May 2005 $2.95

uance

by Chantal Obero

The information in this section is pro-vided by the Charlotte chapter of the Marchof Dimes, which is responsible for the accu-racy of this material.

verything about the 2005

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March of Dimes spring show-house suggests that it wastransported straight from the

cobblestone streets of antucket. But read-ers willbe pleased to learn that it's actuallyat The Point on Lake Norman, a communityinspired by the charming New Englandtown.

The setting for this year's showhouseis as breathtaking as the home itself.Kingswood Custom Homes built the cedarshake and stone house in a section of ThePoint where only Nantucket architectureis permitted. Allow imagination to takeover, and you will truly feel as if you'veleft Charlotte and traveled to the famedMassachusetts town.

"When I first saw this homesite, Iknew it was perfect for a showhouse. It'sone of the most elevated homesites in thecommunity, so the views are spectacular,"said Kingswood's owner Peter Leeke.Spectacular indeed - the homesite show-cases both the Greg orman golf courseand the lake beyond.

While the exterior is undoubtedlyantucket, interior designer Robbie

Warren, in collaboration with Louise Leeke,wanted the inside to evoke the feel of anupscale cottage in the Hamptons. Ms.Warren paired beautiful antiques from TheAntique Cupboard with new furnishings inbright, bold colors. Lamps and accessoriesfrom The Elegant Home added the perfecttouch. "I wanted it to be bright and open,with a crisp, clean feel," she said.

The 4,583-square-foot home's colorpalette consists of only five colors - threeshades of blue and two shades of yellow.While this limited palette may sound sur-prising, the results speak for themselves. Itmakes for a seamless transition from roomto room ...

Kitchen's 'As GoodAs It Gets'

Upon entering the showhouse, richwalnut floors lead you directly into the

kitchen, the heart of the home. And this isno ordinary kitchen - it's modeled afterthe kitchen in the movie "AsGood As ItGets." Mr. Leeke said that everything, rightdown to the anthracite quartz countertops,was inspired by the movie. The kitchenrevolves around two oversized workislands, which make for easy meal prepara-tion and cleanup, and the dark granite iscomplemented by crystal drawer pulls anda beautiful glass tile backsplash in varyingshades of blue. Walker Zanger providedthe countertops, tile and stone throughoutthe home.

Sharing the open space with thekitchen, a two-story dining hall is completewith dramatic, two-story draperies madeof striped blue silk. Bringing all the colorstogether, a pastoral village painting worksas the focal point of the room. GabrielleShain of the Shain Gallery personallyselected pieces of original art for the mainlevel of the showhouse.

Although the kitchen area draws you in,don't miss the study that's just off the foyer.Its location lends it a secluded feel, and themasculine decor, complemented by a cof-fered ceiling, makes it stately.

In the family room, the incredible viewstake center stage. Ms. Warren described itbest when she said it's a layered view; largepicture windows overlook the backyard'sswimming pool and hot tub with a vanish-ing edge, then beyond is the 15th greenand finally Lake Norman provides thegrand finale.

There are other serene views as well,such as in the home's window-encircledbreakfast room. This bright room prom-ises to ease future residents into the day.One can almost envision sipping a cup ofmorning coffee while overlooking the sidegarden's trickling fountain.

Built for EntertainingSince the Hamptons are known for

social revelry, it's fitting that this showhousewas designed for an avid entertainer. Notonly is the open floor plan conducive tosocial gatherings, but the veranda, repletewith furniture from Summer Classics,expands nearly the entire length of thehome. You'll have no trouble imaginingthe entertaining that will go on here, witha swimming pool, hot tub and flagstonecabana with a built-in grill, sink and serving

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bar. This magnificent outdoor living area,paired with show-stopping views of the golfcourse and Lake Norman, will make anyaffair one to remember.

The owners' suite is thoughtfullypositioned with access to the veranda, butthat's not its only noteworthy feature. Acurving wall of windows first captures youreye, with views of the golf course and lake.Then, your eyes are drawn upward to thevaulted ceiling with its exposed timberbeams. DeWoolfson Down provided theluxurious bedding in this room, as in all ofthe bedrooms. The company also suppliedtowels and bath accessories, which you'llfind in the owners' bath. Upon crossingits threshold, the bath awes you with itsspa-like presentation - whites seem evencrisper when offset by the fabulous blueglass tile mosaic that works as a backdropfor a claw-foot tub. And since the studyin the front of the home caters to a man'stastes, a sitting room off the owners' suiteserves as the retreat for a lady.

