NIBCA honors Parade of Homes submissions during awards ceremony

The North Idaho Building Contractors Association's Parade of Homes Award Ceremony at the Prairie Falls Golf Course on Thursday honored the craftsmanship behind this year's showcase homes.  

Amy Wilson, Parade of Homes chair, said events like this are important to the home-building and design community. 

"This is one of the biggest ways that builders can get their project out there," she said. 

Qualifying begins nearly a year in advance. Builders must adhere to strict rules: homes cannot be lived in and must meet the Parade's firm deadlines. This year's lineup includes 17 physical home tours and 3 virtual ones. 

The theme of the night was The Masters, with over 200 attendees donning green sports coats, dresses and more. Entries were organized by home value and judging parameters included architectural appeal, curb appeal, best kitchen and more. 

The awards were distributed in six sections.

For the Pine section of the awards, Timbered Ridge Homes took home the awards for Best Architectural Appeal, Best Curb Appeal, Best Craftsmanship, Best Kitchen, Best Primary Suite and Best Interior Decor. Best Floor Plan and also took home the Realtor's Choice Award. 

For the Spruce section, Architerra Homes took home the awards for Best Architectural Appeal, Best Curb Appeal, Best Craftsmanship, Best Primary Suite, Best Interior Decor, Best Floor Plan and the Realtor's Choice Award. Viking captured the Best Kitchen Award. 

For the Hemlock section, Safe Haven Homes took home the awards for Best Architectural Appeal, Best Curb Appeal, Best Craftsmanship, Best Kitchen, Best Primary Suite, Best Interior Decor, Best Floor Plan and the Realtor's Choice. Anthem Pacific Homes received an award for Best Interior Decor. 

For the Cedar section, Onyx Construction Management took the awards for Best Architectural Appeal, Best Curb Appeal, Best Craftsmanship, Best Kitchen, Best Primary Suite, Best Interior Decor, Best Floor Plan and the Realtor's Choice Award. 

For the Tamarack section, Safe Haven Homes took home Best Architectural Appeal, Best Curb Appeal, Best Craftsmanship, Best Kitchen, Best Primary Suite, Best Interior Decor, Best Floor Plan and the Realtor's Choice. 

For the Sandalwood section, Mountain High Homebuilders took home the awards for Best Architectural Appeal, Best Curb Appeal, Best Craftsmanship, Best Kitchen, Best Primary Suite, Best Interior Decor, Best Floor Plan and the Realtor's Choice Award. 

For brothers Gabriel and Austin Hern and business partner Donald Hahnenkratt, the night marked a breakthrough. Their business, Safe Haven Homes, was expected to leave with perhaps one or two awards; instead, they left with a pile of them. 

"I feel really lucky to be honest," said Austin. "We weren't expecting that at all." 

The trio said they had all worked under several other builders before taking a "leap of faith" and opening their own custom home and design business. Gabriel attributed their results to a collaborative process.   

"We are intensely involved and there are so many meetings, we really get to know their taste more than our own," said Gabriel. 

They said they have dozens of client meetings before breaking ground, and the team focuses on realizing a homeowner's vision. Recently, they finished two custom homes in under seven months. 

"A lot of sleepless nights," Hahnenkratt said. 

Kennedy Harwood of Architerra Homes reflected on the sacrifices people in her organization make to receive NIBCA awards. She said Architerra prides itself on quality.

"A lot of blood, sweat and tears comes into this night," she said. 

Wilson emphasized that NIBCA gives exposure not only to builders, subcontractors, landscapers and designers who contribute, but also to the community. The association itself has over 400 members and stages several community events, including a home and garden show. 

"Honestly, it's been so fun. You meet so many people," Wilson said. 

    Representatives of homebuilders hold commemorative plaques at the North Idaho Building Contractors Association's awards banquet at Prairie Falls Golf Course on Thursday. From left, Gabriel Hern, Donald Hahnenkratt and Austin Hern of Safe Haven Homes, Sean Betts and Bob Woodworth of Mountain High Home Builders, Kristina Schreiner of Nest Designs and Builds and Matt Cudmore of Selkirk Design Company.