The Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia’s 2012 Parade of Homes, which runs Dec. 1 to 9, features four beautiful houses that exude the best that Columbia has to offer, from architectural interest to fabulous interiors. Even the names of the homes – The Dogwood, The Sycamore, The Magnolia and The Hawthorn – evoke memories of Sunday suppers and Southern traditions. Enter Olde Park, in Columbia’s well-known Forest Acres area.
The 3,500-square-foot Dogwood at 118 Creek Vista Way in Olde Park boasts a brick exterior with stacked stone, providing a traditional, classic feel at first glance. But once inside, visitors experience a more contemporary atmosphere, due in part to the home’s open floor plan and modern, muted color scheme. “The openness of the home lends itself to a more contemporary look with very light tones,” says Christy Monteith, owner of CL Interiors. “I wanted to keep it airy and clean with straight lines.” Christy accomplished this with a neutral palette complemented by pale blues, greens and yellows throughout the home.
The lightness of the furnishings is juxtaposed with rich, dark hardwood floors. In the stunning kitchen, white upper cabinets and stained bottom base cabinets also provide an interesting contrast. “The distinction of the whites and stains makes a beautiful statement,” Christy says. The gourmet appliances – including a double oven and gas cooktop that both the novice and the connoisseur can enjoy – are sure to make statements of their own. No culinary need is overlooked, from the wine cooler and ice machine to the built-in microwave and spacious kitchen island with pendant lights. This kitchen will surely become the hub of the home.
That is, if the residents ever decide to leave the grand family room, where the coffered ceilings, uniquely painted silver, provide an atmosphere of elegance. “The ceilings in the home are very dramatic,” says Eddie Yandle, owner and founder of Executive Construction, builder of The Dogwood. The high ceilings let Eddie add elongated windows above the built-in bookcases, allowing light to naturally flow into the home. Tones of gray and white, with pops of color achieved via accessories, give the family room a sophisticated feel, while the fireplace provides that ever-important sense of comfort and home.
Stainless steel, brushed nickel and chrome fixtures throughout the four-bedroom, four-bathroom home lend an air of modern sophistication. Eddie focuses on creating custom homes designed to the owners’ exact specifications. The master bathroom in The Dogwood is a great example of how to create a home that caters to its owners, providing little indulgences that make a big impact. It features granite vanities, a large tiled shower, custom drying area and body spray.
“Imagine turning the shower on without getting wet and walking in when the water reaches the perfect temperature,” he says. The homeowner can then walk out of the shower onto the drying area without tracking water throughout the room. Palladium windows bring in natural light, while the use of tile and glass provide a contemporary feel. “Little things make a big difference to homeowners,” says Eddie. “Any feature that makes a buyer’s life easier and doesn’t require a huge investment – that’s what we are looking to implement. And not just in the million dollar homes. Everyone wants added conveniences and little luxuries.”
Those luxuries are also present in the outdoor living area, which includes a built-in grill, refrigerator and sink – everything necessary for entertaining and extending the living area inside out.
Eddie has one goal in mind: to build a superior quality home with enduring value. Olde Park’s focus on custom design has enabled Executive Construction to build a dream home anyone would want. With The Dogwood, Eddie introduces Designer Series Homes, a new custom-design segment of his company, and soon he will be building similar homes in Woodcreek Farms in Northeast Columbia. “It’s all about the characteristics of the home – building and designing something homeowners will love and feel they were a part of creating,” says Eddie. “Olde Park provides that perfect setting.”
The Sycamore, located at 108 Creek Vista Way in Olde Park, brings the Lowcountry to Columbia. The 3,000-square-foot, four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom home was built by Cole Thompson, principal of Cole Thompson Construction and vice president of Rex Thompson and Company.
The Sycamore is the epitome of relaxation mixed with the strength indicative of a true Southerner, starting with the welcoming front porch, which beautifully frames stained solid mahogany French doors. The majestic doors lead to an open floor plan where 10-foot coffered ceilings give a spacious, stylish first impression. The home features impressive three-piece crown moulding throughout and eight-foot solid interiors doors, echoing the substance of the home. Elegance permeates the space, especially in the formal dining room, which distinguishes itself with custom columns.
