This was the 13th year of this competition of home builders throughout the Capital District, New York state and other northeast states. The event ran for three weekends during September and October where 4,300 people attended to view 10 builders’ homes. The houses were then judged by a panel of professional realtors and home builders. Among several award categories was the People’s Choice Award where 1,100 ballots were cast for the homes under $590,000 and those over $590,000. The proceeds from ticket sales will go to Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties and Rebuilding Together Saratoga County in December.

Christine Vasiliou Zientak of Vasiliou Homes Inc. of Queensbury, the only female builder, won for the home under $590,000. Her home is located on 15 Rivercrest Road in Moreau, which also received the Best Interior Floor Plan and Best Interior Decorating awards, and was runner up for Best Landscaping, Best Kitchen and Best Exterior Architectural Design awards. The house designed by Christine Vasiliou and Bob Flansburg of Dreamscape Unlimited is built on a little more than an acre. Melissa Coonradt and Jane Hughes of Hughes Interior Design were the decorators.  Dave O’Neal of O’Neal Landscaping did the landscaping. This is Vasiliou’s third year in the competition and it has always been a worthwhile endeavor for the company’s exposure and she enjoys participating in this charitable cause. She has been in the building business for 10 years after she took over her father’s business. This home’s design came from an originally two-story floor plan that they modified for their newer source of empty nester customers who are looking to scale down. They built this three bedroom, three bathroom house in about three months and created an open floor plan with a private master suite, open kitchen and dining room, screened- porch, stone patio and vaulted Great Room. Special features include indoor and outdoor fireplaces, custom built- ins and a loft library. Vasiliou ran into some minor challenges, but the process was an overall pleasure.

The winner of homes over $590,000 went to Sam Palazzole and Dan Barber of Saratoga Builders LLC, and is part of their new development Burgoyne Estates in Saratoga Springs. This beautiful three story 6,800-square feet home with a three car garage is located at 3 Anthony Lane in Saratoga and sits on 2.32 acres of land. This is their first year competing and they were also winners of the price range over $590,000 for Best Kitchen and Realtors’ Choice Award and runner up for Best Interior Floor Plan, Best Interior Decorating and Best Exterior Architectural Design. Dan Barber, who has a lot of experience in designing high end homes, planned this home. They also did extensive research about customer desires which included an open floor plan, custom built- ins and a first floor master suite. The luxury home contains four bedrooms with four full bathrooms and 2 half bathrooms. Details pervade throughout this house such as an upstairs and downstairs washer and dryer and library, an 800-square feet bonus room, a wine cellar, full bar, home theater, exercise and game room, state of the art kitchen appliances and first floor patio. Every counter top is either granite or marble, each bedroom is equipped with custom closets and bathroom, and the custom cabinets are cherry, mahogany or lyptus. The master bathroom even includes heated floors, custom shower heads and an arched and painted ceiling where a chandelier hangs. This exceptionally elegant home exemplifies Palazzole and Barber’s attention to details, customer needs and creative innovation. Nancy Smith of Saratoga Signature Interiors did the decorating, Ian Murray of Brookside Nursery was the landscaper and Tom Myott of Glens Falls provided the impressive collection of paintings.

Vasiliou, Palazzole and Barber demonstrate the ingenuity and luxury when it comes to home design and building. The Showcase of Homes presents houses that meet the price range, taste and needs of people through the latest technology and designs. This event has proven to be beneficial for the local charities as well as the builders’ acknowledgement. The Showcase Committee works assiduously throughout the year to make this occasion a hit.