Parade of Homes 2011

I have enjoyed visiting the Parade of Homes in the Syracuse area for the past few years, and I looked forward to attending this year as well. If you’ve never been, it’s an event sponsored by the Home Builders and Remodelers of Central NY. Each year builders, interior designers and vendors team together to create showcase homes in a local housing development, which are then offered for sale. The homes are decked out with beautiful furniture, most of which is offered for sale to the public so the designers won’t have to lug it all back to the stores after the show is over.

I savor the opportunity to see new trends in construction and decorating, and to plan my future dreamhouse! This year’s event was held at the Inverness Gardens development in Cicero.

In order to protect the floor surfaces inside each home, visitors are required to wear these goofy slippers, or socks. No bare feet or high heels allowed. It can be a bit cumbersome taking the slippers on and off for each house. I highly recommend wearing socks with slip-on shoes (though I didn’t take my own advice this year).

I take lots of photos to remember my favorite pieces of furniture, paint colors, construction methods, etc. Following are some of my favorites from this year’s show.

I loved the earthy tones in this dining room. The dramatic dark brown walls were a nice backdrop for the lighter furniture. The leopard-print chairs added a nice touch.

I adore all things chinoiserie, like this beautiful side chair.

These flowing drapes in a master bedroom reminded me of a ballgown. The hinged curtain rods added some dimension and made the windows a focal point.

Birds were a popular embellishment in several of the homes. I liked this embroidered shower curtain in one of the bathrooms.

This craftsman style fireplace wall caught my eye as soon as I walked in.

I instantly recognized the unique style of Whims-n-Doodles custom artwork in this girl’s room. I was happy to see a local small business I love represented!

I like the attention to detail shown in the curved corners and mitered trim.

This small scale antique canopy bed was adorable.

I liked this antique bench with a grouping of framed art above.

My favorite kitchen was bright and airy with gray painted cabinets.

How I would love some glass cabinets to display some of my china.

My favorite master bedroom had a soothing color scheme and a bird print on the drapes.

I loved this wicker sleigh bed.

An earthy green bathroom with botanical prints and a purple flower accent.

Completely impractical but very pretty peacock placemats.

I loved the soothing palette in this inviting living room.

This ceiling was in a boy’s bedroom, but I thought it was a very clever idea for a kitchen–save money by using stamped metal tiles on a smaller portion of the ceiling and surround with trim.

A grouping of blue glass vessels on a table.

These very narrow strips of stone lined a shower, giving it the look of grass or bamboo.

An inviting velvet setee in an entry-way.

The trends

In: botanical prints, subtle blue-green paint hues, seaside themes, birds, neutral palettes, botanical prints, metal railings (I’m not a fan), stacked washer and dryer

Out: bold colors like red on walls, formal dining rooms

Hope you enjoyed my tour of this year’s Parade of Homes–I’m already looking forward to next year!

Jennifer Roberts

is the founder, designer and author of Jen Spends Less. Formerly an architectural drafter and designer, Jen cut her spending and embraced a frugal lifestyle to be a stay at home mom.