The popularity of the home lotto is apparent when one views this year’s lottery homes in Panorama Hills. The tickets sell fast, but the interest in the lottery homes is palpable among visitors.

The 2,632-square-foot, two-storey grand prize Isabella home occupies a corner lot with an entry on the side. “The whole process began with the different entry design,” says Lyle Faas, drafting and design manager of Shane Homes. Drawing inspiration from sunny California, the $751,891 home will have a large raised concrete patio with a wooden trellis, and a screened wall as an outdoor living space. There’s a wall bordered in stone in front of the foyer, with a painting in the centre.

The large kitchen has granite countertops, an oversized fridge, a built-in microwave/oven unit and a walk-through pantry, while the nook is at an angle between the great room and the kitchen. The landing on the stairs, also California-inspired, leads to the library/IT centre part way up-between the main and second floors. Another “hidden” surprise is the sunken formal dining room underneath the library. “And there’s lots of space for organizing clothing and accessories in the walk-in closet,” says Faas of the owners’ bedroom.

Romance is evident in the layout of the master bedroom, from its vaulted ceiling, to the Romeo and Juliet balcony with double doors. The owners’ ensuite has double vanities, a large designer soaker tub, a shower, a separate loo and a make-up desk. The two other bedrooms are separated by the laundry area and a family room that is spacious and bright.

The second grand prize, the 2,464-square-foot, two-storey Kaden II home is valued at $669,657 and evokes spaciousness with its ten-foot-ceilings with beams across. “The centre core of it is one great living space,” says Faas of the main floor, which ties the kitchen, dining and great room all together. The kitchen has a sleek cook-top stove, a unique hood fan, a central island, lots of cabinet space and a walk-in pantry. There’s also a semi-enclosed patio outside. A private study is located on the main floor.

Upstairs, an IT centre separates the family room with its balcony from the owner’s suite, laundry area and two other bedrooms. There’s an armoire just as you enter through the double doors of the owners’ bedroom, but it’s the ensuite with its open tile shower, jetted tub, double sinks and generous walk-in closet that catches attention.

No less distinct is the third grand prize 2,300-square-foot, two-storey $646,251 Nieman, with an open loft concept. The two-way gas fireplace on the main floor helps define living spaces, with the dining room on one side and the living room, nook and kitchen on the other. There are two walk-in pantries, a large island with a raised breakfast bar in the kitchen and a built-in wine rack on the side. Upstairs, the central location of the family room allows easy access to the IT centre, the three bedrooms and a spacious laundry area. The whole master suite and ensuite is all along the back of the house—with its vaulted ceiling, double vanities, a make-up desk and closet.  NL