DFW Modern Homes » Urban Reserve

Modern Builder of the Week – CCM General Contractors

Tina Winslow Hudson — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 04:19:07 +0000

Of course, I’m starting out with the prominent builder of Urban Reserve. You know I have a soft spot for that community and those homes. Eventually I’ll run out things to talk about in that region but for now, it’s forward ho. So CCM are the exclusive builders of Urban Reserve. They also are the builders of many Urban Edge homes as well.

Here is a small sample of what they say about themselves.

CCM - Expert, Excellent Builders of Modern Homes

4300-4310 Abbott Avenue – view profile
4438 Cole Avenue – view profile
2414-2416 Throckmorton Street – view profile
4431-4437 Travis Avenue – view profile

What I like about their style is their integration of innovation and creativity in their homes as they are built. Not necessarily afterthoughts but key concepts in every detail. For example I know on Cole Avenue project had glass imported from Sweden that let in light without heat. Materials are used that can shock the casual observer but add to the aesthetic appeal once the entire project is taken on the whole. 22 Vanguard for instance has green slate covering the outside completely. As my Scottish friend noted upon seeing it – “That house will be here in 100 years and will look virtually the same. In Aberdeen (ed. note his home town) homes are built using the same material and they just keep going and going.” That’s innovating building, my friend. As an owner of a house not 50 years old and seeing troubles that crop up in that, I have no doubt that house isn’t just beautiful, it’s a practical investment to it’s roots. Add that most of the projects now are built to Green standards, LEED Certified and help reduce the footprint of the home on it’s environment from construction through ownership and you have to admit CCM is the real deal in terms of Modern Builder.

No house is the same – just the the base elements of quality, creativity and hot modern stylization.

Modern Home Furnishings

Tina Winslow Hudson — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:48:44 +0000

As we discussed I think Modern Homes can be modern, both through architecture and also through the internal aesthetics you choose to illustrate your world with decoration, furnishings, textures and colors. To that end, there are lots of great decorating, furniture and local places that feature modern pieces that I would love to highlight. Naturally there will be pieces that I just like to like and there are some that really speak to me. I’ll probably pull those images and link to the locations there. If there is marketing material that I come across I’ll probably highlight that too.

There are, of course, lots of stores all over the nation that highlight modern aesthetic which I’ll move into after we have exhausted the Dallas area. The internet has made cities just villages one click over and we should as appreciative consumers, exploit that as well. However, I want to pimp the local as much as I can. See my love affair with Dallas a few posts ago to understand.

Recently I a friend, gave me a flyer she got in the mail about a new store called Natuzzi. It’s apparently new to Dallas as the card is for a “Grand Opening Sale”. The sale is over tomorrow (October 24th, 2008) but I explored the site and found a piece that I’m attracted to.

DURINI WALL UNIT

This wall section appeals to me – I would prefer lighter lacquer which I swear “a wide range of finishes are available”. The dark makes me think seventies decor but I like the flush shelf with the wall and the presentation of the objects versus what’s holding it up. The versatility of the arrangement allows multiple configurations and allow artful presentations. I also can envision technology integrated which would fuse this together perfectly for me. Think flat screen snuggled up in the space. Here is Natuzzi’s page on the piece.

KOLE Sectional Couch

This couch is not exactly what I wanted you to see. It looks comfortable though. My dogs on it would be a disaster. Perhaps another color. But I was very attracted to the wall unit and shelving behind it. Again flush, the color is lighter and the wall unit just accents the clean lines. It looks modular so you could arrange it allow for heights and products but it’s really attractive to me. Good for a common room. But being wacky, I could see it in a kitchen for plates, glasses in an open setting. See pics, details here.

I’m not on their payroll but in the essence of giving you complete data, here are their two addresses in the local area if you are interested.

NOW OPEN
Natuzzi Plano
7300 Lonestar Drive – C100
The Shops at Legacy
972-801-6933

Natuzzi Dallas
11700 Preston Road
Next to Whole Foods
214-363-7070

In site news, I got to go back to Urban Reserve. I am very excited that Diane Cheatham has responded so enthusiastically to educating me and allowing me access. If you notice a trend toward me highlighting both Urban Reserve and Diane Cheatham, you’ll know why. An entire Modern Home community that I can walk and take pictures of and ask questions, I’m in heaven. It’s easier than knocking on strangers doors and saying – HEY Can I take a picture or two of your house. Most people are rightly creeped out by that.

Urban Reserve Pictures, finally

Tina Winslow Hudson — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:39:00 +0000

Sorry for the delay, this week was a doozy. But I got the pics off my camera and cropped and selected which ones I think really worked. A caveat, however, I am not a photographer although in my head, I wish I was. I see pictures that do that cool focus on certain item, while the background is fuzzy or reversed. I have always drifted toward writing because I see things in my head (not psychiatric wise) but images, ideas, and concepts that I can’t reproduce except through words. If I could draw, create or photograph, you would see what I see. Until that point, we have photos and my explanations in my head.

These were taken at Urban Reserve community last week. Diane Cheatham, the CEO/Owner of Urban Edge Developers which developed Urban Reserve, graciously allowed me to walk around and take pictures of her house. I got one of a line of other modern homes in the community (which turned out a little blurry). I’ll explain what I was going for with each one. Also Diane Cheatham was featured in a recent news article in the Dallas Morning News about Urban Reserve. Great read and they took professional photos of the whole community.

The Chris-Craft House

This is the house that the Cheatham’s are living in while their new home is being built down the street in the Urban Reserve community. It is available for sale and gorgeous.

The Chris-Craft House side view

This a view that takes in the side view of the house.

The Chris-Craft House side view, up close

The house is longer than it is wide. This is the side view with a bit of sculpture in the shot. There is a winding staircase up to the en suite part of the house.

The Chris-Craft House view of front detail

This view lets you see some of the architectural / design detail of the front of the house.

details of the front of the house, above the porch

row of modern homes at Urban Reserve

That’s it for now. I have more to write about. I have some articles about Modern Homes in Dallas I have come across that I’ll be linking too. Also I have some interior shots of the our visit. Those of course, include the design and architectural ramifications of exterior choices of the house and since it’s interior design, rely on each individual’s design preference. Since I enjoy seeing pictures of modern furnishings, I’ll probably start putting those up from places I find them and posting them here. Some are from local stores. Some from other places that are all over the place. I’ll note those local and those not.

In the meantime, I encourage you to visit Urban Reserve and see for yourself.