At first I wanted to type the original “I like to move it, move it” lyrics, but then I remembered how much I dislike the moving process. Unloading furniture at the Homearama showhouse on Monday felt like an unpleasant déjà vu. On the bright side, we finally get to furnish the showhouse, which is exciting.
With construction essentially finished, a truck from Green Front Furniture arrived to deliver large pieces—beds, desks, sofas—and we had an all-hands-on-deck day to carry everything in and place it. I helped Charlie, the listing agent, hoist the king-sized mattress into the main bedroom.
Not everything came from Green Front. As the week progressed, more items trickled in. Sherry and I spent several hours each day visiting thrift and secondhand stores, small local shops, and big-box retailers to gather the finishing touches that make a house feel like a home: art for blank walls, accessories for empty shelves, and pieces to fill those awkward nooks and crannies.
Outside, progress continues. The wood beams have been stained and sealed, deepening their color as planned. The exterior still looks a bit sparse without landscaping, but sod installation should start this weekend. The front door is now painted.
After group discussion, we went with the white door option that many readers suggested. Keeping the door the same color as the white sidelights gives it more visual weight while letting the deep siding color and rustic wood porch remain the stars of the exterior. The door plays a supporting role—especially helpful since landscaping, potted plants, and porch furniture (including a hanging porch swing) will be added soon.
Inside, the kitchen has come together nicely. Appliances are installed, the backsplash is tiled, and the island stools—saddle-style stools donated by West Elm—are assembled. For reference, the island is painted Hale Navy, the gray cabinets are a stock color from the cabinet maker, and the gold pendant lights above the island are from Shades of Light.
Sherry has started styling the eat-in nook built-ins and the nearby cabinetry. The kitchen has a large open layout—an 11-foot island helps set the scale—and adding stools immediately made the space feel more like a real kitchen.
We chose a subtle backsplash to add polish and light reflection without competing with focal elements such as the gold fixtures, navy island, and x-fronted glass cabinets. The chosen white blend waterfall glass tile supports the room rather than stealing attention.
The countertops are a leathered marble called White Moura. Instead of a glossy finish, it has a slightly pebbled, matte texture that resembles leather. This finish, along with the sealing method, makes the surface durable and easier to maintain.
And then there’s the fridge. I’ll admit I’m jealous—this Sub-Zero and Wolf appliance package is a real upgrade. We initially picked a Whirlpool line, but the builder encouraged us to step up, so we selected the higher-end set through a local contractor.
The doorway leads to a butler’s pantry that uses the same cabinetry and counters as the kitchen. We installed traditional lower storage for wine and servingware, but replaced typical upper cabinets with industrial teardrop sconces and a wall coated in chalkboard paint. The pantry is a small transition space, and leaving the upper walls open gives it an airy, playful feel. We have a few plans for that chalkboard area.
Upstairs, the laundry room wallpaper—Pebble Leaf by MissPrint—has been hung. After some hesitation, we decided to take a risk and add the pattern, and we’re glad we did. The counters are soapstone, the faucet is a Leland model, and the cabinets have a dark wood stain. Light, modern tile covers the floor, and we hung two matching pendant lights in a row for a fun touch. The washer and dryer are on order in a deep gunmetal finish and will complete the space once installed.
The guest bathroom is still a work in progress and missing finishes like some tile work and a mirror above the vanity. We’re aiming for a vintage vibe, so we installed a tile wainscot around the room. For now, the floor provides a peek at the design with a hex-style tile inspired by classic penny tiles.
Small details are bringing rooms closer to finished. We’ve added vintage-inspired fixtures like a bridge faucet, and cabinet hardware is now in place, which makes everything feel more complete.
Our favorite bathroom in the house is the kids’ bath. The green vanity, white lantern tile, a wall-to-wall mirror, wall-mounted faucets, and an industrial-style light fixture all came together and look great. The vanity top conceals a deep double trough sink that’s recessed beneath the counter, providing over 5 inches of depth and nearly 48 inches of length—perfect for playful imaginations. Wall-mount faucets that emerge from the mirror add to the streamlined look.
The kids’ bathroom also features a separate toilet and shower area with a door so one child can shower while another uses the sink. Behind the shower we added built-in cubbies sized for rolled towels, shampoo, and toiletries. The shower uses striped glass tiles for a lively, modern touch.
Other small nooks are coming together as well, like the main bedroom “atrium” between the bathroom and closet. A brass floor mirror and a branch chandelier add character to the tall ceilings. The walls are painted Stonington Gray.
There are six other show houses being built nearby, each by a different design team, and the neighborhood is shaping up nicely. One of the neighboring yards even has a pool, which is a rare and delightful addition in this area.
We’ll be focused on the showhouse over the next couple of weeks, working to finish as much as possible by the April 4th photography deadline so the Homearama organizers can document and judge the project. We’ll keep tweaking details afterward, but for now we’re essentially living onsite. Thankfully, the mattresses are in, which helps a lot.
Psst – For more photos and the full showhouse tour, check the showhouse photo gallery and final room pictures available through our project documentation.