ST Y L E + S O U R C E S o u t h e r n S t u d i o I n te r i o r D e s i g n
URBAN LIVING VERSUS COASTAL BLISS CREATE YOUR PERFECT SUMMER SANCTUARY
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a note from Vicky M AY/J U N E 2 0 2 1
H
appy Spring! We have now been living amid a pandemic for an entire year, and this season of new beginnings has never been more welcomed. I’ve been pondering the potential long-term effects of Covid. There is no doubt that some things will be forever changed – some good and some not-so-good. One thing that has certainly changed is the way we live in and value our homes and for that, I’m grateful. Our team is fortunate to be working in an industry that has provided the comfort and security of home during this year of turmoil. In this issue of Style + Source we are excited to reveal two recently completed projects. The first is in the City (well, we consider Downtown Cary the city) with a project that we’ve been working on for over two years. The Park Station Townhomes have been a labor of love since the first day we reviewed the plans. As we worked with the talented team at Envision Homes to bring this project to life by carefully selecting each detail throughout the construction process, we grew to love this community more than we ever thought possible. The second project is back on the magical Bald Head Island. There’s something about coastal homes that just simply makes us happy. Maybe it’s the salt air and playful colors. Maybe it’s the thought of carefree days and magical summer nights. Maybe it’s knowing that our clients truly value design and want to create a special place for their families. Whatever it is, we continue to tackle the challenges of working on an island that is only accessible by barge and golf cart to bring these dreams to life. Also in this issue, you’ll find many of our summertime favorite finds for beach trips or evenings out in the city — and even a few of our favorite seasonal cocktails. It’s so nice to see small gatherings happening again, so be sure to make them extra special (this is official permission to shop the links). To be perfectly honest, our industry has seen unprecedented demand and challenges beyond our imagination. The supply chain issues are real (we could devote an entire issue to just this topic). The Covid threats are real. I am so proud of our team for tackling each obstacle one at a time and, as we say every day, figuring it out. The homes you see in our pages are true labors of love. And, I’m so thankful for our clients who have trusted us along the way. This year has been a wild ride – and we will forever be grateful for your support. Wishing you all a spring filled with fresh air, sunshine, and just a bit of normalcy!
Vicky Serany Principal + Founder
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PROJECT REVEAL:
STUDIO SELECTIONS:
PROJECT REVEAL:
BUILDER SPOTLIGHT:
RECIPE HIGHLIGHT:
BALD HEAD ISLAND COTTAGE
SETTING YOUR SUMMER TABLE
SOUTHERN STUDIO FAVORITES:
PARK STATION TOWNHOMES
ENVISION HOMES
OUR FAVORITE SUMMER COCKTAILS
CREATING YOUR SUMMER SANCTUARY
SHOP CLICKABLE LINKS THROUGHOUT THE ISSUE!
Coastal Bliss
JUST STEPS AWAY FROM THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, THIS BALD HEAD ISLAND, N.C. BEACH HOME COMBINES PLAYFUL COLOR & PATTERNS WITH FUNCTIONALITY. WE’RE REVEALING THIS COASTAL CHARMER AND SOME OF OUR FAVORITE MOMENTS OF THE DESIGN PROCESS IN COLLABORATION WITH WHITNEY BLAIR CUSTOM HOMES.
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ake a step inside this coastal retreat right on the North Carolina coast...
When we approached this project, our team knew we would be up for a challenge! Bald Head Island is one of the most idyllic and secluded spots on the North Carolina coast and is only accessible by barge and golf carts. The homeowners were seeking a family retreat — a place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and make memories with loved ones. We knew the location would not restrict our team from creating the family’s perfect escape, so design elements and luxury building materials were carefully selected knowing upfront that we’d be traveling via ferry for the installation. For vacations, the island is the spot of your dreams with limited access to the “luxuries” that we take for granted. From initial concept to installation, our lists are always checked and then double-checked. We make sure that we have it all—imagine, an entire house full of furniture installed with art and window treatments hung. Our warehouse team, vendors, and installers—they are the ones that really make it happen. We have limited time on the island to unload and get the truck back on the barge. There is STYLE + SOURCE, MAY/JUNE 2021
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BEDROOMS SOFT BLUES, PINKS, GREENS, AND NEUTRALS GIVE OFF A CALMING FEEL, WHILE PLAYFUL ARTWORK AND PATTERNS ACT AS THE FOCAL POINTS.
