A Note from Susanne

Earlier this month, our team toured the 2026 Triangle Parade of Homes in North Ridge, Raleigh. We visited The Vanderbilt and The Rockefeller by Raleigh Custom Homes and came home with a camera roll full of details. There was so much character in these homes, and I left feeling inspired. Here’s what stayed with me.

That Hallway, and the Painted Trim

I just loved this hallway. The combination of vertical paneling and applied molding was something I hadn’t seen done quite this way before. Every detail felt thought through. It made a hallway somewhere you actually wanted to stop and look around.

Hallway lined with vertical board paneling set inside framed panels, lit by two glass ceiling lights — A paneled hallway

I’m also a big fan of painted trim. The soft gray-blue door casings gave the openings so much character and emphasized the views from one room into the next. It’s such a pretty way to add architectural interest, even to a simple doorway.

Doorways cased in gray blue painted trim, one opening framed inside the next — Painted door casings

Drapery and Cozy Alcoves

I loved how the drapery framed the sitting area within that wall of windows. It made a generous space feel more intimate, almost like its own little retreat.

Alcoves and niches do so much for a home. They make the architecture more interesting while creating cozy places to settle in. Add drapery, and you get another layer of softness. This was such a pretty example.

Sitting area set within a wall of windows, framed by linen drapery on either side, under three glass pendants and a wood beamed ceiling — Drapery framing the sitting area

An Earthy, Muted Palette

The color palette was earthy, muted and sophisticated. Creamy taupes, warm woods, honed stone and aged brass, with a mix of softer finishes and rougher textures that kept everything interesting.

I loved that balance. Nothing felt overly polished, and there was so much warmth in the materials. The concept board shows it well.

Concept board of creamy taupe paint colors, walnut wood, aged brass hardware, a botanical wallpaper and stone tile — Concept board by Raleigh Custom Homes

Openings with Personality

I’m always drawn to an interesting opening, and I loved how this shaped arch framed the view down the hallway toward the stairs.

Shaped arched opening framing a hallway that leads to the stair — A shaped arch

Personally, I would have made the corner details a little smaller. But I loved the idea. These transitions between rooms are an opportunity to do something special with the architecture, and they deserve attention too.

Sculptural, Playful Lighting

The lighting was one of my favorite parts of the tour. Sculptural, modern, playful. So cool.

There was the scalloped fixture above the bird mural, the shell-like light by the back door, glass globes hanging down the stairwell, and a fabric dome over brass candle arms. I loved seeing those shapes against the more traditional architecture. They gave the rooms a little playfulness.

Scalloped ceiling light glowing above a powder room papered in a bird mural — A scalloped fixture over a bird mural

Fluted ceiling light shaped like a shell, glowing on a softly textured ceiling by the back door — A shell-like light by the back door

Glass globe lights dropping down a stairwell — Glass globes down the stairwell

Pendant with a paneled fabric dome shade over brass candle arms, in a room with star wallpaper — A fabric dome over brass arms

And that powder room with the scenic wallpaper? Beautiful. Hanging pendants on either side of the mirror was such an interesting alternative to the usual wall sconces. The whole combination worked so well.

Powder room with scenic wallpaper, a round mirror and a pendant light on each side — Pendants on either side of the mirror

A Few More Favorites

The scullery door. I’m absolutely obsessed with that porthole window. A scullery gives you extra working space beyond the kitchen and somewhere to keep the mess out of sight when you’re entertaining. Practical, but there’s still room to have fun with it. That little window added so much charm.

Scullery with gray green cabinets, a checkered floor and a porthole window in the door — The porthole scullery door

The brass shelving. The brass against the dark soapstone in the media room was so pretty. Moody and bold, with just enough shine from the shelving. Love it.

Brass and glass shelves across a dark wall above a black soapstone counter — Brass shelving in the media room

The mahjong table. Apparently, I need to learn mahjong. I’m seeing it everywhere, and I loved this particular set. But I also loved the idea of a game table right in the living room. Somewhere to leave a puzzle out or come back to a game you started. If you have the space, a dedicated spot to sit together, play and take a break from screens makes so much sense.

Mahjong tiles laid out on a game table beside a brass lamp — Mahjong, set up for a game

Raleigh Custom Homes did such a beautiful job. From the paneling to the porthole window, there was so much care in the details. It was a fun afternoon, and I came home with plenty of ideas.

If details like these speak to you, take a look at our residential design projects.

Photos by House of Maevie at the 2026 Triangle Parade of Homes. Built by Raleigh Custom Homes, with house plans by Frazier Home Design and Narron Designs.