MBDG: Insights

This year we had the pleasure of working with McNeil-Burbank builders to do the interior of their new townhome model at 207 Tobacco Farm Way in the Briar Chapel Development! The new Briar Chapel development is off 15-501 between Chapel Hill and Fearrington Village.

The Tobacco Farm Way model will be part of the 2009 Parade of Homes. We invite everyone to take a walk through and see a Minta Bell Design Group creation!

2009 Parade of Homes

October 3-4, 9-11, & 16-18, 2009

Homes will be open from 12-5 pm.

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I love everything about Miami Beach—the international flavor, the nightlife and, of course, the heat! When Nathan and I were in Miami in August, we booked a room at the Tides in South Beach. It was fantastic! The interior of this classic Art Deco hotel was redesigned by Kelly Wearstler in 2007. She did a spectacular job. When you walk in the lobby, you have to stop and take it all in. Cool leather couches, fantastic light fixtures and amazing art fill the lobby. One morning I spent an entire hour just walking through the lobby taking pictures of all the details.

The Tides has 40 simple, yet luxurious guest rooms. The floors are stone and are perfect for the beach. The bathroom countertops are a super thick slab of red granite with white streaks. The view of the ocean from our room was unbelievable.

You can walk right across the street to the beach where chairs and umbrellas are all set up for you. You can also enjoy the pool at the hotel. When you are poolside, be sure to order their signature cocktail, the Tides Royale. Heaven on earth!

Check out their website for more great photos: www.tidessouthbeach.com

My gratitude to Karrie Andrews for sharing her recent experience at the Tides in Miami Beach and agreeing to be our special guest blogger! Karrie’s extraordinary sense of style and eye for detail are not only reflected in her own home, but she seeks great design everywhere she goes. Thanks Karrie! I hope you enjoyed her article.

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The Briar Chapel Townhouse Model is set apart from other model homes by the use of real furnishings and accessories instead of props. When we were approached by Al McNeill, his vision was to create an authentic home, not a pretend, fantasy interior. Throughout the process we evaluated all of our decisions by this vision. We made the same practical selections that we would if someone where to live there. For example, when selecting artwork, we mixed in original pieces by local artists, as we often do when working with clients who may have reproductions or prints existing. They can co-exist!

Briar Chapel is dedicated to ‘green building solutions’. One of the ways that Mr. McNeill approaches green building is by making a quality home that will endure. We wanted to reflect that approach in the interior. We mixed new furnishings with quality previously owned pieces. We looked for furnishings that had good structure, but, needed refurbishment and/or updating. The night table in the brown bedroom was once such find. It was an old mahogany table with traditional hardware, which had seen better days. We stripped it and painted it and added new pulls to give it a fresh look. We also reupholstered some great pieces and used a slipcover on the sofa to give it a new look.

Another green idea is to use local sources. The model home features work by many fine artists, craftsmen and seamstresses located in the Triangle area. The table in the art studio is made of an old door, with a new base and a piece of glass on top. The canisters in the kitchen are works by Mark Hewitt and the vase on the coffee table is by Joseph Sand. The painting over the fireplace is by Marvin Saltzman. Many of the duvet covers, shams, pillows and dustskirts are beautifully hand sewn.
This is a very special model house!

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Everything is coming together! We spent the third day of installation focusing on details.

The lower level study, art studio and the hobby area in the loft were brought to life with items true to tasks and leisure. We selected an old door from an architectural antiques and salvage source to make into the worktable in the art studio. With the addition of a base and a piece of glass on the top we were able to create a very special and functional piece.

I think the dining room is such a great example of mixing styles in a sophisticated and comfortable way. The living room also mixes modern furnishings with the relaxed look of sisal and slipcovers.

In the master bedroom a traditional four poster bed is paired with a contemporary leaning mirror and small accent table.

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Now that all the big pieces are in place (except for the missing mattress and desk!) we spent the day ironing, making beds, hanging artwork and placing lamps and accessories. Actually, I think I spent the most time de-trashing the packaging and wrapping that comes on everything! Ahhh….the glamorous life of interior design!

We encountered an interesting surprise in an Eastlake Chest that we purchased. In the bottom drawer were linens and old photographs of the previous owner. Minta decided it would be a neat way to honor the previous owner by framing a few of the portraits to place around the house.

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We had so much stuff in our offices ready to go to our model home installation in Briar Chapel, that we could barely walk around!

The McNeill Burbank Townhouse Model in Briar Chapel was getting the last of the paint scratched off the windows when we arrived Tuesday morning with our truckload of furnishings. We were delighted to see the finished kitchen with the glossy green tile and the green island along with fresh bright chrome accents throughout. Everything went smoothly with the large furnishings, we were only missing one desk and a mattress! Tomorrow….ironing and small furnishings…..

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