The 2016 Parade of Homes: Sample the latest in construction and design trends
April 22 marks the kickoff of the 2016 Parade of Homes, a two-weekend event and Birmingham’s largest new homes tour. Open to the public and free to attend, this 60th outing presented by the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders features more than 50 homes, 22 developers, and 17 neighborhoods—including our very own Town of Mt Laurel.
Mt Laurel’s featured entry, 316 Olmsted Street, is the first house completed at The Homes at Olmsted Park, a limited collection of 15 lots located in the heart of Mt Laurel. Boasting an extremely desirable location within easily walkable distance of Olmsted Park, the community pool, basketball courts, dog park, and Town Center shops and restaurants, the home offers a tantalizing preview of what’s to come this June, with the unveiling of the Southern Living Idea House.
Like the highly anticipated Idea House, the Olmstead II, as its floor plan is known, emphasizes Southern charm, impeccable craftsmanship, a sense of community, and a connection to nature. It’s also the only house in the Parade that belongs to a Southern Living Inspired Community, which, according to Mt Laurel architect Michael O’Kelley, requires neighborhoods “to step up their game. The stamp of approval from Southern Living exemplifies that Mt Laurel is already doing a high level of design and a high level of construction and basically guarantees that that level continues,” he explains. “Every house that gets built in Mt Laurel has to meet standards set forth not just by the developer but also by Southern Living, ensuring great construction and great design for years to come.”
Visitors can expect to be wowed by the home’s stately elegance, including a welcoming wraparound porch over 30 feet long and a spacious front-of-house study. A sweeping open floor plan encompassing a great room, dining area, and kitchen offers boundless entertaining opportunities as well as room for growing families, while an upstairs landing and two additional bedrooms with en suite bathrooms offer even more space. One of four different floor plans designed by O’Kelley, the Olmsted II represents Mt Laurel’s vision of the very best in innovative building and decorating trends and is outfitted with warm, high-quality finishes, shiplap design accents in the study and fireplace, Pella® windows, and KitchenAid® appliances.
Another exciting feature of the Olmsted II is its generous 888 square feet of unfinished space, which can be completely customized to the owner’s specifications. Possibilities include additional bedrooms, a play room, carriage house apartment, or even a mother-in-law suite. And the customizability continues on the outside: A thoughtfully designed floor plan creates an L-shaped backyard with a courtyard that allows owners to fully enjoy the benefits of outdoor living, from dining alfresco to planting a garden. “You could hardscape it, add a fireplace or fire pit,” suggests O’Kelley. “You’ve got plenty of room to customize it long term and do anything you want”—now or even years from now. Already hardscaped with flagstone for outdoor entertaining, the home’s generously appointed outdoor spaces are also inviting as is.
To anyone considering attending the Parade of Homes, O’Kelley says, “Get out and do it! Whether you’re looking to build or buy—or simply stay put and get ideas—no matter where you go, you’re bound to find something that piques your interest.”
Whatever you do, make sure you visit 316 Olmsted Street—it’s bound to be the highlight of the event! On Saturday, April 23, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., bloggers from B-Metro magazine will be on site, spotlighting the home and covering the Parade’s opening weekend. And as if all that weren’t exciting enough, visitors can also enter to win a gift basket filled with Mt Laurel Merchants and Southern Living goodies courtesy of the Town of Mt Laurel.
The 2016 Parade of Homes runs Friday through Sunday on two consecutive weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Dates are as follows:
- Friday, April 22 to Sunday, April 24
- Friday, April 29 to Sunday, May 1
To keep up with the latest happenings and fun things to see and do in Mt Laurel, view the events calendar and sign up for the Mt Laurel Newsletter.
