IF YOU GO

The Parade of Homes continues through Saturday. Tickets cost $5 and can be purchased at any of the 65 houses on the tour. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. weekdays and 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 392-6233.

HOLLAND

Michael DeYoung's talent and creativity can be seen in the details of his current endeavor, a 3,028-square-foot home in the ritzy Macatawa Ridge development.

His $600,000-plus masterpiece boasts heated marble floors, a built-in stereo system, a glass stairwell and natural maple and cherry woodwork throughout much of the main floor.

The exterior of the house is beige firestone with arched windows and white columns, on 2.3 acres of land with two ponds.

His creativity and hard work has paid off. He swept the Parade of Homes' Best of the Best awards for homes over 2,000 square feet, winning for kitchen design, bath design, site harmony and interior design.

The 1998 Parade of Homes features more high-end homes of $200,000 and up, than in recent years, says Joe Haveman, executive officer of the Home Builder's Association of the Holland Area, which has sponsored the event for almost three decades.

"It's where the market is right now," said Haveman, noting that the event doesn't usually feature as many abodes in the $300,000 to $400,000 range.

But not all the 65 homes in the Parade of Home are targeted to the wealthy. A few can be had for as low as $125,000.

Parade of Homes isn't just for people shopping for a home. Many come just to browse or to get inspiration for their own houses.

For builders, it's an opportunity to show off what they can do. Randy Bouwkamp's strength is in his versatility. He has five houses ranging from a $140,000 bi-level to a $335,000 New England two-story in the parade.

He's getting more requests to build upscale homes. Buyers are looking for three-stall garages, 9-foot ceilings and open floor plans that connect a kitchen, breakfast nook and family room. Many buyers are also willing to pay extra for luxury items including built-in stereo sound systems, wood and tile floors and solid-surface kitchen countertops.

The Parade of Homes is a convenient way to research floor plans and the latest in home features for people thinking about building a home, Bouwkamp says. He even lets people take pictures inside his homes. The feedback on Bouwkamp's 2,400-square-foot New England two story -- not including an unfinished 450-square-foot bonus room -- in the Olde Hunter's Crossing subdivision has been enthusiastic. Some of its unique features include two staircases, a laundry room off the second floor landing and a communications room.

He pays attention to what people say about his houses. Some of the suggestions he's heard during the last eight Parade of Homes have been incorporated into his designs.

Attendance appears to be up this year. Some houses had 700 visitors on Saturday. Haveman won't have totals on the number of tickets sold for another two weeks, he said.

People are asked to pick their favorite homes in three, square- foot categories. Deadline for ballots is July 6. The People's Choice awards should be announced by July 10.

DeYoung has gotten a lot of praise from those who have toured his home. He plans to move into the house with his wife and newborn child if the house doesn't sell.

He's been building or renovating homes since his teens. The 32- year-old now works with his younger brother, Dave DeYoung, a Realtor with Piers Realty.

This is the first year DeYoung has worked with an interior decorator. He chose friend, Tammy Kerr. Both are pleased with the results of the collaboration.

"Mike and I worked well together because he is very visual, so am I," Kerr said. "He likes a lot of angles and arches."

For her part, Kerr went for an eclectic look, done in earth tones. The two decided on a leaf motif for the formal front room and dining room, which can be seen in the upholstery of the oversize chairs and the dining table stand made of four, giant carved leaves designed by Kerr.

In the kitchen, specially built cabinets made of maple and cherry are accented with stainless steel appliances and a tile backsplash.

The walls have the look of leather, thanks to a designer Ralph Lauren painting kit. The dark brown texture fools people. They often touch the walls to see if it is really paint or some other kind of wall covering, said Kerr, a former mechanical engineer.

The Parade of Homes isn't only good exposure for builders. Kerr says many people who have toured the home have asked for her card, too.

DeYoung's intent was to create a house that felt like home -- where he didn't feel like he had to take off his shoes.

But for those who want to walk through his house in the next week, they'll have to leave their shoes at the door.