THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 8, 1994 TAG: 9410050655
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY PHYLLIS SPEIDEL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 232 lines
Whether you enjoy relaxing on a Southern veranda, perfecting your putting on a manicured green, or swimming in a garden pool surrounded by fountains and classic statuary, you can find the house of your dreams at Homearama '94.
The event returns this year to historic Church Point in Virginia Beach, site of Homearama '92 which drew 80,000 visitors, the largest attendance in the event's 13 year history.
This year's collection of 17 unique single-family dwellings features a diversity of styles, including French country, Floridian transitional, and Florida-style ranch, as well as contemporary and traditional architecture.
The homes are priced at $360,000 and up. ``That price range is the largest in Homearama's history and allows for far more interesting home design, products, decorating, and landscaping,'' Joe Robinson, builder and Homearama '94 chairman, said.
Apparently, the higher price tags have not deterred the buying public. More than half the Homearama '94 homes were sold before the show opened today.
``One of the things I like to do at Homearama is introduce concepts or ideas that are not necessarily indigenous to this market,'' Bob Johnson, owner of Residential Concepts Ltd., said.
Johnson's Homearama entry is a one story contemporary house designed for flexible living with a separate guest suite integrated into the floor plan. The suite contains a bedroom, bath, living room with a large bay window, galley kitchen, and its own garage, making it ideal for an older parent, a not-yet-quite-independent son or daughter, a home office, or a maid or au-pair's quarters.
``One of the problems with generations living together is controlling space,'' Johnson said. ``This is a floor plan that adapts to a changing lifestyle, rather than a changing lifestyle having to adapt to an inflexible floor plan.''
Johnson also noted that this was the first time that Virginia Beach has approved a single-family dwelling built with two kitchens.
Johnson designed his home in a California eclectic style and included SMART House wiring, a computerized system that manages energy consumption as well as the home's audio, video, lighting, and security systems. In another unique touch, Johnson added heated tile floors to the kitchen and master bathroom.
This year, for the first time, Southern Living magazine has a Homerarama entry, the Ansonborough. The two story stucco and Tennessee field stone house, with flower-filled window boxes, stacked field stone steps, and arched windows has a decided European classic flair.
Inside the house, old world detailing like inlaid mahogany and oak floors, coffered ceilings, egg dart crown molding, elliptical doorway arches, and glass door and window transoms are reminiscent of early 1900s craftsmanship. But the open, flowing floor plan, four bedrooms (each with its own bath), and more than 200 square feet of dressing room off the master bedroom are all very suited to a contemporary lifestyle.
At the back of the home, where a deck might be expected, there is instead a large, covered veranda overlooking the garden. It is a typically Southern detail, explained Eric Sasser of Sasser Construction Co., builders of the Ansonborough.
Sasser said the Southern Living designs emphasize a timeless homeyness and livability that draws upon a variety of influences.
``We have tried to give the home a slightly eclectic feeling, both inside and out,'' he said. Golfers may have a hard time walking away from the Golfer's Dream home, a 4,200-square-foot transitional house that backs up to the golf course under construction at Bayville Farms.
The home features a double staircase in the cathedral-ceilinged foyer and a classic gold, white, taupe and black color scheme, but for the golfer, the real allure lies in the back yard. A professionally installed putting green, chipping area, and even a miniature sand trap offer a private practice area.
Robinson's Homearama entry, the Peabody, also focuses on what he calls ``The Ultimate Back Yard.'' ``The most people usually do with a back yard is put in a pool and a few bushes,'' he said. ``We had a big lot here and were already planning on a pool when this all evolved.'' What evolved were a large L shaped swimming pool, a gazebo, an expansive first floor deck and a smaller second floor deck off the master bedroom.
A circular colonial herb garden occupies one corner of the yard. Inspired by French formal gardens, the yard's landscaping includes extensive lighting, fountains, and several pieces of antique statuary.
Each year, Homearama designates one home as the Christmas House. William Wingfield's entry, The Natalie, a brick neo-traditional two-story home, will be decorated for the holiday season in a light teal, silver, and gold color scheme accented with mauve.
Since 1988, the Tidewater Builders Association has raised $324,000 for local causes with profits from a charity house at Homearama each year. This year proceeds from the Jimmy Mastracco home, built by Dragas Homes, Inc., will benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Hampton Roads.
In addition to the 17 open homes, Homearama '94 includes a how-to theater with hourly demonstrations and an 80-booth exhibit center showcasing products and services. Cooking demonstrations will take place in the houses on Oct. 11, 18, and 20. MEMO: THIS YEAR'S WINNING EXHIBITS: PAGE 24
ILLUSTRATION: [Cover]
GARY C. KNAPP/Staff
GARY C. KNAPP/Staff photos
"Golfer's Dream Home" by Viola Building Corp., includes a back-yard
putting green complete with sandtraps, golf ball washer and bench.
In addition to this formal dining room, "The Ansonborough" offers
four bedroom/bath suites, three fireplaces and a covered Southern
veranda.
"The Peabody" - shown here still under construction - will offer
"the ultimate back yard," including a small waterfall running into a
pool.
