Kitchens feature a workable triangle of the refrigerator, stove and counter space, a function that Pearlman said she always looks for in a house. Most of the kitchens are adjacent to the living and dining rooms, but counters around the kitchen conceal the dirty dishes. Natural textures Texture also plays an important role in creating a comfortable house, Pearlman added. Cherry, hickory and maple cabinets are replacing white cabinets in the model kitchens in both developments. Wood floors and thick pile rugs are popular throughout the model homes.
Ceramic tile shows up on kitchen and bathroom counters.
Most of all, Pearlman said, buyers are looking for comfort. They want a private retreat in a community where neighbors talk to each other. Interior designers and architects team up to provide just that, she said. Whether it's the picket fence that divides one house from another but remains low enough for a neighborly conversation, or a park where neighbors can meet each other on a common path, the model homes at Orenco Station and Oakridge Estates offer just what Pearlman says buyers want. In some of the Sherman models, master bedrooms feature an attached room with a fireplace, large window, and over-sized chair.