Ascend to the upper level, and thewhimsical nursery will catch your eye.Against a soft yellow background, the tal-ented Charlotte Simpson-Baucom painteda touching mural of elegant swans caringfor their babies. A backdrop this specialrequires equally special furniture, whichwas provided by Bellini Juvenile DesignerFurniture. A colorful and playful glasschandelier lights the room. Chosen fromCurrey and Company through PlantationLighting, the design of the chandelier isrepeated in the bath's lighting.

Art Source and Design loaned the artfor the upper level of the showhouse. Andin the boy's room, you'll find the work ofanother contributing artist - Mr. Leeke'sdaughter, Kirsten. She depicted EricCartman from Comedy Central's "SouthPark" in NASCAR driver Jimmie johnson'suniform - this is racing country, afterall. Creativity is further displayed in thecharming design of the daybed, which isactually made from antique church pews.

A loft, overlooking the family roombelow, leads to the opposite end of theupper level. If you're not too distracted bythe view, you'll notice the unique, built-inlinen display closet. "It's a shame when peo-ple have such gorgeous linens, and they'rehidden away," said Ms. Warren.

Perhaps the most elegant and ferni-

May 2005

MARCH OF DIMES SHOWHOUSE

nine room in the showhouse, the guestbedroom also has a fantastic view.Andadjacent is the media room - a NASCARfan's dream come true, thanks to donationsfrom Hendrick Motorsports and NostalgicSpoi ts and Games. Treasures include aglass-topped tire that serves as an end tableand a race car pinball game to rev up yourcompetitive juices. A black leather sectionalcouch and checkerboard lighting overthe wet bar complete the racing theme.But there's more ... on certain weekends,Jimmie Johnson's Lowe's car will be ondisplay at the showhouse.

Adding splashes of color throughout thehome, floral arrangements were custom-made by Allen Smith of Mayfield Manor.The arrangements, along with many ofthe home's accessories, are available forpurchase - cash and carry - on the dayof touring.

Directions ToThe Showhouse

Take 1-77 to Exit 33. Turn west onWilliamson Road. Turn left on BrawleySchool Road. Follow for five miles tosigns leading to The Point. Once in thetraffic circle, take your second righton Brawley School Road. Turn left onNew Haven Drive, and the showhousewill be on your right.

From the bright colors to the antiquetreasures to the NASCAR memorabiliasprinkled throughout, the March of Dimes2005 spring showhouse is a mosaic in itself- unexpected combinations that mysteri-ously work in harmony to create a beautifulfinal piece of art. Don't miss seeing it- you'll be inspired.

It

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The owners' suite.

MARCH OF DIMES SHOWHOUSE

THE MISSION

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his year's spring showhouseat The Point was a labor oflove, and its foundation is builton the mission of the March

of Dimes. When you visit, you'll not only bemoved by the beauty of the house, but alsoby the heartwarming feeling of helping raisemoney for a very worthy cause. All proceedsfrom ticket sales go to the March of Dimes,a national voluntary health agency whosemission is to improve the health of babies bypreventing birth defects and infant mortality.Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes fundsprograms of research, community services,education and advocacy to save babies.

To address the growing problem ofprematurity/low birth weight, the March ofDimes has committed to a five-year, $75 mil-lion national prematurity research, awarenessand education campaign to help familieshave healthier babies.

"The March of Dimes has been verysuccessful in funding the science to developmedical treatment and intervention to helppremature babies. But an increasing numberof babies are born prematurely, and in 50percent of those births, we don't know thereasons why," said Rebecca Belk, March ofDimes's state director of special events.

Christine and Tod Hargett's experienceis one such example. Their two sons, Priceand Jackson, were both born prematurely,and Ms. Hargett almost lost her own life inthe process.

"I find myself thinking, what did I dowrong? I ate right, I exercised and sawmy doctors regularly. I gave birth twice,and both times it was too early. But, then Iremind myself how lucky I am to have myboys," said Ms. Hargett.

