Designing a Homearama Showhouse in Richmond

Sherry and I have begun work on another house project — though before anyone gasps, we aren’t moving into this one and it isn’t technically ours. In fact, the home hasn’t even been built yet.

The lot currently looks like a blank slate:

Some of you may remember the Mega House Crashing series we did last year when we toured eight custom show homes built for Richmond Homearama. That event brought together different builders and interior designers in a showcase of custom home design. Homearama asked us to design one of the showhomes for their next event — an invitation we couldn’t refuse.

We’re thrilled and, to be honest, a little overwhelmed. Designing a full house from scratch on a wooded lot is a big undertaking. This is our first experience working on new construction at this scale and the first time we’re designing a house that will be sold after the event. That adds new challenges: coordinating with a builder, making layout and finish decisions up front, and staying within a client’s budget. It’s also exciting because it’s a chance to push our interior design practice beyond our own home and to experiment with ideas that don’t fit in our daily life.

Importantly, this project supports a good cause. Homearama compensates designers for their year of planning, but we chose to donate our entire fee to Richmond’s Habitat for Humanity. The show supports Habitat in other ways throughout the event as well, so we’re grateful to be part of a community-minded showcase while stretching our creative muscles on a larger-scale interior design project.

This opportunity ties into the goal we shared earlier to take on projects beyond our own walls as a way to grow professionally. So when presented with the chance to design a Homearama showhouse, we jumped in. The lot where the house will be built should be under roof by the holidays, and we’ve already started the planning stages.

We’ve spent the past few weeks working on floor plans. Of the seven custom builders participating in the show, we paired with Biringer Builders. When we first met with them they shared a preliminary plan and we began drawing and reworking it right away. One of the best parts of designing on paper is how easily you can move walls, add built-ins, or tweak circulation before construction begins. John, the builder, has been a great collaborator — suggesting practical refinements like transom windows or built-in window seats that elevate the design while keeping construction details efficient.

Biringer’s team will handle the actual construction, so this isn’t a DIY build for us — beyond any custom furniture or art projects we might create for the finished rooms. Our responsibilities include refining the layout and floor plan, selecting all interior finishes (flooring, countertops, cabinetry, appliances, fixtures, and more), and fully furnishing and accessorizing the home. Working with skilled carpenters, masons, and electricians allows us to dream bigger and incorporate features that are often impractical in a typical renovation.

Between now and the Homearama opening next spring, we’ll share the process as the showhouse comes together: final floor plans, finish selections, material samples, and the decorating choices that shape each room. It’s a rare chance to realize design ideas we don’t necessarily have room for in our own home — for example, a walk-in pantry we’ve always wanted.

So yes, that’s what we’ve been juggling since we moved. We’re excited and slightly nervous — many seasoned designers have years of Homearama experience — but we’re committed to doing the best job we can and to creating a beautiful showhome that helps raise funds for Habitat for Humanity.

We’ll keep you updated as plans and finishes are finalized, as construction progresses, and as the decorating comes together room by room.

Update: Want to see the finished showhouse? See our full showhouse tour for final photos of every room, the floor plan, budget breakdown, a video walk-through, and a list of furniture and accessories used in the showhouse.