The 2009 Romanelli and Hughes Parade home is finished! Some interesting facts about our home:

#1 People's Choice Award "Favorite Decor"

#2 People's Choice Award "Favorite House"

Gallons of paint – approx. 160 (Primer, trim and walls)

Number of custom wood trim panels – 153, each one was individual fit to its destination

Number of fiber optic lights in Theater ceiling tiles – 1000, 1 shooting star

Weight of Kitchen Island Soapstone – about 1000 lbs./ number of people to needed to install – 5

Weight of cast iron tub in Master Bath- 375 lbs

Number of circle themed details used in home – Too many to count!! Look for in wood trim,
light fixtures, tile, carpet, furniture, accessories, etc.

The name for the furniture piece we call the ARMOIRE, originates as the French word for armor – this was a large wood cabinet, often ornately carved that the nobility kept it’s armor in during the Middle Ages.

Monogrammed linens originate from 14th century France, when the nobility began sending out their linens to be laundered – having your Monogram (single letter) hand embroider ensured that you would get your own linens back

          The landscape is now greener than ever, murals, faux textures and color wrap through the house. The kitchen looks alive, warm and welcoming now and the house is really beginning to feel like a home.

          Our classic Soapstone counter for the island has arrived today. It’s gigantic and took a team to put in place. We are happy with the look and how it is finishing our centerpiece island in the Gourmet Kitchen. On the lower level the techies have begun working on the sound system, and theare’s A\V components. Movie anyone? Or pass on the movie and check out the wine vault, it is inspired by classic early 20th century design.

          Faux paint and murals are looking awesome now! In the Dining Room we have Carol Buccilla doing faux work, she also has excellent mural skills for commercial or residential applications. In our kid’s room we are flying high, not just from all the paint fumes, but from the inspirational and creative work of Diane Ryan. See for yourself!

          Today it’s about trees in the landscape, murals and plumbing fixtures. Check out the mural in one of the kid’s room, by Diane Ryan…  Amazing!

          The wine vault interior shelving and displays came today, so installation will happen shortly. The “Vault” will be able to store dry room temperate wines and have cold storage refrigeration, all on the first floor! The Vault, perfect for the wine connoisseur and for those tasting parties. Lighting fixtures arrived today and will be going up for that added drama.

          The outdoor lighting fixtures go in today and allow us to achieve the desired classic detail to our façade. The lower level home theater continues to move along at a rapid pace now.

          Kitchen island is being prepped for a gigantic soapstone top. Lighting fixtures are arriving and will soon go in. The landscape continues to get a lift from the sofscape arriving daily, by Cimminellos Landscaping.

          The hardscape of the landscape is going in. It will take days to get the stone cut and placed for our walks and patio. An arbor will finish the back right corner of the tumble stone patio. Our lower level is no longer a wood working station and is now evolving into the vision of the designer, Sarah Schnulo of Romanelli & Hughes and our Residential Designer Steve Jones.

          Faux paint and finishes continue to go into our home. Details emerge with different size, color and texture of the tile work being installed. Stains and painting continues as softscape of our landscape is delivered today.

         The drive is poured and setting. Hard surface landscape elements are installed and continuing to go in. Paints and stains are filling the home. The lower level pub is being constructed along side the home theater.

        Paint continues to go up, transforming each space. The basement is being finished and is serving as a wood shop for now. On the main level the garages have turned into wood shops as well. The family management center and basement are still being constructed and will be finished last. Landscape is being prepped for hard surface and footings.

         Trim is in the finishing stages and defining the spaces and style very well. Primer, stain and paint are making a debut this week. Tile is almost completely installed and detailed accent pieces are drying in place. The grading for the landscape has begun and our front walk is going in. The drive will be poured over the next couple of days.

         Most of the trim is installed and pulling the period look into the home as the walls get sanded and prepared for coating. Low voc paint will be used. The color is beginning to give life to the rooms and spaces in the home in the form of wall paint, stains and coatings. The exterior of the home is looking more finished than ever, but still missing the detail pieces that will define its character.

         The focus is now on finishing the trim details so that coating can begin. Many of the millwork projects are wrapping up as tile and hardware are being installed. The house still looks and sounds like a wood milling operation. The around of sawdust is staggering and serves as a reminder why vents need covered during this process and then deep cleaned later.

         Details emerge just as the home did from the frozen hole in the ground  back in late November 2008. Our house is filled with tradesmen and tradeswomen working diligently on every detail from marble to ironwork. Millwork and trim details continue to fill the house and dominate its presence. Inside and out a plethora of materials continue to be manipulated to represent the style and design chosen for this year’s parade house. It continues to look like an ever changing workshop through out, each day revealing more of the designer’s vision.

