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Parade of Homes, a successful celebration of North Idaho's 'latest and greatest' in home building

by Maureen Dolan Staff Writer
| October 9, 2018 11:28 AM

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The living room of “The Summit.”

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This outdoor living area, a covered patio with a natural fireplace and built-in barbecue, caught the public’s eye on tours of “The Summit” during NIBCA’s Parade of Homes.

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The owners of Selkirk Construction accept the People’s Choice Award. From left: Bart Kleng, Idaho Central Credit Union; Tyler Haug, Selkirk Construction; Therese Goodwin Gurgel, Idaho Central Credit Union; Scot Haug, Selkirk Construction; Cameron Haug, Selkirk Construction; Krista Bradley, NIBCA; and Leslie Streeter, NIBCA.

Attendance was high, the weather was beautiful and as always, the homes were spectacular.

This year’s Parade of Homes, the North Idaho Building Contractors Association’s annual celebration of the home building market, was held over two weekends in September. It attracted double the number of people who toured homes during last year’s event.

“The first Saturday over 800 people went through one home,” said this year’s Parade of Homes Committee Chair, Therese Goodwin Gurgel, who is a business relationship officer with Idaho Central Credit Union in North Idaho and NIBCA member.

Each year, Parade of Homes offers a showcase of houses designed and constructed by the region’s leading builders. It spotlights the artistry and craftsmanship of North Idaho’s top architects, interior designers, landscape specialists and building supply providers.

With 16 homes participating, members of the public who took this year’s tour had the opportunity to go through the homes - located in Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Rathdrum and Hayden - and get a firsthand look at the latest trends and innovations in new home design.

“Everyone who was involved in the production of this year’s parade did a magnificent job,” said Goodwin Gurgel. “It is very encouraging and rewarding to the builders, consumers and the building industry.”

The event, traditionally held during the second and third week of August, took place in September this year, a move Goodwin Gurgel said contributed to the high turnout.

“The NIBCA Parade of Homes is a major draw for locals and tourists seeking to experience firsthand the latest and greatest in North Idaho,” Goodwin Gurgel said.

“We owe a lot to the builders and subcontractors who each played a vital role in the ongoing success of this event. The opportunity we had to work alongside these talented individuals was a real privilege.”

Each year, one home receives the coveted People’s Choice Award, which is voted on by the public.

The award highlights the best kitchen, best master suite, best interior design and finish, best exterior, most innovative and most favorite winner. Those who attend the parade decide the winner.

“The People’s Choice Award is what the customers, clients and public see as noteworthy,” said Goodwin Gurgel.

Selkirk Construction, a family-owned and operated home builder based in Hayden, earned the People’s Choice distinction this year.

Named “The Summit,” Selkirk Construction’s entry into Parade of Homes is located in Rimrock Meadows, a gated subdivision off Lancaster Road in Hayden.

This Craftsman-style home’s 3,087 square feet of living space includes four bedrooms, four fireplaces and a workout room adjacent to the master bedroom.

One of the fireplaces is located in the master bath near a large soaking tub. Another fireplace, in the living room, incorporates large timbers that had to be craned in.

The fireplaces are among the home’s features that caught the public’s attention during Parade of Homes, said Scot Haug, who owns Selkirk Construction with his two sons, Tyler and Cameron.

“Another very attractive thing for people was the outdoor living area,” Haug said, describing it as a large covered patio with a natural fireplace and built-in barbecue.

Selkirk’s design team tried to incorporate not just one style of home, Haug said, but several, in addition to the Craftsman features. The home has some of the lighter colors popular with modern design themes as well as industrial design features that incorporate metal.

“It’s an honor to be able to build the house we did, but getting the recognition for our team is the most important thing,” said Tyler Haug. “We’re not a single contractor. Our company would be nothing without our team.”

Tyler said Selkirk uses a host of suppliers and a team of subcontractors, many who work solely for Selkirk.

Scot Haug said they were very pleased to work with the new homeowners throughout the design and construction of the People’s Choice-winning home.

“Special thanks goes to all of our trades for the great work,” Haug said.