This article originally appeared at tennessean.com: http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/homes/2017/05/16/fall-parade-homes-brentwood-highlight-smaller-spaces-high-end-features/322408001/
The open floor plans popular in today’s new homes have made the kitchen part of the main living and entertainment space, where dinner guests can be found having a conversation and enjoying a glass of wine.
So where is the host supposed to complete the sometimes messy work of preparing the meal?
In the second kitchen, of course.
“That’s a more workable space if you’re entertaining and people are hanging out in the kitchen, drinking a glass of wine,” said Doug Herman, president of Legend Homes.
You can see an example of Legend Homes’ fully equipped second kitchen, or caterer’s kitchen, during the Parade of Homes this fall. Ticket holders will see innovative designs presented by Legend and five additional home builders — Ford Custom Classic Homes, Castle Homes, Stonegate Homes, Schumacher Homes and Barlow Builders.
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Witherspoon has 153 home sites on a 263-acre parcel that was part of the 1,500-acre Wildwood Plantation. The privately owned antebellum mansion remains on the property. The subdivision is being developed by CPS Land and Ford Custom Classic Homes. Home prices in the neighborhood range from the $800,000s to more than $2 million.
Castle Homes, which is making its first appearance in the Parade in about a decade, is presenting an English country-style house inspired by Edwin Landseer Lutyens, the architect who designed many of England’s public buildings, war memorials and country houses in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Many homeowners are looking for smaller spaces but with high-end finishes, said Alan Looney, the company’s president.
With a total of 5,200 square feet on its first and second levels — 6,000 when the basement is included — Castle’s design is somewhat smaller than many luxury homes. The price is expected to be under $2 million.
“Our goal is to keep it small and build something attainable that people want,” said Looney.
The Parade will have “a lot of innovative designs, homes that fit what people are looking for in today’s lifestyle at a price people want,” he said.
The laundry room in Castle’s home is an example of the thoughtful use of space.
“It won’t be just a laundry room,” but will have room that could be set aside for the kids to work on projects, he said.
Legend is moving the bonus room from its isolated location on the second level to the first floor. It’s a space where the kids can gather while mom and dad entertain.
“Moms say they love that because the kids are close by,” said Herman.
When the kids need to concentrate on homework, they can move to the upstairs study nook.
The caterer’s kitchen will be next to the main kitchen and will be equipped with its own appliances. When guests need another glass of wine, they can step through a steel and glass door into the wine room.
“You see a lot of wet bars,” said Herman. “This is a wine room, glass enclosed. The steel and class door makes it more of a focal point.”
The house will feature a three-car garage as well as a separate one-car garage “where that collector car goes or the golf cart for running around the neighborhood,” he said.
If you go
What: The Parade of Homes, presented by the Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee.
When: Oct. 8-23
Where: The new Witherspoon subdivision in Brentwood, on Crockett Road near Wilson Pike and Concord Road.
Admission: $12, available at the gate daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.