One home, two brothers: This Mumbai home celebrates the beauty of contrasts

Radio host Ramona Holloway, known for “The Matt & Ramona Show” on 107.9 The Link, moved to Charlotte from Virginia Beach in 2001. In 2003, her mother, Louise “Wheezy” Glover, living in Columbus, Ohio, experienced what was initially thought to be a stroke. This turned out to be an injured disk in her neck, requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation. As an only child, Holloway managed her mother’s care remotely, coordinating home health services and senior taxi services, and spending her mornings on the phone with doctors and insurance companies. This arrangement involved weekly commutes, with Holloway flying to Columbus on Friday evenings after her show and returning to Charlotte on Monday mornings. This demanding routine continued for four to five months until Holloway persuaded her mother to move to Charlotte. In 2004, Holloway and Glover moved into a house in Indian Land, South Carolina. However, two subsequent back surgeries for Glover in 2008 and 2013 highlighted the unsuitability of the large home, which was difficult to navigate, especially when Glover needed a wheelchair or walker for several months post-surgery. In 2010, they relocated to a smaller house in Belmont with the intention of finding a permanent residence. They chose Belmont because its small-town atmosphere reminded them of Oberlin, Ohio, where Glover grew up and Holloway was born, offering a sense of community and familiarity. Holloway faced challenges in finding a home that met the needs of both herself and her mother, particularly concerning accessibility and comfort for Glover. Traditional floor plans often meant a master bedroom downstairs and less convenient arrangements upstairs. Consequently, Holloway decided to build a custom home rather than buy an existing one. She collaborated with Integrity of the Carolinas to design a house tailored to their specific requirements. The builders incorporated suggestions for enhanced mobility, such as installing hardwood floors throughout the entire downstairs, including closets, to facilitate wheelchair movement. They moved into their 2,700-square-foot, two-story brick home in Belmont Village in March 2014. The design prioritizes accessibility on the first floor, with all doorways, including those for smaller spaces like the laundry room, wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. The main entrance features three steps, but the back door, used for daily entry from the detached garage, is equipped with an elegant, gradual ramp made of pavers, offering a practical and aesthetically pleasing alternative to bulky metal ramps. Holloway noted that she learned from observing friends who had to modify their homes with temporary ramps for family members. Glover’s bedroom and bathroom on the first floor are designed with a neutral color palette of beige, taupe, and moss green, offering ample space for maneuverability. The bathroom counter lowers to a seated height on one end, allowing Glover to comfortably groom herself from a chair or wheelchair. The tub has a low edge for easy access, and the toilet is elevated. Oil-rubbed bronze grab bars in the shower and by the toilet are integrated seamlessly with the decor. A bulletin board in her room stores medical information for easy access by caregivers. Upstairs, Holloway has her “grown-up” room with a garden tub in her bathroom and a walk-in closet. Her bedroom is decorated in modern red and black colors, with a photograph that serves as a source of perspective and inspiration. A third bedroom serves as a guest room, providing comfortable accommodation for visitors, especially when Holloway needs someone to stay with her mother. Holloway’s aunt created the textile art hanging above the guest bed. A Jack-and-Jill bathroom connects to Holloway’s office. The main living spaces, including Glover’s bedroom and the living room, are areas where they spend most of their leisure time. The large living room features a gas fireplace, built-in bookshelves, family photos, and matching black leather chairs. Notably, there is no television in the living room; Holloway prefers conversation and maintains the serenity of the space. An enlarged black-and-white photograph from 1961 shows Glover and her best friend touring Europe after college. Holloway and Glover share anecdotes and memories, reflecting their close bond. Glover is a dedicated listener of “The Matt & Ramona Show” and even had her own segment, “The World of Wheezy.” This home serves as a testament to their special relationship, providing a comfortable and accessible environment for both. #HomeDesign #AccessibleLiving #MultiGenerationalHome #CustomHomeBuild #AgingInPlace #BelmontNC #RadioPersonality #FamilyCare #MobilitySolutions

This blog post details the new construction home of Tyler and Amanda Tarver in Benton, highlighting their design choices and experiences. The couple's journey began with an inspiring trip to Israel, where they connected with the author, Tanner Cangelosi. Upon visiting their new home, Cangelosi was impressed by the detailed design and unique style, suggesting Amanda pursue a career in contracting. The Tarvers shared insights into their family life, including Amanda's role at New Life Church Saline County, her support for Tyler's YouTube Channel (Tarver Academy), and their three children: Titus (8), Ezra (6), and Finnick (2). Tyler is the dean of NLC College and manages multiple YouTube channels. Their home's design plans were largely spearheaded by Amanda, who conducted extensive research using platforms like Pinterest, Google, and Instagram to compile a 'highlight reel' of open-floor plans and 'hipster features'. These compiled ideas were then provided to a draftsperson to create their custom blueprints. Tyler contributed his opinions for consideration throughout the process. Key aspects of their new home that the Tarvers love most include the open floor plan, which integrates the kitchen, living room, and dining area. This design choice allows Amanda to feel included in family activities while cooking and provides ample space for hosting guests. The inclusion of a pool is also a cherished feature for future enjoyment. Another favorite is the kitchen bar, which serves as a versatile space for family gatherings, meals, and children's homework or craft projects, fostering more family time. The design emphasizes functionality and communal living. The Tarvers also provided five money-saving tips for those considering building a house. Their advice includes utilizing Amazon.com for comparing quotes and purchasing items, undertaking non-dangerous tasks independently, and being present during construction to minimize material waste by subcontractors. They also highlighted the importance of managing return timelines for purchases and finishing certain areas of the house independently to reduce costs associated with per-square-footage charges. They deliberately chose smaller room sizes for their children, recognizing that the kids prefer to spend time in the main living area, thus maximizing space in shared zones and simplifying cleaning and decorating. The daughter’s private bathroom is also appreciated. The fixtures in their home were sourced from a variety of retailers, including West Elm, Cb2, and Wayfair, with Amanda noting that her favorite light fixture surprisingly came from Walmart. The color palette was selected by Amanda from Instagram photos, aiming for a bright, clean, and open feel with added character. The base color is white, complemented by wood tones, blacks, and golds, reflecting current popular trends and personal style. Both Tyler and Amanda expressed interest in building again in the future or assisting others with their construction projects, fueled by Amanda's passion for design and navigating the building process. #HomeDesign #NewConstruction #OpenFloorPlan #InteriorDesign #MoneySavingTips #FamilyHome #CustomBuild #DesignInspiration #ModernLiving

