Pam Jones, Powder Room, Empty Nest Lifestyle

* photo by dustin peck at dustinpeckphotography.com *

Spring has not only sprung in Charlotte the last couple of weeks, but also at the Metropolitan, the location of the 2010 Symphony Guild Designer House Tour.

Just a few short weeks ago there was a cold chill in the air, and the landscape was barren. But gradually the chill began to lift, and with that the creative spirit at the Met began to emerge.

Don’t you just love this time of year? When everything is just on the cusp of new life? One of the many good things about spring is that without it, and without the absence imposed by fall and winter, we might fail to appreciate the beauty around us. So much of the wonder of spring is found in the return of what was absent.

The condos at the Met began as blank canvases, complete with concrete floors, bare walls, and basic lighting. And although the spaces were beautiful in their sparse form, something wonderful began to happen. Just as the beautiful trees and flowers began to bloom outdoors, colorful paint went up on the walls, sparkling lights were installed, and flowing drapery began to transform the enormous windows, and therefore the interiors of the condos.

Just as new splashes of colors were introduced to the earth’s canvas, spring was also emerging inside the Met.

Spring is my favorite time of the year, and I see spring as the gift of a new beginning, and new inspiration for life. Just as the barren trees and drab landscape have given way to vibrant color and lovely flowers, the interiors at the Met have been dressed in some of Charlotte’s finest art displays, and by talented local designers. Every day there are new and exciting discoveries happening at the Met, and they all represent new life, both indoors and out.

Fulfill your spring inspirations, and celebrate with us by attending the Symphony Guild Designer House beginning April 17, 2010.

Brushstrokes Design Studio and Pam Jones, the Powder Room of the Empty Nest Lifestyle

Watch Robin and Lana apply a stencil and handpainted pattern to the powder room walls, and hear about all their other creative projects!

Monika Nessbach, Designer of the Master Bedroom, Young Professional Lifestyle

DREAM BIG! And I mean real big…like 76” x 20” big! In keeping with the design concept of rejuvenation and inspiration, we wanted to incorporate the word “dream” into the master bedroom. Not only does it inspire, but it also most accurately designates the room’s primary function. We believe the word itself creates an impact and rightfully deserves to be painted in red, evoking passion and intensity while simultaneously harmonizing with the crisp white walls and offsetting the energetic lime green feature wall. The most remarkable feature of the “dream” stencil is its vertical placement, which was the product of a mix-up over coffee one morning.

Thanks to the Symphony Guild of Charlotte and thanks to the MET Terraces for letting us DREAM BIG! We cannot wait for the big grand opening.

Sarah Rees Hamilton, Designer of the Master Bath, Young Professional Lifestyle

What's up with these shoes? They look like ghost shoes, right? They are actually a work in progress with over 40 other pairs of shoes that will soon be bright shades of red and green. A few more coats of paint and voila! They will be adorning the shelves in the His and Hers closets of the master suite of unit 210 in this year's Designer House. I'm excited about their integration into the design - They will be bringing pop and flare to our closets while explifying the functionality of the custom cabinetry in the space. Stay tuned, we'll be providing pictures of the finished product in our next entry.

Monika Nessbach of designbar LLC and I are thrilled to be included in 2010's Designer House! Our Master bedroom/bath concept represents an oasis of urban contemporary luxe chic paired with timeless modernism. The space is intended to soothe, re-energize and inspire. A perfect retreat for the young professional. We can't wait for you to see it!

Anita Holland, Designer of the Kitchen, Young Professional Lifestyle

Distinctive Design Features with Contemporary Elements

We are delighted to be a part of the Symphony Guild Designer House at The Met. We are designing the kitchen in the Young Professional's unit and it has been a very inspiring space to work with. We could not have pulled this off without our vendors and the team from the Symphony Guild Designer House and are privileged to be part of this year’s event.

The design elements in the kitchen are a combination of Carrara marble, lacquered cabinets, abundant natural light, and a view of the skyline. An oversized painting entitled Columbus Avenue, by Geoffrey Johnson, is the primary focal point and sets the tone of the room. Additional art by Terry DeLapp and Nicora Gange transforms the space into a beautiful and sophisticated room for early morning coffee and entertaining friends.

A Shout-Out to our loyal contractors

Seventy-nine hundred square feet, twenty-three different designers/artists, and a cadre of earnest volunteers don't phase our crack team of contractors!

Words can not express our gratitude to Mike Glover and his paint crew, and Scott and Ben of Hilton Electric, who are the most patient, professional, expert & neat contractors EVER.

Judy McLean, Designer of the Den, Empty Nest Lifestyle

I am thrilled to be designing the den in Unit 303 at MetTerraces. Part of my designated space is a hall that has a niche 10 feet long and 15 inches deep. This niche is SCREAMING for custom-built shelving. As you all know, this is big-ticket item, and I thought I would just place a piece of furniture there. Ho-Hum.

BUT, I was rescued by Gero Sassenberg, President of Altrecosa – which, in my opinion, is the best cabinet company in Charlotte! Gero met me at The Met with a rendering and wood samples. He had a vision of what the space needed, and he was exactly right! Gero’s company is building and installing this cabinetry at no charge to me. I hope that everyone who tours the Designer House will take a minute to look at the beauty and quality of this company’s work.

THANK YOU, GERO!