HomeArama @ East Beach

HomeArama @ East Beach

The Hampton Roads area of Virginia is one of many regions that hosts Homearama events. Homearama is an event in which several homes in one neighborhood are built, designed and decorated by local contractors. It’s a way to draw attention to new communities as well as to the builders, designers and suppliers (such as granite, tile and landscaping companies) that contribute to the homes.

This Fall’s Homearama is Hampton Road’s 3rd and it is being held at the area’s up-and-coming, East Beach (hurry and go now, it’s on until the 28th). East Beach is more specifically located in Norfolk, Virginia and is a waterfront community designed as a “Traditional Neighborhood Development” and built in the style of a classic, Atlantic coastal village. It’s such an adorable and well thought out community that last year Coastal Living magazine selected East Beach as the location for their 2011 ultimate beach house. You can go to Costal Living’s website and read more about East Beach.

The streets of East Beach. (Pic from Costalliving.com)
The houses of East Beach built in the classical, east coast style. (Pic from Costalliving.com)

Since we have family over in that part of Virginia, Pavlo and I decided to spend the weekend with family and squeeze in a few home tours while we were at it!

We actually went to last Fall’s Homearama in the Hampton Roads area and, since it was very last minute, we didn’t grab our camera to snap pics of the many amazing ideas the builders and designers showcase. Not only did we not grab our camera but we did grab Colette (who was only 6 months old at the time) who made walking from (and through) house to house very tiring! This time we weren’t so foolish. We were kid-free and equipped with a camera!

All of the houses have beautiful trim work:

Sorry about the awkward picture. I was trying to get both the beautifully trimmed out fireplace as well as the coffered ceiling.
Pretty wainscoting running all the way up the stairs. I also loved the lights that dimly lit the steps!

Those stairwell lights weren’t the only cool lights we saw there. Check out this use of pendants in a bathroom.

Pendant lights hung high above a single sink vanity. Very pretty!

A few of the bathrooms also had some impressive tile work.

Band of glass tile as accent.
Frosted glass as accent pieces.

Each of the 10 houses had its fair share of little details that set it apart from any of the other houses. One house had this amazing barn board door.

Is this door not beautiful?!

Pavlo knows I’m crazy about these doors and that if we actually had a good spot for one (not too mention the budget for one), I would absolutely get one. However, I’m perfectly aware that it’s not going to happen in our house so instead I took a picture, sat, stared and maybe even drooled over this one. Pretty, huh? I even love the color they chose with the dark hardware. Ugh, there I go again falling in love with the barn board door!

Moving on, there was also this use of flag cleats as hardware and hooks in the mudroom of one of the houses:

Amazing mudroom with very creative flag cleats as hardware.
Flag cleats as hardware and hooks in a mudroom = genius!

Oh, and because the houses were fully furnished and decorated, there were several items that I really wanted to shove in my diaper bag and run with. Pavlo held me back reminding me that our children do in fact need a mother…and not one behind bars! I knew there was a reason I married him!

Chevron blanket. Chevron and geometric patterned furniture, pillows and other accessories are a recent obsession of mine. This blanket was really soft too!
Probably our favorite find of the day! A water spigot and copper piping turned into a towel holder. I’d probably use it as a toilet paper holder but either way it was beyond cool!

All-in-all it’s a pretty neat event, especially if you’re trying to get inspiration for your house and renovation projects. If you live close (or in) the Hampton Roads area their fall Homearama is going on until Sunday, October 28th. If that happens to be far from you then I recommend you look to see if a Homearama event is held in a city near you.



1 thought on “HomeArama @ East Beach”

  • Stephanie, I loved it, but I personally would bow out of the spigot towel holder. It is creative, but I grew up in a very old, inner city Chicago house (100 yrs.old) and lived with that kind of piping in the house (not for holding towels or toilet paper, of course). I can feel nostalgia about old homes, and I love them, but I’d pass on the spigot. 😉
    I am really enjoying seeing all the progress in your home! It is all coming together so nicely. You and your dear hubby make a great team!
    Love to you all,
    Babunia

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