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Parade of Homes

2008 Parade Dates: April 19-27

Weekend Hours: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Weekday Hours:  3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

      An Environmental Friendly 'Green' American Dream Home Is a     Must-See Attraction for the 2008 Parade of Homes

Since its inception in 1958, the Parade of Homes, brought to you by the 600-plus corporate-member Home Builders Association of West Florida (HBA), and sponsored by the Pensacola News Journal, Gulf Power Company, WEAR TV 3, and Cox Media has continued to experience tremendous growth in an ever-changing industry.

“The people of Northwest Florida look forward to the Parade of Homes every year,” said Ron Tuttle, of Holiday Builders of the Gulf Coast, LLC, president of the HBA which serves Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. “It gives them opportunity to see the latest in new home designs and amenities.”

While there are home entries scattered throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, don't miss the HBA's American Dream Home that is a first of its kind for the association.

"The American Dream Home is a 'Green' Dream Home," said West Calhoun of West Calhoun Construction who is building the custom home for the HBA. "Having built the American Dream Home in 2005, our firm knew that the home needed to showcase new and innovative ideas, and there's no better way to accomplish that than to build a Certified Green Home that is certified by Florida Green Building Coalition, and has the Energy Star designation."

Surrounded by unspoiled and protected woodlands, the Green Dream Home is located in the beautiful Nature Trail subdivision located on nearly 750 acres with more than half devoted to preservation efforts. This gated community allows residents to find serenity while living conveniently close to shopping, dining and entertainment. Located on the south side of Nine Mile Road, one mile west of I-10 off exit 5, Nature Trail captures the essence of rural living while only minutes away from the thriving Pensacola area. With walking and running trails, tennis courts, residents' lodge, fitness facility, play park, and swimming pools, Nature Trail is designed around the tranquility and beauty of its natural surroundings.

The Green Dream Home, designed by Doug Whitfield, of Doug Whitfield Residential Designer, Inc., is a traditional style home only in design terms. This 3,474 square-foot one-story home is complete with four bedrooms, three full baths, a separate study, and a spacious recreation room. The bold exterior of the home is composed of brick, stone and fiberboard shake that offers a variety of natural textures and colors. Exquisite lighting offers an inviting approach to the eight-foot wood, double entry doors, which compliment the carriage style garage doors, and enhances its majestic look. The home features eco-friendly Xeriscape landscaping that takes advantage of the natural beauty of indigenous plants and trees that only need limited water to thrive.

A few of the energy saving features that have been incorporated in the Green Dream Home that one wouldn't necessarily see (except in your monthly energy and water bill savings) is a geothermal heating and cooling system. According to the Department of Energy and Gulf Power Company, geothermal technology is the most energy-efficient and environmentally clean space-conditioning system available today.

This home offers impact resistant windows with a U-factor that has a lower resistance to heat flow and a better insulating value. For the minimization of air leakage for increased energy efficiency, Icynene, the leading soft foam insulation and air barrier system, is used in the home as well as R-23 BIB blown insulation in all exterior walls. "It was a new experience making the interior design selections for the home," said Amy Calhoun, who played a key role with her husband, West, in the construction of the Green Dream Home. "Not only do the selections have to complement each other and the design of the home but they also have to be made from recycled or eco-friendly materials."

The Calhoun's chose a cabinet manufacturer whose plant has been certified green, and countertops such as granite and Cambria that are natural materials. Faucets and toilets were chosen based on low volume water usage and design appeal. Cork and wood floors are both natural and eco-friendly. Carpets were used that were manufactured with recycled materials. Energy Star energy efficient appliances will produce costs savings. Compact fluorescents lights are used because of energy savings and longevity.

In order to qualify for a true Green Home Certification, one must incorporate facets of construction that comply within the guidelines. One must earn a minimum number of points for each of eight different categories. These categories range from site location to energy savings. "Green Building required that our overall exterior design needed to be light in color," said Amy Calhoun. "We achieved this by using a lighter paint palette with just a splash of darker colors throughout the house."

During the Parade of Homes, West Calhoun Construction will provide a complete breakdown of all the items incorporated to make this 2008 Green Dream Home.

Other features of the Green Dream Home include:

• Hot water recovery system via the Geothermal System
• Hot water recirculation system.
• Lifetime shingles.
• Beadboard wainscoting and coffered Study ceiling.
• Dining room with faux finish on ceiling and operable shutters at opening to Great Room.
• Great Room with built-in entertainment cabinetry, fireplace, coral stone mantle.
• Master Bedroom features a fireplace with stone surround and an interesting niche, faux finish on ceiling, and a banana leaf lighting fixture.
• Master bath has a stained glass window, tub set in cabinetry panels surrounded by stone backsplash, fireplace, niches, barrel ceiling, large jetted shower and a spacious walk in closet.
• Gourmet kitchen features a stained tongue and groove barrel ceiling, hammered copper sink, coral stone range hood, recycle bins, large two-tiered island for entertaining, built-in breakfast nook, two drawer dishwasher, oversized pantry and cork flooring.
• Laundry room features a jetted whirlpool sink for fine washables, built-in cabinetry and front loading, high efficiency washer and dryer.
• One spare bedroom features a suspended bed while the another includes a niche over the bed and a mural in Monet’s famous ‘waterlilies’ style.
• As with all the plumbing fixtures, the Jack & Jill baths feature designer plumbing fixtures, designer tile and plenty of cabinetry storage on both vanities.
• The recreation room has a built in wet bar, picture framed flat screen TV, patterned carpet and a separate entry to the lanai.
• Lanai highlights a fireplace, an outdoor kitchen with teak cabinetry and a granite top perfect for outdoor entertaining.
• The whole house features audio/video equipment, specialty ceilings, soothing wall colors, and is wired for the homeowner to install a generator, great traffic flow, amazing lighting and special touches that only a custom home builder like West Calhoun Construction can provide.

Take time to tour the wide selection of homes during the Parade of Homes and get a first hand look at the latest innovations in home building including design, construction, insulation, security, sound systems, windows, landscaping and other key elements of new home construction.

Attending the Parade of Homes can also afford individuals the chance to learn what to look for in home construction and know what mistakes to avoid. In addition, builders, Realtors and other construction industry professionals will be on-site during the parade to answer questions and provide information to interested buyers. “The Parade of Homes continues to be an excellent means for home builders to market their homes,” says Tuttle, “and for an individual, whether building or buying, to get a closer look at new home construction.”

Whether you are a potential home buyer or home builder, the 2008 Parade of Homes has something for everyone. So mark your calendar and join the fun. You won’t be disappointed! For more information, contact the Home Builders Association of West Florida at 476-0318.