THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 6, 1996 TAG: 9610090610
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARCIA MANGUM, HOME & GARDEN EDITOR
LENGTH: 166 lines
THERE'S A REASON why so many houses in Hampton Roads adhere to traditional designs and decor: That's what people want.
The Virginian-Pilot Reader Home, designed as a result of a survey to find out what readers want in a new house, was unveiled this weekend as part of Homearama '96 at South Shore Estates in Virginia Beach.
Builder Charlie Anderson took the preferences expressed by more than 1,800 votes during a four-part survey last spring to create a house that combines well-crafted traditional design with modern comforts and technology.
Reader preferences are reflected in major ways, such as the side-entry garage and transitional architecture, and in details, such as whirlpool tubs, specialty ceilings, wood cabinets and solid-surface countertops.
Unlike many Homearama entries, which each year display all the latest bells and whistles in construction and decor, the Reader Home sticks pretty closely to basics.
``This home would probably suit a lot more people, because it's not so overdone,'' said Sharon Webster, manager of Hudgins Interiors and interior designer for the Reader Home.
Traditional green, burgundy and blue are the unifying colors throughout the house, Webster said, although she lightened the look with more neutrals in the master bedroom and took a whimsical approach in the children's rooms.
But, like the brick exterior with its clean lines, much of the house presents a somewhat conservative look that suits a majority of local residents.
There were some things readers wanted that couldn't be included, because of the size and price ceilings established for Homearama by the sponsors, Tidewater Builders Association. The Reader Home contains 2,600 square feet of living area and costs $263,500, including the $61,000 lot.
But Anderson worked to include as many of the preferred designs, details and trends as possible. He said the house has gotten a great response during the first few days people have toured it.
``Other than the fact some people may say they wanted a two-story, I think they'll like it,'' he said.
The majority of readers voted for a two-story, but Anderson decided to build a one-story with a second-story room above the garage, because he could then put the master bedroom and laundry room on the ground floor, as readers desired.
The early viewers, mostly people within the building industry, had no complaints, Anderson said.
``It's impressive when you enter the house, because you see the family room ceiling, the arches, the decorative trim throughout the house. It just strikes you right when you walk in,'' he said. ``The 12-foot ceiling in the family room adds a lot of spaciousness.''
The house has a total of 10 arches, including those over windows and doors, contributing to the home's architectural detail.
Some visitors may be surprised to find no formal living room in the house, but readers favored a cozy study instead, which they'll find just off the marble-tiled front foyer.
In keeping with the way our readers live, the heart of the home is the kitchen, breakfast nook and family room.
The raised pan ceiling with recessed lighting gives an elegant feel to the family room. Two large windows with narrow rectangular windows above them flank the fireplace, which has a warm wood and marble front.
Above the fireplace, a large recessed cabinet with glass doors can showcase a floral arrangement or house a TV.
The family room invites guests to sit and be comfortable with its overstuffed furniture and textured carpet. ``You look at that chair and who doesn't want to sit right down in it,'' Webster said. She also used an overstuffed ottoman as a cocktail table, a trend seen in many decorating magazines.
Another trend shows up in the kitchen and breakfast nook, with flooring of large ceramic tiles. ``The 12-inch and larger tiles are really hot now,'' Webster said. The kitchen area has tiles with a dark green marble look, while large tiles with a rough stone finish are used in the 3 1/2 bathrooms.
The kitchen, with a triple French door and large window over the sink, has plenty of natural light, as readers requested. A retractable burgundy and green striped awning keeps the heat out in summer.
The brightness is warmed by wood cabinets stained with a medium finish. ``The cabinets are the prettiest part of the kitchen,'' Webster said. ``To me they look more like a piece of furniture than kitchen cabinets.''
Among the other kitchen items readers wanted are the popular solid-surface countertops, a double sink, separate cooktop and oven and a built-in desk with glass-fronted cabinets hung over it.
The breakfast nook is located between the kitchen and family room, as preferred, and the areas are tied together by a pass-through bar with wood columns above and cabinets below.
Another area readers voiced decisive opinions on was the master suite. The bedroom's four-poster iron bed draped with sheers to coordinate with the gauzy window coverings illustrates the trend toward bedrooms with a soft, romantic look, Webster said.
The feeling of relaxing retreat is enhanced by the hand-painted magnolia blossoms painted over a faux finish on the tray ceiling.
The magnolia-print wallpaper in the master bath ties the rooms together. The bathroom has a soothing appeal, with its large glass-block window over the whirlpool tub, a separate shower with clear enclosure, light green tile floor and raised ceiling with recessed lighting.
``This end of the house is a little lighter,'' Webster said. ``The bedroom has some romance to it.''
And that's the way the readers want it. ILLUSTRATION: COLOR PHOTOS BY GARY C. KNAPP
THE KITCHEN: Wooden cabinets and a green tile floor add warmth to
the bright kitchen and breakfast nook.
THE FAMILY ROOM: A 12-foot pan ceiling creates a spacious effect,
made cozy by overstuffed furniture.
THE BEDROOM: Hand-painted magnolia blossoms on the tray ceiling add
to the romance of the master suite.
THE HEART OF THE HOME: The adjoining kitchen, breakfast nook and
family room provide the open, airy living space many people prefer.
EXTERIOR VIEW: The transitional, one-story brick house has a
second-story room over the garage and plenty of windows.
Graphics
The Virginian-Pilot
1996 HOMEARAMA
[For complete graphic, please see microfilm]
TRADITIONAL COLORS UNIFY HOME's DECOR
HERE ARE SOME additional highlights of what you'll find in The
Virginian-Pilot Reader Home:
The room over the garage is finished as a game room with a pool
table. A double window at one end offers a water view, and
glass-block windows under a built-in, cushioned seating area provide
additional light. A full bath adjoins the room, again with
stone-look tiles and traditional burgundy and green wallpaper.
There's a large closet and access to the attic for storage.
The study, which opens through an arch off the foyer, is set off
by one wall covered with wallpaper that looks like bookcases. A
massive antique reproduction desk gives a somewhat formal look to
the room.
Through the arch on the other side of the foyer is the dining
room. Its dark wood table, chair-rail molding and green
marbleized-look wallpaper give a traditional feel. The chandelier,
like some other light fixtures throughout the house, is of a
burnished metal, reminiscent of Mediterranean styling.
Two rooms are set up as children's bedrooms. Each is light and
airy, with a double window, and each has a double-door closet with
wood shelving.
The girl's room has hand-painting on the walls and furniture,
with a whimsical table painted to look like a tea party and a chest
adorned with clothes and jewelry. An iron daybed and large dollhouse
complete the look.
The nursery has a jungle scene brightly painted on one wall and a
Noah's ark theme throughout. ``So many people do wallpaper, but with
this accent wall, you don't need any paper,'' said Sharon Webster,
interior designer for the house.
The hallway contains a linen closet and a bath, to be shared by
the two children's bedrooms. Wallpaper and a tile floor give it a
traditional look. There's a rectangular window above the tub.
The laundry room, walk-in pantry and half-bath off the kitchen
are floored with the same green marble-look tiles used in the
kitchen. There is a coat closet in the breakfast nook, just around
the corner from the foyer.
Behind the house, Bill Fearns of Creative Exteriors Inc. has
designed a large deck with a recessed spa, a trellis gazebo with
swing and several built-in window boxes and benches. The deck leads
down to a hand-set stepping stone walkway and some interlock brick
pavers. A stack-stone garden wall adds visual interest and
separation from the park behind the house.
Marcia Mangum by CNB