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Tour the First Houzz Inspired Home — and Shop Its Look
See how a builder and a designer created a gorgeous model home decorated with stylish products from Houzz
A model home is meant to show potential homebuyers what life might be like — and look like — within a set floor plan. It’s an example of what to do with the rooms, how to arrange the furniture, which paint colors might work and how materials will look and feel in the home.
For this new model home in a 55-and-up community in Middletown, Delaware, designer Sarah Dorsey of Builders Design collaborated with builder Frank McKee of McKee Builders to dream up a fresh, transitional style with an inviting palette of white, navy blue, light wood and black details. They envisioned an active couple with grandkids who visit often and sleep over. The 2,540-square-foot, three-bathroom home has an open-plan layout, a sunroom and a kids’ hangout area with an indoor play structure.
The model home, which opened to the public May 8, is also the first Houzz Inspired Home, which means Dorsey decorated the interiors with furniture, rugs, soft goods, art and accessories from the Houzz Shop. People who tour the home can buy the home, the furnishings or both. Those who don’t live in the area can take a virtual tour of the home, as well as browse and buy the products on Houzz in curated ideabooks.
Here, we highlight the stylish details and elements featured in the new model home.
For this new model home in a 55-and-up community in Middletown, Delaware, designer Sarah Dorsey of Builders Design collaborated with builder Frank McKee of McKee Builders to dream up a fresh, transitional style with an inviting palette of white, navy blue, light wood and black details. They envisioned an active couple with grandkids who visit often and sleep over. The 2,540-square-foot, three-bathroom home has an open-plan layout, a sunroom and a kids’ hangout area with an indoor play structure.
The model home, which opened to the public May 8, is also the first Houzz Inspired Home, which means Dorsey decorated the interiors with furniture, rugs, soft goods, art and accessories from the Houzz Shop. People who tour the home can buy the home, the furnishings or both. Those who don’t live in the area can take a virtual tour of the home, as well as browse and buy the products on Houzz in curated ideabooks.
Here, we highlight the stylish details and elements featured in the new model home.
Two pendants illuminate a long console that can be used as a place to drop keys and mail.
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The entrance leads to a hallway with a bedroom on the left that the team converted into a home office. (See more below.)
Because this is a 55-and-up community, McKee kept universal design principles in mind. All the doorways and hallways are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair if needed. And all the doors feature handles, which are easier to use than knobs.
The hallway leads to the open-plan kitchen, living and dining areas.
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Because this is a 55-and-up community, McKee kept universal design principles in mind. All the doorways and hallways are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair if needed. And all the doors feature handles, which are easier to use than knobs.
The hallway leads to the open-plan kitchen, living and dining areas.
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Dorsey continued the light and bright theme into the kitchen. White upper cabinets, marble-look quartz countertops and a layered lighting scheme create an airy feel. Blue cabinets add contrast and keep the space from feeling too stark.
The backsplash is the same marble-look quartz as the countertop, but Dorsey transitioned everything above the open shelves to elongated white hexagonal tile. “We’re always thinking of different things to offer clients and this mixed backsplash was something everyone involved with this project got excited about,” Dorsey says.
The blue door near the stairs on the left opens to the laundry room, which connects to a two-car garage. “We always try to place the kitchen as close as we can to the garage so owners don’t have to lug groceries too far,” McKee says.
Counter stools: Kavalan, Mercana Furniture and Decor; vase on island: Adelaide in bronze, Cyan Design; paint colors: Grays Harbor (lower cabinets) and Oyster White (walls and upper cabinets), Sherwin-Williams
The backsplash is the same marble-look quartz as the countertop, but Dorsey transitioned everything above the open shelves to elongated white hexagonal tile. “We’re always thinking of different things to offer clients and this mixed backsplash was something everyone involved with this project got excited about,” Dorsey says.
The blue door near the stairs on the left opens to the laundry room, which connects to a two-car garage. “We always try to place the kitchen as close as we can to the garage so owners don’t have to lug groceries too far,” McKee says.
