Sheer glitz is part of the allure of show homes. Interior decorating can be wild, even invading the jungles of the world for inspiration.
At the Gallery of Homes in Geneva, the 4,450-square-foot custom creation by SeBern Homes features a “safari room” with tiger and giraffe wood statues standing guard and walls painted with an elephant, leopard and a waterfall.
The 1,665-square-foot finished basement sports a rock ‘n’ roll theme.
Not surprisingly, this 14-room house, called the Sydney, captured the gold (first place) award for interior decorating in the Critic’s Choice competition.
The Gallery of Homes showcases 12 custom residences, ranging in price from $385,000 to $750,000 and in size from 2,850 to 6,150 square feet.
Even more notable, the Sydney was judged to be the best overall custom home at the show, which runs through July 19 at the Mill Creek golf course community in the far western suburb.
Priced at $710,000, the Sydney also took gold awards for its interior trim, family room, kitchen, window treatment, floor plan, patio and deck design, landscaping and finished basement.
“We designed and decorated the home ourseleves,” said Julie Bernard, who operates SeBern Homes with her husband Ken.
Other gold award winners were:
– The Vintage, a 4,400-square-foot residence by John Hall Homes. Priced at $625,000, it won for its exterior design (American revival style), and for its window design.
– The Dourdan, a 3,900-square-foot home by Ed Saloga Builders. It won for its fireplace and master bath. Priced at $565,000, it also has an attention-attracting dollhouse in the back yard.
– The Boyd by Sho-Deen Inc., priced at $750,000. The most expensive home at the show, it has 5,100 square feet plus a 1,300-square-foot finished basement. It won for best driveway and best master bedroom, which is enhanced by a sitting area and a loft.
The Boyd also features a separate carriage home apartment above the garage that includes a kitchen.
– The Floridian by Havlicek Builders, a 2,850-square-foot ranch with a 1,200-square-foot finished basement. Priced at $675,000, it won for best interior lightging.
– The Heritage Classic by Marren Builders, a 3,800-square-foot two-story design. Priced at $532,000, it won for its home theater.
– The Del Mar by Acorn Properties Corp., a 3,500-square-foot design priced at $450,000. It won for best sun room, though that only tells part of the story. The spa room, as it is called, is brightened by two skylights and is next to a 12-by-20-foot indoor swimming pool.
Judges for the Critic’s Choice were selected from housing-related organizations outside the Fox Valley.
Hours at the show are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and $3 for children 3 to 12.
Mill Creek, a 1,470-acre master-planned community being developed by Sho-Deen, is located on the north side of Fabyan Parkway, about two miles west of Randall Road. For more information, call 630-879-6797.
