DESIGN IT YOURSELF

By Marlene Ridgway

In a world of ever-changing trends, homeowners can bring a personal flair to their homes with custom designs through unique opportunities.

Custom embroidered wallcoverings, fabrics, tiles, stained glass windows, and more are possible with the help of experienced brands that bring a design vision to life with quality, care, and creativity.

“We like that our service is personal, as so much of interior design comes down to taste,” explains Max Findlay, chief executive officer of Peel & Paper. This custom wallpaper company allows its customers’ individual tastes to shine.

Christine Speare, a senior project manager at de Gournay, a hand-painted wallpaper and fabrics company with showrooms in Shanghai, Beirut, San Francisco, Paris, London, and New York, says, “As our collections and techniques have developed, we’ve noticed increased popularity, not just for the designs, but also specific custom interpretations, as people seek to incorporate them into contemporary projects with ever more fantastical briefs.”

The concept of custom design is not new, and continues to be desired among luxury homeowners. But with advanced technology, it has become more accessible. The well-known company, Zazzle Inc., has 900,000 independent creators. Customers can choose from the millions of pre-created designs, and print them on a seemingly infinite number of products. However, there’s still a craving for quality to be part of the custom mix.

“Our hand-embroidery techniques on wallpaper and wall upholstery have really elevated in the past few years,” says Speare. de Gournay was inspired when Claud Cecil Gourney was looking for a hand-painted Chinese wallpaper to decorate his own home and discovered the original art of hand-painted Chinoiserie had almost ceased.” Similarly, The Hyland Studio, a studio in Santa Clara, California, is preserving the art of stained, leaded, and etched glass by offering traditional yet custom designs, as well as repairing antique glass and protecting it against further aging.

The customizable wallpaper brand, Peel & Paper, has products that are simple to apply and remove, but most importantly, they offer an opportunity to personalize a space. With instant color-changing technology, buyers can shift the shades and tones of any design, mix and match patterns, and bring a highly individual touch to each room. “Our customers get to be their own designers essentially,” says Findlay.

Additionally, Unique Tiles, a company in Somerset, England, offers everything from intricate, decorative ceramic tiles in your dining room and outdoor displays, to delicate floral backsplashes in the kitchen, spa, and everything in between. These hand-painted bone china and ceramic tiles are another way homeowners are incorporating their taste into a room alongside quality materials that elevate the atmosphere. de Gournay meticulously interprets customer ideas and brings them to life on wallpaper, fabrics, porcelain, and hand-embroidered wall coverings. “We are always trying to expand the realm of possible designs that we can paint for our clients. And our designer clients often come up with ideas as well,” says Speare. The company’s elegant wallpaper collections range from the Chinoiserie Collection, which is based on Chinese wallpapers that became popular in luxury homes and palaces between 1750 and 1850, to eclectic, deco, scenic, and much more, according to Speare.

Each piece is a work of art dedicated to de Gournay’s unique style that has been melded with each client’s individual dream. “We will paint whatever our clients ask us to paint, and we have worked on murals from Jules Verne’s, ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ to historic views of famous port cities,” adds Speare. The goal is always to create a cheerful, yet peaceful atmosphere that can be adored and enjoyed at the end of a hectic day with vibrant colors and balanced designs.

“Our newest Mughal Collection represents an entirely new aesthetic and design style,” says Speare. “We have the chance to be able to launch a collection of wallpapers based on this wonderful and diverse artistic heritage, which often defies categorization as it mixes up so many of the influences across Asia from 1200 to 1850.”

John Keating REALTOR® Associate

O: 732 530 2800 john.keating@foxroach.com 55rumson.foxroach.com

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, REALTORS®

Rumson

The Enclave, Chestnut Hill

Philadelphia, PA

These 8, fully customizable luxury townhomes enjoy a fantastic location just 1 block from vibrant shopping, dining, and the train. Featuring elevators, 4-5 bedrooms, 3 full and 2 half baths, gourmet kitchens, fabulous primary suites with spa-like bathrooms, private courtyards, and 2-car garages. Prices available upon request.

1110 North Spring Mill Road, Villanova, PA

An exceptional Main Line estate nestled on 2.23 private acres with a fabulous backyard oasis with terraces, an in-ground pool, pool house, and firepit. Featuring a gourmet kitchen, expansive great room, large primary suite with dual baths and walk-in closets, and an in-law or au pair suite. Price available upon request.

The Sivel Group Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Fox & Roach, REALTORS®

O: 215 248 6536 thesivelgroup.com

Rosa Aiello

Sales Associate

C: 732 239 8597

O: 732 449 5555 rosa.aiello@foxroach.com 7tradewinds.foxroach.com

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Fox & Roach, REALTORS®

7 Tradewinds Lane

Sea Bright, NJ

Luxury coastal living redefined. Superlative in every way, this custom-built 6,110-square-foot, 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath oceanfront home offers unimpeded views of ocean and bay from the area’s highest roof deck, private beach access, 8- to 10-foot ceilings, and exquisite details. Amenities include a theater, 3-story elevator, and stunning primary suite. Price upon request.

Christine Morford

C: 727 744 7015

O: 732 530 2800 christine@morfordmanors.com morfordmanors.com

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Fox & Roach, REALTORS®

100 Ocean Boulevard Atlantic Highlands, NJ

This custom-built, 7-bedroom, 6.5-bath waterfront dream home is the epitome of comfort and luxury. Two bedrooms and 2 baths are tucked away into an attached guest apartment. Nestled on a prestigious hillside overlooking New York City and near downtown and the ferry make this an ideal property for anyone looking to reside just a boat ride away from New York. $3,850,000

15 Upper Cross Road, Greenwich, CT

233 Hillspoint Road, Westport, CT

279 Granville Road, Granby, CT

26 Mohawk Lane, Greenwich, CT

5 Mims Path, Poughkeepsie Twp, NY

23 Hillcrest Road, Old Greenwich, CT

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

New York Properties bhhsnyproperties.com

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

New England Properties bhhsneproperties.com

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Hudson Valley Properties bhhshudsonvalley.com

77 E 12th Street, 12HJK, New York, NY

15 Charles Street, PHC, New York, NY

1070 Park Avenue, 11D, New York, NY

135 W 70th Street, 8E, New York, NY

515 E 72nd Street, 4P, New York, NY

Tracy Tarlton, 602 570 6531

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

New York Properties bhhsnyproperties.com

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

New England Properties bhhsneproperties.com

60 Pineapple Street, 4H, New York, NY

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Hudson Valley Properties bhhshudsonvalley.com

Team Vincent

Jay Vincent

Chad Vincent

Melissa Boone

T: 828 268 1986 chad@bhhsvp.com bhhsvp.com

Berkshire Hathaway

HomeServices

Vincent Properties

878 Narrow Ridge Lane, Green Mountain, NC

With 4 private residences within walking distance of each other situated across 329-plus acres, this piece of paradise offers luxury living, pastures, and an exceptional barn facility. This estate is only 15 minutes from Burnsville and 40 minutes from Asheville. Find gorgeous mountain views, a lagoon cave and waterfall, along with a pond, creeks, and more. $5,490,000

Only 2 minutes from Main Street, this historic offering consists of 4.35 acres of level front and back yards with easy access, protected panoramic gorge views, and modern mountain charm with amazing views over Grandfather Mountain. Built circa 1915, the home and detached carriage house have been renovated with much care and thought. SOLD $2,750,000