Chatting with Darcy and Tom at their recent BBQ open house for suppliers and friends, while Debbie was busy welcoming guests, the two expressed equal admiration for the other’s role in the company. Darcy is pleased with Tom, who is Head of Design, “You can build a quality home but if there is no imagination in the home then it’s just like every other house on the block. The imagination that Tom gives a home is really great. We work together well - he comes up with ideas that I in turn can put a spin on –we’ve discovered that anything in a home can have a detail that makes it unique - even the dressing above a doorway.”

In turn Tom, who is a principal of Marre Design, was thrilled to be working with such an open-minded builder. “Most people don’t let you put some new ideas out there and break away from the mold too much – but Darcy is very open.”

There are no floor plans per se when you visit the show home and want to talk about building with Homestead. Instead what you get is a conversation with Tom and his sketchpad. It’s a gesture that buyers are appreciating.

“They (customers) love coming in and sitting down with Tom. They bring pictures, they bring sketches and they bring ideas, saying ‘we saw this in a house’ and Tom starts with a rough sketch based on this conversation, “ Darcy says.

Every home starts from scratch – as Tom says “we have an infinite supply of plans” and from that first conversation sketch comes a preliminary plan then a draft that is approved and the building can begin.  Darcy admits that when they were planning the show home sales centre they contemplated having a few plans made up like everyone else. “But that’s just it – we’re not everyone else.”

Tom defers to the example of buying his last car – he was so excited until he got in and started driving down the street and suddenly noticed this car was everywhere. “Your home is your most personal space – your most intimate moments occur in this space so it should reflect you and your life. Your new home shouldn’t be the same as three others on the block.”

The show home is a stunner. At 2174 square feet, the two storey has the unique combination of privacy and openness. Tom likes to think the house has intrigue. “You walk in the front door and the whole house isn’t given away – you have to walk around the corner to experience the house,” he says. And a lot of the people are lining up to do just that. “We’ve had many people beg us to sell it right away,” Darcy laughs.

For now though, interested homebuyers can take in the creative floor plan which includes a gorgeous indoor courtyard and stunning kitchen complete with custom cabinetry by Airdrie’s Desco Enterprises. The kitchen ceiling features exposed beams with pot lights. The beam theme is carried throughout the home and the striking décor of black, white and red actually define the solid structure and design of the home to give you a real sense of how livable this home is.

The Homestead Builders show home is located at 2188 Luxstone Boulevard, Airdrie. Bring your clippings, doodles and dreams.