Lennie Omalza| Special to the Courier Journal
David Ramage and his team have designed and built 11 houses for the Norton Children's Hospital Home & BMW Raffle, an annual event that supports the hospital and leaves the winner with a brand-new home. This year, Ramage’s design inspiration came from an abode he saw in East Beach, a waterfront community in Norfolk, Virginia.
“We’ve modified the plan to fit not being on the ocean,” he told The Courier Journal, “but (it still features a) warm (and) cozy, flexible design.”
Great heights
The home’s most notable feature is, arguably, the 19-foot vaulted living room ceiling. It boasts exposed beams, with dormers on the north and south ends of the roof, with six windows bringing in lots of natural light.
The house’s future residents will also enjoy basking in the sun from the balcony, which cantilevers over the first floor.
“If you look down, it’s almost like you’re suspended above the sidewalk,” Ramage said, adding that the view from above makes it easier to see just how convenient the home’s location at 6007 Passionflower Drive is, as one of the Norton Commons pools is just a short walk away.
Sidewalk views
The kitchen — which sits at the front of the house — offers a different vantage point, as it features windows that look out toward the sidewalk.
“The sink is in the front of the house,” Ramage said, adding that though this is atypical, it works in Norton Commons. “I think in this neighborhood, the streetscape (and) the sidewalks are so important, (so) it’s nice to engage the front of the house with something like that.”
In the center of the room sits a large porcelain island; its base hue matches some of the cabinetry, which boasts a dark, moody vibe.
“I feel like the grays, and (lighter colors), and all of that is moving out,” said Ramage Company designer Amanda Stubblefield, adding that the dark-stained beams in the living room were her inspiration.
“The warms and darker (hues) are coming in,” she added, “(so) I played off of those (colors) throughout the rest of the house. With the walnut cabinets and the black (accents), I just wanted it to be moody and a little more masculine than anything I’ve ever done before.”
Exclusive elements
Another of the abode’s highlights is its dedicated entryway. Though the kitchen, living room, and dining areas boast an open concept, the house features a private entrance, giving guests at the door just a peek of what’s inside. This area leads to an office and powder room toward the left, and the home’s main living area straight ahead.
“I love the entry hall; how private it is,” said Lynnie Meyer, senior vice president and chief development officer for Norton Healthcare. “We haven’t really had that (in previous raffle homes), and that’s a little more traditional. I like it very much.”
She added that the raffle itself is slightly different this year, too — the winner will have the option of taking ownership of the brand-new abode or walking away with $500,000 cash.
“This year’s program beneficiary is our transport team,” Meyer added. “They’re celebrating their 45th anniversary, and they’re one of the most comprehensive transport programs in the country. … That’s really special for us this year, … to be able to tell that story of the legacy of that team and how they’ve grown (from) one nurse (to) a full, three-shift team (with) 10 to 12 ground vehicles, six outreach cars … and a full complement of transport vehicles and trained people."
The cause is especially close to Ramage’s heart, as his son was transported in one of the ambulances before spending a week in the hospital.
“For us to be … raising money for that is pretty cool,” he said.
Know a house that would make a great Home of the Week? Email writer Lennie Omalza ataloha@lennieomalza.comor Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory atkgregory@gannett.com.
nuts & bolts
Owner: Norton Children's Hospital Foundation and Ramage Company.
Home: This is a 3-bed, 2-and-a-half bath, 2,400-square-foot, classical vernacular-style house in Norton Commons. It was built in 2023.
Distinctive elements: First-floor primary suite with sloped ceilings, paneled walls, and a large, walk-in closet; home office located off formal entry; double front porch with cantilevered upper deck; open floor plan with 19-foot vault, exposed beams, and pair of dormers; spacious kitchen with large porcelain island and custom walnut cabinetry; courtyard access from the living room; engineered hardwood flooring; Sonos sound system; Smart Fridge; 48: dual-fuel professional range.
Applause! Applause! Ramage Company, Norton Commons, BMW of Louisville, Claire Miller Home, WAVE, and Alpha Media.
How to enter the Norton Children’s Hospital Home & BMW Raffle
WHAT: Tickets are available for the annual Norton Children’s Hospital Home & BMW Raffle, with the chance to win the grand prize of a new home in Norton Commons built by Ramage Company. The first-place prize is a 2023 BMW X3 from BMW of Louisville, plus $10,000 cash.
TICKETS: Tickets are $100 each and only 16,000 will be sold. Tickets are available online at HomeAndBMWRaffle.com or by calling 502-420-4299. Tickets will also be on sale during open house events at the raffle home in Norton Commons, which is located at 6007 Passionflower Dr., Prospect. Open houses are held every Saturday and Sunday, now through Nov. 12, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Online and telephone ticket sales will close at noon on Friday, Nov. 17. The last chance to purchase your ticket will be in person at the last open house or the annual Snow Ball gala on Saturday, Nov. 18. Net proceeds from the Norton Children’s Hospital Home & BMW Raffle will support Norton Children’s Hospital through the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation.
WINNERS: The winners will be drawn on Nov. 18, at the Snow Ball gala at the Omni Louisville Hotel. Tickets to the Snow Ball are sold separately. Winners do not need to be present to win. Winners will receive an IRS Form W-2G and are responsible for the taxes associated with gambling winnings and licensing fees on prizes. The Children’s Hospital Foundation has local banking partners who can assist the winner(s) with accepting the prizes.
