New Kent Charles City Chronicle

News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | March 28, 2024

‘Homearama’ comes to NK

By Community Member | September 9, 2010 11:21 am

“101 Great New Ideas For Your Home” is the theme, but organizers for “Homearama 2010,” scheduled for Sept. 18-Oct. 3 at Patriots Landing off Route 60 in New Kent County, say the affair is much more.

Produced by the Home Building Association of Richmond, Homearama features tours of six fully furnished houses by six different builders in the Quinton development. The homes encompass the latest in new construction, design, furnishings, and technological innovations. Visitors will be treated to money and energy saving ideas that can be incorporated into new or existing homes.

“Each builder tried to come up with at least 20 great new ideas, and instead of 101, it’s probably more like 200 great ideas,” said Franny Powell, speaking for East West Partners, the Patriots Landing developer. “These are things you can do in your current house or think about for a new home.”

Dog washing station, dual flush toilets, sensor faucets, internal iPod docking station, garage organizers, teen lounge, craft room, wine grotto, kayak/canoe bed, mom’s command center, appliance garage, recycling center — the list goes on. Also, there are “green” ideas ranging from foam insulation and rain barrels to composting stations and tankless hot water heaters.

“Today, people want the most house for their money,” Powell said. “They want a serviceable house that meets their needs, and they don’t want a show-off interior and extra space. People are looking for smaller, open, more flowing spaces.”

Homearama gives potential customers opportunity to buy a designer house at prices below replacement value, organizers say. “Buyers are getting a fabulous deal,” Powell added.

The Patriots Landing event ends a 15-year hiatus for Homearama in the Richmond area. East West has participated in seven, including the first held at Wood Lake in 1988, she said.

Colonial Homecrafters, Lifestyle Builders & Developers, Main Street Homes, Ryan Homes, Southern Traditions, and Youngblood Properties have built the six houses on view. Three have already been sold, Powell added. One is dedicated as the charity house with proceeds benefiting Children’s Hospital.

Special events are planned during the 16-day event starting with a wine tasting and jazz weekend. Also scheduled are a taste of Richmond, ladies day out, Children’s Hospital block party, and half-price ticket days for senior citizens and hometown heroes (see the accompanying schedule). Visitors can pick up more information at Homearama’s Home Idea Center and can sample local cuisine at the Home Cookin’ Court featuring Homemades by Suzanne.

Homearama is open daily, 12 noon-9 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults while children 12 and under are free.

Event sponsors are Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Cox Communications, Dominion Virginia Power, SunTrust Mortgage, and ProSource of Richmond.

Powell said New Kent officials are excited about Homearama taking place in the county. Close to 20,000 people are expected to visit Patriots Landing, giving the county an economic lift.