Behind the Scenes Tour: HGTV Dream Home 2018

What a thrill it was to be invited to tour The HGTV® Dream Home 2018. We have been watching the creation of this magnificent waterfront home for months (and entering twice daily). But to see it in person was almost surreal. We are so excited to take you along with us as we tour the HGTV Dream Home. I mean, what are friends for?

About the HGTV Dream Home

If you haven’t been following along the building process like we have let’s get you caught up. This is the 22nd year that HGTV has built an HGTV Dream Home. Can you believe it? This year they chose a place close to our hearts (and close to Julie’s house) in Gig Harbor, WA. It’s actually less than 60 miles from where she lives. Gig Harbor is the name of both a bay on Puget Sound and a city on its Washington shore. It claims to be “the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula.” And the house is situated right on the water with absolutely breathtaking views of Puget Sound, completely idyllic. When they say “dream” they mean it.

For more photos of the 2018 HGTV dream home, visit the official website and photo gallery.

Side Note:

We decided from the beginning that if either of us won it we’d share it as our joint families’ summer house. We didn’t shake on it but we’re pretty good on our word. Plus, what would be better than winning this but sharing it with the ones we love.

Speaking of Winning the HGTV Dream Home

Before we go any further, have you entered yet? It’s surprisingly quick and easy (and of course free). You can enter every day on both HGTV.com and DIYnetwork.com for a chance to win. You can even sign up (as Jodie & I have) to receive an email reminder every day if you want to enter every day. After your enter once subsequent days take us less than a minute, just a couple clicks and you’ve entered again. We do it when we check our morning email, and it’s just kind of fun to dream.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends 2/16/18. To enter and for complete details visit [LINK]

The Event

Of course for Jodie traveling to Washington is always a treat, whether she comes for a month or a day. There is something truly magical about this state and a home on the water here. Let’s just say we have this firmly planted in our real life dreams for one day.

 

Besides the house being a real and honest dream, HGTV put on a spectacular event for us that made us all feel like royalty for the weekend. We stayed at a beautiful, art-filled hotel called The Murano, in nearby Tacoma, WA. and enjoyed the company of some special friends. It was an opportunity to meet some long-time friends from Instagram and blogging, as well as make some brand new friends, who we now consider our “peeps.” Very quickly we realized what an honor it was to be chosen seeing the caliber of people surrounding us. 

Our first event was dinner on Friday night in a private room at a restaurant on site. Over fine cuisine we enjoyed meeting everyone, sharing everything from babies to blogging and a whole lot in between. We were joined by the entire HGTV team, who were so fun and personable we completely forgot to be nervous. We also had the privilege of meeting the lead designer of the HGTV Dream Home, Brian Patrick Flynn, who lived up to his reputation as being the life of the party.

The Big Day

Saturday was the big day, our tour and brunch at the HGTV Dream Home. It was a little bit like a decorator’s trip to Disneyland, hard to put into words, and something we’ll always remember. We needed to be pinched several times throughout the day, let’s just put it that way.

Champagne greeted us at the door held by elegantly clad servers, setting the scene for what was about to unfold. The magnificent views of the Puget Sound took our breath away and there was a hush among the group as we tried to take it in. The intimate sounds of an acoustic guitar playing at our feet was all we heard for the first moments. As we filled our eyes with as much as we could handle, Brian Patrick Flynn, our host for the day, took the floor and welcomed us in the cheery style he makes his own.

Next we were left to tour and enjoy. As influencers that of course meant getting on our phones and cameras. We all shared stories, took videos, shared live videos, and snapped photos for the next hour. What fun and what an honor we felt to be able to share this special place with all of you, our followers.

Brunch

More fabulous food. And wow, can you believe the table they set for us? When Brian originally said we would later be moving to the garage for brunch we all kind of wondered, hmmm, the garage? Like no garage setting we’d ever seen. With see-through garage doors on one side and a large picture window affording more magnificent views of the Puget Sound on the other, you would never think garage. Add to all that the stunning table and surrounding ambiance we realized that the HGTV dream home comes with a dream garage, no surprise.

The food was from a renowned local caterer who impressed us with her flavors and innovative selections. We tried to remain polite and not gobble, but truth be told, there was a little bit of gobbling when the cameras weren’t rolling. No shame in that.

Let’s Tour the HGTV Dream Home

A word about the color palette: Brian himself clarified for us at the beginning of our tour. He said if you’re wondering what soft pastels are doing in a Pacific Northwest home it all makes sense when you know the background. He was showcasing a color palette by Sherwin Williams paint collections. Starting with these paint colors he drew his inspiration and carried those color themes throughout the home.

When we originally saw the photos of the HGTV Dream Home online we weren’t necessarily head over heels in love with the color choices. That’s the honest truth. They’re so soft, and even as Brian admits, so “Florida” that we weren’t originally smitten. But when we saw the home in person it all changed. That was the first thing that hit us. The colors suit the space perfectly. They allow the natural mood and colors of the Puget Sound to take center stage.

The home is modern yet tranquil, clean yet cozy. Brian did an amazing job, and our hats are off to him. He shopped Wayfair.com exclusively, and we are amazed at how he made it all come together seemingly effortlessly. Brian, we want to be you when we grow up. We have become fast fans of this remarkable man. If you have too you can follow his adventures on his Instagram @bpatrickflynn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We love how the natural elements so beautifully complement the soft sea-side blues. From the natural lamp shades, rattan baskets, the weathered wood of the chair, the preserved Manzanita tree branch, it all works together to create a look that is calm, balanced, organic, and beautiful.

 

At the end of the day it was hard to say good-bye, as you surely might imagine. But who knows, we might live here one day. The dream is alive, for us all.

Wishing everyone good luck for this magnificent giveaway.

HGTV Dream Home Disclosures

1). “HGTV, HGTV Dream Home, HGTV Dream Home Giveaway and their associated logos are trademarks of Scripps Networks, LLC. Used with permission; all rights reserved.” 2). “No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the U.S., age 21 or older. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes starts at 9 a.m. ET on 12/27/17 and ends at 5 p.m. ET on 2/16/18. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. For full official rules, visit HGTV.com/HGTVDreamHome or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: “HGTV Dream Home Giveaway”- RR, P.O. Box 53013, Knoxville, TN 37950. Main Sponsor: Scripps Networks, LLC d/b/a Home & Garden Television.”