Things are moving quickly at the Homearama Showhouse, and we have lots of progress to share since our update last week — especially now that more fixtures, cabinets, and countertops are officially installed. On the front porch the focal point of our rustic vaulted ceiling is now up: a statement light from Restoration Hardware. It was a splurge (we joined their trade program to save 20%), but it makes a great first impression before you step into the house.
When we photographed the space yesterday, crews were just starting to remove the protective floor coverings and the hardwoods were still dusty — they’re applying the final sealant coat today, so nobody’s allowed inside. Even with the dust, you can see the wall of windows and doors at the back of the living room that opens to the covered porch.
The kitchen is still under construction — you can spot the vent hood being installed — but we wanted to share a wider view of the navy island with the brass accordion pendants we showed last week. The island is painted Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore, the same color used on the fireplace column across the room. The builder remembered feedback from his last house to “go bigger” on the island, so this one is larger than typical and will be perfect once we add four stools.
It’s been fun to see pieces we selected months ago in showrooms come together in the real space, like these glass-front cabinets flanking the range hood. We skipped open shelving in favor of a few display cabinets where nice dishes and glassware can be showcased.
Adjacent to the kitchen is the breakfast nook, which ended up larger than we first planned. Carpenter John helped make the space feel cozier and more intentional after we adjusted the dimensions to align with kitchen sightlines and the back of the house. There’s still a big table to build and shelves to style, but the area is shaping up nicely now that the silver dome pendant from Shades of Light is installed.
Next to the breakfast nook is the pantry — more accurately, a walk-in pantry that has both of us a little jealous. It’s tempting to stock it like a candy shop straight out of a storybook. The prism flushmount overhead is also from Shades of Light; its faceted shape adds a playful geometry that nods to our affection for bees.
In the boys’ room we chose a patterned carpet instead of plain wall-to-wall — a Revere pattern by Stanton selected through our local ProSource. The hexagon motif adds subtle interest while keeping things kid-friendly. Installation was in progress during our visit.
The en-suite bathroom is still a work zone, but it already feels luxe and hotel-like — the look we wanted to attempt in a showhouse even if we don’t have that exact space at home. We went tone-on-tone with whites and grays, introducing a few unexpected color pops that will come through with artwork and accessories later. The freestanding tub is a highlight and definitely a love-it-or-lust-after item for us.
To avoid an all-neutral palette, we added a spa-like band of blue-green glass tile on the shower’s back wall. The shower is still being finished — no door or final threshold yet, and a mirror was leaning in there during our photoshoot — but the tile brings a calming, unexpected color that ties the room together.
The blue-green glass tile is the 3 x 12 New Haven style, paired with 3 x 6 white subway tile on the shower sides, both provided by The Tile Shop. The shower floor is from their Evanston series in Frost Snow; small glass squares mixed with marble help unify the bathroom’s palette and textures.
For the vanity counters we intentionally avoided the predictable all-white marble and selected a stone with soft seaglass veins that echo the shower tile. Fixtures throughout the bathroom are polished chrome. The glass chandelier over the vanity is from Shades of Light, faucets and shower trim were donated by Brizo, and the tub filler came from Delta.
Across from the bath is an impressive closet that’s bound to spark some wardrobe envy. We gave the carpenter a few ideas and otherwise let him run with it; the result is a smartly organized his-and-hers layout with a storage-packed divider between the two sides. If you want more context, our earlier post with the floor plan explains the layout in detail.
One of the clever features is an angled shoe rack that will delight any footwear enthusiast. It’s a small detail that feels custom and polished.
We also peeked into the jack-and-jill bathroom between the kids’ rooms. We planned wider shots, but a headboard and a spare toilet were temporarily stored in the space during our visit. Still, you can see the shower tile treatment: two different colored glass subway tiles installed in broad vertical bands for a bold, playful look.
We selected the stripe combination at The Tile Shop after trying several pairings. The final choice combines Snow Glass with Glass Winter to create a fresh, modern contrast that the kids will love.
For a bit of shower-time fun we installed a Kohler Moxie showerhead in the kids’ bath; it includes a waterproof Bluetooth speaker that attaches magnetically while the shower still functions normally. It’s a welcome upgrade from the old shower radios many of us remember.
We’re set to start moving furniture in next week, so the next update should show the house feeling much more finished and lived-in. The plan is to have the entire home fully furnished and decorated by early April, which has everyone on a tight timeline — but we’re excited to see it all come together.