Former WSB-TV news anchor’s home in Big Canoe honors nature

Debbie and Worth Brooks, a couple with backgrounds in healthcare and a shared passion for gardening and older homes, met in 2013 and married in 2017. They purchased a circa-1919 bungalow in Ardmore, a neighborhood right around the corner from where Worth grew up. Despite the house and yard requiring significant work, Debbie, originally from South Florida, recognized the property's potential. The primary bedroom's windows were a key selling point for her, and this space became the focus of the first phase of their home's renovation, aiming to create a private retreat. With the assistance of Harvest Luxury Builders, the couple transformed a bedroom adjacent to the primary bedroom into a luxurious shower and bath, creating a spa-like experience and a spacious en suite. Both Debbie, an avid amateur endurance athlete who has run 13 marathons including New York, Chicago, and Boston (for which she qualified at age 60), and Worth, who enjoys the gym and strength training, found the therapeutic benefits of their new luxury bathroom indispensable for their fitness routines. The luxury shower and bath also proved practical for two healthcare professionals who decided to take on the demanding task of landscaping their yard themselves. On the day they bought the house, the yard was cluttered with discarded motors and automotive parts. Debbie recalled the extensive effort required, stating, "We had to excavate a lot of dying trees and buried pieces of driveway from a former dilapidated garage." She estimated that she and Worth completed up to 90% of the landscaping work personally, making the spa-like experience of their new bath even more well-deserved. In the spring of 2022, Debbie's sister-in-law encouraged them to expand the kitchen. Debbie noted that while they only increased the kitchen's size by 64 square feet, it made a significant difference. Following the removal of a support wall and the relocation of the laundry room to the back of the house, a red oak beam now spans the expanded kitchen space. Original heart pine planks were revealed in the ceiling, contributing to a modern farmhouse aesthetic. A leathered granite countertop, formerly a space for folding clothes, became a favorite food preparation area. Debbie expressed her satisfaction with the renovation, highlighting that the back door now opens directly onto their deck, eliminating the need to walk through the old laundry room. She also appreciated the new location of the washer and dryer in a closet just outside the primary bedroom. The second phase of renovations addressed a rotting front porch that wrapped around the corner of the house. The Brooks opted for large cedar posts and lined the entire porch with cedar. They also re-did the porch floor with composite decking, significantly extending its lifespan. Just over six months after these changes, Debbie and Worth were delighted with their home's transformation, crediting Todd and Robin Aron with Harvest Luxury Builders for their hard work, stating, "We can't thank them enough. Not anyone can renovate these old homes." Despite the significant interior remodeling, much of which is hidden from view, the couple's sustained efforts on the exterior have attracted attention from passersby and the Winston-Salem Garden Council. The Garden Council recently requested that the Brooks' home and yard be considered for Forsyth County's Bird Friendly Habitat Certification Program. Debbie views this as a positive start and is working to gather historical documentation about the house. She hopes their private paradise will one day earn the certification, reflecting their dedication to both their home and its natural surroundings. #HomeRenovation #CraftsmanBungalow #ArdmoreNeighborhood #HomeImprovement #LuxuryBathroom #KitchenExpansion #Landscaping #HistoricHomes #WinstonSalem

