By Sarah Kuper
The 2016 Parade of Homes offers something for everyone, according to Sarah Drexler, director of communications at the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders.
The parade includes 50 houses in 17 Birmingham-area neighborhoods, ranging in value from $200,000 to $1 million dollars and in size from 1,000 square feet to almost 5,000 square feet.
“The homes this year are a good representation of the housing market in Birmingham. It showcases the quality available here. These homes are the best of the best.”
Drexler said the parade allows local builders to show their abilities, but it also gives visitors a chance to see the latest trends in decor.
“The distressed wood look is very in style right now – whether cabinets or furniture,” she said. “People are paying more attention to smaller rooms like mudrooms or accents like fireplaces.”
The “white, light, bright” look is still en vogue for kitchens and bathrooms.
Birmingham-area builders with houses in the parade include: J. Wright Building Co., Kadco Homes, Harris Doyle Homes Inc. and Eddleman Residential LLC, to name a few.
Neighborhoods with houses on display include Ross Bridge, Ballantrae, Grey Oaks and Highland Lakes.
The 2016 Ideal Home will be in Vestavia Hills on Altadena Park Lane. The house is designed by J. Wright Building Co.
The house features “smart” technology, including high-tech thermostats and touch-screen locks, plus traditional trim work and coffered ceilings.
The home has a wrap-around porch and other Southern touches such as rustic beams and sliding barn doors.
The association has partnered with Southern Living for this year’s Ideal Home. The house will feature the Southern Living line of furnishings and décor, and landscaping will include products from their plant line.
The event is scheduled for the weekends of April 22-24 and April 29-May 1. The houses will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, including a map of all the houses, visit birminghambuilder.com/events.
