New homes: Talk of the town

It’s taken a couple of years, but the impressive stretch of model homes marching down Kelly Farm Drive in Findlay Creek is done and ready to tour — all 16 of them.

“It’s a lot of models … it’s like a field trip,” says designer Kelly Maiorino of Unique Spaces, which did the interiors for six of them.

Eight models by Tamarack Homes and another eight by Tartan Homes, each presenting four two-storey singles and four townhomes, offer a plethora of designs to inspire.

The idea is to give buyers lots of choice.

“The models that were selected are our best sellers,” says Sarah Bradshaw, sales and marketing co-ordinator for Tartan. “We go with the ones that we sell the most of or the ones that people ask to see most of the time.”

For Tamarack, sales and marketing co-ordinator Kylie Kuipers says the floor plans were mostly selected based on not having these models at the builder’s other sites. “We try to show all our models over the several sites so customers can see the style of home they are purchasing in person.”

From calm neutrals to bold pops of colour, “we want (the models) to spark conversation,” says Tartan’s design centre manager, Anna Riopelle. “Whether people like it or don’t like it personally, to me it inspires thought.

“A model home is a place where you want to showcase the practicality and the features to the best ability of the home. But at the same time, it’s (an opportunity) for people to have a bit of fun and step outside of their comfort zone.”

Tartan’s models include two new floor plans — the Vega and the Sirius — and two that are outfitted with standard (or included) finishes — the Turner single and the Spartan town — to show buyers what they can get without having to pay for upgrades.

“It gives the buyer reassurance that they can have something really nicely appointed without having to spend another large sum of money,” says Riopelle. “As someone who manages the design centre, to me it’s almost like a pride statement; we can show with pride what our standard is.”

For the six models designed by Unique Spaces, Maiorino wanted them to feel welcoming while keeping them neutral to appeal to a wide demographic. “A lot of them have a very warm modern esthetic; they feel really approachable, attainable.”

On the base of neutrals, Unique Spaces layered in texture and contrast and added personality through art, light fixtures and accessories, she says.

The two newest Tartan models, the single-family Vega and Sirius, were designed by Riopelle, who opted for a bit more colour, like the saturated teal cabinets in the Sirius kitchen or the bold flower wallpaper in the primary bedroom and ensuite of the Vega.

Colour is something designer Sonya Kinkade, who outfitted the Tamarack models, does not shy away from.

“It is an opportunity to showcase what is reflected in design at that moment but still keep it classic,” she says. “I like to stir emotions up with the buyer and showcase what is possible; not what everyone else is doing. Colour is back prominent; why not integrate it into their dream home?”

Design styles for the homes range from modern farmhouse and Napa Valley to London eclectic and modern mountain, with many leaning either feminine or masculine and with generous sprinklings of wall panelling or moulding.

“I want to appeal to both the men and women purchasing the homes,” says Kinkade. “With that said, many of the style specs of today have a relaxed masculine vibe with a feminine twist.”

Both Tartan and Tamarack say the models have been well received. “People feel themselves living here,” says Tamarack sales representative Valerie Taller. “Our designer did a wonderful job.”

For details and to tours the models, visit tartanhomes.com or tamarackhomes.com.