After a difficult pregnancy, Ms. Hargetthad an emergency Caesarean sectionsix-and-one-half weeks early. Price's breath-ing needed to be supported for only one

week. He received surfactant to aid in lungdevelopment, spent 10 days in the neonatalintensive care unit and 3 additional days inthe regular nursery.

When Jackson was born, he was only fiveweeks early. But he had a life-threateningblood infection and respiratory distress syn-drome. He received surfactant treatment forhis lung development and Indocin to close ahole in his heart. He was given nitric oxideto treat persistent pulmonary hypertension,a deadly lung disorder in newborns. Jacksonsuffered from liver failure and enduredbreathing, heart and feeding problems.

"My sons were given a chance at life duein large part to advancements in research onmedications used to treat premature babies- funded in part by the March of Dimes,"said Ms. Hargett.

Prematurity/low birth weight is the lead-ing cause of death in the first month of life.One in eight babies is born too soon, before37 weeks of pregnancy. And orth Carolinahas one of the highest rates of preterm birthin the country and one of the nation's high-est infant mortality rates.

In addition, prematurity is a majordeterminant of illness and disability amonginfants, including developmental delays,chronic respiratory problems, and vision andhearing impairment. In some cases, prema-ture birth can be prevented, and in othercases, premature babies can be treated priorto delivery.

Partnering with the March of Dimes inthe prematurity campaign are the AmericanAcademy of Pediatrics, the American College

of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and theAssociation of Women's Health, Obstetric and

eo natal Nurses.The national corporate sponsors for

the prematurity campaign include CignaHealthCare, FedEx and the Johnson &Johnson Pediatric Institute. GlaxoSmithKlineis sponsoring the orth Carolina pre-maturity campaign. In all, more than 25professional, consumer and governmentorganizations across the United States havestepped forward to help the March of Dimesraise awareness of this issue.

Stephanie and Erik Olson began a chal-lengingjourney when Ms. Olson learned shewas pregnant with twins. The amniotic sackof one twin had been punctured or torn, andthere was little chance that he would developnormally without the fluid around him.

After weeks of bed rest, Ms. Olson had anemergency Caesarean section when the twinswere 25.5 weeks. Ethan and Grace, bothunder 2 pounds, were taken to the N.I.C.and given surfactant treatment.

The March of Dimes played a key rolein developing surfactant treatments to aidbreathing in children exhibiting RDS. Thisgroundbreaking therapy has reduced RDSmortality by two-thirds since its introduction- and it certainly played a role in the Olsontwins' survival.

"The March of Dimes applies sponsordollars directly to research and supportprograms that benefit premature babiesand their families. Not every prematuredelivery story ends like ours - we considerourselves blessed with Ethan's and Grace'srecovery. Our family is a testament to theimportant work of the March of Dimes,"said Mr. Olson.

For more information on the Marchof Dimes, visit www.marchofdimes.com/northcarolina, or call the Charlotte chapter at(704) 377-2009.

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The nursery.

MARCH OF DIMES SHOWHOUSE

THE DESIGNER

With a romantic style and an inno-vative spirit, Robbie Warren

integrates classic architectural detailsinto every home she designs. Duringher l5-year career, Ms. Warren hasdeveloped one of the most creative andsought-after design firms in the area.

ow focusing on the architectural ele-ments of interior design, she simplifiesthe daunting task of designing a home.

"Clients can be overwhelmed atthe prospect of decorating an entirehouse," Ms. Warren says. "That's wherewe come in. We break it down room byroom and come up with a master planthat can be implemented over time."

Ms. Warren focuses on a home'selements that make it special andindividual. She then works to unifythe entire house and will often pick atheme - a color, a motif, a certain style- and carry it throughout.

In this year's showhouse, Ms.Warren's vision was to evoke theupscale, yet beachy, feel of a cottage inthe Hamptons. She realized this visionby using the unexpected combina-tion of antiques and bold colors ... ofOriental rugs and colorful glass tile ...everywhere you look, the traditionalisjuxtaposed with the unexpected.Indeed, it's a place where the ownerswould feel they were on vacation, yetit's not a vacation home.

Ms. Warren and her team, consist-ing of Eboney Mosley, Lisa Maddoxand Toni Weaver, worked diligentlyto make her vision of an "elegant cot-tage" a reality. Each piece in the homewas carefully selected from companiessuch as The Purple Picket, The PersianRug House and Designer FurnitureWarehouse that Ms. Warren believes tobe "tried and true." All the furnishingsin the home are for sale through theduration of the show, and there will bea Designer Sale Day on June 5, the lastday of the show.

