Despite the heat, the Preview Party was a great success attracting over 1000 attendees. Here are some quick shots of those that took a first glance at the eight spectacular homes, saw the award winners get their hardware, and enjoyed a fabulous fare from Cameron Mitchell’s. 
In his idea video, Kevin Knight shares the disappearing act that is one of the star attractions of his Parade home.
Kevin Knight at the BIA Parade of Homes from Parade of Homes on Vimeo.
In their idea video, John Holt from New England Homes explains a new way to think about the words grand and baby — they aren’t just for pianos anymore!
New England Homes/Garth’s at the BIA Parade of Homes from Parade of Homes on Vimeo.
Daisy Shamp from Weaver Custom Homes shares the inspiration behind their lower level. We’re wondering when we’ll all be invited over for the first football game (after the flat screen is installed of course!).
Weaver Homes at the 2010 BIA Parade of Homes from Parade of Homes on Vimeo.
Nilay Bhatt’s inspiration to share this year starts in the kitchen. We’re thinking he needs some calypso music behind his “Island” hopping…enjoy!
Dani Homes at 2010 BIA Parade of Homes from Parade of Homes on Vimeo.
The kitchen is one of the most popular rooms for Parade attendees because there are so many ideas to be found. This year’s Parade kitchens will highlight the latest and greatest in appliances, cabinetry, lighting, storage and plumbing fixtures. But sitting atop all of that, and the thing that probably gets noticed first in the kitchen, is the countertop.
On a recent trip to the Parade site, we posed a question to a representative from Marble and Granite Works of Plain City who we found calling on one of the five builders who are using their products: What’s the big whoop about granite? Is it hard to maintain? And how expensive is it, really? The short discussion led to an invitation to come out to their Plain City showroom for a field trip and to learn a little more about the different surfaces they have to offer.
The showroom at Marble and Granite Works is really just the tip of the iceberg, it’s where you can see all of the different options laid out in front of you. They have stone from all over the world, and some pretty cool pictures on the walls showing the process by which the stone is quarried. In addition to granite, the company also stocks several other natural and man-made surfaces as well.
From the showroom we went back to the vast storage warehouse where hundreds of different slabs of varying materials are lined up. A customer places their order by deciding on the material and color they want to use. Once they finalize how the room is to be laid out, the granite is ordered. When the granite arrives in the warehouse, a template of the surface is cut from a clear mylar overlay. The idea is that the customer can choose which part of the stone to highlight. Because any stone surface has natural variances, which only add to the beauty, the layout process is a chance for the customer to choose which of those variances they want to have live on their counter forever.
From the layout area, the stone is taken to the cutting area where it is cut, polished and finished. There’s only one chance to cut the stone right, so there are many checks and balances, not to mention very detail-oriented employees manning the process.
Marble and Granite Works has a unique finish that they put on all of their granite called SenGuard. This colorless treatment gives a 15-year stain warranty to the consumer and helps seal against cleaners, stains, and other potential damage.
So back to the original question: What’s the big whoop about granite anyway? Granite is an amazing natural stone that comes in hundreds of colors and patterns. By choosing granite, a customer is assured a unique surface. Because there are so many different types of granite, there’s sure to be something that works with any decor. And with the special finish used by the folks at Marble and Granite Works, the surface is very low maintenance and durable.
Granite can be pricey, but as I learned there’s also a large variety in the pricing depending on the granite selected. There are also other natural stone products that are available and possibly more budget-friendly. If you’re considering natural stone, it’s worth a trip out to Marble and Granite works to see if they have something that will accommodate your budget.
A recent tour of the Parade home being built by Weaver Custom Homes revealed an ingenious solution to every girl’s shoe fetish. Are you tired of shoes on your closet floor? How about a shoe carousel to keep things tidy? Watch this quick clip for a sneak peek:
Shoe Carousel at Weaver Custom Homes from Parade of Homes on Vimeo.
This product comes from a company called Storage Motion, and can be installed for shoes or even in your kitchen or pantry to organize other items.
There’s a definite order to building a Parade house (or any house, for that matter.) This week’s visit to the Parade site found most of the builders in the middle of trim work. After oodles of wood is delivered to the home, the trim carpenters swoop in with their saws, caulking and nail guns to get down to business.
Trim carpenters are highly-detailed craftsmen and their work, which sometimes plays a subtle role and other times is the headliner, takes skill and experience. Some of the more basic work is trimming out the baseboards and doorways. Where you’ll really see their expertise is in the crown molding, around the fireplaces, in the detailed paneling of the formal dining rooms and studies, and in the built-in features.
When you visit the Parade later this summer, take special note of the trim work. And consider the hours of manpower and skill that went into the final product. For now, here’s a sneak peek!
A recent trip to the BIA Parade site found the crew at Kevin Knight’s Parade house busy adding brick detailing to the outdoor fireplace and grilling space. The area will flow from the large “gathering room” that’s part of a great open floor plan. A sliding door will disappear into the wall creating a seamless connection between the inside and outside space.
Just imagine yourself enjoying a glass of wine while your dinner cooks on the customized grill…
Parade working group members (back row): Elaine Harvey, Tom Rubey, Lisa Hinson (front row): Patty Sobiach, Eileen Leuby, Scott McAfee and Susan Weil
Many hands make light work… and a good Parade.
A working group has been developed for purposes of planning different aspects of the 2010 BIA Parade. The group consists of representatives from the BIA, various members of the New Albany community, as well as representatives from the site developer, The New Albany Company.
The group will meet regularly over the next several months to brainstorm ideas and plan the many exciting elements that will make this year’s Parade of Homes truly spectacular.
Connect with us!
© 2010 BIA of Central Ohio
