By JULIA @ HOOKEDONHOUSES.NET
The next home I have to show you from the Indianapolis Home-a-Rama was built by Castalia Home Builders, which took a green approach when building it. Builder Frank Redavide says that his company’s goal is to build high-quality, green luxury homes: “The design of this home reflects an English Tudor style with a warm ambiance and rustic approach. It uses recycled materials that are free of formaldehyde and VOCs and are safe for families and children.”
The house was decorated by Sharon Parker and Kristine Bastian of Inspired Design IDEAS and was meant to convey “a sophisticated English Manor feel while maintaining an elegant, but comfortable, ambiance.”
Look around and then let me know what you think!
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- Dining room off the front entrance.
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- Butler’s pantry between the dining room and kitchen.
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- Two-story family room.
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- Kitchen.
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- Hearth room off kitchen.
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- Screened porch off hearth room.
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- The huge walk-in pantry.
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- Study.
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- All of the kids bedrooms and the playroom featured these hand-drawn murals on the walls.
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- The upstairs landing had an area where the kids could do their homework.
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- The huge playroom over the garage featured a wall lined with flat-screen TVs to play videogames on.
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- Family room in the finished lower level.
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- There was an entire wall in the lower level that had this fountain on it, and there were several round tables with chairs set up. You felt like you had stepped into a cafe or something.
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- In the lower level, there was this little “house” set aside for wine and wine tastings.
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- Inside the “wine house.”
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- Another view of the lower-level family room.
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- Back of the house shows the two-tier deck and the basement walk-out.
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- Back of the house.
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- Sitting room in one of the “turrets.”
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- Master bedroom.
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- Master bath.
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- Laundry room.
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- Mudroom off back entrance.
I thought the Shel Silverstein murals in the children’s wing were a clever idea, and they were beautifully done. We felt like we had stepped inside one of his books.
I think this house must’ve sold already because I can’t find it on the MLS listings, and I’m not sure how much it sold for. If anyone out there has that information, let me know!
What do you think? Did you like this house? It’s time to vote!
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If You Missed Any of the Other Home-a-Rama House Tours:
- Indianapolis Home-a-Rama House #1: Heartwood Homes
- Cincinnati Homearama
- A Fine Room for Fido: It’s a Dog’s Life at Homearama!
- Fantasy Open House #1: The Sanctuary
- Fantasy Open House #2: The Manier Sherridan
- Fantasy Open House #3: The Hampton
- Fantasy Open House #4: Pavan Kunj
- Fantasy Open House #5: Sophia’s Harbor
- Fantasy Open House #6: The Artisan
- Fantasy Open House #7: The Chateau Tourelle
I would definitely take it if someone gave it to me, but I wouldn’t buy it….just not feelin’ it! Thanks for sharing!
Angela’s last blog post..Homemade Candy Bars
I loved the leaded glass windows and the deck but the house overall was unsettling somehow. Too busy maybe?
Heartwood is still #1!
Karen’s last blog post..Porches
The decor was not my style at all, and at first I thought the murals were neat…but then they were in so many rooms that they lost their sparkle, in my opinion. But thanks for sharing – I always love peeking into the homearama houses!
I want that pantry!! Beautiful house, but totally not my style.
Heather’s last blog post..feeling better
Still in love with Monday’s house. There was something…off…with this one. I can’t quite put my finger on it, though. I liked the mudroom. I’m also not a fan of one color throughout the whole house.
bungalow_bliss’s last blog post..Porch Pillows, Part Two
My favorite part of the house was the red washer and dryer. The interiors certainly were in keeping with the tudor architecture, and therein lies the problem.
Linda’s last blog post..I guess the joke’s on me
Love: front doors, pantry, master bath tub area, especially the ceiling. Not too big on the murals in every room. The house was beautiful, but just felt a little heavy. Not my favorite over all.
Holly’s last blog post..A Few Updates
I passed on this house because it seems so formal. The fountain is definitely not kid-friendly.
I am all about green living… but a house this big cannot be a part of the green movement in my opinion. I’m hanging onto the idea of children’s poetry themes on the wall, though. I like that, Julia.
Katie
Katie @ makingthishome.com’s last blog post..Dishwashers or Hand Washers? Our Newest Appliance
Hey, I have those EXACT same black chairs as they have for the desks upstairs! Isn’t that cool?!
Tamara’s last blog post..Something to Dream About
The whole vibe of the house didn’t wow me, but here are the things that did: the front doors, the mudroom, the PANTRY!, the built-ins and the office. Those elements I could just cut and paste right into my house I’d be pleased as punch. Fun tour!