         Decisions about interior selections are being made this week. Take a look at our gallery to see some of the concepts being hashed out. We should have more final decisions made in the next couple of weeks. Careful planning and decisions concerning the time period's style will help determine how the details of the parade home are revealed.

          If you talk to anyone who is familiar with Romanelli & Hughes homes, the thing that usually sticks out in their mind is the sheer amount outstanding woodwork finish details. In this gallery you will see first hand the amount of wood it takes to get that look. The home is filled with the sights and sounds of a high production wood shop. With stations set up through out the home, cutting, shaping and detailing the wood trim products is a major project these next few weeks. Our master and finish carpenters are hard at work to surly not disappoint any Parade of Homes visitor this year. The high quality wood products you see would not be possible with out our long time friends at Columbus Wood Products. Our relationship with CWP extends decades, which is a hallmark achievement in the home building industry. We highly recommend visiting the CWP showroom and production facility to experience why they are the industry leader in providing wood products.

          The stucco and stone is complete, details around elements such as the windows and doors are now getting finishing attention. With all of the exterior details going up, our house is beginning to really reveal its true architectural style.

          The sheet rock is still being finished and detailed inside the home, including in the finished basement. The finished basement (1,322 SqFt finished space) will include a home theater, pub, recreation room and play room. The home will have a total of 5,753 SqFt of living space, with 9, 10, 11 and 12 foot ceilings through out. That’s a lot of sheet rock! In the images, notice the scaffolding and stilts used to access all of these spaces. The painter(s) will certainly have their work cut out in the weeks to come.

          Stone, stone, stone! Our masons are adding the cultured stone around the entire exterior of our home with a limestone ledge and extra “icing” for that old world look and feel. The stone masons are true artisans with decades of experience behind them. Placement, texture, size and color are all essential elements to take into consideration when facing a wall with stone. The final product needs to represent an old world look and feel, and we only trust these “masonry masters” to get the job done right.

          Inside our home, all of the electrical and plumbing rough-ins are in place and sheet rock is beginning to take over. All of the interior spaces and places are starting to evolve and become much more defined. The interior architectural details are taking shape and creating an entirely new atmosphere in our home.

          Our block and stone masons are hard at work. The façade is looking much more massive as the stone facing is added. Placing stone in walls is more difficult then it looks and truly is a mastered trade. Getting corners up first is one of the keys to getting an authentic proportionate aesthetic. Hand selecting the right color, size, texture and placement for each stone is essential for acquiring that natural look.

          Inside the home mechanicals continue to go in. Electricity is one of the first as it must web through our framed walls and will be essential to have in place for some of the next steps in our home building process. Insulation has arrived and is being placed in all the appropriate places. There are many different ratings of insulation in a home, so it is essential to put the right type in the right places to get an adequately insulated home. As always, our home will meet or exceed code and energy star standards.

          On the exterior of the home, the support system for stucco and stone is going in place, over another weather barrier. This wire netting will secure stucco and stone mortar to the walls of the home for decades to come. Much of our exterior is stone and stucco so you will notice plenty of this wrap going up and covering our super gloss black vapor barrier.

          On the interior, final adjustments are being made to framing, while details are refined and take shape. Mechanicals are beginning to come in and also be installed. Our Great Room Fireplace just made it in this past week as well. It will be a focal point of that room as well as the architectural ceiling that is beginning to reveal itself.  

          Today is one of the last moments when minor and major changes can be made to the interior framing. Soon mechanicals and finishes will be going in. So the Hughes’ met with our crew to walk the house, review the plan and adjust accordingly. It’s a high pressure moment, because going back after this point can cost quite a bit. Brad Hughes is confident in the layout of the home and excited to present the home in July, as is the rest of the staff.

          Windows are now in, thus mechanicals are going in next, soon to follow… insulation. Just in time, because old man winter has been tough on us this year, as you can see in our photos. Wind, Ice, snow and bitter cold temperatures have presented challenges. Once insulation is in, things will move much faster inside the house and the transformation to completion will be much more evident. It is hard to believe that this snow palace will be a sweltering July event and here before WE know it.

          Interior framing is coming along. Details such as architectural ceilings, niches and partial walls are now beginning to take shape. Our neighbors are getting their first walls up and it’s now beginning to look like a true parade site! Our Andersen window package arrived today and it was a lot of work getting the windows throughout the house. The windows look awesome and are very energy efficient. As for the outside, if you are wondering why our house is glossy black, it’s a new design trend we are starting. No... really, this is a new product, added to the exterior wall before it is finished. This layer will add a protective moisture barrier, keeping moisture out and dry locked air in the inner walls. This should help extend the life of the wood walls in this home and homes to come.