There is rarely time for lunch, so we even have to pack a few peanut-butter-andjelly sandwiches to have on hand! It really is the ultimate challenge and example of teamwork. When asked about her favorite spot in the home, Principal Creative for the project, Vicky Serany, recounts, “I love the breakfast nook. It’s the perfect spot for long conversations with a cup of coffee. When we design these homes, we like to envision families and friends gathering and creating memories.” The combination of salty air and crashing waves is the medicine our souls need after the daily demands and stress of city living. With a home on the coast, we recognize the importance of maximizing outdoor living. Multiple level porches offer places to entertain while also offering quiet spots to read or nap. The home build was a beautiful collaboration with Whitney Blair Custom Homes. The homeowner, Carolyn, has phenomenal taste and we enjoyed collaborating with her to bring the overall design vision to life. She has a keen eye for art and it was great fun to incorporate such lively and whimsical details into the design while still maintaining a peaceful, vacation-like atmosphere. Oftentimes, when families are working on a second home, they are willing to approach the project with a more casual and playful sense of style. We jump at the opportunity to play creatively with colors, patterns, and textures ourselves to create spaces that are bolder than day-to-day living environments. Our philosophy when working with second home designs is “less-is-more” to keep the spaces uncluttered. When working on a second home with clients, it is our team’s goal to understand their lifestyle needs, while still incorporating the “fun” elements that give a special touch. A “home away from home” — We incorporated black and white family photos into a gallery wall for a sense of familiarity whenever the family steps foot inside the home. With three children in mind, we designed the bedrooms to fit their individual personalities. From our experience, it will feel like home as soon as the first memory is made (or the first spill on the furniture, inevitably). Full of rooms designed for entertaining, this coastal sanctuary maximizes every inch of space so that guests can enjoy it as well, all the while turning beach weekends into lifelong memories.
Principal Creative / Vicky Serany Senior Designer / Kayla Boyle Builder / Whitney Blair Homes Photography / Dustin Peck
KITCHEN & BREAKFAST NOOK A PERFECT PLACE TO ENJOY A SEASIDE BREAKFAST OR FAMILY MEAL, THE KITCHEN’S BRIGHT ATMOSPHERE MATCHES THE COASTAL AESTHETIC, AND IS SPACIOUS AND FUNCTIONAL FOR ENTERTAINING.
studio selections
SETTING A SENSATIONAL
SUMMER TABLE Atrium Stemless Wine Glasses, Neiman Marcus, neimanmarcus.com
Laguiole Steak Knives (6), Anthropologie, anthropologie.com
Plastic Cork Lidded Beverage Dispenser, Williams-Sonoma, williams-sonoma.com
Bowl Yellow Limon, The Avenue, onlyontheavenue.com
Dolce Cocktail Napkins (4), The Avenue, onlyontheavenue.com
Casa Azul Dinner Plate, The Avenue, onlyontheavenue.com Maren Outdoor Dining Chair, Brooke & Lou, brookeandlou.com
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Lemon Block Print Napkins, The Avenue, onlyontheavenue.com
Island Wrapped Hurricane, Brooke & Lou, brookeandlou.com
designer tip
“THE PERFECT SUMMER TABLE EVOKES A SENSE OF JOY, USING BRIGHT COLORS AND VIBRANT PATTERNS & TEXTURES THAT ARE HOMEY, YET ENERGETIC” PAIGE ADAMS, JUNIOR DESIGNER
Pepper Mill, Brooke & Lou, brookeandlou.com Faux Lemon Set, Brooke & Lou, brookeandlou. com
Drinking Glasses, Pottery Barn, potterybarn.com
Gold Flatware, Williams Sonoma, williamssonoma.com
Custom Linen Napkins, Mark & Graham, markandgraham. com
Woven Round Charger, Brooke & Lou, brookeandlou.com
Salad Plates, Neiman Marcus / Juliska, neimanmarcus.com
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creating your S
IN THE CITY YETI Wine Tumblers, WilliamsSonoma, williams-sonoma.com
Automatic Wine Opener, WilliamsSonoma, williamssonoma.com
Lucite Poker Set, Anthropologie anthropologie.com
Travel Croquet Set, Anthropologie anthropologie.com
Dyson Air Purifier, Target, target.com
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Bar Cabinet, Crate & Barrel crateandbarrel. com
Summer sanctuary
ON THE COAST Nude Sandals, Revolve, revolve.com
Beach Chair, west elm westelm.com
Beach Umbrella, Pottery Barn, potterybarn.com