MARCH OF DIMES SHOWHOUSE

THE BUILDER

For the second year in a row,Kingswood Custom Homes is the

builder of the March of Dimes springshowhouse, reflecting a strong commit-ment to the important cause.

"When building a house that ben-efits the March of Dimes, it very muchtouches you and what you're doing. Wehave a personal interest in the charityand hope to continue our partnership,"said Kingswood owner Peter Leeke.

Mr. Leeke recognized Rick Hendrickfor his support of the showhouse. "Imet Rick at an event at his dealership,and we started talking about the Marchof Dimes. He offered any supportneeded - which is also how Lowe's gotinvolved," said Mr. Leeke.

"Best of the Lake - Curb Appeal" cat-egory for two of the company's homesat The Point.

The construction of each Kingswoodhome compares to building an intricatemosaic, where thousands of top-qualityelements are assembled by exactingcraftsmen in an essentially correctorder to form a perfect picture. Thecompany builds about 20 homes eachyear, and each home proudly bears aninset, hand-cast date stone and crestmarking the year it was created, aKingswood Custom Homes signature.

For more information on KingswoodHomes, please visit www.kingswood-homes.com.

Kingswood's motto, "Quality toAppreciate," is the standard Mr. Leekesets for his company and for his homes.He employs European building stan-dards from his native England, thefinest engineering, exceptional con-struction and meticulous craftsmanship- earning accolades from both sides ofthe Atlantic.

Since 1996, Mr. Leeke and hiswife Louise have been building inthe Charlotte region's most presti-gious neighborhoods, including ThePoint, The Peninsula, BallantyneCountry Club, Myers Park andStonecroft. The Lake Norman HomeBuilders Association recently awardedKingswood first and second place in its

MARCH OF DIMES SHOWHOUSE

THECrescent Resources L.L.c. develops

upscale communities that comewith a complete, unparalleled lifestyle.Through architectural controls, well-manicured entrances and common areas,desirable locations, top-notch amenitiesand thoughtful staffing, Crescent createscommunities of proven, enduring value.

The Point on Lake Norman is one ofthe company's most successful countryclub communities to date. The commu-nity has record-breaking sales; in the pasttwo years, The Point sold IOOnew homesper year.

Homesites at The Point average onefull acre, creating a remarkable feeling ofspace where residents can enjoy beauti-ful views. Like Nantucket, water is anintegral part of life at The Point - mosthomeowners have a full or partial view ofit. For those who draw their inspirationfrom golf views, an IS-hole golf coursedesigned by Greg Norman is at the heartof the 1,200-acre community. Thirteenholes play along or over the lake.

The Point draws its inspiration fromthe charming village of Nantucket, evi-denced by the cobblestone streets andtraditional club facilities in a village-stylesetting. There's a neighborhood tavern,where members come for a bite to eatand to catch up with friends. A generalstore offers the convenience of buyingeggs, bread, milk and wine ... withouthaving to leave the community. The storeoffers staples and indulgent items, such ashomemade ice cream, custom-made cakesand Starbucks coffee. The Family ActivityCenter features three swimming pools,six tennis courts for league play, exercisefacilities and more. The Meeting Houseis available for private functions, andconstruction is under way on a Lake Clubthat will accommodate wedding recep-tions and gatherings of up to 300 people.

Homes at The Point range fromthe $500's to upwards of $4 million.For more information about "Nantucketon Norman," call a sales associate at(704) 663-3030 or visitwww.pointonnorman.com.

DEVELOPER

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COvERED vERANDA

FIRST FLOOR

SECOND FLOOR

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THE RESIDENTIALDESIGN FIRM

YOU may not be familiar with EliteDesign Group, the firm behind

the 2005 March of Dimes showhouse,but you're probably familiar withthe award-winning work of PrincipalDesigner J. J. Barja. The founder ofE.D.G., Mr. Barja has been designingcustom homes in Charlotte's upscaleneighborhoods for more than nineyears. His designs can be seen inThe Peninsula, North View Harbour,SailView, Lake Norman Estates,Stonecroft, Providence Downs Southand The Point.

