Some of the organizers behind Richmond’s Homearama invited us to a fresh event called the Massey Street of Dreams. Like Homearama, it showcases custom-built homes furnished and styled by collaborating builders, designers, and decorators. What sets this tour apart is its charitable mission: conceived by cancer survivor George Emerson, all proceeds benefit the local VCU Massey Cancer Center. We toured the four homes on the block and wanted to share the highlights we loved from each.

The four houses sit side-by-side in a new neighborhood with views across the street to the James River. Each house was handled by a different builder and design team, so the styles vary considerably. Those differences are what make tours like this fun—you’ll find a kitchen you adore in one house, a bathroom you’d copy from another, and a patio you’d take from a third.

The first home caught our eye with a kitchen that felt current without trying too hard: gray cabinets, a contrasting island with a different countertop material, an exposed range hood, and marble subway tile backsplash. Glass-front cabinets added an elegant, functional touch, and a butler’s pantry/dry bar created a smooth transition between the kitchen and dining room. The darker gray pantry cabinets tied into the coffered ceiling color, which allowed the room to embrace a rich ceiling tone without feeling heavy.

The living room leaned traditional but was warmed up by patterned orange accent chairs and a stone-and-raw-wood fireplace surround. The en-suite bathroom was our favorite, mainly because of a large freestanding tub—the kind of tub that makes a bathroom feel like a retreat. In the nautical-themed kids’ room, playful details like a sail headboard hung from an oar and dock-cleat hooks made the design memorable. One teenage girl even designed a bedroom herself—a “Paris meets mustache” concept with personal photos and a fun photo-prop area for friends.

The second house favored an old-world aesthetic but included modern conveniences: a prep kitchen just off the main kitchen, intended to keep countertop appliances like coffee makers and toasters out of sight yet ready to use. It’s a trend we saw emphasized by the show’s coordinators as the next useful household feature. This home also featured an open, covered porch with a planked ceiling and a double-sided indoor-outdoor fireplace, plus an outdoor TV—perfect for blending indoor comfort with outdoor living.

The third house leaned into a high-contrast, upscale look—lots of white and gray with strategic dark accents. A dramatic dark staircase provided visual punch, and transom windows added classic architectural detail in the dining room. The kitchen felt grand with abundant cabinetry, and dark hardware gave the soft gray cabinets a sharp, tailored look. A cozy breakfast nook used burlap curtains upgraded with simple black ribbon trim, a clever low-cost detail that added texture and charm.

The fourth property was the most elaborately styled, with ornate rustic pieces and a Restoration-Hardware-inspired vibe. Oversized arched mirrors and a beaded chandelier helped define the dining area, where generously scaled chairs created an inviting atmosphere. The kitchen featured a unique three-part layout: a peninsula, an island, and a wall of cabinetry and appliances arranged in parallel for an efficient, layered workspace. In a front sitting room, a convincing painted treatment mimicked grasscloth wallpaper, complete with subtle seam details to mimic real wallpaper rolls.

This home also showcased the growing trend of dual main bedrooms—one on the first floor and another upstairs—giving homeowners flexible options for main-suite living. A girls’ bedroom introduced a brighter color palette, tied to a chandelier that inspired yellow accents and custom lampshades. The mudroom, while not fully styled during our visit, already impressed with patterned floor tile paired with powder-blue cabinetry, hinting at a thoughtful mix of materials and color.

There’s much more to see in person, but those were the moments that stuck with us. The Massey Street of Dreams homes are open to the public Thursday through Sunday during the scheduled dates, and proceeds support the VCU Massey Cancer Center. It’s a beautiful cause wrapped up in inspiring design and thoughtful home trends.

P.S. If you’re curious to see a finished showhouse we designed, we’ve documented our own full showhouse tour with final photos, floor plans, budget details, a video walkthrough, and a list of the furniture and accessories used.