Sunday, December 18, 2011

Charlotte's West Side Wonder: Modern Rehab at 5400 Pinebrook

Extreme Modern Makeover hits Charlotte's West Side Lewis Forest neighborhood.  And, darn it they forgot to bring the cameras!   


What a transformation 5400 Pinebrook has undergone in the last year.  Too bad reality tv wasn't there to document it.  Green City Development  has taken this "Mid-Century Modest" Atomic ranch, blown it up and out and turned it into a hip modern example of urban style.  

BEFORE
When 5 Points Realty agent Edwin Wilson found this little foreclosure he had some real vision.  Located on a quiet street just 5 miles from uptown he knew that buyers would feel comfortable in this "sleepy" old school neighborhood.  But he must have been able to do some real "selling" to convince the team at Green City that under the ugly blue plastic tarp a modern jewel could emerge.   

The original front can still be seen but with new paint, landscaping, siding and windows now it invites you in.  The original three light door is painted pop art yellow.

Take a Peek:

Inside walls were taken down new flooring and banks of windows added and "voila" you have wide open spaces.  The kitchen has custom cabinets (I'm talking nice solid wood) with chrome accents and high end appliances.  The Silestone counterop sets off the contemporary glass tile backsplash.


Ash stained floating wood floors stretch across the huge living space to the bio-ethanol fuel fireplace which is surrounded with custom tile. The wall of windows expands the living space out to a private perfectly modern patio with firepit and retaining wall.

The master is on the rear of the house and it too is filled with light.  (No sleeping in)  The 14 foot ceilings are dramatic but not as dramatic as the master bath.  The builder spared no
expense with the 12 x 24 tile, pebble shower floor and beautiful chrome fixtures.  A pane of floor to ceiling glass creates a huge walk thru shower.  It is so spectacular you'll be inviting all your friends over to see it.

Speaking of having friends over... The back patio is the perfect place for a party.  An expanse of windows from the living room brings the out doors in. The clever builders carried the tone of the floor to the outside in large 4 x 4 concrete patio squares.  There is a retaining wall defining the space and a fire pit too.

Edwin Wilson and Green City Development have done a fantastic job proving that Modern can be affordable and fantastic!
You can see the old house...if you squint.  

Soft grey tile set on a brick pattern add a contemporary edge.




Modern details make a splash.

The master bedroom has screaming high ceilings + clerestory windows. 


Concrete squares and a fire create a modern patio.
Original three light front door and modern accents.



If you'd like to take a tour of this new modern home in Charlotte, NC give Savvy + Co. Real Estate a call at 704-330-8326.  We specialize in Modern and Contemporary homes for sale... we know where to find them and can represent you in your purchase.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Swell Dwelling: Modern in Eastway Park

What do you get when you take a Austrian with European style and throw him into a little East Charlotte brick ranch?  Something swell, just like in Dwell


When Harald Wlcek settled into his little brick ranch at 1101 Norland in Charlotte's Eastway Park neighborhood he never thought he would create such a stir.  But when he decided to build an addition that was both open and modern and economical he sure got the neighbors talking.  Wlcek added over a two thousand square feet of fantastic space to his home and made it FUN!  


Fun at every turn - starting when you turn off of Norland onto Brighton.  You are struck by the "out of the ordinary" blue...  Harald says people still ask "When are you going to put the rest of the brick on?" ... to which he chuckles as the hardiplank siding is all "done".  You also will smile at the whimsical placement of windows down the side.  Inside these windows fill the kitchen and living room with light and create fun spots to take a peak at the great outdoors. Cilo, the dog  especially loves the two low windows installed just for her.  

Off the back of the house is a huge covered porch accentuated with a soft yellow.  That adds over 900 square feet of living area to the house.  Wicek and his kids really enjoy the view of giant oak trees in their back yard while playing and dining al fresco. The porch connects via stairs to the backyard and the patio with fire pit.  

Back in the house the kitchen is sleek and modern with more fun and unique details.  Harald hand poured the 12 feet long concrete countertop.  He also added changing colored lights in the glass wall cabinets above the sink.   The kitchen is open to a huge living and dining space with a full wall of glass out to the porch.  This space also features two "homework" or "home office" spaces. So kids can do their school work and still be part of the action.