            Several other builders are excavated now. We have had more snow! -but things are moving along nicely on-site.  Several things are happening during my visit today. Jim Berry from Mid-State Concrete is moving gravel to prep the basement floor to be poured.  We are using a Fluid-Applied Vapor Barrier Membrane by Tremco on our parade home. The application process is starting today, they first seal all the plywood sheathing joints and around the windows, then they will roll all the exterior walls. This product takes the place of the 1st layer of vapor barrier where normally we utilize Typar paper. Today Brad, Corry and I are also checking the framing on our great room ceiling, the great room fireplace with Mike Flanagan from The Dublin Framing Co. and some cabinet questions again with Chris from The Jae Co. It usually does not take our homeowners this many framing and cabinets meetings on-site.  A parade home always presents some challenges that are unique!  At the Design Gallery, Kristen and I have been making plumbing fixture selections. All of the faucets will be Moen brand (we use all Moen brand faucets standard). The pot-filler, sinks, tubs and toilets will all be Kohler brand.  Once again, our plumber – Ed Baumann of Michael J. Baumann, INC needs to know specifications about our selections so that our plumbing rough is correct.  We are planning a few unusual applications so it is important to have all the details worked out and communicated to everyone involved. We will work to get that information finalized with Ferguson (plumbing supply showroom) and Baumann (the plumber) by the end of January.

            Some of the details are really starting to take shape in the rough framing now!  The dropped beam ceiling detail in the great room, the side-by-side arched openings in the master bath that will showcase the spa styled shower and an impressive cast-iron claw footed tub by Kohler, the soaring two story foyer and our very functional Family Management area as you enter from the garage.  We have started working with John Scott of Digital Home Designs. DHD will be providing several systems for us, the security, the phone and cable, and all audio-visual components for the home.  John, Steve Jones and I met to discuss layout for the Home Theater Room last fall while the plans for the finished lower level were being completed. At our meeting this week, we are discussing some of the components; John would love to install Star Ceiling Tiles that give the illusion of a star lit sky when the room is dark. We are planning to incorporate this into our design; I am already getting very excited to watch our design ideas come together!  One of the wonderful things about building a custom home is that we try very hard to educate our homeowners about options from the different subcontractors throughout the building process. We generally start with a review of what will be installed standard and then each subcontractor educates about other services, materials, or items they can provide.This enables homeowners to choose options that they may not have known about otherwise.  It may seem early yet in the building process but all of the systems DHD will be providing need pre-wired for during the mechanicals phase and possibly there may need to be some framing changes.

            Two more builders have now excavated and others have started framing so it’s starting to look more like a Parade!  Based on the plans I’ve seen, this years Parade is going to be very exciting with many new looks and strong traditional architecture styles not seen for awhile.  It’s exciting to see the Builders of Central Ohio going strong even in these times when the news seems to be so very negative.  We had our first official meeting yesterday at Capital Lighting with Ann Landis to start selections on the interior lighting fixtures. I had already met with Ann last fall as we had to know what exterior fixtures we would be selecting. Those had to be submitted for review with the plans, this is something specific to Tartan Ridge as we are not usually required to know at this point the exact fixture.  Well back to the interior fixtures, Kristen and I have a goal for this first meeting to pitch our plan for the general design for the parade home and brain storm ideas with Ann for fixtures. We know we want to utilize polished chrome, possibly black and a traditional look.  Kristen does have great designs planned for the bedrooms, with our Guest bedroom having a more contemporary style (Some fun things planned for this bed and bath!). It can be very overwhelming to think about selecting everything for a home this large. It’s best to break selections into several shorter meetings to be productive. So we plan to come back over the next several weeks and select fixtures room by room.   We are looking forward to a little break over Christmas but know that we need to work on plumbing selections as we are going to be starting all the rough mechanical installations soon!

            Well one thing consistent about December site meetings this year is the temperature!  Another very cold morning but it’s exciting to have our on-site meeting with Brad, Corry, and Chris from The Jae Co. for cabinet layout review.  Not all projects require this meeting but with a new floor plan, we have encountered some challenges to laying out the kitchen.  Kristen and I had some ideas early on that are just not feasible with the space we have.  This happens often so, we are having a meeting to measure, walk around in the actual space, (now that it is framed) and brainstorm some ideas. Most of our initial ideas are incorporated – commercial range with a large traditional custom hood vent (great focal point and functional for a large family / entertaining), lots of cabinets for storage (we are utilizing the high ceilings and taking them all the way up to the soffit), some glass cabinets (for display and our European look).  The areas we are here to discuss are moving the doorway that is framed to the hallway down to accommodate a larger refrigerator and how to layout the island.  We are also here today for general framing review and a consult with Complete Comfort that will be providing the HVAC system.