Counter stools: Kavalan, Mercana Furniture and Decor; vase on island: Adelaide in bronze, Cyan Design; paint colors: Grays Harbor (lower cabinets) and Oyster White (walls and upper cabinets), Sherwin-Williams
Vertical storage for items such as cutting boards sits above the built-in microwave.
The island measures about 7 by 4½ feet. “It’s the biggest island we can make without someone needing a step stool to clean the middle,” McKee says.
Dorsey used white oak ceiling beams and white oak on the far wall to help delineate the dining and living areas from the kitchen. “It kind of makes that its own space and more cozy,” she says.
Dorsey used white oak ceiling beams and white oak on the far wall to help delineate the dining and living areas from the kitchen. “It kind of makes that its own space and more cozy,” she says.
Dorsey installed nine glass globe pendants above the dining table to mimic the look of a long linear chandelier.
She used woven textures in many of the furniture pieces, including these cane-backed dining chairs, to create design cohesion throughout the home.
Dining table: Massimo, Moe’s Home Collection
She used woven textures in many of the furniture pieces, including these cane-backed dining chairs, to create design cohesion throughout the home.
Dining table: Massimo, Moe’s Home Collection
In the living area, a large sectional maximizes seating. A palette of whites, blues, grays and light woods runs throughout the home. “We wanted to have customers really envision themselves living here, and these washed blues and white create a light and bright feel and just looks cozy,” Dorsey says.
The living area is one of the first things you see when entering the home, so Dorsey wanted to add something visually interesting. Two chairs with curved lattice-like frames did the job.
Sectional: Sylvan armless and corner in Linen Talc, Skyline Furniture; table between chairs: Bacco concrete in dark gray, Noble Origins Home; blue pillows: Cottage in denim, Pillow Inspiration; vase on table: Blue Mountain, Moe’s Home Collection
The living area is one of the first things you see when entering the home, so Dorsey wanted to add something visually interesting. Two chairs with curved lattice-like frames did the job.
Sectional: Sylvan armless and corner in Linen Talc, Skyline Furniture; table between chairs: Bacco concrete in dark gray, Noble Origins Home; blue pillows: Cottage in denim, Pillow Inspiration; vase on table: Blue Mountain, Moe’s Home Collection
A brushed oak circular light fixture casts a subtle glow and sits close enough to the ceiling to not interfere with sightlines.
The same marble-look quartz used in the kitchen wraps the fireplace, which is a two-sided design that connects on the other side to a screened porch.
Light fixture: Baum chandelier in brushed oak, Four Hands
The same marble-look quartz used in the kitchen wraps the fireplace, which is a two-sided design that connects on the other side to a screened porch.
Light fixture: Baum chandelier in brushed oak, Four Hands
For the sunroom off the dining area, Dorsey and McKee pictured a place where homeowners would have their morning coffee, read a book in the afternoon and enjoy wine or a cocktail in the evening.
A door out of view on the right opens to the screened porch. The round table and barrel-backed chairs help keep the circulation paths open.
The blue-gray paint on the walls nods to the blue kitchen cabinets.
Table: Mateo, Bassett Mirror Co.; chairs: Gabel armless chairs in Antique White, Skyline Furniture; vases: Potteri, Cyan Design; wall paint: Cadet, Sherwin-Williams
A door out of view on the right opens to the screened porch. The round table and barrel-backed chairs help keep the circulation paths open.
The blue-gray paint on the walls nods to the blue kitchen cabinets.
Table: Mateo, Bassett Mirror Co.; chairs: Gabel armless chairs in Antique White, Skyline Furniture; vases: Potteri, Cyan Design; wall paint: Cadet, Sherwin-Williams
In the laundry room, mudroom-style storage cabinets create a drop zone for people entering from the garage. A pullout drawer near the floor below the sink hides pet bowls. To the right of the sink, storage niches maximize space under the stairs.
