by Carie McMichael | photos by Tyler Hergott, owner of Producer Tyler
Kent Shaffer Homes Enters 2025 Home-A-Rama Showcase
Indiana’s cream-of-the-crop custom home builders are once again preparing to showcase their talents in the 2025 Lee Supply Corp. Home-A-Rama home show. Every year, the bar of building excellence is consistently raised by accomplished artisans and designers like those of Kent Shaffer Homes (KSH), one of Indiana’s premiere luxury custom home builders. Led by third-generation builder Kristen Shaffer-Hale, Kent Shaffer Homes prepares to deliver their virtuosic vision of a contemporary but classic build nestled within Hamilton County’s gorgeous Chatham Hills subdivision.
KSH returns to Chatham Hills for the 2025 Home-A-Rama following a previous build there in 2018. This year’s build, according to Shaffer-Hale, is a complete departure from last year.
“Our contemporary Nordic-style home is a true reflection of our clients’ personal style, bringing a fresh, modern perspective to this year’s Home-A-Rama. This home embraces clean lines, minimalist sophistication, and thoughtfully curated materials.”
Minimalist in form, yet rich in function, KSH’s Chatham Hills build blends stylish refinement with hospitable comforts in visual harmony. Two of the principal artisans responsible for this year’s build are architect Emily Handke with Emily Handke Design and Sarah Wilson, an interior designer and owner of Wildflower Home Design. Handke gave the home its crisp, contemporary silhouette while Wilson selected all the interior and exterior finishes that steal the spotlight in the showcase.
From the curb, the undeniable focal point is the black Shou Sugi Ban siding that dramatically sets it apart from other builds on the block. This traditional Japanese process of preserving wood by charring it is making a Western resurgence due to both its striking beauty and environment-friendly composition.
“Burning wood makes it durable,” says Shaffer-Hale. “It sounds crazy, but as long as simple guidelines are followed during the heat treatment process, the result is simply a scientific phenomenon.”
Paradoxically, the siding is not only made flame resistant by this process, but insect resistant as well—burning away cellulose that combusts under fire and feeds all manner of pests. In a perfect environment, the protective layer of soot that forms as a result provides maximum UV protection.
Shaffer-Hale says the siding is the perfect avenue for distinguishing this year’s build while remaining true to Chatham Hills.
“It’s important to strike a balance between standing out and fitting in. We want every home to feel unique and tailored to the homeowner but respectful of the community’s overall aesthetic.”
Despite the square footage of the home, Shaffer-Hale’s team diligently designed the interior with a cozy intimacy to match the neighborhood just outside the oversized windows. Wilson avoided stark whites and feature walls in her design, sticking to warm neutrals and natural materials like limestone and alabaster to engender an organic, hygge-infused interior splashed with modern ambiance. With coveted features like the fitness room with a built-in sauna and a sunroom overlooking the grand vista of the golf course, every nook and cranny whispers comfort.
Throughout KSH’s participation in Home-A-Rama events, Shaffer-Hale believes their work speaks for itself, even winning Best in Show in 2018 and 2024. Her deep roots in the industry drive her to build on the foundation laid by her father and grandfather through innovative craftsmanship and professional partnerships that crystalize a homeowner’s vision.
“Over the past years, I’ve had the privilege of working with extraordinary clients, masterful artisans, and some of the industry’s top suppliers—relationships that have shaped the evolution of my work,” Shaffer Hale says. “Together, we’ve created homes that consistently exceed expectations and leave lasting impressions. It’s an honor to be part of a team that brings not just homes, but dreams, to life.”
