If you had $1 million or more to spend on a house in Alabama, what would the property look like? Folks who are thinking about building a new home can get ideas and inspiration from this year’s Alabama Remodeling Excellence Awards.

The awards, organized by the Home Builders Association of Alabama, showcase new construction along with remodeling projects, and one of the top-tier categories is “Custom Home Over $1 Million.”

The winning project in this category, a North Alabama residence called “Chateau Worley Custom Home,” was designed in French Provincial style. It has seven bedrooms and eight-and-a-half baths, plus amenities such as a swimming pool, a theater and a game room. This lavish house was built by Mark Worley’s Construction, a member of the Huntsville Madison County Builders Association.

(See photos of the house in the gallery at the top of this post.)

Winners and runners-up in 22 categories were announced on Saturday, April 15, including “Watching the Warrior,” an extensive remodel of a house on the Black Warrior River. It won best of show and the top prize for a whole house remodel over $500,000.

READ: ‘Secluded paradise’ on Alabama’s Black Warrior River gets stunning $500,000+ update

Here’s how Worley’s Construction described the North Alabama project known as “Chateau Worley Custom Home”:

“Built in a French Provincial style, this two-story home includes seven bedrooms and eight-and-a-half baths in over 12,000 square feet. The exterior is bricked with General Shale Sandy Shore limestone brick, and the front porch features limestone stonework with Arris Cast Stone window casings. A large motor court with stamped and stained concrete in a cobblestone pattern leads to the seven car garage.

“The interior boasts 10-foot ceilings throughout, with a coffered ceiling with tongue and groove pine inlay in the foyer, as well as a coffered ceiling in the dining room. The family room features a 21-foot vaulted ceiling with western cedar beams. Another tongue and groove pine coffered ceiling appears in the kitchen, which is outfitted with GE Monogram appliances and Delta fixtures. A large pantry with plenty of shelving and brick flooring makes food storage a breeze.

“Among the home’s many additional features are three kitchenettes, three laundry rooms, a theater and billiard room, a kids’ gaming room that doubles as a safe room, and a sitting area loft overlooking the family room. The primary suite includes a 16-foot vaulted ceiling and limestone fireplace. The primary bath features large 24 by 48 tile with Schluter Ditra heated floors, a freestanding tub and spacious zero-threshold shower with two entrances and a four shower head spraying system. A luxurious walk-in closet makes it easy to keep clothes and accessories neatly organized.

“Cameron Harbor natural stone from Acme Brick comprises the base of the columns lining the two connected back porches, and is the same stone used on the outdoor kitchen and fireplace. Wrought iron fencing surrounding the property features the fleur de lis, heralding back to the home’s French Provincial design roots.”

The home builders’ association didn’t provide information on the exact location of the house, or who the owners are. That’s typical for these awards, which focus on remodeling and construction projects, and the companies who do them.

Other projects showcased in the Alabama Remodeling Excellence Awards ranged from kitchen and bathroom remodels to basement upgrades and historic preservation. (See the full list of winners and runners-up here. Photos and information on the projects also are featured in the video below.)

To qualify for this year’s competition, projects had to be completed in Alabama between June 30, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2022. More than 100 projects representing 13 local home builders associations were submitted. A panel of judges, made up of builders and remodelers from around the state, reviewed and scored the entries.

One award is pending — a People’s Choice Award — and interested folks can vote for their favorite projects via the Alabama Home Builders Association website. Voting closes at midnight on Thursday, April 20. Winners will be announced on Friday, April 21.