            It’s so cold this morning, right around 15 F !  The Dublin Framing Co. crew has been busy this past week getting the roof trusses set and the plywood sheathing on our house. Things are really starting to take shape; the elegant roof lines are now viewable as I drive into the community.  We are feeling a little lonely out here at the Parade site.  At this point two other Builders have excavated, but we are still excited that this years BIA’s Parade of Homes potentially has 11 to 13 Builders that will be participating.  Parade Homes are always a lot of work and planning to coordinate but we love to showcase what has earned us our reputation for high quality craftsmanship and a finished home that is awe inspiring!   Kristen and I have spent time this past week pulling together the concept for our Interior Design plan.  Our home will feature a Classic/Timeless European Traditional style.  Clean lines, sharp crisp contrasts, the use of black, various shades of white, and polished chrome are a brief glimpse of details to come.

            My goal for now is to be on-site once a week to document visually what is happening at the Parade site. It will be much more often from time to time as we move through the building process I’m sure.  As you can see there are big changes during the framing process and the house now has the 2nd floor framed and we are starting to set the roof trusses from Columbus Roof Trusses.  While the framing activity is happening on-site there are many meetings taking place at this same time and selections that need to be made off-site.  In fact, all the Exterior Selections have been complete since the beginning of October!  Part of the Tartan Ridge Plan review and approval process is submitting all the materials, colors, even lighting fixture information for approval also. So, all those meetings and selections are completed by this time.  We have moved on to starting selections for all the mechanical systems in the house – HVAC, plumbing, electrical, low voltage.  I will write more on each of those topics in the coming weeks as there are many things to think about when planning each of those systems.  Another important selection and design layout we have been working on since a first consult Nov 24th is the Cabinets with Chris Rudy of The Jae Company.  Now that the house is mostly framed, Chris will be able to make a site visit to field measure. We will be working on the Cabinets for several weeks to come so I will talk about that more later too.  Lots of exciting things to think about as we design the interior look and finishes for our Parade Home!

            Well, a week later and The Dublin Framing Company is making great progress.  Working in very cold temperatures, the crew pulls together to get the two-story walls of the elegant FOYER set in place with the aid of a boom crane.  It doesn’t seam that long since the very hot days in August that our own Residential Designer Steve Jones, Brad Hughes, his wife Elia Hughes, dad (and co-founding father) Dave Hughes, Design Gallery Team-Sarah Schnulo (that’s me), Kristen DuChemin and Lesli Kintner, our site supervisor Corry Morris and many others that I am probably forgetting to name were all brainstorming ideas for this home.  What would the elevation look like? What rooms to incorporate? What special features do we want? So many decisions to make!  But with great leadership by Steve and Brad, we soon had pulled together what is on its way to becoming a stately European Country Styled Home with roots deep in traditional architecture. 
            We also now have our foundation in for Lot 37, an Inventory Home that we are building in the community very near the Parade site. This home will be following nearly the same schedule as our Parade Home.  In addition to these two homes, our next Model Home is planned for the Villas area. We plan to excavate in February and have the Model open by the Parade in July. This new Dublin community, Tartan Ridge, is a mixed use community concept and we are very excited about being the Co-Developer.  With estate lots, villas (patio home scale), town homes, large green spaces, biking/walking trails, four parks, a retail area featuring boutiques, spas, specialty markets and restaurants we feel this is Dublin’s hottest new community! 

            Romanelli and Hughes is thrilled to be participating in the Central Ohio BIA’s Parade of Homes once again, and, after a four year absence we hope to make this house our best yet! With timely work by The Dublin Framing Company and lumber delivered by 84 Lumber of Delaware we were able to get the very first wall up of the 2009 Central Ohio Parade of Homes in Dublin’s Tartan Ridge Community. With our foundation of poured walls firmly in the ground, watching the 1st floor deck get nailed down and the walls of the house go up, it’s encouraging and very exciting as the planning of this house has been quite a labor of love.  Already at this point, we have spent several months creating and planning a home that is family focused for form, function, and aesthetic features. Follow along with us in this Parade Journal and share in our excitement about Building a Romanelli and Hughes Custom Home!