Beach Read Paperback, Target, target.com Paros Beach Towel, Matouk matouk.com Food Dome, Brooke & Lou, brookeandlou.com
Cross Body Bag, Anthropologie, anthropologie.com STYLE + SOURCE, MAY/JUNE 2021
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City Living
HOW THE SOUTHERN STUDIO TEAM MADE A BIG IMPACT IN A SMALL SPACE
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hen it comes to design, location often has more to do with architectural details, space planning, and layout than originally meets the eye — and that was certainly the case for these progressive townhomes. Located in the center of Downtown Cary’s revitalization, Park Station features thirty timeless, three-story townhomes built by Envision Homes with views overlooking the growing area. This project is packed with functionality and sophistication for clients that are ready to enjoy the hustle and energy of urban living. Our team began working with Envision Homes during the early stages of the project and we were able to work side-by-side to create a design selections package for future buyers. These curated selections include luxury material styles that would appeal to a wide audience, ranging from traditional to contemporary.
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In the beginning, it was challenging for the future homeowners to visualize the end look, but we ensured them to trust the process. Once the first building was complete, homeowners could walk through to look, touch, and feel the material selections. This always made the process easier moving forward and was a strong selling point for the luxury selections. Located right around the corner from our studio, we were able to stop in and watch the daily progression of the townhomes. For six months, The Southern Studio design team of Vicky Serany and Kayla Boyle worked on creative design solutions to maximize space and material selections from appliances, plumbing, cabinetry, tile, and lighting. No detail was too small or left untouched. Our goal was to elevate the experience of living in a luxury townhome with these design selections.
“It was inredibly rewarding to work on these beautiful Cary townhomes, blending functionality and style while creating design options for homeowners to select and match with their personal taste.” KAYLA BOYLE SENIOR DESIGNER
The kitchen has large, open windows overlooking the beautiful views of Downtown Cary. We knew the kitchen was one of the main selling points for the townhomes, so we worked diligently to choose appliances that would align with the kitchen’s sophisticated style. Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances were sourced as standard options along with Moen Plumbing. We drew cabinets that stacked up to the ceiling to maximize space and storage, capturing the best-of-thebest in residential design from a local favorite, 1st Choice Cabinetry. Visual Comfort pendant lights were installed to hang over the island for task lighting while prepping meals and to add a soft, light glow while enjoying wine and cheese. Included in the design selection packages were various design alterations for the scullery, which included options for a wet bar, wine storage, and even a desk. All options are unique and customizable as each homeowner becomes an integral part of the design process. If we were lucky enough to move into one of the townhomes, you could find our team enjoying afternoons and evenings on the rooftop. Boasting amazing views of Downtown Cary, the rooftop is the perfect spot to kick off summer entertaining. We hope to see you out-andabout around Downtown Cary this summer! There are new restaurants opening and new residences under construction— it is going to be a very walkable community. The new Downtown Cary Park will be the center of it all and will include an amphitheater, botanical garden, play areas, dog park, and water features. Park Station is in the perfect location to be in the middle of the action, or to be a quiet observer from the patios or rooftop. Photography / Dustin Peck
Wolf and Sub-Zero Range
Builder Spotlight As Designers, we work in tandem with builders on a day-to-day basis. A strong bond is formed through the process of construction and design, and an unwavering trust is key! Southern Studio is fortunate to have worked with Envision Homes on the Park Station project, where we collaborated from start to finish to produce an exceptionally beautiful townhome design.
