The journey of transforming a house into a stunning showcase is always an exhilarating one, and our latest project for the Homearama Showhouse has been no exception. The incredible reception we received for a glimpse of our blue ceiling on Instagram speaks volumes about the power of bold design choices. What started as a vision is rapidly coming to life, and we’re thrilled to share a comprehensive update on the progress, from captivating color palettes to intricate lighting installations.
A Celestial Start: The Office’s “Skydive” Ceiling
From the moment you step into the office, your gaze is immediately drawn upwards to a ceiling painted in Benjamin Moore’s striking “Skydive.” This bold, invigorating blue is far from conventional, yet it instills a sense of calm and creativity, perfectly suited for a dynamic workspace. We meticulously chose this shade to create an unexpected “fifth wall” that truly elevates the room’s character, surpassing even our highest expectations. It’s a testament to how a single, well-chosen color can transform an entire space, offering a unique focal point that’s both dramatic and sophisticated.
Complementing this daring ceiling is one of our favorite lighting designs from last year: the Large Wire Globe Lantern. Its industrial-chic aesthetic beautifully contrasts with the soft depth of the blue, adding a contemporary edge to the room. While the office floor currently remains somewhat empty, as depicted in our last update a couple of weeks ago, the foundational elements are firmly in place, promising a truly spectacular reveal. We’ve poured countless hours into selecting every detail, and even amidst the ongoing construction, the vision for a stylish and functional office is clearly taking shape.
Foundational Finishes: Floors, Paint, and Hardware Elegance
Beneath the surface of decorative accents, significant progress has been made on the core finishes of the house. All the hardwood floors have undergone the meticulous process of sanding, staining, and sealing. This essential step not only protects the wood but also brings out its inherent beauty, setting a luxurious tone for the entire home. To preserve their pristine condition, these newly finished floors are currently covered, patiently awaiting the final stages of the showhouse preparation.
Throughout the house, the vast majority of painting is now complete, creating a fresh canvas for the upcoming furnishings and décor. Most of the lighting fixtures and cabinets have been expertly installed, marking crucial milestones in the construction timeline. Even the finer details, often overlooked, are receiving our full attention. For the doorknobs, we drew inspiration from the elegant backplate style we adore in our own home. We’ve elevated this classic choice with crisp, white porcelain knobs, offering a sophisticated upgrade that feels both timeless and fresh. This subtle yet impactful detail contributes significantly to the home’s overall refined aesthetic, as seen in the close-up below and the broader view of the installed doors.
Graceful Transitions: Glass Pocket Doors and Transom Windows
The installation of the glass pocket doors leading into the dining room represents a pivotal design element in the showhouse. These doors, while still awaiting their final coat of paint along with the front door, have already captivated us with their elegance and functionality. They offer an ideal solution for creating flexible living spaces, allowing for an open flow between rooms when desired, yet providing privacy and sound separation when needed. The transparency of the glass ensures that natural light continues to penetrate, maintaining an airy and expansive feel.
Above these stunning doors, the transom window is an architectural feature that truly enchants. It harks back to classic design, flooding the space with additional light and emphasizing the grandeur of the 10-foot ceilings. The sheer luxury of such height allows for these timeless details, adding character and a sense of volume that is often missing in modern construction. These elements together promise a dining area that is both inviting and visually striking.
Illuminating Insights: Strategic Lighting Placement and Fixture Choices
When it comes to lighting, meticulous planning is paramount, especially in a showhouse where every detail is scrutinized. We embarked on a thorough walk-through of the house much earlier in the process to pinpoint the exact locations for all lighting elements—not just decorative fixtures and sconces, but also recessed can lights. This forethought ensured that all junction boxes were installed precisely where needed, and that our chosen fixtures would seamlessly integrate into the overall design. Now that the electrician has completed the initial installations, it’s incredibly exciting to see these choices take physical form.
It’s important to note that many fixtures are currently positioned higher than their final hanging height. For instance, our dining room chandelier is temporarily lifted to prevent accidental bumps during the remaining construction phase. Once the furniture is in place, we will precisely adjust each fixture to its optimal height, ensuring perfect illumination and visual balance within each room. This iterative process is crucial for achieving the desired ambiance and functionality.