Gallon glass heritage jar: Anchor Hocking; Caro waffle bath towel in Ashley Blue: Blomus
Gallon glass heritage jar: Anchor Hocking; Caro waffle bath towel in Ashley Blue: Blomus
In the primary bedroom, Dorsey wrapped the tray ceiling in white oak boards and designed a millwork treatment on the headboard wall. “It’s simple but impactful,” she says.
She carried in the woven theme with the bed, which has a natural cane headboard and footboard on an iron frame.
A floral pattern bench adds a pop of color and visual texture and picks up on the recurring blue theme.
Bed: Jordan king, Four Hands; lamps: Buckley, Surya; area rug: Rex, 10 by 14 feet, Surya
She carried in the woven theme with the bed, which has a natural cane headboard and footboard on an iron frame.
A floral pattern bench adds a pop of color and visual texture and picks up on the recurring blue theme.
Bed: Jordan king, Four Hands; lamps: Buckley, Surya; area rug: Rex, 10 by 14 feet, Surya
In the primary bathroom, a curbless shower features a built-in bench and a niche. Dorsey played with the grout lines to create an interesting design with basic materials. The vertical grout lines are 1/16th of an inch wide, while the horizontal grout lines are ½ an inch.
The water closet is painted the same blue-gray as the sunroom. All the doors in the home are painted the same color as the blue kitchen cabinets.
Paint colors: Cadet (water closet) and Grays Harbor (door), Sherwin-Williams
The water closet is painted the same blue-gray as the sunroom. All the doors in the home are painted the same color as the blue kitchen cabinets.
Paint colors: Cadet (water closet) and Grays Harbor (door), Sherwin-Williams
Marble-look engineered quartz forms the countertop and backsplash on the black double vanity. A dark wood frame was added for extra support for the slab backsplash.
In a kids’ bedroom, two twin beds sit in arched birched plywood cutouts made to resemble the trunks of trees. The ceiling is a foggy blue color. “We wanted to do something fun on the ceiling since this is a kids’ space,” Dorsey says.
Rug: Woodland Antelope in blue, Momeni Rugs; bedding: quilted coverlet twin set, Madison Park Signature; ceiling paint: Moody Blue, Sherwin-Williams
Rug: Woodland Antelope in blue, Momeni Rugs; bedding: quilted coverlet twin set, Madison Park Signature; ceiling paint: Moody Blue, Sherwin-Williams
A reading nook sits at the end of each bed. Niches carry light from the window through to the beds.
Book shelves: Peekaboo clear acrylic book shelves, James Reese Baby; art: “Boho Owl” and “Boho Bear,” Rebecca Peragine / Children Inspire Design; floor pillow: Rustic Shepherd faux fur in cream, Pillow Inspiration
Book shelves: Peekaboo clear acrylic book shelves, James Reese Baby; art: “Boho Owl” and “Boho Bear,” Rebecca Peragine / Children Inspire Design; floor pillow: Rustic Shepherd faux fur in cream, Pillow Inspiration
McKee Builders created this indoor play structure, which features a loft bed and slide.
Table and chairs: Nordic in gray, Guidecraft
Table and chairs: Nordic in gray, Guidecraft
Playful artwork and lots of poufs and pillows create a fun and cozy space.
Art (from left): Raccoon, rabbit, rabbit, meerkat, fox, Uniek; beanbags: Villa in azure, Majestic Home Goods; console: Heston, Basin and Vessel; pillows: Karina in ivory and teal and Hylia in mint, Surya; gallon glass jar on console: PN Brand; round canister with steel lid on table: HDS Trading
Art (from left): Raccoon, rabbit, rabbit, meerkat, fox, Uniek; beanbags: Villa in azure, Majestic Home Goods; console: Heston, Basin and Vessel; pillows: Karina in ivory and teal and Hylia in mint, Surya; gallon glass jar on console: PN Brand; round canister with steel lid on table: HDS Trading
In the kids’ bathroom, Dorsey played with simple tile to create white and blue stripes in the shower for a fun design element. Patterned floor tile also adds a bit of whimsy.