This article explores the unique interior design challenges and solutions for the residence of Lindenwood University president, Jim Evans, and his wife, Lois. The 9,200-square-foot house in St. Charles functions simultaneously as a comfortable private home and a sophisticated venue for entertaining university dignitaries and donors. Mitchell Wall Architecture and Design, along with senior designer Colleen Ertl of Diane Breckenridge Interiors, were tasked with creating a space that could seamlessly transition between these two distinct purposes. The design approach involved essentially creating "two houses in one." The formal areas, intended for university events, boast an elegant and traditional aesthetic. The dining room, for instance, seats 14 people and features a coffered ceiling, a grand fireplace, and French doors opening to a balcony. Its design evokes a modern interpretation of "Downton Abbey" style, balancing formality with comfort. The color palette in this space incorporates browns, greens, blues, cream, and touches of gold, aiming for a timeless yet contemporary feel that avoids being perceived as old or stuffy. This room is routinely used for formal occasions, donor engagements, alumni gatherings, and meetings with the university's board of directors. Adjacent to the dining room, the living room is designed in the style of a grand hall, complete with a dark, wood-beamed ceiling and an elegant fireplace. An inlaid floor visually connects the two formal spaces, with the color scheme from the dining room echoed in an area rug in the living room. Ertl emphasized the importance of the furniture being comfortable and inviting, despite the room's formal function as a receiving area for events. The goal was to create an atmosphere where guests could feel at ease and "just plop down." In contrast to these public and formal spaces, the residence also includes private, more casual living areas. These are primarily located on the lower level and feature a cozy kitchen, a breakfast nook, a hearth room, and a master-bedroom suite. The overall house comprises four bedrooms and eight bathrooms, demonstrating the extensive scale of the property. A key aspect of the design strategy was to ensure the house felt like a personal home rather than merely a showroom. This was achieved by incorporating personal touches throughout the space. For example, large bookshelves, standing 15 feet tall, display photographs and other items personal to the Evanses and Lindenwood University. The article also mentions an antique piano, a focal point in one of the rooms, which has a long history with Lindenwood University. However, the designers acknowledge that the house, particularly its cream-colored sofa, is not designed to be pet-friendly, highlighting a practical consideration in maintaining the pristine environment required for official functions. The architectural style of the house is described as "Collegiate Gothic" by Carol Wall of Mitchell Wall, a style often seen on Ivy League campuses, further reinforcing its connection to the university environment. This dual-purpose design successfully merges the requirements of a high-profile public residence with the need for a comfortable private dwelling, creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing environment for its occupants and their guests. #InteriorDesign #ResidentialArchitecture #HomeDecor #LindenwoodUniversity #StCharles #MitchellWallArchitecture #DianeBreckenridgeInteriors #CollegiateGothic

This blog post features a unique custom-built home located at 3482 Flamingo Ave. on Siesta Key, currently on the market for $5.8 million. Completed in 2019, the residence seamlessly blends Old World architectural elements with modern design aesthetics. The owner, Gary McDermott, who had no prior experience in architecture or home design, custom-built the four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom house with personal touches that also appeal to a broader market. McDermott is selling the home due to a relocation to Raleigh for work. The exterior of the home showcases more than 24 feet of hand-carved Cantera stone framing the double front doors, which are 10-foot-tall mahogany. These carvings include frangipani, his wife’s favorite flower, and a flamingo, a nod to the home's address. Wall-climbing vines and a water fountain contribute to a regal entrance, while wrought-iron balconies overlook a Roman-style pool. The property sits on an acre of land on the north end of Siesta Key and includes a three-car garage. Inside the 4,152 square-foot residence, the fusion of styles continues. An interior courtyard houses a 45-foot lap pool, surrounded by stone pillars. This five-foot-deep pool not only serves as a focal point but also functions to cool the house, reportedly lowering the temperature by 10-15 degrees and creating a natural draft. The pool area also offers views of a large backyard and canal access to Sarasota Bay. McDermott sourced the hand-carved stone from Mexico, emphasizing his preference for Old World styles while maintaining a clean, modern look. The interior features extensive tiling throughout, with traditional furniture pieces and light fixtures complementing updated bathroom and kitchen cabinetry. The kitchen boasts blue azul granite countertops, a material also used around the pool. The owner noted that delays in finding specific tiles provided ample time to refine their vision for the home. A notable amenity for contemporary living is a one-bedroom, one-bathroom guest house equipped with a full kitchen and a luxury office, catering to remote workers. Looking ahead, the roof was intended for further development, with plans for a greenhouse, a day bed, a putting green, and a bocce ball court, adorned with cacti and bromeliads. These future projects are now available for the next homeowner to undertake. Steve Abbe of the Abbe Ross Team with Coldwell Banker Realty in Florida is the contact for inquiries regarding the property. #SiestaKey #CustomHome #LuxuryRealEstate #MediterraneanArchitecture #OldWorldDesign #ModernDesign #SarasotaHomes #HomeForSale #ArchitecturalFeatures