Sherry and I have started work on another new house. Before you gasp—no, we’re not moving into it, and we don’t own it yet. In fact, it hasn’t been built.
Right now the lot looks like this:
Some readers might remember the Mega House Crashing tour we did last year, where we visited eight custom show homes built and decorated by different teams as part of Richmond Homearama. That event is happening again in 2014, and they invited us to design one of the homes. Cue the excited shrieking (mine is decidedly masculine, I promise).
We’re thrilled and a bit overwhelmed. This project brings a lot of firsts: designing an entire house from scratch on a wooded lot, working with new construction, creating a home for someone else (all the houses are sold after the show), and managing a budget that isn’t ours. We’ll also be going up against some talented interior designers who produced gorgeous houses last year.
We couldn’t pass up this creative opportunity, especially since it supports a great cause. Homearama compensates designers for their work, but we’re donating our entire fee to Richmond’s Habitat for Humanity. The event will also support Habitat in other ways during the show.
This project aligns with a goal we previously shared: to take on projects beyond our own house to stretch our skills. We jumped at the chance and toured the lot where the house will be built — it should be under roof by Christmas.
We’ve already begun working on floor plans, even though the event isn’t until next May. Of the seven custom builders participating, we teamed up with Biringer Builders. They shared a plan with us and we’ve been marking it up ever since. Because the house is still on paper, we’ve been able to suggest changes and refine details. John, the builder, has been an excellent collaborator, welcoming ideas like adding a French door or a built-in bookcase and offering suggestions such as placing a transom window above a door. It’s a relief to move walls before they’re framed.
John’s team will handle the actual construction, so this isn’t a DIY project for us—except for any furniture or art projects we may make for the finished rooms. Our responsibilities include the layout and floor plan, selecting all finishes (flooring, countertops, appliances, sinks, cabinetry, and more), and furnishing and accessorizing the entire house. With Biringer’s skilled carpenters, masons, and electricians available, we can be more ambitious, which is important since we hope to raise as much as possible for Habitat for Humanity. We plan to work hard to make this house stand out.
Between now and next May when Homearama opens, we’ll share updates as the house comes together: final floor plans, finish selections, and decorating choices for each room. It will be particularly fun because we’ll be able to include features we don’t have room for in our own home—yes, that includes a walk-in pantry.
That’s what we’ve been juggling since our move. Now the cat’s out of the bag. Cross your fingers we don’t choke—many of the designers have years of experience, so we’re a little nervous about our first rodeo. It makes us want to hide under the table like Clara for a minute…
…until Sherry tempts us out with glossy tile samples she can’t resist.
Update: Want to see the finished showhouse? View our full showhouse tour for final photos of every room, the floor plan, budget information, a video walk-through, and shopping details for showhouse furniture and accessories.