In 2003, Mr. Barja started his owndesign business comprising a dedicated,talented group of professionals. Mr.Barja continues his success as a residen-

tial designer, emphasizing his uniquedesign style and encouraging client par-ticipation in the design process.

"The design process should be as funfor everyone as it is for me," says Mr.Barja, "We like to involve our clients inthe process because, after all, it startswith their ideas."

The design concept behind thisyear's showhouse is family congregatingand entertaining. Today, home buyerswant open, informal floor plans, and it'sno secret how much time people spendin their kitchens. Based on this schoolof thought, E.D.G. made the kitchenthe heart of this home plan.

Mr. Barja and his team are sensitiveto the time constraints that people

face today. To keep the design processmoving, E.D.G. works collaborativelywith clients through e-mail and con-ference calls during the plan reviewprocess. The company's flexibilityand customer service has earned highpraise from clients.

Elite Design Group incorporates thesame design process, customer serviceand attention to detail in every projectit undertakes, whether the plans callfor 2,500 square feet or 25,000. A newhome is a source of pride for everyclient. To be entrusted with the con-fidence of the client during this verypersonal process is a source of pride forElite Design Group.

MARCH OF DIMES SHOWHOUSE

THEAmerican Burglar Alarm/Intelligent

Homes - (704) 643-9898American Garage Doors - (704) 895-

7432The Antique Cupboard -331 Main

Street, Pineville, NC 28134 (704)889-4387

Art Source & Design - 1950 AbbottStreet, Suite 604, Charlotte, C28203 (704) 334-9736

Automotive Designs - 3411 SouthBoulevard, Charlotte, NC 28209(704) 332-5487

Bank of America -www.bankofamerica.com

Bellini Juvenile Designer Furniture- 901 South Kings Drive, Charlotte,NC 28204 (704) 377-6888

Charlotte Marble & Granite - (704)523-5005

Charlotte Simpson-Baucom - 5408Magnolia Creek Court, Charlotte,NC 28270 (704) 846-3992

Closet & Storage Concepts - (704) 525-6515

Crescent Cabinets - (704) 455-8109Currey & Company - 50 Best Friend

Road, Atlanta, GA 30340 (336) 472-1037 rep (678) 533-1500

D.R.V. Landscaping - (704) 634-5559Dales Concrete Construction - (704)

SPONSORS841-2298

Designer Furniture Warehouse - 625Griffith Road, Suite 125, Charlotte,NC 28217 (704) 527-3660

Designer'S Window - III New BernStreet, Charlotte, NC 28203(704) 527-6590

DeWoolfson Down -7808-C Rea RoadCharlotte, NC 28277 (704) 541-9722The Elegant Home - 129-C Williamson

Road, Mooresville, NC 28117(704) 799-9787

Fincher Electric - (704) 847-9886Fountains and More - (704) 889-2508Glassworks Ine. - (704) 519-4881Griffin Masonry - (704) 545-2722Hendrick MotorsportsLowe'sM.TB. Mechanical- (704) 321-9250Mayfield Manor - 619 South Cedar

Street, Charlotte, C 28202(704) 338-9884

ostalgic Sports & Games -8020 Providence Road, Suite 200,

Charlotte, C 28277(704) 540-8330

PS.N.C. EnergyPelican Pools & Spa - (980) 722-7199Pella Windows - (800) 849-8550Persian Rug House - 312 Main Street,

Pineville, NC 28134 (704) 889-2454

Plantation Lighting - (704) 948-5483The Purple Picket - 601 North Polk

Street, Pineville, NC 28134(704) 889-3325

Queen City Appliances - (704) 391-6000

Santiago Cruz Drywall - (704) 545-8885

Service Plumbing - (704) 895-8998Shain Fine Art - 601 Providence Road,

Charlotte, C 28207 (704) 334-7744Southern Staircase - (704) 357-1221Standard Residential Insulation -

(704) 333-5151Stone by Lynch - (704) 799-0750Summer Classics -1308 Morehead

Street, Charlotte, NC 28208(704) 372-0095

Union Church Millwork - (704) 589-4685

The Village Market & Winery,10605 Park Road, Charlotte, C28210 - (704) 341-1888

Walker Zanger - (704) 583-7011Western Cedar Supply - (919) 772-

8305Working Glass - (704) 821-1641