The interior design elements provide a soft balance to the strong features of the home. The relaxed ambiance is complemented by a monochromatic neutral palette, which is brought to life with splashes of color and fabulous artwork. “Art is an important addition to any home,” says Linda Burnside of LGB Interiors. “It really carries the space.” The home’s floor plan provides ample room for entertainment and relaxation. “I wanted to make sure the home isn’t too serious, that it provides a true sense of relaxation,” adds Linda. “I don’t want anything to look like it should be roped off. A home needs to be lived in.”
The furniture in the large family room reflects that sentiment. With down blend seats that deliver extreme comfort and tactile fabrics that provide interesting textures, visitor and homeowner alike will find themselves drawn to the comfort of this home. The gas log fireplace and surround sound system provide an invitation to unwind.
The relaxed feel of The Sycamore progresses into the gourmet, eat-in kitchen. Custom cabinets offer gracious storage space, while granite countertops provide an exceptional look. Commercial-grade appliances offer restaurant-quality cooking in the privacy of one’s own home. The kitchen is highlighted by a gorgeous stainless steel vent hood and mosaic tile backsplash. Off of the kitchen sits a large keeping room with impressive creekside views – an ideal location for that first cup of coffee or for simply taking in the serenity of nature.
The home’s master suite, which also is located on the first floor, features tray ceilings and custom built-in cabinetry, providing fantastic storage space and room to display special pieces. The bedroom leads to an exquisite master bath with his and her walk-in closets and a designer tile shower with a steam room. It’s the ultimate getaway space.
Kids and guests alike also can get away to the spacious upstairs of the home, which includes an expansive bonus room that can be used as a playroom or additional entertaining space, as well as the ideal bedroom for a teenager. “I am often asked how to transition a room for a child growing from middle school age to teenager, where they want a little more sophistication,” says Linda. “You want to be able to create a room that a teenager can grow up in. We believe this bedroom reflects that.”
A true highlight in The Sycamore is its back porch living area that provides a picturesque view of the creek. The outdoor living space mirrors the feel of the home’s interior. “I want the homeowner to imagine opening the back door and having the breeze blowing through,” says Linda. That Charleston feel, right in Columbia. It’s a feeling of calm, a feeling of home that any family would want to experience.
The Magnolia, located at 106 Creek Vista Way, exudes a majesty indicative of its name. The 2,700-square-foot home was built by Rex Thompson Builders, who has been constructing high-quality homes in Columbia for more than 30 years. The open design that is characteristic of many of the homes in Olde Park allows for modern living and entertaining.
The design of The Magnolia is representative of the urban contemporary model, mixing style with function. “This home epitomizes what you would expect to see if you were a city dweller,” says Linda Burnside of LGB Interiors. The 10-foot ceilings and loft-like plan contribute to the traditional feel, while the contemporary pieces provide an urban city vibe. Hardwood flooring throughout the downstairs provides a rich backdrop to the transitional rugs found throughout the home.
This richness flows into the spacious family room, which boasts 12-foot coffered ceilings that provide a voluminous ambiance, while the built-in cabinetry and gas log fireplace provide a sense of comfort. The colors in the family room – orange, white, hale navy – are on-trend but still deliver a classic touch to the home. Dramatic Ikat fabrics, which also are very popular, provided the springboard for the home’s color scheme. Linda incorporated leather furnishings into the design for an added focal point.
And while the contemporary home looks sleek and sophisticated, it is not overly indulgent, a theme in design today due in part to the economy. “We are not seeing a lot of extravagance,” says Linda. “Things are not over the top; instead, we are seeing clean, contemporary lines. I think 30 to 40 year olds are changing the face of design. They want things that are contemporary and less serious, and manufacturers are following that lead.”
One thing that isn’t changing is the love of the gourmet kitchen, which stands true in The Magnolia. The eat-in kitchen houses a useful island for food preparation and commercial-grade stainless appliances that provide an unforgettable cooking experience. The bar and wine cooler in the kitchen offer generous space for entertaining, while the butler’s pantry allows for additional serving space and storage – a necessity in any kitchen. The custom cabinets in the kitchen house convenient under-cabinet lighting and complement the tile backsplash.
