I just returned from the 2021 Utah Valley Parade of Homes last week and my mind is STILL blown by the incredible design ideas and new home construction projects that I saw. I took a TON of pictures and talked in depth with the builders and designers, so that I could share all the latest home and design trends with you guys.
 The Utah valley has been the fastest growing area in the country for the last 5 years, so it’s the perfect parade of homes to see the latest new home trends because there is SO MUCH new home construction at every turn. Out of all the parades I visit throughout the country, this one is by FAR my favorite!
The other reason I love to go to the Utah Valley to see the identify new trends is because the homes in this area are HUGE and all custom built. Custom homes are where so many of the new and fresh building and design ideas are and even though these ideas may be on a large scale, I love to see all the little details and how I can incorporate on a smaller scale.
So today I’m sharing some fresh design elements from these first set of homes that stood out that I wanted you guys to see and because there is only so many pictures I can share here without the post not loading properly, I had to do a “Part 2” here. Also, in the coming weeks, I will do full home tours on those houses that you guys would like to see more of, so please let me know in the comment section which home you would like to see a full tour.
The first home that I really want you guys to see is the RC Dent home, which completely blew me away! The exterior combination was so fresh and unlike anything I have ever seen before in exterior design.
The dark moody accent color mixed with the gorgeous stone was such a breathtaking combination. The builder told me that the dark moody exterior color was a custom mix that they mixed on site. When I pulled up to the house for the first time, I thought for sure it was Sherwin Williams Porpoise.
Below is Sherwin Williams Porpoise on interior cabinets from a previous parade. It could be that they mixed 50/50 SW Porpoise with SW Urbane Bronze, which is one shade darker than porpoise because the color on the exterior looks a tad darker with direct sunlight. I feel very confident that the color is somewhere in that range.
The builder did tell me that the exterior stucco body is Sherwin Williams Natural Choice. They hit it out of the park with the exterior color combination!
Talk about hitting it out of the park, the main living room in the RC Dent home as you walk in the door took my breath away! Not only was this my favorite space from the whole tour, this may be one of my all-time favorite spaces from any parade of homes! This room right here is design brilliance from the architecture to the perfectly layered design elements. The design firm for this home is Remedy.
I walked around this room for a long time and I kept seeing something new and amazing that I missed. The wall color is Farrow and Ball Shadow White at 50% and the trim is the same color at full strength. This is a smart way to create contrast with color but keeping the same undertone.
The stone on the accent wall is such a smart technique. The builder told me that they used only 2″ thin stone (a veneer) and then they did a messy white mortar wash over it to give it that old world thick stone look. In person, it was really such a treat to see. I can’t wait to use this technique in one of my projects or my own home!
In the image below, you can really see just how amazing this stone wall is and I was so amazed that it was just a 2″ stone veneer that they layered mortar over.
Looking from the great room/living room to the kitchen and dining area, I loved the architectural details, the perfect off-white wall color and the wood trim contrasting on the room transition casing.
Again, we see more layered texture with painted brick walls on the kitchen, which was thin traditional brick with a messy mortar wash and then painted. The builder told me the vent hood was a smooth stucco, which in person gave the appearance of stone. Another brilliant technique that I have never seen done on a vent hood before.
This whole home was really special and I don’t have room here to share it all but I wanted you guys to see the primary bathroom. Once again, beautiful design work with so many fresh ideas and layers. While the floor looks like carpet, it’s a gorgeous fabric looking tile.
The back of the home was another favorite spot for me. I would have never dreamed that a dark painted porch would work but it does and boy is it stunning! Isn’t it beautiful?!
Next up is another favorite home that I toured that was an INCREDIBLE new large horse farm in the Mapleton area of Utah Valley. The home was built by Regent Custom Homes and is a mind blowing 18,256 square feet with 9 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms. This home was loaded with so many cool new ideas that I spent over 2 hours in the home talking with the builder’s team.
Just look at that incredible view!!
One of the trends that I noticed throughout this year’s tour is that modern farmhouse is evolving into modern European design with some farmhouse elements. I saw this European influence repeated in almost every home and this particular home from Regent is the perfect example.
The exterior is limestone mixed with board and batten. I also saw a lot of limestone on exteriors this tour and I especially love it here mixed with the dark trim and roof. A stunning and fresh combination that again is a great example of how we’re moving away from “tradition farmhouse” into more modern European design.
As you walk into the home, I loved the wood planks on the cathedral ceiling with the vertical beams.
Another repeated trends I noticed on the tour was how almost every home had layers and layers of stunning mixed textures on walls and ceilings. In the Regent home, as you turn and look back at the front door, there was beautiful stone on the wall, painted white brick on the wall of the entry mixed with the wood planked ceiling.
The living room had a smooth stone fireplace surround mixed with painted brick. All the walls, cabinetry and trim is painted with Benjamin Moore White Dove. By the way, look at the gorgeous detailing on the cabinetry!
The kitchen in the Regent home was one of my favorite kitchens from the whole tour! Again, this kitchen design is a PRIME example of modern European design and I thought the arch surrounding the wood vent hood mixed with modern tile is an absolutely stunning combination.
