Linda Falkenstein
Scenic Ridge in Verona
The last year's 21 homes at only three sites. But it's still well down from a decade ago -- there were 36 houses back in 1998. In recent Parades, some of the more interesting architecture has been at traditional neighborhood developments Middleton Hills and Providence in Sun Prairie, but neither site is on the parade route this year.
However, nine homes are certified as Scenic Ridge Could be yours! TimberLane's 3,149 sq. ft. 4-bedroom TimberLane's Great Room Crazy sexy drainage Fumed Cherry flooring Home on the ranch Lower-level home theaters Coffered ceiling-mania Entryway overkill
is not hard to get to, although the official directions will take you in a bizarre pretzel. Of the five homes above, two are for sale; the other three are already sold. The houses here are all more or less designed in the contemporary conglomeration of architectural features known as "transitional" and range from 1,830 square feet (the smallest in the Parade, priced at $399,000-$439,000) to 4,395 sq. ft. More Craftsman-influenced designs are at Blackhawk (west Madison) and Bristol Gardens (in Bristol, near Windsor).
The views are beautiful right now, but will presumably soon be filled with more homes instead of rolling countryside. This lot (available!) is 9,922 sq. ft. and priced at $94,900.
TimberLane Builders' model has possibly the most pleasing exterior at the site, with Fisher stone that's repeated inside on the fireplace (natural gas). The house is Green-Built.
The trend in two-story homes is a second-floor walkway that looks down over the great room. Also trendy: Wooden railings with wrought iron spindles, ceilings painted the same color as the wall, coffered or tray ceilings, walk-in closets with windows, and central vacuums. One home (not at Scenic Ridge) has built-in iPod docking stations in every room.
While not initially as exciting as soapstone countertops, Kohler fixtures or a home theater, there's really nothing better than a dry basement. Right now southern Wisconsin residents may want to pay attention to how a lot drains.
The most interesting look in flooring was this darker Fumed Cherry prefinished wood in Encore Construction's home. This flooring has a rough-hewn look. "Fumed," however, refers to wood "darkened or colored by exposure to ammonia fumes."
Hauden & Scholl's model looks from the outside like the most modest of the five homes, but its exposed basement actually gives it 3,130 square feet.
The ranch styles (single-story models) often have exposed basements, usually with a home theater, wet-bar area and an additional office or bedroom space. This year's demo DVD fave in the home theater room seems to be Chicken Little.
These are popular in low-ceilinged rooms like the oft-found home-office-off-the-front-entrance. This is the office/den of the Madison Homes model.
Backsplash!
It's the little things that are often the most appreciated when you're actually living in a house. Kitchen backsplashes are useful but often overlooked, and this one features light yet earthy materials. In the Midwest Homes model.
Scenic Ridge looking west toward Epic
Views on the ridge to the west overlook Hwy. 18/151, Verona itself, and the expanding
