Remember when we mentioned the show house we’ll be working on for Homearama to benefit Habitat for Humanity? We’ve been excited to share an update, but construction hasn’t started yet. That doesn’t mean we’re behind—the plan is to be under roof by Christmas—but there’s a surprising amount of preparation before a single board goes up. As first-timers in the home-building process, it’s been fascinating to see how many people, rules, and details shape a house before construction begins.
Over the past few months we’ve attended planning meetings and visited vendors to select finishes and materials. One major milestone was finalizing the floor plan after several rounds of revisions. The plan evolved through collaboration among the builder, the architect, the neighborhood review board, and the Homearama team, and we were able to contribute ideas that shaped the final layout.
Here’s a concise summary of the changes we influenced with the builder John Waters and architect T M Vavra, aimed at improving flow, function, and aesthetics while adhering to neighborhood guidelines.
- Relocated the coat closet. To open the foyer and preserve the sightline into the family room, we moved the coat closet out of the stairwell and into the study area. This creates a cleaner entry and a more open feel without blocking the view from the front door.
- Pocket doors for the dining room. We added glass-paned pocket doors with a transom to give the dining area a slightly more formal, special feel while keeping the option to open it up.
- Removed impractical French doors. The original French doors opened into the dining room from the porch and would have limited furniture placement. We kept porch access via the nearby foyer and replaced the French doors with windows to improve flow and allow for a larger dining table.
- Streamlined the kitchen island. We simplified an originally raised, curved island to a large rectangular island that’s more functional and less visually busy, and eliminated columns that blocked sightlines.
- Centered the range and showcased the hood. We rearranged appliances so the range and a dramatic exposed hood are centered across from the island, making the hood the kitchen’s focal point while tucking the refrigerator into a built-in cubby.
- Expanded the butler’s pantry. Shuffling appliances created extra space between the kitchen and dining room for a larger dry bar and pantry, plus a handy closet under the stairs.
- More glass without the swing. Rather than converting the entire wall to French doors—which would interfere with furniture—we added large fixed windows beside the existing door to achieve a wall-of-glass look while preserving layout flexibility.
- Built-in breakfast nook. The breakfast area is getting a custom built-in table and a feature window to create a cozy, picture-worthy spot that fits the family lifestyle.
- Pantry door detail. We updated the pantry entry to include two frosted glass doors for a lighter, more interesting look and better access.
During a site visit to source materials, Builder John and Justin from Homearama introduced us to Dreaming Creek Timber & Frame, a local shop that crafts beautiful wood pieces. They’re building a custom live-edge table for the breakfast nook to add warmth and contrast to the white, modern setting. They’ll also supply accent elements like open A-frame rafters for the front porch.
Now let’s look upstairs.
- Narrow towel cubby. The Jack-and-Jill bathroom didn’t need a full linen closet, so we carved out a slim vertical cubby for rolled-towel storage.
- A shared trough sink. For the kids’ bathroom we chose a single, wide trough sink with two faucets—practical, playful, and easy for two kids to use at once.
- Homework-friendly desk. Instead of a bench, we added a built-in desk to create a bright, functional homework spot.
- Defined reading room. We transformed the upstairs playroom into a “Kids Reading Room” with pocket doors—closed off for quiet but still visually connected to the rest of the house.
- Centered freestanding tub. We repositioned the bathtub under the back window as a freestanding centerpiece, allowing the shower to be framed with glass for a cleaner, more open look.
- Furniture-style vanities. The twin vanities were squared off so they can feel like converted dressers or furniture pieces rather than angled cabinets.
- Private balcony from the primary bedroom. Unused roof space above the breakfast nook became a private balcony off the primary bedroom, adding a charming outdoor extension to the suite.
We also refined the exterior. A proposed pergola and balcony off a kid’s room were removed after review board feedback, so we swapped in a regular window and used that area for the built-in desk inside. To preserve light and a French-door look without the swing clearance, we’ll use tall windows flanking the front door. We added an open-frame detail above the entry and plan to top it with reclaimed timber accents and a statement pendant. Early on we all agreed navy siding with crisp white trim and gray stonework would look striking; now we’re narrowing down the exact navy, stone, and a bold front-door color—maybe glossy red or bright yellow—to complete the curb appeal.
There are additional minor tweaks we haven’t listed yet, but these highlights capture the most significant planning decisions. This whole experience has reinforced how many choices go into making a house both beautiful and livable. Have you helped design or build a home before? We’d love to hear about the challenges you faced and the features you prioritized.
P.S. While we sometimes take paid design projects, this Homearama effort is a creative contribution. Homearama compensates designers for their time, but we’re donating our full fee to Richmond’s Habitat for Humanity to support affordable housing in the community.
Update: Want to see the finished showhouse? Check the full showhouse tour for final photos of every room, the floor plan, budget details, a video walkthrough, and a list of featured furniture and accessories.