When the universe presents you with an opportunity, throw your plans out the window and seize the moment.
Sally Medicke, designer and owner of Tres Belle Designs, was working on a home for another client when she happened upon a gorgeous vacant lot that backed up to a lush green wooded area.
Though she had no plans to build a home, she felt like this would be the perfect relaxing retreat, and felt inspired to design a ranch that her husband and two grown children would love.
She connected with home designer Tony Frazier and builder Stellar Blu Construction and made it happen. “I love a light, spacious feel mixed with interesting architectural elements like painted wood ceilings and polished nickel lighting,” explains Sally. When it came to the inspiration for the interiors of the home, once again, she was headed in one direction, but was pulled in another.
Sally explains that she originally intended to design the interiors with her favorite palette of cobalt blue and teal, but changed course. “When I saw the National Geographic picture of the Rhinoceros that is now in my foyer, I thought, ‘I’m done, I love this guy!’” she remembers.
“I developed the gold, silver, black and white look throughout the house and it came together almost magically. That’s when you know you’re doing the right thing.”
The great thing about designing your own home, Sally says, is that you can try as many different things as you like. After working with so many clients on many different styles, she says that she took what she liked from each project and put it into her own home.
“I wanted it to be fun and cheery and completely unique,” says Sally. “I just started with things that made me say, ‘I love that and it makes me happy.’”
If it seems daunting to design your home, Sally suggests going room by room and mapping out how each will be used and what pieces you will need to make that happen. “My design assistant and daughter, Ashley Bordeau, helped me so much with this,” says Sally. “You need to have an understanding of the way you want your home to feel. As a designer, I think you can get a great look in a number of different ways.”
I t took the team eight months to complete the home, and the end result was a combination of openness, functionality and a great space for entertaining.
Sally said she shopped for most of her furniture and art pieces in Atlanta, especially the Atlanta Merchandise Mart. She accessorized with pieces found all over Raleigh at some of her favorite spots to shop for clients.
“Above all else, have fun with it!” says Sally. “It’s your adventure and you should enjoy it!”