Dreams on display

hey're the stuff dreams are made of. Luxury homes with garage space for multiple vehicles. Oversized rooms with designer furnishings and accessories. Every modern convenience imaginable. Dedicated theater rooms and wine cellars. Backyards transformed into water-filled paradises in the middle of the desert.

And they're here. In the Las Vegas Valley. Open for the public to view and collect ideas for their own dream houses.

They are the 12 custom homes being showcased during the 2009 Parade of Homes, which began yesterday and continues on weekends through May 10.

"Prepare to be enthralled as you enter some of the most exclusive communities in the valley to experience 12 of the most spectacular examples of structural design, interior design, custom construction and outdoor living. From Red Rock Country Club and The Ridges in Summerlin to MacDonald Highlands in Henderson, what you will see in each of the 2009 Parade sites is the comprehensive effort of thousands of contributing vendors, which, when all of the dust settles, create individual custom homes designed to inspire awe," said Lisa Hester, executive director of Las Vegas Parade of Homes.

"We also have a bonus house with The New American Home 2009," she said.

Built specifically by Blue Heron for the National Association of Home Builders International Builders Show held earlier this year, the 9,200-square-foot home is LEED-certified Platinum and operates for less than $179 a month.

"And it's gorgeous," she added.

The home is a nostalgic tribute to the city's glamour with modern, high-tech living.

Another of the home's interior design might surprise a few visitors when they discover it was completed by La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries. The Parade of Homes provided the company, which is best-known for its comfortable furniture, the opportunity to showcase its interior design abilities and services.

"I definitely think they (visitors to the home) will be surprised that we can do an entire house -- a $10 million house," said Nancy Conway, director of design for La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries.

In addition to sofas, recliners and dedicated theater seating provide by the company, Conway said they were able to special order pieces from La-Z-Boy's sister companies, American Drew, Hammary and Kincaid. Among the pieces featured in the home are a dining table and bedroom set designed by Bob Mackie, who is famous for his costumes, and curio cabinets with gold-leaf backs.

Conway said they also have hand-tied silk rugs, wall art and accessories from hundreds of providers.

Conway and her team of certified residential designers, Layne Whiteman and Carrie Summers, worked off the color palette chosen by the builder, Sunridge Builders, and California designer Michael Macaluso, who selected the custom window treatments, tile accents and flooring used throughout the home.

"Our concept was to make the home look like the highest end hotel in Maui," Conway said. "We incorporated water and sky colors and natural elements inside the home. It's clean and contemporary, yet warm and inviting."

Still, Steve Hueftle, president of the valley's La-Z-Boy operations, says "We're calling it the comfort home."

Additionally, Hueftle said if the furnishings sell with the home, his company will donate $5,000 to Ronald McDonald House.

Automobile aficionados are sure to drool over the 17-car garage that is part of Vantage Pointe, created by Sun West Custom Homes. The trilevel home has 10,835 square feet of living space and highlights the builder's trademark blending of indoor and outdoor spaces. Rooms have oversized motorized glass pocket doors, stacking glass doors and expansive windows to bring the outside in and the inside out. The home also has a double island kitchen, open spiral staircase, wine room, formal indoor and outdoor dining areas and natural walnut cabinetry.

"We could not be more excited to feature the hundreds of vendors which contribute to each of these projects. This year's Parade really will communicate artistry and innovation. As a builder's showcase, the 2009 Parade will hopefully offer a great deal of reasons to promote recovery in the masses," Hester said.

The homes will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Tickets are good for all days of the event. They can be purchased online for $25 at www.lasvegas paradeofhomes.com, or for $20 at valley La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries locations.

As in previous years, event organizers are encouraging Parade visitors to validate their tickets at all sites to be qualified to vote for their favorites in the builder and design categories. Additionally, there are opportunities to register for a $3,000 furniture shopping spree at the La-Z-Boy Comfort Home, No. 9 "A River Runs Thru ..."; and a Brewmaster Express built-in coffee maker at the Econ Appliance showcase located within home No. 12, the New American Home at Marquis.

Additional information is available at www.lasvegas paradeofhomes.com.