Our fixture selections are a blend of modern elegance and industrial charm. The foyer proudly showcases the sophisticated Loft Shade Chandelier, while the dining room is graced by the distinctive Industrial Modern Island Chandelier. Both of these exquisite pieces were generously donated by Shades of Light, a partner we deeply value for their diverse and high-quality selections. These fixtures, combined with the rich “Kendall Charcoal” by Benjamin Moore on the walls above the previously installed wainscoting, are beginning to paint a vivid picture of the finished spaces. Even though each room is only about 5-10% complete in terms of furnishings, art, and accessories, the presence of painted walls and installed lighting makes it infinitely easier to visualize the final outcome, transforming abstract concepts into tangible progress.
Harmonious Living: The Open-Concept Kitchen and Living Room
The heart of this showhouse lies in its expansive open-concept living room and kitchen, designed to foster connection and effortless entertaining. Keeping both spaces predominantly white provides a serene, versatile backdrop, allowing us the creative freedom to introduce vibrant splashes of color through carefully curated furnishings, captivating art, and stylish accessories. This strategy ensures that the rooms feel bright and airy, while still offering opportunities for personal expression and dynamic design.
Breaking the expanse of white, we’ve introduced a striking accent wall in “Hale Navy” by Benjamin Moore, elegantly framing the fireplace. This rich, deep blue provides a sophisticated anchor for the living area and will be echoed on the kitchen island, creating a cohesive visual link across the open space. The subtle hint of the dark Jacobean floor color visible on the edge of the stairs in this photo foreshadows the luxurious depth that this staining choice brings to the home, establishing a beautiful contrast with the lighter elements and the navy accents. We are eagerly anticipating the moment these elements fully converge, transforming the space into a truly integrated and inviting environment.
A Fireside Focal Point: The Fireplace’s Artistic Statement
The fireplace serves as a magnificent focal point within the living room, a perfect example of blending classic charm with modern sensibilities. The pristine white painted mantel and the sleek marble surround stand in elegant contrast to the deep “Hale Navy” column, creating a sophisticated visual statement. This gas fireplace is further enhanced by an exquisite herringbone brick pattern in its back, a design choice that imbues it with a charming, old-world character and a sense of weathered history.
While our builder thoughtfully wired the space for a television above the mantel, we’ve opted for a more artistic approach for the show. Instead of a standard flatscreen, we plan to hang a captivating piece of art. And, in a nod to a beloved family member, it just might be an oil painting of our own “Burger The Wonder Dog,” adding a deeply personal and whimsical touch to this central feature. This choice highlights our philosophy of infusing personality and warmth into every aspect of the showhouse design.
Revolutionizing the Kitchen: Unexpected Cabinetry and Bold Lighting
The kitchen cabinetry is now installed, and for those who follow our work, it comes with a delightful surprise: none of the cabinets are white! This decision marks a deliberate step out of our usual comfort zone, embracing a richer, more unique palette that truly sets this showhouse apart. While the cabinets in the photo are not yet in their final color, they hint at a departure from the conventional. The kitchen is still in a wonderfully unfinished state, with some doors and drawers awaiting installation, and the countertops, appliances, and backsplash yet to be added. This allows us to build anticipation for the full reveal.
However, we couldn’t resist sharing a sneak peek of one of the two striking light fixtures destined to hang over the expansive kitchen island. These Accordion Chandeliers, also generously provided by Shades of Light, were chosen with a clear intention: to take design risks and keep the showhouse experience truly engaging and memorable. They may appear unconventional at this stage, but we have a well-defined plan for how they will integrate into the overall design, promising a visually dynamic and utterly unique kitchen. These were, in fact, the very first fixtures we selected for the house back in December, making it incredibly exciting to finally see them in situ. The island beneath them will also be painted in “Hale Navy,” creating a cohesive connection with the living room’s fireplace and ensuring a unified aesthetic throughout the open-concept space. We are eagerly awaiting the moment these elements come together to create a truly spectacular kitchen.
Upstairs Unveiling: Hallways, Playrooms, and Practical Progress
The upper level of the showhouse is witnessing equally significant transformations. Many of the lights are now in place, including a trio of elegant Glass Jug Pendants gracing the hallway. These fixtures provide not only essential illumination but also add a touch of modern farmhouse charm to the circulation space. The glass pocket doors have also been installed for the versatile playroom, which we envision as a multi-functional reading room or even a cozy library. These doors offer flexibility, allowing the space to be open or enclosed as needed, adapting to various family activities.
