Homes on Parade
22 new houses offer a chance to see current building trends
The Metropolitan Builders Association’s 72nd annual Parade of Homes, which kicks off August 12, offers a look inside 22 new homes in three subdivisions. But it’s not just for people who are shopping for their next residence.
“This isn’t only about new homes,” says Kristine Hillmer, the MBA’s executive director. “This is about looking at trends; it’s about looking at new innovative products; it’s about new concepts.
“A lot of people who come to the Parade of Homes aren’t necessarily in the market to buy a new house, but what they want to do is take these elements and concepts back to their (own) new house or their existing house.”
The Parade of Homes will run every day through Labor Day, featuring homes constructed by 18 MBA builder members. The three subdivisions are Four Winds West, a new development in the Village of Hartland; Fox Meadow, also new, in Menomonee Falls; and Highlander Estates, a new phase of an existing subdivision in Mequon.
The Parade will be the public’s only chance to see a number of these homes, according to Hillmer, as some are already sold, and others are likely to be sold during the event. Natalie Riley, MBA communications manager, says that in one recent year, all the homes were sold by the end of the Parade.
In addition to the houses themselves, the event is a way for developers to showcase these new communities, Hillmer says.
“If you’re moving, say, from St. Francis to Menomonee Falls, or from Franklin to Mequon, you may have no idea that these neighborhoods are available,” she says, adding that the Parade is also a way for participating builders to showcase their craft for possible future new-home buyers.
And what about those new-construction trends?
“Color is one,” says Hillmer. “The trend for the last couple of years has been very much grays, with a lot of white woodwork, and very neutral. What you’re going to see in a lot of these houses is color popping up.”
Bielinski Homes is one builder going that way in the house it built in the Menomonee Falls subdivision. “Think of the colors in Sherwin-Williams Noir theme, like Anchors Aweigh, Mature Grape, Alchemy and Cyberspace,” says Paul Bielinski, chief operating officer.
Hillmer says that builders can supply
visitors with the color choices they made in finishing the houses. That way, she said, “You know they’re color choices that match, so it takes some guesswork out of it.”
The Bielinski house also boasts compartmentalized baths: “Both the owner’s bath and hall bath are designed so that multiple occupants can use them simultaneously and privately,” says Bielinski. “This is a feature you don’t always see in the owner’s bath and rarely see in the hall bath.”
Also this year, Halen Homes’ house in the Fox Meadow subdivision is done in a modern-contemporary style, and includes cabinets hung on the wall (and not touching the floor), a staircase that uses steel cable for balusters and a double-sided fireplace that can be accessed from both indoors and outdoors, says Scott Thistle, the firm’s principal.
That indoor-outdoor fireplace is an example of how many new homes emphasize outdoor living, Hillmer says.
“Because Wisconsin has beautiful summers, and because functionally speaking you can’t use your outdoors half the year, they really make the most of this space,” she says, “whether it’s outdoor kitchen spaces or a fire pit or a gathering area.”
In addition, some of the homes make use of open concept design, with space between the kitchen and great room providing a combined space for entertaining. “Screen porches are often included in the large extended space,” says Jakki Brunn, chief operating officer of Trustway Homes. Their model features an outdoor living space in Hartland’s Four Winds West. Hillmer talks about how good it is, “having that sight line from your kitchen and your cooking to what your kids are doing in the great room – that has been a trend, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”
There are also lots of innovative materials used in these homes, such as with Kings Way Homes, whose home in Highlander Estates in Mequon has newly developed Kolbe Forgent series windows made with a hybrid of fiberglass and a UV stable polymer, and a Miele high-end domestic stainless steel appliance package.
These are just a couple of new products and materials visitors will see, says Hillmer. “Whether it’s the insulation which you may not see but it adds to the energy efficiency of the house, whether it’s the furnace and air conditioning systems that are energy efficient or whether it’s
the flooring choices, for example a tile that looks like wood.
“Be sure to look down at your feet and look up at the ceiling, where you’ll see different paint, fixtures, finishes or tray ceilings. So you really have to look down and look up, as well as looking around.”
Mudrooms also are popular these days, and you’ll see them in some of these homes.
Also popular: house plans that have a master bedroom or suite that’s separate from the other bedrooms in the house – either a “split ranch home” with the master bedroom on one side and the kids’ and guest rooms on the other, or a two-story house with the master suite downstairs. The master suite – the bedroom, an attached bath and a master closet – can become an “oasis” for parents, she said, or it can be used as a way to “age in place,” once climbing stairs becomes difficult.
“The final thing that really is interesting to look at,” says Hillmer, “is the technology and automation that can be included in your home. Anything from your smart appliances, to apps on your phone that you use to control your heating and air conditioning, turn on and off your lights or make sure your garage door is either open or closed.” This technology also allows you to open or close blinds or monitor your security system, she said – even a skylight that can sense moisture in the air and close itself before the rain falls.