The 2008 Colorado Springs Housing and Building Association's annual Parade of Homes ended Sunday. The attendance numbers aren't fully in yet, but the HBA is expecting the count to be about the same as for last year's parade - approximately 20,000.
The parade featured single family and town homes ranging in price from $233,995 to 4.4 million dollars. (Many lower to mid-priced homes listed "base prices" in the Parade book, so it's a little hard to compare. For instance, the Vantage Home at Stone Crossing listed the base price as $570,900, the sales rep said the home as presented - fully finished, a fourth garage stall, view lot, etc. - was 1 million dollars).
Some of the trends seen at the parade:
- Less of the Colorado Contemporary/Lodge style architecture and decorating. Many homes still had a strong Tuscan influence, but there were some Contemporary (Disney Signature Home), Craftsman (Robert Scott Custom Homes), and mixes of styles.
- Warm colors still prevail, though a few cool colors snuck in: most notably, the grey and blue (mixed with earth tones) in the Disney Signature Home,
- The color schemes relied less on brown. In the last few years, we've seen lots of brown-based granites; this year, we saw more yellow and beige backgrounds, and black. Tiles tended to lean more toward beige. Many walls were yellow-based tones, and carpets tended to be a yellowish beige. Taupe was also a popular color.
- Medium to dark stained woodwork. Some homes had stained woodwork in the living area and painted in the bedrooms
- Granite counters with tiled full back splashes
- Some wild, exotic looking granites! A few reminded us of tiger stripes.
- Some mixing of finishes on the kitchen cabinets, and also some use of two patterns of granite, with the islands different from the main counters
- Farm house style kitchen sinks
- Butler's pantries with wine chillers
- Wide width hardwood floors
- Wallpaper - think tone-on-tone fleur-de-lys type patterns - mostly in bathrooms, but the Vantage homes also had wallpaper in the kitchens.
- Beautiful Art Glass fixtures in several of the homes
- Pendant lighting in living areas
- Lighting fixtures attached to the bathroom mirrors, instead of above
- Fewer dedicated theater rooms, and some of those were more open to the family/game areas than in previous years.
- Elaborate lower level wet bars/second kitchens
- Decks with wrought iron or wrought aluminum railings. Decks were composite or concrete, and many had unobtrusive built-in lighting
- Outdoor "Living Rooms" with fireplaces
- Separate laundry facilities for the master bedroom.
Bar sink in Symphony Homes' Sonata II Custom
Some unique features:
- Unusually shaped bar sinks - a long, narrow one, a slender curved one, a custom shape, and several round ones
- Bamboo flooring (Robert Scott Custom Homes)
- A step-down Chef's Office - (Flying Horse Signature Homes, The Residence at Toscano)
- A motorized TV lift housed in a beautifully handcrafted wood cabinet - the TV is out of site until you use it (Moeller Custom Properties- Sony Signature Home)
- A $45,000 Truggolf Simulator, where you can play on 60 world-class golf courses (Sony Signature Home)
- Leather floor inset in a study/library (Sony Signature Home)
- A wine cellar under the circular staircase, with a custom wood-paneled ceiling - really sharp! (Stonegate Homes)
- An indoor glass walled swimming pool room with retractable roof (Tiffany Homes)
- A brick ceiling in the dining room (Symphony Homes - Sonata II Custom)
- A fully enclosed sunken courtyard, with an overlook from the outdoor living room/loggia (Copperleaf Homes - Trieste)
- A combination outdoor fireplace and fountain (Trieste)
- A Master Bedroom "Skylounge" - a second level retreat (Trieste)
- Intriguing closets and exercise room configuration off the master bedroom - walk a few steps down to one closet; in another direction go several steps down to another closet, which has a loft exercise room/retreat, complete with balcony, a full level above it (The Residence at Toscano)
- A contemporary glass kitchen back splash (Moeller Homes - Disney Signature Home)
- Use of 20 cast columns in the Residence at Toscano - some were exterior columns
- A built-in espresso machine (Sony Signature Home)
- A "Teen Area" - a large loft off the two upper level bedrooms, complete with big screen TV, microwave and mini refrigerator - it would also make a great guest area for empty-nesters or single homeowners.
- Master closet decked out with crown molding and marble! (Sony Signature Home)
- A walk-through shower behind the oval tub (Moeller Custom Properties - Feguson Home)
- Rotundas - Foyer to the master bedroom in The Residence at Toscano, and entry in the Sony Signature Home
- "Auto Courts" - The Residence at Toscano and Sony Signature Home. All you need is the valet, and some stylishly dressed guests with cool cars.
- Geothermal heating and cooling system (Copper Mountain Custom Home - Mountain Majesty)
Ken and Sandy Wickham are long-time Realtors in beautiful Colorado Springs, CO. If you have any questions about the Parade homes, the builders, or new or resale homes in the Pikes Peak area, call them at 800-599-8500 ext. 1120 or 719-534-7919.
