Source: Rhino Times Greensboro

2012 Fall Parade Of Homes

by Sandy Groover

October 25, 2012

Fall has arrived, and with it the Greensboro Builders Association’s fall Parade of Homes.

The next two weekends, from 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 13 and Sunday, Oct. 14, and Saturday, Oct. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 21, local builders will showcase 65 of their latest creations throughout the triad in conjunction with the Home Builders Association of Winston-Salem and High Point and the public is invited to view them for free.

Each association has its own publication listing the homes that will be open; and if you go to www.TriadParadeofHomes.com, it will take you to both the Greensboro and Winston-Salem association websites for additional information. Also available is a mobile app for smart phones and tablets that includes driving directions and an interactive buyer’s guide of participating members who helped in the construction of these homes.

In Guilford County alone there are 25 entries, ranging from $69,900 for a 1,166 square foot condominium to $685,000 for a 5,270 square foot home on an acre of land overlooking a lovely pond. So whatever the budget, there is something for everyone.

Even for those who are not in the market to buy, visiting parade homes is a great low pressure way to meet local builders, suppliers, interior designers, kitchen and bath specialists, and landscape architects. They are delighted to talk with about the homes they build and provide ideas for your own home

Those who attended the recent Chic Chateau have already had the opportunity of touring one of R&K Custom Homes’ three Parade entries, and know how beautiful this home is. The Chic Chateau items are gone, so now tourgoers can concentrate on the home itself. In the Gates at Brassfield, the 3,880 square foot home is filled with the special touches and craftsmanship that R&K brings to all their homes.

Entering the house through double, eight-pane beveled glass doors, one is immediately drawn to formal dining room just to the right of the foyer. The circular tray ceiling is the highlight of this elegant room. Across the foyer is a room that can be used for an office or an additional bedroom.

Straight ahead is the great room, open to the kitchen and breakfast area. The breakfast area has built-in shelves and a bench for seating below expansive windows. French doors lead from the breakfast area to the outdoor patio.

All-white kitchens are gaining popularity, and many builders have said that more and more people are requesting white kitchens. It’s easy to see why. White expands the room and gives it a bright cheerfulness. Accent the white with touches of gray in the granite countertops and tile backsplash and use dark wood tones in the large center island as R&K has done, and you have a warm inviting space to work in.

Lots of cabinets and an unusual pantry provide plenty of storage. There is a spice drawer, deep drawers for pots and pans below the cooktop and an appliance garage for keeping toasters or mixers handy but unseen. Opening the doors to what you think will be a small pantry leads you into an actual room filled with shelving. This is a gourmet cook’s dream – a place to for everything. Couple that with a five-burner Jenn-Air cooktop, two ovens, a microwave, and a large dishwasher and you have chef heaven.

Just across the great room is the spacious master bedroom and bath, well-thought-out walk-in closet with built-in drawers, shelves and rods. There is a place for everything in this home.

There are also places for children upstairs in the three finished bedrooms, as well as an unfinished bonus room, while the alcove at the end of the hall would make an ideal nook for reading.

R& K has two other houses in this fall’s Parade. A larger home, at 4,609 square feet, is in Arbor Run in Stokesdale, and a smaller home at 2,429 square feet is in Brookfield in Stokesdale. Both have the same attention to detail as the Brassfield home, while the Stokesdale location provides a real country feel.

Building Dimensions Inc.’s Parade entry in Bear Creek in Oak Ridge also has a wonderful country feel. Nestled on an acre of land that overlooks a wood encircled pond, this spacious home has everything an active family could want.

It’s a perfect home for entertaining – from formal dinner parties in the elegant wainscoted dining room to casual outdoor barbecues on the maintenance-free deck overlooking the pond. Adults can mingle in the great room, kitchen and screened porch, while teens have their own space in the finished basement. The basement has its own fireplace, full kitchen, bath, theater room and music room, as well as an outdoor patio. Plus, there is a huge section for storage with double-door outside access.

Adjacent to the kitchen, just off the breakfast area, is the keeping room with its own fireplace. It seems the perfect place for relaxing in front of a fire on a cold winter day.

The spacious master suite is also on the first floor, with a paneled tray ceiling, and large walk-in shower and jetted tub in the bath.

Upstairs there are three more bedrooms and baths, plus a mini-bonus room that is accessed through one of the bedrooms. At one end of the hallway that connects the bedrooms is a spacious computer nook. There is also walk-in storage on this level.

A preview of the Parade of Homes can be found starting on page 23 of this issue, and a map of the entries is on page 22.

Directions to each home along with a picture and floor plan, as well as a list of sponsors, contractors, suppliers, and service providers can be found in the 2012 Fall Parade of Homes magazine at any Harris Teeter or Lowe’s Home Improvement store.

Or visit www.TriadParadeofHomes.com to view both publications. Magazines are also available at each of the homes.

Be sure and check out the Parade’s mobile app to map your tour route, which can be downloaded at the Greensboro Builders Association website at www.GreensboroBuilders.org.