Ever since the real estate market crashed a few years ago, there’s been no significant building where we live.  Good news though, a few months ago a major building project began in my town, and I’ve been watching it for some time.  The new townhouse models opened up so naturally, being the looky loo that I am, I had to go inspect.  I love me some well staged model homes, so I popped in to to see if there was anything inspiring, and yes indeedy, I spied some great ideas!

Wanna take a tour with me?  Come on along why doncha.  Warning: lots of pictures ahead, and my observations to go with ‘em.

The first of three townhomes was staged in mostly modern black and white furniture with clean lines and graphic prints.  There was a lotta lacquer and a lotta mirror.  Some of this style appeals to me, some of it does not, but there were elements I really loved. 

The first room you see off the entry is staged as a living room/den and I loved its cosmopolitan style.  The twin cream chaises, that glossy console, those tripod lamps, and the graphic striped gray curtains are all in perfect scale.  I’m also loving the lattice rug, the space feels very ‘Z Gallerie’ to me.

It would have been nice to see a pop of color somewhere with the accessories, but I love the pillows and sophisticated feel of the space, also the contrast between the black and white.  I would substitute an eclectic gallery wall in lieu of the framed bridge poster art to the left, and substitute fresh flowers or an orchid instead of the fake plant.  

Next, the main living area, combining family room, kitchen and dining in an open floor plan. 

Let’s move in a little closer, shall we?  First, the kitchen, sleek and chic in black, white and stainless steel. 

I love the way the cabinets reach all the way to the ceiling with glass front display.  I wish those pendants were different, perhaps simple linen or patterned drum shades. 

Here’s my favorite takeaway, the brick pattern black subway tile on the backsplash run vertically instead of horizontally.  A brilliant twist, I love it!  Too bad local codes require those white outlets every few feet because they detract from the tile, but isn’t the backsplash fantastic? 

I noticed the microwave juts out beyond the cabinets – is that necessary for the hinges or for the exhaust fan?  Someone remind me.

Next, the living room space.  Those main TV viewing chairs don’t look very comfy, and that loveseat seems a little small, but I absolutely love anytime a dresser-like piece is used as a TV console below a flat screen. 

In the dining room, I really loved the chairs, especially the contrast between the warmth of the tweed fabric and the coolness of the chrome legs.  Notice the repetition of large mirrors on the wall for drama and to make the space feel larger. 

This dining room is screaming for an amazing chandy, which one would you choose?  Confession: I wish they’d get rid of all those fake trees.

I thought the study/office was nice, those egg chairs are fantastic. I like the use of square white mirrors used in repetition on the dark wall for a simple, dramatic display. 

Dying over this lacquer desk with chrome sawhorse legs.  Dying.

And you must see this white side chair with black piping.  It’s like, awesome.  

Upstairs, a graphic bedroom in black and white.  Interesting use of chairs instead of a bench.  I really like the mismatched nightstands with a dresser on one side and desk on the other.    

My favorite detail?  The leather and burlap trim Union Jack accent pillow.  Oh my, someone DIY this today, right now. 

I wasn’t crazy about the master bedroom only because of the scale of the bed.  I think it makes the bedroom feel much smaller than it is, but the frame is rather dramatic, and in a slightly larger space would be nice.  Also craving some color here. 

A very cute zig zag shower curtain in the hall bath, and I especially love the fact that the shower curtain goes all the way from the ceiling to the floor, so why not the tile too?

Here’s a fabulous use of grasscloth wallpaper in a powder room.  I wouldn’t use it in a full bath due to moisture issues, but love it used here. 

The next townhome had a similar open floor plan, and was staged in warmer tones of burnt orange and cream and plenty of wood.  The dining and family room areas were also connected with the kitchen in an open floor plan. 

The rug grounds the sitting area, and I’m inspired by the texture on the crocodile top nesting tables (to the left).  Notice the simple use of banding to jazz up the plain curtains, repeated in the trim on the sofa pillows. 

A very cool rustic dining room table, and a great mix of non matching armchairs and side chairs.  The oversized mirror helps expand the space. 

In the master bedroom, the fur blanket at the end of the bed and chenille rug are cozy.

Here is my most favorite room of all, the nursery!  The linens in the crib and the ABC art are so adorable, and I love the crisp white paired with burnt orange.  Not sure what’s up with the two lamps and a fake tree next to the crib, but still a lovely space. 

On the opposite wall, a fabric covered shelving unit with nailhead trim (mental note to DIY), a cozy black chair with white piping, and the West Elm martini side table.  I love the different width of the wall stripes and how they’re the same color as the roman shade. 

Loving the white trim on the shade too, but is the shade hung a little too high?  Is this some new trend, to hang roman shades at the ceiling and not directly above the window?   Otherwise, this is a totally fabulous space from zig zag rug to the robot art to the picture frame molding. 

My favorite townhome was the third one, it was the most elegant, styled in shades of cream, gray and plum (yum).  Here is the very pretty light filled entry.  That same cream and gray fabric is used throughout the downstairs main living area.  (Can anyone source it, cause I love it.)

Here’s a closer look:

Fabric source update: It’s Braemore Fioretto in Graphite (thanks Sandy, Clare and Ami!) available here and a few other online sources.

Here’s a peek at the main living space.  The furniture is upholstered in different neutral fabrics, but united by the repetition of nailhead trim. 

Two favorite details:  #1, the antique gold mirrored nesting coffee tables. 

Favorite detail #2:  the nailhead trim on the back of the sofa and the hardwood floors installed on the diagonal. 

Note to self:  next time I install hardwood floors, they will be on the diagonal. 

The dining area.  I think the table is too small, but hello fabulous curtains and cream linen dining room chairs and upholstered high back bench under the window.  Sooo practical right?  Aw, who cares, they’re so gorgeous.  And if you never have kids or dirt or company or breakfast, lunch, or dinner, they’ll stay that way!

Downstairs, a nice seating area with sectional.  I like the fact that two small stools are used instead of a coffee table, although in my mind I see those stools in either rustic wood or a dark lacquer finish. 

Opposite the sectional, an entertainment unit with some interesting detail.

I’m sorry, what’s that?  Grasscloth wallpaper on the doors attached with mini chrome nailhead trim?  That’s fantastic!  Not sure I’d pick those pulls, but loving the texture the wallpaper adds.

Here is the upstairs guest room, check out the dramatic use of stripes that keeps your eye moving around the room. 

The master was not very exciting but off in the corner I saw something I loved.  Hello lovely demilune cabinet and the Devon mirror I just bought last month for my master bedroom. 

That pattern is no inlay, that’s silver paint my friends.  Or maybe silver leaf, but it’s totally hackable.  Who volunteers to replicate it? 

That’s the big tour of the townhomes in my town, lots of great takeaways, right?  I hear there are single family homes that are staged too.  I’ll try to get back and take a peek at them too.  If post worthy, you know I’ll bring it! 

What was your favorite detail, and are you a model home crasher like me?   C’mon, tell the truth.  Do we need to form a support group? 

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Tags: model crashing, townhome tour

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