Artificial plant with striped ceramic pot: Admired by Nature; art: “Depth II,” Paragon Decor
Artificial plant with striped ceramic pot: Admired by Nature; art: “Depth II,” Paragon Decor
In a guest bathroom, Dorsey covered the vanity wall in blue hexagonal tile. The floor and shower stall are large-format white hexagonal tile, a shape Dorsey used throughout the home. “It’s classic but has modern, wide appeal,” she says. “We layered it throughout in different scales and colors.”
Art: Black-and-white bouquet in gold, Bassett Mirror Co.; soap dispenser: Saon in matte black, WS Bath Collections; vase on toilet: Kaser, Elk Group International
Art: Black-and-white bouquet in gold, Bassett Mirror Co.; soap dispenser: Saon in matte black, WS Bath Collections; vase on toilet: Kaser, Elk Group International
In a guest bedroom, a fluted millwork feature accents the headboard wall, with a shelf above for artwork. Large pendants keep the nightstands uncluttered. The bench has a woven pattern that coordinates with other woven pieces in the home.
Bed: Phoebe, Skyline Furniture; handwoven geometric bench in Sandstone finish: Coaster Home Furnishings; coverlet: Leighton in gray, Company C; rug: Cocoon in denim, Surya
Bed: Phoebe, Skyline Furniture; handwoven geometric bench in Sandstone finish: Coaster Home Furnishings; coverlet: Leighton in gray, Company C; rug: Cocoon in denim, Surya
Dorsey carried the fluted millwork design feature into the home office as backing to the built-in bookcase. She and McKee bumped in the wall 12 inches to create the bookcase.
Table: Leah in whitewash on oak, Four Hands; wall paint: Grays Harbor, Sherwin-Williams
Table: Leah in whitewash on oak, Four Hands; wall paint: Grays Harbor, Sherwin-Williams
This room was originally designed as a bedroom, but Dorsey removed the closet to make a wine and beverage station.
Chair: Jones in Linen Talc, Skyline Furniture
Chair: Jones in Linen Talc, Skyline Furniture
On the screened porch, two love seats face two large drum tables.
Sofa: Caro, 60 inches, in blue-navy, Four Hands; drum tables: Basil, Four Hands; pillows: Crafted, ED by Ellen DeGeneres by Loloi; black tin contemporary lanterns: Brimfield & May
Sofa: Caro, 60 inches, in blue-navy, Four Hands; drum tables: Basil, Four Hands; pillows: Crafted, ED by Ellen DeGeneres by Loloi; black tin contemporary lanterns: Brimfield & May
The fireplace features the same stone used on the front exterior of the home.
The screened porch leads to an open deck with a dining set made from composite decking that can withstand the elements. “It’s also heavy, so it won’t blow away,” Dorsey says.
Lanterns: rattan LED candle in black, CTG Brands
Lanterns: rattan LED candle in black, CTG Brands
The exterior features Craftsman-inspired details such as tapered columns and cedar shake shingles above the porch.
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Shop for furniture and other products featured in this home
Take a 3D tour of this home
More on Houzz
See more home tours
Find a home builder
House at a Glance
Who lives here: This is a model home in a 55-and-up community.
Location: Middletown, Delaware
Size: 2,540 square feet (236 square meters); four bedrooms, three bathrooms
Designer: Sarah Dorsey of Builders Design
Builder: McKee Builders
For the entrance, Dorsey and McKee added a door with windows surrounded by sidelights and a transom to flood the space with natural light during the day.
Marble tile in a basketweave pattern inlaid in the engineered oak floor helps bounce light around, as does a large mirror that’s built into the wall.
Dorsey ran white shiplap in two directions to create visual interest. The ceiling is 1-by-6-inch white oak boards.
Artwork: “Balanced Tendency” (top) and “Tonal Minimalism” (bottom) by Tycjan Knut, Four Hands