Biophilic design, a concept pioneered by biologist Edward O. Wilson in the 1980s, is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, particularly among millennial and Generation Z homeowners and tenants. This design philosophy emphasizes the innate human need to connect with nature, aiming to integrate natural elements into architectural and interior spaces. The trend gained significant traction, with visual search engines like Pinterest reporting substantial increases in searches for "biophilic architecture" and "biophilic design bedroom. According to interior designers Brooke Lang and Ariana Lovato, biophilic design extends beyond merely adding potted plants to a room. It involves a holistic approach to design, encompassing layout, lighting, the use of natural materials, and creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor environments. The goal is to create spaces that evoke the soothing, inspiring, and restorative feelings associated with the natural world, thereby supporting physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The renewed interest in biophilic design is largely attributed to a post-pandemic desire for mood-boosting and restorative living environments. The experience of COVID-19 highlighted the profound impact surroundings have on individuals, leading clients to actively seek spaces that promote relaxation and well-being. Manufacturers have responded to this demand, introducing products like Kohler’s aromatherapy shower infusion system, Sprig. Several key trends define contemporary biophilic design. The first is the prominent use of green colors in interiors, from cabinetry and wall colors to even fixtures like toilets. While not a complete biophilic solution on its own, it serves as an accessible entry point for budget-conscious individuals. Secondly, living walls, which are walls covered with living plants, are trending as a classic example of bringing nature directly indoors. These installations are particularly popular among millennials, who are incorporating them into spaces like zen rooms. A third trend is the emphasis on natural, native materials. Homeowners are increasingly opting for authentic materials such as natural stone countertops and hardwood floors, even if they come at a higher cost than engineered alternatives. There's also a growing preference for materials that reflect the immediate natural surroundings, with clients requesting furniture or beams made from local wood and incorporating local greenery. Fourthly, there is a significant focus on landscape design, where outdoor spaces are treated as true extensions of the home. This includes matching indoor and outdoor plant selections and giving transition areas like screened-in porches and outdoor kitchens as much design attention as interior rooms. The integration of large sliding glass doors and glass walls further enhances the indoor-outdoor connection. Finally, the creation of dedicated "zen spaces" and meditation rooms is a notable trend across different demographics. While millennials explicitly request these spaces, even baby boomer clients, though not always using the term "biophilic design," are seeking similar relaxation-focused rooms for activities like meditation, sauna, or steam, indicating a universal desire for the feelings biophilic design aims to cultivate. #BiophilicDesign #InteriorDesign #NatureConnection #HomeTrends #WellnessDesign #SustainableDesign #GreenLiving #ArchitecturalTrends #ResidentialDesign

Fashion designer Kelli Wharton embarked on a transformative renovation of her blonde-brick suburban house in Byron Bay, converting it into a stunning beach-inspired home. Her clear vision was to create a cool, beachy abode that mirrored the laidback coastal lifestyle she and her family embraced, regularly spending time on the white sands south of Byron Bay. The design emphasized ease and functionality to suit a family with two young boys, incorporating natural elements like stone and wood throughout the interior to reflect the surrounding environment. Key changes included converting a bedroom into a family room, which was adorned with cushions from Talulah's homewares range. The living room features a striking coffee table from Ahoy Trader and a recently added Izzah Beni Ourain rug from Marr-Kett. The master bedroom was thoughtfully built in the space previously occupied by the garage, featuring whitewashed floorboards from Choices Flooring, contributing to the beachy aesthetic. The master bedroom also includes a colorful artwork by Jai Vasicek of Ahoy Trader, hanging above a chair sourced from Byron Designworks. The kitchen, a central hub for the family, was completely rebuilt in its original location to incorporate more cupboard and bench space, catering to practical family needs. The dining area features a marble-topped dining table from Coco Republic, complemented by chairs from Fenton & Fenton. The bathroom was updated with Bianco Industry Silver tiles from Byron Bay Tiles, ensuring a contemporary yet cohesive feel. An outdoor dining area includes a table from Kelli's father, paired with chairs imported from Indonesia, and a fan from Beacon Lighting, with a towel from the Talulah homewares range, enhancing the indoor-outdoor flow. Functionality and style extend to the exterior with a garage built from merbau timber at the front of the property, designed to house the family's surfboards, including a mini mal from Kelli's own label, Talulah. This renovation successfully blends modern design with a relaxed, beach-inspired atmosphere, creating a home that is both beautiful and practical for a coastal family life. #ByronBayHome #BeachHouseRenovation #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #CoastalLiving #FashionDesignerHome #FamilyFriendlyDesign #HomeTransformation

