By Patty Hutchens | Article Provided by Coeur d’Alene Living Local
It is an event that keeps people coming back year after year. The Parade of Homes is put on by the North Idaho Building Contractors Association (NIBCA) and showcases the craftsmanship of the area’s top builders, architects, interior designers, landscapers, home automations specialists, kitchen and bath designers and building product suppliers.
This year’s event spanned two weekends in September and drew people from all over to view the beautifully constructed homes and provided inspiration to many.
Aspen Homes and Development has been a part of the Parade of Homes for nearly 20 years, with up to three homes showcased in a given year.
“We love the Parade of Homes,” said Zetta Stam, an interior designer and co-founder along with her husband Todd of Aspen Homes. She said that many of the same people return year after year and have not only become friends but some of the company’s biggest cheerleaders.
“It’s always fun to reminisce about their favorite homes of ours in the past and just to chat with a friendly face. It is a lot of work for our team to prepare for the crazy busy couple of weekends, but it is so worth it,” said Stam. “Our subcontractors and suppliers are always beyond amazing with helping us have the homes ready and looking great so the wonderful furniture companies like Tin Roof and Mountain Comfort can add the icing on the top. We so appreciate everyone’s dedication.”
This year Aspen Homes had three homes featured. Located at 408 Millview Lane in South Shore 7, a new subdivision on the Spokane River, The Retreat is a 4,325 square-foot home with five bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms. Designed by d’Zign Group Architecture out of Hayden, this was the first time that Aspen Homes has constructed The Retreat home.
The second home that Aspen Homes featured this year is the Bayside, also designed by d’Zign Group Architecture. This 4,476 square-foot home features five bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms and is located at 10916 McCall Falls overlooking Hayden Lake in Hayden.
In House Draftsman designed the third home that Aspen Homes featured and is one they have built in the past, only this time they changed it up a bit. The Brookside is a 2,967 square-foot home located in a new subdivision by Aspen Homes called Alpine Point. This home is located in Coeur d’Alene at 2272 East Thomas Hill Court and features four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms.
According to Stam, any registered builder in good standing with the NIBCA can be a part of the Parade of Homes.
“The NIBCA team does so much hard work behind the scenes to get ready for this event for the community along with so many volunteers like the Women in Business,” said Stam. “I applaud them for their tireless efforts and hundreds of hours to put on this amazing event for the community to enjoy and so that we builders have an opportunity to showcase our products.”
Todd and Zetta founded their company with the mission to provide people of all ages and economic backgrounds an opportunity to build their dream home. Todd shares that the company was given the People’s Choice Award and named the Best Custom Home Builder in Idaho from Home Builder Digest. They have been featured on HGTV’s Top Ten Amazing Kitchens and been featured in several publications.
Dalton Cunningham of ActiveWest Builders said their company has had approximately nine homes in the Parade of Homes over the years, including three in the Circuit @ Seltice, a small urban community in Coeur d’Alene where ActiveWest developed and built one of the phases. They have also featured three homes in Meadow Ranch—a premier 55 and older community featuring high-performance, healthy green cottage-style homes, three homes in Circuit and three in Riverstone.
This year’s featured Parade of Homes location for ActiveWest is located at 3304 North Rosalia Road at The Circuit @ Seltice in Coeur d’Alene. It is a 1,107-square-foot home with two bedrooms and two bathrooms and has all main-floor living. Across from the Atlas Waterfront Project, the community is a private gated community with direct access to the Centennial Trail.
Dalton shares that what makes this home unique is that it is not only low maintenance but has quartz counters throughout, fill tile, a no-lip master shower, full height backsplash and is constructed higher than code. “It’s a healthy, energy-efficient home in a community with low Home Owners’ Association dues,” said Dalton. And as in all its homes, ActiveWest specializes in constructing energy-efficient and LEED certified homes.
ActiveWest has been in business since they first began the Meadow Ranch development in 2006 and have completed construction in a total of eight communities with more in the works.
Adding to the character of their custom homes includes unique requests such as home theaters and outdoor kitchens.
Also featured in this year’s Parade of Homes was Architerra Homes, which had two homes showcased—one, The Gallatin, located at 6917 Hourglass in Coeur d’Alene and the other, The Bighorn, featured at 4437 East Fennec Fox Lane in Post Falls.
The Gallatin, which is one of Architerra’s most popular homes, features a two-story ceiling that goes from the foyer to the living room. An upper-level balcony is visible from the lower level and offers a midway focal point for the space.
Adjacent to the vaulted living room are formal and informal dining areas which flank the kitchen. The kitchen layout is open and contains a large island with sink and closet pantry. The master suite has a shower, dual-sink vanity with makeup desk, and walk-in closet. On the upper level are a bathroom and two bedrooms, which are located on opposite sides of the home for privacy.
Located at The Trails in Coeur d’Alene, The Gallatin received the awards for best kitchen, best interior design and best exterior in its category.
A single-level design, The Bighorn home features a design perfect for those who enjoy not only an open floor plan but also for those who enjoy entertaining. With a large kitchen that is open to a living room and dining room with high vaulted ceilings, one is also able to easily access the outdoors with double sliding doors.
“Our Bighorn model at Foxtail in Post Falls won for best kitchen, best master suite, best interior design, best exterior and most energy efficient in its category,” said Allen Dykes of Architerra Homes, which has been in business for four years.
“I believe having a home that is intelligently designed really resonates with today’s buyer,” said Dykes. “Showcasing design and finishes shows buyers what we are capable of offering in our homes.”
Next time you find yourself dreaming of the perfect home or remodel of your current residence, find some inspiration from these award-winning builders and others in our area.
