I Flew to Utah for One House. Here’s What I Learned.

I had a wild hair this past week. Whenever that happens, my hubby Matt always gets nervous – as he should. 😉

This week’s wild haired idea was unlike anything I had ever done before. 

In the midst of about 12 hours, we rearranged our family’s weekend schedule, I hopped on a plane to Utah, booked a hotel, a rental car, and purchased a ticket to the Utah Valley Parade of Homes. 

Why, you might ask?

Well, the home part is probably obvious. I could look at homes endlessly, after all. But, why Utah?

I had a fellow Omaha design friend who had just toured this home, and shared that it was a dream home I simply could not miss. 

My all-time favorite interior designer, Shea McGee of Studio McGee, had designed the Oxford Road home on this tour. And, this was not just any home. It was a 26,000+ home that was impeccably designed inside and out.

So, there I went – on a plane to the Utah Valley to see AS MANY homes as I could possibly squeeze into a nine hour window. 

My completely honest review of the tour?

Absolutely freaking stunning! 

Every single home was a new, surprising experience unlike the one before it. I had a chance to tour 10 homes in all. 

From soaring ceilings, arched entries, stunning large and in charge light fixtures, and timeless tile work, I was totally in my design-loving element. Some looks were certainly ones I had seen and experienced before, but the ones that hold a prominent place in my mind are ideas I’d love to bring back to Omaha. 

Here are my top 10 takeaways from this stunning home tour in the books: 

1. The Movie Theaters! These were NOT your typical home theaters. These were fully equipped spaces, complete with oversized projectors, and massive sectionals tiered for your optimal viewing pleasure. Some of the theaters had their own snack section complete with popcorn machines, candy stations, and concession stands. 

2. The Flooring. White oak is IN, and it’s not going anywhere! White oak flooring in larger planks was a showstopping aspect of many of the homes. In the Studio McGee designed home, the white oak species had been flown in from Spain. It was GORGEOUS!

3. Plaster application. This was such a great way to add a little extra oomph to the walls {and sometimes ceilings} of these massive homes. The plaster work was stunning, and added just the perfect texture to complement the beauty and grandeur of the homes. Hot take: We’re going to be seeing so much more of this in Omaha soon!

4. Unreal Surprises. There was a full, operable helicopter in one of the homes. What? YES!!! Definitely not something I had seen before. And, the homeowner and pilot could complete a full take off from the back of his property. 

5. Let’s Craft. In just a couple of the homes, there were crafting, art spaces larger than most primary suites. There were a few of them, and they were so well planned out with their storage, functionality, AND design. 
   

Can you believe it? The beauty and the stunning home trends continue!

6. Accent walls! My friends, some designers are saying that accent walls are dead. They are absolutely NOT. In the homes I toured, the accent walls were some of the most beautiful aspects of the room. These were not your flat painted walls. Oh no! They were small works of art within each space, showcasing new uses for woodwork, in beautiful patterns and layers. 

7. Beautiful Bowling Alley. Ever been to a bowling alley with stately wainscotting and sconced lighting? Me either! The Studio McGee designed home had the most beautiful, elevated bowling alley I had ever seen. It was gorgeous … not something I had really thought much about creating as an elevated space, but wow – it was so tastefully done!

8. Banquettes Galore. Banquette seating is an excellent space-saving, timeless approach to dining. Banquettes showed up in main living spaces, off of kitchens, in small nooks, and even in basements in the homes I saw. These stunning spaces might be just what you need in your next home refresh.

9. Wallpaper in New Ways. Wallpaper isn’t going anywhere either. Wallpaper showed up in many spaces along the tour – in powder rooms, laundry rooms, lounge areas, and kid spaces. There were two wallpaper applications I especially appreciated – one showcased wallpaper integrated within the arches of a millwork install wall in a bedroom. The other was showcased on the ceiling within the eaves of a kids space. So well done, and just oh so cute!

10. Stone, Brickwork, and Woodwork – Oh My! I loved the combination that many of the homes showcased using stone on the walls both inside and outside the homes, along with brickwork on flooring and walls, and woodwork throughout. Just such a beautiful combination.

Needless to say, the homes were impeccable, memorable, and completely worth the trip! 

The most surprising aspect of my entire trip actually happened after my tour of the Oxford Home 

When you completed the tour of Studio McGee’s Oxford Road home, you could help yourself to Crumbl Cookies and other goodies. The icing on the cake – or cookie, rather – I stopped and chatted with a husband and wife duo who were working a booth for Studio McGee. We chatted just a bit, and after sharing I had flown from Omaha to tour THIS home, and how much I loved Shea McGee’s work, the wife said turning to her husband, “oh, well my husband is the president of Studio McGee.” WHAT?!

I had the pleasure of meeting the president of Studio McGee, Patrick Ord, to wrap up my tour! What an honor. Keep up the great work Team McGee! I hope we cross paths again so soon. 

If you’ve made it this far in the read – well done, my design-loving friends. I share all of this to say I would be so honored to bring these elevated and completely refreshed design looks and so many more to your home in Omaha and beyond. 

Let’s connect this summer and explore the potential in your own home. Nest with the Nelsons Interior Design Studio would love to help you create a space that feels fresh, beautiful, and perfectly suited to your family.

Cheers to the week ahead, beautiful weather, and timeless home design!

All my best, 

XOXO,
Megan Nelson
Nest with the Nelsons Interior Design Studio

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