In an age where screen time often replaces playtime, a new community in Eagle Mountain, Utah, is rewriting the script. Instead of maximizing lot counts, the team prioritized something far more crucial: the health, happiness, and connection of today’s digitally saturated kids and their families.
Developed by Candlelight Homes, Firefly is a community built for what they call the “active family.” It’s designed to get kids off their devices and provide meaningful ways for families to connect.
“We needed to find a way to create a place where children will willingly, and I would say wantingly, put aside their digital devices and get back outdoors and get re-engaged with one another,” says David Vitek, president of Candlelight Homes. “That became our No. 1 purpose and mission for Firefly.”
With 350 acres of parks, trails, and amenities designed to inspire adventure and activity, children have endless opportunities to play, explore, and connect with others.
Home designs within the community addressed this vision as well, and one plan in particular, The Chamonix, was also regarded as the 2025 Gold Nugget Home of the Year.
Full Frame Home Tours
The two-story, alley-loaded home design not only supports both community and privacy on narrow lots, but offers a clean, Scandinavian-inspired farmhouse look with vertical siding, clean geometry, and natural wood tones.
“People love the simplicity of farmhouse,” says David Poppleton, partner and owner at DTJ Design, the home’s architect. “It’s approachable, clean, and cost-effective to build. But we wanted to evolve that with a Scandinavian lens, layering in warmth to create something that felt modern without being cold.”
A deep front porch invites neighborly connection, while a side lanai makes the most of its lot with thoughtful indoor-outdoor flow. The built-in courtyards were one of the earliest design drivers, reports DTJ.
“They weren’t an add-on. They were the heart of the floor plans,” says Rachel Magee, project designer and draftsman for DTJ. “We used them to differentiate each plan, move massing around, and ultimately give buyers unique ways to connect to the outdoors.”
Project Details
Location: Eagle Mountain, Utah
Size: 2,222 square feet
Architect: DTJ Design
Builder: Candlelight Homes
Developer: DAI Utah
Interior Designer: Pace Interiors
Inside, an open-concept layout, large windows, and a sculptural fireplace create a sense of space and light. The kitchen features a generous island and integrated window backsplash.
Upstairs, potential buyers will find their primary suite, complete with a bathroom and walk-in closet. Two additional bedrooms share an additional full bathroom and integrated laundry is across the hall.
“With thoughtful details, practical functionality, and a fresh, inviting look, it stands as a model that resonates across markets nationwide,” states the Gold Nugget judging panel. “This is more than a home—it’s a blueprint for accessible living done right.”
Even the home’s smallest details bring the design back to the community’s overall mission. In the kitchen, the team added a technology drawer with a series of plugs for a myriad of devices.
“It’s built right into the kitchen,” adds Poppleton. “You open it up, plug your phone in, and close it. It’s a small moment, but it reinforces the bigger idea: these homes were designed for real connection, not constant screen time.”
“It’s a place I’d want to live,” concludes Magee. “Every decision, from site planning to the little tech drawer, supports this bigger idea of valuing connection, nature, and daily moments. That’s what makes this project so meaningful.”