Jen’s last blog post..{deliberate}
I like the environmentally friendly aspect of that house, but the furnishing would definitely not suit me……My house is such a hodge podge of items and I really love it that way! I wouldn’t feel comfortable in that home.
Wayfaring Wanderer’s last blog post..In Light
Hmmm, I REALLY liked the murals but overall this house didn’t seem professionally decorated. It appeared that someone just threw it together with the odd pieces of Ashley furnishings and Target accessories. Almost like a paint by numbers (or maybe Home Interiors of the 80′s) approach to decorating… “Mix your use of woods, metals and fuzzy textures to create depth and warmth” (Candles in a child’s room?). What was up with the placement of sage colored ceramic urns in the children’s room on the floor(always use groups of threes!)? Was the intention to pull together the maple toned bed, white painted table, red and black floral/ruffled bed linens, car pillow, and fuzzy black pillow in the corner for a cohesive look?!
Sorry…but a house like this…I just expected something more! 
I would use the title “english tudor” lightly in the case of this house. You can just throw some lattus windows, some herringbone brick-work, and some beam and plaster and call it a tudor. The whole exterior reminds me of the Tudor wanna-be’s of the late 80′s. They have missed the mark with the Tudor thing. The inside has some major scale issues. I won’t go into all that. I still can’t get past the exterior travasty.
Oh no. This one’s not for me at all. It feels so contrived! The silk flowers, the dollar store artwork, the giraffe-inspired sponge painting in the dining room, the fussy draperies…were the designers trying to channel bad home interiors from the ’90s? Oh no no no. How unfortunate that a home like this had such awful decor.
I am not at all a fan of the omnipresent muddy beige pea soup paint colors.
Also, there is something about the windows that just looks off without the real divided lights. I can’t quite get past that on the exteriors. I see where the disproportionate comments are coming from too.
And yeah, the decor is kinda random. In a not-so-good way.
On the other hand, the paintings are incredibly dear (though on that nasty brown paint!)
I like the tiled arch with the chandelier over the tub quite a bit too.
Oh, and can I just run myself against that front door for a bit? And the floors too while we’re at it.
PlantingOaks’s last blog post..What lies above
How can a house that big be green?
One of the characters in a mural is watching the kid sleep, which is just creepy.
Were the decorators forced to shop a Sears?
And don’t get me started on granite’s carbon footprint.
Some of what was in this house seemed really over the top or contrived, like the “columned” entry into the butler’s pantry, the fake roof line inside the lower level, and that wall fountain. But overall I liked this house, though I had tough time figuring out the floorplan.
Contrary to another commenter, I think this house frees itself from everything that was wrong with 80s “tudors”. So many of them had small, dark rooms and choppy layouts.
Love the pantry, the mudroom, and all the built-ins.
Why do I like this one, but don’t like it at the same time? I did think the pantry was a great size to have and I wouldn’t mind a laundry room that big – but the rest….mmmm..not my favorite.
Kristen @ More Than Mulberries’s last blog post..Baby Shower!
Oh dear. Okay, at first glance I loved the children’s murals, but they went a bit overboard with them. One would have been sufficient. What was up with the long row of ugly mismtached floor pillows for the “playroom”? And a frickin’ row of flat-screened TVs in an otherwise pretty much bare room? No, not feeling it.
Loved the red washer/dryer and the sink in the laundry room, but this house didn’t feel lived in or well-decorated at all.
Sadie’s last blog post..33/365
I was thinking that I really liked this one until I saw the cafe room, it was too impersonal. I also didn’t care for the “wine house”. It looked more like a playroom than a wine room. Thanks for all the beautiful pictures!
http://www.lazymoms.com
Lazy Mom Leslie’s last blog post..Recipe of the Day
I’ll take the mudroom and pantry!
Jenny’s last blog post..Her Memory Amazes Me
My favorite parts were the LARGE pantry and the double refrigerator /freezer. I would love both!
Thanks for the pics,
Suzy
suzy’s last blog post..Tuesdays with Dorie….World Peace Cookies
I loved the windows in the study and the faux barrel-vaulted ceilings in the master bath. Since I live in Florida, I have no idea how large a mudroom needs to be, but that one seemed overly large. Count me as another one who loved the murals, but felt that they needed to be used more sparingly.
Some of the rooms were decorated nicely and some were just G-d awful!
Loved the large pantry and the laundry room!
Vanessa’s last blog post..Our Week in Pictures
The front door is the best part of the house! Gorgeous.
The pantry is large enough to be a convenience store. Love it!
I’m just shallow enough to love that wine house. The “cafe” just seems pretentious.
