'Never been done before.' 4-bed home in La Grange a standout on Homearama. Peek inside
Builders often work with homeowners to create a custom home. But that wasn’t the case with the ranch house at 2819 Alder Wood Lane in La Grange. As owner Key Homes LLC Billy Doelker explained, this abode was crafted specifically for Homearama 2023, an annual event that showcases new, custom-built homes in the Louisville area.
This is the first year that Louisville’s Homearama will be a scattered event, meaning the houses are not all located within the same neighborhood.
“There just wasn’t a single development that was in a position to host Homearama this year,” Doelker told The Courier Journal, explaining that this year’s show will feature homes in Spencer, Oldham, and Jefferson counties. “I’m a builder, but I’m also a developer, so being able to showcase a home in one of our developments … was appealing.”
Accommodating the area
Doelker explained that he and his team opted to build their Homearama house on a lot in The Commons at Cedar Point, a new community in Oldham County. Though they already had plans that had been developed for the lots in the area, they decided to create something different just for the show. They came up with a one-of-a-kind plan and dubbed it The Rosemary.
“We just wanted to develop [something] … that had never been built before,” Doelker said. “It’s a one-story home that has a split-ranch feel to it.”
Doelker added that the neighborhood’s typical buyers are empty nesters and retirees, so they built to accommodate that demographic, creating large gathering areas with smaller guest bedrooms off to the side. Also, rather than designing a bedroom to be used as an office space, they created a small pocket office area just off of the front door.
“A lot of people don’t really need a full office,” he said, adding that the small desk is sufficient for paying bills and other minor tasks, and can accommodate a laptop if needed.
All in the details
Doelker and his team incorporated a few unique details throughout the house, each one offering a small nod to Kentucky’s horse culture.
In the living room, a coffered ceiling features wood that came from a barn in Shelby County.
“We took actual barn wood that had been on a farm for [probably] 80 years,” Doelker said. “[Then we] cut those pieces to create the herringbone pattern.”
The same wood is used in the butler’s pantry off of the kitchen, complementing the wooden dining set and offering a contrasting backdrop to the mostly white space.
The barn-style door in the primary bath is also one of a kind, as the antique piece came from Architectural Salvage in Louisville. And down in the basement, a wooden horse silhouette hangs from a wall; just on the other side, an outdoor cabin facade leads to a little playhouse.
Form and function
While the Key Homes LLC team made sure to incorporate interesting aesthetic details, they were also careful about designing for function. As Doelker explained, with the primary suite off to one side, it offers a bit of privacy — but it also conveniently connects to the laundry area.
And in the kitchen, they installed quartz countertops, which are durable and resistant to cracks, chips, scratches, stains, bacteria, and water damage. They also incorporated GE Profile appliances, which offer Wi-Fi connectivity and other premium features.
“And I think the outdoor living areas are really nice and huge,” Doelker added. “[That’s something] people really like and want these days.”
The front porch features a seating area off to the left side of the door, and in the back, an enclosed screened-in porch — decked out with a TV as well large sliding doors allowing easy access to the inside of the house — will give the future residents a space to enjoy the best of both worlds. Plus, it boasts stairs that lead to yet another outdoor area for relaxing in the big backyard.
“I loved the whole idea of sitting down and creating something new that [had] never been done before,” Doelker exclaimed, adding that both his architectural drafter and interior designer are in-office with him. “[It was nice] just being able to sit down and have that collaboration.”
Know a house that would make a great Home of the Week? Email writer Lennie Omalza at aloha@lennieomalza.com or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at kgregory@gannett.com.
Homearama 2023
WHAT: Homearama is an annual event that showcases custom-built new homes. The homes are fully furnished, decorated, and landscaped, and feature the latest in building trends, technology, and interior design. Homearama has been produced by the Building Industry Association of Greater Louisville since 1968.
WHEN: Sept. 29 to Oct. 15. Fridays, 5-8 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays, 1-6 p.m.
WHERE: Nine homes located throughout Spencer, Oldham, and Jefferson counties.
TICKETS: Tickets are $15 per person at the door. Children 12 and younger are free with a paying adult. Tickets are also available for $12 online.
MORE INFORMATION: homearama.com
nuts & bolts
Owner: Key Homes LLC
Home: This is a 4-bed, 3-bath, 2,680-square-foot, ranch-style home in the La Grange neighborhood of The Commons at Cedar Point. It was built in 2023.
Distinctive elements: Black windows; barn wood accents; quartz countertops; custom playhouse in the basement; custom closet shelving systems; composite decking.
Applause! Applause! JL Interiors for the furnishings and decor.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 4-bed home from Key Homes LLC featured on 2023 Homearama in La Grange
