Eye Catching - Dream-Home

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CHARLOTTE’S COMPLETE GUIDE TO BUILDING OR REMODELING YOUR CUSTOM HOME
Eye Catching
Home Designed to Inspire
“It’s not uncommon to use the
space directly under the foyer
for a wine cellar, so we used a
design that allows that to make
a statement,” explains builder
and homeowner Len Bealer of
this striking wine cellar.
To complement the stone and brick walls Len Bealer had designed,
Kim Bealer and Interior Designer Nyquell Terry selected stone and
an unusual tile that looks like wood to add interest to the floor.
Eye Catching
Home Designed to Inspire
Photography by Matt Silk
Len Bealer and his wife Kim knew they wanted something
unusual when it came time to build their home at The Point. That’s
because Len, who owns Kenneth Bealer Homes, Inc. uses his residence
to display what his company can do for discerning clients.
“We started out wanting to do something unique that showcases
our talent. Because of that, a lot of different elements are included in
this house. We tried to include features that will catch a client’s eye,”
says the builder, whose firm typically constructs 15 to 20 homes a year,
primarily around Lake Norman and Lake James.
Yet it was an ad that caught their attention in Today’s Custom
Home that led the couple to the interior designer who helped them pull
the house together – Nyquell Terry, owner of Dream Home Design.
“We saw similarities in her taste and our style,” Len says, noting the Old
World appeal of his 6300-square-foot, stone and stucco residence.
Terry was drawn into the process fairly early on, a situation
that she prefers. “They were just beginning to build. The walls and
drywall were in, so I started by helping with the hard surfaces, some of
which Kim had already selected. Kim has such a great eye and designs
beautifully, she just needed a little help,” Terry explains.
“Nyquell was fantastic about keeping Kim and I on track, and
we loved having her experience to validate some of the decisions that
we had already made,” Len explains. One of those decisions was to
highlight the wine cellar. “Len is one of the most proficient builders
I’ve worked with. He pays a lot of attention to details. He designs
With its dramatic lake views and stone fireplace, the gathering room makes a striking statement when you enter the home.
The rear exterior takes full advantage of the
waterfront. Touches like a swim grotto and
outdoor kitchen were created to take the
outdoor living area to the next level.
and builds not just a big box with large rooms, but a very creative
home,” Terry explains. “For example, when you walk in the front
door, you see a glass floor that looks down into the wine cellar.” To
complement the stone and brick walls Len had designed, Kim and
Nyquell selected stone and an unusual tile that looks like wood to
add interest to the floor.
That level of creativity is typical of Bealer’s homes and
provided a canvas on which Terry could elaborate. “We like our
homes to create an atmosphere where you are led through the
house just looking for the next unique feature,” says the builder,
who is known for his technical innovation. “We always look for an
opportunity to include surprising elements. Since wine is a passion
for many homeowners, we’ve created some unique rooms. We’ve
built a wine cellar with glass walls placed between the kitchen and
dining rooms, so the homeowner could be in the kitchen and see
her guests.”
The gracious dining room in this house is one of Terry’s
favorite spaces and features a groin vault ceiling clothed in a wall
Kenneth Bealer Homes takes pride in creating striking homes that are not only beautiful and functional representation of their clients’ dreams, they are also wise investments.
“We make our clients aware of what the marketplace needs and wants so that we ensure the marketability of their investment and that it grows in value,” Len says.
The kitchen is one of Terry’s favorite spaces. “I love the
way the colors in the granite blend with the cabinets,
and the scale of the space and finish of the cabinets are
reminiscent of a farmhouse,” she says.
An Asian influence is predominant in the pool bath, where richly
textured walls and an unusual sink add dramatic appeal.
The striking pebble treatment used in
the pool bath shower brings a touch
of the outdoors into the space.
The dining room showcases a blending of masculine and feminine elements that are a hallmark of all of
Terry’s designs. The substantial furnishings are softened with flowing window treatments that anchor the space.
covering that mimics the look of stone. “Wall coverings are definitely
making a comeback. They have evolved to the point where you often
can’t tell whether it’s a faux finish or a wall covering. We’re also seeing a
mixing of traditional patterns with modern colors,” she explains.
A unique Philip Jeffries wall covering with granite crystals that
sparkle in the light graces the ceiling of the master bath, where Len
fulfilled Kim’s request for warmth with a fireplace filled with glass
crystals. “The sparkle is for Kim, whereas the large shower is for Len,”
Terry explains. “I strongly feel that the master suite should be for
both spouses so they can both enjoy the space. There should be equal
amounts of masculine and feminine appeal.”
The media room, on the other hand, is more of a man’s space,
from the horn sconces to the full grizzly bear mount on the side of
the room. Terry integrated a softer touch with a textured grass cloth
wall covering in a muted shade. In the guest suite, she was inspired by
the theme of an existing comforter to create a safari-like retreat. “I can
take an accessory and go from there to create a theme in each room,”
she explains.
“That’s one of the places where Nyquell was most helpful and
for which she doesn’t get enough credit - the way she accessorizes a
house,” Len explains. “It’s like seeing a woman without makeup and
then afterward. A dramatic transformation takes place. When Nyquell
came in with the window coverings and shams and pillows that
were custom made for the house, it made such a difference. She was
able to take a home of this caliber to the right level with those touches
and her assistance.”
Builder
Kenneth Bealer Homes, Inc.
(704) 662-6400, www.KennethBealerHomes.com
Interior Designer
Nyquell Terry, Dream Home Design
(704) 544-6445, www.dreamhomedesigninteriors.com
Residential Designer
J.J. Barja, Elite Design Group
(704) 233-0346, elitedesigngroup.com
Faux Finishes
Veni Semenyuk, Venis Murals, (704) 236-9914
Wallcoverings
Butch Gardner, Hanging Around Town Wallpapering, (704) 201-3253