We love wandering through homes and sharing the highlights—whether it’s crashing an open house or popping into a local shop—so imagine our excitement when we toured eight houses on a single block during Richmond Homearama. This annual event pairs home builders with local designers to build and decorate a group of model homes in different styles. Many of the houses were already sold by the time we visited, but the show is still a great place to gather fresh ideas and inspiration.
What made this year’s tour so enjoyable was the contrast from one house to the next. You could move from a relaxed, casually elegant dining room into a polished transitional space, and every room felt more layered and thoughtful than the typical new-construction staging. Local designers took creative risks—two oversized light fixtures above one table, a river-rock backsplash in another—so the show avoided the standard “keep it neutral” approach and offered plenty of personality.
Some spaces really captured our attention. A mudroom in the “European Elegance” home was a quiet standout: simple built-ins with open cubbies beneath a bench made it easy to stash shoes quickly and keep clutter at bay. Vintage crates and boxes added charm and function, and bright, repurposed valve handles painted in cheerful colors served as playful coat hooks—an unexpected detail that felt both whimsical and useful.
The European Elegance house also included a bedroom that stood out. A realistic-looking decorative dog on the bench fooled us at first, and the bold graphic headboard—featuring crane or heron motifs—made a memorable statement. The designers balanced the headboard’s drama with a vibrant piece of floral art, bringing a lively blast of color into an otherwise muted palette and keeping the room from feeling washed out.
In contrast, the “Swift Creek Cottage” offered a guest bedroom that felt cozy and sunlit, like a comfortable porch retreat. A reclaimed-wood wall provided texture and warmth, and a yellow inset on the headboard gave the bed a sweet, unexpected pop. Much of the furniture across the show came from a local market and, in some rooms, was customized by designers, making it easier to track down similar pieces if you’re inspired by the look.
One kitchen we nicknamed the “Angel Kitchen” for its pristine white cabinets and glass-front doors—it felt like a bright, luminous sanctuary. The “Modern Craftsman” home reflected many elements we personally gravitate toward, including upholstered fabrics we recognized from our own projects. Across the houses, we noticed more ambitious molding and trim work than usual: coffered ceilings and intricate trim softened large entryways and scaled down double-height spaces so they felt cozier and more approachable.
Some designers used coffered ceilings to dramatic effect, painting them darker to create an intimate living room, while others kept the treatment subtle and tone-on-tone. The “Vintage Rediscovered” home introduced faux beams—actually painted drywall—to add architectural interest in a bedroom with a very tall ceiling, and its en-suite bathroom combined varied tiles and textures to create a comfortably lived-in feel.
Storage-smart solutions were common throughout the show: recessed niches, built-in shelves, and clever drop zones made good use of otherwise wasted wall space. Kid-friendly bathrooms had flanking storage around the sinks, and many kitchen islands featured bookcase shelves or cubbies at one end. The “Swift Creek Cottage” even included a half-wall shelf by a banquette that served breakfast nook needs neatly and efficiently.
Unique finishes and accents popped up in many rooms. We loved a hammered copper apron sink we spotted in one kitchen, and rolling barn doors in an upstairs media room offered a fun alternative to standard doors. The green front door on the same house felt fresh and welcoming. Outside, rain chains showed up on more than one home as a stylish alternative to traditional downspouts—an increasingly popular choice for those who appreciate a small architectural flourish.
Function-focused spaces also made an impression. One home included a “command center”—a compact built-in desk and cabinet area that works as a drop zone and mini office, a modern twist on having a small laptop desk in the kitchen. Small decorative projects gave character to practical spaces: a laundry-room “Check Your Pockets” sign with jars for spare change and odds-and-ends was both charming and sensible, and an equestrian-themed kids’ room used old shutters to display ribbons in a playful, creative way. If you enjoy bold kid spaces, we also encountered a spirited Angry Birds-themed bedroom where furniture and shelving mimicked the game’s aesthetic.
We only skimmed the surface of what Homearama had to offer, but it’s worth a visit if you’re local. The show remains an excellent source of ideas—from trim and ceiling treatments to creative storage solutions and distinctive hardware—that you can adapt to your own home. If you visit, keep an eye out for the little details: they’re often what make a space feel thoughtfully designed.
Psst- Still feel like snooping? Check out over 35 other houses we’ve crashed right here.