30 October . 2025
Trends We're Loving
October was a month of beautiful homes and well-deserved awards. The Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County held its annual Parade of Homes, an event that encourages builders to show off their style with new and noteworthy builds. The homes submitted this year were beautiful as ever. Here are three gorgeous trends we Fell in love with this year!
Arches
Over the last few years, we have seen a rise in the use of arches. We love it more and more every time we see it. Whether they’re used to create subtle separation in open-concept spaces or in smaller applications like charming doorways, arches add timeless elegance and soft architectural interest. We especially loved how Homes By Dickerson incorporated arches in their Spill the Tea home at Wendell Falls. (Did we mention it won gold?)
Bold wallpaper
Wallpaper is back and it’s bolder than ever. With a recent resurgence of the maximalist aesthetic, the return of fully wallpapered spaces is no surprise. Wallpaper is the perfect way to add texture, color and loads of personality to a space. From striking floral motifs to elegant full wall murals, the homes in this year’s Parade of Homes had us asking for more.
Elegant Kitchens
Let’s face it, after a long day at work, finding the motivation to cook dinner is a struggle. However, some of the gorgeous kitchens we saw while touring the Parade of Homes made this daunting after work task seem more like a treat than a chore. These kitchens had abundant natural light and elegant waterfall countertops. The kitchens’ soft finishes found a way to strike the balance between elegant and cozy. The perfect setting to wine, dine and unwind. Pantries also had a moment this year, where extra shelving and cabinets added sophistication while hiding clutter, like the Fletcher home by McNeill Burbank.
Talking Point Features
Of all the trends we saw in this year’s Parade of Homes, this one may be the most impactful. While “talking point feature” may be a broad category, it encapsulates what we love about Parade of Homes. Many of the homes we saw had one or two standout design features that showed off the true personality of the builder. We saw everything from permanent firepit spaces on the back patio to floor-to-ceiling greenhouse inspired windows. These pieces and spaces made these homes all the more memorable.
We were blown away by the creativity, craftsmanship and care put into the homes featured this year. We want to extend a well deserved congratulations to all the award winners which includes our very own Homes by Dickerson team who received a perfect score on their Spill the Tea plan!
Want to tour some more spectacular homes? Come check out our completed quick move in options!
Wendell Falls is located just 15 miles from downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S. Explore artfully crafted new homes and townhomes from the low $300,000s – $900,000s+.