Brad Spence's Blog: Denver Suburbs

I took the opportunity this weekend to check out the 2008 Parade of Homes at Solterra (put on by the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver) and was pleasantly surprised.  Now, it is sort of assumed that the Parade of Homes is going to have beautiful homes.  That wasn't my concern.  My concern was the theme.  The Solterra development, as the developer claims, was inspired by European hilltowns, places like Tuscany, Andalusia and Provence .  Don't get me wrong, most everyone can see the appeal of a Tuscan hilltown.  My fear wasn't related to this particular theme, it was more that "themes" in general can can miss the mark or be overdone.  For instance, if an entire area is based on a theme, that theme better be done very tastefully or in 10 years you…