The Rivergum Homes' new Bondi design, part of its Coast and Country collection, is presented as a cost-effective and relaxed coastal escape, suitable as either a weekender or holiday home. The design emphasizes simplicity and features a unique floorplan comprising two rectangular pavilions joined by a glass breezeway. The exterior boasts charming, beachproof weatherboard cladding, reminiscent of old coastal homesteads, while the interior adopts a contemporary boathouse aesthetic with a raked ceiling and scissor truss roof. This three-bedroom, two-bathroom holiday design offers 120.72 square meters of total space, intentionally kept small to function as a cozy entertaining space for relaxation. The design's small size is highlighted as impressive when executed correctly, particularly with the entry serving as an architectural focal point. The Bondi is designed to evoke the social atmosphere of beachside living, with a pavilion-style floorplan that includes a dedicated resting wing and a dedicated living wing, separated by a breezeway. The living pavilion features a 2.7-meter ceiling that pitches upward to a high raked ceiling with V-joint lining boards, creating a barge boat-like ambiance. The separation of living and sleeping areas is a deliberate design choice, allowing for quiet rest away from the hustle and bustle of daily activities, aligning with the relaxed living patterns typically sought during holidays. This L-shaped floorplan creates a significant decking area between the pavilions, serving as an outdoor entertainment space and an extension of the living area. The home design allows for an optional outdoor entertainment deck centrally located between the pavilions, enhancing connectivity. To the left of the double-door entry are the three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a compact laundry, all featuring mirrored wardrobes. To the right, a large open-plan living pavilion, approximately 9m x 6m, integrates a well-appointed L-shape kitchen, dining area, and lounge. Notable design elements include a series of tall, narrow windows, strategically positioned off-center in areas like bedrooms and bathrooms to optimize space and privacy. The separation of bedrooms from the central entertaining hub ensures privacy for both young families and more mature occupants. The interior finishes are a key highlight, particularly the kitchen with its low corner windows, the ceiling, black routed doors, and sleek light switches. Classic lighting choices and floor-to-ceiling tiling in the bathrooms and laundry further enhance the aesthetic. The bathrooms, showcased with white handcrafted subway tiles and mosaic Carrara Bianco floor tiles, are designed for timeless elegance. The cool white and soft grey interior palette is accented with black fixtures and fittings, with bursts of rich berry, forest green, and blush tones in the decor providing warmth and visual interest. This interior aesthetic is described as a modern, sophisticated interpretation of the traditional coastal homestead. The display features Rivergum's premium specifications, including optional upgrades such as Silestone benchtops, high-end appliances, a feature ceiling, a freestanding fireplace, and 2-Pac inset panel joinery doors. The design also considers family comfort, allowing for easy surveillance of children playing on the deck or in the backyard from central areas. #HomeDesign #CoastalLiving #HolidayHome #ArchitecturalDesign #InteriorDesign #RivergumHomes #BondiDesign #OpenPlanLiving #ModernCoastal

The article details the redesign of an 18th-century farmhouse in Lumberton, transforming it to accommodate modern living while honoring its historical roots. The project was undertaken by Michelle Gage of Philadelphia-based Michelle Gage Interiors, who notes the home's significant age, dating back to the Revolutionary era. This particular residence presented a unique challenge due to its extensive history and the accumulated alterations made by previous inhabitants over centuries. The homeowner's openness to Gage's suggestions was a crucial factor in the redesign's success, allowing for a creative yet respectful approach. Gage identified an inherent 'English vibe' in the home and aimed to align the interior design with both this aesthetic and the client's 'quirky and eccentric' personality. The English influence is evident throughout the house, starting from the entry where antique boot racks hold wellies. The primary bedroom showcases a vibrant display of color and pattern, featuring layered florals on the walls, headboard, and bedding. The chosen wallpaper designs evoke a British country house style, characterized by rich patterns that contribute depth and character to the space. The redesign also incorporated unique elements like a moody, jungle-themed wall covering in the breakfast nook. This wallpaper, featuring hidden animal motifs, thoughtfully frames the home's original built-in cabinetry, adding an element of surprise and whimsy. In contrast, the laundry room adopts a more serene ambiance with a subdued sage-green and white botanical wall covering, designed to create a fresh and crisp atmosphere reminiscent of newly laundered linens. The project successfully merged historical integrity with contemporary comfort and personal style, creating a home that respects its past while providing a vibrant and unique living environment for its current owner. The collaboration between the designer and homeowner resulted in a space that is both historically conscious and reflective of modern eclectic tastes, demonstrating how an antique structure can be adapted for current lifestyles without sacrificing its inherent charm. #LumbertonFarmhouse #HistoricalHome #HomeRedesign #EclecticDecor #InteriorDesign #MichelleGageInteriors #EnglishVibe #RevolutionaryEraHome