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ENVISION
HOMES
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself. How did you get into the home building business? How long have you been building custom homes? A: We have been building custom homes for twenty years, so a partnership of equal affirmation for one another is at the forefront of our business. Q: What are standard features that are incorporated into Envision Homes’ builds? A: We always start with unique elevations and floor plans that fit our homeowner’s lifestyle and functionality needs, and then end the process with finishes that separate and identify us with custom homebuilding. Q: For this project, how did you capitalize on the unique experience to build urban townhomes that are fit for busy, city lifestyles? A: We stayed committed to a personalized home experience that is typically associated with a residential approach and insured we implemented the timeless spaces of a single-family home that would be functional for all lifestyles. Q: How did the final results of the interior design selections work to complement the overall architectural details? A: O ur modern transitional architecture was complimented by the finishes provided by our design partner; Southern Studio guided each homeowner to an equally fresh and modern interior design.
Q: How were you able to maximize space in each of the Park Station townhomes? A: We start by maximizing density for the land while yielding the best building envelope possible. From there it is a function of working with our design team to achieve the best layout. As we often say, ”the best idea wins”.
Q: What sets apart Park Station townhomes from other luxury townhomes in the Triangle? A: The location and walkability to countless amenities and the educational real estate, as well as the building experience from the ground to the rooftop Wterrace that our company is built upon. Photography / Dustin Peck STYLE + SOURCE, MAY/JUNE 2021
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Summer Sipping FROM MAGARITAS TO SPRITZS AND WHITE WINE, NOTHING IS AS REFRESHING ON A WARM, BREEZY SUMMER NIGHT THAN YOUR FAVORITE COCKTAIL. TAKE A LOOK AT OUR TEAM’S GO-TO SUMMER DRINK RECIPES!
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KEY LIME MARTINI
GROUP EFFORT
OLD MAID
BOTH OLD MAID + GROUP EFFORT ARE FROM DOWNTOWN CARY, N.C. FAVORITE, SIDEBAR! • • • • •
1.5 oz DURHAM DISTILLERY CUCUMBER VODKA .75 oz LIME JUICE .75 oz MINT SIMPLE SYRUP 2 SLICES CUCUMBER .75 oz MINT SIMPLE SYRUP
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1. Add puree to the bottom of the serving glass and fill with ice. 2. Combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in shaker. Shake without ice. Pour contents of shaker over ice. 3. Top with Peychaud bitters. 4. Garnish with fresh fruit or mint.
1. Combine ingredients in shaker with ice. 2. Shake and strain into a tall glass filled with ice. 3. Top with soda.
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PINEAPPLE JUICE FRESH LIME JUICE SIMPLE SYRUP (SEE RECIPE BELOW) MALIBU COCONUT RUM STOLI VANILLA VODKA ICE
1. Fill shaker half way with ice, then add: • 1 shot Pineapple Juice • 1 shot Simple Syrup • 1 shot Fresh Lime Juice • 2 shots Malibu Coconut Rum • 2 Two shots Stoli Vanilla Vodka 2. Let sit about 30 seconds. Shake. Pour. Makes two martinis. To make Simple Syrup: Mix equal parts sugar and water in saucepan. Heat until sugar melts and then allow to cool. It’s best to make ahead.
1.5 oz DURHAM DISTILLERY GIN .75 oz LEMON JUICE .5 oz SIMPLE SYRUP .75 oz FRUIT PUREE PINCH OF SALT
SPICY GINGERED MANGO MARGARITA Recipe credit: Half Baked Harvest • • • • • • •
1/3 CUP MANGO JUICE 1/3 CUP FRESH OR FROZEN MANGO CHUNKS 2 TSP CHOPPED GINGER 2 oz SILVER TEQUILA 1-2 JALAPEÑO SLICES JUICE OF HALF OF A LIME SPARKLING WATER TO TOP (OPTIONAL)
CHIPOLTE SALT: • 1/4 CUP KOSHER/MARGARITA SALT • 1 TSP CHIPOTLE CHILI POWDER
1. Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass and coat in chili salt. 2. Combine mango juice, chunks, and chopped ginger in shaker and mash mango and ginger together. 3. Add the tequila, lime juice, and jalapeños. 4. Fill with ice and shake until combined. 5. Strain into your glass and enjoy!
WATERMELON MARGARITA • • • • •
2 SHOTS OF TEQUILA FRESHLYSQUEEZED LIME JUICE SLICED WATERMELON ICE SEA SALT
1. Blend sliced watermelon with the lime juice and a handful of ice, until smooth. 2. Pour blended juice into glasses, stirringin 2 shots of tequila. 3. Garnish with salted rims, fresh cucumber, or limes.
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Photography / Dustin Peck