Custom home builders, interior designers, and landscaping companies were recognized for their contributions to Homearama 2008, which kicked off at Ashville Park with Critics’ Choice awards presentations Thursday, Oct. 2.

This year’s Homearama, Oct. 3 – Oct. 19, features seven showcase homes featuring Stephen Fuller designs. The annual event, produced by Tidewater Builders Association, is designed to stimulate interest in new housing and homeownership in general.

The winner of the coveted Critics’ Choice Best Home in Show gold award was Area Builders of Tidewater Inc. for The Fragola Fete “Strawberry Festival” House. The Fragola Fete Strawberry Festival also won The Most Creative and Best Interior Design award.

Joey Corp. won the Hampton Roads Realtors Association Award for Most Livable Home for The Big League.

Judges came from across Virginia to determine the winners of the Critics’ Choice Awards.

The complete list of 2008 Critics’ Choice winners follows:

The Virginian-Pilot Excellence in Building Award
Gold – Miller Custom Homes for The Mothership
Silver – Cohen Homes L.L.C. for the Van Gogh
Bronze – Area Builders of Tidewater Inc. for The Fragola Fete Strawberry Festival

Associates Choice for Best Special Product Feature
J.F. Schoch Building Corp. for the Monarch Bank Wedding House and the Pool House

Best Interior Design
Gold – Area Builders of Tidewater Inc. for The Fragola Fete Strawberry Festival; design by Beth Gilbert of Gilbert Interiors; Furnishings by Value City Furniture, Pembroke Stein Mart and Kirklands
Silver – Joey Corp. for The Big League; design by Michael Crow of Generations Brands; Furnishings by Value City Furniture
Bronze – J.F. Schoch Building Corp. for Monarch Bank Wedding House; design by Margaret Schoch of Unique Elegance; Furnishings by Unique Elegance

Best Home Furnishing
Gold – Joey Corp. for The Big League; furnishings by Value City Furniture
Silver – Cohen Homes L.L.C. for the Van Gogh; furnishings by Willis Furniture
Bronze – TCI Inc. for The Skyler Lynn; furnishings by Great Bridge Furniture, Haverty’s Furniture and Innovative Spas

Best Craftsmanship
Gold – Miller Custom Homes for The Mothership
Silver – J.F. Schoch Building Corp. for The Monarch Bank Wedding House
Bronze – Area Builders of Tidewater Inc. for Fragola Fete Strawberry Festival

Most Livable Floor Plan
Gold – Miller Custom Homes for The Mothership
Silver – Cohen Homes L.L.C. for the Van Gogh
Bronze – Joey Corp. for The Big League

Most Creative
Gold – Area Builders of Tidewater Inc. for Fragola Fete Strawberry Festival
Silver – J.F. Schoch Building Corp. for The Monarch Bank Wedding House
Bronze – Cohen Homes L.L.C. for The Van Gogh

Best Kitchen
Gold – Joey Corp. for The Big League
Silver – J.F. Schoch Building Corp. for The Monarch Bank Wedding House
Bronze – TCI Inc. for The Skyler Lynn

Best Family Room
Gold – Joey Corp. for The Big League
Silver – Area Builders of Tidewater Inc. for Fragola Fete Strawberry Festival House
Bronze – Cohen Homes L.L.C. for The Van Gogh 

Best Media Room
Gold – Cohen Homes L.L.C. for The Van Gogh
Silver – Area Builders of Tidewater Inc. for Fragola Fete Strawberry Festival
Bronze – The Walters Company Inc. for The Conner Glenn, The TBA Charity House

Best Bath
Gold – J.F. Schoch Building Corp. for The Monarch Bank Wedding House
Silver – Joey Corp. for The Big League
Bronze – TCI Inc. for The Skyler Lynn

Best Foyer
Gold – TCI Inc. for The Skyler Lynn
Silver – Cohen Homes L.L.C. for The Van Gogh
Bronze – Miller Custom Homes for The Mothership

Best Home Office
Gold – TCI Inc. for The Skyler Lynn
Silver – Joey Corp. for The Big League
Bronze – Cohen Homes L.L.C. for The Van Gogh

Best Integration of Technology
Gold – Area Builders of Tidewater Inc. for Fragola Fete Strawberry Festival
Silver – TCI Inc. for The Skyler Lynn
Bronze – J.F. Schoch Building Corp. for The Monarch Bank Wedding House

Best Closet or Storage
Gold – J.F. Schoch Building Corp. for The Monarch Bank Wedding House
Silver – Joey Corp. for The Big League
Bronze – Cohen Homes L.L.C. for The Van Gogh

Best Curb Appeal
Gold – Area Builders of Tidewater Inc. for Fragola Fete Strawberry Festival
Silver – Cohen Homes L.L.C. for The Van Gogh
Bronze – TCI Inc. for The Skyler Lynn

Most Environmentally Sensitive
Gold – Miller Custom Homes for The Mothership
Silver – J.F. Schoch Building Corp. for The Monarch Bank Wedding House
Bronze – Area Builders of Tidewater Inc. for Fragola Fete Strawberry Festival

Best Green Building Feature
Gold – Miller Custom Homes for The Mothership

Best Landscaping
Gold – Area Builders of Tidewater Inc. for Fragola Fete Strawberry Festival; landscaping by R.W. Askew Nursery
Silver – Joey Corp. for The Big League; landscaping by Renaissance Outdoor Contracting Inc.
Bronze – TCI Inc. for The Skyler Lynn; landscaping by Basnight Land & Lawn Inc.

Best Outdoor Living Area
Gold – J.F. Schoch Building Corp. for The Monarch Bank Wedding House
Silver – TCI Inc. for The Skyler Lynn
Bronze – Area Builders of Tidewater Inc. for Fragola Fete Strawberry Festival