The master bathroom in "The Ansonborough" - a 10-room,
3,300-square-foot home - comes complete with Jacuzzi.
THE SCHEDULE
Homearama '94 opens today and runs through Sunday, Oct. 23.
Hours are noon to 10 p.m. daily except for noon to 6 p.m. on Oct.
23.
Admission is $6 for adults with two-visit passes for $9; $5 for
senior citizens (Monday through Thursday only); children under 12
are free. On Tuesdays, two for one tickets are available. On
Columbus Day, Monday, active military admisision is $5. Parking
is free.
GETTING THERE
Map
DIRECTIONS:
[For complete directions, see microfilm for this date.]
WHAT TO SEE: YOUR GUIDE TO THE HOUSES
1. The Peabody
Joe Robinson Custom Construction Co.
A French country, burgundy brick house of 3,900 square feet
featuring an open floor plan with 10 rooms and 3 1/2 baths. ``The
ultimate back yard'' is a highlight of the Peabody.
2. The Jimmy Mastracco
Dragas Homes Inc.
A two-story transitional style brick home with stucco accents. The
10-room house features a two-story foyer with an 18-foot ceiling and
an old world dining hall with a white stone fireplace. The house
includes 3,715 square feet of living area.
3. The Jewel of Tiffany
J.F. Schoch Building Corp.
A 3,600-square-foot, two-story transitional with a Finestone
synthetic exterior finish, steep pitched gable roofs, a covered
porch and Palladian windows. The 10-room dwelling also includes a
sunken living room with a vaulted ceiling and a sunken family room
with a wet bar and wine rack.
4. The Natalie
William T. Wingfield Inc.
The Homerama Christmas house. A 10-room brick neo-traditional home,
the Natalie features a music room and a large bonus room with French
doors. The home includes 3,626 square feet of living area.
5. No Place Like Home
Initial Trends Builder
A brick two-story transitional home, 4,075 square feet big. The
11-room house features a first-floor master suite and a kitchen with
an adjoining Florida room. A child-safe tool closet in the garage
and a youth loft hideaway in one bedroom make this a family-friendly
home.
6. The Kaitlin
J.F. Jackson III, General Contractor
A brick transitional home of 3,849 square feet. The house includes
nine rooms and four bathrooms. The first floor study with a full
bath may serve as a fifth bedroom. A stereo intercom system serves
the entire home.
7. The Palm Springs
Stafford & Son Builders
A Floridian transitional home of just under 4,000 square feet with
a front drive-through arched portico above a circular driveway. The
10-room home has oversized bedrooms including a first floor bedroom
with a full bath.
8. Summer's Glen
Glen Cameron Inc.
A peach-colored transitional two-story home of 3,758 square feet
with a multilevel hip roof and gables. The open-floor plan includes
a marble floored foyer and a Florida room. A private second-floor
balcony extends from the master suite.
9. Golfer's Dream Home
Viola Building Corp.
A stucco transitional featuring a two-story front porch. The
4,200-square-foot home has 12 rooms, a paneled library, a sunroom
off the kitchen and a putting green in the back yard.
10. The Jamie Leigh
Area Builders Inc.
A 4,200-square-foot, two-story transitional home with a brick and
synthetic wall system exterior. The 11 rooms include a large family
room with a curved rear wall of windows and a cathedral ceiling, a
second floor evening deck, and a children's study.
11. Fentress Hall
Bobby Howerin Builders Inc.
A 4,046-square-foot colonial/traditional brick home with
courthouse front steps. The house features a family room with a
window wall, a first-floor master suite, and a breakfast sunroom
among its 11 rooms.
12. The Alexis
J.T.M. Development Corp.
A painted brick Florida ranch of 3,709 square feet. The home wraps
around a courtyard-style pool area with a waterfall. There is a pool
view from almost all of the home's 12 rooms and from an observation
tower.
13. Flexible Living
Residential Concepts Ltd.
A one-story contemporary that includes a nine-room, three-bath home
as well as a two-room guest suite with its own garage. The
3,904-square-foot home also features a floating ceiling in the
dining room, a kidney-shaped pool, and SMART House wiring.
14. The Windsor
Commonwealth Custom Home Builders Inc.
A brick transitional with a steeply pitched roof, wraparound rear
deck, and screened porch topped by a balcony. The dwelling includes
10 rooms in its 3,826 square feet of living area and features a
two-story sunken family room with a cathedral ceiling.
15. The Arlington
L.R. Hill Custom Builders Inc.
A two-story taupe colored brick transitional home of 4,400 square
feet. The home includes 10 rooms and four baths. A two-story marble
foyer opens into a two-story living room with a large window wall.
16. The Ansonborough
Sasser Construction Co.
A Southern Living design home of 3,300 square feet in a traditional
eclectic style. The 10-room house includes four bedroom/bath suites,
a covered Southern veranda overlooking a garden patio and three
fireplaces.
17. The Monet
Charlie Anderson Builder Inc.
A brick transitional with 4,560 square feet of living area in 10
rooms. The home features a second-floor game room overlooking the
family room, five bedrooms, and an office with bookcases and a wet
bar.
KEYWORDS: HOMEARAMA 1994 by CNB