With the Parade of Homes 2024 finished, we thought we would share a more extensive look into the kinds of things that went into the home design process and building our model home. Through true collaboration, lots of conversations and even more questions, we created a home that pushes the envelope. Here are some of the major themes and highlights of the design process.
A Bold Exterior
You can only make one first impression. Which is why we needed an all-new exterior elevation for this home. We wanted to make a statement without overwhelming, so we created a clean look distinguished by strong vertical and horizontal lines and no grids in the windows.
But clean doesn’t necessarily mean simple. Many details work together to create a balanced exterior in this home. The board-and-batten siding emphasizes the verticality of the home, while the stonework keeps it grounded. The geometric garage doors flank the front door on one side, while the incredible windows mirror those same shapes on the other. The moody green-gray color finds some relief through the natural wood tones of the entrance pillars.
Making bold choices while finding a sense of equilibrium in the design was a puzzle, but it all came together perfectly.
Finding Personality
The design plan of the interior was a balancing act, too. Our Design Studio Consultant, Rebecca Brown, did a wonderful job of giving each room a distinct feel. One way we accomplished this was by creating a “family” for this home.
We envisioned a family — a mother, father, daughter, and son — and gave them all personalities, interests, hobbies and styles. The parents were travelers and home cooks. The son liked collecting sneakers and retro albums. The daughter had a love of nature and photography. It was our amalgamation of a modern Wisconsin family.
When we started the design process with these personas in mind, we were able to impart a real authenticity to the home. When we started selecting products and colors it was based on what that family would want and need.
Rebecca’s styling and decoration even created storylines that continued from room to room. For instance, the Polaroids in the daughter’s room matched the vacation destinations showcased in the mudroom. Now, we didn’t expect anyone to notice all these details. But even unnoticed, they were the thread that tied the home together. It felt real—so much so that many of the guests who visited the home thought that maybe a real family had already purchased it.
Form and Function
Builders often focus on big, eye-catching pieces when creating for showcases like the Parade of Homes. While our home design has plenty of that (look no further than the two-story gathering room fireplace), we wanted functionality to be just as important as how it all looked.
The kitchen is the best example of this mindset. At first glance, you’re smitten with the oversized island with the waterfall quartz counters. But when you look closer, you start noticing the details. We knew it had to be a cook’s kitchen. So we started with the L-shaped layout. This allowed us to move the sink from the island to the back wall. Not only does this place the sink neatly under a window, but it also opens up the island and improves the working flow of the space.
The shelves were another place where we maximized form and function. The floating shelves next to the sink were a very deliberate choice. Of course, they look great and are a wonderful place to display dishware and glassware. However, having floating shelves allows the natural light from the window to come through the entire kitchen, whereas a traditional cabinet could block that light.
As a home cook myself, my favorite kitchen detail is the shelf above the range. It’s the perfect place to store the things you need at hand when cooking: salt, pepper, olive oil, and all of your favorite spices. Throughout the home, you’ll find similar places where form and function collide to create these moments.
It’s Not a Fantasy
Finally, maybe the most important part of our design process was making something that people could actually have. Every single product selection in our home is available to our customers through our Design Studio. We wanted to be able to say, “Look at this great home, you can have everything in it.”
So if you visited the Parade of Homes and were inspired by our design, or if you just want a home builder who thinks about every little detail, head over explore our new homes to learn more and take the first step toward a new home.