A focal point in The Magnolia is the exposed staircase, which leads upstairs to two bedrooms and a large bonus room that can double as a fourth bedroom and has its own private bath. Privacy is at a premium in the home’s downstairs master suite, which features tray ceilings and a large walk-in closet. The master bathroom is the ultimate in sumptuousness with a granite double vanity and designer tile shower with multiple showerheads. No detail is overlooked in this homeowner’s getaway.
The interior of the home flows beautifully into the outdoor living area, which is highlighted by a gas log fireplace and peaceful creekside views. “The outdoor living space is truly an extension of the home,” says Linda. “We set it up like another living space with a lot of seating and the fireplace as the focal point.” According to Linda, outdoor living spaces are extremely popular and often feel like finished square footage even when they aren’t. An outdoor living space provides exceptional overflow for entertaining and, with the weather in South Carolina, can be used year-round, especially when it includes a heating element, such as the fireplace.
Whether it’s relaxing in the family room or entertaining on the back porch, every element of The Magnolia has been carefully attended to, providing an exceptional marriage of contemporary and traditional – and calling itself home.
The Hawthorn, located at 19 Creek Manor Lane in Olde Park, is sure to catch any visitor’s eye, thanks to its traditional styling and hint of French country flair, created through a mix of exterior textures and soft architectural curves. The 2,750-square-foot, four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom home was built by Bud Mann, owner of Columbia Development. As is the case for many of the homes in Olde Park, the home’s floor plan allows for flexibility in design, enabling families to use the extra spaces in manners that best suit their lifestyles. With an open floor plan and unfinished spaces that can become an office, a bedroom or a playroom, the possibilities are endless.
There is much attention to detail in The Hawthorn. The heavy crown moulding in the foyer, dining room and master bedroom provide a sense of elegance, while the hardwoods in the kitchen, family room, dining room and foyer evoke a feeling of richness. Ten-foot ceilings downstairs and nine-foot ceilings upstairs give the impression of spaciousness and airiness.
This openness is felt throughout the overall interior of The Hawthorn, which is centralized around the large family room and gourmet kitchen. The kitchen is equipped with all of the essentials for creating and entertaining, from custom cabinets and commercial-grade appliances to granite countertops and a butler’s pantry. The kitchen allows for an easy retreat to the expansive family room, which is crowned with coffered ceilings and warmed by a gas log fireplace. Surround sound and recessed lighting offer a warm ambiance, which flows beautifully onto a large outdoor screened-in space, making the home perfect for entertaining or simply relaxing.
“This home has an abundance of indoor and outdoor living space, which makes it very special,” says Darby Schroder of Darby Interior Design. “It lends itself to gracious living and entertaining.” The back porch is complemented by an outdoor kitchen with a brick oven, as well as a gas log fireplace, making it an outstanding hub for social events or family gatherings.
The master suite in the home has gorgeous tray ceilings, which provide added height and overall volume to the already-spacious room. The suite features his and her closets and a luxurious tub and shower. The additional bedrooms are all large and offer ample storage space, while a spacious unfinished room upstairs could be a media room or fifth bedroom. “The unfinished area makes the home easily expandable to meet any homeowner’s needs,” says Darby.
The overall design of The Hawthorn is comfortable and traditional. “I wanted to give each person who walks into the home a sense of what it would feel like to live here, while also helping to showcase the wonderful spaces, architectural details and interior finishes of the home,” Darby says. One trend she is seeing in many designs is an eclectic mix of furniture and accessories, old and new, to get a more collected look. “Gone are the days of matchy-matchy furniture,” she says. “Creating a space around items that you love, maybe some handed down, allows you to make your space very personal.”
A place to call home is what everyone desires – to spend time with family, entertain friends, or unwind after a long day. And thanks to the beautifully constructed homes of Olde Park that incorporate all of the details, amenities and characteristics that a homeowner would want, there is now a new place for many to unroll their welcome mats.
