Curb appeal is a tricky thing. Real estate pros say you need to have “it” to quickly catch the eye of buyers. But precisely defining what “it” is sometimes can be difficult.
Anthem Pacific Homes has been able to accomplish this by bringing together different textures, colors and other elements to create custom homes that are impressive at first glance and just get better the more you learn about them.
A prime example of this is Anthem’s Whistler Trail, a two-story 2,871-square-foot home that earned a top award for curb appeal in the 2024 Parade of Homes.
Heidi La Bolle, interior designer and project coordinator, said the home presents a refined modern take on the classic Craftsman style. It includes a big focus on using natural wood tones, stone and neutral colors inside and out to provide an overall feeling of warmth. N
One of the first things to attract attention is a large arched window on the iconic stairwell projection, adjacent to the front door. It’s wrapped in stained shake and is designed to catch the eye and draw it upward. The entryway includes stone and wood pillars and a sitting area on the front porch. The landscaping also complements the natural tones.The overall emphasis on lighter, natural tones and European elements can be found in this room. The arch pattern is repeated over the hood. There is a farmhouse sink and lighter and darker wood tones in the cabinetry. The kitchen includes access to a pantry through a separate door. Another interesting element is the fluting on the side of the kitchen island, which is a series of vertical grooves designed to create a stylish sense of depth.The bathroom has a long counter and two sinks. It also offers a ‘wet room,’ a newer design trend where the shower and tub are in the same enclosed area, which cuts down on the risk of slippery surfaces. The wet room also has soft but textural tile on the walls. The home’s emphasis on luxury touches includes dual shower heads in the wet room as well as illuminated toe-kick lighting below the counter.A fabricated metal railing takes visitors upstairs to bedrooms as well and a catwalk overlooking the great room. The spaces within the railing add to the brightness. The arched lighting fixture provides a nice color and linear contrast to the flat lines in the door and bracketed windows. The open-flow design concept makes it easy to move from room to room. Large and small windows bring in natural light, including a set high along the wall that are at eye level from the catwalk. One highlight of the room is a built-in fireplace surrounded by cultured stone, which provides natural color tones. A German-style schmear was used on the stone, a technique using layers of thick mortar paste to create a more rustic look.
