Seattle Street of Dreams tour opens

It's that time again — time to gawk and lust after the fabulously over-the-top homes, décor and gardens that make up the Seattle Street of Dreams.

This year, the five homes are located in Snohomish in a wooded development called Quinn's Crossing.

Organizers say this show will be unlike any other because, for the first time, the homes are built with environmentally sensitive construction and design practices. Covenants require that each home is Built-Green certified (www.builtgreen.net) with a minimum three-star rating.

Located a few miles from downtown Woodinville, the Seattle Street of Dreams homes are set on 115 acres (with a maximum of 48 homes) that boast trails, wooded open space and native vegetation.

The homes are between 4,200 and 4,750 square feet, and priced up to nearly $2 million.

Seattle Street of Dreams is a monthlong, nearly annual event on one street showcasing luxury home building and trends in architecture, interior design, home technology and landscaping.

Each home "competes" for visitors' votes on a variety of categories such as kitchen, interior design, home technology, landscaping and architecture. Results are announced near the end of the show.

Here's a taste of the homes you'll find this year:

La Belle Fleur

European-French Provincial

• 4,750 square feet

• 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths

• Saltwater fish tank, custom ironwork, Venetian plasterwork, two-story entryway, Juliet balcony overlooking the entry, limestone two-story fireplace, private balconies, outdoor living area with fireplace and grill, and wall murals.

Greenleaf Retreat

Prairie contemporary

• 4,749 square feet

• 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths

• Two-story entry porch, two-story interior waterfall, custom tile work, contemporary ironwork, outdoor living area, private balconies and bonus room with bar.

Copper Falls

Upscale Craftsman style

• 4,624 square feet

• 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths

• Entryway waterfall, layered gable ends, free-flowing floor plan, multilanding interior staircase, four fireplaces, home theater with wet bar, wood panel wrapped den, gourmet kitchen with built-in espresso station and outdoor living room with fireplace.

Tamarack

Large bungalow style in Arts and Crafts tradition

• 4,200 square feet

• 4 bedrooms and 4 baths

• Great room, natural-wood interiors, extensive stone and tile work, stained glass, Arts and Crafts furnishings, two laundry areas and spa courtyard.

The Urban Lodge

Sustainable luxury lodge

• 4,591 square feet

• 4 bedrooms, 3.75 baths

• Exterior with an "eyebrow" porch, vaulted ceilings and clerestory windows and sustainable products such as glass tiles, cork flooring and reclaimed wood flooring.