There were so many little details that I picked up on in this kitchen that my brain was in overload! I loved the color of the stain on the oak cabinets, the side shelving to the left and right on the vent hood and the stunning porcelain slab countertops.
Open to the kitchen was a huge large dining room. Again, we have texture on the vaulted ceiling with the white painted v-groove. Notice the gorgeous solid European wide planked oak floors!
Another favorite room in the Regent home was the primary bedroom with the pretty dark grasscloth accent wall.
I loved how the same beautiful stone from the living room was carried through on the fireplace. The wall color in this room is also painted with Benjamin Moore White Dove.
Interesting that I noticed a lot of black cabinetry, doors and trim in several of the homes including all the interior doors in the Regent home. The color is Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black (my favorite black paint color).
The primary bathroom was a show stopper for sure with the massive shower and the fun geometric tiled floor.
I was surprised just how much I loved the basement family room in the Regent home. I fell in love with the mix of stone and dark cabinetry, which is painted with Farrow and Ball Studio Green. This room was so pretty for a basement family room.
I’m a sucker for “X” cabinet doors!
I shared one of the bedrooms from the Regent home last week on a post about popular paint color trends and how I’m seeing a lot of very dark and black whole rooms. This room was painted with Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black and it worked beautifully!!
Lastly, I loved the exterior of the Jensen MM Home, which reminded me of a Cape Cod compound.
The exterior was so pretty and I really LOVED the stunning modern oak garage doors.
My favorite room in this home was the large open family room upstairs. Such a beautiful and functional space that felt so cozy.
This massive shower in the primary bathroom is the shower of my dreams.
I have to stop now because I have so many images in this post that I’m afraid if I add any more images, the post will have trouble loading. You can see “Part 2” here and again, if there is a home you want to see more of, let me know in the comment section so I can decide which homes to share full home tours with a Q&A with the builders.
If you missed my 2019 UV Parade of Homes recap (I didn’t do last year because of Covid), you can see those amazing homes here.
Thanks for stopping by today friends!
Cheers!
Cyndy
Amanda says
In the last image of the shower, does it drain well? There’s no curb and the floor doesn’t appear to have a slope. Just siliconed to the floor?
Cyndy says
It’s hard to tell in the image but there is in fact a slope all the way around. It just appear that way in the image.
Nancy says
Wow amazing .
The cost to build is so crazy .
I can’t image what it cost for those homes .
We were planning on building but have decided to hold off .
Homes are definitely warming up .
Do you think it will continue to warm up?
Thanks for sharing !
Cyndy says
Yes Nancy! The cost to build right now is crazy expensive! I have several clients holding off as well on new construction projects until the cost of lumber goes down significantly. Also yes, I do believe that things will warm up SOME.. I think anything warmer than what we’re seeing now will be too warm. I think we’re going to stay in this zone for awhile but I do think the European influence (mixed with modern farmhouse)is going to be a huge influence in the next 2-4 years. I think the safest bet is to stay transitional with colors (like I always say)! It’s timeless! Thanks Nancy!
Deb says
LOVE these homes! What a relief from the sterile white exteriors with black roofs and window trims! I’m in the midst of a total refresh in my home and this is where I’m headed. I refused to look at gray flooring and now waiting for the install of white oak floors throughout main areas of my home. So excited to see my design choices reflected in these interiors! Keep ‘em coming…..Looking forward to your following posts!
Laurie Gallagher says
Cindy,
The design in both homes is spectacular! What is the paint color in Jensen Mm home? My bathroom is much smaller bit is all marble and white cabinets and I don’t know what color to paint the walls. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Laurie
Jenny says
I’d love to see more of any of these homes, really! I trust your judgment in showing the things that you think we’ll love the most. So many beautiful elements in these homes – I look forward to these tours every year! Although now I’m second guessing my kitchen cabinet choices for our remodel… 😉
Cathy says
Thank you for sharing this parade of homes….stunning. Would you have source information on that gorgeous fabric looking tile. I would love to see it up close.
lori says
cyndy, i love your blog! so informative with detailed info and great to see the trends in utah. the homes are stunning but i would love to see everything about the first home by R C Dent. Thanks for sharing all your hard work!
Calypso in the Country says
Wow, these homes are stunning! I just love that stone feature wall in the first one! Gorgeous! Can’t wait to see more!
Shelley
Julie Schrag says
Thank you for sharing these beautiful homes! WOW! Do you happen to know, or have a guess, on the grey paint color of the bathroom cabinet next to the round mirror in the first home? My kitchen color and stain plan matches their bath choices and I am, of course, every searching out the right grey.
Rita says
Thank you for sharing. It is nice to see a change from gray, and more gray. i would love to see more of the first house but would love to see anything you share.
Jessica Bulleigh says
Hi there! Love your website! Please can we see more pictures from the parade of homes?
😊 thanks!
Teresa says
I would love to see more of the Jensen MM home!
Martha says
Love the homes! Do you know the color of paint on the outside of the house ?
Michelle J. says
I would love to see more of the Timp View Meadows home, or just know what they used on the outside!