All the comforts of home: Parade builders offer inspiration, ideas

There are more amenities than ever in todays newly built or remodeled homes.

Like many Americans, eastern Iowans are centering their lives around their homes as a place of refuge from the daily grind and a place to raise children or retire, as well as entertain family and friends. The focus is on beautiful, practical spaces that are functional and efficient.

Consumers also are better informed, says Randy Pearson of Pearson Construction, about the latest trends, materials and products, thanks to shelter magazines, cable television and the Internet with websites like Houzz and Pinterest. Media has changed considerably peoples knowledge of what options are available, he points out.

More inspiration can be found in walk-throughs of new and remodeled homes featured in one of the areas largest real estate events, the 12th annual Cedar Valley Parade of Homes, beginning Thursday and continuing through next Sunday.

Sponsors are the Home Builders Association of Northeast Iowa, Veridian and Courier Communications.

Potential home buyers, people interested in building their own home or remodeling an existing home can see whats available in the market and the range of contractors in the area.

Cedar Valley builders point to hardwood floors, large tiled shows with frameless glass doors and multiple shower heads, first-floor laundry rooms, kitchen islands with furniture-like details and finishes that contrast other cabinetry, and maple, cherry and alder wood cabinets stained from light to dark or painted.

Although not new, the open-concept floor plan tops many wish lists, says Kyle Larson of LGC Homes. If you can possibly make an open-concept home even more open, thats what people want. And so many things that used to be 'bells and whistles' are more commonplace. Not long ago, hardwood floors and granite counter tops were considered luxuries. Now theyre almost standard, he explains.

Reed Hunemuller of Harting-Hunemuller says kitchens are the first spaces homeowners seek to open up in a remodeling project. They want the kitchen to be open to the living space. Weve also been doing a lot of whole-house remodels, either because someone buys a house and wants to redo it from top to bottom, or they like the neighborhood theyre in, or the home has some deep meaning to them, and theyre willing to stay and put as much money into the home as they would a new house."

Within those open spaces, more homeowners are seeking simple lines and less clutter. Theyre mixing traditional with the more contemporary look of clean lines in cabinetry and trim, notes Jennie Plummer, Cedar Falls sales director for Skogman Homes.

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All the comforts of home: Parade builders offer inspiration, ideas