Meanwhile, the staircase, though a crucial link between floors, remains a temporary “death trap” due to the absence of its railing. Navigating it, especially while attempting to capture progress photos, is an adventure in itself! Rest assured, safety is paramount, and the railing installation is high on the builder’s priority list, ensuring a secure and beautiful ascent to the private spaces above.
Kids’ Retreat: The Jack-and-Jill Bathroom’s Vibrant Touch
The Jack-and-Jill shared bathroom, nestled between the kids’ bedrooms, is rapidly taking shape into a fun and functional space. Nearly all the essential elements are now in, with only the faucet, sink, and mirror awaiting their final placement. As we left to pick up Clara from preschool, the team was preparing to install the counters, promising another exciting update very soon. The primary burst of color in this room comes from the vanity, which we had the cabinet company custom paint in a lively “Courtyard Green.” This particular shade was inspired by a side table we spotted and adored at Target, proving that great design inspiration can be found anywhere, and can be adapted to create truly personalized spaces.
Although the current photo doesn’t fully capture its charm, especially given a bit of construction dust, the floor features beautiful white lantern tiles sourced from Mosaic Tile, the builder’s local supplier. We thoughtfully paired these with gray grout, a practical choice that will ensure the floor remains kid-friendly and resilient to everyday wear and tear over time.
The Atrium: A Thoughtful Nook of Reflection
Our final update brings us to an area we’ve affectionately dubbed “The Atrium.” This charming little nook is strategically situated between a spacious closet to the left and a functional bathroom to the right, transforming what could be a simple passageway into a deliberate design moment. For this wall, painted in the sophisticated “Stonington Gray” by Benjamin Moore, we’ve ordered a grand leaning mirror. This mirror will serve not only a functional purpose but also amplify light and create a sense of expanded space in this cozy corner.
Suspended directly above where the mirror will reside is the exquisite “Driftwood Pendant” that we carefully selected. We were so smitten with its organic beauty in person that we were almost tempted to acquire one for our own nursery at home. However, given its intended purpose for this small nook in the showhouse, we decided its light output might not be sufficient to illuminate an entire room. For “The Atrium,” it is perfect – providing a soft, ambient glow that enhances the reflective qualities of the mirror and the calming tone of the “Stonington Gray.”
The Final Countdown: Thrills, Terrors, and Triumphs Ahead
The most exhilarating news to report is the incredible pace set by builder John and his dedicated crew. They are working tirelessly to finalize everything within the next few weeks, aiming for us to commence moving furniture and styling before our early April deadline. This ambitious timeline is crucial, as the house needs to be immaculately finished and photographed for press during the first week of April. Complicating, yet simultaneously inspiring, this deadline is our own mid-April due date, adding a layer of personal excitement and urgency to these finishing touches.
Transitioning from the raw, dynamic phase of construction to the refined, creative stage of furnishing and accessorizing is a feeling that swings wildly between immense thrill and palpable terror. It’s a dance between seeing our vision materialize and the pressure of perfecting every last detail. We are pouring our hearts into making this showhouse an absolute masterpiece, and we cannot wait to share the final, breathtaking results with you all. Just hopefully, all this excitement doesn’t lead to any premature arrivals – either for the showhouse reveal or our own little one!
EXPLORE MORE OF OUR FAVORITE PAINT COLORS
Inspired by the thoughtful color choices throughout the Homearama Showhouse? Finding the perfect paint color can transform any room, and we’re passionate about sharing our go-to shades. You can delve deeper into our curated selections by touring our various homes via the menu at the top of our blog. For those seeking detailed guidance, we’ve also crafted in-depth posts dedicated to our most beloved paints:
- The 12 Best White Paint Colors
- Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Sherwin-Williams Pure White
- Sherwin-Williams Extra White
Psst – Eager to witness the breathtaking finished showhouse? Click here for Our Full Showhouse Tour, where you’ll find final pictures of every meticulously designed room, a comprehensive floor plan, detailed budget information, an immersive video walk-through, and direct links to shop the showhouse’s exquisite furniture and accessories. Don’t miss the grand reveal!