memorable features, even if those features aren’t considered universally appealing. They offer an inspiring vision of what’s possible, rather than simply what’s conventional.

Consequently, while our builders construct dozens of more basic and mass-appealing homes each year, these showhouses stand apart entirely. They are a canvas for innovation and individual expression, pushing the boundaries of contemporary home design. In fact, just last Friday, we had the opportunity to tour a couple of the other impressive homes participating in this year’s event, and we are incredibly excited to share some wide-angle shots with you once all the design teams have completed their decorating endeavors. In the interim, here are just a few compelling examples of the distinctive and often bold choices that other talented builders and design teams are integrating into their own showhouse creations, offering a glimpse into the diverse creativity on display at Homearama:

Concluding Thoughts: Powering Through and Anticipating the Full Reveal

Please bear with us as we power through this final, intense week of showhouse preparations (knock on wood). We are committed to slowly but surely working our way around the entire house to share all the “after” photos and comprehensive sourcing information with you all. Speaking of powering through, this demanding job has certainly boosted my Fitbit steps lately, a silver lining amidst the chaos. And poor Sherry, her feet have been absolutely killing her from all the running around. That reminds me, as I wrap up this post at 10:32 on Sunday night, I probably owe her a much-deserved foot rub. The finish line is in sight, and the excitement for the full reveal is palpable!

Psst – Wanna see more showhouse info & photos? Click here for Our Full Showhouse Tour, which includes final pictures of every room, the floor plan, budget info, a video walk-through, and shoppable showhouse furniture & accessories.