Gigi’s last blog post..The Odd Couple (and Family)
…i could not “see” the house… i was so put off by the interiors…not at all special…
I liked the big paper clips on the wall in that one room and the red washer and dryer. Other than those things, I’m not impressed.
I’d rather see an old tudor not messed with…
Wow – they thought of everything didn’t they? I especially liked the study area and that pantry!
Ms.Tee’s last blog post..Feelin’ French (and Spring-y)
I have no real opinion about the house. However, I found the comments about the house most interesting. Many seemed to write as if they has done a walk through tour. I found that fascinating. I would have expected these comment if we had viewed a video.
gwen’s last blog post..The 109 Day Link Building Explosion – Day 34
love the pantry!
Not as nice as the other house….too staged…
Sue’s last blog post..CHOCOLATE CHIP ANISE BISCOTTI…….
I’m loving these tours! How nice that you were aloud to take photographs and publish them here. Can’t wait to see more! ~Arleen
Arleen’s last blog post..Tea Lovers ~ Your Opinion, Please
Nicely done. That master bath is my thing. L.o.v.e.d it! These were great pics.
CarolinaMama’s last blog post..Carolina Girls – The Interview II
I love the beautiful doors and the hardwood floors are a great color and width! I could live without the whole Tudor Style…I’m more of a Key West person!
-Kim
Kim @ Forever Wherever’s last blog post..Valentine’s Day Cupcakes on Tasty Tuesday!
I love the beautiful doors and the hardwood floors are a great color and width! I could live without the whole Tudor Style…I’m more of a Key West person!
-Kim
Kim @ Forever Wherever’s last blog post..Valentine’s Day Cupcakes on Tasty Tuesday!
You know what this house needs? Some beige. There was not enough beige.
Robin’s last blog post..I Miss The Muppet Show
MUST. HAVE. Shel Silverstein ROOM!! LOVE IT!
Also… trying to figure out how I’m gonna forge those window treatments in the sitting room of the turret. My bedroom is in need of some turret mistreatments… not that we have a turret… because if we did, I’d be the princess or queen or something and I’d know it because someone else would be fixing breakfast… sigh… dreaming again:)
PrettyOrganizer’s last blog post..Conquering Kids Clutter Party!!
For me this is beautiful, not my style though…and not as great as teh first house.
Love the kids rooms and play room though.
And the pantry!
Oh and the bath at the window.
Hayley’s last blog post..my almost perfect house.
I love Tudors, but not this one. The outside is not appealing at all. I like the front door, the mudroom, and the wall of chalkboards, but the rest of the interior is way too formal for my taste. Really not understanding the “cafe” and the “wine house”. Seems like excessive waste to me and in a “green” home? Nope, not much “green” about this overdone, extra large home.
Carla’s last blog post..A budget recap
What’s up with that wine house. Are they serious??
Not a fan of this house at all. I think that the choice for the wall color really set the tone for me. It seemed like the furnishings were not consistant with the style either.
Michelle’s last blog post..Domestically Challenged??
Now this is my type of house. It is so cute and fun little bits at all turns. Not sure on the red laundry equipement, but hey I can put up with it!
boysmum2’s last blog post..He is Here
I like this house a lot. The kitchen was a bit “off” for me, all refrigerator.
Of course I loved the butler’s pantry (broken record much!) And someone needs to let ME in that pantry. Good grief. Let’s fill that sucker up.
Darla’s last blog post..Corn Casserole with Jiffy Mix Topping
I have a similar gold color in my living room and depending on the time of day it really changes colors. I like the color much better with the dark wood trim the white woodwork really muddies it.
And a little Shel Silverstein goes a long way …
I love those murals. Great idea.
sandra/tx’s last blog post..Home of the Week — Spicewood
wow some of those murals looked a little freaky for small kids – might give nightmares …
and more TVs over fire places – double yuck …
do love the communial study area in the hall with blackboards – v cute
le
le’s last blog post..I can see clearly now ….
cafe room was weird. wine house. or whine house. i would have went the kids house direction. childrens union ………hexx no. we would speak of God or blessings. not unions for a kid. little too much like a 1820 chicago factories. i like the red washer and dryer. and one more thing the master bathroom should have more tile around the tub. after awhile the drywall will fall apart from all the water. and the murals for the kids were too bl
sorry.
the murals where too black and gloomy looking.
I really like the look of the house. The curb appeal is really nice but that’s about it. I expected to really love the inside but didn’t. The diamond pattern windows are very nice. And I do like that master bathroom but not much more.
Also, I don’t think the patio in the back is two-tier. It seems more like a second story deck with a staircase, a landing half-way, and then the rest of the staircase.
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