Mariana Gardner - South Carolina Lakeside Retreat
Nestled in a resplendent cove on Lake Keowee in upstate South Carolina, sits a lakeside vacation retreat fit for a cozy family getaway or a private weekend escape. Designed and built by Resort Custom Homes of Greenville, South Carolina and furnished by Interior Designer, Mariana Gardner of Interior Cues, this private residence in the Cliffs at Keowee has it all, right down to that welcoming feel many aspire to create.
Furnished almost exclusively through Furnitureland South, this 6,000 square foot home is a fine example of the diverse range of high-end furnishings that are offered in one place and how, with thoughtful planning, they can all be brought together beautifully. In this home on Lake Keowee, a creative blend of statement pieces, custom furniture and unique design touches marry rustic charm with timeless elegance.
In typical fashion, Mariana went beyond meeting her client’s needs. Through an innovative use of textures, materials, and classic color combinations that sing harmoniously with its architectural details, she brought this dream home to life, and it will be enjoyed by many for innumerable years to come.
Mariana Gardner of Interior Cues from Anderson, South Carolina brings over 12 years of high-end interior design industry credential to the Carolinas. Her vast experience working in the upscale South Florida residential market makes her uniquely qualified to meet her clients’ requests. Mariana states, “I approach every project with an acute focus on each client’s regional or international style and preferences, and then work closely throughout the process to ensure their vision becomes a reality. I am so grateful to have the Furnitureland South portfolio of furnishings available to match the client’s lifestyle.”
Jim Levesque - North Carolina Mountain Escape
Interior Designer, Jim Levesque collaborated with the homeowner and architect to create this beautiful North Carolina home. The end result is a luxurious mountain escape filled with custom finishes and features that work equally as an intimate family retreat and a welcoming and open public forum for guests.
The great room is embracing with 100+ year-old reclaimed pecky Cyprus wall paneling, white pine timber-clad vaulted ceilings, and antique hand-planed heart of pine flooring. Built for entertaining, the great room’s massive aged rock fireplace is flanked by two beautiful leather sofas. Mixed textures on the sofas and chairs, nail heads in endless shapes, rustic woods, antlers and metal fill the room with an eclectic and whimsical mix.
Keeping in mind that the kitchen is the “heart of the home,” Jim chose to give the room a very open feel, providing a connection to other living spaces in the home. The stunning oversized granite island is the gathering area for holiday dinners and cocktail parties alike.
Next to the kitchen is a dining room meant for casual dinners, but with scale and décor that are nothing short of grand. A large wood table and comfortable wood chairs sit atop a wool, braided rug. An ivory finished china cabinet displaying hand-painted plates completes the room.
The beautiful master suite features natural furnishings and fabrics, echoing the clay and brown tones of the mountains and the green of pine trees. This palette mixed with warm, distressed woods creates a calm, tranquil space. Upstairs bedrooms, designed with guests in mind, are furnished with king-sized beds and intimate sitting areas; each with their own coordinating bath to allow a private getaway from the hustle and bustle.
The home’s lower level features a large media room with leather theater-style seating and a massive movie screen, as well as an additional family room and sleeping quarters. Creating a smooth transition between the home’s interior and exterior, three levels of outdoor living areas highlight breathtaking mountain views. This home is spectacular from every vantage point - whether front, side, or rear - there is something beautiful to see.
Jim Levesque is an Interior Designer from Charlotte, North Carolina. He has worked on residential projects throughout the United States and the Caribbean for over 10 years. His design philosophy is that every home is designed to reflect the style and the taste of the person who lives within the residence.
Jim states, “The builder, architect, artisans and myself are proud to have been part of this project. I thank Furnitureland South for offering us such a wide variety of quality furnishings to complete the home. That means a lot to the homeowners, who are proud to share the finished results and call it home.”
Vanderwal Designs - Colorado Mountain Home
This upscale, mountain home of 6,500 square feet lies in southwestern Colorado, near Durango. Although not a log home, log columns and beams combine beautifully with an impressive stone fireplace and hardwood floors. Century sofas in light earth-tone colors create the foundation for a relaxed, fireside conversation area. Nearby, the natural texture of a Habersham dining table is beautifully complemented by mixed fabric and leather dining chairs from Fremarc. Leather accents can also be found in a set of Laurent chairs and ottomans overlooking the mountain view, and in the stately Fremarc chairs set around an exquisite Artitalia round table.
Interior designer Nancy Vanderwal of Vanderwal Designs, Durango, CO, worked with Furnitureland South Design Consultant, Therese Keener to create this elegant mountain escape. Nancy has been a professional Interior Designer since 1980 and has been in Durango since 2003.
At Vanderwal Design, www.durangointeriors.com, Nancy’s primary goal is to meet or exceed her client’s expectations. Nancy states, “Each client has a different vision, and our designs are tailored to the individuality of each project. We use our experience and resources to create a fun, satisfying design process, culminating in a design that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also works well for our client's lifestyle.”
Members of our Dream Home Partners in Design Program can submit hi-resolution images as well as a ready-to-publish article to dhp@furniturelandsouth.com for inclusion on our designer projects page. Please include project details (location, square-footage, architectural and interior design style, home furnishings, etc.), the name of your Furnitureland South Design Consultant, and your own bio and headshot (optional).
*Please note that Furnitureland South reserves the right to choose which projects and photography will be showcased on the Designer Projects page. By submitting a project, you are agreeing to allow Furnitureland South to edit your information for content and length.
