Touring area showhomes is not only a way to shop for a new house, but also an excellent source of ideas for homeowners wanting to upgrade their current digs whether it be a major renovation or just some new décor.
One of the unique features in Sarasota Homes’ new showhome in The Orchard of Oakmont is not one, but two bonus room spaces – one on the second floor decorated as a kids’ play area, and another on the third floor featuring a big screen television and a wet bar.
Sarasota associate broker Kristin Boser says the dual bonus rooms are a new trend.
“It’s just really useable space,” Boser says. “You’ve already got it – it’s the attic – so we just popped-up the walls of the attic.”
Boser says the dĂ©cor in the Orchard showhome is “lakeside chic.” The 2,853 square foot three-storey is a modified Berkley model with whitewashed pine ceilings, beadboard accents, oil-rubbed bronze light fixtures with filament bulbs and a colour palette of serene blues and creams.
“Every showhome’s got a different feel to it, so this one we went more like that farmhouse feel incorporating the river,” Boser says.
Sarasota purchased the Oakmont location with river valley views from Robert and June Haudenschild. June’s family had owned the land for many years and the Hole family was their neighbours.
“They lived in a farmhouse and had garden plots and would rent them out just until two years ago when we bought it from them and developed it and made what is called Bob and June’s Orchard Valley.”
The historic significance of the location is reflected in the heritage classic design of the houses in the cul-de-sac.
“The outside has that heritage classic look,” Boser says. “It’s all Hardie board exteriors. The garage doors are the heritage garage doors with the hinges and the hardware, and all white trim on all of the houses.”
Though the showhome features a lakeside chic interior, Boser says that buyers can choose whatever style they desire.
“All the houses will have the same outside, but we’ve done insides that are super modern.”
For home shoppers wanting a peek at a modern interior, the Vista Homes showhome in Northridge offers a very contemporary aesthetic.
“It’s really modern, very European,” says Vista sales manager Sylvie Podloski. “So it’s simple, clean lines and grey tones. Grey has replaced the beige as far as new home colours go for walls, so that’s the trend right now.”
The chrome fixtures and sleek lines throughout the 2,728 square foot Napa model extend into the kitchen that includes a departure from traditional wood cabinets.
“We took a risk and went with very European kitchen cabinets, a thermofoil,” Podloski says. “It’s very clean lines and there’s been a very good response.”
With dark brown textured panels, the thermofoil cabinets are free of fussy details and can withstand the wear and tear of family meal preparation. They are also used in the “boot room” at the entry from the garage. With cupboards for storage, hooks for coats and a generous closet, the boot room is something Podloski says people absolutely love.
“It’s got all custom benches and cubbies and hooks and there’s a closet and in there we’ve put an electronic device charging station.”
A charging station for devices like cellphones and tablets is quickly becoming a standard feature in new homes.
Sarasota’s showhome also accommodates electronics with USB charging stations located in the kitchen and one on either side of the bed in the master bedroom. There is also an audio jack connected to speakers throughout the house that allows music to be played straight from a cellphone, tablet or other electronic device.
In Northridge, Vista has included another convenience in their Jack and Jill en suite. The bathroom features a shared tub and toilet, but separate sink areas for each of the two children’s bedrooms.
“They have their own little area,” Podloski says.” All the comments are that it’ll save a lot of fighting.”
Sarasota Homes’ showhome in The Orchard of Oakmont is located at 68 Orchard Ct. The Vista Homes Northridge showhome is at 172 Northridge Dr.
