Every year, the PTA for the neighborhood that I grew up in hosts a tour of 6-7 beautiful homes.  I’ve been sure to squeeze in a visit for the past few years and I always come away excited by the things that I’ve seen in a few of the houses, which range from stately English Tudors built in the 1920s to brand new construction.

This year, the two homes that knocked my socks off were both new construction but with very different styles.  I learned from the first home that I would die a happy girl if my next home had a 1920s Mediterranean vibe.  Think lots of dark wood floors, crisp white walls, aged teal built-ins, and splashes of color through hand-made and cement tiles.  I drooled.  While we weren’t allowed to take photos of the homes, this is an idea of what I saw in the Mediterranean-inspired home:

Yummy, right?

The next house that blew me away was a “modern farmhouse” by MORE, a design and construction group here in Dallas.  It was such a unique concept – crisp and clean and totally fuss-free, while still feeling casual and a bit rustic and vintage with exposed rafters, a Dutch door and even chickens!  (Side note – I actually lived on this street until I was about 3.  Ah, memories.  Pretty sure we didn’t have any chickens, though.)

The weathered shingle look is so unexpected (or at least to me) for a house 10 minutes from downtown Dallas – why not stand out in a crowd of brick homes?

Screened porch?  Yes please!

I just found out that our contractor is currently using this same cabinet guy with one of his other client’s projects – cool!

These exposed rafters ran throughout the entire house – while the look probably isn’t for everyone it was a really cool effect.

I’ve been a little obsessed with Dutch doors lately so this really rang my chimes.

I told you there were chickens!

The rest of MORE’s portfolio is pretty darn amazing, too. I mean, feast your eyes on this before and after exterior transformation:

Um, what???  Can you believe it’s the same house?!? I did a serious double-take on that one.  This neighborhood (and this street in particular) is known for having lots of 1920s Spanish-style homes, so this revamp of a tired 70s house looks like it’s always been there.

I think the kitchen above might be my favorite – I’m loving the flagstone floor!

Hmm, I seem to have seen a chevron backsplash somewhere else recently . . . :)

Got any favorites out of the bunch?  And what about you guys – are you house stalkers like I am or am I alone on this one?

All but the first image courtesy of MORE design + build.