Off this area is a nice guest suite with a private bath and built in closets and desk area, and shelves recessed into one wall.  There are also sliding glass doors out to the deck.  

Down the hall are the sleeping quarters.  Three bedrooms that are in the original ranch part of the house.  The master bedroom has been improved with a "small bath" worthy of an award.  A clever custom countertop and sink make the space all you need. 

No more boring laundry.  Downstairs gets my vote for best mud and laundry room.  Wicek built the stair case with OSB board steps.  They are angled back with acute angles to give great architectural interest.   There are also loads of cubbies for stashing your gear.  

If the laundry gets my vote, the lower level may just get your man's vote for "The Best Downstairs Ever".  If the three car garage isn't enough to get your juices flowing, wait until you see the exercise room.  Perfect for hanging out or a work shop, Harald put a climbing wall in just for good measure.  

If you would like to take a tour of this or any other modern "Dwell" home in Charlotte give Savvy + Co. a call.  Listed by Charles Major (704-617-8777) and
Eileen Nelis 704-502-8177  they are happy to accommodate you. 

Contemporary kitchen with red accents and concrete countertops.

New bath with natural slate and frameless glass shower.

The "Man Cave" or exercise room with climbing wall.  


This small space has it all.  Check out the clever sink and counter.

Modern Privacy.  A firepit on the side patio. 


Perhaps the inspiration for the the whole thing. Original modern three light door.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Mid-Century Modern in Sherwood Forest

True mid-century moderns are rare in Charlotte, NC.   There are a hand full, here and there, but there are really not a lot.  Especially if you want to be near town, and if you have a "budget".   So when buyers say they want a true MCM - I tell them they better be ready to pull the trigger when they see one.   Buyers: Pull that Trigger! 

One of Charlotte's fine examples of a true custom built MCM architecture just hit the market.  5601 Riviere, is located in the Forest Heights neighborhood... also known as Sherwood Forest.  This home was built designed by local architect Alan Ingram in 1960 for  Norman and Paula Musler.  They lived in the home until 2003 when it was purchased by Debra and Wesley Moore.  (Translation: This two owner home...hasn't been mucked with.)


5601 Riviere is a fantastic example of mid-century modern style.  From the moment you pull around the bend and see it's low slung lines against the landscape you can feel it pull you in.  The entrance has open rafters that frame the double  doors and slate entry patio.


Inside the vaulted ceilings draw you in to the "fab" style.   Walking around the glass topped partition wall you are wowed by a large living room with floor to ceiling windows, the long bench original iron work railing up elevated formal dining level.  The current owners opened the kitchen up to this space when they remodeled.  New flat paneled cabinets have been added to the kitchen but the owners kept the original layout.  Outside the cooking triangle there is a row of cabinets for all your entertaining wares.  Plus the original dumb waiter to get those pots of fondue down to the game room!


There are four bedrooms and three baths on the main level.  The master has dual closets and the master bath was updated with new cabinets and countertops but the original tile,  mirror and medicine cabinets were left. (because they are so cool).

Between the two largest bedrooms there is a Jack and Jill bath.  This was totally remodeled with contemporary fixtures and tile in keeping with the MCM style.

There are four bedrooms and three baths on the main level.  The master has three closets and the master bath was updated with new cabinets and countertops but the original tile,  mirror and medicine cabinets were left. (because they are so cool).

Between the two largest bedrooms there is a Jack and Jill bath.  This was totally remodeled with contemporary fixtures in keeping with the MCM style.

My favorite feature might be this staircase.  The solid wood treads float on straight iron work.  They reach from the kitchen level down to the family room.  They just don't make staircases like that any more.  The downstairs family or game room is cozy.  One wall has the original built in bookshelves along with an electric fireplace.  (So 60's!)  Large sliding glass doors lead out to the terrace and large wooded lot.  

The current owners did a lot of "behind the walls" renovating.  They removed the original tar and gravel roof that had start to give up the fight.  Then had insulation and new sheathing installed.  This was a great improvement to the utility bills.  They also put in an on demand water heater and new high efficiency HVAC system.

If you are looking for a true original Mid-Century Modern home in Charlotte NC with just the right amount of updating - this may be the one you want to move fast for.  Contact Savvy + Co. for a showing: 704-560-4604.








Want to see more of this fab Mid-Century Modern Home?  Give us a call.... this is a fun one to tour!